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eternal in 5
started here
[I'm not going to forget either of our roles.]
[He doesn't say the words, but they're what's weighing on his mind throughout the entire morning from the first moment he drowsily awakens in his bed to when he does his prayers at the church. Just thinking about the agreement has his heart speed up its usually calm pace, no matter where he is. It takes tremendous force of will to shove it out of his mind and focus on his usual duties.]
[Focusing on his part of the agreement isn't going to do him any good. He forces himself to remember that, helped with liberal appliances of cold water to his face. Demons are silver tongued and clever. Give them the smallest opening, and they'll figure out a way to squeeze through.]
[Thus, to that end, once he gets home... In the same book he's made so many callings before, he starts to write up a proper agreement. It turns out that it's a good thing that he got a new computer; the old one would have taken forever. By the time he's done with it, Chikusa... is a little pleased with himself. A lawyer couldn't do better with it- requests not to bring any harm to the recipients of this good deed, to not harm anyone else innocent in bringing it to fruition (with a definition on what he means, too), et cetera.]
[That's for the demon. When it gets to his side of the bargain, Chikusa hesitates.]
[His knowledge of how to exorcise demons is expansive. His knowledge of... carnal pleasures... is considerably less so.]
[He tells himself it's for research when he uses the internet to search a few things up. That line of thinking doesn't last long when he comes across something, ah, "Halloween" themed and...]
[Chikusa blankly shuts off the laptop and takes a long cold shower.]
[In the end, despite his trepidation, he leaves that part of the agreement wide open. A "little pleasure" can be however the demon wants to define it, so long as it doesn't evolve into complete intercourse (of which Chikusa is now considerably more aware of, even between two men). Hopefully the openness there will make up for the strict demands.]
[Ultimately, it all leads to helping a struggling family that's part of the Church who've been on hard times and haven't been able to get nearly enough food for themselves. That shouldn't be too bad, Chikusa imagines. It's just making lives a little easier, not outright saving them in any way, and while he'd requested no one innocent get harmed... There's others who aren't. He tries to tell himself it's something akin to karma if the demon does go that way, and that he's not deliberately bringing harm.]
[Now the final part.]
[Chikusa doesn't doubt that the demon is lurking around, or at least he wouldn't be surprised. However, he has to make sure it's seen. So, on the final line...]
[If there's a problem with this, then feel free to contact me once more. If not, I'll await news that things worked out and for your visit where I uphold my end of the bargain, Mukuro-sama.]
[He spends a long while staring at that "sama", unable to shake the feeling of having done something dirty.]
[Besides that, it's the most involved he's been on something for some time, and Chikusa finds himself falling asleep almost immediately once he hits his bed. If there's a problem, he's expecting to be contacted.... But he rather hopes not.]
[That was a bit too much energy spent coming up with all of that.]
[While the way the priest was going about this was as admirable as it was futile, but Mukuro was more than gracious enough to allow him to draw up whatever he wanted to in order to comfort himself. The priest should know better than any a demon's word was next to worthless, and had all but said so on more than on occasion, but the fact that he was drawing up contracts for them already. Well, Mukuro wasn't going to stop him.
He read over the priest's shoulder as he worked, eyes tracing over the lines upon lines of words the priest seemed to believe would bind him. For all the text, the task was a simple one. Help keep a good family afloat, but not necessarily save them. The 'no harming innocents' clause was what chaffed the most, but taking in Chikusa Kakimoto's definition of 'innocence' was surprisingly narrow. It left a lot of wiggle room for a demon, and he had shot an appraising look at the priest. Perhaps there wasn't as much righteousness as he originally believed.
Greed, arrogance, and money were things that Mukuro could manipulate at his leisure, and he soothed the burn of a good deed by making sure it came about in a bad way. He made sure to visit the top financial advisor of the mother's place of employment, murmuring words of madness into their ear. It didn't take much convincing for them sell their soul just for an exorbitant amount of money ( taken from the employees 401Ks ), just like it didn't take long for them to get caught. Since no one could be sure how long the theft had been going on, to restore their employees faith and good will, there across the board raises. Not enough to get them out of their hole, but enough to let them breathe a little easier.
Since it was an easy enough task, he didn't miss the extra 'research' the priest did on his side, presumably solely to shackle Mukuro down with more clauses and words. ( Or to take more than his fair share of cold showers, to which Mukuro could only cackle at mercilessly. ) He had to admit, he would have thought the priest would have been far more strict than not 'complete intercourse' but he wasn't going to complain in the slightest. ( And if being called 'Mukuro-sama' was taken with far more pleasure than necessary, well, the priest would know that in due time. )
He waited a bit impatiently to make sure the family would have time to relay this good news to Chikusa Kakimoto, before appearing before him again, seated cross legged on the chair next to the contract.]
"Was the task done to your liking?"
[His eyes were sharp on the priest's face, searching and intense. He was also curious to know if he would be addressed as 'Mukuro-sama' verbally or if that was strictly just in the written word.]
[Some measure of relief goes through him when he overhears the thankful prayers that soon come back through the church. The family is so thankful that their burden has been eased up even slightly. To himself, quietly, he reflects on the feeling. Exorcising demons is his main lot in life, he accepted that long ago, but...]
[It's nice. Knowing that more is possible than simply being a weapon for the Church against demons.... even if that feeling is a little tainted by knowing it wasn't God that helped them, but something else entirely.]
[Of course, once he has that, he's well aware of what likely awaits him. It makes the rest of the day almost unbearable from the tension thrumming through his body, and he hides it best he can with prayer after prayer while at church. A holy place doesn't deserve his thoughts tarnishing it.]
[He doesn't have that excuse when he returns home, and it doesn't stop running around his head even when- especially when- he puts himself down to sleep that night.]
[Waking up to see the demon there makes his stomach twist- fear, uncertainty, eagerness? Chikusa doesn't know. However, the change to him is obvious. There's no reserved mannerisms of a priest, or the sharp jerking movements from a man silently fearful of what a demon could do to him. Instead, as he pushes himself up, they're slow and uncertain, matching the expression on his face as he avoids making eye contact.]
"Yes. Thank you. [A pause, almost looking up but then stopping himself at the last moment.] I'm... not sure what I'm to do. "
[His looks at porn were brief, after all, and he's not sure how much of all that was fantasy or reliable truth.]
[There are many things that Mukuro could have the priest do for him, many things he wants to do to him, and just as many things he wants from him. He wants to see that normally reserved expression break under the pressure of pleasure, to see how far his flush will go down his neck or chest, and he is eager to know what kind of noises he can get the priest to make. But even demons can be patient and restrained, especially when the prize will taste that much sweeter after being steeped in anticipation.]
"Leave all of that to me."
[His voice was low and silky, most of the mocking uncharacteristically gone from it. He rose slowly, crossing the space between the chair and the bed in carefully measured steps, stopping just short of the priest.]
"You could start by calling me my name."
[Okay, so if a demon's restraint and patience wasn't perfect, who was going to judge him for it?]
[Normally, Chikusa would be judging him for it without restraint. Right now, however, that's completely out of his mind. He's too aware of how his heart leaps into his throat as those patient steps come nearer to him, and the anticipation humming up his spine.]
[The request makes him swallow, still not having washed the sense of dirtiness from how he'd addressed the demon in their agreement.]
"...Mukuro..."
[Murmured softly, almost reluctantly.]
"Say it properly, Chikusa Kakimoto."
['Like in the contract' he wanted to add, but he already felt that the priest was being obtuse on purpose, which only made him that much more eager to have him say it fully.
To encourage him, he pressed a knee onto the bed, leaning forward and reaching out with a gloved hand towards his young priest's cheek. He caressed it gently, like a proper lover.]
[He might choke on his own heart and air, feeling the mattress shift from new weight and smooth leather stroking along his cheek. Chikusa's breath shudders. He needs to calm down, but he's not particularly sure how.]
"Mukuro. [A little louder this time, and he swallows thickly. His voice dips back down again, soft.] Mukuro...sama..."
[It was difficult to guess whether that wide eyed look Chikusa Kakimoto was giving him was anticipation, fear, or the first stirrings of lust. Most likely it was some potent combination of all three and more, not that Mukuro would complain. That expression on the young priest's face was intoxicating, and hearing his name tumble from that mortal's lips, shaky and soft, was heady. Again he wanted to demand, but he was being cruel enough already.]
"Sin is like a first kiss. It's built up on such a ridiculously high pedestal that when it happens..."
[Mukuro leaned in slowly ( to give the illusion he would let the priest lean way if he wanted to, when they both knew full and well he wouldn't ), focusing his eyes on Chikusa Kakimoto's lips, brushing his against the priest's softly, barely a touch.]
"It's hardly anything."
[He flicked his gaze up to the priest's eyes, careful and considering.]
"Do you want more?"
[While so much talk almost feels unnecessary, it's... also incredibly on point, Chikusa is surprised to find. Even with the anticipation making such a light touch electrifying, it's also, yes, hardly anything. He lets out a breath, trying to relax.]
"...You said you wanted to show me a little pleasure..."
[Still, he's embarrassed, glancing away to not meet that piercing mismatched gaze.]
"And I'm not going to fail on upholding my end of the bargain..."
[My, my, wasn't his little priest full of surprises? It was probably a good thing that he couldn't meet his gaze, because Mukuro's had sharpened with considerable interest at that show of shyness. It made him want to bite into him until he bled or tear the skin off of him or fuck him until he was raw and begging, but instead, all Mukuro did was let out a soft chuckle.]
"You're so generous, my young priest. Then I'll show you enough until we're even."
[He wrapped his arms around the mortal to bring him in closer, kissing him more deeply this time, head slanted to the side to keep their noses from bumping. He was tempted to clamber wholly onto Chikusa Kakimoto's lap, but he would go slowly in this. He didn't want to listen to the priest complain he was being taken advantage of. No, he wanted him to fall of his own accord.]
[Such words make his uncertainty come back again. It surely wasn't a lot in exchange for such a minor thing, was it? But before he can voice his concerns, those lips are pressing harder against his own and Chikusa shudders.]
[It's ten times different than a soft brush of skin on skin. On some level, it feels like it should be awkward and strange, but... There's just a tinge of pleasure there, something that feels good about Mukuro's soft mouth on his, and Chikusa makes a quiet sound in the back of his throat as his hands rise up without any idea of what he'll even do.]
[In his whole life, he's never kissed before. That would require getting close to other people, accepting intimacy, but he's never managed that before. Not even close. He feels awkward and fumbling, but he can't simply sit there and do nothing. It feels... uncomfortable, to act the object in such a situation. So he tries to mimic the way Mukuro is kissing him, paying close attention even as uncertain as he is.]
[That first noise only makes Mukuro's hunger sharper, and he presses closer in, opening his mouth to try to get the young priest to do the same, flicking his tongue against his lips. He wanted to hear more, to hear everything, to swallow them up like they could sustain him.
As if sensing Chikusa Kakimoto's discomfort, he smirked against the priest's lips, breaking away for just a moment.]
"Here."
[He helped guide the mortal's hands up into his hair, eyes open only a sliver to watch his expression.]
[Having the kiss be broken so suddenly throws him off, and for a moment all Chikusa does is stare in a daze with lips slick and pink as a flush rests along his face. There's no fight as Mukuro takes his hands, and Chikusa is slow as he slides one hand against his nape and digs his other fingers into his hair.]
"Like this...?"
[At the feeling of Chikusa Kakimoto's fingers digging into his hair, Mukuro let out a soft moan, eyes sliding shut in bliss.]
"Yes."
[Before the priest could have time to properly question that level of sin and depravity, he leaned back in to kiss him, trying to coax the young priest's mouth open.]
[All the moans he'd caught snippets of from his research have nothing on the sound that rolls out of Mukuro's mouth. If there's a more sinful sound, Chikusa doesn't know it. His jaw drops slightly, and that makes it horribly easy for Mukuro to accomplish his goals. Chikusa fingers tighten a twitch as they start to kiss again, and a heat begins in the pit of his stomach that he can't stop.]
[Chikusa Kakimoto made it far too easy to want to devour him whole, to forget about that brittle and easily breakable promise of 'a little pleasure'. He swept his tongue inside the young priest's obliging mouth, slowly and almost gently exploring what he could of it. It would be easy, he knew, to push the priest back onto his bed, to slot their bodies together and make him whine and beg for more. As untouched as he had been, it seemed like he was starting to understand the mechanics of pleasure now, and for now, Mukuro would be satisfied with that.
He let the kiss drag on for a few more heart beats, before pulling away, licking at his lips.]
"I'll consider us even, now."
[He got up, already aware of the lack of warmth from the priest's body, heading back over to the desk to sign the contract with a flourishing signature.]
"Should I make some tea?"
[Unbidden, Chikusa's body betrays him with the soft wanting noise that falls from his lips when Mukuro leaves him. Leftover heat is still clinging to him- or is that the heat his own body is generating, warm and eager, pulsing needily? Either way, Chikusa catches himself and a brilliant crimson flush spreads over his face and down his throat. He looks away again, trying to will his body to calmness.]
"Yes. Tea is fine."
[It was tempting at the sound of that soft noise to go right back to the priest and pick up where he had left off, but he could be patient. Better to let the priest come to terms with everything before Mukuro pushed him even further still.
Without shooting Chikusa Kakimoto another look, he breezed out of the room to start the kettle again, wondering if he should go for some variety and bring out snacks too.]
"How is that family you were so worried about faring? "
[As if he didn't know himself, but it was probably safer conversation than asking if the priest had minded the payment for the good deed so terribly.]
[Instead of following quietly behind him, still feeling disconcertingly pleasant and fuzzy headed, Chikusa stays seated on his bed for a little while longer. Taking a breath, he rubs at his face. It's nothing. It's as he said, with the talk about first kisses. He's simply- unused to things like that. Right. Getting up, he starts to head for the bathroom and answers from there.]
"They believe they'll do much better now. Not completely, but enough. [He turns on the sink, washing his face with the coldest water he can manage.] I didn't think you'd ask again."
"I may not enjoy doing good deeds, but I do have some pride in my work. Not unlike yours."
[Deciding cookies would be a good accompanying snack, he set them down on the table, as well as the two mugs of tea. He wondered briefly if the cold water was going to help the priest find any sort of peace or clarity. He highly doubted it, if the sound of his sluggish movements were anything to judge by.]
"What is the next task you have in mind for me?"
[Pride in his work... Chikusa muses on it as he clasps damp hands on the back of his neck, letting the trickle of cool water down his spine stop the heat in him. After turning off the water and drying his hands, he drifts back to the apartment only to pause.]
"Next task...? I... didn't think you'd want to do this more than once."
"My, my, you only know one such innocent family that might benefit from divine intervention?"
[More like Mukuro was more interested in continuing to drag the young priest farther and farther along the path of no return, but saying so would only be met with scorn. One kiss wasn't enough to get a man such as Chikusa Kakimoto to sell his soul, even if it was from Mukuro's own lips. He would play at this bargaining game until he no longer had to in order to get what he desired.]
"Or was my payment too steep?"
[Just like that, it feels as though they're back into their usual back-and-forth, and Chikusa's mouth turns to a frown.]
"It seems disingenuous to refer to your actions as "divine", even with your background as it is. "
[Crossing his arms, he glances towards the table where the tea has been set but doesn't go to sit down yet.]
"...There's... plenty of people who could use help..."
"We must be making progress if you're fine with the knowledge you sent in a demon to help out an innocent family. While your contract was rather stern and lengthy, I couldn't help but notice a few interesting loop holes."
[Mukuro smirked at him from underneath his long lashes, before turning away to select an acceptable cookie.]
"Then our bargain can still stand. Unless you'd like to renegotiate the terms?"
[Immediately, his shoulders jerk up.]
"That's.... only because I thought you wouldn't agree to do it at all if it was too strict. If you truly like, I can always close those loopholes."
"My, my, is that the only reason? It has nothing to do with seeing sinners and heathens and terrible human beings getting away with their misdeeds without so much as a slap on the wrist?"
[He bit into the cookie, chewing for a few moments as he watched Chikusa Kakimoto's face.]
"It's not because you sometimes wonder if god is blind, to turn away from such injustices? "
[He finished off the cookie, licking the crumbs off his gloved fingers absently.]
"While it was an admirable attempt, priest, demons can always find loopholes. Whether you want to close them or not depends on whether or not you want to waste more of your time on your contract."
[Every word seems turn more of Chikusa's expression stonier, until he's standing there as still as a statue with gray cold eyes to match. Pursing his lips, he looks away.]
"I don't wonder that at all. [He's gone so many years holding on tightly to that belief, after all.] But... if someone is going to get hurt regardless... It's better if it was someone who was already purposefully doing cruel things to others. "
[It's not a lie, either, and he finally glances back to him from the corner of his eye.]
"...There's still people who need help."
['Are you going to wonder that now?' It was a cruel question on the tip of Mukuro's tongue, but he managed to keep those words caged. For now. He would have his answer soon enough, and there was little reason other than his own satisfaction to ask it.
He let the priest make up his justifications, turning his attention idly to his tea and taking a few idle sips.]
"There are."
[Mukuro reached for another cookie, reaching over to dunk it into Chikusa Kakimoto's tea if he wasn't going to drink it, letting it sink to the bottom of the mug.]
"I'm always open to negotiations. Draw up another contract like this one, if it pleases you."
"...Most of the contract is suitable enough for this as well, besides the situation and people who need help. "
[He goes to sit, not at the table, but the couch. It's probably darkly humorous, he reflects. Just a few minutes ago, and his body had wanted to be closer. Now, he wants space.]
"Money problems, as with the other case. This time related to medical bills."
"Just tell me their full names. I don't need the whole sob story, priest."
[It was said idly enough, Mukuro selecting another cookie to dip into Chikusa Kakimoto's untouched tea.]
"Even my payment is still acceptable?"
"I'm telling you what to do, I'm not telling you a story. "
[A quiet scoff before that question, and he licks his lips, thinking of that again.]
"...It's fine."
[That authoritative tone in the priest's voice was enough to make Mukuro laugh as well as send a lazy tendril of warmth down his spine. He leaned forward, elbows on the table smirking mockingly.]
"What else would you like to tell me to do, Chikusa Kakimoto? Depending on the order, I would be more than eager to carry out your commands."
[He resisted the urge to laugh even harder as the young priest licked his lips, wondering if it was a subconscious gesture.]
"Then I'll come for you again once my task is complete. Good night, young priest."
"Good night. "
[And with that, even as the dream starts to fade, he hastens back to his room, red faced at the insinuations and laughter of the demon. When he wakes, the heat still hasn't left his face and only the freezing chill of a cold shower helps get rid of it.]
[This is absolutely a problem.]
[Chikusa deals with it the only way he knows how: prayer and confession. The first he can do on his own, but the other requires him to find time to slip into a confessional at some point in his day. The tight space has never been something he's truly noticed before. Whenever he's attended confession before, on either side of the screen, it's been a simple duty like anything else in his life. He's paid it about as much mind as preparing meals or getting dressed- an automatic habit. This time, however, the small space is comforting in some way.]
"Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned. It has been six months since my last confession. In the past few weeks, I have had lustful and impure thoughts, and have purposefully looked up pornographic images..."
[It's a weight off his shoulders to confess to it, although... He knows he's not entirely being honest. He refer to the demon as merely an individual he must deal with in his line of work instead of what he truly is, for example, in admitting the cause of such thoughts. Not untrue, but...]
"...I am sorry for these and all my sins. "
[And he is, really.]
[He's given penance in the form of prayers to do and, even more of a relief, spoken to. The things the priest on the other side of the divide tells him makes sense- that it's common for a young man to be preyed on by such thoughts, especially when he is single, and that Chikusa should not find it a personal failing but that of human beings. By remembering his love of God, he should stay on the right path.]
[When contrition is said and absolution is given, Chikusa leaves the confessional feeling relieved. Even with such a heavy feeling lifted, however, he still remember to keep an ear out on the family he'd told the demon to look out for... and to wait for whenever his dreams would be intruded upon next.]
[As amusing as the young priest is, Mukuro had other duties to attend to as well.
There were other souls to tempt into sin, as easy and boring as it ever was, but after doing a good deed, and signing up for more, well. Mukuro wouldn't want to attract the attention of other demons to what he was doing, so he sauntered around for a few days, said the usual barbs, and did what he pleased. If he was truthful, he might be relishing how the young priest had been so torn over his desires and his righteousness, and he would like him to stay in that state for a little longer. Not to mention, he didn't want the priest to get the wrong idea. That he was going to be at his beck and call.
He took a few days this time to help the family in need, digging deep and finding a long distant relative who had sold their soul to a lower demon in order for wealth. Now alone and close to death, it was easy enough to convince them to sign over their estate to their last living relatives.
After a few weeks, more than enough time for the news to reach his young priest, he settled lazily into Chikusa Kakimoto's dreams. It was getting easier and easier each time, and he had to wonder if it was because the mortal was warming slightly to him or if it was just because he had tread here so often now.
He appeared once again at Chikusa Kakimoto's desk, signing the contract with a flourish.]
"How many more do you have lined up, priest?"
[It might be better to do a whole batch at once if only to get it over with, like ripping out stitches or sprinting across glass.]
[It takes a moment for Chikusa to answer, sitting up and rubbing at his eyes as he 'wakes'. For possibly the first time in these dream meetings, he reaches for his glasses set to the side.]
"I could go on endlessly. You should know there's no small number of people who need help. "
[Getting up to his feet, he loosely wraps his arms around himself with his hands cradling his elbows.]
"...How long do you want to have this arrangement?"
"As long as necessary."
[He turned his gaze back towards the priest, chin lifted slightly. He let a smirk form slowly and lazily over his face, raising an eyebrow.]
"Unless you have something else in mind?"
[Something about that look makes the hairs on the back of his neck rise up, but Chikusa breathes in deep and thinks a brief prayer. He's fine. This is nothing.]
"No.... This is fine by me as well. "
[Yet despite his best efforts, some of that shyness from their last interaction returns as he tilts his head slightly and looks up at him from beneath his bangs.]
"...Kissing, again?"
[The question was met with a soft, low chuckle as Mukuro stood, making his way towards the bed, resting his knee between Chikusa Kakimoto's own. He looked down at him knowingly, leaning in slightly.]
"Liked it that much, did you? Or would you be disappointed if that's all it was?"
[The pink which spreads across the bridge of his nose isn't anywhere as intense as last time, but it's present. Chikusa forces himself to meet the other's eyes, even as his breath hitches at the brush of that leg against his own.]
"It's merely what we did the last time. That's all."
"Then is that permission to go further, Chikusa Kakimoto?"
[He leaned closer so that he could practically feel the heat from the mortal's flushed face, brushing his mouth lightly against the priest's.]
"Lie back."
[Automatically, without thinking, he starts to lean in as well. The order snaps him out of it, blinking free from his daze.]
"What are you going to do?"
[My, my, so the young priest had been eager, more so than Mukuro could have hoped. It was definitely an ego booster, and he had to resist the urge to chuckle.
He let one hand trail along Chikusa Kakimoto's side, barely a touch.]
"Nothing you won't enjoy."
[It came out as a low purr, his eyes flicking up to the priest's face.]
"Nothing too serious. Or have I not proven to be a demon of my word yet?"
[Prayer. He just has to think prayer, and he'll get through this. Chikusa tries to remind himself of this, even as that faint touch sends chills down his spine.]
"...Calling yourself that seems to be a bit of a contradiction... "
[Even as he says it, he starts to shift back to put his weight on his elbows. Perhaps with more than a little nervousness lighting up his stare, he watches Mukuro carefully. This seems like an impressive leap from kissing... but surely he can put a stop to anything that's too much, can't he?]
[That small tremor was enough to make Mukuro's smirk widen, almost predatory as he leaned in, brushing his mouth against the side of Chikusa Kakimoto's, nosing his way towards his ear.]
"Aren't humans full of contradictions? Nature? Your precious holy book? Just because they're juxtaposed doesn't make it impossible."
[He smirked against the young priest's skin as he leaned back slightly. He would have liked him to be flat on his back, but he supposed he could make due and he would get what he wanted soon enough. He pressed a few soft, open mouthed kisses along Chikusa Kakimoto's neck, letting his body rest lightly against the taller mortal's, entangling his legs with his.]
[Ah. The first time Chikusa had seen such sloppy behavior, he'd wondered how on earth it could possibly feel good. Saliva is wet, and damp, and messy. What could be the appeal of one wet piece of skin to another? Right now, however, he thinks he understands with every slide of Mukuro's lips against his throat. Was his skin always this sensitive? Could it always make him shiver this way with every soft suck, and he just never had a chance to notice?]
[It takes him a second, fingers curling into the sheets, before he remembers his duty. Taking a breath, he tries to remember all his training and his prayers. From this and Mukuro's attention on his neck, his voice comes out somewhat faint and far away.]
"There's... answers for the contradictions in the book. [A soft sigh before he bites his lip at the slip up.] They only appear to be contradictions."
[While theological arguments weren't exactly Mukuro's preferred brand of dirty talk, he would take what he could get from the young priest. He pressed down closer against him, scrapping his teeth experimentally against the column of his throat, before flicking his tongue teasingly against Chikusa Kakimoto's earlobe.]
"My, my, and what answers have you found?"
[He kept up the soft kisses, and while he was tempted to suck and bite color into life on the priest's pale neck, he'd behave himself for now.
Except for his hand that was inching slowly underneath the young priest's shirt.]
"It-"
[Words get lost to the jerk of his body when he feels teeth scrape against his skin, and Chikusa almost forgets what he was saying entirely. Deep in his chest, a frantic bird seems to have replaced his heart, wings beating hard against the inside of his ribcage. He scrambles for his words again.]
"It depends on what you claim is a contradiction. There's answers for everything and- "
[Even that slow touch has his stomach clench, and Chikusa swallows hard. It's only touching. It's only his shirt. This is fine.]
[Now that jerk was worth noting, and Mukuro resisted the temptation to bite down into Chikusa Kakimoto's flesh even harder, to pierce skin and taste the salt of his skin mixed with the smooth metallic twang of blood. Instead, he pushed the priest's shirt up further, both of his hands tracing along his sides, his ribs, his stomach.]
"Is there an answer for why men shouldn't lie with demons?"
[Before the young priest could answer, however, Mukuro pressed their mouths together, nippling on the bottom of his lip.]
[Of course there is, and they both know it. But then there's those lips on his again, just like last time- no, not like then. There's a hint of teeth, this time. So much biting him... For a moment, Chikusa is frozen. What is he supposed to do in response?]
[The answer comes to him, soon enough. He shifts, resting his weight on one elbow instead of both, and reaches up to slide his fingers through Mukuro's hair again like he had the first time.]
[How bold, his little priest. For someone who would claim this was only due to a contract, he seemed to be getting into it. He sighed encouragingly as he felt his hands tangle into his hair, leaning in closer, kissing him properly this time.
...And maybe rocking his hips experimentally against Chikusa Kakimoto's. No one said demon's had to particularly nice, after all.]
[Having his hand tangled in the demon's hair feels a little bit like he has control of the situation. It's not true, Chikusa knows it isn't, but at least it helps quiet the thudding of his heart.]
[So of course Mukuro has to ruin it as his hips grind down into his, and Chikusa jerks back with a strangled noise of surprise while his fingers dig into Mukuro's hair to pull him away.]
[For all that Mukuro was a filthy S, even the best sadist had some masochistic tendencies, and well. Hair pulling was definitely Mukuro was into. He couldn't help but gasp out at the treatment, following obediently enough, but his eyes were thin slivers.
He let out a low laugh, grinding down again, raising an eyebrow.]
"So sensitive, my little priest. You haven't even touched yourself, have you?"
[Not that he expected an answer to that, but it was only going to make him all the hungrier to claim him. A lonely virgin priest. This was sort of set up that a demon could only dream of.]
[Why isn't it stopping him? Chikusa loses control of his body as the treatment continues, squirming with a soft gasp as the demon grinds down against him again. So this is pleasure- soft waves that pulse through him and make his legs feel weak.]
[There's no bite to his words as they fumble out of his mouth.]
"That's- ah, it's... immoral... "
[Shuddering, he tries to shift away from the pressure because it's true, he's horribly sensitive to something he's never experienced before like this.]
"Does it feel immoral or does it feel good?"
[Mukuro was tempted, devilishly so, to continue. To grind down and make the priest come in his pants, to undo them and lap up the mess until he's hard again, to suck him off until he comes again- but ah, he might be getting ahead of him.
Instead, he stopped all of his movement, save for his eyes drinking in the expressions on the young priest's face, before reaching up to delicately unwind his hair from Chikusa Kakimoto's grasp.
He supposed he's proved a point for now, and he will have to take comfort in that for now.]
"Should I leave you to your cold shower, priest?"
[If it sounded mocking, well, it definitely was.]
[Entire sermons have been given on how immorality and the sensation of pleasure- whether erotic or otherwise- are tightly intertwined. Chikusa knows. He's sat through them since he was young, he's said them himself once he became a priest.]
[Yet he can't get them out his mouth, can't even form them in his mind. The motion that demon had done against him was so much more intense than the little rolls of pleasure simple kissing had introduced him to. All Chikusa can manage is to stare at Mukuro, his flush brilliant crimson against his pale skin and wet lips parted and pink as he pants.]
[Of course, then that mocking reaches his ears, and Chikusa flushes all the harder as he snaps his mouth shut. Jerking his hand away, he uses it to cover half of his face. His thumb nudges his glasses back up into position.]
"Is that a problem?"
[That was a good look on the young priest, and Mukuro didn't feel guilty in the least to lean back to admire it. That flushed face, those slightly parted wet lips, that warring expression on his face. He could practically hear the prayers that the priest was going to fervently say on bent knees by his bed, probably for hours on end, until the heat of his skin settled down. He could taste his guilt and want and shame as tangibly as he had his lips.
Mukuro wanted more. It had been so long since he'd had a challenge, since he had someone who had fought their desires so wholly. He wanted to make him fall, and it was an almost savage emotion that licked up his spine like a flame.
The retort only made him laugh, and he got off up the bed, putting distance between them ( for whose sake, he wasn't going to hazard a guess ).]
"Not for me. Though I do wonder about you, my young, untouched priest."
[He canted his head to the side, turning back to face Chikusa Kakimoto, mouth curved upwards slightly.]
"You should know after this there's little going back. Remember that when you call for me again."
[For not the first time, he bristles quietly at that mocking laugh. Straightening up, Chikusa tugs at his shirt over the slight bulge pressing through his pants as his face refuses to lose its red hue.]
[This was a mistake, he knew this was a mistake, had seen the train coming down the tracks clear as day, yet still he's in this situation. What was he thinking? What is he still thinking?]
[On hand still partially covering his face, his gaze flicks up over the rims of his glasses to land on Mukuro. When he calls for him again....]
"And.... what is that supposed to mean?"
"What do you think?"
[Mukuro took a seat at the desk again, leaning against it, tracing the words of the contract with a gloved finger. There was no point in commenting on Chikusa Kakimoto's arousal, since the priest already seemed to be well aware of his body's reaction.
He turned his gaze back towards Chikusa Kakimoto's face, smirking superiorly.]
"Kissing is a gray area, perhaps easy enough to confess to and pray away. But as you go further..."
[He kept his eyes carefully on the young priest's face, though his smirk widened pointedly.]
[He hates the burning sensation that's taken up his face, the ache between his legs, and, most of all, that deplorable and insufferable smirk taking up residence on the demon's face. He wishes he could get rid of all three, but two are completely foreign to him and the demon, well...]
[Swallowing thickly, he forces himself to keep eye contact with Mukuro.]
"And here I was under the impression you were trying to tempt me instead of giving me reasons to not invite you. "
[Right. He has that much control, at least, surely.]
"So you'll deny me then?"
[Mukuro sounded amused at that, getting back up to cross the distance between them again. He paused in front of Chikusa Kakimoto, tilting his head to the side, hair spilling over his shoulder.]
"If this is to be our last meeting, should I steal one more kiss?"
[He leaned forward, eyes drawn to the young priest's lips.
Could Chikusa Kakimoto keep away from him? It was difficult to say, but if he could deny himself this, then perhaps Mukuro would have reason to worry.]
[All Mukuro has to do is get up and wariness jolt through him. Deny him. He can deny him. Of course he can. He's a priest, he's been denying demons for some years now. Besides that, he knows that this creature is only after him to corrupt him, tempt him, drag him into hell. It should be easy.]
[So why does his heart still quicken at the coy way the demon tilts his head to the side, the way those plush lips curl so invitingly?]
[All over again, he's frozen with his cheeks still blazing and his heart hammering in his chest. Now, now he knows what it's like to be kissed- the perfect way lips could be slotted against his, the pleasant softness that was hard to have enough of, the heat settling against him, a tongue sliding against his and making tremors go up his spine with inquisitive and adventurous movements...]
[For a moment, it's almost easy to give in.]
[But then he remembers other things.]
[That mocking laugh. The repulsive arrogant smirk. The way every conversation attempted to smear his faith, the jabs at his own life.]
[It's felt too much like losing.]
[Deep in his chest, a spark of flame different than arousal flickers into existence.]
[He is so sick of losing to this demon that's been trying to mangle the one thing in this life he truly has.]
[It's a rush of feelings and thoughts that jumble together almost all at once as Mukuro leans in close, breath warm and near to Chikusa's lips before it all becomes too much. Almost out of nowhere, something snaps, and the red of arousal twists into shame and anger and pride.]
[Chikusa isn't really thinking. His body decides for him, fueled by the passionate mix of emotions, and he snaps one suddenly formed fist up at Mukuro's face.]
[For the record: he has never hit another person even once in his life. If this hits, it's going to hurt both of them.]
[Of all the things that Mukuro had been expecting, a punch was not one of them. Objectively, he knew it was a victory in more ways than one. The young priest had probably never been so violent in his life, and to break that damnable restraint of his had been his goal from the beginning. While it wasn't the sort of reaction he had wanted, it was still a good sign, a symptom that his words and his mouth and his hands were taking root.
Subjectively, it hurt his pride more than his face, and for a few moments he could only look down at the priest, stunned into silence for once, eyes wide, lips slightly parted in shock. He would be lying if there wasn't a dark urge to retaliate, to return violence for violence ( and oh, did Mukuro know violence ). Or, perhaps to take his payment out of Chikusa Kakimoto's flesh, to cause him to bleed as he did now, a slight dribble out of his nose.
Instead, he found himself laughing, wiping the blood away with the back of his hand.]
"Chikusa Kakimoto. You never fail to surprise me."
[If what the young priest wanted was for Mukuro to retreat, he would do so for now, taking a few steps backwards, still wiping at his nose in amusement.]
"Should I repay you in kind?"
[On one hand- goddamn was that a mistake on a physical level if nothing else. Almost immediately pain snaps through his hand, and Chikusa has to double over clutching at it. Hissing, he narrows his eyes up at the demon. Why on earth did people commit violence for fun? There's nothing but pain.]
[Yet, as he stares up at the demon, there's something satisfying about the pure shock drawn all over Mukuro's face. All that arrogant posturing, and yet even demons couldn't know everything. Good.]
[Sitting there, quivering and with a shaking pained hand, he awaits some sort of retaliation. Yet, as always, there's just that laugh again. Curling his hurt hand to his chest, Chikusa gets up to his feet. It feels better, like they're on even ground although he knows the opposite is true.]
"I have no interest in it. All I plan on doing is taking a shower."
[Seeing the priest in pain from one little punch was satisfying to the small part of him that had wanted to retaliate, but acting on that might drive him away completely. Mukuro hadn't done so many disgusting good deeds or behaved himself to let that happen.
Instead he reached out to caress the priest's hurt hand, eyes flicking up to his face in amusement.]
"Do what you like, Chikusa Kakimoto. If you choose to continue our contract, you know what must be done."
[He let his hand drop away, turning to leave the priest to an actual sleep.]
[I'm not going to forget either of our roles.]
[He doesn't say the words, but they're what's weighing on his mind throughout the entire morning from the first moment he drowsily awakens in his bed to when he does his prayers at the church. Just thinking about the agreement has his heart speed up its usually calm pace, no matter where he is. It takes tremendous force of will to shove it out of his mind and focus on his usual duties.]
[Focusing on his part of the agreement isn't going to do him any good. He forces himself to remember that, helped with liberal appliances of cold water to his face. Demons are silver tongued and clever. Give them the smallest opening, and they'll figure out a way to squeeze through.]
[Thus, to that end, once he gets home... In the same book he's made so many callings before, he starts to write up a proper agreement. It turns out that it's a good thing that he got a new computer; the old one would have taken forever. By the time he's done with it, Chikusa... is a little pleased with himself. A lawyer couldn't do better with it- requests not to bring any harm to the recipients of this good deed, to not harm anyone else innocent in bringing it to fruition (with a definition on what he means, too), et cetera.]
[That's for the demon. When it gets to his side of the bargain, Chikusa hesitates.]
[His knowledge of how to exorcise demons is expansive. His knowledge of... carnal pleasures... is considerably less so.]
[He tells himself it's for research when he uses the internet to search a few things up. That line of thinking doesn't last long when he comes across something, ah, "Halloween" themed and...]
[Chikusa blankly shuts off the laptop and takes a long cold shower.]
[In the end, despite his trepidation, he leaves that part of the agreement wide open. A "little pleasure" can be however the demon wants to define it, so long as it doesn't evolve into complete intercourse (of which Chikusa is now considerably more aware of, even between two men). Hopefully the openness there will make up for the strict demands.]
[Ultimately, it all leads to helping a struggling family that's part of the Church who've been on hard times and haven't been able to get nearly enough food for themselves. That shouldn't be too bad, Chikusa imagines. It's just making lives a little easier, not outright saving them in any way, and while he'd requested no one innocent get harmed... There's others who aren't. He tries to tell himself it's something akin to karma if the demon does go that way, and that he's not deliberately bringing harm.]
[Now the final part.]
[Chikusa doesn't doubt that the demon is lurking around, or at least he wouldn't be surprised. However, he has to make sure it's seen. So, on the final line...]
[If there's a problem with this, then feel free to contact me once more. If not, I'll await news that things worked out and for your visit where I uphold my end of the bargain, Mukuro-sama.]
[He spends a long while staring at that "sama", unable to shake the feeling of having done something dirty.]
[Besides that, it's the most involved he's been on something for some time, and Chikusa finds himself falling asleep almost immediately once he hits his bed. If there's a problem, he's expecting to be contacted.... But he rather hopes not.]
[That was a bit too much energy spent coming up with all of that.]
[While the way the priest was going about this was as admirable as it was futile, but Mukuro was more than gracious enough to allow him to draw up whatever he wanted to in order to comfort himself. The priest should know better than any a demon's word was next to worthless, and had all but said so on more than on occasion, but the fact that he was drawing up contracts for them already. Well, Mukuro wasn't going to stop him.
He read over the priest's shoulder as he worked, eyes tracing over the lines upon lines of words the priest seemed to believe would bind him. For all the text, the task was a simple one. Help keep a good family afloat, but not necessarily save them. The 'no harming innocents' clause was what chaffed the most, but taking in Chikusa Kakimoto's definition of 'innocence' was surprisingly narrow. It left a lot of wiggle room for a demon, and he had shot an appraising look at the priest. Perhaps there wasn't as much righteousness as he originally believed.
Greed, arrogance, and money were things that Mukuro could manipulate at his leisure, and he soothed the burn of a good deed by making sure it came about in a bad way. He made sure to visit the top financial advisor of the mother's place of employment, murmuring words of madness into their ear. It didn't take much convincing for them sell their soul just for an exorbitant amount of money ( taken from the employees 401Ks ), just like it didn't take long for them to get caught. Since no one could be sure how long the theft had been going on, to restore their employees faith and good will, there across the board raises. Not enough to get them out of their hole, but enough to let them breathe a little easier.
Since it was an easy enough task, he didn't miss the extra 'research' the priest did on his side, presumably solely to shackle Mukuro down with more clauses and words. ( Or to take more than his fair share of cold showers, to which Mukuro could only cackle at mercilessly. ) He had to admit, he would have thought the priest would have been far more strict than not 'complete intercourse' but he wasn't going to complain in the slightest. ( And if being called 'Mukuro-sama' was taken with far more pleasure than necessary, well, the priest would know that in due time. )
He waited a bit impatiently to make sure the family would have time to relay this good news to Chikusa Kakimoto, before appearing before him again, seated cross legged on the chair next to the contract.]
"Was the task done to your liking?"
[His eyes were sharp on the priest's face, searching and intense. He was also curious to know if he would be addressed as 'Mukuro-sama' verbally or if that was strictly just in the written word.]
[Some measure of relief goes through him when he overhears the thankful prayers that soon come back through the church. The family is so thankful that their burden has been eased up even slightly. To himself, quietly, he reflects on the feeling. Exorcising demons is his main lot in life, he accepted that long ago, but...]
[It's nice. Knowing that more is possible than simply being a weapon for the Church against demons.... even if that feeling is a little tainted by knowing it wasn't God that helped them, but something else entirely.]
[Of course, once he has that, he's well aware of what likely awaits him. It makes the rest of the day almost unbearable from the tension thrumming through his body, and he hides it best he can with prayer after prayer while at church. A holy place doesn't deserve his thoughts tarnishing it.]
[He doesn't have that excuse when he returns home, and it doesn't stop running around his head even when- especially when- he puts himself down to sleep that night.]
[Waking up to see the demon there makes his stomach twist- fear, uncertainty, eagerness? Chikusa doesn't know. However, the change to him is obvious. There's no reserved mannerisms of a priest, or the sharp jerking movements from a man silently fearful of what a demon could do to him. Instead, as he pushes himself up, they're slow and uncertain, matching the expression on his face as he avoids making eye contact.]
"Yes. Thank you. [A pause, almost looking up but then stopping himself at the last moment.] I'm... not sure what I'm to do. "
[His looks at porn were brief, after all, and he's not sure how much of all that was fantasy or reliable truth.]
[There are many things that Mukuro could have the priest do for him, many things he wants to do to him, and just as many things he wants from him. He wants to see that normally reserved expression break under the pressure of pleasure, to see how far his flush will go down his neck or chest, and he is eager to know what kind of noises he can get the priest to make. But even demons can be patient and restrained, especially when the prize will taste that much sweeter after being steeped in anticipation.]
"Leave all of that to me."
[His voice was low and silky, most of the mocking uncharacteristically gone from it. He rose slowly, crossing the space between the chair and the bed in carefully measured steps, stopping just short of the priest.]
"You could start by calling me my name."
[Okay, so if a demon's restraint and patience wasn't perfect, who was going to judge him for it?]
[Normally, Chikusa would be judging him for it without restraint. Right now, however, that's completely out of his mind. He's too aware of how his heart leaps into his throat as those patient steps come nearer to him, and the anticipation humming up his spine.]
[The request makes him swallow, still not having washed the sense of dirtiness from how he'd addressed the demon in their agreement.]
"...Mukuro..."
[Murmured softly, almost reluctantly.]
"Say it properly, Chikusa Kakimoto."
['Like in the contract' he wanted to add, but he already felt that the priest was being obtuse on purpose, which only made him that much more eager to have him say it fully.
To encourage him, he pressed a knee onto the bed, leaning forward and reaching out with a gloved hand towards his young priest's cheek. He caressed it gently, like a proper lover.]
[He might choke on his own heart and air, feeling the mattress shift from new weight and smooth leather stroking along his cheek. Chikusa's breath shudders. He needs to calm down, but he's not particularly sure how.]
"Mukuro. [A little louder this time, and he swallows thickly. His voice dips back down again, soft.] Mukuro...sama..."
[It was difficult to guess whether that wide eyed look Chikusa Kakimoto was giving him was anticipation, fear, or the first stirrings of lust. Most likely it was some potent combination of all three and more, not that Mukuro would complain. That expression on the young priest's face was intoxicating, and hearing his name tumble from that mortal's lips, shaky and soft, was heady. Again he wanted to demand, but he was being cruel enough already.]
"Sin is like a first kiss. It's built up on such a ridiculously high pedestal that when it happens..."
[Mukuro leaned in slowly ( to give the illusion he would let the priest lean way if he wanted to, when they both knew full and well he wouldn't ), focusing his eyes on Chikusa Kakimoto's lips, brushing his against the priest's softly, barely a touch.]
"It's hardly anything."
[He flicked his gaze up to the priest's eyes, careful and considering.]
"Do you want more?"
[While so much talk almost feels unnecessary, it's... also incredibly on point, Chikusa is surprised to find. Even with the anticipation making such a light touch electrifying, it's also, yes, hardly anything. He lets out a breath, trying to relax.]
"...You said you wanted to show me a little pleasure..."
[Still, he's embarrassed, glancing away to not meet that piercing mismatched gaze.]
"And I'm not going to fail on upholding my end of the bargain..."
[My, my, wasn't his little priest full of surprises? It was probably a good thing that he couldn't meet his gaze, because Mukuro's had sharpened with considerable interest at that show of shyness. It made him want to bite into him until he bled or tear the skin off of him or fuck him until he was raw and begging, but instead, all Mukuro did was let out a soft chuckle.]
"You're so generous, my young priest. Then I'll show you enough until we're even."
[He wrapped his arms around the mortal to bring him in closer, kissing him more deeply this time, head slanted to the side to keep their noses from bumping. He was tempted to clamber wholly onto Chikusa Kakimoto's lap, but he would go slowly in this. He didn't want to listen to the priest complain he was being taken advantage of. No, he wanted him to fall of his own accord.]
[Such words make his uncertainty come back again. It surely wasn't a lot in exchange for such a minor thing, was it? But before he can voice his concerns, those lips are pressing harder against his own and Chikusa shudders.]
[It's ten times different than a soft brush of skin on skin. On some level, it feels like it should be awkward and strange, but... There's just a tinge of pleasure there, something that feels good about Mukuro's soft mouth on his, and Chikusa makes a quiet sound in the back of his throat as his hands rise up without any idea of what he'll even do.]
[In his whole life, he's never kissed before. That would require getting close to other people, accepting intimacy, but he's never managed that before. Not even close. He feels awkward and fumbling, but he can't simply sit there and do nothing. It feels... uncomfortable, to act the object in such a situation. So he tries to mimic the way Mukuro is kissing him, paying close attention even as uncertain as he is.]
[That first noise only makes Mukuro's hunger sharper, and he presses closer in, opening his mouth to try to get the young priest to do the same, flicking his tongue against his lips. He wanted to hear more, to hear everything, to swallow them up like they could sustain him.
As if sensing Chikusa Kakimoto's discomfort, he smirked against the priest's lips, breaking away for just a moment.]
"Here."
[He helped guide the mortal's hands up into his hair, eyes open only a sliver to watch his expression.]
[Having the kiss be broken so suddenly throws him off, and for a moment all Chikusa does is stare in a daze with lips slick and pink as a flush rests along his face. There's no fight as Mukuro takes his hands, and Chikusa is slow as he slides one hand against his nape and digs his other fingers into his hair.]
"Like this...?"
[At the feeling of Chikusa Kakimoto's fingers digging into his hair, Mukuro let out a soft moan, eyes sliding shut in bliss.]
"Yes."
[Before the priest could have time to properly question that level of sin and depravity, he leaned back in to kiss him, trying to coax the young priest's mouth open.]
[All the moans he'd caught snippets of from his research have nothing on the sound that rolls out of Mukuro's mouth. If there's a more sinful sound, Chikusa doesn't know it. His jaw drops slightly, and that makes it horribly easy for Mukuro to accomplish his goals. Chikusa fingers tighten a twitch as they start to kiss again, and a heat begins in the pit of his stomach that he can't stop.]
[Chikusa Kakimoto made it far too easy to want to devour him whole, to forget about that brittle and easily breakable promise of 'a little pleasure'. He swept his tongue inside the young priest's obliging mouth, slowly and almost gently exploring what he could of it. It would be easy, he knew, to push the priest back onto his bed, to slot their bodies together and make him whine and beg for more. As untouched as he had been, it seemed like he was starting to understand the mechanics of pleasure now, and for now, Mukuro would be satisfied with that.
He let the kiss drag on for a few more heart beats, before pulling away, licking at his lips.]
"I'll consider us even, now."
[He got up, already aware of the lack of warmth from the priest's body, heading back over to the desk to sign the contract with a flourishing signature.]
"Should I make some tea?"
[Unbidden, Chikusa's body betrays him with the soft wanting noise that falls from his lips when Mukuro leaves him. Leftover heat is still clinging to him- or is that the heat his own body is generating, warm and eager, pulsing needily? Either way, Chikusa catches himself and a brilliant crimson flush spreads over his face and down his throat. He looks away again, trying to will his body to calmness.]
"Yes. Tea is fine."
[It was tempting at the sound of that soft noise to go right back to the priest and pick up where he had left off, but he could be patient. Better to let the priest come to terms with everything before Mukuro pushed him even further still.
Without shooting Chikusa Kakimoto another look, he breezed out of the room to start the kettle again, wondering if he should go for some variety and bring out snacks too.]
"How is that family you were so worried about faring? "
[As if he didn't know himself, but it was probably safer conversation than asking if the priest had minded the payment for the good deed so terribly.]
[Instead of following quietly behind him, still feeling disconcertingly pleasant and fuzzy headed, Chikusa stays seated on his bed for a little while longer. Taking a breath, he rubs at his face. It's nothing. It's as he said, with the talk about first kisses. He's simply- unused to things like that. Right. Getting up, he starts to head for the bathroom and answers from there.]
"They believe they'll do much better now. Not completely, but enough. [He turns on the sink, washing his face with the coldest water he can manage.] I didn't think you'd ask again."
"I may not enjoy doing good deeds, but I do have some pride in my work. Not unlike yours."
[Deciding cookies would be a good accompanying snack, he set them down on the table, as well as the two mugs of tea. He wondered briefly if the cold water was going to help the priest find any sort of peace or clarity. He highly doubted it, if the sound of his sluggish movements were anything to judge by.]
"What is the next task you have in mind for me?"
[Pride in his work... Chikusa muses on it as he clasps damp hands on the back of his neck, letting the trickle of cool water down his spine stop the heat in him. After turning off the water and drying his hands, he drifts back to the apartment only to pause.]
"Next task...? I... didn't think you'd want to do this more than once."
"My, my, you only know one such innocent family that might benefit from divine intervention?"
[More like Mukuro was more interested in continuing to drag the young priest farther and farther along the path of no return, but saying so would only be met with scorn. One kiss wasn't enough to get a man such as Chikusa Kakimoto to sell his soul, even if it was from Mukuro's own lips. He would play at this bargaining game until he no longer had to in order to get what he desired.]
"Or was my payment too steep?"
[Just like that, it feels as though they're back into their usual back-and-forth, and Chikusa's mouth turns to a frown.]
"It seems disingenuous to refer to your actions as "divine", even with your background as it is. "
[Crossing his arms, he glances towards the table where the tea has been set but doesn't go to sit down yet.]
"...There's... plenty of people who could use help..."
"We must be making progress if you're fine with the knowledge you sent in a demon to help out an innocent family. While your contract was rather stern and lengthy, I couldn't help but notice a few interesting loop holes."
[Mukuro smirked at him from underneath his long lashes, before turning away to select an acceptable cookie.]
"Then our bargain can still stand. Unless you'd like to renegotiate the terms?"
[Immediately, his shoulders jerk up.]
"That's.... only because I thought you wouldn't agree to do it at all if it was too strict. If you truly like, I can always close those loopholes."
"My, my, is that the only reason? It has nothing to do with seeing sinners and heathens and terrible human beings getting away with their misdeeds without so much as a slap on the wrist?"
[He bit into the cookie, chewing for a few moments as he watched Chikusa Kakimoto's face.]
"It's not because you sometimes wonder if god is blind, to turn away from such injustices? "
[He finished off the cookie, licking the crumbs off his gloved fingers absently.]
"While it was an admirable attempt, priest, demons can always find loopholes. Whether you want to close them or not depends on whether or not you want to waste more of your time on your contract."
[Every word seems turn more of Chikusa's expression stonier, until he's standing there as still as a statue with gray cold eyes to match. Pursing his lips, he looks away.]
"I don't wonder that at all. [He's gone so many years holding on tightly to that belief, after all.] But... if someone is going to get hurt regardless... It's better if it was someone who was already purposefully doing cruel things to others. "
[It's not a lie, either, and he finally glances back to him from the corner of his eye.]
"...There's still people who need help."
['Are you going to wonder that now?' It was a cruel question on the tip of Mukuro's tongue, but he managed to keep those words caged. For now. He would have his answer soon enough, and there was little reason other than his own satisfaction to ask it.
He let the priest make up his justifications, turning his attention idly to his tea and taking a few idle sips.]
"There are."
[Mukuro reached for another cookie, reaching over to dunk it into Chikusa Kakimoto's tea if he wasn't going to drink it, letting it sink to the bottom of the mug.]
"I'm always open to negotiations. Draw up another contract like this one, if it pleases you."
"...Most of the contract is suitable enough for this as well, besides the situation and people who need help. "
[He goes to sit, not at the table, but the couch. It's probably darkly humorous, he reflects. Just a few minutes ago, and his body had wanted to be closer. Now, he wants space.]
"Money problems, as with the other case. This time related to medical bills."
"Just tell me their full names. I don't need the whole sob story, priest."
[It was said idly enough, Mukuro selecting another cookie to dip into Chikusa Kakimoto's untouched tea.]
"Even my payment is still acceptable?"
"I'm telling you what to do, I'm not telling you a story. "
[A quiet scoff before that question, and he licks his lips, thinking of that again.]
"...It's fine."
[That authoritative tone in the priest's voice was enough to make Mukuro laugh as well as send a lazy tendril of warmth down his spine. He leaned forward, elbows on the table smirking mockingly.]
"What else would you like to tell me to do, Chikusa Kakimoto? Depending on the order, I would be more than eager to carry out your commands."
[He resisted the urge to laugh even harder as the young priest licked his lips, wondering if it was a subconscious gesture.]
"Then I'll come for you again once my task is complete. Good night, young priest."
"Good night. "
[And with that, even as the dream starts to fade, he hastens back to his room, red faced at the insinuations and laughter of the demon. When he wakes, the heat still hasn't left his face and only the freezing chill of a cold shower helps get rid of it.]
[This is absolutely a problem.]
[Chikusa deals with it the only way he knows how: prayer and confession. The first he can do on his own, but the other requires him to find time to slip into a confessional at some point in his day. The tight space has never been something he's truly noticed before. Whenever he's attended confession before, on either side of the screen, it's been a simple duty like anything else in his life. He's paid it about as much mind as preparing meals or getting dressed- an automatic habit. This time, however, the small space is comforting in some way.]
"Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned. It has been six months since my last confession. In the past few weeks, I have had lustful and impure thoughts, and have purposefully looked up pornographic images..."
[It's a weight off his shoulders to confess to it, although... He knows he's not entirely being honest. He refer to the demon as merely an individual he must deal with in his line of work instead of what he truly is, for example, in admitting the cause of such thoughts. Not untrue, but...]
"...I am sorry for these and all my sins. "
[And he is, really.]
[He's given penance in the form of prayers to do and, even more of a relief, spoken to. The things the priest on the other side of the divide tells him makes sense- that it's common for a young man to be preyed on by such thoughts, especially when he is single, and that Chikusa should not find it a personal failing but that of human beings. By remembering his love of God, he should stay on the right path.]
[When contrition is said and absolution is given, Chikusa leaves the confessional feeling relieved. Even with such a heavy feeling lifted, however, he still remember to keep an ear out on the family he'd told the demon to look out for... and to wait for whenever his dreams would be intruded upon next.]
[As amusing as the young priest is, Mukuro had other duties to attend to as well.
There were other souls to tempt into sin, as easy and boring as it ever was, but after doing a good deed, and signing up for more, well. Mukuro wouldn't want to attract the attention of other demons to what he was doing, so he sauntered around for a few days, said the usual barbs, and did what he pleased. If he was truthful, he might be relishing how the young priest had been so torn over his desires and his righteousness, and he would like him to stay in that state for a little longer. Not to mention, he didn't want the priest to get the wrong idea. That he was going to be at his beck and call.
He took a few days this time to help the family in need, digging deep and finding a long distant relative who had sold their soul to a lower demon in order for wealth. Now alone and close to death, it was easy enough to convince them to sign over their estate to their last living relatives.
After a few weeks, more than enough time for the news to reach his young priest, he settled lazily into Chikusa Kakimoto's dreams. It was getting easier and easier each time, and he had to wonder if it was because the mortal was warming slightly to him or if it was just because he had tread here so often now.
He appeared once again at Chikusa Kakimoto's desk, signing the contract with a flourish.]
"How many more do you have lined up, priest?"
[It might be better to do a whole batch at once if only to get it over with, like ripping out stitches or sprinting across glass.]
[It takes a moment for Chikusa to answer, sitting up and rubbing at his eyes as he 'wakes'. For possibly the first time in these dream meetings, he reaches for his glasses set to the side.]
"I could go on endlessly. You should know there's no small number of people who need help. "
[Getting up to his feet, he loosely wraps his arms around himself with his hands cradling his elbows.]
"...How long do you want to have this arrangement?"
"As long as necessary."
[He turned his gaze back towards the priest, chin lifted slightly. He let a smirk form slowly and lazily over his face, raising an eyebrow.]
"Unless you have something else in mind?"
[Something about that look makes the hairs on the back of his neck rise up, but Chikusa breathes in deep and thinks a brief prayer. He's fine. This is nothing.]
"No.... This is fine by me as well. "
[Yet despite his best efforts, some of that shyness from their last interaction returns as he tilts his head slightly and looks up at him from beneath his bangs.]
"...Kissing, again?"
[The question was met with a soft, low chuckle as Mukuro stood, making his way towards the bed, resting his knee between Chikusa Kakimoto's own. He looked down at him knowingly, leaning in slightly.]
"Liked it that much, did you? Or would you be disappointed if that's all it was?"
[The pink which spreads across the bridge of his nose isn't anywhere as intense as last time, but it's present. Chikusa forces himself to meet the other's eyes, even as his breath hitches at the brush of that leg against his own.]
"It's merely what we did the last time. That's all."
"Then is that permission to go further, Chikusa Kakimoto?"
[He leaned closer so that he could practically feel the heat from the mortal's flushed face, brushing his mouth lightly against the priest's.]
"Lie back."
[Automatically, without thinking, he starts to lean in as well. The order snaps him out of it, blinking free from his daze.]
"What are you going to do?"
[My, my, so the young priest had been eager, more so than Mukuro could have hoped. It was definitely an ego booster, and he had to resist the urge to chuckle.
He let one hand trail along Chikusa Kakimoto's side, barely a touch.]
"Nothing you won't enjoy."
[It came out as a low purr, his eyes flicking up to the priest's face.]
"Nothing too serious. Or have I not proven to be a demon of my word yet?"
[Prayer. He just has to think prayer, and he'll get through this. Chikusa tries to remind himself of this, even as that faint touch sends chills down his spine.]
"...Calling yourself that seems to be a bit of a contradiction... "
[Even as he says it, he starts to shift back to put his weight on his elbows. Perhaps with more than a little nervousness lighting up his stare, he watches Mukuro carefully. This seems like an impressive leap from kissing... but surely he can put a stop to anything that's too much, can't he?]
[That small tremor was enough to make Mukuro's smirk widen, almost predatory as he leaned in, brushing his mouth against the side of Chikusa Kakimoto's, nosing his way towards his ear.]
"Aren't humans full of contradictions? Nature? Your precious holy book? Just because they're juxtaposed doesn't make it impossible."
[He smirked against the young priest's skin as he leaned back slightly. He would have liked him to be flat on his back, but he supposed he could make due and he would get what he wanted soon enough. He pressed a few soft, open mouthed kisses along Chikusa Kakimoto's neck, letting his body rest lightly against the taller mortal's, entangling his legs with his.]
[Ah. The first time Chikusa had seen such sloppy behavior, he'd wondered how on earth it could possibly feel good. Saliva is wet, and damp, and messy. What could be the appeal of one wet piece of skin to another? Right now, however, he thinks he understands with every slide of Mukuro's lips against his throat. Was his skin always this sensitive? Could it always make him shiver this way with every soft suck, and he just never had a chance to notice?]
[It takes him a second, fingers curling into the sheets, before he remembers his duty. Taking a breath, he tries to remember all his training and his prayers. From this and Mukuro's attention on his neck, his voice comes out somewhat faint and far away.]
"There's... answers for the contradictions in the book. [A soft sigh before he bites his lip at the slip up.] They only appear to be contradictions."
[While theological arguments weren't exactly Mukuro's preferred brand of dirty talk, he would take what he could get from the young priest. He pressed down closer against him, scrapping his teeth experimentally against the column of his throat, before flicking his tongue teasingly against Chikusa Kakimoto's earlobe.]
"My, my, and what answers have you found?"
[He kept up the soft kisses, and while he was tempted to suck and bite color into life on the priest's pale neck, he'd behave himself for now.
Except for his hand that was inching slowly underneath the young priest's shirt.]
"It-"
[Words get lost to the jerk of his body when he feels teeth scrape against his skin, and Chikusa almost forgets what he was saying entirely. Deep in his chest, a frantic bird seems to have replaced his heart, wings beating hard against the inside of his ribcage. He scrambles for his words again.]
"It depends on what you claim is a contradiction. There's answers for everything and- "
[Even that slow touch has his stomach clench, and Chikusa swallows hard. It's only touching. It's only his shirt. This is fine.]
[Now that jerk was worth noting, and Mukuro resisted the temptation to bite down into Chikusa Kakimoto's flesh even harder, to pierce skin and taste the salt of his skin mixed with the smooth metallic twang of blood. Instead, he pushed the priest's shirt up further, both of his hands tracing along his sides, his ribs, his stomach.]
"Is there an answer for why men shouldn't lie with demons?"
[Before the young priest could answer, however, Mukuro pressed their mouths together, nippling on the bottom of his lip.]
[Of course there is, and they both know it. But then there's those lips on his again, just like last time- no, not like then. There's a hint of teeth, this time. So much biting him... For a moment, Chikusa is frozen. What is he supposed to do in response?]
[The answer comes to him, soon enough. He shifts, resting his weight on one elbow instead of both, and reaches up to slide his fingers through Mukuro's hair again like he had the first time.]
[How bold, his little priest. For someone who would claim this was only due to a contract, he seemed to be getting into it. He sighed encouragingly as he felt his hands tangle into his hair, leaning in closer, kissing him properly this time.
...And maybe rocking his hips experimentally against Chikusa Kakimoto's. No one said demon's had to particularly nice, after all.]
[Having his hand tangled in the demon's hair feels a little bit like he has control of the situation. It's not true, Chikusa knows it isn't, but at least it helps quiet the thudding of his heart.]
[So of course Mukuro has to ruin it as his hips grind down into his, and Chikusa jerks back with a strangled noise of surprise while his fingers dig into Mukuro's hair to pull him away.]
[For all that Mukuro was a filthy S, even the best sadist had some masochistic tendencies, and well. Hair pulling was definitely Mukuro was into. He couldn't help but gasp out at the treatment, following obediently enough, but his eyes were thin slivers.
He let out a low laugh, grinding down again, raising an eyebrow.]
"So sensitive, my little priest. You haven't even touched yourself, have you?"
[Not that he expected an answer to that, but it was only going to make him all the hungrier to claim him. A lonely virgin priest. This was sort of set up that a demon could only dream of.]
[Why isn't it stopping him? Chikusa loses control of his body as the treatment continues, squirming with a soft gasp as the demon grinds down against him again. So this is pleasure- soft waves that pulse through him and make his legs feel weak.]
[There's no bite to his words as they fumble out of his mouth.]
"That's- ah, it's... immoral... "
[Shuddering, he tries to shift away from the pressure because it's true, he's horribly sensitive to something he's never experienced before like this.]
"Does it feel immoral or does it feel good?"
[Mukuro was tempted, devilishly so, to continue. To grind down and make the priest come in his pants, to undo them and lap up the mess until he's hard again, to suck him off until he comes again- but ah, he might be getting ahead of him.
Instead, he stopped all of his movement, save for his eyes drinking in the expressions on the young priest's face, before reaching up to delicately unwind his hair from Chikusa Kakimoto's grasp.
He supposed he's proved a point for now, and he will have to take comfort in that for now.]
"Should I leave you to your cold shower, priest?"
[If it sounded mocking, well, it definitely was.]
[Entire sermons have been given on how immorality and the sensation of pleasure- whether erotic or otherwise- are tightly intertwined. Chikusa knows. He's sat through them since he was young, he's said them himself once he became a priest.]
[Yet he can't get them out his mouth, can't even form them in his mind. The motion that demon had done against him was so much more intense than the little rolls of pleasure simple kissing had introduced him to. All Chikusa can manage is to stare at Mukuro, his flush brilliant crimson against his pale skin and wet lips parted and pink as he pants.]
[Of course, then that mocking reaches his ears, and Chikusa flushes all the harder as he snaps his mouth shut. Jerking his hand away, he uses it to cover half of his face. His thumb nudges his glasses back up into position.]
"Is that a problem?"
[That was a good look on the young priest, and Mukuro didn't feel guilty in the least to lean back to admire it. That flushed face, those slightly parted wet lips, that warring expression on his face. He could practically hear the prayers that the priest was going to fervently say on bent knees by his bed, probably for hours on end, until the heat of his skin settled down. He could taste his guilt and want and shame as tangibly as he had his lips.
Mukuro wanted more. It had been so long since he'd had a challenge, since he had someone who had fought their desires so wholly. He wanted to make him fall, and it was an almost savage emotion that licked up his spine like a flame.
The retort only made him laugh, and he got off up the bed, putting distance between them ( for whose sake, he wasn't going to hazard a guess ).]
"Not for me. Though I do wonder about you, my young, untouched priest."
[He canted his head to the side, turning back to face Chikusa Kakimoto, mouth curved upwards slightly.]
"You should know after this there's little going back. Remember that when you call for me again."
[For not the first time, he bristles quietly at that mocking laugh. Straightening up, Chikusa tugs at his shirt over the slight bulge pressing through his pants as his face refuses to lose its red hue.]
[This was a mistake, he knew this was a mistake, had seen the train coming down the tracks clear as day, yet still he's in this situation. What was he thinking? What is he still thinking?]
[On hand still partially covering his face, his gaze flicks up over the rims of his glasses to land on Mukuro. When he calls for him again....]
"And.... what is that supposed to mean?"
"What do you think?"
[Mukuro took a seat at the desk again, leaning against it, tracing the words of the contract with a gloved finger. There was no point in commenting on Chikusa Kakimoto's arousal, since the priest already seemed to be well aware of his body's reaction.
He turned his gaze back towards Chikusa Kakimoto's face, smirking superiorly.]
"Kissing is a gray area, perhaps easy enough to confess to and pray away. But as you go further..."
[He kept his eyes carefully on the young priest's face, though his smirk widened pointedly.]
[He hates the burning sensation that's taken up his face, the ache between his legs, and, most of all, that deplorable and insufferable smirk taking up residence on the demon's face. He wishes he could get rid of all three, but two are completely foreign to him and the demon, well...]
[Swallowing thickly, he forces himself to keep eye contact with Mukuro.]
"And here I was under the impression you were trying to tempt me instead of giving me reasons to not invite you. "
[Right. He has that much control, at least, surely.]
"So you'll deny me then?"
[Mukuro sounded amused at that, getting back up to cross the distance between them again. He paused in front of Chikusa Kakimoto, tilting his head to the side, hair spilling over his shoulder.]
"If this is to be our last meeting, should I steal one more kiss?"
[He leaned forward, eyes drawn to the young priest's lips.
Could Chikusa Kakimoto keep away from him? It was difficult to say, but if he could deny himself this, then perhaps Mukuro would have reason to worry.]
[All Mukuro has to do is get up and wariness jolt through him. Deny him. He can deny him. Of course he can. He's a priest, he's been denying demons for some years now. Besides that, he knows that this creature is only after him to corrupt him, tempt him, drag him into hell. It should be easy.]
[So why does his heart still quicken at the coy way the demon tilts his head to the side, the way those plush lips curl so invitingly?]
[All over again, he's frozen with his cheeks still blazing and his heart hammering in his chest. Now, now he knows what it's like to be kissed- the perfect way lips could be slotted against his, the pleasant softness that was hard to have enough of, the heat settling against him, a tongue sliding against his and making tremors go up his spine with inquisitive and adventurous movements...]
[For a moment, it's almost easy to give in.]
[But then he remembers other things.]
[That mocking laugh. The repulsive arrogant smirk. The way every conversation attempted to smear his faith, the jabs at his own life.]
[It's felt too much like losing.]
[Deep in his chest, a spark of flame different than arousal flickers into existence.]
[He is so sick of losing to this demon that's been trying to mangle the one thing in this life he truly has.]
[It's a rush of feelings and thoughts that jumble together almost all at once as Mukuro leans in close, breath warm and near to Chikusa's lips before it all becomes too much. Almost out of nowhere, something snaps, and the red of arousal twists into shame and anger and pride.]
[Chikusa isn't really thinking. His body decides for him, fueled by the passionate mix of emotions, and he snaps one suddenly formed fist up at Mukuro's face.]
[For the record: he has never hit another person even once in his life. If this hits, it's going to hurt both of them.]
[Of all the things that Mukuro had been expecting, a punch was not one of them. Objectively, he knew it was a victory in more ways than one. The young priest had probably never been so violent in his life, and to break that damnable restraint of his had been his goal from the beginning. While it wasn't the sort of reaction he had wanted, it was still a good sign, a symptom that his words and his mouth and his hands were taking root.
Subjectively, it hurt his pride more than his face, and for a few moments he could only look down at the priest, stunned into silence for once, eyes wide, lips slightly parted in shock. He would be lying if there wasn't a dark urge to retaliate, to return violence for violence ( and oh, did Mukuro know violence ). Or, perhaps to take his payment out of Chikusa Kakimoto's flesh, to cause him to bleed as he did now, a slight dribble out of his nose.
Instead, he found himself laughing, wiping the blood away with the back of his hand.]
"Chikusa Kakimoto. You never fail to surprise me."
[If what the young priest wanted was for Mukuro to retreat, he would do so for now, taking a few steps backwards, still wiping at his nose in amusement.]
"Should I repay you in kind?"
[On one hand- goddamn was that a mistake on a physical level if nothing else. Almost immediately pain snaps through his hand, and Chikusa has to double over clutching at it. Hissing, he narrows his eyes up at the demon. Why on earth did people commit violence for fun? There's nothing but pain.]
[Yet, as he stares up at the demon, there's something satisfying about the pure shock drawn all over Mukuro's face. All that arrogant posturing, and yet even demons couldn't know everything. Good.]
[Sitting there, quivering and with a shaking pained hand, he awaits some sort of retaliation. Yet, as always, there's just that laugh again. Curling his hurt hand to his chest, Chikusa gets up to his feet. It feels better, like they're on even ground although he knows the opposite is true.]
"I have no interest in it. All I plan on doing is taking a shower."
[Seeing the priest in pain from one little punch was satisfying to the small part of him that had wanted to retaliate, but acting on that might drive him away completely. Mukuro hadn't done so many disgusting good deeds or behaved himself to let that happen.
Instead he reached out to caress the priest's hurt hand, eyes flicking up to his face in amusement.]
"Do what you like, Chikusa Kakimoto. If you choose to continue our contract, you know what must be done."
[He let his hand drop away, turning to leave the priest to an actual sleep.]