Preston has never heard Paulo's safe word within a scene. When he does, everything stops, and Paulo and Preston are forced to confront a demon from Paulo's past. Paulo insists he's ready to move on, but the incident shakes Preston's confidence. To make their way forward takes courage and trust and... wax?

Originally published in Toy Box: Wax

Preston finished working up a ruby glow on Paulo's prone back side and surveyed his work with satisfaction while wringing the ache out of his whip hand. The flogger he'd used was light in deference to his arthritic hand, but it packed a sneaky sting Preston appreciated for the sudden deep pink ridges it called up on Paulo's light brown skin. If Paulo's long, low moans were anything to go by, he appreciated this particular instrument as well. Preston knelt on the bed beside Paulo and hovered his hand just above his sub's hot skin. The smell of leather and well-worked boy pervaded the snug bedroom.

"Stunning," he murmured. "So fuckable."

In answer, Paulo drew his knees high beside his hips, presenting his reddened ass beautifully. Preston took a moment to appreciate the way his stripes on Paulo's back, ass, and thighs matched the color of Paulo's slick, open asshole. Grateful for the new anti-inflammatory he had taken before their session, he inserted a finger very gently, barely having to push at all. Paulo moaned and plainly struggled to keep still when Preston used a finger to tug at the little ring that winked in Paulo's taint.

"Slutty today, aren't you, boy?" Preston knew his smile warmed his voice when Paulo turned his head and smiled back without opening his eyes. Oh, yes, his boy was in a blissful place.

Going there with him, fucking Paulo while he floated like this, would be wonderful. But when Preston had planned this scene, he'd envisioned something more... symmetrical.

He withdrew his finger, gave Paulo's guiche ring a farewell flick, and said, "Over, boy. On your back."

Paulo did so, pliant and languid, smiling all the while. Once on his back with his legs bent and feet bracketing Preston's knees, Paulo opened his eyes.

Preston put all his affection into his smile as he reached for the soft flogger. Stripes across that lovely chest would be the perfect complement to a nice, long fuck, and Paulo's raw back against the comforter would keep his boy from coming down from his sweet flight. Preston indulged in a sloppy grope of Paulo's tight balls and raised the flogger.

"Solfeggio!"