[ based on this idea from my main blog ]
─── - ✝ ࣪ ˖꒰ ʚ 𖦹 ɞ ꒱˖ ࣪✝- ───
In many cases, Tobias had no issue following the demands that a religious vocation had called for. Many things came naturally to him; he was a man who enjoyed routine, and priests were expected to follow plenty of those. The one thing he couldn't seem to control, however, was when lust was stirred within him.
Praying by himself and waiting for those feelings to diminish had worked for a while, but soon, that arousal grew stronger with each time it had appeared. It was growing uncontrollable and unbearable. The only thing that ever seemed to help was when he spent time praying with his Father superior— an older priest who was gracious enough to help him through his inexperience.
But recently, he found his urges returning tenfold. Tobias unfortunately had to wait all day until the evening when service was no longer being conducted and they were free of their duties.
He knocked on the door to the office and opened the door upon being granted permission to enter. The older man didn't even lift his head as he spoke.
"Are you here to pray together again?"
Tobias frowned as he let the door fall shut. Had he become that predictable? Was he coming off as too desperate? He was desperate, but it was one thing to be something and another for others to see it. He was interrupted before he could speak.
"Not to worry. I'm glad that you can come to me when you feel the need," the older man offered with a knowing smile. His eyes lingered on Tobias behind his spectacles before he reached for his belt. "Here, sit."
Despite his growing embarrassment, Tobias obliged. He tucked his hands in his lap as he settled and watched as the older man extracted his rosary. "Thank you. It means a lot that you regularly take time to help me through this..."
His eyes immediately gravitated towards the rosary as it was gently entwined through the other man's fingers. They traced the glimmering ruby-red beads as they looped around, before finally dropping down to where the center hung, and the crucifix was beginning to sway back and forth.
"It's no trouble," the other priest murmured simply. "But you need to center yourself first, remember? Especially because of what's been giving you trouble. Try to relax. You seem tense."
Tobias nodded as he found himself inhaling and exhaling slowly. What had been a stiff posture gradually loosened as he continued to watch the cross rhythmically move in front of him. He didn't question how quickly things had shifted; he just followed.
"Good. You're relaxing so much more quickly now. It's getting easier to slip into this headspace every time I guide you, isn't it? Easier to relax and listen, because you know you need me to help you."
Again, he nodded, but it felt so heavy. His eyes felt heavy, even as they still fixated upon the swaying rosary. "Yes... m'need your help, Father."
Tobias didn't see it, but the older priest smiled fondly at those words, and that sleepy, dazed expression. "Good boy. You don't need to hold on to those troubles any longer. Let me help you overcome this. Drop."
All it took was that simple word and a snap of his fingers, and the young priest's head dipped forward.
The older man allowed his smirk to widen once he was certain that he had claimed control. It was almost adorable how he never seemed to know what was coming, even though they'd been doing this for months. He would make Tobias forget about the next few hours, too.
─── - ✝ ࣪ ˖꒰ ʚ 𖦹 ɞ ꒱˖ ࣪✝- ───