Saving-Bonds

Summary: Rick made a promise. Magic comes collecting.
Warning(s): Semi-disciplinary (harsh) and erotic spanking; Ds; DubCon (Magic made them do it); Polyamory; Rough sex; Potential spoilers for The Mummy and its associated movies.
Pairing: Mathayus/Rick O’Connell/Evie O’Connell

###

Mathayus' death had been relatively peaceful; at least as peaceful as it could be, considering he was a warrior in life. His spirit had resided in the Underworld, imprisoned by the god Anubis, with the intention that he would return and open the gateway for the army to sweep across the land.

It was what Anubis wanted...but not what Mathayus desired. His need for vengeance had died with him and so he had allowed himself to stay imprisoned, unable to do anything but watch as events hurtled to their inevitable conclusion, helped along by reincarnated souls from Ancient Egypt.

When he woke, when he came back to a semblance of life, Mathayus found himself facing an ordinary man. A man who he'd once been like. A man who planned to kill him. And if he did, Anubis' army would pass into his control. And the god would attempt to manipulate this man, this Rick O'Connell, in the same way Mathayus himself had been manipulated.

As Rick went to impale him with the spear, Mathayus grabbed the weapon and pulled, using the leverage and his strength to pull Rick up along with the weapon.

Rick grunted as he was lifted off his feet. He turned wide eyes onto the Scorpion King; eyes filled with fear, but also unwavering determination. He had to kill the ancient warrior, Anubis' champion. He didn't truly want control of the armies for himself. But if he didn't wrest it, then Imhotep would. The world wouldn't survive that. He prepared to fight harder, to get the spear free and stab Mathayus with it.

Mathayus had seen many things while a prisoner in the Underworld. He'd seen enough to know which side each of these people fell on. He'd seen enough to know that the man trying to kill him was trying to save the world.

But killing wasn't the answer. And if Mathayus had learned one thing during his long captivity, it was that. He grabbed Rick with one arm and pulled the spear free with the other, then tossed Rick over his shoulder.

"...The fu...." Rick stopped before finishing; both because he knew his son was somewhere nearby and Evie would make him sleep on the couch for a week if he cussed in front of the boy... but also because his breath had been pushed out of him when his midsection hit the muscular shoulder he was now draped over. The spear was too far to try and grab and too firmly in the Scorpion King's grasp. Rick had failed.

Mathayus knew that if he let go of the spear, it would be grabbed by one of the others and the very thing they were trying to stop would occur. So, he sheathed the spear at his back, got a firm hold of Rick's body with one arm, and delivered a hard smack to his backside with the other, even as he took a flying leap over the hole and away from Imhotep.

Rick couldn't stop the yelp that escaped at the smack. He hoped no one had seen the giant man-scorpion spank him like that. He hoped the fact he was being carted off like a sack of potatoes wasn't a sign he would never see his family again. Mostly, he hoped he could get the spear back and use it before he ran out of time. Seeing it now sheathed on Mathayus' back, he began to squirm, trying to inch closer so he could grab it again.

Mathayus felt Rick squirming and immediately tightened his hold around the man's waist, delivering a series of firm smacks to the wriggling bottom over his shoulder.

Rick whimpered at the swats; they weren't gentle. They were exactly as hard as you would expect swats from an angry warrior monster, who had you in his sight, to be. But painful or not, Rick didn't have a choice but to try and get the spear. Even if he ended up with a backside that was bruised and bloodied because of ignoring the 'warnings'. He squirmed harder, just barely getting his fingers around the spear's shaft, but not able to pull it from the sheath.

They were away from the pyramids and the other who planned to take control of Anubis' army to end the world. Mathayus paused in his steps, but only moved Rick further along his shoulder, away from the spear's shaft. Then, he tugged the man's pants down. "No."

Rick grunted as the shaft slipped from his fingers and he was moved further away from it. He whined softly, turning bright red as his breeches were tugged down, leaving him bared and vulnerable. But his modesty, and the well-being of his ass, were secondary to saving the world. Saving Evie and Alex. His own life was pointless if he couldn't save them. So, he ignored the 'No,' and ignored the cool air blowing over his bared bottom and tried to squirm back within reach of the spear.

With very little effort, Mathayus moved Rick in place over his arm, far away from the spear. He began to swat Rick's bared bottom fairly hard, even if he was careful to hold back on his true strength that would break the human.

"...Nooo..." Rick gurgled as he found himself nowhere near the spear; unable to regain control over it, unable to break free of the King's grasp, unable to move away from the extremely painful swats that were just shy of being hard enough it would have broken bones had the King hit harder. Tears immediately sprung to his eyes and he couldn't hide the pained gasps and groans that escaped with each swat. But he didn't cease his struggle. It was too imperative he get the spear and finish it.

Ignoring the protests and the struggles, Mathayus continued to swat Rick's bared bottom hard, making sure every available inch was covered, from the crest down to mid-thigh. He even spread Rick's thighs apart to smack and redden his inner thighs.

Rick felt shame as the only thing his struggles caused was for his breeches to fall off, leaving his lower body naked. He was too weak to break free. Too weak to reach the spear, though he couldn't give up. Evie and Alex were depending on him and he was failing them! Tiny sobs broke free; fell from his lips as he continued to struggle. He had no clue what the King saw as he continued to methodically punish Rick. It felt worse than anything Rick had ever experienced. He briefly wondered if anyone, in the history of ever, had died from a spanking; he feared he might be the first. Not until after he'd got the spear. He found himself praying under his breath that he last long enough to succeed and save his family... save the world.

Mathayus continued to smack, though he was careful to make sure he didn't break the skin, even if there would, more than likely, be bruises. He finally spoke, still methodically smacking Rick's bottom and thighs. "Take the spear and kill me and the burden will fall on you. Anubis will find a way to force you to release his army."

"I... I'd order them back... to leave!" Rick protested through broken sobs. He was still struggling, obviously so, but his strength was also clearly ebbing. Only fear for his family and adrenaline kept him fighting.

"As did I," Mathayus said. "But look where I am now. When I took control of the army, I gave Anubis power over me. If you take control of the army, you will give him power over you. And the next one to fight will be you." He slowed the smacks, enough that he was firmly patting instead of smacking hard. "If you give me the chance, I can send them back."

"Y... you'd do that?" Rick's struggles slowed to barely twitches as he was overcome by confusion and a bone-weariness, intensified by his feelings of abject failure. He couldn't keep desperate hope out of his voice. He couldn't even get the spear, let alone stab the king with it. If the king did as he said he could, though, maybe not all was lost.

"I would rather not see the world destroyed, even if I have not been a part of it for thousands of years," Mathayus replied.

"Please... " Rick found himself begging. "If you can stop it, I'll do whatever you say I... I'd give myself, if you promised to save the world. Save my family... please...." he finished, believing that his life might be needed. Weren't sacrifices required normally? His struggling ceased and he lay limp over the king's arm, legs spread so that his inner thighs were as vulnerable as the rest of him. Ready and willing to accept any punishment if it would save those he loved. He hurt so bad. He could only imagine what it looked like.

Mathayus carefully lowered his arm, lowered Rick to the ground, at the man's submission. "The world will be safe. Your family will be safe," he promised, before proceeding to call the army back. It meant he would return to his prison within the underworld, but he could stay there, content, knowing that he'd done his part to save the world.

Rick's legs wobbled as he was suddenly standing again and he turned his gaze upward, allowing Mathayus to see the tears streaming from his eyes and the complete gratitude he felt. Rick didn't bother redressing, not yet. He felt compelled by something deep in him to not take his eyes off of Mathayus. "My life is yours..." He found himself whispering the offer in a scratchy, tear-filled voice. He'd got what he sought and needed. Sacrifices would be made. He blinked as a warm breeze blew over and around him toward the king. The pain on his backside dulled slightly.

Mathayus closed his eyes as he felt his body dissolve; the unnatural scorpion lower half of him disappearing along with the rest of him. Fully expecting to be bound back in the underworld, he was shocked to feel the ground beneath his feet. He opened his eyes, realizing he was in his normal, human body...albeit naked.

***

Rick had watched as the Scorpion King had disappeared from sight, taking the spear with him. As soon as he was alone, he'd grabbed his pants and redressed, surprised that the punished skin felt like it had already healed by several days. He was grateful for that, though, as he now had to run back to the others and try to escape the rapidly crumbling pyramid.

It wasn't until hours later, after they'd escaped certain death, Imhotep was gone, and Ardeth Bey had left, after giving Rick a very odd look, that Rick took stock of how he felt and realized; he felt like something was missing. A longing that he'd never felt before, except for when he was away from Evie, had taken up residence in his chest. And he was inexplicably horny. At least that, he could do something about.

Now, it was three weeks later. They were home. Evie was back to her frantic searches. Alex was back to his endless curiosity. Johnathan was back to his gambling. Rick was back to reigning them all in to protect them from themselves, as well as taking care of them in more basic ways. If he didn't love them all so much, he'd have despaired at how he had turned into a glorified bodyguard instead of the adventurer he once had been.

The feeling of 'missing' was still there. Rick couldn't be sure, but he thought Evie knew the feeling was there. She kept asking questions he didn't know the answer to.

***

Mathayus had found clothes. He'd found a guide. And he'd managed to earn some money by acting as a translator. He didn't really know what to do with himself, except that he felt something drawing him in a particular direction. As he earned money, he progressed further in the direction he felt drawn to, following instinct without questioning.

***

Rick sighed as he finished making lunch and glanced around the dining area. He'd have to corral the family again. Jonathan was easiest to find; he was snoring on the settee in the drawing room. Waking his brother-in-law, Rick sent him to eat. Then went to retrieve Alex. He could hear the boy practicing with his wooden swords in his bedroom.

Five minutes later and Alex was on his way to the dining room and Rick was heading to the library to retrieve Evie. "Lunch is ready, sweetheart," he called up the ladder she stood on as she retrieved one of the thousands of books they had in the private collection of the mansion. He rubbed at his chest. That 'empty' feeling felt different somehow, though he couldn't pinpoint how or why.

"What are you looking up anyway?" he asked, moving under her just in time to catch her as she plummeted off the ladder, having tripped on the hem of her skirt when she'd turned to answer his announcement. He grinned and kissed her nose.

"Oh!" Evie wrapped her arms around Rick, holding onto him. "You've been acting like something's...wrong, or perhaps missing, since we came back from Egypt." She wrinkled her nose slightly. "You didn't tell me what happened between you and the Scorpion King, but I could see you'd been crying. I thought maybe I'd find some answers in one of the books."

Rick couldn't help blushing faintly. "I don't know if you could find anything. I went into the fight expecting to have to kill him to stop the world ending. Everything you'd read indicated it had to be that way, right?"

Evie nodded. "Yes." She frowned. "Killing him and taking control of the army so it could be sent back. That's what all the research I did seemed to indicate."

"It..." Rick swallowed, frowning slightly. "It didn't happen that way. He got the spear. Nothing I did enabled me to wrest it from him. I was failing, Evie. Failing horribly and all I could think of was you and Alex, Jonathan... the whole world... dying because I was a failure." He swallowed, tears pooling in his eyes as he remembered how that had felt. "I didn't even care that he'd bared me and spanked me so hard, I'd be lucky to walk after. All I cared about was saving you, but I couldn't...." His voice broke and he had to take a deep breath to continue. "He didn't want the world to end either, though. He said if I killed him. Anubis would take over me and I'd be the next king that had to be fought, but if I let him keep the spear, he'd take the armies back to hell and the earth would be saved." He gave Evie an uncertain look, not sure how to continue, given what happened after.

Evie reached up and touched his face, gently kissing his cheek. "You didn't need to kill him?" she asked softly. "But he made the sacrifice himself. Returned to the underworld as a prisoner again...." There was a note of empathy in her voice. For Rick, yes, knowing that her husband felt bad about his perceived failure. But also, for Mathayus. He could have taken the opportunity for freedom.

"Yeah... " Rick smiled crookedly. "He chose to do that. I...  I wasn't sure it would work; everything you read indicated he had to die and if he didn't die, I thought maybe another sacrifice had to be made. I offered myself to him... in exchange for him to take the armies back and you and Alex living. I was willing to give myself. I fully expected to be dragged to hell with him. Only... the armies left, he disappeared in front of me... and I was left behind. The only thing that happened to me was this strange emptiness in my chest. If I didn't know better, I'd think I was missing him."

"Perhaps you formed a bond with him," Evie suggested. "I think I've read of something similar happening in the ancient past. Did you experience anything else before he disappeared?"

"So much was going on... and all I could think about was you and Alex. If something did happen, I'm not sure I would know..." Rick wrinkled his nose.

Evie nodded. "After we've eaten, I'll see if I can find the book I remember reading from. There might be answers there."

At just that moment, there was a knock on the front door.

Rick frowned, glancing toward where the front of the mansion was. "Are we expecting company?" He shifted so Evie was behind him and walked out of the library toward the foyer. Taking a deep breath- unexpected company nearly always brought trouble- he opened the door.

Mathayus hadn't been that sure that he was going in the right direction, but with no other sense of where to go, he'd ended up outside the mansion. Dressed in normal clothes, shirt and pants, without the scorpion lower half of his body, he looked human. And still the same age he'd been when he died. He just felt older.

Rick's eyes widened when he opened the door. While the bottom half was human and decidedly different, he recognized the man in front of him. As a human, Mathayus was only a little taller than Rick (though much more muscular). "Oh, fuck me..." Rick breathed out in shock.

"Dad said a bad word!" Alex crowed. He'd come up behind his mother and father before they'd noticed. "Who are you?" he asked Mathayus.

"This is a distant cousin I haven't seen in a very long time!" Rick interjected quickly. "And you are never to say that word!" He floundered, as he realized he didn't know the king's name.

"Mathayus," he said smoothly, eyes lingering on Rick for a moment before glancing past the human who'd bound himself to him, looking at Evie and Alex.

Evie recognized the man standing there, but didn't argue against Rick's introduction. Instead, she smiled and asked, "Would you like to come in? We're just getting ready to eat."

Rick stepped to the side so Mathayus could come in, but still kept himself between Evie. Alex, and the larger man. He wasn't sure why he was there yet. "You've come a long way.... Is everything alright?" he asked, with a hint of worry.

Mathayus stepped inside the mansion, glancing around curiously as he answered the question. "I came to find you."

Hearing the comment, Evie glanced at Alex. "Go and see if your uncle's ready to eat," she directed.

"He's already eating..." Alex grinned at his mom before turning to go into the dining room. "Can I have ice-cream for dessert?"

"That's a very good idea!" Rick said quickly. "As soon as you and your uncle Jon have finished eating, you can both go into town for an ice cream...."

Alex gave his father a suspicious look. They had ice cream in the freezer at home. Part of him wanted to stay home to listen in to whatever his father was trying to keep him out of. His desire for going into town with his uncle was stronger, though, and he finally grinned. "Excellent!"

Evie nodded. "We have plenty of food, if you'd like to eat anything," she said to Mathayus. She did falter a bit, though, not sure how used to the kind of food they had he'd be.

Mathayus nodded. "I am hungry," he admitted, preparing to follow them into the dining room.

"This way, please... Evie, darling, would you fetch another plate?" Rick began to lead Mathayus to the dining area.

It didn't take long before Evie came into the dining room with the extra plate, setting it in front of Mathayus and then taking a seat herself.

Mathayus waited for them to start eating, before he began to do so as well.

The dinner was a bit awkward. Any time Jonathan or Alex asked a question, Rick would change the subject. By the time everyone had finished eating, Alex was giving his father confused, worried looks and Jonathan was looking worried as well.

"C'mon, kid. Let's go get that ice cream..." Jonathan said to Alex, when they'd both finished. "After, we can go check out the new shipment of comic books." He looked at Evie, "it'll probably take at least two hours."

Evie nodded as she stood to clear the table. "We'll see you then." She smiled at her brother and son, knowing they were worried and trying to put their minds at ease.

Jonathan put an arm around Alex and led him out. Soon, the car could be heard, leaving and driving away from the house.

Rick sighed, then huffed, before running a hand through his hair nervously. "What's going on?" He turned toward Mathayus.

"I came to find you," Mathayus replied. "You offered yourself to me. It created a bond between us."

Rick swallowed and nodded. "I'd expected to be taken back to hell with you when you sent the armies back. I'm grateful you gave me more time to be with my family. If... if you could wait for Alex and Jonathan to return, so I can say goodbye...." he said in resignation, positive Mathayus had come to take him back to hell with him. He would argue against it, but he had agreed to save the world. If he went back on his promise, maybe the world would be destroyed after all.

"I didn't intend to take you to the underworld with me, then or now," Mathayus said. "I willingly gave up any semblance of life or freedom, to return to my prison to languish alone." He hesitated. "I don't know what brought me back, but I live. I am human. I breathe, I eat, I talk." He shrugged. "I came here because I had no other thought in mind but to follow my instinct to you."

Evie had been listening intently. Now, at Mathayus' words, she quickly stood. "I'm sure I've read those exact same words before." She quickly headed back to the bookcase.

Rick blinked, standing to follow his wife, motioning Mathayus to do so as well. "She wondered if we'd formed a bond..." he admitted quietly to the other man. "...On account of, after you disappeared, it felt like something was missing in my heart...."

Mathayus followed along, nodding in understanding. "When I revived, I felt a similar empty place. Of course, I had to grow used to this world and find my way here. Instinct guided me."

Evie quickly clambered up onto the ladder, muttering to herself, "Now where did you go?"

"Did you come back in the desert?" Rick asked quietly.

Mathayus nodded. "Completely naked. Fortunately, it didn't take me long to find civilization. Clothes. Money."

Rick winced. "I'm sorry. If I had known...."

"I expected to return to my prison. There was no way you could have known what would happen," Mathayus said.

"Oh!" Evie exclaimed, having procured the book she was searching for. "This is it." She quickly climbed down the ladder and brough the book over to the two men. "It is a bond. A soul bond. Born through sacrifice and offering, it requires.... Oh!" Her eyes widened and she looked towards Rick. "Well. That certainly explains the night together after everything happened."

Rick looked at her confused. "What does it explain?" He didn't remember anything unusual.

Evie cleared her throat and looked at Mathayus, then pointed to the passage in the book. "According to this, the bond acts almost...well, like it's a sentient being. It pushes for sex."

Rick's mouth dropped open as he remembered the night after they'd escaped and everything had calmed down. He turned bright red and darted a furtive look toward Mathayus. "In general, or between...?" he asked Evie, his voice higher pitched than normal.

"Well, without the one you're bonded to, it'll turn to the next best thing," Evie said. "But now that you two are together, it seems like it won't be completed until you both...well...." She shrugged. Scanning the book, she added, "If the bond isn't completed, then...." She hesitated.

"I'll go back to the underworld." Mathayus' voice was calm, if a little sad.

"I'm afraid so," Evie said.

Rick looked equal parts horrified and scared. Swallowing hard, he asked, "Does it give any particular requirements on how... who...?" Of course, he'd do it, if not doing so would send a man back to the underworld. He could already tell Evie was on board with saving Mathayus, so he didn't think he had to worry about her being angry about it. But... he'd never been attracted to men before (though he could admit feeling drawn to Mathayus, he didn't know if that was because of the bond or not). He'd pretty much promised himself to the once king to save those he loved. Would the bond require him to be the submissive one? He wasn't sure he knew how to be that way.

"Well, no, it doesn't give a step-by step instruction manual," Evie replied. "But it does seem to imply that one will take charge and the other will submit. Given what you told me, I think there is a clearly recognized dominant here...."

"This is not necessary," Mathayus said. "If I leave, the bond will fade away. I would never take someone unwilling." He stepped away, turning to walk towards the door.

Evie darted an uncertain look to Rick. She wasn't horrified or upset by the idea of her husband being with another man. In fact, the idea intrigued her. But she couldn't ask him to bind himself against his will....

Rick gave Evie an uncertain, torn look as well. He didn't want to send Mathayus back to the underworld if it could be prevented. This bond was really his own fault for promising himself to the other man. He wasn't even scared at the idea of being taken, submitting... even if that wasn't his usual temperament. But once it was finalized, it was permanent. What else would happen to them if they fully bonded?

He didn't have long to think about it, though. The bond seemed to realize Mathayus was leaving and didn't like it. A sharp pain, centered where the empty feeling had taken up residence, radiated outward, sending Rick to his knees with a hurt gasp.

Mathayus stopped, instantly, as he heard the sound. While he didn't want to force anything, it was clear that leaving now could be harmful.

"I don't think the bond will let you leave," Evie said quietly.

Mathayus turned and nodded. "Then I'll stay until it fades from not being completed."

"...N... no." Rick swallowed, looking up from his position on his knees. "I gave myself to you. To save those I love. I promised to give myself to you." He slowly got back to his feet, standing shakily. "Just because I expected it to take a different form in a different location doesn't change that I promised. I'm willing... I... I've just never... I'm scared," he reluctantly admitted, blushing. "I don't know how to be submissive and I'm pretty certain the bond wants you in charge," he muttered.

"Well, you were submissive when he tossed you over his shoulder and spanked you," Evie said. "Maybe getting spanked this time will put you in the headspace you need to be." She glanced between the two men.

Rick audibly gulped, but couldn't deny she was right. "H... he's not as big as he was. Not sure he can put me over his shoulder or arm and... do that... as easily."

Mathayus eyed Rick for a few moments before he said, "I could carry you over my shoulder to wherever it is we will be going." He didn't mention spanking Rick while doing so, but since that was what happened last time....

"Our bedroom," Evie said helpfully. "It's got everything you'll need there."

Mathayus nodded and stepped closer to Rick, reaching out to move the other man over his shoulder.

Rick didn't fight. He whimpered rather loudly, then blushed darkly and gripped the back of Mathayus' shirt tightly. He relied on Evie to direct where to go. He couldn't see.

Mathayus adjusted Rick's position slightly, then tugged his pants down and delivered a firm smack to the other man's backside.

Evie quickly moved to lead the way up the stairs and to the bedroom.

Mathayus followed slowly, delivering a firm smack to Rick's bottom with each step he took. They weren't as hard as the first spanking he'd given; really only enough to sting and warm Rick up.

Rick's quick intake of breath was followed by a soft groan as Mathayus smacked him. He'd ignored being spanked the first time, too focused on getting the spear. Now, all he could do was focus on the spanking... and to his surprise, each smack was causing the empty feeling that had been in his middle since Mathayus had first disappeared to shrink bit by bit.

Mathayus continued to firmly smack as he followed Evie up the stairs to the bedroom. Halfway up the stairs, he tugged Rick's underwear down as well, beginning to smack the other man's bared bottom.

Rick's whimper was loud and needy. The bond (surely it was the bond?) was causing him to become aroused at the spanking. His bottom was hot and stinging and he wanted more.

Following Evie into the bedroom, Mathayus sat on the bed and draped Rick over his lap, beginning to swat a bit harder and faster now that the other man was no longer over his shoulder.

Evie collected some items from the bedside drawers, then turned to watch her husband's backside be reddened.

Rick whined softly as his position changed. He couldn't stop himself from looking helplessly at Evie to see her reaction, even as the harder smacks pushed his hips forward and caused his member to push into Mathayus' thighs. The action caused him to become obviously aroused.

Evie moved over to the bed and sat down next to Rick's head. She leaned down to gently kiss him, then began to tug his shirt free, so that his upper body was bare.

Mathayus took care of stripping Rick of the other half of his clothes, continuing to smack harder and faster, even as he slid his hand beneath the other man's stomach, fingers ghosting over his member.

Rick kissed Evie back, not fighting as she took his shirt, not fighting as Mathayus took the rest of his clothing, leaving him completely naked. He let out a small, gurgling noise as his member was touched and arched his back so Mathayus could spank easier and harder.

Evie kissed and stroked Rick's face and down his shoulders, careful not to get in Mathayus' way.

Responding to Rick arching his back, Mathayus began to smack harder and faster, focusing more swats to his sit spots and thighs. Parting his legs to swat his inner thighs. He also gripped Rick's member a bit more firmly.

Rick's breathing was shaky. He kissed Evie almost desperately, even as he began to thrust shallowly into Mathayus' grip, unable to help himself. Tears pooled in his eyes. His bottom was hot and achy; his member was hard and achy; and he found himself wanting the once king to make the entirety of his lower torso and upper legs to ache. Inside as well.

Mathayus continued to smack, making sure no inch of Rick's bottom and thighs were left untouched. He stroked and caressed the other man's member a bit more, then reached for what Evie had given him. He dipped one finger in the lube, then pressed it against Rick's entrance.

Rick was quivering with need by this point, the bond amplifying every urge and feeling. He hadn't thought submitting would be easy, but Evie had been right. Spanking had not only made him more submissive it had made him more in need of being dominated and claimed. When he felt Mathayus' finger gently rubbing, pressing, against his entrance, he begged, "Please...."

Slowly, ever so slowly, Mathayus pushed his finger inside Rick, taking his time doing so. He began to gently rub inside the other man, even as he continued to spank.

Rick let a tiny sob at the actions. "Feels so good..." he moaned, his gaze catching Evie’s “You... you see?"

Evie nodded and kissed him again. "It looks good," she murmured.

Mathayus continued rubbing inside Rick for a few more moments before he coated a second finger and pushed that slowly inside.

"D... describe it?" Rick whimpered, opening his legs further. The bond needed him to submit... he needed to submit... but he wanted Evie to be a part as much as was possible. Having her describe seemed like a good place to start. He found himself trying to think of ways she could maybe help Mathayus... help make it easier for the ex-king to claim.

Evie glanced at Mathayus, who gave her a reassuring nod and shifted so she could move to the other side of Rick.

Reaching out, Evie parted Rick's buttocks, feeling how hot they were from the spanking. "I can see his fingers moving inside you," she whispered, sounding almost awed. "Is it too much, or can you take another one?" She found herself wanting to see how far Mathayus would go in claiming Rick.

Evie's hands were cool on his hot, sore bottom, soothing. Knowing she was watching him so intimately, hearing the awe in Evie's voice, and then her question removed any lingering doubt Rick had that she might be against this bonding and was just pretending. He found himself wanting to go as far as possible; prove himself to both of them. "Can take more... can take anything you want to give..." His voice was rough from arousal.

Evie smiled as she watched Mathayus coat a third finger in the lube, telling Rick, "He's preparing to push a third finger inside." She shifted so that Mathayus could push it inside, rubbing her husband's warm, reddened bottom. "Maybe we have something that can heat you inside too?" she found herself suggesting.

Rick chuckled at her enthusiasm for getting him ready, then groaned as Mathayus pushed the third finger in, stretching him further than he'd thought possible. There was a slight sting of adjustment but the slowly building ache of need deep inside of him grew hotter and achier. "... More..." he found himself begging.

Evie moved to collect another of their supplies and handed it to Mathayus. "If you use this when you fully penetrate him, it will warm him inside too," she said.

Rick knew what she'd handed Mathayus; he'd used it on her often enough. It was one of her favorite items and it didn't surprise him that she wanted him to experience it. He whimpered softly and arched slightly, hoping to encourage Mathayus to push deeper... add more digits.

With Evie's encouragement, Mathayus withdrew his fingers to coat them in the muscle cream and then pushed his fingers back inside, taking advantage of the way Rick arched to go deeper.

Rick groaned more deeply as Mathayus pushed deeper, spreading the cream into his most sensitive areas. It immediately began to heat inside, the warmth causing his arousal to spike. "... More... please more..." His voice was a high-pitched whine. The cream enabled him to stretch further; he could take more if Mathayus wanted.

Evie watched and then looked at Mathayus' face, before suggesting, "You could penetrate him fully. He's open enough. If you put more of the cream on, it'll reach him deeper inside." She gently rubbed Rick's bottom, still holding the cheeks apart to make it easier for Mathayus.

Following her direction, Mathayus withdrew to coat his member with the cream and then push inside Rick fully.

Rick's eyes widened and he exhaled in a gurgling moan. Mathayus’ shaft was larger than three fingers and he could feel himself stretching the furthest he ever had. The muscle cream was pushed deep. He let out a tiny sob of need before asking Evie, in a shaky voice, "Still look good... describe it?" He knew how good it felt. He wanted to imagine what it looked like.

Evie's eyes were all but glued to Mathayus, where the ancient warrior was buried into Rick. Her voice was breathy, heavy with arousal, as she said, "He's buried in you up to his hilt. I can see him thrusting deep inside you. If I move my hands, his hips will smack against your bottom."

Rick moaned at that visualization. "Would you like that? If he smacked my bottom more? Turned me red and stingy achy in a way I'd feel later? That you could see later?" His voice was gasping.

"I'd like that," Evie admitted. "I'd like to see you carry the marks from him claiming you for a while." She moved her hands, embracing Rick around his torso, allowing Mathayus to thrust deeper and harder inside Rick.

Rick wrapped his own arms tightly around Evie to brace himself so Mathayus could go as deep or hard as he wanted. When Mathayus brushed over his prostate, he almost collapsed as pleasure radiated from that spot and made him weak.  "... Th... there... oh, please there..." he begged, close to tears, arching his back and pushing his bottom up greedily. "Please pound me till I walk crooked and make my bottom so red and sore, Evie can see it as long as she wants and I can't sit without knowing I belong to you now... please, master..." He was barely aware of what he said, he was too far gone with arousal; the bond spoke for him... just as it was deciding how long he would be able to hold out before release.

In response to the bond and Rick's words, Mathayus began to thrust deeper and harder and faster, hips smacking hard against the other man's backside. He grasped Rick's hips in a tight, firm grip, almost tight enough to leave imprints of his fingers.

Evie leaned in and kissed Rick's lips, even as she continued to hold onto him tightly.

Rick kissed back desperately, holding onto Evie tightly, even as he widened his legs and began to rock back onto Mathayus' cock, pushing so that he went as deep as possible. "F... feels good..." he groaned. His body was one big throbbing nerve; he was becoming more and more sensitive, inside and out.

Mathayus continued to thrust, his hips making smacking sounds against Rick's backside. He let go of one of Rick's hips and took hold of one of Evie's hands, guiding it towards Rick's member.

Smiling, Evie took hold of her husband's erection and began to stroke it. She kissed Rick's shoulder, still hugging him tight with her other arm.

Rick couldn't focus on anything but the sensations coursing through his body. He was past arousal. Every pore was sensitive, vibrating, ready to send him over the edge, but the bond wouldn't give him release. He was a vessel, a receptacle for his dominant bond mate. Until Mathayus received what he needed through the bond, Rick would stay wound tightly, needing.

He was happy for it to be that way. He knew his body was hot, tight, wet and welcoming. He knew it had to feel good to Mathayus; it felt wonderful to him. Even if it took all night and he had to stay in bed to recover, he'd willingly stay on his knees, bottom offered to his new bond-mate for as long as Mathayus needed and wanted.

Mathayus gently squeezed the hip he still held and pushed harder and faster into Rick. "I want you to let go. When you're ready," he said. "I want you to let go for me."

At Mathayus' order, an accepting warmth spread through Rick and he knew. He would obey Mathayus from then on. His bond-mate was in charge. His body let go and he began to spasm and shake out of control, his release soaking the sheets under him as his channel clenched hard around his new lover's shaft, pulling him deep and holding him tight inside. A soft wail poured from his throat; not of pain, but of abject need.

Mathayus grunted softly as his own release overcame him and he let go inside of Rick. His fingers tightened even more on the other man's hips.

Evie stroked along Rick's member and then leaned up to kiss him gently on the lips.

Rick returned the kiss, smiling gently at Evie.  He then looked over his shoulder at Mathayus. The other man was still buried deep in him, but Rick found he didn't mind. He focused on where the bond had been centered, then frowned in disappointment. "It didn't work. Still feels unfinished...."

Mathayus nodded slowly in agreement, a perplexed look coming over his face. "I don't understand why."

"Let me grab that book again. It might have an answer." Evie quickly went to retrieve the book.

Rick crossed his arms in front of himself, laying his head on them, keeping his butt in place so Mathayus didn't pull out, in case that was what the bond needed.

"Let me know if this gets uncomfortable for you," Mathayus murmured. "We might have to do this because of the bond, but I don't want to hurt you."

"Yessir... I'm okay right now, though..." Rick said over his shoulder. "Still feels good."

Evie returned, with the book, in time to hear Rick's comment. Biting her lip, she said, "I'm not sure it's going to continue feeling good. Not with what it looks like the bond wants next."

Mathayus glanced towards her, noticing the worried look on her face. "Then it isn't finished?"

Evie nodded slowly. "And if the bond doesn't get what it wants...well, according to my translation, the life that was given will be taken away."

"So, if the bond isn't completed, Mathayus goes back to the underworld..." Rick acknowledged, with an unhappy frown. "The look on your face seems like it might be worse than that."

"The passage uses the word lives in the plural sense," Evie replied. "It seems that both people involved in forming the bond will be dragged back to the underworld."

"Does it say what is needed to stop that?" Rick asked quietly. He was willing to die to save Evie and Alex. He was willing to do whatever it took to stay with them too.

"It says that you need to trust in the bond entirely," Evie explained. "That when you offered your life to Mathayus...the bond requires you to prove it. By letting him take you until the bond is satisfied. By giving yourself to him entirely."

Rick blinked at that. "I thought I had done that... but if it needs to be said, I gave my life to you to save those I love. I'm not taking that back... my body is yours. Do whatever is needed to satisfy the bond," Rick said to Mathayus. "Assuming it lets you know what that is...." He bit his lip and looked at Evie. "I'll do everything possible to stay with you and Alex. Just like I'd give my life to keep you both safe."

"It's more than just that," Evie said. "From what I can tell...the bond won't be satisfied until you're taken past the point that would normally stop. Beyond exhaustion." She scanned the rest of the page as she continued, "I'm not sure, but it seems to indicate that, even when you pass out, it still needs to continue."

Mathayus frowned and shifted, clearly uncertain and worried. "I didn't want to take you against your will. And I'm reluctant to push to that point. Is there no way to break the bond entirely, so that only I return to the underworld?" he asked Evie.

"It wants him to keep going even if I'm not participating? So... it really just views me as a body and I belong to Maty..." Rick sighed softly, before looking at Mathayus. "I know you don't want this; you didn't want me from the start... but I don't want to leave my family and if the only way to prevent that is for you to take me past the point where I can respond or agree or even enjoy it... then I give my permission now. Use me however you need to, to satisfy the bond. You can take care of me after..." He gave a crooked little smile.

Mathayus paused, looking into Rick's eyes, and spoke with a serious note in his voice. "You misinterpret my intentions. It was never about not wanting you, but about not wanting to force you into something. Not knowing that you have a family. Taking you to the underworld would have destroyed you as much as death would have."

"So, you do want him," Evie said, a hopeful note creeping into her voice.

"Yes." Mathayus frowned. "But not when the only reason is because the bond is forcing something that isn't there. I had planned to do enough to ensure the bond wouldn't cause any harm or discomfort and then take my leave, but this...is not what I wanted."

"I'm glad it isn't what you wanted..." Rick snorted softly. "Means you are a good man and I'm not bonded to a monster. But none of that will mean anything if we don't complete the bond. If it helps at all... the only reason I wouldn't have chosen to give myself to you without the bond forcing it... is my commitment and love for Evie. Truthfully... you are the only man I've ever been attracted to, but I don't believe it was all because of the bond. Having you in me... fucking me... has felt phenomenal and I'm on board for enjoying it as much as I can. And when I can't enjoy it any longer... I trust you to protect me as much as possible."

"I'm okay with this," Evie said. "I've never been interested in a polyamorous relationship before, but...this is different." She smiled. "I liked watching. And I can still watch. And help, if needed." She stood up quickly. "If you're doing this, then you'll need fluid to replace what'll be lost." She hurried to the kitchen.

Rick smiled at Evie as she left, turning that smile onto Mathayus. "We're both on board with this. Don't be mistaken that just because the bond demands it, that is the only reason. The bond gave us the reason... but now that I've felt what it is to submit to you, even once the bond is completed... I'm kinda hoping you'll still want to, after. I think Evie is too. She liked watching.  Makes me wish we had mirrors set up, so I could see what she sees."

"I would have hoped that pushing you to the point the bond seems to want is unnecessary." Mathayus sighed. "But it seems we have little choice in it. Once the bond is completed, I doubt the desire will go away...but you will need to rest and be taken care of."

Rick smiled again. "That helps. That you do want me at least a little because you desire me and not just because of the bond." He squeezed gently around Mathayus' shaft, still buried in him. "Finding out I kinda like being dominated by you. That I like when you aren't gentle." He blushed dark. "Guess I could blame it on the bond. But that wouldn't be the truth. I liked being spanked by you...."

"Evie clearly liked it too." Mathayus let his hands rest lightly on Rick's hips, rubbing them. "I'll do it again," he promised. "Not this time, though. Once you're recovered from what the bond's forcing on us. After that, things can be experimented with on our own terms."

"Yeah. Finding out what we like when the bond isn't pushing... sounds really good," Rick whispered in a husky voice, Mat's hands on his hips comforting.

Evie came in then, carrying a pitcher and glasses. She set the items down within easy reach and then looked expectantly at the two men.

Mathayus gently squeezed Rick's hips. "I'd suggest having something to drink first, before we continue."

"Yessir," Rick responded, before smiling at Evie. "Could you pour me a glass, sweetheart? I'm still a bit pinned down." He grinned.

"Of course." Evie poured both of them a glass and passed one each to them, settling on the bed so that she was close enough to touch both her husband and Rick's bond-mate.

Rick drank the water down, setting the glass out of the way. "Thank you, honey..." He smiled at Evie before sighing softly. He could feel Mat still buried in him and while it didn't hurt, he wasn't aroused (yet), so it wasn't exactly comfortable. He shifted slightly so his back wouldn't hurt, gasping slightly when the movement caused Mathayus' member to slide over his prostrate. His new master was large even when not fully aroused and his own member twitched in anticipation of feeling himself stretch around the other man again.

He cleared his throat. "B... before round two... maybe I should arrange a few pillows to support my hips... for when I reach the point, I can't hold myself up..." he said hesitantly. If what Evie said about the bond was true, eventually, he'd be sleeping through at least half the times Maty would be claiming him.

"Let me." Evie quickly moved to position the pillows under Rick's hips. She also added a blanket, draping it over his back and neck, in case he got cold.

Mathayus moved enough so that Evie could position the pillows and blanket, but made sure that he didn't slide out of Rick. He set his own glass out of the way, after draining it.

"Thank you, love..." Rick whispered, catching her with a quick kiss as she was adjusting pillows. He whined softly as Mathayus' shaft rubbed his prostate again, his member beginning to harden in response.

Evie smiled and sat back, glancing at Mathayus. "I think maybe you're both as ready as it's possible to be."

Mathayus nodded and, grasping Rick's hips a bit more firmly, he began to move inside the other man.

Rick hissed slightly as Mathayus moved in him. It was a little uncomfortable, but only for a little while. The larger man moving unerringly over his prostate soon had him fully hard and aching. He whimpered, whined and moaned, pushing back when able and opening his legs further. "Please..." he found himself begging, though he wasn't certain what he was begging for. He tried to look over his shoulder; see if he could catch a glimpse of what Evie saw.

Evie moved to see better, watching as Mathayus moved almost seamlessly, taking her husband. "It looks like an art form," she whispered. "It looks perfect. So good. Does it feel that good?" she asked Rick.

Rick shivered. "Feels wonderful..." he whispered. "Can feel him sliding against me, in me, filling me so tight..." Rick whimpered again. "Can't imagine what it looks like... him sliding into... disappearing into me...."

"It's like you're one being," Evie breathed. "Joined together physically like the bond plans to join you spiritually."

Mathayus gently squeezed Rick's hips, keeping the thrusts slow and gentle. If they were going to do this, he didn't want to go hard and fast unless it was truly necessary.

"Feels that way..." Rick breathed out. "Is this how you felt? When we first made love? As if we were becoming one person?" he asked Evie. "It feels like we are becoming one person," he moaned softly to Mathayus.

"Yes." Evie smiled and nuzzled Rick's shoulder, then reached out and placed a hand on Mathayus'. "I'm happy that you are forming this bond with each other. I could tell Rick felt empty when we returned. He had a hole that you needed to fill."

"And the same was true for me," Mathayus admitted.

Rick turned pink at the double entendre and cleared his throat. "It means a lot... that you were so accepting of what happened, Evie... I don't know that I could have been brave enough without you...."

Evie smiled and kissed him. "I do accept this. And it feels good to see," she admitted. "I would never have considered it before, but now...I can't imagine anything else."

Rick smiled at that, shifting slightly and enabling Mathayus to push in a slight bit further. "You're being so gentle..." he said quietly to the other man. "But... your grip is so strong. Feels good...."

Mathayus rubbed his hands gently over Rick's hips. "I know this will be going on for a while. I want to be gentle while it's possible to be." He continued to thrust, slow and gentle.

Rick hummed softly at that. "Makes me wonder how I could have been afraid of you before. You've done nothing but protect since you were called back. I'm glad I listened to you, instead of what that prophecy wanted." His breath hitched at the end of the sentence with a high, pitched whine as Mathayus stroked a very sensitive area. "...S'good..." His voice was as high pitched as the whine, now fully aroused.

"The prophecy was wrong. Or maybe whoever wrote it down deliberately did it wrong," Evie said quietly, shifting so that she could get a better look.

"With so much time passing, things have been lost to history." Mathayus continued the slow, gentle thrusting. "Besides. Half of my body was a scorpion. I can't blame you for being afraid of me."

"Still... I was trying to kill you..." Rick groaned softly, his member hard and aching. "You could have killed me instead of just spanking me... though I'm grateful you chose to spank."

"I believe I punished you more than enough for trying to kill me," Mathayus said. "But if you feel guilty after we've finished here, then I can punish you again."

"I trust your judgment..." Rick shivered and groaned again, clenching as the ache grew stronger.

"I'm not going to tell you to hold off on letting go," Mathayus said. "If you need to release, you can do so at any time." He gently squeezed Rick's hips.

"Th... thank you..." Rick said, in a shaky voice, clenching again. He was close and knew one stroke in the right way and he'd let go.

Mathayus gripped Rick's hips a bit tighter and pushed further into the other man, aiming to hit that one spot inside him.

Evie leaned in to kiss Rick, gently squeezing Mathayus' hand at the same time.

Rick gasped and let out a tiny hitched wail as Mathayus hit that spot and then hit it again and again. Clenching tight around his lover's member, Rick's release hit hard. He shivered and shuddered for several moments. finally collapsing under Mathayus, bottom still up for his master to claim.

Mathayus stroked Rick's hips gently. "Some more water when you're ready, I think." His voice was low and calm.

Evie nodded and reached to fill up her husband's glass once more.

Rick's breathing finally evened out and he gratefully took the water from Evie. Mathayus was still moving inside of him. It didn't hurt. Not yet. But Rick knew he was beginning to get oversensitive and the longer they went, the more chance he'd be chafed raw. He determined he wouldn't say anything if it began to hurt. That would only make his lovers feel badly. This couldn't be avoided, so he'd enjoy it while he could and accept it when he couldn't.

"Do you have anything that I can use to soothe inside?" Mathayus asked. "I know I have to stay inside, but for afterwards...when the bond has what it wants. He'll need to be treated."

Evie nodded. "We have things I can get prepared for when it's time." She gave a mild yawn, putting a hand over her mouth.

Rick blinked. He was feeling slightly tired, but his energy had got a small spike after Evie kissed him. Meanwhile, Mathayus seemed to have endless energy. "You okay, sweetheart?" he asked Evie, concerned.

"I'm fine. Just feeling a little tired." Evie smiled and kissed Rick again, then stood to go and gather what else she thought they might need.

Rick felt another little spike of energy at the kiss. "I think the bond might be including Evie..." he said to Mathayus. "Every time I release for you, I'm a lot more tired than I normally would be, while you seem unaffected with just as much energy as before, even though you've expended just as much energy. Probably more. When Evie kissed me... both times, I felt an increase in my energy level... and now she is yawning."

"So, the bond is taking my energy to feed you both?" Evie asked. "I think that might be a good thing. I want to help more."

"We need to be careful," Mathayus said. "Losing too much energy could be dangerous."

"I'm not sure the bond is giving us much choice, but you should eat, drink and rest as much as you can, sweetheart. If you're giving us extra energy, then you need to make sure yours isn't depleted..." Rick said with worry. He didn't say he thought his would be depleted before hers reached that point. He was fairly certain for the bond to work, he had to be completely out of it and completely at Mathayus' mercy and control. How else would he prove that he fully gave his life to the man?

Evie nodded. "I'll bring food for all of us. You might be receiving energy, but it's not likely to last forever," she said to Mathayus. "I'll bring some more water." She frowned. "I'm not sure getting drunk is a good idea, but I'll bring some wine anyway. It might help."

"You think of everything..." Rick smiled adoringly at Evie. Once she was out of the room, he looked over his shoulder at Mathayus. "Do... do you think it is possible to put me on my back without you having to pull out of me?" he asked uncertainly, not sure if the bond demanded him become a slave (or least till it was fully formed and satisfied), or if it would allow him to make requests.

"I don't see any reason why we can't try." Mathayus began to carefully shift them, making sure not to pull out, as he moved Rick onto his back.

Once Rick was finally resituated, Mathayus still deep in him, but with him on his back, knees raised to his shoulders, and able to look the other man in the eye levelly for the first time since beginning their joining, he gave his master a contented, innocently sweet smile. "I like this. Wanted to see your face while you fucked me into a pile of goo..." His grin and words were teasing, though the look in his eye was more serious. It was obvious he had been afraid, but seeing Mathayus eased the nervousness and fear he had at not knowing what the bond would ultimately require. He trusted Mathayus to protect him.

Mathayus reached out and placed his hand against Rick's face, gently cupping his cheek, thumb stroking his lips. "Tell me what you want and what you need and I'll do everything in my power to do it for you."

Rick bit his lip, pressing his face into Mathayus' palm. "I don't know... you're the first I ever had in me... I'm used to being the one... you know..." He blushed slightly. "I... I like when you touch me, though. Not just my cock, but when you grip my hips or rub me... pretty much anywhere... it helps it to feel right giving my body and control to you. Makes it easier not to fight the bond demands..." he admitted.

He shivered slightly, feeling his emotions going wobbly at the protective look in Mathayus' eyes. He liked that the man was looking at him that way. Instead of being offended and declaring he could protect himself, he found himself wanting to be protected... wanting to let himself be weak and dependent on his master.

Keeping one hand on Rick's face, gently stroking his cheek and lips, Mathayus let his other hand rub gently over the other man's chest, down over his stomach. "I like touching you," he murmured. "It feels good. Feels right. Better than when you struggled and fought." He leaned down, touching his lips to Rick's in a light, hesitant kiss...not sure it would be welcomed.

Rick returned the kiss, almost as hesitantly; not because he didn't think it would be welcome, but because the bond urged him to let Mathayus set the pace. He lay back, sighing happily as Mathayus gently stroked over his body. Somehow, the gentle touch eased the discomfort he was beginning to feel inside... at least a little bit. He smiled an almost loopy grin, feeling his emotions fall just a little bit more. The urge to submit was growing stronger by the minute; since he had submitted to everything so far, he wasn't sure how else he could submit, but the feeling was there and it affected him emotionally.

He gave Evie the same loopy smile when he noticed she'd returned, enabling her to see that he was falling emotionally; but she'd also be able to see he was falling into love with Mathayus.

Evie smiled at the sight of Rick on his back, being touched and stroked and kissed by Mathayus. She set down the items she'd gathered close enough that they could reach it and sat down on the bed, close enough that she could easily see. She reached and took one of Rick's hands, squeezing it gently.

"I'll take care of you, no matter what," Mathayus whispered. His eyes landed on Evie as he added, "Both of you...and the rest of your family."

"Do you have a last name?" Rick asked softly, his voice slightly unfocused as the physical sensations going through his body took a lot of attention. "If not... you can be O'Connell too... anyone who asks will think you a distant cousin... we'd know you were more. You're our mate...." He grinned right before his mouth fell open with a low needy groan. His member was jutting upward, aroused again, an angry red, needy color, precum glistening at the tip.

"I have no last name," Mathayus replied. "I would be honored to share your last name." He moved his fingers towards Rick's member, grasping it gently, thumb stroking over the tip.

Rick's quick intake of breath was expelled in a shaky whimper. He brazenly opened his legs as far as he could and shallowly thrust upward, not trying to stop his body's instinctive reactions. It caused Mathayus' shaft to rub him a little more forcefully than he had been. Rick whimpered again, feeling the rub and feeling himself stretch just a little more as his master swelled further. He wished for the hundredth time he could see where his master plunged into him... see himself stretched wide around the older man's hard length; see the red, swollen, ring of muscle (he was getting sore by this point, so knew he was probably red and swollen there). He knew by the end he'd be more than sore, but he found himself wanting that.... because it meant the bond would be satisfied and he and Mathayus would be safe and could stay with Evie and Alex.

Evie squeezed Rick's hand as she watched Mathayus continue to thrust inside Rick. She leaned in and kissed her husband, hoping to give him a small boost of energy.

Mathayus gripped Rick's member a bit more firmly. His other hand remained cupping Rick's face, stroking with infinite gentleness.

Rick smiled at Evie, seemingly able to focus just a little better as a gentle wave of energy bolstered him. And then Mathayus hit that spot again and his body was spasming and shuddering, his hole locking around his master's shaft tightly, his own member spraying his release onto the larger man's hand and onto his own stomach. He quivered once it was over and whined softly.

Evie moved to collect some cloth she'd brought, so that she could clean up Mathayus' hand and Rick's stomach. Then, she poured out a glass of wine each for them and handed the glasses out. "For an energy boost," she said. Noticing the look on Rick's face, she propped his head up carefully and motioned to Mathayus.

Mathayus helped Rick to take small sips of the wine, still stroking his face.

Rick obediently sipped the wine, drawing a bit of energy from the sugars in the drink while simultaneously relaxing, easing some of the soreness and discomfort. "Thank you..." he whispered to both of his lovers, while squeezing Evie's hand gently and squeezing around Mathayus' member just as gently.

"I don't think keeping you awake and alert for the whole time is going to be possible," Mathayus said. "When you need to sleep, you can do so. I won't let us separate before it's time."

Rick gave Mathayus a crooked smile. "Yeah. Think you might be right..." he agreed quietly.

Evie kissed Rick's cheek, then leaned up to kiss Mathayus'. "Anything that'll keep both of you here."

"That's the plan, sweetheart..." Rick's voice was slightly breathy and a small hint of pain bled through, though he did his best to hide it. They'd been copulating for the better part of an hour by this point, Mathayus not pulling out once after the first time he'd slathered the cream onto his member before pushing in. Rick was past sore by this point, feeling chafed and raw inside. He knew Mathayus had to be sore and chafed as well, though and stopping wasn't an option, so he kept the pain to himself. He did shift slightly and open his legs wider, pulling his knees up further to his shoulders. His master rubbing him and being able to touch everywhere he wanted felt good and provided a distraction from the pain.

Mathayus shifted a little, though that was the only sign of any discomfort he gave. He let his hands slide down Rick's chest and stomach, gently squeezing his hips before squeezing and rubbing over the other man's legs.

Rick hummed softly in appreciation of the gentleness. “...S'nice..." he drawled, his eyes partly closing. He turned his face toward Evie and smiled. "You can touch and play too, sweetheart... know you always like pinching my nipples..." he muttered, with a slight yawn.

Evie smiled and kissed Rick gently. "I just don't want to overstimulate you." She gently stroked around his nipples, then nuzzled his chest and kissed it, all while being careful to keep out of Mathayus' way.

"Feels good and helps distract from uncomfortableness..." Rick admitted. "And if it arouses me... helps it feel good inside again... for a little while....  do you think more cream might help?" he asked uncertainly, his thinking a bit blurrier than normal.

Mathayus frowned at the question. "That cream creates heat. I can't imagine it will feel comfortable with how raw you are inside right now."

Evie nodded her agreement with Mathayus. "Maybe next time," she offered, gently squeezing each of Rick's nipples.

Rick whined softly at the pinching, but pressed his chest upward toward her hands, obviously liking it. "...Okay..." he said agreeably. He slipped just a small bit further into submission, not even thinking to question Mathayus.

Evie continued to squeeze and play with his nipples, leaning forward every so often to suck one or the other into her mouth.

For his part, Mathayus continued to stroke and gently rub parts of Rick's body, squeezing every so often.

Rick let his eyes close, getting lost in a haze of pleasure pain as his lovers' actions contrasted with the need for his Master to continue thrusting into his poor, swollen channel. He wondered if Mathayus would have several small ejaculations into him, or one long hard release... they had no idea what the bond would require. Part of him hoped it was several; maybe his master's release would soothe him inside a little. He knew they weren't even close to finished.... he had to pass out completely for the bond to accept his offering; at least that's what he thought Evie had meant.

Mathayus did his best to move as gently as possible inside Rick, knowing the other man was sore and doing his best to limit the discomfort as much as possible.

Rick let his fingers thread through Evie's hair, whimpering softly and holding her face to his chest as she sucked one his nipples into her mouth.

Evie continued to gently suck and then nip at Rick's nipples, gently grazing them with her teeth, turning them hard and pebbled.

"So good." Rick whimpered softly. Mathayus had shifted slightly and was gently rubbing over his prostate again. The combination of nipple play and the gentle stimulation of his sensitive bundle of nerves left him rousing again, his member hard and jutting proudly up.

Mathayus grunted softly as his member hardened inside Rick and he released, fingers flexing and gently gripping Rick's hips.

Evie nuzzled and gently kissed the nipple she was sucking.

Feeling Mat's release inside of him sent Rick over the edge again and he shuddered, clenching around his master's member even as he fell. Next thing he knew was Evie still gently nipping and sucking while Mathayus slowly began to thrust again. He'd lost a few seconds from white hot pleasure. His breath caught in his throat at realizing he'd blacked out and tears pooled in his eyes. It hadn't been enough to finalize the bond, but he felt instinctively it was going the right direction to doing so. "Feels better, Master... can feel you rubbing your release into the soreness and it... feels better..." he whispered in a husky voice. He knew his words made no sense, but then again, he never would have thought a magical bond made sense. Maybe this was a way the bond encouraged the dominant in the pairing to keep going, even if it hurt the submissive... if the pain could be soothed by the dominant filling them?

Mathayus listened intently to Rick's words and relaxed visibly at the acknowledgement that it was soothing Rick inside. It helped calm his worry about pushing too much and potentially harming Rick. He gently squeezed Rick's hips and continued to thrust. It felt right to him too, like they were going in the right direction, even though his member was feeling tender and sensitive the longer it went on.

"Does... does it still look good, sweetheart?" Rick asked Evie, in a husky voice.

Evie pulled back and nuzzled against Rick's neck, kissing him there. "It still looks good," she whispered. "We should definitely do this again when the bond won't force things to last longer than they should."

Mathayus grunted softly, but didn't allow any other noise or hint of discomfort to show as his member began to grow and swell inside Rick once more. He knew it was painful for the other man, too, so did his best not to show that he too was in pain.

Rick swallowed as he felt himself stretching again, managing to keep his whimper under control. He looked into Mathayus' face, into his eyes. He knew the larger man could probably see that it hurt, but he hoped that his master could also see his determination. He wanted... needed... to see it through. "You remember what you told me when Alex was born?" he said to Evie. "When I was worried about how much pain you were going through and that it was dangerous for you?"

Evie smiled at the question and kissed Rick gently. "I told you that any amount of pain was worth it to bring Alex into the world."

Rick smiled. "Kinda feel that way now... though the pain I'm feeling is nowhere close to what you went through. It's worth it if Mathayus can stay and be in our family... if I can stay."

"It is worth it," Evie agreed. She looked at Mathayus. "Do you want to stay?" she asked him directly. "If you want to stay with us, it'll make the pain easier to deal with. Because we know what we're working towards."

Mathayus nodded. "That desire makes the pain much more bearable."

"Good... that's really good..." Rick smiled at Mathayus, letting out a tiny gasp as his prostate was rubbed again. His member jerked to attention immediately.

It didn't take long for Mathayus' release to come over him once more and he gently gripped Rick's hips, making sure he kept hold of the other man so that there was no chance of him hurting himself.

Rick let out a tiny sigh of contentment as the warmth flooded through him. The sensation sent him over the edge again. He had no clue how long it took to recover that time... his vision whitened and when he finally became aware again, Mathayus was thrusting, holding his hips tightly in place because the larger man was stroking the over-sensitized bundle of nerves and Rick was squirming helplessly in response. He groaned loudly, turning dazed eyes on his lovers, finding it difficult to focus.

Evie leaned in and brushed a gentle kiss against Rick's lips. She was worried, but trusted that the end result would make all of this worth it.

Mathayus was still thrusting; by this point, not because he wanted to, but because he wanted to make sure they reached the point the bond demanded, so that they could move onto taking care of Rick.

Rick groaned; the thrusting hurt... but it also felt so good. He turned glazed and confused eyes on his lovers, tears sliding down his cheeks. He opened his legs further in response to the thrusting. It took surprisingly little time for him to arouse a third time in a short time and when he released, it took longer for him to bounce back and refocus. And he wasn't completely focused even then.

Mathayus kept careful watch over Rick when he was unfocused and out of it, even when he came back. He still kept hold of the other man, making sure Rick was as comfortable and supported as it was possible to do.

Evie continued to watch, wanting to assist and take care of her men as soon as they needed. She held a glass of wine up to Rick's lips, making sure he drank before doing the same for Mathayus. She also insisted that Rick drink a full glass of water, also offering water to Mathayus. She bit her lip as she saw the red angry chafing of the two men's bodies. As good as Mathayus' shaft sliding in and out of Rick looked to her, it also looked very painful. She quickly pulled a healing, soothing ointment closer to her, prepared to give it to Mathayus as soon as the older man was able to make use of it.

"Is that the ointment you used for Alex when he was a baby?" Rick slurred, a confused look on his face.

"Yes," Evie acknowledged. "It worked wonders for diaper rash and chafing, so it should help the two of you...." She bit her lip as Rick whimper-gasped again, his member twitching, seeming to want to rise and harden but doing so very slowly. It was obvious he was past being over-sensitive, so his response was sluggish.

For his part, Mathayus was 'rousing again very slowly. It was painful, but he was less concerned about himself than about Rick. He took the wine and the water when it was offered, but despite the bond giving him the energy from Rick, he was still tiring as well.

"There is one positive thing about this..." Evie whispered, wanting to help in some way. "If I'm reading the translation right, once the bond is satisfied and solid, it is permanent. You won't have to force past the point you'd want to stop, ever again. Not unless you both chose to.... Although it is clear that you will still be in charge." She looked at Mathayus. "The bond indicates that the desire won't ever leave; and that the needs won't change. It didn't account for me joining in, though, so not sure how I'll fit into this new dynamic."

"Same as before, sweetheart," Rick mumbled, before swallowing. "My best friend and partner... equal and support in all things.... just now you'll be there for Maty too..." He giggled slightly, his voice tired and pained. He was drunk and not from the wine; his energy was at the level of exhaustion. The continual pressure inside his channel, the steady rhythmic rubbing of his prostate, had finally caused his member to fill and harden completely, but he wasn't able to release for a fourth time. Not yet.

Mathayus nodded slowly. "Your husband is right. The bond will bind the three of us, but the relationship you both have won't change." He shifted slightly. "Once the bond has what it wants, taking care of you will be much easier," he said to Rick.

"In what way?" Rick slurred again in confusion. Maybe when he wasn't nearly drained from the bond pulling his life force and giving it to his master, he would know what Mathayus meant and not need it explained. Currently, the only reason he hadn't passed out yet was the extra bit of strength Evie had lent him.

"It will be easier to take care of you when we are not joined," Mathayus answered.

Rick gave Mathayus a bleary-eyed pout before his eyes widened and his mouth opened in an 'oh' shape. "You mean it'll be easier to take care of my sore butt!" he crowed gleefully at having figured it out.

Evie gave him an amused but tender smile. "Yes, darling. That's what he meant."

Mathayus' smile was one of fond amusement. "Yes, that is what I meant," he agreed. "And you will feel better."

"And we can take care of you! Right?" Rick asked, before yawning.

"Right," Mathayus agreed. "Once you are recovered enough."

"I'll make sure he is okay, darling. Even if you are still recovering," Evie promised.

"Good..." Rick whined softly, shifting then letting out a tiny sob. He was on the edge, but not quite able to go over. The bond needed it to be rougher. "...Harder..." he begged, in a whisper.

"Are you sure?" Mathayus looked worriedly at Rick, knowing that he was sore and overstimulated anyway. It might be demanded by the bond, but he'd hold back for as long as it was necessary. As long as Rick needed him to.

"I c... can't... it won't let me..." Rick said, in a tiny voice that was slightly scared. He wasn't sure, but hanging on the edge like he was, was beginning to frighten him. He didn't know why. He squirmed into a new position so that Mathayus wasn't stroking the bundle of over-sensitive nerves; he was hitting it. Rick let out a sobbing wail and his body tensed up, quivering in place, as if waiting for his master to decide what to do and move again (Mathayus had frozen in place at the wail).

Evie swallowed and turned wide eyes onto the other man. "Maybe you don't need to be harder so much as... stop holding back and just take? The bond wants you to completely own him, after all... maybe it views you listening to him and being careful as not taking what belongs to you...."

Mathayus breathed in deep. He didn't really want to just take, no matter what the bond wanted. This wasn't about possessing and just taking his own pleasure, after all. And this had reached a point that it wasn't actually pleasurable for him either.

But if he held back, if he just waited, the bond would make Rick suffer. It was already obvious that was happening. So even though he didn't really want to just take, Mathayus let his fingers grip Rick's hips tighter. And he began to thrust. Hard, fast, deep.

Rick's eyes widened and he wailed as his master pounded into him. It was past painful, the rawness and oversensitivity combined with the bruising thrusts, but Rick sensed when the bond became satisfied. Rick had offered himself; given himself completely to Mathayus. Mathayus seemingly had finally understood what that meant to the bond and stopped holding back.

He knew they'd be having a long talk after, but for this second in time, Rick had one more thing he had to do. He threw his head back, baring his throat, let his arms lay loose and open at his side, exposing his chest and belly, and drew his knees up as far as he could before opening them wide so his most private areas were vulnerable to the larger man... one last visible representation of him giving himself totally, submitting, to Mathayus.

Rick felt the bond accepting their actions, felt it drawing his life-force, sending it into Mathayus, and in that moment, pain turned into pleasure. His eyes rolled back into his head as his body began to spasm, almost as if he were seizing. His entrance clenched like a vice holding his master in place, the muscles squeezing and pulling him in, trying to milk him for what he needed. And his own release shot out of his body almost violently, covering him, Mathayus, even Evie with every last ounce he held inside, until his shaft was limp against his body. As limp as his body was. He was out cold.

Evie swallowed hard, saying in a hoarse whisper, "The bond liked whatever you did. You just have to follow through now. K... keep going till you release... and hope it's enough." She didn't think any of them could continue after this. If the bond didn't accept it, she would start looking for ways to bring people permanently back from the underworld and forget trying to appease a soulless piece of magic.

Mathayus nodded and gripped hold of Rick's hips tighter. With one last hard thrust, his own release came over him and he emptied inside the other man. His head tipped back for a long, drawn-out animal howl before he then leaned down and closed his teeth around Rick's throat; not breaking the skin, not even biting, but giving in to instincts.

Evie's eyes widened at the animalistic display and she gasped softly, watching to see if Rick woke. He didn't, but she saw a slight glow shift from Rick to Mathayus. "The bond really liked you doing that..." she whispered in relief. "Stay with him..." she ordered, before quickly going to get a basin of warm water and soft, clean cloths.

Mathayus nodded to Evie and didn't move from Rick's side. His eyes were fixed on the other man, watching him worriedly. While he could tell that Rick was sleeping, he knew that his new bond-mate was sore. As soon as it was safe to do so, he planned to take care of him.

Evie moved as quickly as she could, returning with warm water and soft cloths. She placed it within reach of Mathayus, also moving the ointment within his reach. Swallowing again, she whispered, "Do you want me to take care of Rick while you take care of yourself?" She expected he'd tell her no. He'd been visibly reluctant to hurt Rick, even though the bond had forced their hand. She suspected he'd want to take care of Rick to balance the fact he'd had to hurt him. But she offered anyway.

Mathayus shook his head. "I was the one who caused him pain. I need to be the one to help him." He reached for the items, so he could begin the cleaning up and use the ointment to hopefully reduce the swelling and soreness.

Evie nodded and shifted back so Mathayus could take care of Rick.  Her husband wasn't stirring.

Mathayus treated Rick as carefully and thoroughly as possible. "I'm sorry that this has occurred and changed both of your lives. I never expected this to happen."

"From what Rick told me... he promised himself to you in exchange for you helping... which saved me and our son. He was quite honestly shocked when you went back to the underworld without him." Evie smiled sadly. "If you had not done what you just did, he would have been taken from us after all. And you weren't responsible for the necessity. You saved my husband for me and my son. I'm grateful to you."

"I just hope that this level of possession will not be required by the bond again." There was a note of worry in Mathayus' voice. He was very careful and very gentle as he treated Rick as much as possible, using the ointment inside the other man as far as he could.

"If what I read is complete and correct, I don't think it will. How do you feel? Can you feel a connection?" Evie quietly and carefully attended Mathayus.

Mathayus nodded. "It's not as strong as when we were joined, but I can still feel it."

"Good. I... saw a glow of sorts. When you were joined. When Rick passed out. I think the bond completed. I don't think it will force anything else... even if it might give you impulses." Evie smiled at him. She finished cleaning him and gently applied ointment, before gathering everything to take it downstairs. "Jonathan and Alex will be home soon. I'll explain that you are staying and make excuses for you and Rick. Stay with him. After everything, he'll need a cuddle..." She smiled crookedly, before leaving the two alone.

Mathayus thanked Evie and then, as she'd requested, he stuck by Rick's side; not trying to wake him, just being there so that his presence could be felt even as the other man slept.

***

It took about ten minutes, but eventually, Rick began to stir with a soft whimper. Now that they were still, Mathayus was beside him instead of in him, and the bond's urging was absent, he could feel how sore he truly was. Even so. "It doesn't hurt as bad as I thought it would," he whispered, right before opening his eyes and looking straight at Mathayus, sensing him. He felt another very faint presence toward where the kitchen would be. "Evie go downstairs to explain to the others?" His voice was rough and he tried to clear his throat.

Mathayus nodded. He picked up the pitcher and poured out a glass of water, then moved to help Rick to drink. "I've treated what I can of the soreness, but you'll still feel it for a while."

"I'll be okay, Mat... can I call you Mat?" Rick smiled, drinking with Mathayus's help. "It really doesn't hurt as much as I thought it would.

"You can call me Mat," Mathayus agreed. "I'm glad it doesn't hurt as much as you thought. Hopefully, that means full recovery will occur faster."

"Maybe... I wouldn't be able to tell..." Rick gave a sheepish smile, shifting closer to Mat without thinking, needing closeness.

Remembering what Evie had said about Rick needing cuddles, Mathayus automatically wrapped his arms around Rick, pulling the other man gently onto his lap.

Rick blinked at his sudden new position, but quickly adjusted, wrapping his arms around Mat and putting his head on his shoulder. "You'll stay now, right?" he asked quietly. He thought he'd be crushed if Mat decided to leave after what had just occurred between them.

"I'll stay," Mathayus replied quietly. "As long as that's what you want."

"I do want that. The thought of you leaving now... scares me," Rick admitted uncertainly. "Evie wants you to stay too, I'm sure. She wouldn't have left us alone if she wanted you to leave."

"That makes me happy," Mathayus said softly. "I wasn't sure you would welcome me coming here."

"You've saved my family twice now. You've proven yourself honorable. You're sexy as fuck and fuck like... it's indescribable. And I want to actually get to know you. Hope that we have time to do that..." Rick swallowed and blushed faintly.

"There doesn't seem to be the same kind of acts demanded by the bond now that it's been fully formed," Mathayus said. "It should give us a chance to get to know each other and form attachments that do not come just from the magic that's tied us together."

Rick nodded, snuggling close. "Dunno if it's the bond, or the fact my whole life has changed so drastically and I've just started down a path I never thought I'd want or need like I do now... but... need to be held tight..." Rick sighed softly.

"Evie mentioned you'd need cuddling." Mathayus let his hands stroke gently over Rick's hair and back; not sexual or demanding, just providing contact and comfort.

"She's smart like that. Usually, I hold onto her tight when I feel like this. Kinda nice to be held, though..." Rick whispered, continuing to snuggle.

"Good," Mathayus murmured, still stroking and rubbing gently over Rick's hair and back.

Rick sighed happily, yawning softly. "...Love you..." he mumbled, before falling asleep again.

Mathayus held Rick close and tight, whispering, "I love you too." He held the other man close, wanting to make sure Rick felt comforted and safe.

Evie returned in time to hear the words and see the tenderness between the two men. Smiling, she whispered, so as not to wake Rick up, "Jonathan and Alex know you will be staying and that they should introduce you as Mat O’Connell. Jonathan, I think, suspects the truth, but I'd like to keep Alex in the dark just a little longer. At least until he is old enough to understand the truth. Until then, he just needs to know you are living with us and you are important."

Mathayus nodded. "I understand," he replied softly.

Evie nodded with a smile. "Why don't you make yourself more comfortable? Get more sleep? We can go out and get you some belongings in the morning." She began to help him shift back onto the bed, where he could be more comfortable. "I'm going to change for bed. If you want, you can put Rick down beside you.... There will still be enough room for me to squeeze in if he's not on top of you and latched on like a leech. Unless, of course, you feel better holding him on top of you. Your choice..." She turned and disappeared into a walk-in closet to put on night clothes. She didn't offer to bring out Rick's night clothes. After everything, she figured the skin-on-skin contact probably helped settle them both.

Mathayus didn't concern himself with changing. They were clean enough. He settled down on the bed, carefully holding Rick close; not quite on top of him, but it was very close. Having the other man so close felt good.

When Evie returned, she got into the bed as close to Rick and Mathayus as she could, wrapping her arms around both of them. "Good night, my loves... see you in the morning," she whispered right before falling asleep.

The night was uneventful.

The End