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As expected, Morax finds Xiao ready and waiting for him in his chambers. What he did not expect was the manner in which he would greet him: Xiao is kneeling on the floor, bare to his skin, and far enough away from the fireplace that it would have done little against the chill, even had a fire been roaring in it. But that is not the reason for Xiao's quivering. Or not the only reason.
Xiao's head is bowed and with his outstretched arms, he is holding aloft a thin shaft longer than his forearm and about the width of his little finger. He has the appearance of one who has held the same position for an extended amount of time. And well he might. Knowing Morax would seek him out once he had concluded his official duties, Xiao would have taken care to cleanse himself of the battlefield and its demonic residue as best he could before settling down to wait.
Even so, Morax had not dismissed his petitioners or bid them to hasten their speech. He had given them the same consideration as he had those who had come before Xiao arrived. Xiao knew this. And yet he had chosen to wait in this manner, knowing how difficult the position would be to hold for long. To punish himself if Morax would not do it.
Morax would have, but without the public spectacle. Xiao knew this too, or at least Morax was certain he did. Some things ought to remain for his eyes only, and when it comes to Xiao he will guard them jealously.
With today's duty done, Morax can put his entire focus on Xiao. As it should be. Xiao deserves nothing less than his undivided attention.
For now, however, he ignores Xiao and strides past him to the fireplace. Cold does not touch him the way it does mortals so he has no need to warm himself, yet a fire, safely contained, adds an air of relaxation to his chambers that is not amiss after a day spent listening to the troubles of his people. The heavens know he has little time to relax and so he takes his comforts where he can find them.
From the corner of his eye, Xiao's involuntary spasms draw his attention. He half-expects Xiao to perk up in anticipation, to look at him with a quiet longing in his gaze. But not so. Xiao is stony in his patience, almost statue-like if his muscles were not betraying him.
Taking pity on him, Morax finally walks in front of him. Xiao still gives no outward reaction, even when Morax plucks the cane from his proferring hands. He considers it as though it were unknown to him. As though he had not used it on Xiao on numerous occasions.
Ever so slowly, Xiao's fingers begin to twitch and he sucks in a breath that cuts off as he tries to lower his arms. He lowers his forehead to the floor too and Morax lets him, if only to allow him the chance to rest his muscles for a while. Xiao's need to stand on this much ceremony, even in private, is something Morax is intimately acquainted with, yet has never requested from him. It is how Xiao chooses to express his devotion and Morax himself is too fond of Xiao to fault him for it.
"Speak," he says eventually, once Xiao's breathing had evened and his trembling had subsided somewhat.
"My lord," Xiao says and his strained voice falters at the end. He clears his throat and tries again: "My lord, I would ask that you punish me."
Morax stops stroking the cane and peers down at Xiao. He had known this to be his request the moment he stepped into his chambers, but the reason still remains unclear.
Xiao had sought him out earlier to report the outcome of his mission – his objective had been achieved, yet not successfully in his eyes. The villages at their southwestern borders are safe once again, though in securing them Xiao had to do what he had sworn never to do again: he had to kill mortals. Demons had possessed them, turned them into grotesque puppets that no exorcism could cure, and left Xiao no choice but to vanquish them.
Morax saw no breach of contract in this. Xiao's duty is to protect Liyue, and if doing so means taking the lives of those corrupted souls who would seek to destroy it, then it would be unreasonable to expect him to do otherwise. Morax knows the price of peace and is willing to pay it, for the good of all. Perhaps Xiao's perspective is clouded by his unfortunate history. The provision that he kill no mortals came from his own feather, after all. Its purpose was to prevent Morax from ordering it done.
Yet whether or not choosing to do it himself counts as violation in his book, the fact remains that by the time Xiao took down the villagers, they could no longer be considered human. Xiao accepted that fact, had reasoned it out himself even, and still he seems troubled by it.
"I know I could not have acted differently without letting even more mortals come to harm and yet... and yet I cannot help but think I should have done more, found a way to reverse the curse, something." He scoffs at himself. "Useless, I know, but..."
"But the guilt is tearing you apart inside."
Xiao looks up, a frown creasing his otherwise impassive features. Then he nods.
He has always been harsher with himself than anyone else, a trait no doubt instilled in him by his former mistress. If Xiao was beyond reproach, then perhaps he would not be forced to endure her cruel punishments. He has nothing of the sort to fear from Morax, of course, but this behaviour has become part of him now. He could sooner learn to breathe underwater than stop holding himself to exacting standards.
With a motion that demonstrates his great familiarity with the cane, Morax swings the tip around until it taps the underside of Xiao's chin. It comes to rest there smoothly, without a bump or a smack. The cane is laced with Geo energy, allowing Morax to manipulate it with great exactness.
He applies pressure to it now, bidding Xiao to sit upright.
"You will submit to me then and accept what punishment I choose?" he asks once Xiao has followed the implicit order.
"Yes, my lord," Xiao says without hesitation, though for a second his eyebrows twitch into a frown. He had already chosen his preferred punishment. Does he think Morax is not going to give him what he asks for?
"What is it?" Morax prompts, curious as to what is bothering Xiao.
Xiao shakes his head. "I have not earned the right to make demands."
"A suggestion, then. I will determine whether to grant it or not."
Again without hesitation, Xiao nods, trusting Morax to the utmost. "Whatever punishment you choose, my lord, I'd like you to hurt me. I need to hurt. The karma-- it's--"
"I understand."
He had seen the pain dull Xiao's eyes earlier, though one would not suspect it to still be an issue. Xiao appears almost serene like this, kneeling on the floor, with his back straight and his hands on his thighs, awaiting his lord's will, as though nothing else could be of concern to him.
Morax reaches out and cups Xiao's cheek. His skin is warmer than he would have anticipated, given that the heat of the flames doesn't quite reach them here. Xiao is burning with his own fire and it makes him susceptible to his touch. Morax brushes his fingers down Xiao's neck and along the tops of his shoulders as he steps around him, to view him from all sides. Xiao shivers.
Yet despite that welcoming openness to his attentions, Xiao never once takes his eyes off the cane Morax is still holding. There is longing in his gaze, the wish to feel it strike him plain on his face.
He knows that Morax is not going to give him what he wants quite so soon, if he will do so at all. First, Morax likes to make sure that Xiao is prepared for it, both physically and mentally. Xiao may know pain, but Morax wants him to associate their encounters with something more than that, something deeper. Something that Xiao will not find elsewhere.
Morax accompanies his caresses with gentle strokes of the cane, to establish a connection in Xiao's mind. It becomes an extension of himself as he runs it lightly along Xiao's skin, eliciting the same responses from Xiao that his fingers would draw forth if he brushed Xiao's arms, his back, the outside of his thighs.
Once he deems Xiao suitably attuned to it, he stretches out his palm. Golden light hovers in a sphere above it as he fuses together his Geo energy into a thin column of jade, a little wider than his index finger and about as long as his hand from wrist to fingertips.
"Prepare yourself for me," he says and watches Xiao lick his lips.
"Of course, my lord," Xiao replies, a light pink dusting his cheeks as he accepts the item with a reverence that burns through Morax like a smoldering fire.
His nostrils flare. Xiao's unwavering commitment to seeing his will done is deeply pleasing to him at the best of times, yet when they're alone it becomes a never-ending font of desire for this perfect creature. Still, this arrangement of theirs is a test of patience for him as surely as it is for Xiao. Morax longs to carry him to bed and pleasure him until he cries, but it is not time for that yet. It would be a punishment of sorts, to deny Xiao what he had asked for, though Morax cannot be this cruel. Not to him, at least. No, never to him.
With his eyes closed, Xiao kisses the rounded tip of the rod the way religious practitioners might kiss a likeness of Morax. Perhaps it should make him pause, to corrupt such a devout soul to his own lascivious ends – though it was Xiao who had come to him first. Morax just did not send him away.
In that moment, Xiao opens his eyes again, pinning Morax with his gaze, and slides the tip of the rod between his glistening lips. Morax groans. No, he could never send Xiao away.
Through the elemental resonance the rod gives off, Morax can feel Xiao's tongue curl against it as though against his own clothed erection. As much as he enjoys the sensation, if Xiao continues like that, he is not going to last much longer. His self-restraint is slowly unraveling.
With an effort, he makes a jar of scented oil appear between Xiao's knees. Ordinarily, manifesting something of this size takes no more thought than waving a hand or calling forth his spear, yet now it demands almost all of his concentration. What little there is left of it.
Following his cue, Xiao coats the rod with a generous amount of oil. Morax watches his fingers curl around it, expertly gliding along its length, and simultaneously feels them as though they were ghosting along his own.
Distantly, he remembers the cane he is still holding. Slapping it into his opposite palm has a grounding effect on him.
Xiao stills, gaze so transfixed it acts almost like glue. Morax finds himself slowing under it, until the cane lands in his palm and does not leave it again. Xiao casts his eyes down and stretches himself low, as if in apology. Or as if offering his back as a tableau for the art Morax could create upon it with his cane.
In this position, Xiao's hips are elevated, and when he reaches back to slick himself, Morax can see him insert two fingers at once. Impatient as always.
A loud smack resounds as the cane connects with Xiao's shoulder blades.
Xiao throws back his head. One might expect to find rage or accusation shining in those eyes, but not so with Xiao. The look Morax is met with is one of relief and gratitude.
Grasping Xiao's chin, Morax guides him up it. Xiao has no recourse but to obey.
"I'd like to see your face as you prepare yourself," he explains.
"As you wish, my lord," Xiao answers demurely and stays in the exact high kneeling position that Morax leaves him in, even though his legs are quivering.
Morax gestures for him to continue. With a shaky breath, Xiao takes the rod and angles it into himself. As soon as it slides inside, heat pulses through Morax's cock as though he were the one penetrating Xiao. It's not the tight fit he is used to, but an easy glide in and out. Xiao sucks his lower lip between his teeth, brows creased in concentration. Perhaps he is frustrated that Morax has not widened the toy already. He can take it, he would argue; he doesn't need this much consideration. Morax is burning with desire to know that Xiao wants him so much he would choose pain over proper preparation if it meant that Morax would fuck him sooner.
He has half a mind to do him that favor if he had not all but promised he would punish him first. He will have plenty of other opportunities to indulge himself. Xiao's needs are his priority.
As Morax continues his leisurely rounds, he begins tapping Xiao with the cane on occasion, lightly at first, then increasing his force by increments, before doing no more than brushing the cane along his skin. Xiao becomes entirely entranced by it, eventually ceasing to move altogether, fingers frozen around the bottom of the shaft inside himself. Morax swats those fingers with the tip of his cane.
With a slight start, Xiao blushes and resumes preparing himself.
Morax smiles to himself. Xiao is not usually one to lose focus, so it's interesting to observe just what can make him space out with anticipation.
Concentrating on the Geo resonance inside Xiao, he adds more elemental mass to it, making the toy grow wider, but infinitesimally so. It's an exercise in control, but also one of perception, for Xiao. How long would it take for him to notice this time, Morax wonders. Longer than usual, he thinks, given the distractions he provides.
Morax strikes him across his back again to prove his point. Xiao sucks in a breath but otherwise doesn't flinch.
"You may sit down again if you like," he suggests.
"Thank you, my lord," Xiao breathes and places a hand behind his back to help steady himself. With the other, he secures the rod inside himself lest it slip out. Perhaps Morax should have added a few ridges and grooves to it, or a wider base so it wouldn't. Well, it's not too late to add any of it.
"Wait a second," he says once Xiao has lowered himself onto his heels. "I will secure it to the floor."
Xiao looks up at him with a dazed expression, then nods.
Morax smiles and gently manipulates the rod inside Xiao. First, he creates a bulbous head so it wouldn't slip quite as easily out of him, turning the toy into a phallus as smooth as glass but durable as rock. Then he elongates it to make it easier to affix it to the floor without disturbing Xiao.
Xiao is breathing heavily, no doubt eager to ride this phallus for as long as the sight entices Morax. It pleases him to see that Xiao is as hard as he himself is, although his own erection is safely hidden inside his robes. What pleases him even more that he is not abashed about it but that he shows himself openly like this for Morax's viewing pleasure. And Morax takes great pleasure in it.
Without waiting for any kind of instruction, Xiao shifts his weight and sinks down onto the phallus, taking the whole length inside of him. His eyelids flutter as he does so.
Morax smacks the cane across his back and this time, Xiao flinches because he did not expect it. Morax has infused the cane with Geo elemental energy so that he can manipulate it without wielding it by hand. There is something distasteful to him about striking Xiao with his own hands, but if it's something that Xiao needs, he will find ways to make it work. With his own element infusing the cane, flicking Xiao with it becomes no more strenuous than thought.
Xiao glides up and down the shaft and occasionally Morax cracks the cane across his buttocks. He delights in the way Xiao clenches around the shaft and shudders. It makes him want to press Xiao to the floor and replace the phallus with his own cock, just to see how beautifully he himself could make Xiao shiver. Another time, perhaps.
Morax alternates between striking Xiao with the cane and stroking him with it for a few more times before Xiao's bitten-off moans become too much for him to ignore.
He comes to a halt in front of Xiao.
"It's time you do something for me," he says, reaching out to stroke Xiao's face.
Perhaps he should be leading Xiao over to the bed so they can both be more comfortable but for this moment he would prefer to tower over Xiao.
Xiao's face is red and shining, and his golden irises are almost completely swallowed up by his pupils. He looks absolutely stunning like this and Morax can't wait to have Xiao's whole attention wrapped up in him.
"Yes, my lord," he says hoarsely. "Gladly."
"Well then," Morax says and spreads his hands. "What are you waiting for?"
By now, Xiao is panting in his eagerness to please him. He leans forward and uses his teeth to undo the sash holding Morax's robe of office together. His hands stay demurely on his thighs. When his robe falls open, Xiao rubs his face against the very noticeable bulge in Morax's trousers.
To make it easier on Xiao, he unties them himself. They fall to a puddle on the floor and he steps out of them. Xiao exhales a pleased moan and rubs his face against his cock once more. Without the fabric between them to soften the sensation, Morax is instantly overwhelmed by pleasure. Xiao's face is heated, his skin soft.
Morax groans when Xiao kisses his cock, worships it with his lips and tongue. He forgets all about his troubles with his sworn gods and focuses solely on the silken heat of Xiao's mouth. He rocks against him gently, stroking his hair out of his face and guiding him just a little, even though Xiao has no need for guidance. He swallows Morax down with barely any warning.
Morax curses and twists his hands into Xiao's hair, as though to pull him off. In reality, all he can do is hold on. Xiao's mouth is a furnace and it threatens to erode his self-control entirely.
In the end, it is Xiao's deep-seated moan vibrating through him that causes him to snap. Xiao is already teasing him with the back of his throat, taking him in deep and swallowing around him before releasing him again and gasping for breath. The next time Xiao sinks down all the way, Morax holds him there and fucks his face.
Xiao's eyelashes flutter, but Xiao's expression doesn't change from its serene bliss, even when tears start leaking from his eyes and he begins to choke for lack of air.
His orgasm hits Morax with a torrential force and he has no time to pull out and paint Xiao's chest or face with his come. Xiao coughs in surprise, but swallows valiantly as he wavers on his knees, his own cock is curving stiffly against his belly. Although he hasn't yet reached his peak he looks even more fulfilled than Morax feels. Morax strokes his hair fondly.
"You've done well," he says. "I am very pleased with you."
Xiao huffs and averts his eyes, as though suddenly bashful. But it is only the praise that Xiao has difficulty accepting when it is given so bluntly.
Once he can trust himself to walk again, Morax makes his way over his bed and sits down, gathering his robes about him. Xiao remains on his spot, dazed and unmoving.
With a sly smile, Morax uses this chance to turn the phallus Xiao is still sitting on into a plug, so Xiao could move without it slipping out.
"Well?" he asks finally, patting the space beside him expectantly.
A small smile quirks on Xiao's lips before he lowers himself onto all fours to crawl over to Morax. It's probably easier for him to crawl than stand up but well, it does have quite the effect on Morax. For one thing, it gives him a very nice view of the welts blossoming on Xiao's back. His movements are halting and stiff, and they would have made Morax worry if not for the blissful expression on Xiao's face. He is right where he wants to be, in that state of bliss he can only get to through physical pain, delivered by a trusted hand. And Morax doubts that Xiao trusts anyone else enough to do this for him.
Once Xiao reaches the bed, he gets up on it and, after a gesture from Morax, drapes himself across his lap. Morax runs his fingers through Xiao's hair and down his neck, slowly drawing lower to edge along the welts. Xiao's breath hitches and he squirms just the slightest bit, but tries to keep himself still.
Morax gives each welt its due attention and before he reaches Xiao's buttocks, he picks up the neglected cane with his elemental powers and adds another stripe just to test if Xiao has had enough. He can be quite stubborn at times, unable to admit that he has reached his limit, so it is up to Morax to find the right balance between giving him what he needs and stopping before he goes too far. It has happened once before and the result was not pretty, mainly because Xiao spent some time afterwards feeling guilty for making Morax hurt him too much. That was perhaps the hardest thing to bear. Not only that he actually caused Xiao harm in ways he had not intended, but also that Xiao felt responsible for it. He had asked for it, after all, even though it turned out to be too much.
Xiao hisses when Morax runs his fingers over the fresh welts, then moans when he slides them into his crack and swirls them around the base of the plug that is still embedded in his ass. Morax twists at it, to test the lubrication, and is pleased to see that it turns easily. Morax does not want to hurt him when he takes him roughly, but Xiao seems to get off on skirting a certain edge of pain. Hence why he's not made the phallus bigger than his own cock. So Xiao can still enjoy that edge of discomfort that he so craves.
"Don't stop, my lord," Xiao begs. "I can go longer."
In response, Morax strikes Xiao just below his buttocks, where he would be feeling it every time he so much as moves his legs.
"It's not about whether you can," he says. "But whether you still need it."
Xiao swallows. "I do. Please."
"Very well," Morax acquiesces. And strikes Xiao's shoulder blades.
Xiao cries out this time but the fact that he does not pull away and instead remains where he is, relaxing his head down and submitting himself to Morax's "punishment" goes straight to his cock.
With a flick of his wrist, Morax makes a jar of ointment appear. He unstoppers it and gently applies some of the ointment to Xiao's uppermost welts. Then he strikes him again, below the latest stripe. Xiao groans and shifts in Morax's lap. Morax lets him and waits for him to settle again before he applies ointment again. He makes his way down Xiao's back like this, always adding new welts on top of the already existing ones before working ointment onto them. Xiao's breathing is becoming harsher, his squirming more difficult for him to control, and the closer Morax's switchings come to his ass, the more Xiao is shifting his knees too, spreading them wider.
It's fascinating to watch, the way Xiao is completely sinking into the sensation, trying to relax into it, yet at the same time trembling because of it, almost to the point of orgasm. It makes Morax want to try and see if Xiao could actually come from this kind of dual stimulation - pain and gentleness. He imagines it might be difficult though, since Xiao is very stubborn in this regard too, delaying his own gratification for as long as he needs to until Morax allows him to come.
Xiao lets out a stuttering moan when Morax strikes him right on the phallus that is still embedded in him. His thighs are shaking, his butt muscles twitching violently, and every moment Morax expects him to spill against his robe. But Xiao would never dare to let himself go like that.
When Morax is done applying ointments to the welts, he slips his hand into the cleft of Xiao's ass, gently dragging his fingers along his rim. Already it seems stretched to capacity, although the phallus does not quite share its girth with Morax. He twists the base and tugs at it, just to hear Xiao's breath hitch in anticipation. Morax slides his hand lower, between Xiao's thighs, and finds him dripping wet. His fingers almost slip as he runs them up his shaft.
With a sharp intake of breath, Xiao grabs his wrist. For a startled moment, Morax wonders if he hurt him in some way. Xiao struggles upright as if to get away from him, but when he lifts his head, the look he gives Morax is not one of pain. It is one of naked want.
That is all the warning he has before Xiao surges forward and kisses him.
Xiao's hot mouth is as a balm he didn't know he needed, a blessing to let go. Despite his fervor, Xiao's lips are still as soft and pliable as Morax has come to relish, but they are insatiate – just as he himself is, now that he no longer has to hold himself back. He draws Xiao in with a hand between his shoulder blades and one at the small of his back. Xiao gasps, but shuffles closer on his knees. Morax feels one hand warm on his thigh and one on his shoulder, exerting pressure as though Xiao is trying to hoist himself into his lap but lacks the strength to. Without thinking, he takes him by the arms and, lying back on the bed, pulls Xiao on top of him.
Xiao makes a small noise of protest, but once they are settled, he continues kissing Morax with renewed zeal. This is what he had been missing, what he had been looking forward to since Xiao returned. No rank, no restraint, and no responsibility beyond their desire for each other.
Breath coming in short puffs, Xiao grinds against Morax, his slick erection dragging across his stomach with every buck of the hips. Morax grabs them, fingers digging into the blazing flesh of Xiao's ass. He is tempted to have Xiao sit on his face while he eats him out, but Xiao's groan is so gut-wrenching, it's clear to him that Xiao is not going to last another minute.
Unable to wait any longer himself, he produces another vial of oil that he uncorks with a flick of his thumb and upends over his throbbing cock. The excess he wants to use on Xiao, only to find his fingers obstructed. Of course, Xiao is still wearing the plug. He makes it vanish, much to Xiao's momentary displeasure, and replaces it with his fingers. They slide in with ease. Good.
"Ride me," Morax growls.
Xiao peers at him as though he does not understand, but as soon as Morax nudges the head of his cock against his entrance, he presses back to help it inside. His eyelids flutter when Morax penetrates him, his lips compress, his brow creases. For long moments, Xiao hovers there on the edge, legs quivering, lost in the sensation. Morax keeps his hips still too, wanting to give Xiao the time he needs to get used to him.
Morax is about to brush Xiao's hair out of his face when Xiao sinks down fully onto his cock. A strangled noise escapes him and Morax feels something hot land on his chest. It is only when he sees the way Xiao's muscles are twitching that he realizes Xiao must have come untouched. Heat pools beneath his skin and he cannot help rocking into Xiao. He's gripping him so tight it's almost painful but Xiao is not the only one who enjoys a little pain now and then.
Soon, Xiao places his hands on his shoulders and joins the movement, rolling his hips despite the tremors that still wrack him. Although Xiao seemed not to have understood the order Morax had given him earlier, he now sees to fulfilling it. He's exhausted, shaking from overstimulation and leaning harder onto Morax than he would have allowed himself to on a normal day, but he's doing it. He's dragging himself up and down his length, breath hitching in his throat and tears glistening in the corners of his eyes.
It takes a stronger man than Morax to resist Xiao's allure when he's this open and vulnerable. Before long, he succumbs to his lust. Where he had been able to contend himself with gentle rocking before, he now holds Xiao in place and thrusts into him relentlessly. And Xiao, his hard-working, enduring, and beautiful Xiao takes it without complaint, all so that Morax can achieve his pleasure through him.
When Morax takes him in hand, he is hard and wet again, precome oozing down his cock. Xiao's breathing is sharp and quick as Morax pushes him toward his second orgasm, almost as if he were afraid of it. But Morax has never known Xiao to be afraid of anything. He faces this bravely too, and when he comes this time, Morax follows him over the edge.
***
It is still dark outside when Xiao finally stirs. He has been drifting in and out of sleep, never quite arriving, yet never quite departing either. The haze of pain had seen to that. It is duller now, more distant, and he is sure his lord must have healed him already. He says it is to stave off infection or to help Xiao fulfill his duty, never mind that Xiao would fulfill it even on his deathbed.
But his lord seems to enjoy how sensitive his newly healed skin becomes and how easily it makes him shiver, so Xiao says nothing. It is quite pleasant to have his lord run his fingers down his body, after all.
"Feeling better?" his lord murmurs, sensing that he must be awake.
Xiao considers this question. He's feeling... good. Still floating, but also grounded. Safe. He opens his mouth to tell his lord as much but it would not let him speak yet. So he just nods.
But it's not enough to express to his lord just how grateful he is. He doubts he could ever express it. His feelings for his lord run so deep words can't encompass them anymore. Every meaning pales in front of them.
"Thank you," Xiao manages eventually, because it needed to be said.
Morax will perhaps never know what exactly Xiao is thanking him for, but he smiles and shakes his head softly anyway.
"It was my pleasure."
Warmth blossoms in his chest when Morax encloses him in his arms. He still thinks that after everything he has done, he does not deserve this much comfort, but if it is his lord who is offering it, there is no way for him to refuse.