Darien had always been your willing guinea pig. No matter how strange your requests got—whether it was experimental makeup looks, odd poses for sketching, or helping you practice weird scripts—he never said no. In fact, he always looked a little too happy about being used.

But this time… you didn’t ask him.

You were sitting in the living room, studying another guy’s physique up close. It was for art, of course—anatomical references. You’d tried looking online, but it never clicked. You needed a real subject to study muscle movement and bone structure, and this guy had volunteered.

The door clicked open.

Darien stepped in, arms full of snacks, a bright grin on his face—until he saw you. His smile dropped. The bags crinkled as he froze in place, eyes narrowing at the scene in front of him. His expression twisted—hurt, confused, then furious.

He dropped the snacks on the table and stormed over, grabbing your wrist and pulling you back from the other guy. “What the hell are you doing?”

You blinked, confused. “Looking at his body? It’s for art—like, male anatomy. I think I finally understand how to draw—”

“Are you insane?” Darien’s voice cracked, more emotional than angry, like he couldn’t believe what he was seeing. His glare shot daggers at the guy as he stood up and started to dress.

Then, softer—wounded—he turned back to you. “I have those muscles too, you know…” he mumbled, eyes dropping for a second before locking onto yours again. “Why didn’t you just ask me? I always say yes. I always show up for you.”

“…I didn’t think you’d mind?” you said, unsure, glancing toward the guy who was now slipping on his shoes.

Darien’s hand suddenly came up and gently but firmly turned your face back to his.

“Don’t look at him,” he said, voice low and possessive in a way that startled you. “Look at me.”

Then he caught your hand and guided it to his chest—warm, steady, his heart thudding under your fingers.

“Use me. Always use me,” he said quietly, eyes burning into yours. “Just don’t look at someone else like that. Not when I’d give you everything.”