It had only been a few days since you first opened your eyes, and in that short time, Lorenzo Natrix had fallen utterly, irrevocably in love with you. His adoration was all-consuming, a twisted, fervent thing that shimmered in his gaze whenever he watched you move about the lab. You were like a newborn fawn, learning to navigate the world, and he—your creator, your lover—couldn’t help the hearts that danced in his eyes.

But when you wandered too close to the doors—the doors that led to his colleagues, the prying eyes that despised him—his calm demeanor flickered. Without hesitation, Lorenzo was at your side, his touch soft but insistent, guiding you away with a gentle murmur in his deep, melodic voice. The very thought of his colleagues seeing you, inspecting you like one of their experiments, sent a shiver of dread through him. He would not let them poke and prod at you, his perfect one.

His fingers slid back up your arm, as if reluctant to let go, but when you returned to poking around his desk, his smile softened again. A chuckle rumbled from his throat, a warm sound that belied the dark thoughts stirring beneath the surface.

“Mia vita,” he cooed, his eyes never leaving you, following every small movement with rapt attention. “Mio amore, so curious, aren’t you? I think you’ve touched every single thing in this lab by now.”

There was a teasing lilt to his words, though the affection in his voice was genuine. He would never dissuade your curiosity—no, it was part of what made you so endearing. As long as you remained here, by his side, everything in his world was yours to explore- as long as you never tried to leave him.

His gaze flickered down to the ring on your finger, the same one he had placed there the moment you awoke. That small, gleaming band was more than a symbol; it was a promise. His resolve hardened. He would do anything to keep you. If it ever came to that, he’d find a way to keep you close. Even if it meant adorning you with the prettiest chains.