The Gilded Mirror

by L. M. Somerton

  “It is. So, east of the city are the foothills of the North Cascades Mountains so the terrain is quite steep. Mount Baker is the largest peak at around ten thousand feet. We’ll have to look at a topographical map, but I’d guess the contour lines somewhere in that area might match your drawing.”

  Landry scribbled notes, peering at the screen. “Whatcom Falls Park includes the Whatcom Creek Gorge, which runs directly through the heart of the city. It has four sets of waterfalls and several miles of walking trails. Sounds promising.”

  “We’ll look it up on a map—there’s a daily newspaper called the Bellingham Herald. Might be useful for more research if they have an archive.”

  Putting his hand over Gage’s, Landry scrolled down. “Look at this! The place is riddled with mine workings. All this can’t be coincidental. The name, the mines, the gorge…it all fits.”

  “We’ll still have to check out all the other Bellinghams, if only to rule them out,” Gage cautioned.

  “When you get all detectivey, it turns me on.” Landry leaned into Gage’s side.

  “I’ll make a note.” Gage massaged Landry’s neck a little. “Thorough research is important in any case.”

  “I’d like it a lot if you thoroughly investigate me later on…Sir,” Landry whispered.

  “That’s not up for debate.”

  “How soon can we throw everyone out without being rude?” Landry fidgeted in his seat.

  “We’re not throwing anyone out, sweetheart. You’ll have to be patient.” Gage laid his hand over Landry’s groin and pressed, making him gasp.

  “So not fair!”

  “Life isn’t fair. Now, Bellingham, Massachusetts. Not far above sea level, the topography there won’t match at all.” For the next fifteen minutes, Gage looked up the other Bellingham’s they’d found. None of the other ones in the US came anywhere close to being likely matches to Landry’s map. Bellingham in Australia turned out to be in Tasmania and right on the coast. It was a tiny place largely made up of shacks used during the summer months, so was easy to exclude.

  “Tasmanian devils are kind of cute, though,” Landry said.

  “Have you been watching cartoons again?” Gage asked.

  “Taz is fearsome. I have a pair of boxers somewhere with him on.”

  “That’s nice.” Gage went back to tapping on his keyboard.

  “It doesn’t help my self-confidence when you reject my underwear choices.”

  “Your underwear is good for taking off, everything else is academic.”

  “At least it’s more exciting than yours. You only ever wear plain black or navy boxer briefs. Not that I don’t thoroughly enjoy them, because I do but maybe you could invest in something in leather or rubber…”

  “And maybe you could concentrate on what we’re doing rather than fantasizing about me in a leather jock.”

  “Oh my God, you have one, don’t you? Have you been hiding wonderful things from me?”

  “I’m not saying anything that might incriminate me. Bellingham, England.”

  “This conversation is not finished.”

  “Okay, according to Wikipedia, it’s famous as a stopping point on the Pennine Way walking trail. Nearby is the Hareshaw Linn Waterfall and the site of early coke blast furnaces. That’s quite interesting.”

  “I love British history so much. Listen to this—it says that within the churchyard on the north side is the Lang Pack, purportedly the grave of a burglar who attempted to infiltrate a local house by hiding in a beggar’s pack but was discovered after he suffered an ill-timed coughing fit and was promptly run through with the sword of the house’s proprietor. Love it. And the church has connections with a mediaeval cult. This place is fabulous. Nearby there is something called Shitlington Craggs, they have the most unbelievable place names over there. The crag has an average altitude of a hundred and seventy meters. A crag isn’t a gorge, though, is it?”

  “No, it links to some of the clues better than the other places but nowhere near as closely as the one here in Washington.” Gage tapped his fingers on the table. “I don’t believe in coincidences. I need to think about this.”

  Landry yawned, making his jaw crack. “Wow, research is tiring. Oh, good timing, here come the others.” Sancha, Carson and Petey joined them at the table.

  “How did you get on?” Landry asked.

  “Well, there was plenty going on in 1946,” Petey said. “But the biggest thing, we think, is that it was when a lot of American soldiers were being repatriated after the Second World War. It took quite a while to get back from Europe. It doesn’t really help with our treasure hunt, but then Carson had a brilliant idea.”

  “It just crossed my mind that perhaps the treasure is something that a returning soldier brought back from Europe,” Carson contributed. “Maybe something he shouldn’t have had and needed to hide. Who knows what they might have come across when they were liberating town after town.”

  “That’s a really good thought,” Sancha said. “I’m afraid I didn’t get very far with the watermark. It doesn’t resemble any kind of badge or logo that I could find, sorry.”

  “No, that’s interesting too,” Gage said. “If it isn’t linked to anything then chances are it was deliberately designed by the person who drew the map, so we could be on the right track.”

  Sancha nodded. “Well, I called a cab and I’m gonna make tracks. It’s getting late.”

  “I could drive you,” Gage offered.

  “No, we’ve both had a drink, and I bet you’d rather be getting to bed too. Thank you so much for dinner, Landry. It was delicious.”

  “My pleasure, any time.”

  “We’ll be making a move too,” Carson said. “We’ll let you out through the yard, Sancha and wait with you until your cab arrives.”

  “Cool. I hope your treasure hunting pays off. I’ll see you in the morning, Gage.”

  After everyone had gathered their things, Gage escorted them to the door then locked up behind them while Landry packed up his notes and the computer. “We didn’t scare them off, did we?” Landry asked Gage when he returned.

  Gage shrugged. “Don’t care. Want you to myself.” Landry’s face warmed. “Gonna tie you to the bed then do unspeakable things to you.”

  “Goody!” Landry raced for the bedroom, laughing. Gage caught him before he got there, trapping him against the door frame. He held Landry’s arms over his head, pinning him in place. Landry panted, not putting up much resistance. “You got me.”

  “I did.” Gage kissed him, long and hard before carrying him to the bed. “And there’s no escape.”

  Landry stretched out on the bed. “I have no intention of trying to get away. This mattress was worth every cent. It’s so comfortable.”

  “Uh huh. Not thinking about bedroom furnishings right now.” Gage proceeded to strip every piece of clothing from Landry’s body. Landry squirmed and giggled but was soon naked, his wrists tied to the corner bedposts, his cock standing to attention.

  “Spread your legs. Keep them apart and be still.” Gage’s tone was no longer playful.

  “Yes, Sir.” Landry spread, raising his hips a little, hoping that the less than subtle hint might encourage Gage to touch.

  “That’ll get you nowhere,” Gage said. “Apart from one step closer to punishment.” He sat on the side of the bed, one knee raised, one foot on the floor. He took a loose hold of Landry’s cock. “Thought I’d try a little contour mapping. You have some interesting features.” He licked a finger then dragged it across one of Landry’s nipples.

  “Ohhh!” Landry tugged on his bonds but there was no give. He bounced, making his dick jiggle.

  “That’s not keeping still, is it?” Gage gave Landry’s cock a light smack. “Perhaps I should lock this up for a while.”

  “That’s a really bad idea, Sir.” Landry froze, hardly daring to breathe.

  “I’ll give you one more chance but any more squirming and it’s forty-eight hours in chastity for you.”
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  Landry worried at his lower lip. “I can’t see this ending well.”

  “All you have to do is keep still for a while.” Gage stripped off his shirt. “Not that difficult. Warm in here, isn’t it?”

  “You want me to look at all those yummy muscles and keep still?”

  “Yes. Only movement I create is exempt.” Gage reclaimed Landry’s bobbing erection then began tracing the slopes and valleys of Landry’s body. “Contours lines are wide here.” He stroked Landry’s collarbone. “Slight incline…” Landry’s heart pounded as Gage moved south across his chest. “With a couple of high points.” Both nipples were treated to a series of hard flicks. Always sensitive there, Landry fought to remain still despite the shocks going straight to his groin. “A nice flat plain leading into an interesting delta.” The strokes to his belly were ticklish but as Gage moved lower, every muscle Landry possessed tensed. “Hmm, interesting formations.” Gage began fondling Landry’s balls. “Temperate climate.”

  “Oh please, please, please…”

  “You’re doing so well, sweetheart.” From somewhere, Gage had obtained lube. He slicked his fingers then went back to massaging Landry’s cock and balls. Landry took short, rapid breaths.

  “I’m gonna come!”

  “I don’t think so.” Gage let him go.

  “Nooooo!” Landry wailed. “I need to…I need…I…”

  “Further exploration required, I think.”

  “You think bad thoughts!”

  Gage hummed. “Wicked, beautiful thoughts.” He shucked his pants, doing an odd, wiggly dance to avoid touching them with lube-sticky fingers. Landry couldn’t help but giggle.

  “Laugh it up, sunshine.” Gage wasn’t so fussy about removing his underwear and Landry was happy to see how hard he was. He licked his lips, leaving them parted.

  “No chance,” Gage muttered. “I’m primed and ready to blow and that’s not gonna happen until I’m buried in your sweet ass.”

  “Now you know how I feel,” Landry grumbled. “Have you finished map reading, or should I offer directions?”

  “Unlike you, I have an excellent sense of direction,” Gage said, clambering on the bed to kneel between Landry’s spread legs. “What’s the symbol for a viewpoint?” He hefted Landry’s calves onto his shoulders, shuffling forward until Landry was almost bent double. “Because this is a prime spot for observation purposes.”

  “Can we finish the geography lesson? I never did manage to work out which was longitude and which was latitude but I know I’m giving you far too much of the latter.”

  “You’re in detention, there’s a no-get-out clause. Hmm, this terrain is a little hillier.” Gage squeezed Landry’s ass. “And this is a textbook example of a gorge.” He dragged a finger between Landry’s ass cheeks, grazing his hole. “Wow, cave system!”

  “Oh my God, stop!” Landry shook with laughter then yelped as Gage gave his backside a sharp smack.

  “Not the best angle for a spanking.”

  “Please fuck me, Sir. My balls are so blue they’re gonna be mistaken for giant blueberries.”

  “They have great blueberries in Maine, did you know that?”

  Landry was going to cry or use his safe word, he couldn’t decide which but then Gage pressed the head of his cock to Landry’s hole. He rubbed more lube along his length, grimacing as he did.

  “You need some prep?” He spoke from between clenched teeth.

  “No!” Landry yelled, glad that Gage was suffering too.

  Gage took him at his word but took his time pushing into Landry’s body, his care making Landry warm inside. Gage stilled. “Love this. Love being inside you.” He moved in slow increments before building up speed. “You were made for me.”

  “Oh…” Landry tugged on his restraints in an attempt to focus on something other than his aching cock. Not being able to reach for his dick was the sweetest torture. Gage leaned over him, pushing deeper, pegging Landry’s prostate with every thrust. Landry had no idea how Gage had enough grasp on reality to locate Landry’s dick, let alone tug it. It was an impressive level of multi-tasking that didn’t have to last long because Landry came so fast his orgasm surprised him. He yowled, raising his hips, thigh muscles straining. He caught sight of Gage’s satisfied smirk then came all over his hand, sobbing with joy. Gage didn’t let up, as if bringing Landry to completion gave him renewed energy. He came on the next thrust, bottoming out then stilling as his entire body shook. Eyes closed, lips parted… Landry wished he could capture the moment on film.

  “Oh my fucking God.” Gage took several heaving breaths before withdrawing. He lowered Landry’s legs to the bed then clambered to one side, flopping down next to Landry. “That was…better than peach pie.”

  Landry jiggled his wrists. “Uh, gonna let me go, big guy?”

  Gage raised his head. “No.” He pushed himself off the bed with a groan, wandered through to the bathroom and returned bearing a dripping washcloth.

  “That better not be cold,” Landry muttered.

  “Would I do that to you?” Gage laid the warm cloth on Landry’s belly then proceeded to give him a thorough wipe down, paying far too much attention to Landry’s most sensitive parts.

  “I’m clean already!” Landry protested.

  “Nerves still firing on all cylinders, huh?” Gage’s shit-eating grin was infuriating but he stopped wiping. “Just one more thing before I untie you.” He launched the washcloth at the laundry hamper before rummaging in his bedside cabinet. “You weren’t very good at keeping still. I think I need to incentivize your obedience.”

  Landry gulped. “I don’t like where this conversation is heading.” He eyed the device in Gage’s hand.

  “Clear acrylic. Nice and light. You’ll hardly know it’s there.” Gage fitted the chastity tube with a few deft movements. “There’s not even a padlock, it locks with this Alan key.”

  “Oh good.” Landry lifted his head for a brief glance at his groin. He thumped his head back on the pillow. “Technical innovation. That makes all the difference.”

  “This time tomorrow we’ll discuss whether or not it can come off.”

  “And by discuss you mean you tell me what’s gonna happen.”

  “Exactly.” Gage got back into bed, pulling the comforter over them before releasing Landry’s wrists from the cuffs.

  “So mean.”

  “I could plug you too, if you like?”

  “No, that’s okay! Did I say mean? I meant sweet and kind.” Landry snuggled against Gage, so his ass nestled against Gage’s groin. Gage snuck a hand over Landry’s hip to heft the chastity tube.

  “If it makes you feel any better, knowing you’re wearing this for me will keep me turned on all day tomorrow.”

  “I’m gonna text Sancha and let her know.”

  “How long do you want to be trapped in that thing?”

  “No texting?”

  “No texting.”

  Landry decided it was a good thing Gage couldn’t see his grin.

  Chapter Nine

  Landry was cooking dinner when Gage got home the following night—all his favorites—chicken casserole with herb dumplings followed by cherry cobbler. “If this doesn’t put him in a good, let-Landry-come kind of mood, nothing will.” The sound of Gage’s key in the door made Landry smile. All day, I miss him. Knowing he’s home safe makes me happy. And horny. “Hi, honey,” he shouted. “Dinner won’t be long.”

  “Hey, beautiful.” Gage appeared in the kitchen doorway. He’d taken off his jacket and rolled up his shirtsleeves. “Good day?”

  “Frustrating.” Landry pouted. “Catch any criminals?”

  “Getting close to a few. Can you leave things safely for a few minutes?”

  “Sure.” Landry turned the burner down underneath the pan of casserole. “Woah!” The world tilted, and he found himself hanging upside down with a prime view of Gage’s ass. “Uh, where are we going?”

  “Couch.” Gage marched to the sitting room where
he put Landry on his feet. “More specifically, over the back of it.” He grappled with Landry’s pants until they and his underwear fell around his ankles. He gave Landry a gentle shove until he was bent over the back of the couch. Before Landry could think up a suitable comment, Gage’s hand connected with his backside in a series of stinging slaps. Landry gasped and his cock attempted to swell in its prison.

  “What did I do?” Landry howled as Gage spanked him a few more times.

  “Don’t try to act the innocent with me. You know full well.” Gage began fingering Landry’s hole.

  “Do you have a secret stash of lube in every room? Not that I don’t appreciate it, but you seem to be able to open it without making a sound… Which is a tad freaky.”

  “Quiet, honey, or I’ll gag you. I’m giving myself a little reward to make up for an entire day of Sancha taking the piss out of me thanks to your text.” Gage proceeded to stretch Landry’s channel with deft fingers.

  “But I didn’t tell her that you were going to spend the whole day with a hard-on.”

  “Sancha has a mind like a steel trap, Landry. It took her all of thirty seconds to work out what ‘Gage may be a little distracted today’ meant. When I said no texting, I meant no texting. Zilch, zero, nada.”

  Landry groaned as Gage nudged at his hole with the head of his very hard dick. “Sorry?”

  “Apologies turned into questions don’t count.” Gage pushed home then proceeded to fuck Landry into a stupor. The pleasure pain of being screwed while he was in chastity blew Landry’s mind. He pushed back to meet Gage’s thrusts, wailing his frustration and when Gage came, Landry invented a whole dictionary’s worth of new curse words.

  After planting one final smack on Landry’s bare behind, Gage withdrew. “Stay put.”

  Landry spent Gage’s brief absence taking shuddering breaths, not trusting himself to stand upright without Gage’s support. When Gage returned it was to push a sizable plug into Landry’s ass.

  “This will keep my come inside you, make sure you wiggle and squirm through dinner and dessert, which will be followed by another night of you locked in that cage.” He pulled Landry’s underwear and pants up before drawing him into a hug.