hi, this is my first published fanfiction, no one ever read my work- so please judge and comment but nicely :) about this fanfic- it's yaoi (Bartimaeus and Nathaniel), it's not an AU (it'll explain itself in later chapters), I tried not to make them OOC (but I'm not so...)... what else- there are 8 chapters (actually only 7 already exist), none of them is epic long but this fandom is still small and poor- be happy with whatever you get... uh, and sorry for all errors I made, feel free to point them out!

What once was precious

A way too soft bed dipped under me and the extra weight of my master's body made me sink even deeper in that rich people's spongy mass of a mattress. His lips moved from mine, going lower, attacking my throat. I didn't have to fake a shudder right there, his lips were fucking cold. At least his ministrations got his eyes off my face- I was getting cramps from all these love-making faces I had to produce. Stupid, horny humans...

Oh, don't get me wrong. He was actually quite simple for having sex with, no kinks or dirty talk required, so in any case I could handle him, nothing the great Bartimeaus hasn't seen before. I was kind of relieved that silver chains and whips weren't modern anymore. And that bestiality was now considered sick, cuz you know- once upon a time it was religious, in some tribes, to fuck whatever they considered a deity. Hmm, interesting how that never worked out for me, even if I could take any shape and behave like any creature there is... thought worth pondering, later.

Surprised I never mentioned any of this? Hey, it's not like I can go around saying: I'm Bartimeaus the Great, who built the walls of Uruk and Prague and fucked my way through masters, from Cleopatra to pope. Well, it wasn't a big deal anyway, it was practically written in my job description, between lines 'eat human whenever you can' and 'obey or die'. Same like you expect from the delivery boy to give you chopsticks along with your chinese food. Plus, magicians were pretty kinky folks, sniffing thyme for whole days, so sleeping around with their STD-free slaves was common, even expected, I'd say.

As on a cue, tight grinding of aroused body onto mine, accompanied with heavy breaths in my ear, snapped me from thoughts reminding me to jump from phase 'lie and moan' to phase 'grind and moan'. Mechanically, I did so. Sex was easy, old thing, it never really changed no matter time or partners.

Mindlessly I arched back, giving him more friction, while tangling my pale, pianist fingers in his black locks. My fake breathing sounded like pretty shallow pretence in my ears but I counted on weak human senses to not spot it. I really wasn't into this right now.

Rather, I returned to my gazing up, but spotless ceiling wasn't a thing that could occupy you for long. Especially when you had someone humping you. Between drowning in boredom and depression I even faked a hard on, only for him, maybe that'll get him off (in all meanings) sooner, I wasn't in mood for... Anything actually.

Maybe I just couldn't swallow down the fact that Nathaniel, or John Mandrake how they called him in public, the boy who pestered me for years, one I saved more times than he's worth, one who I grew accustomed to, that same boy who I saw covered in mud and dirt, looking like shit, as well as a dressed up politician version (still looking like shit), was now on me, pushing my thighs apart. Almost funny how things worked out, huh? Had it been anyone else in my position, I would've laughed. Hell, I'd find lungs just so I could suffocate of laughter. Few years ago, if you had told me that Nathaniel is going to become a sex-addict I would've patted you on shoulder compassionately and kindly ask you to give him a dick first.

From the feeling right now he indeed had one already. My insides whined as he pushed himself inside me without moment of hesitation. I bit my lip to keep the pain for myself- it fucking hurt to have something plunged in you even if you were a being of air and fire.

Thankfully, he kept his look down, on my chest maybe, and all I saw was mane of black hair partially hiding curve of his chin and nose. That, and of course his ghostly pale skin, glowing sickly under moonlight cast from the window. From here I could see towers of Whitehall, distant fingers creeping toward dark blue skies. Beats of Big Ben could be heard over Mandrake's frantic breathing and slapping of skin against skin. Ten... Eleven... Twelve, I counted the beats. It was midnight.

Human collapsed on me. He wasn't the lightest thing you would want crushing you, but I stayed still. Funny how much pride I still had, considering everything, and how much I struggled to keep my dignity even as I lay with my legs spread under this man who's hands were still gripping my sides, his erratic breathing hitting my ear.

We didn't stay like this for long.

As expected, as always, he lifted on his arms and got up, like nothing happened, like he wasn't butt naked and sweaty, hair messier than ever and I wasn't gritting my teeth to keep yelps and sighs for myself, yelps from burning pain that moving brought and disgusting feeling of his cum deep in me. Casually, he ran a hand through that mane and found loose pants to pull on, still with no hurry. His eyes never met mine. First few times I thought that he was ashamed, so as a kind friend with lots of understanding, I teased him to no end. All I got was empty look and silence. My opinion, or words in general, meant nothing. Curses, mocking, jokes, songs, burping and dancing (and all of the above at once even), were all falling on deaf ears and blind eyes. And like anyone of my greatness, expirience, wisdom (insert whatever you like), I was taken aback by this rudness. But also... I felt helpless. Whoever this person infront of me was, he surely wasn't that twig of a boy whom I hated with passion. Nope, this one here was not even worth hate, he'd do some good only as a zoo attraction. And even then I wouldn't go to see him.

"Get out.", silence was cut with his mumbled order, quiet but sharp anyway. He didn't even look my way. Too bad- I made such a nice grimace.

Mandrake walked to the window I've been watching through before, eyes as black as room behind him, he never turned the light on for 'occasions' like this. My body was still lounguing on his bed, a bit sensitive from previous abuse, still- may I be damned if I admit to my weakness. Buying some time sounded like a plan, plus since I rarely saw the kid these days, I was worried that he doesn't get sufficent dose of teasing, nowdays everyone around him spoke as if they gargle bleach every morning.

"So soon?", I asked seductively from cushons, wiggling my eyebrows. You'd have to be a man to refuse that. Ehm... Or rather, you'd have to be extremly not a man.

That got his attention for a moment and dark eyes, glowing with moonlight reflection, fell on my form, shamelessly displayed on the bed. Had it been anyone else I'd say that he was checking me out, but his look could be translated only as 'calculating how much longer can I use this horse until it's too racked up'. Mocking smirk tugged corner of his thin lips for shortest second. Than his stare went back to night view.

"You were hardly any good tonight, so better get out while I still feel mercyful.", voice was Siberian cold, and trust me I know just how cold that is. Frankly, while northen Russia could do little when it comes to my sparkling spirits, this expression froze me. It was like someone else had killed Nathaniel before I got my chance. Not fair.

In answer I grinned widely.

"Does that mean that I'll have to be punished?"

One syllable- lightning struck from his pointing finger unexpectedly, so I barely had time to roll out of it's way. Cranky, these kids nowdays.

I wasn't actually surprised. Mustering my strenght I got up, dressed my guise briefly, and walked through door without another word, his eyes followed me out til I closed the door firmly, without glancing back. I'd have to be crazy for even wanting to look back. But I guess craziness is also just a number on the list of my current problems. Probably not even among top ones.

Hours later, while I sat on some nameless roof, and dawn's light was bathing my thin, tan limbs, I still felt... Out of place. Hey, what do you expect to feel in the world where John Mandrake is a sex addict? Nothing held sense anymore, not just Mandrake. To be honest, he was pretty much the last normal thing, in all it's abnormality.

Maybe I was just cranky because I could still feel him, you know. Feel pulsating sensation inside of me, in same beat like his pounding in me, mere hours ago. It angered me. But not only that... there was something else to it. Something I didn't want to think about, something confusing.

Under my roof, on the streets, people were dragging their feet to work. Dull horde watched over by police and jinni. Grey river flowing through the filthy, grey city. Citizens ready for another day in their respective places at assembly line of industry.

I hugged Ptolemy's form, protecting it from the morning breeze. Looking down again, I hoped that I'll maybe see Kitty, while still kinda hoping that I won't. It was chilling to witness something that once had hope now walking along with the herd of two-legged cows.

i'm going to sound like total attention whore but, please do review!

Carmyn