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My stomach twists and I nod instead of offering to go again. I can’t handle rejection a third time. “Okay. I’m glad you’re still going either way.” Even if it’s without me. My heart sinks in my stomach and I fight the urge to sink into myself. If he doesn’t want me there, I won’t force him. It doesn’t mean he’ll never want me to go on a trip with him. It only means he isn’t ready now, so I’ll give him the time he needs. “Can I at least take you to the airport?”
He holds my stare, his body perking up. “I’d love that. Only if it’s not a problem and doesn’t make you late to work.”
“My shift doesn’t start until twelve p.m. I can drop you off in the morning and head home to get ready.”
The corners of his mouth shake as if he’s scared to let me know how excited he is at the prospect of me taking him. My poor baby has been hurt so bad, he’s scared to show how happy he is with me here. He still thinks he’s going to lose me. I really have my work cut out for me and I clearly need to step up my game.
“Only if you’re sure.”
“Of course I’m sure.” I hook onto the front of his towel with my fingers and drag him closer to me. “I want to be there to see you off and I also want to be the one to pick you up. If that’s okay.”
“It’s okay.” Losing all control, a smile breaks across his face. He closes his eyes, nudging his nose into my neck. “Now take me to bed and help me wind down.”
“Happily,” I whisper against his lips. He doesn’t have to tell me how he wants to wind down. The last few days, he’s been coming home from work stressed and exhausted from the wear of the day. Slipping into bird space helped take all the strain away and since we both worked day shifts, at night was the only time I’d been able to take him there. I pull him into the bedroom with me, turning off the bathroom light behind us.
“Get on the bed for me, love bird, and I’ll get your wings from the closet.”
“Okay,” he says softly, dropping his towel to the ground. I pick it up and hang it up with mine on the bathroom door hooks before walking to the closet. I run my fingers over the pretty white feathers before pulling them down from the closet. Seeing a familiar mask peeking out from a basket in one of the cubbies built into the wall, I reach for it and smile. It’s the one he had on at the party. Tonight we’ll add the mask, and Sunday when I pick him up, we can play with the gift I have coming for him.
Turning around, I saunter his way. He’s sitting in a crouching position, baring his neck to me.
“You ready to be your handler’s beautiful dove?”
“Yes,” he says, bobbing his head. I help him into his white leather harness and straighten his wings behind him.
“So pretty and soft. I love touching your wings as much as the rest of you.”
He coos and his wings move.
“We’re going to add your mask today. Do you want that?” I lift the sparkly covering in the air.
“Mhm.” He’s sounding less like Theo more and more, his words becoming simpler as he replies.
“Good. I want to kiss that pretty beak of yours.”
“Coo. Coo.”He moves closer to the edge.
Smiling down at him, I place his mask over his face, tying the silk ribbon behind his head. “My pretty, pretty baby. So vibrant and gorgeous. So mine.”
He licks at my hand, preening and nipping at me.
“Such a sweet pet you are. All I think about while at work and school is coming home to play with you. I hate having to wait but it’s totally worth it seeing you this way.”
He rubs his scent on my wrist, his tongue lapping at more of my skin, and I scratch behind his ears and on top of his head.
“Are you ready for your bedtime snack, baby?”
“Coo.”
“Get your nest ready for us and I’ll be back in a little bit.” I set a mixture of our clothes—his favorite blanket, my scarf, his favorite pillowcase, and my old band t-shirt I sleep in most nights—on the bed.
He’s already rearranging everything before I can fully walk out of the room. When I return he’s adjusting the last item, his face in full focus.
“I’m back just like I said I would be.” I hold the plate in my hand and carry it to the bed. He bounces in place, trying to peek at the plate.
“I got your favorite. Sunflower seeds. I bought the shell free ones on the way to work this morning.”
He moves closer, cooing and turning in fast circles. Fuck, he’s so cute. And all mine. “You hungry?”
