Page 64 of Discordant Cultivation

Each performance technically flawless, each one missing the raw honesty that made 'PoisonSaviors'devastating. Kieran moved through the basement like he was following a script, settling into the chair at the song's decrescendo with control. Vale's teeth ached with frustration.

He's protecting himself. He’s building walls again after I spent four days tearing them down.

"Oh my god," Eliza said after attempt twenty-two, reviewing footage on her camera's small screen. "This is incredible. The way he moves around the space—it's like watching someone try to escape their own skin. And that moment when he finally surrenders to the chair? Fucking gorgeous."

Vale forced his expression into something approaching satisfaction. "It's certainly... polished."

"Polished? It's raw as hell. Look at this shot." She angled the camera toward him. "The vulnerability, the way the lighting catches the bandages—it's like watching someone bleed poetry."

She sees what she wants to see. Surface-level artistry instead of authentic suffering.

"You know what," Vale said, checking his watch, "I think we should do one more full run-through. Just to make sure we're not settling for good when we could have great."

Eliza nodded enthusiastically. "Absolutely. You want me to adjust anything? Lighting, angles?"

"Actually, could you do me a favor? Run into town and grab lunch for the three of us? There's a café about twenty minutes down the road." Vale smiled that warm, paternal smile that always made people want to listen to him. "We can give Thorn time to reset, then we'll do our final take."

"Of course! Any preferences?"

"Surprise us," Vale said, already moving to usher her toward the stairs. "Something substantial. It’s been a long shoot."

The front door closed with finality, and Vale listened to Eliza's car disappear down the gravel drive before returning to the basement. Kieran stood in the center of the space, still wrapped in gauze, looking like a question mark waiting for instruction.

I’ll give you everything you need, sweetheart.

"Twenty-two attempts," Vale said quietly.

Kieran's shoulders tensed. "I—I thought the l-last few were good. Eliza seemed—"

"Eliza is a film major who thinks surface-level pretty pain is the same thing as authentic vulnerability." Vale moved closer, his voice dropping to something just above a whisper, "But I know the difference. I've heard you sing with real honesty, Kieran. What you just gave us wasn't honest."

"I was d-doing my best—"

"You were lying." Vale's hand found Kieran's throat, his thumb tracing the edge of gauze wrapped around his throat. "Do you think I can't tell when you're protecting yourself from your own words?"

The tears started immediately. "I don't kn-know how to—with her here, I c-couldn't—"

"You couldn't access the honesty. You couldn't let yourself feel the words instead of just singing them." Vale's grip tightened. "Because honesty requires the right conditions, doesn't it?"

Kieran nodded, tears spilling over now. "I'm s-sorry. I tried, I r-r-really tried—"

"I know you did." Vale's voice turned gentle, understanding. "Which is why we're going to have one final lesson before she comes back."

"P-pl-please," Kieran whispered. "Not with her coming back. Not—"

"Especially with her coming back." Vale smiled, warm and patient and absolutely immovable. "So you can learn to carry the truth in your voice even when everything's gone wrong. Even when you're breaking."

I need this. I need to see you break one more time before you perform. And you know you need it too.

Vale moved his hand up to stroke Kieran’s jaw, feeling the slight tremor in the muscle there. "Kneel for me, beautiful boy."

Kieran's knees hit the stone with a soft thud as the most beautiful sob bubbled out of him, his eyes locked on Vale, magnetic even in their terror.

"P-please, Vale, don't—"

God, you're exquisite when you beg.

Vale couldn’t hide his shaking hands as he fumbled with his zipper, the basement air cool on his heated skin as his cock sprang free—hard and throbbing, veins pulsing with anticipation as he gripped the base and guided Kieran's head forward. Kieran’s lips hovered inches from the swollen head, quivering, as he whimpered, trying to shake his head.