ruby of the sea;

Celeste Ellia Derane. Daughter of Cordell "devil's smile" Derane. Pirate. Fighter. Known as the Ruby of the Sea. The woman people warn you about. "What do you fear, lady?" "A cage. To stay behind bars, until use and old age accept them, and all chance of doing great deeds is gone beyond recall or desire.”

[celesteofthesea]

robinthehandsome

Never before had the felt something quite like this, which was saying something. They had been with plenty of people before, the most beautiful wenches found ashore, as well as fellow pirates, but nothing was like this. It was a dangerous thing, for more reasons than just the potential of losing a hand. No, this had to do with all of the feelings they had shared. They had given her more truth than they had given anyone since their mother had passed, told her things that could lead to worse than just losing a hand. And yet they couldn’t stop, they didn’t want to, because it felt worth it if they might have one more moment of that understanding that came from her lips.

The thin fabric separating their bodies was scarcely enough to make a difference, and yet Robin wished to be rid of it. They still held onto some semblance of self control, though, focusing instead on kissing her, on adjusting to her body like this. They knew that the moment they let themself have more, they would truly be a goner to her wilds. As she shifted so that she was on top of them, they let out a low, involuntary moan as her hips moved against theirs, only bringing more pleasure to the hardness growing in their trousers. They believed every word she said as she promised they wouldn’t be able to stop thinking of her after having her. Already, they were certain their thoughts would be occupied. “Some things are worth the risk. We’re pirates, after all,” Robin breathed against her lips, before kissing her deeply, tongue tangling with hers, hips moving up slightly in search of more friction.

The combination of the lust and the tenderness was a strange one, but one that they found themself enjoying greatly. When she paused, they did as well, looking at her with eyes full of emotion. Her hands running over their chest, and then up to her face sent a pleasant chill through their body, and they realized that this was so much more than just lust. Luckily, her movements distracted them from the deep feelings. “Gods, yes,” they hummed, as her teeth bit their bottom lip, leaving it swollen and tender. They knew crossing this line would mean there was no going back, and yet they scarcely minded. Their hand moved down her body, to the edge of her undergarments, before pushing them to the side, enough to grant their fingers access to the soft spot between her legs. And they could feel immediately that she was telling the truth. “Mm, I’ve made you as wet as the sea. It’s a good thing I want you the same,” they grinned, fingers teasing at her wetness.

“Look who decided to act like a pirate now.”, Celeste whispered into the kiss. Her words were playful, but there was a certain hint of pride behind them. Everything that had happened to them, everything they had shared with her, somehow she was glad they were getting at least a little bit of their bravado back. If fucking them meant they were going to get courageous, then she was more than glad to try that over and over again. She probably shouldn’t have been thinking something like that about her captor. After all, she wasn’t sure whether they were in fact going to run away with her, or change their mind at the last moment. Something inside her told her that no matter what, things were not going to be the same between them after this. 

Celeste moaned desperately as their hips rolled up, their obvious hardness pressing shamelessly between her legs. It wasn’t even a matter of lust anymore, she needed them, she wanted everything they had offered. She wanted their tongue tasting her, the blunt part of their hook teasing her sensitive spots, and most of all, she wanted them inside of her. When their swift fingers found her wetness, she couldn’t help but jerk her hips forward, her body shaking and a whimper leaving her lips against their ear. “Take me, then. I’m ready for you. I need you to fuck me now.” 

She quickly moved her hands down, starting to get rid of their pants, when a couple of loud footsteps outside the door sent her bolting backwards. “Handsome face, I hope you’re done with this one.”, a crass and loud voice followed. “The captain wants to see the whore. Maybe he’ll share with the rest of the crew.”

[celesteofthesea]

robinthehandsome

It was impossible to think of anything but just this moment, the way her tongue demanded entrance to their mouth, the way she tasted, the way her body moved against them, causing an already obvious reaction. They were well aware that they should stop, but they had no desire to. Somehow, she had shown that she was worth trusting, she had offered them understanding that they had found nowhere else, and she seemed to take their secrets at their face, not as things to use against them. Her promise was real, and they could tell that even more so as she kissed them, teased them.

They let out a small moan at the feeling of her teeth grazing their ear, hips moving forward to press against hers. “Perhaps you are… perhaps we should find out,” they breathed, unable to keep the desire from their voice, thick and low. They knew that they couldn’t let this get much further, for their own sake. Nothing was worth potentially losing another hand, nothing was worth the death that the crew threatened to another betrayal from them. But they weren’t positive that was true any longer. In a matter of a few shared moments, Celeste had somehow made them believe that so much more was possible than they had ever allowed themself to dream since their hand had been taken from them. 

And so they moved their hook up to her cheek in a strangely tender gesture, grazing over skin with metal, and then to her hair, pushing it back off of her face, all while their other hand moved lower, pressing against her ass, pulling her closer. Just a little bit longer, just a little bit more, is what they told themself. There was no harm in a bit of fun. Hell, they were well aware that if she had been entrusted to any of the others, they would have wanted the same thing from her. No, not the same thing. They didn’t want something rough, and meant for only their pleasure. They wanted her to feel all that they felt, they wanted to take those emotions they had shared and find a way to share them through their bodies. What a strange thought. They tried to push that away for now, though, as they kissed her again, open-mouthed, hungry, but with something else just beneath the surface.

It wasn’t wise to keep going. Celeste knew that, and it was obvious Robin was aware of it as well. Despite all the teasing she could do one thing was true, as that was that nothing was worth losing a hand for. It wasn’t convenient for her, either. If things came to that, running a way with a handless pirate wasn’t going to be the easiest of escapes. She couldn’t help herself, though. There was something about the way they kissed her that went beyond the initial desire. It was as if all the intensity, the secrets they had shared, had found a way into their lips against hers - as if they way they touched her was an implicit promise to her, made with their body alone. It was intoxicating, borderline addictive, and she couldn’t stop now. 

The fact that she wasn’t wearing trousers, and they were shirtless, wasn’t helping either. The layers that separated their bodies were so thin she felt the sudden impulse to start unzipping their pants. Their hardness was now quite evident, firmly pressed against her thigh; a testimony of the reaction she was causing with her movements and her kisses. She managed to resist the temptation, but instead she shifted so she could be on top of them, shamelessly grinding her hips against them. “I must warn you, they don’t call me the ruby of the sea over nothing. Once you have me, you’re not going to be able to stop thinking about me. Are you willing to take the risk?”, she whispered against their lips, voice as full of lust as theirs had been. 

She had never thought something like a hook could be tender, and yet she leaned into their touch when the metal grazed over her cheek and pushed her hair back. Celeste looked into Robin’s eyes, stopping her movements for a second. She let both her hands wander up their chest, exploring every inch of exposed skin, only to go back to their face, thumbs brushing softly against their cheekbones. Their hand on her ass only prompted her to start grinding forward again, really slowly at first as she leaned in to kiss their lips once more. “You’re not the only one having a problem here.”, she said, biting down their bottom lip. “Do you want to feel how badly I want you? Touch me, and you will.”

[celesteofthesea]

robinthehandsome

They were well aware just how dangerous this was, but they couldn’t bring themself to think any better of it in the moment, because they felt nearly safe. Or perhaps safe wasn’t the right word. They felt understood. It was shocking that the person they were meant to be keeping captive had so quickly ended up being the only person who seemed willing to listen to them, to understand them a little better. And so here they were, pressed close to her, fingers gently exploring her hair, the soft skin of her cheeks. It made them wish their circumstances were different, that there might be some small chance this could be something, that the fear of death if they were caught wasn’t lingering over their head. Once a traitor, always a traitor, they supposed. They feared death at the hands of their captain more than they feared anything else, but if they had even just one more moment of softness, was it not worth it?

That was what made them bold enough to kiss her, despite the danger; the potential for even a moment of something resembling closeness was too tempting. And in the brief kiss, they could feel something from her that told them maybe she could feel it all too. Her words made them smile slightly. She was right, after all, if there hadn’t been some semblance of freedom in their mind, they wouldn’t have been so bold; if they weren’t a pirate, they wouldn’t have been so bold. It was strange to admit out loud that they didn’t feel as much like a pirate as the people who choose this life willingly, but it felt good. And perhaps in a way it felt even better to hear someone, an outsider, tell them that they were a pirate just as much as any other, despite the circumstances that had led to their life. 

Robin didn’t have a chance to reply before she kissed them again. This kiss was much different, full and passionate, with no hesitation and no question. It was the sort of kiss that led to other things, and yet it felt completely and utterly different than any kiss they had shared with anyone before. Their hand moved from her cheek down under the covers to her waist, pulling her closer. In the back of their mind, the paranoia told them this was a trap, this was the way for her to make her escape, it was all lies, the promise, the kind words, but they couldn’t believe that. It felt too real. Still, they knew they couldn’t let it go too far, couldn’t let themself get too comfortable. But a moment of something should be allowed, they reasoned, as they kissed her, returning the hunger.

Celeste had always been a woman guided by her passions. She had her motives. Her father was exactly like that as well, and her mother had been. They were driven, always ready to go get whatever they wanted - maybe a bit reckless as well. There was no other way to explain why she was kissing Robin the way she was now, other than that. She was too blinded by momentum to see the consequences of letting what was happening go further. Maybe it was what they both had shared, the things they had told her, the promises she had made; or perhaps it was partly because she needed an outlet for her own desperation, because she needed to forget that she was a prisoner and that sooner or later she was going to have to escape - with or without them. There were many reasons; but now that the world seemed to be crumbling around her, they were a constant, and she needed to hold on.

So she kept kissing them, and they didn’t seem to mind. When they pulled her closer by the waist, she tangled one of her legs with theirs, tongue running across their bottom lip, asking again for entrance to their mouth. Her body moved against theirs, enough to leave her breathless. It was obvious that they wanted her as much as she wanted them, and they could have her; that was what she was trying to say without words. They could have as much as they wanted of her; not because she was their prisoner, but because she wanted to, because they had earned it. 

Her lips travelled down and left a path of kisses along their jaw, paying special attention to their neck, and then going to their ear. “Tell me, Robin the handsome,” Celeste whispered, grazing their earlobe with her teeth. She was teasing right now, turning herself on as much as them. Who knew what could happen at that moment? Perhaps one of the pirates could open the door, see them tangled under the sheets like a newly married couple, and that would be the end. She couldn’t bring herself to care. “am I worth losing another hand for?”

[celesteofthesea]

robinthehandsome

At first when she moved closer to them, they tensed, so completely unused to the tender sort of touch she offered as she rested her head against their shoulder that their body didn’t know how to react to it. But they quickly relaxed into the weight of her head on their shoulder, the intimate and gentle gesture, the complete opposite of the sort of things that they usual felt. It was hard to describe what it made them feel. Safe in a way, understood. Vulnerable, more than anything else. It was just more confirmation that she meant what she had said; she was going to keep her promise, if they gave her their trust. And this was just another way for both of them to offer that trust.

So they let themself close their eyes, shift slightly so that they could touch her, so that they could bring their fingers to her hair, touch ever so slightly, tentatively, as if exploring something completely new to them. Her words hit them at their core. Robin knew that she was right, because they had felt that way when they had just been a child, when their mother had been ailing, dying for no reason other than unnecessary neglect. Cruelty is what it was. Years and years of cruelty for no reason other than to taunt them both. They still had no idea why they had been captured in the first place, but they had to assume it was to send a message and not for a ransom, considering the way it had gone. But it made it no better.

The feeling of her hand on their cheek was warm and soft, and it made them feel a little like crying again, like with her fingers alone she had managed to touch their soul. They swallowed hard, swallowing down the lump in their throat, their tears, and nodded slightly, frown on their lips. Before they could say anything else, though, she leaned closer and pressed a small kiss to the corner of their lips, and it felt as if their heart burst open in that second.  “I don’t feel very free,” they admitted quietly, before leaning forward again, and kissing her this time, lips to lips in full.

It was her turn now to relax into their touch. It wasn’t the first time she had known the tenderness of someone sleeping next to her; but not like this, never paired with this kind of trust, and also with so much risk. It wasn’t even about what they meant for each other anymore. Anyone could walk in and see them like that, and that would most likely mean immediate death for both of them. She would be accused of an escape attempt, and they would be a traitor. It wasn’t even necessary to state how badly that situation could ruin her real escape attempt in the future. Yet, she didn’t want to pull away. There was something about the way they touched her, so carefully, that made her feel borderline precious. 

Celeste let herself close her eyes briefly as well, enjoying the feeling of their fingertips exploring her hair, her face. It was so soft that for a second she was able to imagine they were somewhere else. Perhaps lying naked on a beach, at an abandoned island, drinking rum and listening to the sounds of the sea at night. How different things would have been if they had met that way. Or maybe inside a room at an old tavern, sheets clinging to their sweaty bodies after sex, like foam clung to mermaids when they approached the shore. Life would be definitely easier that way, but she had never had a predilection for simple things. 

The kiss was unexpected, but not entirely surprising. What really took her off guard was how she felt the second their lips touched hers. There was desire, obviously, but also something more - something that made her hear race all of a sudden. It was like the first sign of land after weeks and weeks in the sea, like venturing towards the unknown. Their kiss was adventure, a treasure to be discovered. She pulled away slightly and looked into their eyes. “That’s a lie. You wouldn’t have done that if you didn’t feel free. You’re as much a pirate as I am.” This time she was the one to kiss them, and it was not soft, it wasn’t hesitant; it was filled with conviction and passion. 

[celesteofthesea]

robinthehandsome

“I’m nothing if not charming,” they said, raising an eyebrow. There was no denying just how beautiful she was, and just how strong the temptation to give in was, especially as they laid down in bed next to her. How easy it would have been to slide their hand between her legs, to feel her wetness, to giver her that pleasure with nothing but their fingers. The desire they felt hadn’t truly gone away, and now was no different. But they endured, trying to brush the image aside as they got comfortable, already trying to ignore the fact that they knew it was going to be something of a problem to sleep next to her without excitement.

There was a long pause after her questions, as they settled in the bunk beside her. It wasn’t something that they ever spoke about with anyone, and telling a captive felt like a poor choice, giving her even more to use against them. But they had already told her so much, and she had given them more kindness than anyone ever did in return. Perhaps a bit more honesty would only make it easier to decide what to do with her, whether to trust the promise and try to run with her, when the time came, or if they should give up on foolish hopes, hopes that had been choked down after what they lost from the first attempt.

“Yes, they took us both,” Robin admitted, voice quiet, barely more than a whisper. “I was too young to even remember where we were before we were taken, but my mother used to tell me stories of my father working on another ship. Not a pirate ship, though. For a while, she thought he would be able to save us, but that hope faded quickly and she stopped talking about what was beyond this ship, as to keep my hopes from growing. I think they kept us because we were valuable, but I don’t know. She died of sickness here before she admitted it all, and none of the crew would ever tell me. So that’s why I have to stay. I’m a prisoner, too.”

“I’m sorry”, Celeste replied, the tone of her voice mirroring theirs. And she was. Pirates were tough, they had the baddest of reputations; most of them had drawn blood before - hell, she had taken many lives and she had learned to live with it. It was the law of the sea, the rules here weren’t the conventional ones. However, they also had honour, they were people trying to survive just like anyone else. A ship was a family, it didn’t matter how many people were on it or how different they could be. A captain was like a father, and if a father became an abusive piece of shit, everyone knew what had to be done. 

She scooted even closer to them, until their bodies touched and she could rest her head on their shoulder. It was almost a too intimate gesture, but what they had just confessed showed that same trust, if not more. It was a weakness, and a big one at that. In fact, if she wanted to escape now, it was pretty much just what she needed to break them down. But she had made a promise, and she wasn’t planning on breaking it. When the time came, she was going to ask them to join her - and only then she was going to escape, with or without them. Hopefully her father was going to get to them soon and save her the trouble; but one of the things she had learned as a little girl was never to count on anyone. 

“They had no right to keep you here. No right to let your mother die. Everyone knows you need to treat your prisoners with the respect they deserve.” Celeste sighed, lowering her gaze for a second. She had seen herself how little respect this man held for prisoners, so she wasn’t really surprised. Slowly, her hand went to their cheek, open palm cupping their face. “But you’re not a prisoner anymore. You shouldn’t believe that.” She finally leaned in, pressing a kiss to the corner of his lips. “You’re a pirate now. You’re free.”

[celesteofthesea]

robinthehandsome

They clenched their jaw as she went on, no desire to admit just how much they wanted just that. There was already a line they had crossed, though, by being so honest with her, telling her what had happened to their hand, unbinding her own chains and ropes, and allowing her into their bed. They couldn’t afford to risk anything more, by giving into the obvious temptation and desire they felt. “Unfortunately for you, I’m not particularly hungry for fish tonight,” Robin said with a shrug.

It shouldn’t have been a surprise that their challenge was met with one of her own. They were both pirates, after all, and she had already shown that she was just the sort of person who would never give up on a joke or a test. She unbuttoned her leather pants, and for half a second they thought to stop her, knowing just how intense seeing more of her skin would make their desire. But they let her continue, watching openly just as she had watched them. Her legs were beautiful as expected, tanned and lean, the sort of thing they wanted to run their hand over, feeling the softness.

Instead of giving in, though, they raised an eyebrow as she set her pants aside, and then went on as if nothing had changed, setting into bed beside her, pulling the blanket over both of them. “More comfortable now? Or do you need to take something else off, too?” they asked, half teasing, half serious, unable to keep from imagining what it would be like to press their naked bodies together, to touch her, slip inside of her. That thought was cut short, though, as she asked the next question, scooting closer to them. “When my mum was still alive…they gave us a bunk, we had to share, but I didn’t mind. That was years and years ago,” they replied softly.

Celeste rolled her eyes, making a mocking face. She had to give it to them, they were stronger than they seemed. Most pirates - if not to say all of them - in their place would have given in already. They would probably be trailing kisses down her stomach by now. Still, Robin’s resistance only made her want to tease them more. She had already accepted nothing was going to happen - at least not tonight - but that didn’t mean she was going to just stop making their life difficult. If she was going to be their prisoner, she wasn’t going to let them get away with it so easily. At least until she could make her escape, with or without them, as she had promised before. 

“Charming.”, she stated, though there was a tenuous laugh hidden in her voice. The way they looked at her as she took off her leather trousers was more than obvious, and it made her chest fill with satisfaction. It was definitely a taste of their own medicine. Still, they didn’t break, as expected. She wasn’t going to go ahead and deny it would be nice to have them run their hands up and down her legs, their fingers softly travel up her inner thighs, slipping inside of her, moving there, coaxing moans of pleasure from her mouth. However, now wasn’t the time to think about that. 

“I’m all right.”, Celeste replied, shrugging non nonchalantly despite the pictures she was painting inside her mind. Their next words made her furrow her brow. All of a sudden she was starting to put the pieces together, to understand what was Robin doing there, the reason they had stayed and endured their captain’s cruelty. “Your mother?”, she sighed, looking up at them. “They took you, didn’t they? Your mother and you. They kept you here? Is that why you stayed? What happened to her?”

[celesteofthesea]

robinthehandsome

They rolled their eyes at her words, but said nothing, knowing that no excuse they could give would be accepted, considering how clear it had been what she had been doing to them earlier. It was strange to think that they had already been through so many phases having just become familiar. The emotions and desire, mixed with all of the teasing and antagonism was a confusing thing for them, and Robin realized it was something they were going to have to get used to now. “Well, if you don’t mind the hook, then it should be no trouble that you move a lot in your sleep. You’ll have to get used to a hardness pressed against you while you sleep,” they shrugged, as if they were actually talking about their hook. 

She watched them openly as they started to undress, and they decided that if she was going to look, they were going to give her a show. As soon as they jacket and vest were off, they pulled their flowing shirt untucked, and started unbuttoning it slowly, revealing their chest sliver by sliver until they finally pulled the shirt off. They made a show of yawning and stretching, before turning from her again, and undoing their belt as they moved across the room. They opened the small chest in the corner of the room, and threw their clothes into it, closing it again and turning back to her. “If you wish to get more comfortable I certainly wouldn’t stop you. I’d hate for you to feel restricted, after all,” they smirked, raising an eyebrow.

Moving back to the bed, Robin settled into their side of the familiar softness, trying not to think about just how close they were like this, sharing such a small space. They pulled the thin blanket up from the bottom of the bunk, letting it fall over both of them, as if this was just a normal thing to do between them. Suddenly, though, they felt a lot more awkward again, the intimacy of what they were doing a little more real suddenly, their choices truly hitting them. “It’s been a long time since I’ve just slept next to someone…”

Celeste shrugged nonchalantly. If she had to be honest, she had slept in worse places, with many more dangerous things pressing against her than their hardness - which was something she didn’t mind that much if she had to be completely honest. Still, she wasn’t planning to stop teasing them, not when it was obvious that they would have to eventually admit the effect she had on them. “I mean, I would much prefer the hardness pressed inside me, you know? I still believe if you’re going to keep me here, we might as well have some fun. I’m even willing to forgive you for what you did earlier if you go down on me for long enough.”

There was, obviously, a smirk painted on her face as she spoke - and the expression never changed as she watched them undress. She wasn’t going to deny that for a moment her mind wandered to what it would be like to move towards them, undoing their belt herself, run her hands up their chest and press her body against theirs. She didn’t, of course. No matter how much she enjoyed teasing them, this was not the time to be thinking like that. Still, their next words were too much of a provocation, almost like a challenge, and she wasn’t going to back down. “All right.”, she said, sending them a seductive look. 

Now it was her turn to put on a show. With a little bit of difficulty because of the pain on her wrists, though she made sure they wouldn’t notice that, she unbuttoned her leather trousers. Slowly, almost teasingly like they had done before, she slid down one leg, then the other, uncovering her tanned olive skin, her firm silhouette. When she was done, Celeste winked at them and set the pants aside; only her underwear and her white shirt covering her now. She had never had any inhibitions when it came to being naked, but she accepted the blanket when they settled next to her. “When was the last time?”, she asked, scooting a little bit closer. 

[celesteofthesea]

robinthehandsome

Something about having shared something so emotional only moments earlier made them feel weightless in a way they hadn’t in a long time. It only made it easier to fall back into something a little more normal, rolling their eyes at her words. “It was just my hook, nothing else” they muttered, sounding a lot like a petulant teenager. A blatant lie, but one they felt compelled to give considering everything else that had transpired between them, as if somehow that would make it a little less real, all that had happened.

Before they picked her up, their eyes met, and they knew that she could see the intentions clearly reflected there. It was a little scary, to know that she could see him so easily, that she could provoke such feelings without much of anything, but it was a comfort to know they didn’t need to explain themself. She understood without words, and it seemed that now they had a silent agreement to accept the strange compassion they had found together. 

Robin put her down on the bunk, but before they could get away, she took their hand gently, smiling at them. The look brought a similar smile to their lips, a silent acceptance of her appreciation. “I’m going to stay with you the whole night. It’s my bunk, after all. I’m not sleeping on the bloody floor. So you better get used to the hook,” they said with a shrug, as if the teasing might negate the implications. They stepped away and started pulling off their coat, untying the laces of their vest, as if this was all the most normal thing in the world. “You should at least take your shoes off. I don’t like my bunk to get messy.”

Celeste’s skeptic expression never left her face as Robin talked. It was amusing to hear them so set on denying the obvious reaction she caused on them after the moment they had shared - and it only made her want to tease them further. Yes, she had agreed on not escaping until they had made a choice; but that didn’t mean she was going to make things easier for them. They had kidnapped her, after all. Not everything had to be completely forgiven and forgotten. “The hook, aye? That’s strange. I’ve never felt a metal hook grow when I touched it.”

Now that she was free, and on a bed, she shifted comfortably so she could settle on one side. Their snarky remark caused her eyes to roll, and she let go of their hand immediately. That was what she got for trying to be sensitive. Robin presented themself to her as a cornered animal. A creature that had been ignored and mistreated, and that was now almost incapable of showing affection. Celeste couldn’t imagine how painful it must be to live like that. 

“I never said I minded the hook, handsome. You’re the one who should get used to dealing with that thing being constantly hard. I warned you, I move a lot when I’m asleep.” She made a point of watching them as they undressed, as if she was assessing them. Nonetheless, she huffed at their next words. “Fuck off. This awful thing? It’s a miracle my shoes didn’t get dirty yet.” Despite her comment, she did kick both her boots off. “Do you want me to take off my underwear as well?” 

[celesteofthesea]

robinthehandsome

All they did in response to her smile, her thanks, was to nod slightly, not looking back up at her for a second, the reality of what they had done sinking in. It was strange, to make a choice so dangerous so easily, and to feel confident about it. They knew they had made the right choice now, that after everything they had just spoken about, they couldn’t leave her tied up, when she had given them so much, made them feel so much. But it was still terrifying to think what could happen if the captain found out what choice they had made. It was worth it, though, to know that there was potential for something other than this, even if it would be difficult to figure out.

“You’re so presumptuous, as if that’s what I’m suggesting,” they shrugged, looking down at her still, not moving from their place. It was a little easier now to start falling back into the teasing. The emotions were still there just below the surface, and they still weren’t sure what to make of all that had happened, but her own teasing helped them fall back into it. It didn’t change what they had said, though. Their offer was a real one.

Even if she tried to act like she was all fine, Robin saw how she winced when she tried to push herself up to standing. It was clear that the bonds had been too tight, causing the pain. They hesitated for a second, before pushing themself up from their bunk, and moving to her. If she wasn’t going to ask them to help her up––which they understood, a matter of pride and dignity, especially as a captive, no matter the tender moments they had just shared––then they would do it for her. Without asking, they scooped one arm under her knees, the other cradling her back, and picked her up. “Sorry, but you’re my prisoner, and I’ve decided that your place isn’t on the floor anymore. You have no choice,” they said, holding her there for a second, looking at her, eyebrow raised asking her to challenge them.

Celeste raised an inquisitive eyebrow, avoiding the urge to roll her eyes. It was easy enough to tease them again, despite the charged moment they had just had. It was relieving, too. Almost like going back to a comfort zone. She could handle teasing, and pestering, and bantering - way more than she could deal with the softness and the fondness they caused to bubble up inside her chest. “I’m not presumptuous, fancy word asshole. You talk as if you wouldn’t jump at the possibility if I said yes.” She made a mocking face, sticking her tongue out at them. “You can’t fool me. I could see how hard you were for me two minutes ago.”

There was a second there, when they stood up and moved towards her, that she felt like recoiling. A moment where she was afraid they were gong to push her back again, or even put her in chains one more time. However, the fear extinguished immediately when she saw the look in their eyes. There was compassion there, but something else as well; perhaps the same tenderness they provoked inside of her. Whatever it was, she wasn’t going to ask, but it put her at ease immediately. 

She didn’t put any resistance when they picked her up, wrapping her arms around their neck. “I always have a choice.”, she muttered, but that was all she said on the subject - letting them settle her on the bunk without any questioning. The new, much more comfortable, position made the pain subside almost instantly. Before Robin could completely move away, Celeste reached out for their hand once more, taking it gently. “I appreciate this.”, she said, a little smile on her lips. “Are you going to say with me until I fall asleep?” 

[celesteofthesea]

robinthehandsome

It was a strange feeling to realize that this was the first time they were truly being given a real choice. She was giving them an option that they had never had before, one they had tried to take and had been punished for immensely. Now that they had let her go, it felt a lot like the two choices would end in similar fates, considering either way it would be only them against a whole crew of experienced pirates. But it was still a choice, and that was a strangely freeing thought, that one way or another, it would be their decision, no matter what happened. Even stranger, that she, a supposed enemy, had been the one to finally offer them something verging on freedom.

How had she, in such little time, come to the very core of all of their private heartache, when they had hardly realized it themself? They had done such a good job of ignoring all of the feelings for years, of pushing them down beneath the surface, focusing on being this brash, over the top crew member, doing wild and reckless things as a distraction for themself. Suddenly, though, it was all there again, everything they had tried to forget since their hand had been taken, the despair over their place, over their situation, the hopelessness thrust upon them. For the first time, they were thinking that perhaps it was possible to have a change, just as Celeste had said, perhaps they could change their fate, if only they tried. But trying was a terrifying thought, knowing what they could lose in the process.

Despite everything, she trusted them. What an odd thought, that she trusted them and they trusted her, even though they had aided in her kidnapping, even though they were keeping her captive. And here they both were anyway. It was strange and sad to think that they felt more trust for her than they did much of their crew. They let the rope fall to the ground at their feet as soon as she was untied, almost waiting for the moment she was going to break her word and turn on them, but it didn’t come. And they believed her when she said she wasn’t going to do it until they had answered her question. “You’re not bothering me,” they muttered, still frowning down at her. They hesitated for a second, trying to decide if what they were thinking was the right choice, before reaching forward with their hand, and intertwining their fingers. “I think my bunk is big enough for both of us…only if you want, of course…”

It felt amazing to be free. Both her wrists and her ankles were sore and in pain, due to the chains and the rope, and the way she had been thrown around ever since she had been brought to the ship; but none of that mattered now. Celeste smiled, despite herself, moving her feet and her hands around; enjoying her new situation. She suddenly felt so excited she wanted to stand up and run, but she knew very well she couldn’t do it, not now. She had made a promise, and it was one she was planning on keeping. Still, she offered Robin a fond look. “Thank you.”, she repeated, as soon as she was completely untied. 

It was going to be difficult to explain this to the rest of the crew, she understood. She was going to have to stay there as much time as possible, and if the captain ever wanted to see her, they were going to have to tie her up again. It was a complicated situation they were in, and the fact that Robin was even taking that risk for a woman they had just met, told her she was right to trust them, to feel protective over them. There was something inside of them worth salvaging, even if their captain had worked so hard to make them believe the opposite; even if he had taken away a part of them to keep them enslaved here. Now they knew they had a choice, whatever that was. And if they died, at least they were going to die free. 

“I’m not?”, Celeste asked, half softly, half teasing. Even if she was trying to get on their nerves, there was a gentleness there that refused to leave. “I should let you know that the offer to fuck me was pretty much cancelled when you decided to push me off your bed and told me the floor was where I belonged.” Despite her words, she smiled, but winced slightly when she tried to stand up. “Fuck.”, she muttered. It seemed that the floor was going to be her place if her ankles kept hurting like that. She preferred to sleep there, than to ask for help though. Trusting each other was one thing, but she didn’t want them to see she was weak. She didn’t want anyone to see her vulnerable. 

[celesteofthesea]

robinthehandsome

Listening to her words intently only made them more confused. It was hard to wrap their mind around what was happening. A little voice in their head wanted to believe that she was only trying to manipulate them, to use the vulnerability against them, gain their trust only to betray it, but they knew that wasn’t right. This was genuine, and here she was, really trying to help them feel like there was still a future other than this out there, if only they tried. It was rare for Robin to be so quiet, so contemplative; they were usually one to run their mouth, no moment of silence. But now they were having a hard time forming words as they looked back at her, unable to express how much it all meant. “I promise I’ll think about it,” they muttered, looking down at their hook, despite themself, a reminder of both things.

Her hands on their cheeks, a soft and tender touch, sent a chill through their body, made them want to squirm with discomfort from the intimacy, but they were frozen there, something about the touch more comforting than now. They knew she was right; they were a victim. That much was true even just considering how they had come to be on the ship in the first place. And did they trust her? Strangely enough, for better or for worse, they did. That didn’t mean they were sure they could manage to escape. There were so many choices to make in that moment, but to them there only felt like two options. Untie her, and let her escape on her own, and face certain death for letting a prisoner so valuable leave. Or untie her, and escape with her, and face certain death for attempting to leave themself again. 

The only thing they knew for certain was that they weren’t going to leave her in chains. She had shown them more kindness, more humanity than any of their crew had in the years since their mother had died. It felt unfair not to give some of that back to her, even if they had no clue what would happen next once she was free. “I trust you,” Robin said, voice quiet, a frown furrowing their brows. Very slowly they reached down and started untying her hands, before they could think better of it, before they could truly consider the consequences of the action.

It was still incomprehensible to her why she was doing all of this after what they had done. Perhaps it was because despite her life as a pirate, even though her father had taught her to be a good captain, a feared one if it was necessary; he had also taught her compassion, and honour. She realised Robin had been a victim of their circumstances. Who knew how they had gotten them to join the crew? Maybe they had been threatened, released from prison, or worse - kidnapped and kept. There were a thousand possibilities and none of them sounded fair. After all, who could ever join willingly a crew commanded by a man who cut off his own people’s limbs if they tried to escape? It made sense he was using that kind of tricks to get new people to travel with him.

So even though Robin had helped with her kidnapping, she truly believed they deserved a better chance at life, an opportunity to choose who they wanted to be. If they decided to be as shitty as they captain who had hurt them, then that was their problem - and if that was the case, she was sure as hell she wasn’t going to hesitate in killing them next time they saw each other. Nevertheless, there was little point in worrying about that now. Now she needed to escape, and try to take them with her. Celeste smiled when they promised to think about her suggestion, her expression and her voice softening. It was good to know at least she seemed to be getting to them in a small manner. 

She nodded firmly at their affirmation. “I trust you, too.”, she replied, a little surprised about her choice of words, though that didn’t make them any less true. She wasn’t planning on escaping. She was going to honour her promise, because little would come out of not doing so - only losing their trust and probably more violence if she didn’t manage to escape. The second she felt her hands free, she rubbed her wrists, wincing in pain. The chains that had been there before and the ropes had left red and bruised marks on the skin. “Thank you for doing this. Don’t worry, I meant what I said. I’m not going to escape, until you’ve made your choice. And I’m not going to bother you any longer. I can sleep on the floor.”

[celesteofthesea]

robinthehandsome

They frowned as she went on immediately, as she took their hand, and pressed a kiss to their palm. It was apparent what she was saying; they had one of their hands still, they were not defeated quite yet. The tears threatened to fall again, and they wished more than anything that they could pull away, that they could push her against the ground again, lie down in their bed, and ignore her, but they couldn’t. She was showing them a softness, a genuine softness, that they had not felt since their mother’s death. It was hard to say why she was giving them so much, but it felt real, despite everything.

That’s what pirates do, she had said, but were they even truly a pirate, when it came down to it? They had no idea what their life had been before they had been taken captive with their mother, being too young to remember, and she hadn’t told them tales of life before, knowing how little hope there was for either of them to escape. They hadn’t even chosen to be a pirate, it had been chosen for them, and not once had they been able to change their fate; the one time they had tried, they had lost their hand and their dignity. “I’ve never had a say in my fate. That’s why it’s called fate,” Robin said, attempting venom, but failing miserably. They didn’t feel much like trying to fight what she said anymore, mostly they just felt hopeless. It was a feeling that was always there, under the surface, but one they ignored. They acted reckless, talked a big talk, did everything to ignore the underlying despair.

And yet somehow Celeste had gotten past that so easily it was terrifying. What was more terrifying, though, were her next words. They could feel the panic brewing in their chest just at the thought of doing what she suggested. “I can’t. I can’t risk it again. If you knew how it was, if you felt that pain, if you had heard their threats….” Robin shook their head, closing their eyes for a second. “At least here, I have a place. I’m safe, I have a job to do. If I try to run again, if I try to run with you, they’ll do more than just take my other hand…maybe I could untie you, though…”

It was extremely frustrating to see them this defeated. It shouldn’t be, though. In fact, she should be glad about it. This was the person who had helped kidnap her, who had taken her in here, pushed her around, threatened her - she shouldn’t be forgiving, or even compassionate. Yet, Celeste had seen what desperation and loneliness could do to someone, she had heard tortured prisoners going insane; people with broken spirits - and Robin reminded her of them. Something inside her mind was sure that they didn’t deserve this, that they were much more than what their captain had made them believe they were. She wanted to use this in her favour, to manipulate their weakened mind and make them help her escape; but she couldn’t. 

“Perhaps you never did, but you do now. Fate is fate, that’s right, but it can be changed. You change it every day, making decisions. Like the one you made when you chose to kidnap me-”, she sighed. “or when you chose to show mercy and talk to me, and tell me the truth.” She shook her head, as if she was trying to find the exact words she wanted to say. “Don’t you understand? You could be already be accused of treason because you’re telling me all this, and yet you’re doing it. That means you’re not defeated yet. No matter how badly you think you are. Please. At least promise me you will think about it.”

Her hands went to their cheeks once more, framing their face tenderly. “You’re not safe. You must know you’re not. You’re the victim of the whims of an insane man. If you choose to run, I promise I will protect you.” Celeste looked into their eyes, urgency clear in her expression. “Do you trust me?” There was a moment of silence, before she spoke again. “If you untie me, you know I might try to escape. I promise you I won’t, though - not until you give me an answer. If you want to come with me, we’ll escape together. If you don’t, then I’ll go on my own. Do you trust me enough to set me free?”, she repeated.

[celesteofthesea]

robinthehandsome

Robin knew that he shouldn’t have been telling her any of this. It was all just fuel for the fire, things that she would be able to use against them later on, after the emotion moment was over. It was information to use against the crew and their captain, information to pass onto her father, if she ever made it back to him, and then use to cause even more problems. They had been all but accused of treason when they had been caught trying to run away, and this felt just as much like treason, although in a different way.

“He’s already won,” they muttered, voice a little defeated. It was true; the captain had won a long time ago when it came to them. He had won whenever he had first taken their mother captive, then again when she died, and then a final victory when he had cut off their hand to insure they never tried to leave again. They rubbed their eyes furiously with the back of their hand, trying to will away the tears stinging their eyes, about to fall.

They were so focused on not trying to cry, they hadn’t noticed how close she had gotten until she was settled there between their knees. She touched the skin where flesh met metal again, and then gently pulled their hook towards her. There was a flash of worry, the irrational part of them thinking maybe she was about to turn their hook on them, slit their own throat, but they knew she wouldn’t, not now. It was a surprise, though, when she leaned down and pressed a kiss to their sensitive skin, the action sending a chill through their body. It was a gentleness that they weren’t used to, one they hadn’t felt since their mother had still been alive. “It’s too late; this is just what I am. I can’t try to leave again.”

Perhaps she was too shocked, to furious to realise the risk they were taking by sharing all this information with her. Yes, she was in chains now; but there was a very good chance she wouldn’t be forever - and even if they somehow convinced her father to pay the ransom and retire quietly, secrets like these could ruin an entire crew and burying a captain. Was she going to be capable of using them, though? She wanted to believe she was, that she was going to crush these people like insects for what they had done to her. However, the truth was that she didn’t want to compromise Robin’s safety now, no matter how rough things had been between them at first. For some ridiculous reason, they were trusting her; and it was surprising to realise she didn’t want to betray that trust. 

“That’s not true.”, she whispered back almost immediately. Her fingers moved to their other hand, the one that was still there, proof that they hadn’t been defeated yet. Once again, she slowly pulled it towards her, pressing a lingering kiss to the open palm. Celeste had no idea why Robin inspired that kind of softness in her, the need to protect them; to show them that being a pirate could be awful sometimes, but that it was a wonderful life to live, and they deserved it at its fullest. 

Her eyes widened when she heard their next words. I can’t try to leave again. So that meant they had cut off their hand just because they had tried to leave. It was insane, pure madness, and it made her blood boil even more. “No. It’s not. You can change your fate, and your luck. That’s what pirates do.” She pursed her lips, staying silent for a second. “Untie me. Set me free. We can take them all, I’m sure. We can kill them and you can come with me. I’m sure my father will be grateful. You could join his crew, or he could pay you and you could buy a small ship and be free. This is no life for you. Come with me. I’m asking you to.”

[celesteofthesea]

robinthehandsome

There was an answer ready, they wanted to tell her that no, they were just trying to make her feel better. But that was a lie. They were sorry. They were sorry for everything that the crew they were on did. They were sorry for what they did, and what they would do. Her words affected them more than they wished. They swallowed the lump in their throat, shifting slightly where they were, looking past her at the bare wall behind her, unaware until that moment just how much it meant to hear someone say they didn’t belong to their captain, that, just the same as her, they were their own person, no matter how long they were here. 

There was a memory of their mother, before she had fallen ill, something she had told them, to give them hope. About being free even while caged. They couldn’t remember the words anymore, gods, they could hardly even remember what she had sounded like, but Celeste’s words reminded them of her. They clenched their jaw, feeling warm tears threatening to fall from their eyes. How embarrassing.

Robin hadn’t been expecting to hear anger in her voice. That alone compelled them to answer truthfully. “I didn’t allow it. I fought with every ounce of my strength. There were too many keeping me in place, and I was smaller, it was easy for them to pin me down,” they said shaking their head at the memory. “And it worked, didn’t it? I haven’t tried to take that again, can’t even dream of doing it without hearing my own screams, smelling copper, my wrist searing with pain. It’s not going to happen again.”

There were many captains out there that had this kind of ideas, that their crew members belonged to them, and that they could treat them as they wished, dispose of them whenever they wanted to. Those captains always ended up the same way; killed, devoured by the beasts in the abyss, their throats cut by their own family. Because that was what they didn’t understand, that a crew was a family. A dysfunctional, completely insane family; but one you didn’t betray. Treating your people like dogs was a way of treason, so no one could be really surprised when the dogs finally bit back. Celeste had never understood why the rivalry between her father and Robin’s captain went so deep, until she heard their story. 

The pain, the damage done was obvious by the way their jaw clenched, the anguish clear in their eyes. It wasn’t even about the lost hand, it was about their dignity, and how that had been taken away from them. She wasn’t going to tease them if they cried, not when she had been about to do the same moments earlier. She understood the frustration of feeling trapped, and she couldn’t blame them for feeling like hell. 

“You shouldn’t let them win, let him win.” Her voice was still pretty much filled with anger as she scooted even closer, settling her body between their knees. It was hard to move still in chains, and both her wrists and her ankles were starting to hurt and become sore; but she could stand the pain. She wasn’t going to ask for a mercy that hadn’t been offered. She brushed their hook with her fingertips once more, gently grabbing their arm and pulling it towards her. Softly, careful not to make them think she was going to do something reckless, she placed a kiss on their skin, just where it ended, replaced by the cold metal. “You’re allowed to take what’s yours. Never believe you aren’t. You are not what they made you think you are.”

[celesteofthesea]

robinthehandsome

“I’m sorry,” they said, voice quiet, sincere. They were sorry, now that she was here, now that they were talking to her, realizing she was just a person, like any of them. It was strange, how much the crew had managed to dehumanize the supposed enemies in their mind, but it made sense. That made it easier to do unspeakable things, to wage wars for trivialities, to maim and kill. If they weren’t even fit to be thought of as human, why would it matter? But they were, she was. And they were ashamed that it was only now that they were seeing that, maybe even more ashamed that they weren’t certain it could change anything for them, if they wanted to live. “I know you only belong to yourself. Captain won’t see it that way, though, no matter what any of us think to the contrary.”

It was a surprise when she moved closer to them again, finally looking back in their eyes. Even more of a surprise was that it made their heart beat a little faster, and not just with desire, with something else they couldn’t quite put their finger on. They stared at her wide-eyed, the look making them seem younger somehow, but more genuine. Their heart was beating rapidly against their chest, and they wanted to move away, knowing where her hands were going, but they couldn’t.

Her touch, where skin met metal, sent a chill through their body. No one ever touched them so gently, and certainly not there. And the way her fingers moved up to their cheeks after made them want to answer her question truthfully. “I tried to take something from the captain that never even belonged to him in the first place,” Robin muttered, frowning slightly.

Under normal circumstances their apology would have meant nothing to her. However, these weren’t normal circumstances. She was angry, frustrated, running out of ideas to escape, and it seemed Robin was going to be her only human contact until she could do something about it. Not that she minded too much, she was learning. Their words were sincere, she could tell, and they caused a wave of fondness to spread inside her chest. This wasn’t the time to be romantic, though. She needed to focus. “You are?”, she asked softly, even though she already knew the answer. “I don’t care what your captain sees, and you shouldn’t care either. I don’t belong to him, I never will, no matter how long he keeps me here. And you don’t belong to him either.”

Her own gentleness surprised her in a pleasant way. Celeste hadn’t been capable of such softness since she had been a child. It was not her father’s fault, but the life he had chosen for her often did that to people; took away their innocence and their kindness in a whim. Still, the borderline fascinated look they offered made her smile. It was ironic, almost painfully so, that she was able to smile in this situation. Apparently not all hope was lost. 

Celeste immediately frowned at their words, though. She simply couldn’t believe what they were telling her. Their own captain, doing something like this to a crew member, just because they had stolen something? It was disgusting, it was something only a leader without any honour would do. “He did this to you?” Her voice was sharper now, filled with something much like anger. “Why did you allow it?” 

[celesteofthesea]

robinthehandsome

Disappointing as it was to stop things from going any further, Robin was proud of themself for having such control. They knew that no one would think anything of it, no one would be proud of them for doing their fucking job, but they were proud. They were going to prove to the captain that they deserved more trust and responsibility than something like this if it took all of their strength. Still, their thoughts were still on what she had said, on how her tongue had felt on their lips, how they could feel her wetness even through her clothing. They weren’t sure they were going to be able to be this strong forever. The still evident tightness in their trousers said as much.

It took them a second, as self-satisfied as they were with their own self control, to realize that maybe it didn’t feel quite as good as it usually did to hurt someone like that. Sure, she had just been trying to seduce them, to weaken their defenses for the potential to make an escape, but there had been some real desire there on both parts. Seeing her go from so confident to so defeated because of them should have been satisfying, they were doing their job right, after all, but instead they felt guilty. She sat there leaning against the wall, hugging her knees, staring down at the floor. Robin frowned slightly, putting their shoes down on the ground, and sliding to the edge of the bed, eyes trained on her.

This was just as bad of an idea of every other thing they’d done with her so far, but they couldn’t help themself. “You know I can’t fuck the ruby of the sea. I’ve already been accused of taking something I shouldn’t once, and I can’t afford to lose another hand,” they offered, voice a little softer, a little flat compared to what it had been as they had pushed her off of their bed. They didn’t mention that the last thing they had been accused of stealing was themself.

Celeste was so focused on not crying, hugging her chained legs, looking at the wooden empty wall, that she didn’t realise they were approaching until she heard their voice. Still, she didn’t turn around to look at them. Her first reaction was to ignore them. Who did they think they were? Trying to talk to her with kindness now, after they had thrown her around and treated her like a dog. Things wouldn’t be like that if their places were reversed. Her father always treated prisoners like human beings, no matter how bad the crime they had committed was. This wasn’t her father’s ship though, and she needed to start getting used to the fact that she wasn’t going to receive the respect she knew she deserved. 

She buried her face on her knees, pretending she wasn’t hearing them. However, their words were soft, and sincere, and they couldn’t help but strike a chord in her. So that was what had happened with their hand. It wasn’t unusual that pirates cut the hand of thieves and traitors, but the way they said it, it sounded as if their own captain had done it. That was barbaric, and heartless. After a moment of silence, Celeste finally turned to look at them. “You don’t have a say in that. No one does. I only belong to myself, and I decide who fucks me and who doesn’t.” She sighed. “I just want to go home.”

Rolling her eyes, she scooted closer to them once again, looking into their eyes for the first time since they had pushed her away. Her tied up hands moved to their wrist, and she brushed the place where the skin ended and the metal started with her fingers; then she travelled up and touched their cheek briefly. “What happened with your hand?”

[celesteofthesea]

robinthehandsome

Robin had no doubt of that, especially as she bit her bottom lip, making herself look so tantalizing. It was more than apparent this was all just a way to get them to let their defenses down, to set herself up in the perfect position to make an escape, even before her father and crew tried to come for her. But some of the desire was a little too real, and maybe that was part of the reason they were being affected so easily. They weren’t going to stop fighting it now, though, not when she had only been captured for a few hours, when they needed to prove their worth to the captain.

It was a perfect picture she was painting, though, and they could practically feel their length twitch in their trousers at the thought of doing just that. They weren’t naive enough to think it wasn’t going to happen; their own desire to take her just so was too strong to resist forever, especially knowing their own reckless nature. But they had to resist now, as hard as that was. “Aye, a very pretty picture, and one I think you’d enjoy just as much as I would,” they smirked lightly. The sudden feeling of her knees brushing against their hardness through their pants made them take in a shaky breath despite themself.

“But you can’t always get what you want, can you?” they muttered, their hand moving up her inner thigh, finally landing between her legs, even over her clothes. They stayed like that for a moment, staring at her, lips close enough to kiss, nearly brushing together. And then suddenly he moved his hand away from between her legs, and grabbed her hands, pulling her off of the bed to make her tumble down onto the floor. As soon as she was off their bunk, they lied back, and started unlacing their shoes, with the intention of getting comfortable. “Too bad you need to know your place. Alone and on the floor.”

It would be a lie to say Celeste wasn’t getting incredibly turned on with all of this as well. It was her own doing, she was aware of that; but she was human after all and she wasn’t afraid to accept Robin was handsome - like their name said - and someone she wouldn’t mind spending a few nights with at all. She wanted them, perhaps as much as they wanted her; but that wasn’t why she was doing this. A shag would be just a nice plus. She needed to escape, desperately. Every second she was kept in there her father’s advantage lessened. By now the captain had probably sent him a message, asking for either a meeting, or for her ransom directly. 

“I didn’t say I wasn’t going to enjoy it. I plan to.”, she whispered again, shifting one more time to touch their arousal with her knee, much more evidently. Celeste was certain they wanted her badly. The way their breathing had become heavier, and their jaw was clenching, couldn’t lie. The question here was whether they were going to be strong enough to resist their advances or completely break. That was what was going to tell her if they had them, or if she needed to keep working. 

She let out a hum of pleasure when their hand landed between her legs, her hips jerking forward on the bed, looking for more friction. “That’s true. But you could get what you want, right now. C’mon handsome, I won’t tell if you don’t.” In a bold move, she ran her tongue over his lips briefly, before chuckling playfully. However, just when she thought she had them, their hand moved away, and they pushed her against the cold wooden floor. The frustration of her failed attempt brought hot tears to her eyes, but she wasn’t going to cry, she wasn’t going to give them the satisfaction. Instead, she hugged her knees leaned against the wall, refusing to look at them.