"It's hardly Netflix dear."

☆

"D....Diamonds DIAMONDS!" Carlos, begins to writhe on the bed. The tethers on his wrists dig in deep as his moment of pleasure is soon taken over by the absolute fear of being blown to pieces by the one who held all the power.

Rio grins, biting on his lower lip as he withdraws the gun, letting it fall on the bed by his side. "That was close." He utters.

"You.... you were gonna shoot me!" Carlos shouts, still unable to move. He glances up at the cord around his wrists. "Untie me!"

As calm as can be, Rio leans forwards, taking his fingers to the chunky knot, keeping the man in place. "I asked you, do you trust me? Are you doubting me?"

"You pointed the gun... "

"I took out the bullets, I just didn't tell you. Added to the thrill, wouldn't you agree?" The knot finally loosens, with Carlos managing to sit up a fraction. He pushes back Rio in the chest.

"Fuck you!" Carlos curses as he attempts to push Rio once again, but the other male gets there first, grabbing Carlos by the wrists and towering over him as he pins him down.

"Look at me Carlos." He holds onto the other male until he relaxes, submitting to the surrender. "I would never hurt you." He looks down at the cooling sticky mess between them, before looking back up. "I delivered, didn't I? You can't tell me you didn't enjoy it."

Carlos' eyes follow the stare down to the space between them. "Next time we swap places."

"Can't wait." Rio chuckles as he releases the hold, sitting up and climbing off of Carlos legs. He rolls onto the other half on the bed, staring up at the ceiling.

Carlos turns to face the other male's profile. "I really do trust you."

Rio turns his head, smiling at Carlos. "That's good to hear. It shows that you haven't lost all faith in humankind. You trusted me at your most vulnerable." He leans across and kisses Carlos on the lips. "And I trust you too."

Carlos lifts his head, glancing down at the silver gun by his leg. "So tell me, where did you put the bullets?"

"I threw them away."

"What?" Carlos sits up, looking down at Rio in shock. "What did you do that for?"

Rio raises a hand from his resting position, placing it on Carlos' arm. "Calm down. We don't need a gun."

"We do. Chanelle will kill us. I need to...."

"Listen to me, could you really do it? Could you really point that gun at someone and pull the trigger? Could you actually kill your own sister?" Rio sits up, taking each of Carlos' hands in his. "You are not a killer."

"Then what am I?" Carlos asks, looking deep into Rio's eye as if to seek the answer in them somehow.

Rio takes a hand to Carlos' face, the palm cupping his cheek. "That's for you to decide, from this point onwards. Whatever it will be, just know that I will be right here beside you."

Carlos leans forwards, pulling Rio close to him. "Thankyou."

"For what?" Rio replies as he rests his chin on Carlos' shoulder, but Carlos doesn't answer. Too busy enjoying the moment. The pinnacle moment where he felt some kind of hope for the future. He didn't just have to run away from his past, living in fear of his sister. He was now looking forward to a future of his own making. Ready to face whatever came his way, because he had a defence. Bigger than any weapon. He had finally found someone who believed in him.

****

Chanelle emits a small chuckle at the tv. "You call this entertainment?" She looks over at Remi, who was glued to the screen, transfixed on the action unfolding.

"You don't like it?" Remi glances at the other female,  her legs curled to one side as she rested against the armrest of the sofa. Glass of red wine clasped in her hand.

"It's just a little overbearing don't you think? What was so great about the 80s? And as for super powers..."

"Can I stop you there?" Remi holds up her hand, causing Chanelle to halt her words. "Do not argue with me about this series. You will not win."

"You surprised me."  Chanelle grins. "For someone as educated as yourself, you take this nonsense without question."

"We all need to escape sometimes. There's nothing wrong with a bit of fantasy. Don't you ever want a moment to think of something else?"

"That's what the wine is for." Chanelle downs the rest of her drink, before leaning forwards to place the glass on the table. "I'll leave you to your own pleasures Whilst I go pursue mine. She gets up from the seat and heads to the door.

"Wait...." Remi sits up on the edge of the seat, turning to see Chanelle stop at her words. "Don't go yet."

Chanelle folds her arms as she leans against the open door frame. "What is it now?"

"I... I want to know.... what's your pleasure?" Remi swallows hard. Her desire to know what the owner kept behind that door was still weighing heavy on her mind as she stood up to face her.

"You want to know what I do to take my mind off things?" Chanelle lets her arms drop. She takes a step towards Remi, raising a hand to push away the fallen strand of hair from her house guest's face. She takes in Remi's features, as if she were deliberating a purchase. Her  skin. That 'English rose' aesthetic. Chanelle leans in, getting close enough to whisper into Remi's ear.  "I like to have sex."

Remi's eyes widen at the words spoken. The hairs on her neck bristle. "But... you're alone." She inwardly curses herself as soon as she speaks and it causes Chanelle to pull her head back and laugh.

"Oh Remi. We are both intelligent women.  Since when did we need another to fulfil our desires?"   She takes a step back and turns to walk away once again. "Good night Miss Tennet."

Remi stays rooted to the spot as she watches Chanelle leave once again through the open door, heading across the hall to that closed one. "I want to come with you." Remi cannot stop herself as she begins to follow behind Chanelle, moments from catching up with her. She grabs Chanelle by the hand. It makes Chanelle turn to look at Remi once again. "Let me come with you."

Chanelle tilts her head to one side. "It's hardly Netflix dear."

Remi stays where she is. Her hold remains. "Like I said. We sometimes need to take our mind off things." She glances once again at the closed door. Her desperation, trying not to reveal itself too much. Her hand makes its way to Chanelle's fingers as she takes a hold. She looks at the woman shrouded in mystery as she utters.... "Show me your way. "

Chanelle looks down at the connected hands, feeling at a crossroads. She could end this here. Remi was getting too close, but the intrigue within her wanted to know how far this woman would go. If she wanted to know her intentions she would play along and selfishly get something from it too.

She takes a key from her pocket as she  tugs on the hand in her grasp. "Come with me...."