#yb don

5 minutes.

That's how long the bus was supposed to be. More fool you, of course you'd end up standing there like a lemon for a solid half-hour before finally calling it quits. You sigh heavily as it dawns on you that you really should've known better than to expect the scant bus services in this new city to be just as good as the ones you grew up with. Spoilt with consistently punctual public transport - practically unheard of here. A fact you didn't quite take on board before deciding to move.

You would've given it more thought, but with how unstable home had gotten even staying in the same city as your family seemed like a bad idea. You'd hoped the bus services would be enough, but the few stops that are dotted around seem only there for show to give the illusion of walkability. Worse still, the road outside your apartment was a pretty busy thoroughfare. One of the other drawbacks of a car-centric city you didn't think about before your rental contract was already signed. The blaring roar of tires on tarmac masked any of the usual sounds of footsteps that helped you gauge your surroundings, forcing you to rely on what narrow field of vision you retained. What a pain...

At least this stop was just outside your new apartment complex. Defeated, you drag your cane gently as you turn. Only for it to soon knock into something solid. What the-

"Sorry Kid, just came to ask if you needed a ride somewhere.", came the distinctly gruff voice of your landlord,"The buses have a tendency to miss this stop since they changed the routes around." You hadn't heard him approach, had he been waiting there a while?

"Why didn't you mention that earlier? It's cold out here!", you grumble, crossing your arms in a huff. Honestly a little frustrated with him for leaving you to stand there like a fool for so long!

You hear him shuffle, the fold of his leather jacket making it seem like he was fidgeting until you felt the warmth of it wrapped around your shoulders, taking the edge off the frigid evening air. Had you realised your comment on the weather would be taken as a request for warmth, you might've kept your mouth shut. The gesture seemed a little more intimate than you'd expected, you almost handed the coat straight back if it wasn't for how much you actually needed it. Your fingers had started going a little numb, having not dressed for the weather since the summer heat had persisted a little into September. Until tonight, that is.

"Oh! Um, you really didn't have to. I should probably just head back inside anyway, I can get the groceries tomorrow.", you mumbled, still a little flustered. Truth be told, you really should go. What with an empty fridge awaiting you if you went back now, having only just arrived today. Barely even had time to fully unpack yet.

"Are you sure? It's really no trouble.", he insisted.

After an awkward few seconds of silence, mulling over his offer, you sighed, "Actually, that'd be really helpful - thanks."

Your landlord took a moment to consider how best to guide you to his car. Honestly the hesitation was appreciated, given how many people just grab your arm without asking and fully expecting you to be grateful for simply assuming you needed their unwarranted "help". Ordinarily it would be easy enough to just follow behind him, but the overwhelming rumble of cars made that a little more difficult. Besides, in this instance you really wouldn't mind the contact... wait, it's far too soon for you to feel like that about your landlord of all people!

"Right. It's just around this corner, need a hand?", he asked. Nodding, you felt him gently rest a hand on your shoulder before walking you over to where his truck was parked. By how much of the traffic noise it blocked as you reached it, you could tell it was big. A little impractical as a city car, must drive further out pretty regularly then. You felt him let go, giving you space to get in yourself. Only once you felt your landlord get in the driver's seat did it dawn on you how cozy the space was. You shuffled in your seat to stare out the window, hoping to gauge at least a few landmark to refer to later. Big bright signs or colours that could stand out for you. The more that passed by, the more you marveled at the scale of the new city. It wasn't "big" by any means, but it was so spaced apart. Roads like impassable rivers with no over or underpass, pavement so wide you could practically drive on them like another car lane... Yeah, you really didn't think this move through.

Trying to mask how much you were starting to regret your decisions, you looked back at your landlord. He probably won't be able to drive you everywhere, right? Taxis might be too expensive to keep taking. Maybe after this trip you should just stay in your apartment until you can find someone willing to drive you around? No clue if your room-mate might. She was on her way out the door just as you arrived. Seemed nice enough, but it'd be a lot to ask right out the gate.

Before you'd even finished mulling over your options, you felt the truck come to a stop and your landlord crack open the door.

"We're here, need help getting out?", he asked.

"Nah, I'm good. Um, thank you, by the way. I don't think I could've gotten here myself.", you sheepishly admitted. Only a small corner-shop would've done the trick, was this really the nearest supermarket or was he just making sure you went somewhere that could cover all bases? A sweet gesture, if an unnecessary one. Still, no need to look a gift horse in the mouth. You'd almost forgotten you were still wearing his jacket until the cold air hit your hands and face but not the rest of you.

As you both entered the store, you were hit with a wall of bright LED light. Blinking a few times, you could make out the outline of the isles ahead. This place was also, like the rest of the city, overwhelmingly massive. Suddenly you were very grateful to not be here alone, navigating this place could take hours without knowing the layout.

"So, what do you need? I can cover this.", he said quite nonchalantly, as if food prices weren't currently through the roof.

Stunned, you shook your head in protest. You can't quite tell if this was just a polite gesture or if it was anything more than that. That said, you weren't exactly in a position to refuse right now. Still need to find work somewhere local that's accommodating and only barely afforded your down-payment before having to crack open the savings you'd accumulated back at home. It seems your landlord could at least suspect you were only refusing out of courtesy though, as he guided you through the store to get everything you needed. Even a few little bits of home decor and kitchen ware you hadn't thought to pack in your hurry to escape your parents. It was... honestly pretty sweet of him to even think of that!

Despite your protests, he ended up paying for all of it. You dare not check how much it costed, especially with all the extra stuff that were essentially gifts on top of paying for a fortnight's worth of food! Even helped you unpack it all as you got in. Helping familiarise you with your new apartment, opening cabinets you couldn't reach. It felt a little embarrassing to still not quite reach the top shelves as an adult. In fact, as you went, you realised there were quite afew things that could do with adjustment to make things easier to reach or navigate. As if he could read your mind, your landlord offered to make those little adjustments for you! You had no idea how you could pay him back for the food, let alone all this!

At the very least it felt the least you could do is return his jacket. For now, that seemed to be enough. A polite nod is all that was needed as he left for his own apartment... Wait, you didn't even ask his name! Well, at least you could almost be seeing him again, you can try and remember to ask him then.

A banging on the door woke you up. What time was it? You felt for your mobile phone, an old-ish model with braille buttons and decent text-to-speech. You'd fallen asleep listening to one of your many audio books, frankly that's mainly what your phone is used for these days. That and telling the time. Usually your phone's alarm would wake you up, who would be knocking so early if it hadn't rung yet? Then again, you suppose a 10am alarm is quite late by most peoples' standards. Your wired earbuds were sprawled loosely over the pillow. One too many times losing your wireless earbuds taught you never to use them ever again. Sure, you could find them, but that was an extra bit of faff that just wasn't worth it, especially if they fell out in public! Plus, it felt a little safer going around with older tech. No-one seems to want to steal it, invaluable in a new, unfamiliar place.

Although it had been a couple months, you were still finding your feet somewhat. You'd given up trying to make use of the buses around here, but did manage to familiarise yourself with the first few blocks around your apartment complex. Enough to easily make your way to the local mini-mart on your own, especially if you carefully planned to go outside of rush-hour so the ambient noise level was low. You'd not needed your landlord's help much since your first day here, but he always offered to drive if he caught you on your way out. It was sweet, but you wanted to exercise at least some autonomy instead of relying on him all the time. You swear he's caught on to your routine now, what with how consistently he's been right there by the doorway ready to help carry your stuff back to your apartment. The thought was as flattering as it was disquieting. You're sure he was just trying to be accommodating. This isn't the most accessible apartment complex after all, so the help was appreciated here and there. And it's not as if he's unique in wanting to help you. Plenty of people don't even bother to check if you need help before inserting themselves into your business or, worse still, grabbing and dragging you around without asking. So at least your landlord had the sense to offer help that was actually helpful.

In fact, he helped you find work at a local diner! Kept an eye out for who was hiring in case some businesses didn't take online applications. It was within walking distance too! You guess he picked up on the fact you felt awkward asking him to drive you there and back every shift. One big step towards independence. It seemed he genuinely cared about you getting to live the way you wanted, even if at first it was a little overbearing. The job seemed perfect! Mostly relying on you having a decent memory and spacial awareness, both of which you had in droves. Some of the regulars took quite a while before even realising you're blind! But then again, they're probably more focused on the food than the staff.

Shuffling off the bed, you groan at the stiffness in your limbs. You felt like you slept well, so how? A chill in the air alerted you to the sound of curtains floating in the cool morning breeze, the sound of passing traffic far louder than it should've been. You don't remember leaving the window open last night, but that would certainly explain why you felt to stiff! With a yawn, you lazily shut the window - getting some of the curtain caught in the frame. With the unwelcome chill, you really didn't want to get undressed, even if only briefly so you were properly dressed for whoever was at the door. So, you shrugged on the fluffy dressing gown you kept by the bed and sleepily sauntered over to the front door of your apartment. It's proabably your room-mate anyway, back from an all-night bender, so your barely-kempt state shouldn't be a prob-

Clicking the door open, there stood your landlord. Clad with a bulky tool belt and a big box of stuff.

You felt your face heat up immediately with embarrassment.

"I-I uh...", you stuttered, not really paying much mind to how revealing your pjs and robe were until just now. And with the cold air, your nipples were probably visible through the thin fabric. Reflexively, you tug at your robe to fully cover your chest and finally tie the belt to keep it securely closed. Trying to play it cool, you try thinking of something to say before landing on, "Hi there... you! I never actually caught your name? Heh..."

"It's Don", he said, curtly. Perhaps trying to make the moment pass quicker. His eyes were averted, clearly picking up on your embarrassment and not wanting to add to it. You held the door open a little wider to let him through, almost hiding behind it. Startled by the sound of a sudden thud as Don set down the box inside the apartment. By the way its contents clattered, you could tell there must've been some metal parts, screws and maybe a few bits of wood in there. When you made light remarks about things being too high or a little less tactile than they could've been, you didn't realise Don would take that as such a swift call to action. It was honestly quite flattering that he cared enough to try and adjust things so promptly.

Barely a minute after shutting the door, he'd already gotten to work. By the time lunch rolled around, he'd already re-coloured all but Lucy's room. Contrasting colours that you could easily make out instead of the drab, flat white palette it had before that felt like feeling through fog to navigate. The motion sensor lights he added after that seemed a bit over the top, but would make things so much easier! On top of all that, he added to some of the kitchen wares he'd gotten you the day before were clear colour-coded labels to tell everything apart at a glance. By the time the evening rolled around again, he was nearly finished! If you didn't know any better, you'd think he was trying to impress you.

You brought over a fresh cup of coffee for Don as he worked on installing new locks on the window. The one that managed to get open during the night. By the way he was grumbling, he seemed bothered by something. You wondered what was wrong with it? Seemed perfectly secure when you closed it this morning, you must've just forgotten you'd opened it the night before...

Setting the mug down on the bed-side table, you sat down on the edge of the bed and listened to him work. For the most part, you'd tried to keep out of his way for most of the day. Always been something expected of you back home. To stay out of the way. After a full day of work though, it felt neglectful to leave him alone for that long. You guess you just weren't sure how to act around him. Not after he's been so chivalrous without so much as a 'thank you' demanded in return. You'd like to feel anything but suspicion towards this undue generosity, but you couldn't relax until you knew exactly what Don's intentions were.

As you heard him set his tools down and breathe a sigh of relief, you popped the question, "I don't mean to be rude, but why have you done all this for me? Seems a lot of money and effort for one tenant." It was hard for that to come across as anything but blunt. Rude even. But he seemed to not be bothered by it and answered in earnest.

"I meant to get all this done before you arrived. You mentioned your sight's impaired when we were sorting your lease, but I just didn't get around to it and well... I felt guilty for not sorting it sooner", he sheepishly admitted, rubbing the back of his head.

It had been a few months, you supposed.

Seemed reasonable enough, so you said, "I guess that means you've made up for it now, you won't have to go out of your way to help me. I think I can handle things from here".

Don seemed hesitant. Like he was thinking of something to say in protest, but ended up accepting you were probably right. With a sigh he replied, "Well, if you're sure. I guess I should leave you to it." With a nod he took his leave so you could enjoy your newly renovated apartment. Wow... he'd really done a great job with it! Looks like it's always been this way, and it felt so nice to not have to feel for the light switch in the dark!

As you returned to bed you noticed Don hadn't touched his coffee, which had long gone cold. Seems a shame, but if he didn't want it then you guess it could be your morning coffee tomorrow. Lord knows you'll need it for your work shift ahead. You can't quite put your finger on it, but this past week has felt... off.

'It's probably nothing', you think as you nestle deeper into the bed sheets and try to get some sleep.

"It's probably nothing", Don grumbled to himself as he inspected some strange scuff marks on _______'s windowsill. Truth be told, he knew it couldn't be nothing. Since _______ began walking to work, after they insisted he'd done enough to help them already, something's just been off. He knew better than to be overbearing, but that did nothing to quell his suspicion that someone might be stalking them. Always the same figure that would be just far enough behind them to be innocuous when they turned the corner before ______ would reach the front door, then re-emerge to go past the line of sight of the main security camera roughly and hour later. Without fail. Looking back through the footage the other night, it was clear they'd been doing this for the past month. Don mentally kicked himself for not picking up on this sooner.

Although he was genuinely overdue on the accommodations he intended to make for _______'s apartment, he had other motives for making them now. It was unclear if that creep found a way into their apartment yet, but motion-sensor lights should force them into the light if they do. Originally, that was the only security measure he planned to make. Maybe an extra lock or bar or two for the windows. After spotting those scuff marks though... paranoia got the better of him. He had to check every nook and cranny if that fucker might be hiding somewhere in the apartment. Not wanting to panic _______, he tried to make his search quick and quiet. Finally checking the last and most obvious place... _______'s wardrobe. Yanking the doors open, a wave of relief washed over him as only clothes and mothballs greeted him. That is, until he spotted a couple Polaroids in the corner. Slightly crumpled, like they'd been in someone's back pocket. Bringing them up to his face, he felt his heart sink. They were pictures of ________! Naked. One in the shower and the other while they were asleep...

Just he felt the blood drain from his face, the bedroom door's creak snapped him back to attention as _______ reentered the bedroom with a fresh cup of coffee. They'd learnt how to make it exactly how he liked it from their first couple shifts at the diner. When he still used to pop in for a coffee just to see how they were getting on. It was sweet, honestly. Despite knowing they probably couldn't see the pictures he was holding, he still felt the need to hide what he'd found. And the effect it had on him. Horrified at the sight of his jeans growing tighter. He closed the wardrobe and returned to the windowsill. Crouching down as if tinkering with the lock, but really it was to hide his growing erection.

Luckily, it seemed ______ hadn't noticed the pictures. So Don kept up the facade of usual busywork while he ran through a plan in his head, though some of it slipped out under his breath. The stalker might be gone for now, but he'd be back soon enough and he had to be ready when that happened. He had some spare security cameras he could install... no, that would be a massive invasion of _______'s privacy! But if he didn't, that creep might do far worse than take pictures of them... The argument breaking out in his head obscured most of what ________ said to him, only catching "-why have you done all this for me?". He paused. Honestly? He wasn't sure... He'd like to think he was just trying to be professional, doing his job and all that, but that couldn't be further from the truth. Still, he couldn't help but rely on that as his reason when he answered. About wanting to make up for the late accommodations. But he wouldn't forgive himself if something happened to them. Again the thought of cameras circled in his mind as he excused himself from their apartment, tools in-hand.

If he worked quickly he could have them set up by tonight...

The night was still. Traffic slowed to a trickle as the street lamps flickered outside their apartment window. Disturbed by the creak of bending plastic and metal as your stalker worked to bypass the new locks. Only slowing them by an hour from their usual midnight rendezvous. "This is new ~", Peter hummed to himself as he nestled back into _______'s wardrobe. He wondered if maybe they'd caught onto him. New locks were an obvious choice, but why cameras? Seemed a little redundant when the details would be obscured for them anyway. Though some part of him chuckled at the thought of the footage needing to have audio-description and how it might describe him. This almost certainly wasn't his Darling's handiwork. So who...?

What amusement the cameras stirred had quickly turned to anger at the thought of someone else watching them. Stalking them. Whoever it was must've taken the Polaroids that managed to slip out last time he was here. Oh when he finds out who's been watching his beloved he swears to god he'll- Then he got an idea.

He may not like someone else watching his Darling, but he could still stake his claim over them so that wouldn't matter anymore.

Emerging from the wardrobe, he sauntered in front of where he knew another camera had been hidden in the bedroom, glinting subtly with the light of the street lamp outside. He'd spotted it on his way in through the window. Making a show of announcing his presence to whomever was watching. As if to say, "Come get me, I dare you!". Even if he got caught, the commotion would alert his Darling and they would have questions about how whoever is watching them knew he was there. So... Let's see if that pervert has got the guts to catch him at the risk of their own culpability.

That lanky piece of shit!

That ugly mug was sneering at him straight through the bed-side camera. Don had retrofitted _______'s alarm clock with it, partly because it was perfectly positioned where he could keep an eye on the wardrobe and window without catching too much of a glimpse of _______. Their dignity was worth preserving after all. Every nerve in his body screamed to get up and make a run for ______'s apartment now he knows the stalker's in there! Torn between gathering evidence and making a citizen's arrest!But that would almost definitely wake them up, then the whole point of the cameras being to catch that creep without compromising _______'s peace of mind would fly out the window.

So far, their stalker hadn't done anything. At least, not that he knew of besides taking pictures and the break-in itself. All the time spent ignorant while this had been right under his nose made his head spin with everything he might've done already. Maybe he's only holding back now because he's realised he's caught on?

Don glanced at the Polaroids he'd kept amongst the disorganised paperwork on his desk. Why did he even bother keeping them? 'Evidence', he guessed... That didn't feel like the honest answer though, did it? Biting his lip, he knew exactly why he kept them - the same reason he conceded to setting up those cameras despite his better judgement to find other ways of gathering evidence. He may not be willing to admit it just yet, but seeing _______ exposed and vulnerable like that, well... it made the last few months' worth of bottled up lust and affection finally rise to the surface. Worst of all, it was clear that creep knew it. The way they smirked darkly at the camera as they made their way to ______'s bed. Closer and closer...

Don's grip tightened around the arms of his desk chair in a choke-hold, wishing it was that creep's throat! Torn between bolting to _______'s apartment and waiting to have enough footage to get him behind bars! As their stalker rested on the bed, he leaned over to adjust the camera to face ________ deep in slumber, before letting his hands roam all over them. Gently enough for them to barely stir from their deep sleep, but still uncomfortably sensual. Especially as he lingered for far too long over their chest and groin, earning a quiet whimper in response. Hearing those sounds fall from their lips stirred his frustration into a whirlwind. He knew their stalker would be long gone by the time he made it to their floor let alone their bedroom. And that bastard knew it.

Letting out a tortured groan, Don shuffled in his seat as he pulled out his mobile and flicked through all the contacts he had on speed-dial. His son, his ex-wife and ________. He'd kept it there in case they needed picking up last minute or help with things, officially anyway. So far he'd only ever received calls from them, never really having a reason be the one calling before. But oh was he glad he'd saved it. Quickly pressing the call button, hoping it would be enough to wake _______ up.

It wasn't.

Before it even had a chance to finish ringing, the creep picked up the call. For a moment they sat in silence, deadlocked. Truthfully, neither really wanted to wake them. As if to taunt him, the creep lowered the phone to ________'s lips. Their gentle breathing in stark contrast to the growing tension over the phone line. Turning mild static into painfully sharp din. Don felt himself tense up as he heard ________'s breath hitch with unconscious arousal at their stalker's touch. For an agonising minute, Don felt paralysed. Transfixed at the show that creep was putting on, resenting how much it aroused him. He must've been breathing pretty heavily, because soon the phone was brought back up to the creep's face and he muttered under his breath, "Oh, you really like that huh?". The smirk in his voice was infuriating.

For the most part their stalker had remained out of frame, but by the way _______'s body was gently rocking forwards he could tell that bastard had started to grind into them. Only stopping once or twice when they stirred to turn over, their sleep disturbed but not fully disrupted. Briefly entering the frame to plant gentle, possessive kisses down their body. To Don's shame and humiliation, he felt his hand linger over his belt buckle, itching to release the throbbing erection it barely confined. Knowing the moment he did, all bets were off. All that fanciful talk of dignity and protection. All of it hollow if he gave in and let himself enjoy their violation. He can't! Can he? Barely able to tell apart the tension in his head between those of his other.

Unsure how long he sat there, but soon enough his patience wore thin enough to fray from the lust cutting through every fiber of his being. With a metallic clink, that bastard won. He just didn't care anymore. Practically tearing his jeans open to finally pay his body the attention it's been screaming for. The guttural groan that he'd held back for what felt like hours came roaring out, loud enough to be heard through the phone. For a moment, their stalker had to halt his conquest. Might've won the battle with Don but the war wasn't over yet. The sound of Don's primal moan threatened to wake ________, and neither of them wanted that, not now!

To Peter's surprise, _______ stirred awake. Groggily shifting their weight onto their elbows as they slowly sat up, blinking away sleepy dust with a yawn. Frozen in place, having missed his chance to leap from the bed out of sight. Sat there praying it was too dark, and they were too blind and tired to see him. Only for their attention to be diverted to the faint sound of Don's faint moans and growling through the phone. Long since lost in the moment, no longer even watching the security footage. Letting out a low whimper as he moaned, "_______!"

That seemed to snap them awake, as they reached for the phone. In the panic, Peter took his leave while they were distracted and slipped back into the wardrobe. Watching with baited breath for that pervert to be caught. One less obstacle to worry about!