Plaything in one's palm
the man asked with a smarmy smile, "to receive such a generous and… insightful gift?"
Lynn's mind went blank. The small, beautiful drawing, the object of his academic admiration, felt heavy and toxic in his hands. It wasn't a gift; it was a brand. Caius had seen a flicker of desire in his eyes and had simply… purchased it. He had bought Lynn's dream and handed it to him in front of everyone, ensuring the whole world knew who owned it, and by extension, who owned him.
He forced his lips into what he hoped was a smile. It felt like a grimace. "It's… overwhelming," he managed to say, his voice thin. "Thank you." The words were ash in his mouth. His fingers, holding the precious frame, were ice-