Was it really wise to ignore that note? Her ponder was keeping her hands and legs bound, after the events of the early afternoon bleaching her skin she couldn't help but wonder if it really was okay to go back to continue what they had started. Roman was through and through a criminal, a disgusting and lecherous man who only wanted her for her body, but this was exactly why she felt like she needed it. Blake didn't deny that he was extremely attractive to her, it only hurt more to consider how extremely skilled her was at those kind of things as well, even if it's just a game that could end at any moment, taking advantage of his advancements might not be so bad. Only he had ever made her feel such a way, as much as it's probably because he's well versed in dealing with women, not even Adam could draw her in like that, and her built up sexual frustration felt as though it was choking her much like how she had coiled her slender fingers around his neck only mere hours before. Looping back and forth with the same old debate was growing more and more tiresome, always dragged from these thoughts that she immersed herself in enough to forget even sounds around her but even so she shook her head to forget them for herself as Sun drawn in her attention once more.

"Blake it's your turn, you gotta pick up two."

"Oh right, well I'm sorry to say but you'll be picking up four."

Blake tossed a two of hearts onto the pile and he groaned in response as he picked up the cards from the other pile, mumbling to himself.

"Damnit I should have saved that one."

"She cheekily pulled tongues at him before laughing it off.

"Too bad Sun; take your turn then."

As he begins to place three cards in series down she's dragged back into her subconscious unknowingly and immeasurably abruptly, waves of emotions lapping at the shores of her mind, only to be greeted with the scene of an ashen beach, metaphorically sitting by the edge of the water. Prickling sand and the repugnant odour of sea salt tides that froth up at the tips of her feet, she couldn't understand why her mind had brought her to such a place, she hated the beach, particularly the ocean, and she was adamant it wasn't a cat thing as well.

In her hand was the note again from earlier, knowing she had discarded it previously she could tell she was in a dazed state, the ink was running between the fine paper of the napkin as well as the flurry of sand sticking to its surface and so she squished it in her palms before the note it self slowly began to crumble, becoming part of the scenery. Paper decaying to sand becoming lost amongst the crystalline world of littoral skies. But why? Blake's thoughts could only take her so far in this submerged state as before she departed she heard his voice from all directions, wanting to know more she frantically looked around.

No people; only herself.

Time flowing so slowly like trying to swim through a thick jelly before the ground itself was collapsing beneath her. In this parabolic seashore she was being dragged beneath the surface of this land, only to realise the skyline of glass, she was being tipped and leaking through the floor into the secondary boundary. Trapped in an hourglass watching her time flow pull her down till it shattered and she was able to escape herself, the waves riled up like hands trying to take ahold of her. His voice again, echoing in the mists of this dimly lit waterfront, again and again and again. So very empty in this place, oh so numbing as it plucked at the fine hairs on her body while slowly sinking more and more and more. She looked to her hand that was dusted so very lightly with the very shore around her, incinerated her fingers in an attempt to move them before they themselves began to flow with time. Turning to dust and becoming part of the scenery. Again his voice; Roman Torchwick. Closer and closer and closer. Sinking further and further and further. Losing herself more and more and more.

And lastly; as always, the all too familiar scent of smoke...

"Fucking hell Blake are you okay?"

His increasing worrying tone was matched by the way he was shaking her shoulders, the tremor in his hand from concern.

"W-what happened? I think I was... Huh..."

"All of a sudden you just flopped, I can't tell if you passed out or fell asleep."

"I'd like to say it was a little bit of both."

She was clearly dazed as well as her body locked up from falling back weirdly so she eased her body free of its muscle tension before speaking again.

"But on a serious note I'd like to say I'm a little sleep deprived; with all that's going on I've been forgetting to lie down and recollect in my dreams, well really I don't want to dream, I want to stay awake, because I can't live a second longer idly watching the world run dry."

"This is a Torchwick thing isn't it?"

Reluctantly she nodded and looked over to him before picking up her scattered cards, Sun furrowed his eyebrows before taking ahold of her wrist, in reflect she dropped the cards and spun around to face him, distress was collecting in his same old smile, only now it was strained by metaphysical seams keeping him together.

"Blake even with me here this is getting out of hand, way too out of hand, I can't...no I should say we can't help if you don't stop to think instead of driving yourself into the ground, this is just like before when you could barely keep your eyes open and you were struggling with basic functions, just stop being distant, you're not the only one who's hurting, seeing you like this twists up my chest and makes my head spin like a hurricane because I care about you so much and now I'm just pouring out senseless words in the hope that one of them might resonate with you."

"Sun I-"

"None of it matters if you can't stand at the end to watch the fruits of your efforts; be a little selfish and value your own life for once, you say you're always running but right now looping back in circles will get us nowhere, get him out of your head, criminals like that are all about leeching and infecting their targets, and just remember you aren't just living your life alone, I know I sound like I'm completely contradicting myself here but I'm not good with all this crazy vocabulary and smart talk, I'm just saying anything to get your attention enough to get those horrid thoughts away for a split second."

She was struck with surprise, and she could only reply with an idiocy she knew she would later regret, she needed to fall, she needed to drown, even if she didn't want to hurt his feelings again, she couldn't control her thoughts anymore that spiralled her eyes into dizzy obscurity and shattered her trust further, so she chose to make him be the one to bind her.

This was her further retaliation from Roman's clutches.

"I don't know how to not think about it anymore; it's not so simple I just... I need something to drag me down to reality before I start drifting, ground me Sun, tie me down."

With her arms she scattered all of the cards aside, they fluttered in the air before dispersing around the room as she straddled his lap, wrapping her arms around his neck as he in turn took her by the dip in her waist, binding any thoughts she had left of him in an attempt to repress her selfish nature, squeezing her hips as he traced her lips. Aromatic fruits of efforts tossed along with the rhythm of cascading waves of a different sort, palms against palms, skin against skin in the feverish note drops and hip rocks. Ravenous beasts feeding from one another in a demanding and desperate exchange of tongues pressed to each other's cheeks. Winding his hand in the locks of her hair like a pseudo-noose between the utterances of short breath and whispers of ill promise. Sun turned to her with his mouth against her ear, his breath caressing the inner workings of her ear with sweet nothings and a desire to help her forget.

"Those beautiful hands of yours will look great clutching against my bedsheets"

Dwindling flickers and sparks amongst the orchid hazes of passing sky reflected in the glistening precipitation running down the windows of the heated room between the two. Instinctively; her ears twitched in the humidity purring softly at his touch, becoming more absorbed than she had before. Last time it was on a whim, but now she truly did want to forget Roman's alluring nature, she was drowning so much that her once burning skin felt similar to the morn at his hands but with this fake dance partner of hers. Coursing flow of rivers between her veins and arteries, pulse like a rollercoaster and a heart like an earthquake. Silence splitting and gathering with every collision of breath; every pirouette of grasp, their clothes drowning almost the sea of playing cards abandoned for their selfish games.

Like a rowing boat. Back and forth. Harmony.

Between dips of energy and curls of rocking; she felt as though she was amongst the shore again, mixing with the crashing waves, melting into the seafoam with each exhale, taking in the passion like oxygen. Diffusing into her lungs, echoing through her like an empty room of bouncing cracks and inhalation. Trails of blood from her attempt to stay secure in her little rowing boat, digging her anchors into his back as he grounded her to the rocky offshores. Only to shake her maliciously; the steep roars of the unforgiving waters tearing her limbs into succumbing to numbness.

Choke.

A crescendo of clattering as the mistress of the ocean vigorously exploded. Thereafter leading into subtle fades of the reckless sea, calm leaping waves between the pillow talk as the sea halted its advances, pulling out into the harbour not far from the previous beach. Sinking into the reality of the bodies between sheets.

Inhale; exhale and sleep.

Fleeting moments of ruins and passing wars without victory. Fading memories of a broken heart. Blake lay tucked between Sun's arms; her body felt heavy and slightly stiff. Sun was in a sleeping state, after what happened they were both pretty exhausted, she was even more confused than before now, was she starts to feel something for Sun? Or was she trying to drown so much she didn't realise she was beyond the water?

"I'm such a horrible person."

She kept her voice quiet and tried not to disturb his slumber as she edged her way out of his arms to scoop up her belongings to get dressed, eyes wandering across the room lazily as she journeyed her way through the mess they left behind, from the flicks of scars engraved into his shoulders to the mound of cards left on the floor like a broken jigsaw. She didn't feel like going back to her room anytime soon; and since the rest of SSSN were out socialising with NDGO after their successful match today against them it seemed as though they would be staying over in that area of the dorms. Due to all of this she decided to clean up the mess they had made, it was her fault after all, and facing her team right now would be a little hard especially from the marks trailing her neck. She began mumbling to herself about the events before, tracing the bruises on her skin gently, pushing down on them to test their pain.

"Geez if was like he was trying to eat me."

As she went to lie back down beside him however she heard a delicate tapping against the window, a rhythmic beat to get her attention, she tries to push it off as nothing, lying in the broken silence before really listening. Only then did she notice it was morse code, struggling to analyse the knocking she shifted to look at the window. Nothing. As she turned back however it started again. Gentle tapping; she recognised it from somewhere, but couldn't quite pinpoint it, she thought she was going crazy till she realised what it said finally.

"Your bow is still crooked."

From that she practically launched out of bed and swung open the window to see Roman sitting on the ledge smirking at her, how did he know she would be in this room, as much as that in itself amazed her she couldn't fully appreciate it as she was too annoyed at his presence. A criminal being searched for by Atlas soldiers is sitting pretty on a window ledge in Beacon academy where the General and his army are being kept, she was amazing by his idiocy. Only his smirk could be seen as well as his eyes like dazzling constellations of emerald fire reflecting the stars, in his hand a nightshade rose which he handed to her as he spoke in a soft tone.

"My darling out of all of your dazzling curves your smile is most certainly my favourite."

She blushed at the thought as she took the rose and nodded her head in thanks before her blood boiled at his actions, practically shouting at him as she struck him over the head with her fist.

"Are you fucking insane?"

He cheekily put his finger to her lips in an attempt to shush her with a wink.

"You bailed on our date for some monkey prick; and after all the effort I went to just so I could ask you to meet me, you should be more considering kitty cat, speaking of which aren't you supposed to let sleeping dogs lie?"

Roman pointed over to Sun who was startled by her voice and was in a half asleep state, he spoke in a gruff tone, looking over at Blake who had already shut the window on Roman and hid him behind her back.

"H-huh? You're already dressed Blake?"

"I'll come back to bed in a little bit, just getting some fresh air by the window, go back to sleep, you look exhausted."

Her voice was a fake sweetness, but as he was too tired to comprehend it he simply nodded and turned back over, falling back into his dreams almost instantly. Blake let out a sigh before opening the window again, climbing up onto the ledge to sit by Roman before shutting the window slightly behind her.

"Alright so what's your deal Roman? Who gave you the smart idea to turn up at my window?"

"To be exact this isn't your room is it?"

"The fact that you know that is kinda creepy."

"It was a guess; unlike you kids I don't have time to play about, I'm a working man."

"A working criminal, and playing around? But you had enough time to look for me in Beacon because I didn't turn up to the café, I didn't even promise to meet you, don't expect me to show up while I'm under house arrest."

His tone grew evermore sarcastic as she swished her legs back and forth from the ledge, peering into the darkness before looking back at him. But with these words he almost sneered.

"Your so called house arrest is just cheap hookups with your boyfriend?"

"Both their heads turned to look at Sun before she turned back to Roman, lightly punching him in the arm with a playful tone.

"Jealous much?"

"Oh please that kid has no idea how to treat a woman why would I be jealous of him?"

Roman pulled a cigar from his pocket and lit it, pushing it to his lips with an exhale, flawless smoke dyeing the air with wisps of ashen dust. He kept his head turned away from her as she was playing with the rose he had given her, gently stroking along the petals, an ever growing smirk on her lips hand in hand with her soft laugh.

"You come all the way to find me here just to complain about who I'm sleeping with? Did you expect to get something out of me Roman?"

"Just continuing the game of cat and mouse; may I ask as to why they're caging you?"

"Your fault."

"My fault?"

"My team was asking questions, I told them you were harassing me for answers on the White Fang."

"You need to get better at lying my darling."

As the smoke poured from his lips like oozing belladonna caramel she took her hand and brought it to his mouth, pressing her thumb along the delineation, looking him directly in the eye as his gaze was shifted to the side. Looking her in the eye for too long was far too risky. So he simply sighed and glanced at her before shifting his gaze away.

"What are you doing Blake?"

"Curiosity."

"Curiosity?"

"Mhmm"

"Curiously killed the cat you know."

He grinned at her as he tapped the ash from his cigar as he brushed her off to take another draw before putting it out on the window ledge beside him. She smiled at him again, still a shrouded devious spark in her eyes and a teasing tone.

"Are you threatening me Roman?"

"Maybe I am kitty cat, what are you gonna do about that?"

Roman leaned in towards her, and she in turn did the same subconsciously, his hand lightly brushing against her thigh before he led his way down to grasp it firmly, attempting to lead her into a kiss before she spoke again.

"I'll decide your punishment later."

"Getting feisty now? Hah cute."

Before their lips could touch she heard Sun grumbling from inside the room and she snapped back to normal and put her hands on his chest in an attempt to his advancements.

"Listen you gotta go, you get caught here and god knows what'll happen to either of us, especially with my boyfriend here."

Roman sighed heavily before speaking.

"And just as we were getting to the good part, and I know he's not actually your lover."

"That doesn't matter Roman just leave now, I will use force if I have to."

"Alright I'll go; on one condition."

"And that would be?"

"Kiss me."

"Right now?"

"Well when else will I be able to catch your attention? Cat and mouse isn't always a linear game."

"Alright fine, but you promise to leave straight away."

"I might be a criminal, but I keep to my word."

He grabbed her by the back of the head with his hand and dragged her lips to his, she at first tried to pull back before melting into the desire of it all, electric sparks channeling through her nerves in a euphoric primal addiction. Her need for more couldn't be fully satisfied with mouths alone. Roman hands advanced further upon her as she lost to the flow of it all, her body aching for more as she in turn yanked in his collar abruptly to bring their bodies closer together despite their precarious placement on the ledge. Flowing like sand into one another, an hourglass tipping back and forth between the crossing boundaries, motions of hands like almost like the grotesque tentacles of an octopus still dragging her off to shore. Again; the rickety waves of the sea, sirens or enchantment teasing for more with their abyssal sweetness. Peach lips like forbidden fruits; kisses becoming rooted to each other. And from it poured the remains of smoke that snaked it's way back and forth between the tongues of one another, bewitching enchantment almost like a trance state between the thoughts of liquid rooms and talk of going further between breathless exchanges and sugary desires between them. For them both it felt far too right to be wrong anymore, waltzing between the shore, cascading between scenarios with each utterance. Gripping each other from their north; their east, their west, and all of which that pointed south. Clocks stopping; time falling till eventually breathless whispers formed his simple words.

"Let me taste the lips between your hips, or is that asking too much?"

And from that she pushed his shoulders back as he tried to advance further. He let out an irritated click as he gently moved the stray strands of hair behind her ear.

"You completely killed it there; what is with you bad pickup lines?"

"Works on everybody else, besides it's not like you're busy right now."

"Roman, we're sitting on a ledge."

"You think that will stop me?"

"You promised to leave after one kiss, as much as it went slightly further than that, you have to go."

He grinned before grabbing her shoulder and attempting to draw her back in with his flirtatious words

"I lied."

With his other hand he traced along her hip before gripping onto it and forcing her mouth open with his, at first she complied, but eventually she was able to bring up her hands and abruptly shove him away. From this his eyes widened immensely; his arms motioning around to try and grab hold of something, but his efforts were wasted as his body shifted and he fell completely back from the ledge, luckily a conveniently placed tree broke his fall but the crash of leaves and spindling branches left his body contorted between the scenic drop of the blossoms.

"Err... Sorry? I didn't think you'd actually fall, are you alright?"

"Should the person who pushed me really be saying that, of course I'm not alright."

He tried to shift his body and perch himself properly between the twines, eventually rearranging himself in a more comfortable sitting position, looking up had Blake who simply watched him, as he dusted off his hat and placed it over his hair they exchanged a glance, the silence splitting open with their exchange of laughter at the previous events, between chortles Roman tried to speak again.

"You know your laugh is pretty cute, you really should smile more."

She attempted to hide her embarrassment and blushes behind sarcastic comments.

"I would if I didn't have to deal with a loser criminal like you."

"For one I'm a fantastic criminal; and two I'm not even the composer of this masterpiece."

"Will you ever tell me who?"

"You should already know my answer Blake; well I suppose I should be on my way little kitty cat, we should do this again sometime, only in a little less accident prone place."

As he turn to jump to the ground he winks at her, she smiles gently at him before he takes his leave and she crawls her way back through the window, sitting between the boundary for a while looking through the night, even with her nearly perfect vision in the dark, the mass black hole of sky around the trees strun across the landscape hid his presence pretty well.

Moments fleeting between the hidden azure of the obsidian skyline drew her gaze towards the flower still in her hand, it was almost plastic with perfection, she was confused as to why the rose was black in the first place. Over this entire continent there wasn't many places where they grow naturally apart from extremely high infested Grimm nests in forever fall forest, they're worth quite a bit if intact. Yet she sat there with a immeasurably transfixing specimen between her fingertips, did he really go this far just to give her a flower? She blushed at the thought; tracing along the thorns on the stem, one of them digging into her finger with a pin prick, she slightly winced, entranced by the oozing of the minuscule dahlia river running its way down to her palm with little haste. She whispered to herself before returning back to beside Sun, bundling into his anticlimactic warmth, placing the rose on the window ledge as she went.

"Such a strange man indeed."