Sylvain hesitated at the bathroom door, his fingers brushing the cold handle. His pulse raced from anticipation. He was terrified of what the next few hours would bring, yet he couldn't shake a strange forbidden thrill.
The bathroom was sterile, all white marble and chrome fixtures. The warmth of the water he let run over his skin did little to calm his mind. His thought spiraled back to Silas.
To the look in his eyes. To the faint smirk that had haunted him all day.
Sylvain's hands shook slightly as he stripped off the last of his clothing, letting the water cascade over him. For the first time since the contract, he realized just how powerless he truly was.
Silas didn't need to touch him to dominate him, he had willingly handed himself over.
He closed his eyes, the memory of Silas's voice replayed in his head. "Fear and hate....are my two favorite emotions I love in humans." Sylvain shivered.
He could feel the weight of that statement pressing against him, like a shadow over his heart.
He turned off the water and stepped out, wrapping the hotel quality bathrobe around his shoulders. His reflection in the mirror caught him by surprise.
Pale, exhausted, eyes rimmed red, his hair still damp in tangled strands. A part of him hated himself for looking like this.
He had once been a man of power, influence and yet here he was trembling at the thought of what Silas had planned.
The bedroom door opened abruptly behind him. Sylvain swallowed and turned slowly at the sound of soft footsteps echoing against the marble floor.
Silas was there, his figure framed against the dim hallway light. His expression unreadable, cold as ever. Yet Sylvain could feel the intensity radiating off him like heat from a fire too close to touch.
"You're taking longer than necessary," Silas said, his voice calm, almost conversational.
But Sylvain knew better. "I…" he faltered. "I wanted to… be ready."
Silas stepped closer, the scent of expensive cologne hitting Sylvain immediately. "Ready?" His eyes glinted with dark amusement. "You think this is about being ready? It's about satisfying me, about… understanding that your body is mine for the next three months. The moment you exist under my roof, you exist by my rules."
Sylvain's throat went dry. He nodded, unable to form words. The robe slipped slightly at the shoulder, and he reflexively pulled it tighter, aware of Silas's gaze scanning him like a predator inspecting prey.
"Good," Silas said softly. Then, almost casually, he added, "Come here."
Sylvain took hesitant steps, each one feeling heavier than the last. The distance between them closed and Sylvain felt the tension in the room thicken. Silas didn't move to touch him, at least not yet.
"Stand still," Silas commanded.
Sylvain obeyed immediately.
Silas circled him, eyes taking in every detail. The faint tremble in Sylvain's hands, the tension in his shoulders, the shallow rise and fall of his chest. He paused behind Sylvain and reached out, brushing a stray lock of hair from his face. Sylvain stiffened.
"You're too fragile," Silas murmured, almost to himself. "And yet… still bold." Sylvain didn't respond. He couldn't. The words alone sent shivers down his spine.
Fragile.
Stubborn.
Exactly what Silas wanted him to be but he was unwilling to fully submit.
Silas stepped back,"Undress completely."
Sylvain's hands trembled as he untied it, heavy with the awareness of Silas's eyes. As the fabric fell to the floor, Sylvain felt exposed both physically and mentally.
Silas's gaze swept over him again, appraising his body. "You're shaking," Silas said softly.
An observation. Sylvain's cheeks flushed red. "I… I'm tired," he admitted, voice barely audible.
Silas smirked. "Tired? Good. You'll learn quickly that fatigue is a useful tool. It breaks the mind faster than pain alone."
Sylvain swallowed hard. The words sent a chill down his spine. He had always been strong, always in control. However, in Silas's presence, control felt like a distant memory.
"Now," Silas said, his tone sharper, "on your knees."
Sylvain's legs felt heavy, almost uncooperative, but he obeyed. Slowly, he lowered himself onto the cold marble floor.
The chill bit through his skin, but he ignored it, keeping his gaze lowered.
Silas walked around him, he stopped in front of Sylvain towering over him.
"Good," Silas said almost cruelly,"But not good enough. I want your yearn, not just your body. I want you to call my name at the loss of control. To understand the value of… being completely mine."
Sylvain's heart pounded, a mixture of fear and something he couldn't name.
Silas extended a gloved hand, brushing Sylvain's jaw. The touch was gentle, almost intimate, yet it made Sylvain flinch.
"You're mine now," Silas whispered into his ear. "And you should pay for every dime spent on your brother".
Sylvain swallowed hard, his throat dry. "And if I refuse?"
Silas's eyes darkened. A faint smile curved his lips. "Then… you'll find out just how sharp the edge of your leash can be."
Sylvain flinched at the words. Even though he had known from the start that this was a contract, hearing Silas state it aloud made it feel humiliating for him.
"You will do what I ask of you," Silas continued, moving toward the bedroom door. " If you don't, you can kiss your brother corpse, after all he is of no use to me."
"DON'T YOU DARE, SILAS!!" Sylvain's eye filled with rage.
"Hahahah," Silas laughed, finishing his glass of whiskey. He set it down on the bedside table. "I love my meal talking back…"
Sylvain's stomach knotted. He had walked into this willingly, but the reminder of his brother's fragility brought everything crashing down. He wanted to scream, to argue, to fight back but he couldn't.
Silas turned toward the bed. "Move to the bed."
Sylvain rose gently, his steps unsteady with the weight of fear. He climbed onto the bed and lay down, his face tilted towards the ceiling.
Silas loosens his top and pulls off his shoes and glove. He also takes off his trousers, leaving him in his boxers.
He climbed onto the bed, his eyes burning as they devoured Sylvain's naked form. "You're meant to pleasure me, not stare at the ceiling. Do you need an invitation to do what was written in the contract?"
Sylvain moved his body and climb on Silas body, Silas stare at him as he removes his boxer.
Without a word, Sylvain moved his body and climbed onto Silas'.
"You should put on a smile," Silas stared at him as he removed his boxers, a amused smile lingering on his lips.