veilward | THIS THE EMMROOK VARIETY HOUR NOW

"And I wouldn't want you to get lonely," Emmrich said with a small smile before leaning over to kiss Hugh's cheek gently.

The compliment got a delighted smile and thanks before he was leading the way into the shop. If it could just be them for a time, the world would be a brighter place.

Inside the shop was well-lit, with the smell of well-polished leather filling the room. Countless examples of craftsmanship hung from hooks or sat on shelves. A large man with a hammer and hole-punching tool looked up from the counter as the door bells jingled.

"Professor! How's the glove working out?"

Emmrich held up his hand with a smile. "Exactly as I'd hoped, thank you. We're looking for belts that are rather more sturdy than average. Do you have anything that might suit?"

The man gave them a bemused look, but set down his tools and came around anyway. "Planning on wearing a lot of pairs of pants at once? Or is this for some new makeshift contraption?"

"My last makeshift contraption worked quite well, thank you very much," Emmrich said with a little amusement. "But you're correct. This is not for clothing purposes."

With a snort the craftsman took them to thicker straps that looked more like they were meant for horse harnesses than outfits, or at least they did to Emmrich's eye.

"Can't guarantee them against five strong-willed mummies, but I doubt you'll find better in the city," said the man.

Emmrich looked to Hugh. "Will these do, do you think?"

Edited 2025-04-30 01:53 (UTC)

"Then just don't go very far and I won't," Hugh said with an easy smile.

His hand had only incidentally slipped out of Emmrich's because he was his dominant one, and he had reached out to open the door for Emmrich, only to be beaten to the punch. Hugh would have reached back out be Emmrich, and the shopkeeper had already started talking. Not wanting to interrupt, Hugh started to look at a matching pair of gloves and riding crop in the glass display by the window.

"I'll also need a belt to go under platemail around my fatiques, but just as sturdy," Hugh chimed in, looking up at the case and getting the leatherworker's attention. He looked around the shop curiously and then commented, "That's an interesting smell. What kind of bark are you using to cure the leather?"

"A mix of agran and animal fat," The man said, eyebrow raised as if he were trying to piece together what brought the professor and a character like Hugh in together to his shop. "Sharp nose, you in the business?"

Hugh smiled sheepishly and shook his head, "Sensitive nose is all—" Then his attention went to one of the straps on the rack, and he pointed it out. "How durable is that one?"

The man snorted, "Very. Here, you look like a strong lad. I'll prove it."

The leatherworker plucked the belt off the rack and took one end before handing the other to a compliant Hugh. Both broad-shouldered, heavy-built men, there was a passing second where they sized each other up. The store owner was older and broader in the chest, but Hugh was young and matched him in size. They nodded in some silent understanding only they seemed to understand.

Then, the leatherwork pulled hard on one hand while Hugh stood still holding the other. The leather strained and was pulled taut but held firm, all while the shop owner's muscles strained to the point that a vein bulged at his temple.

Just like that, the leatherworker dropped his hand and panted before letting out an impressed whistle.

"Maker's breath, professor, where'd you find this boy? Didn't know the Mourn Watch made them that big."

It was Hugh's turn to snort, and he gave Emmrich a sly grin before saying, "I think it'll do."

Emmrich could not pull his gaze away from the contest, and as soon as it was over he knew he would be doomed if he looked in Hugh's direction. He could feel Hugh's smirking gaze. And it was warranted, because there was no doubt Hugh could tell his heart rate had gone up. Among other things. Maker.

"A fortress in the middle of nowhere," Emmrich said, doing his best to look like he was not turned on. "I'll take all five of those straps, please, and whichever regular belt he chooses."

He pulled out his purse as the leatherworker's gaze went between them.

"Expense account," Emmrich attempted to explain, attempting to ignore the implications of an older man buying a belt for a very pretty younger man. "He's on loan to the Watch professionally, so we're covering both petty personal costs and costs for equipment."

The man thankfully shrugged. Emmrich had no idea if he'd been convincing or not, but there were no further questions as he paid and gathered the straps. Hugh could hold the belt that was meant for belt purposes, Emmrich figured, and he politely thanked the leatherworker before leaving and praying that he could show his face in there again.

Once out he tried to find words and failed, blushing faintly and shaking his head as he tried to get his mind out of the gutter.

The leatherworker was at least incurious enough to either not notice or very much care that Emmrich was struggling to look anywhere but Hugh's direction. At the same time, Emmrich powered through a vague explanation as he paid, which made Hugh snort again.

"Could I get that red deer leather strap fastened into a belt with that brass buckle you have in the display case?" Hugh asked the man casually.

The leatherworker agreed, took his payment, and ducked back behind the counter to work with efficient speed honed through years of experience. He returned with the belt that Hugh summarily fastened onto himself and declared the man's work nothing short of the finest quality. All the while, Hugh was watching Emmrich out of the corner of his eye. It was impossible to ignore every change in him that Hugh was the cause of.

Once they were outside, Hugh waited an impressive ten or so seconds until he checked his surroundings before pulling Emmrich into the narrow alley. There, he started kissing him senselessly against the stone wall in a shadowed corner just out of the view of prying eyes.

"We could go through at least one of those straps tonight, if you like," Hugh said in a low voice as he stepped back, giving Emmrich a moment to collect himself. All the while eyeing him hungrily. "Where to next?"

A desperate moan escaped him as he was pinned. Hugh's lips and tongue left him leaning against the wall when the man pulled away, trying to catch his breath and remember the concept of dignity. Not in nearly three decades had he done anything like this, and Emmrich was almost embarrassed by how badly he wanted to yank Hugh right back.

His gaze was as hungry as Hugh's until he closed his eyes and forced at least a semblance of calm back upon himself.

"I would like a great many things tonight," he finally managed to say as he pushed off the wall. These pants were a mistake. Normally he rather liked them for their movement and what they did for his ass and thighs, but they were awful for hiding an erection. Emmrich took another slow breath.

Originally he'd wanted to take Hugh out to dinner after hitting a few shops, somewhere nice so he could spoil the man. But anywhere nice had lower illumination, and Emmrich could not at all trust that Hugh wouldn't get handsy in darkness. The mental image of Hugh blowing him, watching him from under a fancy tablecloth, came to mind and Emmrich needed the wall again for a moment. He didn't know if Hugh or his mind was his worst enemy here.

"I had wanted to make a few stops but I think tonight we're making one more and going home. Perhaps the light of day will make other things easier." One more slow breath and Emmrich pushed back up off the wall again and set course south. "It's the more discreet of the adult shops near here."

Maker help him to not combust.

It was good to hear those little noises Emmrich made again. Pretty, needful moans that Hugh could swallow by the mouthful like fresh blood pulled from a wound. When they parted, the need that permeated them both hit Hugh like a wall at first. All with enough force that all sense of propriety and where they were was nearly abandoned. The only thing that stopped Hugh was the sight of Emmrich trying to talk.

"Anything you want," Hugh said, still nose to nose with Emmrich as if silently begging for another kiss that would take the breath out of them both. He knew it was an open-ended answer, but he trusted Emmrich and, after this morning, wanted to see what else the older man had in mind. Of the two of them, Emmrich had a more adventurous and experienced streak that Hugh was learning to keep up with, even with his impressive refactory period.

"Oh?" Hugh fought to hide the slightest note of disappointment in his voice as he gave Emmrich room to move.

Leaving soon meant their chances of stopping for dinner were now null and void. At first, Hugh was about to suggest just bringing Emmrich off here and cleaning up the evidence. Hugh immediately thought better of it because, knowing Emmrich, the brazen salaciousness of the suggestion alone might send the poor thing overwrought. Then the evening really would be cut short.

"Discreet what now?" All argument for staying longer was replaced with confusion. "I think they just call those 'dive bars' why do we need to go to one of those?"

If Hugh had protested physically with another kiss, or a touch, instead of just a word, Emmrich would have given in and he knew it. He absolutely would have behaved in a way that he'd look back on with no little shame. And he didn't know if he was relieved or not that Hugh pulled away.

At the question, Emmrich shot Hugh a quick look to see if he was being teased or if the man was legitimately confused. To his surprise it looked like that latter.

"Oh, my darling," he said warmly, all thoughts of possible disappointment at not making out further earlier instantly banished. "This is nothing of the sort." Where was Hugh even from originally? Surely even Ferelden had establishments of this nature.

Emmrich lead the way to the shop, turning down this street and then another before pushing through a curtained door. The lighting in here was much lower, and the room was divided into sections. To the left was a large assortment of objects displayed like they were museum pieces, while straight ahead were books and illustrations, and to the right a variety of clothing options hung on racks. There wasn't a drink or shadowy booth in sight.

"This," Emmrich said quietly so as to make sure Hugh didn't feel embarrassed by not knowing, "is an adult shop."

Judging by the flicker of hesitation that crossed Emmrich's expression once they righted themselves, Hugh wondered if he should have gone ahead and pushed the envelope. Then again, if he shoved his hands down Emmrich's trousers now and brought him off, the fallout might not be worth the reward. Ah, well, Hugh told himself. All the best things come to those who wait.

"What do you mean?" Hugh asked, racking his brain for the meaning behind gentle, knowing Emmrich's smile. Surely they weren't going to a brothel — that would have been sorely out of character for either of them. Also, Hugh didn't share, and he sincerely doubted Emmrich would be the type either.

Regardless, Hugh followed after Emmrich dutifully and with implicit trust down the twisting cobblestone roads. The shop front with its curtained door and dim lighting put Hugh on edge, but he pushed on, knowing Emmrich wouldn't take him somewhere he'd feel on edge.

Once inside, Hugh looked to his left, then to his right, and once he took in everything on display in the small shop, he looked back at Emmrich.

"That's a lot of cocks," Hugh said a smidge too loudly than appropriate. Loud enough, at least that the woman behind the counter at the back of the store looked up from her book with a raised eyebrow.

Emmrich reached up and rubbed the bridge of his nose. Granted, there weren't exactly handouts on how one behaved in a sex shop, but he'd expected perhaps a little bit more dignity. Then again, Hugh did seem the sort to jump into anything with both feet and possibly any other feet he could find to drag in with him.

Thank everything no one else from the Necropolis was here. Emmrich could not have borne that.

"Yes, dearest," he said in a hushed voicce. Emmrich shot the woman an apologetic look. She shrugged and went back to her book.

"Those were not the primary reason I brought you here, but if something catches your eye, we can take a closer look." They had two homegrown cocks of their own, and he had a feeling Hugh had seen the two store-bought ones he already had in his drawer.

"I was more interested in seeing if anything caught your eye among the other implements. Or the clothing."

"I like the one I got," Hugh responded, maybe a bit too quickly. At least then he lowered his voice.

At Emmrich's reaction, Hugh frowned and breathed loudly through his nose the same way a bull might, trying not to be miffed for being (albeit gently) chastised. Of course, he had no idea how to behave in a place like this, especially when it caught him off guard. Nevertheless, he collected himself. Emmrich was trying to show him something in an intimate way after a long, long day. He should be more gracious at the very least.

"But I have no idea what I'm looking at," Hugh admitted as he shifted his weight in a nervous gesture as he looked around. He wasn't uncomfortable. Overwhelmed might be the right word for it. "AS for the clothing, most of it looks like it's to show off your tits and even I'm a bit too flat for that. Lot of dog collars, but— ah, right, not for dogs. Good, quality though."

He nodded to a display case of cockrings, and his face lit up as if he remembered the right answer on a quiz, "Oh, hey, you got those!"

Edited 2025-04-30 23:30 (UTC)

Emmrich slid an arm around Hugh's waist. Not only might it help him feel less anxious, if Emmrich was right here there would be a lot of reason to keep his voice quiet.

"I rather like the one you have as well," he said, before glancing back at the clothing Hugh had pretty much dismissed.

"I also..." He hesitated. There wasn't anything to be ashamed of. It was just a little nerve-wracking admitting things that he was into. "With the clothing, it isn't necessarily things you'd wear. It could also be if there's anything you'd like to see me in. I enjoy wearing pretty things, and I like being admired by my partner."

At least the other was easier. "And yes," Emmrich said with a little returned amusement. "Cock rings. They prolong an erection and can prevent release." He gestured at another thing he owned one of. "Anal beads. They feel increasingly good and intense as they go in, and then one can play with removal and reinsertion."

"Do you now?"

Hugh did still when Emmrich held him, even though he never seemed to take into account when his anxious flitting around started or stopped. More to the point, his voice dropped to an intimate whisper as he pressed in closer. This was the first time Emmrich and he were this publically affection, inasmuch as this could be considered 'public.'

"Oh?" Hugh then looked back at the right of the store with a new perspective and made a humming sound in consideration before whispering to Emmrich with a nervous, fluttering sort of excitement and trepidation. "Like, the lacey things?"

He made a huff of a laugh, the sort of sound a person makes to redirect from an awkward moment, and cleared his throat. He feared he may have offended with that one.

"Sorry, I, uhm," He looked around the store again before leaning in even closer to Emmrich. "This is all a lot for me to take in all at once, you know?"

"I see I'll to make it more clear how much I appreciate having you inside me," Emmrich said with a teasing lilt in his voice that grew more serious as he continued. "And yes. The laces and silks. Things that are fun to feel up and see through. I like when my partner can't pull their eyes off of me."

Which might have been made obvious by the ribbon-sash show this morning. As long as the laugh after wasn't at him, maybe Hugh would be interested. Emmrich couldn't quite tell from the man's reaction.

"Take your time, love. I can explain anything you like the look of, or are curious about." He reached out and trailed his fingers along the strips of a leather flogger. "Some I think may be obvious. But there's never harm in asking questions. There's also not harm in deciding you don't want to try anything new if you're not in the mood for it. I want you wanting."

Emmrich kissed Hugh's temple gently.

The tips of Hugh's ears went red, as did the back of his neck, as his throat visibly bobbed with an anxious gulp at Emmrich's words. A furtive glance at the shopkeeper confirmed she was still deep in her reading. Either that was a very good book, or this happened a lot in stores such as these. For a man who just moments earlier was prepared to get on his knees in an alleyway, he was far out of his depth.

"It's hard to keep my eyes off you already," Hugh attempted at sultry and flirtatious, but his nerves made the words pitch awkwardly, the depth of his voice the only thing saving him from squeaking. He held Emmrich's hand at his waist and squeezed as though in self-reassurance.

"I wouldn't want to hurt you," Said the vampire whose fang marks still hadn't freshly healed in Emmrich's shoulder as his eyes widened at the sight of the flogger. But he did soon take his time and thought about what he might enjoy.

"Well, I wouldn't like not being able to see or hear, but I liked it when I had the belt around your wrists. Maybe something like that, but..." He glanced to the left of him and snorted, of all things. "The leash and collar would be interesting. The Ferelden on all fours."

Emmrich brushed his fingers through Hugh's hair, trying to help him calm down a little. His first time in a sex shop hadn't been this nerve-wracking, but he'd also been a teen determined to not be flustered.

"And don't worry, love. I don't want to be hurt. But I do enjoy your teeth, and the way you've been forceful. Some light impact play can be very liberating." Not being in control, not being able to take control, not even being able to predict what was coming next, could force him to be in the moment instead of thinking. "I also enjoyed my wrists being bound, and I've enjoyed blindfolds. So with all that in mind."

Emmrich gave Hugh's hand a squeeze back before stepping away. He picked out a lovely blue collar with gold accents, with a matching leash. He also grabbed a set of green leather cuffs and, for good measure, a purple blindfold before bringing the things over to Hugh to look over.

"How does this feel? There is no pressure to use any of it or have any of it used. But is there appeal here?"

The second that Emmrich's fingers carded through his hair and along his temple, Hugh lost considerable tension in his shoulders. It was then that Hugh realized most of this was coming from embarrassment. Not at being here, but the dawning awareness that for all his boasting, Hugh knew next to nothing about these sorts of things. Now he was worried, worried that Emmrich privately found him boring.

"If you say so..." Hugh answered, not sounding entirely convinced. The idea of a playful swat of the hand appealed, but not that. He was still wondering how on earth you could swing a flog at someone and make it 'liberating' instead of stinging like a bitch. Maybe that was just his experience of taking too many hits in a fight talking. His gaze dropped to a cat o' nine tails, and he visibly winced and shook his head. "Not anytime soon, or not with something like that, anyway."

Hugh's hand grasped at air for a moment when Emmrich stepped away, but he soon found himself inspecting what had been handed to him. The craftsmanship, he noted, was excellent. Before he could launch into a commentary on the leather stitching being a touch too similar to the tanner's work, he looked back at Emmrich and flushed.

"I'd think I'd like you tied up and blind folded, yeah." Then he held up the collar, and his only remark there was a widening grin and a wink before he simply said: "Woof."

He was glad to see Hugh relaxing a little. It was clear the unfamiliarity of the situation was stressing the man out but Emmrich had confidence in the man's adaptability.

"Certainly not with anything like that," Emmrich quickly agreed as he followed Hugh's gaze. "Nothing that does harm. Nothing that hurts." Previously he would have added nothing that drew blood, but Hugh got to be the special exception there. Only the teeth, though. He would pass on knives and the like.

The calm way Hugh looked over Emmrich's selections was encouraging, and then, of course, he had to turn it back around on Emmrich. His breath caught at Hugh wanting him tied up and blindfolded, before his gaze got very intent at the look on Hugh's face. Emmrich was going to guess Hugh didn't quite know what a collar generally meant in adult circles, but they could see how Hugh wanted to play it. Emmrich was very willing to be flexible.

"Then let's get these, and we'll head back?" He lead the way to the counter and the now-attentive woman. Emmrich paused there in case there was anything else Hugh wanted to grab, but if there wasn't, he'd pay, tuck the new things and the straps into the bag she offered, and be ready to walk his love home.

Hugh was glad for Emmrich any day, but here he appreciated his presence all the more for how he truly was his anchor at times. Anyone else, Hugh would have taken all the soft-spoken words of encouragement and tender rouches are patronizing and fled the situation entirely. Not Emmrich, who was thoroughly incapable of being anything other than his authentic self to his core.

"I think we found everything we need," Hugh agreed. Gone was his disappointment at not spending longer in the city, replaced by a drive to return to Emmrich's apartments as soon as possible. Wild horses couldn't keep Hugh from breaking in their new 'toys.'

There was a definite bounce in Hugh's step and renewed confidence after they left the store and made their way back to the Necropolis. That was momentarily subdued once they were back. The air of the place was always sobering, and Hugh wanted to keep a low profile within the Necropolis. By the time they made it to Emmrich's apartments, Hugh abruptly stopped dead in his tracks just before Emmrich had a chance to reach for the door.

"Emmrich, shit," Hugh swore under his breath. "What about Manfred? He's a Curiosity spirit, won't he, I don't know, have questions? Try to see what we bought? Maker, Emmrich, if I see that poor little mite holding those cuffs, I'll be soft for a week."

He clutched the bag more tightly as they walked through the structure of his home, knowing it was selfish to want to cling to a brighter mood and yet trying to do so anyway. Hugh's sudden stop threatened Emmrich's ability to stay focused until he spoke.

"Breathe, love." He leaned in and kissed Hugh's cheek. "He's polite. When I bring a something home in a bag or wrapped and it's fine if he sees it, I open or unwrap it. If it stays packaged, he knows he's not to pursue the matter."

Emmrich pushed the door open and went in to find the coffee table filled with kettles on coasters. Another was bubbling away on the stove as Manfred watched it. The skeleton perked up as they came in and he hissed, waving.

"Enjoy yourself," Emmrich told him, "and make sure the inks are prepared before dawn, please."

Manfred gestured at the kettles and hissed again. Emmrich shook his head no. "We may come out for tea in a bit, but we don't need it currently. Thank you. Hugh?"

Emmrich pulled his boots off, leaving them by the coat rack, and took a step toward the bedroom.

"I'm not panicking," Hugh said petulantly while still not moving away from the very welcomed kiss. "I just—I don't know, worry. He's like a kid, I don't want to be the one scarring him for life. Unlife? Anyway, no matter, you know him best."

They entered the apartments, and Hugh chuckled at the tableau of tea and kettles laid out before them. Emmrich hadn't been understating things when he told him that Manfred liked steam.

"Any more of this, and your sitting room will be a sauna." Hugh waved at Manfred, who waved back. Hugh then followed up with a little, two-fingered salute. "Hold down the fort for us, will you, 'Fred?"

Manfred returned the gesture with far less grace but far more enthusiasm. Hugh then followed suit with Emmrich, leaving his boots by the door and following him into the bedroom.

"So..." Hugh said, rocking on his heels as he looked around the room as if he'd never been there before until his attention went to the bag Emmrich had set down on the chaise at the foot of the bed.

"Now what?"

The door closed behind them, Emmrich set down the bag, and then he wasted no time wrapping his arms around Hugh and pressing close.

"When consenting adults are equally in the mood and have found privacy, often what follows is sex," Emmrich teased, smiling down at him. "What are you most interested in doing or trying, darling?"

He released his hold on Hugh so he could tangle fingers in Hugh's hair and tug lightly with one hand. With the other he started undoing buttons on his vest and shirt.

"I'm not feeling picky. And you can deal with how you owe me from this morning later. I want you. That's my only requirement for tonight, you."

"You, mostly," Hugh answered without hesitation has his arms wound loosely around Emmerich waist. He made a soft grunt at the sharp, delicious ache blossoming across his skull when Emmrich pulled his hair just right. Glancing over Emmrich's shoulder, he added, "But if you mean front oue little haul, then..."

Hugh trailed off as he recalled something. A recent memory that brought a mischievous grin to his face.

"Remember the night on the boat I had you hold the belt while I bit into it, how you pulled on it?" He nodded to the bag. "Something like it, but you holding the leash latched to that collar instead. I still want to go down on you, but..."

He kissed Emmrich, not aggressively but thoroughly. Almost teasing with the promise of more.

"I want you to make me."

He closed his eyes at that grin, pairing the way it heated his blood with the delicious way Hugh's words sparked his imagination. The kiss was only slightly a surprise, but Emmrich chased it hungrily. When Hugh broke it Emmrich lingered where he was for a few moments, breathing, savoring the hint with the anticipation before opening his eyes and smiling down at Hugh.

"Then I will. Strip for me, will you, my dearest?" Emmrich stepped away to retrieve leash and collar from the bag before starting to remove his own clothing.

"By 'make,' do you mean you want to pretend I'm forcing you, or do you simply want a little forcefulness?" The coat got carefully draped over the back of the chaise, the vest folded. The shirt didn't get as much care as it was going into the wash, and socks quickly joined it followed by, finally, pants. They'd been too tight a few times during the evening and Hugh was entirely to blame for that.

His smalls stayed on for now, crimson, silken, and comfortable. Emmrich wanted Hugh on his knees before he pushed them off.

There was a faint taste of tea that lingered on Emmrich's tongue every time they kissed since leaving the apartment that evening. Black with a hint of orange, not too sweet but pleasant and strong. Fitting, Hugh thought.

Then, he stopped thinking altogether when Emmrich moved away to divest himself of everything but his small clothes. Hugh wanted to whistle low in appreciation but held back; it was a bit tawdry for the elegant sight before him.

"Show a little force, I like it when you do," Hugh answered.

He failed to 'put on a show' as the overwhelming urge to get on his knees for Emmrich outweighed any desire to tease. Instead, he hurriedly undressed and even dropped his trousers when the new belt unbuckled but still in the trouser loops. All his clothes were left in a haphazard pile to be dealt with later. His attention was focused squarely on Emmrich.

Gingerly, Hugh took the leash and collar from Emmrich. The blue leather collar, Hugh learned as he buckled it snugly around his neck, was padded on the inside and more comfortable than he anticipated.

The handle of the leash he handed back to Emmrich before taking several steps back. Just far away enough that the leash hooked onto the collar was barely slack. Just enough give that a solid yank would draw it taut. Hugh looked at Emmrich, faintly smiling with a clear challenge in his eyes. Almost begging to be commanded if Emmrich had the desire to.

Despite no deliberate attempt to put on a show, Hugh was still a lovely sight as he undressed. Watching him put on the collar was incredible as well. Emmrich itched to put it on him, caress his throat with it, kiss the breath out of him, but it would have to wait for next time. For now he made a show of weaving the loop of the handle through his long fingers.

Then, braced, Emmrich met Hugh's eyes and have the leash a hard yank, tugging him forward. As Hugh moved Emmrich met him: one hand under his arm to make sure he didn't fall while the other was on his shoulder, demanding he kneel and not allowing for resistance.

"On your knees," he said, mostly unnecessarily. Once Hugh was there, Emmrich shifted so one hand tangled in Hugh's hair and the other kept tension on the leash.

"You know what to do from here, I trust."

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