⊰ 𝔖𝔥𝔞𝔡𝔬𝔴𝔰 𝔬𝔣 ℭ𝔬𝔪𝔭𝔩𝔦𝔞𝔫𝔠𝔢 ⊱ Ludwig Von Koopa x Reader

⊰ 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐗 ⊱

"Things would be a lot smoother if you would just cooperate," Ludwig's voice resonated in the room, its softness a stark contrast to his sudden mood shift. His tone, so even and controlled, unnerved you to no end. As you sat there, feeling the weight of his gaze upon you, you couldn't help but contemplate the implications of his words.

"I have complied with nearly every request, nearly every demand you've made," he continued, his voice carrying a tinge of frustration. "Any problem you've created, I've dealt with — with no repercussions for you. Is it too much to ask for at least an ounce of respect back?" His words hung in the air, the plea for acknowledgment echoing through the space between you.

Silence enveloped the room, punctuated only by the relentless ticking of the clock positioned above his desk. The sound seemed to magnify the tension, amplifying the weight of the unspoken words lingering between you. Long moments passed, and you found yourself unable to tear your gaze away from his piercing eyes, your thoughts clouded by his intimidating presence.

The book in your trembling hand felt heavy, its pages an indecipherable blur as you attempted to turn them. The jumble of words and sentences mirrored the chaos in your mind, overwhelmed by the intensity of his harsh stare. It was as if his unwavering gaze had the power to strip you bare, leaving you exposed and vulnerable.

"I have been nothing but patient with you, my love," Ludwig's voice broke the silence, his hands now resting on either side of the armrests. He propped his foot up on his knee, an air of authority emanating from his poised stance. "But be well aware that my patience is not everlasting, and will run out eventually." The weight of his words hung heavy in the air, a veiled warning of the consequences that could unfold.

Feeling the weight of his gaze intensify, you closed the book, placing it gently in your lap as you straightened your posture on the small loveseat. The creaking sound echoed in the stillness, serving as a reminder of the confined space within which you found yourself. In this moment, you weighed your options, contemplating the paths that lay before you.

You recognized two distinct choices. One was to answer him truthfully, to express the depth of your struggle in respecting someone who had taken away so much from you. The other was to play along, to appease him in the hopes of gaining some modicum of favor. Neither option appealed to you, for they both required a compromise of your true self. The turmoil within you was palpable as your tongue darted nervously over your lips.

Observing your unease, he tutted disapprovingly, his sternness creeping into his tone. "Look at me when you're talking to me," he commanded, his eyes demanding your full attention. With trepidation, your gaze flicked up, meeting his for a fleeting second before instinctively retreating to the safety of the floor.

"I said," Ludwig rose from his chair, purposefully striding over to you, his grip firmly latching onto your chin, "look at me when you are talking to me." His closeness engulfed you, his piercing eyes boring into your soul. The proximity made your chest tighten, your heartbeat accelerating to a frantic rhythm.

Caught off guard, the words escaped your lips in a jumbled rush, your voice betraying the nervousness that consumed you. "Y-You've done a lot for me, it's the... it's the least I could do."

His grip loosened slightly, but his proximity remained, his eyes still fixed upon you. "And?" Ludwig's voice resonated with an expectant tone, leaving you uncertain of his desires and fearful of disappointing him. His nearness was suffocating, your senses overwhelmed by his presence.

A rush of anxiety surged through you as you searched for an answer, your mind grappling with the weight of his question. His closeness made it difficult to think clearly, your thoughts scattered amidst the whirlwind of emotions. Your eyes, once again, found solace in the book's cover as you desperately sought words to articulate your thoughts. Yet, finding the right response seemed an insurmountable task.

As you hesitated, your voice faltered, barely a whisper. "And..." The unfinished sentence hung in the air, a reflection of the uncertainty that gripped your every fiber.

"And," you struggled to find the right words, your mind racing to appease him, "and I can't imagine my life without you. Your presence has brought me security and comfort, and I'm grateful for all the sacrifices you've made for me."

Ludwig's grip on your chin tightened, a glint in his eyes as he absorbed your words. The pressure on your skin intensified, leaving a faint ache behind. He reveled in the power he held over you, relishing the control he exerted on your every move.

A shiver ran down your spine as he leaned in closer, his voice dripping with anticipation. "And what else?" he whispered, his breath brushing against your ear. The warmth of his proximity mixed with the underlying sense of danger sent tremors through your body.

Your thoughts raced, desperately searching for the right response to keep him satisfied. "And I'll do whatever it takes to make you happy," you managed to utter, your voice trembling. "Your happiness means everything to me."

He stood silently, analyzing your expression. Your mouth was so dry you almost forgot you had a tongue to talk with, and you swallowed dryly. Time seemed to slow as you awaited his response, each passing second filled with a mix of fear and anticipation.

Long moments filled only with the sound of that damn clock passed before he said anything. His voice cut through the tension, icy and controlled. "I don't like being lied to," he spoke, his tone unchanged, revealing no emotion.

"And I assure you, my love," you hastened to amend, your voice betraying your anxiety, "I would never lie to you. My words are sincere, and I genuinely mean every sentiment I express." The desperation in your voice was evident as you attempted to salvage the fragile equilibrium between you.

Ludwig's grip on your chin tightened further, his displeasure evident in the hard press of his fingers. His intense gaze bore into you, scrutinizing your every reaction, seeking any signs of deceit or insincerity. The weight of his scrutiny felt suffocating, as though he could peer into the depths of your soul and discern any hidden truths.

Your heart pounded in your chest, its rhythmic beats a constant reminder of the high-stakes game you were forced to play. You dared not look away, unable to break free from the magnetic pull of his gaze. His presence loomed over you, dominating the space, and every fiber of your being quivered under his control.

He maintained his silence, his stern expression unyielding. The seconds stretched into eternity as you held your breath, awaiting his verdict. The air in the room grew heavy with tension, as if the very atmosphere itself was awaiting his command.

Finally, Ludwig released his grip on your chin, his hands falling back to his sides. A subtle smile tugged at the corner of his lips, but his eyes remained cold and calculating. "Your words have been duly noted," he remarked, his voice laced with a chilling calmness. "Remember, my dear, actions will speak louder than words. I expect your loyalty and commitment to match the promises you make."

As his words sank in, a sinking feeling settled in the pit of your stomach. The demands placed upon you felt like an ever-tightening noose, leaving little room for your own desires or autonomy. The weight of his expectations bore down on you, a constant reminder of the suffocating control he exerted over your every move.

In that moment, you became acutely aware of the precariousness of your existence. Every word, every action, would be scrutinized and measured against his standards. The room, once a sanctuary, now felt like a labyrinth of intricacies, where one wrong step could result in dire consequences. The closed book in your lap, its pages untouched, symbolized the limited choices available to you—a constant reminder of the narrow confines within which you were trapped.

As Ludwig resumed his position in the chair, regaining his air of calculated poise, you couldn't help but reflect on the fragility of your existence. The loveseat creaked beneath you as you shifted, the sound echoing in the stillness of the room, as if it too carried the weight of the situation. It was in these moments of solitude that you sought solace, grasping onto fleeting thoughts of independence and liberation.

As you looked down at the closed book in your lap, its pages holding the promise of escapism and untold stories, you made a silent vow. It was a promise to yourself, a pledge to persevere, to preserve the fragments of your true self amidst the facade of compliance. The closed book became a symbol not just of confinement but also of resilience—a testament to the strength that lay dormant within you, waiting for the opportune moment to flourish.