Satisfied, Isaac placed the final brushstroke on the card before him. For a moment, he leaned back and studied his work before a faint, exhausted smile flickered across his lips. Carefully, he set the finished card beside the other eight copies already stacked neatly on his desk.
Ever since his training session with Vincent, things had been going astonishingly well. Better than well, if he was being honest. The crippling exhaustion that used to overwhelm him after every spell no longer came. Instead of collapsing completely drained after only a few enchantments, he could now create several cards in succession without his magic becoming unstable or his head starting to ache. More than that, deep inside he carried the certain feeling that he was nowhere near his limit yet.
It was an intoxicating feeling.
Isaac could not remember the last time he had been this focused. The last time he had become so completely absorbed in an activity that space and time had ceased to matter. It had probably been years.
Without sparing even a glance for the clock or the countless unread messages on his phone, he already reached for the next blank card. From his headphones, Vivaldi's L'estate was playing. The wild violins, the restless tempo, and the looming heaviness of the music immediately made him think of a summer storm.
Perfect.
With practiced movements, he began sketching the first lines onto the paper. He roughly outlined the design, careful not to add too many details with the pencil. They would not be visible later anyway. Then he picked up his palette, prepared his paints, and began weaving the spell into the artwork.
By now, the magic flowed through him almost effortlessly. It pulsed warmly through his veins instead of burning him alive from within. That training session had given him more than he ever could have hoped for.
And so, more hours passed.
When Isaac finally completed the last line, he lowered the brush and exhaled deeply. The card shimmered briefly beneath his fingers before the magic stabilized and sank into the colors.
A satisfied smile appeared on his lips.
Noctis would definitely be pleased. In an emergency, these cards could buy valuable seconds and help him conserve his own strength. Especially after the recent events, Isaac felt better knowing they were prepared.
He placed the brush into the water and stretched thoroughly. Only then did he notice the unpleasant pull in his back and the dull burning behind his eyes. Blinking tiredly, he reached for his phone, only to freeze in alarm when he saw the time.
He had been awake for more than forty hours.
The realization hit him like a blow. In an instant, his body seemed to remember just how exhausted he truly was. His muscles felt heavy, his head dull, and even breathing suddenly required more effort.
"Damn…" he murmured quietly.
And yet, he had enjoyed it. He definitely had not been this focused in a very long time.
The thought of continuing again after just a few hours of sleep was disturbingly tempting. More than anything, he wanted to know what Vincent would say about his progress in two days. Isaac had already completed far more cards than originally planned.
Using the last of his strength, he cleaned up his workspace, gathered the scattered pencils, and carried the used brushes into the bathroom. There, he carefully washed them out before quickly stepping into the shower. The hot water relaxed his aching muscles, and he looked forward to lying down in bed and allowing himself a little rest.
As far as he was concerned, every day could pass like this.
A little while later, he pulled on a fresh shirt and a clean pair of boxers, brushed his teeth, and finally collapsed into bed in exhaustion.
He had barely closed his eyes when his bedroom door opened.
"Darling, I'm back," Noctis' voice sounded through the darkness. A moment later, he added in confusion, "Huh? Why is it so dark in here?"
Isaac heard Noctis close the door behind him.
"Leave the light off," Isaac muttered immediately, raising an arm protectively over his eyes just as the bright ceiling light flicked on anyway, burning painfully against his retinas.
"Oh?" Amusement was unmistakable in his voice. "Are you actually already in bed?"
Isaac responded only with a tired noise. Noctis switched the light off again. A moment later, fabric rustled and somewhere clothing dropped to the floor.
"Were you waiting for me?" Noctis asked suggestively.
"I was waiting for you," Isaac murmured sleepily, "but I'm too tired for anything, Noctis. Let's just sleep."
He pulled the blanket aside slightly.
"Come lie down with me."
"You seriously want to sleep?" Noctis asked, audible disappointment in his voice.
Isaac yawned.
"I've been awake since six yesterday morning." His voice was barely more than a murmur by now. "There are new cards on the table. Take them with you when you leave."
Even as he spoke, he could feel his thoughts slipping away.
The mattress shifted slightly as Noctis lay down beside him. A moment later, a warm hand gently brushed across Isaac's face.
"I hurried back just to get to you sooner," Noctis said softly. "At least let's make out a little."
A kiss landed on the tip of Isaac's nose.
"Just one, darling."
Isaac let out a tired snort.
"With you, it never stays at just one kiss."
Still, he reached for Noctis' hand and intertwined their fingers.
"I'm glad you're back," he murmured, barely intelligible. "Let's talk tomorrow morning."
His words became increasingly slurred. Exhaustion dragged him down mercilessly; it felt as though he were sinking into a deep ocean.
At least Noctis was back, and he seemed well enough to think about sex. If that was not a good sign, Isaac did not know what was.
He only hoped Noctis would still be there when he woke up.
"That's not how this works, darling," he heard Noctis say quietly. "I hurry back for you and you—"
Isaac did not catch the rest.
Sleep finally claimed him completely.
___
A faint vibration slipped into his dream, at first barely noticeable, like the distant hum of a temple bell in the morning mist. Just moments ago, Isaac had been standing before the five-story pagoda of Hōryū-ji in Nara. Reddish-brown wood gleamed in the warm light of the rising sun, the scent of incense hung heavy in the air, and somewhere between the ancient pillars, the wind rustled softly through the trees. The peaceful silence of the temple grounds settled over him like a veil.
Then his phone began ringing in his pocket.
With an annoyed sigh, Isaac reached for it, but no matter which button he pressed or how often he tapped the screen — the damned thing simply would not stop.
"What the…?"
The damn thing kept vibrating.
Slowly, his consciousness fought its way to the surface. The dream faded piece by piece, replaced by warmth and a strangely pulsing sensation. His breath caught slightly. Something was wrong.
Or perhaps not.
"Ngh…!"
The quiet sound slipped from his lips as he suddenly became aware that he was completely aroused. Something vibrated lazily against his penis between his legs, sending waves of pleasant tension through his body at regular intervals. His heart began to beat faster.
"Can you feel it, darling?"
Noctis' voice was dark and amused right beside his ear.
A warm hand slid across Isaac's stomach. Slowly, Noctis' fingers traced every contour of his muscles, following the lines of his body as though he had all the time in the world. Isaac flinched beneath the touch. Even the slightest movement sent goosebumps racing across his skin. His penis reacted impatiently, twitching against the vibrating toy he had by now shamelessly recognized.
Damn… this dream felt far too good.
A rough, sleepy moan escaped his throat as reality finally settled in.
Wait a second. He was awake?
He was not dreaming — this was real!
Isaac's eyes flew open, only to be greeted by complete darkness. The room was filled with the soft buzzing sound whose source lay between his legs. Isaac tried to reach for it, but several things became apparent to him all at once.
He was naked.
He was tied up.
Something was blocking his vision.
He could neither reach the vibrating toy between his legs nor move his legs. They were bent and secured with some kind of strap. He was bound up like a damn package.
"Finally awake, darling," Noctis whispered directly into his ear. His dark voice instantly sent pleasant shivers through Isaac's body. "It really wasn't very nice of you to leave me hanging like that."
Isaac swallowed hard. His mouth was dry, his head still hazy from the abrupt awakening and the conflicting sensations racing through his body. Exhaustion stood in sharp contrast to the treacherous heat tightening low in his stomach despite everything.
"Noctis…" His voice sounded hoarse. "What the hell are you doing…?"
A quiet laugh brushed against his neck, followed by a gentle bite against his skin.
"Me?" Noctis asked with feigned innocence. The mattress shifted slightly as he leaned closer over Isaac. "What do you mean? You'll have to be a little more specific, darling."
A soft click cut through the darkness.
At the same moment, the vibrations intensified.
Isaac immediately bit down on his lip to suppress the next sound. His muscles tensed reflexively while a distinctly satisfied laugh sounded beside him.
"Have I ever told you how much I love that your body always makes it very clear what you like and what you don't?" Noctis asked.
Isaac could not see anything, and yet he could picture that smug grin far too clearly. He tugged against his restraints.
"That's enough, Noctis. Untie me," Isaac said, his voice trembling.
He tried to press his legs together, but Noctis had bound them somehow, leaving him barely able to move. The restraints did not hurt. They felt more unfamiliar than uncomfortable, and although he was completely at Noctis' mercy, he could still feel how excited his body reacted to all of this.
The exhaustion still weighed heavily on his limbs, yet at the same time a feverish warmth spread through him, growing stronger with every breath.
"No chance, darling," Noctis said as his tongue traced along Isaac's neck and he kissed his way downward. He flicked Isaac's nipple with his tongue, drawing another moan from him. "Why would I stop when you so obviously enjoy what I'm doing?"
He bit down on the nipple, and the sudden use of his teeth made Isaac cry out. The sensation shot through him in a shiver straight to his anus, which trembled and pulsed impatiently with arousal.
Damn it, Noctis was right. He really did like this far too much. The desire for sleep drifted further and further away while his body demanded more.
"Oh darling, if only I'd known sooner how much you enjoy being woken up with sex, I would've greeted you like this every single time I came home," he chuckled.
"Cut the stupid comments," Isaac breathed out, completely breathless.
The arousal kept building. If only Noctis would stop playing games and finally do something about this frustrating feeling. Isaac's wish was granted when Noctis's hand finally moved to his throbbing hole.
"Wow, your hole is pulsing like crazy," he murmured again, close to Isaac's ear. "Just lean back and enjoy it. I'll take good care of you."
Isaac swallowed hard.
"At least take off the blindfold," Isaac pleaded, his breath hitching.
Noctis answered immediately.
"No." A brief kiss brushed against his temple. "You're far more sensitive right now than usual. I want to know how much you can feel."
Isaac cursed quietly under his breath. Unfortunately, Noctis was completely right. Without being able to see, every touch felt more intense, more immediate. His entire body seemed electrified.
Isaac felt cold gel at his entrance, and finally Noctis's fingers massaged the spot. He needed more than just the touch of his fingers. His lower body throbbed; he wanted to come, and yet the pathetic buzzing of the vibrator wasn't enough to give him the relief he craved.
Only Noctis could give him what he needed, and he wanted it immediately.
If only he would finally push inside me…
It didn't even occur to Isaac that he might need more preparation.
All he wanted was Noctis.
Isaac exhaled shakily. That damn blindfold made him feel everything three times more intensely than usual. Why couldn't it also make that damn vibrator enough?!
"Noc… please…" Isaac begged.
"Please what?" Noctis asked innocently.
Isaac's plea dissolved into a moan when Noctis turned the vibrator up stronger.
Isaac gasped in surprise and threw his head back against the pillow. His whole body tensed immediately. His knees trembled uncontrollably against the restraints while Noctis laughed softly.
"Oh? Seems like you like that setting."
"Noctis—" Isaac gasped.
"Hmm?"
"You're an asshole."
"You love me," Noctis shot back cheekily.
Unfortunately, also true.
Isaac bit his lip in frustration. How could this damn thing make him so sensitive and still not come close to giving him what his body was craving by now?
Noctis kissed his way across Isaac's chest again.
"What do you think about continuing?"
Isaac exhaled shakily.
"Will you at least untie my legs?"
"In a moment."
The fingers disappeared shortly afterward, and instead Isaac felt something cool against his inner thigh.
He tensed immediately.
"What is that?"
Noctis laughed softly.
"A dildo. You probably want to feel something other than my fingers between your legs, don't you?" Noctis asked. "Luckily, my brother thought of everything."
A heartbeat later, Isaac understood.
"You're using that damn box?!" Isaac snapped at him, embarrassed.
But whatever he had wanted to say in further protest was drowned out by a moan as the aforementioned dildo pushed inside him. At the same time, Isaac felt Noctis's tongue against his cock.
Isaac's back arched as the sudden combination of pressure, vibration, and Noctis's tongue completely overwhelmed him. The dildo stretched him slowly and evenly, just enough to make him feel like he was finally no longer empty. At the same time, Noctis's tongue moved over his sensitive tip in slow, steady strokes.
"Nnh— damn…"
His voice broke off in the middle of the sentence. Every half-hearted attempt to complain dissolved somewhere beneath the overwhelming sensations. That feeling of being completely at someone else's mercy was slowly driving him insane.
Noctis hummed contentedly against his skin.
Isaac pulled against the restraints again. Not really to free himself — more out of reflex. Because he had to do something against the waves of pleasure now running through every single fiber of his body. He had gotten exactly what he wanted, and yet suddenly everything felt like too much at once. He wanted to see what was happening to him.
What kind of look was Noctis giving him? Was he just as aroused as Isaac, even though he was only using that damn toy instead of his own body?
During all this time, he hadn't even kissed Isaac on the lips, despite the fact that Noctis's mouth had otherwise been everywhere.
The vibrator kept pulsing between his legs. The dildo moved slowly inside him, repeatedly brushing against Isaac's most sensitive spot. It almost felt as though Noctis himself was filling him, and yet it still felt wrong.
He wanted Noctis, not this stupid toy.
Why did Noctis enjoy tormenting him so much?
"Noctis… please…"
This time it sounded less like protest.
Warm lips kissed their way up his stomach until they paused close to his ear again. The moment his lips left Isaac's tip, the movements guiding the dildo inside him also became slower.
"I love it when you beg me like this."
Isaac let out a frustrated sound.
It was driving him insane how Noctis kept bringing him right to the edge only to slow down again. As if he were savoring every single moment of seeing Isaac completely lose control.
"I hate you," Isaac murmured breathlessly.
"No," Noctis said calmly. "You're just sensitive right now."
"And you're an idiot," Isaac shot back shakily.
Noctis laughed softly.
By now Isaac's legs were trembling uncontrollably. His fingers clung to the restraints around his wrists as though he could hold onto them and stop himself from completely losing his mind. He just wanted to come already.
"Hard for you, hm?" Noctis's voice sounded gentle. "You're still handling it surprisingly well."
"Just… shut up…"
Noctis smirked.
"You're doing this on purpose," Isaac murmured hoarsely.
"Of course I'm doing it on purpose."
That dark, self-satisfied amusement was back in his voice, and it was exactly why Isaac wanted to kiss him and strangle him at the same time.
Another click sounded, and suddenly he thrust the dildo harder into Isaac until he found a rhythm that nearly drove him out of his mind.
Isaac cried out loudly when Noctis bit his nipple and pressed his body down against the vibrator. The vibrations intensified. He felt everything far too intensely. When Noctis sucked on his nipple, Isaac moaned uncontrollably.
Isaac came with a hoarse sound as every muscle in his body tensed. His legs trembled violently against the restraints, which now felt strangely loose, his breathing uneven and ragged. His chest rose and fell heavily with every breath as he pressed his head into the pillows and arched his back while hot waves of pleasure finally crashed through him.
His head felt stuffed with cotton, and every sound seemed distant and muffled. He could vaguely hear fabric shifting. The soft clink of a buckle. Then suddenly he felt hands on his legs.
Isaac's leg twitched slightly when the first restraint was finally undone. Noctis slowly kissed the inside of his thigh while opening the second buckle as well.
Afterward he turned the vibrator back down to a weaker setting, though even that was almost unbearably sensitive right after his orgasm. Then he pulled the dildo out of Isaac. The sudden emptiness felt unpleasant.
"Wouldn't have thought toys could entertain you this much," Noctis said, his voice heavy with lust.
Isaac let out a quiet gasp.
"Had enough now?"
Noctis's audible smirk returned.
"Not even close."
He completely removed the restraints from Isaac's legs. A sigh escaped Isaac as his legs finally regained their usual freedom of movement. He expected Noctis to free his arms too and finally remove the blindfold.
But Noctis did neither.
"Noctis…"
"What's wrong, darling?" Noctis asked.
Isaac heard clothes rustling and being tossed onto the floor. So Noctis wanted to keep going. It didn't really surprise Isaac — after all, Noctis hadn't come yet, and it was unlikely he would be satisfied with merely using toys to pleasure Isaac.
"You're really trembling," Noctis murmured, almost fascinated.
Isaac tugged at the restraints again.
"Because this feels completely insane…"
His voice sounded fragile. Between the sensations, the darkness, and the total sensory overload, it was becoming difficult for him to think clearly at all.
Noctis slowly kissed along his neck.
"But you still don't want me to stop."
Isaac hated how quickly his body betrayed him.
Though he couldn't exactly deny it, because the blindfold left him unable to see anything. All Isaac could do was wait to find out what Noctis would do next. The vibrator was only humming faintly now, like it had at the beginning, and yet it was unbearable so soon after his orgasm.
"Take the rest off too," Isaac pleaded shakily. "I want to see you."
"Not tonight, darling," Noctis said. "I was looking forward so much to seeing you again after my first mission. You have no idea how many daydreams I had about seeing you naked beneath me. How often I imagined you moaning my name."
Isaac let out a quiet moan when Noctis pushed his fingers inside him and started fingering him unbearably slowly.
"Instead, you're lying in bed and don't even get up to greet me. What if I'd actually been hurt?"
"T-then I would've gotten up," Isaac replied. "Besides, you had more than enough sex before you left!"
Suddenly Noctis's voice was right beside his ear.
"What do you think is the reason I kept fantasizing about taking you again and again?" he whispered. "You have no idea what you do to me, Isaac. Just looking at you is enough to completely shut my brain off."
His free hand suddenly touched Isaac's face, then slowly traveled downward, brushing over Isaac's throat, his underarm, his chest. He traced slow circles around his nipple with his thumb while his other hand began moving more intensely. The fingers inside him pressed against his prostate again. Isaac jolted; his whole body tingled and pulsed.
He didn't even know what sensation he was supposed to focus on anymore.
"And that's why you came up with the idiotic idea of using the damn toys your brother bought?" Isaac moaned softly.
Damn it, he was far too sensitive after that first orgasm.
"Why not? If it's already here, we might as well use it," Noctis said lightly. "Besides, you like it."
"I do not like it," Isaac scoffed unconvincingly.
"Is that so?" Noctis asked as the fingers of his free hand brushed over Isaac's stomach.
His muscles twitched traitorously beneath the touch. Then Noctis pulled his hand away, and before Isaac could even wonder where he would touch him next, Noctis lifted his leg and licked along his thigh. The sudden use of his tongue made him shiver, while his thumb stroked over the sensitive skin of his inner thigh.
"And yet your reactions are completely different than usual," Noctis continued.
He bit Isaac's thigh, licked over the same spot, and finally sucked at the skin. Isaac moaned. Noctis was right. Everything he felt was far more intense than normal. And it wasn't as though he usually had trouble feeling things. Was it because his sense of sight had been taken away? Or because he himself couldn't do anything? His legs might have been freed, but he couldn't touch Noctis, nor could he take control and claim what he needed himself.
He couldn't ride Noctis, couldn't kiss him, couldn't touch him.
He was completely at his mercy.
Lazily, Noctis continued massaging his prostate. Isaac's leg twitched, and a deep moan escaped his lips as his lower body tightened and his hole pulsed around Noctis's fingers.
"You're so sensitive, darling," Noctis whispered.
"Noc… that's enough…" Isaac moaned. "If you're not going to untie me, then at least kiss me already!"
"Oh? Haven't I kissed you yet?" Noctis asked, amused. "Wait a moment, I want to try one more thing."
He didn't pull his fingers out of Isaac and kept up the same pace. Isaac was just wondering what Noctis intended to do now when he felt cool gel against the tip of his cock. A shiver ran through his body.
"W-what are you planning?" he asked shakily.
"Oh, just one last toy I want to try."
The vibrator was still in place — was he seriously about to put some kind of masturbator on him? Wouldn't Noctis at least have to remove that stupid vibrator first? But the vibrator remained exactly where it was, and contrary to Isaac's expectations, he instead felt something thin and metallic touch the tip of his cock. His cock twitched immediately at the contact with the cold metal. He sucked in a sharp breath through his teeth.
"What is that?"
"A sounding rod," Noctis answered calmly. "And now I'm going to slide it into your cock."
"A… what?" Isaac asked, confused.
But before he could voice even a single word of protest, Noctis was already pressing the slick rod inside him.
"…Hah!"
The vibrations immediately traveled deeper the farther Noctis pushed the rod inside him. Isaac was left completely speechless; his whole body trembled uncontrollably. He couldn't find words anymore — only soft moans escaped his lips. How was he even supposed to describe what he was feeling? It was too much.
Isaac tugged at the restraints around his wrists, wanting to pull the strange rod back out, but he was still firmly tied down.
"N-Noctis, please take it back out, it feels weird," Isaac demanded.
Instead of answering, Noctis sucked at his neck and continued moving his fingers inside him without pause.
"Noctis!" Isaac snapped breathlessly between moans.
"You want me to pull it back out?" he asked, amused.
"Y-yes…" Isaac whimpered.
He could feel tears starting to form. It felt strange and good at the same time. Noctis pulled the rod back just a tiny bit, and Isaac immediately felt as though he would come on the spot. But instead of removing it, Noctis pushed it back in again. Then came another soft click, and the vibrations intensified once more.
Whatever this sensation was, it only grew stronger. Relentlessly, Noctis massaged his most sensitive spot with precise movements of his fingers. The tingling and pulsing in Isaac's lower body intensified until the feeling seemed ready to explode.
Isaac's thoughts completely shut down. All he could do was feel.
He could feel not only his anus but also his cock pulsing wildly.
He heard Noctis curse softly as Isaac's muscles clenched tightly around his fingers.
"Fuck, darling!" Noctis swore, aroused. "You're going to tear my fingers off!"
Isaac couldn't answer. His mind was incapable of forming even a single coherent word. All that escaped his lips were ragged breaths and uncontrollable moans. It took time before the sensation finally subsided and his body relaxed again.
It was, by far, the most intense orgasm Isaac had ever experienced.
He struggled to catch his breath; this was at least as exhausting as sex itself.
Noctis pulled his fingers out of Isaac, drawing a whimper from him. He still couldn't see anything. What was Noctis going to do next? Whatever he planned, Isaac certainly wasn't going to let him get away with it easily.
But instead of another toy, Noctis's hand gently brushed through his hair.
"So, how was that, darling?" he asked softly. "That was your first orgasm without actually coming."
"Take it out already," Isaac demanded shakily. "I can't anymore."
"Are you sure? If I pull it out, you'll probably come again," Noctis murmured with a faint smirk.
"I don't care. I'm done," Isaac huffed exhaustedly.
"I'm sorry, darling," Noctis said without the slightest trace of regret in his voice. He lifted Isaac's legs and positioned himself directly between them. "But I still haven't gotten what I want. Hold out a little longer."
He removed the vibrator, but the rod still remained inside Isaac's urethra.
"Noctis… just pull the rod out already…" Isaac pleaded shakily. "Untie me…"
He couldn't take it anymore. He was far too sensitive.
Instead of answering, Isaac felt Noctis's lips against his own, and then, with one thrust, he pushed himself completely inside him. Isaac dug his nails into his palms as his lips parted slightly, which Noctis immediately took as an invitation to slide his tongue into his mouth.
Unlike usual, Noctis immediately found the perfect angle to continue stimulating Isaac's already overstimulated prostate, with the result that Isaac's brain completely shut down. His lower body felt like one massive minefield.
Every thrust reignited his pleasure. Every brush against his most sensitive spot made him see stars despite the blindfold. Noctis filled him so perfectly, in a way neither the dildo nor his fingers ever had.
His body reacted instantly to everything Noctis did to him. No matter where his hands touched him or what rhythm he used to fuck him. The sensations intensified when Noctis's hand wrapped around his cock and stroked him up and down with gentle pressure. Combined with the rod, everything felt far too intense.
Their kiss deepened.
"Noc… it's too much…" Isaac gasped against his lips.
"I love you, darling," Noctis whispered. "You feel unbelievably good."
Isaac's head fell back against the pillow as his lower body tightened again, shuddering in violent pulsing waves. He pulled against the restraints, a cry of pleasure tearing from his throat as he came again. At the exact moment Isaac arched his back, Noctis pulled the rod out. Hot waves spilled across Isaac's own stomach.
He couldn't anymore, and yet Noctis kept moving; the moment seemed to last far too long. Isaac had long since lost all sense of time. All he could feel was his orgasm, the exhaustion, and Noctis's warmth.
It's enough…
Suddenly everything cut out as his body finally decided it had reached its limit.
His consciousness drifted away, and he sank into the loving embrace of sleep.