#a new thing in my enclosure I am confused but intrigued about

[blackbackedjackal]

Is solarpunk like homesteading for gamers?

[perspective-series]

Pet Perspective (11/19)

By: @arc852 and @hiddendreamer67

Warnings: Degrading roles, moral quandaries galore

First Chapter || Previous Chapter || Next Chapter

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 Patton grinned as he set Logan down on his desk. “So! What did you want to do? Because I’ve got games, we could watch a movie or maybe just talk?” Patton listed out.

“I don’t have a particular preference.” Logan assured him. “I am willing to participate in most activities but now that I have the capacity to do so I intend on informing you when an experience becomes unpleasant.”

 Patton nodded. “Sounds good! I think a movie would be good then, just to wind down from all that sun and sugar.” Patton chuckled and opened his laptop to pick out a movie on netflix. “Are you okay here, or do you wanna move to my bed? It might be more comfortable to lay down and watch it.”

“I’m comfortable here.” Logan answered.

 “Okay!” Patton said and then looked through the movies. He hummed until he came across one he had seen before but figured Logan might enjoy watching. He pressed play on it and leaned back. “This is a good one.” Patton commented with a grin.

“What is it?” Logan raised an eyebrow.

 “It’s kind of similar to the first one we watched yesterday. But different, of course.” Patton chuckled. “Just watch, it’s starting!” Patton turned his attention back to it.

 As the movie progressed, it was clear that, just like the first movie, this was also had a pet borrower in it.

“I did not understand the first film, just as I do not understand this.” Logan looked somewhere between confused or unsettled. “Why do they feel the compulsory need to drag their borrowers along? No one wants to witness all of this courting.”

 Patton shrugged. “Well, that’s what people do with their pets. They don’t want to leave them alone, so they bring them along.” He explained.

“That seems impractical, as well as demeaning.” Logan huffed. “And on the human side of the plot, it’s unrealistic. They only knew each other for a short amount of time before confessing their love and beginning an arduous journey.”

 Patton chuckled. “Heh, yeah, a lot of movies do that. There’s only so much you can put in two and a half hours, after all.” He paused, glancing down at Logan. “And why would that be demeaning? Wouldn’t you want to be included on a trip instead of stuck at home by yourself?”

“It depends on the venture; I would much rather be left to my own devices than dragged along as an accessory for a romantic getaway.” Logan clarified.

 “I...guess I see your point.” Patton said before turning back to the movie. As it turned out, the borrower had a bigger role to play as he was tasked with delivering the wedding ring to the girl. “Oh, see! There was a reason the borrower came along!”

“Even from a cinematic point that doesn’t make sense.” Logan furrowed his brow. “They made no indication that this would be vital to their relationship- why are they highlighting it? It’s just an excuse to have the borrower in the background for the rest of the film. Not to mention, a ring of that size would be far more strenuous to carry. It’s clearly a fake.”

 “It’s romantic?” Patton said, though unsure. “And really?” It didn’t seem like it would be that heavy.

“Do you see the amount of gemstones on that ring?” Logan pointed to the screen. “And you must account for that weight of the band itself as well. Besides, the action isn’t ‘romantic’ if the borrower is not an important part of the romance itself.”

 “I mean...he’s their pet. People do that with pets all the time since they consider them part of their family and all. I’ve seen a ton of movie where dogs gave the ring. It’s not...uncommon.” Patton explained.

“It may be a common action, but that doesn’t ensure that it’s moral or practical.” Logan argued. “Is it truly acceptable if the borrower is uncomfortable or in pain?”

 Patton’s eyes widened. “N-No! Of course not...but wouldn’t the borrowers have said something then?”

“I imagine they would, but humans seldom listen.” Logan explained. “It’s why I was collared in the first place. And again, in this particular instance, I believe the act is merely staged.”

 Patton looked down, fidgeting with the sleeves of his cat hoodie. “You didn’t deserve to be shock collared.”

“That is a correct statement.” Logan agreed. “It was a violation of my basic rights and a restriction of my free speech, although there are no legal consequences for such unethical actions to my knowledge.”

 No, no there wasn’t. Patton paused the movie, turning to Logan. “Logan...do borrowers like being pets?”

Logan frowned, surprised by the question. “No, I hardly think anyone would enjoy this demeaning treatment.”

 Patton deflated and looked down. “And...I’m guessing that includes you as well?”

Logan was more confused. “Of course, it would only be natural that I would draw my conclusions from personal experience. I’ve lived my seventeen years completely in entrapment, either of a cruel or neutral nature. A borrower existence is not particularly pleasant.”

 Patton felt tears prick the corners of his eyes. “W-We were always taught...that borrowers needed to be looked after. That they liked being pets...I never thought twice about it…” How could he not have?

Now Logan was downright startled, with no knowledge of how to possibly approach this situation. It was a clearly ridiculous belief, but Logan worried if he stated such he might send Patton further into this worrying spiral. “Why are you crying?”

 “B-Because…” Logan’s question only caused him to cry more. “I...I should have realized sooner. We-We all should have! I don’t...you aren’t…” Patton could barely get any words out as he wiped at his eyes. Was the world really so cruel that it had convinced so many people that this was okay. Even...even him.

“Patton, what are you attempting to communicate?” Logan pressed.

 Patton’s heart beat rapidly inside his chest as he lowered his hands and stared openly at Logan. “You’re...You’re a person.” And saying it out loud, something he really should have known all along, caused him to cry again.

Logan’s eyes darted around, desperate for a way out of this uncomfortable situation. “Given your reaction, I assume this is a new revelation then?”

 Patton nodded. “I know...that’s so bad! I...I should have realized...from the beginning.” He met Logan’s eyes. “I’m...I’m so sorry, Logan.”

“Why are you apologizing?” Logan felt exasperated. “And was it not obvious from my identical anatomy, ability to speak and rational thought?”

 “It...should have been, huh?” Patton continued to wipe his eyes, slowly calming himself down. “I’m apologizing...because yeah, I should have realized it sooner. Like...forever ago. But I...didn’t. And a part of me wants to blame the world but...it’s also on me too, isn’t it?” He sniffed.

“Perhaps; it’s a complex issue of societal norms and personal bias- I’m sorry, what exactly does this mean?” Logan asked. “I understand and appreciate your delayed epiphany that I’m hardly different from a human being, but how does this affect this relationship going forward?”

 Patton blinked, that was a good question. “Well...what do you want? Like, truly want. If...If that’s letting you go and living free then...I’ll let you go. Because you deserve to make your own decisions now.”

Logan blinked. That was… a lot of pressure. Logan had never even considered what he wanted for his future, knowing it was not his choice to make; rather, Logan was content to fight his battles moment to moment. 

“I...would not know the first thing about survival if I were released.” Logan admitted, slowly remembering his conversation with Roman earlier.

 “Oh...right, I guess you wouldn’t, growing up in captivity huh?” Patton bit his lip. “You could...stay with me?”

“Up until now I had assumed that was the default.” Logan scuffed his shoe against the desk. Was that what he wanted? It wasn’t terrible here, but Logan had never been given such a choice before. He had no idea what options were available.

 “You don’t have to! This is your decision after all and you don’t have to answer now but if you do stay...I promise to not treat you like a pet anymore.” Patton promised, putting his hands over his heart.

The complete 180 change baffled Logan. “I honestly do not know what I want… but I was content to stay here before your revelation, and my position on the matter has not changed.”

 Patton nodded. “Okay...Just let me know if you ever change your mind. And! Feel free to speak your mind. Whenever. Don’t think of yourself as a pet anymore but like a...a roommate!” Patton exclaimed with a grin.

“A roommate.” Logan tried out the term. It was certainly odd- the only arrangement like that Logan could have pictured prior was if Patton got a second borrower and had them share an enclosure.

 “Yeah! It’ll be fun! And I...I won’t lock the enclosure anymore. It’ll just be your room. I could...I could even move it into the guest bedroom, if you wanted more privacy.” Patton suggested. He wanted Logan to feel as comfortable as possible.

“There’s a guest bedroom?” Logan seemed surprised by this knowledge. 

 “Yeah! We like to have it in case any family or friends come over. Although that rarely happens and we mostly use it for storage.” Patton laughed, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly. “But we can turn it into your room if you wanted!”

“I do not require that much space… the privacy might be intriguing but it would likely be most convenient to stay here, if I’m not intruding.” Once again, Logan was at a loss as to what to choose.

 “Of course you’re not. Like I said, it’s all up to you. I’d be happy to have you stay in here with me.” Patton grinned. In fact, he was happy Logan wanted to stay at all.

“This is… a lot to process.” Logan admitted. “Change can be overwhelming. For now, I think it would be most ideal to stick closely to the routine that was in development.”

 Patton slowly nodded. “Okay. I think we can do that.” He grinned. “Did you want to watch another movie?” Patton suggested. “One without borrowers acting as pets?”

“That would be acceptable.” Logan agreed. “Although preferably one with a more intriguing and believable plot.”

 Patton chuckled. “I...think I might know of one.” He searched netflix and chose Big Hero 6. He grinned and pressed play. 

------------------------------------------

 When Virgil got back from his second exam, he was ready to never go to school again and to stay in his room forever. The test had been hard and he was just happy it was over. He went up the stairs, hearing the sound coming from Patton’s room and smiling slightly at the tell signs of Big Hero 6. He rolled his eyes fondly before entering his room.

 “Roman, I’m back.” He said as he set his bag down by his desk. He looked into Roman’s enclosure. Frowning when he didn’t see any lights on. “Roman?” He pushed the button to unlock the house but instead, he heard the click of it locking. His eyes widened.

 He hadn’t locked it before he left.

 Worry coursed through him and he unlocked it again and opened the enclosure up. “Roman? Come on dude, where are you?” He looked in every room, even took a peek in the bathroom despite himself but there was no one there.

 Had...had Roman actually left. Even after he had promised? No...No, maybe Roman was just with Patton? Yeah, that had to be it! Patton must have come in and offered Roman a chance to get in on the movie marathon him and Logan planned on having. He’ll walk into Patton’s room and Roman will be there. Virgil was overreacting, as always.

 But when Virgil went into Patton’s room and looked around, the only borrower he saw was Logan. 

 “Kiddo?” Patton asked, gaining his attention. The movie had been paused and Patton was now focused on him, eyebrows furrowed. “What happened? Is something wrong?”

 “I…” Virgil ran a hand down his face. “I think...I think Roman is gone…”

 Patton blinked. “W-What?”

“Gone?” Logan furrowed his eyebrows. “Gone...where?”

 “I don’t know!” Virgil admitted. “I-I forgot to lock his enclosure but he had promised that he wouldn’t leave and now he could be anywhere and-”

 “Whoa! Kiddo, calm down.” Patton interrupted, standing up and placing a comforting and grounding hand on Virgil’s shoulder. “Maybe he just decided to take a walk around the house?”

 Virgil let out a deep breath. “Y-Yeah...maybe.” That could be it.

 Patton nodded. “We’ll help you look for him. Right, Logan?”

Logan paused, suddenly remembering the brief and confusing interaction he had with Roman earlier in the day.

“Do you want to get out of here? … You, me, freedom… we can live our own lives, away from all the humans…”

Logan felt conflicted. On the one hand, Roman was quite obnoxious and he didn’t owe Roman anything. On the other hand, Patton was beginning to prove himself trustworthy but he was still human. Should he tell Patton what he heard? But wasn’t it cruel to drag Roman back here if he wanted to go? Patton had been willing to release Logan, and just because he was incapable didn’t mean Roman was- in fact, Logan felt almost a bit hurt Roman hadn’t brought him along because Logan would have wanted to be a valuable ally.

 When Patton didn’t hear anything, he turned to look at Logan. “Logan?”

Logan jumped, realizing he had forgotten to answer. “I don’t see how I would be of much use.” Logan decided. “You two can certainly cover more ground than myself.”

 “True but you are the only one of us to be able to fit in places Roman would be able to fit in.” Patton said. Virgil, for his part, was bouncing back and forth on his feet. He was both impatient and panicking. 

 “I’m going to start looking.” Virgil announced and went back to his room to scope it out. Patton wanted to help but he turned back to Logan first to see what he would say.

“I can certainly investigate where you see fit.” Logan agreed hesitantly, feeling uncertain if he had a moral obligation to ‘out’ Roman should the borrower be found. “But I still see little to no point.”

 Patton smiled and held out his hand for Logan.

Logan climbed on, wondering why he felt such a pit of dread in his stomach. He hoped Roman would remain undiscovered so Logan wouldn’t have to make a decision.

 The three searched the entire house. When Virgil found no sign of Roman in his room, he scoped out the rest of the second floor, Patton sticking to the first. Logan helped a little with places like underneath the couch and behind the bookshelf but still, Roman wasn’t found. 

 It had been hours at this point. The sun was starting to set and Virgil paced back and forth, pulling at his hair in worry. “Where could he be?! We searched the whole house and he isn’t…” He wasn’t here.

 Patton frowned and looked around. “Do you think...he got outside?”

 Virgil snapped his head over to Patton. “I...well, I mean, if he isn’t in the house…” Where else could he have gone? Virgil’s heart fell as he realized Roman really did escape. Breaking his ‘promise’. 

 ...Could Virgil really blame him though?

 “Maybe he’s still near the house? We could look outside before it gets too dark?” Patton suggested and Virgil nodded numbly. He had a feeling Roman wouldn’t be found, though.

 They went to the front door and Virgil cupped his hands over his mouth. “Roman!”

“How will we spot him in the darkness if he does not want to be found?” Logan asked quietly.

 Patton bit his lip. Logan did have a point.

 But Virgil just shook his head. “No, we...we have to find him. It’s...it’s not safe out here.” There were a number of dangers, including other humans that could just up and pick Roman up and then Virgil really would never see him again.

 “Come on, we’ll use our phone flashlights.” Virgil said, already taking his out and crouching to search through the bushes. Patton sighed but took out his phone, and started searching too, still holding Logan in his free hand.

 Two more hours passed...and Roman hadn’t been found. The humans and borrower piled back into the house as night had fully taken over. Patton looked over at Virgil sadly as Virgil through his hair, pulling at it harshly.

 “Virgil-”

 “I just don’t understand. I thought we were getting along! Why would he...why would he just leave like that?” Virgil yelled, placing his head in his hands.

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Logan tensed, the raised human voice putting him on edge. “What… what gave you the indication you were getting along?”

-----------------------------------------

 Virgil glanced over at Logan. “We talked, he told me things about his past...and we had fun playing games...at least, I thought we were having fun.” But if Roman had still decided to escape then maybe it had all been an act. The thought made Virgil’s heart drop.

“And when did all that occur?” Logan asked, trying to piece together the timeline to see where his conversation this morning fell.

 “Last night was when we talked. Earlier today we were playing uno and talking a bit more.” Virgil revealed. “Which is why I’m so confused. Was Roman just...acting then?” Could he even believe anything Roman had told him? But...he had sounded so sincere.

 “I’m so sorry, kiddo.” Patton said, placing his free hand on Virgil’s arm.

Logan bit his lip, uncertain. It was clear Roman was an excellent actor, given the performance he would put on for the humans versus when they were alone. Not to mention, he had a habit of making some jest at Logan and then turning around and acting all innocent to cover up. Logan didn’t know what to believe about his fellow borrower. 

 “I think...I think we should head to bed. It’s getting late.” Patton suggested gently but Virgil still whirled around to him, eyes wide.

 “What? No! We have to keep looking!” Virgil tried to pull away but Patton held onto him.

 “Virgil, it’s already late. I hate it as much as you but there isn’t anything we can do. Not at this hour. Maybe in the morning you can call the shelter?” Patton said with a gentle smile. Virgil stared at him for a moment before deflating.

 “How do you even expect me to sleep?” He was still so worried.

 Patton winced. “I know but...please just try? You won’t find him if your exhausted.” 

 Patton, of course, had a point but that didn’t mean Virgil liked it any better. But he sighed and gave in. “Fine. But I’m getting up early.” Patton nodded. That was fine by him, as long as Virgil got a few hours of sleep.

 “Alright, goodnight Virgil.” Patton said, before heading up the stairs with Logan in hand. 

 Virgil thought about following him up but he glanced towards the living room he was in. It...was possible they could have missed a few places? Virgil took out his phone flashlight, silently apologized to Patton and proceeded to continue his search.

[anavoliselenu]

Creighton chapter 6

“Get in the shower, Selena.” I turn on the water in the palatial glass enclosure, but she doesn’t make a move to strip.

The twelve showerheads begin to fill the room with steam. I hold open the glass door and wait. She still doesn’t move.

“Are you waiting for an engraved invitation?”

She shakes her head. “I just thought I’d shower alone.”

Ah. There it is. Selena’s innate shyness that she can’t hide. As much as I get a charge out of guiding her due to her inexperience, the sexiest submissive women I know are also some of the most confident I’ve ever met. I caught glimpses of Selena’s confidence when she spoke about her career last night and the mess the record label pushed her into, and I’m determined to see if I can pull that from her when it comes to sex. An interesting and entertaining challenge.

My words are calculated to do just that.

“And I thought I’d fuck my wife in the shower.”

Her eyes dart up to meet mine, spitting fire. “Is this how it’s going to be? You say when, and I just spread my legs? Because I missed that subsection in your massive contract.”

Ah, there we are. She has attitude, but she’s untrained and needs guidance on how to channel it. And that’s where I come in.

I cross the room and stop in front of her. “The only massive thing you need to worry about at this moment is my cock, sweetheart,” I say. “And when and where I tell you to take it.”

Her fist connects with my jaw, and my head snaps sideways.

Fuck. I guess I went a little too far. My new wife has way more attitude than I realized.

Rubbing two fingers across the surprisingly tender spot just below and to the left of my mouth, I study her. She’s shaking her hand out and wincing.

“Damn, that hurts more than I remember,” she whispers.

I’m intrigued by her reaction and her words. “I’m not sure whether I should be more surprised that you punched me, or that this apparently isn’t the first time you’ve hit someone.”

Selena peeks up at me from beneath long, dark lashes, as if the boldness of a moment ago has faded as fast as it flared up. She flexes her hand, and I don’t like the pain telegraphed by her movements.

“Hold on.”

I turn and leave the bathroom. My preferred villa at Caesar’s is five thousand square feet, so it takes me a moment to load up ice from the freezer into a hand towel and bring it back to the bathroom.

Selena’s seated at the vanity with her back to the mirror when I return, still flexing her hand. I crouch in front of her, and her eyes dart up to mine in surprise. I reach out to take her wrist, but she snatches her hand away.

“What are you—”

I wrap my hand around her forearm, pull her hand toward me so it rests on my knee, and press the ice to her knuckles.

“I would think it’s obvious.”

Confusion creases her features. “I would’ve thought you’d pull out the contract and point me to the section where it states there’s an automatic annulment in this scenario.”

My lips twitch at her statement. “I can’t say that either I or my lawyers envisioned this one.” My almost-smile fades away. “But don’t do it again.”

“Then don’t say stuff like that to me.” She jerks her hand, but my hold on her forearm is unrelenting.

“I think you’ll find that I’ll say plenty of stuff like that, and I’ll only get more demanding and blunt.” I swear I can hear her teeth grind. “What’d you really expect, Selena?”

“I have no idea. I must be absolutely insane to think I could do this.” She laughs, and it echoes in the large master bath.

The sound causes my balls to tighten and my dick to go rock hard. There’s something about this woman, and I don’t have a fucking clue what it is, but my body responds to her like I’m Pavlov’s fucking dog.

As she’s sitting at approximately eye level, she doesn’t miss my reaction. She looks up at me and back down to the tent in my boxer briefs.

“Ignore it.”

“Um, easier said than done.”

Once again, a smile creeps across my face, and I lift the ice from her knuckles. They’re red, and a foreign thought invades my brain. I don’t like her hurting, and especially not because of me.

“Don’t do that again,” I order her.

“Then maybe you should rethink how you speak to me,” she counters before meeting my eyes again and adding, “I’m sorry, though. I probably shouldn’t have done that. I just . . . reacted. Badly.”

I set the ice on the vanity and rise. Crossing to the shower, I shut off the water and jerk my head toward the master bedroom.

“Let’s talk.”

I hit him.

Holy. Shit.

I hit him.

I haven’t hit someone since I knocked Johnny Dagen on his ass for handing me five dollars and asking if that was enough to buy him a blow job because he heard that’s what my mama charged. I broke his nose, and he never asked again. I was fifteen at the time. That wasn’t the last time someone made me feel like a whore, but I certainly wasn’t going to spend however long this marriage lasts being treated like one.

Burying memories of a past I’d love to forget, I follow Justin out of the giant bathroom. Even though he brought me ice, I’m assuming this is when the annulment proceedings start.

I wish I never got out of bed this morning. I need a do-over.

Jesus. Why did I hit him? Something about his condescending tone just pushed me over the edge.

I woke up this morning worried about what the record execs and the media were going to say, and he brushes my concerns aside like they’re nothing. And then I find out that he’s eleven years older than me, and suddenly the decision I made seemed to take on a whole new level of cons I didn’t anticipate. It’s no excuse, but it’s the only one I’ve got.

Justin pulls on a pair of lounge pants—I have no idea where those came from—and settles into one of the chairs in the sitting room portion of the master suite. I take the chair opposite him.

“We need to lay out some ground rules.”

I’m not sure I like the sound of that, because I assume what he really means is that it’s time to lay out Justin’s rules.

But what did I really expect? That I’d have some sort of bargaining power here? My leverage disappeared when I signed on the dotted line.

I know it, and he knows it.

Then again, we both want something from the other, which I suppose puts us on sort of even footing. Except . . . not really. He has the billions and I just have me.

You can cover a girl with fancy makeup, false eyelashes, hair extensions, stage-worthy clothes, and strip off my extra ten pounds by starving me half to death, but it doesn’t change who I am at heart. I’m still a girl from East Kentucky with big dreams and an even bigger fear of failure—because I don’t want to go back to Gold Haven. There’s nothing left there for me anymore, much to my gut-wrenching regret.

When I snap myself out of my impromptu trip down my pothole-riddled memory lane, I find Justin waiting, that damn eyebrow raised.

“Please, by all means, continue.” My accent comes out stronger, and I blame it on my thoughts of home and the fact that if his rules have any impact on my career, we’re going to have a problem.

He narrows his eyes. “Rule one: I like sex. I plan to have a lot of it. With you.”

Well, then. The man certainly doesn’t beat around the bush. “I got that one.”

“If that’s going to be a problem for you, my lawyers can—”

And there it is, the threat to end the marriage, which would put my career in jeopardy.

“End this marriage faster than it started?” I say quickly, interrupting him. “Because sex isn’t a problem for me. I know what I signed up for. It’s not like I think you married me because you found my conversational skills riveting. I just didn’t realize I was going to be spreading my legs on command. I thought you’d at least, you know, pretend like I wasn’t a whore. Although I guess that’s all I really am. A really expensive whore.”

Justin’s narrowed eyes turn absolutely molten. “Don’t you fucking call yourself a whore.”

“Then don’t treat me like one.”

We stare each other down, and I wait for his response. I’m expecting something along the lines of “I’ll treat you however I want to treat you,” but what I get instead is something completely unexpected.

“I’m sorry.”

An apology?

“That wasn’t well done of me. I may be a demanding asshole, but that’s not exactly my style.”

“Does that mean you don’t want shower sex?” I’m pretty sure it’s the slutty devil on my shoulder shoving these words into my mouth, because I certainly wasn’t planning to say that.

Justin’s smile is lazy, predatory, and his eyes are hot and hard.

“I didn’t say that, Selena. In fact, right now there’s nothing I’d rather do more than walk you right back into that bathroom, strip you naked, and fuck you against the wall until you beg me to let you come.”

My mind skips back to our first night together. It isn’t lost on me that the man likes control. The last time we had sex that night, he toyed with me, refusing to let me come until I begged and pleaded—and then he took me. I’ve never had that before, and I was pretty sure I’d never have that again. Which was depressing to think about, because it was . . . amazing. My objection this morning wasn’t to the sex, but to the way he spoke to me.

And with his apology, maybe there’s hope for us yet.

I decide to take the first step, a peace offering, per se. I set the ice on the table beside me, stand, and snag the hem of my T-shirt. I pull it up and over my head, and drop it on the floor. Justin’s lips twitch into that sexy smirk I’m already starting to recognize.

“Then maybe we should postpone the rest of this conversation indefinitely?” I say.

“I like the sound of that.”

I take one step toward the bathroom, and he says, “Stop.”

I meet his eyes, and he holds out the shirt.

I look at it in confusion. “What?”

“Put it back on.”

“I don’t understand.”

Justin reaches for my hand, places the shirt in it, and curls my fingers around the soft cotton.

“I told you I was going to strip you naked and fuck you in the shower. I didn’t say you were going to strip for me.”

Seriously?

But I don’t protest. I think it’s the promise of the orgasms looming on the horizon, and the way he’s looking at me with scorching heat in his eyes. Shaking out the shirt, I pull it back over my head and turn to head for the bathroom.

Justin stalks me as I make my way back through the master suite into the crazy-nice bathroom. I pause in front of the huge glass shower enclosure and wait.

The heat radiating from his big body penetrates the thin cotton fabric I’m wearing, and I wait for whatever he’s going to do next. The anticipation is almost a tangible thing.

His mouth must be only half an inch from my ear, because his breath ghosts along it when he says, “Get inside.”

I open my mouth to protest, because I’m still wearing the shirt and underwear.

“Now, Selena.”

The order sends shivers racing down my spine. Unlike before, his tone is smoothly seductive and commanding rather than condescending. It’s intoxicating and impossible to ignore.

Stepping into the shower, I await his next command. I don’t have to wait long.

“Turn on the water.”

I reach for the fixture and twist. The hot spray hits me from several different angles, and I shut my eyes. Water soaks through the shirt in moments, and I realize that I’m giving Justin his very own wet T-shirt show. And that knowledge is not unappealing.

When my nipples harden against the drenched fabric, I wipe the water away from my eyes and turn to face him. I want to see his expression.

He doesn’t disappoint me. His eyes flash, and I’m treated to a wolfish smile.

“You like this, you dirty girl. Even though you rebelled against it, you like when I tell you what to do. I seem to remember you asking me to do that very thing in the limo last night.”

I start to shake my head, but realize there’s no point in denying it.

“I shouldn’t like it.”

“Fuck shouldn’t,” Justin growls as he crosses to the shower, stripping off the lounge pants and boxer briefs. He wastes no time grabbing my soaked T-shirt by the hem and pulling it up over my head. It lands on the shower floor with a soggy smack.

His mouth drops to my nipple as his thumbs catch the waist of my underwear. Without lifting his head, he drags them down my legs, and I kick them aside. He pulls away from my breast, his attention riveted on my mouth once more. He takes it. Takes me.

Cupping my butt, he lifts me off my feet. “Wrap your legs around me.”

His erection presses hot, hard, and heavy between my legs. I shift my hips, loving the pressure of it against my clit.

He pulls back for only a moment. “Speak now or forever hold your peace, Mrs. Karas. Because otherwise, I’m going to fuck the hell out of you.”

My nails dig into the solid muscles of his shoulders.

“Please. Now.” They are the only words I can get out before he shifts and presses into me.

I’ve never been this turned on in my entire life. Never.

My eyes flutter shut, but I force them open as my body stretches almost painfully to accommodate Justin’s size. I want to see the ecstasy twisted in his features.

His thrusts come fast and hard, and the heat of his body is a delicious contrast to the cool tile at my back. Steam fills the air, mingling with my moans of pleasure.

At this angle, every thrust hits a perfect spot, and my orgasm builds with each bit of friction against my clit. I fight against the rising tension, knowing that the longer I wait, the more intense it’s going to be.

Justin readjusts to hold me up with one arm, and slips a hand between our bodies. The press of his thumb against my clit tears away any resolve I have to wait. I dig my nails into the tanned skin of his shoulders as the climax bursts through me.

My cry echoes through the enclosed space, and I swear I hear him laugh over the blood rushing in my ears. He continues to thrust, the pace increasing with each plunge, until my second orgasm is barreling down on me. My body clenches around him, greedy for every inch I can get.

“Fuuuck,” he yells as he pounds home one . . . two . . . three more times.

His muscles flex and release until we’re both shaking under the hot spray of the shower. His head drops forward, resting on the tile beside mine. My legs are locked around his waist, and I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to move again. Not sure I ever want to move again. He pulls out before carefully lowering me, and I’m forced to disentangle my limbs from him and let his cock slip from my body.

“Jesus, woman.” He tilts my face up toward his, both hands holding my cheeks. “You’re fucking incredible.”

And then his lips descend on mine once more, but they don’t stay on my lips. They slide down to my chin, my neck, my breasts. Each nipple gets the attention of his teeth and tongue before he drops to his knees and worships my belly, and then my pussy.

I can still feel his cum leaking from my body, but that doesn’t stop him from burying his face between my legs, nipping at my clit and delving inside. His hands clutch my rear, forcing me to use his face for balance. Which I have absolutely no problem with because pleasure is again sparking down my spine, and my knees are dangerously close to giving out.

But when the fingers of one hand skim down the crack of my ass, approaching my no-go zone, I squirm, trying to move away from him.

He tightens his grip, and my squirming is completely useless, except for how it moves me another notch toward orgasm. He went there that night, but I was too drunk on whiskey and pleasure to care or protest.

But now? In the broad and sober light of day? I’m not sure I can handle it.

He looks up, lust and confusion written across his features in equal measure.

“What? You have a problem with me eating your freshly fucked pussy?”

I shiver under his penetrating stare. It misses nothing. As if testing my reaction, those questing fingers lightly cross over the pucker of my ass again, and I try to pull away.

A grin curves his mouth into a devastating smile as he circles it with his thumb and adds the slightest pressure.

I flinch at the nerve endings rocketing to life. “I don’t . . .”

He leaves that sensitive spot and I relax, but altogether too soon. He brings his fingers forward to dip inside me.

“You’ve never taken a cock up this gorgeous ass, Selena?”

My eyes widen, and I stammer, “No . . . no. Never.”

“That’s going to change.” His flashing brown eyes are wicked when he adds, “Maybe not today—or even tomorrow—but when it does, I’ll make you fucking love it. You’ll beg for it.”

I swallow as another flood of moisture drips onto his fingers.

“Don’t pretend you don’t like the idea, because your body has already spoken. Let me show you.”

Shaking my head doesn’t help because his questing fingers are already drawing my slickness to my back hole. My muscles twitch at the zings of pleasure.

Staring up at me, he presses one finger against my asshole. I try to remain unaffected, but it’s a losing battle. I bite my lip to hold in my moan, but it escapes anyway.

“That’s right, baby. I’m going to finger-fuck this tight little virgin asshole, and you’re going to come on my face while I do it.”

“Oh my God,” I whisper as his touch tests and then breaches the ring of muscle. Tremors rip through me as his finger presses in.

“That’s a good girl. You take it. You take everything I give you.”

I don’t remember moving my hands, but they’re cupping my breasts and tugging at my nipples, desperate to spread sensations of pleasure.

His finger slides deeper and begins to thrust as his mouth lowers to my clit once again. The vibrations of his groans intensify the sensations rioting through my body. When I feel a second finger circling my entrance, I stiffen, but a nip to my clit distracts me from the flaring nerve endings.

My head thrashes from side to side against the cool tile wall, pain and pleasure mixing and sparking as he thrusts with his fingers and toys with my clit with his tongue, teeth, and lips.

This man owns every one of my senses, and I lose myself to his forbidden touches as he forces me higher and higher until I shatter.

When I release Selena, she slides down the wall, her head dropping forward onto my shoulder. We’re both on our knees under the pounding spray of the shower, and I wonder if every time I touch her I’ll feel like I’ve found the goddamn Holy Grail. It’s a little unnerving, and not at all a feeling I’m accustomed to.

I stand, carefully helping her to her feet. I wash us both and shut off the water before wrapping Selena in a giant fluffy robe. It swallows her small frame, and in her blissed-out postcoital state, she looks like a sated goddess.

I carry her to the bed and settle her on a mountain of down pillows. My chest tightens strangely at her sleepy smile, and I feel the need to beat on it like fucking King Kong. I am the opposite of sated. I’m revved, ready to fuck her into oblivion, and feeling like I’m the goddamn king of the world. Her orgasms fill me with this insane power trip, like I could tear down buildings with my bare hands and then reassemble them with only my willpower.

A light snore comes from the bed, and I glance over to her again. Her head lolls to the side in sleep, and her mouth is slightly open. I’m a horny bastard, and I can’t wait to feed my dick between those lips again and watch her swallow everything I give her.

I think of the way her tight little ass clenched at my fingers, and I love knowing that I’m going to be the first man to sink my cock inside it. These possessive urges surprise the shit out of me. I don’t get possessive, because I don’t get attached. Ever.

I shove them all down, back to wherever they came from, and head to the shower to jack off.

When I wake up from my cat nap after the most amazing shower sex I’ve ever had—actually, the only shower sex I’ve ever had—I decide it’s time to deal with the consequences of my New Year’s Eve decision. The label has blown up my phone with calls and messages all day, and when I finally take Morty’s call, I have to hold the phone away from my ear because his words are getting louder and louder, and more and more of them are curses.

“You fucked up everything, Wix! We had it all planned. We spent fucking money on this proposal to make it media-worthy, and then you were goddamn MIA. What the hell are you thinking marrying some fucking billionaire instead of toeing the line like I told you to? You don’t get to make those decisions. I make the decisions.”

When Morty finally takes a breath, I open my mouth to speak. But Jim must be on another extension or in the same conference room, because he breaks in.

“What’s done is done. There’s no going back now, and even if we could undo this Vegas farce, it’d be even worse. JC looks like an ass, but at least a heartbroken ass is sympathetic.”

“She shouldn’t have done anything in the first place! This is fucking ridiculous. I swear you did this just to piss me off!” Morty’s yelled words are starting to hurt my ears.

“I told you I wouldn’t fall in line,” I finally say. “You didn’t listen to me.”

“You don’t get to have an opinion, Wix. Your ass is going back to Kentucky!”

Jim breaks in again. “Come on, Morty. We talked about this. Sending her back to Kentucky isn’t going to do anyone a damn bit of good.”

For the first time since I answered the phone, a feeling of relief slides through me.

Morty grumbles, still unwilling to concede completely. “Well, she better fall in line from here on out.” Finally addressing me again, he says, “You better not miss a show, a practice, a radio spot, a meet and greet, or even a frigging meeting, though, Wix. I will yank you off that tour so fast, your head will spin, and then you can go crawling back to your billionaire husband and remember the career you could’ve had.”

“I won’t miss anything. You have my word.”

“I’ll be checking up on every single thing. You see if I don’t.”

“I got it.”

“Good. Now quit fucking up everything and go write some goddamn songs for your next record. You still owe me six.”

“Six? What are you talking about?”

riant-cal����

[perspective-series]

Pet Perspective (13/19)

By: @arc852 and @hiddendreamer67

Warnings: Brief fire, think that’s it

First Chapter || Previous Chapter || Next Chapter

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Roman blinked, shocked at this decision. Clearly Virgil really had lost his mind. “Well I’d certainly prefer to not be wearing it when you burn it.” Roman quipped, taking a few cautious strides forwards.

 Virgil was quick but gentle to snap the collar off, holding it in his hands and looking at it in disgust. He grabbed his lighter from his desk drawer and turned to Roman. “Before I burn this...I want to be clear on my new stance on everything.”

“Oh do tell, Pyro the Dragon.” Roman was desperate for answers, one of which was how Virgil intended to burn the metal tag.

 “I...may or may not have just realized you are a...person. A person who deserves to make their own decisions and not be owned by someone else just because that person may hold more power over them.” Virgil admitted sheepishly, not meeting Roman’s eyes.

Roman blinked, processing Virgil’s words carefully. Could it be true? Humans could be terrifyingly good liars, but… Virgil wasn’t one of them, was he? He said he’d burn the folder and he did. He said he’d let Roman pick out whatever he wanted and he did. And then, when he said he’d break the cycle… he did. Virgil had come back for him, when no one else had cared to even look. Even if Virgil’s care was a bit misguided, Roman trusted his word.

“So...what are you saying?” Roman’s mouth suddenly felt uncomfortably dry. “Moving forwards, I mean.” 

 “I...I don’t know.” Virgil lowered his hands for a moment. “It feels...weird, now that I know you’re a person to treat you like a pet. I want to listen to you more...not lock you away in your enclosure.” Virgil sighed. “But...and I know this is gonna sound bad but... I don’t feel good about you trying to be on your own outside. I mean, you even said yourself that being alone is dangerous.”

Just like that, Roman was tense again, having expected such an answer. How dare Virgil twist his own words against him.  “Well regardless how you feel, it shouldn’t be your decision to make.”

 Virgil looked at him before sighing. “You’re right. You’re not my pet anymore, I shouldn’t be trying to make decisions for you. Even if I am just trying to look out for you.” Virgil couldn’t help but add. “But...could we try something? Before you make your decision?”

“Try what, exactly?” Roman asked, one hand idly dancing across the free skin on his neck.

 “We try out one week like this. One week of you not being a pet. Of me trying to listen more and you making your own decisions. Of us being...roommates?” Virgil suggested hesitantly. “And after a week...you can decide if you still want to leave or not.”

“It doesn’t seem like there’s much of a choice.” Roman called Virgil’s bluff, crossing his arms against his chest. Even if the idea was so bizarre as to be intriguing, Roman could see it for what it was- just another ploy to get him to drop his guard and become compliant again. 

 Virgil frowned. “Please Roman...I know it doesn’t but I want us to try just one more time. For-For real, this time. Please?” Virgil pleaded.

Roman knew he didn’t have any other options. No matter what Virgil said, there was no way he would let Roman go, especially not today. Not after a week either, most likely. But it was Roman’s own fault for daring to hope otherwise. Besides, Virgil certainly had lost his marbles, but this rouse sounded like it could be fun. He was certain he could goad Virgil into doing pretty much anything in the hopes of ‘convincing’ Roman, and to a borrower having a human do what you wanted for a week sounded pretty good.

“Alright, fine Emo Nightmare.” Roman agreed.

 Virgil let out a sigh of relief. “Good. This will be good for us, I think.” He turned back to the collar and his lighter. “So, our deal and promise is sealed as I burn this collar.” That was a bit dramatic, Virgil knew, but he couldn’t help himself. He lit the collar on fire, watching it burn for a moment before dumping it in the trash.

“And they say I’m dramatic.” Roman said with a roll of his eyes.

 “You are.” Virgil teased. “So...now that that’s out of the way...breakfast?” He asked.

“I’m starving.” Roman answered.

 “Cool, Pat should have saved us some food. Uhh…” He looked at Roman and then down at his hand. It felt...weird to just grab him now. “How do you want to do this?”

Roman looked at the hand and then up at Virgil. “What do you mean?”

 “Well...I don’t just want to grab you anymore. Should I...should I just put down my hand and you can climb on?” Virgil asked, still keeping his hand back until Roman gave him the okay.

Roman paused, just as new to the concept of a human asking. Virgil was really committed to this. “Yeah, that works.”

 “Okay, okay cool.” Virgil finally set down his hand in front of Roman. Waiting patiently for the borrower to climb on.

Roman stepped on, sitting in the middle of Virgil’s palm so as not to lose his balance.

 Virgil was slow and careful as he brought his hand to his chest. He started downstairs, being careful not to jostle Roman too much. When he reached the first floor, he noticed Patton sitting with Logan on the couch, watching a show. Patton perked up when he saw them.

 “Virgil! Is everything okay?” Patton asked and Virgil bit his lip, glancing down at Roman for a second.

 “Y-Yeah, I think things are good now.” Virgil said with a small smile.

Logan looked up, trying to read Roman’s expression for himself. He seemed...content? Certainly not the shaken borrower that had entered this morning.

“I’m doing just fine, Patton dear, no need to worry.” Roman said with his dazzling smile.

 Patton grinned. “Aww, I’m so glad! We were all really worried about you, you know?” Patton said. He then glanced over at Logan and bit his lip. He turned to Virgil.

 “Actually, Virgil, I wanted to talk to you real quick.” Patton said and Virgil blinked.

 “Oh, uh, yeah sure?” He went over to the couch and set Roman down next to Logan. “I’ll be right back and then we’ll eat.” He told Roman before he followed Patton into the kitchen for a private chat.

 “So...what’s up Pat?” Virgil asked, a little nervous as to why Patton wanted to talk to him. He didn’t think it was anything bad but he couldn’t help but worry over it.

 Patton bit his lip, wondering how to bring this up. “Okay...I’m just going to say it. Borrowers are people and I think we should stop treating Logan and Roman like pets!” Patton exclaimed in one breath. He looked to gauge Virgil’s reaction, who blinked owlishly in shock.

 “Uh...I-I’m actually right there with you Pat.”

 Now it was Patton’s turn to be shocked. “Wait, what?”

 Virgil shifted slightly, putting his hands in his hoodie pockets. “That’s what Roman and I were talking about just now. I realized that...Roman was a person and borrowers don’t deserve to be pets.” He looked at Patton. “How did...how did you realize?”

 “I talked to Logan.” Patton said, looking down. “I’m ashamed it took me so long to realize but I’m glad I did at least. And Logan even agreed to stay here with me! But in a more...roommate situation.” Patton explained. “What about Roman? What did he decide?”

 Virgil sighed, running a hand down his face. “We’re gonna try this new arrangement for a week and at the end...it’s his decision if he wants to go or not.”

 Patton nodded and smiled. “That sounds like a good plan.” He hoped Roman decided to stay but, of course, he wouldn’t push it. “If you want, you can offer him the guest bedroom as his own room. I did with Logan but he said he was fine staying in my room with me.”

 Virgil nodded, thinking for a moment. “Yeah...Yeah that might be a good idea.” It might be good to give Roman his space.

 “I’m glad we came to the same conclusion…” Patton paused, looking down. “Are we...bad people?”

 Virgil blinked, eyebrows furrowing. “I...no, Pat, we aren’t bad. We just...made a mistake. We let society brainwash us into thinking this was okay. Besides, we’ve realized now. Everything is okay.” Patton nodded but he still couldn’t help but feel bad. “Now come on, let’s go back out to them.”

 Patton nodded and he followed Virgil back out into the living room.

“Are you alright?” Logan asked immediately, looking Roman over. “I’m glad to see you’ve been properly bandaged.”

“Yes, yes, I’m fine.” Roman waved him off, seeming almost bored.

“...it is unfortunate that you have returned.” Logan spoke up, surprising him. “I do not feel the need to apologize as it was not my fault, in fact I tried to help keep your whereabouts hidden, but I know that you do not want to be here and I express my condolences.”

Roman’s mouth felt dry. “You didn’t look for me?” 

Logan shook his head.

“I- thank you.” Roman said honestly. “And… I’m sorry I couldn’t rescue you too, it was very spur of the moment.”

“Patton and I have reached an agreement, and I do believe my life here will be improved.” Logan assured him. “However… I am curious about the outdoor lifestyle, and was a bit disappointed you did not think to bring me. I know you view me as a nuisance.”

“No I don’t!” Roman immediately protested.

“But… you insult me.” Logan frowned, confused. “And you throw food in my direction. And you threatened to push me to my doom.”

“Wait, are you serious?” Roman blinked, realizing the borrower before him was very literal. “Okay, yes, in the beginning I thought you were annoying. I thought the humans had you all brainwashed so you’d chose them over me. But I like you, Specs, and teasing is just one of the ways I show my affection. I truly apologize that I made you feel so neglected, and yet you still defended my honor.”

Logan shrugged, seeming at a loss for words as he gave a small smile, looking away. “That… that means a lot, Roman. I have never gained any borrower friends before. The others at the shop were brainwashed just as you said and feared my tactics.”

“You’ll have to tell me about those sometime.” Roman nudged Logan with his elbow. “And when I get out again, I’ll be sure to bring you with me. I bet you’ll make a fine Outie.”

Logan paused. “You still plan on leaving?”

Roman shifted. “Virgil and I… well, we came to an agreement, sort of like you and Patton. Except mine has conditions. I’m supposed to stay here for a week, then I can choose what happens. But honestly, I doubt Virgil is going to let me leave.”

“Would that be so bad?” Logan didn’t seem to understand. “If you’re being treated with respect, and allowed to make your own decisions?”

“Well that’s just it!” Roman protested. “I’m allowed to make my own decisions. Even if they’re bad decisions, they should still be mine to make.”

Logan blinked. “I don’t think I want to go outside with you anymore.”

At this, Roman outright laughed, slapping his hand onto Logan’s shoulder. “You crack me up, Lo-lo.”

Logan groaned, having forgotten that nickname. “Alright, but will you at least stay the week? I will accompany you wherever you choose, but I want to test this peculiar system out. At the very least, it will give us a chance to get closer acquainted and for you to heal.”

Roman thought about it for a moment, giving a nod. “Agreed.” Surely one week couldn’t hurt, right?

 Virgil walked back out into the living room, Patton close behind. “Alright, Roman. Ready to eat?” He asked, holding his hand out for the borrower as Patton took back his seat on the couch.

“Mhm. See you later, Lo-lo!” Roman waved, climbing on.

“Do not call me that.” Logan hissed.

 Patton couldn’t help but giggle at the exchange. It seemed they were getting along a bit better, which was good. “Wanna watch more TV?” Patton asked, making sure Logan was still into it.

“Yes, that would be satisfactory.” Logan shrugged, settling in.

 Patton grinned and turned it back on, settling in to watch.

 In the kitchen, Virgil was eating up the big breakfast Patton had set aside for the two of them. “So, ah, I was wondering...did you want to stay in my room? Because if not, we could put you in the guest bedroom if you wanted more privacy.” He suggested.

“You have a guest room?” How had Roman not noticed?

 “Yeah, it’s at the end of the hall. It’s...more of a storage closet since we never have anyone over but we could clean it up and you could use it as your new room?” Virgil explained, dividing up the food for the two of them.

Roman considered it, remembering what Logan mentioned about wanting to get along. “You know, I think it’d be nice for Logan and I to live there.”

 Virgil blinked. “Oh? I mean, that would be fine. But Patton had said Logan had declined the offer already.”

“That was before he knew he could live with me.” Roman preened, gesturing to himself.

 Virgil blinked. “I thought the two of you didn’t really get along?” He asked, remembering all the insults.

“Why does everybody think that?” Roman gave a slight huff. “There was just a bit of a… misunderstanding.”

 Virgil raised an eyebrow. “Misunderstanding?” He asked as he handed Roman a small plate of food.

“Well, first I thought he was a jerk, but he’s actually pretty alright.” Roman explained, taking a few pieces of food. “Sort of like a curious, confused mouse. A baby one, not the wild adults that wreck your stuff. And then he thought I hated him because I kept teasing him.”

 “Well...you were pretty mean to him. I know I was encouraging it but I can understand why he would think that.” Virgil mused before taking in a mouthful of eggs.

“That’s your fault, then.” Roman argued, but at he picked at his own breakfast he did feel a bit guilty. Logan deserved a proper apology later, even if Roman had thought Logan was his enemy first.

 Virgil ignored that with an eye roll. “Anyway, if you want, after we’re done eating you can ask Logan.” It would probably be good for the two of them to have their own space.

“So after that, will we be moving both enclosures in there, or none, or… how is this going to work?” Roman mused.

 Virgil shrugged. “Uh, up to the two of you, but probably both enclosures? I mean, unless you want to share in yours, since it’s big enough.”

“I haven’t seen Logan’s, but I imagine he’d prefer to share mine.” Roman hummed. After all, borrowers are naturally social with other borrowers.

 “Well, you’ll have to ask him.” But Virgil was thinking so too. He finished up his meal and looked to Roman. “Whenever you’re ready, we can go and ask him.”

“I’m ready.” Roman gave a thumbs up, grabbing a bit of waffle to take with him.

 Virgil nodded and held out his hand. He was getting used to not just grabbing Roman already. Although the thought of how awkward it would be was keeping him from slipping up.

Roman climbed on, chewing idly as he sat down. It was nice, going at his own pace.

 Virgil brought Roman into the living room. When Patton noticed them, he paused the TV. “Hey kiddos, enjoy breakfast?”

 “Yeah, it was great Pat but uh, Logan, Roman had a question for you.” Virgil said, turning to the borrower sitting on the couch.

“You, me, the guest room. You game?” Roman asked.

“...what?” Logan looked perplexed.

“I was suggesting you and I live together in the guest room.” Roman reworded. “You know, to get along?”

Logan perked up. “Oh! I think that would be a formidable arrangement, if we are permitted.” Logan glanced to Patton.

 Patton blinked, before realizing Logan was looking at him. “Oh! Of course it is! Logan, you don’t need my permission anymore, remember? You’re allowed to make your own decisions.”

“I’m aware, but considering this would affect your own living arrangements, I assumed it would be polite to inquire.” Logan explained.

 Patton smiled. “Well thank you Logan but it’s fine! If you really want to room with Roman, I’m not gonna stop you.”

 “Sounds good.” Virgil smiled. “Did you guys want both enclosures moved in there or did you want to share Roman’s? Or maybe some third option if you had an idea already?” Virgil asked, looking between the two borrowers.

“I have more than enough space, Logan can move in with me and we can optimize the room from there.” Roman declared.

“I find those terms acceptable.” Logan agreed.

 “Alright!” Patton clapped, standing up. “How about we go set everything up now? Just so it’s all ready for you guys.”

 “Sounds good to me.” Virgil said.

The borrowers gave varying noises of approval.

 Patton grinned and held his hand out for Logan and Virgil was glad to note that Patton was doing what he was trying to do with Roman.

Logan climbed on. “How exactly will we be of service?”

 “You can delegate! Tell us where you want everything and all that.” Patton as he followed Virgil up the stairs. They paused in the hallway.

 “Uh...Roman, can Patton hold you? I gotta use both hands to pick up your enclosure.”

“Yes, that’s fine, PattyCake is very gentle.” Roman agreed.

 Virgil chuckled as Patton grinned wide and gently took Roman from Virgil. Virgil went into the room and grabbed the mansion of an enclosure. 

 They headed into the guest room, where Virgil set the small house down on the unused desk. Patton went ahead and let the two borrowers off onto the desk as well. “I’m going to go get Logan’s enclosure.” Patton said, and went to go do just that.

 Virgil turned to the borrowers. “So, we still need to clean the room out a bit but does this work for you guys?”

Roman looked around, scarcely being able to imagine having the entire human space to themselves. Of course, more than likely the humans would visit often, so it wouldn’t really be their room, but the mansion was certainly enough space for the two of them. 

“Yes, this is quite generous.” Logan answered him.

 “Got Logan’s enclosure!” Patton exclaimed as he ran into the room. He set it down next to Roman’s, where you could clearly see the difference between the two.

 Virgil opened up the mansion and turned back to the borrowers. “So, Logan, where do you want us to move your room to?” The mansion had three floors and plenty of empty rooms Roman hadn’t filled up.

“Oh, ah, this is fine, here on the ground floor.” Logan pointed to one, just a few away from some of the filled rooms.

 “Okay!” Patton got to work moving Logan’s stuff over, setting it up almost the same as it had been. “There we go! How does it look?”

“Satisfactory.” Logan nodded, beginning to feel quite pleased.

“Wow, you’re certainly easy to satisfy.” Roman teased, considering how much he had insisted Virgil move things around on the first go.

 “Yeah…” Virgil said, also thinking back to Roman, but his tone was light. “Well, anything else you want us to do to make this better for you or is this all good?”

“I think we’re all set here, but how is this going to work?” Roman asked. “I mean, with you guys coming in and such.”

 “That’s...a good question.” Patton mumbled, thinking it over.

 “We could always knock? Although we might not be able to hear your voices through the door…” Virgil trailed off. “What do you guys think? We don’t really just want to barge in anymore.”

“It’s hardly barging in if we reside in the enclosure.” Logan reasoned, pointing to the mansion. 

 “I guess so...so you two wouldn’t mind us coming into the actual room whenever? Because if not we could just come in and knock on the enclosure for the two of you.” Patton asked.

“I think a warning is still vital, and a slow entrance.” Roman was used to scheduling his movements around humans, but he still was not thrilled with an added danger of being trampled.

 “Right.” Virgil nodded in agreement. “Then we’ll knock on the actual door too and then proceed slowly. How does that sound?”

“I think we can go from there and see how it pans out.” Roman was wary of the system, but still eager to try.

“Agreed, it seems reasonable.” Logan nodded. “Although I think depending on our location it would be possible to hear a reply.”

 “Okay, then we’ll also wait a few seconds and try to hear for you guys too.” Virgil said with another nod.

 “Great! It seems like things are finally coming together!” Patton exclaimed.