[Trigger Warning: ntion of child abuse and grooming. Reader discretion is advised.]
***
[Music: Broken By Isak Danielson]
I used to think she loved . That I was favored and wanted, because it explained why she called into her room when the house was quiet, why she smiled at , and caressed like I ant the world to her.
She made it seem natural when she touched my cheek tenderly, when her lips pressed against mine, and when her hand lingered. She spoke softly, praised , and told that I made her feel safe and loved.
Love.
That fucking word was a toxin that invaded my bloodstream and devoured my soul piece by piece. Because it justified everything, every action that made question reality.
"Why does Stepmother love you differently?" Athena would ask , trying to understand why I was always alone with her.
Athena would stand at the doorway, clenching her teddy when the door closed behind .
"I don’t know." I would reply because I couldn’t explain it either.
I felt my father’s cane on my shoulders during the day as he taught to beco the man he wanted, to beco worthy of the King’s na. Her cold hands visited at night, teaching to beco the man who could please her.
She was a comfort in a household filled with grim and demanded perfection. She made it easier to keep breathing.
Until one day.
Athena and I were sent off to boarding school for the elites. Karma wanted a taste, so the mirror was tilted on us. This ti, I was the one who stood in the hallway when the doors were closed behind my sister. The last thing I’d see was the broad smile on the Headmaster’s lips.
"Maybe he loves differently, as Stepmother does with you," she said to , amidst trying to keep her smile fixed. "Right, Ares?"
A boy would understand, but I stopped being a boy a long ti ago.
Sothing in cracked, and I could hear the pieces descending to the ground. It was the cage in my mind, the haze dispersing.
I saw her clearly for what she was, not as the woman who loved . I don’t shake when I think of her, and I don’t flinch either. I felt colder. I felt hatred.
I took it out on Headmaster, screaming as I did, and when there was no more voice to offer, I stopped and stared at my bloody hands. I didn’t panic because there was nothing else to feel.
"He won’t hurt you again."
Power.
Control.
Order.
Those were my three Achilles heels, and as I grew older, they beca my weapon, and for the first ti, I saw rage morph in Agatha’s eyes when I set up my walls. Until it was no longer rage but desperation.
She couldn’t have the boy anymore, so she craved the man.
"Mr. King."
I flickered my gaze to Julian staring at through the rearview mirror before moving it to the window and realized we had arrived at the penthouse.
"How long?" I asked.
"An hour ago, sir."
I leveled my eyes to the console I had gripped until the leather ripped. It was unusual for to get lost in a mory like that. I wonder why they worked their way through; maybe it was the distress of seeing those eyes again. They always had a way of rattling .
"Do you want to drive you sowhere else, Mr. King?"
"No."
I opened the car door and stepped out, greetings from my staff passing like a blur, and it wasn’t until the elevator doors dinged that I realized I had made my way up.
Loki ca to greet , and I crouched to stroke the back of his ear where he likes it. He closed his eyes and purred.
"Keep your pussy warm, he says... What’s that devil expecting to do? Microwave it?!"
I heard a loud curse followed by a clatter.
"What am I? A human steak?"
I rose to my full height, and Loki scurried out.
The mont I stepped into the living room, a cereal box ca flying for my face before hitting the floor.
Catherine, sitting on the counter, had a shocked expression on her face. "I-I didn’t know you were there... honestly!"
I used my shoe to push the empty box out of the way and ca closer. Catherine froze in place, feeling like she was in trouble.
I stepped between her legs, and she tilted her chin to hold my gaze.
"Ares?" she murmured softly because I was yet to say a word. "I-I didn’t an to—"
My lips were already on hers before she could say anything else, but she pulled away, shivering.
"W-Why are you so cold?" she asked, worried, but I locked her lips again.
I tasted what she had for breakfast, sucking against her bottom flesh until I could feel them swell before I freed them.
"Are your bags packed?"
"N-No... not yet," She replied, trying to soothe her breathing.
"Finish up quickly." I walked upstairs.
My phone rang, and I took it out and picked up the call.
"It’s done."
"Good." I ended the call, dropping my phone on the table, taking off my coat and suit jacket.
"Ares?" Catherine’s voice ca behind . "Are you alright?"
I faced her, rolling the sleeves of my shirt up my arms as I leaned on the table. I finally realized that she had worn a collar to match her nightdress.
"Did your um... private business not go well?" she asked, feeling a bit uncomfortable with the words.
"You don’t have to force yourself to ask ."
"I’m not forcing myself... just trying to get used to... this."
"Co here."
She ca to in a heartbeat, and when she was in arm’s length, I tugged on the collar to bring her closer until I could feel the heat of her body.
"You listened," I said, curling my finger on the lace. "You’ll be rewarded."
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