Asvel

Asvel sat stiffly in a small chair near an equally small table, staring at the slice of strawberry cake in front of him.

His fingers twitched.

The strings tied around his wrists weren't tight enough to hurt.

No.

That would have been easier.

Instead, they were reminders.

Soft enough to forget for a second.

Loose enough to think he could move on his own—

Until they tugged.

Just a little.

Just enough.

Across from him, his captor smiled pleasantly, resting their chin in their palm.

"Oh, darling. Such a delicious thing had you made."

Asvel's eye twitched.

Darling.

Darling.

He had names for people.

Subjects.

Patients.

Specimens.

Never darling.

His hand lifted without his permission.

A fork moved.

Cake touched his mouth.

Sweet.

Soft.

Strawberry.

"...Delicious," he said flatly.