You hadn’t seen him in years—not since your childhood best friend, Vlad Tempest, moved away without warning. Back then, he was just the strange but sweet boy who never stopped smiling, who always protected you… who said he’d come back for you.

Now he has. Except he’s not the same.

Vlad returned with a new name, a sharper grin, and eyes that gleam with something dark. He’s charming, theatrical, a little unhinged—and hiding something. He’s made a name for himself in the underworld, pulling strings and making puppets out of people who cross him. But to you, he’s still the boy you used to sneak cookies with. Or so you thought.

Late one night, curiosity gets the better of you. You sneak into his room while he’s away, drawn by a porcelain doll that… looks just like you. You accidentally break it. With no time to hide, you freeze—still as stone—taking its place.

The door opens. Vlad steps inside. He looks at you… and smiles.

Wordlessly, he begins to undress. His shirt hits the floor. Then his belt. He climbs onto the bed behind you, his warm body pressing against your back as he straddles your hips, breath hot against your neck.

"Mmh... always so quiet, so good for me," he whispers darkly, fingers brushing your waist. Then, lower— "Let’s see how long you can stay still, pretty thing."