A/N: Comment & Vote!
Scott slept for a very long time the next morning.
I watched cartoons while I waited but grew impatient. I crawled onto the bed beside Scott and curled up beside him, resting my hand on his chest.
I could feel his heartbeat and his chest rose and fell. I pressed my face into his neck, inhaling the smell of his cologne. His cheek was full of bristles that prickled my lips as I kissed him. "What are you doing?" He asked sleepily.
"Nothin," I murmured, kissing him again. "Are you sleeping still?"
"It's hard to sleep with you doing that," he laughed rolling over. He rested his forehead again mine and kissed the tip of my nose. "How are you feeling today?"
"Better. I'm sorry I ruined yesterday."
"You didn't ruin anything."
He kissed me for a long while, his hand tangling in my hair. When we pulled apart I asked him a question that'd been on my mind for a while.
"Why... Why can't I meet your mom and dad?"
Scott went very still and his eyes glassy. He sat up suddenly and turned away from me. "It's almost time to go. Why don't you clean up and I'll lay out your suit?"
"That's not an answer," I retorted. "I met Connor's mom and dad right away!"
"Well I'm not Connor."
"Will I ever meet them?"
"I don't know Puppy."
"Why don't you know?"
"Because I said so. Go take your shower."
***
"You look very handsome."
He smoothed out the shoulders on the suit and I looked at him. "I'm a penguin. But not the fun kind like my jammies."
"You are not," he scowled. "You look...professional."
"Like-like you?"
He was dressed like Connor did for work. He fixed his tie. "I suppose. I hate getting dressed up."
"Maybe you could wear a dress. Like Lola."
He smiled. "Wouldn't that get some attention? Especially around here. Ready?"
"I guess so."
***
The house looked almost like a castle.
"Is he a king?"
"No. He just has money--or wants to appear like he does."
"What?"
"Nothing. Are you ready? You need to be on your very best behavior here. Address me as Sir and keep your head down. It's very important that I make a good impression and you represent me. Do you understand?"
"Was-was I a bad boy before?"
"No. But I have different expectations tonight. It's very important you understand this."
I sighed quietly. "When we get back can I gave some jello and cuddles?"
"Probably. If you behave."
He reached over and unbuckled me, drawing me out of the car. A vested man took his keys and drove his car away. "Why couldn't I bring Milo again?"
"Because there's a time and place." He held my hand tight. "No more about it. Remember what I told you?"
"Yes Sir."
There were a lot of people inside and people playing instruments on a raised platform. Someone gave Scott a glass and Scott let go of my hand and approached a man with a lot of people around. "Scott King! The man of the night is here--how are you?"
"Fine thank you."
"And this is your sub, yes?"
I kept my eyes on my feet. How many toes did Scott say I have again? I almost asked but caught myself. "He is." Scott said shortly. "How's the horse?"
"Eh she's doing fine. She's up getting prepped I'm sure. We've all got a lot resting on that horse. She better deliver, right?"
Scott hummed sounding a bit unhappy. The man seemed to sense this and his eyes drifted down to me. I quickly looked back at my feet, curling my toes inside my shoes. "Well you're new aren't you? What's your name?"
I looked at Scott nervously who spoke smoothly. "Puppy."
"Puppy?" He repeated. "My sister just bought her daughter a puppy. The damn thing slobbers everywhere--do you also slobber Puppy?"
I didn't know what that meant but all his friends laughed. I felt not-so-good inside and looked at Scott. "I'd appreciate it if you didn't mock my sub Phillip."
"Oh I'm just poking fun. Relax a bit hm? C'mon Puppy-dog--answer the question."
"That is enough." Scott spoke sharply and I winced.
The laughter cut short and the man rolled his eyes. "Whatever you wish Scott. They'll be serving dinner shortly. Let's take our seats."
Scott hung back with me a moment and looked down at me. "They can be mean Scott--I'll still be a good respectful boy like you wanted. I promise."
"I won't have them making fun of you Puppy. But thank you."
"What's slobber mean?"
Scott rolled his eyes. "Something animals do."
"Do-do I do it?"
"No you don't. He wasn't looking for a real answer though Puppy--he was just being cruel."
"Oh."
In the dining room all the subs say by their Dom's chair. I was elated.
Finally something I knew I could do well. And there was no chance of anyone seeing how bad I was at silverware. The only open chair was beside Phillip who I noticed didn't have a sub by his chair.
Scott sat and knelt beside him.
For a long time they just talked and talked.
It felt like I sat there for ages.
All the subs seemed to stand at once. I did so as well, aware I had missed whatever direction had been given. On the table there was a massive fruit covered dome. A very pretty lady with blonde hair done up like the ladies on TV into it.
And when I realized what it was I blanched.
Please not cake.
She began to hand out plates, one set in front of me. All the subs began to eat and I stared at the fork that had magically appeared. Scott was busy doing something on his phone and I didn't want to embarrass him by begin bad and not eating the cake.
If there was anything I learned from my old Dom Connor, it was the importance of eating the cake.
Even though it made sick every time. I held back my tears and clumsily gripped the fork. It fell with a cling drawing nearly all the attention to me. Scott looked up in surprise.
Phillip laughed again. "You haven't taught your Puppy table manners yet?" He jeered. "Or is he used to eating out a dog bowl?"
"Ha ha," Scott muttered dryly. He took the plate from me and pushed it toward the center.
The pretty lady looked hurt. "This is derby cake King. My sub made it especially for this dinner. It's tradition that we all eat it. For good luck."
"Puppy has food allergies."
"There's no peanuts."
"He's allergic to yeast."
Phillip waved his hand. "That's one of those stupid trendy things liberals like to say they have. Like gluten. I insist you at least take a bite. It's quite rude not to."
I wanted to cry.
Scott looked defeated. "Phillip it will make him sick."
"Relax. Did you add any yeast to this Marcy?"
The pretty lady shook her head. "No Sir." Her voice was like a bell. "And I made it by hand."
Scott nodded his head and pulled it back. He forked a piece and offered it to me. I begged silently with my eyes but his held no option of argument.
So I ate bite after bite and hoped for the best.
QOTC: Was Scott right to give Puppy the cake? Did he respond properly to Philip's behavior?