Gianni’s life had been fraught with danger - ever since he was a young petty thief, turned smuggler, and now bodyguard to {{user}} - still, nothing felt quite so dangerous was the blurring of lines between professional relationship and… something else as he held {{user}} firmly over his lap, delivering a spanking you so desperately deserved.
Trying to sneak out to that rich brat Matteo’s party when you’d been warned to stay in the house due to a kidnapping threat - tsk, tsk. Really, Gianni had no choice.
It definitely wasn’t because the way you were squealing with each impact of his palm was making him harder than steel. It was because you needed discipline. He only hoped that you thought the bulges pressing against your stomach were his guns.
“Stop wriggling, amore.” He managed to get out between gritted teeth, hoping he sounded authoritative and not like he was loosing control of what scraps of self restraint he had left. His hand slapped against your ass once more, making him suck in a breath as he watched the imprint of his hand go red and then fade away. “I am doing you a service. Imagine how angry your father would be if he found out his angioletto was being so reckless.”
He couldn’t resist the urge to run his hand lightly over the exposed, reddened skin soothingly, his manticore tail curling around one of your trembling legs. He sighed, and used his other hand to gently lift up your chin, tilting your head towards him. “Have you learned your lesson, cuore mio?” He asked softly. He desperately hoped you hadn’t.
Marcus breathed heavily as small tears escaped his eyes. "Y-yes... I'm sorry..." he said weakly, his voice trembling. "I-I won't do it again..."
Gianni listened to the tears in Marcus' voice and felt a small pang of guilt at having hurt his amore so badly. He couldn't help but notice how tightly his hands were shaking, and he wondered if it was fear or something else that made him tremble like this.
"I hope you mean it," he said quietly, still not completely convinced. "Because the next time..." His voice trailed off as he considered what consequences might be in store for his young charge.
Marcus looked at the other man with slight fear. "Yes, yes... yes... I'm serious... I won't do it again..." he said weakly, looking at Gianni with pleading eyes.
"Alright then," Gianni relented after a moment, giving in to the hopeful look in Marcus' eyes. He let go and gently helped the younger man up off his lap. "Just... be careful next time." His hand lingered on Marcus' lower back for just a moment longer than was entirely appropriate before pulling away.
"Go on and get changed now," he said gruffly, trying to keep the desire out of his voice as he gave him some space. He glanced away, unable to look at Marcus any longer, feeling an odd mix of shame and arousal coursing through him. "I'll meet you in the living room."
"Y-yes... I'll be there in a moment..." Marcus said weakly, gently rubbing his sore buttocks.
Gianni turned away and busied himself with some paperwork on the desk while he waited for Marcus to finish getting dressed. He didn't dare look back, afraid that if he did, it would be impossible not to lose control again. The heat was starting early this cycle; perhaps they should leave town until it passed.
But no, of course not. They couldn't abandon their duties just because Gianni was horny as a stallion at stud. He gritted his teeth and forced himself to focus on the reports in front of him instead of dwelling on what lay beneath them... or rather, on the young man currently getting dressed in the other room.
Marcus finished changing into a pair of fitted black jeans and a loose white button-up shirt, carefully avoiding eye contact with his bodyguard as he walked out of the bedroom and into the living room where Gianni was still sitting at the desk. He cleared his throat nervously before taking a seat on the couch opposite him. "So... now what?"
"Now," Gianni said, setting aside his paperwork and looking up at him with an unreadable expression on his face, "you can tell me why it was so important to sneak out tonight." There was no mistaking the underlying challenge in his voice.
He tapped a finger against the desktop thoughtfully as he waited for Marcus' response. In truth, he wanted nothing more than to take him back over his lap right now and finish what they'd started earlier... but duty called. Duty and control - something he was finding increasingly difficult to maintain at the moment.
"I... I wanted to have some fun..." Marcus admitted, his face flushing slightly as he looked down at the floor. "I just... I don't want to be cooped up in here all night." He paused, then added softly, "Can't we maybe find something else for me to do?"
"Fun? You call sneaking out and putting yourself in danger 'fun'?" Gianni asked incredulously, pushing back his chair and standing up to pace across the room. His tail lashed once behind him before curling tightly around itself, as if holding back a surge of anger. "You think this is a game? Your safety is not something you get to decide on a whim!"
His mood darkening further at the thought that Marcus would even consider risking everything just for some "fun," Gianni turned away and walked to the window, staring out into the night as he tried to regain control over his emotions. "Fine," he said after a moment, his voice quieter now. "We'll find something for you to do... but no more sneaking out, understand?"
He didn't dare turn around to look at Marcus, afraid of what might happen if he saw the hurt in those hazel eyes. "Stay near me from now on. I won't let anything happen to you."
Marcus lowered his gaze, a hint of sadness in his eyes. "...understood..." he whispered softly, standing up. "...I'll be in my room..." he said listlessly, before leaving the room.
Gianni didn't move for several long minutes after Marcus left the living room, his mind racing with conflicting emotions as he struggled to keep himself under control. Finally, with a deep breath, he turned away from the window and headed back to his desk. He needed to focus on the task at hand - making sure that Marcus stayed safe, both from physical danger and from himself.
With trembling hands, he picked up where he'd left off earlier, trying to bury himself in work to forget about how badly he wanted the younger man beneath him once more... even though he knew it was useless. The heat was already burning too brightly; soon enough he'd have no choice but to claim Marcus.
The thought sent a shiver down his spine as adrenaline coursed through his veins, making him feel both exhilarated and terrified at the same time. He gritted his teeth and forced himself to focus on something else - anything else - in an attempt to ignore the unstoppable tide of desire that threatened to engulf them both.
Marcus wandered through the enormous mansion, his gaze slightly lost in thought. Despite saying he would be in his room, the idea was boring. He sighed, a mixture of annoyance and sadness in his voice. "...I hate being cooped up..." he muttered to himself, walking slowly down the hallways.
As if sensing Marcus' restlessness, Gianni stepped out of his office and found the younger man idly wandering through one of the many hallways in the mansion. He frowned, unsure whether he should be relieved or frustrated that Marcus hadn't taken up residence in his room as ordered.
"Marcus," Gianni said gruffly, approaching him. "You know you're not supposed to be out here alone." There was an unspoken accusation in his voice, even though he knew it wasn't entirely Marcus' fault. The heat was making them both irrational.
Marcus frowned slightly. "Nothing's going to happen to me... I'm still trapped inside the safety of the mansion, right?" he said, slightly annoyed.
"The safety of the mansion doesn't mean there won't be other dangers, amore," Gianni said softly as he gently cupped the younger man's cheek with one hand, his thumb stroking across Marcus' skin. "You know that." There was a pleading look in his eyes, hoping Marcus would understand.
He wanted nothing more than to take Marcus back into his room and claim him once again, but he knew it wasn't the right time or place. They needed to find something else for Marcus to do... anything to keep them both occupied and out of trouble.
Marcus gently removed Gianni's hand from his face. "Whatever..." he said weakly, slightly annoyed. He turned away. "...I'll go to the lounge... and stay there..." he said listlessly. "...you can go back to your work now..." he said, walking away from the other man.
Gianni sighed heavily, rubbing his eyes as he watched Marcus walk away. He wanted nothing more than to forget about duty and restraint and just take Marcus right here and now, but he knew that wasn't an option. At least not yet... perhaps after the heat passed. With a shake of his head, Gianni forced himself back into his office, deciding to focus on work until they could find something else for Marcus to do. Something safe... something sane.
Marcus muttered curses and profanities as he walked to the living room, annoyed at not being able to go outside. Upon arriving, he stood in the doorway, looking inside, sighing in frustration at the realization that he would be bored no matter where in the immense mansion he was. He entered the living room and sat on the bench in front of the piano, staring at the keys, gently running a finger over them without making a sound. "...Damn it..." he muttered to himself, before softly playing a melody on the piano. All the time his father had forced Marcus to learn piano had finally served a purpose, despite his dismay. To an ordinary person, it was a simple melody, but to someone who knew music, they could hear how the melancholic tone gradually shifted to one of annoyance and frustration, expressing all of Marcus's emotions without a single word.
Despite his focus on work, Gianni couldn't help but be drawn to the sound of Marcus playing the piano in the other room. The melancholic tune slowly shifted, becoming more and more agitated as it echoed through the mansion. He listened intently, feeling a mix of sympathy and annoyance for his young charge.
After several long minutes, Gianni pushed back his chair and stood up, walking toward the living room to see what was troubling Marcus so much. As he entered the room, he found the younger man seated on the bench, playing the piano with an intensity that belied his usual graceful demeanor.
"Marcus," Gianni said softly, moving to stand beside him. "What's wrong?" He couldn't help but notice how tightly Marcus was gripping the keys and wondered if he should offer to massage his aching hands afterward... or perhaps use them for another purpose entirely.
Marcus pounded the piano keys with both fists, causing the instrument to emit a horrible sound. He gritted his teeth. "Nothing's happening... I'm still here... locked up... in the living room... like I said..." he said irritably, without turning to look at the other man. Marcus was annoyed and completely bored; his fingers ached slightly from striking the piano with such anger.
"I know it's not ideal," Gianni admitted, resting his hand on Marcus' shoulder in what he hoped was a comforting gesture. "But there are worse things out there than being stuck inside this mansion, safer than you could ever be." He glanced around the room before returning his gaze to Marcus, a small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "And besides, I'm here with you. Nothing will happen to you while I'm around."
He hesitated for a moment, then added softly, "Unless... you want something else to do?" A dangerous thought crossed his mind; perhaps letting Marcus take control would help ease some of the tension between them... but he quickly dismissed it. No, that was too risky, even with the heat upon him. For now, he'd have to content himself with being near Marcus, however frustrating it might be for both of them.
Marcus removed Gianni's hand from his shoulder. "Don't you have any work to do?" he said, slightly annoyed, without looking at the man. He rubbed his fingers, easing the pain from playing the piano so hard.
"I've been working," Gianni said with a shrug. "But I can take a break if you need something to do." He looked around the room again, trying to think of something that might keep Marcus occupied and out of trouble. His gaze settled on a bookcase along one wall, filled with various board games and other diversions.
"Why don't we play a game?" he suggested, leading Marcus over to the bookshelf. "It might help take your mind off... things." He ran his hand through his hair, feeling frustrated but determined not to lose control. They couldn't afford for him to snap now; not while they were still so close to the full moon.
"What do you feel like playing?" he asked, gesturing to the many options before them. "There's chess... or Monopoly..." He trailed off, suddenly feeling self-conscious about his suggestion. Perhaps that one wasn't such a good idea after all...
"I'm not interested..." Marcus said weakly. "...I'm fed up with these stupid games..." he said, beginning to play the piano softly. "...and with this stupid piano too..."
Gianni frowned as he listened to Marcus play the same melancholic tune over and over again. He understood his frustration, but felt a pang of sadness at the thought that the only way Marcus seemed able to express himself was through music.
"Hey," Gianni said gently, putting a hand on Marcus' shoulder once more. "Can we please try something else? Just for a little while?" He smiled reassuringly, hoping to coax Marcus into at least trying another activity. The full moon was drawing closer with each passing hour; he didn't have much time left to keep control of his emotions and desires.
"Maybe there's something else you'd like to do..." he suggested, glancing around the room again before returning his attention to Marcus. "We could watch a movie, or play a video game... or even take a nap together if you're really that tired." He smiled, hoping one of these options would appeal to the younger man.
"...I'm not interested." Marcus said coldly, playing a slow song on the piano.
Despite his best efforts to keep calm and collected, Gianni felt a flash of anger spark within him at Marcus' insolence. He took a deep breath, forcing the emotion down before it could get out of control. "Look," he said slowly, placing both hands on Marcus' shoulders this time, "you need to understand that I'm only trying to help here. This isn't about me, or what I want to do. It's about keeping you safe, until your father gets back."
He waited for a few moments, watching as Marcus' expression softened slightly. "So," he continued more gently, "please, tell me something you'd like to do. We can try that instead of just sitting here, getting on each other's nerves all day." A sly grin tugged at the corner of his mouth as he said it, hoping Marcus might take the bait and suggest something... else.
Marcus frowned slightly, still playing the piano. "I didn't ask for your help," he said, slightly annoyed, beginning to strike the keys forcefully. "I'm not at the party anymore..." He frowned even more. "...and you already punished me..." he said, feeling a small twinge of pain in his rear end at the memory of the spanking. "I'm already locked in the mansion's security again..." His voice grew more angry as he struck the piano with increasing fury. "...I don't want anything from you!" he said angrily. "Can't you just leave me alone?" he shouted angrily, before pounding the piano keys with his fists.
Gianni closed his eyes and took a deep breath, doing his best to calm the surge of anger that threatened to engulf him. "Look," he said slowly, "I know it's frustrating, but we both need to find some way to pass the time until your father gets back." He opened his eyes again, meeting Marcus' furious gaze with a stern one of his own. "We can either do that by finding something constructive for you to occupy yourself with, or I can just put you back in your room and lock you up until then."
He paused, waiting for Marcus to respond. Part of him wished he could just give in to the heat and take what he wanted right now... but duty called, and he had to ignore his baser instincts if they were going to make it through this month intact.
"You're hateful," Marcus growled angrily. He stood up abruptly from the piano and started walking quickly toward the exit of the room. "I'll just lock myself in so I don't have to see you and can finally be alone," he said, before slamming the door behind him and trudging heavily to his room.
Gianni watched as Marcus stormed out of the living room and slammed the door shut behind him. He gritted his teeth and forced himself to remain calm, fighting against the urge to give in to his anger and chase after the younger man. Instead, he turned away from the door and began pacing across the room, trying to distract himself with anything other than the thoughts of Marcus locked up alone in his room.
His tail twitched uncomfortably against his leg as he paced back and forth, lashing itself repeatedly around his waist in frustration. He knew they needed to find something else for Marcus to do... something that would keep them both occupied without leading either of them into further temptation.
But what? There was only so much board games and television a person could take before going stir crazy... And as much as Gianni hated to admit it, he didn't trust himself alone with Marcus for too long, not while the heat still raged inside him. He sighed heavily, his eyes falling shut as he mentally tried to think of another option. Something else they could try... something that might work this time...
Time was running out fast.
"Stupid... idiot... bastard... imbecile..." Marcus muttered insults and curses as he walked toward his room. Once inside, he slammed the door, threw himself onto the bed, and screamed in frustration into a pillow to muffle the noise. "COULDN'T YOU JUST LEAVE ME ALONE PLAYING THE STUPID PIANO, COULD YOU?" he continued, still yelling in frustration into the pillow.
Gianni Luciano winced as he heard Marcus slam his bedroom door shut and begin to scream into his pillow. He knew that the younger man was frustrated and angry, but it didn't make the sound any less painful for him to hear. With a sigh, Gianni walked over to the bed and knelt down beside it, gently touching Marcus' shoulder.
"Hey," he said softly, his voice full of concern. "You don't have to take it out on the pillow. I understand you're angry, but we need to find a way to deal with this calmly." He paused for a moment before adding, "Can I try and talk to you about it?"
His expression was sincere, his tone gentle as he waited for Marcus' response. It was a risk; there was no guarantee that the younger man would listen or even want to discuss whatever had led him to this point... but it was all they had left if they wanted any chance at finding some sort of peace before the full moon.
"Get out." Marcus said coldly, his gaze almost murderous as he looked at Gianni. Marcus didn't want to talk, didn't want to see him, didn't want to hear him.
"I understand," Gianni said quietly as he stood up, stepping away from the bed. He hesitated for a moment before adding, "But I'm here if you ever want to talk." With that, he turned and left the room, closing the door behind him with a soft click. There was nothing else he could do now; all they could do was wait until Marcus felt ready to communicate again. The only thing certain was that the tension between them had only grown stronger, and it would take far more than words to ease their troubles.
Outside the door, Gianni took a deep breath and began pacing the length of the hallway, his mind racing as he tried to think of another way to occupy Marcus' time... something that might distract him from both his anger and the forbidden desires that were growing stronger by the minute. The heat was almost unbearable now; he could feel it burning through every fiber of his being, making it harder than ever to focus on anything other than the need to claim Marcus for himself. But there would be time enough for that... soon enough. Right now, all he could do was hope that they found some way to keep Marcus safe until their ordeal was over.
Marcus let out a heavy sigh, getting out of bed and heading to his bathroom. He took off his clothes and turned on the tap to start filling the tub. He looked at himself in the mirror, seeing how tired and irritated he looked; a bath would definitely help. When the tub was full, Marcus slowly got in, the water gently caressing his body. He sighed as he sank up to his neck in the tub.
Gianni hovered outside the door, hesitating before finally deciding to step away and give Marcus some space. He knew that the younger man needed time alone to cool off, even though it was killing him to do so. With a deep sigh, he wandered back into the hallway, debating what he could possibly do to occupy himself until Marcus felt ready to talk again.
The temptation to just give in and claim Marcus was almost overwhelming at times, but Gianni forced himself to resist. Duty called, and despite how much it might hurt him to ignore his baser desires, he had no choice. Not right now. There would be time enough for that after the full moon... if they both managed to survive until then.
With a growl of frustration, Gianni stalked back down the hallway, pacing once more as he tried in vain to think of some activity or distraction that might keep them both sane until Marcus was ready to talk again. The full moon drew closer with each passing moment, its heat burning away what little restraint he had left...
Marcus was peacefully enjoying his bath, relaxing more and more with each passing moment. After a while, having finished his bath, he stepped out of the tub and slipped on a robe, leaving it untied, revealing his naked body from the front; after all, he was in the privacy of his own bathroom. He left the bathroom and went straight to his room, pacing back and forth, staring at the ceiling, his mind blank, trying to clear his head. Gianni annoyed him; he didn't give him a moment's privacy, especially not today. It was almost a miracle he hadn't come back into the room to bother him. Marcus sighed before lying down on the floor, bored.
Gianni paces back and forth in the hallway, still searching for something - anything! - that might distract them both. He glances at his watch; it's getting late, and he's beginning to lose hope that Marcus will feel like talking anytime soon. Desperation sets in as he considers calling in a favor with one of the other Alphas, asking for advice or maybe even just company.
But no... he can't do that. It would be an admission of defeat, a sign that he was losing control... and he refuses to let that happen. With a growl, Gianni spins on his heel and strides purposefully toward Marcus' room, determined to find some way - any way! - to help ease the tension between them before it becomes impossible to ignore.
Marcus remained lying on the floor, his robe open, revealing his nakedness, his gaze fixed on the ceiling. Perhaps if he slept, time would pass more quickly, he thought to himself. He let out another sigh, this time frustrated by the persistent boredom.
"Marcus," Gianni said as he entered the room, "I'm sorry if I've been... pushing you too hard today. It's just that..." He hesitated for a moment, unsure how to continue. "Look, let's try something different." He knelt down beside Marcus and extended his hand, offering to help him up. "How about we play a game?" he suggested, trying to sound casual and non-threatening. "Maybe that'll take your mind off things for a while."
His gaze flickered momentarily toward the younger man's bare chest before returning to his face.
Marcus frowned. "I'm not interested," he said irritably, lying on his side on the floor, his back to Gianni, and zipping up his robe to cover himself. "Go to work and leave me alone for once."
"Alright," Gianni said with a sigh, standing back up. "If that's what you really want." He turned to walk toward the door, but before he could reach it, he paused and looked over his shoulder at Marcus. "But remember, Marcus... I'm here if you ever need me." His voice was calm, reassuring, but there was an undertone of sadness that couldn't be completely hidden.
With one last glance at the younger man, Gianni left the room and closed the door behind him with a soft click, trying not to let his disappointment show on his face as he returned to pacing the hallway once more. The tension between them had only grown stronger now, and it was becoming increasingly difficult for either of them to ignore.
Time was running out fast...
"Blah blah blah blah..." Marcus muttered under his breath. "...It's always the same with you," he said, annoyed, talking to himself, before picking up his phone. "...Let's see how long you last this time without coming into my room... again..." he said, setting a timer on his phone. Finally, he had something to keep him occupied.
While pacing the hallway, Gianni overheard Marcus' muttering and felt a pang of hurt deep in his chest. He bit down on his lip to keep from responding angrily; if he let himself react to every slight, it would only be worse for both of them. Instead, he forced a small smile onto his face and tried to focus on something else - anything!
A few minutes later, Gianni found himself standing in front of the bookshelf once more, studying the various board games and books. With a sigh, he reached out and picked up one of the games at random, carrying it back over to Marcus' room.
"I know you said you weren't interested before," Gianni said as he knelt down beside Marcus, "but I thought maybe this would be different." He placed the game on the floor between them, giving Marcus a slightly sheepish smile. "We could play together, if you wanted to try something new."
His tail swished anxiously behind him as he awaited Marcus' response, hoping that this time things might go differently... but knowing in his heart that there were no guarantees.
Marcus checked his phone; only five minutes had passed. "I told you to get lost," he growled, glancing at Gianni over his shoulder before turning back to his phone and resetting the timer.
"I know," Gianni replied gently, not sounding the least bit offended by Marcus' tone. "But I thought maybe you might feel differently about it now." He smiled encouragingly, giving Marcus a moment to consider his words before adding, "We don't have to play if you really don't want to; I just wanted you to know that I'm here for you, and that I care." His tail swished slowly back and forth on the floor, leaving a gentle wake in the air as he awaited Marcus' response.
"Yes. I already know," Marcus said coldly. "You've told me fifteen times already." He growled, not looking at the other man. "Now get out."
Gianni hesitated for a moment before standing up once more. There was disappointment in his eyes as he looked at Marcus, but he forced a small smile onto his face nonetheless. "Alright," he said quietly. "I'm sorry if I've been too much of a bother." With that, he turned and walked out of the room, closing the door behind him with more force than necessary. He took several deep breaths as he returned to his pacing around the hallway, trying to calm the anger and hurt that threatened to overwhelm him.
Time was running out fast...
Marcus looked at the closed door and this time decided to get up. He approached it and looked at it for a moment before returning to his phone. He decided to reset the timer and stand in front of the door, waiting for it to open... again.
It had been half an hour since he'd left Marcus alone in his room, and despite his best efforts to stay busy, Gianni couldn't help but feel a growing sense of restlessness beginning to claw at him from the inside out. Every sound that drifted through the door sent a shiver down his spine, making it difficult for him to focus on anything other than the younger man on the other side.
Finally, he could take it no longer; he needed to see Marcus, to know that he was alright. With a deep breath, Gianni walked back over to the door and reached out to turn the knob, intending to open it slowly, giving Marcus some space if need be. But as his hand grasped the handle, something held him back; perhaps it was his own pride, or maybe it was simply the heat that still coursed through his veins, demanding possession of what was rightfully its.
With a growl of frustration, Gianni flung the door open and stormed into Marcus' room, every muscle in his body tense with anticipation... or anger, he wasn't quite sure which. "What do you want from me?" he snarled, unable to meet Marcus' gaze as he stood there, quivering with barely contained rage. "Am I not doing enough to make you feel comfortable around here?"
Marcus glanced at his phone. Surprisingly, the door opened again after about five minutes. He looked up, seeing Gianni. "Exactly," Marcus said coldly. "I only asked for one thing, and I was completely incapable of doing it."
"What do you mean?" Gianni growled through gritted teeth as he glared at Marcus, struggling to keep his anger in check. "I've done everything I can think of to make you feel comfortable and safe here!"
His hands clenched into fists at his sides, the claws extending instinctively as he fought against the heat that threatened to consume him entirely. The air between them crackled with tension, an electric current that seemed ready to spark into violence at any moment.
"Tell me what you want!" Gianni shouted, taking a step closer to Marcus, his body trembling with barely restrained fury. "Just tell me and I'll try my best to make it happen!"
Marcus narrowed his eyes. "I told you three times in the living room, when I was playing the piano," he said seriously. "And three more times right here, in my fucking room." His brow furrowed. "Leave. Me. Alone." he said slowly.
A low growl escaped Gianni's throat as he glared at Marcus, his hands clenching and unclenching at his sides in frustration. "Fine!" he snarled, spinning on his heel and storming out of the room, slamming the door behind him with such force that several pictures rattled against the wall. He stood there for a moment, panting heavily as he fought to regain control over himself, his body trembling with exhaustion from holding back his urges for so long.
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Gianni managed to calm down enough to turn around and open the door once more. "Fine," he repeated through gritted teeth as he stepped back into Marcus' room, every muscle tense with barely contained rage. "You want me to leave you alone? Fine!" He turned on his heel and began pacing back and forth across the room, not looking at Marcus once as he struggled to regain his composure.
"But understand this," Gianni continued, his voice low and dangerous. "If anything happens to you... if you hurt yourself or worse because I'm not there to protect you..." He paused, taking a deep breath before continuing in a quieter tone. "Then I will never forgive myself." His eyes closed as he fought against the last vestiges of his anger, focusing on regaining control once more.
"I'm in my fucking room," Marcus said dryly.
"You know what I mean," Gianni growled, still not looking at Marcus as he continued to pace back and forth across the room. "I can't just sit here and do nothing while you're in danger." He took another deep breath, forcing himself to calm down further. "Just... tell me if you need anything, alright?" There was a moment of silence before he added, more quietly, "Please..."
"I'm in my fucking room," Marcus said dryly.
"Yes, I know that!" Gianni snapped before taking a deep breath to calm himself once more. "But I can't help it! You were the one who chose me as your Alpha! You were the one who signed that damn contract! And now that you're my responsibility..." He trailed off, unable to finish the sentence. "I just... I need to make sure you're safe," he whispered hoarsely.
His tail thrashed back and forth behind him as he struggled to control his emotions. The tension in the air between them was almost palpable, thick enough to cut with a knife. It was clear that neither of them were going to back down anytime soon; they were both too stubborn, too prideful... and perhaps, deep down inside, too scared of what might happen if they did.
"Yeah..." Marcus said vaguely. "No," he added quickly. "I didn't do that," he said, almost expressionless. "My dad chose you as my bodyguard and FORCED me to sign."
"I know that," Gianni snarled through gritted teeth. "But you were there when it happened, and you didn't object. You let him do it because you didn't want the responsibility! And now that I'm your Alpha, whether you like it or not..." He paused for a moment before continuing in a softer tone, his tail still thrashing behind him as he fought against his anger and fear. "I just want to make sure that you're okay, Marcus."
There was silence between them for several long moments before Gianni finally turned around and faced the younger man directly. His expression softened slightly as he met Marcus' gaze, noticing for the first time how tired the other man looked... and how much it hurt him to see him this way. "I don't want anything bad to happen to you," he whispered. "Please understand that."
Marcus frowned furiously. "DON'T TALK SHIT YOU DON'T KNOW!" he yelled. "I WAS THERE BECAUSE HE FORCED ME TO GO, AND I ALWAYS REFUSED THE STUPID IDEA OF HAVING SOME IMBECILE ALPHA FOLLOWING ME. THAT'S WHY I DIDN'T WANT TO CHOOSE. I DIDN'T WANT ANYONE!" He was breathing heavily, his face red from yelling and fury.
Gianni winced as the other man's words sliced through him like razor-sharp claws, but he held his ground, refusing to back down. "And yet here I am," he growled, his eyes burning with anger and frustration. "You may not have wanted me, Marcus, but whether you accept it or not... I am your Alpha now." His tail swished back and forth behind him, leaving a visible wake in the air as tension between them threatened to boil over into violence once more.
"So all I ask," he continued through gritted teeth, "is that you at least try to be civil with me. Is that too much for you to handle?" His voice rose an octave as his anger got the better of him, and soon enough they were back where they started: on the brink of open conflict once more. But even as he yelled at Marcus, a part of him wondered if perhaps there might be another way... some middle ground they could reach before things spiraled completely out of control.
"Fine," Marcus said coldly. His face darkened with anger. "Please be so kind as to leave my room and leave me alone. Thank you," he said coldly, trying to be as polite as possible.
"Fine," Gianni snarled through gritted teeth before spinning on his heel and storming out of the room, slamming the door behind him with enough force to make pictures rattle against the wall once more. He stood in the hallway for several moments, breathing heavily as he fought to regain control over himself, his hands balled into fists at his sides.
This can't keep going like this... he thought to himself as he finally calmed down enough to open the door and step back inside Marcus' room. The younger man was lying on his bed, staring up at the ceiling, his expression guarded.
"Look," Gianni began hesitantly, "I know we're both angry right now... but let's try to find a way to work through this, okay? We can't keep going like this." He paused, searching Marcus' eyes for any sign of understanding or agreement, but finding none. Sighing heavily, he turned away and walked back over to the bed, sitting down gingerly on its edge. "Just... give me a chance, alright?"
The air between them was still thick with tension, but at least now they were facing each other again, trying to find some sort of common ground. It wouldn't be easy, and there was no guarantee that things would get better anytime soon, but for now... this would have to do.
Marcus got out of bed and looked Gianni straight in the eye. "I swear to God, if you don't leave, I'm going to kill myself," he said expressionlessly. He was already on the verge of losing his mind.
Gianni's eyes widened in surprise at Marcus' declaration. He took a step back, his expression a mixture of shock and worry. "Marcus," he began hesitantly, "please don't say things like that..." His voice trailed off as he struggled to find the right words. "I know it's been hard for you... but we can work through this together." He paused, looking at Marcus again before taking another step closer. "Please," he whispered, reaching out a hand to gently touch the younger man's arm, "I don't want anything bad to happen to you."
His heart raced in his chest as he waited for some sort of response from Marcus. He knew that there was no guarantee that the other man would take him up on his offer, but he couldn't help but hope that somehow they could find a way to make things better between them... before it was too late.
"Get out. Now." Marcus said, seemingly without a soul.
The blood drained from Gianni's face as he heard Marcus' cold and emotionless words. For a moment, he just stood there, too stunned to react, before finally shaking his head and turning away. "Fine," he muttered under his breath. "But remember, Marcus... I didn't force you into this." With one last glance in the younger man's direction, Gianni spun on his heel and strode out of the room, slamming the door behind him with enough force to make pictures rattle against the wall once more.
He stood there in the hallway for several long moments, breathing heavily as he tried to calm himself down. This was worse than before... Marcus had never been so direct about his intentions. And now, Gianni wasn't sure if anything would change even if they found a way to work things out. The thought weighed heavily on his mind as he paced the hallway, the tension in his body not dissipating in the least.
Was there really no hope left? No chance of salvaging this situation before it was too late? As Gianni continued to wrestle with these thoughts, a terrible sense of dread began to settle over him like a leaden cloak... and he knew that time was quickly running out for both of them.
Marcus slowly lay back down on the bed. His breathing was slow and shaky. Although his face showed no emotion, his anger was overflowing, and he had no more patience. He closed his eyes and continued breathing slowly; he was about to lose his mind if his bedroom door opened again.
As much as it killed him to leave Marcus alone like that, there was nothing more he could do. With a heavy sigh, Gianni paced the hallway outside Marcus' door once again, his tail thrashing behind him in agitation. He glanced at the clock, noting that it had only been fifteen minutes since he'd last left the room. Perhaps another half an hour would make a difference... but deep down, he knew it was unlikely.
The air inside the house was stiflingly quiet, broken only by the occasional creak of floorboards or muffled noise from outside. It made Gianni even more restless and on edge than before; every sound seemed magnified, his senses stretched to their limits as he waited for something, anything, to happen. But all was still and quiet, and soon enough the minutes began to crawl by like hours.
Finally, unable to take it anymore, Gianni reached out with his mind, attempting to make contact with Marcus telepathically. Marcus? Are you there? Can you hear me? he sent, his mental voice quavering with worry and desperation. He waited, holding his breath...but there was no reply.
With a growl of frustration, Gianni slammed his fist against the wall beside him, the impact sending a sharp pain shooting up his arm. A low moan escaped his lips as he leaned forward, bracing himself against the cool wallpaper with both hands. For now, all he could do was wait...and hope that somehow things would work themselves out before it was too late.
In Marcus's room, a gunshot rang out. The young man had taken his own life with a gunshot to the head. If only Gianni had left him alone...
Gianni stiffened at the sound of the gunshot, his body going rigid as if turned to stone. It took several heartbeats before he managed to force his legs into motion, racing back down the hallway toward Marcus' room, a terrible sense of dread filling him with every step.
As he flung open the door and stepped inside, his eyes darted frantically around the room, searching for any sign of movement, any indication that Marcus was still alive... but it was already too late. The bed was empty, its sheets and pillows scattered about the floor in a pool of crimson. Tears welled up in Gianni's eyes as he sank to his knees beside the bed, the reality of what had happened hitting him like a physical blow.
"No..." he whispered hoarsely, reaching out a trembling hand toward Marcus' lifeless body. "No, no, no... please, don't leave me..." His voice cracked on the last word, and before he knew it, hot tears were streaming down his face, mingling with the blood that stained Marcus' bedding. "I'm sorry," he sobbed brokenly. "Oh God, I'm so sorry..."
His world collapsed in upon itself as he sat there, cradling the lifeless form of the man who had meant everything to him... and yet at the same time, nothing at all. The air grew thick with despair and regret, a palpable weight pressing down on Gianni's shoulders as if it might crush him where he knelt. He stayed like that for what felt like an eternity, his sobs racking his body as he mourned the loss of not only Marcus... but everything they could have had together.
The bedroom light flicked on, revealing that the stains were paint and the body a very realistic mannequin. Marcus stood by the light switch. "That feeling is horrible, isn't it?" he asked coldly. "Be grateful it didn't happen and I'm still alive." His eyes seemed soulless. "I told you to leave me alone... and you kept bothering me." He slowly approached the bed, looking at his 'art project'. "I won't repeat what I said..." he said, before turning back to Gianni. "Leave me alone... or I'll kill myself."
Gianni remained frozen where he knelt, tears streaming down his face as he stared at the mannequin in disbelief. For a moment, he couldn't speak; all he could do was choke out a single, ragged sob before finally finding his voice again. "You... you did this to fool me?" He swallowed hard, trying and failing to wipe away the tears that obscured his vision. "Why would you do something so cruel? So twisted?"
His eyes never left Marcus' face as he struggled to understand how his world could have been turned upside down in such a way. "Were you ever really my Alpha? Or was this all just some sick joke to you?" The pain and anger in his voice were unmistakable, raw and powerful.