captive (sawyer)

[sawyer]

Sawyer hadn't been able to sleep much at all that night, he was exhausted, but not being able to at least see Arielle was killing him. Despite countless reassurances that she was all right, and merely resting, he wouldn't believe them until he saw her for himself. But it took him a long while to get his own strength back, he passed out twice more after attempting to stand up, and at some point gave up on the idea completely. Sawyer had eventually caved to sleep, he woke around noon, immediately demanding to see Arielle, only to be told that she was still asleep.

The hours that passed had been torturous, not being able to see her, or hold her hand while she slept put him on edge. Though he couldn't deny that he needed the rest, he had lost a lot of blood, he had seen the Death Eater disguise he had been wearing noticeably saturated with his own blood, alarming as the garment was black. Shortly before he retired yet again without having seen Arielle, Sawyer had convinced Perkins to give him a mirror so he could examine his wounds, and the sight of them nearly made him faint again. Five diagonal gashes, each one thicker than the width of his thumb, ran from his left shoulder blade to just above his right hip.

They were ghastly, still managing to look grotesque even when not spurting blood. He was told they would leave scars, given the Dark nature of the curse, but Sawyer didn't care about that. He and, more importantly, Arielle were still alive, that was all that mattered to him. He slept about the same the second night, only to be woken early by a woman. "She's awake," was all that she said, but Sawyer knew what that meant.

He cautiously stood, wary of passing out again as his head throbbed and his vision momentarily blurred. As if able to read him, the woman went to his side, gently guiding him to where Arielle was. He found her cleaned up, lying down in a cot. "Arielle," Sawyer breathed, sitting down on the empty cot across from her, immediately leaning forward and kissing her forehead and taking her hand. He straightened up and waited for the dizziness to subside, he was still weak, still pale, but he would be fine.

[arielle]

Waiting for Sawyer was the worst form of torture for Arielle. Now that she was safe and was about to see Sawyer for the first real time in nearly half a year, she was concerned with her appearance. Her hair was dry, fluffy and wavy, but a jet black. Her skin was pale, too pale, and she knew that she had to look awful. Her eyes were sunked, lifeless, but there was a glitter beginning to appear. She was going to get to see Sawyer. That in itself made her happy, happier than she thought she'd ever felt in her miserable life.

When Sawyer hobbled around the corner, Arielle nearly lost it. She felt a smile light up her face. Her overly-chapped lips cracked, and she immediately softened the gesture. Licking her lips, she leaned into Sawyer's kiss, revelling at the warmth that spread through body from her forehead. Kind, human interaction. She hadn't realized just how much she had missed it. Without warning, she attempted to stand, using one hand to support herself as the other slid around Sawyer's waist. "Sawyer," she whispered, inhaling his scent. She'd forgotten how tall he was, how warm and inviting his chest was. There was the smallest clearing of someone's throat, and Arielle looked over her soulder.

"I don't mean to interrupt. But, I feel like you'd be much happier in a more private setting," the woman who'd helped her said. She led the pair to a large room just a short distance away, patting the largest, plushest bed Arielle had ever seen. "There's a bell on that table. Ring it if you need anything. The bathroom is through there, and there are some more clothes in there," she said softly, pointing about the room before leaving, shutting the door and leaving the couple alone.

Arielle immediately felt anxious. Being with Sawyer seemed different, more electric. It was foreign, but she liked it. She looked up at him before looking at the bed. "My God, a real bed. It looks heavenly..." she breathed, half to herself and half to Sawyer. Without any hesitation, she crawled into it, moaning with delight as she cuddled into the large downy comforter. She looked at Sawyer, begging him to join her.

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[sawyer]

Sawyer put his arms gently around Arielle when she stood, words could not describe how wonderful it felt to have her back, to know that she really was there. But at the same time, he couldn't help a certain pain in his heart, he could feel her frailty, how thin she had become. Though she was back. It took a great deal of effort for Sawyer to maintain his composure, he could honestly start crying if he weren't trying very hard not to. He was getting dizzy again, he probably needed to lie down, but he would stand there forever if it were possible.

Though their caretaker, in being quite kind, suggested that they might want to be someplace more private, and lead them to a bedroom off the main hall. Sawyer and Arielle hobbled there together, he kept her tucked under his arm, hers looped around his waist. It was a simple room, plain in layout, but with an enormous, soft-looking bed, and after the couch that he had slept on two nights in a row, it looked like the most inviting piece of furniture he'd ever seen. Honestly, he wasn't sure if there was much more he could ask for.

After pointing out the necessities the woman left them to their own devices. "Doesn't it?" said Sawyer. He climbed in after Arielle, laying down on his stomach to avoid putting any pressure on his wounds, which would make them sting to the point where his eyes would begin to water. He sighed contently, the sensation of the room spinning around him beginning to slow. He hated being like this, though with their limited resources the only thing that would heal him was time, spending as little time on his feet as was possible, getting in enough rest. Sawyer could certainly do that easier now that he had seen Arielle for himself.

Needing contact on a subconscious level, Sawyer reached for Arielle's hand, slipping her fingers between his and clasping gently. Her hand felt warm against his, or perhaps his was just cold. There was something different about being alone with Arielle at the moment, Sawyer couldn't say what, only that he enjoyed it. Five very long months ago there had been an admitting of love as she was dragged away, but now that they were actually together again, Sawyer felt it stronger than ever.

[arielle]

Arielle smiled softly as Sawyer clambered into bed, though her cheerfulness died slightly as he laid on his stomach, the five deep gashes burning red on his pale skin. She turned her face away, biting her lip in shame. That was all her fault. If she hadn't been so afraid, if she hadn't allowed herself to be captive in the first place. Granted, if she wouldn't have gone willingly, both she and, more importantly, Sawyer would have been killed. She supposed this was the better alternative, though it still pained her greatly to see her friend in pain.

Arielle wanted nothing more than to sleep and to cuddle up next to Sawyer for days and days. However, she kept her body turned from him, her face angled away, her eyes staring at the wall. She didn't have any reason to fear him, but he looked so fragile. Of course, she was a lot more fragile than he was. She was all skin and bones, frail as can be. Still, she would think of Sawyer's well-being before her own, always. Still, when he sliped his hand into hers, she couldn't help but turn to look at him.

Lightly squeezing his hand, Arielle moved closer, draping Sawyer's arm over her and nuzzling up into his warmth. She pulled the sheet over the both of them, careful not to irritate the freshly healing wounds on his back, then looked at him. Very lightly, she reached up and ran her fingers from his temple, down his cheek, to his neck. "I missed you," she murmured. She leaned a little closer. "I owe you. You saved me," she added softly, smiling ever so slightly. "Do you remember what I told you before they took me?" Arielle asked, eyes leveling on his.

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[sawyer]

Sawyer was quiet, though puzzled as Arielle angled herself away from him, her face to the wall. He hadn't done anything, had he? He mentally told himself that she had gone through a lot, it wasn't him, it was what those cruel bastards had done. Though after a moment she squeezed his hand before nestling closer to him, pulling his arm over her. His heart ached when he felt how little of her there was, her figure diminished, each of her bones protruding. But just as in his case, time would help to fix that. It would be a slow process, as her system needed to acclimate to food once more, but she would heal.

But as for the mental damage, Sawyer didn't know about that. Arielle had to have lived through some pretty horrific things. Though he was determined to be the one she went to for comfort. He'd keep her safe, he'd willingly spend night after night awake with her if she had nightmares. "I missed you," Sawyer echoed, it had been such a very long time, they had never been apart that long. It had been nothing short of torture, day after day, not knowing where she was, if she was even still alive... "You don't owe me anything," Sawyer said, softly, but his tone was firm all the same.

He wasn't concerned with getting anything back but his best friend, the girl that he had loved for so very long. At Arielle's next words, Sawyer nodded. The scene had played over and over in his mind during the five months she was gone. How he could have handled it differently so she was never taken in the first place... But they had been drastically outnumbered, there wasn't anything he could have done that wouldn't have resulted in them both being killed. "I do," said Sawyer, lightly rubbing her shoulder with his thumb, it slipped easily over the silky pyjamas she was wearing...

[arielle]

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As Sawyer held her, Arielle calmly waited for his reply. She took the opportunity to take in everything in Sawyer's face. He was definitely a sight for sore eyes, especially after months and months of solitude. Any faces she saw were the faces of those in cells across from her, and those only lasted for so long before they were gone, for good. It had been a terrifying five months and she was happy to be out, though it now was the time for her body to be nursed back to health. It would be a long and painful process, and she wasn't looking forward to it.

Still, Arielle couldn't believe that she was free. For once in her life, things were beginning to look up. She was with the one person who loved her unconditionally. She smiled softly, just looking at Sawyer made her extremely happy.

"I missed you. You don't owe me anything. I do."

Arielle continued to smile. "Good," she replied. "Then I hope you know that that hasn't changed..." Arielle wanted to lean forward and kiss Sawyer, but she didn't trust herself. Physical contact hadn't been the best within the past months, and she wasn't sure what she could handle. Still, she wanted to try. Arielle didn't trust herself to act first. After plenty of intense, violent interaction, she didn't know if she'd be able to stomach contact, no matter how gentle. But, wasn't Sawyer worth it? She'd been waiting for so long...

((OOC: Sorry, Jaqi! Surrounded by my loved ones. They're fabulous, but I'm horribly distracted. I'll get on the other posts as best I can!))

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[sawyer]

Sawyer was quite content to be lying beside Arielle, it had been too long since they had been together. It made him regret almost, having not confessed how he felt about her sooner. But he hadn't wanted to ruin things for them. It seemed silly, having been concerned about it all that time ago, not when now they were so close, so obviously in love. Honestly, he had been since fifth year, it was a shame it had taken this long and such a terrible event to finally unite them, but now that they were together, everything felt as if it were complete. Were they not so weak, this moment might be perfect.

Sawyer continued to absently stroke her shoulder, trying not to focus on the bony nature of her entire person, the softness to her shape had gone, leaving only harsh edges. But that would return with time, and Sawyer was willing to be there with her for however long it took. He had already waited for so long to have her to himself, he'd wait all his life for her. Sawyer smiled softly at her words, it was good to know that she still loved him, even if he hadn't doubted it.

"I know," Sawyer said softly, "and you know I've always loved you, right?" He could see her hesitance, it was almost as if she wanted to kiss him, but couldn't bring herself to do it. Sawyer wasn't sure if he could make the first move, either, she had been through so much, he didn't want to hurt her... Before he could even think he had lightly pressed his lips against hers, but pulled away after only a few seconds as not to make her uncomfortable.

((OOC: No worries Meg, I've got me own family to deal with, haha))

[arielle]

Arielle smiled softly, loving every second that she was spending with Sawyer. Her heart was racing at his proximity, but she didn't know how to take that. On the one hand, it could be her brain telling the rest of her body that she was in danger. On the other, it could be her brain telling the rest of her body how badly she needed Sawyer's kiss, his hands on her, his body pressed to hers... Arielle shook her head, those thoughts only making her heart beat faster. She could have sworn that Sawyer could have heard it's pounding.

"I know, and you know I've always loved you, right?"

Arielle began to nod, but was interrupted by the feel of Sawyer's lips on hers. Her muscles tensed, her heart stopping as her brain processed what was happening. A part of her was on red-alert, waiting for something bad to happen, waiting for the dream to end. This couldn't be real. There wasn't any way that she was safe, kissing the boy that she loved. Before she could kiss him back, he had pulled away. Arielle bit her lip, eyes wide.

Truthfully, she was ashamed. She wanted nothing more than to kiss him back. What was stopping her, really? All it took was a deep breath and a little movement. Surely Arielle could muster even that? She should be happy, elated at the opportunity. Something about the moment seemed surreal, like a dream. It was all too much... or was it? Arielle looked at him, bringing a shaking hand to caress Sawyer's face. "I..." she started, voice trembling. Suddenly, she was very much afraid. Still, there was no turning back.

Arielle shifted herself, eyes locking on Sawyer's. Taking a deep, shuddering breath, she closed her eyes, pressing her lips to Sawyer's. Immediately, the frightening sensations started up again, and she felt like pulling away. However, the warmth in her chest was new. It slowly spread as she kept her lips pressed to his, and eventually her brain realized that she was safe. Regardless of the horrors, Arielle knew that she would come around, in time. A kiss was the first step. Suddenly, she wanted to go further. She wanted to feel his skin on hers, and it became a necessary, carnal desire.

Arielle pulled away, heart not letting up. "W-w-wow..." she breathed, not sure what to do. "Th-that was a-a-amazing..." she said softly. "Kind of scary... but, really, really... wow..." Arielle flushed, adverting her gaze.

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[sawyer]

Sawyer immediately felt that perhaps he had been too impulsive, had moved too quickly, he could see the look of horror in Arielle's eyes, and he hated it, especially since he had been the one to put it there. He really should not have done that, it was wrong of him, he knew better than that. Sawyer wanted to smack himself for his lapse in judgment, he normally was a lot less careless. He opened his mouth, to apologize, say something, admit his stupidity, but Arielle had begun to speak, only stuttering out a single "I" before her own words faltered. He had really done it.

Sawyer had gone and ruined everything. But why was he so concerned? He had saved her life, narrowly escaped with his own, it was sort of the cliché- the hero saves the damsel in distress, they kiss and then live happily ever after. Then why had that not gone the right way? But before those thoughts could even continue Arielle had closed the gap again, this time bringing her lips to his. To say that he was surprised would have been an understatement, he hadn't thought that she would do that, had thought that she wouldn't be ready for it.

Though he wouldn't complain, there was something magical to be said about the way her mouth felt against his, as if they were supposed to go together. Though honestly, Sawyer had felt that ever since fifth year, when he had come to the realization that he loved her... Sawyer lightly kissed back, careful to not go any further than what Arielle was doing, even if a dark, primal corner of his mind was screaming at him to do more, he wanted to touch, feel... No, he shut those thoughts down quickly. Not now, not just then, it would be wrong of him.

He smiled gently as she pulled away, now that had been more along the lines of what he had been wanting for so very long. He chuckled lightly at her words, and he too might have blushed if it weren't for all the blood he had lost. "Yeah," said Sawyer, resuming stroking her shoulder with his thumb.