Once more Rose feels the incomparable satisfaction of everything falling into place. Noctis' cry is a fanfare for Rose's victory, his obedience an acknowledgement of her will and power. He's such a good boy she thinks, and her eyes roll back as she loses herself in her own orgasm. She pumps mindlessly into him, milking every last spurt and twitch from his body. Her thoughts swimming in honey, she wonders if she could fuck another orgasm out of him.

But Rose can never know peace for too long. Victory is short-lived, and as clarity seeps back into her mind she realizes there's more work to be done. Softer, gentler work. They've fulfilled the promise of the tamed beast, and now they must contend with reality. A reality in which they both hurt and were hurt, in which they both went too far and wanted to go still further.

Rose's head hurts, but she puts that aside. "We're safe now," she says to Noctis, her voice a little shaky. "Give me a moment to free you."

Gently, biting her lip, she pulls out of Noctis. With a grunt and a shudder, she pulls the toy out of herself. (She puts that ache aside, too.) She leans down and picks up her wands, then uses them to undo the knots at Noctis' ankles and wrists. The strings of light dissipate into glittering motes.

Rose has never been good at comforting people. And considering what they just did, she's really not sure that Noctis wants that from her. Did she put victory over their burgeoning friendship? Has she fucked things up in the name of necessity?

Her mind busy with worst-case scenarios, Rose lies on her back on the table next to Noctis. How to express all those feelings, those worries, the things she wants for Noctis? He is a good guy; he didn't deserve this.

"...we should probably have a safe word, next time," she says softly.