Vincent glanced up as the double doors were shoved open, straightening in his seat and leaning forwards eagerly. He watched the three figures enter, stomping heavily. There were two burley men flanking the third, a dishevelled-looking figure. Though this figure was hunched over, wrists chained behind his back, it seemed he was taller than the others in the room, Vincent included.

‘You’ve caught him’ Vincent breathed excitedly.

‘Yes’ one of the men said gruffly, his tone sounding irritated. ‘It wasn’t easy… he’s fast, injured many of the men… non dead thankfully.’

The other man shoved the dishevelled figure forwards, causing him to stumble and fall on his chest.

‘What do you plan on doing with him anyway?’ the first man huffed.

‘That is none of your concern’ Vincent spoke, rising to his feet and reaching into his pocket, approaching them.

‘You probably wanna study him I bet’ the other man said.

‘And like I said’ Vincent pressed, taking an envelope out of his pocket, ‘it’s none of your concern.’

He pressed the envelope into the chest of the man nearest him.

‘You can go now’ he said to both men.

They hesitated for only a moment, shooting one last distrustful glance towards the figure on the floor, before turning and stalking away.

‘And close the door’ Vincent called after them as they left.

The door snapped shut, and Vincent was left alone with the injured and bound figure before him.

The fire in the large hearth crackled, keeping the spacious room warm. A flash of light lit up the night’s sky beyond the large window, and seconds later, a rumble of thunder passed through the stone walls and into the room.

Vincent ignored these sounds, and the healthy patter of rain upon the glass. Instead, he stared down at the creature before him, who was utterly still, long black hair spilling over his face, hiding his features.

Vincent leant over him, grabbing him by his upper arm and rolling him onto his back, able to get a better look at his face now.

Vincent straightened slightly, caught by surprise, at how incredibly handsome the figure was.

His face was slender, cheekbones were high, eyes blaring.

Vincent hesitated, studying his eyes more closely now.

His eyes were light-blue, but the whites of his eyes, were blood-shot and red.

‘Are you hurt?’ Vincent uttered, reaching towards him tenderly.

The figure’s breathing began to quicken, muffled by the gag he wore, but it seemed like he was baring his teeth. And then his body began to tremble violently.

Vincent drew back sharply, thinking maybe that the figure was scared.

But then he looked into his eyes, and saw.

It was not fear, but rage.

Vincent straightened fully now, expression dampening.

‘I’m sorry they were rough with you’ he said. ‘I don’t know those men. I just paid for their services. I could never have captured you on my own, and they found you before I could.’

He stepped back towards the round dinning table, reaching for a bottle, pulling out the cork and taking a deep drink.

There was another flash of lightning, a hushed silence within the room, broken only by the ongoing rainfall on the windows. Then there came another rumble of thunder.

Vincent placed the bottle back on the table, considering the being before him, his figure lean and muscular.

He approached him again, kneeling beside him and reaching forwards once more.

The figure’s breathing quickened significantly, his blood-shot eyes glaring in hatred.

‘I’m not going to hurt you’ Vincent spoke clearly, pausing, ‘just try to relax.’

Vincent pulled the gag down, freeing his mouth at last.

The figure continued to tremble and glare, mouth half-open as he finally drew a free breath.

Vincent let out a deep breath, gazing down at him.

‘You’re beautiful…’

The figure continued to glare, shifting slightly, testing the binds around his wrists, tensing, and pulling. But his efforts were useless. He seemed to not have heard the words spoken to him, focused instead on trying to free himself.

Vincent leaned forwards, and kissed him

The figure froze, seemingly caught by surprise. Eyes wide now in shock. He stopped struggling.