Imagine a yandere childhood sweetheart ex going to visit his darling at university, but unfortunately she isn’t so happy like he thought she’d be.
“What are you doing here?” You asked, horrified at the sudden appearance of your ex-boyfriend.
He attempted a soft smile, but you could easily see the storm beneath it. With a small laugh, he said, “what do you mean? I’m here for you, obviously.” He stepped forward and reached for you hand, you pulled it away from his reach.
“No, like- why are you here at all?” You pinched your nose in frustration. “I get that you’re here for me or whatever, but why? It’s not- we are not together. We broke up.” To emphasise your point, you used your hand(the one he wanted to hold) to gesture between the two of you.
He gulped, “Yeah, but that was just because you wanted to go to university here in the city- even though there are completely okay universities in our hometown.” His tone soured at the end of his speech. As if he somehow couldn’t believe your decision to leave that small, boring, hillbilly town that you were forced to grow up in.
You scoffed and rolled your eyes, “only if you want to learn how to milk a cow 50 different ways.”
Your ex frowned and expressed his clashing opinion, “don’t say that, it’s where we grew up, where we lived-“ he got quieter “-and…where we fell in love.” The man looks like he was on cloud nine remembering the good ‘ol’ days.
“Sure, yippie!” You sarcastically cheered and noticed how his mood went sour again. He definitely didn’t enjoy how you easily played off your past relationship. Too bad for him you were completely over it. He’s stuck in the past and needs to move on.
The young man chose not to call your out on your(in his opinion) somewhat rude behaviour. It was not your fault, after all. The city and its people clearly haven’t been a good influence on you. But wasn’t that the reason he was there; to convince you to come home with him? He sighed before putting on another smile.
“Well, are you gonna invite me in?” he easily looked over your head, into your apartment. “It’s a little cold out here, y’know.”
Ignoring how ridiculous it must look from a passerby’s point of view, you stuck your arms up to obstruct your ex-boyfriend’s sight. If you’d been as tall as he was, you’d simply stand in his way to keep him from checking out your home. Unfortunatly, not everyone can be built like a skyscraper.
“No, I’m not going to let you in. You aren’t even welcome!” You exasperated. Why couldn’t he understand you didn’t want him there?
He was quiet for a moment, which made you think he was finally getting the message, but your hopes were crushed when he said in a cold voice, “Don’t be rude. It’s not like you to act like this. I told you going to the city was a stupid idea.” You were a bit shaken at this new side of him. In the past, he was always happy and sweet to you. On the rare occasions(usually when he thought you were hanging out more with your friends than him) you did fight, he was never like this; chilly and looking at you like you were in his way. While both were objectively bad, you thought you preferred when he was all hot instead of…this.
You were silenced and could do nothing when he pushed past you and entered your apartment despite your previous objections. Not knowing what else to do, you closed the door. You turned around to see your ex standing in your living room, examining the room top to bottom with an unimpressed face.
He hummed, “It’s cute. Although, I could build you a house much better than this. But as long as you’re happy, I suppose.”
“Excuse me?” Ain’t no way you’d let this dude come and diss your home like that. “Did you come here only to insult my home? Because, if so, you are free to leave.”
He shook his head, laughing softly, but you could still hear the insincerity in his voice when he said “No, no, I didn’t mean it like that.” (He definitely mean it like that) He walked to the wooden bookshelf you had placed in the corner and picked out a book right away, even though the large selection should’ve kept him busy for a while. With his back turned to you, it was impossible to see which book he'd pulled from its spot.
When he finally faced you again, you understood why he chose it. The book’s cover was clumsily made, it was clear that the creator was not a professional. It was uneven and did not line up with the stack of pages of the book, thereby leaving paper sticking out. Despite its rough appearance, the title was made with gold lettering which still had its shine, even though years has passed since its creation.
‘Damn it!’ you thought. Everything was so messy when you first moved and not wanting to deal with lose things forever, you just found some temporary home for items and left them there. It was now that you regretted your laziness. You should’ve put it away(throwing it seemed a bit heartless, even for you)
“You still have it?” He asked, the previous coldness gone, now he simple seemed slightly bewildered. Caressing the cover, he continued, “I thought you threw it away, to be honest, hehe.” The man glanced up at you with those loving eyes. You used to adore it whenever he looked at you like that, now they brought you nothing but unease. “I’m glad you kept it.” He finished off before putting it back in its place.
You tried focusing on anything but him; hellbent on ignoring his silenced stare. The day could go worse than this, you thought. Why the hell did he have to show up? And just as your life here in the city started going smoothly. Of course your past had to come back and bite you.
Both of you were lost in thought(with very different ideas) and the only sound was from the ticking clock on the wall.
“Why did you leave me?”
“H-huh?” You focused your attention back on him and saw his serious expression gazing back at you.
‘He seriously need to control his mood swings.’
“You heard me. I want to know why you decided to leave.”
“You know why. I couldn’t be stuck in that little town forever. It was boring and nothing ever happened. I don’t want to live out an existence like that, it’s not what I want.”
“That’s not a reason. You can life a good life without being James Bond. We were so happy together. I even-“ he stopped to take a deep breath, “I was going to propose. I had started saving up to buy you the ring you deserve. I wanted to spend the rest of my life with you.”
You sneered at him and said angrily, “Well, hate to break it to you, but I obviously don’t feel the same. I’m sorry, okay. But I never wanted to get married- I don’t even know where you got that idea from. Why would I marry you?-“
“Because we love each other.” Your ex rolled his eyes in annoyance, “that’s kind of the reason people get married, Love.”
Ugh, he acted like you were the insufferable one. Like you were the problem! He was the one with too thick of a head to understand that you don’t want to be with him. And he even dared to call you Love, just like when you were together.
“No, I don’t love you anymore. Stop this.” You groaned as you felt a headache coming in.
“You’re the one who needs to ‘stop this’. Can you see how foolish you’re being? You broke my heart and for what? Some dumb degree you’re not even gonna get.” He grabbed you by the shoulders and leaned in close. “It’s me, (y/n). Your Theo.” You held your breath as he took your hand and placed it directly above his heart. The heat from his body and the comforting beats had you remembering how much you did used to love this man. “This is yours. All yours, Love, you only need to accept it. I can give you everything you ask for. Come home with me, and forget this dumb university. You won’t find your dreams here. You’ll only be truly happy when you’re back home with me, I can promise you that.”
You stood still and watched as Theo kissed your knuckles; a common way for him to show affection. His words stung, yet you couldn’t hate him for them. It was true, things weren’t as great as you’d make them out to be. It’s all because you didn’t want to disappoint your parents. They still lived in your hometown and had worked their asses off to give you a chance to follow your dreams and make it big.
Originally, they’d been agaisnt you moving to the city. ‘But it’s so far away’ they had said, and ‘you’ll regret it’. You knew they wished for you stay and marry Theo instead, but that’s not what you wanted.
So you gave them a piece of your mind before storming off to Theo’s house. You spent the night there in fear of facing your parents, especially after that little action of liberty. It was ironic how you threw yourself in his arms, considering the whole argument was about something that’d ultimately have you leave him.
As you were contemplating your all your life choices, Theo dropped to his knees. You gasped, first thinking he’d fallen. But that was clearly not the case, because immediately after, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a red velvet box.
It didn’t take Einstein-level of intelligence to see what kind of box it was and what it undoubtedly contained. The devotion in his eyes had you gulp.
“I know this is sorta late now, but every couple has to go through a number of challenges. So, (y/n) (l/n), will you do me the honour of becoming my wife?”
The ring inside was more beautiful than you’d imagined. It was, truly, your dream ring. It was also proof how attentive he’d been back when you were younger; he actually did listen to you and remembered every bit of foolish young thoughts you’d splurted out.
It was just a question. One that everyone has the right to say ‘no’ to if they don’t think ‘yes’ is fitting. You would’ve rejected his proposal, but there was something in Theo’s eyes that made you waver. You weren’t fully sure what it was apart from how feral it seemed. All your senses told you to reject his advance, however, you caught yourself wondering if that really was a good idea.
Anita receives an email from WRU about Lea's training, sending her spiralling.
2k
CWs: BBU, pet whump, anger issues, self-harm, implied past suicidal thoughts, rape, sexual slavery, self-hatred, past transphobia
Theo is next door when Anita receives the email.
She's glad. He wouldn't be able to hear her, but he's very sensitive to her emotions and behaviour as a survival mechanism, and she wouldn't want him witnessing her primal, anguished scream. Mittens streaks out of the room, ears flattened to their head, as she throws something at the wall. She's not sure what. It doesn't matter. How dare they? Those utter–
"Anita? What have you done to your room?"
Her paati is behind the curtain giving her a little privacy with the open door, and Anita sniffs. Paati's words are serious but her tone is more worried than anything. It's been a long time since Anita's done anything like this.
"You can come in," Anita croaks, and her patti pushes the beaded curtain aside slowly, cataloguing the room. "I–"
She gestures to the computer. Paati approaches, takes the recently-vacated seat, and frowns at the email on-screen. Anita takes a deep breath and translates it into Tamil.
Paati sucks in a breath and reads it through for herself. She flattens her sari over her lap, a nervous movement. She always used to do that before Anita's parents evenings.
She did that in the hospital. It's one of Anita's strongest memories from the place.
"What are you going to do?"
"What they want. I have to, right? It's too dangerous to do otherwise."
Paati looks at her, and as always happens, she finds her thoughts bursting out of her in a torrent of pain and helplessness.
"They're trying to make her for me and I don't want that. I just want her to be safe and loved and with Theo, I don't– I'm not going to have sex with her. But I need to send these, don't I, they'll be suspicious otherwise, and I hate it, I've never even said those things to someone I love, let alone– let alone to help condition a sex slave."
The last part comes out in a choked whisper. She's buying a sex slave. Participating in this horrific system. No matter the reason for it, it's still abhorrent, and she hates herself for it. Hates herself for not being able to find another way to reunite the pair.
"I know what you're thinking. Stop it. It's not your fault, chotu. You're getting Lea out of there, safely and subtly. There's no need to feel so guilty."
Anita knows. She knows. Everyone's told her that, Marjorie and Alix and everyone. But she can't believe it, because she's still buying a sex slave.
It took her years to stop being a coward and help people again. And now she's buying a fricking sex slave.
Her paati hits her gently on the arm. "Stop it. I'm making you tea, and you're going to drink it all, and that will help. Wallowing won't. Get up and do something."
So she does. She finds Mittens and their favourite toy, and plays with them in apology for earlier. Trying to block out what she has to do.
Lea will be here soon. So at least there's that. Even if... even if Anita has to do this to get her. It's nothing compared to what Lea is going through.
Absolutely nothing.
Paati comes into the living room and sets a steaming mug smelling of her favourite blend of tea leaves and cinnamon down beside her. "Drink it all before you do this."
"Thanks," Anita croaks, taking a sip. Then a gulp, scalding her throat but worth it. She nurses it a little, liquid turning into little whirlpools with her tears.
She doesn't want to move but she supposes she had better get it over with, so she swallows the rest of her tea in two more gulps.
It's a shame to waste it. Maybe, if she asks nicely, paati will make her some more later.
She walks to her bedroom and sits on the bed, scrolling through the list of suggestions WRU sent on her phone. She just can't think of any herself. She chooses the three she thinks she'll most be able to stomach.
She closes her eyes briefly. She doesn't want Lea made for her. She doesn't want Lea made for this. But she has to go along with it, or she'll risk everything.
Okay. She can do this. It's just three sentences, it's easy.
Anita's stomach churns as she presses 'record' on her phone.
"Oh that's good."
She plays it back to herself. She sounds choked, like she's being forced into recording at gunpoint.
She tries again.
The second try is better. She still has to resist throwing her phone at the wall. It's not fair.
Next phrase. As her therapist used to encourage her to do when she got hopelessly angry as a teenager, moving on.
She swipes at her eyes angrily, glad there isn't video.
"Go on. Just like that."
This one sounds slightly wavering, but Anita decides that that's okay. If she was about to cum maybe she would sound like that.
And the third... the third, she just gives up on holding back her sobs and tries to turn them into sobs of ecstasy instead. She thinks she does a pretty good job. WRU suggests several sounds, and Anita isn't trying moans. She couldn't manage that, and she never intends to, with Lea.
And then she just about makes it to the toilet before spewing her guts up.
She thinks she's probably chucked up everything she's eaten or drunk today. Her mouth tastes disgusting, but it can't be as bad as Lea's is if she's being trained.
It reminds her of that taste though. She throws up again.
She needs to clear her head. She needs to clear her head, she can't afford to remember that right now. She can't afford all these emotions, can't afford to sit here and tremble and throw up, she needs to get up and submit those files.
But she can't move.
She scratches at her arms fiercely, desperately, itching to get the emotions out, gone, to push herself to move and get it all done. She finally breaks the skin with a spike of pain and a rush of relief.
And she crumples to the floor.
She takes a shaking breath, and then another, watching the blood as it drips to the floor in slow, red, hypnotic droplets, joining the salt water there. She feels better, even through the trembling and tears.
Two pale, scarred, wiry arms take Anita's upper arms tentatively and she looks up. Theo.
"May I help you, Mistress?"
Anita nods. As he helps her sit up, she thinks how much he's grown. The first time he was in here he didn't dare speak, let alone ask questions and touch her without permission.
Theo fetches bandages and tape out of the cupboard and kneels down in front of her. She holds out her arm, which he diligently cleans and wraps a bandage around.
"Miss Indira told me what you are doing, Mistress. Lea has been training as a Romantic for months. If you did not send the recordings she might think she is unwanted as a Romantic. Or her handler will tell her that. It's the worst feeling for a pet, Mistress, to be unwanted for your only purpose."
"Oh. Thank you for explaining."
She wonders if his explanation makes it any better. She decides that it doesn't.
Lea isn't just being raped. She's being taught that she's nothing without it.
Anita just watches as he smoothes the bandage carefully over her wrist and ties it off. She wonders where he learnt how to do all this.
When he looks back up at her, she says carefully, "I'm sorry if I've ever made you feel unwanted. You're not. You never will be."
"Yes, Mistress."
"Thank you for this. I can finish with the rest if you'd rather go and relax. It's my mess."
Theo shakes his head and gives Anita a tentative hug. When she returns it, resting her head on his, his gets tighter.
They're both shaking, she realises. Theo needs this just as much as her.
She rubs his back soothingly. It's good for Theo, and anything to distract her.
Eventually, she draws away. She needs to get on with the day. Get the submission over with. She can't just sit here.
"I can clear up."
Theo shakes his head, again, and stows the bandages while Anita wipes the floor. She flushes the toilet several times and dumps cleaner down it, unable to clean properly but unwilling to let Theo do it.
"Okay, sweetheart. Let's– let's go."
Anita makes a valiant effort to carry her own weight but she's not sure how well she succeeds. In the living room they bump into paati. Almost literally.
"How are you doing?"
"I've finished the recordings, just need to– upload them."
"That's not what I meant, chotu. You know that."
She nods. She does know that, she does, but she doesn't want to worry her paati more than she clearly already is.
"Better than Lea."
Paati holds out her arms encouragingly and Anita falls into them. As has been the case since she was little, it's one of the only places she feels completely safe, and she buries herself in her paati and cries her heart out.
"You're safe. No-one's going to hurt you here."
Of course, her paati knows exactly where her mind has gone. It wouldn't be anywhere else.
"I know. I know I know I know."
And she's lucky. At least when she was told, more or less, that she would only be only a proper girl if she could take someone's penis well (and she certainly knew she wasn't a boy so what was she?), she had people to convince her she was worth something. In Lea those sorts of thoughts are encouraged. It's sick and twisted. How can it be legal to systematically, repeatedly rape one group of people and for another you can receive a life sentence for it?
The sleeves of her jumper have pushed themselves back at some point, and paati touches her wrist.
"Do we need to contact your therapist again?"
Anita shakes her head. She can't anyway, she doesn't know what they'd do if they suspected she supported pet lib.
"I won't let it get as far as before," she croaks. She has people to look after now, and this is just a blip anyway, caused by a combination of Lea's treatment and some of the phrases WRU sent.
"Good. Tell me if you start to think that way again, because I can't lose you." Anita nods. "Why don't you finish the submissions, then you can have tea and a nap, and after that we can decide about this evening?"
"Can't sleep."
"Try." She turns to Theo, signing something and then repeating it out loud for Anita's benefit. "Do you still want to go tonight?"
"Yes please, Miss Indira, if that is acceptable to you and Mistress."
Paati nods. Anita could cry at his progress. He's expressing himself.
She makes her unsteady way to her room and collapses in front of the computer, trying to upload the files without thinking too hard about what they are. It's a complicated process made all the more so by the tears blurring her vision, but she manages it after a few tries. As she finally presses 'submit', she feels a surge of self-hatred so strong she has to cling to the table to keep herself upright. Lea's being made for this, made for her, made to be a sex slave, and Anita's just condemned her to the worst of it, whatever Theo says.
She's as bad as her own rapist now.
By the time paati comes in with three steaming mugs, she's curled up in bed, blankets over her head, Mittens sprawled on her, Theo pressed against her side. Leaving the world to sort itself out.
This is Theo, Theo is the 4th eldest, one of the middle children technically, he and his brothers were all dealt bad hands but he would do anything to lighten the load for them, loveable, goofy, quick witted and with a bit of an immature sense of humour he's the fastest in his family and will do anything to ensure a comfortable life for all of them but the very things that make him and his brothers special are the very things the world are after...
