Heal My Heart

E i g h t e e n : S c o t t

A/N: comment & vote

"Fix me."

I pulled him into my arms and kissed his forehead. "No. You're not broken Puppy."

"I don't want to be this way," he sobbed. "I want to be normal."

"You're not abnormal Puppy. You're just...you. You're a sweet, funny boy who I'm proud to say is my sub."

He drew back, wiping his nose on his hand. "You're just saying that."

"No I'm not. I mean it Puppy. You're not going to let this slow you down."

"I'm already slow."

"Enough with that. You're perfect."

"I'm not perfect. The sub at the shelter where we got Cheddar was perfect. He could listen fast and-and was funny..."

"Puppy if you think for a second I cared at that sub you're crazy."

"You were looking at him. When he carried the foods. You were looking at his...butt."

I was astonished. Had I? It must have been mechanical because I had no recollection. That being said, the guilt was real for me. "I'm sorry Puppy."

"I bet you'd be real mad if I looked at Kyle's butt!"

I had to suppress my smile. "You're right. I wouldn't, hm, like that all."

He looked at me and then nodded his head. "It's okay." He wiped his eyes. "Is there anything else wrong with me?"

I really wasn't sure I wanted to tell him anymore. He'd taken this all so poorly... But keeping it from him was even worse. "No. You have slow cognitive processing."

It happened right in front of me. I could see the gears turning as he took twelve seconds to understand what I said and another four to gain a reaction. "You said I wasn't slow."

"You're not Puppy. It's just the name. It just takes you a little extra time to really understand things."

He shook his head. "And it can't be fixed?"

"I'm sorry Puppy." I confirmed.

He wiped his nose on the back of his hand. "Does anyone else know?"

That question surprised me. "Why?"

"Cos I don't want anyone to know. Not-not for a while okay?"

It's a little late. "Of course Puppy. It stays between you and me." And Kyle.

"Can we watch a movie? I don't think I really want to do that," he gestured to my crotch. "Tonight."

"Of course." I gave him the remote. "Have you ever tried soda?"

"Soda?"

"Sit tight. I'll be right back."

I went downstairs and grabbed a lemon lime soda from the fridge. I brought it upstairs. Puppy was watching a commercial, seeming completely engrossed. "Puppy?"

The commercial ended and he looked at me. "Did you see that? Pods! You put them in with your laundry and they have the best stain fighting detergent so far! Do you think we could get them?"

I smiled. "Perhaps. This is soda."

He took the can and dropped it. "It's cold."

I picked it up. "Yes. This is the tab you pull to open it."

Puppy took it and pushed. Soda fizzed out and got on his hand. "I broke it!"

"No, you just shook it up a bit. Take a drink."

I watched as he slowly lifted the can to his mouth, lapping at it. His face screwed up and he pulled away. "It hurts." He complained.

"That's just the carbonation. You'll get used to it."

He shook his head and held it out. "I don't like it."

I chuckled. It was for the best he didn't like soda. After all it wasn't very good for him. I took the can, taking a drink. "That's alright."

I set the can aside and settled beside Puppy.

I watched him as he watched the movie.

I had so many questions--could actually follow it? Or was there not enough think time for him to process it? It hurt to think Puppy may be impaired in such a way but I knew that I had to set an example.

He was still the same Puppy.

His little quirks just made sense now. "Do you think he ever thinks about me?"

"Who?" I ran my fingers through his hair.

"Sir...Connor, I mean."

I paused, jealousy and angry filling me for a moment. I took a slow breath. "I'm not sure. Do you miss him?"

"Kinda. But-but not like I miss you! I just wish he didn't hate me so much."

"I'm sure he doesn't hate you Puppy."

"How can you know?"

I hesitated. I couldn't really. Maybe Connor was sitting on his yacht somewhere exotic thinking about Puppy. We were so different though. Connor's wealth dwarfed my own of course but I was taken off guard by his sudden interest.

"Maybe we could try to call him?"

Puppy turned around. "Really? Just to hear him say hi then we can hang up. I just... The house he lives in is really big. What if he's lonely?"

As endearing as his caring was, I wasn't thrilled at his interest. How long had he been thinking like this? Did he want to go back? Could I let him go?

Puppy kissed my lips in the same, slow, hesitant way he always did. "I love you Scott. Not Connor. I just... I guess I'm just wondering, y'know. He uhm, he did a bad thing and will have to go away."

"What kind of bad thing?" My stomach tightened as horrible ideas filled my head.

Serial killer? He seemed a little too guarded for comfort... He could be plotting our deaths right now! "I shouldn't tell... You wouldn't tell anyone right?"

"Of course not."

"He tells fibs to the government about his money."

A crooked CEO. How cliched.

"That's not really a secret Puppy. People don't pay taxes all the time. It just the way some people are."

"But he got caught. And then told more fibs."

It just keeps getting better. I wonder if the IRS knows about this... No. I wasn't that big of a dick. I kissed Puppy's forehead. "Alright. We'll call him."

I pulled out the phone and dialed the number.

It rang twice.

"Hello?"

A/N: How do you feel about the plot so far? Moving too fast? Too slow?