More aaaangst. but it gets better

While Iason was showering, Daryl heard the phone ring. He answered it and saw a doctor from the hospital on the other end. "The pet Z107M is ready to be transported to your home." He said in an emotionless voice. Daryl thanked him and hung up before going to the bathroom to alert Iason.

He stood outside the bathroom and said, "Master, the hospital called and Riki is well enough to return home."

Iason still had dried blood caked to his skin that he didn't want his pet to see. "Then go fetch him. I'll wait here." Daryl left the room and then the penthouse so he could go do that.

While his furniture went to go pick up Riki, the Blondie got dressed in clothes slightly more casual. He fixed everything up in his room so that his pet would be comfortable in there. Iason heard the front door open and knew that Daryl and Riki were back.

He went out into the entryway and smiled softly at the mongrel. He was obviously having trouble walking, though, so Iason moved forward and slipped a hand around his waist to help support him. Instead of welcoming the help, Riki pushed the hand away and sent a nasty glare to his master.

The Blondie was taken aback. Surely Riki wasn't angry at him! "Why won't you let me help you?" He asked softly.

Riki felt like crying. He was in pain, he had just lost his baby and he just had this extreme hate for Iason. "The only thing I've truly wanted from you is freedom. And you killed my… OUR baby to take me away from the freedom that was so close."

"You would rather die than be with me?" Iason asked, feeling a depression and his headache returning.

Riki started down the hallway towards his own room and paused for a moment. "Yes." He finally said before continuing and disappearing into the pet's room.

Daryl saw this exchange and took off for the kitchen to clean something, knowing that Iason wouldn't be in the mood to deal with him. The Blondie stood there for a long while, not sure what to do or say. He ran a shaky hand through his hair and sighed. All he wanted was for his pet to love him. To be with him forever. He did right by saving his life, didn't he?

Iason went into his bedroom and sat on the edge of the bed, thinking. He ran his hand over Riki's pillow and sighed. Then he decided that he had to go talk to the mongrel, at least find out if it was worth it. He loved Riki with all his heart and soul and was risking everything to be with him. But if he didn't return his affections then what was the point? They would both only end up hurt.

The Blondie left his room and made his way down the long hall to Riki's. When he got to the door he took a deep breath and ran a nervous hand through his hair before opening it. And he was both relieved and disappointed that his pet was asleep- probably because of the pain.

Riki was in fact, not asleep. He was laying down in his bed and when he heard the door open he feigned sleep so he wouldn't have to deal with his master. The pet tried to not make any indication that he heard when the Blondie whispered, "Why do you do this to me?" He thought Iason would leave, but instead he heard footsteps come closer. His bandaged hand was grabbed and the knuckles kissed gently. "I love you." He heard again before warm lips covered his own. Riki fought to not react, but it was hard. When Iason finally left the room the mongrel realized he was crying.

In the morning Riki woke up with a sore throat and puffy face from crying. He sluggishly got out of bed and went into the little bathroom connected to his room to wash his face and try to look normal. But the dark rings under his eyes and the bruises on him made him look older, more like the mongrel he was.

He trudged out to the kitchen, hoping to bug Daryl into getting him some food. It hurt to walk, and moving his upper body was excruciating… perhaps he should ask for some painkillers as well. When he finally reached the kitchen he was relieved to see the furniture cooking breakfast. "Daryl…" He croaked out. "Can I get some food… and any painkillers you might have? I feel like dying here."

The furniture nodded and said, "Go sit at the table, I will be out in less than five minutes." Riki complied and went into the dining room.

Iason was sitting at the table, reading some reports for his work. The mongrel was almost going to turn and walk back to his room. But it hurt to walk that far again and his stomach needed food. So he took his normal spot at the table, far away from the Blondie.

His master looked up at smiled at Riki. It looked warm but the mongrel could see that it was a sad smile. And he felt a little guilt at hurting his feelings, but then remembered that he killed the baby. But was it really his fault? Riki was broken out of his thoughts by Iason's voice.

"Do you truly hate me so?" He asked, both wanting and fearing the answer.

Riki looked down at the table and was grateful when Daryl brought out two plates of food, setting one in front of his master before setting the other in front of the mongrel. He avoided the question by grabbing the two pills off of the plate and swallowing them with a sip of water.

So the Blondie continued. "I don't know what to do with you. I want you to be my lover. I want you to be with me forever. And I thought I was doing the right thing by saving your life. Was it wrong of me to want you more than the baby?"

Still Riki didn't answer. Apparently Iason was having the same troubled thoughts that he was.

"I talked to the doctor and he said that you're still able to have children. If you really wanted a baby then we could try again…. That is, if you're still willing to be with me."

Riki dropped his fork, unable to eat. He hung his head and after a long moment of silence he whispered, "I shouldn't have gone. I didn't need to see them. Everyone is so different, even Guy…"

Iason stood and walked over to the mongrel's spot, putting his arms around him from behind. "I know. And you don't have to ever go back." He debated whether or not to tell him about Guy, but figured that if he wanted Riki to love him it would be better if he didn't.

"I just wanted to see them one last time. If I knew… if I knew what he would do…" The mongrel let out a sob. "I would never have left you. But you were angry at me… I thought you wouldn't love me."

Right away Iason lifted Riki up and hugged him tightly. The mongrel was glad he had taken those pills or else he'd be screaming in pain. But when he tried to put his arms around Iason as well, it was weak.

"I will never stop loving you, Riki. I simply can't. You're too important to me. That's why I asked that you be kept alive. We can always have another child, but I will never have another you."

The mongrel burst into tears. How could Iason love him so much? He was nothing but a dirty mongrel that did everything to annoy him. He almost never showed any affection towards the man… "Why?" He wailed.

Iason smiled and gently helped the pet sit down in the chair. "Do I need a reason? I just feel… chained to you somehow. I love you." He pulled back and grabbed a napkin, lovingly wiping Riki's tears away. Then he picked up the mongrel's fork and fed him the rest of his breakfast.

Review please!