A final gift
I've had this idea stuck in my head for a while. Decided to limit it to exactly 1000 words, to force myself to call it "complete" before I ended up destroying it.
There's a few more ideas I really need to get down on paper.
This is somewhat dark, but it is October.
I awoke to the sound of wheezing, the panted breathing of my pet causing me concern as the elderly rabbit desperately suppressed another coughing fit.
"It's okay, pet" I said, uncoiling my long body and tail from the warm fur-covered lupine. "You can make noise now. I'm awake" Sorrow filled me as I heard his lungs struggle to expel the fluid that built up inside them. I gently stroked his long whiskers and looked once more at the dull greying of his hide. I could still see the young bouncing thing my father had gifted me, the bright eyes filled with fear at first and then devotion, the way he would make sure to hug me at night to keep me warm, the breakfast he would hand-feed me each morning. Another cough shattered that memory. Now he was an ancient things - almost 20 years of service, unheard of for such a short-lived creature. His legs were slow and painful, his eyes growing dull with age. He could not cook anymore, he could barely managed to sweep the floor of my room clean.
By the time he had recovered and managed to stand and begin his daily tasks, my mind was made up. I knew what had to be done. Biting back tears, I sprawled myself out on the warm silk covered platform of my bed. "Boy, come here" His ears twitched in surprise at the somewhat unusual command. He hobbled over to the servant's door and left the broom outside before limping back to my bed. "Here, boy, next to me. Lie down here" With care, he slowly paced between my tail and torso until he could lay down beside me. "I want to give you a gift. Just lay still, you'll enjoy it" With care, I reached my scaled hand down and undid the tight leather loincloth he wore before fondling his shaft - the pale and curling pubic hair feeling strangely coarse against my fleshy palm. He grunted a little, unused to such attention, but soon closed his eyes and relaxed back against my belly. His shaft swelled within my playful grip, and soon he was moaning in pleasure. This was a rare treat. Normally, domestic slaves were expected to remain chaste and covered. I had disciplined him in his youth for inappropriate behaviour. But this was one of the few things I could give him - a penultimate gift to make him relaxed. By the time he finally sputtered out a meagre dribble of cum, my wrist ached from tending to his shaft. But it was worth it to hear the little gasps of excitement and enjoyment. "Good boy. Now one last thing. Here, climb up on my belly. Give me a hug to show how much you love me." I could see him stall as he looked into my face, tears already beginning to run down my face. "It's okay boy. I'm right here" He slowly clambered up onto my chest, tentatively reaching his arms around me as I used my own to hold him close. Coiling my tail around his body, I held him close, like my own mother had held me as a child. "It's okay... everything's okay. I'm right here. I'm here, boy" As I felt him exhale, I tensed my body and tightened the coils around him. He grunted once in surprise, causing me to hug him tighter and hold his head over my shoulder. "It's okay... it's okay..." I said, tightening my grip further, holding his legs straight to stop any kicking and moving my arms lower to trap his around me. His nails tried to dig into my back, desperately scratching to find a way out. "Please, boy, it'll be okay. I promise. Just a little longer. Please don't cry" I said, my voice catching in my throat as I began sobbing. I tensed myself further, unable to keep my eyes open. I could feel him try to kick, his chest begging for air and his hands weakening in their struggles. I could feel his heart beating now, racing at a terrible pace - then skipping and slowing. Then stopping. A brief flutter, then stopping. His limbs went slack within my coils. I held him close, still whispering "It's okay... I'm here boy. It's all okay..." Before I could bring myself to look at him, I smoothed my hands over his face - making sure to close his eyes and mouth before I dared open my eyes and straighten out his fur. I sniffled back some more sobs as I looked down at the now still body in my arms. Holding him like a child, supporting his head and knees, I carried him as I slithered out of my bedroom and into the servant's area. I walked over to the refuse chute, taking care to stroke his peaceful face one last time. "Thank you, boy. I'm gonna miss you. But, you're in a better place now. No more pain" I kissed his forehead and removed his collar - a rather rusted hunk of steel that I had to force open to break the rivet that had held it together since the day he had ceased growing. I lowered him as low as I could down the chute before letting go of his hands.
After breakfast with my father - the lord prime of the duchy we controlled - I returned to my room, expecting to find a dusty floor and unmade bed. Instead, I found something far better. Sitting on a pillow was a rat, his tail docked and his face hidden behind a leather hood. I could smell the fear he was in, all his whiskers being trapped under the leather. I could only imagine how confined he felt. He jumped as I touched his chest, enjoying the soft fur and baggy flesh. I carefully curled myself around him, trapping his limbs and holding him close against my chest, his heart racing and his body instinctively jerking away. "It's okay boy. I'm here. It's all okay..."