Crack!

- Oh, that hurt, didn't it, my dear? – Sephiroth spoke in a deceitfully sweet tone

Crack!

- Please, Master! Mercy! – she begged at the top of her lungs. Too bad that there was nobody to hear her.

Crack!

- Silence. The only reason you are not gagged, is because I love to hear your screams. – he spoke evilly

Crack!

The whip flew through the air once again. She had misbehaved, badly. Never in their relationship, did she feel the need or wanted to be a brat. But, for whatever reason, she wanted to test him.


She had always been a good girl. From the very beginning of their relationship, she had been submissive to him. She wanted this to work out. It was the very first night she had spent with him, when she truly realized, just how right her friend, Lola, was. The feeling of the weight on her shoulders disappearing, from the moment she heard her first command, was something that would forever be engrained in her memory.

And now, whether it was because they could truly cut lose, or just some pent-up need for her to resist him, she didn't know. All she knew, was that the next morning, she managed to slip out of his arms, and go downstairs. While in the kitchen area, looking for water, she passed by the climate-controlled cabinet, where Sephiroth stored his whiskey and bourbon, and had a mischievous idea. It was ten in the morning; about time for them to get up. And, because she already was, she decided to give him an expensive wake-up call. She took the bottle that was half-empty and ran upstairs.

- Wake up, Master!

She yelled and poured the remaining bourbon on his head.


Crack!

Needless to say, the position he had forced her into after, made her curse the moment she had that idea. And if she knew, how much that half a bottle had cost, she probably would have given her whole plan more thought. Even as a lawyer, who frequently worked for clients with deep pockets, it would have taken her some time to pay for it.

Crack!

He didn't care about the cost of it. Rather, the reason why she was now was tethered to the four corners of the bed, with metal handcuffs, and was being whipped with a leather bullwhip, was because of the disrespect she had shown to both her Master, and more importantly for him, to the liquid in the bottle. Sephiroth really did have a thing for expensive alcohol.

- Alright dear, I believe that you've had enough of the whip.

She signed at his words.

- From what I could gather, this morning you are in the mood to play with fire... – he spoke devilishly

He turned around and strode to the corner of the master bedroom. There was a chest, filled with all the toys they could ever need. After opening it up, and getting something out of it, he walked to the right side of the bed and showed her something that made her eyes open wide in fear.

- We have not done fire-play before, but I am sure that you will adapt quickly. – he spoke, and just for a second, Sae could have sworn, that there were devil horns on his head

What he held in his right hand, was a torch, made especially for fire-play.

She knew that he wouldn't hurt her, at least, not in a way that is even close to fatal. What she also knew, however, was that he could keep her, right on the edge of pain and pleasure, for however long he liked. In addition, she still didn't know how she would respond to fire. Actual fucking fire.

Still unlit, he left the torch next to her on the bed.

- Do not worry, dove, I will always be here for you. Hopefully, this will teach you that I do not take kindly to waste of large quantities of alcohol.

She couldn't even form words, to say something back to him.

He leaned over her and ran the tip of his right index finger, over some of the bruises, left by the whip, on her back. In some places, it had punctured the skin, and traces of blood could be seen.

- You look so beautiful, tied up and helpless like this. – he spoke in a dark voice, as he liked said finger

- And your blood has a delightful taste. – he added as he stood back up, picked up the torch again

He ran the unlit torch over her skin, teasing her, making her imagine the pain she would feel, moments later, when he lit it up. And she did. She didn't exactly know what it would feel like, since she had never done anything like this before.

On the bright side of things, she knew that this won't feel like he would actually burn her. When fire burns, most of the heat, goes up, so she knew that the pain won't be as bad, compared to if you were to burn yourself with a lighter, or something similar. In addition, he was currently applying a special lotion to her back, so that gave her an extra layer of safety, that he won't just burn her to a crisp.

Still, she knew that it would hurt. But that was the whole point, wasn't it? And, despite, dreading what was about to happen, there was a part of her, that was undoubtedly exited. How would it feel exactly? Would she like it? Would she want to do it again?

When she was discussing her limits with Sephiroth, fire-play never came up, but she knew, that no matter if he was giving out punishment, or rewarding her, she had her safe-word. She could stop the whole thing if she wanted. However, it was the edge of her lips, in case something went wrong.

- Are you ready? – he spoke, as he finished rubbing the oil over her back

- Yes, Master. – she replied, as she took a deep breath

As if to rub it in, he took what little baboon was left over in the bottle and poured it over the torch. The look on her face, as she saw him do that, out of the corner of her eye, was priceless.

Out of the left pocket of his leather trousers, he pulled out a lighter, which Sae was confused about, since he wasn't a smoker, and lit up the torch.

Orange light filled the room, as the flame came to life. Since he still held it up, relatively far away from her, she couldn't feel the heat on her back, yet...

He brought down the torch closer to her back, and she almost shrieked, as she started to feel the heat emitted from it.

- Can you feel it, dear? I promise, it won't hurt... much. – he spoke darkly. She could practically hear the venom, dripping from his voice

And then she felt it touch her back. At first, it took a moment for the skin on her back to notice it, but then, it burnt. Not as she expected though. It wasn't that extreme, sharp, pain normally associated with fire.

Instead, it was like she had put her hand on a radiator, and it slowly heated up. It was hot, uncomfortably so. But the sharp sting she expected, wasn't there. For just as second, she thought that, despite it being extremely uncomfortable, she could handle it.

And then, he slowly started moving the torch, over her back. The feeling of the heat spreading, as it touched more and more of her flesh, was so much worse than what she envisioned. If she weren't tied to the bed, she would keel at his feet, and beg until her voice ran dry, to whip her instead.

- Oh, are you finally feeling it, dear? When I first let it touch your skin, it wasn't as bad, as it is now, isn't that right? – he asked, his tone suggesting that he was very much enjoying what he was doing to her

- MASTER, PLEASE! HAVE MERCY! – she screamed

- Beg all you want, my pet, but I will toy with you, until I decide that you have carried out your punishment.

And so, he did. He continued to torture her with the torch. She was thinking about it, as she screamed her lungs out. Thinking about using her safe-word. Thinking that she can't take it anymore. At the same time, however, she wanted to please him. He was her Master, her ruler, her Dominant. Every time he praised her, she melted. She wanted to prove to him, that she could take it, no matter what it was.

However, as she continued to think, she remembered what she had promised him, before she entered the house. That she would use the safe-word he had given her. And so, after she couldn't take the heat anymore, she screamed out...

- OKINAWA

Before the word had even finished coming out of her mouth, the moving ball of flames that was touching her skin, was instantly removed, and judging by the sound, extinguished.

- Are you ok?

Were the first three words out of his mouth.

- How bad is it?

He added quickly, as she heard him pull something out of a bag, on the other side of the room. A second later, she felt something cool, being spread over her back. Initially, the change of temperature made her jump slightly, but she quickly realized, what he was doing.

- It is burn spray. Try and relax. I know the sensation is uncomfortable.

He spoke, with worry in his voice. For her, it was almost more jarring, to hear him like that, than even what she was feeling on her back. Never, ever, had she heard him so worried and... vulnerable.

- I am ok, Master. – she spoke weakly

He didn't respond, just continued to rub the cream over her back. Once he was done, he moved on to her cuffs.

- Do not turn over. – he commanded, but it sounded more like a plea

After undoing the cuffs, he carefully checked each of her wrists and ancles, to make sure that all was well. Whether it was because of the adrenaline drop, or because of the soothing sensation of the cream, she quickly found herself, sound asleep.

When she opened her eyes, she didn't really know how much time had passed, but judging by the sunlight, coming in from the windows, no more than forty minutes had passed since her punishment had begun. Meaning, that she had bee asleep for no more than twenty.

Her back was still sore, but it wasn't as bad as she initially expected, considering their last scene.

Slowly, she stood up and sat on the edge of the bed. She looked around but couldn't see him. And that made her worry. And quite quickly, it clicked for her why. Despite having slept for a bit, she was still in the process of coming out of subspace. She needed him.

And so, she stood up, and went to look for her Master. It didn't take her very long, as she could hear the sound of someone showering.

Slowly, she opened the door, and saw him, laying in the bathtub, his clothes, still on his person. From the steam in the bathroom, she could tell that he had turned up the heat, as far as it would go. From the time she had spent with him, he usually did that, whenever he was pissed off.

- Sephiroth. – she spoke, and he slowly turned his head left, to look at her

- The key to the car is in the kitchen, on the main marble counter. Leave me here. – he spoke as he turned he tilted his head back, and closed his eyes

- Master... – she spoke shyly, as she moved close to him

- Stay... back... – he spoke with difficulty

- Master... – she repeated again, as she moved even close

- I don't deserve to be called that. I hurt you, in a way that is unbecoming of a dominant. Leave me.

He continues to speak, and it is then that she realizes, that he is crying. She couldn't tell before, because of the water all over him. But due to the way he speaks, and refuses to look at her, she could tell.

As she walks even closer, and puts both her hands, on his left forearm, that was handing out of the tub. In contradiction to his words, she speaks again.

- Just because you made a mistake, doesn't mean that I want you to leave me. Please, Master, I want to be with you, I need to be with you. – she speaks as she leans down, and lets her head rest on his wet shoulder.

- Sae... you... forgive me? – he speaks, she could sense the disbelief in his voice

- Of course I forgive you, my Master. You made a mistake, we all do, and just like all of us, you need to move past yours. Please, I need you.

And it was then that he realized, that whether or not, he had made a mistake, was irrelevant. His beloved, his submissive, didn't just embrace him, despite his mistake, but she needed him, to help her fully recover.

- Oh... gods... come here my sweet...

She followed his command, without hesitation, and climbed into the tub with him. Gently, he wrapped his arms around her, in a protective embrace, and whispered into her ear.

- Don't worry dear. I am here now. I will hold you. I am so... so sorry, to have left you alone. – he spoke, his tears, clearly heard in his voice

They stayed like that, for God knows how long. Finding comfort in each other's embrace.

She, in the way his arms wrapped around her, and protected her form the outside world, despite previous events.

Him, in the act that his fragile creature, that had a more than a good enough reason to leave him, stayed, and found comfort in his embrace.

After soaking in each other's tears in the bathroom, finally, he carried them, back to the bedroom, and despite it being roughly noon, he tucked them in bed. All the while, she clung to him like a monkey.

- I promise you this, Sae, that for however long we remain together, I will never lay a finger on you like this again. Please, find the strength to forgive me this grave mistake. – he whispered in her ear, sincerity clear in his voice

- I do, Master. Please, don't blame yourself anymore for this. I used the safe-word, and you respected that. You respected me and followed out contract.

- Thank you, my dove. – he replied

As they lay in bed, they continued to cuddle. They didn't speak or do anything sexual. Just lay in each other's embrace.

- You know, there is something to be said, about avoiding dull life. – she spoke after a while

- How do you mean? – he murmured

- Well, that is why both you and I are into this kind of lifestyle, right? To escape the routine, the normal.

- You could say that. – he replied

- And for that, my Master, I will be eternally grateful. During this time I have spent with you... you completely change my life. I was constantly stressed and exhausted. You thought me how to let go. So, please, never let me go.

- I won't, my sweet girl, I never will.

After five more minutes, she let out a small giggle.

- What is it? – he asked, a smile on his lips

- Well, it is just that, it was because of your music, that I initially met Lola. I guess, it is kind of funny, how the whole cycle came together.

- Huh... I guess you are right.

We part too soon

But in our love

There's a truth to find

The end is new

And tomorrow we must reach far

To be heard

See the sunset

The day is ending

Let your heart sigh

See the sunset

See the sunset

And I'm gonna stay with you

But I won't stray away from the truth

And I am still living two worlds and you

See the sunset

They next day, the made their way, back to the city, and by extension, back to their normal routine. What they both noticed, however, was that, almost instinctively, they made more time for each other.

They found themselves, more often, on the couch in front of the TV together. Going to bed at similar times. He came out of the studio more often, and she came out of the office, more often. The opposite was true as well. She took more interest in what actually happened when he made music, and he took an extended interest into what actually went into being a defense lawyer.

They were more intimate, not just on a sexual level, but more like a couple. It wasn't long before he proposed to her.