Bryn grimaced, pressing closer to Sebastian instinctively. He was tense, but he relaxed a bit when Sebastian started rubbing his back, sighing softly. "How?"
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Sebastian thought for a moment.
"Well… she's most likely gonna want to look you over. She won't be as rough as the man at the shop, but… She's still gonna touch you a lot. Eventually, though, she'll lose interest and turn her attention fully back to me."
Bryn shivered at the thought, whining softly. "It's just going to be my face, right?" His voice was nervous and small.
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"I'll make sure of it," Sebastian reassured, pulling Bryn closer in an attempt to comfort him.
Bryn melted hesitantly against his chest, burying his face in Sebastian's neck. "N-no, it's alright. I… um… I can handle it if telling her to back off is gonna make her suspicious."
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"It won't," he said slowly, "if we give a good excuse. She's… Like the assistant in the shop in this sense." He continued to rub Bryn's back, resting his cheek against Bryn's head.
"Oh." Bryn clung to him tighter, only loosening his grip when Sebastian kept rubbing his back. "Will it work if you say I'm… skittish. That I need time to adjust to everything and all that shit?"
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After a moment, Sebastian nodded.
"Yeah," he said, "that would work." He turned his head, kissing the side of Bryn's lightly. He gave Bryn a hug.
"Good." Bryn leaned into the kiss, still a bit nervous but mostly calm now that he knew what was going to happen. "Does that mean you can cuddle me when I get upset without her finding it weird?"
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Sebastian gave a small smile.
"Of course. As much as we need to." With that, they would be able to feel the limo pulling into a driveway, signifying they only had a few more moments alone.
"I love you," Sebastian said one last time, giving him a small kiss.
"I love you too," Bryn murmured, kissing him back softly. He picked up the leash, pressing it gently into Sebastian's hand. "Take care of yourself in there, okay? Remember, we're just playing a role."
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"Okay," he said, slipping the loop of the leash around his wrist. Like he was chaining himself to Bryn. The limo pulled to a stop, and the door was opened. Sebastian moved Bryn off of his lap lightly. Then, he himself stood, putting his hands in his pocket as he lead Bryn out.
"Se-bastian!" A girl called, coming up and giving him a hug.
Bryn stepped gracefully out of the car, smoothing down the hem of his one piece as Sebastian pulled him forward. He winced when the girl ran up, more than a little startled by her sudden entrance and loud voice.
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"Hey, CC," Sebastian said, giving her a quick hug in return. She let go of him, smiling. She was in the shorter side, seeming to be a few inches taller than five foot. Her brown hair bounced as she moved. She noticed the leash around Sebastian's wrist, following it up to look at Bryn.
"Awwwww," she said, moving closer to him.
Bryn managed to stay still as she approached, thanking the gods that she was about as unintimidating as a human could get. She was shorter than him and just as thin with a disarmingly warm smile. He still glanced nervously at Sebastian out of the corner of his eye, wondering if he was allowed to talk or move as she took him in.
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Sebastian watched quietly, ready to step in if things got out of hand. CC looked up at him.
"Bend down so I can get a better look at you," she said, the command hidden under a kind tone.
Bryn winced, doing as she said with an almost mechanical motion. He'd been hoping she'd treat him like a person, but this was better than nothing. A hidden order was better than a shouted one. "Yes, ma'am."
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CC smiled when Bryn did as he was told. Sebastian watched with slightly pursed lips. CC reached out, taking his head in her hands lightly as she looked him over.
"What is your name?"
Bry didn't rear back, but it was a near thing. As it was his skin was starting to crawl, prickly and uncomfortable under her touch no matter how light it was. "B-Bryn, ma'am."
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CC nodded, continuing her examination of him.
"A very nice name," she noted to Sebastian. He nodded, stepping forward when he saw how uncomfortable Bryn was.
"Please be careful, he can be quite skittish. He's still getting used to this." He put his hand on her shoulder. He was thankful he didn't have to call Bryn an it around CC.
CC nodded.
"Okay, I understand."
Bryn gave Sebastian a relieved look, taking a few steps over so he could hide from CC behind his human. He still peeked out over Sebastian's shoulder, offering CC a skittish but respectfully apologetic half-smile.
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CC smiled back.
"Let's go inside," she said, fill of energy and she spun on her heel. When she wasn't looking, Sebastian turned to Bryn and reached out, giving his hand a gentle squeeze.
Bryn squeezed back and then, after glancing around to make sure they were alone, whispered a hushed "thank you" into Sebastian's ear. He followed quietly afterwards, following the two of them inside and trying not to be too obvious with his curiosity as he looked around her house.
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The house, while not near as over the top as Sebastian's, was still as expensive looking. It was only two story, with only a few extra rooms besides the essentials. CC and Sebastian headed for the living room. There, Sebastian unclipped Bryn's leash, but left the collar on.
Bryn hoovered nervously by his side for a few seconds before he plopped down on the floor by Sebastian's feet. He was supposed to bow there, but that always made his back ache and he knew both humans were lenient enough that they wouldn't find it disres[ectful if he leaned up against Sebastian's legs instead.
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Sebastian's hand found its way to the crook of Bryn's neck.
"He's very comfortable when with you," CC noted. Sebastian nodded, smiling slightly.
Bryn smiled slightly when CC called him he instead of 'it', leaning up into the hand on his neck without a second thought. He really was comfortable with Sebastian, enough so that he felt like he could relax even with the usually nerve-wracking presence of another human in the room with them.
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Sebastian rubbed the back of Bryn's neck lightly with his thumb as he and CC talked as they waited for lunch to be served; of a peer named Jacob they both seemed to dislike, gossip of who was dating who and how long things would last.
Bryn rested his head on Sebastian's lap, purring quietly into his thighs and peering up at CC every so often when the gossip got interesting. They had a couple friends who seemed like chronic disasters, and Bryn was really starting to get into the story of this one chick whose ex had crashed a blind date to try and propose to her when the food finally came.
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It was a light meal, just a salad and some sandwiches. Some was brought it for Bryn as well, a mild surprise. It was also of the same quality. Sebastian smiled, passing Bryn's shoulder slightly.
