(I apologise. I failed. I couldn't make it as dark as planned. I think I broke myself in the process. I breezed through it. But I hope it still is enough to get them past this phase in their lives)
*****
Luca's gaze remained on Veronica. "Veronica…" he whispered.
Marceline's voice cut in. "Not you. Her."
Veronica looked at him. Her eyes moved over his face. Then she answered. "Crimson."
"You know him best," Marceline said. "When you sense he has had enough, use your safe word. The task here...is to lay his shame out in front of him. His failures. His guilt. The things he has buried because carrying them silently feels easier than speaking them. You will not appear weak," Marceline added, "even when it becomes uncomfortable. He has to hear it from you."
"I do not want to hurt him," Veronica said quietly.
