A Ship Run Aground (M/M) - JUL 30 New Chapter

[Volobond]

@DeeperThanRed  @Socksbound  @gag1195 @KidnappedCowboy  @harveygasson  @Guardianbound  @Bradstick

At least the bed was comfortable.

Senma had been returned to his quarters with the utmost respect a guest was due. And that same utmost respect was applied to ensuring he was bound spread-eagled and silenced, a fine net of chains placed over the bed, and the sailor linked to them, like an insect caught in a spiderweb.

That damnable muzzle was returned to him, viciously tight from the ire of the serving lad he had tricked - so much for bygones being bygones!

Something about Berheim, Senma guessed - it was always trying to ensnare him. It often succeeded. Whether it was the chains of its conquerer or the wiles of its queen, the land of rivers had wound its way round his sea-salted heart.

Hours, it seemed. His arms had long since passed ache and into numbness, and his jaw creaked if he dared try to gnaw upon the obstruction drying out his mouth. He whiled away the time counting each tile in the portion of the ceiling mosaic he could see. How targeted - the pattern was of the goddess of tides! It nearly made Senma laugh.

You'll have to do better than that, Princess.

"I see you've noticed the art." Esme's sardonic voice resounded, almost in response.

Senma refused to give her the satisfaction of jolting or looking to meet her gaze. But he felt that she had seen his minute moment of freezing up.

She approached, reaching out and gently resting her hand on his stomach, caressing the rippling muscles there, before she climbed into the bed, tucking herself against his side.

He felt her warmth near him, and his instinct was to try and curl around her. But with that being impossible, he contented himself with the knowledge that his Princess was more like his beloved ocean than she claimed - untamable and never truly belonging to anybody but herself; and it was something he loved about them both.

Esme said nothing, her pale fingers drawing soft, lazy spirals along Senma's bronze skin. For a long moment she stayed like that, her cheek on Senma's shoulder, before she lifted her head into his field of vision. She pressed a gentle kiss to the muzzle's leather over his mouth, and he would've given the world to have the layer of leather and fabric removed. His eyes met hers, her hair hanging down over one shoulder in a curtain, and Senma felt strands tickling his nose, the scent of her hair wafting around him...

She distracted him like no other, and he knew she knew it. What was a sailor to a princess? A Shiplord to a Queen? A demigod of waves to a tamer of rivers?

Esme slowly removed the muzzle. "They didn't even use the built-in restraints." She glanced in slight disapproval at the chain net. Her fingertips ghosted across Senma's lips before plucking the massive wad of sodden fabric from his mouth.

"A shame they don't know how easy you made it for them to restrain me." Senma jabbed, though he couldn't bring himself to lob any true acid her way.

Esme straddled him, admiring the line of his jaw, before leaning over him. Teasing him by moving as if she would grant him the kiss he so desired, but stopping to press a well-concealed button on the headboard.

"Damn you." He whispered into her hair, and she laughed, before pushing his wrists into the fine leather cuffs springing from concealed chambers in the bedposts. She then freed him from the chain net with a silver knife, but he was already stuck.

She guided him into a sitting position, the cuff chains sliding up on tracks that had been well concealed in the posts, locking them in place in slots among the slats making up the bed's canopy while not concealing the mosaic above.

Senma now balanced on his knees, wrists chained up above his head and spread out, as she used the knife to cut away what was left of his prisoner tunic, leaving his torso bare.

"Do I still please you, Princess?"

"You're still far too cocky."

"Well, can't help that. I'm a shower."

"Churl."

"Tease."

She burst into laughter, and he chuckled along, his heart thrilling when she leaned into him.

"If I'd known bondage was what it took to earn your affection, Lady, I'd have begged to be your pet long ago." Senma sighed. She nuzzled into his neck again.

"I wouldn't have let you. It'd be a crime to keep you from the sea."

"Not if I was at the mercy of something just as implacable. Being at your feet... a man would never miss the sea."

"Damn you." Esme groaned. "You might've thought about telling me this years ago. Or spiriting me away from this castle when we first met."

"I did think about it." Senma admitted. "But you needed... no, you deserved the chance to choose for yourself. You need no husband to order you about or king to dictate your fate. I would gladly fight all your battles, Esme - but you would not thank me for it."

Esme looked at him in something resembling wonder, and no small amount of mingled frustration and pleasure. "I suppose you really are a demigod."

"And you have befriended metal, haven't you?" Senma grinned. "Imprisoned men and made it grab them for you."

"You mean the magnetic plates? Yes... I have learned to speak to metal, I think."

"That's my Princess." He gave into the instinct, reaching to draw her into a hug before groaning in irritation at the restraints. "Are these truly necessary?"

She moved close, embracing him, letting him bury his face in her hair the way he wanted. Esme pressed their skin together, and kissed his chest. He almost felt greedy for wanting more, and then he did his best to surrender.

She smiled up at him. "Well, King of the Waves... I think you've languished long enough."

"I quite agree, Queen of the Rivers."

She laughed at him then, before she retreated to the writing desk, where she had laid a small package. From it, she withdrew a straight razor. "Time to tame whatever that thing on your face is."

"You don't like my rascal's beard?"

She giggled. "I'll try to get it to something nearing rascally, I promise."

He flexed in the restraints, as if he had any power. "I'll hold you to that."

"I hope you do." She whispered, before she kissed him, deep and passionate as the ocean.

[Volobond]

Heheh, I know, a little bit of F/M there, rare for me! But we'll be back to the regularly scheduled hunk on hunk bondage soon!

It's been a while, since the site shift and all, and I'm glad to have brought another chapter to y'all!

@gag1195 @Socksbound Honestly, I've been STEWING in the idea of that and I kinda love itttt

@Guardianbound Hehe, we've just gotta see how the threads connect!

[DeeperThanRed]

It's always a great day when I see an update from this story in my notifications.

I gotta agree with Senma here, Esme is a tease! I loved the affectionate banter between the two, especially with Esme ungagging Senma (always an underrated aspect of TUGs) only to further strip and shave him. He really can't get a break!

[KidnappedCowboy]

A lovely interlude before we're

back to the regularly scheduled hunk on hunk bondage

Just love the pillow talk between Senma and Esme! Or is it chain talk? Or cuff talk?

And Senma better be careful of his cocky attitude lest it is his

shower

and not his beard that Esme takes a razor to!

[Bradstick]

God I love Esme, what a tease! I am so excited to see you continue this story! Cant wait to see more of these characters, they are all amazing!!!

[gag1195]

Heheh, I know, a little bit of F/M there, rare for me! But we'll be back to the regularly scheduled hunk on hunk bondage soon!

I'll forgive it when its so well written with this amazing dialogue and characters like this chapter! And once again, Esme is not beating any of my allegations- enslaving her king and husband, and easily restraining and seducing the King of the Waves... I see where her sons get their skills at getting their own kings and lords to fall for them...

[Volobond]

@DeeperThanRed  @Socksbound  @gag1195 @KidnappedCowboy  @harveygasson  @Guardianbound  @Bradstick

"Gawain, don't be such a fool." Captain Ariel grimaced. "I did not take you for one so easily swayed by the charms of a noblewoman."

Gawain had led them to the recieving chamber, leaving a dozing Rune to his slumber, still bound tightly in the bedchamber. He hadn't expected Ariel to be enthusiastic about his decision to ally with the risky plot of Esme, but he also hadn't considered outright derision.

"What reason would she have to play this hand out, if she truly wished to overthrow us?"

Ariel rolled his eyes. "You overestimate her. Even a genius needs no reason more than pride to fight against a percieved slight."

"She has... her past bears considering. Your past bears considering."

Ariel frowned, looking at Gawain with a wary expression. "You're saying that the Mechanist was once a slave as well?"

"As good as. Kidnapped by the king, forced to... well, I cannot blame her for being wary of authority."

"So you would risk our hold on this land - the Empire's hold on this land - because you wish to make a true ally of her?"

"I am no fool, Brother. I know that Esme is... crafty. And bears scars that would make her opposed to Imperial dominion. But I can get her to see me as a friend and ally. And that, that is more than worth the risk."

"But by letting Senma go? To form his own rebellion? That is foolish."

"The antidote to the poison of sedition is a happy populace." Gawain chuckled. "In her own way, she's trying to place a check on our power - Senma's rebellion will gather no steam if we are not tyrannical and despotic in our governance."

"I very much doubt you can rely on good feeling alone to keep Senma powerless."

"So what? You ask that I tarnish my honor? That I renege on an agreement?"

"I'll... I'll handle it. I have an idea."

"No!"

Ariel placed his hand over the Governor's mouth. Gawain's eyes lit up for just a moment in recognition.

"Remember when we were lads, and how we resolved our quarrels?"

"If you'll let Rune judge."



So Rune was able to giddily watch, ungagged but still bound, as Ariel and Gawain stripped to the waist, each wrist and ankle adorned with a trailing length of rope forming a shackle. Barefoot, shirtless, and bereft of adornment, the warriors began to circle each other.

The sight was glorious, Silverblade and Goldenhand. Ariel's powerful shoulders and lithe grace versus Gawain's impressive build and sheer strength. The goal: to immobilize one's opponent using the strands of rope around their limbs. When words would fail, the two would trust in their bodies and their hearts.

The first time they had fought this contest of wills, they had been but boys, one of noble birth and the other his servitor, deciding whether or not to risk of Gawain taking Ariel with him wherever he went, even to sword lessons, to school, to train in the army, to live like a free man.

"I promised you on our name day last year." The young golden haired boy had said firmly. "I won't ever leave your side."

"They might not allow it. And if I get in trouble, they'll separate us forever." The cautious silver eyes of his brother-in-all-but-name wavered.

They had fought then, gangly limbs and uncoordinated maneuvers. Gawain was a sneaky bastard, even then, and had stolen Ariel's first kiss to distract him and bind his wrists tightly. Ariel had gasped, his eyes widening, as Gawain shoved him onto his side to manhandle his legs up into a bent formation, and then to bind his ankles and connect them to his wrists in a clumsy ball tie.

"Forever, I told you. I never break my oaths." Gawain had whispered before gagging him with cloth.

They had each won and lost their share over the years, but had not conflicted since before they had come to this place, the capitol city of Berheim.

Ariel circled his opponent again, deftly undoing a hasty knot without looking. Gawain had one hand bound behind his back, quickly looped under and through his smallclothes, which Ariel knew would distract him but could not easily be undone without being distracted from the fight as well.

He pressed the advantage, seizing Gawain and taking him roughly to the ground.

Gawain yelped in protest, his smallclothes bunching up and compressing him, and he quickly looped his legs around Ariel's torso, squeezing and trying to lock his feet.

Rune watched with undisguised lust, naked body showcasing his great interest in the outcome. He was certain the victor would be bound with him, but in the moment, he couldn't decide if he wanted to have Gawain submit with him, or have him control both him and Ariel.

Ariel groaned as Gawain struggled to crush him into submission, but at that moment, the disrupted smallclothes gave way, tearing along where the rope had been secured. While this freed Gawain's hand, it had also freed his half-hard cock, poking through the tear.

Not one to give up an advantage, Ariel leaned forward, suckling at the thing and causing Gawain's legs to spasmodically twitch in surprise.

And that was all the opportunity Ariel needed to get Gawain on his stomach and fold each limb back to tightly package him in a crossed-ankle hogtie.

Ariel playfully smacked his comrade's plump rear, leaving a red handprint. When Gawain's mouth opened to protest, in went the sundered undergarments. Ariel unwound the rope around his own limbs and used them to reinforce the hogtie and secure the gag.

He carried Gawain to the bed where Rune lay, stunned, and deposited him along the other man. "I'll be back soon. Enjoy him, little Rune."

"Wait!" Rune called, as Ariel made to leave. "You... aren't staying?"

Ariel's eyes flicked to Gawain's wide ones. "I... I wouldn't wish to intrude upon... you two have-"

"I know how important you two are to each other. And... I like being put under your guard when Gawain is gone. Are you two... that is to say, do you want..."

Ariel began to chuckle, and Rune's face burned with humiliation, until he heard the soft moans of his fellow captive, and turned to see Gawain nodding with overenthusiastic vehemence. He chuckled as well.

"I... I adore you, Gawain. Every part of you. Even the part of you that resides in Ariel. Maybe especially that." Rune whispered.

Ariel glanced at the door. "I have something I must do... but I want this too. I... I was fearful that I would lose my brother, my best friend, my right hand... and I am overjoyed to know I am gaining, not losing. I... oh, damn it all, I'll do it later!"

The captain practically ran to the bed, seizing both bound men for round of passionate kisses.

[Guardianbound]

Where do I sign up to begin instigating fights between Gawain and Ariel so I can be the judge of their nude tussle.

Revolts and political intrigue can wait, passionate love making between hunks like these should always come first

[DeeperThanRed]

Sensual, engrossing and sexy!

Maybe they should just settle all kinds of political disagreements like this from now on. I can see it making the sovereign quite popular.

[gag1195]

These three continue to be perfect. Again, if anything happens to them I may never forgive you!

That being said, I am with Ariel on this one... I've made it not secret that I suspect Esme is up to something, and its time these other characters agreed with me!

[Socksbound]

These three continue to be perfect. Again, if anything happens to them I may never forgive you!

That being said, I am with Ariel on this one... I've made it not secret that I suspect Esme is up to something, and its time these other characters agreed with me!

I’m with you on this something happening to these three would be unforgivable.

Esme is definitely working an angle and I can’t understand how everyone else hasn’t worked this out yet