Fireworks Friday: The Moment Passions (or tempers) explode!

 

This week it's tempers, as in Daddy G's temper when someone makes an offhand comment about Cas' Ferret suit. What I loved the most about writing this scene was the way it all happened without causing a scene or drawing undo attention to the comment that had been made. I have plenty of characters running around in my head who would have seen this as an opportunity to 'show off' they would have been loud, brash, and confrontational. They would have gotten their point across but in the process, they would have wound up humiliating Cas and making it more difficult for Cas to trust him and the relationship to evolve. 

This year, for me, has been an interesting one when it comes to characters like that. I've found that more often than not, they've been replaced by characters who, while just as intense as the brash ones, are actually scarier. They love with a fierce possessiveness that has been making for super steamy, extremely intense stories that are still fun and even playful, especially this holiday season with the introduction of my Daddies and their boys in Ryu and Ajay's stories. 

I look back on Painted Love as the lead-in to those, despite it being pet play rather than littles. There was still that layer of fun, a little sprinkle of danger, and a large coating of delicious smut to round out the book. 

Painted Love can be found here!

Cas' ferret suit is a patchwork collection of stitched-together fur, but he's earnest, honest, and just wants to prove that he can be a good pet.

Mouse is a pet, he's a kitty with a fantastic Daddy and they've been looking for someone to join them in their playtime and perhaps even a whole lot more. Meeting Cas offers a wealth of possibilities. The more time they spend together, the more they bond. But will an arsonist bring all their plans crashing down around them before they ever have the chance to see them realized?

Cas was adorable. Garratt watched him play with Mouse and realized he was a real sweetheart too. He was cautious, careful, and not touching any part of Mouse or his costume, which was a welcome change from the few they’d invited to play with them before. Some had been rough and grab happy, like wolves in sheep’s clothing. They'd come in looking like pets only to act like Masters. Cas was a true pet, even if he seemed new to the game. It was admirable that he paid attention and listened carefully. He was respectful and earnest too. Even though they were playing together, he was watching Mouse, taking his cues from him, letting him set the tone and following even when Mouse switched up the game.

Pounce.

The large stuffed toy was almost invisible beneath Mouse, who danced on it, then smacked it with a paw, sending it flying at Cas who caught it between his front paws and rubbed his face against the soft plush toy. These Squishmallows were the best things Garrett had ever come across. Fuck anyone who said grown men shouldn’t have stuffed animals. He had three large ones, one of which also served as his pillow. This one happened to be a special gift from Garrett to Mouse, and as he watched Cas handle it with reverence, he knew this was someone they had to know on a different level. He was exactly the type of pet they’d been looking for, provided his personality away from the game matched everything they saw here.

Back and forth Cas and Mouse shared the toy, coming closer and closer, until they were sitting face to face, eye to eye, watching one another, inches away from touching.

“You can touch me,” Mouse murmured, leaning in as if to present the opportunity for Cas to do just that.

Cas licked his lips and reached out hesitantly, clearly announcing, as he did, that it was okay for Mouse to touch him too.

Garett watched as paws caressed, explored, petted ears and tails, even as he heard someone whisper about Cas’s costume, and how it looked like he’d sewed a bunch of roadkill together. Okay so it wasn’t as nice as some of the ones hanging around the shop, but not everyone had a couple hundred dollars for the most realistic thing available, and damnit all…

Cas had clearly heard.

He’d ducked his head and scooted away from Mouse like he was ashamed to be interacting with him while appearing the way he did, which, was probably close to the truth considering the way he was shutting down.

Grumbling, Garrett stood and cast a quick glance at them to see Mouse inching closer to Cas, uncertain if he’d heard it too.

The person who’d said it had drifted several feet away, but Garrett still had him in his sights, so he stepped over the play area wall and stalked towards him, pausing beside him with every inch of his five foot ten inch form exuding exactly the kind of malice he was feeling.

“Excuse me, but who the fuck do you think you are?” Garrett hissed.

“What the hell?”

“That’s what I am asking you,” Garrett said, glaring up into the posh blond’s sculped features.

A pretty boy, joy, probably entitled, privileged and completely oblivious too. Oh happy, happy.

“I don’t know what you mean.”

“Clearly.”

“Are you going to tell me what you want or kill me with innuendoes?"

“Trust me, if killing you were on my mind, I could think of some more creative ways to do it,” Garrett shot back.

“Are you threatening me?”

“No, you were the one who mentioned killing. I just came over to tell you it’s pretty damned tacky to insult someone’s attire where they can clearly hear you, and then walk away. Since you obviously have no manners, I won’t suggest you apologize, but I will suggest you keep those kinds of comments to yourself, especially here. I also suggest you think about the damage that kind of behavior can cause, especially in someone new to our scene. It isn’t very welcoming, or becoming of someone who struts around calling himself a Master.”

“What I call myself is none of your business.”

“Apparently you’re missing the point, so I’ll leave it at this,” Garrett said, hands closing into fists at his side. The urge to protect was strong and making it difficult for him to keep his voice down. “I happen to have been trained by Mistress Lynn and Little D., who as I hope you know, run this establishment. I will be mentioning your behavior to them and suggesting that name-calling, or insults of any kind become another rule violation that can get you banned from here.”

The man’s expression went from blasé to crimson, a tick along his jawline suggesting there was plenty more he wanted to say but lacked the courage to spit it out. Instead, he tried puffing up in his super lustrous designer leather, nose wrinkling as he glared at Garrett.

“What right do you have to try and get me thrown out?” The man hissed.

“What right do you have to hurt someone’s feelings? This is a safe space. Mistress Lynn said that in her speech. What you did makes it a little less safe, at least for the young man you said it about.”

“I wasn’t even talking to him.”

“But he heard it. I heard it, and that’s what I’m attempting to get through your thick skull. You might not have meant for it to happen, but it happened. Now you can do with that bit of info what you will. I’ve already told you what I’m doing with it,” Garrett said before he turned and walked away.