Ring

“Saturn.”

Saturn turns her head towards the door, watching Lofwyr walk towards her with his signature scowl. But there's that look in his eyes that says he's got something to say and so Saturn straightens and flashes him a smile.

“What’s up? Got something to chew me out for?” Saturn quips with her usual carefree tone. “I'm—“

Before she can finish, Lofwyr reaches out and grabs her hand, and yanks it towards himself. It takes her by surprise, he's never the one to initiate physical contact. She stumbles a bit as Lofwyr holds up her hand and splays her fingers apart with one hand. She watches as his other hand slides a gold ring onto her finger. He then doesn’t so much let go but throws her hand back at herself. He doesn’t say anything. Saturn stares at the ring, bewildered. It's gold with an interesting weaving pattern and a brilliant diamond in the middle. It's not something she'd ever wear on her own, it’s far too delicate and pretty.

“What’s this?” She chuckles. It’s a slightly uneasy sound, her smile not as confident as it should be. “A reward for good behavior?”

Lofwyr huffs. “It can be.” Is all he says, his tone flat. His eyes are trained on the ring, his scowl softening for a moment as he admires how it looks on her. It's expensive, it's gold, and it's certainly flashy. That seems to be his style but it's not Saturn's and more so, it's sitting on her ring finger.

“Well, um, thank you? I shouldn't--" Saturn goes to pull the ring off her finger. Lofwyr snatches her hand again and holds it. His own expression flickers like he can’t determine what he’s doing and he grimaces, his grasp on her hand loosening slightly.

“Don't be ungrateful.” He snaps with a sneer. "I went out of my way to give you a gift. Appreciate it."

"It's not practical for me to wear a ring," Saturn explains, her eyes darting to his hand holding hers tightly. "And it's on my ring finger. Don't tell me you don't understand the implications."

His scowl deepens, his jaw twitching with clear irritation etched on his face. "It doesn't mean anything. Just wear it," he commands, slowly releasing Saturn's hand. With a quiet intensity, he adds, "I want to see you wear it."

Her smile falters.

“Is that an order?” She asks quietly. She almost winces at how unsure her voice sounds. The power dynamic shifts, and she despises the vulnerability that seeps into the space between them.

“Yes.” Lofwyr growls, his tone final as he turns away and storms off, leaving Saturn to gaze at the ring in her hand. A sense of unease settles in the pit of her stomach as she watches him leave the room. After a slight pause, she slips the ring off and pockets it.

"You're wearing it."

Saturn halts her rhythmic tapping on the desk and shifts her attention to Lofwyr. His eyes are fixed onto her hand, captivated by the gleaming ring that graces her finger.

"You did order me to wear it." Saturn replies, watching how his gaze doesn't budge from her hand. She can't place what emotion is on his face right now. He stares at her hand for a moment too long before finally tearing his eyes away, sitting forward in his desk. Saturn doesn't miss the slight smile that ghosts his lips.

"Good." He says after a moment.

Saturn smiles in return but there's a chill that passes over her.

Saturn can hear him approach. She turns to face him and once again, he's storming towards her with a determined look in his eyes. She opens her mouth to say something, speaking before she even thinks—it's a reflex—, but Lofwyr surprises her again by grabbing her shoulders. He spins her around so fast she can't even think.

"Oh? So early in the day?" Saturn says, a bit breathless. She can hear him growl behind him and she's getting ready to be bent over when his hand brushes the back of her neck.

He pushes her hair aside and Saturn feels the sensation of a light, cool metal on her skin.

A necklace. He carefully drapes it around her neck and clasps it. Saturn's eyes are wide and speechless, not one smart ass comment in her mind. He turns her back around, this time with a gentler touch, and inspects the necklace, adjusting it so it rests perfectly on her chest, a satisfied smile playing on his lips.

Saturn glances down at the necklace, trying to see it for herself, and she begins to say something, to ask him what this even is but he's already turning away with a huff. He leaves her there, speechless.

She touches the necklace, bringing it to her view. Of course it's gold. It feels way too delicate for her hands.

Lofwyr's fingers glide gently along the curve of Saturn's neck, a tender exploration that sends shivers down her spine. He leans closer, his lips barely brushing her skin as he whispers, “You look good today.” His voice is low, intimate. “You wear gold well.”

For a moment, Saturn is silent, her eyes fluttering shut as she savors his touch, feeling the warmth of his body against hers and the way his hand rests over her abdomen. “I do?” She murmurs. “You’ve been quite fixated on drowning me in it as of late.”

He makes a noise that’s like a growl, his hand flexing in irritation against her stomach while his other hand grips her chin tightly. “And are you ungrateful?” he hisses, his breath warm against her ear. "One would expect you to be thankful."

With a soft sigh, Saturn shakes her head. “I didn’t ask for any gifts. I’m not one for jewelry.”

“As if your preferences matter to me,” Lofwyr retorts with a dismissive snort. His hand slides lower, deftly beginning to unbutton her pants. “Remember your place, Saturn.”

Saturn fights the urge to roll her eyes, a myriad of sharp retorts poised on her lips. Then, Lofwyr takes ahold of her hand and brings it to his lips. Her nails are painted a shimmering gold.

“You don’t seem to disagree with my assertion that gold is good on you.” he remarks, kissing each fingertip with deliberate slowness. “I enjoy seeing you adorned in my color.”

“Are you going to fuck me or not?” Saturn challenges, turning to meet his gaze. The familiar spark of irritation in his gaze oddly reassures her, as this level of intimacy feels entirely new and unsettling.

“Why is it,” Lofwyr growls, his voice low and dangerous. “That you react like this to my… affections?”

“Because I don’t want affection. What happened to the rules?”

Anger flickers in his gaze, his features tightening as Saturn catches a glimpse of his clenched teeth. His grip on her tightens. And right when Saturn thinks it’s working, that’s it’s going to go back to normal, his expression shifts into something else. Something that gives Saturn a chill.

He looks hurt. Pained.

He releases Saturn and she thought she’d feel relief but instead she feels cold. She turns to face him, brows knit in confusion. “Lofwyr--”

“Leave. I’m not in the mood.” He snaps, his voice tight. He looks away from her like he can’t stand to look at her. An unfamiliar sensation rises within Saturn, a mixture of heat and cold. It’s disorienting and she can’t put a finger on what exactly it is.

She attempts to walk away, but before her fingers can grasp the doorknob, he pulls her back, his hand gripping her arm. With a forceful motion, he slams his hand against the wall, pinning her in place.

“I hate what you do to me.” He whispers against her ear. “And most of all, I hate how I’m the only one affected. You can dismiss me so effortlessly, as if I hold no significance, while you have become everything to me.”

His words send a cold shiver through Saturn, her eyes widening in shock. A wave of anxiety crashes over her, and she becomes acutely aware of her quickening breath, realizing that she is genuinely scared.

“Is that it?” Lofwyr hisses, sensing her fear. The first time since he’s met her that he’s ever seen her afraid, hesitant. Even though she knows who he is, what he is. “Is this what it takes to make you afraid of me? What I feel for you?”

"You're not supposed to," Saturn manages to say, struggling to find her voice. All her bravado and confidence have vanished. "Out of everyone, you weren't supposed to."

“And yet, here we are.” Lofwyr says, pulling her closer and wrapping his arm around her midsection. “You infuriate me. I want to rip you apart for making me feel this way, order you out of my sight, to never see you again. And yet the very thought of you leaving tears at me in ways I haven’t felt.”

“Stop…” Saturn whispers, overwhelmed by the weight of his words. It’s the last thing she wanted. Deep down, she realizes she can’t bear his feelings, as they threaten to unravel the fragile bond they’ve built. Leaving is something she knows all too well, but at this moment, she doesn't want to leave even as every part of her is screaming at her to do so. “Don’t ruin what we have.”

“I’d give you the world, everything you could want for. But there’s nothing you want, is there?” Lofwyr growls, his lips pressing against her jaw. “Are you truly going to deny me, Saturn?”

Saturn inhales sharply, she can feel her heart hammering in her chest. It’s as if she’s caught in the heat of a battle, adrenaline coursing through her veins. After a moment of hesitation, she finally speaks, her voice barely above a whisper. “I won’t, but I can’t give you what you want.”

Lofwyr leans in closer, his lips brushing against her neck as he hugs her close, his chest pressing firmly against her back. “You’ll learn,” he murmurs softly, his teeth grazing her skin as a subtle threat.

Saturn stares up at the ceiling, trying to will herself to relax within Lofwyr’s hold as his hand descends to continue what he had begun earlier. In silence, she hopes that she will indeed come to understand.