Redhead NSFW catchall VOLUME 2

[bloodand]

Now with entirely more bdsm.

Comments

OKAY LET'S DO THIS THING

[bloodand]

[Long days at the castle are normal, but the days seem to stretch even further any time Daath is involved. Asch certainly can't claim that he's replaceable now, as the crown and the Order practically do battle over him. Kimlasca's claim was first, Kimlasca needs him to be king and marry Natalia so she has an heir of the royal blood. Daath needs his rank, their military arm in shambles and the rest of the church not much better. Daath can't use his replica; Kimlasca won't, because the royal family refuses to force Luke into Asch's role again and the rest of the nobility isn't sure that replicas should even be considered people.

Asch, for his part, has gotten way too used to jumping around the planet whenever he feels like it, and would much prefer an extended vacation somewhere in Malkuth where he doesn't have to deal with any of it.

At least the manor has a suitably massive bathtub he can soak in to relax. Which is totally what he's going to do. With a little bit of help.]

Luke! Where the hell are you?

OKKKAAAY

[strecido]

[all things considered for himself, Luke can honestly say he does not envy Asch at all. but he does feel a little sorry for him; ever since they came back, it seemed like Asch hadn't been able to catch a break. and as much as Luke wants to help Asch, as much as he wants to take up some sort of responsibility, he knows he can't. not because he's incapable, but because of other restrictions. in a way, Luke thinks it's unfair for Asch, but... that's the reality, sadly.

but what he can't help Asch with, Luke certainly tries in other areas. if he can't help Asch with his duties, at least he can help him in other ways.

and as soon as he hears Asch call him, he knows. he knows that Asch needs something from him. and really, he'll accept that. at least he's helping him somehow.

not too long after Asch calls his name, Luke is at his side]

Welcome back.

[bloodand]

[Luke definitely got the easy side of the deal, it's true. That, Asch would tell you with some grumbling, tends to be how these things work out. At least Luke's been making himself helpful when it comes to stress relief.

When Luke appears, Asch's irritated expression slacks a little, though, as usual, he doesn't bother with normal people greetings, instead just going straight for the heart of the issue.]

Today was hell. I'm going to take a bath.

[It's not an order, so if Luke really isn't feeling up to it, he doesn't have to come along, but the implication's there. Not that Luke's always good at catching those implications, but he's improving.]

[strecido]

[Luke just gives him a curious look for a split second, before catching on with what Asch meant. his attention perks a little; of course he's feeling up to it. he missed Asch today]

Did you want me to join you?

no Asch doesn't have a toybox what are you talking about

[bloodand]

[Well, there's no way out now, Luke. Asch's expression is... Well, less unhappy, at least. Progress?]

Be there in twenty minutes. And bring the box. I'll handle the rest.

[Now that's an order, and Luke knows exactly which box that means. Asch's expression goes a little gentler for a moment before he splits off to tell a maid to draw the bath and then not disturb them.

Because really, getting disturbed at this is the last thing he wants.]

lies all lies

[strecido]

[you know what, Luke will take that expression as progress because really, he can't actually ask for more out of Asch when it comes to those things.

without another word, Luke goes off to grab that box. because he knows what that box means, and what Asch wants]

sweet delicious lies (not foodplay)

[bloodand]

[Luckily their staff is pretty efficient, so there's already Asch and a scalding bathtub by the time Luke gets there.

Not Asch in a scalding bathtub, though. In fact, he's still dressed, seated on a bench and clearly waiting for Luke to come "help." Even just the steam seems to be relaxing him a bit, though - his shoulders are a little less tight.]

Going to help me out of these?

[He gestures at his boots, and here "help" means "take these off for me." But if he's not going right for the collar, he must want the company as much as the service, at least.]

[strecido]

[a silent nod, and Luke's kneeling in front of Asch and helping him take off his boots. the box he brought is now beside Asch, and to be honest, Luke's just a little excited for what Asch has in mind for him.

but for now, he's just mostly focused on the boots]

[bloodand]

[Asch shuffles through the box while Luke does so, but aside from the usual collar he sets out and to the side, he's evidently keeping things a surprise, from the way he keeps the lid blocking Luke's view. Sometimes he doesn't even use anything from the box besides the collar, but it's good to keep good habits, right Luke?

Once the boots are off, he shoos Luke away a little to strip off the rest of his clothes - not that he doesn't like the full treatment, but this is faster and that bath will get cold eventually.]

Strip, we're both getting in. No shows.

[AKA don't take your time being seductive about it.]

[strecido]

[Luke quickly glances at the collar before glancing back at Asch at his request. hm, must have been one of those days. Luke stands, and makes quick work on stripping; soon enough, he's nude and right by Asch again]

[bloodand]

[Asch kind of tosses his clothes everywhere as he strips, which... Yep, it's been one of those days, if he's not taking any care beyond "don't land them in the tub." When he's done, he steps over to the collar and gestures at the ground. Time to get on your knees, Luke.]

[strecido]

[of course, Luke doesn't have to be told twice. actually, he doesn't even have to be told at all; he knows what Asch wants of him when he's in a mood like this.

without saying anything, Luke just lowers himself to his knees, his head bowed slightly]

[bloodand]

[Good boy. Asch bends just enough to snug the collar up around Luke's neck and fit it on - but he ruffles Luke's hair a little as he goes, because as pissy as he is about his day he's not actually mad at Luke, wonder of wonders.

But then the collar's on, his hands drop away, and he's all business.]

Up. I want a shoulder massage before I get in the bath.

[And he's just going to go over next to the (closed) toybox and take a seat. Hop to it, water's getting cold.]

[strecido]

[just as silent, Luke stands. he knows Asch isn't actually angry at him (he hasn't actually done anything.... this time....), but if Asch needs that stress relief, Luke is more than willing to help, no matter what.

Luke doesn't waste time as he slides his hands across Asch's shoulders, gently appying pressure to the tense knots. hm... he seems more tense than usual]

[bloodand]

[He's way more tense than usual. Dealing with Daath is awful (Daathful?). A slight shiver passes beneath Luke's fingers, but that's it.]

Harder.

[It's only when Luke increases the pressure that he gets the little half-sigh reward of Asch actually relaxing by a hair. Much better.]

[strecido]

[Luke's pretty determined to get those knots undone and just starts kneading Asch's shoulders a little more. Luke sighs quietly, thinking for a moment if he should say what's on his mind, and weighing out his options on if it's a good idea, or if he'd be stepping out of line for speaking without permission.

screw it.]

...Can I make a suggestion?

[bloodand]

[Well, at least it's working? Before he answers, Asch grabs one of the towels and wraps it around his hand.]

...You may.

[And he snaps the towel back with his wrist on the last word to emphasize his point, so that it smacks Luke just lightly in the back of the legs. Grammar, Luke!]

[strecido]

[with a slight yelp, Luke jumps slightly. it didn't hurt, but just surprised him]

S-sorry. But I was just thinking that maybe you could try to take some time off to go to Keterburg? The spa is really nice there.

[bloodand]

[He'll get you speaking slightly more properly eventually. As it is, Asch seems satisfied, dropping the towel back onto the bench next to him and relaxing again under the massage.]

I'd like to, but I'd damn near need to fight my way out with the amount of my time these idiots are taking up.

[Not that he isn't tempted, now that he thinks about it. He could probably climb down one of the lifts in the night, the security is mostly set up to keep anyone from climbing up...

He holds up a hand, gesturing Luke to stop the massage.]

I'm getting in.

[If you ask nicely, Luke, you can join once he's actually in the tub.]

[strecido]

I'm sure Natalia would be able to petition for you to get some well deserved time off.

[Luke just waits for Asch to get into the tub and relax before asking:]

Can-- May I join you?

[see he can learn!]

[bloodand]

She'd also insist on coming along.

[Which, sometimes dealing with Natalia is as stressful as anything. Neither of them has figured out how to act around the other, yet.

Asch settles into the tub with a slow sigh, and pointedly makes Luke wait for an answer for thirty seconds or so before finally nodding.]

Besides, I'm out of practice.

[Why does he consider sneaking around places an important enough skill that he needs to be in practice? Who knows, it's Asch.]

[strecido]

[Luke slides into the tub by Asch, letting himself settle in as well. mhm the bath was a good idea]

I'm sure if you tell Natalia that you want some time alone... Also you don't need to sneak around anymore.

[bloodand]

[The bath is a great idea, if he wouldn't drown he'd sink in completely. As it is he goes down to the neck, hair swirling around his shoulders. Aaaaaaaah~!]

We have to sneak this. [Luke knows what he means. This as in, that collar and everything attached to it.] And it's not a bad skill to have.

[strecido]

Again, if you tell Natalia that you just want the time off for yourself... I could ask Emperor Peony if we could get the spa to ourselves, too...

[seeing as Peony got them spa passes before. maybe he can pull some strings again]

[bloodand]

Hmph. And everyone thinks I'm the traditionalist.

[They would be hilariously wrong and not just about bedroom practices. Where is your sense of adventure, Luke? Did it escape the planet's gravity with Lorelei and fly off to the fon belt? Did it fall into the core to remain for all eternity?

Whatever, at least you let Asch ride you like a liger.]

And I'd rather avoid owing the emperor any favors, but I suppose it probably can't be avoided.