Duke took the phone and just. Looked at it. For a long time. Not the ropes so much, though the pattern Lucifer had created was amazing. But the expression. The looseness of his lower limbs, the bliss on his face.

There were entirely too many emotions bubbling up to be quantified. Or even spoken out loud. This was the person he’d gone to sea to find, originally. The one he’d always tried to be. Carefree, trouble-free Duke. Unburdened. At peace.

Because he was tied up and helpless, yes, but entirely safe. And even better, the part he’d never even dreamed to hope for, he was loved.

Oh fuck, was he tearing up?