Work Text:
The way with things are going right now, Bartimaeus had decided, if Nathaniel will annoy him by constantly summoning him to do boring tasks [1], and to top it off, did not let him rest in the Other World, he will annoy the little ol’ Natty boy with even more of his personally crafted hijinks.
[1] He asked me to pass out flyers to pedestrians for a whole month (maybe more). Me! The great Bartimaeus of Uruk, spirit of air and fire! Reduced to doing menial tasks of a salesman.
At first he thought it will be funny to give him a good ol’ “BOO” everytime Nathaniel walked outside his study. But even Bartimaeus has a heart. The first time he did it, Nathaniel jumped so hard, he tumbled backwards and got his feet stuck on one of his lavish persian rug, causing him to fall, head first, onto his back. Bartimaeus quickly fled the scene, before calling the other maids to help their Mr. John Mandrake recover from the big bruise that’ll soon manifest.
Up next, he decided something much more safer. He poked his cheeks [2]. Sometimes the left side, sometimes the right side, sometimes both. Repeatedly. Annoying Nathaniel while he’s working. At the first week, he got the responses he wanted from him. His face went a dark shade of red from anger and he kept throwing glares at his direction, instead of doing his work. Once he realised he’s slacking though, Nathaniel seemed to put a mental cage over himself, not letting any disturbance distracts him. Not even when a giant mosquito landed on his forearms and gulped his blood until it got too full to even fly [3]. Bartimaeus clicked his tounge in dissappointment and flicked the fat mosquito outside the window.
[2] maybe he should have poked his tummy, but that position is kinda awkward
[3] not as big as an elephant per se. That would actually be terrifying. Big enough to be noticed immediately, I meant.
Third times the charm they say. And oh boy was it effective. Too effective maybe. Nathaniel was working on his study as usual, reading on old manuscripts and deciphering it. Bartimaeus sneaked behind him and put his hands on both of Nathaniel’s shoulders. He still put up that mental cage alright, but that’s okay. He just wanted to try this one. See how close his master will let him into his personal space.
He brought up his lips next to Nathaniel’s ears, still no reaction from the younger boy. Bartimaeus took a deep breath and manifest his deep, dark, chocolatey voice he had once used when Nathaniel summoned him the first time. [4]
[4] I did not know exactly how chocolate tasted like, but lots of fiction have portrayed a chocolatey voice as desirable.
“Hey”
Nathaniel gave him a one hell of a reaction [5]. He practically jumped from his seat, making Bartimaeus went back a little from surprise. His calm and cool demeanor was shattered and his face was a blushing, sweating mess. For real, his neck was even blushing. Nathaniel’s mouth quivered and Bartimaeus could see the hair at the back of his neck rising.
[5] looks like his mental cage did not work here folks.
Bartimaeus blinked once.
“Wha-what the bloody hell Bartimaeus?” Bartimaeus could hear Nathaniel’s voice cracking.
“Wow Natty, I did not know you have sensitive ears.” An impish grin formed in Bartimaeus face. Sharp teeth shown, making his face more wicked.
“I-I’m not!”
“Oh yes you do.”
“I’m not!”
“Natty you really are bad at lying.”
Nathaniel rolled his eyes back and took a deep breath, before wiping the sweat forming on his jaw. Bartimaeus stepped back, positioning himself behind Nathaniel again, to which Nathaniel responded with a glare.
“Why are you in here anyway?” Nathaniel barked.
“Well I’m finished with my tasks and I just want to accompany my Master at work [5], unless you wanted to send me back to the Other World?” Bartimaeus’ eyebrows wiggled.
[5] Lies. His work are super boring I’d rather watch a plain white drywall.
“Okay, but stay away from me.”
“Aww, but i wanna be close to you.” Bartimaeus let out a mocking pout. “Didn’t you say you’re not ticklish on the ears? It’s okay right for me to stay here?” Before Nathaniel could usher a response, Bartimaeus crouched and whispered in the same deep voice, next to his ears.
“Let’s prove it now shall we?”
Nathaniel almost jumped out from his chair again, but this time he’s more aware and in control of his action. His face and neck can not lie though. It has turned pleasantly into another shade of red.
“Aren’t you a cute little apple [6]”
[6] should I specified the apple I meant? I mean there are green apples.
Bartimaeus let out a low cackle and could feel himself smirking. He huffed a small, warm air which, in response, Nathaniel’s body started to hunch over, his breathing gone erratic.
“Or is it tomato?”
Both of Nathaniel’s hand covered his mouth now. Bartimaeus watched in sadistic glee as his face turned into another shade of red Bartimaeus did not even know Nathaniel was capable off.
“Natty boy.”
A loud, squeaky, moan had failed to be contained between Nathaniel’s hands, when Bartimaeus called his name. Bartimaeus jolted when hearing it. Such an unexpected response. Or was it? Wait why did he even teased Nathaniel until he was a whimpering, moaning mess? Right, to get back at him for keeping him for too long from the Other World.
But did he fuck himself in the process too? Did he want to mess with his Master more now that he heard that pathetic squeaky moan? Did that moan awaken something carnal inside his demonic self?
Yes. He did.