Punishment

2x5

"Kunzite..." Jadeite hesitates in the doorway, stomach churning, and Kunzite looks up from deep contemplation of an opening formation on his chessboard, quirks his eyebrows with that knowing smirk, and knocks a pawn down to roll in a circle on the table.

"Come in," he says, little emotion, and Jadeite drags one boot after the other, head bowed.

It's the first time he's had the guts to approach him alone. First time since he'd lifted the sword in the subspace greenwood, one step forward, plunge deep through the velvet cloak...

"I," he starts, choked up with fear. "I'm sorry. I betrayed you. Betrayed all the Shitennou. I--" He can't say all of it. He can't. If Kunzite knew--that he'd stayed after the curse was lifted, that he still loved her--he'd kill him. That's all. Just kill him. So he would have to pretend his sins were lesser.

"Say it," he hears from Kunzite, quiet and implacable. "Look at me and say it."

He looks up, slowly, forces himself to meet cool tawny eyes. Kunzite doesn't look angry. Good thing--if he did, he might have fled. He's younger than the others, he knows, not as tough; Kunzite normally is to rough for him, on the best of days, and he'd been crueler than ever in the Kingdom, and with what he's asking now...

"I seek punishment."

Kunzite looks at him heavy-lidded, then smiles faintly to himself. "Strip and kneel." He turns and paces, suitably disdainful, as Jadeite hesitates, deciding, then fumbles his way out of his clothes without magic, sets them aside, shivers naked, and sinks to his knees. And waits, staring fearful at the floor, until Kunzite's boots and the swinging hem of his cloak come into view.

"I hope," Kunzite says, "that you're not stupid enough to be doing this for my benefit."

Jadeite just shakes his head. If Kunzite wanted revenge, he'd just punish him directly, most likely cast him out of the Shitennou--one of the worst thoughts of his life, admittedly--and not wait for him to come crawling and begging. But maybe if he hurt him enough, he'd feel...

"Good," Kunzite purrs, and reaches down for a handful of golden curls to yank Jadeite's head up painfully--and there now is that horrible cruel Kunzite smile, and fear and obscene anticipation shoot through Jadeite's gut. "But you're right--it's been a good while since anyone's properly whipped you into shape." That's just murmured offhand; he hisses the word whip, and Jadeite shudders. "Now." His voice sharpens, firm as a hand round his throat. "I'm going to hurt you. A lot. And then I'm going to pass you on to the others, to Zoisite and Nephrite and the Master, and let them do the same." Jadeite feels his eyes widen. "You'll be at everyone's disposal for as long as this lasts. When you've had enough, when you've forgiven yourself, you stand up, you apologize properly, you put your clothes back on, and it's over."

Jadeite stares up at him in confusion, scalp burning, and Kunzite smiles, only a little mocking.

"You'll understand that eventually," he says, dismissing, and then, with terrible ease, yanks Jadeite forward by the hair and tosses him full length on the floor, and he yelps in surprise and pain, limp cock caught awkward against the hardwood, and Kunzite plants a boot in the middle of his back when he tries to squirm into a more comfortable position. "But until that point," he goes on, unruffled, "you will be naked and crawling. Should it last long enough for this to be an issue, you will sleep and eat on the floor. You will not speak unless spoken to, you will not be allowed to come...I'd imagine you know what you're in for."

Jadeite bites back a terrified protest. It wouldn't do a thing. He's Kunzite's plaything now; he knows by the terrible command in his voice. The pressure of the boot lifts a little and slides rough up his back, and then the toe forces his head down, face to the floor, and holds him there for a long minute as he pants, eyes screwed tight shut.

And he needs this, so much.

"When you've forgiven yourself, you stand up. Remember that. Now, I believe I left one of my toys in the other room. A multi-stranded whip with knotted ends. It shouldn't be out of your reach. Go find it, and bring it back in your teeth."

The boot lifts. Jadeite picks himself up shaking to all fours and starts slowly for the door.

"Jadeite," Kunzite says, soft and harsh. "I just gave you an order. What didn't you say?"

"Yes," Jadeite chokes out, "Master."