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Sebastian wrapped his arms around Bryn, burrying his face in Bryn's hair. He rubbed Bryn's back lightly, wanting nothing more that to take the collar back off and just stay in this room forever, to keep Bryn from ever having to face reality and just be together. He wanted to tell Bryn this, but all he could mutter was, "I'm so sorry."
"I know," he whispered, blinking back tears. "I… I know." The only thing keeping him from breaking down was Sebastian's touch. The warmth on his back, his head, his waist. He leaned up after a few seconds, kissed Sebastian with glassy eyes and shaky breath. "I… I think I love you."
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Sebastian kissed Bryn back softly, holding Bryn as tightly as he dared. He gazed into Bryn's eyes, fighting back tears as he responded.
"I- I think I love you too." He let out a mix ofa chuckle and a supressed sob. "I think I love you a lot."
Bryn let out a sound that matched Sebastian's- something lost between a laugh and a sob- and fisted his hands in the fabric of his shirt. Tears started to roll down his cheeks, slow and silent, and he only kissed Sebastian harder. "God, out of all the people in the world, my heart just had to decide on you."
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Sebastian reached up with one hand to wipe Bryn's tears away; he could barely keep from crying as it was. He gave a soft smile.
"Like you said, w-we should listen to our hearts." He kissed Bryn tenderly, tears threatening to spill out. God, he hated this world so much. All he wanted was to be with Bryn, but this seemed to be the one thing the world wouldn't let him have.
Bryn laughed again and kissed him back, soft. Subdued. He laid his hand on top of Sebastian's and just held it there, silent. Life was so unfair. It gave him a wonderful human who he wanted just as much as the human wanted him and then tore away any happiness they could have together. Put up so many barriers the only way they could be together was in tiny stolen blocks of time. "I wish I were like you. Human."
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"But then you wouldn't be you." Sebastian rubbed Bryn's cheek with his thumb. "You'd be silly backwards human like me. I love you just the way you are, Bryn." He kissed Bryn's hand, still holding him close.
Bryn sniffled and leaned into the touch. The collar felt a thousand times heavier than it had a few seconds ago, a sharp reminder of what he was expected to be. He pulled away after a few seconds. "We should go. We were supposed to be at the shop 5 minutes ago."
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Sebastian begrudgingly let go of Bryn. He slipped his phone into his pocket before picking the leash up. He gripped it tightly, knuckles turning white slightly.
"I'm not using this until we get to the door," he said bitterly. He'd rather never use it, but he couldn't risk it.
Bryn sighed softly and took his hand, kissing his knuckles tenderly. Then he laid Sebastian's hand over his heart, letting him feel the steady beat under his fingers. "This beats for you, Sebastian. No matter where we are or what we pretend to be, it's yours. So you can do what you need to further the illusion, because you know what's here. And I know what's in yours."
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Loosening his grip on the leash, Sebastian focused on the beating of Bryn's heart.
"… I'll do whatever I have to to keep you with me," he finally said, defeated by the world. He lifted the leash up slowly, clipping it to Bryn's temporary collar.
Bryn let out a shaky breath and nodded, leaning up to peck Sebastian on the cheek. "I'll do the same, Sebastian." He backed away, getting used to the collar and leash. "Are you ready to go?"
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"As I'll ever be," he said, holding the end of the leash. It was really too short; it was meant for a dog, not a person, so they would have to walk close together. This made Sebastian nervous, but there was nothing he could do about it until they got the new one from the store.
He walked out of the room, careful to make sure he wasn't choking Bryn as they moved through the maze of hallways.
Bryn made soft, plaintive little whining sounds if Sebastian pulled too hard, enough to tell him to slow down but not enough to make anyone suspicious. He felt almost naked as they walked through the hallways with only a half unbuttoned shirt to cover him, an embarrassed blush coloring his cheeks. It only got darker once they got outside and he had to fight to keep himself from fidgeting with the hem.
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Sebastian felt a pang in his heart everytime Bryn let him know he was pulling to hard; he didn't want to hurt Bryn, but he also didn't want to seem like he cared to anyone who might look at them. Thankfully, the limousine was on the driveway this time, door being opened by the chaufuerr when they stepped outside. Sebastian made his way lazily down the drive, not wanting to seem in a hurry to do anything.
Bryn sighed in relief once they were finally in the car. He crawled up into Sebastian's lap, rested his chin on his shoulder, and whispered a nervous "hold me?" in his ear. It wasn't uncommon for an owner to let this happen, so Bryn felt safe enough as he curled into Sebastian's chest.
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Wrapping his arm's around Bryn, Sebastian softly started to rub Bryn's back as they were pulling out of the drive. Sebastian stayed silent as they drove. He really couldn't trust himself to speak yet; instead, he just focused on Bryn.
"Thank you." Bryn shifted slowly in Sebastian's arms until he was straddling his lap with his face pressed up against Sebastian's neck. It was how he was normally held and it let him relax. Made it easier to pretend that they were back in the happy sanctuary of the bedroom.
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Continuing to rub Bryn's back, Sebastian kept an eye on the window, watching as they were driven into town. He saw people going about their daily lives, many of them with demons in tow. He moved one hand up to hold the back of Bryn's head; he didn't want Bryn to see what he was seeing outside.
Bryn shivered softly and wrapped his arms around Sebastian's neck. Half of him wanted to peek out the window to see what Sebastian was keeping from him, but he already knew what he'd see. Instead, he tapped little messages into his back in morse code. I love you. Then, you're amazing. Then, after a few seconds, mine. My human.
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Sebastian held Bryn closer when Bryn shivered, leaning his head on Bryn's slightly. He recognized that what Bryn was doing seemed to be morse code, but he had no idea what Bryn was saying.
Seems I have to learn morse code, he thought with a smile. It would definitely make things easier for them to communicate secretly in public. Finally, the limousine started to pull into the parking lot of the store. It was a big box retail store, like a Petco. The parking lot was half empty, though.
"We're here," Sebastian said quietly.
Bryn sighed and slid off of Sebastian's lap, as graceful as a cat. He pecked him on the lips while they were still alone in the back together, offering a reassuring smile. Just seeing the store made him apprehensive and jittery, but he wanted to put on a brave face for Sebastian. He handed him the leash and gestured towards the door.
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Sebastian stood, stepping out of the car.
"Let's just get this over with," he said in a bored tone to the chauffer. He stepped into the store, the air conditioned breeze hitting him softly. He moved along, still mindful of how hard he was pulling on Bryn's leash. The pick up center was at the back of the store, so Sebastian made a beer line for it. Along the way, pets and pet care items a like were lined up and dish the metal shelving; fish, birds, and cats on one side, dogs and demons on the other. Videos played in the background; how to properly use shock collars, whether to buy a newly summoned or older demons, even how whips were a practical tool for training.
Ilya shivered as he heard the video about whips, a barrage of bad memories forcing their way through his mind. His back ached faintly, a reminder of what had been done to him. The only thing that kept him walking was the steady pull on his throat, and he didn't know if he felt grateful or nauseous.
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Finally, Sebastian and Bryn reached the back of the store. There, standing behind the pickup counter, was the man who ran the auction. Sebastian pulled out his phone.
"I made a large order this morning, and I'm here to pick it up."
It took every speck of willpower in Bryn's body to keep from hissing at the man. He didn't seem to notice, turning to Sebastian with a jovial smile. "Of course! Sebastian, was it?" He snapped his fingers, summoning a young employee over and sending her off to the storage room to fetch the order. "Have you managed to break in your demon yet? That one had quite the temper if I remember correctly. It'll take some beating to tame it properly."
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"I've dealt with it," Sebastian said, holding up a hand to motion to Bryn. He wanted nothing more than to slap this man, but he refrained.
"It's been quite tame since then. It was much weaker than you made it out to be."
Bryn flinched at the tone Sebastian used. Cold. Flippant. Cruel. He knew it wasn't real, but it still hurt. The man laughed when he saw it, leaning forward to peer at Bryn with renewed interest. "Really? It caused quite the problem for its previous owner. Damn near killed him trying to get back home, a real shame." He paused, smirking over at Bryn. "It's such a beauty after you manage to break it's spirit."
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"I agree," Sebastian said, turning to look at Bryn. There was a silent apology in his eyes for a moment, but it disappeared quickly; there would be time for apologizes after they got out of this hell hole.
"Definitely worth the time and money."
Bryn saw the apology for what it was, and that was the only thing that kept him from panicking. The auctioneer reached out to beckon him forward and, when Bryn inevitably did as the human asked and stepped within reach, grabbed him by the hair. He forced Bryn's head to the side harshly, then shoved it back and tilted up his chin, a rough inspection. Bryn bit his tongue to keep from whining in distress. "You've got a real prize here, son. How'd you finally get it to submit? We tried everything and the damn thing still wouldn't give in."
