It was a good move to undo the restraints, as Shannon immediately moved his hands up to Eli's chest, one burying itself under his jacket and clinging to Eli's side while the other tangled itself up in the lapel and threatened never to let go. His head was pressed against the crook of Eli's neck as if to burrow inside where it was obviously the most safe. He trusted Eli, trusted his Dom so much, but this undercurrent of wrong was choking him. How was he supposed to breathe when the air had suddenly turned to ice around him?

When Eli tried to stand them up, Shannon was very difficult to move up until Eli told him what they were doing. He scrambled to obey, nearly tripping himself up, and refused to let go the entire time. There was a noticeable flinch when Eli directed his attention elsewhere for even a moment, the tone of voice sending spikes of panic into his heart. He huddled further, beginning to murmur apologies for some unknown slight. He was just scared, he didn't mean anything. Promise.

Matheus let his lips thin out into a line at the order, but knew better than to fight or kick up a fuss when Shannon was in such a terrible state. It was frightening and sent waves of shame over him while he tried to figure out what the hell was going on between those two. Eli was obviously shaken as well, and that worried him, but not as much as the smoldering sketchbook lying untended on the floor. Shannon had done that. Shannon had flown into such a panic that he'd set something on fire and that was not good. Matheus sat down on the edge of the couch and watched them for only a moment before he had to look away. God, this was fucked up.