#owl eyed Clyde

[just-a-whumping-racoon-with-wifi]

🐱🐵☺️🙃 for the ask game? (Or any selection of them if you don't feel like doing all four <3)

(I know you said it was on accident but I still really appreciate!!!)

What would they do if whumper died?

Rudy: fall apart. Wouldn’t be able to function at all.

Clyde: assume his identity (on paper, not the job.) Clyde would use his SSN and bank accounts and shit.

Brody: Pre Kayla and Aries: wander aimlessly. Post Kayla and Aries: try to call them, then have a panic attack

If whumper could read their mind, how damned would whumpee be?

Rudy: 0% fucked. Mason might like him better (although Mason can read him well already)

Clyde: 200% fucked. So fucked. “They’re gonna study you in a lab” level fucked cause pets aren’t supposed to be this intelligent.

Brody: mmmm 40% fucked average. It varies.

In an alternate universe where whatever caused the whump didn’t happen, would they and whumpee get along?

Rudy: yes, because Rudy has shitty boundaries

Clyde: Mason fucking WISHES but nope. Clyde wouldn’t see the point of associating with him.

Brody: probably very casually.

Would they be willing to “share” whumpee with another whumper?

Mason with Rudy and Clyde: depends on the other whumper. Yes if it’s a similar vein of “carewhumper” but no if it’s a whumper that wants to hurt them.

Sam with Brody: sure! Do whatever.

[konnorhasapen]

I HAD AN IDEA AND NOW I AM EXERCISING THAT IDEA

ASSIGNING EACH LISTENER AN EXOTIC PET AND ALSO NAMING THAT PET

I think this may have turned into an oc thing💀

°•°•°•°•°

Lasko's listener: I just established the other day that they own an axolotl named Cella (that Freelancer is hellbent on calling "Celery" and Huxley loves her ((the axolotl))sm) and this is canon to me now. They also have a Chinese water dragon named Lotus bc I said so :)

Freelancer: do rats count as an exotic pet?? (Google says they do-) They named her Gribby. This is also canon to me.

Angel: they 100% have a sugar glider named Goblin (and David is terrified of him.) They want a fennec fox and they will get a fennec fox and they will name her Deedee. Short for Speed Demon.

Baabe: snake. They own a snake and they named her Rory and Asher loves her to death.

Sweetheart: chameleon. His name is Karma and he and Aggro are besties to the max.

Darlin': a fucking raccoon. Or a badger. Either one named Cujo.

Lovely: they own a bat named Valentina.

Bright Eyes: also owns a rat, but they didn't him Remi. They couldn't remember the rat's actual name so instead they ended up naming him fuckin Ratatouille💀

Starlight: albino ferret albino ferret albino ferret and she's named Carina :)

Seer Obscura: literally owns a barn owl named Tiresias.

Cutie: they have a couple mice they named Allen and Atlas.

Honey: iguana named Geechee, but he also responds to the name Bee for some odd, unknown reason (*cough* Guy-)

Warden: snake. Burmese python. I feel like they would want to name her, but wouldnt know what to name her, so they'd settle for Mesii (to base it slightly off "burmese")

Mentor/Baby: four ferrets. Four ferrets that are specifically named Inky, Blinky, Pinky, and Clyde.

Smartass: they have a bearded dragon named Ivy and she vibes with Aaron.

Sunshine: they have chinchilla siblings named Nimbus and Nebula :3

Anton's listener: they have 2 tree frogs named Mika and Aivo, and a chinchilla named Seria (I like my chinchillas, okay?? I've always wanted one-)

James' listener: hedgehog named Morose and he's the cutest little baby James has ever laid his eyes on.

Asset: they found a mouse in the vents one time and they've kept it ever since. They named her Thias. They like to show Thias to Anton. Anton likes to see Thias(Thias reminds him of Seria). They have also introduced Thias to Brian. Brian also likes Thias. Most of the people working with/on Asset know Thias.

Precious: they aren't allowed to own a pet. Because owning a pet means giving their love and affection and attention to someone other than Regulus.

°•°•°•°•°

Bonus Bits!

Damien: ...Freelancer, I think you have rats.

FL: huh?? Oh, no, that's just Gribby.

Damien: *petting Gribby* who names a pet "Gribby"?

FL: I do. Oh- don't touch her left back leg.

Damien: why? Is she hurt?

FL: I got her checked out first few times it happened, but they said nothin' was wrong.

Damien: then why..?

FL: she just starts screaming.

Damien: what.

☆

David: Angel, I'm—

Goblin, who escaped his habitat: *zooms up the fridge and soars straight towards David, landing on his face and getting comfy on his head*

Angel: Goblin, where'd you go!? Oh! Aww! He loves you!

David: *frozen with fear*

☆

Sam: Darlin'?

Darlin': hm?

Sam: why's there a raccoon/badger on your kitchen counter?

Darlin': that's Cujo.

Sam: ...Cujo was-

Darlin': "mEhMeHmEhMeH cUjO wAs a dOg tHoUgH" let me name my trash panda/rage skunk whatever tf I want.

☆

Vincent: you got a pet bat?

Lovely: yeah! I wanted to name her Vincent as well, but then I thought you might get confused, so I went with Valentina instead! ^-^

Vincent: *teary-eyed* you wanted to name her after me??

Vincent: ...wait- you thought I'd get confused-

☆

Vincent: did you buy a rat?

Bright: I found it in the trash can and he's mine now.

Vincent: o..kay. Does he have a name?

Bright: um, duh. Anyone who owns a rat and doesn't name it Ratatouille is committing an actual crime against humanity.

Vincent: ...hold on.., wasn't the... wasnt the rat's name Remi?

Bright: ...

Vincent: ... I-

Bright: y'know what Vincent?

Vincent: wha-

Bright: shut the fuck up.

☆

Chat: you have a pet!??

Honey: yeah *fetches Geechee from his habitat* His name's Geechee

Chat: YOU HAVE A PET LIZARD!?!?

Honey: iguana*. Anyway, this is Geechee, but I've noticed he also responds to the name "Bee" and I have some speculations as to why that is.

Guy, in chat: I haven't the slightest clue what you could possibly be talking about.

☆

Baby: I found these poor little guys in a box thrown in a trash can.

Ollie: OHMYGOD CAN WE KEEP THEM? HAVE YOU NAMED THEM SO WE CAN KEEP THEM??

Baby: yes, we're keeping them and no, I haven't named them yet.

Ollie: ..suggestion?

Baby: I suppose.

Ollie, immediately: Inky Blinky Pinky and Clyde!

Baby: *sigh* goddamnit, those are gold.

Ollie: Inky Blinky Pinky and Clyde?

Baby: *nods* Inky Blinky Pinky and Clyde.

Ollie: YES!

☆

Asset: hi Marcus!

Marcus: jEsus chRIst- you scared me half to-...

Marcus: what do you have?

Asset: I found someone!

Marcus: you... found someone..?

Asset: *opens their hands to show a petite lil mousey* I've decided to name her.

Marcus: oh- y-yeah? And.. what did you...name her..?

Asset: Thias!

—

Asset: good evening, Anton.

Anton: good evening

Asset: Thias says hello, too!

Anton, with a tired but genuine smile: hello and good evening to you as well, Thias.

°•°•°•°•°

This was fun. I had much fun. This was so much fun :3

[just-a-whumping-racoon-with-wifi]

Mwahaha you thought the questions were over!!! Now I shall decimate you with my random curiosity. Does mason ever categorize pets to figure out how to train them? I’ve always loved personality tests and stuff like that and it seems interesting to apply that to pet training. What would mason do if he saw a pet being beat up?

What about if it was a pet that had argued with their owner? Does Rudy like having his hair braided? Ooh and does Clyde ever go to the salon(becuase I’m assuming mason doesn’t know how to braid African American hair) how good is Clyde at drawing? What would mason think of two pets dating? Also would you mind if I made a Pinterest board thing for them? I have a weird love of using Pinterest to design worlds, not just for big things but literally down to the “what shirt is this character wearing in this scene”

- 🪶

Does mason ever categorize pets to figure out how to train them? I’ve always loved personality tests and stuff like that and it seems interesting to apply that to pet training.

OMG HE SHOULD!!! Mostly he just observes them a bit to gauge what they need and individualize it for each pet.

Shit I should use one of those free quiz making sites and have mason categorize answers.

What would Mason do if he saw a pet being beat up?

Guess it depends on what you qualify as “beat up”. But in a traditional back alley beat down Mason would yell at them and probably call the police.

A pet arguing with their owner?

Oh no no no! That’s not good pet behavior at all!! That would get address immediately and likely with a muzzle in the beginning. If you don’t speak nicely no speaking at all ☺️

Does Rudy like having his hair braided?

He likes having his hair played with, but I don’t think he’d love having his hair braided due to the tension on his scalp.

Does Clyde ever go to the salon?

Yep! They both do quite regularly. Mason knows nothing about haircare and does not pretend to - especially Clyde’s hair. I’m getting a very Strong idea that Mason once got him braids or locs with beads at the end and the noise drove Clyde absolutely up the walls every time he moved his head (they removed the beads and everything was fine). But in general they are both always very well groomed and look sharp.

How good is Clyde at drawing?

Meh? He’s got a good eye for proportions of objects on the page but not good at details. He does sometimes sketch out ideas for photo shoots later but it’s very utilitarian and “as needed”.

What would Mason think of two pets dating?

Probably about the same as someone telling him two chihuahuas were dating. He’d laugh and say it sound cute but they have no idea what us humans are talking about.

!! Please make them boards!!! I do have some for them already but I would seriously ADORE to see your perspective on them !!

[just-a-whumping-racoon-with-wifi]

Whumpees and Hobbies

(Some) of my whumpees and their hobbies! Clyde is below the cut because bugs.

Nik - wire work. Mostly jewelry but other stuff as well.

Rudy - crafts! Just all crafts. He does all of them. Anything with color.

Brody - scrapbooking. Kayla encouraged it when he was really struggling with reading. He just really loves collecting ticket stubs and receipts and such.

Hilton - longboarding (and tattooing but that’s actually more of a bad coping mechanism). I highly suggest looking up longboard dancing cause it’s so cool.

JJ/Tool - cooking! A little baking because sourdough is just too interesting to him, but even then mostly savory flavor pallets.

Teddy - doodles and drawing. Mostly charcoal. He liked doodling before but during the attic he focused more on technique and charcoal.

And under the cut! Clyde!

He likes bugs. Specially beetles. Really fascinated by them. Mostly taxidermy thought because he travels so much for work (I don’t consider photography as a hobby because it’s literally his job.)

[just-a-whumping-racoon-with-wifi]

for your pets <3

🐻 🐰 🐹

and mason

😜

Bear just answered!

If they got to choose how they would be whumped/punished, what would they pick?

Rudy: Honestly I don’t know if he’d be able to handle that? Having to choose is way too far outside of his typical understanding of the world. After many tears he’d likely choose a common punishment of the muzzle and constricting wraps.

Clyde: a muzzle (because he knows the ones Mason owns are built for comfort and he doesn’t really talk that much anyway lol)

Brody: he’s had the most punishment out of all of them. There’s plenty that hurts really bad but he knows the one that’s most effective for him is solitary confinement. He wouldn’t want to admit that but he does try to be good so he would eventually tell you everything.

Do they think there’s any way their situation could get worse?

Rudy: doesn’t think of his situation as “bad” so the “worse” question confused him. Being owned by anyone else would feel “worse”

Clyde: losing Rudy.

Brody: ohh there’s plenty of ways it could be worse. Mostly Dylan choosing to return to his old antagonist ways would be worse.

[just-a-whumping-racoon-with-wifi]

How would Mason react if he somehow ended up in the BBU or a similar world, where pets are determined by (supposedly) willingly signing up instead of by birth?

Mason would feel super uncomfortable. Like, that’s just a dude living in your house. That’s weird. Don’t do that.

Now Clyde would have FAR more complex emotions on this situation. Most surprising to himself is anger. What do you mean you had a full normal life before? What do you mean you were a human and gave it all up? What do you mean you had a choice?

He would be heartbroken and furious and unable to sympathize. I can see him ranting, maybe crying from anger, storming away from the conversation. He’d have to go calm down alone.

Then sit with the realization that he doesn’t want to be a pet.

Rudy would be able to sympathize. It takes him about 20 seconds thinking about normal responsibilities before he goes “nope no thank you I will stay a pet.”

I can absolutely see them having a bad argument about that. Both of them nearly in tears, rudy trying to explain but Clyde just flat out refusing to listen in his anger.

[just-a-whumping-racoon-with-wifi]

Did Mason ever have doubts about Clyde’s “loyalty”? Because he is the more “silently” deviant one! How does he perceive him?

Tw: human trafficking. Also just the fucked up world with pets

Nope! Not even once!

Mason’s biases make him completely blind to any disobedience Clyde shows. Clyde was more expensive- specifically chosen, researched. Rudy was a shelter pet he picked up for less than his monthly car payment to get a better idea of how to train those* kind of pets.

Clyde is his perfect one and Rudy is the cute one. Clyde’s training was polishing while Rudy’s training still* isn’t done in Mason’s eyes.

Clyde has noticed this. He’s fully aware he can squint his eyes at Masons behavior, can question things, can touch books and objects he’s technically not supposed to. And he knows Rudy gets in trouble for doing the same or often less.

Ableism under the cut.

Also Rudy’s ADHD. Mason recognize neurodiversity in “people” but not so much in pets. Often things Rudy gets “in trouble” for are things he can’t control. Mason sees this as just another “defect” and sees neurotypical Clyde as even more “perfect” for it.

[just-a-whumping-racoon-with-wifi]

Hi 🪶 anon here

I made some thingies for Clyde and Rudy. I was going to stay anonymous but I can’t exactly share photos like that.d

~~

!!! Ahhhh I love them!! The water is so serene for Clyde... I hadn't considered that but he would like the ocean. Not specifically the beach, but the ocean. And Rudy's is so warm and inviting!! I love these thank you so much!!! I had a little squeal in my car hehe.

((if you want to send photos on anon you can through the Submit ) option. I believe it's only on desktop but my submit area has instructions on how to do it. Either way, thank you so much!! 💛💛💛

[just-a-whumping-racoon-with-wifi]

Freed Rudy and Clyde aesthetics.

Huh wonder which is which lol

[just-a-whumping-racoon-with-wifi]

👀 Clyde, any plans on escape? Or just any thoughts Mason wouldn't approve of?

"There's nowhere for me to go," he says really plainly. "Pets can't get a job. Where would I live? There's no point."

"As for thoughts Master wouldn't like? I don't think so. We agree on most things." (Mason absolutely would have issues with that. Clyde is implying he's at the same level as Mason. big no no. But also Mason is a little blind to Clyde. He's biased.)

[just-a-whumping-racoon-with-wifi]

5 sentences (pick one or do all 3, up to you):

clyde + guests

rudy + thunderstorm

o2 + sleep

Clyde + Guests

Clyde on the floor near the end of the couch, head on the seat cushion, staring at Katie's ring as she sat and talked with Master. It was upside down - as if it was taken off and carelessly put back on.

"How are things with you and Joe?"

"Oh they're great."

Liar, thought Clyde.

Rudy + Thunderstorm

Rudy pressed his nose further into Clyde's arm, grabbing the other boy's shirt with white fingers.

"I can do it this time, please don't tell him I'm scared, I'll be okay this time," he whispered shakely, body jolting at another rolling clap of thunder.

Clyde pursed his lips, eyes glancing to the door. Master was just in the other room sleeping, he could come make Rudy calm down.

But Rudy didn't want that so Clyde did nothing but let the brown hair boy cling to him in the dark.

o2 + Sleep

o2 found himself awake for hours at night, listening to the house settle or the grandfather clock tick away. He tried to sleep, tried to squeeze his eyes closed on the plush rug he was deposited onto but it never came. The darkness breed nothing but monsters and pain, imagined only centimeters from his face if he even peaked. The exhaustion meant nothing to him, just added to the constantly growing list of aches and bruises and pain that consumed his existence.

Just one moment, just one fucking moment of peace was all he wanted.

[just-a-whumping-racoon-with-wifi]

does mason ever dress clyde and rudy up? im trying to imagine them both wearing cute little pink dresses and they would look so cute!!!

I mean they’re both Pet Pageant boys so yeah lol.

Although I promise Rudy is not allowed to wear skirts during the shows because he will spend the entire time with his head straight down, twirling a little watch the skirt pool out and it drives Mason bonkers.

Clyde…. Has a lot of Opinions about clothes, fashion, styles. The different shapes the garments make, layering, and especially color shades. He doesn’t speak those opinions aloud of course, he’s just a pet why would he have the eye for fashion no he doesn’t sometimes raise an eyebrow at Mason’s outfit why would you even SUGGEST that you didn’t see anything.

Bonus:

Anon with Clyde who fucking knows he’d look better in at least maxi-floorlength paneled skirt in deeper shade of pink. But he’s a good sport and when you ask he’ll say he likes the sleeves.

[just-a-whumping-racoon-with-wifi]

Hello! *Is* Clyde fully neurotypical? Because totally cool if so, but I was relating pretty hard to him specifically because of some autistic traits we share!

My mum used to say I was a super quiet baby but always really "curious" - I was always looking around at everything, apparently (I think many babies do this, but she insists it was more than usual with me and she has had a total of two babies so I guess she had at least one point of comparison) which is an immediate similarity with Clyde - and once I got to school I was ALWAYS "a pleasure to have in class". Never any trouble, very quiet, and very, very good at following the rules, absolute teachers' pet (heh, pet, lol). Clyde *seems* to get less social anxiety than me *outwardly* when he's with Mason, but having a very rigid role as a pet probably... helped with that in some ways. I would slowly die of misery if I couldn't feed my curiousity (often called special interests by the autistic community, which is the correct term, but for me in particular they definitely present in an "I want to learn more about this thing and pick it all apart and then, then, THEN, be really, really good at it" way, hence: "curiosity"), but having rigid rules and mealtimes and bedtime, being... babied... a bit, the only thing expected of me being to be able to sit quietly and look pretty when I'm around other people... I get social anxiety and choice paralysis super badly. Not having to interact with people like a "normal person" or make any decisions ever... It would be evil, and awful, but it would be *easy*. Easier for me than an actual neurotypical, I think. I'm really really, REALLY good at following instructions, sitting quietly, etc. Unhealthily good, because it isn't actually a good idea to live like that all the time.

So I relate both to the ways Clyde is a "good pet" and the things that make being a pet ultimately stifling and unbearable for him, and in both cases it's due to traits I associate with my own autism.

(I'm the anon who was happy to hear you're canonising the happy ending au, btw, and I've also sent asks in the past (before I had a Tumblr account) signing as a flower emoji I think? Maybe 🌸 or 🌺? It was a WHILE ago and I've lost your responses now because I didn't have an account at the time so no easy way to save them :(. These days I try to like responses to anon asks I've sent so I can keep 'em.)

Oh hello! I remember the flower anon! if i have the brain power i'll see if i can dig them up.

As for Clyde, I can absolutely see all those connections.... I didn't specifically go out writing him to be autistic, but i've had characters develop on their own before lol. More than likely he wouldn't have any sort of diagnosis or any attention on it before he was freed because - pet.

I was always looking around at everything, apparently

When I first wrote Clyde, I wanted to write a more quiet reserved whumpee. Most often pet whumpees are just like Brody and Rudy. Fun and energetic and the appeal is immediate. I liked the idea of Clyde watching and studying everything around him. I also loved the idea of the Owner being like 'ha yeah nothing between those ears just floof" and the pet is like, mentally going through the steps to dismantle a toaster. or in clyde's case has memorized the cars and schedules of everyone in the neighborhood and knows who is having an affair and who is an alcoholic and whose kids just joined the school sports team.

Clyde *seems* to get less social anxiety than me *outwardly* when he's with Mason, but having a very rigid role as a pet probably... helped with that in some ways.

In my mind Clyde is not very anxious. More like, detached? In the sense that for his entire life, things have happened around him and about him, but for the most part they don't ask for his input. So he just watches. Then, freed, he's often the most well connected and - for a lack of better - powerful person in the room so he doesn't much care what other people are thinking of him.

It would be evil, and awful, but it would be *easy*. Easier for me than an actual neurotypical, I think. I'm really really, REALLY good at following instructions, sitting quietly, etc. Unhealthily good, because it isn't actually a good idea to live like that all the time.

This sounds like a truly fascinating start to a conversation, however i'm likely not the best to have it. I would love to listen to it though.

But when it comes to following instructions and such, Clyde's role in the Pet Shows Mason does is the Technical Competition, which is 100% about obedience and being precise in following directions. He is absolutely model pet in that sense.

So I relate both to the ways Clyde is a "good pet" and the things that make being a pet ultimately stifling and unbearable for him, and in both cases it's due to traits I associate with my own autism.

I really love this, because I know that I write pet whump and draw from my religious trauma. It's so cool to me that you can read my same little words about my boys and draw something else out. That genuinely makes me feel really, really good.

I have definitely stumbled into making some of my characters, but I hope I haven't accidently autistic-coded Clyde this whole time. I really like it though. I'll probably ask for some sensitivity readers or some betas and such to help me bounce ideas off for him.

[just-a-whumping-racoon-with-wifi]

HERES HIS FACECLAIM

Please note he’s not that “model-like”. It’s hard to find average looking face claims HOEVER I’ve had some luck with athletes and like baseball/football players.

I don’t really have Faceclaims for my chacters (besides Lucas Till for Brody and this one very Specific picture of Troye Sivan for Nik) but I was compelled randomly earlier to find some for my current boys!

Clyde - James Kakonge

Rudy - Adarsh Jaikarran

And a bonus Mason - Andres Risso

Please note they look more like average people than fashion models but ye.

Maybe I’ll do more face claims, I dunno…

[just-a-whumping-racoon-with-wifi]

ok then i request it !!!

Alright then!! Here's When Mason first brough Clyde home!

TW: Pet whump, pet whumpee, conditioned whumpee. I don't really care to get into Clyde's backstory but he was raised as pet. That is mentioned and is pretty overwhelming in this drabble.

also yes Clyde didn't really have a name before Mason named him

Mason was ready. He was more than ready, more than prepared. He had been planning for this day for weeks, gathering the items with the best reviews, setting up the spare room exactly how he wanted. Since the beginning of school he’d been taking private notes, knowing exactly how he wanted to train his first pet. 

He had seen other owners, seen how they let their pets walk all over them. Giving them way too many privileges off the bat, rules that were too loose. Those pets quickly became spoiled and completely uncontrollable. That was not the kind of owner that he was going to be. However, he’d also seen other owners that swung the other way, abusing their pets and being way too strict. The poor things never seemed to stop trembling, never seemed to allow their eyes to drift away from their Master’s hand, not able to stop watching for danger. But Mason knew himself, he knew what kind of person he was. 

He had no interest in that kind of pet. All nervous and sad and timid. 

Soon enough everything was set up and all that was left was to pick up his boy. 

~~

When he pulled back into the driveway, he glanced at the mirror to peer into the backseat. His new boy was sitting very calmly, just looking out the window. He hadn’t seemed uncomfortable or nervous in the car at all, which was a good sign. 

The new pet seemed to sense eyes watching him, shifting slightly in his seat, but he didn’t look up. Didn’t challenge it. Another good sign. 

The moment Mason got out of the car, he made sure to lock it. He didn’t really expect the pet to try and get out on his own, but it was more about establishing control. These first few days were entirely about establishing control. He walked around the car the long way, wrapping a leash around his palm a few times to keep it relatively short. 

When he opened the back side door, the expression in the dark brown eyes that met him was a combination of confusion and concern. The pet hadn’t moved, hadn’t tried to unbuckle the seatbelt, just waiting. Mason nodded wordlessly and clipped the leash to the boy’s temporary collar, then unbuckled him. 

“Come on,” he said casually, and the new pet went with no resistance. 

Mason led him up the stairs but paused a minute at the front door. He glanced back to make sure his new pet was aware of this little powerplay, but the boy was seemingly studying the pavement of the doorstep. The man tugged on the leash very lighting with a stern “hey” and watched the boy’s head pop back up to attention. While Mason was aware this whole transition was strange and new for him, the trainer was proud his pet didn’t seem scared or even overly nervous. Curious, yes, but not nervous. 

After another moment, Mason opened the door and stepped inside first before guiding the new pet into the home with him. 

The boy blinked owlishly as he stepped into the house, looking around his new environment. Mason let him, leaning against the door frame to watch. Curious eyes glided over the decorations and furniture, past the windows and hallways and floors to finally end on Mason again. 

Mason didn’t correct the eye contact. Yeah, some trainers would but that wasn’t his style. A little too authoritarian for his taste. He wanted his pet to trust him, to know that he was going to be the constant in their new life. How could he instill that in them if they weren’t allowed to look him in the eye. 

“Come,” he said again, turning to head further into the house. He showed the new boy the kitchen and dining room, then up the stairs. All the research showed this first time in the house as a pivotal time for a pet. Hell, Mason even offered ‘home introductions’ in his training practice. New pets were overwhelmed and adjusting. This was not the time to pepper them with rules and expectations. Simple commands and a gentle guiding leash would be more than enough for right now. 

Only after Mason had opened the door to the pet’s new room and led him inside did he unclip the leash. 

“This is where you’re going to be sleeping. If I have put something in here, it’s something that you can use and touch. I’m going to let you get used to this room for a little bit, but I’m not leaving the house.” 

With the little speech complete, Mason turned and left the room, closing the door behind him as he left. He didn’t lock it. If the pet was going to try and escape - which he highly doubted - then he’d like to know about it as soon as possible. 

Mason never heard a thing for the hour he left the new boy alone. 

~~

For a few moments, Four simply looked around the new room. It wasn’t particularly small, with a pet bed in one corner, a table, and storage container with a few different types of puzzles or toys. There was also a closet that he soon discovered contained clothes his size. There was another door that led to a little bathroom with a shower which Four thought was incredibly convenient. 

The most appealing part, however, was the window with a window bench. He went to investigate that first, leaning his shoulder against the wall and curling his legs up to hold them. 

This new Master was… a bit strange. Kind of distant? Four had known that he was getting a Master for a few weeks now, so there was no shock or confusion about what was going on. Nothing in the room looked old or already used, it didn’t seem like there was another pet in this house. 

Which was new. Actually, now that it occurred to him, Four wasn’t completely sure that he’d slept in a room by himself before. Well. He’d just have to see what that was like when he went to bed. 

After a bit, Master came back and clipped the leash back onto the temporary collar. Another thing that was odd. Did he think Four was going to run away? To where? But whatever, thought Four as he followed the man out of the room. Odd but none of his business. Master was his Master, and that was that. 

Master showed him the other rooms of the second floor, naming one his own bedroom and the other an office. Then it was downstairs to the living room and kitchen before opening a door to… another set of stairs? Going down again? 

Four halted at the top of the stairs in pure confusion. What? Where in the world were they going? 

Mason felt the boy stop and looked back. For the first time, the new pet looked clearly confused and nervous, and the expression nearly made Mason chuckle. 

“What,” the boy started, Mason’s brow raising at hearing his voice for the first time, “um, what? It goes down?” 

That did make Mason chuckle a little. He stepped back up to where the pet was. “Yes, it goes down. It’s the basement. Not scary, it just looks like the rest of the house.” Making sure he moved slowly and within the pet’s field of vision, Mason gently pet the side of his head. This was a good time to introduce touch, when the boy was scared of something other than Mason. Mason was what would help, not the scary thing. 

The boy leaned into it, clearly quite used to that kind of petting. Once he seemed sufficiently calmed down, Mason started down the stairs again. The pet went easily but cautiously. 

The basement was completely finished, pretty much one large room with a kitchenette and couches. When Mason turned back to look at his new pet, the boy’s head was cricked all the way back, staring at the ceiling. 

Mason chuckled again. 

The tour finished quickly after that, and Mason led him to the living room. 

“Now,” he said after he had made the boy kneel,” You’re a bit more familiar with the house so let’s go over a couple of things. And here’s the first.” 

Mason pulled out the collar he had gotten. It was black leather with a little silver tag including all his contact information, as well as his new pet’s name. 

“Your name is Clyde now. I expect you to remember and answer to it.” 

The pet, Clyde, nodded and stayed still so mason could unclip the temporary collar and place the new one on. Clyde was pretty used to collars now, didn’t have much of an opinion on them. It didn’t hurt or anything, so it was deemed a pretty good one in his book. 

Mason went over a few other basic rules, really more guidelines, and kept a close eye on the pet’s reactions. Nothing seemed shocking to him, which was good. The boy wasn’t fully trained by any stretch of the imagination, but he also wasn’t going to be an issue. Mason could tell. 

After a quick meal, the pair ended the night on the couch watching television, Clyde’s head resting in Mason’s lap.

Tagging th crew because CONTENTT:

@whumpingredroses @suspicious-whumping-egg @albino-whumpee @as-a-matter-of-whump @whumpeesblog @whumppinggrounds

[just-a-whumping-racoon-with-wifi]

can we get the next part of the recapture arc for Rudy and Clyde :)

( I wanna see if mason gets Clyde back teehee)

I'm very happy with how this ended up going, but I'm jiving with a lot of AU's with this story, so I might have another one I dunno. But I really, really like this one.

TW: Kidnapped whumpee, recaptured whumpee, discussion with whumper, police mention/arrest.

[Picking up from here]

The following days were everything that Mason had been wanting for years. Rudy was a bit quiet at first, but compliant. Sweet. Needy.

Everything that Mason wanted him to be.

Oh, there were a few moments here are there where he got confused. Struggled and cried and tried for the door once, but those were to be expected with how the poor pet had been treated. Those tantrums were quickly shut down and corrected, Mason knowing exactly how to make his pet feel calmer and safe.

Now, Rudy was sitting by his feet with the boy’s head up against the couch. He was in a muzzle right now, after getting over-excited the last few days, but he was calm. Happy.

Mason knew how to take care of his pet.

Watching whatever show he had found on television, Mason would reach down and run his hand through his pet’s hair, appreciating how the boy had at least been able to keep it soft and smooth. So many things had fallen by the wayside, but he had remembered enough of his rules to at least do the basics.

His phone buzzed as the show went to commercial and Mason reached for it lazily.

Unknown number: We have some things to discuss.

Mason stared at it for a moment, confused. Wrong number? Or perhaps a confused client? Yes, that seemed more likely, a client that wanted to get in contact with him, but was unable to reach him while Mason had taken some vacation time. Annoyed, he unlocked the phone and replied.

M D: Hello, I am currently out of the office but if you contact (555)555-5555 we’ll be able to fit you into the upcoming schedule.

He tossed the phone aside and reached down to massage the sides of Rudy’s jaw. The laws, the change in culture had been so stupid. Asinine. Pathetic. People needed their pets, needed them for affection and comfort and stress-relief. And Pets needed people, to take care of them and keep them safe. It was inhumane to take away that support system.

Rudy hummed happily into his hand, eyes closed, and it soothed something deep in Mason’s chest.

The phone buzzed again and Mason sighed.

Unknown number: You’ve taken something that doesn’t belong to you.

Mason’s brow furrowed. A prank? Who would think to prank him like that, though? He put the phone aside again, starving the prankster of the attention they so clearly wanted.

Unknown number: Don’t ignore me.

Well.

M D: Who are you?

Unknown number: An interested party. Meet me at this address in an hour.

The address that was sent was nearly fifty minutes away, meaning Mason would have to leave now if he were to make it in the time demanded. He huffed indignantly and shook his head. No, he wouldn’t be threatened by some stranger, or punked by one of his friends.

Unknown number: This is your one chance to correct what you’ve done, or I will get the authorities involved.

And you wouldn’t want that, Mason Driver, would you?

What would your associates at Baxter Pharmaceuticals think if they saw one of their sales agents’ face in the paper under arrest?

Would you be able to land another job with your past and criminal charges?

Don’t test me Driver.

Fifty minutes left.

Mason snarled at his phone. “Up.”

Rudy startled from his half doze, unfocused green eyes staring blankly up at Mason. The man stood and snapped his fingers. “Up, come on.”

The boy scrambled awkwardly to his feet, following after his Master as they walked back to Mason’s office, to the small bed next to the anchor in the wall.

Mason secured him once again and left, ignoring the confused boy’s whimpers as he left.

~~

The address was a cocktail bar. Mason cocked his head and double-checked to make sure it was right. The bar was upscale, a dark, expensive ambiance drifting from the lacquered doors. Inside, it was nearly empty - only one patron slumped over their drink and a bartender wiping down glasses. Mason sat at one of the booths and admired the black marble floors and elegant light fixtures.

No one spoke to him.

He checked his watch, about an hour and ten minutes since he had gotten the texts, but there was no one here. He rubbed his temples and chastised himself. A prank - annoying. Right as he was about to stand to leave, a figure slid into the booth across from him.

Even after a full moment of staring, Mason didn’t quite believe his eyes.

It was Clyde, Mason knew what his pets looked like better than anyone else in the world, but, but at the same time it wasn’t. He couldn’t even be called a boy at this point, the other man staring at him so brazenly was a man, stone faced and fiery. His dark hair was expertly loc’d, a few hanging over his forehead and shrouding his eyes. His ears were pierced now with mat black studs and rings, matching the layers of black chains around his neck. Mason’s eyes glanced across the other man’s strong shoulders, the suit that was clearly tailored for him.

Clyde leaned forward on his elbows, hands clasped casually. He was wearing rings.

“... Clyde?!” Mason asked, astonished.

“No,” the other man corrected immediately and directly, Mason’s eyes widening with a frisson of surprise. “No, my name is not for you. You won’t refer to me as anything - you won’t refer to me at all.”

Mason scoffed. “What the fuck, Clyde-”

“What did I just say?”

The chastisement left the older man momentarily silent, unbelieving. How dare he? How dare he treat Mason this way, act as if he was so much better? Mason could feel his blood pressure rise with every moment he had to sit across from his pet.

“Clyde. You-”

“Is there a problem here, Sir?”

Mason looked up, about to state that yes there was a problem in the way that this pet was treating him when he realized that he had not been the one addressed. The man was tall, muscular, and speaking to Clyde.

“I don’t know, Mason,” said Clyde pointedly, leaning back and bringing his elbows to rest on the booth. “Do we have a problem here?”

He set his jaw and stared directly at Clyde, not giving up an inch. Aggressive pets had tried this all the time, power plays to see which would falter first. Mason never gave in, and wouldn’t start now.

He didn’t dignify the question with an answer. Clyde met his glare with one of his own.

“It looks like we don’t now, Sacha. Thank you.”

The man nodded and melted into the shadows. Not gone, only hidden from sight.

Mason’s face contorted into something of a smirk. “Cute. Very cute little powerplay, but we both know what you are.”

“You’re right - we do both know what I am. We know who’s in charge here.”

Mason clenched his jaw until it hurt, then forced it to relax as he made fists that pressed crescents into his palms. A moment of amusement flashed across Clyde’s face and Mason snapped.

“This is fucking wrong and you know it. This world we’re living in right now is fucked and wrong and it will only end in disaster. They’re messing with the natural order of life for sake of what - pet’s feelings? They’re Pets! They feel what we tell them to feel.”

The bodyguard didn’t come back up and Clyde didn’t seem interested in stopping him, so Mason continued.

“You know it to be true, everyone does! This is a cute charade you’ve arranged here, I’ll give you that, but it’s just that. A charade. An act. You can’t handle this all by yourself. I promise you if you came back with me you’d be back to your pathetic helpless self in a day, maybe less. You’re made for being controlled, and obedient, and owned.”

“Oh really?” came Clyde’s uninterested response.

“Yes!” Mason shouted. “Yes, and I can prove it. Do you know how long it took Rudy to call me ‘Master’ again? Not even an hour. All it took was him walking in the front door of my house before he was crying because he was grateful. Pet’s aren’t built for lives like this.”

The mention of the other boy’s name was the first time Mason saw any reaction from Clyde. The other man tensed, face growing even more cold and impassive.

“Rudy.”

“Yes, I saved him. I did it because it’s where he belongs! He-”

“Saved him?” Clyde spat, leaning forward again. “Saved him from what, his own life? Freedom? Independence?”

Mason rolled his eyes. “Pet’s can’t possibly understand what that truly means. He’s happier now, and we both know you’d-”

“No. No, Mason, that’s where you’re wrong.” Clyde shook his head. “You’re really quite stupid, aren’t you? Stupid because you refuse to consider any other thought but one of your own. Your mind is an echo chamber of your own insane thoughts, and that lack of desire to learn is what makes you stupid. Intelligence is learning, intelligence is exploring new angles, and you refuse to do that. That’s what makes you stupid.”

“Pets are the ones that don’t have the capacity to learn new things!”

“Ce faux cul, Sans-couilles connrad. Tu as passé ces années à nous apprendre que nous étions moins quand nous étions meilleurs que toi. Sous-merde. foutre le camp,” came Clyde’s voice, low and gravely. His eyes burned with an anger Mason was not used to seeing from his previously timid and shy pet.

Mason’s tirade came to an abrupt stop as he panted and stared. “You, you don’t know what that means, you’re just, just repeating words. Parrots can do that.”

“Tell yourself that, if it helps you sleep,” Clyde said, eyes glancing up for a moment. “But I didn’t bring you here to argue. I brought you here to humiliate. To rub your nose in how low your life has become while I’m living the life you always chased. Search up ‘Marcus Adams’ on the prison computers and writhe in jealousy. I’ll keep in contact to remind you, regardless.”

The man balked for a moment before a word caught up to him. “Prison?”

“You’ve admitted to kidnapping a former pet with the express purpose of captivity and dehumanization - that’s a crime,” came a new voice. The other man in bar, the one that had seemed slumped over his drink was now up at their table, handcuffs in hand.

“Wait, no-”

“There’s nothing left for you to try and worm out of, Mason.” Clyde stood as the officer pulled Mason up and pinned him down against the table. As the officer clasped the handcuffs around his wrists, Mason saw Clyde leaving.

“Hey! You can’t just walk away from me, you-”

Clyde didn’t turn.

“That’s where you’re wrong, Mason. I can do whatever I want. And so will Rudy. In fact, I’ll personally make sure that he will do everything that he wants to do. And he’ll live his life fuller and happier and be more fulfilled than you ever could have.”

Then the man was gone.

~~

@whumpingredroses @suspicious-whumping-egg @albino-whumpee @as-a-matter-of-whump @whumpeesblog