Gwen arrives at Kevin's garage and parks the car. Taking several deep breaths she mutters to herself. "C'mon Gwen you can do this." Groaning she bumps her head against the steering wheel. "I can't do this, what was I even thinking."
She bumps her head several more times before abruptly righting herself. Nodding briskly as she speaks. "I'll call and tell him I can't make it. He'll understand. It's too weird." She moves to take her cellphone however her eyes fall on her arm. She stills, remembering the pain and sweet relief when she made the cuts on the underside of it.
Groaning deeply again she throws herself back against the seat. She sits there mumbling in the same way that she spent the night. Weighing every pro and con, time and time again. Turning it over until she sees Ben come out of the door of the garage. Making the decision for her. She grabs her things and steps out of the car, waving at him as he approaches.
"Hey Gwen." Ben sounds cheerful enough when he greets her but she can see the small signs of tension. "You've been standing here for a while, looking for something in your car?" He looks her over curiously.
She deliberates for but a moment, deciding to tell the truth. "I was deciding whether I could do this."
Stopping before her, he looks serious. Yet she can still see the softness in his eyes. His desire to help her. "What did you decide?"
She gives a small smile "Well I did step out of the car, would be rather pointless to go home now."
Despite her smile he still seems as serious. Laying his hand on her arm he speaks. "We don't need to do anything you're not comfortable with Gwen, we could look for something else." His voice is soft, earnest that he won't judge her. But she shakes her head, she won't be a coward.
"You did suggest this for a reason Ben." She looks about in a curious manner. "Why here though?" Posing her question as she turns back to him.
Ben turns towards the building and begins to walk while he explains. "Well when Kevin left he ended the lease, but he did make a few upgrades to the place to house his equipment." Stopping to hold the door open for them. "I was already looking for places and this seemed kind of ideal, I'm renting the appartment too."
The two of them step inside, walking past his car to the stairs at the far end. "But why were you looking for something in the first place and how can you afford it?"
Ben becomes a bit sheepish, rubbing the back of his neck as he says "You know, just wanted a place of my own. Somewhere I can do what I want without trouble." He smiles back at her as they go up the stairs. "The money part is easy, ever since we were exposed I've been receiving a ton of royalties for the use of my image." He opens the wooden door at the top of the stairs, gesturing for her to enter. "Thought I might as well use it." Going in after her he takes off his shoes.
Gwen's eyes rove over the apartment with it's sparse furniture and open lay-out before coming to rest back on him. Popping her hip and folding her arms "Somehow I don't think that's the full story."
He sighs at her words, walking past her to the fridge and taking out a bottle of juice, speaking while he grabs a glass. "Want some?" Grabbing a second one at her nod he continues "Well, there's a bit more to it then that." He pours the glasses, handing one over to her. "Since our outing a lot of trouble has coming for my parents house because it thinks I'm there. Aliens are one thing but fangirls rummaging through my trash? That's a bit much."
He gestures towards the walls with one hand and a cocky smile. "I upgraded Kevins systems and added a few of my own as greymatter, no' one on earth is going to get in here to do anything."
Gwen takes a sip while inspecting the rest of the space, idly commenting "Took a trip to ikea while you were at it did you?"
He chuckles, leaning against the counter. "Well they do have good stuff, got the delivery for free even. But the furniture isn't exactly why we're here, is it?" He walks over to the the couch, where the coffee table has been taken off the rug to make room.
She shuffles her feet a bit as she finally notices the rope and scarf lying on the coffee table. Holding onto left arm with her right hand she walks over to him.
He gives her a reassuring smile "We'll start small, something you're familiar with."
"Oh?" Doubting in the safety of her thoughts that she was familiar with any of this.
He gives her a full blown grin as he takes a stance "Stretching!" She laughs as he begins to do so in an over the top manner, her tension flowing away.
She puts her hair up in a ponytail before she takes off her shoes and her sweatpants. Staying in her blue tank top, running shorts and black ankle socks. Coming to a stand across from him, she joins in with the stretches.
They both stand with straight legs slightly apart as she follows his lead. Grabbing one hand in the other, twisting and pushing them up high above her head. Leaning backwards while she hears him say. "Remember how you told me that you want to feel the strain in this? Gotta say it's much funnier from this side."
She smirks at his words as she easily follows the routine. "Maybe but I'm not as stiff of a board as you were." Her words are confident as she keeps following him. But it doesn't take long for her to start feeling some of the strain in her arms as they continue.
Clasping her hands together behind her back, pushing her arms straight out and bending over takes it's toll as she hisses while counting to ten.
Ben laughs as he sees her glare at the ease he has with the arm stretches. "Don't worry, only a few more to go for the legs, your arms should be loose enough now. "They sit down on the floor laying their legs out and reaching for their toes. Gwen takes the lead in this, almost bending in half over her legs.
Putting her feet together her knees almost reach the floor while Ben presses to get them lower.
She shoots him a beatific smile as she asks if there's a problem. His voice shows the strain he is under as he replies. "Nope, all fine and all done with stretching."
Standing up too fast he stumbles, making her laugh as she relaxes.
Giving a quick smile at her laugh he sets himself down on the coffee table. Picking up the scarf and gently threading it through his fingers.
She draws up her knees, resting her chin on them. "We'll be using those then?" Her arms clasped around her legs.
Ben nods as he explains in a soft voice and motions with his hand to the red rope. "The rope is soft but sturdy enough for you to really feel it." He returns to the silk scarf in his hand. "This is to ensure that you focus on the binding. No distractions from your surroundings."
"That's all we need? "Her voice is as soft as his, afraid to make too much sound.
He begins to nod but shakes his head "No, there are two more things we need." Raising his head he looks at her. Quiet. Intense. Boring into her own. "A safe word. if it becomes too much I need to know."
Her arm tightens around her legs, a slight tremble going down her back at his gaze.
It comes closer and closer, if she speaks there is no more delaying what will happen. She shivers but can't tell if it is good or bad.
Breathing deep, she gains an impish smile as a thought occurs to her. She speaks clearly, the words ringing in the silence. "Furry Freddy."
Ben looks completely gobsmacked "What?"
She repeats the simple words with that same smile. "Furry Freddy." Loosening the light hold on her legs and bringing her knees down to the carpet. Her hands on her ankles.
"Seriously, that's what you're going with?" Shaking his head slowly in disbelief, he gives a rueful chuckle. "Goodbye fond memory of the stuffed bear from my childhood."
She scoffs at his drama, rolling her eyes. "I'm sure you'll survive. What's the second thing"
The smile remains as he gets to his knees in front of her, putting them on the same level. The scarf lays forgotten across his legs. his eyes gaze into hers with that same intensity that takes her breath. His words simple enough yet make her blood thunder in her ears. "Do you trust me?"
Heart pounding in her chest, she whispers. "Yes."
He nods picking the scarf up and bringing it towards her, she bows her head a bit to give him better access. Their eyes not losing contact until the scarf settles over hers. Taking away the color of the world and the piercing green she was gazing into. She hears the rustle in her ears as he wraps it around her head. Feeling it tighten around her when he pulls the knot taut.
In the darkness she hears him move. Slight sounds. Not enough to tell her what is happening, just to ensure he is there. She feels his hands grab onto her wrists, bringing them together in front of her. Something brushes over her skin. She gasps. It takes a moment for her to realise that it is the rope from the coffee table. In that realisation she misses the first moments of what happens.
Her wrists are tied together. The softness of the rope flashes through her mind even as she feels how he loops it further around her wrists. Down her forearms. He pushes her arms up against her chest as the rope goes around her back. Winding around her again and again. A slight pinching pressure against her arms until the knot is tied. She tries to push with her arms, yet they don't move an inch. He pushes her backwards, letting her lean against the couch.
Distantly she's aware how he lays his hands on her knees. Warmth blooms at the contact even as he brings them up against each other. The tops of his fingers skim down her left leg to her ankle. Leaving goosebumps in their wake even as the rope wraps around her ankle. Coiling around her leg to pull it tight. Around and around it goes higher until her leg is firmly wrapped in the rope. It closes in all around her. Each length shrinks her world just a bit further.
A dark and tiny world remains where she is constricted. A warm embrace enveloping her, stealing the air away. She hears a voice call to her "Breathe Gwen." and she remembers.
Her other leg is tied and the dark solidifies around her even as she breathes. In the comfort of this restriction everything slips away from her. Her thoughts quiten and the tenseness in her body lessens as she feels herself fall deeper.
Softness against her cheek. A hand moving over her hair in the same motion. The gentleness of it makes her sigh as she lets go.
Breathing softly. In and out.
Slowly sound and sensation begins to return to her world as her bindings loosen. Her legs are free and sharp pricks of pain make her gasp as they're stretched out. A hand grabs her by the wrists pulling her up even as she slumps when it releases her. Swaying as the pressure on her lets up she breathes deep.
Her arms are let down. Her skin tingles as fingers trace the path the rope took, before they fiddle with the knot between her wrists. Her hands are free, gravity drags them down beside her. They rest on the carpet even as her fingers twitch.
Light explodes in her vision as she cracks her eyes open, seeing him in front of her. Blinding green eyes. She groans deeply, smacking her dry lips.
He's in front of her, holding a glass in his hands. Tipping her head back she drinks, cool water quenching a thirst she didn't know she felt. She hears something as she blinks blearily. Shaking her head she feels two arms envelop her. Slowly rising she rests her head against him. Hearing the steady beat of his heart.
Moaning at the loss of it as she lays in softness. Warmth curling around her as she voices a question. "Ben?"
A hand caresses over her head, each motion pushing her deeper into sleep. She hears him whisper before she knows no more. "It's alright go to sleep, Gwen."