Chapter 11

As Eric returned home, he brought with him a set of crutches, a tangible reminder of the fractured reality that now defined their relationship. Benji, lying on the sofa with both feet immobilized, felt a surge of fear at the prospect of being left alone.

The car pulled up to the back of the house, and Eric, wielding the clutches, entered with a mysterious air. As he revealed the gifts, a set of clothes for Benji, he couldn't suppress the excitement that simmered beneath his composed demeanor.

"Look what I got for you," Eric announced, his voice carrying a strange mix of control and anticipation. "New clothes and these crutches. You're going to need them."

Benji, caught between gratitude and trepidation, managed a hesitant smile. "Thank you," he mumbled, his eyes betraying a complex array of emotions.

"But that's not all," Eric continued, drawing Benji's attention. "There's a university festival coming up. I have to go, and I can't leave you alone with that broken ankle. So, you're coming with me."

Benji's eyes widened, a mixture of surprise and uncertainty playing on his features. "I... I don't know if I can," he stammered, glancing at his immobilized legs.

Eric, with an air of authority, asserted, "You'll manage with the crutches. We're going to enjoy the festival together."

As Eric helped Benji into the new clothes, the room was charged with an eerie tension. The festivity outside stood in stark contrast to the twisted reality within the walls of the house.

"Trust me, Benji," Eric whispered, a sinister glint in his eyes. "This will be an experience you won't forget."

The looming festival became a backdrop for a disturbing dance of control, manipulation, and the unsettling bond between captor and captive.

As Eric prepared for the university festival, he meticulously chose a combination of blue and black, presenting an image of affluence and sophistication. Turning his attention to Benji, he handed him a set of clothes in delicate hues of pink and white, creating a contrasting image that made him resemble a soft flower.

Coming closer to Benji, who struggled with the pain of his broken ankle, Eric gently shaped his hair, an act of care that seemed incongruous with the sinister reality that bound them. "You look pretty," Eric remarked, seeking validation.

Enduring the pain, Benji managed a small smile. "You look handsome," he replied, a touch of sincerity in his voice.

With Eric's help, Benji navigated the challenge of using the crutches, the two of them making their way to the car. During the journey to the university, Eric, in an unexpected moment, gently pulled Benji by the neck, a gesture that, instead of coercion, carried an air of possessiveness.

"Listen to me," Eric instructed, his tone oddly tender. "Be obedient, stay with me, and ignore others. Do you understand?"

Benji, compelled by both the physical and emotional pain, nodded in agreement. In a moment of vulnerability, Eric asked, "Do you love me?"

Benji, sincere in his response, replied, "Yes, I do."

A genuine smile formed on Eric's face as he whispered, "I'll be with you all the time."

In this peculiar dance of affection and control, it became apparent that, despite the twisted circumstances, Eric's emotions toward Benji were more complex than mere manipulation. The depth of care and possessiveness hinted at a connection that defied conventional understanding.