Devil's Bargain part 3
So, this is the third and final part of this! And for anyone keeping track of my fic request meme, 2 down now and still many to go.
Title: Devil's Bargain, part 3
Fandom: Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance
Pairing: Stefan/Ike/Soren
Rating: NC-17
Warnings: angst, non-con, more Stefan being evil
Disclaimer: I own neither Fire Emblem nor these characters, for which they are probably grateful.
ETA: In case anyone was curious, this fic has a couple of theme songs/a minor soundtrack, consisting of "Lying Is the Most Fun a Girl Can Have With Her Clothes On" by Panic! at the Disco and "Jimmy Olsen's Blues" by the Spin Doctors.
Part 1
Part 2
For now, it was just Ike touching him. He tried to forget the reason, to forget the man he knew was watching them. He knew this mouth, these hands, and they were permitted to touch him. He usually welcomed their touch, longed for it, and even now, he was grateful for it. As long as he knew it was Ike, he felt safe. Ike he trusted; whereas he trusted Stefan not at all.
Ike was trying every trick he knew, everything he had learned about Soren's body, to arouse him, trying to make him want this, want him, enough that he wouldn't notice or care what was really happening. It took much longer than it normally would, but eventually sensation overwhelmed his fear and he lost himself in waves of pleasure. His world narrowed to Ike's fingers inside him, his mouth on his cock, and his own need. He didn't remember anything else and was barely conscious of thrusting into his fingers, begging for more, moaning his name.
He whimpered with loss when it all suddenly stopped. Stefan must have been waiting very nearby, as he took Ike's place quickly, quickly enough that Soren didn't really notice it. But it didn't matter. Stefan had hardly touched him when he knew, realized the man inside him, touching him, wasn't Ike. His entire body tensed so fast his muscles cramped and what had felt good only moments before now hurt.
“Soren, you need to relax again. You're hurting both of us.” Stefan was trying to sound gentle, soothing, but Soren could hear his frustration. His wasn't the voice he needed to hear anyway; he was only making it worse. He knew the pain was his fault, but he didn't know how to stop. How could he be expected to enjoy his own violation?
Stefan spoke again. “I'm not going to stop,” he warned. “This is my price and I intend to collect. I wanted you to enjoy it, but I'll take it even if you won't.” His eyes and voice were like steel, no softness anywhere. Soren didn't understand. Who was Stefan, really? How could he be gentle one minute and an unfeeling monster the next?
He whimpered with fear and pain, trying and failing to stop himself from crying. He wanted this to stop!
And then it did. He opened his eyes to see that Ike had a sword to Stefan's throat. “You're hurting him,” he said through gritted teeth. “Don't you remember what I said would happen if you hurt him.” His tone and expression left no doubt that he was serious: he really would kill him. Soren shivered at the look in his eyes. He had never seen Ike look like that before. He watched blood trickle down Stefan's throat with what seemed impossible slowness.
Stefan sounded nearly as angry. “I have tried everything I can think of! I have been incredibly patient! What more can I do?”
“You could try not coercing someone unwilling into your bed in the first place!” Ike snapped back. He looked at Soren and must have seen his fear because his expression changed; although none of the anger left his voice. “For now, I will give you one last chance. I will try to fix this. But if it doesn't work, you are giving up or I will kill you.”
Stefan looked furious, but he didn't argue. How could he? Ike still had a sword at his throat and was willing to use it.
He was still staring at Stefan in horrified fascination when strong fingers gently turned his head. “No,” Ike said gently. “If you are going to look, look at me.”
Soren looked and felt he could drown in Ike's blue eyes. All he saw in them was love and tenderness, the anchor he needed so desperately right now, and he couldn't look away. Staring into those eyes, he began to relax, sighing as he felt the tension and pain melt away. Ike kissed and caressed him and he felt his desire return as if it had never fled.
This time, he didn't tense when he felt Stefan begin to thrust into him, his hands on him. Maybe he was just too tired to resist anymore. He was surprised, however, by how good it felt. Stefan clearly knew what he was doing; he hadn't expected that. He had never thought this would feel good, good enough that he didn't want it to stop. He was moaning and gasping in pleasure, even though part of him was horrified at it. Soren didn't want to enjoy it and he tried to stop, but he couldn't. His body simply refused to obey.
Soon he was holding off his orgasm with everything he had and he wasn't sure how much longer he would be able to. He didn't want to give this to Stefan: it was a gift he didn't deserve and it felt like a betrayal of Ike. He never wanted to betray him. Ike hadn't wanted it to hurt, but that didn't mean he wanted him to enjoy it! How could he ever look at him again if he saw him come like this, from the touch of a man he despised? He felt dirty and yet he still couldn't stop his body's response.
He was nearly sobbing in frustration when he heard Ike's voice in his ear. “Soren, it's okay. I still love you.” He kissed him and Soren let go, let himself come. Ike swallowed his cries with his kiss. He didn't deserve to still have his love, now more than ever, but he wanted it so badly!
Stefan tried to hold him, afterwards, and Soren let him. After what had come before, this was nothing. Ike was still here and he felt safe enough that he was almost beginning to fall asleep when Stefan spoke.
“Ike, do you want me to do something to take care of that?”
Ike's uncomfortable expression told Soren what Stefan's question referred to and again he was confused. What was Stefan up to? He hadn't wanted Ike here and had had him threaten his life, yet he would make such an offer? Why?
“Er, no, I'll be okay,” Ike replied.
Soren wished he had thought to make the offer himself. Normally he was a considerate lover, but this situation had him so upset that he hadn't even thought about what Ike might need. He should have known he would be aroused, after all he had done to him! And now, after Stefan had made the offer he should have, it just felt awkward.
“Are you sure?” Stefan pressed. “I know I've monopolized your boyfriend tonight and given you no chance for release. I don't mind.”
Ike looked even more uncomfortable. “Well, maybe... only if Soren doesn't mind.”
Soren did mind; he didn't want to let anyone else touch Ike. But how could he say no? He hadn't wanted it and Ike had been here the whole time, but he still felt he had been unfaithful. Even worse, he felt too uncomfortable to do as Ike had done and pleasure him while Stefan watched. So he lied, again; once more giving a consent he didn't want to give. “It's okay, Ike,” he said. “You don't have to deny yourself.” No matter how much it hurt, he would give him this. He only wished he could give him more.
He didn't want to watch, but he couldn't look away as Stefan kissed him, hands roaming over Ike's body as though he honestly desired him. Did he have to do it like that? He hadn't expected him to make love to him!
It drove him crazy to watch him suck on his boyfriend's nipples, to listen to Ike moan, and know that this time, he wasn't the reason. Was he really so easily replaced? He bit his tongue until he tasted blood to prevent himself from demanding they stop. Ike had done this, borne this. He had to as well, even though he felt as though his heart were being ripped out of his chest.
He watched, trying to view it objectively, as though these were two strangers, as first Stefan's hand and then his mouth stroked and teased Ike's erect cock. His heart beat faster and he wished he had offered to do it himself. He wanted to do it himself now. He licked his lips and tried not to think about it. He didn't want to be aroused again; didn't want to think about why watching them turned him on.
Watching them, he wanted to touch himself, but he wouldn't, couldn't, let himself do that. Not here. Soren squeezed his hands into fists to force them to remain at his sides. What if they noticed? The very thought filled him with shame. At last he couldn't stand it any longer and he let himself touch Ike, caress him and kiss him, licking and sucking and trying not to think about the hands and mouth that had been there before his. He loved this man, wanted this man, so very much! All that mattered was giving him pleasure and he thought of nothing else until he felt Ike shudder in orgasm.
Stefan looked up at Soren, wrapped possessively around Ike, and smirked. “You liked to watch us, didn't you, little mage? Clearly I was mistaken in the approach I took to seducing you. I should have realized he would be the key to your heart, or at least your loins.”
Soren blushed, but he couldn't deny it. He had liked watching. He had been terribly jealous and he hadn't wanted to like it, but he had. Not that he would have let Stefan touch him under any other circumstances! And he had no intention of letting anyone else touch Ike ever again! So what did it matter that it had turned him on? Yet he still felt embarrassed and ashamed and he hid his face against Ike's chest.
Ike held him and stroked his hair as he almost always did after sex. It was familiar and comforting: a sign that he was still loved; their relationship was still whole, even after this terrible night. He hoped he would still want him in the morning.
“You asked for a night. Does that mean you want us to stay the rest of the night, or are we free to go?” Ike asked, his tone businesslike, as though this were nothing more than another job. Despite that, Soren wondered if the question meant he had been wondering the same thing. He knew he would sleep better away from here and he hoped that maybe morning would bring fewer regrets if they were in more familiar surroundings. He wanted to forget this night had ever happened and that would go a long way towards making it seem merely a bad dream. Or so he hoped.
“How kind of you to offer,” Stefan smirked. “Please, stay.” Soren wished he knew what he was thinking. Why did he want them to stay? Did he just want to make them feel uncomfortable or was it something else? His utter incomprehension of Stefan's motives made him feel even more afraid and ill-at-ease. What did he have planned?
Ike held Soren as he fell asleep, watching him silently and thinking. He had no intention of sleeping himself. He had promised to protect Soren; he wasn't going to fall asleep and break that promise! Not that he didn't feel that he had already failed. None of this should have happened.
He wondered if Soren's eyes would still have that look of absolute trust when they looked at him. He wanted them to; it had always meant so much to him to see it. But how could they? How could he still feel the same after this? Could he ever really forgive Ike for helping Stefan violate him? Would he ever trust him again? He had known what this was, known how much Soren didn't want it, and he had let it happen anyway. He should have stopped it, done anything to prevent it. Saying that Soren had made the decision, had chosen this over having everyone know his secret, was just an excuse. It didn't even come close to relieving his guilt: guilt that he deserved to feel. Every time he closed his eyes, images of this night kept repeating. He didn't want to see them but couldn't make it stop. Surely anything would have been better!
“You're not going to sleep, are you?” Stefan asked in a low voice.
Ike glared at him but answered, as softly as he could while still being audible. “No. I will guard him until we leave.” It wasn't enough, could never be enough, but it was all he could do now and he would do it.
“You don't have to. I promise, I won't touch him again.”
“What reason do I have to trust you?” Ike demanded, only just remembering in time to keep his voice low. “After this, how could I ever trust you again?”
Stefan's reply was bitter. “Don't you get it? You've won. He's yours, completely. It seems he always was. I have no reason to try again.” His expression matched his voice: resigned, but angry about it.
“You shouldn't have tried in the first place!” Ike snapped, then spent the next few minutes soothing Soren back into sleep. He couldn't imagine what Stefan had been thinking. Had he really thought Soren would want him after this? That made no sense. He had no idea what his motives really were, but surely that wasn't it.
“So I assume you want me out of the company?” Stefan had his arms folded behind his head and was staring blankly at the tent ceiling.
Ike's first impulse was to say yes, but he thought about it before answering. This was a war, after all, and Stefan was a fighter. What would he do if Ike told him to leave, here, in the midst of the war zone? Where would he go? Would he join the enemy? He might have no other real choices.
If he did, Ike would have a chance to kill him. He felt a vicious satisfaction at the idea. He wanted to kill him. Or at least hurt him. He couldn't forgive himself, but he couldn't forgive Stefan either. He was the one who had started this!
However, he would also be able tell them valuable information, information that Ike didn't want them to have. He glanced at Soren, still sleeping, and found it ironic that he had heard that thought in his voice. He had already decided he couldn't trust Stefan, so how could he allow him to leave to join the enemy? Too bad he couldn't arrange to have him locked up, imprisoned on some pretext.
Ike sighed. “No, I guess you have to stay. I don't trust you, so I can't let you leave. How does it go? 'Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer?'”
The look Stefan gave him was one of surprise, but he nodded. “Maybe you're smarter than I gave you credit for.”
“However, it is not without conditions. I don't ever want to see you near Soren again and you are never to speak to him unless absolutely necessary. If I hear of you bothering him, or doing anything like this to anyone else, the penalty will be death at my hand. I would enjoy killing you after this. Don't make me regret leaving you alive.”
Stefan met his eyes, but in the end, he was the one who looked away. “Understood,” he said.
Ike knew they both heard the echo of the previous time he had said it to him in the word, lending it a weight and meaning it wouldn't have had otherwise. Somehow, he found it reassuring.
Title: Devil's Bargain, part 3
Fandom: Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance
Pairing: Stefan/Ike/Soren
Rating: NC-17
Warnings: angst, non-con, more Stefan being evil
Disclaimer: I own neither Fire Emblem nor these characters, for which they are probably grateful.
ETA: In case anyone was curious, this fic has a couple of theme songs/a minor soundtrack, consisting of "Lying Is the Most Fun a Girl Can Have With Her Clothes On" by Panic! at the Disco and "Jimmy Olsen's Blues" by the Spin Doctors.
Part 1
Part 2
For now, it was just Ike touching him. He tried to forget the reason, to forget the man he knew was watching them. He knew this mouth, these hands, and they were permitted to touch him. He usually welcomed their touch, longed for it, and even now, he was grateful for it. As long as he knew it was Ike, he felt safe. Ike he trusted; whereas he trusted Stefan not at all.
Ike was trying every trick he knew, everything he had learned about Soren's body, to arouse him, trying to make him want this, want him, enough that he wouldn't notice or care what was really happening. It took much longer than it normally would, but eventually sensation overwhelmed his fear and he lost himself in waves of pleasure. His world narrowed to Ike's fingers inside him, his mouth on his cock, and his own need. He didn't remember anything else and was barely conscious of thrusting into his fingers, begging for more, moaning his name.
He whimpered with loss when it all suddenly stopped. Stefan must have been waiting very nearby, as he took Ike's place quickly, quickly enough that Soren didn't really notice it. But it didn't matter. Stefan had hardly touched him when he knew, realized the man inside him, touching him, wasn't Ike. His entire body tensed so fast his muscles cramped and what had felt good only moments before now hurt.
“Soren, you need to relax again. You're hurting both of us.” Stefan was trying to sound gentle, soothing, but Soren could hear his frustration. His wasn't the voice he needed to hear anyway; he was only making it worse. He knew the pain was his fault, but he didn't know how to stop. How could he be expected to enjoy his own violation?
Stefan spoke again. “I'm not going to stop,” he warned. “This is my price and I intend to collect. I wanted you to enjoy it, but I'll take it even if you won't.” His eyes and voice were like steel, no softness anywhere. Soren didn't understand. Who was Stefan, really? How could he be gentle one minute and an unfeeling monster the next?
He whimpered with fear and pain, trying and failing to stop himself from crying. He wanted this to stop!
And then it did. He opened his eyes to see that Ike had a sword to Stefan's throat. “You're hurting him,” he said through gritted teeth. “Don't you remember what I said would happen if you hurt him.” His tone and expression left no doubt that he was serious: he really would kill him. Soren shivered at the look in his eyes. He had never seen Ike look like that before. He watched blood trickle down Stefan's throat with what seemed impossible slowness.
Stefan sounded nearly as angry. “I have tried everything I can think of! I have been incredibly patient! What more can I do?”
“You could try not coercing someone unwilling into your bed in the first place!” Ike snapped back. He looked at Soren and must have seen his fear because his expression changed; although none of the anger left his voice. “For now, I will give you one last chance. I will try to fix this. But if it doesn't work, you are giving up or I will kill you.”
Stefan looked furious, but he didn't argue. How could he? Ike still had a sword at his throat and was willing to use it.
He was still staring at Stefan in horrified fascination when strong fingers gently turned his head. “No,” Ike said gently. “If you are going to look, look at me.”
Soren looked and felt he could drown in Ike's blue eyes. All he saw in them was love and tenderness, the anchor he needed so desperately right now, and he couldn't look away. Staring into those eyes, he began to relax, sighing as he felt the tension and pain melt away. Ike kissed and caressed him and he felt his desire return as if it had never fled.
This time, he didn't tense when he felt Stefan begin to thrust into him, his hands on him. Maybe he was just too tired to resist anymore. He was surprised, however, by how good it felt. Stefan clearly knew what he was doing; he hadn't expected that. He had never thought this would feel good, good enough that he didn't want it to stop. He was moaning and gasping in pleasure, even though part of him was horrified at it. Soren didn't want to enjoy it and he tried to stop, but he couldn't. His body simply refused to obey.
Soon he was holding off his orgasm with everything he had and he wasn't sure how much longer he would be able to. He didn't want to give this to Stefan: it was a gift he didn't deserve and it felt like a betrayal of Ike. He never wanted to betray him. Ike hadn't wanted it to hurt, but that didn't mean he wanted him to enjoy it! How could he ever look at him again if he saw him come like this, from the touch of a man he despised? He felt dirty and yet he still couldn't stop his body's response.
He was nearly sobbing in frustration when he heard Ike's voice in his ear. “Soren, it's okay. I still love you.” He kissed him and Soren let go, let himself come. Ike swallowed his cries with his kiss. He didn't deserve to still have his love, now more than ever, but he wanted it so badly!
Stefan tried to hold him, afterwards, and Soren let him. After what had come before, this was nothing. Ike was still here and he felt safe enough that he was almost beginning to fall asleep when Stefan spoke.
“Ike, do you want me to do something to take care of that?”
Ike's uncomfortable expression told Soren what Stefan's question referred to and again he was confused. What was Stefan up to? He hadn't wanted Ike here and had had him threaten his life, yet he would make such an offer? Why?
“Er, no, I'll be okay,” Ike replied.
Soren wished he had thought to make the offer himself. Normally he was a considerate lover, but this situation had him so upset that he hadn't even thought about what Ike might need. He should have known he would be aroused, after all he had done to him! And now, after Stefan had made the offer he should have, it just felt awkward.
“Are you sure?” Stefan pressed. “I know I've monopolized your boyfriend tonight and given you no chance for release. I don't mind.”
Ike looked even more uncomfortable. “Well, maybe... only if Soren doesn't mind.”
Soren did mind; he didn't want to let anyone else touch Ike. But how could he say no? He hadn't wanted it and Ike had been here the whole time, but he still felt he had been unfaithful. Even worse, he felt too uncomfortable to do as Ike had done and pleasure him while Stefan watched. So he lied, again; once more giving a consent he didn't want to give. “It's okay, Ike,” he said. “You don't have to deny yourself.” No matter how much it hurt, he would give him this. He only wished he could give him more.
He didn't want to watch, but he couldn't look away as Stefan kissed him, hands roaming over Ike's body as though he honestly desired him. Did he have to do it like that? He hadn't expected him to make love to him!
It drove him crazy to watch him suck on his boyfriend's nipples, to listen to Ike moan, and know that this time, he wasn't the reason. Was he really so easily replaced? He bit his tongue until he tasted blood to prevent himself from demanding they stop. Ike had done this, borne this. He had to as well, even though he felt as though his heart were being ripped out of his chest.
He watched, trying to view it objectively, as though these were two strangers, as first Stefan's hand and then his mouth stroked and teased Ike's erect cock. His heart beat faster and he wished he had offered to do it himself. He wanted to do it himself now. He licked his lips and tried not to think about it. He didn't want to be aroused again; didn't want to think about why watching them turned him on.
Watching them, he wanted to touch himself, but he wouldn't, couldn't, let himself do that. Not here. Soren squeezed his hands into fists to force them to remain at his sides. What if they noticed? The very thought filled him with shame. At last he couldn't stand it any longer and he let himself touch Ike, caress him and kiss him, licking and sucking and trying not to think about the hands and mouth that had been there before his. He loved this man, wanted this man, so very much! All that mattered was giving him pleasure and he thought of nothing else until he felt Ike shudder in orgasm.
Stefan looked up at Soren, wrapped possessively around Ike, and smirked. “You liked to watch us, didn't you, little mage? Clearly I was mistaken in the approach I took to seducing you. I should have realized he would be the key to your heart, or at least your loins.”
Soren blushed, but he couldn't deny it. He had liked watching. He had been terribly jealous and he hadn't wanted to like it, but he had. Not that he would have let Stefan touch him under any other circumstances! And he had no intention of letting anyone else touch Ike ever again! So what did it matter that it had turned him on? Yet he still felt embarrassed and ashamed and he hid his face against Ike's chest.
Ike held him and stroked his hair as he almost always did after sex. It was familiar and comforting: a sign that he was still loved; their relationship was still whole, even after this terrible night. He hoped he would still want him in the morning.
“You asked for a night. Does that mean you want us to stay the rest of the night, or are we free to go?” Ike asked, his tone businesslike, as though this were nothing more than another job. Despite that, Soren wondered if the question meant he had been wondering the same thing. He knew he would sleep better away from here and he hoped that maybe morning would bring fewer regrets if they were in more familiar surroundings. He wanted to forget this night had ever happened and that would go a long way towards making it seem merely a bad dream. Or so he hoped.
“How kind of you to offer,” Stefan smirked. “Please, stay.” Soren wished he knew what he was thinking. Why did he want them to stay? Did he just want to make them feel uncomfortable or was it something else? His utter incomprehension of Stefan's motives made him feel even more afraid and ill-at-ease. What did he have planned?
Ike held Soren as he fell asleep, watching him silently and thinking. He had no intention of sleeping himself. He had promised to protect Soren; he wasn't going to fall asleep and break that promise! Not that he didn't feel that he had already failed. None of this should have happened.
He wondered if Soren's eyes would still have that look of absolute trust when they looked at him. He wanted them to; it had always meant so much to him to see it. But how could they? How could he still feel the same after this? Could he ever really forgive Ike for helping Stefan violate him? Would he ever trust him again? He had known what this was, known how much Soren didn't want it, and he had let it happen anyway. He should have stopped it, done anything to prevent it. Saying that Soren had made the decision, had chosen this over having everyone know his secret, was just an excuse. It didn't even come close to relieving his guilt: guilt that he deserved to feel. Every time he closed his eyes, images of this night kept repeating. He didn't want to see them but couldn't make it stop. Surely anything would have been better!
“You're not going to sleep, are you?” Stefan asked in a low voice.
Ike glared at him but answered, as softly as he could while still being audible. “No. I will guard him until we leave.” It wasn't enough, could never be enough, but it was all he could do now and he would do it.
“You don't have to. I promise, I won't touch him again.”
“What reason do I have to trust you?” Ike demanded, only just remembering in time to keep his voice low. “After this, how could I ever trust you again?”
Stefan's reply was bitter. “Don't you get it? You've won. He's yours, completely. It seems he always was. I have no reason to try again.” His expression matched his voice: resigned, but angry about it.
“You shouldn't have tried in the first place!” Ike snapped, then spent the next few minutes soothing Soren back into sleep. He couldn't imagine what Stefan had been thinking. Had he really thought Soren would want him after this? That made no sense. He had no idea what his motives really were, but surely that wasn't it.
“So I assume you want me out of the company?” Stefan had his arms folded behind his head and was staring blankly at the tent ceiling.
Ike's first impulse was to say yes, but he thought about it before answering. This was a war, after all, and Stefan was a fighter. What would he do if Ike told him to leave, here, in the midst of the war zone? Where would he go? Would he join the enemy? He might have no other real choices.
If he did, Ike would have a chance to kill him. He felt a vicious satisfaction at the idea. He wanted to kill him. Or at least hurt him. He couldn't forgive himself, but he couldn't forgive Stefan either. He was the one who had started this!
However, he would also be able tell them valuable information, information that Ike didn't want them to have. He glanced at Soren, still sleeping, and found it ironic that he had heard that thought in his voice. He had already decided he couldn't trust Stefan, so how could he allow him to leave to join the enemy? Too bad he couldn't arrange to have him locked up, imprisoned on some pretext.
Ike sighed. “No, I guess you have to stay. I don't trust you, so I can't let you leave. How does it go? 'Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer?'”
The look Stefan gave him was one of surprise, but he nodded. “Maybe you're smarter than I gave you credit for.”
“However, it is not without conditions. I don't ever want to see you near Soren again and you are never to speak to him unless absolutely necessary. If I hear of you bothering him, or doing anything like this to anyone else, the penalty will be death at my hand. I would enjoy killing you after this. Don't make me regret leaving you alive.”
Stefan met his eyes, but in the end, he was the one who looked away. “Understood,” he said.
Ike knew they both heard the echo of the previous time he had said it to him in the word, lending it a weight and meaning it wouldn't have had otherwise. Somehow, he found it reassuring.