Paul supposed he deserved this torture. He's done far worse to his angel, and the darling boy had held up admirably even when Paul was at his cruelest. Paul allowed the fondling with as much stoic reserve as he could muster, his teeth restlessly chewing on his tongue so all his mortifying sounds could stay where they belonged.<br/><br/>He stopped when Gabriel kissed him and finally, finally announced that he was done. He sounded so satisfied with himself. His sweet angel. The devious bastard. How Paul loved him.<br/><br/>Paul grabbed Gabriel's hair and kissed him again roughly. There was barely restrained violence in it, a simmering and writhing anger, a promised retribution. So few have ever gotten this close and they were always punished for it, for forcing Paul to suffer the indignity of lowering his guard and allowing them in. Lucky for Gabriel that he was a glutton for punishment, but Paul had made a promise and it was still Gabriel's turn.<br/><br/>"Out," Paul said softly after the kiss, so rough that the both of them could still feel the sting of it even after they had gotten out of the tub and dried themselves off.<br/><br/>Then they were in the bedroom. The length of rope laid waiting on the bed, coiled neatly on the sheets. There was no need to command Gabriel onto the bed, he was already eagerly in position before Paul could say a word, kneeling in the center and arms positioned behind his back.<br/><br/>Paul had a special appreciation for shibari. It was an artform that required skill and intuition and the end results were always breath taking. Paul picked up the rope and began the intricate process of binding his lover. His touch was just as reverent as Gabriel's had been in the bath.<br/><br/>The silk rope whispered as it looped around Gabriel's limbs, sliding against his skin like a caress. Paul knew that Gabriel liked it to bite, that he liked it to hurt and leave him numb and tingling, but tonight he wanted Gabriel to have as much time as possible. Paul wrapped him up into a diamond weave arm binder. It was aesthetically pleasing but a comfortable bondage, tight enough to feel and immobilizing but in a position that Gabriel could hold for some time without fear of nerve damage.<br/><br/>The last knot was tugged into place and Paul took a moment just to look at his angel. His shoulder blades compressed together in this arrangement, making valleys out of his back and spine. The ropes indented the lean fat of his pale arms, cris crossing over his shoulders, elbows, and wrists.<br/><br/>Paul's private collection. The most gorgeous art in the world.<br/><br/>Paul could not help but lean in and press a kiss at the top of Gabriel's spine.<br/><br/>"There," he murmured, "now you may devour me as you see fit. Tell me how you want me and I will obey."