*Just say yes.*
That's all he had to do.
Close his eyes and block out the pain and the cold and the blood
And say yes yes yes.
Toris Laurinaitis had never been strong by his own admission, but when those words flew into his ears and detonated his mind he was *weak*, weaker than ever.
Ivan made him weak Ivan *made him* give in every time...
Those hands running down his back, making him shiver from head to toe and his *gloves* were off they were *never* off never except with him but it didn't mean anything it *didn't* it *couldn't* not when the blood trickled down his back and stained the belt Ivan wore every day and when Toris was sick he would take it off and Toris would see the *stains*-
The leather cracked harder and harder against him with each blow, drawing out blood and moans and screams and *Feliciano couldn't think* not like this, not when Ludwig was *here* not with the strong-but-gentle hands running down his back wiping away every last drop of blood and how did he *do* this how did he make it feel so *good* and the ropes were coming off and Ludwig was stroking Feliciano's cheek and holding him and liebling are you okay Engel I love you ich liebe dich you did so *well* I'm so *proud* and Feliciano was crying (was it the pain or the pleasure he couldn't tell) and Ludwig was kissing the tears away but it's okay Luddy don't you see this was fun this was good ti amo!
Soft lips trailed down his back, and Feliciano was weak, but only now and only here because Ludwig *made* him weak and strong at the same time
And all he had to do
Was just
Say
*Yes.*