Too Close For Comfort

Chapter Three: Where's Your Ring?

Nico took a moment to glance at the man standing stoically in the corner, tall and silent as a shadow. With a professional calm, he turned to Sasha. "I just want to ensure that you're comfortable with having a third party present for our sessions, Mr. Draygo. Confidentiality is essential in my practice."

Sasha’s lips curved into a slight smile as he leaned back on the couch, seemingly unfazed by Nico’s concern. "Otto here," he said, gesturing to the imposing figure in the corner, "is my security. He stays with me until I say otherwise. Think of him as part of the furniture if you must."

Nico hesitated, feeling the unspoken intensity in the room as he weighed his response. "If you're comfortable with that, then that’s fine with me," he said, nodding in acceptance.

"Good." Sasha’s gaze lingered on him, conveying a mixture of challenge and amusement.

Nico settled into his chair, gripping his notepad as he glanced at Sasha, who lounged casually on the couch with a disarming confidence. Nico could feel the unusual tension already; Sasha’s presence was powerful and magnetic, a quality that Nico had rarely encountered, even with his most complicated clients.

"Let’s start with something simple, Mr. Draygo," Nico began, aiming to project his usual calm authority. "What brings you here today? Is there anything specific you’d like to address or work through?"

Sasha’s gaze sharpened slightly, his eyes studying Nico. "You can call me Sasha," he replied, his voice smooth but commanding. "And as for why I’m here, let’s say...I’m curious. Everyone talks about how therapy ‘changes people,’ so I thought, why not see what all the fuss is about?"

Nico nodded, his hand moving instinctively to jot down notes, though he felt Sasha’s intense gaze on him, making the simple act feel oddly exposed. "Curiosity is a fine reason," he said, lifting his eyes to meet Sasha’s. "Therapy isn’t just about changing people, though—it’s about uncovering truths, and understanding them."

Sasha leaned forward, his posture relaxed but his presence strikingly assertive. "And what would you like to uncover, Dr. Rein?" The question was laced with a subtle challenge, a shift of power that caught Nico off-guard. He hesitated, realizing he felt momentarily out of control, like Sasha was peeling back his own layers without permission.

"Well," Nico cleared his throat, trying to regain his composure. "I’m not here to analyze myself, Sasha. But if you’re open to it, we could start by discussing some of the things that have brought you to this point in your life."

Sasha chuckled softly, his gaze never wavering. "Ah, but maybe that’s what makes this interesting, Dr. Rein. I have a feeling...you and I could both uncover some truths in this room." He leaned back, crossing his legs in a gesture that was simultaneously casual and commanding, daring Nico to take the conversation wherever he pleased. "You lead, and I’ll follow. For now."

Nico felt a pulse of tension ripple through him at the thinly veiled challenge. "Very well," he said, letting a small, controlled smile cross his face. "Let’s talk about control. How do you feel about being in control of your life, your choices? Or when that control...slips?"

Sasha’s eyes flickered with something intense, something almost dangerous. "Control is everything," he replied slowly, each word deliberate. "And I don’t ‘slip,’ Dr. Rein." His smile softened as he regarded Nico, and Nico couldn’t shake the feeling that he was being pulled into some sort of game, one he wasn’t fully prepared for.

A silence hung between them, and Nico could feel his heart rate picking up. Sasha’s charm was unnervingly potent, making him feel a kind of vulnerability he wasn’t accustomed to. This was supposed to be his space, his domain. But with Sasha here, that line felt blurred.