He really just couldn’t help himself. No, not one bit. Not now that she’d said it.
Not just said it. Said it back. Zandik had thought about how to tell her for ages, rehearsed it in his head and behind her back, and then it had just… slipped out. In a way that had been much, much smoother than he’d expected, to boot.
His darling Miss Imunlaukr had had a long day, that much was true. But when he’d seen her again, looking so… at peace, so relieved— so happy to see him, too… could he be blamed for wanting her so badly? For wanting to hold tight to her, claim her, not let her go? Not ever, ever again?
And so, he decided, it was entirely her fault he’d finally told her he loved her the way he had.
“I’m not fucking you this time, no.”
“You’d better not stop…” Oh, she was so cute when she growled like that, the near-pout on her lips as she tried to pull him back in, her nails lightly digging in where her hands cupped his jaw and pressure from her heels on his back. She looked so disappointed and so, so cute.
He was glad that he’d allowed her to pull him just a bit closer so he didn’t have to look her in the eyes— that tiny bit of vulnerability would have been too much, and he’d have chickened out. Or worse, lost control, and found himself helpless to her whims. (Which while certainly worse for his pride… he might not have entirely minded that.)
“With someone you love… it’s something different, isn’t it?”
Her face had already been flushed but now it went through a variety of shades of red, the heat nearly moving in a line across her features. He tilted his head to see her properly, hoping to keep just enough composure to savor her reaction despite knowing the warmth his gaze was showing.
And then she’d said it. “I love you too, you rat bastard…!”
She may as well have injected a drug directly into his veins. Because all he wanted was to hear her say it again, again, again— He’d barely been able to stop himself from saying it himself, and had been unable to stop his own curiosity of where this warm tenderness led. He just had to know, had to press further, had to hold her closer. Always, always closer.
And so now, some time later, he’d delved back into more sordid wants. He had to hear her say it again, wanted to memorize every intonation of her voice, until he could hear it in his head clear as day.
… And, well, he wanted to make her suffer. Just a bit. Just enough that she’d not forget his love— making her whimper and cry and break in the way she could only admit she loved after the fact and in shy requests he do it again, please, one more time…?
And so she lay there next to him, arms and legs tied, leaving her defenseless. She shook and shivered and whimpered so sweetly. Her whole body so receptive to his touch. Just perfect.
He leaned in close enough to be heard, voice soft above the sound of buzzing. Her ear flicked against his skin— even as she gasped and moaned she could surely hear him. “So, tell me, Miss Imunlaukr…”
She let out a sound somewhere between a growl and a whimper, her eyes narrow and pupils slits as she glowered at him. “D-don’t you dare—!”
“Who do you love?”
The buzzing abruptly stopped and she let out a cry somewhere between rage and crushing disappointment. Tears filled her eyes, her chest shaking with every breath. “Y-you… I love you, y-you bastard…” She hissed through gritted teeth. He pressed his lips to her forehead.
“Good girl.”
He watched in amusement as he switched the vibrator back on, seeing her gritting her teeth, brows knitting together, trying so, so hard to keep herself from give in to the sensations. Was she hoping he’d lose himself first? He wanted to tell her that oh, no, earlier was a momentary lapse in his patience. There was simply no way he would give in so easily. Not nearly as easily as he wanted her to, at least. How long did he plan to subject her to this?
… He wasn’t exactly sure. The novelty of it wasn’t wearing off yet. He was surer than ever of the signs her body gave to show how close she lie to the edge now, watching how her toes curled and tail flicked and the ways her breath hitched—
Once again the buzzing stopped and she collapsed back onto the bed, nearly sobbing in frustration. Her eyes were full of fire when she glared at him. “Y-you… you’d better not stop again…”
“You’re in no position to make threats, my darling.” She really did shiver from head to toe as he said that, didn’t she? How cute, acting so proud and defiant when she had such an obvious weakness and such an obvious tell. But then again… that fire was one of the many things he loved about her. And so he’d ask her one more time. Well, at least one more time.
“Who do you love?”
“I-if you want me to say it so bad, y-you can just say it first!”
Her ears were flattened against her head, a growl in her throat again.
Well, he certainly could. But that wouldn’t involve breaking down that pride of hers first.
“I know. But this is much more fun, wouldn’t you agree?”
“B-basta— ahhh—!!” The buzzing began again, her body responding faster than she clearly thought possible.
“Who do you love?” He prompted again, pulling her in close.
Heike’s response was slurred, hardly audible between gasps and cries. Of course, he knew what she was saying, but now… well, she’d made her request, and while it was on a whim— why shouldn’t he fulfill it?
“Clearer, now. Tell me.” He pressed the vibrator against her just that little bit more, watching as she rocked against it.
“I-I… I love… l-love you… dammit…!”
And so finally— finally he’d leave it against her clit, savoring her cries as he finally let her cum.
And, of course, leaving the toy furiously buzzing away between her legs, leaving her writhing. He knew her limits— knew them perhaps too well, really. She could take much more than that, even as she whimpered and cried out.
“Ah? What’s that, too much?” She made a very cranky sound amidst the pleasure, and he could only laugh. How cute. “You told me not to stop before. You really ought to not change your mind so quickly.”
Her back arched as another climax tore through her, sweat dripping from her skin anew.
He figured he could at least offer her a reward— a gentle reprieve of words. Now that she was incoherent and overwhelmed, he had no apprehension left to return the favor.
I love you, he whispered, pulling her close once again. I love you. My darling, my love. Just one or two more… just a bit more. Maybe. Her sobs of delight were just too cute.
But he’d relent at last after a short while and a handful more, slowly pulling the vibrator back. He savored the sounds of her shivering moans, letting her rest, if just for the moment.
“You did wonderfully, my love.” Zandik’s voice was soft, a gentle breath over her ear. The sound of her purring slowly grew louder than her gasps, and his now-freed hand reached behind her to undo the straps binding her in place.
“Wh-what… what are you doing…?”
“What do you mean ‘what am I doing’?” He quirked a brow, only for his breath to hitch as her now-freed hand pressed to his chest and slid downward.
“What about you?”
“I can wait a bit.”
“… What are you planning?” She frowned. “It isn’t like you to be so… s-so merciful. And it’s not like you only just began to love me…”
“Do you want me to be so cruel?” Her eyes darted away as she bit her lip, ears drooping— unable to meet his eyes. “Ah, such a shame. I suppose we’ll have to return to our previous methods of persuasion—“
“Noooo—!!”
