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The sea didn't mind being restrained as much as he let on.
Luke was proud of his handiwork, but prouder of Percy for letting him take his time to get it right. Sitting still for so long wasn't something that came naturally to the son of Poseidon, and though he'd made the occasional jab at Luke's perfectionism, he managed to zone out for much of the tedious bits of Luke's decorative rigging. They had blue rope, but Luke liked the look of red wrapped taut around Percy's arms more, keeping his hands restrained behind his back.
Percy would let Luke drag him wherever he wanted, but Luke was content where they sat on the floor. His fingers graze up every rung of the rope ladder before climbing down the other man's shoulder as he moves to sit in his lap, leaving teasing kisses where he finds bare skin.
“Didn't think you'd miss me so much,” Luke taunts, slow movements that the boy under him couldn't seem to stand, already fighting the ties he's been so complacent in getting trapped in. Luke knew he was allowed to touch whatever he wanted, but wanted to take his time nonetheless, enjoying how reactive his supposed nemesis was to every callous touch. The look in the ocean eyes man could almost convince Luke he was in real danger, “Am I your favorite?”
Percy wasn’t going to tell Luke he was his only, because he didn't want to give the other man an ego about it. He sat and enjoyed the feelings Luke made him feel, because he was too tied up to do much of anything else. Hungry eyes watched him like they expected an answer, and he felt grateful when they closed, and their owner pulled him into a kiss. A growl escaped from between them when Luke ground down in Percy's lap, and Percy thought Luke was smart to keep him tied up…or very not.
The tied up boy regretted wearing underwear; the thin knit fabric felt like a cage, the usually safe texture became too sharp in the moment, and certainly too damp. He forgot about how uncomfortable he was when he felt Luke's hand get a grip on what waited for him underneath.
“Good to know you're at least excited to see me,” Luke mused while Percy groaned under his care, “Like that?”
“You know I do,” Percy admits, leaning back on his tied hands, hoping the extra room would give Luke the hint he needed. Luke didn’t deny him for long; skilled fingers crawled over his skin. His hips bucked up in response to Luke's touch, and the other man giggled in his ear while he sat enjoying it. “More, please.”
“How much more?” Luke entertains
“You know,” Percy goads.
“Offley eger,” Luke coos, twisting his wrist like a knife in someone's back, earning the response he sought, “desperate to be inside me again.”
It was an accusation that Percy wouldn't deny. He liked watching Luke work, even if he couldn't stand the other man. He liked him more when he got on his hands and knees to lick up his shaft like he was sharpening a candy cane. Percy thought he'd kill to push the other man's head down, but bucking down his throat once and hearing Luke gag was almost as satisfying.
“Asshole,” Luke scoffed, wiping stray drool off his chin.
“You like it when I'm rough with you,” Percy retorts.
“So do you,” Luke reminds him, and Percy couldn't deny the fact when his cock twitched at Luke grabbing a fist full of his hair. He was really just looking for Percy to open his mouth so he could spit his precum down the other man's throat, “swallow if you want to cum tonight.”
Percy did, so he did, barely sparring a thought to shame when Luke smiled down at him like he was proud.
“Good boy,” Luke coos, softening his grip in Percy's hair, “so eager to please me.”
“I just want to cum,” Percy countered.
“Yeah?” Luke, taking a seat in Percy's lap once again, “couldn't figure out how to do it on your own?”
“It’s not the same,” Percy answered.
“Just admit you like me,” Luke accused.
“I hate you,” Percy insists, pretending not to notice the twinge of what could be hurt or anger on Luke’s face, “it's just sex.”
Luke had heard it before, knew where Percy stood, and it hadn't stopped him before. He knew pushing would only end up hurting himself, so he pulled Percy's hair instead. He knew the other man had no reason to like him, not after what he did, and yet he sought Luke out. Selfishly, Luke gave him what he was searching for: just sex. Guilt didn't explain his actions completely; if he was honest with himself, he knew it wasn't just sex for himself, but thinking about it didn't help him in the moment.
“Just sex,” Luke echoes back, cold, grinding his hips just so to pull a groan from the other boy. He couldn’t deny he wanted it too when Percy could feel how soaked he was through his briefs, “If that's what you want, then beg for it."
“Please,” Percy concedes, too quick for his own ego to stomach. Luke watched him, unimpressed, “Please, Luke, I'll be good.”
“You can do better than that,” Luke spurred, “come on, tell me what you want, Puppy.”
Percy would insist he hated the nickname as much as he hated Luke, even if he whined at the sound of it on the other man's lips, “please-please! I want to cum, Luke. Can I please cum?”
“Go ahead,” Luke teased.
“You know— I need more-” Percy whined while Luke rocked their hips together, giggling.
“Yeah? What puppy, what do you need?” Luke fawned, leaving kisses along Percy's jaw.
“I need to be inside you! Please! Please!” Percy struggled against his restraints.
“Was that so hard?” Luke teased, “I don't know if you've earned it. Do you think you deserve to cum yet, Puppy?”
“Please— I'll be good, Luke, please,” Percy looked at Luke with puppy dog eyes that Luke tried not to be affected by, "I've been good, I promise! Please-Please—I promise—”
Luke had to admire how quickly Percy snuck into subspace under his care. Maybe he hated him, but he rarely denied indulging in Luke’s whims. Luke wondered if he just needed a safe outlet. He didn't trust Percy's judgment, but he wouldn’t deny them both what they wanted, against his better judgment.
“I suppose that will do,” Luke decides. He lifts his hips just enough to pull his underwear to the side, too eager to bother taking them off. He wouldn't admit that he thought he needed this more than Percy did, but wouldn't deny the fact that he enjoyed it, even if it was more of a bittersweet pleasure. He tried to ignore the feelings inside him while sinking down Percy's cock, easy enough to do when the man under him whimpered in his ear, “better?”
“Yes,” Percy answered, “kiss me.”
It wasn't a new request, but not a common one for the usually unsentimental son of Poseidon. Luke didn’t question it much before fulfilling it. The other man's lips felt too soft to be kissing his, but Luke wasn't going to make that fact anyone else's business. He let Percy take the lead, resting his hands on Percy's shoulders while Percy chased after his lips. Luke could almost believe the way Percy leaned up for contact was loving.
Luke didn’t realize just how much of a lead Percy had over him until his back hit the ground underneath them, Percy now on top of him. Percy managed not to smash both of their faces together by some miracle of dexterity, but he didn't stop kissing Luke once they were on the ground.
“Easy puppy- fuck you feel so good inside me,” Luke informed when he got the chance, “Wanna fuck me like this P- fuck- Percy!”
Percy started moving before Luke finished his thought. Percy knew he didn't mind from how desperate he seemed to keep Percy inside of him, wrapping around him like a cocoon or a straitjacket. The older boy moaned his name like he'd forget it if he stopped reminding himself of what it was, like music to Percy's ears. Percy kept his head in the crook of Luke's neck, trying to keep his balance without arms was challenging, but he found a way to manage. Mostly, the fear of not being able to put it back in without hands motivated him to be mindful when he wanted to succumb to his base desires.
“Good boy—good boy!” Luke preened, only spurring Percy on. Luke knew he wouldn't last long at this pace, carelessly chasing his own pleasure while Luke writhed underneath him, “You’re doing so good, puppy.”
Percy didn't respond to Luke’s praise, but he reacted to his touch, relishing the scratches he left between the ropes on Percy's arms. Percy wouldn't admit how much he enjoyed this, even if it was obvious if just for the fact that he kept coming back. He knew he had to be hurting Luke, with his words and actions, but Luke never really fought back against it, and seemed to enjoy the ride mostly. He felt guilty but knew he shouldn't. Luke was his enemy, a friend who betrayed him, now just the person Percy couldn't bring himself to stay away from for too long. He had no reason to consider him.
Luke knew his days alive were numbered, and couldn't think of better ways to spend them. What else did he really need? Someone to help take the pain away or just distract him from it in the moment was proof of a gracious cosmos in Luke's mind. It still always caught up to him in the end anyway, but he wouldn't complain. He'd let Percy take what he wanted from him if it meant taking away some of his pain; it was all he really felt he could do to redeem himself come his judgment day. He knew that wasn't true, but it's what he told himself to relax.
Percy couldn't quite figure out why it had to be Luke of all people. Then again, he remembered how enamored he was when he first got to camp. Hatred didn't blind him to the fact that he still found the other man strikingly perfect in every way. Even in his betrayal, his ideals glimmered like gold at the bottom of a murky river basin. Percy had to admit he didn't disagree with Luke's intentions, even if his actions overshadowed any respect Percy had for the message. Thinking about it did nothing to help him get what he came for, so he pretends he hated all of it. Hated Luke. It was easier to pretend and enjoy the moment than to question if he should be doing more with his time.
“Good- good! You make me feel so good, puppy,” Luke said, because he couldn't call it love. He thought if he truly loved Percy, he'd let him go instead of letting him subject himself to any part of Luke’s world. Luke knew it was selfish to let this happen, and he couldn’t believe he deserved what Percy gave him, yet he lapped it up like a dog trying to find water in a drought every time, “So good- So-”
Percy bites down on Luke’s neck like an animal in heat. Luke didn’t complain, just howled in pain and pleasure like he didn’t care if the gods heard. He used one arm to keep Percy's head in place as the other man kissed over the skin that would surely bruise later. His other hand found its way to his clit where it shamelessly tried helping Luke over his edge.
“I'm close-” Percy warned, “can I come?”
“Yes-yes-yes-” and so on, Luke babbled while quickly approaching a precipice of his own. Percy didn't last much longer after that. Luke waited until he was fully still before chiding him, “You made a mess!”
Percy knew Luke didn’t mind, “I'm sorry.”
“You'll have to clean it up if you want me to untie you,” Luke informed.
Percy took a few moments to catch his breath before pulling his head up, “Can you take those off for me?”
Luke answered by doing so, tossing his underwear to the side, Percy's cum and his own leaking down his perineum and onto the floor as he did. Percy followed the trail he left with his tongue until he reached Luke, licking up whatever spilled out before working Luke back open with his tongue. Cleaning his room was still a struggle, but Percy could spend a lifetime cleaning up after Luke during their sessions. Something about knowing the leader of the titan army came undone very easily with just a few flicks of his tongue at the right angle gave Percy more satisfaction than the thought of winning the war.
“Good?” Percy asked despite knowing it was just getting very good for Luke.
“Don't you dare stop!” Luke demands while Percy leaves kitten-like licks on his clit, “fuck please Percy, it feels so good.”
Percy didn't find it fair that Luke also knew his weaknesses: asking nicely and praising. Maybe it was just the tone Luke took, like Percy was the only person in the world who could do this to him. He never asked if Luke had other partners, but he didn't really care to know; he didn't think either answer would make him feel great, and it didn't really matter. He reminds himself it's just sex when he feels the need to claim every part of Luke that someone else might have touched.
Luke wouldn't admit how little other experience he'd had unless asked, and maybe not even then. Not from a lack of effort, but mainly a lack of time and suitable options. He'd always made time for Percy's whims, though. He thought, since the first time, maybe since they met. He didn't care what else Percy did; he just tried enjoying what of his time Percy gave him. He never understood why Percy trusted him, of all people, with such a thing; then again, maybe he understood better than he wanted to admit. Luke didn’t really care what Percy's reasons were; he felt like a little drop of Elysium in what otherwise was a less-than-heavenly existence for Luke, especially so when he put his tongue to better use than dry sarcasm.
Percy knew by Luke's shaky legs and lack of worry about volume or care for exactly what was coming out of his mouth that he was toppling over his edge. He liked watching it happen through his lashes; it was a magnificent sight watching him writhing and losing control. He didn't even really hate how his thighs squeezed around his head or how he reached for his head and anchored his hands in Percy's hair. He liked dragging him here and knowing in the moment that he was the only one who could help him out.
“Good, good- so good puppy,” Luke cooed, easing his grip in the other man's hair, “fuck so perfect- so good- so good."
Percy moved away from his task only after Luke had gone fully limp. “I'll do it again if you untie me.”
“Yeah?” Luke teased, “Like making me cum so much?”
“Just think I can give you more of what you deserve with my hands,” Percy elaborates with a telling tone.
“This is too good for what I deserve,” Luke retorts, regretting his post-nut honesty when it seemed to break whatever spell Percy was under by the shift in his eyes. Luke didn’t want to talk about it, so he got to work on Percy's binds. Percy was still considering how to respond, so he stayed quiet while Luke took apart his work, “Move slowly, I don't want your arms to cramp up if you move too quickly.”
“Didn't you try to kill me?” Percy asked with dry humor.
“Yes, and yet we're here,” Luke answered, “my turn to ask a question yet?”
“You just did, my turn again,” Percy remarked, earning a scoff, “if you don't think you deserve it-”
“Not answering that,” Luke interrupts, “try again,”
“Do you love me?” Percy relents. Luke's hands freeze on the last rung to undo.
“Is that even a question?” Luke retorts.
“What's the answer?”
“...What do you want me to say?” Felt like an answer enough to Luke.
“I'm not sure,” Percy admits. Luke rolled his eyes and set Percy free before sitting back, contemplating how this became the most significant relationship of his life. Percy made slow movements while testing his arms before turning back to the man sitting with his back against the side of the bed, either watching him or the floor slightly in front of him, Percy couldn't be sure. He also wasn't sure why his heart was beating a mile a minute even after he'd gotten a chance to rest, or why the expression on Luke’s face made him feel guilty when he knew he didn't do anything wrong. Why Luke’s soft smile when their eyes met twisted the knife further, “I hate you.”
“Is that what you want me to say?” Luke asked.
“I guess so,” Percy concedes.
“I hate you,” Luke said simply, which should have been easy enough to believe given their history, but Percy wasn’t so convinced. He didn't think the other option would feel better, but he didn't feel brave enough to find out, “your turn.”
“Huh? Oh,” Percy remembered, “I don’t know…if you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would you be?”
“Elysium,” Luke answered, “my chances aren't looking too good on getting there, but I hear it's pretty nice this time of year.”
Percy didn't like that answer, but he didn't push further, “It's your turn.”
“What do you think I deserve?” Luke asked like it wasn’t weighted like a ton of bricks. Percy stared at him while Luke stared back, “...you don't have to answer…”
“I'm not quite sure what to say,” Percy admits, “I can show you, though.”
“Show me?” Luke repeats, curling an eyebrow, “Okay.”
Percy didn't fully understand why he leaned in to give Luke a kiss, but he did. Luke didn’t mind, but he didn't expect it, pulling back too quick for Percy's liking.
“Thought you hated me,” he recalled, the ghost of an uncomfortable laugh dying in his throat.
“I do,” Percy insists, “doesn't mean I think you deserve like… eternity in Tartarus.”
“Why are you kissing me?” Luke pressed.
“I—it's not your turn,” Percy stumbled.
Luke had to laugh, grabbing the other man's cheek, stroking his face with his thumb, “Puppy just wants to please me, doesn't he?”
Percy shook Luke’s hand away and used his own to push Luke’s chest, pressing him against the side of the bed while keeping a fist in his shirt, “just trying to give you what you deserve.”
“You should move your hand up a bit more for that, Puppy. You and I both know I'm not someone who deserves tender love and kindness.”
“Are you sure?” Percy asked.
Luke hesitates before piping up, “Yeah.”
“Luke,” Percy couldn't help wincing when he heard Luke’s words, even if he wanted to agree. He didn't have a reason to be angry with him at that, yet he found his hand sliding up Luke’s throat, holding the taller man just under his jaw with a feather like delicately Percy never imagined he was capable of, “I hate you.”
“Act like it,” Luke demands, covering Percy's hand with his own to show him the right pressure.
“Is that what you want?” Percy asked, resisting Luke’s guidance, “Or do you want what I think you deserve?”
Luke had to stop and truly wonder how this became the most significant relationship of his life, because he truly didn't believe he deserved half of Percy, let alone what he was trying to offer him. “I hate you,” he snarled, trying harder to take control of Percy's hand.
“Answer the question… Kitten,” Percy teased, leaning into the other man's space, straddling Luke's leg to keep him from closing his legs, making sure his knee overstimulated the other man if he tried to struggle.
“I hate you,” Luke repeats almost like a plea, groaning as Percy kisses the shell of his ear while waiting for an answer. It should be enough to answer: “I hate you.”
“Rough or soft, Luke, or I'll pick for you,” Percy insists.
“Just keep touching me-” Luke concedes, pushing his head forward and catching Percy off guard, silently enjoying the moment of asphyxiation, “I don't care- please—”
“Good kitty,” Percy praised, finding his way back to Luke’s lips, not finding resistance or further questioning, while he enjoys the feeling of Luke moaning into his mouth, while the middle finger on his free hand found use between Luke’s legs, “was that so hard?”
Luke didn’t answer until Percy slowed the rotation of his finger down, “Percy— Please—” he pleads against Percy’s lips, indignantly humping whatever part of Percy was close enough to grind against, “I need you- please!”
Percy didn't care if it was a lie; he liked hearing it enough to grab Luke under his thighs and throw him onto the bed, not giving him time to think before descending back upon him. Percy didn't waste time teasing himself or Luke, slipping back inside the man under him and being greeted by a warm welcome. He waited for Luke to readjust to the intrusion, only to be met with Luke’s attempts to make him move, “so eager.”
“I need you,” Luke babbled, seemingly still unsure how he had landed here, “please, Puppy, I need you.”
“What do you need from me?” Percy cooed, more than willing to wait for an answer with the view he had. Luke became a person he hadn’t met before, softer it seemed, in tone and pitch he hit while Percy rocked their hips into each other's slow and tender.
“I- fuck- I just need you— I need you-” Luke said it like a revelation, or a prayer, like enemies with benefits could really save his soul from damnation. He curls his fists in the mattress like touching Percy would make him disappear.
Percy wasn’t sure why he felt the urge to bite, but he knew Luke wouldn't mind, so he succumbed to his instincts. He was careful not to dig his teeth in too deep, but left his dental record in a cherry red bruise on Luke’s neck. He liked how that was the moment Luke reached for him, grabbing his arm for stability, not to stop him.
Percy didn't let him get many more words in after that, keeping their lips pressed together and keeping Luke’s chest pressed against his. Even if he didn't, Luke was losing the ability to form words with every thrust that felt layered with hidden intentions and meaning that he couldn't begin to decode. If Percy was honest, not a thought was running through his mind other than those related to giving pleasure and receiving feedback from Luke's moans. It came naturally to him, but not so much so that he felt he could rest on his laurels about it; not when his nemesis needed him to prove something without words. Regardless of what Percy intended, Luke took the message as eternal torture, so close to what he desired, yet knowing he lost his chance to truly ever have it. Percy didn't want to admit he meant something different to himself; he knew he wasn't strong enough to go there.
He knew Luke was overwhelmed and overstimulated by the time he came again, but didn't hear any object or feel Luke wanted anything but to stay close to him. Percy didn't know why he liked kissing him through orgasms or why feeling his nails like talons in his back made him feel more anchored to himself than he ever had before, but he knew he wouldn't get to feel this way forever, so he didn't move quick enough to save himself. For a moment, staring at the man under him, he could admit it wasn't all hatred that he felt, but he wasn't ready to admit it was love that still made his heart skip a beat at how lucky he felt to exist in this moment. All he could do was kiss down his body and try to occupy his mind with a task easier than processing his feelings. Luke didn’t complain. Luke didn’t say much at all, other than Percy’s name and praises that Percy couldn't help being affected by. The gods couldn't blame him for the desires they gave him.
He might have spent hours or minutes between Luke’s legs, but he thought few things would be better in life than watching Luke Castellan bundle up around his head, screaming his name and begging him for mercy.
He thought Luke had had enough by the end, but he leaned over to start kissing a tuckered-out Percy wherever he found skin. Percy didn't mind the affection, half asleep and needing to be cleaned up himself. Luke seemed to read his mind, still too high on adrenaline to feel how sore he'd be in a few hours. Percy's fingers found his hair, too tired to direct Luke’s head, just feeling the need for contact, “good Kitty—”
It was the first time he spent the night, too spent to move, letting Luke pull him into his chest and finding he didn't mind the affectionate contact. It was easy to fall asleep in Luke’s arms, harder to find the reason to leave the next morning. Maybe he wanted to talk, but he didn't know what to say to change what the fates had planned, and found the thought of trying too painful to contemplate. Luke never tried to make him stay, even if he also had a million unspoken words and pleas and ideas in his mind that were only meant for Percy. Keeping them inside felt like what he deserved, even if it still felt light for the gods' standards of revenge. He could only hope it would help him.
Percy debated saying something the morning after, having showered but still not quite feeling clean. Luke stared at him from the bed, having the shame to look away when Percy faced him. Percy didn't know what came over him other than desire, but he walked over to kiss him.
“Good Puppy,” Luke teased.
“I hate you,” Percy maintained.
“I hate you too,” Luke affirmed, which should have made leaving feel easier this time around, but it felt like a confession, and neither felt they could elaborate.
So they went their separate ways. Luke knew he could convince Percy of a lot if he tried, but he didn't think it would help either of them. Percy couldn't believe he had that power, even if the look in Luke’s eyes made him feel capable of anything. It was a face he'd remember decades from that moment, still wondering if he could have saved who mattered most to him in the end.