Sugar, Secrets and Upheaval

My gaze flickered away from his eyes, landing on the shimmering surface of the water, then darting towards the vast, fogged-up glass overlooking the woods.

“Levi,” I started. “I... I don’t... I mean, here? Right now?”

“Dear, we do not have to do anything if you do not wish so.” He buried his face deeper into my neck, his damp hair brushing against my jaw. “But I promise to be gentle, if you desire so.”

“I mean, you… You reprimanded me for wanting to have sex in the hot tub, said that what if I slip and break my jaw, and now you want to have sex in this place, literally made from marble from floor to the ceiling?”

“Our hot tub is designated for seven individuals, dear, and it does not possess the spaciousness of this bathhouse.” His breath was warm against my skin. “And yes, it is indeed constructed from marble; however, I am quite certain I will hold you with sufficient firmness to preclude any unfortunate incident.”

“Gods…” I breathed out. “Okay… Only if you be… very gentle.”

“Hm,” he mused as he pulled his face away. “I certainly will endeavor to be so, but I suggest that you finish another glass of wine, at least to provide some solace to the anticipated soreness.”

I raised my wine glass and let the complex flavors warm me from the inside out. Across from me, Levi, drained the last of his nectar.

The wine did little to truly soothe the prickle of heat in my face. Levi extended a hand towards me. His touch was light, yet it sent a fresh jolt through me. I offered no resistance, simply letting the current of his pull guide me through the warm water until our bodies were barely an inch apart.

His hand moved to my waist, tracing a tender path along my side beneath the water. His thumb brushed over my hipbone. He leaned in further, his other hand coming up to cup my jaw, his thumb stroking gently just beneath my ear.

“Raphael,” he murmured, his voice husky. He lowered his head, his lips brushing over my temple, then down to my cheek.

My hands found their way to his shoulders, my fingers curling into the wet hair at his nape. I leaned into his touch, my body yielding to his gentle guidance.

His lips, warm and soft, found mine. My eyes drifted shut, and I returned the kiss with a fervor that surprised even myself. I parted my legs in the water. Levi’s hands moved to my waist. I pushed myself up until I straddled his lap.

He didn’t break the kiss. His arms wrapped around my waist, pulling me even tighter against him. His hands began a slow exploration of my back, adjusting our bodies until we fit in a seamless embrace.

“Dear,” he murmured against my ear.

“Yeah, go on,” I breathed out.

His middle finger finally found its place, the very tip applying a soft pressure. We had been… rather ferocious hours ago, and though I was still loose, the memory of that intensity lingered. He carefully introduced his knuckle inside me. “It is still swollen, my dear.”

“It’s fine. I’m… I’m good,” I said, trying to steady my breathing under Levi’s touch. Well. A finger, or two fingers, is nothing. But… That dick? “But… Water is not going to be enough.”

“Do not worry yourself with such trivialities, dear,” he said. “Servants exist for a reason. You are only required to inform me whether it becomes painful to the extent that you desire cessation.”

I’m being aroused by his Levi-ness. Gods.

“Are you going to call people here, right now? When your… your finger is inside?”

“I can certainly command them to simply toss the bottle to here, dear,” he shrugged.

“How… shameless are you? I know you don’t experience it, but like… How?” I shook my head, giving a bewildered tug to his hair.

“I am merely a man who enjoys solving puzzles, dear.” He leaned back in the water. “We possess a requirement for a specific item, and you, evidently, require a degree of privacy. Ergo, for someone simply to slide said items across these rather slippery marble floors? The problem is quite efficiently solved.”

“You sure pick the most awkward ways to solve them.”

He chuckled. There was genuine amusement in the sound, a rare warmth that reached his blue eyes, making them sparkle. “Solve it yourself then, dear.”

“I’m not letting a servant throw lube at us. You figure out a less mortifying way, or we’re staying at fingers.”

“Why not?” He found my discomfort endlessly amusing. “I do not think the servant will… care. You can simply stay underwater if you wish to. It is not as if they were unaware that we were engaging in sexual congress in my bed chambers, Raphael; I am quite certain they are discussing it as we speak.”

‘Why not?’ Because it’s mortifying, Levi! Because there’s a difference between discreetly knowing about your sex life and witnessing a lubricant bottle being tossed like a frisbee into a steaming bath while one of them has a finger inside the other!

“My god… Do you think they are… talking about it?” I whispered. The thought of every servant dissecting our intimate moments made my skin prickle with heat.

“We have arrived at this mansion after it was unoccupied for five years. Would you not talk about it?”

Of course, I would. Or, I wouldn’t talk about it, but I’d certainly think about it, dissect it, analyze it in hushed whispers.

“Okay, I yield. Call someone, I am just gonna hold my breath underwater,” I said.

“Raphael,” he began, his voice devoid of the teasing lilt from moments before. “This is purely a curious question. You are an actor, and I assume many people, specifically your colleagues, or other individuals in professional settings, have observed your physical form – for instance, those who assist you in changing your costumes. Consequently, why would you experience embarrassment over someone else observing your body in this context? Are you not, perhaps, desensitized to such observations?”

On paper, he’s not wrong. People do see me. But that’s different. There are boundaries, unspoken agreements, a professional distance.

“There is a difference between being seen as an actor and feeling exposed as a person.”

“Well,” he said, his voice steady as he maintained his exploration within me. “I will certainly not push you, although I found it… illogical. To have such a profound reaction to some hushed whispers? It is nothing, dear. Now, simply, I either place you upon the marble bench, or I articulate my request in a loud and clear manner. You are to choose.”

“Of course it is illogical, it is emotions,” I emphasized with a frustrated sigh. “And, I will stay here; you go get it.”

“Yes, dear.” He pulled his finger from inside me. The steam billowed around us as he rose from the water, droplets gleaming on his physique before they cascaded down his body. He retrieved the green robe he had discarded earlier as he shrugged it onto his shoulders, securing it with a single movement.

He walked towards the far side of the sudatorium, where the golden bell was.

I fixed my gaze on the opposite wall, refusing to look towards the door that would soon open.

A section of the marble wall slid open revealing a figure. It was a young woman, dressed in the livery of the mansion staf, her eyes lowered. She remained just beyond the threshold.

“Kindly procure a bottle of silicone-based lubricant, if it is available within the manor’s provisions.”

My breath hitched. My face burned an even fiercer crimson. I squeezed my eyes shut, wishing the marble wall behind me would simply open and swallow me whole.

She gave a silent nod and left, the marble panel sliding shut behind her. Levi remained standing by the closed door, his back to me, seemingly content to wait.

After what felt like an age, the marble panel once again slid open with a whisper. The same woman appeared, holding a dark glass bottle. She presented the item on a silver tray. Levi took the bottle with a dismissive nod, and without a word the marble door sealed once more.

Levi re-entered the pool fully, the warm water embracing him as he moved. Before applying the lube, Levi brought his fingers, up to his nose, inhaling deeply, a faint frown creasing his brow. “Gods,” he muttered. “How old is this?”

Yeah.

This very small event is, in fact, the entire analogy of my life right now.

Here I am, mortified, eyes clenched shut, my body burning with a shame that Levi simply cannot comprehend. And there he is, Levi, the creature of pure sensory input and safe-sex practices, inspecting the lubricant’s vintage.

My human embarrassment pitted against his clinical assessment of a shelf life.

“Are you serious? You’re critiquing the lubricant right now?”

“Would you rather I did not, and cause further soreness and swelling? Since it is silicone-based, presumably it must have a longer shelf life compared to water-based, but it does possess a rather foul smell.” He held the bottle up slightly, frowning.

“Doesn’t your company produce lubes? What is with the sudden mad scientist act?”

“We do not. We certainly possess the capabilities, but it is rather… unprofitable from my perspective. They are very cheap to produce, yet one requires extensive permission, and one must also factor in the diverse olfactory preferences, or various ingredients, such as aloe vera, or spermicides. Companies that produce contraceptives are better equipped for that particular line of production.”

“You know what, I can’t even blame you for giving me a company briefing; I walked right into that one,” I said, a genuine chuckle escaping me. “Now, are you done with your experiment?”

“Yes, dear. Even though it was certainly resting in whatever cellar they put it, it is still functional.” He then shifted his gaze from the bottle to me. “Although I must warn you, dear, the sensation might feel a bit different.”

“Mansplaining much? I’ve used lube before,” I said, a laugh bubbling up.

“Is that so?” he murmured, a hint of amusement playing in his eyes. I knew he didn’t feel jealousy. Maybe he was experiencing possessiveness? Who knows.

I settled back into straddling his hips. He squirted more of the slightly foul-smelling lubricant onto his fingers.

The two fingers stretched me carefully. My breath hitched, then settled into shallow, ragged gasps. He continued to watch my face, his thumb occasionally stroking my hip.

A residual soreness began to blossom deep inside. A tiny gasp escaped my lips, my fingers, tangled in Levi’s hair, clenched.

Levi stilled, and with caution, he withdrew one finger, easing the pressure.

“J-Just a little sore. You can… continue, just slow,” I said, my voice muffled as I placed my forehead on his shoulder.

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“Dear, I can cease this engagement whenever you wish so. Simply tap upon my shoulder twice.”

“Only if it gets bad. Right now... just keep touching me,” I murmured against his neck as I began to gently suck and lick the tender flesh there.

His fingers began to move again, tenderly stretching me. His thumb on my hip continued its circles, as the warmth inside me eclipsed the soreness. He tilted his head slightly, and I savored the taste and the thrumming that radiated through his frame. He lowered his head, his lips finding mine in a deep kiss.

He broke the kiss, a soft sigh escaping his lips as he rested his forehead against mine. He pulled my legs slightly wider, ensuring the angle was just right for what was to come.

My heart hammered against my ribs. His hands found my waist, lifting me just enough to settle me perfectly over him. I felt the firm brush of his erection against my aching entrance. He didn’t rush. I gasped as he slowly began to fill me.

“Breathe for me, dear,” he murmured, holding me suspended above him. “There is no urgency.”

“Levi,” I gasped, pillowing my forehead on his shoulder. “Just… take me.”

“That would surely cause further pain, hm?”

“Alright, fine. But slowly, Levi. Slowly, please.”

The stretch was intense, but he maintained a glacial pace. I clenched my teeth, fighting the urge to tense. A low groan escaped my lips; an aching fullness now mingled with the residual soreness.

The warmth of the water was a constant embrace. It flowed around our joined bodies, smoothing the discomfort. I melted around his length, yielding completely. A soft moan escaped my lips as I arched my back, silently conveying my readiness.

His eyes, which had been so patient, now darkened with unbridled desire. His hands tightened on my waist, pulling me down, and he began to move. Deliberate thrusts, each one driving deeper, fuller, stretching me to the sweet edge of oblivion. I buried my face in his neck, breathing in his scent, my body trembling.

His hips rocked against mine, still controlled, still measured, but laced with a barely restrained hunger. My moans grew louder, ragged sounds that were lost and found in the echo. My back bowed, desperate for the inevitable rupture.

My body convulsed around him. I cried out, his name torn from my throat as pleasure ripped through me in wave after wave. His hips continued to flex, as if seeking to draw out every last tremor of my pleasure.

The intensity subsided, leaving me gasping for air, trembling in his arms. I rested my forehead against his shoulder, feeling the heavy thrum of his racing pulse beneath my cheek.

As the last tremors of my climax faded into a soft afterglow, a new wave of sensation began to stir. Him still deep inside me, combined with the slick warmth of the water, ignited a fresh desire.

With a soft moan, I shifted my hips, a slow grind that elicited a low growl from deep within Levi’s chest. Emboldened, I bounced softly, the water surging around us with each thrust.

Levi’s deep blue eyes never left my face, even as his head tilted back slightly against the marble. His grip on my hips ensured every stroke was perfect.

The force of our release left me utterly breathless, trembling violently atop him as the steam swirled around our bodies like a fading dream. My head fell forward onto his shoulder, damp hair clinging to my skin. Levi’s arms remained locked around my waist, holding me securely, his own body still quivering with the aftermath.

He didn’t speak for a long moment, simply held me as the energy slowly bled from our limbs. He eventually shifted, a movement that made me aware of the fullness. His deep blue eyes looked at me with an unsettling clarity.

“W-What’s that look? Don’t tell me you want to go at it again,” I said, my voice still a little breathless.

“I certainly can, but I assume today was enough for both of us, dear,” he said, his eyes softened.

“Yeah, more than enough… I’m gonna get sore for a week,” I groaned. “Gods. I just… I just finished in the water, in this centuries-old bathhouse… My god.”

This historical landmark probably witnessed kings and queens, nobility, quiet contemplations… and now, witnessed that. And not just witnessed, but contained it. I literally just… climaxed into the same water we’re still sitting in.

Levi placed his hand on my back. “Are you going to offer to clean this entire bathhouse to atone for your sin, dear?” he chuckled.

“Don’t tempt me. I probably would, just to erase the evidence,” I said, a dry laugh escaping me as I imagined myself with a scrub brush.

“Given your inexperience regarding the house chores, I highly doubt it,” he said, his eyes gleaming. His hands slid to my hips. “But, speaking of evidence,” he slid himself out of me. His release dripped down my thighs and into the shimmering water of the pool. Gods!

It was floating around us like some grotesque glitter.

“You did that on purpose, didn’t you?” I asked, clenching my teeth, as I stared at the water.

“Ah, I was simply indulging in the aftercare as the devoted and dutiful husband I am.” Without warning, he pushed his middle finger inside me. He swirled it within me, pulling more and more of his release, allowing it to drift into the water.

“Gods, stop, stop,” I said, my voice tight.

“Do you think my ancestors never had carnal relations here, dear? I am quite certain they did, hence there is no need to be embarrassed.”

As if knowing that somehow nullifies the fact that I just ejaculated into a historical swimming pool.

“Yes, well, I doubt they had to sit in it afterwards,” I said, my stomach clenching for multiple reasons.

“Dear,” he murmured, pulling his fingers out of me. “We can certainly take a bath afterwards. If I had known you would have an issue with this, I would have requested condoms.”

“Yeah, the issue is, I realized I had an issue with it after I finished,” I said, a dry chuckle escaping me. “So, neither of us could foresee my delicate sensibilities having an issue with a centuries-old bathhouse. Let’s take a clean shower, and have a good meal…”

“A sound proposition,” he murmured. He reached for my hand, pulling me from the vast bath.

...

As we emerged from the sudatorium, servants appeared with plush towels and fresh robes.

I accepted a towel, quickly wrapping it around my waist, but when a valet stepped forward, I shook my head. “No, thank you. I prefer to wash alone.”

The shower was a welcome reprieve. I stepped out, feeling cleaner, if not entirely composed, and quickly dried myself with one of the oversized towels.

A soft knock came at the door. “Master Raphael? May I assist you with your attire?”

“No, thank you, I’ve got it,” I called back, quickly pulling on the comfortable underthings and a pair of trousers that had been laid out for me.

Once dressed, I opened the door. The same servant waited patiently, bowing slightly. “Master Levi is awaiting you in the dining hall for the evening meal, Master Raphael.”

“Thank you,” I murmured. The thought of a proper meal, after the day’s... vigorous activities, was certainly appealing.

The grand dining hall of the mansion was, as always, an imposing space. Its high, vaulted ceiling swallowed every sound, creating a silence that pressed in on me. The long table, capable of seating dozens, felt impossibly vast with only two settings laid out. Despite the light from the candelabras and the warmth from the hearth, a chill clung to the air. This was the place, I knew, where Levi’s food aversion had first manifested.

Levi was already seated at the head of the table, dressed in dark, formal attire. His eyes, however, seemed to track my approach with an unusual intensity that made me feel entirely exposed. The array of covered silver cloches on the table hinted at the meal to come, but the very sight of them in this particular room made my stomach clench.

As I took my seat opposite him, the sheer expanse of the polished table between us felt like a chasm. A liveried servant discreetly poured water into my crystal glass.

Finally, the grand silver cloches were lifted by two servants, revealing the first course. For me, a vibrant dish of seared fish resting on a bed of spiced grains, garnished with delicate herbs. For Levi, however, a bowl of what appeared to be pureed white root vegetables.

Levi picked up his spoon. He ate slowly, methodically, his deep blue eyes flicking from his bowl to my plate, then back to my face. Chapters fırst released on n0velfire.net

The silence was starting to press in on me. It was the weight of his perfect posture, the methodical nature of his eating. I wanted to break the stillness, to inject some life.

“Are there any... pressing matters to attend to tomorrow, or do we perhaps have a more relaxed day ahead?” I asked, picking at the seared fish on my plate.

Before answering, Levi dabbed his mouth with his napkin, though I saw no evidence of any crumbs. “We can certainly remain in this mansion for a day longer,” he said, his voice even and precise. “Since the upcoming atmospheric disturbances are rendering air travel rather inadvisable.”

“Is that why the air felt so heavy? I thought it was just this room,” I said, my voice strained.

“It is not the room,” Levi said, his eyes meeting mine. “It is this mansion.”

The entire place, for all its grandeur, had an underlying current of… something.

I ate my meal mechanically, each bite feeling muted. My gaze kept drifting to Levi.

At our home, Levi ate with a little more ease. It was still elegant, certainly, but not quite so rigid. Here, it was unnerving to watch. I had the same feeling as I watched Levi and Lady Isolde share a dinner at our house.

“Is there a reason we’re performing a synchronized dining ritual tonight, Levi?” I asked, my voice quiet.

He paused, his spoon hovering over his plate. For a brief moment, a shadow flickered. “I assume it is because of my ingrained obedience.”

“I cannot imagine, all those noble kids… getting drilled to stick to those rigid rules,” I said, gulping my water.

“Well, since the nobility is dissolved, we no longer need to burden ourselves with that thought.”

“A phantom limb, then. The phantom limb of nobility.”

“An… apt analogy.”

All those rigid rules, the expectations, the quiet wars fought at this very table – they didn’t just stop existing when the monarchy was dissolved. They’re still there, especially within these walls.

…

The remainder of the dinner passed in a similar vein of hushed formality. A discreet nod from Levi signaled the meal’s conclusion. Servants helped us from our seats, and we began the long walk back through the sprawling mansion to the west wing, Levi’s personal chambers.

Upon entering Levi’s chambers, the atmosphere immediately shifted. A roaring fire crackled merrily in the hearth, chasing away the chill that permeated other parts of the house.

Levi moved towards his dressing screen, a valet already waiting with fresh nightwear. “You may dismiss the staff,” he ordered to the servant.

I walked over to the four-poster bed, feeling the luxurious weight of its duvet. My own pajamas, a soft silk set, were already laid out. As I began to change, I glanced at Levi. He was unbuttoning his waistcoat, but a subtle relaxation had begun to ease the rigid line of his shoulders.

“Gods, Levi. I cannot have breakfast like that...”

Levi, now clad in his own dark silk pajamas, settled beside me. “Hm… We can certainly have our morning repast within the greenhouse, if you wish so,” he murmured, gazing thoughtfully at the crackling fire. “We could, of course, have taken our breakfast in the garden, but I assume the rain will continue throughout the morning.”

“It would be lovely,” I said, embracing his warm body, burying my face against his shoulder.

He placed his hand to my waist, pulling me closer still until our bodies were perfectly aligned beneath the plush duvet. “Does my dear wish to sleep now?”

“Not yet. Just… enjoying this. The quiet is a lot nicer here than in that dining hall,” I said, snuggling deeper against him.

“Certainly,” he replied. “I do find pleasure in our comfortable silence, too, Raphael. I… also enjoy sharing mundane details with you. Can you fathom the implications of it?”

“Yeah, Levi. I understand. It means you’re bound to me, and find comfort in being with me. Simply just… being.”

He gave me a small smile, a gentle curve of his lips that rarely made an appearance. He placed a soft kiss on the top of my head. Was the woodpecker technique coming back?

“Okay… Before we sleep, you are allowed to give me one bizarre trivia,” I said, looking up at him, anticipating a uniquely Levi-esque factoid.

Levi glanced at the glowing embers of the hearth. “Fireplaces do not emit sufficient warmth to be considered proper heating. They were actually utilized primarily for the provision of illumination, rather than for thermal comfort.”

“So, all those cozy historical dramas are just... beautifully lit lies?” I asked, curious.

“Do you prefer a lengthy explanation or bite-sized information?”

“Bite-sized,” I said, a slight grin touching my lips. I knew a ‘bite-sized’ explanation from Levi could still be a comprehensive lecture.

“Let us transport our thoughts back to medieval times, then,” he began. “Even during that historical period, most castles and mansions were equipped with centralized heating systems, typically fueled by coal and wood. A colossal furnace would be situated beneath the edifice, with every floor traversed by metal conduits designed to convey fumes and heat throughout the structure. As you can logically deduce, such a system was both economically prohibitive and labor-intensive, thereby limiting its utilization exclusively to the affluent.”

“The hearth you observe before you,” he continued, gesturing with his chin towards the fire, “only provides sufficient thermal output if one is positioned or reclined in direct proximity to its radiant source. Beyond that immediate vicinity, its function is primarily for illumination.”

Right. That was a full-course lecture on medieval HVAC systems, complete with economic implications.