[Anywhere is fine, Felix thinks. Somewhere with no people around, where he could wallow in peace. But Dimitri doesn't even allow him the opportunity to lick his wounds, pulling him flush against his chest as Felix fights an urge that had only come to him recently when he was forced to do certain things against his will--]
They already have. What difference does it make?
[Much to his horror, his voice cracks as he speaks, but hysteria has him spilling his thoughts the moment they come to mind, the threat of tears ever so present as he finds himself unable to wiggle free. Sucking in a breath, he gives up for the moment, going limp in Dimitri's arms as he hangs his head.]
Why do you care anyway? [Felix asks bitterly, swallowing in one last attempt to stave off his inclination to cry out his frustration at the unfairness of this world.] Isn't it better if you just leave me alone so you can go back to your own time faster?
[They already did. It's an ugly truth, one that Dimitri has been trying to avoid. Telling himself that selling him as "virgin" meant that they were minimal in their handling is the only way he can keep from tracking them down again and gutting them. His hold tightens, as if keeping Felix close now can somehow shield him from things that have already occurred.]
If we were back home, I would. I have been on my own for five years — I know you can take care of yourself, so I never looked back. But here...
[Dimitri's hold tightens, and Felix just surrenders, letting those tears flow as they may. They trail hotly down his cheeks, wet as they drip onto the front of his shirt as he hangs his head in lieu of being unable to reach out and wipe them away.]
You should consider it. [Felix sniffles.] I'll just be a burden to you.
[The guilt and shame of leaving Felix behind, potentially having Felix's ghost added to the ones whose cries pierce his skull — that would be a burden. Looking after Felix is nothing in comparison.]
Call it an investment if you like. If letting me shield you with my status here troubles you, then just fight that much harder when you return home.
[Felix hates it. How he has no choice on the matter but to agree with what Dimitri wants, especially when he's unable to make good on anything at the moment the way he is. On threats, on the urge to run away and leave this dependent way of life behind.]
Fine.
[So he curls slightly to his side, resting his cheek against Dimitri's chest indulgently as he tries to grab at what semblance of calm he can.]
[For all that Dimitri is willing to hold Felix still to keep him from running, once that hold turns into a proper embrace, he doesn't know what to do with himself. It was easy to hold him that first night, only half-awake and partially thinking it was all a dream. Right now, though, his head is perfectly clear and there's no questioning that this is reality. His hands twitch, wandering a little until he awkwardly settles them: one cupped against the back of Felix's head, the other resting at his waist.]
[Dimitri's heart races along with Felix's, the latter skipping a beat when Dimitri's hands finally settle. Strange. How easy it is to lean in and simply sink into that embrace, bringing to mind some bygone days, though that does not explain Dimitri's reaction to their closeness.]
Am I making you uncomfortable?
[That must be it, right? Felix hasn't really made a habit of allowing this closeness since he's gone ahead and turned to calling Dimitri a boar, among others.]
["Uncomfortable" is not exactly the right word for it, though Dimitri isn't sure what word he would use. Being called out makes his heart rate speed again, as does realizing that Felix is probably asking because those ears of his can hear it.]
[Felix takes another slow breath, glad that most of the tightness in his chest seems to have ebbed away.]
Should... we try looking for other jobs?
[He does not feel as enthusiastic about it and given the precedent their first try has set, Felix isn't too optimistic about any further trials panning out either.]
...not today. If being a pet means there are jobs you cannot take, we should find out in advance which they are. We can look it up back at the apartment.
[A part of him is hoping that they'll discover it's best for Felix to just stay in their assigned quarters, but Dimitri won't voice it. He just cards his fingers through Felix's hair a couple of times before drawing back to take out his palm reader and call a ride home.]
[With the noise of the city around them, Dimitri initially doesn't hear the purring. Instead, he feels it. Is this what people like so much about cats? He'd always been a little bit afraid to handle cats in his youth. They look so small and delicate, after all. Even puppies made him feel a bit anxious! He really likes animals, but only horses felt big and solid enough for him to be able to relax with them. This is actually... nice.
With most hover cars being automated, it doesn't take long for one to arrive. Dimitri lingers for a moment before turning to climb into the car, looking a little more like the boy used to be and a little less like a crazy murder hobo.]
[Somehow, crying out that frustration has exhaustion seeping into Felix's bones, and he's feeling unusually tired when they both climb into the car. Thinking nothing of it, he inches closer to Dimitri, resting his head on his lap as he closes his eyes. Drawing his legs close, he curls up and lets sleep lead him where it may, not wanting to think too much on how dependent he's going to be on Dimitri for the foreseeable future.]
[Though his initial reaction is to stiffen up (Felix's head is totally on his crotch?!), Felix's expression has him calming on that front almost immediately. He looks so small all curled up like that, helpless and exhausted. Dimitri knows he doesn't have any business getting involved with the living anymore, but what else can he do? There's literally nowhere else for Felix to turn. Even so, the thought of Felix becoming his little shadow all over again and then having to watch as Dimitri loses his mind and is then presumed dead for five years is... unpleasant.
He'll just have to do his best to keep some distance between them when Felix is feeling more like himself. For now, he'll just quietly stroke his hair with one hand and use the palm reader to tell the car to take a longer route with the other.]
[Felix only wakes when Dimitri gently nudges him at their destination. After which, he spends his free time curled up in his own room, listless after finding out what type of jobs pets could get. He only gets up for meals and when it's his turn in the VR room, unsure of what to do with himself given the lack of useful avenues available to him.
Well, there's still one left, but Dimitri does not seem interested in that, nor is Felix keen to push him into such matters.
Night eventually falls, and Felix tries to sleep his worries away. But with his room unusually cold, he struggles to find rest, and his subconscious leads him to the only available source of warmth in that suite.
Which is Dimitri. Chewing on his lower lip briefly, Felix gulps back his guilt and settles by the same spot he did on the first night, letting the warmth radiating from Dimitri's side lull him to sleep.]
[It's not a pleasant day. The reminder of just how this world sees Felix puts Dimitri in a poor mood, and he'll throw himself into training to keep his aggression under control. At the end of the day, he's ready to bathe and collapse into bed. As always, he is immensely grateful for how easy it is to actually fall asleep here compared to in his own world, even if it's currently resulting in some less than wholesome dreams about his current housemate. Dimitri stirs when Felix settles beside him, curling over to face him with a soft hum. The false starry sky above them is enough light to see him by, especially with Felix's skin being as pale as it is. With his impulse control and thought processes shot, Dimitri doesn't hesitate to let his fingertips trail down to the exposed portion of Felix's thighs, tracing nonsense patterns over his skin.]
[Just like that night, however, Felix stirs when Dimitri's hand dips down, the touch quite surprising. His eyes fly open when Dimitri sets to touching him, unexpected given the lack of interest Dimitri had been showing on the matter especially today.
Felix suppresses a shiver, drawing his legs closer and squeezing his thighs together. He'd be lying if he said it didn't feel good--because it does, and Felix isn't entirely sure if it is because of the person doing it or something else all together.
Besides, this is his purpose in this world now, isn't it? The pet of a so-called elite, dependent on his patronage...
His tail curls and swishes past his thighs as Felix relents, letting Dimitri do as he wishes for the moment. Worse has been done to Felix after all, and this one is downright comfortable, all things considered.]
Cold again? [he murmurs, snaking his other arm around Felix and pulling him in close — perhaps a little too close considering the state he's in. Having such enticing dreams has him already half-hard upon waking. As far as this can be considered "awake", that is. He's definitely not awake enough to try and hide it.]
[But this time, Felix is unable to hide his gasp when Dimitri presses against him--yet another unexpected turn of events given available information thus far.
Or is he, perhaps, misreading things...? It does not seem likely given the aggression between them, but who is he to judge who or what Dimitri might be dreaming or thinking of? His duty right now would be to serve and refrain from being more of a headache than he already is, so--
All he does is exhale softly against Dimitri's chest, shuffling a little closer.]
[Such a cute little gasp. Dimitri nuzzles in closer, hand sliding up to briefly fondle his ass before finding his real target: the tail. Once again, he curls it in his fingers, idly stroking the fur. The softness is pleasing, but he can't help also thinking it would make a good handle.
[Something is very, very wrong with this turn of events. The touch that follows is so unthinkable that Felix forces himself to reevaluate his earlier thoughts, wondering how much of it is intentional.]
What--
[The rest of his protest gives way to a moan as Dimitri starts playing with his tail, which stiffens in response.]
What are you doing? [Felix asks in an agitated whisper, slightly horrified at how tight his voice sounds and at the heat starting to pool in his belly.]
[A tiny groan escapes Felix, partially induced by all the modifications on him. There's no escaping it, is there? Dimitri's touch, or the fact that everything going on seems to be all Felix's fault in one way or another. His handlers have called him a prized catch more times than he could ever count, the truth of which rings false to his ears--until now, that is.
Felix blinks. Could Dimitri be thinking the same as they are? Is he no different from the people who would greedily drink in the sight of him, with those senseless thoughts in mind--]
You really think that?
[Still, Dimitri's touch doesn't make him recoil the way those other people's do. Surprising as they might be, there's an ounce of familiarity which keeps him in place, even if a part of him is unsure he wants to find out where Dimitri is going with this.]
[It's just like Felix to have no idea what other people think of his looks, even after those black market agents must have told him a thousand times. It's funny, really. Usually, his opinion on Felix's looks is something he would keep to himself. Not only has their friendship faded to only an echo of what it used to be, Felix surely doesn't want to hear that sort of thing in a place like this.
Unfortunately, Dimitri's not exactly thinking things through at the moment. He doesn't hesitate to just say it.]
You're beautiful, [he breathes, nudging his face into the crook of Felix's neck, his lips just barely brushing against his skin. Even after all these years, there's something comforting about Felix's scent...
[Felix has every right to find it appalling. Disgusting as the beast that Dimitri has proven himself to be.
Instead, warmth courses through his system, and Dimitri might as well have yanked his tail for all those two words are making him feel. He tenses against Dimitri burrowing himself into what little warmth he's radiating, the contact an unfair tease. But he does not pull away, simply sighing as he furrows his brows and helplessly remains rooted where he is.]
You're lying.
[Yet he doesn't sound convinced when he says it, shutting his eyes as if the act would carry him back to sleep and convince him that everything right now is simply a dream.]
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They already have. What difference does it make?
[Much to his horror, his voice cracks as he speaks, but hysteria has him spilling his thoughts the moment they come to mind, the threat of tears ever so present as he finds himself unable to wiggle free. Sucking in a breath, he gives up for the moment, going limp in Dimitri's arms as he hangs his head.]
Why do you care anyway? [Felix asks bitterly, swallowing in one last attempt to stave off his inclination to cry out his frustration at the unfairness of this world.] Isn't it better if you just leave me alone so you can go back to your own time faster?
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If we were back home, I would. I have been on my own for five years — I know you can take care of yourself, so I never looked back. But here...
[Dimitri shakes his head.]
Not here. I could never leave you here.
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You should consider it. [Felix sniffles.] I'll just be a burden to you.
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[The guilt and shame of leaving Felix behind, potentially having Felix's ghost added to the ones whose cries pierce his skull — that would be a burden. Looking after Felix is nothing in comparison.]
Call it an investment if you like. If letting me shield you with my status here troubles you, then just fight that much harder when you return home.
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Fine.
[So he curls slightly to his side, resting his cheek against Dimitri's chest indulgently as he tries to grab at what semblance of calm he can.]
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Am I making you uncomfortable?
[That must be it, right? Felix hasn't really made a habit of allowing this closeness since he's gone ahead and turned to calling Dimitri a boar, among others.]
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It was... unexpected.
[But not bad.]
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[Felix takes another slow breath, glad that most of the tightness in his chest seems to have ebbed away.]
Should... we try looking for other jobs?
[He does not feel as enthusiastic about it and given the precedent their first try has set, Felix isn't too optimistic about any further trials panning out either.]
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[A part of him is hoping that they'll discover it's best for Felix to just stay in their assigned quarters, but Dimitri won't voice it. He just cards his fingers through Felix's hair a couple of times before drawing back to take out his palm reader and call a ride home.]
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[Maybe Dimitri might be able to find more information on that, considering there was none of the sort when Felix tried to figure that out.
For the moment, he rests against Dimitri's chest, letting out a soft purr as he waits for their ride home.]
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With most hover cars being automated, it doesn't take long for one to arrive. Dimitri lingers for a moment before turning to climb into the car, looking a little more like the boy used to be and a little less like a crazy murder hobo.]
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He'll just have to do his best to keep some distance between them when Felix is feeling more like himself. For now, he'll just quietly stroke his hair with one hand and use the palm reader to tell the car to take a longer route with the other.]
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Well, there's still one left, but Dimitri does not seem interested in that, nor is Felix keen to push him into such matters.
Night eventually falls, and Felix tries to sleep his worries away. But with his room unusually cold, he struggles to find rest, and his subconscious leads him to the only available source of warmth in that suite.
Which is Dimitri. Chewing on his lower lip briefly, Felix gulps back his guilt and settles by the same spot he did on the first night, letting the warmth radiating from Dimitri's side lull him to sleep.]
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Felix suppresses a shiver, drawing his legs closer and squeezing his thighs together. He'd be lying if he said it didn't feel good--because it does, and Felix isn't entirely sure if it is because of the person doing it or something else all together.
Besides, this is his purpose in this world now, isn't it? The pet of a so-called elite, dependent on his patronage...
His tail curls and swishes past his thighs as Felix relents, letting Dimitri do as he wishes for the moment. Worse has been done to Felix after all, and this one is downright comfortable, all things considered.]
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[But this time, Felix is unable to hide his gasp when Dimitri presses against him--yet another unexpected turn of events given available information thus far.
Or is he, perhaps, misreading things...? It does not seem likely given the aggression between them, but who is he to judge who or what Dimitri might be dreaming or thinking of? His duty right now would be to serve and refrain from being more of a headache than he already is, so--
All he does is exhale softly against Dimitri's chest, shuffling a little closer.]
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This place has really done a number on him.]
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What--
[The rest of his protest gives way to a moan as Dimitri starts playing with his tail, which stiffens in response.]
What are you doing? [Felix asks in an agitated whisper, slightly horrified at how tight his voice sounds and at the heat starting to pool in his belly.]
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Ah, Felix...
[Dimitri releases the tail with an amused huff, his hand dropping down again to squeeze one of Felix's thighs.]
They're even more distracting than those slacks from the academy.
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[A tiny groan escapes Felix, partially induced by all the modifications on him. There's no escaping it, is there? Dimitri's touch, or the fact that everything going on seems to be all Felix's fault in one way or another. His handlers have called him a prized catch more times than he could ever count, the truth of which rings false to his ears--until now, that is.
Felix blinks. Could Dimitri be thinking the same as they are? Is he no different from the people who would greedily drink in the sight of him, with those senseless thoughts in mind--]
You really think that?
[Still, Dimitri's touch doesn't make him recoil the way those other people's do. Surprising as they might be, there's an ounce of familiarity which keeps him in place, even if a part of him is unsure he wants to find out where Dimitri is going with this.]
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Unfortunately, Dimitri's not exactly thinking things through at the moment. He doesn't hesitate to just say it.]
You're beautiful, [he breathes, nudging his face into the crook of Felix's neck, his lips just barely brushing against his skin. Even after all these years, there's something comforting about Felix's scent...
It has him starting to drift off fairly fast.]
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Instead, warmth courses through his system, and Dimitri might as well have yanked his tail for all those two words are making him feel. He tenses against Dimitri burrowing himself into what little warmth he's radiating, the contact an unfair tease. But he does not pull away, simply sighing as he furrows his brows and helplessly remains rooted where he is.]
You're lying.
[Yet he doesn't sound convinced when he says it, shutting his eyes as if the act would carry him back to sleep and convince him that everything right now is simply a dream.]
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