Cage Sweet Cage

Around six months or so later, they were as far away from his old home as possible. Deep, deep, deep into the woods of some mountain with no neighbors for miles. Or at least that's what it looked like. From the few times he'd gotten a look out of the windows to the outside.

Thick woods that Alex was beginning to despise.

Along with the stupid nicely furnished cabin. Which had slowly started to feel more like a gilded cage than anything else. Despite how much Warren tried to make it feel like home. How he had bought several book cases for Alex to enjoy. Or how he tried to make the young man's room look like his old one. The cabin just had no warmth or loving feel to it. And part of him doubted that it would ever feel like home.

Maybe it would've if he lived with anyone else. Like a roommate. A co-worker. Hell, his own Mother.

Not his stalker.

Who barely gave the younger man enough space as is. As Warren had been essentially acting as his shadow from day one. Any room that Alex went to, Warren followed. Sometimes sitting with him on the couch in the place. Or sitting across from him and 'subtly' watching the younger man. Grinning like the Cheshire cat. Which deeply unsettled Alex every time that he tried to do anything. Be it reading or watching T.V.

Just like right then. Alex had been trying to read a book as he sat on the couch. Only for Warren to plop down on the opposite side of the couch and turn on the T.V. At first, this wasn't terrible. A bit more noise than the younger man had wanted. But he shoved the thought aside as he continued to read his mystery novel. Not two seconds later, Warren scooted a bit closer to him. Causing him to groan mentally as the older man got closer. Scooting slowly next to him as he tried to continue to read his book. Right until Warren was at least an inch away from him. Carefully, Alex curls up on his spot on the couch. Pulling his legs to his body in a way that Warren couldn't get closer.

Which had worked. As Warren hadn't gotten any closer as he watched the screen. The pair just sat there in the relative silence. Aside from the noise that was coming from the T.V. And for a few minutes, they had said nothing to each other. Right until Warren decided to break the silence. In a low voice, Warren said,"So, I've been thinking about the two of us lately."

"I was thinking that we haven't had a single romantic night since our first date.",he continued. Is that really what he called it? Their 'first date'? This sent a cold shiver down Alex's spine as he chewed the inside of his cheek. Looking up from his book, Warren added,"So I was thinking we could make dinner together and dress up nice. Just spend a little time together."

"How does that sound, my dearest?",Warren questioned. This sounded completely terrible in Alex's mind. All that he wanted to do was leave the cabin. Go home and call the fucking police. Then it hit him. The knives in the kitchen. He could keep one of them to use against him. Stab the older man and flee the fucking place. Possibly steal Warren's truck and get back to civilization. Closing his book, Alex turned to the older man. Smiling slightly, Alex answered,"That sounds pretty good, Ren."

"I'd really love that.",Alex added. Setting the book on the arm of the couch. Uncurling from himself as Warren put his arm around him. Gently squeezing the younger man's shoulder with a friendly smile. One that made his stomach turn but ignored it as he tried to return the smile. Not entirely sure that he nailed it but grateful Warren didn't call him on it. Instead, the older man leaned forward and gently gripped his chin. Looking him in the eye, Warren grinned a little. Leaning forward, he pressed a gentle peck to Alex's temple. Then, the younger man's cheek straight to the corner of Alex's mouth.

And for a moment, neither of them moved. Just, the both of them sitting in near-total silence. Warren's lips just a tiny bit pulled away from Alex's face. Hovering ever so slightly over the younger man's lips. His eyes lingering on them for a second. Then, snapped up to Alex's. In a gentle voice, Warren asked,"May I kiss your lips?"

"Please?",he added. Giving him a slightly pouty look as he stared into Alex's eyes. For whatever reason, this made Alex feel a little guilty. The older man hadn't asked for any form of kissing since they'd gotten there. In fact, Warren hadn't really touched him without permission since he kidnapped Alex. It didn't make things better. But it made him feel a little less pressured. Pushing these feelings aside, Alex answered,"Yes, you can kiss me."

Not a second after he said that, Warren pressed his lips against Alex's. Gripping the back of the younger man's head gently. Either to keep him from pulling away or to deepen the kiss, he wasn't sure. The whole thing was nauseating for the younger man. All he wanted to do was push Warren off and bolt out of the room. But if he wanted Warren to get comfortable with him, he'd have to suck it up. And play along with the terrible man's desires.

So, despite how disgusted he was of Warren, Alex kissed back. Putting his hands on the older man's shoulders gently. Hoping that maybe the kiss would be over quicker if he did. Unfortunately, it just seemed to encourage the older man a little. Warren nipped gently at Alex's lower lip. Not enough to hurt but enough to make him open his mouth. A second later, his tongue slid into Alex's mouth. An act that Alex had pictured to be a lot sexier than it was. Especially with all the times that he'd read characters in books talking about it. How their partners' mouths would taste and all that. But to Alex, it just wasn't that appealing. It was just an older man's tongue moving weird in his mouth. Maybe it would've been appealing if the older man wasn't his creepy kidnapper. Alex would never know. All he knew is that he had to act like he was fine with it. Praying that this moment would be over soon.

Which it did. A minute or so later, Warren broke the kiss. Taking a deep breath as he smiled fondly at Alex. Moving one of his hands off of the back of the younger man's head to grip his chin. Running his thumb over Alex's lips as he smiled fondly at him. In a low voice, Warren asked,"So, what should we make for date night tonight?"

"I mean, I've been planning our dinners every other night this week. It's only fair you pick this time.",Warren added. Alex supposed this was fair. Or at least as fair as this whole situation was going to be. So, Alex answered,"Lasagna might be fun to make together."

"I used to make it with my Mom a lot when I was a kid.",he continued. Which was true. His mother and himself would make it a lot growing up. As it was one of her favorite meals and his. Alex practically knew the recipe by heart. And he knew that Warren had enough of the ingredients in the cabin's kitchen.

Warren seemed to like this answer and nodded his head in agreement. Telling him that it would be a nice break from their usual. Which had been a boring menu that was repeating for weeks now. Lasagna from scratch also seemed like a fun task in Warren's book. As he had only ever made frozen lasagna. The idea of actually putting it together kind of excited him a little. Almost making Alex giggle at how giddy he was getting. All over a silly meal they were making. Especially since it was going to lead him getting stabbed. Or at least Alex hoped he would be able to stab the older man.

Otherwise...otherwise...he wasn't entirely sure what he would do.

This wasn't exactly a situation that he'd ever heard of. Alex knew people have been kidnapped before. Sometimes it took them years to escape. A few times the people that were kidnapped took months. Or at least, weeks. Part of the younger man wondered if he didn't get free soon if he'd ever get free at all. Then feared that if he doesn't do this as soon as he got the knife. That he would never be free of the older man. Never be able to go home and see his family ever again either.

It was either do this or never leave.

For now, he was going to play nice and do whatever it took. Even if it really was making his skin crawl. If it meant survival, he'd do it.

A few hours later, both men were in the kitchen. Making Alex's mother's lasagna from Alex's memory. This wasn't easy, but they were managing it pretty well. In fact, it was a little more fun than Alex initially expected. Well, it would be if it weren't for the fact he was making it with his kidnapper. So aside from this, it was pretty nice. As he started making the garlic bread, he stared down at the knife he had just used. Oh, it was perfectly sized and Warren wasn't keeping an eye on him. All he had to do was stick it in the older man's neck.

That's all he had to do and he would be free. So simple. So easy.

Yet, when Alex turned around to initiate this plan, there was an odd feeling in his gut. Twisting tightly as the younger man took a step to put his plan in motion. Then more so when he tightened his grip on the knife. Taking a few steps backward, he set the knife down. Taking a few subtle deep breaths as he continued to make the garlic bread. Putting it in the oven a few minutes later as he got himself calm. Finding himself staring back down towards the knife. Unable to keep himself from looking at it. But unable to keep himself from doing what he planned. Chewing on the inside of his cheek as he turned back to the oven. Freezing a little when Warren asked,"Were you planning on using that on me, my dearest?"

"...yes.",Alex answered. Figuring that if he lied, Warren would harm him. Or do something utterly terrible. Sure, he hadn't harmed the younger man physically just yet. But then again, he hadn't tried to harm the older man just yet. His hands clasped together as he turned his head slightly. Watching Warren as he stood in front of the lasagna they had spent so long putting together. The older man turned to him with a small smile on his face. One that made Alex's skin crawl as Warren strolled right up to him. Wrapping his arms around him gently and kissing his left temple. In a soft voice, Warren stated,"Good boy."

"You wouldn't have known where to stab anyway.",he added. Giving the younger man an extra tight squeeze at this. It hurt, but not enough for Alex to cry out in pain. Instead, he just meekly hung his head. Warren used his right arm to grip his chin. Gently lifting his head up and turning it towards him. With a small smile, Warren said,"I won't punish you for this. But only this time. If you do that ever again, I will be forced to punish you."

"Understood?",Warren questioned. Smiling warmly when Alex nodded his head in agreement. Kissing his cheek again, Warren added,"Very good boy. Now let's get everything finished up and go get dressed."

"I can hardly wait to taste this dish.",he finished. Sounding even more giddy than anything else. Which made an icy chill run down his spine. Despite what Warren promised, Alex still felt like he was on thin ice. Maybe that was because he was. So instead of trying anything funny, he merely did as he was just told to. Getting things finished before heading to his bedroom. Dressing as nice as he knew Warren liked. Then heading back towards their dining room. Where Warren was setting up the plates and drinks. Along with two candles that really set up the 'romantic' mood. Alex put out candles and the garlic bread that Warren pulled out of the oven.

A few minutes later, Warren was coming in with their lasagna. They dished up their own portions and had a polite enough conversation. Talking about things they could do after dinner. Warren insisted on watching a romantic movie and Alex didn't object. It wasn't what he liked, but he didn't want to test his luck. Give the older man a reason to actually punish him. And after dinner, they washed the dishes and headed into the living room to watch said movie. Allowing the older man to cuddle up to him as they did. Not noticing the tears rolling down his cheeks as he stared at the screen. Or really reacting when Warren wiped them away. All he could think was how stupid he'd been. How he had just missed his chance to escape from this terrible situation.

And how Alex would probably never get this chance ever again.