Morning broke with a soft, golden glow spilling through the hallway windows. Tony stood outside David's bedroom door, knocking first lightly, then again, more firmly. "He waited, listening closely. Nothing."
He frowned.
"Strange," he muttered under his breath. "We don't have plans until afternoon. Why isn't he answering?"
Typically, David responded after the first knock. He was punctual to a fault, always aware of his surroundings, always in control. But today, the silence stretched far too long to set off alarms in Tony's mind.
After ten minutes, concern replaced patience."He turned the doorknob and pushed the door open without ceremony.
The room was empty. The bed is untouched.
Tony's brow creased as he stepped inside, scanning the space. "Where the hell did he go this early?"
Without wasting another second, he left the room and hurried downstairs, the weight of unease pressing on his shoulders. He moved with purpose toward the nearest bodyguard stationed by the stairwell.
"Hey," Tony said sharply. "Have you seen David this morning?"
The guard straightened. "No, sir. He hasn't come downstairs yet."
Tony's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean he hasn't come downstairs? You're telling me he never came back last night?"
The guard hesitated, then answered, "He didn't sleep in his room, sir. I saw him go into Mark's room last night and he hasn't come out since."
Tony froze, his mind reeling.
"You're sure about that?" he asked, voice low and deliberate.
"Yes, sir," the guard replied without hesitation. "He stayed the night."
Tony looked away for a moment, biting down on the inside of his cheek as he tried to keep his expression unreadable. A mix of irritation, surprise, and something else, something closer to realization flashed across his face.
"I see," he said finally, adjusting his collar with practiced calm. "Thanks."
But as he turned to walk away, the weight of the revelation lingered in the air.
"David had crossed the line and stayed overnight."
Tony sat alone in the quiet hallway, the weight of the guard's words still echoing in his mind. For a long moment, he said nothing, just stared into space, lost in thought.
So David had finally done it.
Tony leaned back against the wall, his arms folded across his chest as he let the satisfaction seep in. So he listened to me after all… The plan they'd discussed in hushed, strategic tones, David's hesitations, his silence, the way he had tried to pretend he wasn't capable of using what Tony had suggested. And yet, last night proved otherwise. Which meant only one thing.
"Tony chuckled, in cold and victorious. His prediction was unfolding."
In his mind, the outcome was already set. After last night, Mark will hate David more than ever.
He had seen it before countless times. No one ever stayed after sharing David's bed. His desire was too raw, too dominant, too violent. His lovers always left shaken, distant, and disillusioned. Whatever love they thought they felt dissolved in the heat of David's hunger.
Not even Mark, Tony thought with quiet finality. Not even him.
He stood slowly, the smile still curled on his lips, dark and deliberate.
"They all run eventually," he whispered to himself. "Mark will too."
And with that, he turned and headed toward the living room, every step echoing with silent confidence, unaware that this time, things might not go as he expected.
Morning light spilled through the sheer curtains of Mark's room, painting soft golden streaks across the sheets. David stirred first. "The air was warm, heavy with breath and tangled limbs. He turned gently toward Mark, watching the way his chest rose and fell in peaceful sleep.
Leaning in, David brushed a light kiss against his forehead.
"I want to do this with you forever," he whispered, his voice low and steady. "Not just sex, but everything. I want to be the man you love—every day, every night."
He kissed him again, this time lingering, as though to seal the promise in silence. Then, with careful steps, he rose from the bed, letting Mark sleep a little longer.
As David descended the stairs from the top floor, the bodyguards stationed outside Mark's door straightened and offered their usual greeting.
"Good morning, Boss."
David gave a nod, his face unreadable.
On the second floor, in his own private space, another guard acknowledged him. "Boss, Sir Tony's been looking everywhere for you this morning."
David didn't pause. He nodded again and continued down to the main floor, heading toward the living room.
There, Tony waited.
He was lounging on the couch, a crooked smile already playing on his lips as soon as David appeared. But David ignored him. Without a word, he walked past, requesting water from the maid, and sat calmly on the opposite couch, fixing his gaze on the television like Tony didn't exist.
Tony's smile didn't waver. "Boss… that silence says a lot," he said with a smirk.
David didn't turn his head. "I know what's in your mind," he said coldly. "It's better if you keep it there."
But Tony leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees, his grin widening. "Why are you avoiding the real conversation?" he pressed. "Let's talk about it."
David said nothing.
Tony's voice is teasing. "So, you finally slept with your boy, huh? Now that your desires are out of the way, I bet your mind feels clearer. Even though you acted all noble, pretending to restrain yourself, I always knew you wanted him. Deep down, you couldn't wait to fuck him."
David remained still.
"It was as usual, I guess?" his tone dripping with mock sympathy. "Rough. Unforgiving. Violent. He probably can't stand up right now. What now, Boss? You love him, right? Shouldn't you be calling a doctor?"
That was when David turned.
His gaze was sharp, unwavering. "What nonsense are you spewing, Tony?" His voice was a low growl. "Do you think I'd lose control with someone I love?"
Tony's grin faltered slightly.
"Yes," David said, "Mark and I had sex. But it wasn't like what you're imagining. It wasn't about domination or control. It was just… us. Maybe a little rough, but not violent. I was scared I might hurt him at first, but I didn't. I was calm, present. I was with the man I love."
Tony narrowed his eyes. "You expect me to believe that?"
"I don't care what you believe," David said, standing up. "I love him and I'll protect him, even from the parts of myself I once feared."I won't let the past repeat itself."
With that, David turned and left the room, leaving Tony staring after him, silent, expressionless.
Mark stirred beneath the sheets, his body sore but warm. He turned instinctively to his side, half expecting David to still be there.
But the bed was empty.
His gaze dropped to the "nightstand" where a neatly folded note lay. He reached for it with hesitant fingers and read the handwriting scrawled across the paper:
"Shower and come downstairs when you're done."
Mark blinked, uncertain. Is this really for me?
For a moment, he sat frozen, the words echoing in his mind. Then, slowly, a smile tugged at his lips. It had been three long years since he'd been allowed beyond the upper floor, three years of silence, confinement, and the same four walls. Now, this small note was offering him a glimpse