Title: Indulgence is the Freedom
Author: Mosh
Pairing: Hakkai/Sanzo
Rating: NC-17
Summary: Hakkai wonders just how relieved Sanzo will be when he hears what he has to say next.
Disclaimer: These boys belong to Minekura Kazuya. No money being made, no copyright or trademark infringement intended.
Email: moshesque(at)gmail(dot)com
Website: http://mosh.snarky-slytherin.net/
A/N: The first of two stories I wrote for SpringKink, 2008. The prompts were: 'collar' and 'situation: fucked up'. Mmm, anything to get the monk in a collar. :D With love to Akuni for excellent beta duties. *salutes* Approx. 7000 words.

There was definitely something to be said for the traditional monk regalia. Some people found it ostentatious, but Hakkai found it quite fetching, actually - the unique combination of leather and linen held its own kind of charm.

That is, when worn with the right accessory.

It wasn't the first time Hakkai had pondered it; living on the road with a monk, albeit an unconventional one, saw to that. Though it wasn't until two days ago that he'd considered the skin-tight undergarment and pale robe in a different way than usual.

As if on cue, there came a firm rapping on his inn room door. Judging by the speed and intent of the knocks - the way they managed to sound impatient and yet soft enough not to alert anyone else - Hakkai immediately knew who it was.

The timing was almost too perfect.

As Hakkai rose from where he was reclining on the bed, he checked the clock on the small wooden dresser across the room.

2:13 am.

Sanzo wasn't the type to make social calls, least of all at unearthly hours of the morning. No, Hakkai had been expecting Sanzo to break and come to him eventually. After all, the thing Sanzo was seeking was something only Hakkai could provide. Sanzo's stubborn pride made sure he wouldn't go to anyone else. Then again, it wasn't as if the others had the necessary resources.

Opening the door, Hakkai had to step back quickly. He wasn't given the chance to offer a "Morning, Sanzo," either.

The blond crossed the threshold with a frustrated demeanour and a bitter scowl painting his sharp, handsome features. With his eyebrows knotted, he strode to the centre of the room and stopped, turning and folding his arms over his chest.

"I can't get this fucking thing off." Sanzo compressed his mouth into a firm, pale line. Apparently unwilling to meet Hakkai's eyes, he glared at the space just over Hakkai's right shoulder. "You said you could do it. So do it."

As the door clicked shut, Hakkai allowed a tiny, private smile. Sanzo wouldn't meet his eyes - or face in general - and therefore missed the gesture, which was probably a good thing considering he was no doubt toting his harisen and Smith and Wesson.

"Oh? You've finally decided to stop being stubborn." Hakkai knew it wouldn't do to tease the monk too much, but at times it was impossible to resist, if only to see Sanzo's forehead wrinkle with the effort of ignoring his jibes. Hakkai crossed the room to join Sanzo where he stood, stopping before him. Although they were around the same height and now at much closer proximity, Sanzo still resolutely stared just past Hakkai's head.

Letting his gaze wander down Sanzo's fair, angular face, Hakkai's eyes settled on his throat, where a faint ridge rose beneath the thin leather of his top. He reached out and Sanzo raised his hand quickly, deflecting him.

Hakkai knew it was simple reflex on Sanzo's part, but nevertheless he felt it wise to reassure. "I'll need to take a look, if you want to get rid of it." Frozen with his fingers mere millimetres from Sanzo's neck, he waited patiently.

Sanzo released a sharp breath through his nose and his hand fell to its original place at his side. His shoulders relaxed minimally, which Hakkai took as a good enough nod to continue.

Hooking one fingertip beneath the hem of the leather resting across the rise of Sanzo's Adam's apple, Hakkai tugged the material down a little way. Outwardly, he kept his expression calm and collected - he was a master at it, after all, and had it down to an art form. Inwardly, however, stirrings of an unnameable excitement were already starting to build in Hakkai's body. It was a sensation he had grown accustomed to over the last few months, particularly on long nights like these, although this time the feeling was slightly different from before.

Hakkai was unable to hold back a soft inhale at the sight of Sanzo's neck. Sanzo tilted his head up and back a little way, which was helpful in that Hakkai was given a better view, but unhelpful in that it resulted in the quickening of Hakkai's pulse.

"It's not as tight as I first thought," Hakkai commented carefully. "Does it hamper your breathing much?" He had to work to keep his voice steady, keep any of his eagerness from gracing his tone.

"Oddly, no," was all Sanzo said in response, between clenched teeth.

The strip of thick brown leather was snugly wrapped around Sanzo's throat, as if it had been made just for him. It gave off almost imperceptible waves of magic, and had no doubt been charmed to expand and retract with the movement of its wearer. Three silver hoops were attached to it; one at the front, and one on each side.

"Well?" Sanzo grated impatiently. "Can you get rid of it like you said?"

Only now did Hakkai tear his eyes away from the collar and meet Sanzo's stoic gaze levelly. "I can."

Sanzo let out a faint but obviously relieved breath. Hakkai wondered just how relieved Sanzo would be when he heard what he had to say next.

"However, there's a condition."

* * *

"C'mon you guys, hurry!"

It sounded like Goku's voice was drifting to his ears through a storm cloud. All around, weathered grey bricks and mortar fell like deadly rain, the relentless thumping against he ground ringing loud and low. Hakkai could sense Gojyo beside him, every now and then feel the knock of Gojyo's elbow as they sprinted to dodge the falling debris.

If they could make it through the doorway before it was blocked by the avalanche of stone, they could get on with the rescue. Then again, Hakkai was sadly getting used to this kind of obstacle, after a year of random and outrageous attacks on the Ikkou.

"We've gotta find Sanzo!"

"Yeah, yeah," called Gojyo, as they passed into another chamber lit only by a few scattered candles. "We're coming, monkey. Just stop your hollering and- oh shit!" Hakkai reached out and grabbed Gojyo's arm, yanking him sideways to avoid getting crushed by a tumbling pillar. "Thanks, man," Gojyo finished hurriedly.

As soon as the banging and crashing ceased, Hakkai and Gojyo slowed to a stop. Gasping for breath, Hakkai quickly assessed the new room they were in, resting his hand against the nearest intact wall and surveying their surroundings. The chamber was smaller than the previous one, though it was much cooler. The candles flickered lamely in their makeshift sconces, shadows dancing and warping the edges of the room. Apart from them and the fallen rock they had just dodged, the room appeared to be empty.

Gojyo was bent double, hands on his knees, heaving air into his lungs. It didn't matter how many times Hakkai or Goku told him, he would not give up his cigarette habit. It seemed a rapidly diminishing stamina wasn't about to persuade him either; as soon as he'd regained himself, Gojyo fumbled in his pocket for his pack of Marlboros.

"Shit, he's in there, I can feel it!" exclaimed Goku.

Hakkai inspected the wall Goku was standing beside; he was surprised to learn it wasn't a wall at all, but a towering stone door that appeared to have been carved in an arch straight out of the wall itself.

Judging by how far they had run, Hakkai would wager this part of the abandoned temple lead directly into the mountainside, which explained why it was so dank. He was certain breathing in this type of stagnant air for long periods of time would be bad for the health, though he wasn't given the chance to ponder it further.

Goku sniffed and tilted his head. "An' he's not alone." He took a step back. "Something's in there with him." As he spoke, his Nyoi-bou materialised in his palm.

"One moment, please." Hakkai reached out to still Goku's arm, then carefully pressed his fingertips to the stone door. "That won't do any good. This door…" Smoothing the pads of his fingers in a circle, he started picking up an unusual energy. "It's being reinforced by strange magic."

"You think you can bust it down with your chi, man?" asked Gojyo from behind him.

"Maybe."

"Maybe?" Goku looked up at him, clearly agitated. "Hakkai, I'm gettin' seriously bad vibes from that room. If Sanzo's in danger we should-"

"Pipe down, monkey," Gojyo interrupted, striding over to Goku and ruffling his hair. "Let Hakkai think for a second." As much as Gojyo ribbed their young comrade, there was a lot of understanding between them when it really counted, for which Hakkai was grateful.

From what Hakkai could tell, the magic facing them now hadn't just been settled in front of the door, but woven all the way through and around it. It was intricate, painstaking magic. Whoever - or whatever, he reminded himself - had captured Sanzo was in no mind to release him or the sutra any time soon.

"Would you both please stand back," Hakkai instructed quietly, letting his eyes slide shut and drawing on his chi. As he mentally gathered everything he could, he was aware of Gojyo and Goku backing away from the door, their hurried footsteps scuffing across the flagstones.

It was going to take quite a blast; Hakkai only hoped Sanzo wasn't anywhere near the other side of the door.

Visualising his energy as revolving mass within, Hakkai held out his arm, then drew it back. His fingers curved up into a claw and began to tingle after a moment, as he pictured the mass rotating and gathering faster, growing like a snowball running down a mountainside. His chi was slowly crawling through him, igniting his nerve-endings like fire - all energy and heat and power.

With one last burst of awareness, he pushed out all of his chi, concentrating it in a massive blast through his chest, over his shoulder, down the length of his arm, to his palm, his fingers, which shook under the strain. Hakkai had just enough left in himself to direct the blast at the door, silently hoping it would be enough counter magic to unlace the barrier.

He ducked as light exploded all around, vaguely aware of Goku yelling "Sanzo!" beneath the crash. Hakkai straightened up as the door cracked and started to fall inwards. Gojyo and Goku were already on their way in, running along the length of the door before it had even hit the ground.

Hurrying to catch up with the others, the first thing Hakkai saw was the youkai, a gigantic grey slug-like creature with very big teeth indeed, and a tapering tail that set out cracks of sound as it whipped through the air. Hakkai didn't have much chi left in him - without time to recuperate and replenish himself, he knew going up against that thing would be futile, possibly fatal.

"Gojyo, Goku, see to the youkai! I'll find Sanzo." Hakkai glanced around the dank chamber, his sole good eye straining to make out shapes from the spill of moving shadows. The creature's long tail thrashed through the air; Hakkai dived to the ground, rolling across the floor to escape decapitation. A rush of air from the tail's movement disturbed the back of his hair. That was way too close for his liking. As Hakkai crawled out of the way, he was aware of Gojyo cursing colourfully from somewhere nearby, the chink of his shakujo connecting with the walls.

Goku yelled something incomprehensible to Gojyo; Hakkai didn't catch it and didn't care. As he spun around, he finally located a figure slumped against a far wall directly behind the youkai. Right then, all of his focus zeroed in on that person.

"Sanzo," Hakkai grated, clambering forward while the others distracted their foe.

The monk was only just conscious, dark bruises staining his shoulder where his robe had been torn, cuts dashing his arm, the side of his face. After a preliminary check, Hakkai was reasonably satisfied there was no lasting damage, though he then found himself faced with the task of getting Sanzo on his feet and out the door, while avoiding the youkai at the same time.

Which was easier said than done.

Thick metal shackles bound Sanzo's wrists and ankles tightly, and another restraint had been wound around his neck. All were connected to a web of thick chains, which in turn were attached to metal rungs in the wall behind him. The chains were holding him upright in a sitting position, though Hakkai could see Sanzo was rebelling against them, his body going taut, then relaxing, then going taut again with the effort of pulling on the bonds.

Reaching out, Hakkai tilted the monk's chin up, nothing the exhaustion on Sanzo's face. "Sanzo, can you hear me? Can you understand me? It's Hakkai."

Sanzo's eyelids fluttered, then slowly opened. "Hakkai… the fuck are you doing here?"

Even when beaten nearly unconscious, Sanzo was still very much Sanzo - unwilling to give up and quite happy to speak bluntly. Hakkai was unable to hold back an exasperated laugh. "Getting you out of here."

"Che," mumbled Sanzo. "Would've got myself out, if you bastards hadn't interrupted."

"I'm sure you would, but we haven't got time to discuss that now." Hakkai tugged on the chains, noticing the moment he made contact with them that they were reinforced by the same magic that had fortified the door to the chamber. Well, damn. This was going to take another blast of chi, and although not nearly as big an assault as the door, Hakkai wondered if he had enough power.

"Oy, Hakkai!" Gojyo's voice punctured the roars of the angry youkai behind them. "Did you get him?"

"Yes, he's all right," Hakkai called back. "We're on our way!" Sanzo was looking at him with heavy-lidded eyes, but the irises beneath were now much brighter, more alert than when Hakkai had first reached him.

Good, one small mercy. He would need Sanzo's help shortly.

"Hakkai," Sanzo said lowly. "Get these fucking chains off me. I'm going to kill that stinking," he paused to cough roughly, "motherfucking slug." The chains binding Sanzo made a light clinking noise as he tugged on them.

"All right, please excuse me for a moment." Hakkai backed up, taking in a deep, calming breath, but with all the noise and many other distractions, not to mention dodging the tail every time it swung towards him, he found it hard focusing. He didn't have much chi or physical strength now; in his weakened state, the slow heat of his remaining power was worryingly light as it worked its way through him. Still, Hakkai gave it everything he could, honing his attention and aiming the blast at the shackles.

To his utter relief, the metal hoops split under the blow, falling apart and freeing Sanzo's hands and feet. Once he had shaken off the restraints, Sanzo rose unsteadily.

Hakkai turned to check how the others were faring, but he couldn't see much from his vantage point. The youkai swung its bulk to-and-fro, no doubt fending off dual attacks from Gojyo and Goku at its front.

Good, at least they were still fighting.

"We have to get around it and out the door," said Hakkai over his shoulder. "But that tail almost beheaded me earlier."

He was aware of Sanzo moving closer, grumbling under his breath.

"What was that?" asked Hakkai, turning to find Sanzo tugging on something around his neck. It appeared one shackle was still attached - the thick collar encircling his throat. It looked to be made of leather, a rich brown colour, unlike the sturdier metal of the others. Oddly, it hadn't come free during the blast. Hakkai frowned, wondering if the youkai's magic worked differently from texture to texture. That, or his chi wasn't quite enough to remove everything. "Oh, I can get rid of that, if you'd just give me-"

"Forget it for now, it's not attached to the wall." Sanzo pulled the high leather neck of his top up to conceal the brown band.

Hakkai wasn't actually going to suggest he try it now, since he was pretty much out of energy and close to collapsing on the grimy flagstones beneath his feet. Before he could, the youkai let out a despairing wail, its tail beating against the wall hard enough to draw thick welts. Chips of stone broke from the wall and blood spewed from the youkai's broken skin as it struggled, droplets splashing thick and red on the ground.

Sanzo nudged Hakkai with his elbow. "Let's go."

They ducked around the edge of the chamber, keeping close to the wall. As soon as they reached the entranceway, Hakkai was able to locate Gojyo and Goku through the chaos. They seemed to be doing quite well against the slug demon, ducking and diving to escape its malice, smoothly synchronised as they took turns striking with their respective weapons. The youkai was bleeding profusely now from wounds to its neck and stomach, but it wasn't down yet, and its tail was still slashing dangerous, bloody circles through the air.

It was then that Sanzo stepped forward, closer to the beast. Immediately, Hakkai opened his mouth to ask him what he was doing, to tell him not to get too near, but then he noticed Sanzo scanning the ground intently.

Suddenly, the monk dove for something among the fallen rock of the door, thrusting his hands down into the grey debris. Moments later, Sanzo rose again, clutching a scroll to his chest.

Hakkai was relieved to see the sutra was still in one piece.

"Get those two out the way," Sanzo said, settling the sutra around his shoulders in its rightful position.

"Gojyo, Goku, please come over here!"

As the two fighters made their way over to the door, dodging and countering hit after hit from the slug demon's tail, Sanzo stepped boldly forward, his body rigid with concentration, mumbling the words of the sutra under his breath.

* * *

"You what?"

"I said," Hakkai repeated quietly, as he stared calmly at Sanzo's shocked face, "that collar has been a great distraction these past couple of days, and quite frankly I'm fed up of obsessing over it." He allowed the words to sink in. "Every meal time, sitting across from you, noticing the rise of the collar beneath your leathers. I spilled red pepper sauce on the tablecloth last night, didn't you notice?"

"I… noticed," Sanzo finally said, his voice gruff, not at all the customary bark Hakkai was used to. "I thought perhaps you weren't feeling well."

"Oh, I'm not." Hakkai let his gaze wander back down to the leather strap wound around Sanzo's neck. The hoops glinted prettily, catching the lamplight. "Tell me, how would I go about putting to rest the nagging thought of you in nothing but that collar, Sanzo?"

Sanzo's eyes widened at that. For a second his mouth opened and closed wordlessly. "I'd say you were out of your fucking mind and needed a doctor."

"Hm. See, that may be the case. However, I don't see how me going to a doctor is going to help you out of that collar. So, we're back to square one already." As fun as it was to banter, there really was only one outcome. One Hakkai had been thinking about ever since they escaped the slug demon's lair.

There was a long, bated silence before Sanzo finally responded. "Whatever the hell we are to each other right now is one thing, but I'm not your fucking pet. I won't parade around acting like one just so you can get some kicks."

Hakkai shook his head slowly, reaching out again, only this time he didn't touch the collar, but instead wrapped an arm around Sanzo's waist and tugged him closer. "Believe me, I'm not just doing this for kicks. Did you miss the part where I admitted I've been obsessing over you in that thing for days now? If you expect me to function, let alone locate the necessary chi needed to unhinge the collar, you'll understand my position."

Sanzo narrowed his eyes at him. "You're one devious bastard." He didn't look happy about the prospect, but Hakkai could tell Sanzo was gradually folding. "Messed up, too."

"Some might say," Hakkai replied with a smile, inhaling Sanzo's familiar, masculine scent - a mix of fresh sweat, gun oil, and leather. Hakkai was already hardening within his trousers at Sanzo's proximity, the little bit of physical contact, and the collar was doing nothing to wither his arousal. "This isn't a game, truly. I'm not trying to make you anything you don't want to be."

Sanzo huffed quietly. "As if you could."

"Well, exactly," Hakkai pressed on, running his fingers a little way up Sanzo's back, tracing the ridges of his spine. "We have our… arrangement. It seems to work all right, yes?"

'Arrangement' was the only way Hakkai could describe what they had. The odd night here or there; fast, hard rutting in hotels and inns and once in a forest when they'd been camping en route. Anywhere, really, where they wouldn't be heard or seen, where they could take what they needed from each other and then get on with things the next day.

Hakkai couldn't speak for Sanzo, but he reasoned the mission was a long, arduous life to live for even the sturdiest of souls.

There had to be an outlet somewhere.

"Consider this a slight deviation from the norm," Hakkai continued, looking at Sanzo seriously. Although he was sure Sanzo could feel his growing arousal by now, Hakkai meant what he said. He wasn't out to belittle Sanzo's current situation. In actual fact, it was rare for the monk to admit he needed help at the best of times, and Hakkai wasn't about to put him off or inadvertently turn him away. "A favour, because you know I'm serious and you know I won't laugh."

Sanzo looked less than impressed by the idea, but he finally murmured, "Just the collar."

Hakkai nodded. "Just let me touch you while you're still wearing it."

Sanzo stepped back, breaking the contact. He stared at Hakkai for some time with an unreadable gaze, to the point where Hakkai wondered if he was about to storm back out of the room. Then, Sanzo let out a sigh. "This is so fucked up."

"Isn't it?" Hakkai smiled widely.

Sanzo rolled his eyes, striding to stand next to the bed. "Let's get this over with."

"Could you sound a little less enthusiastic?" said Hakkai with a hint of sarcasm, watching Sanzo closely from where he was standing.

Unhooking the sutra from around his neck, Sanzo started to roll it up, then placed it on the nightstand. Next to go was the robe, which Sanzo tugged up over his head before tossing it onto the foot of Hakkai's bed. Then the detached black sleeves, rolled one after the other down the long sinew of Sanzo's arms.

Idly following these gestures moment by moment, Hakkai could think of nothing but the band of leather wrapped snugly around Sanzo's neck, the deep brown material set against the cream-pale of Sanzo's skin. Sanzo had agreed to leave it on, which in itself was amazing, though Hakkai doubted Sanzo knew the extent of how much the collar really got under his skin.

To Hakkai, it wasn't just a restraint, nor was it simply an accessory. It could also be considered a mark of status. Hakkai wasn't about to tell Sanzo, but he liked to imagine he had put it there in the first place.

"Messed up," Sanzo had called him.

Hakkai couldn't stop his lips from curving into a smile at the thought. There was no denying the truth, after all, and he'd never felt the need to hide from who he was, or the fact that he had issues.

The denims slipped to the floor in a puddle around Sanzo's legs. "Hakkai, if you don't stop staring at me like that…"

"Sorry, sorry," said Hakkai, snapping out of his stupor and starting to undress. Making fast work of his shirt and trousers, he folded his clothes and settled them on top of Sanzo's robe. By the time Hakkai was done, Sanzo had discarded his sleeves and was standing naked beside the bed. The glow of the lamp set his skin in a pale orange glow, the light flowing over the rises and dips of his body like liquid gold.

Hakkai drew forward, focused on the leather adornment and the ridge of Sanzo's collarbone beneath it. He reached up to touch the collar, but this time Sanzo caught his wrist in an iron grip to still him.

"Make the most of it. I won't do this again."

"I won't ask you to." Hakkai pulled his wrist from Sanzo's hold and ran his forefinger over the leather band. The magic thrummed lightly within, connecting with his chi. Small bolts of static ran down Hakkai's arm and he shuddered.

He heard Sanzo's incredulous huff, felt it feather against his face. "Jeez, do you have it bad."

"Sanzo, please," he breathed softly.

After a moment the monk relented, letting out a sigh that was decidedly more resigned. He held still as Hakkai explored the adornment more closely, ghosting the pad of his index finger over the edge, tracing the metal hoops one after the other.

"It's almost a shame I have to destroy it," Hakkai mused, brushing a few strands of blond hair out of the way as he smoothed his finger around the side of the collar. "I would've liked to examine the magic in a more controlled environment. It's unusual… like nothing I've encountered before."

Sanzo settled his hand on Hakkai's hip, his palm hot, his skin rough. He squeezed. "Will you just quit babbling."

Hakkai looked up at Sanzo's face. "Oh. Yes, I will." He smiled again and leaned in, drawing Sanzo's lower lip between his teeth and tugging on it. The monk's steady breathing faltered then, just briefly, and he pressed forward, rubbing his hardening cock against Hakkai's.

Hakkai slid his hands around Sanzo's neck, cupping the collar and letting the hot leather warm his palms. This action pulled a low rumble from Sanzo's throat and he stared at Hakkai intensely.

"Prepare me," Sanzo instructed, although Hakkai wondered if he really was in such a rush, or if he just wanted to distract Hakkai from the fact that he was bound in such a way.

It didn't matter; Hakkai was more than happy to oblige. Occasions where preparation came into play were sparse, since they normally didn't have the time, or lacked a comfortable location to fully indulge.

Hakkai reached for the nightstand where he kept his wash bag. Inside, he picked out a small jar of balm and uncorked the lid. The balm was odourless and pale, used often on burns or chapped skin. However, lately Hakkai had found another beneficial use for it.

Sanzo had moved onto the bed and now Hakkai joined him. The room was warm enough that they didn't need the covers, something Hakkai was rather glad about - he wanted to see this in all its detail. He settled next to Sanzo, setting the pot of balm between them on the bed.

Trying not to fixate on the collar, Hakkai sank his fingers into the jar and then wound his arm up over Sanzo's hip, stroking a slick line from the base of Sanzo's spine to the crease of his arse. The monk kept his eyes trained on Hakkai's face - even when he wasn't looking back, Hakkai could sense the look Sanzo was giving him; it seemed to crawl over his skin, bringing a faint flush to the surface.

As Hakkai breached Sanzo's body, Sanzo raised his leg and pushed back.

Eager, Hakkai thought with a thrill of satisfaction.

"What are you smirking at?" Sanzo asked. His voice was rougher than usual and didn't quite have the same impact as the terse tone he so often used. He shifted on the mattress to get a better look at Hakkai, moving closer.

"It wasn't a smirk. I'm just pleased," Hakkai admitted. "Glad you finally came to me."

"Che, it's not like I had a choice. Should've known you'd get what you want out of this."

"Well, I like to be resourceful where possible." Adding a second finger, he clearly heard the catch of a moan in Sanzo's throat. Sanzo was pushing back and forth now, riding Hakkai's touch at a slow, measured pace. The thick round head of Sanzo's cock glistened slightly, made Hakkai wet his lips with anticipation.

"Fuck, that's enough," the monk barked, reaching down and pushing Hakkai's arm away.

"If you're certain," said Hakkai, removing the balm and placing it back on the nightstand. Sanzo used to pretend he didn't like it, coming to Hakkai and pushing at him roughly, fighting until he came, or Hakkai came, or they both did. Many a bruise had bloomed over Hakkai's skin at Sanzo's hands. Then again, Hakkai had always given as good as he got.

The monk was different now, more open to his own wants. More free to admit he actually had wants and needed to fulfil them.

The thing was, he'd become much more demanding as a result.

"On your back."

Hakkai let out a breathy little laugh as he settled once again, this time reclining with the pillows plumped up under his shoulders so he was at a good angle to watch. "Really, Sanzo, is there such a rush? It's not even three and we're in privacy."

Sanzo shot him a look that was difficult to decipher. Almost like… bitterness? But that was absurd - why would he have reason to be-

Oh.

As Sanzo straddled him, Hakkai smoothed his hands up the length of Sanzo's thighs, to his hips, the bones rising sharp beneath his pale skin. Hakkai held him tightly, forcing him to still, and Sanzo paused.

"If you think the only reason I want this is because of the collar, you're wholly mistaken." Yes, the collar certainly excited Hakkai and he couldn't deny he desired Sanzo even more while wearing it. But the collar would be nothing without the man currently sitting over him. In Hakkai's mind, the two complimented each other perfectly.

"Like I care." With a roll of his eyes, Sanzo pushed down, angling himself over Hakkai's erect cock. Something in his movements had relaxed, Hakkai noticed. He thought perhaps Sanzo's words weren't the truth, but at that moment he lost the ability to consider it further. As the resistance gave a little, the head of his dick slipped into Sanzo's incredible, constricted heat. The resulting tightening in Hakkai's balls was like a scream for more. He groaned.

"Ah! I just thought unh… you should know." Hakkai's voice stammered every other syllable, pushed out between clenched teeth as Sanzo took him in, sinking onto his length all the way to the root. As Sanzo gasped and stilled, he tipped his head back a little way. The hoops on the collar glinted in the lamplight, catching Hakkai's eye.

After a moment, Sanzo dropped his gaze to stare unblinkingly at Hakkai. "Stop your incessant talking already." He reached up, then, and tugged on the leather strap. Hakkai didn't know whether Sanzo did it to shut him up, or if the collar genuinely was bothering him.

Hakkai didn't care.

He pushed his hips up, a slow, deliberate thrust that drove him so tightly into Sanzo's grasping heat that he thought he'd never get out again, exquisite currents of pleasure flushing through him. Sanzo's muscles clenched slightly, and then he was rising up on his knees, pulling on Hakkai's hyper-sensitive length in a sweet torturous movement that seemed to go on forever.

Until he sank back down again, hard, fast, taking his own pleasure from Hakkai as sure as he gave it back. Hakkai arched helplessly, meeting Sanzo's thrust with a bruising intensity, accompanied by a heartfelt groan. He was glad the rooms at the inn were separated; the noises bursting from his own mouth rang loud and mingled with the grunts and gasps issuing from Sanzo's.

Hakkai wanted to touch him, feel the living, hot body under his fingers.

As Sanzo started to ride him harder, Hakkai rose into a sitting position for a better angle. The silk-solid weight of Sanzo's flushed, rigid dick pushed up against Hakkai's scarred stomach with every thrust, a rough and somehow perfect rhythm. With his fingertips, Hakkai traced up the ridges of Sanzo's ribs, one by one, to his collarbone. Once there, he replaced his fingers with his mouth and bit down, tasting salty fresh perspiration, masculine and addictive.

He was also aware of the tang of leather assaulting his nostrils, the collar only inches from his face. Hakkai pulled back and looked up at Sanzo, at the faint flush in his cheeks, the wet of his open mouth. Wrapping a hand around Sanzo's neck, Hakkai threaded his fingers through soft, damp hair and caught hold of the back of the collar.

He tugged on it, eliciting a growl from Sanzo, who could've told him to stop but didn't. Instead, the monk let his head fall back, staring up at the ceiling, giving Hakkai access to this throat.

That in itself sent Hakkai's mind spinning with raw, unfathomable craving. He knew he was reading into it what he wanted, rather than what Sanzo was truly giving - the submissive gesture, the wearing of the collar. But it was enough for Hakkai to pretend. Lord, he thought was going to come undone at the very sight of Sanzo baring himself, allowing Hakkai to take him, take care of him, have him.

Hakkai went for Sanzo's throat, biting and licking and grazing his teeth over the long, smooth curve. He laved his tongue over the leather collar, the magic thrumming and adding an unusual, exotic flavour to the taste.

Sanzo gripped Hakkai's shoulders tightly, his fingers digging into the flesh, blunt nails scratching the surface. He pumped his hips harder, pistoning himself onto Hakkai's erection with a violent abandon, cock smearing wet precome over Hakkai's stomach and ribs.

Right now, you are mine, Hakkai thought fiercely, unable to help himself. He caught one of the hoops between his teeth and tugged on it, moaning around the heated metal, feeling strong and wanted and able to take on anything, do anything as long as Sanzo didn't stop, as long as Sanzo kept driving down onto him like that and making those incredible resonant noises.

Hakkai felt Sanzo's orgasm before he heard it, in the sudden spread of hot moisture between them, the fluttering clench of Sanzo's muscles around his cock. The groan Sanzo let out next to Hakkai's ear was rich and shaking and fantastic, and he slowed his thrusts, sinking down hard and taking Hakkai to the hilt.

The leather band under Hakkai's mouth vibrated as Sanzo cursed colourfully, as he moaned and tipped his head back further. The smell of Sanzo's semen mixed with all the other distracting scents promised to drive Hakkai to release. He was close, cock throbbing with untamed need deep inside Sanzo's hot body, shivers of sensation roiling from his balls all the way through his limbs.

Sanzo was now still, breathing fast and hard, hands settled loosely around Hakkai's shoulders. He still shuddered, his heartbeat thumping against Hakkai's chest. At this point, Hakkai knew Sanzo was at his most compliant. He carefully guided the monk off his lap, his rock-hard dick coming free from the amazing confines.

Sanzo fluidly spread himself onto the mattress, his eyes heavy-lidded and unusually unguarded. "I know exactly what you're doing," he said in a hoarse tone, looking up at Hakkai beneath a spill of blond hair.

"And you're not going to stop me," Hakkai replied, not as a challenge, but as fact; Sanzo wouldn't stop him. Sanzo was too immersed in the ecstasy Hakkai was now chasing. He switched their positions, hooking one leg over Sanzo's hip until he was straddling the monk.

With a hazy openness to his face, Sanzo watched as Hakkai took himself in hand, his dark purple eyes foggy and yet focused. Smoothing his fist up and down his reddened shaft, Hakkai inched forward, the tight coil of arousal pulsing in his balls starting to give out. Leaning over Sanzo's chest, he fisted his length hard, finally letting go with a choked groan.

Bracing his free hand against the pillow next to Sanzo's head, Hakkai watched pearls of his come dashing the monk's skin - shooting up over his collarbone, his neck, dirtying the leather collar. In that moment it was his, and the thought of Sanzo watching him, of Sanzo allowing him to come on his body like that, sent Hakkai's mind reeling.

Arm trembling as he crashed through his orgasm, Hakkai clenched his muscles to support his weight, his release more powerful than any he could recall before it and momentarily wiping him out. He slowed his strokes, letting his cock sputter more freely through the final few bursts.

The next thing he was aware of was Sanzo's touch, on his thigh, just lightly. Once Hakkai had gathered himself and released his spent cock, he looked down, to where Sanzo was running his fingers over Hakkai's skin in small circles. It was an odd gesture coming from Sanzo, and he must have noticed it too because he abruptly stopped, drawing back his hand.

"No, it's fine-" Hakkai started to say.

"Now get rid of this damn collar before I go spare and reach for my gun." There wasn't a hint of genuine anger in Sanzo's voice. Hakkai immediately knew he was simply buffeting any awkwardness. He smiled gratefully.

"Please give me a few seconds to recover." Climbing off Sanzo, Hakkai settled on the bed beside him, his heart still racing in his chest, body still euphoric in wake of his release. Heavens, he wasn't usually so unrestrained, but then, everything about this time had been different. Hakkai couldn't help but marvel.

He turned his head a fraction, peering at the collar just visible between the longer strands of Sanzo's hair. It was wet with Hakkai's come at the front, more evidence streaking Sanzo's chest and neck. Hakkai felt the urge to laugh with wonder, but managed to get it under control.

Instead, he sat up and, working through the haze of his orgasm, the looseness in his limbs, he started to steel himself. It was only fair to Sanzo, what with the things he had gone through this evening on Hakkai's behalf. With minimal complaint, too.

Sanzo quickly caught on to what Hakkai was doing and also rose, sitting close beside him. Hakkai was aware of Sanzo's gaze, watching him carefully as he lifted his hands, aiming his fingers at the monk's neck.

He closed his eyes, reaching down far, in between the shivers still rippling beneath his skin, under the pleasant tingling sensations, to where the heat of his chi bubbled and formed. He called on the magic, welling it and sending it up and into his palm. Hakkai reached out for Sanzo, curling his fingers around the damp collar.

Beneath the flash he heard Sanzo gasp, though not in pain, just surprise.

As soon as the light dimmed, Hakkai slowly pulled his hand away, holding it up with his palm outstretched. The leather band lay across it, the ends neatly severed, hanging down at either side of his hand. It was also now devoid of its magic - Hakkai could not sense the thrum of energy within the material.

"Hm, it seems to be a regular collar now," he said, turning on the bed and placing the broken leather strip on the nightstand.

Sanzo rubbed at his neck tentatively. "Thanks," he mumbled, before rising off the bed, snatching his pile of clothes as he went. Hakkai caught the way Sanzo glanced at the collar. Or rather, glared at it, as if he never wanted to see it again.

Hakkai's lips quirked. "I assure you, it's quite harmless."

"It's got nothing to do with the magic," Sanzo shot back, as he pulled up his denims. He didn't bother putting his leather top back on since he was still quite messy from their exertion. Hakkai pulled a handkerchief out of his discarded trouser pocket and handed it to the monk. "We leave early in the morning. I want to make decent headway tomorrow."

"All right. I'll be ready to leave at six."

"Better make that seven," Sanzo said, wiping away the moisture on his chest and neck. He dropped the dirty handkerchief on the nightstand and retrieved his robe and sleeves from the floor. "By the time the monkey and the kappa finish fighting over the last bowl of miso at breakfast, we'll be late anyway."

"Seven, then."

Sanzo paused and looked at him, silent for a long moment - long enough to make something in Hakkai tighten up, but too short a time for Hakkai to be sure whether he'd imagined the expression on Sanzo's face.

A calm he very rarely wore.

"See you at the bar later." With that, Sanzo strode to the door. It clicked shut quietly, like punctuation to his visit. Very final, but somehow soft, sated.

Hakkai let himself drop back down onto the bed, the sheets still warm and damp where they had previously lain. He stretched his arms up behind his head, watching the cracks in the ceiling plaster for some time, before he remembered.

He turned to the nightstand, then froze.

The collar was gone.

~Fin~

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