Alexander was waiting for him at home. Tengiz didn't use a key but called to have the door opened. Home... How fast could someone begin to see prison as their home? Clearly, fast enough for someone as vulnerable and weak as Daniel. He let out a brief, shaky breath. His expression must have betrayed some unease because Alexander, greeting him with a warm smile, quickly frowned upon seeing his face.

"Not thrilled to see me?"

"I'm happy to see you," Daniel responded calmly, aware from past experience that Alexander was easily provoked. He frowned and closed the door behind him with a sharp pull.

"You don't have to pretend. I know you'd rather be alone than with me. But you'll put up with me because you're mine," Alexander drawled, savoring the last word.

"Yours," Daniel echoed, devoid of any internal turmoil about being under Alexander's control for the remaining two years and two months. As Alexander tenderly caressed his cheek and tangled his fingers in his hair, he suddenly grasped it firmly, causing a jolt of pain. Daniel bit his lip, leaning back slightly to lessen the intensity. His heart raced—this was unprecedented. Alexander, with a look of irritation, scrutinized Daniel's tense face, his nostrils flaring as he pondered.

A stifling silence ensued, growing increasingly uncomfortable. Their labored breathing was the only sound breaking the quiet tension. Alexander, agitated over some minor issue, needed reassurance. Something needed to be said, a soothing word to placate a predator fuming over a trivial matter, and Daniel murmured softly.

"I'm just drained from the therapy session. It's mentally taxing, and I always come out of it on edge. You just caught me at a bad moment; you usually see me when I'm more composed."

"I'm sorry," Alexander immediately relaxed his grip, smoothed the tousled hair, and gently kissed Daniel's trembling lips. "I... I didn't consider how you'd feel. I frightened you, didn't I? That wasn't my intention; I just got carried away. I wanted to celebrate your new job. When I arrived early and saw your somber expression... I'm truly sorry, Danny," he said, unzipping the jacket, removing it from the rigid shoulders, looking remorseful as he pulled Daniel close and whispered in his ear, "Please relax, I didn't mean to frighten you. You're safe."

"I'm calm," Daniel whispered against his neck, slowly releasing the tension. A fleeting thought crossed his mind that Alexander kept repeating the phrase about safety as if it were a broken record. As though repeating it would somehow make Daniel buy into the reassurance.

"Hmm," Alexander responded, sounding unconvinced as he reluctantly released his grip. Daniel removed his sneakers, avoiding eye contact. He thought if he could just become indifferent to Alexander's unpredictable moods, it might make things easier. Even now, with the immediate threat passed, being near him felt uneasy. Sensing Daniel's discomfort in his stiff movements, Alexander sighed deeply and took his hand. "Let's have dinner."

"I'm not hungry, thank you." Despite having no appetite at the moment, it was clear dinner was expected - the living room table was set elegantly: a champagne bottle chilling in an ice bucket glistened under the soft lighting, oysters were neatly arranged on melting ice, and a waiter in a black tuxedo greeted them with a hushed voice as he quickly laid out the appetizers.

"Danny... " Alexander let out another heavy sigh, his gaze avoiding Daniel's eyes. "Can we just move past this incident? It's challenging for me to control my feelings around you..."

"Why?" Daniel voiced the lingering question that had been on his mind for a while. He looked deeply into Alexander's remorseful eyes. "I do everything you ask of me."

"I'm not sure," Alexander spoke softly, struggling to maintain eye contact. "I know my demands can be unreasonable, but I want to see you reach out to me genuinely, to genuinely smile, not the forced one I often see. I initially thought you were one of those bold and audacious people, given how you cynically made money on that due dill project. But now I see a different side to you. There's a duality in you: one driven by greed, and the other- " Alexander's expression softened, his eyes becoming warmer. "The other side of you is gentle, endearing, and vulnerable."

"I've told you countless times that I wasn't involved in that scam. And I'm not split into two," Daniel responded tersely. Memories of Sennoy saying almost the same words echoed in his mind; Alexander too had projected his own expectations onto Daniel without truly seeing him.

"Not now," Alexander's tone shifted abruptly, cutting off further discussion. "Sit down, you need to eat and celebrate your new job."

Daniel complied, seating himself and placing the napkin on his lap. He observed as the waiter skillfully uncorked the bottle of Cristal, the soft pop of the cork echoing in the room. The pale pink, sparkling liquid was poured into the glasses. Daniel mechanically accepted his glass but promptly set it aside, paying no mind to Alexander's attempt to clink glasses.

"I believe it might be beneficial for me to consider medication to boost the therapeutic effects. I haven't discussed this with Ksenia yet, but..."

"Absolutely not," Alexander interjected sharply, his eyes flashing with intensity. He continued, "Those antidepressants and sedatives are merely temporary fixes. It's better to avoid them altogether. You'll heal more effectively without them."

Daniel clenched his jaw, restraining himself from a retort. The underlying reason for Alexander's objection was clear - antidepressants could potentially reduce libido as a side effect. Clearly, Alexander didn't want any impediments to their sex. It was revolting.

"Please don't take this the wrong way," Alexander said, attempting to placate Daniel while extending his glass. "I respect your choices in most matters, but on this, I won't budge. I genuinely believe you can recover without relying on medication, and your primary therapist agrees with me. Ksenia Astakhova is incredibly skilled in non-pharmacological treatments for mental health issues, specifically post tramautic stress disorder. I chose her for her unparalleled expertise. She trained both locally and in Switzerland, and to top it off, she comes from a lineage of psychiatrists spanning three generations. Essentially, she's the best therapist you could hope for."

"That's beside the point. Either you respect my decisions or you don't; there's no middle ground," Daniel said, accepting the glass hesitantly but not drinking from it. "I genuinely feel that I might benefit from antidepressants. Managing my emotions has become overwhelming, and I frequently find myself in a very dark place."

"How bad is it?"Alexander grew concerned and gestured to the waiter by the wall. "Please wait in the kitchen; I'll call for you later."

The waiter nodded deferentially and quickly exited.

"It's serious," Daniel responded with emphasis. "So severe that it feels like all hope is gone. I wouldn't wish this on anyone. The intricacies of this feeling won't alter the situation, and I'd rather not delve into specifics."

"It's just a phase," Alexander nudged the base of the glass, pushing it toward Daniel's lips. "You've recently been released from prison, experienced harrowing events, you're adapting to unfamiliar surroundings, you're in a relationship with a man, which is new to you, and you're constrained in your movements. Your prison traumas will be addressed in therapy," Alexander mimicked Daniel's motion as he took a reluctant sip of champagne. "You'll adapt to the new circumstances, to being with me, and you'll soon regain your freedom of movement."

"Why new?" Daniel, sensing the risk but unable to hold back, responded with pent-up frustration. "I had a relationship with a man in the zone, one that was lengthy and as consensual as my relationship with you."

"That's enough," Alexander's face went pale. "Don't liken me to a vile convict! I don't harm you, force myself on you, avoid touching you, or speak down to you. Did he also show you affection, did he kiss and hug you with tenderness?"

"No," Daniel, drained by the sudden surge of anger, felt utterly spent. There was no sense in arguing, especially not with the man who had control over his future.

"Look," Alexander said, adopting a gentler tone as he moved closer. "Every situation is unique, Danny, and every person is different. I genuinely want to make your life as comfortable and enjoyable as possible."

Daniel remained silent, mechanically sipping the champagne without truly tasting it. The Cristal's aroma was likely exquisite, just like the impeccably presented hors d'oeuvres and the luxurious apartment - a place an average recent graduate could only dream of. Yet, he would give anything to return to his cramped room in the New York apartment he had shared with Zach. To wake up to cheap, mass-market coffee from a faulty coffee maker instead of the meticulously crafted specialty brew that lacked the raw edge of bug-infested beans. To jog in the park during evenings rather than a posh, exclusive fitness club. To dine on reheated supermarket pizza instead of Irish oysters flown in for the nouveau riche. To be with the girl he chose, not the man who chose him. And to wake up each day knowing he was in control of his destiny.

"Danny," Alexander sighed, taking the empty glass from him. "Let's change the topic. And please, eat something; you haven't had anything since lunch."

Daniel silently picked up an oyster shell, squeezed lemon juice over it, and watched as the mollusk recoiled from the acid before swallowing it. The cool, salty mass slid down his throat, leaving a vibrant briny aftertaste accentuated by the champagne. The flavor was, in fact, exquisite. He had always had a penchant for raw foods that retained their primal essence: salty-sweet oysters, Korean raw liver mukbang full of iron, juicy lean tartar with a quail egg, and shrimp carpaccio - all the delicacies of the affluent. Perhaps it was worth focusing on these newfound pleasures and setting aside the weightier, more painful issues for another time.

After the third oyster, Alexander approvingly pushed a salad of eel and miniature roasted purple potatoes towards him, refilled his champagne glass, and affectionately stroked Daniel's trembling hand.

"To your new job, Danny!" Alexander clinked glasses, observing intently as Daniel gratefully emptied half of his glass. "I understand marketing isn't your ideal profession, but it's the best I can offer right now. You'll have a phone, a computer to connect with the world, and you'll get to leave the house more often. That's a lot, isn't it?"

"It is, thank you," Daniel agreed, picking at his salad. His head was beginning to buzz pleasantly, numbing the darker thoughts. According to the rules of negotiation, after making a concession, you could make a request. "About moving around the city, would I be able to go out alone without guards?"

"Why do you want that?" Alexander cautiously asked, retracting the oyster he'd almost eaten back to the plate.

"I just want some alone time to walk occasionally. I can't escape with pending charges against me, nor can I escape in my consulate," Daniel dabbed his mouth with a napkin. The fleeting appetite he'd felt after the first sip waned with the serious turn the conversation was taking. "I've told you before, I enjoy going out or catching a movie on my own."

Alexander paused, swirling his fork in the remnants on his plate, then shot him a sharp look, furrowing his brow. The request wasn't unreasonable - Daniel couldn't escape even if he tried - so it was entirely feasible. Yet Alexander hesitated. He resumed eating, chewing deliberately, clearly stalling before finally speaking up after several prolonged minutes.

"I'll think about it," he said, slightly raising his voice to preempt any objections Daniel might have. "Shall we move on to the main course?"

The waiter emerged from the kitchen with a half-bow.

I'll need three minutes," he said before disappearing back into the kitchen.

"I've had enough," Daniel said firmly, pushing his plate away and leaning back in his chair. Since the request was neither rejected nor accepted, he felt emboldened to rebel a little. Alexander seemed to think he could break him.

"I'll stay with you while you eat."

"You shouldn't miss out," Alexander replied, leaning back in his chair as well, his gaze unwaveringly fixed on Daniel. "The steaks here are exceptional, and this is the only restaurant that serves Kobe wagyu."

"I'm not a big meat connosoir, I could it a regular steak. I'm not hungry right now," Daniel said, lowering his gaze thoughtfully to avoid Alexander's scrutinizing eyes. He couldn't help but notice a glint of desire in Alexander's eyes.

In his mind's eye, Daniel imagined himself as Alexander saw him: his once unruly hair now lay in soft, controlled waves across his forehead, accentuating his large, melancholic blue eyes; the flush from the champagne probably added to his face's allure; and his contemplative lips, now biting down on thought, suggested interests that had little to do with premium Japanese beef. Without altering his posture, Daniel tucked a loose strand of hair behind his ear and traced his fingers slowly down his neck. He once again felt like a courtesan, willing to do whatever it took to manipulate her client into getting what she desired. Well, if he had to play this role, he'd play it to perfection. Daniel flashed a lazy grin, met Alexander's gaze head-on, and moistened his lips before saying.

"How about we skip the steak? You wanted to celebrate, so let's do exactly that. Just you and me," he stood up, extending his hand towards Alexander.

Alexander blinked in disbelief, glancing between his palm and Daniel's face, his smile brimming with anticipation. In his excitement, he leapt up, causing the heavy chair to topple over. Daniel flinched at the noise, his past trauma reacting to the sudden loud sound, even though he knew he wasn't in danger of being harmed again. Realizing his misstep, Alexander wrapped his arms around Daniel, planting wet kisses on his neck and whispered breathlessly.

"That's a fantastic idea. I'm all for it."

The waiter, who had just solemnly emerged from the kitchen with the steak, was promptly sent away, and the candles were snuffed out. Alexander showered Daniel with hasty kisses on his face and neck, his hands exploring more intimately, hastily removing their clothing and pulling him towards the bedroom.

Daniel reciprocated the kisses, his breath quickening, feeling the arousal build within him. The sheer intensity of Alexander's passion made it difficult to mentally resist or shut himself off. An unsettling darkness stirred within him, unsettling yet provoking a response, shattering his feeble defenses. His attempt to manipulate was rebounding on him like a boomerang. He gripped Alexander's bare shoulders tightly with his fingernails, pulling away from the insistent kisses. Sensing something amiss, Alexander froze, one arm still around Daniel and the other fumbling with his pants.

"What's the matter?" Alexander asked, his voice tinged with concern.

"Just... give me a moment," Daniel whispered, distancing himself slightly. "It'll pass."

With his eyes closed, Daniel took a moment to center himself, tuning out the heavy breathing and the warmth emanating from Alexander's body. He pushed away the dark thoughts, reassuring himself internally, and didn't flinch when Alexander's lips began a slow, tender journey from his shoulder to his neck.

"I prefer from behind," Daniel murmured, stepping over his discarded jeans without opening his eyes.

With a sigh, Alexander kissed each of Daniel's closed eyelids before lifting his chin. Even without seeing it, Daniel could sense the intensity of Alexander's gaze.

"No, Danny," Alexander responded firmly. "I understand why you prefer that position. Are you trying to imagine someone else in my place?"

"If I wanted to imagine someone else," Daniel shot back, finally opening his eyes and offering a sardonic smile, "I wouldn't be here with you. I'd picture a beautiful, delicate girl. The position doesn't matter."

Alexander's face contorted with anger as he forcefully pushed Daniel onto the bed. Hastily, he removed his pants, underwear, and socks, positioning himself between Daniel's legs. With deliberate movements, Alexander traced the inner thighs with his hands before grasping Daniel's erect cock.

"You are now aroused by a girl?"

Daniel turned away to hide his embarrassment, his cheeks burning with shame. Although he knew provoking Alexander wasn't wise, he couldn't help himself.

With a different sigh, Alexander leaned over Daniel, supporting himself on his elbows, planting gentle kisses on his face. Each kiss seemed to dissipate the lingering frustration and shame. Daniel complied, turning to meet Alexander's gaze, allowing the comforting warmth of the green eyes to draw him in.

"Danny, when you push me away, it triggers something in me. It leads to unhappiness for both of us. Try to meet me halfway," Alexander whispered.

"You treat me like a pet on a leash," Daniel responded with a hint of melancholy. "Is that how you want me to meet you?"

"You'll have your independence," Alexander retorted dismissively. "But I can't shake off the thought of you wandering the city alone, possibly endangering yourself. What if one day you vanish?"

Daniel sighed, avoiding Alexander's intense gaze by staring at the ceiling. "Where would I even go?" he wondered aloud.

"Do you ever think of... ending it all?" Alexander's voice quivered with genuine concern.

Meeting Alexander's anxious eyes, Daniel could see the fear of losing control in them. It was as if Alexander believed he had provided the best care to a fragile object, yet feared it might slip away forever.

"I did," Daniel admitted, noticing the tension in Alexander's posture. "But not anymore. Now, I want to move on."

"So, you want to just move on and forget about it?" Alexander asked softly, his eyes filled with evident longing. "Forget about prison and me?"

Daniel hesitated, caught between telling a lie and revealing a truth he suspected Alexander wasn't prepared to hear. He chose his words carefully.

"I wish we could forget the tough times. I really do."

Alexander persisted, his tone becoming more insistent.

"What if I make things easier for you?"

The drawn-out negotiation was becoming tedious.

"Then do it. Let's not discuss hypotheticals," Daniel asserted, gently pushing Alexander away. "What's the point of debating something that hasn't occurred?"

With a heavy sigh, Alexander rolled onto his back, gazing at the ceiling, lost in thought. Daniel felt a mixture of relief and distance.

Over time, Alexander had started spending almost every night at Daniel's apartment, gradually claiming his space in Daniel's bed. It was becoming suffocating. Initially, Alexander would only visit him during the day, a couple or three times a week, taking him out for enjoyable walks. Then, in the evenings, he started staying overnight with the same frequency. However, after that night of hysterics, when he took him for real, he began going to Alexander's place once or twice a week. One would gradually become accustomed to it, starting to respond to caressing touches or passionate kisses, not to drift off into his tropical reveries, emanating warmth, moisture, and forgetfulness.

Suddenly, Alexander turned towards him, breaking the silence.

"You never call me by my name."

Confused, Daniel responded, "What do you mean?"

"You never use my name," Alexander repeated with emphasis. "You haven't made any effort to personalize your surroundings, to make your life more comfortable. You're still serving your time, aren't you?"

"We had an understanding," Daniel replied cautiously.

"An understanding," Alexander echoed with a tone of frustration, hitting the bed. "Yes, we did! You agreed to it!"

Daniel adjusted the blanket around him, trying to shield himself from Alexander's intense gaze.

"If you had clearly defined your expectations from the beginning, maybe this wouldn't be an issue. You set boundaries, and now you're upset I'm staying within them. It's logical, I suppose, what am I missing?" Daniel confessed, struggling to maintain his composure.

Alexander's frustration grew, his voice rising.

"What boundaries? We're human. We adapt, we change. We can't act like robots, Danny!"

He pressed his elbow against Daniel's stomach, leaning in.

"You kiss me, you enjoy our sex, you're not afraid of me anymore. You're changing too."

Daniel shot back, his patience wearing thin.

"Because you wanted me to," he retorted. "And now, you're scaring me."

"Fuck," Alexander flinched as though Daniel had struck him.

"It's just so complex!"

"I hope your next partner finds it simpler," Daniel remarked dryly. "Perhaps you'll provide clearer instructions with broader boundaries. Even better, maybe skip the prison and blackmail. I bet the passion would be more genuine and you'd save on therapy costs."

Alexander let out a harsh, grating laugh, but there was nothing amusing about it; it sent a chill down Daniel's spine. Regret washed over Daniel for his words - he should've kept quiet and called it a day.

Then, as Alexander calmed, he unexpectedly recited some poetry.

You don't love me and don't feel compassion

Don't you think that now I look my best?

Though you look aside you're thrilled with passion

As you put your arms upon my chest.

Suddenly, he cast the blanket aside, pulled Daniel beneath him, planted a firm kiss, and clenched his teeth in a somewhat threatening manner.

"I hear you. We'll respect boundaries and agreements. Don't evade; you agreed to my terms," he reached into Daniel's boxers, casually gripping his limp cock, and pressed his lips to Daniel's.

Tense from the sudden change, Daniel didn't respond to the kisses and flinched at the abrupt movements. However, he obediently tried to tolerate them. Alexander kissed aggressively, almost painfully, biting and tugging at the skin. Yet, he gently parted Daniel's tense legs and delicately touched the area with his slick fingers. Daniel breathed shallowly, avoiding eye contact, trying to relax as the fingers entered him. They moved with familiarity, pressing against the walls, stretching, and stimulating his prostate. The warm mouth engulfed him, drawing out the dwindled arousal.

The threat passed. Unconsciously releasing his tension, Daniel immersed himself in the experience. It felt intense, pleasurable, and comforting once more. As excitement grew, even the darker thoughts faded away, replaced by an indistinct, growing joy that intensified with each movement, allowing him a temporary escape.

Later, as they lay intertwined, drenched, exhausted, trying to regain their breath, Daniel felt an overwhelming tenderness mingled with compassion for this strong, attractive man who seemed so lost in his own expectations.

He gently caressed Alexander's sweat-moistened hair, brushing aside the strands to lift Alexander's hopeful face. Softly, he murmured.

"I'm changing for you too, Sasha."

Alexander paused, eyes widening as he studied Daniel, searching for any deceit, then broke into a relieved smile.

"You feel good with me now, Danny. That's what counts. We'll figure out the rest," he kissed Daniel tenderly and gratefully before pulling away, carefully removing the condom.