He pushed himself off the wall, walking towards Offroad with that same swagger he carried everywhere, like he was daring the world to challenge him. “Not gonna lie, didn’t expect you to be the kind of guy to work here.”

Offroad’s stomach twisted. He had never liked the way people saw him when they found out about his job. The assumption that it was somehow beneath him, that he was something less because of it—it always made him want to crawl out of his skin.

“Don’t start,” Offroad said quickly, trying to shove the irritation down. “I’m not here to entertain you, Phi Daou.” His tone was sharp, but it masked the discomfort underneath. He knew exactly what Daou was thinking, what he was about to say, and he didn’t want to hear it. Not tonight.

Daou raised an eyebrow, eyes narrowing slightly. He was studying Offroad in a way that made him feel exposed, vulnerable in a way he wasn’t used to. “I’m not here to judge,” Daou said, stepping closer. The smirk on his face deepened.  Daou said, stepping closer. The smirk on his face deepened. “I’m just wondering why you’re so secretive about it. What’s the big deal? You seem like you have no problem with being the center of attention.” His gaze swept over Offroad’s figure again, lingering on the tight clothes, the way they hugged his body in a way that sent a pulse of heat straight to Daou’s chest.

Offroad took a step back, his heartbeat quickening. Daou’s proximity was suffocating, making him feel both nervous and oddly drawn to him. He swallowed hard, trying to regain his composure.

“I’m not looking for your approval,” Offroad shot back, his voice more defensive than he intended. “It’s none of your business what I do for a living.”
Daou studied him, a hint of something darker crossing his features. “But it is my business now, isn’t it?” He took another step forward, his fingers brushing just lightly against Offroad’s shoulder, a touch that sent a jolt through Offroad’s entire body. “You want me to keep your secret. And I’m the kind of guy who doesn’t do things for free.”

Offroad froze, his breath hitching. His heart pounded painfully in his chest. The tension between them thickened like a storm cloud. He had been trying to push Daou away ever since they’d first met, but something about Daou’s presence always managed to cut through the layers he’d built around himself.

“I’ll do anything,” Offroad muttered, eyes on the ground as he took another step back. “Just… please don’t tell anyone.” His voice was barely a whisper, the weight of the plea hanging between them.

Daou’s lips curled into a knowing smile, and for the first time, it didn’t seem like a taunt. There was something more calculating in his expression, but beneath it, a flicker of something else—curiosity, maybe, or even a faint trace of something softer. He studied Offroad for a long moment, as if weighing the sincerity in his plea.

“You really don’t want anyone to know about this job, do you?” Daou’s voice was low, almost contemplative, as he stepped closer, his gaze locked on Offroad’s face.

Offroad didn’t answer immediately, his heart pounding in his chest. His throat felt tight, the pressure of Daou’s eyes making it difficult to breathe. He had to agree to whatever Daou asked—there was no choice. If Daou revealed the truth, everything would unravel.

“I’ll do anything,” Offroad whispered, feeling a knot of shame twist in his stomach. “Just don’t tell anyone. Please.”

Daou’s eyes softened for a brief second, and for a moment, Offroad thought he saw a flicker of genuine understanding. But it was gone in the next instant, replaced by that familiar smirk.

“Anything?” Daou repeated, his voice dripping with amusement. He didn’t give Offroad a chance to respond before continuing, his words deliberate, almost like a command.

“Alright. Here’s the deal. You keep my secret, and I keep yours. But in return…” He leaned in, his breath warm against Offroad’s ear, sending a shiver down his spine. “…You’re going to become my personal servant at school. My errand boy. You’ll do whatever I say, whenever I say it. Got it?”

Offroad’s heart skipped a beat. “What?”

“You heard me.” Daou’s voice was a smooth purr, and when he pulled back, his eyes were alight with amusement. “You’re going to do whatever I need at school. Bring me lunch, run errands, fetch my stuff. You know, the kind of things that make my life easier. You’ll be my little errand boy, Offroad. Think of it as a trade. You keep your secret, and I get mine.”

A surge of anger mixed with frustration bubbled inside Offroad, but it was quickly smothered by the crushing weight of reality. This was the price, the price for keeping his secret safe. He couldn’t afford to refuse.

“Fine,” Offroad said, his voice tight, though his jaw clenched. “I’ll do it. But you better keep your word.”

Daou’s smirk widened, and he reached out, a teasing glint in his eyes. “I always do,” he said, before running a hand through his messy hair. “Besides, you’re going to have a lot of fun with this. I’m not a hard guy to please.”

Offroad didn’t respond, his lips pressed into a thin line. He wanted to push Daou away, to tell him off, but he couldn’t. Not now. Not when Daou held the key to his secret, the only thing keeping his fragile world intact.

Daou studied him for a moment, his eyes narrowing, almost like he was trying to read something deeper inside him. But whatever he was looking for, Offroad wasn’t going to let him find it.

With a satisfied grin, Daou stepped back, his hand dropping from Offroad’s shoulder. “Good. Now that we have an understanding…” He paused, his gaze lingering on Offroad’s face, a glint of something that almost looked like admiration behind his usual cocky demeanor. “You’re going to do exactly as I say. And I won’t make you regret it, Offroad. But you will owe me.”

Offroad swallowed hard, his mouth dry. He wanted to lash out, to demand that Daou take back the bargain. But the words didn’t come. Instead, he nodded once, his pride swallowing his words. “I’ll do it,” he said again, his voice barely above a whisper.

Daou’s grin softened, the smirk turning into something more dangerous, more intimate. “I’m sure you will.” He took a step back, the tension between them shifting, thickening. “Tomorrow, then. Don’t forget your little duties, errand boy.”

Offroad didn’t respond. He couldn’t. His mind was too tangled in the rush of emotions that Daou’s words had stirred up, a mix of anger, shame, and something else—something that made his heart beat faster than it should. Daou knew how to get under his skin, to make him feel small and yet, for reasons Offroad couldn’t quite understand, he also made him feel... seen. It was confusing, maddening, and, for some reason, it made him feel more exposed than he ever had before.

As Daou turned to walk away, he paused, glancing back over his shoulder with one last look—a soft, almost unreadable expression on his face. “We’ll talk more tomorrow. Sleep well, Offroad.”

And then, just like that, Daou was gone, disappearing into the shadows of the alley, leaving Offroad alone with the weight of their agreement pressing down on him.