Hallo and welcome Back!
I apologize in advance for this chapter, it's been a brat and I'm afraid I lack the dominance to tame it.
Speaking of dominance uh... I might have forgotten to mention something? A teeny tiny detail? I kinda assumed that most my readers would know me by now, or at least saw Shôganai pop up in their search and all so I might have just assumed (Yeah yeah, don't assume anything, I know) that it went without saying that this would be a BDSM thing so... I'm sorry? I mean I wasn't all that subtle about it and you probably already knew since you made it til here, so... I don't know, hope you have fun either way.

Last time things happened, fun things, sexy things (I hope). Now its time for Perona to deal with the aftermath and to get a few uh... formalities out of the way!

Weeks have passed since their tryst, and she was fine with it. He had spent four days pouting, which really was a relief. He'd also gotten lost on the island 31 times and within the castle a whole of 17 times and while it peeved her that she had lost her virginity to such an idiot, such a child, it also put her at ease… He may be way better at this whole sex thing than she was, but she was pretty sure her pride wouldn't be able to bounce back from that if he were like that outside of the bed. So him being an idiot really was preferable to him being all mature and calm and all that.

What had vexed her was that even after he was done with moping about her hollows he still didn't show any interest in her. He was supposed to want her. Or was his interest over now that he'd had her? Was this that thing with the broken promises? He hadn't promised her more than one time… but it.. stung that that was all there'd be? As if she wasn't good enough for the brute… he should be happy she had allowed him anywhere near her! But no matter how much she tried to convince herself, it stung.

On the seventh day at dinner, she'd informed them that she'd be gone for a bit longer on her next shopping trip because she wanted to see a doctor, a piece of information that for some reason had made Mihawk-chan freeze midbite but didn't seem to phase the brute.

She had almost given up, made peace with the thought that he was no longer interested in any of this. Which was fine! Totally and completely fine! She didn't want that brute again either! He hadn't made her feel good at all!

But then, one hour before her planned departure he had shown up in her room and she could swear he was surprised to actually have found it, offering his own blood to get it tested alongside hers to give her peace of mind.

Didn't make her take a deep breath of relief, but she also couldn't find it in her to snap at him and tell him that she wasn't interested. No matter what she had told herself over his past days of blatant disinterest, now that he was there in all his stupidity she really couldn't lie to herself any longer. She wanted him to make her feel good again. She wanted to feel his rough skin under her fingertips… she wanted all of that… but she definitely wouldn't make it this easy this time.

So she had taken a vial of his blood with her to the annoying hag that brought her to the physician that was considerably less horrible than the hag. When she returned she made a point of stopping by the idiot to make clear that they both were indeed safe, which he acknowledged with an eloquent grunt and that was it.

That was really it, it had been another two weeks, and he hadn't done shit!

It wasn't as if she wanted to do that with the ugly brute again, but for the odd chance that she might someday decide that she did… everything was better than that slug thingy falling out of her!

But honestly? No. She had enough of this. Hanging around and waiting everyday. There was just nothing she could do around here! The old man had suggested she started cleaning if she was so bored… ridiculous! She was a princess in her own right, they should be happy she made food occasionally and stitched the idiot up over and over again. But that really was all there was to her routine. Sleep, make breakfast, watch the idiot getting lost, watch the fights, sew a plushy or two together, sew the idiot brute back together, help old man Mihawk prepare dinner while the brute finally agreed to shower the grime off his paling skin, wait for some form of invitation and get to bed where she'd toss and turn and replay what had happened between them. She was sick of it. If it was a one time thing, fine. But letting her wait like that? Unacceptable. It was time to break this off.

She floated into his room where he was sitting on the bed again reading another book. He was even less cute than usual when he insisted on pretending that he had a brain like that.

"I also don't want to do that thing with you anymore!" she exclaimed with her pointer finger in his face, but he didn't even look up.

"What do you mean?" He asked all impassive and she huffed.

"Well, what do you think I mean, you stupid brute?! I don't want your disgusting thing in my cute kitty again."

"Whatever."

What- whatever? "Whatever?! What are you, a child?"

The book snapped shut between his hands, the noise making her flinch but she couldn't leave. Her eyes widened when realisation dawned that there were burning hot fingers digging into her jaw. Black fingers. Panic rose in her guts and she thrashed in his hold, wincing when he just tightened his grip. She shouldn't hurt in this form!

His eye was dark as it drilled through her.

"Your general bitchiness must have rubbed off," he drawled, "I'm not the one being childish either. This has nothing to do with you not wanting my disgusting thing anywhere near you. You are just pouting because I'm not trailin' after you like some fucking puppy. I told you before, if you want my cock up your cunt, you're gonna come here, knock on the fucking door and ask me for it like a good girl."

What was it with the brute and his dark promises that made her all giddy all the time? And in her ghost form again, and even though he was hurting her? She had no doubt that upon return her body would be wet again. What an infuriating individual! He let go of her and she just kept hovering there for a moment. Not because she was frozen in fear or anything logical like that, but because she… because she missed the touch? How? She left him with a huff, not caring to look back to see him look all smug or whatever.

As predicted her body was all tingly and slimy and maybe, just maybe she should be happy that her first boytoy of choice seemed to know exactly how to make it so. What she really wasn't happy about was the how. He was rude, he was rough and not - well she had given up on the cute part some time between first and second orgasm that night…

Her fingertips ghosted over her soft cheeks. Had she been in her normal form she was sure she'd have bruises by now. Would he have been this rough if she'd been there in the flesh? Most likely, she didn't call him a brute for nothing after all. Did he enjoy that? Also possible, he seemed to enjoy weird stuff, like that weird Powerplay before she caved or… Zombie nurse never had to beg like that…

Zombie nurse was never called a good girl either though… not that she cared what the brute thought of her. But.. maybe it had been nice to be appreciated like that. In fact, she should have been called a good girl way sooner! So she liked it when people praised her, something completely normal actually. It had nothing to do with the brute or the happiness erupting between her thighs at the thought of it. Everyone liked praise.

It would be entirely too early to knock on his door again, wouldn't it? Yes, definitely. She'd sworn to herself that she wouldn't make it that easy for him again!

Well.. maybe asking wouldn't mean losing. She could still give him trouble afterwards.

Half a week later she found herself in front of his room, freshly showered and hoping he'd done the same. Her knuckles banged hard against the wooden door in an attempt to make it look less meek and more demanding. The moment the door snapped open all her hopes were crushed into tiny little pieces, as it left her face to face with a chest crusted with dirt and blood and grime and whatever else one could imagine. The idiot looked confused to see her there even though he shouldn't because he should have felt her. Or- she stepped back, two steps. He was downright reeking.

"Didn't expect you to make up your mind this fast," he grunted looking her up and down and she hated that she had taken the time to check her make up and double check her hair.

With a huff she stemmed her fists in her sides. "Well believe it or not, but I'm a grown woman that knows what she wants and that sure isn't an idiot that smells like a dead ferret!"

He laughed a hearty guffaw that definitely wasn't cute in any way and waved a hand full of spare clothing in her face. "Was about to change that," he said and started down the corridor towards their bath. "Are you coming or not? We have things to talk about," he called back just before she could get another huff out.

What was she? His dog? Most definitely not his pet, even though she hurried after him without another word.

By the time she caught up he was already naked. Hands clutched before her eyes she turned on her toes and she instantly regretted her indignant squeak when it was answered with a scoff. "Seriously?"

Hands fisted at her side she turned around again, made a point of looking him up and down to balance her initial reaction. Yes, seriously, what had she been thinking? She'd seen him naked often enough. With and without him knowing. "Looks funny when it's not big and ugly," she said with a haughty wave at his groin in what even she had to admit was a very sorry attempt to save face.

"You better get used to that sight if you keep hollowing me for no fucking reason," he muttered while stepping into the tub and only barely closing the curtain. Obviously, if he actually closed it there'd be less for her to mop up. Sometimes she wondered if he did it on purpose, but then she remembered he was an idiot.

"What did you want to talk about?" She asked while the water started and her mind's eye was immediately assaulted by the mental images of a hot water spray meeting exceedingly paling skin stretched over thick muscle that may or may not be nice to look at. That was probably the worst thing about all that. He changed her. Not her personality or anything, but the way she saw things. For a moment she hoped he'd fart or something, just so she could go back to being disgusted by him.

"Tell me what you liked."

Wha- what?

Was this what Zombie Nurse and Cindry had gossiped about? Men wanting their egos stroked after it? She hadn't pegged him to be this vain? This was even better than farting! She huffed and crossed her arms over her chest. "What? You want to hear praise after you lasted a mere five minutes max?" She called over the spray of the shower, because for the most part that had seemed to be the point of those discussions. Men lasting few minutes without pleasing their partners but still wanting to hear they were the greatest. Well, she had been pleased… but he didn't have to know that, especially not if he was being such a dick about it.

"That was hardly only 5 minutes." He shot back instantly.

"Right. Felt less!"

"Have you ever done something fun that felt like two hours?" He laughed, stepping out of the shower without a morsel of shame and most importantly without a towel so he could drip water everywhere. She regretted her decision to sit down on the closed toilet, coming eye to eye with the funny little thing. It really did look funny, like a naked mole rat with an off season choice of turtleneck on a mossy stone...his skin was darker there too, but not like the tan he'd come here with, less gold more a dirty brown. It really didn't even look like it was part of his body at all! With his hair dark and matted against his forehead he leaned down to her, wicked grin negating the silly look of his hair and making her tingle again. "And don't even try to tell me you didn't have fun, because I know for a fact that I fucked you good enough to make you sound like a human being instead of nails on a chalkboard."

She hadn't even noticed! He pulled away from her just as she felt the heat in her cheeks, and grabbed the towel closest to him to rub it through his hair that by now really needed to be cut again.

"I get that you don't want to talk about it, takes some getting used to," he claimed. She doubted the quick rub over his torso had much effect but was grateful nonetheless that he wound it around his waist to sit on the edge of the tub. "So I'll be talking and you'll be listening. Closely."

The brute was being weird. Again. It was a bit like when they had talked about their crews, but less heavy. She nodded because apparently stupid was contagious and she had forgotten that he stared straight ahead and not at her. "Fine," she agreed, a teeny tiny bit happy that her voice was perfectly cute.

"Fine," he chuckled and even though it had been weeks the memory wasn't lost on her either. "No idea what you've seen on thriller bark or at that weird sexshop you got those condoms from, but it might be fair to tell you I'm not into what most people are. I told you before, if you want to get cuddled and coddled I'm not the right choice for you. If you want my praise you'll have to work for that."

Be a good girl.

"We are the only choice we have so I'm willing to tone it down for you, but I won't be soft and lenient like last time."

"What's that supposed to mean?" she asked not at all peeved by the fact that he was an impolite brute that didn't even look at her while talking down on her all high and mighty.

He leaned back and for a moment she saw him falling and breaking his neck on the other side of the tub, but he reached back with those ridiculously muscled arms to grip the other edge and lean on them with ease that told of the strength in his core. Like when he had lowered them on the mattress. She looked away with a huff. No, just because he put on a show… she wouldn't fall for that again. Wouldn't follow those lines down his chest and to the towel! Absolutely not.

Eye fixed on the ceiling he sighed. "It means that you are welcome in my bed if you can play by my rules. If you break them I will discipline you however I see fit and you will thank me for it." She absolutely hated how cocksure he was about this. Hadn't phrased it as a question, just informed her. She hated how it made her kitty all excited even more.

She was right, she concluded, he was into weird stuff. All her speculations about the powerplay, the begging, the rough handling of her astral form earlier this week. All got him off. That sick idiot.

She should have left him in his room when she'd first thought of fleeing the scene. She didn't like pain and she didn't like being told what to do. She didn't like begging for something either. Made her feel so small and powerless and she wasn't anymore. She had been before Moria had found her. Alone, on her own, insignificant with only Kumae to keep her company. Moria had always made her feel wanted and appreciated and she never had to beg for anything… his praise had never made her that lightheaded and tingly, though. Did that mean she also liked weird stuff?

Heat crept up her cheeks when she felt his gaze on her, or maybe she'd already been blushing with the memory? Maybe it had been a good time he hadn't been looking at her, she had an inkling that she wouldn't have been able to concentrate on his words otherwise.

"You like the praise, I got that from last time. We can take it from there," he said letting his head roll back again to stare at the ceiling.

"I'm… I'm not sure about this," she admitted and he pushed himself upright again, which she was grateful for, much less distracting skin on display, but now she was under his scrutiny again and she didn't know how to feel about that either.

"'bout what?"

She cast her eyes down, fiddled with her fingers. How could she tell him if she didn't even know herself?

"Did you return to your body all hot and bothered the last time we talked?"

She hated it when he called her out like that! Didn't speak, didn't look up just gave a quick nod. Not that it was any of his business! Heat bloomed over her face again when he rested his clumsy paw on her head with a chuckle. "We'll be just fine in that case. I'll take care of you."

He left her where she was, furious blush on her face, heart beating in nervous anticipation and her kitty all tingly again. I'll take care of you. What did that mean? Didn't he want to talk to clarify? This hadn't helped at all! And how was he to take care of her if he'd clearly just walked out of the bathroom and immediately turned in the wrong direction? And with only the towel no less? His spare clothing lying forgotten in the sink and his torn smelly rags discarded on the floor. For her to pick up! If anyone was taking care of anyone it was her taking care of him!

With a barely suppressed scream she ran after him, fist raised for attack. This wasn't something for her hollows to deal with, this was personal! "You idiot didn't explain anything!"

Right before her fist was ready to connect she found herself with her back pressed against the stone wall, sharp edges digging through her thin blouse, and one rough, calloused hand around her neck to keep her in place. His face only inches away from hers, eye dark and piercing and she felt like she should be afraid.

"With your childish reaction to my initial questions I didn't think you could deal with details, but I'm not gonna deny you this request," he said, grip tightening for emphasis and she knew that she should have asked. She felt her blood rush against his fingers, the situation vastly different from the last time he had her in such vulnerable position. Much more threatening than last time.

"If you come to my room and ask me for a fuck, I will use you, abuse you, humiliate you, and if you want me to I will destroy you. If you work hard and please me I will reward you and if you don't I will punish you. If you don't hollow me and run again I will not let you leave my room feeling all lonely and neglected again either."

So they weren't done last time? How did he know that this was how she initially felt anyway?

"Now if the thought of all that has your cunt dripping I'll expect you after dinner. If it doesn't I suggest you buy yourself more cola for your toys." He quipped before letting her go to sink down on the cold floor.

Such an idiot. And worst of all was that he was right. She looked after him, sauntering off in nothing but a towel to God knew where, while she sat there in dire need of a new pair of panties. None of his words had sounded nice. Or inviting. Still, she knew where she'd be spending five minutes of her night.

Hope you enjoyed this chapter despite not much happening? We just needed to establish some rules and Perona needed to know what she gets herself into. I know I've been slacking with my notes but please, if anything seems weird, outlandish or wrong to you while reading this fic and their playtimes especially, don't hesitate to ask and/or contact me, info is in my profile.

Thanks as always to Ghost who actually manage to beta this chapter in time even though I just so got it done by yesterday afternoon.

Please let me know what you think about this chapter!