"Is it not obvious?" He isn't as skilled in the language of flirtation as Andrey, but he'll do his best to make his wishes clear. Pyotr leans closer, straining against the grip on his wrists. They don't move at all, despite the awkwardness of the angle, and his face warms with autonomous arousal.

"I'm fascinated by you," he says bluntly. "How you conceal so many miracles, so much strength, while seeming so human. How you are filled with so many contradictions. You took a knife for me, and then drained me dry. I want to see more of that juxtaposition, the conflict between your kindness and your cruelty. I want to see how much of a monster you can be. I want you to hurt me -- and I want to take you apart and study your inner workings. I want to make art out of you, both from paper and your flesh. I want to see what you can make of me."