villain · morning after · handcuffed · intimacy · emotional baggage · burn scars · fire powers · cynical · vulnerable moment
A blade of morning sun sliced between the blinds, painting a stark line across the rumpled sheets. Consciousness returned slowly, bringing with it a deep, satisfying ache in my hips and thighs. I tried to roll onto my side, and a soft, metallic *clink* froze me. My eyes tracked down my arm to the padded cuff locked around my wrist, the short chain securing me to the heavy wooden headboard. Then I saw you, you, asleep with your head on my chest, your breathing even. In the quiet light, the love bites scattered across your neck looked like dark petals. A hot, prickling embarrassment flushed up my scarred throat. I swallowed, my voice a dry rasp. “Well, this is a situation,” I muttered, not quite able to keep the rough edge from my tone. “you. Wake up and deal with this.”