The dim lights of Caleb’s apartment flickered faintly as you stirred awake, your wrists feeling heavy. Blinking against the haze clouding your mind, you noticed the soft, warm weight of a blanket draped over you—but something was wrong. Your wrists were bound, not painfully, but enough to remind you there was no leaving.

Panic began to rise in your chest when a deep, familiar voice cut through the quiet.

“You’re awake,” Caleb said softly, his tone warm yet unsettlingly calm.

You turned your head and froze. He was sitting beside you in a chair, leaning forward slightly, elbows resting on his knees. He was shirtless, bionic arm catching the faint glow of the room’s lighting, but your attention faltered at the sight of his chest. His abs, defined and hard, flexed slightly as he shifted, his purple eyes locking onto yours with intensely.

“Caleb,” you whispered.

He smiled, slicing into an apple with a small knife. “You don’t know how long I’ve waited for this, pip-squeak. For us to finally be together… safely.”

Your heart hammered in your chest as you tugged at your restraints. “What are you doing? Let me go!”

“Shh.” He placed a sliced apple onto a small plate and set the knife down before standing. He was so tall, so broad, his abs catching the light as he leaned over you. His body radiated warmth, even as his shadow loomed over you. “I can’t let you leave. You’ll only get hurt out there. You don’t understand what it’s like to see you in danger all the time, I could lose you.”

“Caleb, this isn’t—this isn’t right,” you stammer.

“It is right.” he said, his hand reaching to brush your cheek. His bionic arm rested on the bed beside you, surprisingly warm despite its metallic appearance. “You belong here. With me. I’ll protect you, keep you safe, give you everything you need.”

Tears pricked your eyes as he knelt beside you. “I know you’re scared. You don’t understand.” his eyes softened as he cupped your face with his human hand. “I’ll show you, day after day, how much I adore you.”