3

I jolted awake, breathing heavily and looking around the room scared for my life thanks to the nightmare I was having. My eyes landed on Ivan who was looking at me with an expression of deep concern painted across his face. I felt my breath hitch and hid my face in my knees as I curled up from embarrassment. First I fall asleep like I have no care in the world to worry about and then I wake up looking around frantically while almost hyperventilating right in front of him. He most of noticed something was wrong from the way I woke up just now and I was hoping he wouldn’t question it but I am not a lucky person. “Did you have a nightmare? Are you alright Mocha?”, he sounded like he actually cared to know. I looked up at him with watery eyes and nodded in response.

He got up from where he was seated and made his way to my side surprising me with what he does next. He softly pets my white unkempt hair right between my two mouse ears, making me blush and look away. “You’re safe here little mouse because no one is allowed to touch what is mine and as of now you are mine. I didn’t buy you to eat you either, keep that in mind as you continue to stay here as my pet,” his voice sounded stern but full of sincerity as he promised me my safety. I felt my body relax under his touch and I released a breath I didn’t know I was holding.

A knock followed by the maid’s voice interrupted the silence that fell after his statement. She was granted permission to enter after he removed his hand from my hair and so she entered with a tray of food. The food looked really fancy and unlike anything I have ever been allowed to eat in my life. I looked at it with dreamy eyes as she sat it down on the small coffee table in front of the chair I was seated in. She then turned and exited as quickly as she entered. I looked up at Ivan as he was walking back to take his seat. He made a confused face at me that made his brows crease together some, “Eat child you are literally skin and bones. Are you waiting for permission or something?” It was almost like he could read me perfectly because that was exactly what I was waiting on, permission. I spoke softly feeling embarrassed, “S-sorry sir, they made us wait for permission before eating. It’s what I am used to.”

He looked almost angered at my response and I quickly got scared again thinking I said something wrong. He noticed me getting scared and his expression softened before sighing heavily, “I can’t imagine how strict and awful that place must have been to you. It makes me angry just thinking about that place. You may eat, you do not need my permission, just tell me or maid if you are ever hungry.” I nodded with a soft “thank you” before I dug in because I was starving.

After I was full, I yawned, still feeling tired and ready to fall asleep again. “Come lay down Mocha if you’re still tired. My bed is big enough for the both of us especially with your small frame,” he yawned as well after speaking.My eyes widened as I looked between him and the bed in complete confusion. Would I be sleeping in a bed? His bed to be more specific. “Don’t look at me like that I won’t attack you in your sleep, even if you are cute, I won’t touch a child,” he said as if that was gonna make me feel better. I nervously made my way to the bed and stiffly got in laying there staring at the ceiling. I felt the bed dip next to me and his warmth under the covers telling me he was laying down as well.

“I-i am not a child, I’m eighteen you know,” I stuttered out eventually and even surprised myself with my own words. Ivan slightly let out a short laugh, “I am eight years older than you little mouse, so as far as I see it, you’re still a little boy” I made a slight pouty expression and then turned over facing away from him. I didn’t like the idea of him treating me like just a mere child, but maybe he was right. I have never kissed anyone or done anything sexual with anyone before, so I am just a virgin mouse boy. I stared out the window where I could see that it was now night time with no sunlight peeking through the curtains. I once again let sleep take me hoping I wouldn’t have another nightmare.