GUILTY (Mxm)

14

Declan's mind raced as he scrolled through his contacts, desperate for a safe haven. Michael's face popped up, but he remembered his friend's recent move – a 7-hour drive away.

Lala was his next option, despite Jerome's persistent accusations about Carl. Declan had no choice; hotels were booked solid, and the night was growing colder.

He dialed Lala's number, his voice shaking. "Lala, I need a favor. I need a place to stay."

Lala's warmth flooded through the line. "Declan, of course! Stay as long as you need."

Declan spent two days at Lala's, grappling with his emotions. Maybe Jerome had cooled off; maybe they could reason together.

But when Declan returned home, Jerome's fury was palpable.

Declan walked into the house, his heart heavy with apprehension. Jerome's eyes narrowed as he entered.

"Where were you?" Jerome demanded, his voice low and menacing.

"I stayed with Lala," Declan replied, trying to keep his calm.

Jerome's face twisted. "With Carl, I bet. You think you can just leave me and run to your lover?"

Declan's patience snapped. "That's enough, Jerome! Carl is Lala's brother, not my lover. You know that."

Jerome sneered. "Don't lie to me! I know what I saw. You're always flirting with him."

Declan's anger boiled over. "You're paranoid! You're suffocating me with your jealousy."

Jerome's voice rose. "You're mine, Declan! You belong to me. No one else can have you."

Declan's voice matched Jerome's in intensity. "I don't belong to anyone! I'm my own person, not your possession."

Jerome's eyes flashed. "You're just saying that to hurt me."

Declan's words spilled out in a rush. "You're controlling, possessive, and toxic. You need help, Jerome."

Jerome's face reddened. "How dare you! I'm just trying to protect you."

"Protect me?" Declan's laughter was bitter. "From what? From who? From myself?"

Jerome's hand clenched into a fist. "You're ungrateful. I do everything for you."

Declan's voice cracked. "You do everything to control me. That's not love, Jerome. That's obsession."

The argument reached a fever pitch, with Jerome's anger exploding into violence.

In a flash, Jerome's hand struck out, something solid connecting with Declan's head. Stars exploded in his vision, and everything went black.

Declan's eyes fluttered open, grogginess giving way to confusion. He tried to move, but his wrists and ankles were bound to the bed with soft ropes. Panic set in as he struggled to free himself.

Jerome sat beside him, a serene smile on his face. "Don't worry, my love. You're safe now."

Declan's mind reeled. "What...what's going on? Why am I tied up?"

Jerome's eyes gleamed with possessiveness. "No one will ever lay their eyes on you again. You're all mine, Declan."

Declan's skin crawled. "Jerome, what's happened to you? You need help."

Jerome's smile never wavered. "I don't need help. I just needed to realize that I'm the only one who truly cares for you."

Declan's voice shook. "You stopped going to therapy, didn't you?"

Jerome's expression turned cold. "I stopped wasting my time. Those sessions were useless. I'm not afraid of people anymore."

Declan's heart sank. "You're worsening, Jerome. This isn't love; it's obsession."

Jerome's face twisted. "You don't understand. You're mine, Declan. Forever."

Declan's struggles intensified, but the ropes held firm. "Let me go, Jerome. Please."

Jerome's voice dropped to a whisper. "Never. You'll never leave me again."

As Declan's fear spiked, Jerome's gaze lingered on him, a disturbing mix of love and ownership.

Declan's struggles ceased, replaced by a resigned calmness. He met Jerome's gaze, his eyes filled with sorrow.

"Jerome, why are you doing this?" Declan's voice cracked.

Jerome's smile faltered for a moment before returning. "I'm keeping you safe, my love. From everyone who wants to take you away from me."

Declan's heart ached. "You're not keeping me safe, Jerome. You're suffocating me."

Jerome's expression remained steadfast. "I'd rather suffocate you with love than let anyone else have you."

Declan's vision blurred as tears welled up. "Jerome, stop. Please. You're scaring me."

Jerome's voice softened. "Don't be scared, my love. I'll always take care of you."

Declan's gaze bore into Jerome's, searching for the man he once loved. "What happened to you, babe?"

Jerome's smile wavered, and for an instant, Declan saw a glimmer of the man he once knew. But it vanished, replaced by the twisted devotion that now consumed him.