The one greeting him at the door was Evelyn.

“Come in, come in,” she said.

Ilya stood further back, his arms crossed as usual.

As Evelyn closed the door behind Cole, she eyed him without a word. His suit was standing out, wasn't it?

“Did you just escape from a wedding or something?” Ilya asked.

“Actually, Ilya, you should know about it,” Cole said. “Evelyn, too.”

“Hm?” Ilya looked unconvinced, while Evelyn gave him an inquisitive smile.

“Unless he didn't tell any of you,” Cole said.

“Who?” Evelyn asked.

“Stop being cryptic,” Ilya said.

“I was at a networking event,” Cole said. “Aleksei was hired to work there for the night, too.”

They glanced at each other, not as surprised as Cole had expected.

“Probably one of his gigs, right?” Ilya put a hand to his chin.

“It is a weird coincidence, though,” Evelyn said.

“Yeah. Something feels off about it all,” Cole said.

“Now I'm curious. Did anything else interesting happen there?” Evelyn asked.

Though Cole was hesitant, he knew he owed them this much.

“I don't really want to think about that event ever again,” Cole said, his voice somber. “But what I saw in that private lounge was, well, the consequences of my actions, I guess.”

“Oh? And what have you done now?” Ilya asked.

“I know you aren't being serious, but it's really awful. I mean, when you're just sitting in an office going through a bunch of paperwork, you don't really consider the towns it ends up helping destroy. The people it forcefully throws out.”

Evelyn glared at him. He had forgotten that only Ilya was aware of the situation.

“What?” she asked.

“I hope you're not expecting any sympathy,” Ilya said.

“I'm not. She wanted to know,” Cole said.

“I… appreciate your honesty,” Evelyn said, taking a step back toward the door. “But I, uh, was about to leave when you got here. I'd like to follow myself up on that.”

Ilya sighed. “Good night, then,” he said, letting his arms fall by his side. “Get home safe.”

“Thank you. Night,” she said.

Ilya walked up to them as Evelyn opened the door. She looked over his shoulder at Cole.

“I don't know everything that's going on with you, but whatever it is, well, I'm gonna say the obvious thing. I'd prefer you stop,” she said.

Cole could only offer her a thin smile. The sound of the door slamming closed rang through the apartment.

Another heavy silence.

Ilya hadn't moved yet. His back was tense, and a stressed hand passed through his hair.

“So,” Ilya said, turning toward Cole with a blank expression. “Join me in the living room?”

His intentions were indecipherable. Yet, Cole was urged to comply.

“Sure, but I can leave if you want me to. You don't have to be a good host or anything,” Cole said.

“Trust me,” Ilya said, slipping past Cole in the hallway, as he headed further inside. “I really… don't know what I want anymore.”

Cole watched him, simmering over his words.

It wasn't ‌goodbye. And so, Cole continued down the hall after him.

The living room looked just as Cole remembered. This time, with a sleeping dog lying on the floor. He was even doing those cute leg twitches. What kind of dreams did this guy have? 

“Tired him out again,” Ilya said. “It is pretty fun to get my mind off things by taking him for a run.”

“I can imagine,” Cole said.

“Didn't expect to need it as much as I did,” Ilya said.

Their light conversation did ease the tension. Cole could finally breathe again.

He had to show some initiative while the time was right.

“Let's go into another room,” Cole said. “We shouldn't disturb his sleep.”

It took a second for Ilya to respond. “I'm sure he won't mind if we talk quietly.”

Was this some kind of test?

“I insist,” Cole said.

Ilya let out a sharp exhale that almost sounded like a laugh. “Are you sure you're in a position to be making demands right now?”

There was his answer. Ilya must be enjoying his moral superiority over Cole. It made him wonder whether that had been tricky ever since Ilya moved here. People were likely giving him a hard time if he ever spoke his mind.

Cole’s gaze flickered from Ilya to absolutely anywhere else he could. “I can't keep doing it, Ilya.”

“What?” Ilya asked, his tone sharp.

“I thought it was so prestigious when I got this job, but…” Cole said.

Ilya searched his eyes for… something. Sincerity? “Hmm. Okay… Let's go somewhere else,” he said, already halfway to the room Shoko disappeared into last time.

All was not lost.

Indeed, a square dog bed was lying on the floor.

The walls of the room had been painted light gray. Thin shelves stuck to them with even more books and a few plants that contrasted against their surroundings. Two wardrobes stood next to each other. For clothing, presumably, and who knew what else. There were nightstands on either side of the bed, each with its own little lamp.

As the door clicked shut, Ilya's hypnotic gaze pinned Cole in place. He couldn’t look away.

“I-I'll do something. I'll fix things. I… I don't know. Anything,” Cole said.

Ilya stepped closer, making him skip backward.

“Just know, none of this is for your sake. You…” Cole said, his voice wavering. He kept taking small, tentative steps as Ilya got nearer.

“Oh, yeah?” Ilya smiled, placing his hands on Cole's chest as he pushed him against the wall. Leaning in, he trailed his lips along his neck.

Cole sucked in a deep breath, his thoughts evaporating in seconds.

“You're not lying to me, are you?” Ilya asked.

“I would never,” Cole said.

Ilya laughed under his breath as he grabbed Cole's tie, pulling on the thin fabric until it tightened around his throat.

“You've sinned… a lot,” Ilya said.

The tie made it hard for Cole to speak, but the rush was too powerful for him to care.

“What do I deserve… Ilya?” Cole asked.

At his name, Ilya pulled away, coming face-to-face with Cole again. “To be treated like the monster you are.”

Cole inhaled as Ilya hooked his fingers under the thin fabric around his neck. He tugged it loose as the knot came undone.

“Then do it,” Cole said.

Ilya slipped through the open sections between the buttons of Cole's collared shirt. He ripped it open with surprising strength, pulling until the suit jacket fell down. It made a louder thump than expected when hitting the floor.

Cole's shirt remained, with a large jagged tear in the front, giving way to exposed skin beneath.

“Much better,” Ilya said.

“Stop stalling,” Cole said as he grabbed Ilya's face, pressing their lips together.

Ilya reciprocated at first, sliding his hands up Cole's arms to his shoulders. But before they could get into it, Ilya pushed him back.

“No, Cole. You don't get to do that,” Ilya said.

“But…” Cole said.

With that, Ilya turned Cole around, pinning him to the drywall chest first. A cold, chalky surface rubbed against Cole’s skin, the sudden temperature shift making him shudder.

With a needy sigh, he looked over his shoulder at Ilya. “Yes, thank you. Please…” He was slipping into a different headspace.

“So filthy…” Ilya said as he pulled Cole's pants off, who very willingly heaved up each leg to make it easier for him.

The chill bit at Cole, leaving him vulnerable, on display for the other man. 

“Good. Stay there,” Ilya said.

“You could take something off too…” Cole said.

“Are you telling me what to do?” Ilya asked.

“Uh, well…” Cole mumbled.

Ilya smacked him hard across the ass.

With a whimper, Cole's body melted against the wall. After the numbness, a hot ache crept in, sending his blood straight to his cock. “Do that… again.”

“Behave,” Ilya said before stepping back and heading over to the wardrobes. Keeping a close eye on Cole, he reached down with both arms, yanking his shirt over his head. He then threw it onto the floor.

The cruel Ilya had a heart. And he was just as built as Cole imagined. He did get the chance to touch after all.

Everything Ilya needed was inside the wardrobe on the left. Cole wondered why lube and condoms were stuffed in there, but when he caught a glimpse of the inside, it was clear that they weren’t alone. He'd almost kind of wished Ilya had taken more out. Those canes and whips and whatnot propped up along the wooden back panel looked enticing.

Watching the half-naked Ilya walk back with those items in hand was making Cole feel… something.

“You've stood so still for me,” Ilya said.

“Does that mean I get…” Cole trailed off as Ilya slipped the condom between his lips.

“Mhm.” Ilya traced his free hand down Cole's lower back, closing his fingers around his faintly reddened ass.

He squeezed tight as soft squeaks escaped Cole. Sneaking his thumb between Cole’s cheeks, he teased his tensing hole.

“Ngh, more…” Cole sighed.

At that, Ilya retracted his hand. Cole let out a whimper, but all he could do was watch as the man delayed it further, taking his damn time getting his pants off.

Ilya took the condom out of his mouth, out of the package, and then let that package fall to the floor. While rolling it on his cock, he slicked it with lube at the same time. He almost looked like a professional. “This more enough for you?”

“Do you even have to ask?” Cole backed up a bit, grinding against Ilya, who dropped the bottle in the process.

Ilya grabbed him by the hip with one hand, and his own cock with the other, pushing the head of it against Cole's entrance.

“I've never met anyone more desperate than you,” Ilya said.

With a muted grunt, Ilya let himself slide inside Cole, making him gasp for air as he was stretched out.

“You like it,” Cole said. His breath hitched with every inch of Ilya sinking deeper into him, and as he adjusted to his size.

Time slowed down. He was hyperaware of everything. Every sensation.

Ilya's large chest pressed against his back as the man's hand traveled up his throat, slowly tightening around it. Not to the extent that Cole’s breathing was restricted, but just enough to show him who was in control.

“I love it,” Ilya whispered, his lips grazing the edge of Cole's ear.

Cole shuddered, reaching for the wall with both hands to steady himself.

“Show me… that you do,” Cole said.

Ilya placed his other hand on Cole’s shoulder. “That… I can.”

He started slow. But it didn't last long. Once Ilya found his rhythm, he had Cole crushed between him and the wall, as he slammed his cock deeper and deeper with every thrust.

Cole cried out, convulsing whenever he hit just the right spot. Ilya occasionally took the opportunity to plant a firm palm against Cole's ass, making his cheek sting as it bounced from the impact.

None of them could get any words out. Cole was starting to twitch from the searing thrusts, his muscles contracting and his legs weakening. He couldn't keep standing ‌much longer.

And even if he wanted to keep himself quiet, it was impossible. Moan after moan was forced out of Cole as Ilya pounded him into the wall. “I—”

“Good… good.” Ilya panted.

Cole didn't even need to touch himself. Before he could respond, Ilya bit down on his shoulder, and all he saw were stars.

An indescribable feeling. A whole-body one that surged through every limb. And took over him. Ilya made a louder sound than usual. That was all Cole could sense. He was somewhere else.

As the other man pulled out of him, Cole's legs gave out, and he slumped to the floor.

“I…” Cole searched, but no words came to mind.

Sitting there looking like some kind of crude exhibit on display with cum dribbling down his legs, Cole stared up at Ilya.

Ilya looked content. Proud, even.

Their dynamic had been established. Ilya had made Cole his.

Cole wanted nothing more than to crawl over there like a good pet and cling to his legs.

But for now, he just smiled up at his new master.