Enabling

Darktolight: I’m so glad I have a loyal reviewer. Thank you for all your feedback and keep giving it! And yes, Vox and Albel ARE hot together! You should write about them some. *nudge nudge*

Anon: I love you anon! You know this.

Chapter 19

When he had taken Albel as his spouse, Vox had not intended for there to be strong emotions involved--at least not on his end. He would have been perfectly content to have Albel head over heels in love with him while his only contribution to the relationship was making use of the boy's body and raising their sons to be strong warriors. It was an unrealistic vision, he admitted, but it was not an entirely unpleasant one.

Such a silly thing as 'love' had not hovered in the scope of Vox's sight. What use had he for love? Love would not win a war. He was almost distraught when he dwelled on the issue and found that he might have stronger feelings for the younger captain than he had previously thought. Still, even after thinking about it for a long while, the man was not sure what he felt was even remotely close to love; love required one to kiss and hold and say how useless they would be without their lover. If he did not have Albel he still would have been perfectly fine. Love also made fools of men, and the duke certainly was no fool. No, what he had momentarily mistaken for love was nothing more than a bit of caring affection; a soft emotion that made him treasure his spouse yet did not require him to display that care in any way.

After their reconciliation, he did not go to see Albel all that often, nor did Albel go out of his way to seek out his husband. Even so, Vox detected a slight change in the boy. Albel seemed to work for and desire his attention. It was somewhat flattering when he considered how bratty the boy could be. The young captain was still his usual feisty self, but he was less likely to spurn the duke's advances now. Perhaps that was why he was gaining more affection for the youth. Evenings had become relatively pleasant when they were together; very few arguments occurred. He even found Albel more willing to do things for him like cooking, though the boy's talents certainly did not lie in the kitchen and he told Albel so. The boy had thrown a bowl at him and yelled something about never doing him a favor again, and of course there were a good number of curses and insults peppered into the declaration as well. True to his word, Albel only ever stepped foot in the kitchen to satisfy his own hunger pains. It was a blessing in disguise, Vox concluded one night as he watched Albel eat something that, to him, appeared completely inedible. He was used to a fine palate of food and he did not want his tastes destroyed by the monstrosities--and sweets--Albel concocted in the kitchen.

Theirs was not a typical union, but that difference would save them, Vox thought. Perhaps at some point far into the future the situation would change, but for the time being their occasional meetings were doing them just fine. When the war ended, things, he was sure, would change. Whether or not they openly publicized their relationship, the duke was uncertain, but he hoped that by the time he retired he would be able to keep Albel close at his side. Retirement had to have it's benefits after all and having Albel by his side, body at the ready, would certainly be a benefit.

It pleased the man greatly to think ahead to future years. He was certain that Albel would always be at his side, a slightly obnoxious, yet loyal companion. Things would need to change once the war was over; no more running off to great distances for missions for Albel; Albel's place would be at home, tending to his husband's needs. It would be a difficult trial, successfully settling the boy so that he would stay in his place, but Vox was sure that he would be able to subdue the young captain, just as he had when he decided to take Albel as his spouse. And what a feat it would be when Albel WAS subdued! It would be a great boasting of his skills to have a once surly and famed warrior of Airyglyph bending to his will. And, really, Albel aught to do that anyways; was it not the wife's job to see that their husband is pleased and content at all times?

Vox was looking forward to the end of the war.
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During one of the few evenings that they spent together, Vox discovered a horrendously large bruise on his spouse's thigh. He had caught Albel's sarong in passing and tugged on it in an effort to get it off. The boy twisted about and he caught a brief glimpse of a dark, mottled purple bruise.

"What is that?" The duke had asked in a sober voice, putting aside his carnal desires.

Albel attempted to hide the bruise with his garment, but Vox still had an end of his sarong and was lifting it up so that he could see it better.

"It's nothing."

"It certainly does not look like nothing."

"Well it is nothing."

The duke frowned. "Tell me what happened."

A range of emotions flashed across the youth's face; Albel was warring with himself on whether or not to admit the truth.

"Or," Vox drawled, dropping the edge of the boy's sarong, "you could keep the truth to yourself and I will simply make that bruise worse by bending you over my knee and punishing you like a child."

The threat seemed to sway the younger captain. He scoffed. "Not that it is ANY of your business, but I was bucked off of my lum. One of your idiotic subordinates flew too close and spooked it. Why don't you go and punish them?"

His sarong was lifted again and the man prodded at the purple mark. Albel flinched slightly, but Vox was being gentle and was only running his fingertips over the sore flesh.

"You'll be sore for more than a few days."

"I know!" Albel huffed, stepping away from his husband.

Vox grinned at the boy and let him move away. He would have his way with Albel later that evening.

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Despite the seemingly peaceful place their relationship had gotten, war meetings were still a quarrelling zone for the two captains. Some of the ideas that ran about in the duke’s mind baffled Albel and his mouth filled with hateful words that then spewed past his lips in an assault on the man’s dignity. Vox looked across the table at the youth and blinked un-amused eyes at him. Albel stared back at him, gaze unwavering.

After the meeting had ended and they were all filing out of the room the duke steered Albel aside with a firm hand on the boy’s arm. The two found a small crevice where they could talk and not be overheard. The man fixed his spouse with an intent stare, running his hand down the youth’s arm and to the boy’s hip.

“You will stay with me tonight.”

Albel lifted a fine brow. “Is that a command?”

“It is.”

“I don’t take commands from you.”

“No,” Vox consented, “but you take commands from your husband.”

“I don’t take commands from a husband, as if I were a simpering wife.”

A moment of silence lapsed between the two.

Albel was playing coy, Vox could tell. A tiny smirk was playing at the corners of the boy’s mouth. After the patch of rough ground they had just been through, Albel knew not to toy too much with the duke, but he could not resist playing just a bit to get the man riled. Still, he would not resist for too much longer. He boy was eager to reap the results of his hard work saving their marriage.

Albel surrendered soon after without much more protest.

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There was something to be said about being rich and being pompous enough to show that fact off. Albel himself was never one for overtly displaying that he came from a wealthy household. He preferred to make people miserable in different ways other than reminding them that they were poor. Still, it was nice walking into the Duke’s bedroom and throwing his body onto the soft, imported blankets. Vox never seemed to spare expense for anything. His bathing materials, blankets, and food was of the highest caliber. Even the oils the man used during sex were imported.

Vox handed him a glass of finely aged wine and took a seat on the bed, next to the boy’s legs. Albel took the glass and drank deeply, eyes never leaving his husband’s face.

“What are you smirking about?” The man asked, letting a grin curve his own lips.

The glass was put aside. Albel used the tips of his toes to remove his boots, letting them fall from the bed with an audible thud. The young captain then began to remove the burdensome armor on his shoulders and arms. Thinking of speeding the process up a bit, Vox leaned forward, running his hand up the boy’s thigh, and began to pull first one stocking down the youth’s leg and then the other.

The rest of the clothing followed quickly after until they were both naked and rolling on the covers. Vox grabbed the end of the ribbon keeping Albel’s hair tied and pulled at it until cascades of blonde and brown waves fell free. They rolled again and Albel was on top of his husband.

Vox lifted his head upon feeling soft lips kissing down his chest, towards his stiffening cock. The boy’s hands were running over his stomach, memorizing the contour of his muscles. As Albel slowly moved downward, Vox thread his fingers in the boy’s soft hair, running it through his fingers and then repeating the motion.

As he kissed his way down the man’s body, Albel wrapped his flesh fingers around the base of the man’s cock and fondled it gently. When his mouth reached the duke’s stiff erection the man’s body tensed in anticipation. Albel looked up, catching his husband’s eyes, and grinned. He ran his human hand up the throbbing cock, circling the tip with a finger, and then lowered his lips to the pink head. Vox growled in approval, lifting his hips ever so slightly to thrust into the boy’s mouth. Albel let out a soft noise, pleased to have his husband respond so.

As Albel opened his mouth wider and took in as much of the man’s cock as he could, Vox grinned. He watched, proud of his ability to tame such a wild creature, as his spouse’s head bobbed up and down, pleasuring him. The boy’s tongue wrapped around the sides of his cock, constantly moving, and then moved to swirl around the head of his erection. Playful red eyes glanced up at him, searching for approval, which he readily gave. The man fingered the boy’s flowing locks of hair, a rewarding gesture.

His husband’s cock seemed to harden in his mouth as Albel worked. Vox was grunting, thrusting into his mouth as he worked. Hands pawed at him, gripping his shoulders momentarily then releasing him to stroke his hair or grip the sheets. The boy grinned around the flesh in his mouth. He hummed happily, sending vibrations to his husband. Vox seemed to enjoy the sensation.

His climax was mounting and Vox was damned and determined to finish; Albel had a nasty habit of pulling away seconds before he finished. He grabbed the back of the boy’s head with two hands and held the youth’s head in place as he fucked the boy’s mouth eagerly. Albel made a muffled noise, surprised by the pressure keeping him in place. Vox continued to thrust into his mouth, even as he struggled momentarily to get his bearings. With his bearings caught and back in order, Albel, rather than being his usual cruel self and biting the man, returned to his ‘work’ with vigor.

“Such enthusiasm.” The duke growled, curling his hand into a fist in the youth’s hair.

Another hum went through the man’s body as Albel responded to the comment. He sucked eagerly, running his hands over the flesh that his mouth couldn’t get to. It did not take much time before he felt the fist in his hair tighten and pull. Warmth flooded into his mouth and shot down his throat and the pressure on his head let up. Albel pulled back, trying to lap the sticky, salty substance into his mouth. He licked his lips, enjoying the taste of his husband. He didn’t often get to pleasure Vox like so and he had come to enjoy the feel of the man’s cum spurting into his mouth and the salty taste as it ran down his throat.

The boy’s body was pulled up to lay on his husband’s. Vox ran hands over the youth’s body, sending illicit shivers down his spine. He pushed his body closer, digging his claw into the duke’s firm body.

Vox hissed at the pinpricks of pain. “Loosen your hold, I’ll tend to you soon enough.”

A wicked little grin formed on the boy’s lips. “Don’t concern yourself with tending to me.”

The man looked down at him, an odd expression on his face. It seemed odd for Albel to turn down such a generous offer, but he didn’t question it. He had no notion as to what the young captain did during the day, it was possible Albel was tired. So long as he had gotten his pleasure…

They lied abed for some time, exchanging teasing touches and nasty retorts. Arguments and name calling would always be a corner stone of their relationship, no matter how much time passed. Albel slid his flesh hand lower, past the thick curls of hair below the man’s navel. He curled his fingers loosely around his husband’s cock, giving it a few slow pumps. Vox looked at him, intrigued by the boy’s willingness to perform that evening. Albel shifted, sitting up and straddling the duke’s legs.

“What are you doing?” Vox asked, his cock beginning to harden.

Albel smirked, pumping the man with more vigor. “Just playing.”

Though he was unsure of the boy’s intentions Vox surrendered power temporarily, interest piqued by his spouse’s behavior. Albel trailed his other hand down, teasingly scraping the tips of his claws against the man’s skin. With both of his hands, he worked his husband’s cock erect once more.

“Gods you get so big.” The young captain growled, eyes dark and hungry.

Vox smirked, moving his hands to the boy’s hips.

When wetness began to coat Albel’s fingers he pulled away. He looked Vox in the eyes and leaned forward, shifting his weight onto his hands and knees.

“I think you should go back to what you were doing.” The man advised with a frustrated look.

“I have something better in mind.”

Albel put a finger to his mouth and sucked on it. When he was satisfied with the wetness, he pulled his finger from his mouth and moved it between his legs. His entrance was dry and tight, but he was used to being taken with minimal lubrication. He wriggled his finger in with only slight discomfort. The objective was not to lubricate, but stretch; Vox’s cock would be slick enough. A second finger was pushed in and then the tip of a third. After so long and so many times, pain no longer moved him after the first initial stinging sensation of having something enter him.

Hands were running over his body, squeezing his ass and bumping his fingers, trying to replace them. A soft laugh escaped the youth. He let his fingers be pushed aside and his husband’s replace them. Vox thrust his fingers into the boy’s body, within moments finding that special spot that made Albel writhe.

“Enough!” Albel panted after several minutes of playing. He shifted his hips forward, away from the intruding fingers.

Vox growled, irritated that he was being denied. His aggravation did not last long however. Once the fingers had left him, Albel took hold of the man’s cock and moved back, entrance poised above the tip. The duke’s interest was piqued yet again. He held himself rigidly still as Albel lowered his body, slowly impaling himself on the man’s erection. The boy tossed his head back and let out a breathy moan.

When he was settled on his husband’s lap, Vox’s cock buried deep inside of him, Albel let his body slump. He tipped his head forward, letting his hair obscure his view for a moment. He steadied his breathing and willed the pain away. The touch of hands on his hips brought him back to his senses. He looked up at Vox; the man stared back, the barest hint of worry in his eyes. The look brought a smirk to the boy’s face.

Albel lifted himself slightly and then dropped his weight back down. A jolt of pleasure ran through his body and a similar sensation ran through Vox’s body. The hands on his hips gripped him harder for a moment, digging blunt nails into his skin.

“Did you like that, Vox? Should I do that again?” He teased.

A growl was returned to him. “Don’t toy with me, brat. Finish what you’ve started.”

“Oh I intend to.”

It wasn’t often that Albel took the situation into his hand and claw. The rare times that that they had time enough to actually have sex they were usually in such a rush they jumped right into the fucking. There was no time to plan any interesting sexual positions are playing. It was pleasant, Vox thought as he lay on the bed with Albel thrusting down onto his cock, to have the brat do the work every now and then. He watched with a pleased grin, noting the look of ecstasy on the youth’s fair face.

A harsh cry left Albel’s throat. He had tried to bite it back and swallow the sound, but he couldn’t. Fucking himself on Vox’s cock was almost like pleasuring himself; he held control over how he was being taken. He knew just where to push to feel that maddening sensation of pleasure. The sheets were bunched up in both of the young captain’s hands as he thrust his body downward, onto his husband’s throbbing cock. He bounced up and down, panting and moaning, riding the duke as hard as he could.

The building tension in his body was too much for Albel to resist. He released the sheets in his flesh hand and wrapped his fingers around his cock, pumping with frantic motions. The added feel of his hand made him arch, letting another strangled wail escape him.

Vox sucked in a sharp breath. If possible, his cock hardened further at the sight of his young spouse masturbating as he was fucking himself on his husband’s body. He knew he would reach his end soon, with Albel riding him as enthusiastically as he was. His young spouse was whispering things, growling out curses and then whimpering in pleasure. The occasional plea slipped past those lips as well. His name was called out several times. It brought a smug smile to his face, thinking of how Albel had tried to deceive him before. It seemed the boy had learned his place.

“Vox!”

The body riding him suddenly clenched, clasping that most sensitive part of him in tight heat. He took hold of the boy by the waist and held Albel still on his cock as he came as well, unable to hold on. His seed shot into the youth’s body, claiming him, deeper than ever before perhaps. Albel let out a keening sound as he was filled, enjoying both the feel of his orgasm and his husband’s. After catching his breath, Vox ran his hands up his spouse’s shaking frame. Albel slowly lifted himself off of the man’s cock and was immediately guided to a spot next to the duke. A possessive arm was wrapped around he smaller body.

“You’re certainly of a good humor tonight.” Vox commented just as Albel was about to doze off.

The boy opened his eyes. “Is that so?”

“You’ve been a brat ever since I’ve known you. Even when you were an insolent child; you had your father snowed.”

A flicker of rage went through him and he scowled. “What was that?!”

The man laughed. “Glou might have believed that you were the picture of child perfection and obedience, but everyone else knew you were a snot. Between running around the camp knocking tents over and throwing things at the dragons, over half of the brigade wanted to kill you.”

“Well they wouldn’t have dared to lay a finger on me.”

“Of course not, you’re father was almost as mad as you are when it came to you. Honestly, he pandered to you a ridiculous amount.”

Albel sat up and glared at the duke. “You speak as if I was tormenting those beasts until they went mad. I recall that I was throwing food at them. Perhaps if I threw large rocks or spears at them you could complain, but I was doing you a favor and feeding them.”

Vox laughed again, a deep rumbling, genuine laugh. “Somehow I doubt that your half eaten ice cream cone was good for the dragons.”

“Hmph.” Albel settled in bed again. “I think you just like to find reasons to impugn my authority.”

“This has nothing to do with authority. This has to do with you having been a horrible brat of a child.”

“You say such things to this day.”

“That’s because you are still a brat.”

“Asshole.”

Albel rested his head against the man’s shoulder. A hand was running up and down his back, soothing him. It felt nice, to be touched so intimately. That realization startled him a bit.

“You’ve changed since the beginning of our union.” Vox said, letting his eyes drift shut as he mused aloud.

“What do you mean?”

“You’ve always been a brat and you’ve always had a nasty way of dealing with people, but these last few years you’ve created a persona to make yourself seem like a stronger, more fearsome opponent. I wonder if it is a direct reaction to our union or whether you had been creating this character for years.”

The young captain sighed and closed his eyes. “You think because I act different when I am in private company that I am a different person on the field?”

“But you are. Keep in mind that I’ve been on the same battlefield as you. When in private company you’re cold and harsh, but on the field you become cruel. I’ve seen you do some rather heinous things to victims. I think you exalt in this persona too much. You forget yourself on the field.”

“But that’s the beauty of it.” A smile curved Albel’s lips. “Perhaps I do take on a persona when dealing with those maggot soldiers of ours and Aquarian scum. The men have to respect me and the enemy has to fear me. Best I do forget myself. If I put too much thought into how I act then it will seem forced and people will know it’s unreal and then I’ll be worse off than I was before when they thought I was the weakest link.”

The duke shook his head and looked at the boy. “Be careful that you don’t develop a mental condition. Dealing with you is difficult enough, but dealing with you and an insane version of you would be far too troublesome.”

“I’m sure I’m already too insane to develop a worse complex.”

Vox sighed. Eventually Albel fell asleep, a habit that the duke had come to appreciate; with the youth at his side quiet he could think without interruption. He looked down at the sleeping body pressed against him. It never ceased to amaze him how peaceful Albel could look when he slept; no matter what mood the boy was in when he was awake he always seemed to look miserable or angry. It was enough for him, though, to know that despite appearances Albel could actually feel happiness and mirth. He would never forget the one time when he actually heard Albel laugh in pure happiness--it had startled him.

The boy groaned in his sleep, attempting to curl up protectively. Vox leaned down and pressed a hand to Albel’s forehead, hoping to somehow sooth the boy into calmness so he would not have to deal with any screaming nightmares. Those tended to make his nights long and miserable. The tactic worked and Albel settled. He patted the boy and then let out a long sigh.

There was little either of them could do about the past, but hopefully, after Albel learned his lesson about trying to deceive him, there was hope for a slightly peaceful future. Or at least a future where they weren’t constantly trying to undermine and destroy one another.

~END

I have no excuse for being slow. Just lots of school work. And now I’m gearing up to write my capstone paper which is 20-25 pages of research. So next chapter will be the climax, but god only knows how long it will take to publish seeing as it will be twice as long as normal chapters and I have to work and do all my school work. I’m worried about that capstone. ANYWAYS…there needs to be more stories about Vox and Albel, minus the Vox rape. All the other stories that I read that hint at the pair (which are very limited in number) have it as rape. Consensual sex and relationships are ok for them too. But I‘ll take any Vox/Albel. As a note, when Vox said Albel had Glou snowed, he meant that Glou didn’t see what brat Albel was. I never understood the expression, but whatever. …Review!