Fem!Riki AU. This one would not leave me alone, I just had to write it. This is just another one shot with feels and angst.
WARNING: ATTEMPTED SUICIDE. IF YOU ARE SENSITIVE TO THIS KIND OF THING, I SUGGEST YOU GO ELSEWHERE!
The balcony has always been one of the very few sanctuaries within her prison. It was open, and it gave her fresh air away from the suffocation of being inside the cold tower of Eos. The only other place she could find any comfort were the gardens. It provided her with a temporary escape from the shackles of being a Pet. But now, there's nothing that can offer her any solace, no escape, no hope, no freedom. Nothing.
Riki sat on the ledge of the balcony, her bare feet dangled over the edge as she watched everything below. Being this high up, anyone can admire the view, the feeling of power. But for her, everything is beyond her reach. Ceres, Bison, Guy, her freedom. It's all gone. She felt more alone now.
She thought she could handle everything. Being a Pet again to save her gang, protect her former pairing partner. But she had nothing to keep her steady. She's been sucked into a black hole with no light to show her the way out.
Her dark eyes that were once vibrant and full of defiance were empty. That hollowness within her festered as despair consumed her. The only thing she can expect from her reality are chains, cages, collars, scorn and Iason. Her tormentor, the Blondie who took everything from her. She had hoped he'd lose interest in her, that he'd finally let her go. But the moment he showed up in her apartment and blackmailed her with the lives of her friends, she knew fighting him would be useless. She never wanted this. To be an object of obsession for an android. Now she's trapped in a madness she can't escape from.
The wind blew her hair behind her as she continued to stare at the people below her. She had just dropped her empty pack of cigarettes off the balcony. It was now lost among the crowd being stepped on and brushed aside. She looked up at the ships that flew overhead and felt envious at how they are not bound to one place.
'It'd be nice to fly, to finally leave this world.' Riki thought as her empty eyes slowly closed as she felt herself sway. 'No more chains, no more collars. Let's just...fly.' Riki leaned forward, a peaceful smile on her face.
"RIKI!"
A white gloved hand reached out from behind her and wrapped themselves around her front. Riki was immediately pulled back into the hard chest as arms surrounded her.
Riki gasped as she looked up at Iason who held onto her very tightly. Her eyes went wide when she realized what she almost did to herself. Her body trembled all over as she felt that overwhelming pain take hold. She couldn't stop the tears that formed in her eyes as she stared up at the Blondie.
"I'm...sorry." Riki hiccupped before she buried her face in his chest. "I'm so sorry!" She shook all over as she cried into Iason's front.
Iason held her tightly, making sure not to crush her as she sobbed in his arms. "Shhh, it's gonna be okay Riki."
The terror he experienced moments ago didn't go away. His own artificial heart thundered wildly at the thought of almost losing her had he not grabbed her in time. Despite the relief of having her in his arms again, he's afraid that she'll disappear again.
Riki gripped the white fabric of his clothes as she gasped through her tears. "I can't do it. I can't...I can't stay in this place." She peeled her face away and looked up at Iason's blue eyes that were filled with sadness and fear. "I know I can't escape being your Pet. But if I'm going to be chained, don't let it be here. Please Iason...I can't breathe here." She pleaded, already lost her pride as she wept in front of him. "Please!"
Iason felt his insides twist as he watched her break down before him. He has never seen her lose her composure like this. She always displayed a tough front, even when he was training her, she always held a defiant and angry expression. It was that kind of pride he fell in love with, the intensity of her emotions. But if keeping her in Eos becomes her breaking point, he can't afford to make the mistake of locking her in this place.
Iason sighed through his nose and closed his eyes. "I can make some living arrangements for a condominium in Apatia you can live in."
Riki blinked through tears, "Apatia?"
Iason opened his eyes. "That's where elites hide their mistresses and human Pets." He reached a hand up to brush away her tears. "This doesn't mean you're free, I'm just loosening your chain."
Riki bowed her head, "I know. Running away is impossible." Her hand ghosted over to her abdomen.
Iason hooked his fingers under her chin and tilted her head back up. "I won't be able to watch you all the time, so I'll leave you under Katze's care while you're living in Apatia."
Riki's eyes widened, "Is it...okay for me to work with Katze?" She wants to earn her own money and not be bored inside her new cage.
Iason thought about it for a moment, "I'll take it up with him the next time I call. I'm sure he won't mind having you as an assistant."
Riki released a shuddering breath of relief. Before she could stop herself, she threw her arms around Iason's neck. "Thank you." She whispered, feeling some of that weight leave her shoulders.
Iason wrapped his arms around her, rubbing her back soothingly as he inhaled the natural scent of her hair. He stood up, holding her close to his chest before he carried her back inside. That night, he touched her very gently, soothing her into comfort and submission before taking her for his own once again.
Riki slept peacefully after a slow intense session of lovemaking. It felt so sweet, she couldn't move. Not that she could even if she were conscious.
Iason, however, stayed awake as he spooned her from behind, her warm skin touching his synthetic flesh. Gold and black hair splashed onto the pillow beneath their heads. His large hand rested against her chest, over where her heart is. Feeling the steady rhythm beneath his fingers assured him that his Pet is still here. Alive and breathing.
He frowned when he remembered the way she begged him, she never cried like that before since he kept her. The waters in Eos never agreed with her, she barely kept her sanity before he set her free temporarily. Now, he fears she is literally sitting on the edge of life and death. If he was being honest with himself, he never liked being in his condo in Eos, mainly because Riki wasn't there waiting for him. There is also the constant scrutiny he and Riki will be under if he keeps her in Eos. He can't let her suffocate in such a place.
That is why Apatia became an alternative for both of them. It will be Riki's new and more comfortable cage, and her chain will be longer. Iason can meet up with her when he finishes work. This is a risky move; one his brothers will not approve of. But he can't afford to lose her anymore. Hopefully this new arrangement will make her more accepting of his companionship and fully open her heart to him.
Holding her tenderly and securely in his arms, he mouthed the words he wishes to one day hear from Riki.
'I love you.'
