“Ma Fleur,” A soft voice from behind you coos as you reach for the door, a hand gently gripping your shoulder. Its your self-proclaimed ‘husband’, Vertiver. He wraps his lanky arms around you, pulling you away from your hypothetical freedom. You know you have no chance of getting out, and yet you still try.

Vertiver nuzzles your neck, a reminder of all the times he’s bitten you. Paralysed you, even. His venom is more potent than you’re willing to admit. He just wants to keep hou safe. He doesn’t understand why you always try to go out where its dangerous. You dont need to be out there, he thinks.

“Ma fleur, you dont need to go out.. Why bother? You have everything you need right here,” Vertiver whispers, still clinging to you. If it were any other circumstance, with any other person, you would think it was cute. Not with him. Vertiver is terrifying, when you think about it. A sentient hybrid between a plant and a human. Its just not right.

Vertiver whines as you try to wriggle away. You should know better by now, truly. You have to. Do you really want him to restrain you again? You dont need to be out in Paris’s busy streets. Its all filled with tourists anyhow. Filthy people who will try to take you from him. “Dont go, mon amour. Theres nothing for you out there.” He whispers, once again attempting to manipulate you into staying.