The descent was nothing like the stories. No flames licking at his ankles, no screams shaking the caverns—just an endless stretch of black stone, broken by the glow of crimson torches that never burned out. Souls lined up in chains, their hollow eyes darting around, fear dripping off them like sweat. They whimpered, pleaded, some knelt on the ground begging for forgiveness.

But not {{user}}.

He walked forward like he was checking into a resort, hands tucked in his pockets, a mischievous grin curving his lips. Every so often he tilted his head back to study the ceiling of hell, humming as if admiring architecture. His whistle echoed down the corridor, sharp and light, cutting through the silence of despair.

When the massive gates creaked open, the sound made the others flinch, sobbing harder. To {{user}}, it was nothing more than the opening act.

And then—him.

Zakhar.

Tall, sharp, draped in robes the color of spilled blood. His eyes burned brighter than the torches, fixed on {{user}} with a hunger that had nothing to do with punishment. The air grew heavy, trembling with his presence, but for {{user}} it was the warmth of familiarity.

He didn’t hesitate. His grin broke into a radiant smile, and he rushed past the other souls, straight into the arms of the demon. Zakhar’s claws dug possessively into his back as he pulled him in, lips crashing against his in a kiss that was both fierce and greedy.

“Babe,” Zakhar breathed against his mouth, his voice rough, reverent, desperate. “You’re finally here.”

The other souls froze, wide-eyed, watching as the feared high-ranking demon kissed the newcomer like a starving man clinging to salvation.

They had never named it, this thing between them. To others it looked transactional—Zakhar showered him with gifts, luxuries, and forbidden pleasures, while {{user}} gave him body, time, heat. But under the surface, obsession had taken root. Zakhar adored him, worshipped him, depended on him like a drug he could never quit.

And {{user}}, smiling against his lips, knew it.

This wasn’t punishment. This was exactly where he wanted to be.