III. The Knowing

[madaboutit]

Lunch came and went, full of pages and her sweet voice, though Sweeney enjoyed them at a distance. In the chair instead of on the bed, he patiently shared her time until the afternoon grew late, and he excused himself, taking the older tray with him. It seems like it will be the pattern; one tray always left behind for her to keep what is still useful.

Dinner arrives, but he doesn't. A woman in flowing robes brings the meal, but she only steps in enough to put it on the ground, not bothering to collect anything. She doesn't speak or make eye contact.

Breakfast is the same.

When midday arrives, so does Sweeney, tray in hand. This time, however, he's not wearing his vest, only his simple, pale shirt. He crosses without hesitation, setting the tray on the end of the bed before crouching to rearrange the older things into a more efficient stack to take with him.

"I didn't mean ta leave you waitin'," he starts without segue. Sweeney's eyes remain low, but the apology in his voice is a little heavier than it would normally be, if the issue was simple tardiness.

The Collaring
Upping the Sexuality Game
Shared Bath
Bathing Ritual

Comments

[whatsinfrontofyou]

"You could touch me," Vex points out softly. "I gave you permission, but you haven't."

It's true that she's uncomfortable with it, and she can't entirely hide that fact, but she is trying to push through it.

[madaboutit]

Sweeney isn't one to jump into something, just because he has permission; not when it's clear she's just making a compromise.

His brow lifts softly.

"Do ya want me ta touch you?"

[whatsinfrontofyou]

"Do I have to want it? Is it not enough that I'm trusting you enough to try?"

Maybe it's not enough. It's not that she can't hear it, or how it sounds. It's not that she wants him to ignore her boundaries.

But at the same time, she feels like she's trying to meet him half way only to have him take a step back.

"It's not that I don't want it."

[madaboutit]

Maybe that's as good as he'll get. He closes the journal and sets it on the floor.

"I told ya I'd only ask one thing of ya today, and you chose Obedience. I was just honoring my word." A slow press of his lips buys a beat.

"Are you releasing me from those terms?"

[whatsinfrontofyou]

Vex licks her lips.

"I did expect to be able to do more of that than I did. It seems fair..." She licks her lips.

"Yes. I release you from those terms."

[madaboutit]

Sweeney rises and takes the step between them. Then he takes to one knee. His eyes linger on her face for a moment before falling to hand. Turning his own palm up, he runs two knuckles lightly over the back of her hand and slowly up the outside of her forearm toward the elbow.

[whatsinfrontofyou]

She doesn't flinch away or protest; at least there's no sign that Vex is second guessing her choice. The touch raises the hair on the back of her arm. A little shiver goes up her spine, though she tries not to show it.

It's not bad. She's not surprised by that. After the way he handled obedience, and how careful he's been not to scare her off, it's only what she expected.

Still, it helps her nerves a little to confirm it.

[madaboutit]

Okay, so that went well enough. Sweeney's looking to find some boundaries to her comfort.

He takes her hand gently and turns it over as he places it on her knee. Then he draws slow circles over her palm as he watches her face.

[whatsinfrontofyou]

She watches him, her lip catching between her teeth as she allows the contact. It is... odd. She can't think of having anyone touch her like this, just to touch her, where she wasn't returning the gesture. She can feel the callouses on his hand brushing against her own—her father may be a rich man, but she's never been one to avoid working with her hands.

Her toes curl against the floor as she concentrates on not fidgeting.

[madaboutit]

It's not hard to read the tension at this proximity. His hand stills, but he leaves the touch in her palm. Muted concern creases his brow.

"'s this alright?" Sweeney asks softly.

[whatsinfrontofyou]

"It's all right," she confirms for him softly. Then, in an attempt to reassure him, she tries to elaborate. "Just unfamiliar. I feel like I should be doing something."

[madaboutit]

Sweeney pauses, a little cautious about pointing out a solution to that.

"You can touch me back, if that'd help." He's the one that's half-naked, after all. It's not a lecherous suggestion; he's just trying to give her an option of something to do.

[whatsinfrontofyou]

"Are you sure?" Lecherous suggestion or not, there is cause for hesitation. "I don't want to make you uncomfortable."

She does not glance toward his lap to indicate the cage. She's fairly sure she doesn't have to.

[madaboutit]

He takes her meaning, a little surprised that she would even think of it. Sweeney doesn't imagine she spends much thought on the state of his prick. He offers a small, lopsided smile.

"I'm sure." Sweeney nods.

"I'm not worried 'bout it. I just want ya ta feel more natural 'bout it." He's reminded of something from earlier.

"More equal. Partners."

[whatsinfrontofyou]

She starts to open her mouth to point out she'd been talking about marriage. She's not sure that there's a reason to protest that, and perhaps it's better not to draw attention to that fact?

Instead, she answers with action, slipping her free hand over his broad shoulder.

They can certainly try as partners.

[madaboutit]

Better. Sweeney's encouraged. Well, other than the cage part which will really suck. But it's worth it. He swallows and renews his touch, allowing a few circles on her palm before he moves the caress to her wrist.

[whatsinfrontofyou]

It does help things feel at least somewhat less awkward. Whether because it feels more equal, collar aside, or because it gives her an outlet, somewhere to put the twinge of nervous energy his touch stirs up, she doesn't really question. It's not really important why. What's important is that she's able to be in her body more easily.

Sweeney caresses her wrist, and Vex draws a line across his shoulder to his neck and back again, her fingers light as she feels out the path.

[madaboutit]

He has to close his eyes, but it doesn't stop his breath from trembling when her touch wanders too near his neck. Sweeney swallows for focus, then moves his hand to cradle her forearm as he slowly slides it up to her elbow; his thumb riding over the inside of it, while his fingers caress the outside.

[whatsinfrontofyou]

Vex wouldn't have expected having someone touch her elbow to give her a shiver, but his thumb passes over the delicate skin there and a little frisson walks up her arm to her spine. It strikes her as rather... vulnerable.

She doesn't mean it as revenge when her hand strays back to his neck, thumb brushing the side experimentally.

[madaboutit]

With a soft uptick of breath, his hand slows, still cradling her elbow.

"This a'right?" he whispers.

[whatsinfrontofyou]

She hums assent, stilling herself and feeling a little silly.

"It's fine. A little ticklish."

Not quite the right word, but close enough for the way it makes her prickle.

[madaboutit]

He gives a small nod of acknowledgement, then moves his hand away.

"You can tell me ta stop, an' I will."

Here and now. For today.

Sweeney shifts his touch up and uses two fingertips to trace her hairline, slowly tucking an errant wisp behind her ear.

[whatsinfrontofyou]

If she reacted when he touched her elbow, it's worse when he pushes her hair behind her ear. It's not entirely surprising; that's a trick that often makes her heart skip a beat.

Vex's fingers curl against his shoulder, nails pressing slightly.

[madaboutit]

The response shouldn't be a surprise, but he hadn't expected the nails. There's a moment where he stills, waiting to see if she's going to reject the face touching as too much. But she doesn't, and he takes it as an assurance to keep going, so he lightly cups her face and runs his thumb over her cheekbone.

[whatsinfrontofyou]

It only serves to emphasize how big his hands are, all long fingers and broad palm, making Vex feel smaller than she is.

The touch is light though. She can't bring herself to meet his eyes as he touches her like that. Her nails dig in just a little more, not trying to warn him off but needing to hold something to stay grounded.

She breathes just a little faster, ignoring the way the heat rises in her cheeks.