Safeword

Bandit made her way up the many steps to get to her room. She was greeted with the crackling from her fireplace. Her room was warm and smelled lovely. She had a few arrangements of lilies brought into her room. She thought it brightened it up nicely and made it smell beautiful in here. She let out a nervous sigh and smiled. She walked over to the fireplace and placed her hand upon the mantle. Her green eyes scanned over the large dragon's tooth that was mounted upon the wall above the heat source.

She had asked The Iron Bull to come to her room. Since their first encounter, she was truly left with questions. She enjoyed what he did to her, and she wanted more. But, there were questions. It was all so new to her. Normally, when she'd have sex, she'd roll in the sheets and get straight to the point. Maybe a few moments of back scratching and hair pulling... but nothing like that night. No blindfolds, no restraints, no releasing of all authority and control. She swallowed, feeling a flush rise to her cheeks at the memory.

Meanwhile, The Iron Bull tread up her steps once more. He had to admit, he was a little nervous as to what Bandit was summoning him up there for. He couldn't quite read her thoroughly. She seemed needy, a bit hesitant, and unsure. Maybe there was something serious. He was greeted with the sight of Bandit turning to him. Seeing her in her Qunari-like garb always made him feel at home, while away from home... While banished from home.

"Bull." She greeted him.

"What's going on, Boss?" He asked, a touch of concern in his voice as he continued to approach her. She stood before him.

"We need to talk about what happened between us." She said. The Bull looked to her, wondering what exactly she meant.

"What do you mean?"

"That night..." She trailed off.

"Oh, that." He gave a shrug. He visibly seemed relieved that it wasn't something serious. "Sure, what's on your mind?" He asked. Bandit nervously folded her lips, shifting where she stood. She idly messed with her belts. Honestly, the Vashoth hated that she got like this. She never was like this with her previous lovers. But, The Iron Bull was so different and changed everything that she knew.

"I'm not sure how to feel or... take in those things that we did." She slowly began.

"Oh. Was it the limping? I can show you a few stretches that will help and take care of--"

"No." Bandit interrupted him, holding her hands up. "It wasn't that. That's not what I meant."

"You don't say." He sarcastically quipped with a smug grin on his lips. "You found a part of yourself that you didn't know was there, didn't you?"

"I--" She stammered. "Uh... yes. Yes, I did. How did you-- Y'know what? Nevermind. I know." She caught herself.

"Ben-Hassrath." They said in tandem as The Iron Bull laughed.

"You're catching on quick." He teased her. She gave him a bit of a shove.

"Oh hush."

"But, really." He said, getting a bit serious. "The training I grew up with was learning how to manipulate people." He said, beginning to walk around toward her desk. Bandit turned and followed him, listening carefully for what he was about to tell her. "If it's a hostile target, you give them what they want." He finally made it to her desk, and gently pushed the vase of lilies aside and sat down on the wooden desk. He leaned forward with his elbows upon his knees. "But, when it's someone you care about-- you give them what they need."

The Herald felt her stomach knot up and her heart fluttered a bit as he said that. She was taken aback by it. "I..." She took in a breath, processing what was said and what she was going to say. "So... ah..." She fidgeted absently with her fingers. "So if I agree to this, how does... it work?" She asked him, nervous.

"Outside of this room," He began simply. "Nothing changes. You're The Inquisitor. You're the boss." He stated, gesturing with his hand before beginning to shake his head just a touch. "I will never hurt you without your permission. You'll always be safe." He assured her, his tone soothingly gentle. She gave a small nod as she listened to what he was telling her.

"If you're ever uncomfortable, if you ever want me to stop, you say, "Katoh". It'll be over. It will stop. No questions asked." He rest his hands on the table beside him. Bandit recalled him saying that during the encounter now that she heard him say it again.

"You've really thought this through, haven't you? You have a real system here." She teased him, a smile finally making its way to her lips.

"Systems are comfortable." He said, rising from where he sat. Her eyes followed him. "And my goal," He filled the space between them, his hands slid onto her hips, exposed from the slits in her pants. His fingers took advantage of it and squeezed onto her buttocks. "Is for you to get very comfortable." He leaned into her ear and breathed those last few words into her ear. Goosebumps covered her skin as she placed her hands on his chest, biting her lower lip.

"Alright." She eyed his muscles before her eyes met his. "But this time, how about we go a little slower... and a lot harder." A sly little grin tugged at her lips. The hungry look was back in her eyes.

"Can do." He grinned before taking her face gently in his hand, and leaning forward and giving her a firm kiss. He began to direct her back to the bed, and she fell back upon it with him atop of her.