Call Me Yours [BL]

A stable job, an even stabler relationship, and a good, well trained dog. At the ripe age of twenty-two, Ardyn figured he would've easily accomplished these things. It seemed easy enough, in theory. But reality was truly cruel. Instead, he was a broke college student with crippling debt, and  an embarrassing part time job at a s*x toy shop. To top it off and add to his self pity, his sleep schedule was horrendous. And yeah, that would've been fine and grand, Ardyn could've gotten past the s*x part, but there was a starbucks right next door. And for Ardyn, that meant having to constantly tell high school students that they needed to be at least eighteen to enter. They always had something to say and protested heavily if they were bold enough. Every time they did, Ardyn cried a bit on the inside. When did fifteen year olds get so ruthless? Confrontation certainly wasn't his thing, but they never held back. Is a silicon dildo really that interesting? Apparently enough to argue over. Though- it was more of him just standing there awkwardly and apologizing for something that was out of his control while imaginary tears streamed down his face. It wasn't all bad, though. While he could complain day in and day out about how broke he was, Ardyn would also complain when he was scheduled for work. Which was usually only three days out of the week, mind you. For how much he complained, Ardyn liked his job. It was embarrassing to tell others, don't get him wrong, but the pay was good and was managed by another hybrid like himself. In fact, almost their whole staff were hybrids, which wasn't too odd. With over half the population being hybrids, it was simply a funny coincidence. His coworker and close friend, Prince, in all his blond glory, was certain it was because they were a s*x toy shop that all of the staff were hybrids. With no true reasoning besides that they all had monthly heats, Ardyn pushed the thought aside, but it did keep him up at nights sometimes. Much like Prince, Ardyn's ears were folded on top of his head as they blended in with his pitch black hair. The dark strands occasionally got in his eyes if he didn't part his bangs to the side, and the back curled at the nape of his neck, in desperate need of a haircut. Strangely enough, his shifts were always in the morning. Which was odd, wasn't it? Ardyn didn't think any sane person actively got out of bed and decided the first thing they were going to do was visit a s*x shop. But just as he thought this, the bell hanging from their shop door rang and signaled a customer. If Ardyn weren't so busy gaping at the new couple who just arrived, he would've caught Prince jolting up in surprise from his slumped position over the counter, having been knocked out cold. Ah, Ardyn's tail wagged slowly, it's them. They easily gained everyone's attention, which were only the two hybrids, but unlike Ardyn's longing stare, Prince blinked sleepily and then sank to the floor to sleep some more. At least he's pretending to do something behind the counter. They were a human couple who frequented the s*x shop inconsistently, but was someone Ardyn immediately took notice of. It was hard not to. Ardyn liked his job, he really did, but it wasn't exactly the most high end place to shop at. So when this couple walked in, looking expensive in all their designer clothing and jewelry, he found it hard not to stare. And to top it off, they were very attractive. From the moment they started coming three months ago, the shorter of the two always greeted Ardyn with a pretty smile and wave. Just like now, Valen's full lips spread into a smile as his hand waved in their direction, showing off every thin, silver ring around his fingers. The taller of the two, Kahili, didn't wave, but he acknowledged Ardyn with a small nod and forced twitch of his lips. His hand was a small weight on Valen's lower back as he guided them over to their wide variety of toys. Oh, Ardyn's hands grasped the counter, surprised that he forgot his usual greeting, I didn't greet them. But he was even more surprised that the couple didn't immediately make their way over to the counter. Every time they came, their order had already been paid for online and they were only there to pick it up. Which was more than disappointing for Ardyn. Though, he would never tell a soul, not even Prince who constantly teased him about his odd infatuation with the couple. Ardyn didn't think it was infatuation, there was just something so appealing about them. They looked classy in every way possible, especially Valen. He was wearing a white, silk button up today, Ardyn noticed. It dipped low and exposed part of his shoulders before tucking into a loose pair of white slacks. And then there was his astounding collection of jewelry. From his necklaces, to his earrings, and finally his rings, he just screamed expensive. And it suited him so well. Even his shoulder length brown hair was brushed perfectly neat. It wasn't slicked back, looking soft and airy instead. Ardyn watched as Kahili subtly leaned down to Valen's height so he could observe the package the shorter was holding. And Kahili nodded at what he said, causing his black strands of hair to brush his face. "You should just go over." Prince yawned sleepily. With a tired smack of his lips, he pulled himself back up and slumped over the counter. "I mean, you want to, right?" As confident in his spying skills as Ardyn was, he still wondered if he'd been caught. I barely even looked at them. "Huh? Why would I do that?" Prince eyed him for a total for three seconds before his eyes shut and he was trying to sleep again. "Just go see if they need help finding anything." And Ardyn paused. I shouldn't.. they don't look like they need help. And what if they think I'm bothering them? What would I even ask them? We'll have to talk about s*x and- "Do you need help finding anything?" Both of their gazes fell on him at once. Ardyn attempted a smile and hoped it wasn't as forced as it felt. Ah, I really did it. He mentally prayed they needed help, wanting any possible excuse to talk to them. But he's not infatuated, he's really not. His breath caught when Valen stepped forward and presented the box in his hand. "We were trying to decide if we should get this or a different toy." His eyes were set on the box, just as Ardyn's's should've been, but Ardyn was more focused on Valen's hands. Can someone have pretty hands? "What do you think?" Valen's gaze flicked up and he offered such an easy smile that Ardyn felt compelled to answer anything and everything. Is this the power of pretty men? "It's for a friend." Kahili added. He was taller than them both by at least four inches, while Valen and Ardyn stood at relatively the same height. So that's why they didn't order online. Realizing he'd been staring at them instead, Ardyn's gaze quickly lowered to the box. "Um." He was flustered, and for no other reason than that their attention was on him. "Oh- this one is really nice." His head bobbed, proud he got the words out without stuttering and he actually knew about the toy. Giving the dildo another glance, he quickly realized his words sounded too personal. "Um- Not that I have used it. Just from, like, popularity." He quickly rephrased. "This one just sells really well.. since I work here." He added on, trying not to cringe at himself. "...I haven't used it." "Ah." Kahili hummed in understanding, eyes carefully watching his boyfriend. "He says it's popular." And Valen tried his best not to show his amusement over Ardyn's stuttering. His lip caught between his teeth as he gave a slow nod, smile still terribly visible. But he can't help it, he likes cute things. "Well if it's the most popular, we should probably get it, huh?" "Yeah!" Ardyn nodded quickly, glad that they didn't misunderstand. His ears flopped in the process and Kahili's gaze wandered to them. They look soft, he thought. "Do you need help with anything else?" No, Valen was gonna answer, because it was the only thing they came there for. "We're actually looking for a few different things." Kahilli looked down at the hybrid with interest. "Mind helping us?" And Valen glanced at his boyfriend, immediately understanding. So it's like that. It was getting harder and harder to not let his smile grow. Ardyn nodded, feeling his body buzz with unwelcome excitement. He couldn't stop his tail from wagging, but he's still not infatuated, really. He's just curious. "What were you guys looking for?" Bullshitting off the top of his head, "Collars." Kahili supplied. While Valen, "Leashes." The two lovers glanced at each other. Valen subtly raised his eyebrows and waited for Kahili to tell Ardyn again, but Kahili was more focused and pleased that they were so in sync with each other. Kahili's gaze was blank as he stared back at his boyfriend, not seeing any reason to repeat himself. He offered a smile, unsure why Valen was staring at him. Idiot, Valen thought fondly and turned back to the hybrid. "Pet play." He settled on. Ardyn faltered. "Oh.. pet play?" "Pet play." Valen repeated himself, voice clear. Ardyn turned on his heel and started for that section of the store. "It's right over here." Internally, he felt his mind go blank. Pet play, he almost couldn't believe it. But it's more obvious now that he thinks about it. Some of the toys they've ordered in the past have dealt with a variety of pet play. They're humans. Ardyn willed his tail completely still and tried not to show any reaction to their kink. But it was hard, so, so hard, because they're like his wet dream. It was almost unfair that he finally met someone that also liked pet play and they're taken. Reality is so cruel, he sobbed. He wondered all sorts of things as he showed the couple their wide variety of collars. "Some of these aren't listed online or have been recently stocked." While Valen and Kahili didn't actually need anything new, this made them interested. "Can you show us the new ones?" And because Ardyn stocked them all himself just that morning, he easily picked them out. They were three new ones and all completely different styles. Ardyn found himself just as curious as he stared at the collars, now having the time to actually critique them. Unconsciously, Valen's eyes filtered up and settled on the hybrid, noticing his interest. "What do you think?" Ardyn's black ears perked. "Me?" Valen hummed in confirmation. "Um," he slowly flushed, "I guess it would depend what kind of pet play it was. Like non-s****l or sexual.." He trailed off quietly, hoping he didn't sound too awkward. "Both." Kahili answered. "Or just for a regular sub." Ardyn watched them both carefully before focusing back on the collars. Which one of them is the dom? "This one looks kind of uncomfortable." He held up the thick, studded collar. "So maybe only for.. sex." It came out softer than intended. You're 22, get a grip, he internally whined. Pretty people make him nervous. "Which one do you like?" Kahili rephrased. Me? "Ah.." Ardyn's head titled in thought while Valen silently praised his boyfriend for asking outright. "This one's kind of thick, so I don't think it would be comfortable in any setting.. Then again," he mumbled, "maybe that's just a me thing.. If I really had to chose, I would pick this." After a long thought journey, he proudly help up the thin, black collar. Yeah, I like this one. "Simple~ I like it." Kahili approved. "Nice choice." Ardyn preened a bit, not able to refuse a compliment, even if it was for something so simple. "We'll get that one." Valen smiled. "And the matching leash." "Okay~" Ardyn was just too happy that he helped. "I'll wrap it up like always. Anything else?" No, they both thought. But they liked talking to Ardyn and it seemed like Ardyn liked talking to them, so by the time they reached the counter, they had two other things in their arms. Well, Kahili's arms - Valen didn't want his shirt to wrinkle. This is the longest I've ever talked to them, Ardyn thought as he packaged their toys. Part of him didn't want them to leave yet, but he's not infatuated. Really, he's not. His eyes almost bugged at their total, but Valen swiped their card casually as if he did it every day. The power of the rich.. it was truly astounding. "Here you are~ The receipt is in the bag." Ardyn slid the bag over the counter and Valen titled his head up at Kahili, silently communicating he wasn't gonna take it, so like most times they went shopping, Kahili carried everything. But that's fine, Kahili grabbed it and let his other hand find Valen's lower back. With his boyfriend as pretty as he was, it was only right he carry it. Kahili let his eyes fall on Ardyn one last time, liking what he saw too much. Much like his boyfriend, he liked cute things. And from Ardyn's fluffy little ears to his tattered white vans, he was very cute. "We'll start buying it directly here from now on." He told Ardyn, and watched his ears perk. Ardyn couldn't figure out why hope gradually blossomed in his stomach. "Ah." He nodded in understanding, secretly happy about this. "Because we can't list everything online?" Surely that's why, he convinced himself. "Sure." Kahili easily agreed. Valen unashamedly, "I just like the customer service." Maybe, just maybe, if he hadn't said it with such a pretty, alluring smile, Ardyn wouldn't have flushed the way he did. It started on his neck until his cheeks were growing warm. Prince snored only a few feet away. "Um," Ardyn scratched his cheek, "You should.. Come in, that is. Like, in person." His nose scrunched, realizing he should've stopped a while ago. "You already said that, huh." Oh no, Valen thought while biting his lip. He's just too cute. Kahili almost felt bad for Ardyn when he noticed Valen's heavy gaze on him. He's seen that gaze too many times and knew all too well what it meant. He wants to make him cry in the best ways possible. Bag in hand and boyfriend surely about to offer s*x, Kahili turned to leave and guided Valen with him. "We'll tell you how the toys turned out next time." Kahili told him and lifted the bag as a silent farewell. If possible, Ardyn's flush deepened and he's surprised his lips didn't part in surprise. Instead, he squeaked out a soft okay. Kahili's mouth twitched into a smirk as he turned around When the couple was gone and Ardyn was left to question if any of that truly happened, Prince peeled his eyes open and stared. "So you flirt with married men now." Ardyn startled, ears perking and tail going still after completely forgetting he was there. "They're not married." "Ah." Prince's lips curled up with his head laying in his folded arms. "So you just flirt with dating men, not married. Noted~" "I wasn't flirting." He denied with a sniff. "I was simply doing my job. Unlike you~ You've been napping this entire time." "M'not a morning person." Prince yawned and finally sat up. As he stretched, his brown eyes watched Ardyn carefully. "I know you totally weren't flirting or anything, but if it means anything, they were definitely flirting with you." Ardyn's tail wagged slowly. "You think?" "Don't look too excited~ You're gonna make me think you actually were." "I wasn't." He sniffed again, willing to deny it till his grave. "Whatever~" Prince wasn't bothered whether he was or not. "I say go for it either way. They're hot and rich." They are, Ardyn wanted to nod, they really are. Instead, "There's nothing to go for." "Mind if I try then? I could use a sugar daddy. Two even~" "No." Ardyn denied firmly, much too quickly. "No?" Prince drawled with a teasing smirk. "But you just said you weren't going for it. Do you want me to drown in my debt forever? Selling dildo's only pays so much." Ardyn eyed him distastefully, mumbled shut up, and went to go pretend to work. Prince's soft laugh carried to his ears. "I'm kidding~ They're all yours." And if Ardyn liked the sound of that, just the tiniest bit, he didn't tell Prince. Because he's not infatuated, remember? Really. "Wanna go for smoothies after work?" His ears perked. "..Yeah." _ Valen wouldn't consider himself a morning person. He woke up for work when needed and slept in when he didn't. So no, he didn't particularly care for mornings but as Kahili drove them home, he found himself buzzing with a pleasant feeling. "Are we..?" Kahili trailed off, knowing he'd understand. "Yeah." Valen replied simply, gaze set out the window. "Okay." And it was really as simple as that, just like every other time. "Okay." Valen breathed out, voice as quiet as a mumble. Ah, Kahili glanced at him. There was nothing out of the ordinary, but Kahili could tell from the way Valen was absentmindedly rubbing his lip that, he's excited. Focusing back on the road, Kahili's lips unconsciously twitched up. It's been a while since he's seen Valen so excited about this- it was cute. He offered his hand out to Valen and felt their fingers intertwine a moment later. "I want breakfast." Valen mumbled. "..Please." "Whatever you want." Kahili easily agreed, already thinking of Valen's favorite foods. Whatever I want, huh? Valen mused. He squeezed Kahili's larger hand and absentmindedly rubbed his thumb. He wasn't just thinking about food now. Ardyn sneezed loudly inside the shop. _____________