TW: NSFW. A LOT OF NSFW. Please skip if it makes you uncomfortable

Of course, Valis's scars could not be hidden. He knew perfectly well that Raven would eventually see them; in fact, he even hoped deep in his heart that when it happened, the other man would be so disgusted that he would immediately tell him to leave.

"What is this?" Raven's decisive voice broke through his contemplation.

The Prince impatiently unbuttoned his shirt all the way down with hasty hands until a scarred chest, bearing the marks of beatings and torture - a gift from the Fingers-Cutters gang - was revealed to his eyes.

"On the back too?" Raven tore the shirt from Valis in one movement. A large burn scar on his back was impossible to conceal. Raven touched it with his fingertips. "Oh god..."

"Have you seen enough?" Valis asked with a slight smile.

"Where... did you get these scars?" he answered him with a question, completely ignoring Valis's query. He looked shaken.

"Let's just say... My misplaced affection brought me nothing but pain."

Raven clenched his jaw, looking like someone had struck him across the face with a plank. Yet, he did not pull away from him. Instead, he rested his head on Valis's shoulder, as if in a gesture of strange comfort; he seemed devastated, maybe a little resigned.

Stroking the scars on his back, his hand grew warmer with the passing seconds. Valis allowed him to stroke his body until, suddenly, Raven sank his teeth into his collarbone, drawing a startled sound from him: half pain, half surprise. Val hadn't seen that coming.

When their eyes met, something wild flickered in Raven's gaze. His voice dropped low, as he murmured, "Maybe I wanted to leave a mark too," and gently pushed Valis onto the bed, now licking the small wound like an animal.

He was tracing down to his chest, cautiously kissing his scars, not with reservation, but with attention, as if the wounds were still open. He stopped on Valis's nipple and dragged his tongue up from below, causing the young warrior to tremble. Valis's breath became ragged. "Did you like that?" he asked, overpowering him, and repeated the gesture on the other one. Valis did not reply; he was only capable of deep breathing and trembling, completely defenseless against the overwhelming sensations.

Raven leaned over him, caging Valis between his arms. His head rested between her hands as her thumbs brushed gently along his temples. "Hey, you're not scared, are you? I'm not like him,". Their faces were so close, almost nose-to-nose. Two tears fell from Valis's eyes; in his thoughts, he wept over the injustice of fate. 'You are him,' he thought, looking at this fool who understood nothing.

Raven found his lips. The kiss began soft, hesitant, until it deepened, with need and emotion blurring together. His hand traced down Valis's body, lingering for a moment before he slowly began to unfasten his belt. He pulled his trousers down slightly and slipped his hand inside, gripping Valis's swollen member between his fingers. The warrior felt a rush of heat in his loins the moment he felt the touch on his length.

After a second, that hand slid even lower, down to his entrance. Valis held his breath as one of the fingers slipped inside. He quietly heard a whisper near his ear, "Shhh." Raven nibbled and licked his earlobe, as if trying to relax him a little.

Years ago, Valis once dreamed of this moment, of becoming one body and soul with Raven, but now, only the body remained, reacting to every touch of the dark-haired man.

Raven slowly stretched him, preparing him to receive him, spreading saliva on his fingers and slowly adding them one by one.

Valis didn't know what to do with his hands; he was only able, as before, to clutch desperately at Raven's shoulders. He couldn't tell how much time had passed, minutes or hours, when Raven finally completely took off his trousers, exposing him entirely, and undressed himself.

He guided his manhood to Valis's hole and slowly began to push inside, inch by inch, settling between his legs. Valis, however, unconsciously pushed him away with his hand. "Hey, this isn't your first time," the dark-haired man said, catching his wrist and moving his arm aside without letting go. "Relax," and continued to press forward, little by little. When he was fully inside, he paused and looked down at Valis. The blond-haired man, spread out on the bed, had a flushed face and was breathing heavily, his disheveled hair glistening in the candlelight. His already hard member swelled even more.

Finally, Raven began to move, sliding in and out to the full length in a slow rhythm. His hands rested on Valis's waist, keeping him in place. Despite his self-control, gradually, his movements gained tempo. Two drops of sweat slid down his back, and breathing heavily, he struggled to keep a hold of himself.

Valis's member was hard, and he covered his eyes with his arm, not wanting to show his reactions, but he didn't even notice when he began to move his hips and fight for deeper penetration, meeting Raven halfway.

Raven moved faster and faster, seeing his reaction. He reached for his face, moving his arm away to see his expression. He saw the same man he had once loved so much, with glazed eyes, on the verge of orgasm.

"Damn," he said, clenching his teeth and increasing the intensity of his thrusts. That was enough for Valis, who came, trembling, ejaculating onto his stomach. At the same time, Raven climaxed inside him, moving slightly during his spasms. When he calmed down, he slid out and sat on the edge of the bed, with his back to Valis, trying to give him some space to get dressed.

...

"I was thinking..." Raven started hesitantly, "...What would you say to an exclusive contract with me? I'll pay you well. You don't have to sleep with all those men," he continued, still turned away from him.

"I thought you were getting married," Valis said, quickly, with a tone of reproach and hastily pulling on his trousers.

"Listen... One doesn't exclude the other. You won't lack anything in life. I will look after you so you don't have to live... like that."

Valis was speechless; he was shocked by such an offer. Of course, what was he supposed to expect: a marriage proposal?

Nevertheless, the proposal itself was pathetic. He was once supposed to be his spouse, but now he would only warm his bed and serve as an outlet for frustration when his wife wasn't around.

Definitely not.
"I'll think about it." He said instead.

"Valis... would it make you feel better if, next time, we met at the brothel instead of here?" Raven asked.

'HUH? Is he stupid?' Valis cleared his throat and replied, "We can do that if you want, but—"

"Let's do that, then," the black-haired man interrupted before he could finish. "Let's meet in a few days. I have some business to attend to, we're having issues with the steel supply."

Valis could hardly hide his excitement. "Really? I mean... that's very sad to hear. What happened?"

"We're a bit low on stock, but it's fine. I've found someone who can help us." He quickly cut the conversation short. "It's just boring kingdom matters. I wouldn't want to bore you anyway so I'd better go now."

Just like before, he handed Valis a pouch filled with gold, much heavier this time. "I'll see you soon," he said, rather awkwardly, considering they had been rolling in the sheets only a few minutes ago.

Valis merely nodded, and Raven left the bedroom with a slight hesitation, leaving him alone.