Thread: A Glimmer in the Darkness (Translucentfeathers&ScarletQueen)

Thomas's eyes followed Adam around the room, taking a step inside and closing the door, both to keep his privacy and to block his exit, not wanting his resolve to waver. Quietly and without any unnecessary bouts of emotion, the doctor listened to everything the young man had to say, his expression softening until his anger had melted away and all that remained was a desire to care for him and comfort him. He would've reached out to him and held him, but he didn't want Adam, in his turmoil of emotion, to confuse his empathy with pity. It was easy to make that misconception when you felt broken, and he tried to carefully calculate his words and actions to avoid such thoughts. Never having been in that position himself, it was difficult for Thomas to understand what Adam was going through to understand the fear, the helplessness, the desperation. Whoever this man was and whatever he was doing was certainly unhealthy and it made him sick to his stomach for Adam to call himself his submissive. By the sound of it, he was more like a slave. An unwilling one, at that. The dominant's responsibility is to make all the decisions, but also to take all responsibility for them. The suffering of his submissive was his fault, and by continuing his reckless and violent behavior he was avoiding that responsibility. A coward, that's what that man was. A greedy, entitled little coward. As Adam brushed his hands away and buttoned up his shirt himself, Thomas couldn't help but smile. His outburst, his anger, it meant that he was trying to build himself up. Even broken people can fight, and he greatly admired someone who tried to claw their way out of the darkness. Though his thoughts might have been inappropriate at the moment Thomas couldn't help but find Adam so attractive, even at his lowest, even when he was scared and wounded. It made him want to teach him better, to claim him for his own. Pushing his selfishness aside, he stepped back and allowed Adam through the door, chuckling at his playful, teasing banter. Is that so?, he asked, a soft smile on his lips. Then I might have to charge you for my services as well. It's only fair, isn't it? Sweeping him off his feet, the doctor picked him up and carried him out to his black Mercedes, setting him down in order to open the door. He stayed there, right next to him, until he got into the passenger seat, his eyes sharp and on the lookout for anyone approaching them. He knew very well cases like these never ended so easily, and truth be told he feared for Adam's life. Though he hadn't said anything, he didn't mean for Adam to stay in a hotel. Spending the night alone while his jilted, violent lover was out looking for him would be both reckless and dangerous. Now, let's make something clear. You're coming to the hospital because you chose to. But you're coming to my apartment because I am telling you to. I won't try to have sex with you. And I won't expect anything in exchange. If this man is as violent as your bruises led me to think, it'd be dangerous for you to be out on your own. We have to go to the police, press charges and ask for a restraining order. After that, I will take you to the bank and we will close your account, terminate your rent contract and completely cut him off. When we do, things will get even more dangerous for you. And as scared as you are, you'll have to be firm or you'll never reclaim your life. Now, is that something you want to do, Adam? Because no one can make that choice for you. Not me, not him, not anyone.