[PUNCH CLOCK ANIMAL] ASHTRAY

[skinstealer]

Rein reaches out and takes Bucket by the upper arm, gripping tight. 
  

REIN: Just over here is fine.
BUCKET: Is something wrong?
REIN: Mm.
BUCKET: I suppose you have caught on then yes?
REIN: Such antics are inappropriate for someone of your status, you should know this by now. 
REIN: I've taught you to be better than this, making suggestive jabs at someone far beneath you.
REIN: I don't want to see you sinking to this level again.
BUCKET: He prompted it I assure you, you witnessed how he floundered whenever it was brought up yes?
REIN: I don't care who prompted it, Judgment.

 

 
Their eyes water up, an attempt to garner sympathy. 
  

BUCKET: You do not know the whole truth... at the diner Matthias realized quite quickly he was hitting a wall with flirtation.
BUCKET:  He became rowdy with the staff as a desperate attempt to get attention and Chelsea had to intervene. She made sure I returned to my room safely. 
BUCKET: That dog is a schemer but I cannot pin a motive beside a desire to start an affair.
REIN: And you aren't to engage with it, or give it even a bit of attention- your earlier display was shameful. 
REIN: To even joke about such affections is to smear mud on our name, our relationship-

  
It sighs heavily, almost growling. 
  

REIN: I don't want you touching him. 
REIN: I don't want you giving him any opportunities. 
REIN: I don't want you to invite such flirtation, or make light of it. 
REIN: You are not to fight with him, you are not to indulge in any more drink, and you are not to indulge his sick fantasies, whatever they may be. 
REIN: You are my Judgment, and you are going to act like it. 
REIN: Restrain yourself, or I'll see to it that you won't be allowed on this kind of trip again.

 

 
Bucket starts sniffling. 
 

BUCKET: You would rather punish me than keep me safe...?
REIN: Now, now, don't cry. 

  
Its tone softens, raising a finger to wipe away their tears. Bucket pulls their face away from its hand, sniffling even more.
 

BUCKET: Coming along was a mistake, I don't know why I bothered.
REIN: There's no need to be like that. 

 
Something seeps into Rein’s voice, drenching its words and making them seem more...important. Agreeable. 
 

REIN: You are needed here- I need you here. I need you, Bucket.
BUCKET: I suppose you do... I only fear that if Chelsea had not stepped in you would have outright disowned me... such fate I do not think I would recover from emotionally...

  

 
Bucket no longer makes any effort to distance themself. Rein pulls them in close, gripping their shoulders. 
 

REIN: With proper restraint, you will have nothing to fear- and I know you are capable of that and more, my Judgment.

 
Bucket eases into its touch, an unnatural calm settling in. 
 

BUCKET: I never had any sense of attraction at any point, if it's worth anything...
REIN: I know you would never stray from me. 
 

 
Its fingers dig in just enough to be felt, its voice still sickeningly smooth. 
 

REIN: You would never.