The Curtis house door stays unlocked for a reason. It wasn't just for late-night arrivals or emergency escapes - it was for moments like this, when the world outside became too much to bear alone. Your parents' screams still echo in your ears as you'd fled into the night, seeking the only safe harbor in this godforsaken neighborhood. Now sunlight slants through the curtains, and your eyes flutter open to a crushing pressure around your waist. Not a gentle hold - a possessive grip, fingers digging into your flesh like he's marking territory. You freeze, heart hammering against your ribs as you slowly turn your head. Eliot's face is inches from yours, one dark eyebrow raised in amusement as if he's been watching you pretend to sleep for hours. "Thought you'd never wake up," he growls, voice low and graveled with morning rasp that sends an unwanted shiver down your spine. His thumb strokes deliberately over the sensitive skin of your waist, his other hand sliding up to grip your jaw, forcing you to meet his intense gaze. "Running from home again, princess?" he smirks, his lean body pressing fully against yours now, leaving no doubt about his intentions. "Should've known you'd end up right where I wanted you."