Chapter Text
Tom was puzzled when he was required to sign for a hand delivered parcel at his flat. He hadn't ordered anything that needed that level of security, and no one else told him to expect anything. Turning the cardboard in his hands he could hear the gentle tings of metal and rustle of paper muffled. Grabbing a pair of scissors he carefully opened the tape securing the parcel and opened it. Inside was a rolled letter, actually handwritten, ink smudges as all. The paper grains thick under his fingertips spoke to consideration, gravitas. Tucked next to it wrapped in more paper he unwrapped a wrought iron key on a chain of fine s-links. Placing it down on the table he unrolled the letter reading the scratched pen strokes.
Bequeathed from the estate of Cassilda Denton the inheritance of one key falls to the possession of one Thomas Woodman Mayo. Ms. Cassilda’s hope is that he may succeed in finding it's matching lock where she could not. Included with delivery in the manilla envelope is her research notes. Upon delivery the lawful matter is considered complete - from the offices of Chambers and Ambrose.
Pulling the envelope from the wide flat box he unlooped the red string and opened it. Old newspaper clippings and hurried slanted notes came pouring out. Tom’s eyes grew wide as he took in detailed notes, sketches, were those rubbings? Great-Aunt “Cassie” wasn't well known to him and he wanted so much to have the time for this incredible puzzle. He put the letter and envelope back into the box and left it on the table. The key he twirled on it's chain, admiring it's craftsmanship. The edges were smooth, almost warm to the touch. It felt old, he could almost taste the iron in the air, and something like the cold spray of water. It was an old fashioned skeleton key with an ornate handle curved into some kind of decorative design. It was heavy, substantial metal and not decorative brass. It's dark black surface was burnished where it had been rubbed frequently. He turned it in the light.
Knowing my luck it has lead Tom thought.
He walked to his bedside table, picking up his phone and placing the key down. It's serpentine chain hissed a soothing sound as it pooled onto the wooden surface.
He dialed up his father.
“Oh hey Tom, you alright?”
“Yeah I'm good, Dad. Can I ask you something?”
“Sure, kid, what's up?”
“I just got a package from Great Aunt Cassie’s estate. It's weird.”
“That tracks, Aunt Cassie was a odd one. Always into occult nonsense and “secret tomes”. You would have liked her I think! Very esoteric. She passed when you were just a baby.”
“How come I'm getting this now then?”
“Well like I said she was peculiar. She had some stuff that she insisted wouldn't get handed down until “the right time” or some such. Must finally be the right time. What did you get?”
“A key and a ton of information she collected.”
“Oh! Her great mystery. No one knows how she got that key but she was hell bent to find what it opened. I remember my grandma telling her it was just decorative and to stop her foolishness, but Aunt Cassie was stubborn.”
“Dad, is this thing going to give me lead poisoning?”
“Oh I dunno. You can get these kits these days, turns red if there's lead, that sort of thing. Meanwhile best leave it alone.”
“Why did she want me to have it?”
“If I had to guess it's because you're the most well read one of the bunch. Her will stated that the most learned of her kin would get it. I know your degrees aren't for that, I figure the lawyers thought it was close enough.”
“Guess that makes sense. I'll sort through all this when I find some time.”
“You do what you see fit, kid, you don't owe your great aunt anything you don't want to do. But do me a favor, don't throw it out. Aunt Cassie said it would bring us all ill fortune if lost, or worse “found by the right people.” Best not meddle yeah?”
Tom snorted, “Okay sure. I'll keep the ‘family secret’.” he airquoted.
“You enjoy your new reading material, son, I've got to get going. I promised your mother we’d go out tonight.”
“Thanks Dad, have a good time, tell Mom I said hi.”
They said their goodbyes and Tom hung up, leaning back against his headboard. After a moment's consideration he ordered that lead testing kit and went back to his business.
~~~
The tester didn't turn red so Tom kept the key on his nightstand. It would shimmer in the lamplight as he turned it over in his hands. The three spirals coming from a center point in the handle seemed almost haphazard, but it was clear that deliberate care had been taken in their crafting. The notes from Cassie were hard to decipher, sometimes looking like mad ramblings about “twin suns”, other times stoic and precise annotations from various books she had read. The clippings were of antiquities being shown on auction or at museums, he did note the metals of such things seems to be made from the same strange iron composite. As for any books she had tried to unlock, the trail had run cold years ago. Libraries in universities and private collections had no such locks for their tomes. Whatever this key was for, if for anything at all, kept it's mystery.
Tom filed back all the notes into its envelope and placed it carefully into a drawer.
~~~
His dreams that night were cloudy. Not hard to remember, but actually thick with fog. It wasn't cold enough for there to be so much haze but there it was. Like a cozy blanket pressed against his skin. It was comforting, heavy, he could almost believe that there was a body curled up behind him, pressed in close, hand splayed against his stomach. Tom smiled softly and sighed. The dream eventually faded into nothingness.
~~~
He was drawn to Cassilda’s notes. She kept going back to a gateway or passage, that something was missing. A person or even a celestial alignment? The “bloodline was right but the timing was wrong.” Over and over in her papers he'd see a symbol or scribble she had come across. A sign. A yellow sign.
His alarm went off and he grumbled aloud. If he was going to be of any use tomorrow he had to stop his studies and get some sleep, no matter how this maddening mystery called to him. He left the key on the nightstand.
There is less fog, more comfort, the person holding him becomes slightly clearer. He caught a glimpse of soft fluffy blond hair, a gentle hand cups his cheek and murmurs about being kept safe, secure, treasured. Tom leans into that hand and feels as Luke presses a kiss to his forehead. He could cry.
~~~
One night he’s so exhausted that he just leaves the key on the bed next to him and passes out.
Eyes the color of warm honey look back at him with a heat he'd only dared to imagine, a want tore through him he would never voice. He moaned as fingers dug into his waist, pulling them close together. Luke’s form held above him, hazy at the edges as they ground together, sweat beading and pooling. Tom shouted when he felt teeth clamp into his neck, cumming hard with a drawn out groan. Luke pulled back and sat on his lap, grinding slowly tracing his fingers over the center of Tom’s chest. Tom looked up, Luke’s eyes seemed to flash yellow in the light of his hazy space.
“Wear it for me, cherished.”
The dream dissipated.
Tom woke and stretched, feeling a bit sore. In his bathroom mirror his image looked back at him, bruising on his neck and hips. He stared wide eyed at the impressions of fingers and teeth left on his body, hissed as he pressed on them and felt the blossom of pain. How in the world?
~~~
This night he paced by his bedside, staring at the key placed upon the covers. Curiosity won as he slipped the key around his neck, the pendant's chain cool against his skin. Sleep took him quickly as he laid against the mattress.
He can feel soft luxurious sheets, he can see out an open window fog across a huge still lake. An ancient city is sprawled out at its shores, tattered yellow flags fluttered atop tall spires. Two black stars pinpointed in a vast grey sky, an enormous crescent moon looked as though it set into the lake. A presence near him startles him, tearing wide eyes away from the alien expanse. He stares up and up upon a tall form. A stark white mask upon its face, no expression but for the impression of where eyes may have sunk in. Yellow robes hung down its length ending in tatters along the floor. It's body seemed to shift and billow underneath the cloth, as if this being was made of smoke. It draws close, pointing at the key in Tom's hand, then at the center of Tom's chest before drawing back.
“Who are you?” Tom whispers, curling in on himself.
It moves to the window and draws its inky hands across the grey sky. A constellation is traced before it vanishes, the figure turns back.
“I'm sorry, I don't recognize that one,” Tom says, scooting closer.
It picked up a blanket from a chair and placed it on the furthest edge of the bed before backing up, pointing at it, then Tom.
Tom gratefully pulled it around himself, feeling the warmth of it blocking out the draft through the window.
“Thank you,” he murmured.
It nodded.
Tom sat at the edge of the bed, toes curling at the cold of the stone beneath his feet. The warmth of the blanket and the roaring fireplace soothing his nerves.
“Are you the one from my dreams?”
It nodded again before turning to a table with items laid out upon it. It picked up a padded leather collar, brilliant citrine stone blazing in its center. It brought it back towards Tom, holding it out in its shadowy hands. It pointed at it, then where its mouth would have been, then motioned between the two of them. Tom stared, hypnotized by the sparkle of the gem as it caught in the light, hesitating.
“This will let you speak? Let me hear you? Is there …another way?”
It’s form shifted, black smoke swirling and obscuring its body before Luke stepped out from it, vapor trailing off his shoulders.
“I can only borrow this form. He lives in your mind, in your dreams where I reached for you. You hold the key, the key allows me to bring you here. The collar would let me keep my usual visage,” a voice boomed in, not Luke's. It was certain and heavy. Tom grew anxious, whatever this shade was it knew his secret. Fear dripped down his chest, knotting his stomach.
“Every time the key is here, in my realm, my power grows in strength. Soon I will speak and be heard without need of accessories. I will not force you to wear anything you do not want, despite how delectable you would look wearing my gifts, cherished.”
Tom flushed at the pet name, remembering how it fell from Luke’s bitten pink lips the previous nights. How he'd been so thrilled to have a taste of what he could never. He stared at the ground, pulling the blanket tighter.
“I'll ask again, who are you? What do I call you?”
“You may address me however you wish. I am the lord of this realm.”
“Thats been you touching me all these nights?”
Luke smiled, eyes gleaming with mirth. “I walk into your dreams, treasure. Those are your wants and desires. I will grant every one of them, if you name them. Thus is my purpose and power.”
“So you're some kind of …succubus?”
Luke’s borrowed form laughed, clutching his stomach. “Strangely I am assigned to the role. I once reigned over a vast space of the Hyades, citizens and worshippers freely choosing my blessings. In turn I hold them secure, all needs tended to.”
Tom gaped, how could one being attend to so many?
It turned and looked back out over the city and the still foggy lake.
“There was a war. I am all that is left.”
“Why am I here?”
“You hold the key.”
“I don’t understand what that means! Please, I'm sorry, explain it like you would a child,” Tom asked, reigning in his frustration.
Luke’s form sighed, putting his palms up in appeasement.
“There was a line that served me once as attendants. They hold the key where I had placed the last of my power as my people fled in terror. You hold the key, I am obligated to tend to you, compelled to fulfill your every need. You are my beautiful charge, and I am your lord if you are willing.”
“M-my every…wait, if I hold the key?”
“You are of the bloodline that served me. This is your ancestral home. I bid you stay a while that I may show you it's splendor.”
Tom’s eyes darted around, nerves and curiosity warring inside him.
“You are under no duress, here there is choice. Here in the seat of my remaining power there will always be choice. There is no tyranny of fate. You may come and go as you wish, the key allows you free passage. I will not visit you uninvited anymore, I had to reach you. If you wish to see me again, place the key over your heart, I will bring you here. I grow weary. Forgive me, cherished.”
The black smoke swirled and coalesced around Luke, and the lord returned to his previous form, it sat heavily upon its wooden throne.
Tom shook and fled, large wooden doors bursting open as he ran from its chambers. He heard its echo as he shot up in bed, gasping for breath. Flinging the key to the corner of the room Tom ran to the bathroom staring wild eyed at his face, pale with fear.
~~~
It kept its word, even when Tom tested by bringing the key closer to himself as he slept the lord did not visit his dreams. The bruising had faded and Tom was torn as he felt mournful about having no mark left to prove it had been real. That he had felt even a facsimile of Luke’s touch and was marked by it. He slept fitfully, tossing as his heart ever yearned for that ancient city, drawn to its still shores and dark stars. He knew he would go back, had to go back, had to learn everything he could. Have his every wish fulfilled.
He barely slept for days, irritable when the others asked him what was wrong. It was unbearable to be in the same room as Luke, Tom felt his fingers twitch and skin pull tight, felt the blond’s eyes on him like an accusation. What once was a joy and privilege felt like obligation, hanging around his neck. Out there in the night was an escape, a hidden paradise. He knew in his heart he would give in.
He left a note on his bedside table, handwriting shaking and frantic.
He held the key over his heart with trembling hands and felt the pull take him as his eyes slid shut.
~~~
Tom felt the large hand gently tilt up his chin, the looming figure bent down to rest his mask against Tom's forehead. Tom could feel it was cool, smooth, flawless. It moved back, running a thumb over his cheek. It swept its broad inky hand towards the table again, there sat the collar. Tom blushed hard and nodded sharply. It knelt and held it up as though it was offering a crown instead of a symbol of servitude. Tom’s hands shook as he placed it on his throat, the soft snick of the catch settling something inside him as it rest gently against his adam’s apple. The lord stood and held out his arm, Tom timidly placed his hand in the crook of his elbow.
“Thank you. Let me escort you, I have such sights to show you,” the voice smoother and richer than before.
They walked through the ancient city streets, stone dwellings haphazardly left as if frozen in time.
“This was Carcosa, this was the capital of my lands. Now it is all that is left. Across the lake of Hali and beyond the sands is Demhe.”
He pointed up at the sky at the two black suns.
“That is Aldebaran and Hastur. Their worlds were also once in my dominion.”
Tom may not be an astrologer but as someone well read he recognized those names.
“Those are in the Taurus constellation!”
“From your world, yes.”
“How??”
“The vastness of space is a small thing for gods.”
Tom boggled, someone.. Something so powerful could be brought low and still pull him across galaxies!
“Where is everyone?”
“Godhood is not without it's challenges, even with a domain as simple as mine. Word of my hedonism had spread in hushed whispers, even as far as your world. That brings attention, attention brings judgement. Several thought fit to judge my people, I held and had them judge me instead so my people could flee.”
“Where did they go?”
“They are scattered throughout the universe. I cannot reach them anymore. I hope they have found new caretakers. I hope they thrive where I have only just survived.”
“What happened to you?”
“I am no war-God, I was ill equipped to defend myself. My immortal form suffered a mortal wound. A paradox, I know.”
“That's how you have no name…”
“Indeed. Names have power, mine was stricken.”
“And now?”
“What is a god without believers? A mere trickster. You would be wise to consider me a con-artist.”
“If I were wise I never would have set foot here.”
The lord chuckled.
“True.”
Tom watched out the window as the moon set behind the lake of Hali. The lord had sat heavily upon his throne, slumping against the back of it. Expressionless as it was, Tom could feel the exhaustion coming off of it in waves.
“Why are you tired?”
“When you named me a succubus you were closer to the truth than you think. Your being here grants me strength, but your desires would sustain me.”
Tom unconsciously shrunk back.
The lord held up it's inky palms,
“I have said, I do not engage the unwilling. I will never lay an unwelcome hand upon you, cherished.”
Tom nodded but watched it warily.
“You must be sustained however. Come, break bread with me.” It moved slowly to the table. Simple bread and broth in wooden bowls. A carafe of wine and two goblets. It sat and waved to the seat across from it.
Tom sat and ate quietly, the question that brought him here burning away in his mind.
Later sat in front of the fire he could not help but ask, “Could you….?”
It turned and waited, head tilted.
Tom cringed but pushed forward.
“Could you look like him again? For me?”
It nodded, smoke billowing over his form. Luke was there when it cleared. Tom's eyes watered as he held out his hand.
“Sit with me? Please.”
Luke gave a small smile and padded over, sitting down on the rug next to Tom. Tom sighed as Luke leaned into his side, a contented sound slipping from his lips. It was perfect.
~~~
Time moved strangely in this realm. Tom felt the days blur as he walked beside the lord through Carcosa. Everything about this place felt like home, felt like belonging, he can't explain it.
Sometimes they would boat out onto lake, it pushing the long oar into its still waters. It told them of a golden era, a city alive with joy. How his line had attended it and a vast library, stacked to the ceiling with books and scrolls from all corners of the galaxy. How people would travel the stars just to prostrate themselves before it. How with that many buoying its power it could reach into the hearts of so many. Grant their deep desires, and in turn grow strong. The lord was praised amongst outcasts, the powerless, the disenfranchised. It took them all into itself spiritually, and half the time literally to Tom's flushed surprise.
“There is no shame in this. My pleasure has no constraints of power or status being changed in this act. That is an invention of your fellow mortals, the shackles you place upon yourselves.”
When Tom squirmed in his seat the lord bent and tilted its head, tone teasing.
“Would you like that? To see him beneath you, held down and gasping?”
Tom blushed hot, hands clutching at his pants, eyes slammed shut as the vision swam in his mind. But it was more another curiosity that got his blood pumping.
“Do you always change your form for your… subjects?”
It slid a hand across Tom's shoulders, leaving a trail of goosebumps.
“Not always. Some would take me as I am. Not all restrict their hungers to the humanoid form.”
Tom's eyes snapped back open, staring into the middle distance.
“You mean you can…I thought you were smoke… “ he trailed off, embarrassed.
“I am much more than that, my treasured. Permit me a small demonstration?”
Tom nodded and watched as it reached out to hold Tom's hand. It's form shifted, hot and malleable as melted wax. The inky substance pushed and spilled up his arm, stopping before his elbow. He could feel tantalizing liquid heat and minute control of pressure along his skin. A shudder ran down his spine and he swallowed. Would it-
“Feel like that all over? Yes.”
Tom whimpered, saliva pooling in his mouth.
It released Tom's hand before leaning to his ear. “I can do that inside you, at the same time. If you want.”
“Holy fuck,” Tom breathed out.
“You need only ask, cherished.”
“Please! Oh fuck please can I, I want to,” Tom begged.
It led Tom over to the bed, pressing him gently onto it. It slunk out of its robe, mask slipping off its faceless form to pool on the floor. Tom hurried to take his clothes off, unsure if it would be able to help with buttons and buckles in its natural form. A warm chuckle echoed in his mind.
That hot liquid feeling pooled down his shoulders and chest, Tom gasped and leaned back, arching off the mattress as it slipped fluidly over his aching cock and down his legs. It stopped as it reached his throat, the feeling of being gently cradled there calming the buzzing in his head. It held still, letting Tom adjust to feeling totally surrounded, engulfed, held tight from his toes to his fingertips. Slowly Tom felt the press and drag of fingers, teeth, tongues everywhere.
“Oh shit oh fuck oh god you're all over!” he babbled as his nerves sang.
He sobbed out a broken breath when he felt the liquid heat press and lick against his hole, his body thrusting up into the tight grip on his cock. He whined as he was stretched and scissored, while caressed down his neck and chest, nipples tugged and flicked by hands one second, teeth and lips the next. He yelled out as it pressed thickly into him, rubbing and pressing at his walls, finding all the spots that made stars burst behind his eyes.
“So perfect,” it cooed, a throat swallowing around Tom's twitching cock up to the hilt. Fingers and kitten licks danced around his rim as he was pulsed and pushed inside. He could feel he was racing to the edge.
“Wait slow down it's too much, I'm gonna cum!”
“I have you, my treasure. Give yourself to me.”
Tom screamed as he came, it pushed hard against his sweetspot and kept him agonizingly full. Tom shook and gasped as he came down, the touches now soothing, grounding. It's form still hard inside him.
“That was…,” he gasped for air, “But you, did you?”
He could feel a smile pressed against his neck, followed by a quick kiss.
“I’ve only just begun, cherished.”
“But I can't! Not just yet,” Tom’s voice rose in alarm.
“You can and you will. Relax, let me show you,” it commanded.
Tom moaned weakly as he felt a tap on his lips. He stuck his tongue out and felt a drop of pure energy flow and coat his throat and mouth. He felt his body writhe and his cock stir, he needed more, more more MORE! He wanted to bite and gnaw, thrust and grind, buck and bounce, suck and choke oh god how he wanted.
“Good. Take what you want, for as long as you want. I will make sure you do not tire.”
So Tom did.
~~~
Weeks have gone by. It wasn't long before there was a missing persons report. Wasn't long when the trail ran cold. Luke held the odd note Tom left, sat upon the edge of Tom's bed. He felt so useless, he wept until sleep took him, unknowing as the Yellow sign burned bright upon the page beside him. His dreams were foggy. It was like he could hear Tom reaching, begging for him to join him. Nothing was familiar when he opened his eyes.
~~~
Tom heard the large doors creak on their hinges as he sat at the table, happily pouring over the manuscripts.
“My lord, you've returned early,” he said, not looking up from his reading. Then he heard a voice he hadn't heard for months.
“Tom? Oh my god, is that you?”
Tom froze, mind spinning. The lord had never once played tricks on him, never put on a voice for him. but also never made mention of bringing others here yet. Especially…
“Luke?” he breathed out, shaking. Turning in this seat Tom saw him, Luke was standing there in Carcosa, looking at him like he'd seen a miracle. Tom's stomach sank. “What are you doing here? You can't be here!”
“It's you, you're alive! Thank God! Hurry, I don't know where we are but we've got to leave. Maybe back where I arrived there's a way back home!” Luke ran up to him, clutching at his arm.
Tom felt the warmth of his hands like the heat of an iron, and flinched. He could almost taste the panic and sweat coating his old friend.
“You need to leave.”
“Yeah duh, come on!” Luke yanked at him roughly, Tom stumbled out of his chair, hand clutching his robe tight.
“No Luke, you need to leave. I'm not going anywhere,” Tom said, regaining his footing and pulling back. His eyes kept darting from Luke's face to the door. Would the others come too? Would they drag him away from here, this paradise he'd carved out, his birthright? The longer Luke stayed the more likely he'd learn of why Tom stayed. He couldn't let him know, that he'd desicrated the image of his best friend over and over. He'd be horrified.
Luke stared at him, shocked expression fading to grim determination. “You're coming home whether you want to or not, Tom.”
“This is unbecoming of a guest,” the rich voice of the lord boomed out as it swept into the room.
Luke jumped and went pale as he saw the imposing form. He moved to stand between it and Tom, body shaking and fists clenched. Tom's heart twisted.
“I apologize for being a poor host and not greeting you as you first stepped into my realm. Please be not alarmed, I am the lord of this city. I bid you welcome.” it moved past the two of them, giving a wide berth before sitting in the throne. Tom took advantage of Luke's shock and ran to it's side, sinking to his knees.
“Please,” he whispered through grit teeth, “Send him back.”
“My poor gem, do not be afraid. This is a gift, a revelation. This will set you free.” it ran its hand through Tom's hair, but Tom wasn't soothed. He clenched his eyes as tears prickled the corners.
“Tom what's going on? Who is that?” Luke begged, voice pained and confused. Tom tucked in tighter into the lord's side.
“I ask that you trust me, cherished. I brought him with purpose. Here, beat of my heart, breath of my chest,” it chanted and Tom felt the fear in him drop away. As if tucked into a box. Still there, but stored where it wouldn't hurt him. He sighed and sank against the lord's form calmly looking back to Luke. The blond stood there, trembling, stunned, and as heartwrenchingly beautiful as he last saw him. How Tom ached to hold him, It ripped like a tide through him.
“Good. Go greet our guest,” it cooed, caressing down Tom's back.
Tom rose to his feet from his place at the base of the throne, shrugging off his robe. The dark fine chains and citrine stone cascaded down pale skin as he gracefully stepped forward. Luke gasped sharply. Before he got within arm length of Luke he felt a sharp tug at the back of his collar.
“Do it properly, my cherished,” came the resounding voice, pride in its tone.
Tom knelt and slunk forward, on hands and knees, the sound of metal tinkling in the open room.
Luke gaped as he watched Tom willingly, no, eagerly debased himself, dark eyes intent and hungry.
“Isn't he wondrous. I must thank you, mortal, without your borrowed form I may not have acquired such a treasure.” said the voice behind the pallid mask.
Luke's eyes snapped up to the imposing form, he shook with fear and rage, “What do you mean?”
“Look at him, how he wants for even the barest of your touch. It was not hard to divine, you had carved a space in his heart that even the dullest could discern. Such a simple thing to grant him this, as you would not.”
The lord tilted his head where a silver metal circlet seemed to pulse in the moonlight that streamed through the stonework window. Twin black stars upon his expressionless brow, but Luke could feel the deep scrutiny of his sight-less gaze. Luke felt himself bare before the otherness of this being. Tom startled him, his lanky form curled heedlessly around his legs, dark curls brushing his thighs. Luke swallowed around the lump in his throat, hands twitching as he felt the heat lick up his spine at the very sight of him. How the jewelry he wore fell into every dip and traced every curve and plane of Tom's body.
Decadent, nude, flushed, bruised and shameless.
He was a vision.
“Ah but you would, wouldn't you. What say you, cherished? Ask him.”
Tom shuddered and bit his bottom lip. He searched Luke's face for an answer to a question he had never dared to ask.
“Fear not, in my city there is no tyranny of fate. We make ourselves as we wish, as we want.”
The voice surged as the figure stood, shadows cast long across the floor. As he prowled forward his form changed, morphed, warping like the heat coming off distant burning sands. Luke stared as his hand came to rest upon Tom's head, his hazel eyes staring back at him as fingers threaded through hair and pulled. Tom sighed, eyes fluttering shut as he tilted his neck in supplication. Luke watched as his doppelganger placed kisses down that neck, teeth sinking into where it met his shoulder. Tom shook and moaned, a cloudy look filming his hooded gaze.
“Ask,” the other commanded, pulling back.
“Luke, please, touch me! I need you, I've always needed you,” Tom pleaded, pink heat spilling across his face and chest.
Luke's heart hammered in his chest as Tom nuzzled into his stomach, opened mouthed and panting.
“Tom,” he whined as Tom ground his bare body against him.
“I'll be so good for you, you know I can be. Please, again, more, please!”
The other grabbed at the chains hanging from the collar and yanked him roughly to his feet. Tom hissed out a grateful yes as the other clashed their mouths together. A string of saliva unbroken as he pulled back the barest bit, a challenge in the glance sent Luke's way. Luke gasped, his dick throbbed in his pants at the sight of himself and Tom.
“Take him.”
~~~
“He marks up beautifully,” the other said, as Tom knelt in the center of the mattress. Firelight glimmered through the gaps in the dark canopy, glittering the runes embossed in the wrought iron posts. Luke watched as his double, bare and unashamed, knelt behind Tom running his hands down his torso, kissing the base of his neck.
Luke scooted forward, steadying his tremors as he placed his hand on Tom's chest as he watched his double’s hands grip Tom's waist hard.
“Tom,” he whispered, hazel eyes searching dark brown blown wide and hazy.
Tom sighed and buried his head in the crook of Luke's neck, taking in a deep breath.
“Luke.”
He could feel Tom's body rock forward as his double ground against Tom's back in lazy circles. Luke's hands gently cradled his face, pulling him up to meet him in a kiss. Soft pink lips pressed against his and Luke groaned, feeling Tom open up, the hot heat of his breath, the slick slide of his tongue. Tom shivered and he felt the scrape of Luke's scruff against his skin, felt the tingling in his scalp as Luke tugged to angle their mouths together. It felt so different than what he'd come to expect.
His double growled and pushed Tom forward, Tom pressing Luke down into the sheets. Tom whimpered and whined, grinding their bodies together, trying to chase the blinding intensity he'd been treated to for so long. Luke writhed, cocks dragging against each other making him shudder.
“Tom Tom Tom oh fuck this whole time? I could have had you this whole time?”
Tom nodded, tears tracking down his face as that box of fear dissolved, “Yes yours. Always yours,” he croaked out.
The other sighed proudly, thumbing at the base of Tom's collar.
Luke surged up and bit hard on the other side of Tom's neck. He keened and begged, “More, please Luke!”
Tom pushed back against the one behind him, feeling a finger trace over his core, he sighed as it slipped smoothly into him. Luke wiggled beneath him, hot tongue running a path down his neck, across his collarbones, pausing to bite and suck at his chest.
The double chuckled warmly.
“He loves having his tits played with, don't you my gem?”
Tom whined as Luke sucked hard on his nipple. A hand trailed around him to tweak and flick expertly at the other one. Tom ground against Luke, eyes shut as pleasure sharpened to twin points hardwired straight to his dick. Another slick finger pressed into and he bowed his back, clutching and pulling at the sheets beneath him.
He felt Luke move back, up onto his knees in front of him. felt Luke's hands cradle his head, tilting his view up. Luke's thumb traced his lips, pressing in as Tom lapped and sucked at it, looking up through long lashes. Luke swallowed hard, mesmerized as he slowly pressed his thumb down into that wet heat.
“Tom, can I fuck your mouth? I've wanted to, please let me,” Luke rasped out, entranced.
Tom mimed what he wanted on Luke's finger, watching as the blush spread down the other man's chest. Luke pulled his hand back, grabbing his cock and guiding it as Tom held his mouth open tongue out. Luke curled his fingers into Tom's hair and held there as Tom pushed himself forward. He choked and sputtered, reaching a hand around the base. This scent, this taste - so clearly Luke but so different from what he had learned on the doubles body. Luke began to gently thrust, breathing punctuated by heady gasps. He tugged too hard and Tom's hair and tears sprung into Tom's eyes. Luke tried to pull back, apology falling from his lips but Tom surged forward. He gripped Luke's hips in place and bobbed and sucked with an effort he hadn't had to make before. Luke moaned in rapture, watching as his cock moved through swollen spit slick lips. Tom felt as another finger slipped into him, stretching him deliriously wide. He rocked back and forth between the two of them, feeling so full but knowing it wouldn't stop there.
The need in him grew fangs and he pulled back with a wet gasp. Luke whined and rubbed the slick head of his cock against Tom's lips, Tom grabbed it and leaned back rasping, “In me, I need you in me.”
He pulled at Luke, helping him lay back down as he crawled into his lap. He arched and groaned as he sank down onto Luke's cock, feeling the burn despite being thoroughly stretched. Luke's hands clasped his hips as he moved, lifting and sinking slowly at first. He clutched onto Luke's shoulders as he sped up, feeling the ache build in his legs and the heat in his core. It felt good, so good, but it wasn't enough. He bit his lip and whined in frustration, “Please, more!”
Luke snapped up into him hard and oh that felt so nice, that was getting closer to what he needed. They both gasped and slowed as fingers pressed at their intimate connection.
“I have you, treasure.”
Tom hissed out a long yes as he was stretched and felt the doubles hot length press against his back.
Luke gripped his hips tight, “Tom slow down!”
Tom shook his head and ground down on the questing fingers. Luke gasped and watched the breath punch out of Tom as he felt the second cock push next to his own. Tom wailed and shuddered, his body one flayed bundle of nerves. Finally he was getting somewhere.
Tom felt as Luke held still, shaking with effort. He hid a small smile as he felt the change inside him, felt the other spread, tease and move against them both.
Luke sucked in a sharp breath. It felt like fluttering, licking, pulsing, rubbing in a way that couldn't be possible. “Oh god,” he choked out, “H-how? What-?”
“So good, it's so good,” Tom slurred out, leaning back upon the others’ chest. His groan cut short as hands clasped around his throat and the double began thrusting in earnest. Both of them shouted as pleasure rocketed through them, Luke gripped tight and Tom stretched to the knife edge of ecstacy. Tom wrapped his hand around himself, a stream of unhs and ahs punched out of him as he was pounded into.
“It's too fast, wait!” Luke pleaded, trying to hold on as he watched in desperation as Tom bounced and ground down on them both. Tom was too gone to care, drowning in sensation, hand flying over his length chasing his high. Luke watched in awe as Tom's body took in a deep breath and then locked up, cock pulsing cum over their stomach and chest. Luke followed quickly, feeling like his orgasm was wrung out of him. He moaned in pleasure and agony as it was over so soon.
Shaking and gasping he watched his double grab Tom's chin roughly, sloppy open kisses echoing through the room. Then in shock, Luke watched his own face surge towards him, felt the wet mouth press against his, and heard Tom gasp in delight. He felt as though liquid fire was being poured straight down his throat, pooling in his core.
“More,” his double said imperiously, licking swollen lips.
Luke gaped as he felt his body stir, as if he hadn't just had a shattering climax and only had just begun their coupling. He groaned, grinding into Tom's heat pressed against the length of himself as his double thrust steadily against him.
His heart tripped as he wondered how long the lord would keep them locked in ecstacy? Would time mean anything or would they become just sweat and skin, pushing and straining, coming endlessly. Would either of them have the will to resist, or even the want to do so. Tom seemed long past that, eyes rolled back, tongue lolled out as his body rocked between them.
~~~
“The “just” and cruel gods named him profane. Lanced through him, wounded him, now he resides here in this city. But you've seen him, he's not profane. He's kind, generous. He takes in those who are lost, looked over, incomplete. He sustains us, treasures us! I've never felt more fulfilled in my whole life. If that's profanity then mark me censored. Stay here with him, with me. I want to help him regrow into power so that he may reach others like us!”
Luke's heart hurt as he watched Tom beg. He wanted him to be right, but his mind pleaded that there had to be something else. Something more than just a power struggle as to why this living god was banished here to this city of ghosts. Why his raiment was tattered. The featureless mask faced his direction, and Luke shivered.
“H-he still tricked you. Used me to lure you. Any actions after that are tainted!”
A heavy sigh came from the throne.
“Your beloved is right.”
Luke's eyebrows flew up at this.
“But know this, I am no usurper in his heart. I did use your form to bring him here. But once here I did show him the truth of things.”
Tom pulled on Luke's arms, “It's true, please Luke! I came here because I thought it was the only way to be with you, but I stayed because this is my home, this is where I belong! It could be yours too!”
“Tom,” Luke hissed, “this is insane!”
“Divinity and madness use the same brush.”
“Stay here! He has so much to offer,” Tom's eyes glazed over a bit and Luke flushed hot at the memory. He shook his head.
“Tom, I can't!” Luke cried.
“I do not hold the unwilling. If you want to leave, it is done.” the lord waved his hand and the air next to him sizzled and ripped apart. Tom's flat was there, unchanged from the moment Luke had left.
Tom looked at the rift, and to the lord with tears in his eyes. The pallid mask shook its head. Tom turned back to Luke, clinging to him one last time.
“What will you tell them?” he rasped.
Luke stood rooted in place, “I…I don't know. No one will believe the truth.”
“Tell my father… Tell him the family curse is lifted. That I'm happy. If you must say anything.”
Luke dragged himself towards the rift, stopping at its threshold to turn back.
“I would have loved you, my whole life,” he whispered.
“I will continue to love you, for all of mine.”
Tom turned, shoulders shaking, arms clutched tight around himself.
~~~
Tom held up the pages, a wide grin split across his face.
“It is complete!” he cried out in joy.
The tall form came over, placing long dark fingers upon his shoulder.
“What is it, my consort?”
“The play I wrote, my lord.”
“Marvelous. What have you called it, cherished?”
“The King in Yellow.”
Tom felt the shudder run through its form.
“A name. You grant me a name,” he husked out.
Tom turned, leaning into the other's tall form, eyes sparkling.
“Soon all shall know of Carcosa and of You, we shall reach across the stars and bring them here!”
“My witty playwright, let us begin immediately. Come, I know who will be among the first to view your creation.”
His hand stroked through Tom's hair, and he sighed.
Tom's heart sang out, a beacon of hope so bright he knew down to the marrow in his bones - He would bring Luke home.