Castle Cooking

[text] This is Cullen, are you sure you get the wrong number, Manny?

[text] Because if you are...You should come to the kitchen later this evening.

The way, even now, Cullen was so shy and sweet made him want to take care of him even more than he did before. With the sight of him in only his underwear, his mind was momentarily overtaken by the lust and desire he felt, licking his lips. The chef’s words brought him back to the moment and Percy looked up at him. 

“You only ever had to ask,” he replied earnestly. Maybe after this, Cullen would feel empowered to ask. The raven leaned in closer, pressing kisses to his length through the fabric of his brief, moving down the shaft. Gentle fingers pulled the fabric down until his beautiful cock was free and Percy could admire it properly. His eyes flickered back up to Cullen’s face, wanting to make sure he was still consenting as he took the man’s tip into his mouth, swirling his tongue against it. 

“...Heaven-” Cullen gasped as he clenched his fingers against the door behind him, desperate to find some surface to hold on to as his hardened pride was being tasted for the first time in many years. It didn’t matter how light and gentle Percy’s touches were, he was sensitive all over. His length eager to be used, throbbed slightly against the other man’s tongue.

Manny couldn’t help a small smirk at the compliment, it definitely reaching his ego that Cullen thought that. Well, since the medium asked so nicely, he’d be happy to offer some of his own tips. 

“Those are definitely good starts,” he said, nodding, “I’d also recommend some hardstyle planks and a few others. But I can show you those when we workout together.” He smiled a bit more and cocked his head to the side. “How about sometime next week when all this Spring Mischief nonsense is over?” 

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There are different kinds of people in this world. Some rolled their eyes at someone with a growing ego, some eagerly fed it to gain favours. Cullen? Oh, he fed it, only that he was sincere and did so without intention.

There wasn’t a moment to say anything else, lips on his and a body pushing him back against a wall. Percy reached out, immediately wanting to pull in back into the kiss when Cullen pulled away, feeling a touch breathless. His hands dropped to the side though, his eyes locked on the other man as he began to undress. The sight of him shirtless left him even more breathless. It was difficult to be affectionate and open emotionally when the man looked incredibly gorgeous in front of him, making his desire even worse. 

It was the admission that did it. Percival knew instantly he would take care of Cullen, although the possibility of doing anything else was smaller than slim, if not completely zero. Unbuttoning his own shirt, he pulled it off and tossed it aside, making the playing field even, before closing the space between them again. “I promise I’ll take care of you.” He kissed him again, to seal his promise.

His lips moved to kiss down Cullen’s neck as he moved to kneel in front of him, kissing down his torso as he did. “I want you to decide how you want to do it,” he said, gazing up as him as his fingers worked on opening the chef’s pants. “First, I think I should take care of you.”

Even just the sight of Percy removed his shirt made Cullen gasped helplessly. He watched the man tossed the shirt aside, felt his throat suddenly drier than usual. His chest began to pound loudly, but he forced himself to stay still and looked as calm as he could managed.

“P-Percy-”

Cullen’s hand tightened into a fist when the other man approached him and began to plant kisses across his torso. He bit his lower lip, hard, tried to keep quiet but a grunt somehow escaped his throat. His trousers were quick to open, revealed the tight, black underwear brief behind the white fabric. He was already hard as rock, a small wet stain marked the location where the tip of his length was...Cullen certainly packed quite a size under those loose chef pants.

there was a reason why obsidian generally stayed away from the castle. sure, it was an interesting place but there was a whole lot of stuff he didn’t quite understand. of course, that was the thing about life. you aren’t going to know everything all the time. if he’d known he was going to get hit by a magical wand, he would’ve obviously stayed away. however, that wasn’t the case and before he knew it, he was strangely collared and had a leash around his neck.

he looked toward the man that was reacting and figured this was his doing. “i don’t know what’s going on but i suggest you start fixing it. now.”

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“I-I don’t know what’s going on either!” Cullen tried knock at the wand with a palm, nothing. He turned it over and over, tried to find if there was any instruction engraved to the handle, nothing. “Look, if you can please staring at me like you are going to eat me alive, I can try to...Damn, someone’s coming!”

Mathias smiled at Cullen, and gestured for him to place the box down. “It was bound to happen. Heinrich is a busy man, he had to go back to Germany to help out”. It was a lie Mathias was forced to tell. No one but him and Seth knew about what happened to Heinrich, and they tried to keep it that way. “Thank you for the pie, Cullen”. 

He chewed on the cap of his pen and shrugged, “I’m fine. I’m kinda just winging all of this. So far, I think I’m doing things right, I guess. Uh, do you know anything about setting up lights? Cause I need help with that. I can’t really reach them”. 

.

“As a matter of fact, I am rather good at it!” Cullen beamed a smile as he placed the box down as instructed. “I used to live in a van. Got the beauty off from a restaurant owner that I used to work for when saving up for culinary school. I went around and savage parts and woods and converted it into a living space. I was quite proud of it.”

Cullen fished out his phone and showed Mathias some of the photos of the van and its homey interior. “Didn’t have space for shower, though. I had to attach the extendable shower head to the back of the van and showered outdoor. Oh, anyway...”

`

“Yikes.. Sounds like a tough spot. I uh.. Well I was all over the place. Mostly in the castle but trying to keep a low profile,” Eoin admitted. “The village seemed chaotic and the one time I tried leaving the castle, I ran into wendigo. So hiding out inside Krovs ended up being the safest bet.”

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“A wendigo? Wow.” Cullen was in awe, took another swig and realised he should considered himself lucky for not finding much troubles during the event. “I just...Uh, lay low in the forest before I eventually found my way back into the castle. Although...” He bit his lip, hasn’t told anyone about this particular thing that happened yet. “I...Uh, I went down to the dungeon and...I might have released something that wasn’t supposed to be released before that spell sent us back.” 

Manny’s jaw tightened as somehow Cullen managed to look good even in a sweaty gym shirt. Fucking hell, the abs were still on display while covered. He tried not to act like an absolute brat about it, but whatever was influencing him pushed through his resistance. 

“Oh yes, I’m sure you need my tips,” he scoffed, quickly averting his gaze so he didn’t aggravate himself further with his jealousy. “But yeah, fine, a gym buddy would be great.” Maybe he could get some tips from Cullen while he was at it. “When do you want to go?” 

“Anytime you want, really.” Cullen grinned brightly with a hint of excitement in his voice. The tone of his voice turned quiet quick, as his cheeks reddened slightly as he gazed down a little with a shy smile. “I mean, I think you have a great body. I- Uh, I am sure I can learn a lot from you.”

Happy spring solstice. 

Even with the encouragement of his asking, the other man didn’t seem able to say it. “If you don’t say it, how am I meant to know what you really want?” he asked, half a tease and half genuine. Percy was happy to do whatever Cullen was most comfortable with. They weren’t rushing through the castle, especially since it would give the medium a chance to change his mind, if that were going to happen. 

Percy gazed over at him with a soft expression, waiting for him to finish his thought before responding. “I’ve only been to the village a few times myself, but I’d be happy to show you what I have seen. And if you buy me food, I think it qualifies as a date.” They reached the suite now, and he opened the door to lead Cullen inside and allow him to acclimate  to the space. “Alright, we’re here. What would you like me to do now?”

Cullen walked in, curiously glanced around Percy’s room. He has never been here and he pondered how his room might reflected his personality, curious if he would learn something about the man that he didn’t a few seconds ago.

When the door shut tight behind him, Cullen turned, eagerly pressed his lips against the other man once more and pressed his weight against Percy’s body, pinned him against the wall as they made out.

“...It is a date.”

Cullen muttered, slowly broke off and took a few steps backward, allowed some space between them. Then, he undid his chef jacket, one button after another until he peeled it off his body and tossed it aside, left only a black tank top on his torso.

“And I want you, Percy.” Cullen said to him. It was visible that it took the man a lot courage to display himself like this. “I have wanted you for a while.” Slowly, he removed the tank top, dropped it onto the ground, revealed his well-built torso. He kicked his shoes off, eyes never left Percy as he exposed himself.

He didn’t see any reason to rush things. If Cullen was nervous and unsure, he was willing to give him time and space, as well as reasons to trust him. He watched him closely as the chef appeared to watch him in return. The closeness was unexpected, especially considering how turbulent the feelings were in the last couple minutes. He didn’t pull away, instead letting his free hand rest on Cullen’s waist. 

A soft chuckle left his lips, surprised that Cullen had it in him to be impatient about anything. Percy easily kissed him back, comforted by the fact that there was no miscommunication now. “You desperately want to what?” he inquired in a soft but teasing voice. With one more kiss, Percival stepped back, stopping himself from tangling his arms around Cullen and not letting him go. “Since you asked so nicely,” he replied, pulling the other out of the kitchen. It was a bit of a walk to the staff suites, but once they got there, they wouldn’t have to leave. 

Cullen blushed when Percy teased him with the question. “To...you know.” His words faded, but his thumb warmly caressed Percy’s palm before they broke off the left the room. The sudden pull with Percy’s arm around his body made him smile. It felt good, to have someone’s weight against him. To feel connected.

Cullen’s grip on his wrist was tight, pulling him back even though Percy gave no resistance against him. It was clear to him that this wasn’t an easy conversation for the medium and he wasn’t going to push him to say anything he wasn’t ready for. However, Cullen seemed to be offering the information willingly. Percy didn’t interrupt, simply moving a step closer so he wasn’t stretched out to hold onto him. 

He could understand from the short explanation why Cullen didn’t feel secure in his feelings. The raven didn’t blame him, it seemed he had enough baggage to warrant it. “Demon or not, I don’t do things I don’t want to do. I kissed you because I wanted to. I liked you before the spell, and I will continue to like you after it fades.” Having open conversations about feelings was nice, he enjoyed knowing what Cullen thought and felt so he wasn’t left inferring pieces from his actions.

“Would you feel better if we talked about this again when I’m normal?” 

Cullen could appreciate the gentleness in Percy’s tone. He didn’t want to be seen as damaged or weak, or that the man had to treat him with care. But it was nice to be acknowledged and-

Did he said he likes me?

Cullen fixed his eyes at Percy. His chest began to pound again in fast rate. Percy is gorgeous, but it wasn’t his handsome face that attracted Cullen. It was his nonchalant attitude. His cleverness. His gentleness and loyalty toward his friends.

“No,” Cullen whispered quietly and closed their distance once more, so close their lips almost touched. “I...I trust you. And I don’t think I can wait any longer.”

Eoin cringed at the comment regarding Matthew, not unfamiliar with the emotion. “He’s a scary bastard, ain’t he? You’d think a head of staff would be more welcoming, but nope.” Eoin chuckled and took a drink from his glass just as a new one was set down before him. “And me? Nah. I don’t handle all of that stuff. Lovell does– I am a psychologist. Mental issues. Talk therapy for the most part in this joint. Just a long week with folks dealing with the fallout of that weird time thing that occurred.”

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There was a sign of relief when Cullen heard Eion’s words. “Oh, thank god. I wasn’t sure if I am the only one felt that way! He really can be scary sometimes.” His shoulders relaxed a little and he pulled his stool closer to the other man.

“Oh, right. Yeah, I totally messed up some other staff’s jobs...I haven’t been here for long and there are still many people I haven’t actually met in person yet.” He made a face, took a swig of his beer and sighed in satisfaction.

The pug’s little jaw was trying to bite down on Cullen’s fingers as the man tried playing with him. Matthew did not need these patronising acts and he growled and yapped as he tried to retaliate, though all that earned him was another cuddle and a kiss on the forehead. Curses!

He continued the struggled in the chef’s hold as the man carried him into the kitchen and he watched first-hand as the man used kitchen resources to make a meal. For a dog. This was not going to fly, even if the dog was Matthew himself! And what in the world was he even talking about with the baths?

Matthew’s large eyes glared up at Cullen from where he was set on the counter and he watched suspiciously as the food plated itself into a bowl in front of it. Oh, how good it smelled to his new canine senses and Matthew could not help but putter forward to investigate.

I’m not a pug! Matthew yapped one last undignified time before he put his face into the food and started eating, not realising how hungry this little body was as he lapped it all up.

Cullen smiled happily as he watched the pug feasted on the meal. “Careful, now.” He filled a bowl with water, placed it next to the meal for the pug. “I would keep you, but I really am not sure I can...” He hummed, a small frown on his face as he remembered the budget plan he made a day before.

“I need to talk to Manny...Maybe his master would be willing to pay for his mid-night snack. So as a few others...And I can probably add a few items for the unclaimed slave with my own pocket...And my friends kept telling me that I will never have to worry about my finance ever again once I take this job.” He sighed, scratched the back of his head as he carefully lifted the pug up again once he finished the food and drank his water.

“Alright, let’s go.” Cullen brought the pug with him and walked straight back to his room. Caressed its soft fur as he tried to distract himself from the money problem. He entered his room and shut the door, finally let the pug off to the ground before he walked into his bathroom and turned on the bath tub water.