[Once Crow is inside, he closes the door behind them. He looks over his shoulder at Crow.]
As satisfying as that would be... no. You know it's more than that. I'd prefer you stopped but... I highly doubt you have any intention of giving up at this point.
[How the tables have turned. Rean turns around to face Crow with a wry smile on his face. It's a fond sort of exasperation anyway.]
Not like I have any room to complain. I was just as stubborn back then.
If I thought you'd take care of yourself I would stop... unfortunately for both of us, you're too caught up in your own head to do that. So here we are.
[ Crow's hands slip down to his hips as he shakes his head. ]
Between the two of us, I'd say you're still the most stubborn one. Hard-headed to the end.... Honestly, this job would be better suited to the rest of Class VII but they're not here so it's up to me to keep you in shape.
...you and I both know it's better that they aren't. I've put them through enough for one lifetime.
[He's hurt them more than enough. No need to re-open any wounds.]
I'm not going to make your job more difficult than it needs to be either. But if you want me to feel better about snacking on you when I want, then you'd better make sure you're taking good care of yourself, too.
You don't have to rub it in. Besides-- restrictions aside, I certainly don't feel like I'm missing out on taste. For what it is, I can hardly tell that's what I'm really drinking.
Unless this is just another secret you've been hiding and you've always been this delicious.
C'mon Rean, you know me better than that. Do you really think I'd be here if I didn't wanna be? I'm in this a hundred percent, so quit worrying about it.
Then I won't ask again. I won't make you chase me down anymore-- though you might regret that later.
Before you start thinking it's going too easy though-- [Rean reaches out for-- a small bag of cords and ribbons.] I'm not taking any risks this time. With Ishmelga starting to corrupt and overpower the monster inside of me, it's better with some extra precautions-- at least until I make sure I can control it.
Heh. Finally. I was beginning to think you'd never realize I wasn't gonna give up.
[ He allows himself a moment to bask in the self-satisfaction before he addresses the rest of what Rean's saying. ]
But sure, let's talk boundaries. If you wanna be tied up for this, I can make sure you can't get loose until we're done. But if we're gonna do that, then I'd like to make one more small request.
It's pretty simple-- I want a.... safe word of sorts from you. Something either one of us can say at any point that is very removed from everything else so we can realize the other person needs us to stop what we're doing right now. You get what I mean?
[ Crow absolutely knows what Rean is going to assume but he's still going to explain Nothing. Exposition is for people who aren't Crow Armbrust. ]
I'd say it's more of a good idea than anything else. Something to keep in our back pocket. It should be something that would be easy to remember to say even in a stressful situation, but something that's guaranteed to grab either one of our attention.
That's... a bit more difficult than you make it sound.
[Something easy to remember to say even in a stressful situation. Humming for a moment, he thinks. And finally--]
Alright, then... what about "ARCUS"? We're both more than familiar with relying on them in a pinch, and it's probably not something that would come up otherwise.
[Clearly he's still thinking this is about safety. But this is fine.]
[As focused as he is on the safety aspect, it still hasn't sunk in. But he still knows that it might go that way. But he hadn't put the two together. Nodding, Rean takes his place on the bed, sitting towards the head so he can lean against the headboard a little.]
This should work. But if you need to make any adjustments, you can move me as necessary.
[To humor Crow-- and to test out just how sturdy it is for his own peace of mind-- Rean shifts his wrist around. There's not much movement offered and very little leniency. But it's not enough to be painful. He shakes his head, satisfied.]
No, this is fine. You're doing a great job-- thanks Crow.
[He can imagine a few reasons why such skills would have been useful for Crow in the past so he doesn't have much reason to question it. He does however, briefly, have an unpleasant expression on his face when Crow talks about his time here.
But it's gone and after a moment--]
...you've got time. And it just so happens I'm a great listener.
[ Probably some of those are true but it's definitely not the only reason, not that Crow would be likely to talk to Rean about the more unpleasant ones. Some things, you really don't need the details of.
And Crow catches that expression but he doesn't comment on it, doesn't let his own amused expression even flicker as Rean shifts away from whatever thought brought it on and comments. ]
I've noticed that about you. That's probably one of the reasons you've got so many people in love with you— that, and that cute face of yours.
[ He is morally obligated to tease Rean at all times. ]
[Rean refuses to count those who might have fallen for him before because they all know what might happen. He specifically avoided such things to try and prevent hurting anyone more than he already had. And here... well...
He certainly wasn't trying to invite something like that. But he couldn't exactly say that there weren't feelings... at least on his side that had just sort of. Happened anyway. But it certainly wouldn't be without a clear understanding of what exactly they were getting into.]
He does. And that's why Crow's own feelings for Rean will remain a secret until he's back in his grave. Rean's gonna need someone who will be there and Crow's... already past his expiration date. ]
What would you do if you could get past some of those problems? Just, y'know, as a thought exercise.
[ Certainly not because he means to free Rean from his curse or anything--
[It certainly wasn't just Crow that Rean had in mind when he said that. As far as Rean was concerned, his own future was a huge blank. Nothing he could really offer to anyone.]
...it's not like I haven't thought about it. I did... even before things ended up this way. But I never did come up with an answer.
[Because even if he put aside his problems-- which was hard enough to do on it's own. He couldn't really stop thinking about other people's problems either. He tugs at the bond-- but it holds tight.]
[ Oh, Crow knows what Rean thinks in that regard. Or at least he thinks he does. Either way, he's never considered himself remotely in the running to begin with. And that suits him just fine. But Rean.... it's a damned tragedy to Crow that he can't see a future for himself, that he couldn't even try to even before the end. Rean had so much to still live for. ]
Perfect.
[ Satisfied with his own work, Crow proceeds to straddle Rean while he's chained to the bed. There's nothing overtly sexual about it-- yet-- it just makes it easier as he brushes his hair aside to offer his neck up to Rean. ]
But I get it. And I won't keep asking you about could-have-beens. Let's just think about the present for now... namely, getting my starving vampire pal some dinner.
[ His neck is warm, inviting, and right within biting range. ]
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After a moment, Rean shows up at the door.]
Ah-- Crow...
[His face says he has a good idea what this is about. But he's not giving it to Crow that easily.]
What can I do for you?
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[ Crow's smile is easy as he leans against the door frame, crossing his arms over his chest. ]
Don't you think it's long past "dinner time"?
[ He winks. ]
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[Rean chuckles, even after sighing and shaking his head.]
Alright, alright. Come inside.
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[ With that barb, he takes Rean up on the suggestion and walks inside, tucking his hands behind his head. ]
You could come by when you get hungry, you know... or is this your revenge for me making you chase me around back during the Civil War?
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As satisfying as that would be... no. You know it's more than that. I'd prefer you stopped but... I highly doubt you have any intention of giving up at this point.
[How the tables have turned. Rean turns around to face Crow with a wry smile on his face. It's a fond sort of exasperation anyway.]
Not like I have any room to complain. I was just as stubborn back then.
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[ Crow's hands slip down to his hips as he shakes his head. ]
Between the two of us, I'd say you're still the most stubborn one. Hard-headed to the end.... Honestly, this job would be better suited to the rest of Class VII but they're not here so it's up to me to keep you in shape.
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[He's hurt them more than enough. No need to re-open any wounds.]
I'm not going to make your job more difficult than it needs to be either. But if you want me to feel better about snacking on you when I want, then you'd better make sure you're taking good care of yourself, too.
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[ He cracks a smile at that last part. ]
I'm taking plenty good care of myself though, you don't have to worry about that. My diet's way less picky than yours, for one thing.
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Unless this is just another secret you've been hiding and you've always been this delicious.
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I've never asked, but I've never had any complaints either.
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And you're sure you're really okay with things continuing like this?
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C'mon Rean, you know me better than that. Do you really think I'd be here if I didn't wanna be? I'm in this a hundred percent, so quit worrying about it.
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Before you start thinking it's going too easy though-- [Rean reaches out for-- a small bag of cords and ribbons.] I'm not taking any risks this time. With Ishmelga starting to corrupt and overpower the monster inside of me, it's better with some extra precautions-- at least until I make sure I can control it.
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[ He allows himself a moment to bask in the self-satisfaction before he addresses the rest of what Rean's saying. ]
But sure, let's talk boundaries. If you wanna be tied up for this, I can make sure you can't get loose until we're done. But if we're gonna do that, then I'd like to make one more small request.
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[At Crow's additional request, he raises an eyebrow.]
...alright. Sure. What is it?
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[ Is Crow gonna explain that's a kink thing?
Absolutely not. ]
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After all why would it possibly be for him???]
...well. If you really feel like something like that is necessary then, yeah. Sure.
But what kind of word should we use?
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I'd say it's more of a good idea than anything else. Something to keep in our back pocket. It should be something that would be easy to remember to say even in a stressful situation, but something that's guaranteed to grab either one of our attention.
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[Something easy to remember to say even in a stressful situation. Humming for a moment, he thinks. And finally--]
Alright, then... what about "ARCUS"? We're both more than familiar with relying on them in a pinch, and it's probably not something that would come up otherwise.
[Clearly he's still thinking this is about safety. But this is fine.]
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[ Crow claps his hands together. ]
Alright! If that's everything, let's get you tied up and fed.
[ He is having way too much fun with this idea. ]
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[Rean tosses the bag at Crow so he can get started.]
Alright. Whenever you're ready.
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Crow catches the bag easily and approaches Rean. ]
Alright, you should probably get on your bed. Might as well be comfortable.
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This should work. But if you need to make any adjustments, you can move me as necessary.
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[ He is in a really chipper mood, isn't he. Well, either way he's tying Rean's wrist very securely to one of the bed posts. ]
I'm not cutting off any circulation, am I?
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No, this is fine. You're doing a great job-- thanks Crow.
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[ He winks at Rean as he gets to work on the other wrist. ]
Maybe I'll even tell you a few more of them before my time's up here.
[ He says that so easily, so matter-of-factly like it's a basic truth. ]
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But it's gone and after a moment--]
...you've got time. And it just so happens I'm a great listener.
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And Crow catches that expression but he doesn't comment on it, doesn't let his own amused expression even flicker as Rean shifts away from whatever thought brought it on and comments. ]
I've noticed that about you. That's probably one of the reasons you've got so many people in love with you— that, and that cute face of yours.
[ He is morally obligated to tease Rean at all times. ]
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[Rean refuses to count those who might have fallen for him before because they all know what might happen. He specifically avoided such things to try and prevent hurting anyone more than he already had. And here... well...
He certainly wasn't trying to invite something like that. But he couldn't exactly say that there weren't feelings... at least on his side that had just sort of. Happened anyway. But it certainly wouldn't be without a clear understanding of what exactly they were getting into.]
We both know that's a terrible idea.
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He does. And that's why Crow's own feelings for Rean will remain a secret until he's back in his grave. Rean's gonna need someone who will be there and Crow's... already past his expiration date. ]
What would you do if you could get past some of those problems? Just, y'know, as a thought exercise.
[ Certainly not because he means to free Rean from his curse or anything--
He finishes tying the other wrist. ]
Test this one.
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...it's not like I haven't thought about it. I did... even before things ended up this way. But I never did come up with an answer.
[Because even if he put aside his problems-- which was hard enough to do on it's own. He couldn't really stop thinking about other people's problems either. He tugs at the bond-- but it holds tight.]
That should be good.
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Perfect.
[ Satisfied with his own work, Crow proceeds to straddle Rean while he's chained to the bed. There's nothing overtly sexual about it-- yet-- it just makes it easier as he brushes his hair aside to offer his neck up to Rean. ]
But I get it. And I won't keep asking you about could-have-beens. Let's just think about the present for now... namely, getting my starving vampire pal some dinner.
[ His neck is warm, inviting, and right within biting range. ]