Elias didn't leave his room for the rest of the day.
He sat on the bed, knees pulled to his chest, staring at the wall. His lips still tingled from the kiss—yet another kiss—and his thoughts spun around it like vultures.
He hated Varian. Truly. Deeply. But every time the demon touched him, something inside him went silent. Like it was listening.
That terrified him more than the void outside the windows.
Then came the knock.
No—not a knock. A tap. Sharp. Rhythmic. Like claws.
Elias didn't move.
The door creaked open anyway.
Varian entered with a familiar smirk, trailing shadows behind him like a king trailing a cape. "I'm bored," he said.
"Good for you," Elias muttered.
"I've decided we'll play a game."
"I'm not playing anything with you."
Varian raised an eyebrow. "You'll like this one. It's called: Obey or Forfeit."
Elias slowly looked up. "…That sounds like a trap."
"It's a lesson." Varian sauntered closer. "You'll follow one simple command. If you obey, I'll reward you. If you disobey…" He grinned. "I get creative."
Elias's heart pounded. "And if I don't play?"
"The collar likes games," Varian said with a purr. "I suggest you indulge it."
The collar warmed instantly, a slow burn against Elias's skin.
"…Fine," Elias muttered. "What's the command?"
Varian's smile widened. "Crawl to me."
Elias stiffened. "You're joking."
"Do I look like I joke?"
"Yes. Badly."
Varian laughed—actually laughed—and then sat on the edge of the bed, spreading his legs slightly. "Ten seconds."
"You can't be serious."
"Ten. Nine…"
The collar pulsed, heat licking across Elias's throat.
"…Shit." He gritted his teeth and slid off the bed, landing on his hands and knees.
The floor was warm. Humiliatingly so.
He crawled slowly, eyes burning, shame flooding every inch of him as Varian watched like a cat watching a mouse.
When he reached the demon's feet, Elias looked up.
"I hate you."
Varian cupped his chin and smiled. "I know."
Then he leaned down and kissed him—again—but this one was different.
Softer.
Longer.
His lips moved slow and coaxing over Elias's, thumb brushing over his jaw. There was no fire, no dominance. Just a strange tenderness Elias hadn't felt before.
And that scared him more than anything.
When Varian pulled back, he whispered, "Good boy."
Elias slapped him.
Hard.
The sound cracked through the room like thunder.
Varian froze.
Then, slowly, he smiled. Blood welled on his lip where Elias's ring had caught him.
"…You'll pay for that," he said darkly.
Elias stared up at him, chest heaving. "Try me."
Varian licked the blood from his lip, golden eyes burning.
"I will."
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