[ It's an arch kind of exhale. He looks up at her through the dip of his lashes, circling a thumb over the small of her back before fanning out his hand, dipping lower. Bringing her closer until he can feel that quiet thub of her pulse, the dark mess of her hair rubbing splendidly across his skin. Intellectually, he can understand her hesitation. Korra's hinkiness stems from past trauma. In the same way, Hei's own refusal to let go of control is rooted in living in a world and circumstances that, to outsiders, were institutionalized bondage. With one pivotal difference: none of it was consensual. And for someone who's experienced that kind of disparity and coercion, without their consent, being placed in any position of vulnerability is like a disorienting dose of PTSD. ]
[ Still, there's a dark amusement at Korra's, and indeed most people's, unwillingness to acknowledge the interplay of choice and coercion that goes on, on an almost constant basis, in practically every area. Normal people don't want to call what they do to each other in the everyday world power-play, and no one is cuffed and gagged or wielding a fucking riding crop. But, for all intents and purposes, the dynamics are acted out in courtrooms, boardrooms, schools, prisons. Everywhere. ]
[ At least, in the space Hei prefers, you're honest enough to admit what is going on. And, because you are honest, you have a measure of control over who does what to you. ]
no subject
[ It's an arch kind of exhale. He looks up at her through the dip of his lashes, circling a thumb over the small of her back before fanning out his hand, dipping lower. Bringing her closer until he can feel that quiet thub of her pulse, the dark mess of her hair rubbing splendidly across his skin. Intellectually, he can understand her hesitation. Korra's hinkiness stems from past trauma. In the same way, Hei's own refusal to let go of control is rooted in living in a world and circumstances that, to outsiders, were institutionalized bondage. With one pivotal difference: none of it was consensual. And for someone who's experienced that kind of disparity and coercion, without their consent, being placed in any position of vulnerability is like a disorienting dose of PTSD. ]
[ Still, there's a dark amusement at Korra's, and indeed most people's, unwillingness to acknowledge the interplay of choice and coercion that goes on, on an almost constant basis, in practically every area. Normal people don't want to call what they do to each other in the everyday world power-play, and no one is cuffed and gagged or wielding a fucking riding crop. But, for all intents and purposes, the dynamics are acted out in courtrooms, boardrooms, schools, prisons. Everywhere. ]
[ At least, in the space Hei prefers, you're honest enough to admit what is going on. And, because you are honest, you have a measure of control over who does what to you. ]