Toxic Love part 5

He is so damn close. I feel trapped. I went for another slap but when I reared back my hand he gave a knowing look.

"Im not going to be so nice if you do that again my queen" he mumbled

"Back up" I huff

"Why don't you push me away?" He moved in a fraction closer

"Cause, cause you're wet and gross"

"Im perfectly clean, you watched me get out of the bath" he snorted, "Now look who's acting like a child"

That was the last straw, "I order you to back off, Hawks"

"Oooh, what a commanding tone. And if I don't?"

"You forget who is in charge" I huff

He gasped playfully, "Forget? Never? Not with how you consistently lord it over me every chance you get"

"I do not-"

He lightly hushed me, "Not so loud, there are guards on the other side of this door. They hear you screaming they'll think something else is going on" he smirked

"Hawks you're being gross"

"No I'm being adult" he corrected

"Don't touch me i-"

"I haven't, and I won't unless you ask me to" he spoke lightly

I stare at him for a long moment. He finally backed off.

"I'd leave or at least turn around unless you want a show, us 'bird people' are appearently known for them" he spoke starting to remove the towel while walking to his clothes

I turn away with a scoff, "Bird people? I have no clue what you are referring to"

"Many people last night said that. Said Harpies are supposed to be known for singing and dancing like common birds. Some even told me i should be providing the entertainment"

"I don't indulge in those topics"

"Only because they don't concern you"

"You're right. They don't. What did you tell them?"

"That not all birds sing and dance"

"Then I guess issue solved"

"If only that easy" he chuckled

"I have no control over the prejudice they have"

He sighed heavily, "whatever you say my queen"

I about flinch when a hand reaches past me for the door, "Hawks, are you sure you can handle yourself?" I press

"You think I can't? Are you that concerned over me?" He chuckled

"Fine, just go" I huff moving from the door.

As we split ways and he went to his room I found myself exhausted. I know my work is mostly done and I can freely just go to bed.

This evening was particularly cold as the snow started to settle in. My hearth kept my room warm though as I bundled myself in blankets.

The cold came back. I was barely awake as I watched someone relight my fire. I fell back asleep with no thoughts on it. It didn't seem odd to me.

It was when I woke a second time I realized something was different. I started to roll over when my hand smacked something, or more someone who groaned.

"What the hell" Hawks groaned, "Why the face"

My brain didn't connect until I fully turned over to see him laying in bed with me, "What are you doing here?"

"My room has no fireplace, yours does. Plus it went out and you looked cold" he mumbled lightly.

I only realised I was moving when I felt his body against mine. It was comfy though. I felt like I fit like a puzzle piece in his warm arms.

My leg laid over him and in turn his wing coccooned us. His hands lightly rubbed my back before they got lighter and stopped as he seemed to fall back asleep. I couldn't argue as I quickly followed.

The morning was filled with the lightest touches. I woke up slowly feeling that same hand rubbing my back.

"Hawks what are you doing?" I mumble

"I don't know" he breathed deeply before stretching.

I took the chance to get out of his hold and stretch myself, "Why the hell are you in here?"

"Your posted guard sucked. I heard him snoring not even 20 minutes into his shift. When I walked past he didn't even bother to wake up. Figured I'd be safer with you"

"Couldn't just lock your door?"

"Ah yes, the lock, as if someone will try the door and think 'well that sucks, ill get you next time'. And what, hope if something happens I have captain snoresalot on my side? No way. Besides, your room was warmer and your bed comfier"

"Who was the man showing off his silk sheets and shoving it in my face how much more comfortable you are" I roll my eyes

"Sure, focus on that minor detail" he scoffed

"What do you want me to do? I can't personally guard you every night"

"And why not? It's not like someone will enter the queens chambers in the middle of the night"

"You forget how I found you? In MY chambers?"

"Well if they want me here anyway I'll already be here" he shrugged

"Hawks, you know that's not my point"

"Ah, yes politics. Oh no, people will see us leave the same room. They already think we are sleeping together so what is the harm?"

"We don't give them any evidence obviously"

"They are just rumors. People will believe what they want. Do you not enjoy my company? Or is it that you would want more of it if I continued to stay in here" he raised a brow leaning more in my direction

"It looks to me like you are trying to make those rumors true"

"I wouldn't dare" he rolled his eyes

"Then why do you keep pressing this?"

"Pressing what?"

"Every button I seem to have" I huff, "You have your own room, your own guard-"

"My own enemies" he got out of bed stretching, "lets strike a deal. In my culture trade is common and encouraged. If I stay in here, what would you wish from me?"

"I want you to sleep in your own room"

He chuckled, "No no no. I don't think you understand how this works. I say my terms. You then say yours and we make it a deal"

"I know how trade works, Hawks. I simply want nothing from you"

"Im skillful. In many things. I can get you info? Or maybe fly for you?"

"Not interested" I started to get up as well.

It was a very sudden betrayal as a Charlie horse strangled my calf when i flexed my foot. I rolled back into the bed gripping my calf with painful panic.

Hawks took notice and smirked at my pain making me only want to punch him, "Muscle cramp? Well I appear to have an idea"

"Fuck you" I spit in pained frusteration

He rolled his eyes but his hands batted mine away before taking my calf massaging it slowly, "Calm down my queen. Have I ever told you how good I am with my hands?"

I hissed in pain before the cramping slowly went away, "This does NOT equal you being allowed to stay in my quarters"

"Have you drank enough water as of late? To avoid this in the future" he ignored my statement

"I don't need your help. I am perfectly capable of dealing with this myself"

"Yes yes my queen. You are capable of doing near everything even when you don't need to"

I glare but he just glares back, "I don't want to lower myself any more than need be but I am someone who likes to feel safe and secure while I sleep. I'm not going to drop this"

"And I will not be swayed"

He gave a dramatic huff before glaring, "This is about that green stuff isn't it?"

"Well no but now that you mention it" I huff back

"Can you not believe I am about to control myself?"

"I've seen what that kind of stuff does to people"

"Last night I didn't do anything inappropriate-"

"You crawled into my bed!"

"I mean sexually not socially"

"This time"

"Do you really not trust me?" He scoffed standing up

"Trust is earned Mr. Flies away at the first opportunity"

"Am I flying right now?? My wings are healed! I take a short flight in the gardens, but that's it"

"Its earned-"

He got in my face, "Fine, don't trust me. But I am still your responsibility" he practically growled, "As your prisoner, slave, ward, or hell even concubine," he spat, "I am your legal property. Your member of the 'avian barbarians'. I am a Meer gift to the queen"

He's angry. I understand but this current tantrum he's throwing has stopped being amusing as he is just fishing to get in a fight. He is just looking for a reason. My first thought is to purposefully try to hurt him back but I know that won't help either of us. As much as I hate it I need to be the adult.

Compromise is needed, "I'll move your bed"

"Move my bed?" He looked taken aback

"Yes, I'll have it moved in here. I will arrange a partition to be moved here as well as a small divider for some privacy. But that should work"

He stared for a long moment before nodding, "Yes...that will do"