Truth Imprisoned

Author's note: I'm sorry it's taken so long to get this chapter out. I've been working so that I can afford food at university, as well as finishing off my novel. Yep, my novel is now finished, apart from a few final adjustments. Almost 93, 000 words in total. Personally, I think that number's a very good excuse for not finding time to write this.

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"Where's Harry?" Remus asked. He and Sirius were sitting by the pool, sipping some fruity drink that Dobby had concocted for them. Sirius had sent Hedwig with the message that he wanted to talk with Remus, but so far had yet to build up the courage to do so.

"He's spending the day with Ron. Ron got the job as DA teacher at Hogwarts," Sirius answered. The tso fso far had remained on safe topics, but they were now running out, given that everything seemed to relate to Harry somehow.

"So I heard. I just hope he can survive it." There was a pause. The conversation so far had been riddled with them. Sirius wanted to talk to Remus about what had happened with Harry, but he was unsure how to broach the subject. Still, he needed to talk to somebody, if only to help himself understand what had happened. He took a deep breath and began.

"He came on to me."

"Ron?"

"No. Harry." Sirius told Remus then what had happened on the day of the party and what had happened a few days earlier, when he and Harry had kissed. Remus said nothing, for which Sirius was grateful. If he stopped talking now, he didn't think he'd be able to gather together the courage to start again, and he needed to do this. Beside him,us lus listened silently until Sirius had finished, then sat in silence for a while longer, thinking.

"Why did you say no?" he asked at last.

"Because I love him," Sirius answered, "Because if I pushed too far or too fast, I could drive him away forever. And because I wouldn't be able to let him go if he found someone else he wanted to be with."

"And what if he really wants to be with you?" Remus asked.

"He doesn't. He told me he just wants to be friends." Sirius didn't think Harry knew what he was asking. It was painful to even be around Harry, to see him every day and not be able to touch him. He was so close to having everything that he desired, and he knew that he'd never be able to.

"That must be really hard for you," Remus said, as Sirius described his feelings.

"Harder than you can imagine," Sirius told him.

"Oh, I think I can imagine it." There was another silence, as each considered what had happened and what t hat happen. Sirius did feel slightly better for simply talking about the situation with Remus, but it wasn't enough. Nothing would be enough.

"Perhaps," Remus suggested, "I can help you forget Harry. For a little while."

Sirius smiled. If brief relief from this burning need was all that he could know, he would embrace it wholeheartedly. It was just like Remus to think of offering this comfort. It was superficial, but there was no more substantial way to help with what was happening. He was glad that Remus was herimplimply his presence was calming and comforting.

"I don't know what I'd do without you, Remus." It was perhaps his own sadness that kept him from seeing the grief behind Remus' eyes as the two of them abandoned the pool and made their way to the playroom.

Sirius watched with lust as Remus sensuously removed his clothes. Remus seemed at this point to be a powerful predator, luring Sirius in. The thought that such might was his to command gave Sirius a thrill, as it always did. Something of the wolf showed through, though what it might be was impossible to determine. Perhaps it was just the underlying strength that hid beneath Remus' skinny form.

"What do you want, slave?"

"I want you to share your pain with me, master," Remus answered, "I want to ease your suffering."

"Go to the frame!" Sirius ordered. Remus obeyed. The frame was a rectangle of metal, fixed to the floor by two poles that were hinged to the centre of the longer sides, allowing the whole contraption to be spun. A wide band of metal stretched across from one side to the other, padded in the centre. Remus stood so that his stomach was pressed to the padding and straps immediately sprang to life, wrapping around his waist lowelower back, holding him in place. Sirius watched impassively as Remus raised his arms out above him and to the sides. The padded manacles in either corner closed themselves about his wrists, then the chains pulled tight. As the same happened with his legs, Remus was held completely immobile. Totally at Sirius' mercy.

Sirius went to the cupboards, bypassing some of the more inventive toys. A cock ring was a necessity of course, otherwise Remus would come far too soon. Sirius fixed it to the genitals that were hanging beneath the padded cross bar and took up a sturdy, wooden paddle. It didn't have the same sting as some of the more flexible ones, but Sirius liked the feel of it.

He swung the frame slightly, so that Remus was tilted forwards a little, his ass completely exposed. His feet were braced against the base of the frame, his hands grasping the chains that held him, but most of his weight was leaning on his stomach. His body was tense, waiting for the first blow. He couldn't see what Sirius had chosen, so he had no idea what to expect.

At last, when he thought he'd made Remus wait long enough, he swung the paddle. Remus grunted with the pain as the smooth surface struck his right ass cheek. Sirius paused a moment, then dealt a similar stroke to the left. The third stroke followed immediately afterwards. He counted ten blows, feeling almost as though the pain he was feeling over Harry was flowing his his arm and into Remus.

After ten blows, he paused a moment to admire the glow Remus' ass was gaining. He stroked the tender flesh, hearing the barely audible hiss of pain that emerged from Remus' lips. Remus had been able to contain the cries of pain during this first beating, but Sirius knew that would change before too long.

Sirius exchanged the paddle for a leather flogger with several, broad straps. He tested it once, then flicked it skilfully against Remus' ass. He built up a steady rhythm, but varied the place where he struck, moving over Remus' ass to his back and hs. hs. Soon most of the pale flesh in front of Sirius was covered with angry red lines and Remus was screaming and crying out with everrokeroke. Sirius found that calm centre to himself, the part that let him keep control as he dealt out pain. Secure in that place, the troubles of the past week could no longer touch him. There was only himself, Remus and the pain that bound them together.

Sirius paused the beating to check that Remus was still alright. There were tears on his cheeks, but his cock was hard. As Remus panted with pain and lust, Sirius kissed away the tears, then touched his lips to Remus' for a kiss that tasted of salt and sadness. Remus responded eagerly, shuddering as Sirius drew a finger up the length of his erection.

"Do you want this?" Sirius asked.

"Please, master," Remus begged, his voice croaking from his earlier screams and heavy with lust. Sirius quickly ridded himself of his clothes and reached for the oil. He slicked up two his fingers, driving them into Remus and their mouths met for another kiss. Remus moaned into Sirius' mouth, from pain and desire. Sirius shifted his fingers, searching for that sweet spot. His cry was wordless and yet eloquent as his body tried to move, tried to drive itself down onto those invading fingers.

"What do you want?" Sirius asked, moving his mouth to nibble at Remus' earlobe, his body shifting so that he was posned ned behind his slave.

"Want you, master," Remus begged, "Need you." Sirius decided not to deny either of them. He quickly slicked up his erection and drove into Remus' prepared entrance, slowly at first, then quicker as Remus relaxed around him. Sirius drew himself almost completely out, then thrust in again. He was panting, his breathing erratic as he drew near his climax. His fingers fumbled with the cock ring, releasing Remus. The action gave the permission that his mouth was no longer capable of giving.

Sirius came with Harry's name on his lips. Moments later, Remus came.

"Oh god! Oh god! Love you!" Then both of them collapsed bonelessly, Remus hanging from the frame and Sirius hanging from Remus, using him to support himself.

Once he had recovered enough, Sirius quickly released Remus and helped him to the sink so that they could wipe away the white stickiness that coated them both. Remus' movements were stiff with pain, but he'd endured worse, often at Sirius' hands.

"Thank you," Sirius said, smiling sincerely.

"It's nothing," Remus answered, pulling on his robes once more.

"But you do so much for me."

"I'll help you any way I can. Just call and I'll be there."

"You're a good friend Remus," Sirius told him.

"I try my best. If you need me again, just let me know." He bid Sirius farewell with a kiss on the cheek and then was gone, leaving the room and the house before Sirius could see the tears he was desperately trying not to cry.