Work Text:
His hand was under her, chest to chest, and her face over his shoulder he carried her to his home. She kept her hands over his shoulder, despite her gloves, caution was engraved into her. Valerie tried to quiet her sobs as Vere carried her, embarrassed to be such a mess in front of someone so cutthroat. She was usually never this undone, even in situations that were more life-threatening or unideal. Like when she had woken up in Kuras’s office after almost dying by a soulless her first day. Not to mention a man had touched her hands and then tried to choke her to death. She still gets depressed when she remembers he had been trying to help save her from the soulless no less. The point was she was a composed person she would say. Yet she had never felt so taken apart and bared to the world. She felt like her life and future were on a balance beam with the Senobium on the other end, in full control of the chaos.
Maybe it was the drugs. It had to be, Valerie thought hopelessly as she stifled a sob with a breath that made her chest stutter. It felt like she couldn’t calm down. No matter how much she redirected her thoughts or took deep breaths she remained increasingly anxious while somehow sleepy at the same time. Vere didn't say anything about it, thankfully. He hadn’t talked after his comment about the Senobium’s pay, but she dreaded what he would make out of this moment in the morning. Oddly, his arms felt like the safest place in the city. Between the Senobium, everyone keeping secrets, and just in general the overall sketchiness that seemed to follow everyone, she had been so rigid lately. So on edge that she didn't realize how much her mind had gone into survival mode. She knew letting someone carry her, not able to care if they used it against her or took advantage of the vulnerability she was letting show was plain stupid. Just where had she lost her nerve?
The answer to that was rather simple, a room in the Senobium. She tried not to think about it.
Especially Vere of all people though, what if he just killed her in her sleep? Or would that just qualify as a favor considering how fast her life went downhill? She cried harder, inwardly laughing thinking about how he’d somehow charge her for the favor beyond death. The chains on his chest pressed into hers, and her lip wobbled. How had he reacted when this happened? Was anyone there to pick him up? Does it ever get better? Worse?
She was startled when his other hand came up to push her face down into his shoulder. She resisted at first, alarmed. But he was stronger than her, firmly putting her face down. It muffled her sobs a bit, his hand then softly pet her head. She didn’t realize how much she needed that, as her sobs no longer hurt her chest with their force. Small sniffles and spasms of the chest were the remains of her sobbing. She became more limp in his hold as the sleepiness began to grab her strongly. She was shaken out of her thoughts when he stopped, opening a door with the hand that had been patting her head. She unconsciously clung to him a bit, not that she would admit it. He was one of the strongest entities in the city, being held, more like cradled in his arms helped her feel safe. The door soon shut behind them, the apartment was completely silent. He walked more, but she wasn’t paying attention. She had to stop herself from clinging on as he leaned down, gently loosening his grip on her.
Eventually, her body met the bed. She was so out of it that she barely registered him undoing her shoes. But she became aware the moment his hand looped around her leash. ‘This is it’ Valerie thought. ‘The rewards of my choices’
Yet, all he did was press his leash to hers with a guarded look. “It’s…It’s you and me.” He said quietly. She pondered how this of all expressions was his most open. She didn’t know what to say, but when she tried to open her mouth…it felt too heavy. More alarmingly, it sort of felt like her mouth was full of cotton. But it wasn’t, she knew that…so why-
He squeezed them before he dropped them, pulling the blankets over her. She wondered if Ais ever saw him like this, but she quickly doubted it. This was special between them, between their shared chains. Her eyelids were so heavy now too, and she knew she wouldn’t be up for much longer. That’s when she remembered that Vere had mentioned drugs, were they the reason her mouth was full of cotton? Her thoughts were a mess of anxiety about the Senobium and how she would make it through tomorrow with everyone finding out. But she didn’t have time to worry any longer as it finally dragged her under.
Valerie didn’t see how Vere hadn’t left. He was leaning on the door frame of his guest room, watching the drug knock her out again. He considered how jittery and lethargic she was and couldn’t help but think they must have administered it twice for it to still be so strongly in her system. Likely right before they chained her, to keep her pliant. He would have been worried except he knew they wouldn’t administer enough to harm her, especially not now when she’s theirs. His eyes trailed over her for a long time, allowing himself to take her in without her knowledge.
Those gloves…just what was under them? There was more to her than them though, he could tell. Just by her smell, she’s not necessarily a human but not a full monster either. Her eyes tell that life hasn’t been easy so far, yet she came to Eridia anyway. Clearly to try to “fix” herself, but he liked her the way she was. Then again, he didn’t know her fully yet. He’d reserved judgment, he had decided that the day he had cornered her in the alley. With one last long look, he turned around, closing the door.
----------
Valerie woke slowly, opening her eyes to an unfamiliar ceiling briefly before closing them again. She was awake now, truly awake. But her body still felt sluggish, it took her a moment to remember why. The moment she did, she jumped up, swinging her legs over the bed.
It had to have been a bad dream. A nightmare. But it had been too real, felt too real. She knew that deep down. Still, the sky fell all over again as her hands came to clutch at the collar at her throat. Her eyes trailed herself as she opened her eyes, all of the chains from her throat down to her wrists. Her hands touched the opposite arm, hesitantly touching the leather that kept her bound, grief setting in.
As her mind retold the story of what happened last night to herself, it eventually came to Vere. She was still in his house, and she couldn’t hide in this bedroom forever. She took a moment more to steady her thoughts before she got up. She winced as the chains sounded. There had to be a way for them to not do that, Vere’s didn’t after all. But Vere only had a collar and leash with some chest straps. Focusing, she went to reach for the door handle but was stopped by the sight of her hand. Her gloves were under the chains. How was she going to get them off? She tried tugging them out from under but they didn’t budge. The feeling of claustrophobia caught her off guard, she had never been unable to take something off. She tried to relax, but there was panic that swirled and demanded attention. She just had to get to Vere.
Her trapped hand turned the knob, opening the door to come to a hallway. The right was a dead-end. Looking to the left was natural light, a window must be nearby. Might as well jot that down. Vere played nice last night, that’s not even giving him full credit if she’s honest with herself. But that doesn’t erase his overall reputation nor the few interactions they’ve had.
She turned the corner after going left, greeted by a living room. The window she had thought of was on her left, covered by thin curtains that didn’t fully block the sunlight. If she leaned a bit down the hall in front of her she could see a kitchen to the left and the large living room taking up the rest of the right. Vere clearly had money but lived alone. He didn’t need a huge dwelling, so a luxury apartment fit him well. She was getting her speech together of what she would say to him if she went further but was interrupted when he called out. “Are you going to hide there forever?”
Valerie exhaled shakily. Now or never. She walked out, seeing him lounging on a part of the beautiful couch in his living room. He grinned at her, food on his lap. He held up a bag next to him, shaking it at her. “Won’t you come join me? I got you some.” For a moment, all her mind could focus on was how she now owed another debt. He said she didn’t have to worry about it last night, but that was last night. Now she owed another thing on top of that. She didn’t realize how long she stood there spinning until he was right there.
His hands were on her shoulders before one moved to her back, giving her a little push and walking her to the couch. He gave her a serious look, “You should eat, after what they gave you. So sit and worry later for just this once.” He asserted, pushing her onto the couch. He began grabbing what food he bought for her, and Valerie knew it would be the nicest thing she had eaten in a long time. Money like that… was it worth it? Not her life no, but at least there were benefits.
They ate in silence for a bit before Vere spoke. “You’ll be ok. You will get me some cheap fake flowers, and you will make the bed you slept in. After that, you don’t owe me. Take a breath.” Valerie’s voice was too close to tears for her liking as she whispered. “How…how do you make them stop making noise? When-when you move?” She hated how vulnerable her voice was. How much it revealed where her mind was. Vere turned his head to her, his face serious. “It’s similar to having your hair in a ponytail.” Vere began. Valerie raised an eyebrow, and couldn’t help the little laugh that escaped her. Vere playfully glared at her, his left hand pulling his long hair out of his face. “You can purposely make it swing, or move normally and it won’t very much. But in some cases, it is unavoidable, like running. The sound the chains make is much the same, you will learn to adjust your movements to be quieter with time.” Vere assured.
Valerie felt more level-headed as time went on. The cloud of panic had faded, leaving her anxious but aware. With her logical brain working, she thought of how she may be able to use her magic to stop the sound, without others seeing it. Or if she could possibly enchant her chains. Her body was on autopilot as she began to pick up her scraps and help Vere clean up. The silence was comfortable. Eventually, she retraced her steps to make the bed she slept in. “I’m leaving for some errands, you should too. Come back with spare clothes, I’ll teach you how to change.”
----------
It had been the most anxious outing of her stay in Eridia yet. She did her best to avoid people, especially those she knew. Some people still saw her, and the reactions had her wincing and wanting to crawl into a dark corner. As she made her way back to his apartment, she truly took in how expensive it seemed. Beautiful and unorthodox just like the rest of the city, but much higher class. She did her best to go by memory, her feet leading her back to his door.
Valerie knocked on his door, her hand coming down afterward to anxiously tug on her glove. Unconsciously trying to free her claustrophobic hand, she straightened as she heard him approaching. Her hand full with a bag containing her clothes and some other things. The door opened and Vere stepped aside to let her in. “Your back quick.” He idly commented. She walked in, putting her stuff down on his table. Not wanting to think about how panicked she had been trying to hide her new appearance at every corner. Fortunately, he once again didn’t comment on her silence or try to use the situation to get under her skin. She could get used to this side of Vere.
Digging through her bag, she presented him purple fake flowers, the pot a painted wooden sculpture. She extended it out on her flat hands as if presenting a trophy, trying to lighten the mood. Vere smirked, nimbly swiping it from her fingers and playfully inspecting it. Deeming it enough, he put it down on a bookshelf as decor. Valerie exhaled nervously before just sucking it up and turning to him, now much more serious. “Vere…”
He looked at her, sensing the change in mood. “Please, tell me how I can undo them. I-I need to get these off of me.” Valerie was clearly referring to the crisp clothes given to her by the Senobium. To anyone, they smelled like hosptial, but to her, they also smelt of slightly burnt ash. Only an enchanter would recognize the leftover smell of fresh enchantments. Usually to Valerie, such a smell came with a feeling of accomplishment. Enchantments of certain levels are difficult and complex, and doing one of these levels correctly can be very rewarding. But since she had first smelled it last night, the only feeling that accompanied it was dread and anxiety. It made her want to try ripping them off of her, despite knowing how useless that was.
“I understand. Grab your bag and follow me.” He responded, evidently not one for emotive moments. Valerie sighed with brief relief and did so. He led her back to her guest room, presumably so she could change once he had shown her. “They expand once the clasp is undone, and the leather won’t be fit to your body anymore, but hanging like jewelry of some sort. It doesn’t last long, if left long enough it will reclasp itself. But it’s long enough to change or to get under them while showering.” Vere coached as he pointed out the specific small clasps.
Valerie had to hide the small blush that dusted her cheeks as he leaned in, his taller frame dwarfing hers as he showed her. Not the time.
“Thank you,” Valerie uttered. Vere turned to go but turned once more to lean on the doorframe. “I’ve been invited down to the Wet Wick tonight. Ais, Leander, Kuras, Mhin, they’re all going to be there. You’ve been invited too, Leander just couldn’t find you. Told me to let you know if I see you.” Vere mentioned, leveling her a look. “I recommend you go. Can’t hide forever.”
Before Valerie could answer him, he turned to leave and closed the door behind him. She knew he was right, she should go. Besides, he himself will be there, she won’t be alone in this. She can do it, but first, she has to get these off of her. She has so many leather strips compared to Vere, at each joint of her arms as well as her neck and torso. She started at her hands, eager to free them. Once the strips loosened, she slipped her gloves out from under. She stared at them lost in thought for a bit before she shook herself out of it, continuing to undress. She looked at her new clothes before deciding she must shower, the smell of hospital and burnt ash clung to her.
Going into the guest room's bathroom, she helped herself. She would pay him back again if necessary, or he just wouldn’t bring it up. Unbriading her hair and stepping into the water felt unreal. She was startled when the clasps redid themselves, but after a moment she just undid them again. For once in the last 24 hours, life was almost normal. Other than the fact that she was now drying metal chains that she could not take off her. After her shower, she got dressed and dried her hair.
She dressed up a bit, trying to match her new reputation. Her leash felt awkward in front of her, just hanging there, but she did her best to own it. She smiled a bit to herself in the mirror as she put on jewelry, wondering if the Senobium would get fussy if she hung beads or elegant charms on her leash. Questions for another day. She chose her new gloves over her old bandages, even if looking at them made her spiral. They were better as they certainly wouldn’t come off, considering they were under her chains, but they were also fitted to her. Comfortable, and convenient, ironically the opposite of the situation she had received them from. Once completely done, she made her way out to Vere. It was time to go by now, Vere wasn’t talking much, neither was she. They did their best to skirt around all the awkward emotions that swirled between them. But right before they headed out the door, Vere gave her a look of reassurance. Offering him a meek smile, Valerie knew she would be ok as long as he was there to guide her.