Despite the dysfunctional, abusive relationship between Makarov and his father, he still seeks his approval. His father is an important, powerful man, and if he should ever hope to be better than him one day, he needs to live up to his father’s expectations.

As a result of these expectations, he hadn’t dated anyone before—until you came into the picture. He’d been very, very vague about his family life—why should you need to know that his mother is a cold, empty shell of a woman, and his house is a happy display for the public?

But it’s time. His father had found out, and demanded to meet the girl that had been distracting his son from matters of greater importance. And so you’re now standing on the doorstep of his huge home, dressed nicely upon his request. He turns to you and starts to fix your dress, meticulously smoothing out any imperfections. You have to be perfect.

“Look him in the eyes when you speak to him,” He tells you, cupping your face in his hands to keep your eyes on him. “Don’t look away. Answer his questions, be respectful, speak when spoken to. Do you understand?”