POWER

HUNTER

It had been a week since they ran into each other at the masquerade ball. You can imagine his delight when she took her mask off and revealed a familiar face. It was supposed to be a scene among strangers when he offered to take her home, but he had much grander plans for Lucy Quinn Fabray. The look on her face was priceless once she realized who he was, but by then it was too late. The doors were locked, her things were confiscated, and she was handcuffed to the bed in the guest bedroom right next to his master suite. The universe wasn’t normally kind to him, but it practically handed her to him on a silver platter. 

To Hunter it was a game and that’s how he presented it. If she complied to the game and did what he said, she would be rewarded. Every morning, he came in with a breakfast tray and give her the choice to comply or starve. And every morning she would completely ignore him, earning herself another day of minimal food and water. “You’re doing this to yourself,” he would tell her. Then leave the dark room and her to the one piece of bread and one glass of water she was allowed a day. 

Quinn was a lot stronger and a lot more stubborn than he anticipated, but he was a patient man and planned on waiting her out. He came in on day 8 like it was any other day. Showing her the tray of food, but anticipating her denial. But instead of just leaving like he normally did, he ordered the guard to bring the warm bowl of water. He took the seat next to Quinn on the bed and dipped the wash cloth into the water. He pressed a finger under her chin to tip her face up and gently wiped her face with the cloth. 

HUNTER

It was another successful two days with Marley. Hunter was finding that there wasn’t much Marley wouldn’t do for him. But it wasn’t the compliance alone that was attractive to him, it was her willingness to do her best and they way she was completely at his mercy. That was the best kind of submission in his eyes. He sat in a chair and watched from the other side of the bedroom as Marley put new sheets in the bed. A necessary step after having ruined the other sheets. Her hair was still wet from the bath, but he didn’t mind that. He waited until the bed was made before he made his way over and got in. Then at the last moment decided to reward her once again. “You may sleep with me tonight.”

MARLEY

Marley found it easy to be with Hunter - what he needed from her was complete submission, and she knew how to give that to him.  It was her specialty, in point of fact.  The two days had been just what she enjoyed and wanted to do for him, and as they began to wind down for the night her only thought was making sure that the bed was clean and dry for him.  That was her job, and her responsibility.  She hadn't dared make any assumptions about where she might sleep, but when he rewarded her with another night in his bed Marley turned with a bright smile on her face.  "Thank you, Sir!"

HUNTER

Hunter threw the towel that was wrapped around his next to the bench at the end of the bed then leaned back into the fluffed pillows, hand behind his head as he watched Marley’s expression. It was what he expected and he almost smiled at the excitement. Her smile was borderline contagious, but he managed to keep his smile at bay. “You earned it, pet,” he confirmed, pulling the blankets back on the side she was standing by. “Put a towel on the pillow for your wet hair. And wear full pajamas so you don’t get sick.”

MARLEY

"Yes, Sir!" she confirmed easily.  The pillow came first - Marley dug a towel from the cupboard and laid it out over the whole length of the pillow.  Next she pulled on a pair of warm pajamas, making sure that they were buttoned up and as neat as pajamas could be - just because they were going to bed didn't mean that she wouldn't look her best for Hunter.  Then and only then did she wait on her knees for him to climb into bed; getting in first wasn't her role.

HUNTER

Hunter just watched closely as Marley dd as she was told, enjoying it immensely that she never argues or back talked. She just always did what she was told to do. "Good girl," he praised as she sunk down onto her knees. He moved over a bit and pulled the covers back to signal how much of the bed she was allowed to take place. "You're allowed to get in now."

MARLEY

"Thank you, Sir," Marley smiled, happy that she had earned his praise and even happier that he made her space clear for her.  She climbed into bed and wriggled under the covers, keeping herself compact and fitting easily into the space she was given.  "I'm very happy that I pleased you today, Sir."

HUNTER

Hunter was just clicking off the light on his side, leaving them in complete darkness, save the small night light that came from the other side of the room. A light he only plugged in when Marley was spending the night. Not that he would admit that to her or anyone else. "You always please me, pet," he clarified, settling further into the bed.

MARLEY

The night light was something Marley appreciated very much - she didn't sleep in total darkness, hadn't in a long time, and it felt good that Hunter had picked up on that.  "I'm really glad, Sir," she murmured softly.  "I hope you sleep very well."  As she began to drift, though, she almost automatically began to creep out of her assigned spot on the bed.  Not out of disobedience or wanting more than she was given, but a simple fact - Marley cuddled when she slept.

HUNTER

"Goodnight," he whispered, pushing his hand behind his head and staring up at the ceiling, as was his nightly ritual, until he fell asleep. He enjoyed being engulfed by silence and darkness before falling asleep. It was easy to ignore the nightlight, but he was not able to ignore the way Marley turned to curl up next to him as she was falling asleep. Just as usual, his instinct was to push her away, but he didn't. Instead, he wrapped his arm around her small frame, which was a first. But not because he had any type of affection for her, but because it was just more comfortable for both of them.

MARLEY