Master & Slave: Wash Away the Fears
#10 of The Master & Slave Chronicles
The rain beating down through the branches overhead was cold, but she didn't care.
Shayde brushed a wet lock of hair away from her face, viciously wiping the tears from her cheeks before she cuddled her tail close to her again, shivering from the cold seeping into her bones from her wet clothes and fur. Much as she hated being drenched, she preferred the physical discomfort; it was better than the wrenching pain in her chest.
Dizzles had been acting distant quite a bit as of late. While at first she'd attributed it to his work and general distractions, he'd sat her down earlier that night to explain that, though he still cared about her as his Pet, he didn't feel the same tug of emotion that she did and that he'd met someone that he did feel that spark for. She'd reacted badly, she knew, screaming at him and flinging her collar into his face before running out into the night, but she couldn't help it. In her eyes, she'd again proven to not be worthy; once more, she hadn't been good enough and once more, she was going to wind up alone, watching from the outside as someone took over her place at his side. Rather than sit and wait for it to happen this time, she'd taken the initiative, making the decision for him and fleeing.
"You alright, darlin'?"
The patter of rain on fabric and a low drawling voice snapped her back to the present, the lemurfox gasping in fright before looking up. Before her, holding a large umbrella over the two of them and looking down at her with an expression of concern, was a tiger. His muzzle twisted into a sheepish smile at her reaction, his free paw coming up in a gesture of peace and calm before she moved to bolt.
"Hold on, darlin'. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you, sweetie. Just... seein' a pretty little thing sitting out in the rain at this time of night and lookin' so miserable, I couldn't just walk on and leave you all by your lonesome. So... tigers can see that you're sad about somethin'. If you like, I'd be happy to sit here with you if you wanted to talk about it."
She looked up at him sheepishly then, wiping at her eyes with her paw and nodding gently before scooting over to one side. The tiger smiled softly at her, turning and sitting down in the space she'd made, propping the umbrella against his shoulder and reaching out to wrap an arm around her shoulders. She stiffened at first, but when he rubbed his paw against her arm in a comforting gesture, she relaxed, sliding over closer to him and curling against the heat of his body, shivering.
"My Master doesn't... he wants her, not me. I don't understand why... I did everything I could think of to be a good girl, be the best Pet he could ever want, but it wasn't enough! ... it's never enough for anyone... "
No sooner were the last words out of her mouth than the tears came again, her sob catching in her throat as she buried her face against the tiger's shoulder, crying and clinging desperately to him. The tiger merely hugged her close, petting her hair softly and comforting her until she pulled back, sniffling and rubbing at her eyes. The tiger's own travelled over her, lingering at her throat where a lighter band of worn fur was visible; shaking his head softly, he reached out and rubbed behind one of the lemur's ears.
"From what I can tell, lovely, he's playin' at a stupid game. He's got a beautiful lady sitting here in the cold and wet that's not just devoted herself to him but bears the remnants of a symbol of slavery around her neck to boot, and the reason you're out here is because he's lookin' at another girl. That's just not right. In my opinion, a man should damn well keep his eyes open to a good thing when he's got it and make sure he don't take it fer granted. Me... I don't understand why you'd put yourself under another like that, honey. You're just as good as he is, why bow to him when he obviously don't appreciate it?"
Shayde sniffled again and lowered her ears. "It makes me feel wanted, cared for. He took me into his home and cared for me when I had nowhere to go... taught me how to look after myself, made me feel loved... that's why it hurts so much. I gave him everything I could give him to make him happy, because knowing he's happy makes me happy and I had to show him how much I appreciated him looking after me. I know it sounds like a stupid reason, but it's just how I am."
The tiger sighed, pulling her close and leaning down, his muzzle pressed gently against hers in a nuzzle. "You got a big heart, darlin'. Nothin' to be ashamed of in that. Anyone with workin' eyes in their head can see that's what makes you so damned beautiful - not many women out there that'd give up everything to another person out of love. You just gotta be careful with it... make sure the one you give your heart to deserves it."
The tiger trailed off then, turning his head slightly and kissing her cheek gently before pulling away. His eyes locked on hers, brows arching ever so slightly before he cupped her face in his paws. "There's a world beyond the cage you trapped yourself in, honey. If you like, I'd be happy to try and show it to you."
As soon as her head dipped into the beginnings of a gentle nod, his mouth was on hers in a soft kiss. His paws curled slightly as they moved up, fingers getting lost in the thick waves of her hair. Her low mewl stirred a responding gutteral purr deep in the tiger's chest, the kiss deepening as his tongue traced the edges of the lemur's lips, the raspy texture making her shiver involuntarily. Her arms came up, paws curving over the tiger's forearms and rubbing the fur there, kneading at the muscles underneath. His fingers worked deeper into her hair, drawing a subdued moan from deep in her throat, prompting the tiger to move closer still, the kiss now probing and hard as his tongue pried her mouth open, tangling with hers. No thought, just feeling, and the pair were soon clutching tightly to one another in seeming desperation.
"SHAYDE!!"
A cry in the dark caused them to break apart, both sets of eyes scanning the rain for the source of the her name suddenly ringing in the air. Shayde leaned closer to the tiger, huddling under his arm before the cry came again and Dizzles came running down the nearby path, her collar gripped tightly in one paw. He skidded to a halt as he passed them, his brain taking a moment to register what he was seeing and his reaction just about dropping him on his ass as he slipped in the thin layer of mud covering the path. Blue eyes met orange before they flicked over to skim over the tiger cuddling the still-drenched lemur that had run out of his apartment just a couple of hours beforehand. His face fell, looking between Shayde and her newfound companion before he held the collar out, bowing his head.
"I'm sorry, Pet. I should have been more honest with you, and in not doing so, I feel like I've broken your trust in me. I've been neglectful of you and I was a fool not to see it sooner. I swear to you, if you'll let me, I'll do everything I can to make sure you're looked after until you can find a new and better home with a Master that will love you the way you deserve." Dizzles sighed, running his free paw through his sopping fur and looking back at his Pet. "Please, Shayde... it would kill me to be worthless in your eyes. Come home."
She looked at the skunk before looking up at the tiger and swallowing audibly, her ears folding back again. "He... he's my Master. I have to... "
The tiger nodded softly, smiling at her and scratching her gently behind her right ear. "I know, darlin'. You go on and do whatever it is you need to do. Just don't forget what I said... if you want to see the world beyond your cage, you come find me and I'll be happy to show you all of it."
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A few hours later, Shayde and Dizzles were home, freshly showered and curled up on the couch in warm, dry clothes. Wrapped in the lemur's paws was a steaming mug of mint tea and wrapped around her body was her Master's arms. They had talked after they'd arrived home, sitting on the couch and letting loose all their concerns and fears about how things would fare with this new dimension added to their relationship. When all was said and done, they agreed to take things a day at a time as best they could; now they sat curled up together on the couch, enjoying the quiet for what it was.
It was a long time before either of them slept that night.