"Come in," Sebastian said, calmly pulling his shirt on and beginning to button it back up. A maid came into the room, carrying a tray of food. She set the tray down over Sebastian's legs. She seemed to notice Bryn, a questioning look on her face. Sebastian, in response, started to rub Bryn like he would a cat. Seemingly satisfied by this, the maid turned to leave.
"Be a dear and bring my demon's food in here as well," Sebastian called after her. He hated calling Bryn that, but he couldn't really call him anything else without suspicion arising.
"Yes, Master Sebastian," the maid said, bowing once before leaving the room to do as Sebastian had asked.
Bryn was practically shaking with the effort it took to stay still, Sebastian could probably feel the muscles tightening under his hands. He was deceptively peaceful from the outside, smile soft and body limp. When the maid finally left he bolted up to sit beside Sebastian, leaning against him for comfort. He stole a bite off the tray, body wracked by a nervous shiver. "I hate that. I wish you could just be with me without all this shit in the way."
Sebastian wrapped his arm around Bryn, holding him close.
"Unfortunately, it's only just starting." He rubbed Bryn's arm as he nibbled at a piece of toast.
"And you can have as much as you want; the food she's bringing for you might not be edible."
Bryn frowned down at his lap, occasionally snagging a piece of fruit or a bite of sausage. He'd been a pet a few times before, but it had never bothered him this much. He'd never wanted to be equal to someone so badly in his life. "Why do you humans treat us so badly?"
"Probably some mumbo jumbo to do with religion and crap," Sebastian said, finishing off his toast. "Mostly just a load of excuses that I don't buy anymore." He put his head on Bryn's shoulder.
Bryn smiled and rested his head on top of Sebastian's, trailing a hand up his back to play with his hair. "That's because of me, isn't it?" He couldn't help but preen a little, proud of the effect he'd had.
"Completely," Sebastian murmured into Bryn's shoulder. Yet again, there was a knock at the door. Sebastian sighed, pulling away from Bryn reluctantly.
Bryn sighed too and nuzzled Sebastian's side. "I'll act all affectionate, just pet me and do that weird condescending baby talk you do. I don't wanna deal with anyone if you're not petting me." He spaced out slightly, slapping on a dopey grin that made him seem simple. The stereotypical obedient pet.
"Oh lord, not the baby talk," he said in a low tone. With a sigh, he started to pet Bryn. At least he didn't have to fake the affection.
"Come in!" He said, internally hating every moment of this. The door opened, revealing the maid.
"Your demon's food, Master Sebastian." She set it down next to Sebastian's; there was only one bowl of a gruel-like substance and a glass of water.
"The doctor wanted me to remind you to have it take its medication," she said in a calm manner.
Bryn muffled a snicker by shoving his face into Sebastian's stomach, splayed across his lap like a cat in a sunbeam. He gritted his teeth when she set down the gruel and pressed his face carefully into Sebastian's thigh so the maid wouldn't see his anger when she called him an it. He pouted up at him discreetly when the maid turned her back.
Sebastian had to stop himself from showing his disgust at the entire situation, because unlike Bryn he had to actually act. When Bryn pouted up at him, Sebastian forced himself to simply rub Bryn's head instead of scooping Bryn up in his arms to make the pout go away.
"Thank you. That will be all." The maid bowed once before leaving.
Bryn pushed himself up into Sebastian's lap as soon as she was gone, scowling at the door she'd left from. He nestled himself firmly into Sebastian's chest, more clingy than usual. There was a storm brewing behind his eyes. "I hate it when they talk to me like that."
Sebastian wrapped his arms around Bryn, tighter than he usually dared.
"I hate having to talk like that," he said, rubbing circles on Bryn's back. He much preferred this; just him and Bryn, no one to tell them that this was wrong. No one interrupting their one on one time.
"And it's still only morning…"
"At least you never called me an 'it' to my face," Bryn muttered, relaxing despite his obvious discomfort. The whole encounter had shattered the peaceful bubble of last night and left the jagged edges of reality to scratch at his newly exposed heart. He buried his face in Sebastian's neck. "I can't stand it when humans do that."
Sebastian kissed Bryn's forehead.
"I know, but I don't know how long I'll be able to get away with that." Sebastian wanted to hide Bryn away, where no one could ever made him feel like this again. Unfortunately, if anything Sebastian would either have to leave Bryn to act like a pet without Sebastian, or force Bryn to have to face the world as a pet at Sebastian's side.
Bryn leaned up to kiss him softly, a shaky smile on his face as he pulled away. He slung an arm around Sebastian's back, gripping the fabric of his shirt weakly. "I guess you'll just have to make it up to me afterward, won't you?" Bryn would never enjoy being forced to act as a pet but he could deal. He could force himself through it as long as Sebastian was there to comfort him when they were alone.
"Every day," Sebastian said, kissing him gently. He didn't know what to do, so he asked Bryn.
"So, do you want to stay here for the day our come with me?" No matter what Bryn said, Sebastian knew it was what Bryn wanted, so he would be okay with it.
Bryn kissed him back, soft and slightly nervous. He frowned when Sebastian asked the question, already half defeated by what he would have to face. "I'd rather play show pony with you by my side. Where are we gonna have to go?"
"Well," Sebastian thought for a moment, "We have the morning open, then we go over to my friend's for lunch, and at five I have kickboxing practice." He winced slightly at the mention of his friend; he had an idea as to how she would react to Bryn, and it made him cringe.
Bryn's frown only deepened when he noticed the wince, and he pushed his face into Sebastian's neck. Today was going to be upsetting, wasn't it? "What's your friend like?" His voice was tired, almost resigned. "Is she like you used to be?"
"Ah- no. More like what I have to pretend to be." Sebastian put his hand on the back of Bryn's neck, putting his held on the top of Bryn's.
"This is gonna be painful…"
Bryn pressed himself into the touch with a soft sigh. "We should probably use our time this morning to doll me up. Get me fitted for a collar and some pet clothes and all that." He grimaced at the idea, but it would be for the best. They'd help him blend in more.
"I suppose so," Sebastian said. "But that would require actually getting up, and I really don't want to." He pulled Bryn flush against him, chuckling.
Bryn laughed too, grateful for the distraction, and cuddled closer to his side. He stole a few more pieces of food off the platter before he laid down again, pecking Sebastian fondly on the cheek. "Too bad, it's time for you to start te day. Up and at 'em!!"
Sebastian laughed, putting his forehead on Bryn's for a moment before pulling away. He moved the breakfast tray from over him, swinging his legs off the bed.
"I'm not the only one who should get ready," he noted, grinning with his back turned to Bryn.
