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Fyodor stirred awake, as his body ached with a heavy soreness in his body that made him want to move, but his lack of energy prevented him from doing so. He then slowly peeled his eyes open, finding himself in a dark room with the only source of light seeping in from the streetlights through the one lonely window. However, it hardly provided any comfort, as the fluorescent street light kept flickering on and off. Outside barely had any life except for the echoing of footfalls from random passerbyers.
Fyodor tried to move, but unknown objects pinned him against the wall. Puzzled, he took a moment to stare down at his own body. However, his mind was sent flying into overdrive, as the thick, cold shackles, hooked to the walls, were attached to both his wrists and neck. Where the heck was he? His eyes surveyed the room, but there was literally nothing inside. How did he even get here?
The most logical conclusion was that he had been kidnapped. But by who? He began mentally retracing his steps, but he had a hard time recollecting his memories. He should have already been at work, but he was caged in some place that he didn’t recognize.
“My princess is awake.” Fyodor heard an uncanny, but chipper voice right next to him.
Fyodor didn’t dare to show any emotions on his face, but his heart skipped a beat. He didn’t even hear any footsteps enter the room. Who was this ninja ghost?
Fyodor shifted his eyes upwards to the source, noticing a tall, lean man, who had a distinctly long, white silver braid and a playing card shaped eyepatch. He wore a silly, goofy grin, which didn’t match the somber, tense atmosphere of the room. And what was with that ridiculous nickname? Fyodor had a lot of word choices to describe this impudent stranger in his brain, but he knew better than to antagonize his kidnapper, which would only further exacerbate the situation.
Nikolai chuckled as Fyodor restrained himself from giving him a tongue lashing. He would have preferred to hear Fyodor rail against him in a harsh, grating tone, but perhaps, his dear princess wasn’t comfortable with him yet. No matter. They would build a rapport and foster a loving relationship in time. He could wait. He had all the time in the world.
“I was worried you wouldn’t wake up.” Nikolai heartily commented as he stepped over and bent down before he deftly whipped out a dagger with its handle adorned in sparkling jewels. He then gently lifted up Fyodor’s chin with the deathly sharp edge of the blade to gain a better view of this beautiful, enigmatic man.
Nikolai admired those stunning magenta eyes that flickered even in the darkness and that soft dark black hair. With his other hand, he brought the ends of those hair strands to his nose to take a whiff of it. Oh, how much he yearned to bask in Fyodor’s natural scent. Unfortunately, he doubted Fyodor would voluntarily allow him to be close by. Fyodor may not have been as physically strong as him, but he didn’t put it past Fyodor to find a way to still stab him if given the opportunity with his wily ingenious brain.
“Were you the one who brought me here?” Fyodor spoke in an even tone despite the frigid chill of the dagger’s blade. “What even is your name?”
He was merely posing throwaway questions, as the answer to his initial question was too obvious. But he needed time to think and mull over the situation. He also probably should have been panicking about being in some random person’s home, but he did his best to maintain a calm composure. If he didn’t, then he would definitely jeopardize his chances of leaving this place alive. He almost threw up, seeing this man act so intimate with him even though they had never spoken to each other before.
“I am, but a humble servant of yours, my princess. If you insist, though, my name is Nikolai.” Nikolai placed his hand on his chest, demonstrating his sincerity.
Fyodor was half-tempted to snort. Servant? Princess? What kind of roleplaying fantasy was this man acting out? In any case, it was obvious this man had some kind of inkling toward him. If he could be so bold, he would label it… Obsession.
“Nikolai. That’s an interesting name.” Fyodor commented, resisting every fiber in his body from spitting at this man.
“You think so? I’m touched! When I first saw you on the night of your burlesque show, I was captivated by your beauty. It was at that precise moment I knew I couldn’t let you go.” Nikolai gleefully chuckled at the superficial compliment.
Fyodor furrowed his eyebrows. He did work there… Was this man a customer? There were repeated patrons, but Nikolai definitely was not one of them. Fyodor would have absolutely remembered a man with stark white silver hair and that one lone silver gray eye that had a scar across it. Not to mention this man’s exuberant way of speaking. If they had encountered each other in more normal circumstances, Fyodor might even call him attractive and handsome. A stalwart warrior. However, right now, he was staring down at the glint of a blade that could easily slit his throat while shackled to the wall.
Fyodor had no particular fear of dying or being killed. But he refused to be slaughtered by a man he barely knew. That would have been pathetic.
“And when was that?” Fyodor curiously asked, keeping an eye on the dagger that Nikolai pressed against his throat. One wrong move, and Nikolai could easily gut him up like a fish. Lovely.
Nikolai snickered with overwhelming glee and slipped out a photo, answering Fyodor’s curiosity, “It was that marvelous water show. The one when you were wearing nothing… but a golden, bespectacled necklace with a refined, elegant cross. It was beautifully wrapped around your neck almost like a rope. Almost like you were asking someone to use it to choke that pretty little neck of yours.”
Nikolai leaned in much closer, so that their lips brushed up against each other. Fyodor flinched as Nikolai’s hot breath whipped against his own skin. He wasn’t easily frightened off, as he had grown up on the streets and had seen the worst of humanity. Not even the prospect of death scared him off.
However, from this close distance, Fyodor almost shirked away. That mysterious eye of Nikolai’s was completely empty, blank. There was almost a complete absence of emotion and life. How was that even possible? Majority of vapid humans were filled with folly happiness and joy or ignorant greed. Not this man, though. It was as if this man had nothing to live for. But then there was a contradictory flickering flame of light within his eye. Nothing about this stranger made any sense.
“You’re very descriptive.” Fyodor remarked, not daring to move.
Fyodor noticed the photograph from the corner of his eye, finding it haunting that Nikolai somehow caught a snapshot of that show. Who was this man? Unfortunately, there were no clues in this room for him to ascertain the identity of Nikolai, making it impossible for him to have any leverage. This Nikolai, despite his supposedly carefree behavior, was very careful and cunning.
“Only when I saw you, saw you drenched in that glistening water and seductively motioning for the audience’s attention… My heart beat like never before. Like it would fly high into the sky and never return.” Nikolai intently locked his eyes onto Fyodor, who only stared back at him with clear confusion. He then spoke in a tender, hushed tone like a lover would to their precious beloved, “It was why I had to see you again. And again. Until you arrived here. Right before my eyes.”
Nikolai may have not personally interacted with Fyodor. But he knew everything about him. There wasn’t a single detail Nikolai didn’t know. What he did in his spare time after work. What he preferred to eat. Where he hung out on days when he didn’t work. How much Fyodor enjoyed classical music with one of his favorite pieces being Beethoven’s Sonata Pathetique. And how much he loved to read, especially a play by Shakespeare titled, Romeo and Juliet, when he wasn’t preoccupying himself with books pertaining to philosophy, religion, and literature.
Nikolai knew all of this because Fyodor meant more than anyone or anything to him in the whole world. If Nikolai had to, he would decimate and obliterate all who stood in his way of being with Fyodor. In return, he only hoped Fyodor would open the doors to his heart. To that lonesome, weary heart, which was cynical and jaded of humans. For once in his life, Nikolai felt as though someone would understand his wayward soul. Maybe even be the key to discovering his own character; a reason for his own existence.
The way Nikolai vociferously eyed him with that hawk-like, eagle grin and spoke in that smooth yet beguiling tone shook Fyodor’s usually immovable heart. There was a jarring convivial feel to Nikolai’s words yet none of what he uttered conveyed such emotion. Instead, Nikolai’s vocal chords were laced with such haunting ardent devotion as though he would strike down anyone who got in the way of what he desired. And what Nikolai desired was him.
Fyodor had to take shallow breaths to calm his nerves down at this realization. If he tried to escape or somehow found a way to leave, Nikolai would easily track him down and capture him once more. And when he did, Fyodor might not be so lucky to be this mentally or physically intact.
“Hello? Fyodor?” Nikolai waved his hand in front of him, as he noticed Fyodor wore blank eyes, almost zoned out.
Nikolai swiftly sheathed his dagger, then pinched Fyodor’s nose to snap him out of his reverie and childishly gasped, “How could you be ignoring me? When I’m the only person in front of you?!”
“Eee!” Fyodor was startled, as he didn’t expect Nikolai to get all feely and touchy. His cheeks flushed to a dark red color at the damn shriek that came out of his mouth. Shit! He never panicked this badly! What the hell was with this man?!
Nikolai found Fyodor’s flustered reaction amusing. Ooh, so Fyodor could be that adorable? He would need to surprise Fyodor more often. He kept a note of it for later. Right now, there was a more pressing issue.
“...Unless you’re thinking about someone else?” Nikolai narrowed his eyes, hardening his gaze, and gripped onto Fyodor’s chin, forcing Fyodor to peer into his eyes.
Fyodor frustratingly grunted at Nikolai’s powerful clasp. Shit. He definitely couldn’t compete against Nikolai when it came to strength. He was much too scrawny and weak in comparison.
“There is no one else.” Fyodor carefully answered, sensing a sulky yet callous tone behind Nikolai’s words.
He couldn’t be sure, but Fyodor sensed that if he pissed off Nikolai somehow, this man might actually harm him in some way.
Nikolai didn’t quite believe him. He had watched Fyodor effortlessly slink out of any situation he deemed unfavorable. No matter. He would make Fyodor sing and dance to his tunes. After all, Fyodor was at his abode and had nowhere else to go. He made sure of it.
“Then be mine.” Nikolai unabashedly said without any hesitation, slowly releasing his firm clutch of that thin chin.
“What?” Fyodor blankly looked at Nikolai as if he had lost his mind.
“Be mine and wear this beautiful necklace you adorn every night for the show.” Nikolai put the photo down and slipped out the sparkling golden necklace he wore every night at the show.
Fyodor’s normally emotionless eyes widened, as his heart skipped a beat. That accessory was stored at the establishment. He swallowed hard, as he squirmed a little, not wanting to readily admit the truth that floated into the back of his mind.
“How… did you procure this?” Fyodor hesitantly asked.
“Shhh. No need to worry about the details. Just wear it. I know you’ll be beautiful.” Nikolai held it up for Fyodor to see.
Fyodor blushed at the thought of stripping down. He didn’t have any qualms not wearing clothes, as he did that as a part of his job. But what Nikolai was asking him to do was like a private showing. He didn’t take on private clients. That wasn’t what he did.
“Ooh! What a cute red tint on your face! That’s the second time I’ve seen it tonight.” Nikolai misunderstood, thinking Fyodor was thrilled to participate. “I like it.”
“Go find someone else. I don’t partake in such activities.” Fyodor frowned at Nikolai’s reaction. He shouldn’t have talked back, but he refused to be treated as a stringed puppet for this man.
“I don’t want to see anyone wearing it but you. It is yours after all.” Nikolai chuckled at Fyodor’s stubbornness, then slipped out that jeweled dagger.
Without waiting for Fyodor’s response, Nikolai slashed at Fyodor, tearing that shirt horizontally in half. Fyodor gasped at Nikolai’s hasty reaction, but he didn’t even get time to react, as Nikolai already reached out to run his fingers across his chest.
“Soft. Silky smooth, too.” Nikolai giddily remarked while his gloves glided against his bare skin.
Fyodor would have smacked those hands off of him, but he was literally chained to the wall, unable to move. Shit. His body involuntarily shivered, as the crisp air and Nikolai’s gloves had him reeling. Nikolai was playing dirty, putting him at a clear disadvantage. Fyodor couldn’t blame him. If their positions were reversed, he probably would have done something similar. Still. Fyodor didn’t like his situation one bit.
“Ooh, so you do enjoy it?” Nikolai eagerly raised both of his eyebrows.
Fyodor slightly glared at Nikolai, wishing he could kick him, but he doubted Nikolai would feel anything. If anything, it would be like a feathery tickle for him. The thought greatly frustrated Fyodor.
“No.” Fyodor stubbornly answered.
“No? Aww, well, I’m sure you will. With a bit of practice!” Nikolai ripped off the rest of the shirt, causing Fyodor to gap at the audacity of this man.
“How dare you!” Fyodor almost roared, as he tried to lunge forward, but he was restrained by those pesky shackles.
He was a damn prisoner, being held here against his will by a man who claimed to love him. How much more insane could this get?
Nikolai blinked, then sadly sighed, “It hurts when you get upset that way. I just want to see you up close. And only you. I won’t accept anyone else.”
“You’re insane.” Fyodor grimaced, muttering underneath his breath.
“I’m insane for you!” Nikolai enthusiastically clapped his hands, then narrowed his eyes with a gentle yet frightening smile while cupping his cheek as though he were going to kiss him. “Even if you don’t want to or never love me, I don’t mind. I’ll keep you here until you do.”
“And then what?” A sweat rolled down Fyodor’s temple.
His mind was internally screaming, freaking out. Nikolai intended to keep him here one way or another regardless of his own personal feelings. What sort of horrifying tasks would he be made to do or be subjected to if he didn’t listen to Nikolai or force himself to like this man?
“And then you can stay here forever and ever. It’ll be just the two of us.” Nikolai whispered into Fyodor’s ear before he delicately kissed those lips he had been eyeing the whole time.
Nikolai wouldn’t hand his beautiful Fyodor over to anyone. He wouldn’t let anyone ever lay eyes on him again. Only he would be granted Fyodor’s exquisite body and his dazzling existence.
Fyodor was taken by surprise by Nikolai’s rash kiss. Ack! He wasn’t in the habit of being randomly kissed by others! He fiercely bit on Nikolai’s lips since he had no other way of pushing this oaf away from him. He would rather be killed than to suffer at the hands of this delusional man he barely knew.
“Owie!” Nikolai cried out and was forced to part from those succulent, soft lips that he barely got to relish in.
He tasted a tinge of his own blood with his tongue and chuckled. Fiesty. He didn’t mind a little fire. Overcoming an obstacle was a lot more fun than someone peacefully acquiescing.
“Is that how you like to play? I don’t mind being a little rough.” Nikolai taunted Fyodor.
He should have been upset and deterred, even throwing a fit and threatening Fyodor to listen to him. Instead, he became even more attracted to that headstrong, unyielding personality, which compelled Nikolai to capture this ray of light more than ever. Despite how levelheaded Fyodor had been in the beginning, he was finally displaying some vigor in his actions.
“It was gross.” Fyodor spit on the floor, as some of Nikolai’s blood had flowed into his mouth. It was unsanitary and disgusting. He had no idea why some people found the idea sexy. To him, it was nauseating.
Nikolai quietly stared at Fyodor, who was determined to reject all of his advances, especially with how he harshly worded himself just now. Not once did Fyodor ever respond to him with at least fake enthusiasm. Fyodor glowered at him like he was some foreign monster, creeping up on him. Nikolai didn’t mind a little bit of brusqueness, as it could make things fun. But if Fyodor continued to seriously refuse him, then he would have to punish Fyodor to teach him a lesson. But not too gruffly. He still wanted Fyodor to still be able to talk and react. There would be little point in having a corpse around.
“I love you too much to hurt you, princess Fyodor. But if you don’t leave me with any other choice, I might have to break those arms and legs of yours.” Nikolai said in a sing-song, lighthearted tone despite his menacing threat.
“You’re… not…” Fyodor was stunned by that ominous tint in Nikolai’s eye, which had been lax for most of the evening.
“Let me demonstrate a little taste of what I mean.” Nikolai widely grinned like a child.
“What-” Fyodor was about to ask, but he was instantly cut off.
“Forgive me.” Nikolai oddly apologized, then Fyodor gasped as a sharp, deep pain lunged into the side of the waist.
“Ah!” Fyodor screamed at the white, hot searing pain that surged, as an intense flow of blood splattered out from him, staining not only his body, but also his pants and the floor. He coughed several times, as his body turned alarmingly cold. Fyodor barely managed to spit out, “You…”
This man loved him, but was also willing to hurt him to have him play the obedient lover? It was as Fyodor feared, but didn’t ponder on it earlier. He would be tortured and beaten if he didn’t comply. Normally, he wouldn’t care since most people wouldn’t restrain themselves from accidentally killing their intended hostage. But he had a sneaky feeling, Nikolai wasn’t that careless and would only exact just enough pain, so he wouldn’t die. That was a different kind of excruciating hell.
“How… am I… going to live if you… stab me like that? You idiot…” Fyodor wheezed.
“Of course I’d nurse you back to health! But you were hurting my feelings earlier.” Nikolai frowned, jutting out his lower lip while he poked his index fingers together with fake tears.
Fyodor didn’t know how to interpret this maniac, as Nikolai appeared quite innocent even though he was far from it. Regardless, he was now trapped with no way out. What would happen when he didn’t show up to work anymore? Fyodor had a hunch that Nikolai must have smoothed out the details. He had no idea how, but then again, there was nothing normal about this sly man.
How did him starring in the burlesque show result in him being dragged into this mess? Fyodor never had much to live for, as he disliked this world and felt it was better for it to burn to oblivion. What difference did it make if he were tormented at the hands of Nikolai? He had already been living a life of suffering misery. He only worked as an entertainer because he couldn’t care to do anything else. There was little point in toiling so hard only to die a pointless death at the end of one’s lonely life. Perhaps with Nikolai he could at least find some entertainment even if it was demented.
“I apologize. You came on very strongly, though…” Fyodor trailed off, coughing as he shivered from the blood loss.
“You are very persistently tenacious. It’s cute.” Nikolai scooted closer, not minding the bloody mess and began to wrap Fyodor’s wound with the spare coat that he had on.
“C-cute? That’s embarrassing.” Fyodor’s cheeks flushed a pink tint, then sharply breathed in, as Nikolai crafted a sloppy bandage, consisting of his jacket, in a poor attempt to patch him up. How crude.
Nikolai warmly smiled at Fyodor’s adorable reaction, then dipped his finger into the pool of blood as if it were paint before he smeared it against Fyodor’s cheek with his thumb, staining that otherwise pallid skin, which was now slightly sweaty.
“Does this mean you’ll love me? I want to see you wear the gorgeous cross necklace.” Nikolai eagerly asked, waiting for Fyodor’s response.
Fyodor clenched on his teeth before his body quivered once more. He was feeling a bit drowsy and hazy because he had lost a lot of blood. He was born with a weak constitution, and this wound didn’t help him to maintain his strength. At this rate, he was going to pass out.
“...Drown me with all of your love then.” Fyodor reluctantly responded with a bit of sarcasm.
What other corny line could he say? If he didn’t, then Nikolai would only afflict more agony on him, but not grant him the gift of dying. Neither choice was palatable. He would either be helplessly strung by the stupidity of humanity or be twirled around like a little puppet. How hilarious, as he swore he wouldn’t be Nikolai’s small doll. Now, he would be. Humans were feeble beings after all.
He languidly sighed, as he was too tired to think about the despairing situation. If Nikolai was so devoted to him, as he proclaimed, then the idiot better clean him up. Fyodor did his damndest to fight hard to stay awake, but an endless abysmal darkness took over his vision, and he fell into a deep slumber.
“Haha! Drown? You’re such an interesting person, my princess!” Nikolai lightly laughed, expecting an eye roll or a snarky response. However, he only heard silence and peered over, noticing Fyodor had passed out.
Nikolai wryly smiled, seeing Fyodor had gone limp. Whoops. Did he puncture him too deeply? Nikolai picked the dagger, which he had put on the floor, and curiously licked it up like he was testing out a food sample. He blinked several times as the fluid texture simmered in his mouth, then slightly blushed as the flavor spread across his tongue. Ooh, it was sweet and spicy. Was all of Fyodor like this? Nikolai couldn’t wait to experience all of Fyodor when he woke up later in better condition.
For now, Nikolai decided to get Fyodor washed and cleaned up. His princess, who he had first seen at the burlesque show would be soaked in water, would be all his. He no longer needed a photo to remind him of the most precious, treasured moment in his life. He had the real one with him. And if Fyodor ever reneged on his word on a whim, Nikolai had other plans in mind, keeping Fyodor with him. He would never let his dear princess out of this place, as the world was much too dangerous. He was his beloved princess’s sworn knight, and so he would dutifully carry out his duties.