"What the hell are you doing?" Victor almost yells.
He mashes the buttons on his controller. His avatar-a little round, pink ball with feet-rolls out of the way of an enemy combatant.
"I'm almost out of health!" Fee cries. They grit their teeth as they move their character-a little green reptile-across the screen. A few red turtles chase after it.
Victor groans. He rolls his eyes and his avatar drops a mushroom on the ground. "Oh my god… here."
Fee's character darts across the screen and absorbs the little mushroom. They comically wipe the sweat from their brow. "Wew."
"Now let's finish them off!"
With a resolute nod, Fee presses the joystick up. They smash more buttons as their avatar whips out a large sword. They wave it in all directions. The enemies around them dissolve into thin air and disappear. More spawn immediately after.
"Shit…" Victor mutters, gritting his teeth as he bats away more with an axe. "Why do they keep spawning? We're gonna die. I just used the last mushroom I had!"
"Lemme see…" Humming and running to the edge of their side of the screen again, Fee opens their menu and searches through the pockets of their bag.
"Anything?" Victor asks, the adrenaline searing through his veins like wildfire.
He watches his health bar deplete even more. His avatar takes another barrage of hits.
"Anything?" Victor repeats, panting, irritation tingeing his voice.
"I-" Fee stammers.
Victor's character takes a few more hits with little squeaks. He pulls his remote closer to his face as he leans forward. His fingers dance across the buttons. But his health bar keeps depleting. His heart hammers even more forcefully.
The screen goes black.
Game over.
"Ugh!" Victor groans, dropping his controller next to him on his bed and flopping back dramatically to release all the pent-up tension in his body. "We were so close."
"Sorry, buddy." Fee presses the heels of their hands into their eyes and leans forward on the edge of the bed, sighing. "I thought I had something that could save us, but alas…"
Victor laughs, draping his bare arm across his forehead. "It's okay. This knock-off Smash Bros game seemed weird at first but it was actually pretty fun."
"I know, right?"
There's a pause and Victor exhales loudly, sitting back up and running a hand through his hair. He eyes Fee suspiciously as they wring their hands out in frustration, staring straight ahead at the television screen, lost in thought. "Hey… Is everything okay?"
"Hm?" their head snaps to the side, eyebrow raised.
"I don't know… you just seem extra spacey today. Even for you." Victor reaches out and squeezes their bare shoulder gently.
Fee chuckles awkwardly, pulling their knee up onto the mattress and turning to face him. "Oh, you know… just avoiding my apartment again. The usual."
Tilting his head, Victor raises both eyebrows and peers up at them, urging them to continue. "Is your mom…?"
"Yeah…" Fee murmurs, clearing their throat and wiping the tear at the corner of their eye with their finger. "Things were good for a while but… I… I don't wanna burden you, man."
Victor shakes his head. "You're not burdening me. I'm always here for you, especially after you've helped me out all those times before."
Fee gives him a small smile. "Thanks, man. I appreciate it. But I think for now… The distractions are honestly really helping."
"Yeah, I get that. And again, if you ever need anyone to talk to… you know where I live." Victor wrinkles his nose and ruffles Fee's hair as Fee giggles quietly. "Anyways… Did you want anything to drink? I was gonna get some iced tea."
"That would be fire. Thank you, bestie."
"If you wanna play a round on your own, go ahead. I'll be back in a bit."
Fee gives him a thumbs up as Victor grabs his phone from his nightstand where it's charging and unplugs it.
There are a few notifications from Benji and he can't help but smile behind his hand as he pads across his room and then out into the corridor toward the kitchen, fluffing up his sweaty hair with his fingers once he's alone.
The soles of his bare feet drag against the smooth hardwood for a moment before he pauses his stride. There are seven messages, three of them photos. Victor's eyes go wide as street lights in the darkness.
Giddy, he stands in the middle of the hallway and taps the notification that takes him to his text messages, peeking over his shoulder before he returns his gaze to the screen.
The first photo from a few hours ago of Benji is innocent enough; he's standing in front of the counter at Brasstown in his apron holding up a peace sign and smiling gently. Victor can't help but bite back a grin as he reads the message directly following:
"I did as you asked ? I'll send you the proof you wanted in a bit ?￢ﾀﾝ
"Sir ?￢ﾀﾝ he added immediately below.
Victor swallows as he checks over his shoulder one more time and shuffles into the kitchen, covering the side of his screen with his hand as he scrolls down.
The second photo is of Benji from a short time later, where he took a selfie in front of the bathroom mirror, smirking proudly, with one side of his shirt raised to show off his abs and a nipple, his jeans unbuttoned and pulled down a bit to expose the lacey mint-colored panties he's wearing.
Victor's entire body gets hot even though he's not wearing a shirt and he swallows loudly before he creeps over to the fridge and pulls out the pitcher of iced tea, gently placing it on the counter while his attention still lingers on his message, but more importantly, on how delicious Benji looks in those panties.
"See? I told you I would be a good boy for you, Sir ?￢ﾀﾝ he'd written. Victor's dick twitches.
"Holy shit…" he mutters.
The final photo almost sends Victor directly into the Earth's core and he has no choice but to grip at the countertop to keep his balance, his head going light. Even after months of dating, he can't stop himself from getting excited with each new interaction; his heart still flutters with affection and primality as if it were the first time, and he knows he can look forward to many more.
He clears his throat as his eyes glue themselves to the screen, where there's a photo of the interior of the back office at Brasstown, the desk sitting in the background against the wall, nestled between it and the lockers.
But most peculiarly, in the center of the photo, pressed up against the blue lockers, is Benji, completely bare. His back is arched in a way that Victor could call graceful if it wasn't so fucking lewd, his ass thrust out, begging for Victor to grab his hips roughly and fuck him loudly against the cool metal. Victor's dick springs to life and he swallows, before he's wondering how the fuck Benji even managed to get a photo like this in the first place.
He has to resist the urge to reach into his pants and beat himself off right then and there, taking a deep breath and exhaling through his mouth before he pockets his phone and adjusting his sweatpants before he reaches into the cabinet with shaky hands, withdrawing two glasses. Setting them on the counter, he grumbles to himself as he pours some iced tea into one of the glasses.
Shaking his head, Victor keeps pouring as he takes his phone out of his pocket again, examining the photo once more, before he realizes there's a message right below it.
"I can't find the cleaning supplies ? Can you help me, Daddy? ? ﾟﾑﾉ?￢ﾀﾝ
"Why does he love that emoji so much…?" Victor mutters. He can't stop himself from giggling, covering his face in his wrist and shaking his head vigorously.
"What are you giggling about, man?" Fee teases as they enter the kitchen.
Victor jumps but grins so wide his lips might hop off his face and fly away, blushing as he shuts off the screen quickly. "Benji sent me some very-er-nice photos."
"Ahhh…" Fee pauses, raising an eyebrow, before they turn their gaze to the countertop. "Bestie you're uhh… spilling. Everywhere."
"Oh shit!" Victor cries, startled, as he immediately slams the pitcher of iced tea onto the counter into the giant red puddle he'd just created.
Groaning, he reaches for the paper towels from the roll on the wall and unrolls several, tearing them away loudly before he dumps them all in a pile on top of the spill and pats the pile down, gathering all the liquid and staining the white paper a lovely shade of brownish-red.
Fee takes another handful of paper towels and helps him mop up the spill, before they both toss the sopping paper into the bin and wash their hands with a sigh.
"Sorry about that," Victor says, scratching the back of his head as he passes Fee a new glass of iced tea, before he takes one for himself. "I wasn't expecting to get so distracted by my boyfriend's nudes."
"Oh, he sent you nudes… I wish Andrew would send me nudes…" Fee mutters, before they take a sip of iced tea, swishing it around in their mouth for a long moment before swallowing.
Victor stares at them, eyebrow raised, before his face relaxes and he pats them consolingly on the shoulder. "Well have you ever… asked?"
"Asking for nudes? What am I, some creepy schmuck on a dating app? No thank you."
"Sib," Vic says, leaning up against the counter and crossing an arm over his middle. He takes a sip before motioning in Fee's direction with the hand holding his glass, "you're not some rando asking another rando. It's Andrew. You've literally seen his dick in real life. Many times."
"Then that defeats the purpose of having nudes, doesn't it?"
Victor sighs, narrowing his eyes. "Do you want my help or not?"
Fee nods quickly.
"Okay, so it's really easy, right. All you gotta do…" Victor says as he leans in, pausing for suspense as Fee leans in, too, "is send him a nude first. Boom. That's it." He raises both hands, spilling a little more of his iced tea, as he drops an imaginary mic with his other hand.
"Seriously?" Fee stands up straight again and rolls their eyes.
"Yep."
"That sounds too easy."
"It is. Just… make sure he's not in public when you send it. Or at least give him a heads up so he's not flashing your junk to random people on the street or something."
"Good point…"
Victor chuckles, taking another sip of his iced tea. "It gets easier, though, just like anything else. And I'll say the kinky shit… like the power play… is really fun."
Fee gives him a skeptical glance as Victor motions with his hand for them to follow him back into his room. "How?"
"What do you mean?" Victor sets his glass on the nightstand before he plops back onto his bed; Fee does the same, their arm pressing against Victor's as they stare up at the ceiling.
"Y'know… Like… what's fun about it?"
"Umm…" Victor strokes his chin before he turns to face Fee, head dropping to the side. "It's kinda like… well…" He pauses for a moment, narrowing his eyes. "You trust Andrew, right?"
"Right."
"How much?"
Fee's silent for a moment, face scrunching as if Victor has just suggested they drown someone. "I mean… A lot."
"No, you don't understand…" Victor rolls over on his side and props his head up on his hand, peering down at Fee.
"Yeah, 'cause you're not making any actual sense."
Victor rolls his eyes. "It's about how far you can push that trust. And how you're willing to show it."
"I'm still not following."
Victor sighs, staring off toward the corner of the room, the deep blue walls calming him as he takes a deep breath to still his hammering heart. "So… I'll explain… Basically, I trust Benji with my life. And he does the same with me. The whole thing, really, is about… well, I guess… being able to do things so we can trust each other even more. It's like… trust falls, for instance."
Fee nods slowly, pursing their lips. "Okay… I think I get that bit."
"Yeah, it's just like… in this case, the trust fall can be anything. Like, for me and Benji, it's like… power play, obviously, but it can be through other means, like bondage, impact play, basically whatever you want."
"Hmm…" Fee raises an eyebrow. "That's actually kinda fascinating."
"I really didn't think I would be that into it initially, but I wanted to try it, because he's pretty into it. And, like, it does sorta make you look like an asshole to say you like telling your boyfriend what to wear and… smacking him around in bed." Victor chuckles as he plays with the soft sheet stretched out between them, pensive and wistful.
"Well, I'm not gonna judge you for what you two get up to when you're both consenting adults, of course."
Victor smiles. "Thanks. But for real. It's just… so fun."
"Sure…" Fee says, skeptical. "Sounds like a blast."
Sighing, Victor stares back up at the ceiling, content. "Seriously, though. And I feel so much closer to him because of it, you know? Like… my boyfriend just sent me probably one of the hottest pics I've ever seen in my life and I didn't even have to ask him. He just did it. Because he trusts me and knows I'll know what to do with it. It's honestly incredible."
Fee hums again, turning on their side and propping their head up on their arm. "So it almost sounds like trust is the most important part, even beyond just the love part."
"I guess you can say that. Like, obviously I love him, but the trust is the foundation, really. I don't know where the trust ends and the love begins 'cause it feels like they're so intertwined, you know?"
"This is starting to confuse my brain…" Fee mutters, scratching their temple.
Victor chuckles, shoving their shoulder playfully. "It's just… kind of a self-fulfilling prophecy. Like, it makes it easier to ask for what you want, too, because you trust him and you know he'll tell you what he wants and how he's feeling."
Fee's quiet for a moment as they stare out the window into the glaring, blinding sun. Victor watches them curiously, pulling his phone out of his pocket.
"So you're saying… engaging in kinky sex is a way to improve the feedback loop," they finally say.
"Improve it and develop it. And also, it's just a way to push each other's boundaries… And discover new ones." Victor pauses, chewing on his lip for a moment. "I think for me, it's to see what he's capable of, how much he's willing to do for me… how much he can handle, under the right conditions, to show me how much he loves and trusts me… I can't even describe how it makes me feel." Victor's cheeks warm and he's reminded of the sides of Benji only he's allowed to witness, and a wave crashes through his chest. "It's just… fucking awesome. And in a really weird way, I feel really… proud of him, you know?"
"Hmm…" Fee nods slowly. "This is giving me a lot to think about." They let their hand drop on the mattress beside their head. "I might press you with more questions about this whole thing… Because I'm actually intrigued."
"What do you wanna know?" Victor's pocket vibrates and he frowns as he reaches into it. He withdraws his phone; there's a notification from Benji. "Actually, give me a second. It's Benji."
Fee shrugs, taking out their own phone and peering down at the screen, as Victor does the same.
"I can't believe you left me on read Daddy ?ￂﾠ
Anyways I'm off work. Are you free? I'd love to see you again ? I miss you and your wonderful ?￢ﾀﾝ
Victor chuckles to himself and shakes his head as he rolls his eyes good-naturedly.
"Hey thanks for waiting patiently for me I've been hanging with Fee all day ?￢ﾀﾝ
"But god you're amazing baby ? ﾟﾘﾍ? ﾟﾘﾍ" Victor writes, pausing for a moment before he adds: "I hope your ? is ready for me ?￢ﾀﾝ
He only waits a few moments before the little dots appear on the screen.
"It's always ready for you ?￢ﾀﾝ
Victor's mind goes blank and he holds his breath unconsciously, swallowing and grimacing as his saliva travels down his overheated, parched throat. His cock twitches and he brings his knees closer to his chest, hoping Fee won't notice the bulge growing in his pants. But Fee is frowning down at their phone, preoccupied with something else.
"Do you wanna come over? I'll kick Fee out bc I finally have the place to myself. It's been too long since I got to play with you ?￢ﾀﾝ he writes quickly.
Benji writes back immediately. "Be there in a few"
"Hey, buddy," Victor says, pocketing his phone and turning his attention back to Fee. "Sorry about that. I think we're gonna have to take rain check on our little bdsm chat, though, 'cause Benji's coming over now and I really wanna have sex with him…" He pauses, taking note of Fee's wrinkled brows and twitchy scowl. "What's wrong now?"
"It's nothing…" Fee sighs, sitting up straight, as Victor does the same. "I just thought something really bad happened, because the doctor just messaged me about my mom. It just turned out that they needed to adjust her dosage of her medication because it wasn't exactly… strong enough." They exhale loudly.
"Sounds like they're stressing you out for nothing." Victor chews on the inside of his cheek before he opens his arms and beckons Fee into them. "C'mere. You need a hug."
Fee grumbles and Victor narrows his eyes. "I'm fine…"
"Just let me hug you, dammit. For like 5 seconds."
"Okay, okay, fine. You drive a hard bargain," Fee mutters, rolling their eyes before they embrace Victor tightly and rest their chin on his shoulder.
Victor counts to five in his mind and almost chuckles when Fee stays glued to him for a much longer period before finally letting go.
"Thanks, bestie. You give pretty damn good hugs," Fee says with a half-hearted laugh.
"Feel any better?"
They nod. "Yeah. I think… Yeah. I'll be good. Andrew's gonna drop by in a few, too, so I won't be alone. But thank you for spending time with me."
"No problem."
There's a knock at the door and Victor's blood picks up its pace as it travels through his veins. He bolts upright. "Oh shit."
"Benji's here already, huh?" Fee says as they roll off Victor's bed and onto the floor with a thump.
"I guess so." He grabs Fee by the elbow and pulls them into the corridor. "I haven't seen him much since we all went to NOLA so it'll be nice to spend time together… But if you need anything-"
"Yeah, yeah, I know where you live, yadda yadda yadda," Fee says with a small smile as they step into their shoes. There's another knock at the door and Victor's pocket vibrates again.
"I'm on my way, babe," Victor calls down the hallway; he quickly grabs his t-shirt and slips into it as they both walk toward the door.
Victor opens the door, jumping when he's greeted by Benji standing there, startled and wide-eyed, clad in a crop top that says 'Women don't owe you shit' on it, along with a short, loose houndstooth skirt and boots, the outfit complete with the thin, studded pleather collar around the base of Benji's neck.
"Oh my god, I've been thinking about you spanking me all day," Benji blurts out. When Victor gives him a tight-lipped smile and opens the door even more, Benji's cheeks go red and he averts his gaze for a split-second before he looks them directly in the eye, gaze strong. "Hey, Fee."
"Oh, uh… hey, Benji…" Fee says quickly, pupils flitting down to Benji's neck before returning to his face as he clears his throat. "I like your, um…" They motion to their own neck and Benji glances down.
"Thanks." Benji raises an eyebrow, curt, as he peers at Victor. "I wasn't expecting… you to still be here."
"No, sorry, I was just leaving. It was good seeing you." Fee slips out the door as if they're being chased with a short wave.
"Hey, babe, I'm sorry. They had something stressful happen and we were chatting a little about it and I didn't think they would still be here when you got here," Victor says, eyebrows furrowed apologetically as he shuts the door behind them.
Benji chuckles, tucking his hair behind his ear. "It's all right, I get it. And it could have been worse. Like… imagine if your mom saw."
"Well, lucky for us, she won't be back til tomorrow. Plus, Adrian's at camp and Pilar's sleeping over at her girlfriend's…" Victor snakes his arms around Benji's neck, pulling him closer, eyes fluttering closed as Benji sighs and wraps his arms around Victor's middle in turn. "So we have plenty of time…"
Nuzzling his face against Victor's neck, Benji hums, squeezing his arms around Victor's back and letting himself simply lean against him. Victor kisses the top of Benji's head sweetly as he runs his fingers through his soft but damp hair, cradling him lovingly to him for a long moment, before his hand trails down to Benji's neck. He runs the backs of his fingers over the studded, black pleather hugging Benji's neck as Benji shivers and smirks into the crook of his neck.
"I'm excited to see what you have planned for us, then… Or I guess, what you'll come up with on the spot," Benji says, knowing better at this point than to ask Victor any questions.
He pulls away from Victor's embrace, peering up at him through his eyelashes for a moment as Victor strokes the side of his neck, their pulses syncing momentarily, before Victor's finger hooks itself through the steel loop at the front of Benji's collar and pulls their faces together.
Benji's breath hitches in his throat as Victor presses their lips together, and Victor can't help but grin as his eyes fall closed and he almost loses himself in their kiss, his hand trailing down Benji's back as he pulls him even closer, unable to get enough of the heat of the inside of his mouth.
He walks Benji backward, shoving him into the door roughly for a few moments, before he pulls away. Benji unconsciously searches for his lips, craning up to him fruitlessly before he opens his eyes, intoxicated, as Victor rests his forehead against Benji's. Victor gazes down at him as if he'd just had a religious experience.
Their noses brush as Benji smiles at him, the corners of his eyes crinkling as they both pant into each other's mouths, and Victor cups Benji's cheek, brushing his skin gently with his thumb before he kisses the tip of his nose, feather-light. He tugs at the ring on Benji's collar once more.
"Let's go to my room," he says, taking a loud inhale as he steps away from the door.
"Okay…"
All Benji can do is go where Victor leads him, just as something swells within Victor's chest when he glances over his shoulder and revels in the clarity that descends upon his brain when Benji does as he's told.
They pad down the corridor and Victor doesn't even let go of Benji's collar as the door clicks open. Victor's senses sharpen, everything around him coming into full focus; he contemplates leaving the door open for a moment before he decides against it.
Victor brings Benji into the middle of his room so he's standing before him, eyeing him curiously-expectantly-a ghost of a smile hovering over his lips. Humming, Victor takes a step back, inhaling Benji with his eyes from head to toe, taking some pride in the way Benji straightens his shoulders instinctively under his gaze.
"I like your outfit," Victor says, reaching out and running his fingertips across the hem of Benji's black crop top, a thin strip of his middle visible above his skirt.
"Thank you, Sir," Benji says politely, simply allowing it.
Smirking, Victor trails his fingers down Benji's exposed side, making Benji shiver with excitement at his touch, as he peers up at him quietly through his eyelashes. Benji bites his lip, closing his eyes with a soft smile as Victor simply caresses him oh so gently.
"But I'm sure it would look better on the floor," Victor teases, leaning down to nibble at Benji's earlobe, dragging his teeth along the soft skin and reveling in the sensation of Benji melting against him.
"You're probably right…" Benji breathes, head falling back in pleasure. "Are you gonna do anything about that?"
Victor doesn't respond. Benji hums as he shoves his hands into Victor's back pockets and grabs at his ass, kneading the flesh aggressively as he pulls their middles together, the friction making the temperature rise hundreds of degrees before going straight to Victor's cock.
"Turn around," Victor finally says, and Benji does as he's told, turning around to face the mirror leaning against the wall.
"Aww, babe, you hung up the drawing I made of you trying and failing to make coffee." Benji gives him a sly grin as he tilts his head and peeks over his shoulder.
Victor rolls his eyes as he stands behind Benji, pulled back into his orbit. He reaches around his shoulder and grabs Benji by the chin, gently returning his attention back to himself in the mirror.
"Focus…" Victor's stern, but he can't help the smile that curls his lip. "But it is a really nice picture."
Benji makes eye contact with Victor in the mirror, cheeks flushing with pride before Victor presses his face into the side of Benji's neck, taking in the scent of his sweet hemp shampoo before he kisses him gently, still holding Benji's chin steady between his fingers.
"Stay still…" Victor says gently.
Benji swallows loudly, tensing at his hand. "Yes, Sir."
Victor peppers more kisses down his skin, from behind his ear to the firm but smooth surface at the top of his collar, smirking at the way Benji's breathing grows shallower even as he releases his hold on his face and trusts him to obey.
When he pulls away, standing up straight for a moment, he examines Benji in the mirror, where his eyes are closed, lips slightly parted, the face of pure bliss and relaxation and vulnerability. But Victor can't help himself as he wraps his arms around Benji's middle, where his arms dangle uselessly beside him, and presses their bodies flush against one another, cradling Benji in his arms.
Benji's eyes remain closed and he gasps as Victor holds him. Victor's fingers slip beneath the fabric of his crop top, trailing slowly but with conviction up along his ribs. When Benji shivers once more, gasping almost inaudibly, Victor can't help but smirk as he slowly drags the fabric up Benji's chest, exposing him to the cool air.
"You look so hot like this," Victor murmurs into Benji's ear, his hot breath making Benji whine silently, just as he reaches up and tweaks Benji's nipples.
Hissing, Benji presses himself back up against Victor as he plays with his nipples some more, delighting in the tiny noises dropping from Benji's lips as he touches him. "T-thank you, Sir…"
Victor clicks his tongue as his hand creeps up Benji's skirt quickly and he lands a hard smack on his ass, the maddening sharpness echoing in the otherwise silent room. Benji gasps as his face contorts in the mirror.
"I said stay. Still."
"Sorry… Sir…" Benji says quietly, going still just as Victor commanded.
"Good boy…"
Benji swallows, biting his lip as Victor massages the spot where he'd just spanked him, lifting the hem of his skirt and admiring the handprint left behind as he encourages the blood to flow, and Benji closes his eyes again, eyebrows furrowing in concentration.
"Hmm…" Victor hums, his hand traversing the surface of Benji's ass before it moves down to the back of his thigh. Benji twitches but doesn't move, gasping instead. "I think…" Victor's eyes rove around his room, flitting from his desk to his bed-all excellent options-before he cross-examines the mirror, reflecting his bed perfectly, and grins. "C'mere. Get on the bed."
"Oh? I thought you told me to stay still?"
"If you don't stop, I'll…"
"You'll what?"
Victor sighs, twirling them around and giving Benji another hard smack before he shoves him toward the bed, his adrenaline making him even bolder. Benji gasps, pausing in his tracks before he turns on his heel and bats his eyelashes seductively at him.
"That's all you got for me, Daddy?" Benji goads, blowing him a mocking kiss.
"Hush."
Gritting his teeth, Victor inhales sharply through his nose, holding the air in his lungs for a long moment before he exhales slowly. He tips his head to the side for a moment as he scans the room, right before he spots the pile of rope peeking out from under his bed and leans over to grab it. Benji's Adam's apple bobs as Victor brandishes the rope with a Cheshire cat grin, and his eyes latch onto it greedily.
Stroking his chin for a moment, deep in thought, Victor glances from his hand to Benji a few times, before he's bridging the gap between them and kissing Benji hard again. And when Benji raises his hands to meet Victor's face, to drag his fingers along his stubble the way he always seems to savor, Victor instead intercepts him. He grabs him, twirling Benji around to face the wall again.
In the blink of an eye, he has Benji standing with his arms pinned behind him, his one hand engulfing both of Benji's wrists in a vice-like hold.
"Oh nooo, what're you gonna do to me, Daddy?" Benji teases breathlessly as he pretends to struggle for a moment as he gives Victor a cheeky grin over his shoulder.
"Well…" Victor says, squeezing Benji's wrists tighter as he loops the rope under the tiny gap between Benji's back and his arms, the jute scratching against his bare skin in the way Victor knows he likes. "Looks like you've left me no choice, babe. Now be a good boy for me and stay still so I can tie you up."
Benji pouts but goes still as Victor's grip loosens around his extremities. It's quiet for a moment as the only sound between them floats from Benji's lips as he sighs, surrendering to Victor. Victor ties a neat knot around Benji's wrists just tightly enough to hold but not enough to cut off circulation, before he starts to wind the rope around Benji's arms… over and under… over and under…
When he's satisfied with the way Benji's arms are bound behind his back, the column knot showing no signs of structural unsoundness, its foundation solid and firm, Victor loops the rope under Benji's arm and wraps it around his chest before he pulls it across to the other side, letting it press snugly into the space right above Benji's pecs. Benji bites his lip, holding himself still as the rope rubs against his pale skin and leaves behind pink marks he'll drag his fingers over fondly later on.
Victor grins as he draws the rope taut across Benji's chest again, this time letting it rest beneath his nipples, before he secures the rope tightly behind Benji's back, proud of how much neater his handiwork looks than it did just a few months ago.
Blushing, Benji peeks at Victor as he shimmies his shoulders and grinds his teeth as he struggles once again, but when he realizes that Victor's knots are holding, his eyes light up and he beams so widely, Victor worries he'll split his face in half.
"Shit… you really… got me good…" Benji mutters, just before Victor grabs him by the face and kisses him deeply as he drags the breath right out of his lungs.
The kiss is slow and languid, like a wave crashing on the shore in the evening and creeping up the sand, quiet and strong despite this. Victor's hands wander to Benji's chest, gripping at the rough rope as he pulls him even closer, before he throws Benji on the bed with a soft grunt.
"Shhh…" Victor rolls Benji over so he's lying on his stomach among Victor's sheets, his skirt riding up to expose one of his asscheeks. His face scorches. "Wait…"
"What is it, Daddy? Too distracted?"
Benji wiggles his ass playfully as Victor reaches down to stroke his ass gently. Victor glances over to the mirror as he grabs Benji's hips and pulls him roughly so he's lying with the side of his face against the blue duvet, his ass in the air, as the bottom of his skirt flops down and exposes his panty-clad ass. When Benjie catches sight of himself in the mirror, his face goes red.
"Are these… assless?" Victor raises an eyebrow as he peers down at Benji's panties, which have a slit down the middle. He can't stop himself from letting his hand slip down into the empty space between the fabric.
Benji chuckles, shivering at Victor's ministrations, as he squirms and presses his ass back against his hand. "Mhm… Do you like 'em?"
"Of course I like 'em," Victor says, letting his thumb press gently against Benji's hole and watching him rock himself back against him desperately.
Victor hums in contemplation for a moment, gazing down at Benji, tied up and at his mercy, before he kneels on the bed behind him and properly separates the light fabric of his panties. He bites his lip as Benji's hands ball into tight fists against his bonds and Benji gasps when he cups the front of his panties and squeezes his cock through the lace.
"I want you to watch yourself in the mirror as I eat you out," Victor says with a devilish grin.
"Yes, Sir."
He tugs Benji's skirt down his legs before he flings it across the room carelessly and presses a trail of kisses from Benji's neck all the way down his spine, vertebrae by vertebrae, as Benji arches his back and moans loudly while his ass presses up against Victor's rock-hard cock. And even though Victor would happily stick his dick inside Benji and fuck him raw right then and there, he takes his time, wanting Benji to enjoy himself for a bit longer first.
Benji watches his reflection obediently as Victor kisses along his lower back before he nibbles against the supple flesh of Benji's ass. And when Benji tries to press back against him again, Victor grips him roughly to keep him still, making Benji whine with need.
Victor teases Benji some more, shoving him further into the mattress and feeling more than satisfied at the way Benji rubs his nipples ever so slightly against the sheets with the hope that the friction will help stave off his arousal. But the way he mewls with the effort it's taking him to stay still almost makes Victor pity him.
Sighing, Victor parts Benji's cheeks and presses a few kisses down before he spits on Benji's hole, watching the way it puckers for a moment, before he presses his face into it.
It's been too long since Victor had a chance to go down on Benji, but he loves every moment of it. He loves every moan and whine that drops from Benji's lips as he drags his tongue around his hole, teasing him at first as he lets his hands wander along the backs and insides of his thighs at the same time. He hums happily as Benji shivers, tickled by his touches, right before he spears his tongue and prods at the ring of muscle and makes Benji almost scream into the covers in anticipation of something more.
But Victor can't get enough of it, his dick twitching as he buries his face in Benji's ass even deeper than he thought possible, sucking on the skin as his head goes light and the only thing he can think about is how sweet Benji tastes and how fucking hot he sounds when he's almost crying with pleasure. And when Benji tries to close his legs, Victor uses all his strength to keep them spread open, delighting in the way Benji lets go of his inhibitions completely and lets him do what he wants.
"F-fuck, yes, Daddy…" Benji whines, his voice low and gravelly with desire. "Eat my pussy."
Oh my god…
Cock instantly going rock hard, Victor moans against Benji's ass, spurned on by his candor. Benji sighs into the sheets as Victor speeds up the rhythm of his tongue, becoming more aggressive with each passing moment.
He wraps his gangly arms across Benji's lower back and laps at Benji's hole until he cums for the first time, tensing and quaking and making a sticky mess on the front of his panties even as he begs Victor to finger him while tears stream from his eyes. But Victor doesn't listen, instead straightening out his back and smirking down at Benji, whose gaze is still trained on himself in the mirror. Victor wipes his mouth in the back of his forearm as he slips off the bed, shoving his sweaty hair away from his forehead.
"You're being so good, baby."
"Thank you, Sir," Benji breathes, his head lolling as his lips hang open lazily.
Victor stops in front of his nightstand and opens it up, digging around under the clothes he'd put in there purposely to draw suspicion away from anything within that could incriminate him. He moves the contents around before he withdraws one of the tail plugs Benji likes so much, along with a bottle of lube. "But we aren't done here yet, mi amor…"
Benji watches him quietly, inquisitively, as Victor kneels back on the bed, uncapping the lube and drizzling a small amount of it on the steel plug. Victor stares at it for a moment before he drops the bottle onto the bed beside him and holds the plug right before Benji's hole.
Furrowing his brows, Benji stares up at Victor and breathes through his mouth as Victor slowly pops the plug into him. Benji moans quietly as it enters him, whining once he's filled completely and Victor gives his ass a gentle smack.
"There ya go," Victor says, before he leans down and kisses Benji softly.
When they part, Benji's eyes are twinkling mischievously, and Victor can't help but scrunch his face, curious.
"What's that face for?"
"Since I have this," Benji says, swaying his hips playfully in the air and making the tail wave back and forth as he grins fiendishly, "it would be really hot if I could be on a leash right now."
Victor presses his lips together into a line, contemplating. He nods. "Y'know what, you're right… Actually…" Victor's mouth twists into a devilish grin as he tugs at Benji's tail, making him whine quietly. "I have another idea… Get up. Now."
Benji scrambles to his feet from the bed, teetering to the side as he tries to retain his balance without the use of his arms, just as Victor grabs for a red ribbon dangling from the self beside his bed in his peripheral vision. Staring down at it, Victor chews on the inside of his cheek before he reaches out and ties the ribbon through the ring of Benji's collar, making a little loop on the other end and slipping his wrist through it.
"There we go…" he purrs, exhilarated, as he wraps the ribbon around his hand a few times and tugs Benji closer to him so their noses brush.
Smirking, Benji peers up at him. "What're you gonna do to me, Daddy? Huh? Just stand there looking at me like a little bitch?"
For a moment, Victor doesn't say anything. He raises an eyebrow, bemused, as he simply watches him. "Wanna try that again, baby?"
"You heard what I said."
"Then you're clearly begging for a slap."
Benji bites back a grin as he shifts his weight from one foot to the other, staring off into the corner of the room innocently. "I didn't say anything, but…"
Rolling his eyes, Victor raises a hand and lands a firm, loud smack across Benji's cheek, sending Benji reeling with a tiny gasp of pleasure and surprise. He hits him again on the other cheek to call it even and all Benji can do is shiver in response.
The power and adrenaline courses through Victor like a freight train on impact as he watches both of Benji's cheeks redden, his cock pulsating painfully as a tear leaks from the corner of Benji's eye. And to think he used to worry about hurting him too much…
Victor jerks the leash toward him and brings Benji's face to his, kissing him so hard that he moans into his mouth as he cups Benji's face in both hands, biting on his lips like a starved lion as Victor kisses him back hungrily and holds him just where he wants him to be.
They part after what feels like ages, heaving, just before Victor smirks, another idea popping into his brain. He gives Benji one more peck before he tugs at the leash again, forcing Benji to struggle along after him, almost losing his balance for a second before he's eyeing Victor curiously, as if anticipating any and every move, every order.
But before Benji can even open his mouth to speak, Victor twirls around and shuffles across the carpet toward the door, opening it before he peeks over his shoulder.
"I figured… since we've got the house to ourselves today, we might as well take advantage of it…" Victor says wickedly, tugging Benji along after him.
"Whatever you say, Sir," Benji teases, as Victor loosens his grip on the leash, letting it slacken between them.
Victor chuckles as he leads them down the corridor and into the living room, heart racing in his ears in time with his footsteps, as Benji creeps quietly behind him. He searches the room before he pauses, groaning as he approaches each of the windows and draws the blinds closed, barring the mid-summer sunlight and prying eyes from interrupting them.
Once he's finished, Victor turns around to face Benji, who's standing almost entirely bare before him, expectant, as he rocks back and forth on his feet excitedly. Victor strokes his chin as he glances around the room, humming quietly, before his attention flits to the piano bench.
With electricity tracing itself up his spine, Victor drags the bench out from beneath the piano, the wood gently scraping against the floor, before he plops down on it and spreads his legs open casually.
Benji watches him with his usual ghost of a smile, fingers twitching against their binding, and Victor takes him in for a moment, gaze resting on the tiny, lacey panties, before he tightens his hold on the leash again.
"Get on your knees." Victor smirks, peering directly into Benji's eyes. He points to the spot right between his legs. "Now."
Benji feigns a yawn, turning his face away for a moment as he rolls his eyes nonchalantly. "Eh, I think I'm good up here, but thanks for the offer."
"God, you're such a spoiled brat…" Victor mutters, before he takes a deep breath and, just as he'd practiced all those times before, he pulls at the leash with enough strength to bring Benji to his knees with a soft thump.
Grunting as his knees meet the carpet, Benji bristles haughtily as he stares up at Victor, defiance in his eyes, right before Victor reaches out and grabs him by the hair. Victor pulls Benji's head backward, exposing his neck, as Benji sneers at him even though he's not in any position to do so.
Shaking his head and clicking his tongue, Victor lets his hand wander to the sides of Benji's face. He strokes the soft skin on his cheeks for a moment before he presses his fingers into the hollows of Benji's cheeks, forcing his lips apart, so Benji's staring up at him like a foolish pufferfish.
"Open your mouth, baby," Victor commands, squeezing a little harder as Benji glares up at him.
Benji's lip twitches. "Wy wouth is owen."
"Well… wider."
When Benji just keeps staring at him, without showing any intent to follow directions, Victor sighs.
"Why are you being so difficult?" Victor asks, licking the backs of his teeth as he awaits a response. And when Benji doesn't give him one, he lets his hand relax as he lowers his voice. "Is there something you wanna talk about?" Do you want to stop?
"Nope." Benji shakes his head. Victor knows he means "I didn't say 'chamomile'."
Victor takes a deep breath. He holds it for a moment, fingertips itching, as he raises his hand and brings it down against Benji's cheek. But he doesn't give Benji a chance to breathe as he brings the back of his hand across Benji's other cheek, almost leaving behind an imprint of his knuckles.
He gives him one final smack, the prickling of skin on skin echoing throughout the room, before Victor pauses, heaving, and peers down at Benji, whose lips are hanging open, a bit of saliva dripping from the corner of his mouth and mingling with his tears.
Benji chuckles quietly to himself and wipes his face against Victor's leg, sniffling as Victor grabs him by the hair again.
"Let's try this again…" Victor says, leaning down so he's hovering just over Benji, dark and imposing. "Open your mouth. Now."
For a moment, Benji pretends he doesn't hear, staring up at the ceiling, until Victor grips at his hair even harder, and Benji groans quietly, smirking.
"Is that all you got?" Benji almost whispers.
"Yes. Now stop being bad and open up, slut."
Benji's taken aback, his face falling, every ounce of haughtiness wiped away in an instant. He swallows, pressing his lips into a line, and nods ever so slightly, impressed.
"F-fine." Finally, Benji stubbornly opens his mouth, sticking his tongue out as he stares directly into Victor's eyes.
"Perfect…"
With a satisfied hum, Victor tugs at the leash before he spits into Benji's mouth, grinning wide as Benji's eyes roll back in his head, tears sprouting from them, and he moans; Victor chuckles as he shoves two fingers down his throat to shut him up.
When Benji glares up at Victor as he gags on his fingers, Victor shivers. He watches Benji slowly give into him, letting him take control over him as he unlocks something hidden deep within himself that only Victor can draw out of him. And Victor wants to see how far he can push him today.
Victor withdraws his hand before he leans down and kisses Benji fiercely again, before they part and Victor stands up. Benji heaves, never able to inhale enough oxygen, staring at him in confusion as Victor claps him on the cheek before he slips out of his seat.
"Just had another idea… stay there."
Benji raises an eyebrow and struggles overdramatically against his bonds, his shoulders shuddering as the rope rubs harshly against his skin. "Yes, I was totally planning to run away looking like this."
Grinning, Victor blows him a kiss as Benji sticks his tongue out at him in return, before Victor shuffles into the kitchen. He hums to himself as his hot feet touch the cool tiles. Opening the top drawer beside the sink, he shivers, giddy, as his fingers curl around the smooth wooden handle of one of the spoons Isabel uses for cooking. He withdraws it, feeling scandalous and a little bit… dangerous.
When Victor returns to the living room, brandishing his wooden spoon and smirking devilishly, Benji bites his lip to suppress his own smile.
"Oh, uh… what's that for?" Benji asks innocently.
"If you stop asking so many questions, you'll find out the answer soon enough…"
Victor slips back into his seat in front of the piano, sitting so Benji is between his legs, shifting his weight from one knee to the other. He taps the tip of the spoon against his lip as he contemplates; he could use the head of the spoon to inflict a duller pain, more of a thud, but he's found that vastly Benji prefers the sharper sting that comes from thinner implements, like the handle.
With a dark chuckle, Victor flips the spoon around, slipping the end of the handle under Benji's chin and forcing him to look at him. Benji's gaze wavers but Victor raises the spoon slightly higher.
"Get up."
Victor doesn't even have to add the 'now' as Benji lets himself be guided by Victor's hand, his fringe falling on his sweaty forehead as he stands up straight, eyebrows furrowed in concentration.
"Good boy."
"Thank you, Sir."
With a slow nod, Victor bites the inside of his cheek as he holds back his grin, pulling the spoon away from Benji's chin before he spreads his legs apart and pats his lap. "You'd be an even better boy if you laid down on my lap and let me give you a proper spanking, though."
"Oh, so you do listen."
Victor rolls his eyes right before he brings his hand down across Benji's face. "Would you just… shut up and do what I tell you to for once?"
Benji blinks back tears but beams nonetheless, shivering, as he presses his lips together before he slowly lowers himself face-first over Victor's knees, presenting his panty-clad ass to Victor.
"These panties are seriously so cute," Victor says, admiring Benji's ass as his lip curls up against his will.
Benji glances at him over his shoulder, batting his eyelashes and making Victor's cock pulsate against his stomach. "Thank you, Daddy… Seems like they're making you a little… excited."
Face heating up, Victor shifts in his seat. He sets the handle of the spoon against Benji's ass just as Benji freezes on contact.
"What was that?" Victor asks.
"N-nothing…" Benji stammers, turning his face away.
Victor chuckles to himself as he runs the wood along Benji's skin, delighting in the way he shivers at the touch. "Looks like some of your training is sticking…"
Benji tips his head to the side and lets his hair fall away from his face as he wiggles his ass suggestively in Victor's face. He raises his eyebrows and lets his eyes dart from Victor's face to the spot behind him. A ghost of a smile paints itself across Victor's lips as he gently turns Benji's face away.
He swallows thickly as he taps the spoon gently against Benji's asscheek, right before he stretches his arm out and brings his implement down hard against Benji's ass with a loud thwack.
"Oh fuck," Benji breathes, sliding across Victor's lap ever so slightly.
Biting back a grin, Victor kneads the spot where he'd just struck for a moment before he spanks Benji again, the little noise of surprise and pain making him more eager with each passing second. Benji's hard cock rubs against Victor's leg, throbbing with each impact and undoubtedly smearing cum all over his pants, but Victor doesn't even mind.
He tips Benji's face back toward him as he repeats the motion, leaving another red line across Benji's ass and watching as Benji's face twists in pain and pleasure, his eyes watering. Victor used to hate it, but now, as Benji makes eye contact with him and he strikes him again, he can't help the exhilaration that overcomes him as Benji encourages him onward with his moans. He smacks Benji especially hard this time, leaving a tic tac toe pattern on his asscheek and breathe-laughing when a tear escapes the corner of Benji's eye and drips down his cheek.
Victor notices the way Benji's eyelids flutter as his Adam's apple bobs, breathing sharply through his nose as he always does when he's on the edge of letting go and allowing Victor to have him. And yet, Victor doesn't know what the final straw will be to send Benji careening into subspace, where he'll be able to float happily and let Victor do what he wants with him.
He spanks Benji one more time, watching his face intently as Benji exhales slowly, his eyes glazing over as the tension leaves his body, and Victor can't help the swelling of pride that erupts in his chest.
"There we go…" Victor murmurs as he cups Benji's face lovingly in his hands, all the while Benji becomes compliant and malleable like putty, giggling as if there are no problems in this world. "That's my good boy…"
Something anxiously roils within Victor's belly as Benji nuzzles his face against his palms, and if he weren't hopped up on the chemicals keeping him in flow-the ones that put all his focus on keeping Benji safe and happy in this very moment-the sensation would probably distract him.
But he hyper-focuses on how soft Benji is instead, and how much he loves him, but most importantly right now, he could almost cry knowing that Benji trusts him when he's at his most vulnerable, lain over Victor's lap and willing to do anything to make Victor tell him he's a good boy-his good boy.
He brings the handle of the spoon down a few more times, his chest warming with every cry of pleasure erupting from Benji's throat. With one particularly hard whack against the underside of his ass, Benji grins and moans before his face contorts and he cries harder, relaxing into bliss.
The entire surface of his ass has turned a striped red where it used to be white. But Victor can't stop the pride that washes over him as he examines his handiwork for a moment before he sets the spoon aside. He wipes some of Benji's tears aside with his thumbs as he gently helps him off him.
Benji heaves as he sloughs off Victor's lap, his face rosy and tear-stained and pathetic as he lies down on the floor, his sobs muffled by the carpet as he releases everything that he's been keeping inside, what's been eating at him for weeks that he hadn't had the chance to exhale. Victor leans down and strokes his hair gently, biting his lip as Benji nuzzles against him unconsciously. He sighs.
"How're you feeling, baby?" Victor says, even though he knows Benji probably won't answer, dragging his fingers down from Benji's head to his face.
For a long while, Benji doesn't answer, he just lets himself cry and gasp as Victor's hand travels lower. Victor pinches his nipples, making Benji moan quietly, before he's stroking along the contours of his abs, until he finally touches Benji's leaking cock as it strains against the fabric of his panties that have been soaked through thanks to the countless orgasms Victor has given him.
Benji giggles breathily and Victor's own cock aches as Benji gasps and rubs himself against Victor weakly, before Victor decides to be merciful. With a sigh, Victor grabs the rope binding Benji's arms together and drags him across the carpet and over to the couch.
"Well, I'm glad you're having fun…" Victor mutters.
He tosses Benji onto the couch with a soft thump before he climbs on top of him, settling between his legs as he presses his shoulder down into the cushions. Benji cranes his face toward Victor as he spreads his legs for him, sobbing still but quieting when Victor leans down to kiss him. And when Benji kisses back like his tongue is made of wine, Victor breathes him in, reaching down between Benji's legs to pull the plug out of him before he sets it aside.
When Victor scrambles out of his pants, not even bothering to take them completely off, he moans as Benji bucks against him unconsciously before he grips the backs of Benji's thighs so hard his blunt nails leave indents. He slips deep inside Benji's hole, overwhelmed.
Even though he's relaxed beyond belief, Benji is still tight around Victor's dick, engulfing him so hotly that Victor's brain short circuits and all he can think about is thrusting into his heat over and over again as Benji takes him and wraps his legs around him. His mind is foggy as he slips out before he presses back inside, making Benji moan like a wanton whore and throw his head back in pleasure, his hair fanning out around his head like a halo.
He can't even speak, ecstasy overwhelming him as he takes a deep breath and captures Benji's lips with his own again, before he pulls away and smacks him once more. Victor can't stop himself from delighting in the way Benji chuckles to himself and groans as he just takes it, while Victor's thick, throbbing cock penetrates him over and over again, stretching him just the way he likes as he hits that spot inside him that makes him scream with pleasure.
Even as Victor unlatches Benji's legs from around him and folds him in half so the tops of his thighs are sliding against his sweaty, rope-bound chest, Benji can't get enough of Victor, just as Victor gets drunk on the song floating from Benji's throat.
The edge of his vision goes dark and Victor wraps his hand around Benji's neck, the rope scratching against his skin as he buries his cock even deeper inside him, getting closer to his release as he fucks him faster, just as a shriek rings out behind him.
Victor pauses mid-thrust, peeking over his shoulder.
And when his eyes land on Armando, standing in the hallway with wide eyes, Victor wishes he could drop dead as ice and fire bombard him all at once.
"Victor-"
"What the-Dad? Get out!" Victor shouts. He throws a blanket over himself and a giggling Benji in a panic. "Please."
Armando blinks, gaping for a moment before he buries his red face in his hand. "Ay dios mio…"
"Can you-can you give us like ten minutes?"
Without giving him a response or looking at him, Armando turns around and disappears from where he'd come, the door clicking ominously behind him.
"Oh my god, Benji, I'm so sorry…" Victor mutters, tossing the blanket on the floor before he crouches down beside Benji, cradling his face carefully in both hands as he strokes Benji's cheeks with his thumbs. "I know you're probably really out of it right now, but… I'll take you to bed."
Victor takes a breath, trying to stave off the panic attempting to knock him off balance as he cleans up, the smell of sex and sweat still lingering around him. He grunts as he undoes the rope, balling it up and tucking it under his arm before he loops one arm under Benji's knees, the other under his back, and lifts him, letting Benji's warm weight rest against his chest.
Once he enters his room, he sets a dazed Benji down on the bed and throws a blanket over him, wrapping him up carefully before he kisses his forehead. He lies down beside him for a moment, holding his solid, grounding form close. Benji's forehead is tucked under his chin as Victor strokes his hair gently. After a few minutes, Victor sighs as he sits up and slides out of bed.
"I'm gonna have to leave you on your own for a little bit. Is that okay?"
Benji nods wordlessly.
"Let me know if you need anything. I'll be just outside, okay, babe?"
Benji nods again as he closes his eyes and Victor takes that as his cue to disappear back into the hallway. His mouth drops open as he enters the kitchen and grabs a glass from the cabinet, letting some cool water from the tap fill it before he runs it over to his room and sets it down on the nightstand. "Make sure you drink."
He slips out of the room again, jogging over to the front door and giving himself a quick once over before he opens it and stares past Armando's form.
"Hey, dad… I'm… sorry about all that…"
Armando's brow is sweaty and his face is flushed, but he clears his throat as Victor steps aside and invites him inside. "I'm sorry, I should have knocked. Or… rang the doorbell."
Chuckling quietly to himself, Victor drags his palm down his face. "Yeah, that would've been nice… Would've saved us all the mental scarring…"
"Yeah…" Armando gives him a wry smile as he wrings his hands.
Silence falls between them and somehow, Victor still can't find it in himself to look Armando in the eye, while Armando stands there awkwardly before him doing the same. There's a pitter patter behind him and Victor glances over his shoulder.
"Victor…" Benji says, peeking his head shyly out from Victor's room and brandishing his empty glass. "Can I get some more water, please?"
"Yes, of course, baby, gimme one second," Victor says gently. He turns his attention to Armando for a split-second. "I'll be right back." He's acutely aware of Armando's eyes burning into the back of his skull as he takes the glass from Benji's hand and fills it with water from the tap, before he darts down the hallway and returns the glass to Benji. He plants a soft kiss on his forehead. "I'll be right with you, okay?"
"Thank you." Benji nods, shivering, as he takes a few big gulps of water.
Victor smiles gently, ruffling Benji's hair, before he slips inside and grabs a hoodie from his closet. He drapes it around Benji's form, just as Benji relaxes against the soft material. "I love you."
"Love you, too."
Armando eyes Victor curiously as he shuts the door and returns to the corridor, the smile slipping from his face as he declines his head, staring at his feet, as his heartbeat plays a staccato rhythm in his ears.
"Look…" Armando takes a deep breath, looking at everything but Victor's face. "I don't know what you two were doing… or why… but, uh… I guess it's not my business to know all the details… Just… maybe don't do it right… around here?" He clears his throat and motions in circles with his hands.
Nodding quickly, Victor wrings his hands, gaze flitting to Armando, who's almost peering through him, and Victor goes still. "I-I… I understand, papi. Um… I wasn't really… thinking… or uh… expecting you to come by."
"Well… I just remembered Adrian's goldfish died the other day," Armando says with a wry smile as he holds up a little plastic bag filled with water, where a little orange fish floats back and forth. He sets it on the wooden wardrobe next to the doorway. "So I wanted to replace it before he got back from summer camp."
"Oh."
They both chuckle awkwardly before their voices die down and they're left standing there in a silence tense enough to keep them rooted in place.
Armando frowns, what Victor thinks is disappointment coloring his features as he lowers his voice. "Victor… You're not… hurting that boy, are you?"
"What?" Victor's taken aback, eyebrows furrowed, as he stares Armando directly in the eye and swallows the bile in his throat. "Why would you even think that?"
"I mean, it looked like something was going on."
For a long moment, Victor simply stands there quietly, chewing on the inside of his cheek as he takes deep, shaky breaths to steady himself. He peeks over his shoulder at the closed door before he returns his attention to Armando. Pressing his lips together into a thin line, Victor takes a step across the hardwood floor, closing the chasm between them.
"You think I'm-I would never," Victor says, his voice faltering with each word.
Footsteps greet them and Armando stands up straighter as Benji shuffles through the corridor, clad in Victor's hoodie and a pair of sweatpants that are slightly too long. He eyes them, perplexed, before he slots himself at Victor's side and lets his hand rest on the middle of Victor's back, a solid, reassuring weight easing the burden of any shame he'd felt moments ago and making it immediately dissipate. Benji rubs small circles on Victor's back as he smiles up at him, his whole face flushed and glowing like a little star.
"I don't know how to say this without sounding like I have Stockholm syndrome," Benji says as he squeezes Victor's shoulder, voice low but with a teasing lilt at the edge of it, "but you really have nothing to worry about, Mr. Salazar. Er… Armando."
Victor bites his lip, holding back the smile that threatens to split his face as he presses a gentle kiss to Benji's hair and whispers "Thank you. I love you so much."
Benji sighs, running a hand through his hair, spent but relaxed. "He'd never do anything I didn't want or make me do anything I don't wanna do. I trust him… And I love him."
Heart fluttering warmly in his chest, Victor wraps his arm around Benji and pulls him closer as he observes Armando, expression unreadable as his gaze hops from Victor to Benji, his eyes narrowed.
Armando deflates. "Okay. I believe you."
"Oh, thank goodness," Victor breathes, the tension going along with the carbon dioxide from his lungs.
"I guess I should be happy you're not the one on the receiving end," Armando says with a nervous chuckle, wiping his forehead in the back of his hand, before he holds his hands up in surrender and adds quickly: "No offense, Benji."
"Uh… None taken?" Benji says, eyebrow raised.
But just as the tension had vanished from Victor's body moments before, it returns in full force. Victor grits his teeth, his foot threatening to set the rug beneath it on fire with how much he's been rubbing his heel into it.
"Okay, this was nice for like twenty seconds…" Victor mutters, massaging the bridge of his nose. "Dad, can we please not say stuff like that? As if there's something shameful or… I don't know, un-masculine about it? 'Cause news flash, sometimes I like it, too."
Armando's eyes go wide, right before his eyes dart between the two of them and his face scrunches in confusion. "How-?"
Victor rolls his eyes as he groans, exasperated. "Just Google it."
"Don't Google it." Benji snorts.
"Yeah, actually you're right, babe. Don't Google it," Victor says quickly.
"I wasn't gonna Google it… I know how the internet works," Armando says.
"Well, my point is, we'd all be less stressed if we stopped making such a big deal over what goes where for other people. Sometimes people just do stuff 'cause it's fun or they wanna try different things."
"Exactly." Benji holds his hand out, and Victor gives him a high five without breaking eye contact with Armando. "You're absolutely right, babe."
"Thanks."
For a moment, Armando contemplates, mulling it over in his mind slowly, before he nods sagely, as if realization has dawned upon him. He sighs, shoving his hands in his pockets. "You're right. And I'm sorry, I shouldn't… make ignorant comments like that. The last thing I wanna do is… make you-either of you-feel judged."
Victor smiles, reaching out and squeezing Armando's arm. "Thank you, papi. For real."
"Of course. I love you, flaco." He smiles at both of them in turn, clapping Victor on the shoulder. "But man, kids these days are definitely… more adventurous than when I was growing up," he mutters.
Victor's facial muscles starts to throb with how much force he's using to keep his face looking happy, as Benji cups his cheek reassuringly even as he tries to stop himself from giggling. "I know we're trying to not be judgmental here but I really don't need to know about… that."
"Right… who wants to hear about their parents-"
"Okay." Victor waves his hands in surrender as he sighs. "Thank you for being so cool about all this. But I'm gonna try and bleach this conversation from my brain later on."
"As long as you're both… being safe and communicating… Well, I can't really tell you what to do, can I? It's your life, you can do what you want."
Victor nods curtly. "Yeah…" He takes a deep breath, his entire being pleading. "Just… please. Don't tell mom."
There's a click that cuts through the air and chills Victor to the bone, making him freeze in his tracks. The door behind Armando swings open.
"Don't tell me what?"