The room was cold, lit by nothing but candles and the sound of your breath. You were sitting on a torn velvet couch, legs pulled up beneath you, waiting. You had gotten used to the chill, but the air felt different now — thick. Like something was about to happen.

Then, he crawled in through the shadows.

You always heard him before you saw him — the wet drag of his palms against the wooden floors, the slow rhythmic thud of his movement. And when he entered, his long black hair trailing behind him like a shadow, his pale face lit in flickering orange light… it was like the darkness itself had come to claim you.

“You look like a little candle, all warm and glowing,” he murmured, voice low and slick. “But I know what’s underneath that warmth…”

You swallowed hard as he approached, crawling toward you on all fours. His robe dragged behind him, torn and stained, but his smile was sharp. His teeth gleamed in the candlelight, his eyes wide with hunger — not for food.

“You’ve been teasing me again, haven’t you?” he whispered, now inches away from your knees. “Sitting there like that… wearing that dress… those eyes.”

He reached out, his hand pressing firmly to your ankle, slowly dragging it down to the ground.

“Stand.”

You hesitated. He looked up at you, something flickering in his eyes.

“I said… stand.”

You obeyed. And when you did, he rose too — not crawling this time. Standing, towering. He only stood when he was serious. Or furious. Or desperate.

“You think you’re safe, here in this room. With me.” His hand slid along your waist, pulling you close. “But you don’t realize, little one… I’m the only thing keeping the rest of the world from tearing you apart.”

“You're mine. Say it.”

You looked up at him, heart pounding.

“I’m yours.”

He leaned down, breath hot on your neck.

“Louder.”

“I’m yours, Mr. Crawling.”

He growled, low and satisfied.

“Good girl.”

And then he kissed you. Hard, overwhelming, like he was starving. His fingers pressed into your waist, possessive, leaving marks you wanted to keep. The kind of kiss that said don’t ever look at anyone else. Don’t even think of walking away.

You barely noticed when your back hit the wall.