Decoy (Rex)

13: Trap for Kenobi

Long chapter!

Tw: Violence, creepy dudes.

Lucian pressed his lips to Ranov'la's forehead before standing up, leaving her sitting on the floor. She looked up at him momentarily before turning back to the holo they had been watching.

Lucian went to the kitchen, getting a snack before returning to Ranov'la's side. He sat next to her and she curled into his side, resting her head on his chest.

"Hungry?" Lucian softly asked, offering her the package of cookies.

Ranov'la shook her head and closed her eyes, her breath coming out in short puffs. Lucian frowned, concerned for her well-being.

"You haven't eaten in two rotations," Lucian reminded her, stroking her hair. "You need to eat."

"Maybe later," Ranov'la murmured, though her stomach growled.

"Alright," Lucian reluctantly said, holding her closer to him.

"Can I go outside?" Ranov'la softly asked, looking at him for his answer.

"Afraid not, sunshine," Lucian said, pausing what they were watching. "Pudico doesn't want you going out until he's sure you won't run off again."

Ranov'la blinked back the sting of tears, wanting nothing more than to feel the sun on her skin and fresh air filling her lungs. "Okay."

"Hey, don't act like that," Lucian gently said. "If it makes you happy, I'll try to convince him to let you go out, okay?"

Ranov'la smiled gratefully at him. "Thank you, Lucian."

"You're welcome, sunshine." Lucian brushed her cheek with his thumb. "It's the least I could do since you've been so good. You haven't even tried to escape yet."

Ranov'la unpaused the holo, and turned her attention back to it. She found the silly stuff they watched helped numb the anxiety and fear she felt around Lucian. It was a distraction from the unwanted attention he piled on her.

"I think that's enough for tonight," Lucian decided and turned the holo off after an hour or two. "It's time for bed."

"I'm not a child!" Ranov'la angrily said. "I can make my own decisions!"

Lucian gripped her chin, his nails digging into her skin. "But I'm your Guardian. I choose what you do and when you do it."

Ranov'la pulled away from him. "No, you can't. You can say something and hope I do what you say, but you can't actually control me."

Lucian backhanded her, and she held a hand up to her face, turning her head back to face him. He firmly said, "Go to bed, Ranov'la."

Ranov'la spat blood at his feet. "Go kark yourself."

Lucian scowled, grabbed her arm, and dragged her to their room. "I thought you were getting better, Ranov'la! I thought you had learned your lesson, sunshine!"

"And I thought that you learned not to lower your guard around me!" Ranov'la shot back, kicking between his legs.

Lucian doubled over and Ranov'la bolted for the door, frantically trying to open it, but it was locked. She slammed her hand against the door, desperate pleas slipping past her lips as she tried to open it.

"Sunshine, you need sleep to continue looking as gorgeous as you do," Lucian said as he straightened and grabbed her again.

Ranov'la was dragged into the bedroom, handed her nightwear, and told to change.