Keeping his eyes on the mirror, Sean asked Natemare's reflection. "It's really not that bad. Dark is... working on it." Natemare turned his head lazily to look at the mirror to meet Sean's eyes with his guarded ones, before quietly grumbling out. "Ya. I bet he is." Shrugging, Sean mumbled out nervously as he looked over an outfit absently. "It's nothing. Can we just... get back on track?" Reaching out to grab the outfit in Sean's hands, he lightly told him in a firm voice. "That's not a top. And it is a VERY big deal. Especially since it could ruin your wedding." Lowering the garment from his chest, Sean blurted out just as seriously. "No. It won't. Dark will find a way. He always does." Natemare's eyes flashed a dark purple, before he almost sneered out. "And if he can't? Then what? He won't be able to marry you if THAT is still on your finger." Sean waved his hand in annoyance, muttering out. "It doesn't matter. It is just a ring." Natemare snatched his hand out of the air, pulling it close so abruptly that Sean hissed in pain. Pressing his fingers on his ring finger, Natemare coolly stated without looking at him. "It is not just a ring. Just like this isn't just a finger." Sean tensed, watching Natemare's black nails menacingly press to the soft skin.

Still not looking at him, Natemare informed him in a distant tone. "It ancient times, the ring finger was considered sacred. It was believed to have a direct connection to ones' heart through the vein right here. To remove it meant that you could never love again. To put a ring on it, meant your soul was bond or intwined with the person who wore its match eternally. Not a contract one walked into blindly. And not a contract easily severed." Natemare's dark eyes finally met his again through loose dark bangs, before he added in a lifeless tone. "Dark may be downplaying how serious this is. But I'll be blunt. Until this is off. You are claimed by someone else. And if Dark can't break this contract... You will not be able to marry him. And depending on who has the master ring... Dark could die trying to get you back." All the air left Sean's lungs as that sank in. Swallowing though, Sean meekly squeaked out. "I didn't agree to this contract. So, it can't be binding..." Natemare rose slowly from his seat, placing a hand on Sean's chest to push him flat against the wall of the dressing room. Releasing Sean, Natemare pressed his palms to the wall over Sean's shoulders and said in a casual voice. "You agreed to put it on, didn't you? That is all it takes. The only brightside to this... you aren't officially someone else's until both rings are in contact with each other and you... agree to be there's. So... you've got that going for you. Best that you mind what you say around people here from now on."

Sean nervously nodded, eyeing Natemare with sudden concern. Why was he so close? He could smell him at this range. Unlike Dark's heavy musk, Natemare's scent was slightly lighter. It reminded him of a mix of rich flowers after a heavy rain. Strange and alluring. Much like he was. Every breath Sean dared to take filled his nose with his scent. Blushing, Sean turned his head away and mumbled out. "Natemare...? Can you back up?" In the mirror, Sean caught Natemare's charming grin as he leaned in toward his throat and asked softly. "Am I making you uncomfortable?" Sean shivered from the cold breath that puffed across his neck. Natemare wasn't touching him, but he swore that he could feel him. Trying to keep himself from shaking, Sean forced out as politely as he could. "A little. Yes." Watching Natemare through the mirror lean in enough that his long bangs brushed over Sean's throat, Sean firmly put a hand on Natemare's chest. He tried to push him back, but Natemare's racing heartbeat made him hesitate. Natemare's breath was warmer now when he whispered just under his ear with a hint of longing. "I can smell him on you." Staying still, Sean forced out in a strangled tone. "I... He... Dark is always... Natemare, please...?"

Natemare inhaled slow and deep, before whispering in a pained voice. "I wasn't talking about Darkiplier." Sean closed his mouth and swallowed hard. It suddenly dawned on him what Natemare was attracted too. Tilting his head back against the wall, Sean breathlessly whispered out in return. "You love Anti..." Natemare's head turned so slowly that Sean's heart slammed against his ribs in an attempt to run. Natemare's dark eyes flashed with sharp purple veins across his dark brown irises as he peered at him through his curtain of dark bangs. His expression wasn't angry but there was an air of tension now between them. One of Natemare's hands moved off the wall to curl a finger under Sean's chin, lightly pinning him to the wall. Bringing his lips closer to his, Natemare's voice was lifeless when he defended lightly. "I told you. Demons don't love." After a calming breath, Sean gently retorted. "I don't believe that. You merged with your vessel just as Dark did. If Nathan could love... then you can." Natemare dropped his hand from Sean's chin, starting to lean away from him with an unfazed expression. A sudden thought occurred to Sean, causing him to blurt out tenderly. "Dark was paid to break your vessel. How did he do it? Why did you pick him to do it?"

Turning away from him, Natemare tried to change the subject by telling him openly. "You should try these on." Grabbing Natemare's arm, causing Natemare to whirl on him so fast that Sean fell back against the wall. Natemare's purple eyes unsettled him, but Natemare didn't move. Composing himself, Sean told him honestly. "I'll try them on. If you answer me." Slowly facing him better, Natemare crossed his arms over his chest and asked dryly while his eyes faded back to dark brown. "Why does it matter to you? It's not important." Picking up an outfit, Sean cautiously answered as he stripped. "I've seen Dark incinerate demons that so much as look at him wrong. But you... he says you're a buffer between them. Is that because you love Anti?" Natemare rolled his eyes, until Sean added softly. "You miss him." For the first time, Sean watched Natemare's eyes turn completely black as he started distantly into the mirror. Slipping into the first outfit, Sean gently stated aloud. "Dark trusts you with me... because he knows how much you care about Anti. The lengths you'd go to in order to keep him safe. Like he does." Natemare simply turned his head to look at him but said nothing.

Clearing his throat, Sean awkwardly turned his back on him to finish changing. Was he wrong? He didn't think so. Natemare was denying it. Zipping up the front of the tight black leather pants, Sean turned to look at the mirror reluctantly. He usually liked tight pants, but these weren't his style. The long sleeve shirt was sheer black and hid nothing of his torso. An amused snort left Natemare as his eyes looked him over. Just before Sean snapped at him, Natemare coolly told him. "Pants too tight? You look miserable." Glaring at him, Sean growled out. "Very funny. I feel..." Sean couldn't even express it so he didn't finish. Natemare gestured for him to turn for him. After he did, Natemare moved off the wall and told him seriously. "I don't like it. Take it off. The leather somehow makes you look short... Try this." Quickly removing his pants, Sean hesitated before excepting the new bottom. Which was little more than black leather underwear. Holding them up, Sean scolded him lightly. "I said no to these. I don't want to be wearing something so..." Natemare raised an eyebrow, retorting with a smirk. "Revealing? Dirty? Sexy? Where do you think you are?" Rolling his eyes, Sean groaned and turned away to nervously pull his underwear down. He tried to quickly slip into the leather underwear but blushed hard when Natemare let out a low whistle. Turning on instinct, Sean swung his hand out to slap Natemare. Natemare easily grabbed his wrist, pulling him close. Sean felt anger on the inside, but his body was trembling under Natemare's grip.

Natemare flashed him a beautiful grin, telling him coolly. "You better get used to it. It's the closest thing to a compliment that you'll get here. It's not an insult. Remember. You WANT them to want you." Natemare tossed Sean's wrist away, adding seriously. "You pull that when I walk you down the red carpet and I'll have my work cut out for me. Keeping them off your ass. Got it?" Turning away from him, Sean hugged himself before pulling the sheer black shirt off to put on a vest. Natemare kneeled now, running his fingers along Sean's exposed thigh. Sean jerked away, but Natemare told him with a grin. "Ok. I think I know what you need. Strip and don't move." Without another word, Natemare slipped out the curtain, leaving Sean to undress. It made Sean uneasy, but he could hear Natemare talking to himself as he searched for something. Upon returning, Natemare kneeled to hold out what looked like a thong, but it had dangling gold chains around his thighs. Stepping into it, Sean yelped as Natemare pulled it up enough that a thick leather piece wedged up his ass. Natemare told him to adjust his cock in the thin leather front to keep the hard plastic edging from pinching him. Once he did, Natemare tightened it up with the strap between his ass cheeks until he couldn't put his hand in the crotch anymore.

Clicking something in place, Natemare stood up and told him to lift his arms. Sean obeyed, shivering as Natemare lowered a mess of golden chains over him. He instructed him on what chains to put his arms through and carefully adjusted it until they set right. The golden chains had rings that went from the center of his collarbone to the center of his last rib. The chains hung suggestively on him. Hugging the curves of his upper torso to make his ribs and packs stand out. Along the chains that hung over his pecks and along the last chains around his lower ribs, were slender long golden spikes. Natemare admired the look, then pulled over a sheer loincloth in black. Attaching it to the straps of his chastity harness underwear, he watched it fall down between his legs to drag on the floor a little. Sean opened his mouth to complain but couldn't bring himself to distract Natemare. Natemare picked up a set of matching sheer black fingerless gloves. Rolling them up a little past Sean's elbows. Then Natemare retreated from the room and came back with thick black leather cuffs for his wrists and ankles that each had golden rings. Smirking, Natemare's final touch was slipping a black collar around his neck with a golden ring that was attached to an extremely thin silver chain.

Walking around him, Natemare's hands ran down his arms sensually. Giving Sean goosebumps as he cringed at his touch. Pulling his wrists behind his back, Natemare attached the rings of the cuffs to the back of the chastity underwear. Sean shifted uncomfortably, whining out. "Funny. I'm not wearing-" Natemare cut him off by gripping his shoulders and turning him to face the mirror. Leaning over his shoulder, Natemare told him with a devilish grin. "Are you sure? Because with your long legs and arms... This will have Dark purring loud enough to be heard in every realm." Sean looked over his body with a stunned expression. Natemare wasn't lying. The sheer black loincloth made his pale long legs appear sexy. Even more so when he flexed his leg muscles. His torso wasn't much to look at but with the chains drawing the eyes higher to his pecks and ribs, he felt he was in some kind of tribal attire. Natemare's hands rose from his shoulder to trace his fingers under Sean's eyes as he told him coolly. "You'll have to imagine your eyes a bit darker. I can put dark shades to bring out your blue eyes. Or keep it simple with liner like Anti prefers. But I think smokey eyes would work. You've got the bright eyes for it."

Sean turned slightly to look Natemare in the eyes, when he blurted out. "Why do I get the feeling you dressed me up in what YOU wanted to see Anti in." Natemare's lips curled into the most charming and evil grin that he'd ever seen. Ruffling his hair, Natemare giggled out. "Or maybe, I just know what Darkiplier likes." Patting Sean's back, Natemare excitedly stated aloud. "Good. It's settled. I'll get this boxed up and keep it hidden from Dark because I know he is going to look for it. And you better not tell him. Trust me. It will be worth it." Gathering up the other outfits, Natemare headed out but said loud enough for him to hear as he put them away. "We should do something fun." Sean sighed, tilting his head back and stomping his foot in irritation as he asked with embarrassment. "Natemare, can you please uncuff me?" A few girls outside the dressing room snorted and giggled. Grinning, Natemare slipped inside and chuckled out. "Not with that attitude, I won't." Uncuffing him, Natemare collected and neatly folded up the pieces as Sean removed them. Once they had paid and were heading out to the bike, Sean waited as Natemare slipped the box into his bike's saddlebag before asking curiously. "Natemare? If I told you that I saw Anti and... no one else did. Not even Thanatos... Would you think I'm... just worried about him?"

Straightening up from locking up the saddlebag, Natemare shrugged and said casually. "Not necessarily. You share a connection with him just being his vessel. If you chose to, you could communicate with him. I did it with Nathan. It wasn't hard. Most demons just chose not to because they are... ashamed of their weaker half. Why you think he is reaching out to you?" Sean shifted on his feet, mumbling out. "I think so. I've just never seen him so beaten up. Plus, he's missing, and I just feel like... something is wrong." Taking a seat on his bike, Natemare smirked out. "Anti likes his freedom. He wanders off from time to time to stir up trouble or goes off to think. As much as we hate when he leaves, he always comes back. Eventually. He's probably just got a lot on his mind lately. With you and Dark getting so close and the Dominion harassing him." Inching closer to Natemare, Sean pleaded softly. "But what if what I saw was him asking for help? How would I know?" With a sigh, Natemare put his hands on Sean's arms and told him calmly. "Listen. If Thanatos didn't sense him, then he wasn't there. But if this is bothering you that much... Maybe I can tell you what it was." Sean blinked, watching Natemare put his hands on either side of his head, when he asked. "You can do that?"

Rolling his eyes, Natemare huffed out. "I'm a Mare. Nightmares and Daydreams are kindof my thing. Now close your eyes and don't move. Think about what you say. Itwill make it easier for me to find in your mind." Sean took a deep breath and obeyed. He relieved the memory clear as day over andover. The image moving and drawingcloser than he ever got to Anti. Upclose, Anti looked worse. His clotheswere burned and beneath his torn clothes were bandages. Anti's breathing didn't even sound right ashe perked himself on the roof. Feeling arush of air, Sean opened his eyes to see Natemare lowering his hands with aperplexed expression. Sean waited aslong as he could, then asked abruptly. "So?What was it?" Natemare opened his mouthwith a distant look, before telling him seriously. "You weren't imaging it. He was there... but hewasn't. It was like a glitch only..." Licking his lips, Natemare told him seriously. "Hop on. I wanna check something out." Sean practically leapt onto the bike asNatemare revved it. Holding on tightlyto him, Natemare sped off with tires screaming against the pavement. Something about his version had clearly upsetNatemare. To Be Continued...