Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Clearly, destiny had woven the love of nature into the very fabric of Adams being, guiding him through life to find me, his inevitable end. Dominik Grünwald—a name bestowed upon me by parents whose memories I long ago forgotten. Grünwald, meaning green forest or green wood, had been a meaningless moniker throughout my youth. Yet now, its significance was unmistakable—it was destined for my beloved Adam, the nature devotee, to inherit through the sanctity of marriage, just as his sister was now. I, who found no solace in the cold, damp earth that captivated Adam's soul, could now take comfort in the fact that my name would resonate deeply with him, and possibly open his eyes to the reality that was our fated love.

Professionally, I had changed Grünwald to Greenwood, a suggestion from my mentors in the architectural world. The American masses balked at the complexity of Grünwald, their simple tongues tripping over its foreign cadence. To rise to prominence, I needed a name that was easy to remember, one that slid effortlessly into the public consciousness. And so, I became Dominic Greenwood, the celebrated architect. And someday, Adam Greenwood—my obedient, passionate lover—would follow me throughout life, allowing me to guide him, bound by my name and destiny.

I watched my sweet Adam at the edge of the clearing, crouched down as he examined something at the tree line. The silly boy possessed a knack for drifting away, finding distractions that pulled him from the rest of us. The wedding venue was situated in his family's backyard, a place where I had sat a few times over the years as I waited for Adam to mature. He often sought refuge in the nearby forest, escaping from his family, sometimes accompanied by his sister, the pair often leaving me to engage with their parents.

The backyard held a certain charm, with its sprawling greenery and the peaceful whisper of the forest beyond. I took great pleasure in watching Adam and his sister play outdoors, their bare feet caked with mud, and their cheeks charmingly smudged with earth. There was a particular childhood innocence about it, allowing me to fantasize about what their younger years had been like. I was far from the nature enthusiast that Adam was, much preferring the comforts of human engineering, but I found contentment in witnessing their play, the way their laughter would fill the air. It was a sweet symphony that contrasted my own silent longing. Adam had no idea the ache I felt for him, so happy in his ignorance, free from the torment of yearning.

Despite me watching from afar, my thoughts often wandered to the possibility of an encounter with Adam in the solitude of the forest. My imagination had crafted countless scenarios where I would find him alone, his nervous anticipation feeding my desire. The yearning to be with Adam in a secluded haven, far from prying eyes, was a constant ache. But the awareness of his family's presence, and the inevitable presence of Lily, kept such dreams at bay. In spite of that, my mind remained consumed by visions of Adam kneeling before me in the forest, or lying back with the backdrop of leaves framing his bare form as I expressed my love for him against the raw earth. These intimate, vivid images frequently filled my thoughts.

In my mind's eye, the forest was a place where I could finally revel in my twisted desires. There, I would face no judgment from the chittering squirrels, or the buzzing insects. I envisioned a scene where the sunlight filtered through the branches, casting a dappled glow on Adam’s pale skin, highlighting the contours of his naked body. Each fantasy was painted with an almost obsessive attention to detail—his breaths quickening, his eyes reflecting a mix of unease and desire, the raw scent of the earth mingling with the faint aroma of sex. Adam was completely unaware of the things I longed to do to him in the place he cherished most. These daydreams, though unfortunately unattainable right now, were a secret reverie that I cherished in the quiet corners of my mind. One day, Adam would be tormented with this longing as well.

But today was the day of the wedding, and Adam stood alone at the forests edge, clad in a tuxedo, with an air of melancholy. Perhaps the thought of me marrying his sister weighed heavily on his heart. His somberness tugged at my own emotions, which had been somewhat muted all throughout my life until Adam. Now, I yearned to embrace him, to kiss him, to reassure him that marrying Lily was all for him—to keep him close, so that one day him and I could be together. But for now, I had to maintain my distance, patiently waiting for our time to come. The future held promise, but the present demanded restraint, of which I had always been well practiced.

All day, I had been subjected to Adam's family's incessant complaints about his aloofness, their whispers a constant undercurrent of disapproval. They were shit talkers, the lot of them, always voicing their displeasure about either Lily or Adam when they were out of earshot. Even on my wedding day! The audacity was baffling. My heart ached for my boy as I watched him at the edge of the yard, absorbed in the simple joy of chasing a frog that had eluded his grasp. It was a bit unsavory, perhaps, but undeniably endearing.

“He should be over here preparing himself, not muddying up his fine clothes,” Adam's mother remarked with a derisive tone, her disapproval palpable.

Contrary to her implication, none of us were engaged in any preparatory activities. We were merely lounging, drinking alcohol, and waiting on Lily to be ready for the ceremony. She was off getting her hair and makeup done up with the bridesmaids. Her absence left me in the company of her family and the groomsmen, the rest of the wedding guests ambling.

“The wedding isn’t for several hours. He can indulge in a bit of harmless fun,” I said, not bothering to hide the irritation I felt towards her. Her face reddened, clearly unaccustomed to anyone defending Adam. It sickened me that they felt so comfortable voicing their critical thoughts to me, as if I shared their judgmental mindset. I could never see my Adam in such a negative light.

“He needs to be clean for the photos,” She said, persisting in her critique of her son’s behavior.

“He’s perfectly fine,” I replied, my tone unwavering. Her surprise was evident, but I remained steadfast in my defense, almost challenging her. The others around us fell silent, and I wondered if perhaps I had spoken too harshly. I forced a smile, deceptively calm, which seemed to visibly ease the tension. I knew Lily might be upset to see Adam with muddy knees in the wedding photos, though. So with an exasperated sigh, I rose to my feet and excused myself from the group.

It was profoundly irritating whenever Lily abandoned me to the company of her family. I could not stand the sort who reveled in disparaging others behind their backs, Adams mother undoubtedly voicing her complaints of me now that I had left the group. It was no mystery why my sweet Adam sought solace in his own world, distancing himself from their cruelty. But it was no worry, as it provided the perfect excuse for me to go be with my boy.

I proceeded to the edge of the clearing where I had seen Adam moments ago with the frog. He had ventured further into the tree line, seemingly oblivious to my approaching presence. I stealthily slipped into the forest, ensuring I remained perfectly hidden from his family's view. My heart raced with exhilaration as I realized we would finally be alone together, free from any interruptions.

Once out of their sight, I positioned myself halfway behind a tree trunk, my gaze fixed intently on Adam from a short distance. I was captivated by the serene scene before me. The light filtered through the canopy above, casting a soft glow on Adams beautiful face, making him look almost ethereal. It was moments like these that solidified my obsession, moments where he seemed so pure, so untainted by the world's harshness.

His face bore the sweetest smile, one I had never been fortunate enough to be the recipient of. He appeared utterly unconcerned about the state of his tuxedo, one knee resting on the pine needles as he watched the frog leap from his hand. He didn’t pursue it this time, instead, watched with a gentle smile as the creature hopped away. I couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy towards the frog that had elicited such a tender smile from him.

“Don’t let it get away,” I called out, breaking the tranquil silence. Adam jumped, visibly startled by my sudden appearance. His smile vanished the moment he saw me, replaced by a look of mild annoyance. My heart ached at the sight, but I knew it was only a matter of time before I would make him smile for me.

“It could have been your pet,” I said. He didn’t even respond, merely rose to his feet, brushing the debris from his knees, not even sparing a second glance to the escaping frog. Silently, he began to head back to the wedding venue. As he moved to pass me, though, I couldn't resist the urge to seize the back of his neck. His body stiffened immediately, a shiver of something rippling through him. I felt a dark thrill at his reaction, a twisted satisfaction blooming within me. It had been far too long since I could feel my sweet boy, an agonizing six months since I had him in that hotel room, our last intimate encounter.

Adam accelerated his pace, attempting to escape my grasp. But my height afforded me an advantage. My long strides effortlessly matched his, and I walked alongside him. My hand remained firmly on his neck, fingers pressing into his skin, guiding him slowly, longing for this moment of privacy amongst the trees to last forever.

“You look so handsome in your tuxedo,” I remarked, and his anxious eyes flickered towards me.

The words ignited a spark of defiance within him, and he abruptly swatted at my arm, trying to push it away. I maintained my hold on him and managed to contort my lips into a semblance of a smile, hiding the pang of disappointment that threatened to surface.

“Always so quiet,” I mused aloud, yearning for him to utter something, anything. Adam was quite the reticent type and I longed to break through his silence.

"You look good too," he said awkwardly, and my heart soared. What a kind, sweet boy he was! A profound sense of relief enveloped me, his words a testament to his feelings for me, offering validation and affirmation.

I couldn't help but let out a small, relieved laugh. “You really think so?” I tightened my grip on his neck slightly, feeling the pulse of his fear beneath my fingers. “You have no idea how much that means to me, Adam.”

His eyes darted around, looking for an escape, but I held him fast. The thrill of his discomfort, his palpable fear, sent a shiver of pleasure down my spine. “I love when you open your mouth for me,” I whispered suggestively, pulling him closer, a wide smile spreading over my lips. “Always so considerate, so... sweet.”

Adam swallowed hard, his Adam's apple bobbing under my thumb. I could see the panic in his eyes, the way his breath quickened. It was intoxicating but he remained silent.

“Your mouth is closed,” I noted with a grin, my voice dripping with a mix of amusement and something darker. “Speak for me.”

“I-I meant it,” he stammered, eyes wide, trying to keep his voice steady. “You look great.”

He tried to step back, but I held him in place, savoring every moment I could with my sweetheart. “You don’t have to be nervous,” I said softly, though the glint in my eyes betrayed the lie. My heart ached to have him again. He just looked so handsome in his tuxedo, I wished it was him I would be fucking all night, rather than his sister.

Adam’s lips parted, but no words came out. He was clearly perplexed, wondering why I was speaking to him in such a manner. Typically, I was able to maintain my distance, observing him from afar. But the excitement of the wedding and a slight tipsiness emboldened me to approach him in a way I hadn’t before. The silence between us was thick, electric. I could feel his heart pounding, and it resonated with my own wild excitement.

“You’ll be a good boy today and do as you’re told, right?” I continued. An almost delirious joy was surging through me, relishing the rare opportunity to be alone with Adam and speak to him in such an intimate manner.

He pursed his lips and nodded quickly, perhaps hoping compliance would earn him some mercy from the unbearable attention I was giving him. I stared, waiting for him to speak again. “Y-yes,” he quickly spoke up to fill the silence, wishing he could retreat to Lily for safety.

The sweet little lamb had to adapt to the absence of her support. He needed to become more comfortable with me, the only person in his life who truly cared for him. And I needed to stop teasing him if I wanted him to reciprocate my feelings one day, despite the perverse pleasure I derived from seeing him so anxious.

“Good,” I said, finally releasing my grip on his neck, but not before letting my fingers trail down his skin one last time. “You’re a very good boy.”

His bewildered gaze lingered on me for a moment before he quickly continued on towards his family.

Of course I looked good to him, though. It was undeniable. I had seen it in his glances more than a few times—Adam was very obviously attracted to me. How could he not be? I was tall, extremely fit with a gorgeous physique, clean-shaven, and dressed head to toe in the most handsome suit, perfectly tailored to my form. Every detail was meticulously planned, every aspect of my appearance designed to command attention and admiration. I was, after all, preparing to marry his beautiful sister, and I had to be nothing short of perfection.

Even from a young age, I had been regarded as unnaturally beautiful, an observation that did not escape my notice. The special attention I received from older women—teachers, sisters, even strangers in the grocery store—was a constant affirmation of my innate superiority. Naturally, I made use of this attention, manipulating it to my advantage with a calculated precision. Each smile, each lingering glance was not merely a testament to my allure, but a tool I wielded with the utmost cunning.

Of course, I feigned ignorance when the nannies would make excuses to touch me in places they shouldn’t. They found it endearing when I’d ask questions like, “Why is my thingy hard?” or “Can you please kiss it better?” Little did they know that my older sisters had already beaten them to the punch, and I was well-versed in the act of sex. My childhood innocence was a carefully crafted illusion, one that masked the depths of the precision with which I manipulated those around me.

I had felt utter joy when I teased adults in this way. Their flustered shock, the urge to give in to their perverse curiosity—it was all so deliciously entertaining. Some adults were more sensible than others, shutting young me down immediately. But others, oh, they were eager to abuse handsome little me. Watching them wrestle with their desires, knowing I held the power to break and bend them to my will, brought me a twisted sense of satisfaction. As I matured, that sense of joy dissipated, replaced only by fleeting satisfaction through meaningless fucks. My adult existence felt so bland without it, often driving me toward the brink of seeking that thrill through depraved, even illegal sex acts. Yet, divine providence had mercifully rekindled that excitement in my life through my guidance of Adam.

As much as I had enjoyed myself with women in my younger years, the attention I received from men was often met with a cold hostility. It wasn't until my early teens, when my father started bringing me to work with him, that my perspective began to shift. I was probably thirteen when I willingly slept with my first man; the others before being those god-awful priests in the orphanage. My father never had any inkling of what his colleagues would do to me when left in their care. What he perceived as professional mentorship, I saw as an opportunity to explore a darker, more forbidden side of my desires.

It was through seducing the boss that I ascended to my current station in life. Well-renowned, wealthy beyond even my parents' means. I had recognized the dark look in his eyes, the temptation to possess me. It took until I was fifteen to finally have my way sexually with him. Richard was thirty years older than me, being only forty-five when he first fucked me. And, being the cunning little thing I was, I meticulously collected evidence of our encounters over the years of our relationship.

The older man found me utterly irresistible, and loved the debasement of taking it up the ass from a youthful fifteen-year-old. Richard was a pathetic man, deriving perverse pleasure from being slapped around, choked, and called disgusting for his attraction to children. The freak was certainly a masochist in every kind of way, maybe even more so than he was a pedophile. Naturally, I took great pleasure in these encounters with him, even as I became an adult. When the time came to leverage the evidence of our affair for blackmail, Richard surrendered with pathetic eagerness, granting me everything I desired. Even now, as an old man in his early sixties, he remains a slave to my occasional whims.

Even my dear Lily was aware of my relationship with the man, finding it beyond strange, even criminal, but I eventually convinced her to appreciate the wealth it brought us. She understood that our lifestyle—me as the sole breadwinner, and her indulging in her hobbies—was a direct result of my manipulation of Richard.

And as perverse as our relationship was, I valued that pathetic man so much that he was even a guest at our wedding, albeit seated far from my precious Adam. I knew my dear boy would catch Richards eye just as I had caught his. Adam was fifteen now, the very age at which the boss first had a taste of me. He was undoubtedly going to be reminiscing, perhaps even fantasizing about my Adam. The irony was almost poetic, watching Richard squirm in silent longing, a testament to the power I still wielded over him. Sweet Adam belonged solely to me, and I intended to flaunt him.

“We’re starting the photos with all the groomsmen. We need you over here with us,” I said to Adam as we drew near his family, having walked in silence for the remainder of the journey back to the wedding venue.

“Okay,” my sweet boy said in that painfully monotone voice of his.

Adam was the type to have a flat affect, never raising his voice, never showing any emotion if he wasn’t smiling at frogs or blushing from embarrassment. His face was a constant blank canvas, devoid of the vibrant hues of emotion that painted most people's expressions, his sister for one. The two were so similar yet so different. I longed to make Adams stone-cold expression crumble, to make him feel anything. Joy, pain, fear, arousal. Preferably the last one. The thought of breaking through his impassive facade, of witnessing a flicker of raw, unfiltered emotion, was an intoxicating fantasy that consumed my every waking moment.

“Hold on,” I said, grabbing his shoulder with a firm, commanding grip. He froze, his heart undoubtedly fluttering for me.

With deliberate strength, I turned his body towards me, his back now facing his expectant family. I lowered myself onto one knee before him, the scene transforming in my mind to a moment of proposal. This is what it would have felt like to offer him a ring. His wide, confused eyes flickered between me and his family, seeking their notice. The sight filled me with a profound sense of satisfaction. It didn’t matter if they saw; all I was doing was brushing off my dear boy’s knees. My large hand gripped his hip to steady him while the other meticulously wiped away any dirt and debris from his pants.

His cheeks flushed a beautiful scarlet, humiliated to be handled so publicly. The sight gave me a twisted pleasure, though I knew I couldn’t linger. My hand remained for a moment, grazing his inner thigh with a final, deliberate stroke before I rose to my feet. Adam’s ears were a sweet crimson, his eyes cast downward, avoiding my gaze. He quickly scurried over to the other men. Ah, what a silly boy. The entire encounter left me with a heady mix of satisfaction and longing. I felt so unbearably close to having him, yet so far from my ultimate goal.

We spent the next hour under the wedding photographer’s meticulous direction, lined up and posed for an array of photos. This orchestrated arrangement brought back memories of when I had the privilege of positioning Adam’s unconscious body in that hotel room, the memory a warm comfort. I felt a pang of disappointment when the photographer, adhering to the logic of height, placed Adam at the far end, away from me. My towering 6’6” frame was a stark contrast to Adam’s modest 5’5” stature at the time of the wedding. It was a rare sight to find anyone who could match my height. Adam had grown considerably in the years since I first laid eyes on him, reaching a striking 5’9” by the age of seventeen, a perfect fit against my body. But that would come later.

Even though the wedding took place on Lily’s parents' property, the scene was still incredibly beautiful. Adam’s family was comfortably well-off, with a good amount of land that included acres of lovely forest. Their old, charming home sat in a clearing right in the middle of it all. A few creeks meandered through the property, though none were close to the venue. With my financial help, Lily was able to transform their already beautiful yard into something truly spectacular. The expansive lawn was adorned with elegant floral arrangements, twinkling fairy lights, and tastefully crafted decorations, creating an atmosphere of enchanting beauty. The air was filled with the delicate scent of blooming flowers, and the gentle rustling of leaves in the breeze.

When the moment finally arrived for the wedding, I stood in anticipation, waiting for my beautiful bride to grace the aisle. As she emerged, her radiance was no surprise, utterly captivating. Her excitement as she approached was adorable, and a part of me felt a deep, almost nostalgic fondness for her. My heart raced, a forgotten part of me rekindled with my delight, recalling the joy Lily once brought into my life. There was no doubt that, had Adam not entered my world, I would have been thrilled with Lily as my partner. But I was profoundly grateful she introduced Adam to me, for she had merely been a diversion from my true destiny. Marrying her was but a means to an end, a path to be closer to my beloved Adam.

Everything in my life seemed to be falling perfectly into place. Lily, resplendent in her wedding dress, her eyes alight with an infectious happiness. James, my best man and confidant, stood ready to reclaim Lily once I was prepared to part ways with her. And my sweet boy Adam, the furthest of my groomsmen due to his shorter stature, was ever present in my thoughts. As I stood before Lily, I envisioned Adam standing across from me instead, his image vivid in my mind. The striking resemblance between Adam and Lily was a blessing, allowing me to indulge in this illusion. I felt an overwhelming sense of destiny, as if every intricate connection and twist of fate had led us to this very moment, each thread weaving a path I was destined to follow.

Lily was the first to recite her vows, expressing her gratitude for finding me with predictable platitudes. I, too, was grateful she had found me, for it brought me to my beloved Adam. Her words barely registered in my mind, as it was so cluttered with thoughts of Adam. I longed to turn around and see him; my back burned with the knowledge that he was only a few feet away from me. I could almost feel his presence, like a gravitational pull drawing me toward him, the strings of fate binding us together in this moment. Every fiber of my being yearned for a glimpse of him, to see his face, his eyes, his smile. But I maintained my smile and eye contact with his beautiful sister, every word she uttered merely a reminder of the intricate destiny that had brought Adam into my life.

When it came time for my vows, I directed them toward Adam, feeling his presence behind me, and imagining it was to him that I was promising myself. I took Lily’s hands in mine, gazing into her eyes with a gentle smile, but in my heart, every word was meant for Adam. Each promise, each vow, was a silent declaration of my love for him, a secret testament to the bond we shared. I could almost feel Adam’s presence enveloping me, his warmth, his strength. My words were sincere as I delivered my vows, but my heart was aching for Adam, every syllable a whispered confession of my undying devotion to him. I squeezed Lily’s hands gently, hoping she could feel the sincerity in my touch, even if my heart belonged to someone else. In that moment, I was a loving husband to Lily, but my soul was irrevocably tied to Adam, my vows a silent promise to him.

And finally, it was time to become a part of their family.

“Dominic, do you take Lily (Adam) to be your lawfully wedded wife (husband), to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do you part?”

“I do,” I declared.

Of course I did. I would never give up on my Adam. For better, for worse, for richer—he’d never have to worry about for poorer—in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish until death did us part. Every word from the officiant echoed in my soul, binding me to my sweet boy in a way that transcended the ceremony. I imagined his face, his smile, the way his eyes lit up when he was watching that frog. One day he would bestow upon me the love I was owed. My heart pounded with the certainty that this was our moment, our promise. I could almost feel his breath on my skin, his presence so vivid it was as if he was standing right before me. No matter what life threw our way, Adam and I were meant to be together, and nothing, not even death, could change that.

"Lily, do you take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?" she was asked. Her confident "I do" resonated through the room, and it was time to kiss the bride. I gently pulled her petite form into my arms, her heels making the moment feel effortless. The audience erupted in cheers, and I was overwhelmed with joy, not only for having Lily by my side but also for being accepted into Adam's family. As I closed my eyes and felt her lips on mine, I couldn't help but think of her dear brother, utterly thrilled with how everything was unfolding according to plan.