Day 1: Sunday

Take Me To Church (Roman/Cinder)

Roman was a very proud, self respecting man. Some might even go further to say that he was self centered and narcissistic. They wouldn't be wrong either. He was a master of his craft, and he knew that there few and fewer that could match his skill for theft. Though it was a deadly sin, Pride was without a doubt the best possible way to describe Roman Torchwick. It was this very pride that made many think that Roman would never take insult from others, or to be ordered around like a simple pawn.

Yet that's exactly what she did to him. Something about her gave Roman pause, forcing him to reconsider his options in life. She was able to mock him without any rebuttal, command him as though he were a dog, and still he didn't hate her. Some would think that he feared her, but does Roman ever truly feel fear? Sure, he can recognize when his life is in danger, but never has he felt fear like most. He never lost his wit in a fit of panic, or become paralyzed with terror. No, that wasn't him at all. So, it stood to reason that he didn't fear her. It was something else.

It had to be.

Only he really knew what it was that gave her the power that she held over him. She had long since seduced him, in spirit if not physically. He would never admit it to anyone, but he found that he was completely obsessed with her. He wanted to please her, give her what she wanted, and make her the happiest woman on the planet. She wanted dust? He could steal it. She wanted to wreak chaos in the city of Vale? He'd personally drive the train that would blast a hole in the city's defenses. There was nothing he wouldn't do in her name, no matter how dangerous it was to him. She was his god.

And he worshipped her thusly.

Roman stood in what he lovingly called his "office", which was really just a small room in the warehouse where they were stockpiling dust. Within rested only a single wooden desk with sheets of paper stacked high, each detailing specific plans and escape routes; just in case. The wall was made of barren, plain metal siding, say for directly behind the desk which had a map of Vale bolted to it. His work was very important to him, and even with his newfound obsession over her, he still made time to be productive. He had dust to steal, weapons to procure, and a recent demand forced him to start looking for a train that no one would notice when it went missing. The train was going to be especially tricky.

"Roman," came a calm, even, deadly, sexy voice from his left. Turning, he saw the living shrine that he prayed to; Cinder.

He could almost feel himself start to sweat. He was usually a calm, collected, debonair of a man, but when she was near he lost all of that. "I," he started, but accidentally stuttered. "I'm looking for your train."

"Good," she said as she approached, swaying her hips like she always did when she walked. God damn those hips, he thought to himself. Whether he liked it or not, she had him enchanted in her seductive spell. She was a siren, and everything she did was her song. Roman just happened to be the one to hear her music when she approached him about work all those months ago. "We're proceeding as scheduled then?"

Roman gave a short laugh in response. "We are...uh, slightly behind. It's taking a lot of effort to control those animals from the White Fang."

Cinder smiled. "I've seen your portfolio, Roman. I have every confidence that you can pull it off." She was now standing next to him; close enough that he could smell her. She carried a gentle, yet still somehow strong fragrance that was similar to cinnamon, which burned Roman's nose ever so slightly. It was an odor that he relished and thoroughly enjoyed. Her amber eyes shone menacingly to most, but he saw only golden gems that, like any treasure, captivated his thieving heart. Reaching up with her hand, she stroked Roman's cheek gently. "I'm sure you'll do just fine," she said.

Roman gulped unintentionally, taking a half step back until he realized that he had run into the desk. His hands rested on the surface of the desk behind him, and his heart rate raced faster and faster by the second. He gave her a nervous smile in return. "I'll do my best." She had done it again without putting forth any effort; she had seduced him through and through.

And she knew it. Emerald, the young thief who served Cinder, didn't see a use for Roman. Mercury himself butted heads with the older man on a regular basis, and he also deemed the senior rogue as an unnecessary addition to their plans. But not Cinder. No, she found that a man like Roman was exactly what she needed. Without any real effort on her part, she had turned this man into her unquestioning, unbelievably loyal servant. And what did it take? A few sways of her hips, a few coy and sensual glances, and a few low whispers in his ear were all it took to get him to open his mind to their concepts. Only a few short conversations and planning sessions later, during which she frequently revisited the sensual and seductive tactics, he had given himself body and soul to this woman.

She smiled, aware of just how heartless she was to take this man's genuine infatuation and turn it inward on itself. Maybe when all was said and done she'd take him to bed as a reward. She certainly wasn't opposed to the idea. After all, he was a dashingly handsome man, and he certainly had a taste for fashion and class. It'd be a reward for both of them; her for being so patient and tactful with her plans, and he for being so undeniably loyal. She almost felt bad that their plans involved getting him arrested at some point.

Almost.

Biting her lower lip to further instigate his passion for her, she looked deeply into his eyes before taking a step back. "We're drawing closer to the next phase, Roman. I trust you won't disappoint when the time comes."

Roman flashed his most daring smile that he could muster before taking a suave step forward, replying with, "But of course. Like I said when you first came to me about this job; I'm your man." And I will be no one else's man, he thought to himself.

Cinder smiled. "Good. This is goodbye for now, Roman. Emerald, Mercury, and I will infiltrate Beacon on the morrow. You're to take as many White Fang recruits as you can to the tunnel once you find our train."

"Oh, I'll find that train," he quickly stated. "You can take that to the bank."

"I know." She started to turn and leave when an idea came to mind. One final push to seal the deal once and for all was needed. She needed to know for a fact that Roman would never betray her, and she now knew how. She stepped forward and leaned closely into his face. "I know," she repeated before she planted her lips onto his. Roman was taken aback by the sudden kiss, but his shock quickly melted away as his passion took control and he returned the kiss in earnest. Slowly, they parted from each other, a small string of saliva still connecting their lips from a distance. "There's more where that came from should we succeed," she teased. Turning, she exited the room in a slow, even manner, sashaying towards the door with her hips swaying this way and that.

Roman stood with a reddened face, dumbfounded. There's more where that came from, she had said. He smiled and produced a cigar from his coat pocket. Lighting up, he pulled out his phone and made a few phone calls. He had a train to find.

Song: Take Me To Church - Hozier

Author's Note

So, I wanted to write something for Valentine's Day, but missed it because I was too busy writing the latest chapter of Witch Hunter Ruby ALL DAY! So, I decided to redeem myself over the course of the coming week. Every day, from today (Sunday, February 15, 2015) until Saturday, February 21, 2015, I will post a short, one shot featuring a different pairing of my own choosing. I call it the Post Valentine's Day Ship-fic Week! And, yes, I am still using songs. I wish I'd never done for The Longest Night, because now I can't get away from wanting to use song titles as chapters.

Anyway, here we have Roman x Cinder, a pairing that I have never explored before. This is how I imagine their relationship would be: Roman would be seduced by Cinder, but Cinder would be exploiting his affection for her own gain. That bitch!

Fun Fact: I heard that the winter storm that's about to hit me here in Tennessee is called Octavia. It needs more My Little Pony jokes! (Sorry...I'm a brony. Have been since 2011.)

Please leave a review to let me know what you think, and tune in tomorrow for another Ship-fic!

Till next time!