for whom the bell tolls, by lacrimalis - chapter 6:
"Well? Let's hear it, Clockwork," Dan hisses, vitriolic doubt dripping from his poisonous tongue, like he's waiting for Clockwork to disappoint him. Issuing a challenge out of spiteβone which he expects Clockwork to fail. Clockwork takes a shuddering breath. Laying down for the first time in ages, he feels the pendulum in his chest strain against its fulcrum. "If I am too much of a coward to kill you," Clockwork says, "then I have a duty of care not only to mitigate your suffering, but to enrich your lifeβas much as I am able, while still observing my other responsibilities." Dan considers this for a long moment, his eyes narrowing with sour scrutiny. "... So I'm still your pet," he surmises, unimpressed. "But a pet I think very fondly of," Clockwork says with a sly and weary smile. Dan scoffs, averting his gaze to cast a weak glare at the corner of the canopy. "... You're unbelievable." "Am I wrong?" Clockwork coyly asks. He lifts a hand and tugs on the band of the medallion still hanging around Dan's neck. "Your 'collar' bears my initials, does it not...?"
