#...coughs

@cantuscorvi

“Let me help you with that.”

It was an innocuous thing really, watching Sullivan tug ineffectually at the tie that Raum had done up for him hours before. Perhaps the knot was unfamiliar to him — but watching him stretch the fabric had Raum itching to reach out and correct, before something knotted irreparably, or worse, tore. Raum stepped forward, carefully but insistently brushing Sullivan’s hands away. “I know you aren’t used to these things, that they can make you uncomfortable — but have a little mercy on it, will you?” One side of his lips lifted in a chiding smirk. A hand slipped under the knot of the tie and lifted it away from Sullivan’s collar. Raum tutted once he saw it. “It’s all twisted. You just need to…” A single finger curled under the knot and dug inside, then Raum tugged. “Like so.” The knot slipped free with little effort, yet Raum noticed how Sullivan travelled forward with it, just slightly, as if it were still attached. His gaze lingered on Raum’s face, like he was waiting for something else. But what? Often, he felt like he could hook his hand under Sullivan’s chin and lead him anywhere he wanted to go. Raum grinned, leaning forward in turn. “You know — when you act like that, you make me feel like I’m supposed to eat you.”

"...thank you."

He'd admit that he'd become less delicate in his tugging the longer he'd been unsuccessful. Raum's knotting proved to be more stable, not to mention more aesthetically pleasing, than anything he'd learned on the internet. More tight, however; after years of puffy sweaters and oversized suits, a tie pressed to his neck felt a bit suffocating. He was eager to have it off now that they returned to the bakery. There was no fight as Raum insisted on doing it himself.

The whole day had been suffocating for him. So many faces. So many voices. Double the eyes. At one point, a good chunk of them were fixated on him and his company, too. It about made him sick. His social anxiety had no qualms with creeping over him, catastrophizing every stutter or stumble of words. He knew there were a couple moments he might have looked pale or green in the face with the stress of sounding like an idiot.

He'd done it though, and he was proud. But he felt it wrong to give himself all the credit. There had been a steady presence around him. Either at his side or looking towards him.

Raum had been there.

And he was sure that Raum hadn't meant to be a hero. Certainly not noble. He should know better than to build it into that, but when the success had come with the benefits of sponsorships and grants and he thought it impossible to achieve on his own from poor self-worth, he couldn't help but attach some of that merit to him. It was easy to give that to someone self-assured and cool-mannered.

He'd given him the clothing and refinement he needed to present himself properly. He'd given a safe place for Sullivan's gaze to fall during the meetings. He'd been the hand guiding him by the small of his back through crowds. He had become a pocket of confidence for Sullivan throughout the process...

...and it was that admiration that made his skin so hot now.

Neatly, Raum's finger slipped behind the tie. His knuckle grazed the soft spot of his neck as it tugged. It was gentle without any domineering force, but Sullivan found himself following it all the same. Like some puppy learning the use of his collar for the first time, pulled along. He'd been so busy watching Raum's expressions that he hadn't noticed it either. His cheeks dimpled, so contrasting for a smirk. He was enticed all the same.

It wasn't till Raum called out his behavior that he tuned back in. A blink. A flush of pink was starting to evolve into a cherry red as he noticed the few inches close he'd gotten. It felt almost like his ears were becoming singed with the heat of it--from the top of his head down to his newly exposed collar. How easy it was for Raum to meet him halfway. He felt the rhythm of his heart speed up in pace. Like some lovestruck teenager.

' You know — when you act like that, you make me feel like I’m supposed to eat you.”

His stomach grew warmer, for some reason swooning at the suggestion. The promise of being teased by him always made him hot and bothered, against his own wishes. Yet, at the same time, he wanted to prove him wrong. That he wasn't the rabbit that served itself on a platter for him. That, sometimes, he could be just as suave to entice him back.

Fingers that had been nervously intertwined unlaced themselves to reach up. One held the dress coat Raum was wearing as the other reached for his tie. A finger curled at the back of the knot, trying to mimic the earlier movements. A tug...

...and then another tug. A third...and he felt his embarrassment building. Finally, he had to let go of the tie altogether. Holding his face instead.

So much for trying to be sexy.

"You used a different knot..." He hadn't. Sullivan spoke into his hands, splitting pointer and middle apart to peek a single eye out. "...I-I never leave you a choice, do I? You always have to eat me."

ive been thinking over the idea of a really dark thread with sullivan.

kenji finding him and realizes that his picture-perfect idea of what was going to happen isn't true. sullivan doesn't forgive him. sullivan doesn't want to be anywhere around him. and it makes him snap.

and just like always, if it won't come to him, he'll force it

kidnapping sully and keeping him at his home. lets him go out for work, but has a very tight leash on him.

it is seldom that Sullivan tops (with most partners). and he is a soft top. but it does make him feel very masculine and happy when he gets to do it.

...he is also a surprisingly active top when he comes out of his shell. loves you riding him or him fucking you. he'll go until his legs are burning and then some more. especially the happier you seem about it. he's handsy too.