All his fractionated tortures culminate into a moment that finally draws her out in a way that truly stirs him. The fight flares to life in Briseis and her eyes darken with anger that ripples over her body. He can almost see the the indignation that fires down her nerves. If he could fan the flames and turn her into a rippling black fury she would be splendid. He wants more, to push her to the point of breaking and see what follows. The fear was boring, expected, it will return but it is the flares of tenacity that he appreciates.
Another villain might laugh in the face of her bravery but Tunnel only follows the steps of her dance with cool eyes, tilting his head a little as she whirls and spits her words at him. “No, I can’t.” And then he is silent, just watches her for the span of several heart beats, lets her absorb the truth that he has not spoken. She stays, even now within his reach, waiting for him to take from her, to unravel her fears and create something new in their place.
Briseis decides.
Tunnel steps toward her again with a hunters patience, his black barred legs controlled, hooves settling back against the earth with deafening silence. She is beautifully feral, and she has turned on him without being cornered. The blue beast circles Briseis, just out of reach though he is not inclined to expect her to lash out at him, rounding her once before tightening the circle, closing the noose to slide up alongside her, lining his shoulder up with her flank and dropping his lips to graze his teeth against her hip. “You chose, Briseis.” The words are a soft growl, lips tracing over the place, roaming down the slope toward her belly, breathing her in. The tension in her frame sings a song he cannot resist, the taught canvas of her soft skin quivering under the fall of his breath.
like a shipwreck we die going into ourselves
as though we were drowning inside our hearts
@[Briseis]
