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]

"It sounds good in theory." Though sitting with herself isn't really Vex's strongest suit.

"But how is that different from what we've been doing?"

[madaboutit]

"We take the take the spurs outta the flanks an' do some grazin'." Sweeney tilts his head. "You finish the bath on yer own, an' I'll just sit here. If ya want me ta turn around, I will, an' then we can regroup an' see where easier steps might be."

He understands how it might sound, so he makes the effort to clarify.

"I'm not sayin' we should give up the ground we've gained today. Ya've done well, whether you can feel it or not." Sweeney wets his lips an' shrugs his head.

"Maybe we can find somethin' fer next time that ain't quite so...exposin'."

Not easy; he can't promise that; but maybe something where she doesn't have to feel completely out of her depths. At least, not the same way.

[whatsinfrontofyou]

"You don't have to turn away."

Not when she's sitting like this. For the moment, that feels like trying to put the horse back in the barn. That doesn't mean that she's comfortable with everything, but... well, it does feel silly to try to hide from him too.

She ponders for a long moment, trying to think of if there's something—anything—she can suggest that might be more comfortable.

Licking her lip, thinks back to an earlier conversation, a time when their game of questions turned sour.

"Perhaps... Before, when you wanted me to put on the collar, you said perhaps you could take me outside if I agreed to put it on and wear a leash."

She sucks her lip.

"Well... I am half way there. And maybe getting some air, having something to do, might clear my head."

[madaboutit]

Perhaps if he had looked away, she wouldn't have seen the spike of surprise at the mention of the word leash. Sweeney reins it in quickly, but it's blatant in the moment. He swallows and rubs his tongue against the roof of his mouth.

"I'm willin' ta take you, if you agree ta the leash." There's something like hope in it, but he's wary to assume and get running off on the thought before he knows the likelihood of it.

[whatsinfrontofyou]

She tries not to interrogate what that surprise means too closely, or to take it too personally.

The fact she raised the idea herself helps, though. She's not the one surprised by it, so there's no kneejerk defensiveness to push through now. She doesn't love the thought, but there's no resentment this way.

"It seems like a good compromise," she says, half talking herself into it, half to show Sweeney she's serious about considering it. "I could use the air and the exercise. It might help me relax. We can get used to each other, and I can get used to the idea of the leash."

She licks her lips and shrugs.

"I assume that I won't be naked."

If she's expected to walk naked through the court grounds on a leash, then that may be a bigger hurdle.

[madaboutit]

"No, you won't be naked." That's easy to confirm and build on.

"Yer dress would be floor-length." If that matters. Sweeney doesn't want her to assume he's skirting the letter of the law, putting her in lingerie or the like.

[whatsinfrontofyou]

Vex nods at that. So more coverage even than the shift she wears in her room.

"I can accept that. If that seems like a viable next step to you?"

[madaboutit]

"Yes."

He tries not to sound too eager about it. 'Positive' is probably something he can pass it as. Sweeney does feel like he has to set some expectations.

"We won't be able ta ride or hunt, but we got some choices 'bout where ta go." He wets his lip.

"Don't know if ya rather wildflower fields, forests, or a stream."

[whatsinfrontofyou]

Nodding, Vex accepts the limitations. It would be difficult to ride or hunt on a leash. The idea of being outside is enough to balm her frustration.

"A forest would be nice." She's always felt most at home there. "Fresh air, trees, shade..."

[madaboutit]

"Would ya want ta go tomorrow?"

[whatsinfrontofyou]

Vex nods, feeling more decisive the more she sits with the idea.

"Yes." Then, flashing an awkward smile, "I don't have any other plans."

[madaboutit]

He nods and exhales.

"Then ya should finish yer bath." Sweeney slides his arm back off the tub, though he doesn't fully turn away.

"I'm gonna need some time."

[whatsinfrontofyou]

Vex nods, satisfied and oddly exhausted by that answer. She'll need some time to rest and sit with everything that's happened today.

It seems like... well, somehow it seems like it's been one setback after another, but she thinks they've made progress in the end.

She hopes so. If this isn't progress, then she's not really sure what she can do.

"Can you hand me a towel?" She asks as she stands.

[madaboutit]

"Course."

Sweeney reaches for one, even as she's standing. He twists back to offer it up, only to be met be a low-angle, full-frontal view of her. With a quick swallow, he lowers his eyes, but not his hand.

[whatsinfrontofyou]

She realizes the angle abruptly and looks away, taking the towel and wrapping it hastily around her body. She pats off a little before tucking it close and stepping out.

"Thank you," Vex says softly. Then, after a beat, she adds, "We'll get through a full bath eventually."

[madaboutit]

"There's time," he notes as he rises, keeping his eyes busy elsewhere. Sweeney's prepared to get everything in order efficiently; he just also has to get dressed first.

He finishes drying off briskly, turned so that if she were to look to him, she'd be safe from anything but his bare ass. Tugging on his clothes, he makes sure everything is tucked and buttoned before gathering the linens he'll take with him.

[whatsinfrontofyou]

She does glance his way. Vex has seen enough that it's not a problem to glance, is it?

It's a strange situation, and she feels both prudish and shameless in weird interverals.

Clearly she's not entirely shameless, though.

"Walk first then. After breakfast?"

[madaboutit]

Sweeney doesn't mind. She's seen most of him, at this point, and unless things change, it's going to be all she'll see for a good while. He glances back with a nod.

"After breakfast."

They're likely to be out for a while, he suspects. Picking up the last few things, Sweeney faces her properly, straightening with a touch of engrained formality.

"Is there anythin' else ya need 'til then?"

[whatsinfrontofyou]

Vex shakes her head, touching her hair.

"No. I'll be fine until morning." She pauses, then adds in an attempt to be encouraging, for both of their sakes, "I'm looking forward to it."

[madaboutit]

"I'm glad," he answers softly.

"See you then."

With that, he opens the door and makes his way out. He's so fucking ready to be out of this fucking cage.