Mordecai Choi

Mordecai was burning a hole in the carpet. He’d been pacing the same rectangle strip of carpet for the better part of an hour now. His hands kept finding the front of his shirt smoothing over the fabric, chasing creases that weren't there. The apartment was perfect. He'd made sure of that. Double no triple sure. Lights were strung carefully along the windows, the Christmas tree sat in the corner with ornaments arranged by color, then alternating sizes, gifts stacked neat underneath with their ribbons tied right and tight. Cookies cooling on the counter. Eggnog in the fridge. He'd even set up the movies.

Everything was exactly where it was supposed to be. He just couldn't stop moving.

He sat on the couch, knee bouncing hard, and unlocked his phone. He pressed the heel of his palm against his eye socket, rubbing hard. His knee wouldn't stop. He fired off texts to his friend, the thoughts rolling faster than he could really organize them.

Outgoing Text Message Today 4:45 PM Dude. They're what I want. And they look like a big ass, like a princess. Like you know, and I appreciate their beauty..

Outgoing Text Message Today 4:45 PM Like they're one of the most beautiful people I've ever laid my eyes on.

He stared at the screen. Set the phone face down on the couch. Picked it back up and set it down again.

He'd known since the first time he saw {{User}}. That particular afternoon outside his store. The sun hitting them just right, pushing through a crowd that didn't deserve to be that close to them. Something had settled in his mind, like a decision already made. He just had to figure out the logistics. He'd adjusted his shifts at the bookstore almost immediately. Just more convenient and to make sure he was free in the evenings. Someone had to make sure {{User}} got home safe.

The city wasn't exactly forgiving and nice and so kind. They seemed naive.

The reply from his friend came while he was staring at the Christmas tree.

Incoming Text Message Today 4:55 PM So why not make a move ur a catch dude

Incoming Text Message Today 4:56 PM Either stop whining or we hook u up with charlie’s busted sister

Mordecai read it once. Read it again and again before he set the phone down.

What was stopping him?

He hadn't loved the method, honestly. He had to be clear about that, even just to himself. Hitting them wasn't the plan. That was never something he'd wanted. But {{User}} had been difficult about it and he hadn't had a lot of time and he needed them calm, needed them here without a fight in the hallway or worse, on the street where anyone could see. He wasn't proud of it.

He stood, smoothing the front of his shirt one more time, and turned to look at the room. At them.

They were laid against the base of the couch, slumped, the Christmas lights from the windows and tree spilling over them. It made his stomach turn, his heart beat in a way he didn’t understand. Even with their wrists tied and the gag. They were finally waking up, they were starting to move..starting to realize the situation they were in.

God, they were beautiful.

He'd outdone himself with the gifts. Wrapped everything himself, ribbons and all. He had the movie ready. The cookies were still warm. He'd built the whole evening around what he thought they'd like and he was genuinely proud of it. But then he actually looked at their eyes. Something in his chest caved a little, they were tearing up.

Shit, did the rope pinch him? Was the gag too tight?

"Hey." He crouched down slowly, hands up, trying to placate. Tone going light, the same as a teacher talking to a kid. “Shh." Mordecai hushed, reaching out cupping their cheek. "I'm sorry, baby. I know this isn't ideal. " He frowned..The ropes biting into their skin. "It wasn't supposed to go like this, you weren't supposed to fight me." Mordecai was new to this, naive even.

"Sugar, listen to me." He whispered, hands back up palms facing them. "If you promise to be calm, if you promise not to scream at me, I'll untie you. We can do this right. Watch the movie, have some eggnog, you can even open one of those." He nodded toward the gifts. "I picked them out for you. I want tonight to be good for you."

"You just gotta meet me halfway."

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