I hated myself and I had hoped Alex hated me more, but now that was apparently untrue which meant I’d have to try harder.

It was time to go so I gulped before stomping up to his room and opening the door loudly. There he was, laying on his bed and I wanted to kick myself for making him look so sad.

“Come on.” I snarled, grabbing his neck and yanking him out of bed.
“Wait.” I paused, placing him on his feet, “You look ridiculous.”

That was a lie. He looked hot.

But then, I always think he looks hot.

“Shirt off.” I ordered, jerking my thumb behind me.

He gaped at me with wide eyes but then a growl erupted from my chest which caused him to quickly discard the garment.

“Better. Come.” I stated, hearing him whimper as we started down the stairs.

I found myself self-loathing even more because even though I hated doing this to him, there was a part of me that loved this. It loved knowing that I was hurting him and that he was upset and sad because of me.

I bit my lip, wishing that that part would go away and I pushed him into the passenger door. He curled up and hid his face with his arms and I started the car, driving a little slower than normal.
I pulled into the driveway reluctantly. I knew that since Alex was shirtless, I’d have to keep a closer eye on him.

“Come on.” I spat at him and he obeyed numbly, looking down.

He didn’t seem to be my Alex. It was like he was lifeless.

I had him stand in front of me but I couldn’t help but be gentle when I placed the collar around his neck.

He didn’t wear it to every party, just to the ones where I knew sketchy people would be. But here, he’ll be shirtless and I was a bit worried that him being collared wouldn’t be enough.

I internally vowed to keep him within eyesight at all times as I opened the door and walked in, immediately noticing the hungry stares of the demons all around. I gave them all warning glares and watched them concede and look away but I knew that wouldn’t be the end of it. I tugged the chain and led Alex as we found a man called Jamie Preciado. He was Tony’s best friend and actually Jamie’s slave, Mike, was Tony’s slave, Vic’s, brother. Jamie was talking to Tony (no surprise there) as I walked up.

“Hey, Jack! Been a while!” Jamie smiled, shaking my hand.
“Hey man, yeah I know. Nice party.” I grinned.
“Vic.” Tony called and I couldn’t believe the person I saw walk up was Vic.

He stood up straight, his brown eyes were no longer dull, but had spark in them, he had bruises and cuts everywhere but he had this devilish grin plastered on his face.

“This one got a few ideas after seeing yours.” Tony laughed.
“This one got fucking sick and tired of being treated like-“ He was cut off by Tony’s backhand I noticed Alex smiling at him.

Vic looked up and smirked at Alex, nodding.

---

“No he didn’t get ideas from me, he always had them. He’s just sick of dealing with your shit.” I replied, feeling that old fire of defiance in my chest again.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Jack grinning but for once it wasn’t a dangerous smile, it was the kind of smile one would have after seeing and old friend after a long time.

“Jack may I-“
“Go ahead.” I cut him off, standing up straight.

Tony gave me a dangerous glare but it only fueled my hate and bravery. He punched my so hard I fell to the ground, the world spinning. Though I didn’t know which way was up and which way was down, I laughed.

Man this felt good.

I mean the pain didn’t, but rebelling and fighting did. By the time I came back, I saw Jack holding the end of the leash, the others standing a few feet away, and Vic sitting next to me on the floor.

“Shit man.” I laughed, gingerly testing out my jaw.
“Took quite a hit there.” Vic smiled.

I sat up slowly and everything spun a bit but I knew that would soon pass.

I realized that even though we knew each other, we’d never actually introduced ourselves.

“Alex.” I held out my hand.
“Vic.” He replied, shaking it.
“What happened to you? Last I saw you were practically a puddle on the ground.”
“Well…Um.” I saw him blush, “I don’t know. I watched you and saw how fearless you were and…I don’t know…I remembered that every time I got beaten.” He said, looking down.
“Thanks.” I replied, flattered in a way.
“Well what about you? When you walked in you were practically a puddle on the floor.”
“Oh that.” I let out a laugh. “It’s classic Stockholm syndrome.”
“Believe me I know that story.” Vic rolled his eyes.
“You too?” I asked in surprise
“You wouldn’t guess it would you?” He smiled, glancing over at them.
“No but then I suppose you wouldn’t with me either.” I mumbled.
“But that’s not.” Vic admitted.
“What?” I asked, cocking my head.
“That’s not your situation, I mean it’s obvious Jack cares about you.” Vic shrugged.
“In what way?” I scoffed.
“Well considering we’ve been over here for only about three minutes and he’s looked over at you fifteen- no, wait, sixteen times.” Vic said, subtly looking at Jack who was, in fact, looking straight at me.

I made sure to give him a glare before returning my gaze to Vic.

“I don’t know man, honestly he’s probably only looking over here to make sure no one’s using his ‘toy’.” I grimaced.
“Whatever you say.” Vic shrugged.
“Vic!” Tony snapped.
“Yo!” He replied in a sing-song voice.
“We’re going.”
“Whatever. See you, Alex.”
“Bye man.” I replied, watching them leave, sincerely hoping this wouldn’t be the last time I’d ever see Vic again.

---

I watched as Alex pushed himself off the floor carefully. He was obviously still dizzy but he could stand. He slowly made his way over to Jamie and I while we talked about a party we’d been to in Guatemala. I turned my attention back to Jamie and within three seconds I knew something was wrong. I’d just said something that would’ve gotten a snarky response out of him but he hadn’t said anything I turned around to see him face to face with a demon who was toying with his collar. Alex looked terrified and I didn’t blame him, the guy was huge. Molten anger flooded my veins. The animalistic nature of my species told me to rip everyone in the room to shreds but I controlled it, knowing that wouldn’t be the wisest solution. I wanted to send him to Hell, make him feel the worst place in existence.

But I was at a party and quite frankly, that would just be rude.

Besides I didn’t want to make a scene, Alex had had a rough couple of days.

What why do you care about whether or not Alex has had a rough time?

I don’t.

I argued back but I still didn’t damn the guy. Instead, I ripped him off of Alex and almost beat him to death, my anger and hate fueling my desire to see him unconscious and bloody and I got my wish.

After I’d finished beating the shit out of the guy, everyone continued as if nothing happened. Violence didn’t come as a surprise to these people. A servant rushed to drag his body out of the room and I turned to see Alex shrinking away slightly.

“Are you okay?” I asked approaching him and checking his body. “Did he hurt you? Did he touch you?”

“No I’m fine.” He replied slightly quieter than I would’ve expected.

Then I caught myself. I couldn’t be nice to him. He had to hate me. I couldn’t help but grimace at the next thing I said but luckily he was looking at the floor so he didn’t see,

“Good because I don’t want you spoiled before tonight.”
“Tonight?” He whimpered, looking up at me with anxious eyes.

I winked with a fake smirk before returning to the others.

Notes

title cred: Stockholm Syndrome - One Direction

sorry if this has a lot of mistakes. i'm exhausted because last night i had a really bad asthma attack and my inhaler wasn't working and so we had to go the ER and it was just this huge thing that happened at like 1 am.

BUT I'M GOOD NOW SO DON'T WORRY

also the next chapter might hurt but i promise happy times are coming soon okay?