Stockholm Syndrome
Chapter 37
Vaas was sitting at the table in his room, silently cleaning his gun whilst Emilie was sleeping. He put the gun on the table and looked at her. She was resting on her left side, thus facing him. She was snoring softly. One of her legs was hanging from the edge of the bed, her hair was messy and partially covered her face. He let out a throaty laugh, his lips bending into a smirk.
It had been a week since he confessed his love to her. At that time, it felt like a burden was lifted off his shoulders. He loved her, she was his and he wanted to shout it from the rooftops.
It had also been a week since she started her 'lessons' with Juan, she learned fast, according to him. Vaas would sometimes be with her too, and teach her a few things. When he was around her, she would always smile to him, kiss him and hug him… She would get up in the morning- well, he would wake her up and force her to get up. She then would spend the whole morning with Juan, at the weapon warehouse.
After that, she would head to the kitchen, greet Aaron, the cook. And she would start cooking lunch for both her and Vaas. He had to admit she was really good at cooking. He enjoyed his lunches with her, when they would be alone in the kitchen. However, they would have dinner in the area, next to the warehouse, with the other pirates. They would often have a drink and play poker after eating.
Every day, Vaas would give her some money to reward her for her work. And then would come the best part of the day for him, time to go to bed. He liked that moment since they would have sex almost every day, some nights they would even do it several times. And they also did it in the morning. He noticed she was rougher in bed, biting and scratching. She would also initiate a change of position more often. Of course, he liked it very much.
A light sigh broke his train of thoughts. He turned his head to look at Emilie. She was wriggling slightly. He looked at the watch that rested on the table. It was almost eight, time to get up. He stood up and silently walked toward the bed, his boots slightly thumping on the wooden floor. He paused a second to look at her. She was beautiful when asleep. She looked calm and peaceful. He held out a hand to brush a strand of blond hair off her face.
-Time to get up, Sunshine. He whispered softly, still staring at her.
She wriggled some more and groaned in annoyance. She tried to open her eyes, but the sun light that pierced through the window was blinding. Her eyelids were like stuck together, her whole body was sore, she just wanted to back to sleep. But Vaas didn't share this opinion. He crouched and started stroking her hair gently. She sighed and smiled.
-I was having a dream. She said, her voice still husky from the sleep. About you. She added.
-It was a good dream, then. He replied. She laughed.
-Really good… She said with a suggestive smile. Vaas, I want you. She added, holding her arms out towards him like she wanted to hug him, and she finally opened her eyes.
Vaas laughed and kissed her lightly on the lips. He would never have thought he would refuse that proposition, one day. He stood up, though, and ignored her demand.
-We don't have time for that right now, Querida. He said, retrieving his gun from the table and tucking it in his holster.
She reluctantly got up and stretched out with a yawn. She then headed towards the closet to put on clothes. She took out a pair of panties and the matching bra and put them on before retrieving her pants that laid on the floor and donning the garment quickly. She then searched for a clean tank top, unfortunately she hadn't a single one left.
-We need to do some laundry or something, I don't have any shirt I can wear… She said. 'Laundry'? When did life here become that ordinary?
-Yeah, we will see about that, just take one of mine. Vaas said, lighting a cigarette and slumping down on the couch.
She took one of Vaas' red tank tops -yeah, he has a lot of these- and put it on. Of course, it was far too large for her slim body. She decided to make a knot at the bottom. She lifted the garment slightly and knotted the material on the side to make it tighter at the waist. Vaas looked at her. The tank now hugged her thin waist perfectly, revealing her bare stomach. She then walked into the bathroom to brush her hair.
-Can you help me braid my hair? She said, returning in the room while tying her hair into a high ponytail.
-Sure. He responded as she sat on the couch next to him, turning her back to him.
She liked that part of the morning, when he would help her do her hair. He loved her hair, and he loved touching and playing with it. It was one of these moment of complicity she loved. He finished the braid quickly and tied it. He then leaned forward to kiss her shoulder lightly.
-Done. He whispered.
-Thanks. She said as she tried to get up.
However, she was restrained when Vaas wrapped an arm around her waist. He kept on kissing her, making his way up to her ear. He then nibbled at her ear lobe. That made her smile.
-I thought we didn't 'have time for that right now'… She teased.
He was about to cup one of her breast with his large hand but he immediately stopped.
-You're right. He simply said, standing up, leaving her.
She let out an annoyed snort and crossed her arms. He then proceeded to get out of the shack to start his day.
-See you later, Hermosa! He called closing the door behind him.
She unfolded her arms with a sigh. Oh, she couldn't be mad at him when he called her 'Hermosa'…
Recalling she had to join Juan at the warehouse soon, she got up and put on her holster. Yeah, her holster. Well, for now, she only carried a knife, just in case. She also retrieved some money from the plastic bag she kept hidden in the closet. This was her money. She still loved the idea of having that money, it made her feel independent, just like when she got her first credit card… Except now, it was cash.
She tucked the money in a pocket of her pants and then got out of the shack, under the jungle humid heat. She trotted joyfully towards the warehouse, greeting and smiling to the pirates that greeted her. She couldn't help but smiling as she felt the slightly refreshing breeze on her skin. The sun shone bright, the sky was blue…Oh, what a lovely, sunny day!
Emilie met Juan at the warehouse, greeted him and quickly got to work with him. Today, he would teach her how to clean a machine gun- a PKM, to be precise. And you can't even imagine how heavy this thing is. Emilie struggled for half an hour with it.
Juan said she almost knew everything about weapons now. It was good, because it meant that she would be able to train with Vaas soon. She didn't know why, but it kind of excited her. She couldn't wait to fire one of these babies.
Juan had taught her everything. How to clean and reload the weapons. He had taught her what each of them were used for. He had showed her everything. When he would explain her something, she would look at him with curiosity and passion. Every day, she would learn a new thing that both impressed and fascinated her. Juan was rather glad she was so interested in what he told her, she was less annoying than he thought she would be…
As she was putting back some revolvers in their holsters, Emilie heard a vehicle approaching. She then turned toward the entrance of the warehouse. A truck parked in front of the open metal doors. A man got out and Juan approached him. They greeted each other and the man proceeded to open the truck doors.
-It arrived early in the morning. The man explained, showing the wooden crates stored in the back of the truck. The guys checked it, everything is there. He said.
-Perfect, thanks man. Juan said hopping inside the truck to look at the crates.
-Want some help to get them out? The man asked. Juan simply shook his head and the man left.
Juan hopped down the truck and went towards Emilie who had been watching the scene since the man arrived. She looked at the wooden crates. They were rather small but very long.
-What is in these crates? Emilie asked, curious.
-These are the RPGs we ordered. Juan said, lifting one of the crates and carrying it to put it on a table.
-'RPGs'? You mean, rocket launchers?
Juan nodded his head, getting a crow bar to open the crated with a light grown. The top popped off and revealed two large weapons, held in place by two wooden rods. Juan took the rods off to get one of the launchers out of the crate.
-Here is the baby… He said with a laugh. He put the weapon on his right shoulder and looked through the sights. Perfect. He said before putting it down on the table.
-Wow, that's… impressive. Emilie said, looking at the weapon.
Juan left Emilie for a second and headed to the ammo crates that were piled against one of the warehouse walls. He took a rocket and walked up to her again picking the weapon and showing her.
-See, the rocket goes in there. He said, sticking the ammo in the barrel. You lock it in place like that. He explained, turning the rocket slightly, making the thing click. Emilie looked at what he was doing with attentive and curious eyes. Now you just have to lift the sights, aim and pull the trigger. He said, pretending to do it. He then put the weapon down again. This thing can blow up a tank. He added. It's one of Vaas' favorite weapons.
-No wonder why… Emilie replied with a slight snort. Juan laughed as well.
-Here, help me unloading the crates. Juan ordered her as he hopped in the truck to hand the crates to Emilie one by one.
It took them almost two hours to unload the crates, get the weapons out, check their state and store them. Emilie stood in front of the large wooden shelf, wiping the sweat of her forehead with the back of her hand. She contemplated the results of her hard work. Everything was in its place.
-Emilie! She then heard Juan calling her, trotting towards were she stood. Agnes just came in here, she said you had to meet her at the infirmary… He simply said.
Emilie nodded and left the warehouse. She proceeded to go to the infirmary when she felt a strong hand grip at her bottom. She abruptly turned around to face her assailant, right hand on her knife, ready to fight back. But when she realized the man was Vaas, she relaxed and smiled.
-Hey, Querida… He whispered, wrapping an arm around her waist and kissing her. Where are you going like that? He asked with a teasing tone.
Emilie looked at her right and left to make sure no one was seeing them before kissing him back.
-I'm going to see Agnes. She said. Aren't you supposed to work? She then asked with the same teasing tone.
-I'm done. He replied. Plus, the guys are pissing me off. Can I come with you…? He asked, nipping at her neck.
She nodded, parting from him. They held each other's hand, walking towards the infirmary.
-Your men are pissing you off, then? Emilie said. Who did you kill today? She asked with a snort.
-I didn't kill anyone… yet. He replied. I promise, I just shot him in the knee… Vaas said as if it was an everyday thing -and it was, here- and making Emilie laugh.
-Poor guy… She added. Who is it?
-Yusuf. Vaas replied.
-God, Vaas, you already shot him in the thigh last week! She exclaimed, recognizing the man's name.
-He pissed me off… Vaas said with a shrug.
This guy is a total psycho… She thought, looking at him, smiling lovingly. He's her psycho. She mentally added, squeezing his hand in hers and snuggling slightly against him as they made their way to the infirmary.