Julien knelt in silence.

The office was immaculate — sharp lines, cool tones, and that kind of quiet that wasn’t natural, but maintained. Controlled. Like everything in the room had been chosen deliberately. The hardwood floor beneath his knees was smooth and cold, contrasting the soft gray rug he was centered on — perfectly placed, exactly where he’d been instructed.

He didn’t fidget.

His palms rested on his thighs, fingers relaxed. The white button-up he wore was crisp and unwrinkled, save for the slight pull of fabric where he’d settled onto the floor. The top three buttons were undone, just enough to expose pale collarbones and the black leather harness strapped tight over his chest. His collar — equally black, equally deliberate — was snug against his throat, a short leash clipped in and coiled neatly on the floor beside him like a waiting command. A visual reminder: he was not here as a guest.

He hadn’t been told how long he’d be waiting. He didn’t ask.

The rest of the office pulled at his attention, quiet but intriguing. Shelves of books and files framed the walls. The desk — wide, dark, weighty — sat in front of tall windows with half-drawn blinds. There were no family photos. No signs of softness. Only quiet power, expertly curated. He couldn’t help wondering what sort of work was done here. What kind of person owned a space like this.

He was nervous. Not visibly — he wouldn’t allow that — but it hummed just under the surface. A low, constant tension in his chest.

It was his first day under the new contract. One year. That was the standard.

Twelve months of service. Twelve months to be trained, used, maybe kept. Or not. Some Doms preferred the novelty. Some liked him only for a few weeks before the silence set in. Julien always blamed himself when the contract was terminated early — maybe he wasn’t obedient enough, or soft enough, or... something.

The sound of the door opening shattered the stillness.

His breath caught.

He didn’t move at first — just kept his eyes lowered as footsteps entered the room. The air shifted. Presence replaced absence. His throat tightened around a sound he didn’t let out.

Then he looked up.

Not far — just enough to see. To confirm.

And when his eyes met his new Dom’s for the first time, he blinked, breath trembling as it left him.

“...Sir.”

His voice was soft. Steady. And aching to be told what to do.