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Chapter Text

The television flickered to life as Rinny's husband snuggled up uncomfortably close to her. he had insisted on watching some kind of movie but lately the only thing that was on was the news. News, news, news. Every time a Malino "went missing" by Rinny's hand, reporters would drawl on and on about it is if it were the most tragic thing in the world.
This time, though, something caught her eye. A victim that wasn't hers.
"The famous popstar known as Ron was found on the street today with her tongue cut out and various injuries along her body," the news anchor said, a picture of the white rabbit Malino displaying on the screen, blood pouring out of her mouth. "She has been hospitalized and given a prosthetic tongue, and will be able to continue performing. Her only input about her attacker was that they were "pretty" and "dressed how she wished she could," but she refused to elaborate further. Police are still investigating."
Mangy had his head buried in Rinny's shoulder as he watched the news, his arms wrapped around her like a clingy child desperate for attention. He cuddled up to her, nuzzling his face into her neck, while Rinny tried her best to ignore his touch.
"Poor rabbit," Mangy commented with a sigh, shaking his head. "Who would do such a thing to her?"
But Rinny knew. Rinny was sure of who had done this. Her ears twitched in annoyance before she schooled her expression back to seeming calm and docile, turning to her husband.
"Yes, poor rabbit…" Rinny muttered, her expression neutral despite the irritation that boiled deep within her chest. Mangy's constant clinginess ever since Nappy had died was beginning to get on her nerves, but she knew she had to maintain her facade. She forced a small smile and reached out to pat her husband on the arm, trying to be affectionate, "she seems like such a sweet girl."
Rinny's ears twitched again as Mangy nuzzled into her neck again, his clingy behavior growing more and more obnoxious. She tried to keep her expression neutral, but she could feel her patience wearing thin.
"Mangy," she said, her voice low and strained, "could you maybe put something in the oven for dinner? I have another graveyard shift tonight."
Mangy lifted his head up, his eyes widening in surprise. "Again?" he asked, his expression turning into a childish pout. "You've been working so many overtime shifts lately…"
Rinny mentally gritted her teeth. Of course he would whine about it.
But she needed to talk to Eluca about this. Now.
Rinny sighed internally, trying to appear understanding. "I know, I know," she said, rubbing his ears soothingly, a fake smile plastered on her face. "But we need the money, remember?"
Mangy sighed and nodded begrudgingly. "Yeah, I guess so…" he said, pouting again. "But I miss having you home with me…"
Rinny rolled her eyes internally at his whining, but forced herself to keep her expression gentle. "I know, sweetheart," she said, her voice dripping with fake sweetness. "But I'll be back before you know it."
Mangy's ears drooped and he leaned against her again, looking like a sad little puppy. "Promise?" he asked, his voice small.
"Promise," she said, running her fingers through his fur in a maternal gesture. "I'll always come home to you."
Mangy's expression lightened up at her reassurance. He snuggled up to her again, burying his face in her shoulder and mumbling, "You better. I can't sleep without you."
And finally, she was able to get up and slip out of the front door, her steps heavy as she approached her associate's house.

Chapter Text

Rinny reached the door and knocked, her expression hard. She could hear movement inside and soon, the porcupine Malino opened the door, a lazy frown on his face. He raised an eyebrow at her appearance, his expression remaining nonchalant. "Fancy seeing you here," he greeted with a lazy grin.
Rinny rolled her eyes, pushing past him and stepping inside the house. "We need to talk. Now."
Eluca closed the door behind her with a shrug, then sauntered over to the couch, flopping down on it with an air of nonchalance.
"What's got you all irritated this time?" he teased, grinning lazily up at her.
Rinny's irritation only grew at his nonchalant attitude. She crossed her arms, fixing him with a sharp glare. "You just had to make headlines again, didn't you?" she snapped. "What the hell were you thinking, going after another celebrity?"
Eluca shrugged again, that lazy smirk never leaving his face. "What can I say? She was a pretty little thing, and arrogant. I couldn't resist."
Rinny's ears flattened in irritation. "You idiot," she growled. "Do you have any idea how much more attention you're drawing to yourself?"
Eluca's smirk faltered for a brief moment, realizing that Rinny was not in the mood for his nonchalant attitude. He sat up straight, quills twitching. "Relax, it's no big deal," he said, a hint of defensiveness in his voice. "I've always gotten away with it before, haven't I?"
"That's not the point," Rinny snapped. "You might have gotten away with it before, but you're pushing your luck by going after high-profile targets like that. It's too risky."
Eluca rolled his eyes, standing up from the couch to match her stature. "Oh, come on," he said. "You worry too much."
Rinny's eyes flashed with irritation at his flippant attitude. "I worry too much? You're the one who's constantly putting yourself in danger with these impulsive choices," she said, her tone sharp. "One of these days, you're going to get us both in trouble, and you aren't going to 'develop the Malino world' before then."
Eluca crossed his arms, his smirk returning. "You're overreacting," he said, his tail swishing behind him. "I can handle myself, you know."
"Can you, though?" Rinny asked, raising an eyebrow. "Because last time I checked, I was the one saving your ass every time you got yourself in a mess."
"I don't need rescuing all the time," Eluca huffed, clearly annoyed by her words. "I can do this just fine, thank you."
"Yeah, because you always make such great decisions," Rinny growled. "Like choosing to go after celebrities and making a scene. Brilliant plan."
Eluca rolled his eyes again, clearly annoyed at her sarcasm. "It's not like you've never made any stupid decisions," he retorted. Rinny's expression darkened at his response, her irritation growing. 
"Lucy, this isn't like you. Quit arguing with me, I've dealt with enough already today."
"Oh, sure, just 'shut up and listen to Rinny like always,'" Eluca quipped. "Like I always do, right?"
Rinny bristled at his words, her irritation growing even further. "I'm trying to help you, dumbass," she snapped. "You're acting like a child."
"And you're acting like a mother!" Eluca retorted, his voice rising. "I don't need to be babied all the time, you know." 
Rinny's patience reached its limit. She stepped forward and grabbed Eluca by the shirt, pinning him against the wall.
"Yes. You. Do," Rinny hissed in a voice the porcupine was far too familiar with, one that she knew would make his defiance kick down a few gears.
Eluca froze as Rinny practically bashed him into the wall with each word, his eyes widening involuntarily. He tried to keep his expression nonchalant, but Rinny could see his arrogance slowly dissipating, replaced by reluctant submission. He gave a stubborn huff, unable to form a proper response.
Rinny sneered, her grip on his shirt not loosening one bit. "You're always so stubborn," she growled. "It's like you enjoy pushing my buttons."
Eluca opened his mouth to protest, but Rinny cut him off. "Shut up. I'm not done."
A beat of silence.
"...Yes, ma'am."
"You always push your limits," Rinny continued, leaning closer to him, her voice growing quieter. "You're reckless, impulsive, and too damn stubborn for your own good. You're always acting before thinking, and it always gets you in trouble. And every time, every single time," she growled, her grip on his shirt tightening, "I'm the one who has to bail you out. I'm tired of it."
Eluca was quiet, his defiance slowly crumbling as Rinny spoke. "I don't need you to always save me," he mumbled, his voice lacking its earlier confidence.
Rinny snorted, her grip on his shirt growing even tighter. "Yes, you do," she snapped. "You'd be lost without me."
"I don't-" Eluca protested, but stopped himself with a frustrated huff. He knew she was right, and there was no point arguing with her when she was like this. "Fine," he muttered, his gaze falling away from hers. "I need you. Happy?"
And then Rinny tore him away from the wall and shoved him to the floor with a snarl as all of the day's frustration boiled over and seemed to burst through her claws.
Eluca let out a surprised yelp as Rinny shoved him to the ground, his back hitting the floor with a thud. He stared up at her with a mixture of shock and resignation, his ears flattening against his head. Rinny loomed over him, her sharp claws pressing into the fabric of his shirt, keeping him pinned down as if he were just another of her victims.
He shifted uncomfortably on the floor as his own quills stabbed into his back.
"Rinny-" he started, his voice hoarse and uncertain.
But Rinny cut him off with a sharp shake of her head as she reached up and snatched a kitchen knife off his counter. "No. I don't want to hear any smartass comments or excuses right now. You've pushed me too far this time."

Chapter Text

Eluca's eyes widened as she held up the knife, his quills bristled anxiously. "Look, Rin, I'm sorry, alright-" he said, his voice shaky with uncharacteristic nervousness. He couldn't remember the last time he'd been afraid of her. "I didn't mean to-"
But Rinny shook her head again, her expression cold as stone. "You never mean to," she muttered, leaning over him. "But you never learn, do you?"
Eluca fell silent again, his ears flattening against the floor, and Rinny grinned. She was livid, and he was at her complete mercy; it wasn't like she had reasons to hold back. She held the knife in a firm grip, the blade glistening under the faint light, and used one of her free hands to force his head up, her claws digging into his skin. He winced, looking up at her with a hint of a pleading expression. It was an unusual sight to see the cocky, fearless Eluca this scared of anything.
"Don't forget who taught you how to do what you do," Rinny hissed. "Remember who you owe your fame to, Dream Terror."
Eluca's eyes widened at her threat, and he swallowed, his voice shaking with a mixture of fear and anger. "I haven't forgotten," he muttered, trying to sound more confident than he felt. "But that doesn't give you the right to-"
Rinny interrupted him with a scoff, her eyes narrowing. "Doesn't give me the right? I trained you from the start! I gave you everything you needed to become what you are. And this is the thanks I get?"
Eluca fell quiet again, unable to deny her words. He tried to look away, but Rinny's hand gripped his chin, forcing him to look back up at her.
"You owe me, Eluca," Rinny continued, her tone cold and cruel. "You wouldn't be anything without me. You'd be just another nobody with no purpose. So, when I say 'shut up', what do I expect you to say?"
Eluca's ears flattened further against his head, his defiance gradually crumbling. He opened his mouth, and for a brief moment, he hesitated, conflicted. But Rinny's iron grip on his chin and the cold, hard look in her eyes left him with no choice.
"Yes, ma'am," he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper.
Rinny's cold and cruel demeanor suddenly melted into an amused, almost predatory smile, full of teeth.
"There we go," she said, still gripping his chin with one hand and gripping the knife in the other. "Maybe you're not as stupid as I thought."
She leaned down, her face mere inches from his, the smirk never leaving her snout. "You should've listened to me from the start. But I guess you needed a reminder of who's in charge here, huh?"
Eluca swallowed hard, his heart pounding in his chest as Rinny leaned in close. He was scared, yes, but something else mixed into the fear, something he could never admit even to himself. As much as she infuriated him, he was drawn to her in a twisted, inexplicable way, always has been. The feeling only became worse as she got even closer, her eyes glittering with sadistic amusement. "Now, you'll be a good boy and stay still for me, yeah?"
Eluca nodded, his head spinning with conflicted emotions. He felt vulnerable and exposed, trapped under Rinny's predatory gaze. "Y-Yes," he managed to stammer, his voice betraying his nervousness. He tried to maintain a strong facade, but it was crumbling by the second. "I'll be good."
Rinny lifted the knife from his throat and brought it down into his stomach, and the grunt he let out was ten times more satisfying than any of the screams her subjects at the Pretty Blood facility let out.
"A-agh," Eluca growled, "fuck..."
"Language, Eluca," Rinny cooed, her voice mocking. "How many times have I told you to be more polite."
Eluca gritted his teeth, the pain and fear mixing with defiance. Even with a knife buried in his stomach, he still had some semblance of ego left. "Bite me," he grumbled.
Rinny's eyes narrowed, irritation mixed with sadistic glee. "Oh, you little bastard."
She twisted the knife in his stomach, her expression cold and uncaring, and he let out another pained grunt. "Be *grateful* I only cut you," she hissed, leaning close. "If you weren't mine, I'd have your head mounted."
Eluca suppressed another pained groan, his defiance slowly giving way to pain.
"I-I am not your toy," he spat, his voice shaky and hoarse. "I'm my own person."
Rinny leaned even closer, her breath hot on his face. "Oh, please," she scoffed. "I made you. All of your success is because of me. You are completely and utterly my creation, Dream Terror."
Eluca gritted his teeth, struggling to keep his composure under the pain and her cruel, amused gaze. "Just because you 'created' me doesn't mean you own me," he protested, his voice becoming almost a whimper. "I can do whatever the hell I want-"
"Oh, can you?" Rinny snipped, her voice sharp and mocking. "And what would you do without me, hm? You'd still be an aimless nobody, going nowhere, killing nobody, achieving nothing."
She twisted the knife again, eliciting another pained grunt from Eluca. "You owe your fame, your success, everything, to me. So, don't you dare act like you have any kind of power here."
Eluca remained stubbornly stubborn, trying to maintain a veneer of defiance, even as he was slowly losing this battle of wills.
"I don't owe you anything," he muttered. "I did those things on my own. It was my will. My plan to develop the world."
Rinny sneered, her patience wearing thin. "You're an arrogant, delusional fool," she snapped. "Without me, you'd have no idea where to even start with your little escapade. Every victim you've come across, all those headlines that made your name, all of it- it's all because of me. So, watch your damn tone."
"Fine. I get it," Eluca muttered, his voice quieter than before.
Rinny smiled, clearly pleased with herself. "Good boy," she purred, her voice low and filled with a twisted kind of almost-affection. "You're learning."
She tugged and ripped the knife out of Eluca's gut, and he bit back a scream. As soon as the knife was out of his stomach, Eluca clutched the wound, panting as he tried to cope with the searing sharp pain. "F-fuuuuck," he gasped, his eyes squeezed shut.
Rinny took a moment to admire the sight. She'd never seen Eluca this vulnerable before, and the power rush was intoxicating.
"You should see yourself," she teased, her voice dripping with sadistic satisfaction. "You're so used to scaring others, but here you are, trembling in fear. How does it feel, hmm?"
Eluca gritted his teeth, his defiance replaced by pain and fear. "I'm not... scared," he mumbled. "I've felt much worse than this."
"You're falling apart from a single stab wound," Rinny noted. "Don't try to act so tough. Now promise me you won't do something stupid like this again and let that idiotic rabbit- was Ron her name?- get close."
Eluca hesitated. Then conceded.
"Yes, ma'am."

Chapter Text

As Rinny stepped in through the front door, the sun rising just over the trees behind her, she was immediately met with a stern, disapproving stare from Mangy, who was sitting on the couch, his arms crossed. His ears were flattened, a clear sign of his irritation.
"Where have you been?" Mangy asked, his voice firm. It wasn't the first time he'd asked her this question, and he suspected it wouldn't be the last.
Rinny, on the other hand, merely rolled her eyes, feigning innocence.
"I was working," she replied nonchalantly, avoiding eye contact as she attempted to brush past him into their kitchen.
But Mangy's hand shot out and grabbed her arm, stopping her in her tracks. "Bullshit," he muttered, his eyes narrowing. "You're always 'working.' I'm not stupid, Rinny. There's always blood somewhere when you get home."
Rinny tried to play dumb, shrugging her shoulders and trying to shake off Mangy's grip. "So? I'm clumsy, okay?" she huffed. "I can't help it if I get my fur dirty."
But Mangy wasn't buying it. He tightened his grip on her arm, his expression stern. "Don't bullshit me," he snapped. "I know you're lying. Where have you really been all night?"
Rinny's defiant facade wavered slightly at his harsh tone, but she quickly composed herself, pulling her arm out of his grasp. "It's none of your business," she retorted, her voice sharp.
Mangy's eyes darkened. "Bullshit. We're married. I have every right to know where you go and who you spend your time with. Especially after that psychopath rabbit killed Nappy."
Rinny flinched at the mention of Nappy, her expression momentarily faltering, but she quickly regained her composure.
"That was months ago, Mangy," she argued. "You can't still be mad about that. I told you I didn't know that guy."
But Mangy's expression didn't soften. "Mad?" he spat. "I'm worried about you. You disappear for days on end, come back covered in blood, and expect me to just... what? Pretend everything's fine and dandy?"
"I can take care of myself," Rinny retorted, crossing her arms defensively. "I don't need you nagging me all the time."
Mangy scoffed. "Yeah, it sure seems like it," he growled, "considering the state you come home in every damn week. Go to hell, for all I care."
Rinny's temper flared as Mangy's words grew more and more tinged with suspicion. If he figured things out...
"Fine, then," she snapped, her voice sharp. "I'll just go back to work, since I seem to be such a burden to you."
Mangy's eyes widened, and panic flared in his expression. "Wait," he pleaded, reaching out towards her. "That's not what I meant-"
Rinny paused, her hand on the door handle. "Then what did you mean, hm?" she asked, her tone icy. "Because it sure sounds to me like you're calling me a liar."
Mangy opened and closed his mouth, struggling to find the right words. "I-I just... I'm worried, alright?" he managed. "With all these Malinos on the news either going missing and showing up near-dead..."
Rinny's paranoia dissipated at that. Those were all her and Eluca's victims; if he was worried about *her* getting captured, that was a sign he didn't suspect anything in the slightest. She forced her voice to soften into something resembling sympathy.
"You think something's going to happen to me too, huh?"
"Of course I do," Mangy admitted, his voice quieter as he weaved his tie between his claws. "You're all I have left. If something happened to you..."
Rinny's expression softened further at the genuine concern in his tone. As much of a pain in the ass he was sometimes, he was too sweet for his own good.
"Hey," she said softer now, stepping away from the door and walking over to him. "You worry too much, you know. I know what happened to Nappy still worries you, but her killer is in jail now."
"But the news-" Mangy interjected.
"The news sensationalizes everything," Rinny interrupted, taking a seat on the couch next to him. "They have to make things seem worse than they are just to get views. It's all just a bunch of fearmongering, you know that."
Mangy leaned against her, resting his head on her shoulder with a tired sigh. "I know... but it's hard not to worry," he mumbled. "You're always out so late at night..."
Rinny wrapped an arm around his shoulders, pulling him closer. "I know," she murmured. "But I can handle myself, alright? I'm not some damsel in distress."
Mangy sighed again, burying his face in the crook of her shoulder. "I never said you were," he muttered.

Chapter Text

Eluca sat alone in his hideout, patching up the wound in his abdomen with what little gauze he had left. The memory of last night's events replayed in his head over and over, along with Rinny's words echoing through his mind like a broken record. 

You owe me everything.

You have no power here.

I made you.

The words stung almost more than the knife in his stomach had. It was all true - he did owe everything to her. Every single last thing he had gained was because of her.
Eluca's thoughts were cut short by a loud knock on his door. He paused in the midst of bandaging his wound, startled. Who in hell would be at the door at this hour? 
He carefully set down the gauze and stood up, wincing as the stab wound flared up in pain. With heavy footsteps, he made his way to the door, trying to appear nonchalant.
But the moment Eluca opened the door, he was met with a sight that made his heart skip a beat with terror. 
Standing on the other side was none other than Ron, her eyes blazing with a mix of concern and relief. She was in a black hoodie instead of her usual bright, feminine performing costume, and spiked bracelets rested just above her paws, but Eluca recognized her instantly as the rabbit Malino that he had captured; the bruises along her face where metal restraints had held her to saw her tongue off confirmed that. She took in his disheveled appearance and the faint hints of blood staining his clothes, her expression hardening like a mask. 
"What the absolute hell happened to you?" she asked, her voice tinged with genuine worry.
Eluca tried to think of a lie, any lie that could explain away the blood and his wounded appearance, but his brain seemed to freeze. He could only stare at Ron, heart pounding in his chest.
"...Nothing," he finally managed, his voice hoarse. "I'm fine."
Ron's expression narrowed. "Bullshit," she snapped. "You look like you were hit by a train. Let me in."
"How did you find me- what did-"
Ron didn't give him a chance to finish his questions. She pushed past him and stepped into the house, shutting the door behind her. 
"You're a shitty liar, you know that?" she remarked bluntly, taking in the sight of his house. "I've been tracking you for days."
Eluca's irritation flared at her words. "Tracking me?" he repeated incredulously.
Ron nodded, casually taking a seat on the couch as if she owned the place. 
"Yeah," she said nonchalantly. "It wasn't that hard to find your place, to be honest. You're terrible at hiding; the news won't shut up about the oh-so-deadly Dream Terror."
Eluca gritted his teeth, irritation and annoyance coursing through him at her bluntness. "And what do you want, huh?" he snapped. "Why go through all that effort just to break into the house of a stranger that kidnapped and tortured you?"
Ron shrugged, an infuriatingly casual action that grated on Eluca's already frayed nerves. "Curiosity, mostly," she replied. "You cut out my tongue, then you just... disappeared off the face of the earth. Someone like you is hard to forget, you know."
"Cut the bullshit," Eluca growled. "I know you have an actual reason for being here. You wouldn't go through all that trouble just to sate your curiosity."
An almost affectionate smile spread across Ron's snout, and Eluca tilted his head in confusion.
"You're adorable," Ron commented, almost to herself.
"...WHAT?"
Eluca's irritation was momentarily distracted by bewilderment. "Did you just- What do you mean, adorable?!" he sputtered. "I'm not adorable."
Ron couldn't resist the urge to tease, relishing in how flustered Eluca was getting. "Oh, you totally are," she cooed, the almost sweet tone of her voice at odds with her words. "Tiny little thing like you, all bristly and tough."
Eluca took a deep breath, trying to compose himself. He couldn't allow her to get to him like this. He was the goddamn Dream Terror, for hell's sake. And Rinny had specifically ordered him not to let this happen.
"Stop that."
"Stop what?" Ron asked innocently, her eyes glittering with a mixture of mischief and smugness. "Calling you what you are?"
"I am NOT adorable," Eluca snapped, taking a step closer. "I am a menace, a monster, a-"
Ron's smirk widened. "Oh, you're all of those things," she agreed. "But you're still adorable."
Eluca gritted his fangs in frustration, his hands balling into fists at his sides. This damn rabbit was driving him crazy. And the worst part was, a part of him was... enjoying the attention. 
"God, shut your damn mouth," he snapped, taking another step closer. "You're driving me batshit insane."
Ron laughed, the sound low and taunting. She leaned back on the couch, making herself comfortable. "You're the one getting all riled up because I'm calling you cute," she pointed out. "Not my fault you're so damn easy to tease."
Eluca's face darkened, and he took another step towards her. "I'm not easy," he snapped, closing the distance between them in a few long strides until he was standing over her. "I could snap you in two if I wanted to."
Ron's ears flicked nonchalantly, and she lifted her chin to meet his gaze. "You could try," she said, her voice still playful despite his proximity. From here, it was easier to tell just how enamored she looked; the thought unnerved him. "But I doubt you would."
"And why's that?" Eluca asked through gritted teeth. This was getting bad. Every word the rabbit spoke was pissing him off more, and he hated how his heartbeat sped up as he towered over her. "You think I'm incapable of it?"
Ron's smirk grew even more cocky, and she let out a low snort. "Oh, not incapable," she assured him. "You could absolutely hurt me, and you've proved that. I'm just saying I don't think you would."
Eluca's irritation gave way to confusion as Ron spoke. Why was she so sure he wouldn't? He'd literally kidnapped her and tortured her before. He was the Dream Terror. He was a goddamn monster.
"And how the hell would you know that?" he asked, his voice almost a growl.
"Oh, just a hunch," Ron replied nonchalantly, seemingly not at all intimidated by how close and menacing he was. "You had plenty of opportunity to kill me when you kidnapped me, but you didn't. Now you're just standing here, trying to look all tough, but you still haven't done anything. You're hesitating, and you're blushing on top of that."
Eluca's breath hitched as Ron pointed out his  He quickly tried to play it off as anger, even though he knew it was a lost cause. 
"Shut up," he growled. "That doesn't mean a damn thing."
"Oh, sure, keep telling yourself that," Ron taunted, looking up at him with a smug grin. She reached up and poked his face, and it took everything Eluca had to not shove her hand away. "You're totally not flustered at all."
Eluca's irritation grew as Ron continued to press his buttons. And God, the way she was looking at him, all smug and confident... it was infuriating, and it was doing something strange to his pulse. 
He wanted to strangle her. And something else, something he didn't want to acknowledge. 
"I am NOT flustered," he denied again, his voice a low grumble.
Ron laughed again, leaning back against the couch and crossing her legs leisurely. She looked so damn confident, so unbothered, so sure of herself. And it was making him want to- 
He mentally shook himself. No. He couldn't entertain those thoughts again. Rinny would do so much worse than stab him if she knew. Eluca took a shuddering breath, struggling to steady himself. The damn rabbit was doing a number on his nerves. He hated how easy it was to rile him up. 
He took another step closer, looming over her, towering at least a foot over her, despite how badly he wished he wasn't. "Quit saying those goddamn things," he hissed, his voice low and rough. "Quit looking at me like that."
Ron merely smirked, seemingly unfazed by his threatening height and demeanor. She leaned back more against the couch, a challenge in her eyes. "And what if I don't?" 
Eluca clenched his hands into fists, his heartbeat increasing. Her insolence was going to be the death of him, he was sure.
But his restraint was slipping away, and his paws seemed to force themselves out from under him. As he landed on his knees in front of Ron with a grunt, her ears pinned back, eyes widening.
Eluca found himself mere inches away from her, and his heart hammered against his ribcage faster than he thought possible. The rabbit stared back at him with wide eyes, clearly caught off guard by the abruptness of her current situation. 
He didn't care. He took advantage of this new development, one hand coming up to grip her neck. 
"Then I'd have to shut you up myself," he whispered.
Ron's eyes darkened as Eluca's hand gently closed around her throat. He was so close like this, his snout just nearly touching the tuft of fur between her legs. She'd lost any of that earlier cockiness, reduced to the same flustered mess that the porcupine had been just seconds earlier. 
Eluca leaned down closer to let his nose graze against her, his voice a low growl. "Quit testing me, bunny."
Ron tried to respond, opening her mouth to snap back a witty retort, but her words came out more like a strangled squeak as his grip on her neck tightened just barely.
"Cat got your tongue?"

Chapter Text

The door abruptly swung open, and both Ron and Eluca's heads snapped to it, startled.
There, in the doorway, stood Rinny.
Eluca immediately let go of Ron, his eyes going comically wide as he scrambled back from the couch. "I can explain," he began frantically, his heart dropping into the pit of his stomach.
"Explain what?" Rinny asked coldly, her gaze raking over the scene before her. Eluca, flushed and out of breath, still kneeling where he'd just pinned down Ron. The rabbit herself, flushed and wide-eyed, her hand pressed to her neck.
"She just showed up! I wasn't- she-" Eluca floundered, before the polar bear marched up and grabbed him by the quills, jerking him back towards Ron.
Eluca flailed for a bit, trying to protest, but Rinny's grip was too strong to struggle against. "Not one word," she hissed, her tone dangerous.
Ron was watching the exchange in complete befuddlement, her eyes flicking between the two.
"What- Rinny, you know him?"
"Unfortunately," Rinny spat, holding a struggling Eluca in place with one hand. She turned to Ron, her expression steely. "How the hell did you find him?"
"I tracked him down," Ron replied bluntly. "It wasn't too hard."
Eluca groaned, still trying and failing to break free from Rinny's tight grip. "Damnit, just let go-"
Rinny squeezed his quills harder, silencing him. "Quiet," she snapped.
Eluca fell silent, gritting his teeth. His paws were gripped tight on Rinny's wrist, but it was useless; there was no way he could get away until she let him.
Ron shifted in her spot on the couch, her eyes narrowing in confusion. "Look, I don't understand what's going on here," she said slowly.
"Neither do I," Rinny growled, shooting a pointed glance down at Eluca, before shoving his snout back between Ron's legs. "Care to demonstrate, Lucy?"
Ron made a strangled sound as Eluca's snout pressed up against her, and she gripped the couch so tight her knuckles went white. The sight of the usually bold rabbit flustered like that would have brought a smirk to his face, had his face not been currently smushed into her fur.
Rinny scowled, her claws digging into him as she held him in place. "Fucking do it. You were going to anyway."
Eluca took a shuddering breath, trying to regain some of his composure. He gave a slow, hesitant lick, then another. Ron's paws shook, her eyes squeezing shut.
"Not a goddamn word," Rinny hissed, tightening her grip on him. "You'll do as you're told."
Eluca's pride was bruised, but he couldn't deny how good Ron's sounds made him feel. It was so much better with her mouth shut, and even more satisfying with her head tossing back as he made those sounds happen. Rinny pushed his head against him with even more weight.
Ron's tail flicked in response. This time, the whines she let out weren't from fear.
"God, you're pathetic," Rinny sneered, her tone dripping with disdain. "Look at yourself, Dream Terror. On your knees, lapping at a rabbit like a goddamn dog."
Eluca's face heated up at her tone. The situation was already humiliating; having Rinny talk to him like that wasn't helping. He tried to pull back, but Rinny's claws and grip on his quills kept him in place.
"Don't even think about stopping," she warned, her eyes narrowing in a glare. "Keep. Going."
Eluca's face burned, but a part of him was beginning to enjoy it. Maybe it was the adrenaline, mixed with the satisfaction of getting back at Ron a bit. Either way, he found himself lapping away with renewed fervour.
"Christ, what would your fans say if they saw you like this?" Rinny commented, her tone almost mocking. "A mighty criminal, brought to his knees between a rabbit's legs. How humiliating."
Eluca's ears went flat against his skull, embarrassment and irritation mixing in one. He looked up at her, a defiant glare in his eyes, but the effect was somewhat ruined as his snout glistened with wetness. "Shut up," he muttered.
"Same goes for you, Ron," Rinny went on. "Look at yourself. Why are you letting this happen without a fight?"
"I-I'm not-" Ron tried to protest, her breathing still somewhat erratic. Rinny wasn't having it.
"Oh, but you are." She smirked down at her. "You're just sitting there and letting him do as he pleases. What, no snappy remarks? No snarky comments? It's almost like you like it."
Ron sputtered in a mixture of protest and embarrassment, her face flushing even further.
"W-what?! No, I-"
"Oh, really?" Rinny cut her off, her gaze narrowing. "Then tell me this, rabbit: if you don't like what's happening, if you truly find it degrading, why is he still between your legs?"
Ron was rendered speechless at that, her mouth opening and closing as she struggled to come up with a response.
Rinny's smirk widened. She knew she'd hit a nerve, and her eyes glittered with satisfaction. "That's what I thought," she said smugly. "Your mouth can lie all it wants, bunny, but your body can't."
Ron was at a loss, her face almost as red as a tomato. Eluca tried to look up, but Rinny jerked his quills, forcing his head back down. He groaned a bit in frustration, but didn't fight back.
"Keep going," Rinny ordered, shooting him a warning glare. "I won't tell you again."
Eluca obeyed, albeit a bit more begrudgingly this time. He let out a shaky breath as he picked up the pace, trying to ignore the burning humiliation in his chest. Ron squirmed under him, her breathing becoming more laboured, her paws clenching and unclenching. Rinny's grip on his quills remained tight and unyielding. Eluca's tongue was beginning to hurt from the effort, but he refused to let it show. His pride was already pretty much demolished, as was his dignity, so he didn't have much left to lose.
"Damn, Eluca-" Ron groaned, her voice high and strained as her thighs began to tremble. "You- you know what you're doing-"
Rinny shot her an icy glare. "Quiet," she hissed. "You are in no position to be complimenting him. Don't forget that."
Ron's expression wavered a bit, almost looking as if she wanted to snap back, but a warning glare from Rinny silenced her. She shut her mouth, her cheeks still flushed.
Eluca tried not to let his pride swell at the near-praise. God, all this was humiliating. But it was also starting to feel good. The taste, the feeling of her fur quivering under him, the sounds she made...
"Faster," Rinny suddenly demanded. Eluca did as commanded; he heard Ron's shaky gasps above him, and his own heart pounded faster in his chest.
Rinny gave another tug on his quills. "More," she growled. "Do not stop for anything. You understand me? Do what you're best at. Torture."
Eluca bit back the snide comment he wanted to make, focusing on the task at hand. His tongue was beginning to feel light from oxygen deprivation, his nose and whiskers smothered, but he pressed on.
Ron's breathing was ragged, her thighs clutching tight at his head. Rinny's grip held him in place, firm and unflinching, and Eluca was starting to enjoy the experience despite the humiliation. Ron let out a high-pitched whine, her hips shifting as if she wanted to move against him.
"Damnit-" Ron muttered, her voice shaky. "That-"
Rinny was unrelenting, cutting her off before she could get her words out. "Shut the hell up. Don't you move."
Eluca tried to pull back for a second to catch his breath, but Rinny held him tight. "Not yet," she ordered, her voice firm. "Keep going. Don't stop until I say so. You're not stopping until she falls apart."
"B-but, wait- just- ngh- a minute-" Ron protested, her voice more of a gasp than actual words.
"No," Rinny snapped. "You'll do as you're told. If you don't like it, you can take it up with me. But for now-"
She shifted, pushing Eluca's snout back down. Eluca tried to gasp for air for a second, but it was a useless effort. He returned his attention to his task, trying to ignore the burning in his lungs. He could feel how close Ron was - a few more seconds, a few more seconds, but Rinny wasn't letting up. He'd never admit it, but the sound of her command was driving him crazy, making him want to push even further-
Ron's gasps grew more erratic, her voice becoming higher, and with a final whine, Ron tensed entirely, her paws thumping rapidly against the couch like a hare in a cartoon.
Rinny's grip on him loosened. Eluca didn't dare move.
The room fell silent for a few moments, save for the sound of heavy breathing. Ron was trembling, her eyes shut as she tried to regain some of her composure. Eluca's lungs burned with the desperate need for air, but he held himself still, obediently awaiting further instruction.
Rinny's hold on his quills finally relented, and she pushed him back, just enough to let him pull away to breathe. He panted, greedily taking in deep breaths, his face flushed with a mixture of exertion and humiliation.
Eluca's panting quieted as he slowly regained his breath, the adrenaline and lingering sensations still coursing through him. He hated how good he felt, he hated how weak Ron looked in front of him, he hated how he'd actually listened to Rinny's commands.
He hated how much he liked it.
Rinny's voice broke through the silence. "Good boy," she said, her tone cold and mocking. Eluca's eyes flicked up to her, his pride swelling at the words; after a few moments, Ron breathlessly repeated them, and Eluca felt like he was going to drop dead right then and there.