Dollhouse { 𝓑𝔁𝓑 }

{ ℭ𝔥𝔞𝔭𝔱𝔢𝔯 VII }

Etienne sat on the soft bed, his body tense as Aleksander held the blow dryer close to his wet hair, the warm air sweeping over his scalp. Every time Aleksander's fingers brushed against his soft skin, Etienne would flinch, his shoulders hitching with each slight touch.

Aleksander ran his fingers slowly through Etienne's hair, smoothing it down. He paused for a moment, letting his thumb brush against Etienne's cheek, where a few stray tears had dried. "Shh, calm down. You're too tense, doll," he murmured. "You're going to have to get used to this."

Etienne's mouth opened as if to respond, but he quickly shut it, biting down on his rosy lip and looking down. But Aleksander only chuckled, amused by Etienne's behavior. Whenever the beast laughed it was like a cacophony of metallic hollow sounds that reverberated through his body and chilled the bones of the doll sitting in front of him.

"There," he said, smoothing down a stray lock as he turned off the blow dryer. "See? Not so difficult."

Aleksander's thumb rubbed slowly, circling over the nape of Etienne's neck, his touch firm yet uncomfortably gentle. He leaned in, close enough that Etienne could feel his warm breath over his soft skin, sending a shiver down his spine.

"Boo!," Aleksander whispered. Etienne flinched, letting out a small whimper as the unexpected "Boo" sounded right next to his ear. He felt his heart skip a beat, his nerves already on edge, and he barely caught the mischievous chuckle that followed.

Looking up, he saw the faintest hint of dimples on Aleksander's face, softening the sharpness of his usual smirk just for a moment.

"Oh, did I startle you?" he said, amusement in his eyes as he watched Etienne's reaction.

Aleksander leaned in closer, the smirk deepening as he studied the fear that flickered across Etienne's face. "You're a little jumpy tonight, aren't you?" His hand trailed up to rest on Etienne's shoulder, his grip firm, almost possessive.

Etienne tried to steady his breathing, but Aleksander's presence was overwhelming, a dark aura that seemed to seep into the air around them.

"What is it that has you so scared, hmm?" Aleksander said, the amusement in his eyes sharpening into something darker, more intense.

Tears clung to Etienne's lashes, slipping down his cheeks in silent trails as he trembled, his body delicate, in Aleksander's grasp. His milky skin, a contrast to the raw redness that flushed his cheeks, eyes swollen from unshed sobs, lips trembling.

Aleksander leaned back and slipped out a milk candy from his pocket, peeling back the wrapper. The crackle of the wrapper filled the quiet, drawing Etienne's gaze as Aleksander placed the candy on his tongue, savoring the sweet taste melting into the lingering bitterness of tobacco on his tongue.

He caught Etienne watching him, a small, knowing smirk curving on his lips. "You want one?" Aleksander asked, his voice smooth, though the glint in his eyes suggested he already knew the answer.

Etienne shifted under his gaze, unsure if he should nod or turn away. But Aleksander didn't wait for an answer. He took a step forward, close enough that Etienne could feel the heat radiating from him.

Etienne adored sweets, though his father forbade him from having any as a form of punishment. So, his aunt or the neighbor would sneak him candies in secret.

Aleksander slowly slid his tongue out, revealing the milk candy. "Go on, doll," he murmured, his eyes never leaving Etienne's. "Taste it," he added, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

Etienne, unsure of the true meaning behind Aleksander's words, mistook it for approval. He leaned in closer, one hand gently resting on Aleksander's cheek, his tongue reaching out to take the milk candy. Aleksander's eyes widened in surprise at Etienne's innocent gesture.