Gavin laughed as he ran up the sloshing dirt driveway, doing his best not to slip in the mud. He could hear disgruntled screeching and clicking on his heels and the sound of Tiny's claws scrabbling through dirt and splashing in puddles. They'd been out hiking on the mountainside. It was autumn, but still pretty nice out. It wasn't cold yet. At least, it not when it wasn't pouring with rain. They'd been enjoying their adventure, exploring the trees. It wasn't exactly a forest, but it was still a nice walk. They'd headed down the slope and into the trees, exploring and climbing over rocks and fallen branches. Gavin had even made himself a walking stick, though he'd left that behind in their rush to return.
The sky had been grey and clouded over when they'd left the mansion, but he hadn't thought much of it. I should have checked the weather! They'd been out for a good two hours, and then the pattering had started through the trees. Tiny had clicked and sniffed the air, scrabbling up onto his shoulders to bob and duck his head. His clothing gave him better purchase that day. He'd worn jeans and a thick brown hoodie, perfect for Tiny to sink his claws into. He could even curl up and lounge in the hood, though his legs and tail would still stick out. They'd turned around at that point, but it was too late to save them from the downpour. Beneath the trees had been relatively safe, though large droplets had fallen through the branches.
When they'd reached the sloping roadside, it had been absolutely pummelling. A river of muddy water around three inches deep was rushing down the hillside. They'd been soaked through in less than a minute. Gavin led the way, running back up the slope towards the mansion. His hiking boots helped him keep a grip on the gravelly path, but he still slipped in the mud occasionally. It didn't really matter when he fell down. He was soaked to the bone already. He pushed himself up with a curse, the side of his jeans now streaked with thick mud. Tiny hated it. He was clicking and grunting in distress, trying to nip Gavin's heels as he laughed and ran.
"Hey! Don't bite me, you little asshole! Those things are sharp! Agh!" Gavin chided as he continued to run, feeling Tiny's teeth nip his calf through the denim. He didn't bite hard. If he meant it, Gavin was pretty sure he'd lose a leg. Tiny gave a few sulking whines as he stopped and pattered in the dirty water. "Phck, alright! Come here." Gavin placated the small creature as he stopped and opened his arms. Tiny jumped against his chest in a single leap, knocking him back a few steps with the force, though he was pretty light. Gavin sighed as he held Tiny in one arm and lifted his hoodie with the other. Tiny needed no more invitation than that.
Gavin chuckled as he wriggled and squirmed his way inside. His claws were sharp, but it was still almost ticklish as he crawled around in there. Gavin tucked the bottom of his hoodie and cradled Tiny in one arm. He could feed his long tail loop around his waist to hold on. His clawed feet had found purchase on the belted waistline of his jeans, and his small hands had bunched in his T-shirt. With a final wriggle, his small head popped up through the neckline beneath Gavin's chin. Gavin huffed and used his free hand to scritch Tiny's soaked black hair. Tiny nuzzled into it with a mechanical purr as he closed his black and blue eyes and settled against Gavin's collarbone.
"Spoiled little asshole…" Gavin grumbled with affection as he turned back to the slope. The mansion was just a little ahead. Small rivers ran down the glass exterior, which looked black from the outside. It was one-way glass. He knew Chloe would be somewhere near the door waiting for them. She was probably worried about them being out in the storm. There was no lightning yet, but he'd heard a few rumbles of thunder in the distance. It looked like the rain was set to stay for a few hours. Looks like I'll be staying here tonight…It was unlikely Elijah would let him drive back in this weather. The hillside could be dangerous in a storm. The wet earth made the roads slippery, and the pouring rain limited the view of the road. Gavin certainly wasn't going to argue. It wasn't like Elijah was short on room. Gavin even had his own permanent bedroom in the mansion.
He sloshed his way across the driveway and jogged across the black bridge. As he looked over the edge, he could see water rushing beneath it like a small moat. Usually it was dry. The water would circle the mansion before sliding down the hillside out back. A lot of it would actually be stored. Chloe had a small reservoir set up that fed into her sprinkler system and the water heater beneath the floors of the mansion. It saved on water if they collected heavy rain flow like this. Gavin shook his soaked hair as he reached the sheltered door and opened it. The panel automatically recognised him and granted entry, so he didn't need keys.
"Gavin! You were out in this?" Elijah exclaimed as he stepped into the entrance hall, dirty green eyes wide in concerned as he looked him up and down. He looked like a drowned rat. A…pregnant drowned rat? Oh-no…He paused as he saw Tiny's head propped up beneath Gavin's chin. Of course, the little menace had gone with him. They always went walking together on Gavin's day off if the weather was good enough. Elijah had no idea how Gavin had missed the giant storm warnings on the weather that morning. It had been playing during breakfast. "No! Don't even think about it!" Elijah ordered warily as he pointed firmly at Tiny, who blinked innocently.
"Don't what? He's not even doing anything!" Gavin retorted almost protectively as he lifted his hoodie to let Tiny out. Tiny obediently ducked back inside and hopped to the floor, clawed hands and feet clicking on the shiny marble. Gavin tugged off his soaked hoodie with a relieved sigh, dropping it to the floor with a heavy slosh. They were so wet that small muddy puddles were forming around their feet. Tiny made a small chitter as he turned in a circle, almost beaming up at Gavin for the support. He turned back to Elijah and ducked down a little, almost poised to jump. Gavin grinned as Elijah frowned and pointed at Tiny again.
"No…" He stretched the word out in warning, as if chiding a child about to do something naughty. Tiny shuffled on his claws a few times. He didn't like being wet. He didn't like being dirty. There was grime caked on his stomach where he'd flounced through the muddy puddles. "Tiny…" Elijah's warning fell on deaf ears. Gavin howled with laughter and held his arms over his face, and Elijah stumbled backwards as Tiny began to shake off like a wet dog. Backing off didn't help much, especially as Tiny swiped his long tail. Elijah swore he'd done it on purpose as dirty water splattered his T-shirt. "I swear to God, I will put you back in the box you crawled out of!"
"Sure, like you said you would last time he fucked up the marble flooring!" Gavin teased as he folded his arms with a smug grin. Elijah glared at him and clicked his tongue, running a hand over his T-shirt. It wasn't that bad, but he would need to change. After he'd cleaned up the mess Tiny had made all over the entrance hall. Water droplets had scattered across the clean floor and up one of the walls. At least the artwork survived this time…Tiny had made himself smaller at Elijah's frustrated threat, eyes wide and imploring.
"Don't look at me like that! Look at the mess you've made! What do you have to say for yourself?" Elijah chided as he rested his hands on his hips. Tiny remained low and looked at the floor, dragging the tip of his sharp tail in small circles on the marble like a chided child. He grunted in a small tone that sounded apologetic to Gavin. It seemed it was enough to appease Elijah, too. He huffed tiredly as he looked at the mess, not missing the way Gavin was snickering.
"You sound like Mum!" He couldn't stop himself. He was even standing like her. Elijah looked indignant as he scowled. Gavin was pretty sure he would have argued if not for Chloe's arrival. Nothing happened in the mansion without her knowing about it. She was carrying a pile of towels and pulling along a wheeling mop and bucket. Her crystal eyes glittered in amusement as she padded over to Gavin and handed him a large towel before leaning down to Tiny with another. Gavin was grateful as he rubbed the towel over his soaked hair and patted himself relatively dry. He didn't want to trail water up the glass staircase.
"Honestly, you boys! I can't believe you went off in the rain like that! I've already started running a bath in your room. You should go and get cleaned up properly," she added as she wrapped Tiny in the towel and rubbed him dry. Tiny whirred and chittered happily at the attention, closing his eyes as Chloe dried his hair and teased his scalp. Elijah tried not to pout at the way Tiny raised his claws to allow Chloe to dry them. He was always well behaved as soon as Chloe appeared, and Chloe never told him off for the mess he continually left all over the mansion. Their LEDs were spinning yellow, likely speaking internally. It wasn't something Gavin noticed as he slipped off his shoes and padded towards the stairs.
"We're going! Come on, Tiny," he called as he started climbing. Tiny hopped free of the towel and skittered after Gavin, just managing to snag his jeans as he started climbing. Gavin chuckled as he climbed him like a tree and settled across his shoulders. His room was just down the hall from the stairs, and as he opened the door, he could hear water filling to tub. Tub was an understatement really. It was more like a bathing pit. He rarely used it himself, because it used so much water and took so much time to fill.
It was a huge square hole in the floor, like a hot tub that could fit eight or nine people. It was more than half full as he stepped inside, and there was a mountain of soft pink bubbly foam floating on the surface. He was surprised as Tiny hissed at the sight. He watched him hop down and stalk to the edge of the hot water distrustfully, clicking and grunting as he glared at the pink bubbles. Gavin huffed as he stripped off his T-shirt and dropped it with a wet slap. Tiny jumped at the sound, crouching, ready to strike with his tail raised as he bared his teeth at Gavin.
"What's gotten into you? It's just bubble bath! It won't bite!" Gavin teased as he unbuckled his belt. Tiny's gaze softened somewhat as he settled down. Gavin didn't think much of it as those blue and black eyes trailed over his toned chest and abs, taking in and recording the little scars that dotted his skin. Tiny blinked as he watched him slide the zipper down and drop his heavy jeans to the floor with a relieved sigh. Gavin ran a hand through his scruffy hair as he stepped out of them and sighed in the humid heat. Tiny was curious as he got up and padded closer, weaving between Gavin's toned legs like a cat. "What? You're too scared to get in by yourself?" Gavin asked as he tugged his socks off. Tiny took his time in examining Gavin's feet and legs. He had a soft layer of fine hair, which felt pleasing on his cheek as he nuzzled it. Soft. His skin was smooth but firm as he nudged it.
Gavin scooted him away with his foot as he dropped his boxers. That was even more curious! Tiny had never seen Gavin undressed before. Gavin was unaware of his gaze as he leaned over the sink to peer at himself in the mirror. He ran a hand over his cheek, checking the length of his stubble as he turned his head this way and that. It was probably about time he trimmed it. While he was distracted, Tiny crept closer. Blue eyes lingered on the fleshy sack between his thighs. He watched the flesh sway as Gavin moved, ever curious. He hunkered down behind Gavin and stared at it, shuffling closer.
"Tiny-no!" Gavin yelped as he felt the claw gently paw at his testicles. He dropped his hands immediately, cupping himself as he turned and backed up against the counter. The cry had made Tiny skitter back warily, eyes wide and somehow apologetic. Gavin's heart raced in alarm as he leaned back against the sink. That was phcking close! He knew Tiny was careful, but accidental castration was not on the list of things he wanted to try "I-it's alright, just…That's really…sensitive, so don't touch it, alright? It'll really hurt me if you do." He knew that Tiny understood most of the things he said. He was really smart. It was easy to forget that he was a sophisticated machine and not some sort of weird house cat. "Why don't you go ahead and get in the water? I'm going to shave first."
Tiny trilled his understanding as he settled on the tiles by the running water and eyed the bubbly surface with distaste. He had yet to be fully submerged in water. The rain had been unpleasant. It had felt cold as it pattered across his shell, making dirty puddles that covered his delicate casing in mud. Tiny particles that could work their way between his plates and stiffen his joints. He blinked as Gavin turned on his electric trimmer and wiped the mirror. Clicking his way over to Gavin, he hopped up on the counter. He didn't want to risk digging his claws into Gavin's naked flesh, especially since his earlier yelp. He sat and watched curiously as he ran the trimmer up and down his cheek. It didn't get rid of the hair completely, but it was a little shorter when he finished. Tiny leaned down to sniff and lick at the tiny prickles in the sink. The short hairs felt curious on his tongue.
"You're such a weirdo!" Gavin chuckled as he watched Tiny chew on the little strands in his mouth. He trilled indignantly at the accusation, following as Gavin headed to the edge of the bathing pit. There were steps leading down into it, and Tiny watched as Gavin was submerged, step by step. The water came up to his thighs as he turned the taps off and sat on the stone ledge with a sigh. God bless Chloe! This was a great idea. Gavin closed his eyes as he leaned back against the edge. He could hear Tiny's claws clicking as he walked around the tiled rim. He smiled as he felt him crouching right by his face. "Are you coming in? It's warm, and it'll get you clean," he tempted as he turned his head to look at him. Tiny was almost leaning his chin on his shoulder, still distrustful. He was tentative as he pressed a claw against Gavin's pecs and leaned forward, nudging further down to sniff the water. It smelled pleasing. He dipped his tongue in, analysing it. There was nothing harmful inside. Gavin was correct. It would clean him.
Gavin huffed and stayed still as Tiny slowly climbed onto his chest and used him as a small ramp. The weight gradually left his chest as Tiny took to the water like an alligator. He watched lazily as he pushed off and disappeared beneath the surface. He could feel the water swishing as he kicked his small legs. This must be like a phcking swimming pool to him! There was a slosh and trill somewhere over the other side. Gavin couldn't see through the mountain of bubbles, but he soon heard another splash. He chuckled softly as he looked around for the soap and shampoo. It had been left on the side close by. He looked up as Tiny paddled over, pretty much floating through the water, snorting as he took in the pink foam on his head.
"Cute," he mumbled as he watched Tiny's eyes shift upwards to the bubbly crown. Phck, I wish I had my phone…It would have made a nice addition to his collection. He watched as Tiny took to diving and jumping up through the water. He was having a good time, considering how nervous he'd been before. Gavin waited a while before washing. He knew if he used the soap and shampoo, it would make the bubbles disappear faster. Tiny soon took to hiding beneath the bubbly surface, hopping up where Gavin least expected. Gavin searched the foam with his eyes, yelping as he felt something brush his inner thigh. "Hey-hey-hey! What did I tell you about that?" he added as he felt something nudge the tip of his limp cock.
Tiny's head appeared right between his thighs, his small body gliding against his calf as he scrambled up to sit on his lap. Gavin huffed as he grabbed the shampoo. It was probably time for them to clean up properly. Tiny was patient as he sat on his lap with his eyes closed. He clicked and trilled softly as Gavin's fingers lathered the foam into his hair, and then he was ducking below the surface to rinse it off. Gavin washed his own hair before moving on to the soap. Tiny watched as he ran the slick bar over his pecs and arms, thoroughly rubbing the soapy suds into his skin. It made his skin shiny. Tiny crept closer as he turned and raised one leg to the ledge, soaping his thigh and rounded ass. He trilled as he swam closer and crouched on the ledge behind, blinking up at the curved and shiny surface. Gavin yelped in surprise as small teeth nipped his plump flesh.
"Hey! Little pervert!" He whipped round in shock, putting his hand over the slightly stinging flesh. He stared down at Tiny, stunned as he massaged the unbroken skin. "Did you seriously just bite me on the ass?" That was somewhat odd. He tried to look over his shoulder, leaning around and standing on tiptoe to get a better look at the curved flesh. He moved the soft flesh with his fingers, trying to tug it into view until he could just make out a few red imprints. "You did! You little-" He ran a hand through his hair awkwardly as Tiny trilled, looking somewhat smug and playful. Gavin huffed, swatting the water at his small face. Tiny hopped into the water and disappeared, allowing him to finish his bath in peace. Gavin rinsed off before looking for Tiny. "Alright, your turn."
Tiny's head appeared at his call, a few stray bubbles catching his hair as he broke the surface. Gavin tapped the tiled edge of the pit and waited for Tiny to hop up. He wasn't sure if he really needed the soap. His solid casing had been rinsed off the moment he'd stepped into the water. Gavin washed him anyway. He was gentle as he stroked and soothed the soap onto Tiny's armoured back and down his tail. He was surprised as Tiny made an almost blissful whine and stretched out as his tail was pulled. Gavin soaped his tail and tugged the base again, the way he used to scritch and tease his cat. Tiny certainly seemed to appreciate it as he trilled and clawed the tiles. Gavin huffed as he circled and tugged, teasing and massaging the heavy joint.
"No scratches," Gavin warned as he shifted to Tiny's legs and feet. Tiny clicked his understanding and settled in place. He held up each arm and rolled onto his back, curling around Gavin's hand as he rubbed his armoured tummy. Gavin wasn't really sure how much tactile sensation Tiny had, but he certainly looked happy as he curled around his arm and gripped gently with his claws. He huffed as his teeth nipped his forearm, tail flicking lazily. "So bitey today…" Gavin drew back slowly and slapped the water. Tiny grunted and rolled into the warm bath, swishing and swimming beneath the surface to rinse off.
Gavin led the way up the steps after that, grateful that Chloe had turned on the underfloor heating. It was nice, feeling the warmth beneath his feet as he dried off. He left his towel by the sink as he wandered into the bedroom, unashamed of his nakedness. It was only Tiny there, and if his brother or Chloe stepped in without knocking, then it was nothing they hadn't seen before. Well, Eli, at least…Chloe just wasn't the barging in type; he could tell she'd been there though. There was a set of pants and tartan pyjama bottoms laid out waiting. He smiled as he pulled them on. She always thought of everything. Literally everything…He saw a small note on the bed summoning him downstairs for hot chocolate.
"Hey, Tiny. You coming?" he called as he pulled on the soft white top that paired with his tartan bottoms. It had long sleeves and clung to him like a glove. It was cosy. Tiny trilled his agreement as he skittered out of the bathroom and hurried across the carpet. Gavin huffed fondly as he scrambled up to his shoulders and perched, as always. "What do you think? Hot chocolate and an early night?" Tiny's clicks suggested he wasn't against the idea. Outside, the rain was still pattering against the glass. Thunder rumbled loudly as the first flash of lightning lit his bedroom windows.