Preface

paltry is the passion that never makes us shudder
Posted originally on the Archive of Our Own at http://archiveofourown.org/works/34723816.

Rating:
Explicit
Archive Warning:
Rape/Non-Con
Category:
M/M
Fandom:
Escape the Night (Web Series)
Relationship:
Arthur (Escape the Night)/The Savant | Joey Graceffa
Character:
Arthur (Escape The Night), The Savant | Joey Graceffa, The Big Game Hunter | Oli White (mentioned), Marvin (Escape the Night) (mentioned)
Additional Tags:
Trans Male Character, Trans Savant | Joey Graceffa, Mind Control, post-Season 1, Canon Divergent, Semi-Public Sex, Accidental Voyeurism, Cunnilingus, Orgasm Delay/Denial, Plot What Plot/Porn Without Plot
Language:
English
Stats:
Published: 2021-10-25 Words: 3,474 Chapters: 1/1

paltry is the passion that never makes us shudder

Summary

Arthur gentles a hand over the pale blonde hair that’s spread across his thigh. Joey's on his knees underneath Arthur's desk, his head resting against Arthur's leg with his eyes closed. At Arthur's words, he shifts, blinking a few times before focusing on Arthur's face above him.

Arthur smiles at him. He really is the best con that Arthur's ever pulled. Joey's soft hair, those pink lips, the dusting of stubble on his jaw that turns his youthful face into that of a man's, and of course, those pretty grey-blue eyes.

OR: Joey and the rest never make it out of the Season 1 estate. Arthur takes advantage of that mind control serum. Trans Joey AU.

Notes

Happy birthday, Witchy! I'm glad I know you. Thank you to monyaka for beta-reading.

Mind the tags. Joey is a trans man in this, and terms associated with AFAB people (clit, cunt, etc) are used to describe him. Title is from Dante's Paradiso.

paltry is the passion that never makes us shudder

"Finally done, beautiful."

Arthur gentles a hand over the pale blonde hair that’s spread across his thigh. Joey's on his knees underneath Arthur's desk, his head resting against Arthur's leg with his eyes closed. At Arthur's words, he shifts, blinking a few times before focusing on Arthur's face above him.

Arthur smiles at him. He really is the best con that Arthur's ever pulled. Joey's soft hair, those pink lips, the dusting of stubble on his jaw that turns his youthful face into that of a man's, and of course, those pretty grey-blue eyes.

"I know. Quite a dull day. I wish I had been able to take a nap, as well." Arthur strokes a thumb across Joey's cheekbone. "But I'm done, and now all we have is time to ourselves."

Joey doesn't respond to that. Of course, he can't. The mind control serum is still strong in his blood, and Arthur knows it won't start to loosen its control for another couple of weeks. He doesn't really want Joey to be completely mindless, anyways; he likes his personality too much for that. He just wants him to be a bit more… obedient. So he'll use this time to train Joey, slowly weaning him off it, using his own skills to keep Joey compliant.

And speaking of that training…

Arthur pushes his chair back, motioning Joey out from underneath his desk. Joey shuffles out on his knees, looking blankly up at Arthur with his hands resting in his lap. The silk negligee he's wearing, silvery white like his hair, slips around the curves of his body and hangs loosely around his folded knees. Arthur smiles at Joey again.

"Stand up."

Joey obeys.

"Sit up on the desk."

Arthur's desk, a deep, solid mahogany and recently cleared of papers, creaks slightly as Joey rests his weight on it. At this angle, Arthur is almost eye level with his waist, and he feels a flash of satisfaction at how easily Joey's legs splay open, the man not making any effort to hold them closed. It’s just like Arthur trained him.

"Good." Arthur shrugs off his jacket as he stands as well, moving closer to Joey so he's squarely between Joey's thighs. "Kiss me."

Joey won't reciprocate, not without an order, but he seems eager enough when Arthur moves closer, reaching up to cradle the back of Joey's head. He leans in, pressing his mouth to Joey's and kissing him, getting close enough to Joey that his legs are wrapped around Arthur's waist. Joey's mouth is warm and pliable, just like the rest of his body underneath Arthur's hands, his eyes half-closed. Arthur can't help but pull him a little closer until Joey is right on the edge, his body supported by Arthur's. It almost surprises him how possessive he feels about this precious reward he's gotten for his hard work, this man who practically fell right into Arthur's lap.

"I've got you," Arthur whispers against his lips, when Joey's legs squeeze around his body like he's afraid of falling. "You're not going to fall. Just relax, I've got you."

He can feel himself hardening in his underwear, dick perking with interest at the warmth of Joey's body pressed against it, but he wants to savor this. He wants to make this last. Arthur gives him a final, heated kiss, Joey whining softly when Arthur pulls away, and sinks to his knees. In this position, Joey's legs hang over Arthur's shoulders, his thighs on either side of Arthur's head so that when Arthur turns, he can press a kiss to the sensitive skin, or nip at it gently just to hear Joey squeak.

Joey's just so pretty and vulnerable like this. He's looking down at Arthur with something akin to anticipation in his eyes, his legs spread over Arthur's shoulders, his hands behind him to support his weight on Arthur's desk. The sight pleases Arthur. He wants Joey to want this, after all. He wants Joey to look forward to it. He wants Joey to beg for it, one of these days, preferably naked with his hands tied behind his back and his cunt already dripping wet.

Arthur puts those thoughts from his mind. He should focus on the present now. He turns his head, glancing up at Joey with a heated look as he sucks a mark into his inner thigh just to feel the way Joey's muscles twitch.

"I want you to make noise for me, okay, beautiful?" Arthur whispers against Joey's skin, and Joey gives a nod. "Good boy. Show me how much you like this."

With that, Arthur reaches in to push Joey's silk gown out of the way, holding it up near his hips as he kisses along Joey's outer folds, nosing at the crease of his thigh until Joey gets the hint and spreads his legs a little wider. He's already getting wet, hot and slick against Arthur's mouth, his thighs tensing slightly when Arthur presses an open-mouthed kiss to Joey's clit. Joey's easy to work up, Arthur knows, his body responding eagerly to any touches Arthur gives him. Is it the serum? Or was he not given enough attention in his old life? Arthur finds that hard to believe. A man like Joey would surely have no problems getting people into his bed. Even Arthur couldn't resist him, after all.

Enough of that. The possessiveness from before sparks hotter in Arthur's chest at the thought of some unnamed man bedding his Joey, his new, beloved pet. The only person who will touch Joey now is Arthur himself. Other people can look, of course, and Arthur hopes they do, but no one except Arthur will put their hands on him ever again.

Joey whines as Arthur slides his tongue down between his folds to lap gently at his entrance, hands grabbing at the edge of the desk to steady himself. "O-Oh…"

Just like that, Arthur thinks, satisfied with how vocal Joey always turns out to be. He goes back to Joey's clit, wrapping his mouth around it and sucking gently until Joey's hips jerk up against his tongue, glancing up Joey's body to find his face. Joey's eyes are closed, his mouth hanging open slightly as he pants for breath, and Arthur wonders what he's thinking about. Arthur himself? Some previous partner? Perhaps he's not thinking about anything beyond the pleasure, numb to his past and future from the serum, his only thoughts being those of how good it feels right now at this moment. Arthur can't stop a groan at that, and Joey's hips jerk again at the vibration against his clit.

"Arthur…" Joey whimpers. His hips grind forward, a soft, involuntary movement. "Arthur, oh…"

"I've got you," Arthur whispers, and he presses his tongue against Joey's clit harder, alternating between that and sucking at it gently, swallowing down every drop of salty-sweet wetness that beads on his tongue.

Wordlessly, he guides Joey down with his hands on his hips, Joey immediately obeying and laying back so he's flat against Arthur's desk. The angle seems to make Joey relax a little, because he sighs, thighs falling open a bit further on Arthur's shoulders. Arthur takes his chance to move back down and allow his tongue to press harder at Joey's slit, lapping at the warmth until he can finally delve his tongue deeper into him.

Joey moans at that, loud and unashamed, clenching hard around Arthur's tongue and trying to rock his hips down on it, seeking more stimulation. He's desperate even now, even so early. Arthur can't help but grin wickedly.

He licks a long, wide stripe up between Joey's folds, prodding at his clit a couple times with the tip of his tongue before pulling back to press open-mouthed kisses against Joey's inner thighs. The sudden loss of stimulation makes Joey whine questioningly, his hips canting up as he tries to get the warmth of Arthur's mouth back on him. Mindless, almost, an automatic reaction to the sudden coolness of air against his flushed, oversensitive cunt.

Arthur licks his lips, pulling one of his hands back to rub his fingers across Joey's folds. "You want more?"

Joey gives a wordless whimper. Sometimes he seems to be a bit more clear-headed, able to respond to Arthur's questions, but apparently now is not one of those times. He just keeps pressing his hips down into Arthur's hand, desperate for touch. Arthur supposes he can't blame him for that. He's been doting on Joey since he got him, giving him attention and sex until Joey was practically drunk on it. It's no wonder he's not satisfied with a bit of tongue.

Arthur uses two fingers to spread Joey for him, exposing his hole, flushed a delicate pink and nearly dripping with wetness. The sight makes Arthur's dick strain against his slacks, instantly wanting to be buried inside Joey as Joey moans and cries out his name. Fuck, this man is going to be Arthur's ruin. He dives back in, pushing his tongue back inside and lapping at the sensitive opening of his slit, feeling every fresh drip of wetness until he knows it's soaked into his beard and all he can taste is Joey.

Joey squeezes around his tongue, trying desperately to grind down again. His voice has gone high-pitched and he sounds like he's trying to form words, but the only things that Arthur can make out are breathy whines every time he thrusts his tongue back in. He's ignoring Joey's clit, instead keeping Joey held open with his fingers so he can trace patterns against his inner walls, swallowing down his slick and letting Joey rut against him mindlessly. It must be torture for Joey, if the way he cries out when Arthur teasingly brushes the pad of his thumb against his clit is any indication. Does the serum allow him enough brainpower to think about things like that? Is he still able to feel desperation?

"Please," Joey whimpers, and Arthur supposes that's a good enough answer to his question. "Arthur…"

It's satisfying that the only words Joey seems to be able to form now are pleas and Arthur's name. Pleasing, really, to the part of Arthur that chafed at being forced to play the role of a simple butler, nothing more than an assistant to the master of the house. What would those friends Joey brought think of him now, on his back, begging like a whore, wearing nothing but a silk nightgown? Arthur groans against Joey's cunt just to hear the way Joey's voice cracks.

Arthur knows Joey can't cum without an order, another fun side effect of the serum, and he fully intends to make use of that. He moves back up to apply sudden pressure to Joey's clit, pressing at it with his tongue and licking circles into it, dipping his fingers into Joey just to feel how wet he is, dripping with his natural slickness and Arthur's spit. Joey's moaning above him, loud enough that everyone else in this area of the house can probably hear it, and Arthur feels that same possessive pleasure burning low in his gut at the thought of Sarah and Marvin hearing him do this to Joey. He's going to string Joey out until he's screaming his name, until it doesn't matter whether or not he's been dosed with the serum.

"Fuck," Arthur says hoarsely, unable to hold himself back any longer. His dick is heavy and throbbing in his pants, straining against his fly, and he needs to get inside Joey now.

He pulls away, ignoring Joey's devastated whine, and stands up, undoing his pants with one hand and pulling his cock out, giving it a few long strokes as he leans over Joey on the desk. Good Lord, Joey looks good like this. His face is flushed pink, blue eyes bright and hazy, hair falling around his face like a silvery blonde halo. Arthur allows his eyes to rove over Joey's vulnerable body as he moves closer, pressing his body against Joey's until he can feel slick heat on his cock. Joey's eyes flutter closed and he moans, chest rising and falling fast, hips grinding down against Arthur's. Arthur can't help the way his eyes go directly to the sight of his dick between Joey's folds. He rocks his hips a couple times just to watch it gather Joey's wetness, just to feel himself catch on Joey's hole and the hard nub of his clit.

"Keep being nice and loud for me, Joey," Arthur says, and Joey gives a murmured yes, sir that makes Arthur's twisted soul sing.

He grabs the base of his cock, guiding himself forward until he feels Joey's body give, practically pulling him in. Joey gasps, his back arching, but Arthur plants one hand into the center of his chest and holds his slender form down against the desk with minimal effort. Even after all that, Joey's still so fucking tight, hot and wet around Arthur, and Arthur grits his teeth to hold in an undignified moan.

"It's like you were made to take me," Arthur says hoarsely, grinding his hips in little circles. Joey is so tense that it barely feels like he can move. "Like you were brought to me just for me to do this to you."

Joey practically sobs at that, panting for breath as he lets his head fall back over the side of the desk. The nightgown is pulled up around his midriff and Arthur reaches back to hike Joey's legs up back around his waist again, holding his thighs up and pulling back just enough to thrust back in, plunging himself into Joey with brute force.

Maybe there's enough of Joey's willpower left for him to realize that he doesn't want this. Arthur takes savage pleasure in the thought, breathing heavily as he pistons his hips in and out of Joey, working him open. Is Joey trapped inside his own head, unable to resist, his only defense the natural motions of a body belonging to someone who knows this isn't what they want? Arthur can't help but wonder as he feels the heat in his gut spread throughout his hips as he drives into Joey, over and over. God, the heat and wetness on his cock is delicious, wrapped around his entire length even as Joey's hips jerk and he cries out with every rough thrust into him. Joey must be enjoying it on some level, because when Arthur pulls back enough, slick drips from Joey's hole.

Arthur chuckles breathlessly, thrusting right back in, eyes locked on the sight of his cock sinking between Joey's thighs. "That's right. Just like that. You want this, don't you?"

Joey nods helplessly where his head is hanging off the desk, a lock of hair flopping into his face as he screws his eyes shut. His clit is swollen and red and Arthur can't deny that he wants to touch it, wants to feel it throb beneath his fingers as Joey writhes and begs to cum. He's trying to work his body back against Arthur's, angle his hips, no doubt so Arthur will hit his sweet spot — instinctual, Arthur thinks, or perhaps he really still believes that if he only gets enough stimulation he'll cum — and Arthur has no qualms with that, pulling Joey's thighs up higher so the next time he pushes in Joey's mouth falls open in a loud, full-throated moan.

And then the office door opens.

Arthur's buried to the hilt inside Joey, almost able to feel Joey's pulse around his cock as he looks up to see Marvin standing at the door.

"What?" Arthur snaps, glaring at the groundskeeper. Oli is standing behind him, gaping at the sight before his eyes. "Can't you see I'm busy?"

Marvin's eyes have gone straight to Joey, draped over Arthur's desk with his legs wrapped around his waist. Joey hasn't stopped his noises, but Arthur sees his eyes flutter open, staring at Oli and Marvin as he pants desperately. Joey licks his lips and his throat bobs like he's trying to swallow and say something, but the only thing that comes out is a garbled mess that sounds more like a whine than anything else. Arthur can only imagine what the two men standing there are thinking, but he knows that for all his annoyance with them, there's a part of him thrilled that they get to see it so plainly like this and know with the utmost certainty that Joey is his.

Marvin finally tears his gaze away from Joey and manages to look at Arthur. "A-Apologies. I'll come back later."

"See that you do." Arthur watches as Marvin shuffles back, shoving Oli roughly to get him to move, and shuts the door with a resounding thud. When Arthur’s sure they're gone, he shakes his head. "Oafs, I tell you."

Joey doesn't seem fazed by the intrusion. His eyes close again and he presses his hips insistently against Arthur, the only real defiance he can show. Arthur laughs and slowly drags his hips back.

"Needy little thing. You don't mind if people see you like this, do you? Would you like it if I fucked you out in the parlor, where anyone could watch how good you take my cock?" Arthur grinds idly into Joey, shallow and short, imagining Joey's little friends watching him be debauched. Maybe they'd even try to join in…

Joey just moans at Arthur's words. Yes, Arthur can't wait until Joey's off the serum. As alluring as it is to imagine the man trapped inside his own head as Arthur makes him feel better than he's ever felt before, Arthur wants to hear him, see that personality that immediately got him interested in making the man out of time his very own.

Of course, until then, Joey's looks will be more than enough.

Arthur's breaths get heavy again as he finally settles into a solid rhythm, holding Joey's hips up to hit his sweet spot on every thrust, listening to Joey's moans get higher and higher until they might as well be sobs. Arthur knows he has to be desperate for release at this point, because Arthur's almost there, too, the tightness in his gut threatening to snap as he fucks into Joey deep and hard. It's like an ache down deep in his belly, a desperate need to keep his hips moving inside Joey.

Joey gives a desperate cry, squirming in Arthur's hold. "Please…"

For all his moaning, his voice has gone hoarse, and Arthur nearly cums hearing it. He did that. He's got that mark of possession on Joey, made him feel so good that his voice is going scratchy and high like it's on the verge of breaking.

"Little longer, gorgeous," Arthur pants. "I'll make sure you cum."

He's not sure what he's waiting for, at least not until he slams his hips hard into Joey and Joey practically keens, his hips jerking down as he tries to take Arthur deeper when he's already as deep as he can go. It's like something possesses him and Arthur leans down, pulling Joey down on his cock as he gets close enough to Joey's face to smell the soap he washed with this morning and whispers, "Cum."

Joey obeys the order with a shout, back arching up off Arthur's desk, his voice breaking as it turns into a string of cries of Arthur's name, repeated over and over until—

Arthur bites down hard on his tongue to hold himself back from making a noise of his own as he cums with Joey, cums in Joey, his knees nearly buckling as he feels the molten heat fill Joey up. Yet another mark of ownership. All he can see is Joey, body laid out on his desk, bare and vulnerable with his cunt wrapped tight around his dick, his chest heaving as his hips jerk with the aftershocks.

It's a solid few moments before Arthur can pick himself back up. He lets Joey's thighs fall, wiping his face with his sleeve, and braces himself against his desk as he slowly pulls out. Joey whines in oversensitivity, and Arthur can't help but watch the way his hole clenches as a dribble of cum trails between his folds.

"Well…" Arthur takes a deep breath, running a hand through his hair and making an effort to look composed as he tucks himself back into his pants. "How about we get you cleaned up, yes? It wouldn't do to leave you like this."

Joey just stares at him, face sweaty and still red with exertion, giving him a fucked-out look that Arthur wishes he could take a photograph of. Arthur gives him a smile, and an affectionate pat on the cheek.

"That's right. No need to worry. I've got you."

Afterword

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