#anything else is gravy--I already have clean sheets for her and everything--but THAT needs to be done

[random2908]

I started by telling myself I shouldn't feel bad that I didn't get all my planned chores done: Saturday is a rest day, and we've just finished three weeks of crunch at work. (Next week might also be crunch but probably not; the product ships at the end of the week but we should be in good enough shape already.)

But then I realized: I ran three errands in the morning, and did three chores in the evening--even if one of the chores was just "cook a healthy dinner" and two of the chores were banking-related on a website. (But one involved sending text messages, and one involved an actual phone call to customer service, so I can't even really say they were just on a website.) That's six things I got done on a rest day. I may have overscheduled by saying I'd do at least eight things, but still, six things is very good.

[fuckinuchihas]

So my obsession with Tsukishima does not appear to be going away so here have some like janky fake texts and a mini fic about the hell you feel when you fall in love with Tsukishima Kei.

Pairing: Tsukishima Kei x Reader

Rated: Teen and up+

Warnings: The amount of angst you’d expect to come from falling in love with an asshole...but happy endings all around! Xoxo Enjoy!

‘I’m so stupid,’ you whisper to yourself in the dark of your bedroom. ‘Stupid stupid stupid.’

Of course if Kei knew what you were really thinking he’d probably agree that you’re worse than Kageyama and Hinata combined with or without the head trauma.

What were you expecting anyway… a love confession...from Tsukishima?

He would never. 

Even if he actually liked you, even if he wanted you, he’ll never say something like that and not ever in public.

Being in love is lame, you’re lame...and that’s exactly what he’d say to you if he could read the word written on your heart.

One single word…

Kei

★・・・・・★・・・・・★・・・・・★

You do your best to put on a brave face the next day, smiling as you say hello to his mother and feel her arms wrap around you. It takes everything inside you not to break down when Akiteru does the same.

“It’s so good to have you back,” she says, patting your head.

“It’s really nice to be back, don’t have to feel homesick any more,” you lie, because being at home for you has always meant Kei and now it just feels like you’re drifting even further apart. You push away your thoughts and grin up at them. “I know, what do you think of pork and noodles for dinner tonight? It’s the least I can do after Kei picked me up from the airport yesterday.”

“You don’t have to-” he starts, but Akiteru quickly interrupts him.

“Shut up, Kei. Let them make a meal for us,” he says through his smile, “I’ve really missed your cooking.”

You smile, genuinely this time. “Well I’m happy to do it. Seriously, you’re welcome to have dinner next door any time.”

Tsukishima scoffs, but the other two grin at you so you focus on that.

Making dinner is calming, you find your peace in the kitchen even with the whirlwind of emotions that are still spinning wildly in your chest.

A constant thrum of ‘we’re just friends’ plays on loop through your head as you pour the gravy over the drained pasta.

You pull out your phone to let them know dinner is almost ready.

Part of you wishes you did have Akiteru’s number, not that you could use it. You’re trying to pretend everything is okay and Tuskishima isn’t a fucking moron so if you text his brother instead of him to say dinner is ready for the first time ever, he’s definitely going to notice something is up.

You take a deep breath and type out your message.

★・・・・・★・・・・・★・・・・・★

Surprisingly you manage to make it through dinner without too much hassle, mostly thanks to Akiteru who keeps the conversation going.

Tsukishima is quieter than usual but you try not to think too hard about it.

You’ve got to get better at this pulling away thing. No matter how much you try to distance yourself; both emotionally and physically, your heart doesn’t seem to be getting the memo.

“Thank you so much for dinner, it really was delicious. It might be my favorite so far!” Akiteru says and you grin as he wraps around you again.

“You’re welcome and I wasn’t just being polite, you can come over to eat anytime.”

“I will take you at your word, it really is good to have you home, right Kei?”

There’s a hesitation and your heart shatters in your chest. The sharp broken pieces splicing open everything they touch. Each one feels like a gaping stab wound and you’re somehow surprised that you’re not actually bleeding out on the floor.

“Of course,” he says, absentmindedly. He’s been drifting out of the conversation all night and now he’s...he’s staring you in the face and thinking of something or someone else.

“I should really get some work done but you guys have a nice night and don’t forget to save some of the leftovers for your mom, okay?”

“If I have to,” Akiteru grins, sticking his tongue out at you.

You chuckle as they move further into the doorway.

“Goodnight,” they both say, Kei’s almost whispered.

“Goodnight!”

You close the door behind them and start to clean up when there’s a loud almost violent knock on your door.

You wipe your hands off and quickly make your way to open it, only to find Kei red faced and angry on the other side.

“What happened?” you ask, looking around to see if Akiteru is with him.

“That’s what I’d like to know!”

“I don’t-what are you talking about?” you ask, racking your brain for a legitimate reason why he could be angry with you, only to come up empty.

“Every time I leave you, you say be safe... text me when you get home...but not today, not yesterday either. Not once since you got back.”

You honestly didn’t even think about it, you just... you were trying to create distance.

“I’m sorry, Tsukki. Of course I want you to be safe…”

“No, that’s-there’s something... you’re mad about the sign, I know that...I even understand why but I don’t understand this,” he says, shaking his head as a gust of cool air blows around you and you feel yourself shiver.

“Come back in, there’s no sense in catching a cold,” you answer.

Once he’s back inside you sit him on the couch and will yourself to be strong. “Tsukki I’m not mad about the sign...not really. It was funny and any other time I would have laughed but…”

“But what? What happened? What changed?”

And that’s the kicker, nothing changed. Your expectations were too high, too unrealistic, but how do you say that without admitting your feelings?

“I did, I changed Tsukki. I’m sorry that I upset you. I didn’t mean to worry you or anything, not that you’re worried, I’m just saying...I didn’t mean to inconvenience you.”

“Inconvenience me... “ he says, slowly sounding it out as if he can’t believe what he’s hearing. “Since when have you ever been an inconvenience?”

You sigh, realizing that you’re probably not going to escape this little conversation with your dignity intact. “Tsukki do you remember that black and white spotted stray we found when we were younger?”

“Uh, yes…”

“And how I went out and spent all of my allowance on food and toys because I just expected it would want to come home with me?”

“I don’t see what this has to do with anything but yes I remember it.”

“Well in my heart that dog was already mine, but when I tried to get it inside the house, it would yelp and run away…eventually I just had to realize that the dog wasn’t mine, he wasn’t ever going to be mine. I shouldn’t have just expected him to want to come home with me, to live in a strange place away from the things he’s always known.”

You swallow, heart pounding in your chest as you give him a minute to connect the dots.

“It hurt for a while but eventually I got over it. I will get over this too, don’t worry.”

“I’m the dog…” he says, whispering quietly. The only reason you hear it is because he sat so close.

“I’m going to finish the dishes, you can head home whenever you’re ready,” you say, squeezing his shoulder as you step away.

You barely get a couple feet when you hear a swoosh of air and you’re jerked backward a bit, tight grip on your wrist.

“Kei?”

“I’m not a dog…”

You sigh, “I know Kei, it was just-“

“I’m not a coward either,” he says, cutting you off.

“I wasn’t implying you were scared, Tsukki; only that you don’t belong to me.”

“I-“

“Kei listen I know it’s not fair that I put all of this on you, but you don’t need to feel any obligation. You’ve been the best friend I could ask for, it’s okay that you don’t feel anything beyond that. I’m the one who messed up,” you say, the emotion of it finally starting to come out through your shaky voice and the tears that threaten to spill.

“You’re the most frustrating person I’ve ever met!” he says, tightening his grip before jerking you back in against his chest. “Do I really strike you as someone to do something out of a sense of obligation or duty?”

He’s holding you against him and it feels so warm and comforting and he smells like the fabric softener sheets you used to get for his mom when you went to the store.

The dam breaks and you start crying. You start and you can’t stop, just heaving and sobbing in his arms. It hurts so much.

“I’m sorry, Tsukki. I’m sorry I’m such a loser, I’m sorry I fell in love with you, I’m sorry I couldn’t just be happy with our friendship. I'm so sorry,” you say through the tears, though it’s hardly audible.

“Never apologize for loving me,” he says, pulling away from you just enough to tilt your chin up so he can see your eyes. “After all I’m hoping you can manage to do it another seventy or eighty years.”

Your heart stutters and you gasp in surprise.

You don’t have time to really think about it before you feel his lips on yours, bruising and rough almost like a punishment.

You’re panting and trying to hold yourself up when he pulls away, staring down at you with glassy eyes. “Don’t let me hurt you like that ever again.”

He kisses the top of your head and you feel him frown. “I never imagined you would think that stupid sign meant I didn’t love you. I’m not running away, I want to be yours and for you to be mine.”

“You... you really want that? You’re not just doing this because you umm feel guilty or whatever?”

“Say that again and this time listen to yourself. I’m not the kind of guy who makes big romantic gestures, but that doesn’t mean I love you any less than someone who does.”

“I don’t need gestures. I just need this,” you say, squeezing tighter around him half afraid he’ll disappear.

“Hmm,” he hums, kissing your forehead one last time.

“It’s getting late, I should go but clear out your plans for tomorrow you’re spending time with me.”

“Okay,” you answer easily, happier than you ever thought you could be.

★・・・・・★・・・・・★・・・・・★

When Kei comes to pick you up the next morning he actually comes inside making you chuckle because you haven’t even gotten the invitation out before he pushes you gently to the side and heads straight for your bedroom.

You gasp in shock, “KEI!”

He turns to look at you and seems to just know that’s where your thoughts went and he smirks. “Not quite there yet,’ he says, teasing you in that way that warms your chest but also kinda pisses you off.

“Well then what are you doing, asshole?”

“I’m just getting a few things,” he says, like it’s not your drawers he’s rumbling through as he-packs your suitcase?

“Uhh...where exactly are we going on this date?” you ask, because you’re kinda hoping to be back before dinner time.

“Just trust me, okay?” he says, and he looks kind of...well not serious but determined so you nod quickly to reassure him.

“Okay, I’ll leave things up to you then. Please stay out of my underwear drawer, it’s the smaller middle one,” you say, before grinning and walking away.

You both trust him not to look but also don’t really mind if he does. There’s not a lot of embarrassing things in there or anything, but you doubt Tsukki is the type to investigate, at least not yet...maybe when you’re closer.

He comes out of your room straight faced and wheeling your suitcase behind him like a professional flight attendant even though one of the wheels doesn’t quite spin at the same pace as the others.

Smug fucker knows you’re impressed too.

“Are you ready to go now?” you ask, waiting for him to join you by the door.

“Yes, let’s go.”

He opens the door for you, which is new...and kind of sweet. You try very hard not to let the heat you feel crawling up your neck go all the way to your cheeks.

Then he puts your luggage in and climbs behind the wheel.

You mess with the radio just a bit but you both have similar tastes in music so he doesn’t care too much. You close your eyes for a while and just listen to the music, stealing glances at Tsukishima every now and again to remind yourself that this is real.

After a while you look up and see the road sign for NIA and you jerk forward a bit.

“Tsukki umm...I’m not questioning your judgement or anything but why are we headed to the airport exactly?”

“I thought you were going to trust me…”

“Trusting you doesn’t mean I can’t ask questions,” you say, eyeing him skeptically.

Tsukishima signed, “Don’t make me get the blindfold.”

You barely manage to stay composed at that, but you face toward the window letting the cool glass press against your burning cheeks. “Whatever you say, Tsukki.”

“Now that’s the attitude I’ve been waiting for,” he says, and you can hear his smug grin in his voice.

“I will literally leave you at the airport, don’t push me.”

He laughs, but doesn’t say anything further. It feels a little like he’s grateful for the banter, but that could just be you projecting. You love his sarcasm even when it stings; not having that, even for a couple days, felt like an eternity.

You follow instructions, however reluctantly and eventually Tsukishima pulls into the parking garage near the airport

He hands you the handle of your suitcase instead of wheeling it himself and it’s not that you really mind wheeling it but...why?

“Here, take this and wait for me near the ticket counter, okay?”

“Uhh sure...I guess,” you say, feeling more confused than ever but you told him you’d trust him so you do.

You sit there for a while, long enough for it to cross your mind that maybe he’s just left you there looking like an idiot, but you know he wouldn’t, not really. He has a sharp tongue but Kei isn’t ever intentionally hurtful, not to anyone.

There’s a few sounds, mostly shock as people turn to stare. You follow their gaze and nearly fall out of your seat when you see what they’re looking at.

Tsukishima is somehow managing to hold onto a bouquet of your favorite wildflowers, half a dozen green and gold balloons, and a sign that says, “I’m here to pick up… THE PERSON I LOVE!”

Tears stream down your face as you run and jump up against him, wrapping your arms around him as tightly as they’ll go, completely ignoring the fact that his hands are full and he can’t hold you along with everything else.

The sign drops, the balloons are released into the air and the flowers are smushed but he’s holding you, and to him, that’s the most important one of all.

★・・・・・★・・・・・★・・・・・★

MASTERLIST

[meladotjournal]

Esther - Like A Stone

Esther Abigale Lebel, despite everything, is still human. It’s her time. For now, at least. And all hunters go the same way- bloody. But what exactly happens when someone like her dies?

ESTHER has left the chat. 

Feauring: Aeszura and Dionysus. As always, I have no idea what I’m doing. If I write your character wrong, or if you have any comments at all, please tell me! I encourage it! I need to be more productive, and if you need me to rewrite absolutely anything/everything, I am more than willing to have something to do!

Takes place during Supernatural Season 12, Episode 21, set at the end of Esther’s story. Near 1800 words. 

/////

May 11, 2017

I walk out of the cabin, not bothering to clean up the mess inside. The fire I had started inside was already spreading. Sure, the bodies would smell, but at least I could be sure that I wouldn’t have to worry about any more undead spirits in this town anytime soon.

It was an easy hunt involving a couple of serial killers and a surprisingly helpful ghost. I was surprised that no local hunters (whose names I rarely bothered to remember) had picked up on it before I did. Jobs were becoming unsettlingly easy to find. I’m not one to back off of a case- I’ve been known to force other hunters off of jobs, but it felt wrong, and the recent British invasion was nothing if not suspicious. It made me almost glad that I hadn’t made many friends in the hunting community. 

And not that I was lonely or anything, but damn! I haven’t even heard from Aes. And I think we all know how much she likes to talk my ear off about things I hardly understand. But at least she sticks around, you know? I was worried about her, but don’t tell her I said so.

I start towards my car before I hear rustling in the trees. Or was it the fire? My paranoid ass wasn’t looking to wait to find out. That’s when I notice my tires were slashed. Shit. Shit! Here I am, moping like an idiot just to find out that someone’s tailing me. Just my luck. Shit!

I’d go back into the cabin, but that thing is on the verge of collapse at this point. I make a break for it, running into the thickest-looking stretch of forest, aiming in the direction of the shitty little town where I booked a shitty little motel suite.

I find a clearing nearby. Bad for cover, but a hell of a lot easier to run through. Just as I’m plotting my zig-zag formation, I see a big black SUV. Definitely bulletproof. Ominous. There’s sigils etched all over the thing. Shit. Those British fucks were onto me. I’ve been avoiding these cars for months.

I’ve spent too much time examining this thing. Lucky for me, this dumbass left the passenger door unlocked. Sloppy for one of the Men of Letters, though. What was he, drunk? Even the footsteps were sloppy. Small, around my size.

I hop in and crawl into the backseat, locking all the doors manually. I spot my reflection in the window. Jesus, I look terrified. My hands are shaking, and I find myself fiddling with my necklace. Stupid! Be productive! I use my stupid shaky hands to call the first person on my contacts list.

/////

We were getting ready for the next hunt, just like always. This was a big one, I can’t quite remember what, but it was something to do with demons and some weird hoodoo drug trade. And as much as I hate needing help, Aes and Dio were helping. In their own ways.

If I hadn’t met them while I was soulless, I doubt I’d have had the balls to stand my ground. In all honesty, they’re terrifying. I feel like at any moment, they could just eat me alive, or tell me that whatever bond we’d built was a part of some elaborate prank. But even I‘ll admit that I’m not exactly “best fwend” material. So I guess it works.

None of us sleep much. We were fooling around, getting drunk off the minibar while we watched the sunrise from the comfort of our surprisingly classy hotel room, thanks to Dio’s snappy finger magic.

“I think I finally figured it out,” Aeszura cackled. “I know exactly how I’d kill you.”

I rolled my eyes while Dio played along. “I really fucking doubt you could, little miss musical.ly star.”

“Yes, I could. I’d film it. No- I’d livestream it. And people would give me so much fucking money just to watch your smug ass die. I know the websites. Hell,” she laughed, “Facebook Live would work just fine. My followers would love it. Idiots.”

“You don’t even know what I am. I’ve been alive for thousands of years. I could be anything.”

“Time works different in hell. Like Australia. You can’t imagine how long I’ve been kicking ass. But I know exactly what you are. Dionysus.”

“I honestly doubt it. Dumbass.”

“You’re a little bitch, that’s what you are.”

I downed another one of the funky little cinnamon drinks. Not Fireball, but something fancier to match the room, and the Greek cotton I was spilling it on. Higher thread counts were pretty good at absorbing alcohol. Nice. I tried drawing patterns with my finger on the sheets before it could evaporate.

/////

I ran my nails along the face of my phone, fidgeting with the cracks in the screen. “Aes. Please, fucking pick up. I’m going crazy here. Crazier than usual. I’m talking to myself. I swear to-”

“Hey, bitch! What’s up?”

“Oh thank fucking god- Aes, I-”

“HAHA! Just kidding. This is my voicemail. Ha. Sorry. Follow me @stankthottie on musical.ly and-”

“SHIT.” I pound my head on the window, immediately regretting it. I can’t believe I fall for that stupid fucking voicemail every fucking time.

There’s no way I’m gonna be able to hotwire this car or anything. And even if I could, the Men of Letters would know that I stole it and track me down before I could even look at an asphalt road. I don’t know what I was thinking, getting into this car in the first place.

“-anyways, leave me a message after the scream or whatever. Except if you’re an angel or some shit. Eat a dick.”

“Aes, I’m such a dumbass. I’m in one of their cars. They slashed my tires and I- I can’t-” I squeezed my eyes shut, taking a deep breath.

“It doesn’t look good. I’m alone. Haven’t been able to figure out where all the hunters have been going and you know my knife hasn’t been working the same since Asteraoth… you know…” Shit, I’m crying. “-and I’m just so fucking scared, okay? I don’t know where you’ve been and why you’ve been avoiding me or whatever but now would be a really really great time to pop in and do that whole dramatic-as-all-hell smokey thing and save my sorry ass-”

I could’ve sworn I saw something in the trees. Someone? Blonde.

It’s started to rain. Great. Awesome. Fantastic. I try to shuffle my body lower into the seats and closer to the floor of the car. I can see the sky through the windows. The sun’s setting. It’ll be dark soon. I was hoping on getting some biscuits and gravy or something from the diner for dinner before heading out of town. My hiding spot smells like leather. And blood.

/////

“Fine. Fine! Then how- how’d you kill Esther, huh?”

“I don’t even know if that bitch can physically die. Can you die?” Aeszura threw an empty beer can in my direction, laughing, barely missing my head.

“Hrruhgh?” I grumbled.

“CAN. YOU. DIE.”

“Of course she can. Everyone does…” He paused, slouching. Before he thought we noticed his change in tone, he winked. “‘Cept me, of course.”

“I dunno. I’ll go to hell probably. Jus’ like everyone else.”

“Yeah right, with all those angels up your ass? You’ve got half of heaven on your stupid speed dial. It’s disgusting.”

“You’re sounding pretty self-righteous for a demon. What’s got your panties in a twist, huh, pink eyes?”

“They’re RED, fuckhead. Shut up. I hate you.” She coughed. “Ess, I don’t even know if you could go to hell. Trust me- I practically run the joint. Your soul isn’t, like, ‘soul-y’ enough. I don’t know what that angel did to you but-”

“He saved my-”

“Shut UP. Call it whatever the hell you want, but I know souls, okay? It’s kind of my fucking job. But even I’m not exactly sure what would happen if your m-eatsuit-” she paused to gag, “-exploded or something. It’s not a soul anymore. I’m not sure if it- if you - could even go anywhere.”

“Can’t become a ghost, can you? Your soul is already Tethered. I bet like, eight goats that you’d get trapped inside the knife or some shit like that” Dio giggles, snapping his fingers.

“Too bad your pretty little angel can’t tell you anything.” Aeszura joked, but she was getting genuinely angry. “That’s what you get for trusting some stupid fucking feathery-”

“I don’t want to talk about this anymore, guys. We have a case, remember? Why should I care, anyway? It’s not like I can do anything about it. It’s just eternity. I don’t have to worry about that when I’m busy here. Working cases. And I don’t plan on dying anytime soon.”

Dio chimed in, singing. “That’s what they all say…”

/////

I’m still on the phone. I don’t want to turn it off. I want an audience. It’s stupid and childish, but even hiding from whoever’s out there, I don’t wanna be alone.

I can hear the rain attacking the roof of the car. The leaves on the trees are shaking just as badly as I am. Stupid. I’m probably overreacting, right? It’s nothing. This is nothing. I’ve been through worse. I’ve come out of worse. Who says I’m gonna die? I don’t know the Men of Letters’ M.O. but the thought just leaves a rank taste in my mouth and a lump in my throat. There’s something outside, I can feel it.

That’s when my knife, the Tether, starts humming. I take it out from the inside of my jacket, squeezing it tight. It’s glowing for the first time in months. The thing is practically singing, the vibrations making the worst noise imaginable, like a cross between a bell and a scream. The windows start to shake and the car alarm goes off.There’s a chirp and all the doors unlock. The rear door, the one by my feet, opens.

I sit up a little (might as well) and lock eyes with a blonde woman. Short hair. Big green eyes, but they’re glazed over. She looks tired, but she’s smiling. She’s holding some complicated device, as all these British fucks do- but she doesn’t look like one of them. She’s a hunter. They must’ve recruited her. Bitch. She fiddles on something on the device and the Tether stops screaming.

She pulls out a small gun and aims it right at my chest. I flip her the bird.

[emospritelet]

Kiss of Life - chapter 9

So for reasons that can't be explained beyond the fact that we're all perverts, @rumple-belle, @thatravenclawbitch and I ended up agreeing to write Rumbelle Accidental Full-Frontal nudity scenes today...

[Part 1] [Part 2] [Part 3] [Part 4] [Part 5] [Part 6] [Part 7] [Part 8]

AO3 link

The snow was thick on the ground, the sky ominously grey with the promise of more to come, and Belle shivered as she stomped along through the drifts, wishing she could have stayed at Gold’s house and curled up beside him with another cup of tea.  And while you’re at it you may as well fantasise about getting in bed with him and kissing everything better, she thought wryly, shoving her hands deep in the pockets of her coat.  Her crush was getting out of control.

By the time she got to the hospital, her feet were numb, but she had walked quickly and her cheeks were flushed, her heart thumping and her legs tired.  She tried to catch her breath as she shoved her coat, hat and scarf in her locker, tying back her hair and going to wash her hands.  The wards were as busy as ever, the flu indiscriminate in its choice of victims.  Belle noticed several missing faces amongst the staff, and the nurses that were on shift were having to run from bed to bed to keep up with the work.  Zelena appeared to be no worse for having fallen in the snow, although a faint odour of soup hung about her as she swept past Belle with a disparaging sniff in place of a greeting.

“Thank God you’re okay, at least,” said Dorothy, wearily brushing a loose curl of hair out of her eyes.  “If I don’t get some sleep soon I’ll collapse.”

“You should go,” said Belle, putting a hand on her arm.  “If you push yourself too hard you’ll only come down with the flu too.”

“Like Dr Gold, you mean?” said Dorothy, with a grin.  “I hear you’ve been taking care of him.”

“Yeah, I thought I’d see how he was doing,” said Belle, and wrinkled her nose. “He wasn’t so good, as it turned out.  Pretty much hallucinating, his fever was so bad.”

Dorothy winced.

“You think he’ll be out for awhile?” she asked.  “This place really can’t afford to lose anyone else if we’re to keep things going.  Whale’s dead on his feet.”

“I’d say at least a few days,” said Belle.  “He could barely stand.  I made him some soup, and gave him something to take his fever down, but this flu’s nasty.”

“Yeah, it’s kicking everyone in the balls,” said Dorothy, with a sigh.

“I’ll head over there again after my shift,” added Belle.  “See how long he’s likely to be out of action.”

“Tell him to keep his skinny ass in bed,” said Dorothy bluntly.  “I don’t want him killing himself trying to come back to work too soon.”

“Well, I can try…”

Belle’s tone was dry, and Dorothy huffed in agreement.  They both knew it would be almost impossible to keep him from the hospital if he chose to return.  Dorothy glanced across at her, suddenly hesitant.

“Look, it’s not really any of my business,” she said.  “I know I haven’t been here that long, but I hate it when some women try to drag others down, you know?  We should be supporting each other.  World’s crappy enough as it is without us making it worse.”

“Oh.”  Belle took a step back. “Did I - did I do something wrong?”

“I seriously doubt that,” said Dorothy, in a dry tone.  “From what I’ve seen you do a great job, more than would usually be asked of a candy striper.”

Belle felt her brow crinkle in confusion, and Dorothy sighed.

“Zelena’s kind of talking about you,” she said.  “In a not-so-nice way.  I’ve been the target of gossip enough times in my life to know how much that can suck.”

“Yeah.”  Belle frowned, glancing around to see if Zelena was present.  “She seems to have taken an instant dislike to me, and I’ve no idea why.”

“Well, up to this morning I doubt she knew either,” agreed Dorothy, folding her arms.  “Seems like she doesn’t like anyone much, if you ask me.  No one female, anyhow.  She gets on well enough with the men.  Or thinks she does.”

“So - what is she saying?”

“That you spent the night with Dr Gold.”

“Well, I did,” said Belle, puzzled.  “She came to the door this morning and just started yelling at me over nothing.”

“No, I mean she’s saying you spent the night with him,” said Dorothy patiently. “As in slept with him.”

“Well I - oh!”  Belle blushed.  “No, it was nothing like that!  He has the flu, for God’s sake!”

“Yeah, figured,” said Dorothy.  “Anyway, I told her to get on with her work and stop gossiping, but you may find you get some questions from people with nothing better to do.  If that happens just let me know and I’ll stick ‘em on bedpan-cleaning duty.”

“Thanks,” said Belle, still blushing.  “So that’s why she was mad at me.”

“Thinks you’re moving in on her territory,” agreed Dorothy.  “It’s pretty obvious she has a severe case of the hots for him, and the fact that the man can’t stand her only seems to be a turn-on for her.  I told him the other day that he’s too polite.  Zelena doesn’t seem to take hints.  She thinks ‘no’ means ‘try harder’.”

“Ugh,” said Belle, with feeling, and Dorothy grinned.

“Well, I’d better go,” she said.  “If you could check everyone in the senior ward has water, and maybe bring some fresh linens?”

“On it,” said Belle, and squeezed her shoulder before walking briskly away.

She filled the water jugs first, lingering for a moment by old Mr Prentice’s bed. His eyes were closed, his breath rattling in his lungs, white beard twitching a little as his lips moved, and she chewed her lip in worry.  Mary Margaret appeared by her side, her eyes tired.

“He’s just sleeping,” she said.  “The flu’s taken it out of him, but at that age it’s not surprising.”

“I hope he pulls through,” said Belle.  “He’s a sweet old man.”

“He likes to tell the kids stories,” she agreed.  “I heard he used to teach, when he was younger.  Probably before I ever came to Storybrooke.”

“Yeah.”  Belle sighed, hoping that the flu wouldn’t make Mr Prentice pay the ultimate price.  “Well, I guess I’d better get on with things.  I didn’t realise you were working today.”

“Wasn’t supposed to be,” admitted Mary Margaret.  “Looks like they need all hands on deck.  You want a hand with anything?”

“You could help me strip and remake the beds in ward four,” suggested Belle, and Mary Margaret agreed readily.

They hurried off, stopping to collect an armful of linens each, and for ten minutes or so there was silence except for the constant beeping of machinery and cool, dispassionate announcements from the speaker system calling doctors and nurses to various wards.  Mary Margaret bundled dirty sheets in her arms, eyeing Belle as she stripped another of the empty beds, ready for the next intake of flu patients.

“You know Zelena’s gossiping about you, right?” she said, and Belle sighed, rolling her eyes.

“Dorothy told me,” she said.  “Apparently I’m having a passionate affair with a flu patient.”

She clutched her hands to her heart, fluttering her eyelashes, and Mary Margaret giggled.

“Well, I’d warn you about the dangers of infection from kissing, but I suspect you already know,” she teased.

Belle bundled up the sheets crossly.

“I really don’t care what she thinks,” she said.  “It was perfectly innocent, and if her mind goes in that direction it’s not my problem.  I just don’t want Stirling to think I had anything to do with any of her stupid rumours, that’s all.”

“Stirling?”  Mary Margaret looked puzzled, and Belle blushed a little.

“Oh - Dr Gold,” she said hastily, and Mary Margaret’s eyes gleamed.

“First name terms, hmm?”

“Shut up,” said Belle flatly, throwing the balled-up sheets at her to cut off her giggle.  “I don’t think he even meant to tell me, the man was pretty much hallucinating.”

Mary Margaret caught the sheets out of the air, grinning broadly.

“I’m teasing,” she said gently.  “And - and I shouldn’t, you’re right.”

She dropped the linens into the wheeled hamper, shaking out a clean sheet, and Belle took the other end, helping to spread it over the mattress and tuck it underneath.

“You like him though, right?” said Mary Margaret carefully.  “I mean I know Zelena has a mean streak a mile wide, but she’s not wrong about that, is she?”

Belle sighed, tucking a corner under and smoothing the sheet.

“I like him,” she admitted.  “I like him a lot, actually.”

“So tell him,” said Mary Margaret, and Belle snorted.

“Right.  When he shows zero interest in me or - or anyone, for that matter?  I don’t think so.”

“You never know until you ask.”

“Until I ask,” agreed Belle.  “And then he turns me down, and it gets horribly awkward, and eventually I have to be transferred to a different department because the two of us being in the same room as one another just creates an atmosphere no one can stand, and eventually I have to leave town because seeing him everyday is too much for my poor broken heart to take—”

“I was thinking maybe you could just see if he wanted to get a drink after work one day, or something.”

Mary Margaret looked amused by her prophecy of doom, and Belle straightened up with a groan.

“Maybe,” she conceded.  “I’ll wait until he’s better, though.”

“Good,” said Mary Margaret lightly.  “And in two years’ time when you’re stuck between who to choose for your maid of honour, remember that I encouraged you to do this, and Ruby was the one who suggested that terrible blind date your first week here.”

Belle giggled, even as she winced at the memory.

“Agreed.”

x

The day seemed to drag, lunchtime taking forever to arrive.  Belle sank into one of the chairs in the canteen with a sigh, wriggling her toes in her boots to ease the ache in her feet.  A cup of tea steamed at her side, and a plate of what was rumoured to be beef stew sat in front of her, lumps of meat and vegetables in a thin gravy dumped unceremoniously on top of a pile of mashed potato.  She knew she had to eat, but her appetite appeared to have deserted her, and she wrinkled her nose.  Deciding to leave the food for a moment, she fished out her phone to call her father, figuring that he would at least be up and about by now.

“I thought you were coming over this morning,” he grumbled.  “There’s no bacon in the house.”

“So get some,” she said patiently.  “You’re much nearer to the store than I am.  It took me ages to trek through the snow to work this morning, I wouldn’t have had time to get over to you.”

He grunted.

“Yeah, the snow’s piling up here too,” he said.  “I might close up early.  Marco said something about a poker night at Granny’s.  Thought I might go.”

“Oh,” she said.  “Will you eat there?”

“Bite to eat and a few beers,” he confirmed.  “It’s Friday night, after all.”

“In that case, I might go and check up on a friend,” she said.  “I’ll call you later, okay?”

“Fine.”

He rang off, and Belle rolled her eyes.  She still wasn’t sure whether she had made the right decision, choosing to move back in with him after she had failed to find work after college.  He certainly didn’t seem to want to spend any more time with her than he had previously, and the house was a mess unless she tidied it up.  She reminded herself that she didn’t have much of a choice in the matter; librarian posts were few and far between, it seemed.  Although that was unlikely to change now that she had moved to Storybrooke.  The town did have a library, or at least it had in the past.  The building was still there, but it was locked shut, and a peek through the windows had shown empty racks of shelving covered in dust.  Another casualty of straitened town funds and cuts in local services, she suspected.  Perhaps the Mayor could be persuaded to reopen, but she doubted that was a fight she could win in the middle of a flu epidemic.

She picked up her fork, poking unenthusiastically at the stew.  It was food, and she needed to eat, but she had little appetite, and the first mouthful seemed to taste of very little but salt and grease.  She wrinkled her nose, but forced it down.  There was an afternoon of work ahead, and the long trek back through thick snow.  She needed the energy.

x

By the time she left the hospital, it was getting dark.  Zelena had largely ignored her all day, which suited Belle just fine, and she hadn’t heard anything further about the rumours of her supposed affair with Dr Gold, so she was hoping it would all blow over by the time he returned to work.  There had been no more snow that day, but the wind had picked up, dark clouds massing, a heavy feeling in the air which suggested another storm was blowing in.  She should really have headed home, but her father would be out with his friends, and she was anxious to see how Gold was doing.

The store was almost empty of essentials, and there were no eggs left, but she managed to buy a package of bread rolls and a quart of milk, which should be enough to last Dr Gold a day or two.  She stomped through the fallen snow on the way to his house, her legs feeling heavier than usual, the wind trying to cut through her coat.  She had left his key beneath the pot on the porch when she left that morning, and she unlocked the door, breathing a sigh of relief as the warmth of the house washed over her.

“It’s only me!” she called.  “Just here to see how you are!”

She locked the door behind her, making her way up the stairs.  He had not returned her greeting, and she was met with an odd sort of silence.  The bedroom was empty, the bed covers pulled straight, and she could hear no sound from the shower.  Swivelling on her toes, she glanced around herself, chewing her lip.  Although she wouldn’t have put it past him to want to check on his patients instead of resting, he wouldn’t have been well enough to get out of bed for any length of time.  Or so she had thought.  Glancing around, she saw that his cane was gone, and she cursed under her breath about the stubbornness of men.

The sound of the bathroom door opening made her spin around, and she heaved a sigh of relief as she heard the tap of his cane, turning as the bedroom door swung open.

“I was about to be very stern with you—”

Her words cut off as Gold stepped into the room, cane in one hand and completely, beautifully naked.  His eyes flew wide in horror, his mouth a perfect O, and Belle heard the whistle of her breath as she sucked in air like it was her last chance at life.  Her brain was screaming at her to turn away, but her eyes seemed to want to open as wide as they could go.  His body was lean, his muscles small and wiry, his chest smooth.  Dark hair spread down from his lower belly, surrounding the soft sac of his balls and the base of his cock.  The two of them were frozen in place, both seemingly too horrified to move, but at last Gold gave a start, the motion having the unfortunate effect of making his cock bounce, and Belle regained enough control over herself to finally cover her eyes with both hands, a squeak of alarm bursting from her throat.

“Miss French!” he gasped.  “I’m - oh God, I’m so sorry!  I - I had no idea you were in the house!”

“No no no, I’m sorry!” she babbled.  “I did call out, but I guess you didn’t hear me?  I - I figured you were still in bed, and when I came upstairs and you weren’t here, I thought maybe you’d gone to check on things at the hospital, and I was about to be really cross with you for making yourself ill again, and I never dreamt you’d be walking around naked...”

She could hear a soft rustle of clothing, and hoped to God he was grabbing something to cover himself with.

“No no, it’s my fault,” he insisted.  “I - well, I took a bath, and I usually don’t bother with a robe if I’m just going to and from the bathroom.  I - I wasn’t expecting you to come back today.”

She could still hear the rustling noise, and parted two fingers so that one eye could peer through.  He had managed to get one arm into his silk robe, but was struggling as he tried to keep himself upright with the help of the cane, and most of him was still naked, visible in tantalising flashes as the robe gaped open.  Belle let her hands drop with a sigh.

“Here - let me help,” she said firmly.

“No really, I’m fine!”

His tone was short, and she rolled her eyes before keeping them firmly fixed on his face.  She stepped forward, grasping the robe and tugging it around him, giving him enough support so that he could briefly switch hands to put his other arm through the sleeve.  He looped the belt, tugging it around his waist and tying it off with more force than was necessary, and Belle stepped back.  He wouldn’t quite meet her eyes, his jaw tight, and she crossed to the bed where his empty water jug sat.

"I must apologise, Miss French," he said, his tone formal once more, making her sigh.  "I had no intention of you ever having to witness me in such a - state of undress."

"You were stark naked," she said patiently.  "And this isn't the eighteenth century.  I don't need the smelling salts and I'm pretty sure my reputation will survive."

He almost smiled at that, and she sighed again.

“I’m sorry,” she said.  “Next time I’ll make sure I get an answer before I come upstairs.”

“I’d appreciate that,” he said stiffly.

There was a moment of awkward silence, and she decided to change the subject completely.

“I brought you some bread and milk,” she said.  “There were no eggs, I’m afraid.”

“Thank you.”

“You should get back in bed,” she added.

“Yes.”

He stalked past her, drawing back the blankets and getting in, and she reached over to feel his forehead, frowning.

“You still have a fever,” she said.  “Would you like me to make you something to eat?”

“Just some tea, if you would,” he said, running a hand through his hair.  “How are things at the hospital?”

“We’re coping just fine without you, so don’t even think about going back before you’re well,” she said severely, and he sent her a brief smile.

“Yes ma’am.”

She nodded briskly, as though she believed his submissiveness.

“I’ll get you some tea,” she promised, shrugging out of her coat.

“Make yourself one, too,” he said.  “I - uh - I could use the company.  If you don’t mind, of course.  In the - uh - circumstances.”

“Well, I figure we’re kind of even now,” she said.  “You saw me take my shirt off, and I saw you in the nude.  Imagine how tongues would wag if they knew.”

Gold closed his eyes with a sigh.

“I’d appreciate it if you kept that little incident between the two of us,” he said.

“Consider it done.”

She grinned at him, and draped her coat over the back of a chair, heading downstairs.  Wind howled outside, and the lights flickered as she made her way to the kitchen.  Belle filled the kettle and switched it on, getting out the teapot, cups and milk jug to set on a tray, and trying to keep the image of his naked body from her mind, without much success.  She told herself firmly that he had been embarrassed by the incident, and she shouldn’t be thinking of him in that way, but she was well aware that her imagination would be having a field day with the images later that evening.

Belle hummed as she worked, looking in his fridge to see if there was anything she could make him for a snack, if he should get his appetite back.  There was still some soup leftover from the previous evening, so she could always heat that through.  The kettle shut off, clouds of steam billowing from the spout, and she closed the fridge door, crossing to pour hot water into the teapot.

x

Gold rolled stiff shoulders, easing back against the pillows with a sigh.  All mortifying embarrassment aside, he had to admit to being pleased that Belle had returned.  It was kind of her to look out for him, and while he was certain that he could have nursed himself through the flu, it was easier and more pleasant to have her do it.  When he wasn’t inadvertently exposing himself in front of her, anyway.  It must have been difficult for her to trek all the way over to his place from the hospital, considering the weather, and he admired her dedication.  Who was he to her, after all, but a fellow employee of the hospital?  She had a good heart.

Driving snow lashed against the windows, the wind moaning around the eaves of the house, and the lights went out, plunging the room into darkness.  Almost immediately, there was a crash from down in the kitchen, and a cry of pain, and he sat bolt upright in bed, his heart thumping.  Belle.

[fanficshiddles]

I Own You, Chapter 4

Raven had been left with the Hitachi wand pressed against her for around 4 hours. She had passed out long before then, but woke up after another strong orgasm tore through her body. She lost track of how many times she passed out before someone came to her rescue.

Tom walked into the room and grinned sadistically at her as he sat down on the edge of the bed. He turned the wand off and smoothed his hand across her abdomen, watching her whimper under his touch.

‘Did you enjoy that princess?’ He pulled the wand away from her completely.

Raven just let out a sob of relief and turned her head away from him, to the side. Her entire body was in agony, her clit throbbed from the over-stimulation and she was covered in sweat. Not to mention the soaked sheets beneath her.

‘I think you need another wash, look at the mess you’ve made of yourself.’ He chastised her as if she had peed herself, making her feel even more humiliated after being forced to orgasm non-stop for the last 4 hours.

The thought of going for a cold shower again made her feel sick. She closed her eyes as tight as possible, hoping she was going to wake up and find it was all a nightmare.

As she was trying to block everything out, she never realised that Tom was taking off her chains.

He sat her up, used some rope to tie her wrists behind her back and he then lifted her up in his arms. She opened her eyes and was about to attempt to struggle, but Tom held her even tighter against him and glared down at her.

‘Do not, even, think about it.’ He growled in a threatening manner, scaring her to the core, so she just stayed as still as possible.

Her heartbeat picked up even more when he carried her down towards the bottom of the corridor, where the dreaded shower room was. Then he suddenly turned off to the right, much to her relief.

He carried her into the bathroom where Michael had bathed her on her first day. She was relieved on one hand, that she presumed she would get warm water instead of the freezing cold hose. But on the other hand, the thought that Tom was going wash her was almost just as bad as the cold shower.

She wasn’t sure what to think of the fact that the bath was already prepared. It looked so inviting with lots of bubbles.

‘In you go, princess.’ Tom lowered her down but kept a hand on her upper back so she wouldn’t slip under the water.

Raven let out a soft moan as the warm water lapped at her body. It felt like she was in heaven.

Tom grinned at her reaction as he watched her relax, tipping her head back slightly against the water. He let her just enjoy it for a few minutes before he started to wash her hair. As much as Raven didn’t want to admit it, Tom was good with hands. It felt really nice when he massaged the shampoo into her hair, his fingers against her scalp.

She mentally shook herself because she had to stay focused. She wasn’t going to allow herself to fall into the false sense of security with her kidnapper. Though she did suppose it was better that they were good looking instead of ugly, or she knew it would be even worse than this hell already was.

Tom held onto the back of her head and he let her slip down further into the water to rinse her hair out. Then he sat her up again and started with the body wash.

He started innocently enough, with her neck, shoulders and upper arms. Then he slid his hands under her armpits, she let out a squeak and involuntarily squirmed as she was extremely ticklish there. He smirked at her reaction, but didn’t dwell there for long. He moved further down and rubbed the wash over her breasts before going down to her stomach.

She started to struggle a little when his hand slid down between her legs. But he swiftly pinched the inside of her thigh, making her yelp.

‘Stop wriggling.’ He warned her.

Raven obeyed, not wanting him to pinch her again as that had hurt. She glared at him but that only made him even more amused. He continued to wash her, much to her displeasure. Even if she did get a little aroused when his fingers ran across her folds and he teasingly slid over her clit and entrance, but then he pulled away before getting her too riled up.

When he was finished with her, Tom lifted her out of the bath and wrapped a warm towel around her.

‘There. That’s you all cleaned up now. Can I trust you to walk nicely back to your room?’ He asked, an eyebrow rising up.

Raven nodded timidly and walked along with him. He still put a hand on her lower back as he guided her along the corridor. He walked her into her room and untied her wrists, but then he motioned to the bed and looked at her expectantly.

‘Please. I’ll be good, please don’t tie me up again.’ Raven sobbed.

‘Hush now, darling. Don’t cry. It’s for your own good and safety. We can’t risk anything happening to this pretty little thing, now can we?’ Tom said in a soothing tone as he cupped her face in his large hands. ‘You did do this to yourself, remember? But if you behave well for us, then you may start earning a little more freedom again. But right now, I need you to lie down on the bed.’

Raven once again felt defeated. She knew she had no other option and that if she didn’t do as he told her, that he would force her or drug her again. So she decided to try and get in his good books, she would do as she was told.

‘That’s a good girl.’ Tom praised as she climbed onto the bed and lay down.

Tom took her ankles and restrained them to the lower posts of the bed, then he did the same with her wrists at the top. Once she was secured in place, he trailed the tips of his fingers from her left wrist down her arm to her underarm where she squirmed slightly under his touch, but she kept composure.

His fingers trailed along the top of her chest and then down between her breasts. He saw her struggling to keep her breathing under control, she closed her eyes and bit down on her lower lip. The soft pads of his fingers worked their way down her stomach and then he cupped over her sex, but did nothing else. The heat from his hand radiated off her and she tried her best to stay absolutely still, even if her body was screaming at her otherwise.

‘Someone will be along later with your dinner and to allow you to relieve yourself. In the meantime, you should get some sleep.’ He purred and removed his hand without doing anything else.

Raven felt a little relieved when he finally left her alone. She could think clearly again. She knew she had to do her best to simply stay alive, even if that meant abiding by their rules and doing what they told her. Staying alive was her main priority, no matter what.

‘She is not to shower with the others again. I want her to be bathed privately instead. She will need to be waxed tomorrow too.’ Tom told Michael, Luke and Chris.

‘Yes, boss.’ The three men nodded.

Later in the day Raven had actually managed to fall asleep. Her sleeps previously had been broken and filled with nightmares, but the bath had made her feel a little better and rather sleepy. Not to mention with everything that had happened, she was mentally exhausted as well as physically.

But she quickly woke up when she heard the bolts opening to her door. She looked over and saw it was Luke walking in with her dinner.

‘Evening, love. I hope you’re hungry. It’s roast beef, potatoes and gravy today.’ He said with a smile, as if she was just at some sort of restaurant.

But the smell was delicious and her stomach growled in hunger.

He placed the plate down at the side and untied her. She sat up and was a little surprised when Luke rubbed her wrists and ankles, helping to get the feeling back. He picked up the small blanket that had been tossed to the floor and wrapped it around her before handing her plate to her. There was some water for her too.

‘Enjoy. I would let you eat in peace, but I have to stay to make sure you don’t harm yourself again.’ He said in a sorry tone, but Raven knew he wasn’t in the least bit sorry.

Luke watched her while she ate her dinner. It was like she hadn’t seen food in months, she was so hungry. After eating, Luke took the plate and moved it to the side.

‘Let me see your knuckles.’ He put his hand out.

She hesitantly gave him her hands. He looked at her knuckles and smoothed his fingers over the red skin. Then he took out some cream from his pocket and proceeded to rub it into her.

‘This will help. You have certainly caused a ruckus since arriving here. No one has ever tried to harm themselves like you did. You’re a feisty little thing, aren’t you?’ He chuckled and gripped her chin between his fingers.

Raven said nothing as Luke looked into her eyes. He smiled and let go of her chin, much to her relief.

‘I know you must be scared. But if you do as you’re told, you won’t be harmed. Tom likes you, he won’t let anyone harm you without reason that’s for sure. If you play your cards right, he might even make sure that you are sold to someone who he knows will take good care of you.’

Raven wasn’t sure why Luke was telling her this, but the thought that she was going to be sold on like a piece of meat had her stomach churning.

‘You will be pleased to know that you won’t be subjected to Chris’ cold showers anymore. Tom has said that you are to be bathed daily from now on, separate from the others.’

Raven was shocked to hear that, but she was incredibly relieved. The cold showers were horrible, she wouldn’t wish them on anyone, even her worst enemy.

‘If you need to relieve yourself, you best do it now.’ Luke said as he motioned to the bucket.

Raven hated using the bucket for the toilet. She was already humiliated enough all the time. But she knew there was no other option so she did so while Luke prepped the restraints again.

‘You are definitely a beauty. It will be a shame to see you go.’ Luke said as he looked Raven up and down when she stood beside him, waiting to be bound up again.

‘On you get.’ He patted the bed.

Raven was soon chained up again. Luke was kind enough to place the blanket over her, to keep the chill off. He stroked her hair once before leaving her alone for the night. Where more nightmares haunted her.

But they weren’t as bad as real life was for her at the moment…

The following day, Chris came to get her to bathe her. She had hoped it would have been anyone but him. As she quickly learned he was the sadistic, harsh one out of the four men she had encountered so far.

He roughly marched her to the bathroom and didn’t care about keeping her up above water. What should have been a relaxing bath was more of a struggle to keep calm and not fight against him. She knew it would only make the situation worse, so she tried to remain calm.

But it wasn’t easy as Chris was rough with putting shampoo in her hair. Not being careful to keep it out of her eyes, so they stung like hell. He just dunked her head fully under the water to rinse it out. She had come up spluttering for air as she hadn’t been prepared and swallowed a lot of water.

He wasn’t gentle when washing her body like Tom and Michael were, he was rough and made sure she was sore whenever possible. Afterwards he didn’t even bother drying her, he just marched her back to her room, dripping wet. When they got there he tied her to the bed again, not even giving her the option to relieve herself. So she had to hold it until lunch time.

Over the days she had been terrified when the door opened and she knew it was bath time. She was relieved when it would be Michael or Luke. The first time that Luke bathed her, she was unsure as she had no idea how he would treat her. But she was pleasantly surprised to discover he was gentle like Michael and Tom were.

He was even a little playful, which in other circumstances she would have liked. He would cover her in bubbles at times, or give himself a bubble beard. Which made her crack a small smile, especially after being bathed and waxed by Chris the previous day.

That went on for a week. It was a chance of the lottery with who would be the one to bathe her. Tom hadn’t been to see her in a while. She wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or a bad thing.

The Hitachi wand was strapped onto her on a daily basis too, for at least 4 hours each time. It was torture, but every time the wand just pressed against her she started to cum. It was like her body was trained to it after so much torture.

‘She has healed up nicely. Been freshly waxed this week. I think she will be ready for the auction this weekend.’ Michael said to Tom as they were both watching Raven on the monitor.

She was just lying there on her bed, still restrained, it wasn’t like she could do anything else.

‘Good.’ Tom mumbled, his finger on his lower lip as he was deep in thought.

‘What’s wrong?’ Michael asked, knowing there was something up.

‘Nothing. Let’s get her prepared tomorrow morning for the evening’s auction.’ Tom nodded at Michael.

‘Yes, boss.’