Chapter 21 - When You Look At Me, I Can't Move

(P-Penalty...? Why....?)

Daoist Panda grinned before him. He had paused the whole world of 'I Will Drag You to Hell with Me', with the flaming sparks staying afloat in the air and everyone as still as statues.

[Tsk, tsk. Dear reader, you never learn, do you? Do not underestimate me, I can tell that you mean what you said to Daniele.]

He grinned evilly, showing a menacing face as he emphasized every word like a judge making his verdict:

[You. Love. Him.]

Zhe Chouhen was struck by this. "Love!? How can I when I've never—"

[That's exactly why you lasted this long without triggering the penalty. You're not aware of it because you never experienced it before. But slowly, you are starting to, aren't you?]

Zhe Chouhen's heart was struck by fear for his life, and he immediately denied it. "NO! THERE MUST BE A MISTAKE! I DON'T WANT TO DIE! I VALUE MY LIFE MORE THAN DANIELE, I DON'T LOVE HIM!!!!"

Daoist Panda went quiet for a long while.

Then, he scoffed. [Hmph, coward.]

Zhe Chouhen had just shouted and spat out a lot of saliva that he wiped once he heard this. "Huh?"

[You heard me. You're a coward. But good, at least that keeps you at a safe distance from getting yourself killed. Don't waste any more breath denying and pleading with me, the penalty is final. But it's not as worse as you think.]

[This will just serve as like a warning. A partial punishment. You're not going to die a horrible death yet and be transported to another world.]

[Aren't you glad? At least that keeps you with your sweetheart for a bit longer.] Daoist Panda rolled his eyes. [I'm such a merciful system, aren't I?]

Zhe Chouhen ignored this mocking tone and asked. "What do you mean by.... Partial punishment?"

[Not death, so a temporary impediment.] Daoist Panda said. [I would knock you out.]

"Huh? That's it?"

[Yes.] He gave a sly grin.....

Before hitting Zhe Chouhen's head again and again in the ground!

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Blood trickled on his forehead and he could only shout as he can feel his skull breaking.

[I'll knock you out this way! It'll take a while before your regenerating powers as a denizen of hell could come through, and you may even wake up with one hell of a headache! This is just a taste of what's to come if you don't get rid of your feelings for Daniele soon!]

With each hit, Zhe Chouhen felt his vision swim, and the sharp pain caused him to lose consciousness.

-----------------------

"Daniele? Wake up, Daniele. It's a new day."

Leandro said, as he gently shook the golden-haired boy sleeping in a bed of roses.

The boy fluttered his eyes open, full of dread and despair like he wanted to cry but he can't.

"Good morning, Daniele." He kissed his limp hand. "Beautiful morning, isn't it? I prepared breakfast."

Daniele didn't move a single muscle. He flicked his wrist and soon, Daniele moved to sit up very stiffly, like a puppet that could only move its joints because of a string.

"Hehe, you're excited for breakfast, aren't you? I made your favorite." He said, grinning widely as he left.

He turned back after a few steps and said. "Smile, Daniele."

Daniele did smile, but his eyes did not lie. His eyes are still filled with fear and panic.

He was a doll. He can't move. He can't speak.

Leandro came back with a platter of fresh bread and butter, of jam and precious wine made of freshly picked and pressed grapes. He saw Daniele's fearful eyes and sighed, placing the tray down.

"You must understand, Daniele. I warned you again and again, but you wouldn't listen." He caressed the soft skin of his face. "This is already the fifth time, and my patience had run low."

He placed his forehead against the frightened boy's forehead tenderly. "You can't run away from me. You are stuck with me here, in hell, where we belong."

"Besides, hell isn't so bad, isn't it? We have a wonderful villa and a vineyard! I can conjure a copy of everything you want to ask for and bring them here! I can give anything that makes you happy, Daniele....." Leandro frowned sincerely. "Why can't you?"

"Why can't you just be happy with me?"

His face darkened as he said this, gripping Daniele's face tightly. "I'm giving you everything and more! Is it still not enough!?"

"Hmnnsnnnhmmnnnn." Daniele could only make muffled sounds.

Leandro took away the enchantment on his mouth. "What is it?"

"Hah.... Ah... " Daniele caught his breath as he could finally open his lips. "You'll give me everything?"

"Yes! Everything!" Leandro clasped his hand. "I love you, Daniele! I'll give everything to you!"

"Well... Cough...." Daniele's eyes finally teared up. "I want freedom! I want to be free from you and spend hellish eternity somewhere else very far from you!"

Leandro's gentle expression becomes cold. "Anything but that."

He went back to being kind again. "Do you want pets? You've always loved animals, you said you wanted to raise a puppy when we were young. Or maybe a horse, since you enjoy riding them—"

"Fake! All of it is fake! No animal can come to hell, because they are innocent creations of God!" Daniele yelled. "Unlike you!"

"Oh, Daniele. Don't be that way~" Leandro cusped both sides of his face as he spoke in a babying tone.

He took a spoonful of soup and blew on it, gently placing it near Daniele's lips. "Let's not fight anymore, here, let's have breakfast—"

"Phft! Don't give that dirty food that you got someplace in this impure land!" Daniele spat it out directly into Leandro's face.

His stepbrother's face darkened again.

He didn't say anything. Daniele started to get scared, but then again, this is nothing new to him. He had grown used to it and is slowly growing a backbone from the constant change of Leandro's attitude towards him.

If he can't get his way through sweet words, he'll use force.

And Daniele was already prepared for it.

But then....

"You're right. This food that I have made is truly not fitting for someone as good and perfect as my Daniele." Leandro just slowly wiped his face. "You deserve the food of angels itself. Something befitting for a pure and innocent soul like you."

Leandro stood up. "I know just where to get that. But it's too far away...."

Daniele just knitted his eyebrows. "What do you mean?"

"I mean the food from heaven, of course. Divine bread and wine." Leandro said. "Even if I have to steal it under God's nose itself, I will just for you, my dear."

"I don't want that!" Daniele grumbled, still struggling to move. "I want—"

Then, he realized that this is his only chance to escape.

"No.... Actually, I would like that very much." Daniele said. "Food from heaven must taste quite.... Heavenly. And it's real too, unlike the ones you conjure from dark magic. I would really like to have even just a taste."

Once Leandro ventured off to obtain heavenly food for him, maybe he can find a way to break the binding spell he's under and escape somewhere. He can't escape hell itself, but he can get away as far as he can and hide.

Maybe Limbo, since they are currently at the Ninth Circle, and the people there are good. Yes, Limbo is his best chance.

"Really? Then, I'll retrieve it for you, my love. I swear with my dead heart." Leandro kissed his hand. "But....."

"What do I get in return?"

Daniele was so excited and busy planning his escape that he wasn't paying attention. "Huh?"

"If I get food from heaven for you, risking my own safety and trespassing God Himself, what do I get in return?" Leandro gave a wide grin.

Daniele grimaced. He didn't expect him to ask for something in return. He looked away, racking his brain for anything.

"My..... My virginity."

Leandro's eyes brightened up like it was lit up in flames. "Pardon?"

"If you succeed.... I-I will finally..... Wholeheartedly accept you." Daniele tried to keep himself from puking. "I will let you.... Have me.... And I'll be yours, body, heart, mind, and soul.... F-Forever. Whenever you like."

Leandro could only chuckle in delight and hug Daniele tightly. "Really? Then it shall be done! I will do anything to get that heavenly food for you, Daniele!"

"Yes, I know." The blond boy tried not to show his seething anger. "So hurry up and be on your way!"

Leandro was grinning ear to ear and give him a peck on the chin. "I won't fail. And you'll be mine."

Then, he used his dark magic to zoom off up above and past the thick earth that covered the Inferno. He was gone in a flash.

For six days, Daniele was alone in their villa near a vineyard. He thought once Leandro had gone far away, he would have a lesser hold of him. But the binding spell is still as strong as ever, and he could only stay inanimate in bed no matter how much he wills himself to be free from it.

He tried praying, but God did not hear him.

He tried shouting for help, but no one wanted to help him or there was truly no one else to hear.

He was alone and afraid as time kept on running out, and he still haven't escaped this wretched house before Leandro comes back.

On the seventh day, he heard footsteps at the door, and he was overcome by despair and helplessness.

"I'm home, Daniele! I've got it!" Leandro held out a golden tray and platter to him. "Come, let us feast on it together before we consummate!"

Terror struck his heart, and he was immediately like an animal in a cage. That cage was his own body, and he could only cry with wide, unblinking eyes as Leandro set down the tray and took him in arms.

"Oh, what a glorious day, Danielle! Our first time becoming one in flesh and heart! It's like I have been traveling in endless deserts and have found an oasis!" Leandro clasped both his face and kissed him, and he cannot do anything but accept it.

"Hmm.... I'm so thirsty for your love that I can't wait." Leandro licked his tears. "You must be too, aren't you? You're even crying from immense joy!"

Even when he can speak and the spell no longer bounded his lips, Daniele's tongue felt like a heavy stone. He doesn't know what to say. He truly hoped he could escape this man who was caressing him and fondling him.

"Mwah! But I suppose it would have to wait, we must first celebrate! Obtaining heaven's bread and wine is no easy feat, you know!" Leandro patted his head, and placed the thin glowing wafer on his mouth. "I am so ecstatic that I could just sing and dance, Danielle!"

"Hnn... Uhhh..... Sniff....." Daniele ate the food being fed to him and drank the wine being given to him in silence.

"Stop crying already, my dear! I know you are just so happy that I have returned. Did you miss me dearly? Well, I'm back now!" Leandro always wore a bright smile.

Once they finished dining, he clicked his fingers and made Daniele move with him. Music came from nowhere, an invisible orchestra of red and black tendrils. They danced, or at least, Leandro did and he manipulated Daniele's body to dance with him, spinning him around with his overly enthusiastic laughter.

The boy's tears fell, hating being danced like this yet also hoping it never ends. Because once this dance is over, he will be...

"I will make you feel good, Daniele. I will make you feel like you're going to heaven. I will deliver all my love with each time our bodies connect." Leandro promised, whispering in his ear as the dance was slowing down dangerously close to a stop. "I will make you return all this love. Oh, we will be inseparable from now on. An eternity of two sinners intertwined."

Daniele's breath hitched with each word. He doesn't know how to escape. He doesn't know...

Wait. Maybe he had been going at it the wrong way.

"Leandro..... I want to hold you." He finally said, smiling at the man holding him captive. "I want to feel your warmth with my hands.... It was so lonely being alone here and stuck in bed while waiting for you. And moreover..... I want to give back to you."

Daniele gave him the warmest look. "Let me return everything you have done for me. My dear brother, my dear love, my fellow sinner. You had always been by my side. I have only realized it now, and I apologize. Let me embrace you as much as you embraced me."

Leandro was pleasantly surprised by this, and he grinned. He took off the binding spell, and slowly laid Daniele in the bed, running his hands on his legs and thighs.

"My Daniele....." He showered him with kisses again, and placed more on his neck, going lower and lower.

Daniele remained smiling at him, so loving....

But his eyes....

His eyes hid burning hatred.

"I will fulfill my promise to you, Brother." Daniele said in a sweet tone, holding him close. "I just have one request before that."

"What is it?" Leandro asked, head still down on Daniele's chest.

"You are well-versed in the geography of hell, aren't you? Answer my questions then, I'm just a bit curious. If someone breaks their promise, what Circle do they belong to?"

"In here, the Ninth Circle, the Circle of Treachery."

Daniele grinned. "And what would be their punishment?"

"It depends on the degree of betrayal they made." Leandro was too drunk on Daniele's sweet scent to think properly. He kept answering his darling's question. "But most of them generally get frozen in the lake."

"I can't see that lake anywhere here." Daniele kissed his cheek. "Are we standing at it now?"

"Yes, the villa is just an illusion..." Leandro had fully undressed Daniele's top clothing now, his head is almost in between his legs.

"Then, since you betrayed me by making me eat a poisoned apple, shouldn't you be also frozen in this lake?" Daniele asked, grabbing Leandro by the face before he can kiss any further down.

"Hmm? Oh, yes. But I am a Lord of Hell now, and serve as the punisher now instead of being punished." Leandro suddenly got out of his daze. "Why are you asking----"

Daniele pulled him close and kissed him...

As he stabbed the bread knife on his back.

"Then punish me, brother. For I will never, EVER, fulfill my promise."

"Ahhh!!" Leandro howled in pain as not blood, but dark, corrupted ichor flowed from his back.

Right after that, the whole illusion of the villa and the vineyard disappeared, and cold winds pulled the two apart, before Danielle was pulled down, down, down into the frozen Cocytus.

"No!!!!!!" Leandro reached out, but it was too late.

Daniele cannot move just like before, but he was smiling happily. He was now free.

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