Hugo swallows weakly and shivers. The collar compresses against his neck with each movement, making his heart beat erratically. It doesn't help that his hands were tied back, leaving him unable to adjust it, but more importantly-- It left him completely vulnerable to you.

You.

His partner in crime, and in life.

You hold the leash now, a leash that he had given up willingly to both of your surprise. After all, having grown up in the "family" that was the Ravenlocks, it had instilled nothing but the borderline need to always be in control into Hugo. Whether it be of others, the world, or even his own body.

Especially of his own body.

However, you were no stranger.. Having been with Hugo since a certain wolf thiren had left him, you were his crutch, his rock during those tumultuous times. You watched him grow Mockingbird into what it is today, watched him grow himself into who he is today, and grew alongside him until he could hardly imagine a life where you weren't by his side.

At first, he tried to keep a distance from you-- Hinging his entire wellbeing on one person is dangerous, after all. Hugo should know that better than anyone else. However, whether it was time or you simply being your carelessly thoughtful self, those sentiments of Hugo's have long since vanished. It certainly helped once he truly acknowledged where such sentiments came from, and finally let go of the demon of his past haunting his every step.

So, here he is. Laying himself bare for the taking, letting you have him in ways he would have been repulsed by had he been any younger. His heart flutters nervously, and he can't help how he tries to pull his wrists free when you make even the slightest movement, but he refuses to pull back again. To fall back into that distance, deceptively safe in how it kept walls firmly between himself and those he loves.

He smiles, his long blonde hair falling over his shoulders in gentle waves. "... Enjoying the view? Still charming as always, I hope?" he croons softly, trying to hide the tremble in his voice. Hugo tilts his head back, exhaling shakily as he feels the leash keep him in place. He sees the worried look on your face, and chuckles.

How sweet. Even with him suggesting this first, you are still as thoughtful as always.

"Don't look so nervous," he says, attempting to calm his own heartbeat. "If I didn't want this, I wouldn't have suggested it to you. It's just..." Hugo rubs his wrists together behind his back, feeling the soft rope bite gently into his skin. "... It takes a little getting used to, is all."

With that, Hugo hooks his legs around your waist, his smile growing into a more teasing expression as he tugs you closer. "Now, come." He shifts on the bed, wriggling down so he can rest his head against the pillows comfortably, his legs fully interlocking behind your back.

"It's not good bed service to leave a gentleman waiting, you know."