More than he can handle

18 + Llewyn please!

Oc response meme - "you're not trying hard enough".

"They're not even that tight, Llew."

The fuck they're not, Llewyn wants to say, but the soft leather muzzle stretched tightly over his mouth presents him from doing so. Instead, he shoots his best bitch-face at Ben and keeps trying to work his hands free. He's feeling rather pissed off today, having already tried and failed to complete the task he's currently being subjected to. It's repetitive, impossible, and entirely frustrating.

The thin, scratchy ropes of twine securing his hands behind his back are so tight they're practically cutting into his skin. Llewyn thinks of a slab of meat trussed up in the butcher's shop and growls, twisting his wrists and crooking his fingers in an attempt to wriggle out of his bonds.

Ben just watches, scoffing.

Scratching at the ropes has, so far, only resulted in bloody fingernails. Llewyn has resorted to his good friend called friction to relieve him of the restraints instead. He pulls at his wrists, eyes squeezing shut with the effort, ignoring the hot stripes of pain lining his wrists and forearms. This is like self-inflicted rugburn, and it stings like hell, but he has to get out of these godforsaken ropes. He has to.

According to Ben's helpful reminders, he's been trying for fourteen minutes already, and fourteen minutes is far too long for someone to survive underwater. Llewyn is lucky Ben is letting him practice on dry land first.

"Jesus, Llew. If you weren't built like a fucking toothpick you'd be out by now," Ben says. "Or maybe if you put some actual effort in. You're not trying hard enough."

The jab hurts. Like any criticism from Ben, Llewyn can't help but take it to heart. He could be in his nastiest, most feisty mood, and an insult from Ben will still knock him down a peg.

Every time.

Llewyn tries to ignore it, but it still leaves an ugly feeling in his stomach. His frustration at the situation is quickly turning into desperation. Self-pity.

It hits him, suddenly: a feeling of wanting. He wants Ben's praise. He wants to be good.

He wants someone to be nice to him.

He keeps trying to wriggle free of the ropes, but he breaks at the feeling of a hot trickle of blood working its way down his forearm and over his fisted hand. Defeated, he hangs his head and lets out a long, low whine, cheeks heating with discomfort and embarrassment.

"Giving up already?"

Another whine. He can't say much at the moment.

"Head up, Llew."

He obeys, feeling his eyebrows pull together as he stares at Ben. Come untie me, his expression says. I can't do it. I can't do it.

Ben stares at him, and pity is so much worse when it comes from other people.

He steps forward, reaching a comforting hand out to cup the side of Llewyn's face. Llewyn closes his eyes and leans into it, letting out another soft groan. He hates being unable to speak, but Ben seems able to understand him anyway.

"Try again tomorrow?" Ben asks. Llewyn nods.

"You sure you want to give up? It'll cost you to give up, Llew."

He knows. Choosing not to complete a task doesn't come free. Not in this place. But Llewyn, spirit freshly crushed and motivation suddenly gone, cannot continue.

Ben sighs, then goes to undo the bloody ropes behind Llewyn's back. "You've got to learn to get out of these," he says softly, almost to himself. "Fourteen minutes is much too long. Nobody can hold their breath for that long-- you've got to learn to get out sooner than that. What're you going to do when I finally put you in the water?"

Drown, Llewyn thinks. He sighs through his nose, then says, indignantly, mmph.

Once Llewyn's hands are free, bloody and shaking in his lap, Ben stands in front of him again. He moves as if to unclasp the muzzle, but at the last moment he flattens his hand and pats Llewyn's cheek, patronizing. "I think we'll leave this on for the night," he says. "Quitters don't get rewards."

//

Ha this was fun. I wanted to give it an actual narrative rather than just a short reaction, and kinda got carried away. Hope you don't mind. Thank you so much for the ask, and also for the awesome prompt list ❤😄😄

If you don't mind, whumpee tied up and used as a dartboard?