#declan gerritz

Rating: Explicit / MDNI

Characters: Declan Gerritz, Mathias “Mads” Iverson (OCs)

Content: Stalking, voyeurism

—

Declan paced up and down his flat, Mads had left twenty minutes ago and the first meeting had gone significantly better than Declan could have predicted. He felt Mads spearmint breath on his lips, apart of him was in ecstasy and delight… But he was also drowning in anxiety. The problem was what Declan had promised to do. He wrapped his arms around his body, his fingers gripping at the soft fat wrapped around his abdomen. There was one demand Mads had for them to both be together, and Declan knew he had to do it. He swallowed and exhaled, he sat on his black and green gaming chair at his self built, and intricately designed computer. It was time to recharacterise himself from stalker to boyfriend. Which shouldn’t have been as difficult as it was.

Characters: Declan Gerritz, Mathias Iversen (OCs)

Verse: The Magnus Archives AU, in this the Magnus Institute is in York, Declan is the Archivist, Mathias is an assistant who has been marked for the Web, the main antagonists are Martin and John. John in Elias’s place and Martin in Peter Lukas’s place.

Content: Spiders, technology malfunctioning, puppets

[CLICK]

DECLAN (THE ARCHIVIST)

Statement of Mathias Iverson, regarding a strange encounter with a television programme. It occurred in his flat in Westfield, York. Statement given 14th of February 2023. Audio recording by Declan Gerritz, Head Archivist of the Magnus Institute. Statement begins. [A PAUSE FOLLOWED BY A SHAKY BREATH FROM DECLAN] When-whenever you’re ready, Mads.

MATHIAS

Oh. Right. Yeah. It happened five days ago, at least, I think it did. I’ve not… been home since. I always wind down after work with a film. Disney film, usually. This time it was Løvernes Konge. I still have the old video tapes from when I was a kid, they still work really well which is good because I don’t like the English titles as much. I also got an old VCR I picked up in a charity shop, it was really cheap. I find it more relaxing to watch them that way, I guess. People keep saying I should just get a Disney Plus account but… anyway, not relevant. I was watching Løvernes Konge and it had just gotten to the bit where Simba is going to the elephant graveyard. I don’t know if this is relevant but just above my television for a while there has been a spider for about a week or so. Not the biggest I’ve ever seen. But not like, small either. It had a web all built and I have been leaving it alone because well spiders keep pests away. Anyway. The screen… Changed. It went to static. At first I didn’t question it, thought maybe it was a problem with the VCR. I mean the thing is fucking old. But when I went over to check the cable or smack it I saw my silhouette in the static. My outline. A black shadow of me. I put my hand up and my shadow self moved too. I turned the television off and took the tape from the VCR, and it was fine I suppose. But I could smell burning. I tried not to think about it. My upstairs neighbours are terrible cooks and my downstairs neighbours get stoned fairly frequently so it’s not too out of the ordinary.

Anyway so I ignored the television for the rest of the night and listened to some true crime podcasts instead. I fell asleep during one. It was about the Cray twins, it was pretty inaccurate and glossed over- well- that doesn’t matter. When I woke up in the middle of a new episode I did not recognise the television was on. It was showing a static screen like before with silhouettes on it. But the silhouettes? They were like. Fanden. They were all spiders. They were just the black shapes of eight legged creatures. Had to be spiders, right? At first I thought they were on the screen but I even put my hand on it and all I could feel was the glass and the slight static hum. But the spiders moved. They cleared space like I spooked them. I tried turning my television off but it didn’t do anything. Eventually I unplugged it and went back to sleep. I tried to ignore it. Maybe it was a technical glitch or maybe it was a supernatural thing that if I left it alone and showed I wasn’t going to interfere maybe it would leave me alone.

Anyway. I went to bed, and I slept pretty well actually. I slept for four hours, and got up around three in the morning. I sort of dismissed what had happened as a dream. I started making my meal prep for the week. I have a specific type of insomnia where I can only sleep for four hours at a time most nights so I try to be productive when I’m awake. I mostly cut up vegetables and cook pasta. I quite like the flat at night, there’s not as much noise from upstairs and downstairs at that time. Anyway. When I went into the living room to sit and maybe watch something on Netflix when… the television. It was- it was already… on. It was on. I’d left it unplugged. I vividly remember pulling the plug from the wall. But no, the plug was… well it was back in obviously. Anyway. On the television, instead of spiders this time it was a strange programme instead, it was these puppets, they looked like… there is this kids show from back ho- back in Denmark named Kaj and Andrea. It’s got these puppets and they are a frog and a bird. But they look. They looked wrong, I can’t explain… the proportions weren’t right and they moved a little too humanly, I think. It was smooth as if they weren’t being controlled and the bird’s wings moved like arms. They were talking in a mix of languages, I caught bits of English and Danish, then maybe German and French. Eventually, I noticed the spiders on the screen, slowly edging from the sides and taking up more and more space. It was then they both turned to the screen and … they were talking in English. Clear English. And they were talking to me. At first I thought I was insane, like no they’re just talking at the camera but- but I don’t know. It started with them saying it’s awfully late, how I shouldn’t be watching television at this time, then they began saying I shouldn’t sit so close to the screen. It was then they got bigger, and they grew teeth. And they said, clear as day:

“Do you think we need more legs, Mathias?”

I tried to turn it off. But the buttons… at some point the television had been covered in web and I’d not noticed. How had I not noticed? I- I went to unplug it but the web went all the way down the wire and attached it to the socket in the wall. I tried to rip it out but it wouldn’t budge. The stupid fucking puppets on the TV laughed and laughed and laughed. They said- they said “don’t you wish to play with us, Mathias?” How fucking creepy and cliche is that?

Anyway. I packed a bag and ran. Hung out in the 24 hour cafe just outside of the city centre until it was time to go to work. And I’ve been secretly living in the Archives ever since. Sorry. Erm. Am I in trouble?

DECLAN (THE ARCHIVIST)

Statement ends. [Sighs.] No, you’re not in trouble. John doesn’t seem to mind. And Martin… I don’t think he’s noticed.

MATHIAS

I have evidence. For the research. I have photos on my phone. Of the TV and of the cartoon. Probably would be better if I had a video…

DECLAN (THE ARCHIVIST)

No, no. That’s great, Mads. Obviously it’s best you don’t investigate personally, since something clearly wants to hurt you. And you can’t go back home. So. Yes. I think- we can set you up a proper bed in the Archives. Have some security watching out for whatever is doing this. Are you… Are you okay, Mads?

MATHIAS

I suppose so. [Breath quickens and there are tears in his voice.] I want my things. I want my things here and I want them not to be covered in web. I want my home back. I want it to be clean. I want-

DECLAN (THE ARCHIVIST)

Hey, hey- [Shuffling due to him moving to hold Mathias.] I know, I know Mads. It’s gonna be okay. We’ll deal with this. And I’ll keep you safe.

MATHIAS

[Sniffs.] Guess I can’t say all the statements we get are bullshit now, huh?

[DECLAN LAUGHS]

Characters: Mathias Iverson, Declan Gerritz, Elio di Medici (referenced) (OCs)

Content: yandere, hyperfats, immobile blob, abusive relationship, age gap, organised crime

—

Mathias sat nervously, he had a Bluetooth headset clipped to his ear as he focused on the large file of graphs, numbers, and statistics. He wore a light grey button up shirt, a silver tie, and black trousers, that all hung from his angular, thin frame. He had paused the tracking app on his smart phone, but he suspected that wasn’t the only way Declan had to trace him. When Mathias left, his two ton captor was lounging in his adipose, swollen arms resting on his breasts as his head was sinking into his neck roll. Mathias had snuck out whilst Declan was too fixated in some computer game and on his sweet raspberry flavoured lard that was being funnelled into his mouth through a tube. He would be distracted for a while, he wasn’t expecting Declan not to notice he’d left, but he had thankfully managed to reach Elio di Medici’s home for his meeting before Declan realised.

Suddenly, Mathias’s phone began to ring. He sighed in irritation, the sound was loud and piercing in his ear. He answered it without having to check the caller ID. He knew precisely who would be throwing a tantrum at home in his cosy, cage of fat.

“Good morning, baby,” Declan purred, filling Mathias’ ear with his wheezing, gentle voice. Deceptively soft which hid the menace within it that Mathias had grown adept at spotting.

“What do you want?” Mathias snarled trying to focus on the numbers instead. “I’m fucking busy.”

“Mhm, I can see that,” Declan replied. His tone was fairly cheerful but Mathias could hear the clipped anxiety hidden beneath it. “You tried to hide your current meeting with me, is there any reason I couldn’t know you were seeing Elio di Medici?”

“Must have slipped my mind,” Mathias mumbled. “We have a new delivery of your sweet, sugary lard coming today by the way. The one that tastes like strawberry mixed with bubblegum.”

“Don’t change the subject,” Declan whined, the desperation in his voice obvious alongside the drool that Mathais could picture was pooling in Declan’s gigantic, swollen neck roll.

“He’s my boss, røhvul. Makes sense I’d go see him.”

“Not secretly.”

“It wasn’t secret,” Mathias lied. He was clever, he’d gotten this far on his own, he could convince the agoraphobic blob he was imagining things. “It just wasn’t- I just forgot tell you. Look you’re spying on me anyway, what do you care?”

“Because… I don’t like you hiding things from me.” Declan’s voice had grew dark, twisted, and possessive. He had dropped the pretence of worry or anything else, and it made Mathias’ lips grow dry. “You know I’m the reason you’ve gotten this far, don’t you? I could destroy all your hard work before you can even shake di Medici’s hand.”

“So you recognise it as my hardwork then,” Mathias pointed out, sounding far braver than he felt.

“Partially. And it wasn’t possible without me.”

“I’d have managed it in the end. Besides, I’m the one who organises that lard for you. The one that tastes like ice cream and has 250% more fat than your previous feed. So you wouldn’t be such a useless hog without me.”

“Just- you have to tell me what your doing. I want to know,” Declan snapped. Mathias had managed to create a little crack in Declan’s defences, he could hear the sulking whine in his voice.

“Shall I tell you whenever I’ve had a piss too?”

“Don’t be stupid. Seeing Elio di Medici isn’t an every day occurance. Even with your position he doesn’t have meetings with just anyone.”

“Guess I must be more powerful than you thought,” Mathias pointed out, he smirked as he imagined how frustrated Declan must be right now. He was probably slapping his gut in anger, sucking on his feeding tube so hard it threatened to come loose.

“Just remember,” Declan began with a dark, vicious tone, sending a cold chill through Mathias’s chest. “I saved you. I built you up from nothing. I helped you commit your first murder. I’m the reason you met Cian, and di Medici. And his brother Castor. That’s all thanks to me. And I can take it all away.”

“Is that- are you-”

“Bye, babe. See you at home,” Declan said in a bright voice that contrasted eerily from the tone he’d used to threaten Mathias. Before he could respond, Declan hung up. Mathias sighed in irritation and ran his long fingers through his pale blonde hair. He returned his attention to his files, the numbers and charts he’d put together for this meeting. As he was pouring over them making sure all of the statistics were correct for the twelfth time, a voice broke him from his concentration.

Fandom Characters: Morpheus / Dream (The Sandman)

OCs: Declan / Envy, Mathias / Diligence

Morpheus + Mathias / Diligence

“Diligence,” Morpheus said, a pale thin hand grabbing Mathias’ arm. Instead of recognition or any form of greeting, the young man turned to Morpheus with narrowed silver eyes. Mathias jumped and pulled away, pushing Morpheus away from him.

“Who the fuck are you?” Mathias scowled, rubbing the space on his thin arm the stranger just touched.

“Apologies have I-” Morpheus looked Mathias up and down, it was definitely him. The same silver eyes, the tensed, focused demeanour… “You’ve forgotten again. Of course.”

“Who are you?” Mathias repeated, his voice lowered to a hiss.

“An old…” Morpheus hesitated, their relationship was hard to explain to someone unfamiliar with the Dreaming. “An old friend, let’s say.”

“Stop the cryptic bullshit. What’s your name and how do I fucking know you?”

“You knew me when you were Diligence. Let me show you…” Morpheus reached out and stroked his fingers across Mathias’s right cheekbone, before he could flinch or pull away there was a series of visions and emotions flooding Mathias’ body and mind. Panic. A gargoyle. Peace. A flock of birds. Determination. A man with teeth for eyes. Power. An army at his finger tips. It kept going, for a few seconds Mathias had more knowledge than his body could hold. Suddenly, it went away, with a few lingering bruises laments remaining.

“Your Dream. Morpheus,” Mathias said, his voice shaking. “I… I came from…” He let out a frustrated groan as his head grew empty. “Fuck. I can’t remember. I can’t remember now. It’s gone. Why give me everything just to take it away?”

“I just needed you to remember me. Giving you too much would interfere with Destiny’s plan. If there is one.”

“Why? What do you want from me?”

“I understand you would never come home-”

“I am home. I’m not going back to fucking Den-”

“That isn’t what I meant,” Morpheus interrupted. “Your original home. Where you were created.”

“Erm… excuse me?”

“The one you share your new home with. The resident of Desire’s realm.”

“What the fuck do you- wait, Declan? Declan isn’t- who is Desire?”

“Envy. That is- you are always connected and infatuated with Envy. I assume Declan is his current incarnation’s name.”

“What do you want with him?” Mathias asked as his shoulders tensed.

“I simply wish to ask for some questions about Desire. Somehow, they entered my realm without me knowing. Perhaps your little… friend is responsible.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Mathias said, rubbing his temples with his fingers.

“Take me to Envy.”

“You mean Declan, right? No. Not happening.”

“Fine, well, if you won’t take me to him… I will find my own way there,” Morpheus mused. Before Mathias could respond, Morpheus disappeared and instead Mathias frantically looked from left to right. He groaned in irritation, he had left with more questions than answers but he knew one thing for sure - he had to get to Declan. Now.

Morpheus + Declan / Envy

“Envy. It’s been awhile.”

“Who- who are you? How did you- how did you get in here? How did you- fuck-”

“You have always been prone to anxiety Envy, I suppose this current incarnation doesn’t help matters.”

“Who are you?” Declan pressed, not even attempting to process what the stranger was trying to communicate to him. He wrapped his pale arms around his chubfby body and began to rock back and forth.

“Mm. You are the same as Diligence. You don’t remember.” Morpheus looked around the apartment, full of technology and figurines that were alien to him after being gone from humanity for a century. He knew however that this was Envy’s entire world, it was filled with fear of the outside. “Desire has always been far too cruel to their creations.”

“What… what are you talking about?” Declan stared at the strange figure with narrowed eyes, his breathing shallow and sometimes stopping entirely.

“Mm. It seems Desire was happy to abandon you. I wonder why.”

“Okay. So,” Declan started his breathing calmed. “You’re a hallucination. A strangely real and different hallucination.” He turned away from Morpheus who in pity rested a hand on Declan’s shoulder. When he did Morpheus felt immense power and intelligence, but it was trapped in such an anxious and weak body. Declan stiffened and sat up as knowledge of Dream and Desire filled his mind. He was far calmer about it than expected. He simply turned round on his chair and closed his eyes, he seemed perturbed when the majority of the knowledge left him… but relaxed, and there was a certain confidence and power in his sharp green eyes.

“Oh. Okay,” he said with a shrug. “Your Dream and you want to know where Desire, my creator, is. Which is… weird and insane but hey, better than my other origin story. But I prefer it here. Desires realm was-”

“What do you remember?” Morpheus interrupted, his voice slow and perturbed. “You shouldn’t have retained so much-”

“I have a way of remembering things others don’t,” Declan shrugged. “I…” he closed his eyes and took a deep breath. “Please don’t send me back. Don’t send me back to Desire. I don’t remember why. I just- I need to stay here.”

OCs: Teen!Mathias (18), older Declan (32)

Content: abusive creep age gap

—

“Poor baby,” Declan crooned, he almost smirked at the sight of the barely conscious Mathias laying on the living room floor. His jeans were soaked in piss and he had turned his head from a pool of watery vomit that soaked into his light blonde hair. He waddled over to Mathais and gently nudged him with his foot, he groaned and looked up at Declan with half lidded eyes. He mumbled unintelligibly, and Declan smirked before leaving to run a bath. When he returned Mathias had curled up in a ball and turned away from Declan, still unable to get up. “Did my little druggie overdo it a bit, huh?”

“Go- go away,” Mathias mumbled. Declan waddled over to him, and roughly grabbed Mathias’s wrist, pulling him to his shaking feet. “Get off me!” Mathias snapped as he attempted to escape Declan’s grasp. He held on too tightly, and any attempt to move resulted in Mathias stumbling into Declan.

“Come on, bath time,” Declan said softly, Mathias could tell if he was mocking him or not.

“I can- I can wash myself.”

“My little druggie managed to piss himself and throw up all over the carpet, I don’t think you can do anything by yourself,” Declan said repressing an amused grin. He pulled Mathias by the wrist causing him to reluctantly follow. When they reached the bathroom Declan pulled Mathias’ plain white t-shirt over his head, surprised at how pliant Mathias was. When Declan went to unbutton Mathias’ jeans he slapped his hands away and did it himself, stumbling and relying on Declan to keep him steady. Eventually, Mathias slowly got into the burning hot bath, letting his body melt into it as he closed his eyes.

“What the fuck are you doing?” He scowled as Declan knelt by the side.

“You think I trust you not to drown now? Besides, want to make sure you do a good job. And that you don’t end up scrubbing so hard you bleed.”

“Fucking creep,” Mathias spat but allowed to Declan to thoroughly wash him, wincing when he pulled at him, groped him, touching him everywhere. When his hands went up his legs and went to grab his crotch however, Mathias grabbed his wrist and twisted his arm until Declan cried. “Don’t even try it.”

OCs: Mathias Iversen, Declan Gerritz

Content: Kidnapping, possessive/controlling, improbable science

—

Mathias’ shoulder was starting to hurt less, sometimes he barely noticed it and that scared him more than the pain itself. He didn’t want to forget about the tracking device, he wanted to remember precisely where it was so he knew what needed ripping from his body. He was allowed out of the poky little flat now, which was a blessing he supposed. That morning he went for his first run outside, it was strange being in the city. Back home he could see for miles, from his bedroom window. There were trees, a lake, miles of grass and the mountains in the distance. No other house for miles. Here everything was different shades of grey. Grey skies, grey buildings, grey pavement, grey people. The smell of the cars hurt his throat and he could taste it on his tongue, that plus the cigarette smoke felt like it clung to his skin. When he ran however, it was different - it was almost like he was back home. The cold air hit his face, and skin. He ran like in a t-shirt and jogging bottoms even though it was an icy December, it wasn’t that much warmer than Denmark but he needed to feel the cold against his skin. It wasn’t as fresh, but for a moment it was like he was free. His feet pounding against the stone pavement, and his chest heaving until he had to stop. When he stopped outside the flat building he was now infuriatingly drawn to, he noticed how much better his shoulder felt. It was tender, but tolerable. He almost felt compelled to stab himself just so he wouldn’t have the throbbing reminder.

He typed in the familiar code into the keypad, unfortunately he now remembered it without thinking. He walked past the lift, he always went up to the flat by the stairs, he wanted to prolong the time he had to himself. He arrived quicker than he had wanted and hated that he felt his brain relax and decompress upon opening the door. It wasn’t real. He noticed Declan didn’t say anything as he entered which was strange. Maybe the freak’s too engrossed in one of his stupid games, he told himself.

When he entered the living room and fell onto the sofa, ignoring Declan just as he was ignoring him he noticed something was… Different. He saw Declan in his computer chair, the kind that looked like a car seat Mathias thought. Declan’s spine was straight, ramrod straight. He normally slouched over his computer, his posture was terrible meaning he often complained of pain in his shoulders and back. Today however, he had a sitting position so perfect that he was like a diagram from a physiotherapy textbook. The other strange thing was that Declan wasn’t wearing headphones, and on the gigantic screen there was nothing interesting - just repeated numbers and symbols. Mathias stared for a moment but decided that he wasn’t going to be concerned about his captor. He got himself a glass of water from the kitchen. It was spotless now, when he was first took here it was so unorganised and filthy it made his skin crawl. Sure, it wasn’t stained with crumbs everywhere, but it wasn’t as clean as Mathias liked it. He made the mistake of saying that if his Papa had seen it he’d have beaten Mathias until the kitchen was stained with blood instead. It was a joke, but Declan made those irritating sad green eyes and tears fell down his face.

When he returned to the living room he noticed something strange again, Declan’s hair was usually just pushed behind his ears when he was concentrating - it was a messy mass of black which he usually ended up pushing back every five minutes or so. This time however it almost looked neat, it was pulled backwards into hair tie, and Declan’s thick black eyebrows were furrowed. There was a uncharacteristic confidence inside of him, what got Mathias through every day was knowing that he could beat Declan whenever he wanted. He was faster, stronger, and taller. In the past few months he’d had a growth spurt and now he towered over him. When he saw him now however… he felt his intelligence and power, without any of that stammering shyness. It was almost inhuman. Declan’s eyes flitted towards Mathias, instead of jumping like he normally would have he smirked and turned towards him.

“Can I help you?” Declan asked, almost irritated. Mathias took a step back, baffled. Declan usually stumbled over his words, his voice small and quiet like a mouse. Now he was confident, smooth… it was bizarre. And unsettling.

“Erm… no,” Mathias scowled. “Just… you’re being weird.” Instead of replying, Declan just stared at Mathias, as if he found everything he said hilarious. After a few moments he spoke, suppressing a cruel laugh as he spoke.

“I wish Declan didn’t eat so much shitty food,” he began, his eyes focusing on Mathias’ small biceps. “Just filled with sugar and carbs. Those pretty toned arms of yours could snap these fucking bones like a twig.”

“Fanden,” Mathias sighed, wrapping his arms around his slim torso. “You’re such a … Freak. Stop it.”

“You’re so cute when your scared.” Declan said biting his bottom lip. “Declan hasn’t noticed it yet but your pretty grey eyes widen and your soft little lips part… he really doesn’t take advantage of you enough.”

“Okay okay, you scared me. Very funny. Now. Stop. Please. Declan.” Mathias rarely used his captors name, but he was hoping it’d endear him to Declan and he’d stop this.

“See that’s where my agreement with my dear host stops,” Declan said shaking his head. “You’re so stupid. Such a brainless piece of shit. I’m not fucking Declan. You can call me Copybot. I guess. If you need to speak to me. Now can I get back to work?”

“I- so… who- who- are you like… one of those…” Mathias stopped. He hated to admit but his first thought was possession. All he could think of was what he’d seen in Emperor’s New Groove and Atlantis: The Lost Empire. That was ridiculous though, that couldn’t be real. “Okay fine. I’m stupid. Tell me what’s going on.”

“Look at you. All confused and worked up like a little lamb. Maybe Declan will explain. But unless you want me to look through his things and fix that little microchip so that it shocks you every time you talk to me… go away. Watch a stupid fucking movie or go for a run or something.” Copybot turned back to his computer with a smirk filling his burned face.

OCs: Mathias “Mads” Iversen, Declan Gerritz

AU: teen!Mads (14), canon age Declan (24)

Content: first meeting, parental abuse, sfw (I mean, maybe not cause violence but I think it’s fine.)

(Image from Kåre Hedebrant Let the Right One In, FC for young Mads)

—

Declan wasn’t entirely sure why he installed the spyware on Lukas Iversen’s computer, he supposed it was primarily revenge. He was perfectly capable of doing his work from his flat back home in England, but apparently Lukas enjoyed dragging Declan all the way over to the middle of nowhere in Denmark. It was from the comfort of his hotel room that he first noticed the teenage boy. He saw him sat on the living room floor whilst Lukas was at work, his arms wrapped around his legs and was far too close to crinkling television set. It was strange, Declan thought, Lukas owned the biggest tech company in Europe and yet his home was small and furnished as if it was almost thirty years ago. Lukas also hadn’t mentioned a son, not that there was any reason for him to, he supposed. It did set off something inside him however, he wasn’t sure what but his facial burns itched and a familiar chemical smell filled his nostrils.

Later that night, Declan laid back on his double bed, with the laptop he built on his knee. He had just finished a match on League of Legends when he minimised the screen and precisely why he did was blown from his mind when the video surveillance he set up blared from the corner of his screen right into his mind. He maximised it to be certain he was correct, he’d set up the spyware expecting to feel superior as he found out Lukas’s dirty little secrets. Instead he felt sick to his stomach. Right there, in Lukas’s living room he was stood over his son. The small teenage boy was curled up, his head beneath his arms and blood soaking through his white t-shirt. Above him, the gigantic Lukas stood, breathing heavily, beads of sweat covering his forehead and soaking his light blue button up short. Declan felt sick to his stomach as he watched Lukas continue to beat his son. After a while he stopped, he left the room and returned a moment later having splashed water over his face, it dripped down just like the sweat had - drenching his shirt as he painted heavily. He grabbed his son by his hair, and dragged him out of the room. Declan couldn’t watch any more. He slammed his laptop lid shut and sat in silence, his hands shaking as he grew dizzy.

What happened next was obvious, really. It was the only thing Declan could do. It would be difficult, he hated going outside and feeling stares burning into his skin but he didn’t have much choice. He spent that night searching through Glacier Tech’s records as well as Lukas Iversen’s personal ones, by the morning he had a plan of action. He knew Iversen’s schedule and knew precisely when to strike. He wasn’t stupid, he knew he wouldn’t get away with just storming in and kidnapping a minor. For one thing, he didn’t want the kid to be scared of him to. No, first things first was he had to get inside the house and scope out the place. Ideally, he’d show the boy he wasn’t a threat. If he wasn’t able to do that… well, he’d just have to take the kid by force. Hopefully it wouldn’t come to that.

Declan was sleep deprived and chugging down an energy drink - at least he assumed it was, the text was in Danish but Google translate helped - when he reached the house. He wore his navy hoodie and the hood was pulled forward, it and his hair covering his scar. He had waited for Lukas’s care to leave, and paused for another five minutes before approaching. He knocked on the door, and waited patiently. He hadn’t expected Mathias to open the door, but it was worth a try. He took out his lock-pick and got to work, he let out a snort of laughter when he managed to click the lock open. Apparently Lukas wasn’t as smart or prepared as he thought he was. He carefully stepped in, he knew the layout very well. The teenage boy had a bedroom downstairs at the back of the house, but given how small it was Declan expected him to be in the living room just at the end of the hall. He was surprised to discover that it was empty, and before he could check anywhere else he felt something sharp pressing into his back.

“Få fanden ud af mit hus,” a soft, quiet voice spat from behind him. Declan’s spine stiffened and he swallowed.

“I’m not gonna hurt you,” he said immediately. The knife in his back didn’t move but there was silence in response, Declan immediately berated himself. He hadn’t prepared for the fact the boy might not speak English. He raised both of his hands and turned round, swallowing nervously as he realised the boy was an inch or so taller than him despite being nearly a decade younger. He did however lower his knife and his blonde eyebrows furrowed, Declan thankfully he’d the fact he did not look like a threat on his side. He kept one arm raised as he slipped his phone out of his pocket. The boy nervously raised the knife again before Declan held it up and began typing into it. He opened Google translate, and thought for a moment before typing: I’m not going to hurt you. He passed it to the boy, who reluctantly took the item, his eyes narrowed and head tilted as if he wasn’t sure what he was looking at. He could however read what was on the screen. He looked at it bewildered, and Declan used a pale finger to press on the screen bringing up the keyboard. The boy slowly began to type something in reply. Declan bit his bottom lip in an attempt to not be frustrated and impatient. He took the phone and saw the small words on his screen: what are you doing here? Declan sighed in relief as he took his phone back to reply. It seemed they had a way to communicate.

I want to help you. My names Declan. What’s yours? He smiled as he passed the phone back but looked away with burning red cheeks as the boy simply scowled.

Mathias. Help how? But his silver eyes softened as he looked back up and his scowl became a confused frown

How would you like to leave this house? Declan asked hopefully, but Mathias shook his head before he started typing again.

I can’t leave. Papa would kill me.

I’ll have you out of here before he knows you’re gone.

Why should I trust you?

Declan paused at that. He didn’t have an answer, he started typing and deleting what he had to say several times.

I don’t know. He began, the only plan he had was honesty. Hopefully that’d work, because if he had to drug and drag Mathias to safety he would. But if I wanted to kidnap you, I could have drugged you and had you out of here before you realised. You can keep that knife on you if it makes you feel better. You could beat me in a fight worst comes to worst. I just want to help you. Declan stared as he saw Mathias read the message and suspected the paragraph wasn’t translated too well, but eventually he nodded and began typing with a small, satisfied smile on his lips.

What do you want me to do?

I’ll be here tomorrow with a bag. You pack everything you want to keep. And I have two plane tickets for us back to go back to England.

Why are you helping me?