(I got a friend from the zoo who wanted to help write this chapter. His name, of course, is Pyre. XD He is a big boi.) 

Wiping the sweat from his forehead, Pyre hurried down the street with a messenger bag over his shoulder. It had been a few days since Blake had joined them at Fen's home, but the guy was still pretty distant. His injuries were at least healing, and he was spending quite a bit of time cooking them all sorts of things in Fen's huge kitchen. 

Just the thought of what might be for lunch made him hungry. He, himself, had been given small tasks by Fen as he healed, too, and he actually found that he enjoyed running the errands. It gave him something to do besides sit around and think about certain people naked. Now he got to run around and make some money while thinking about said people naked. 

He was just rounding the corner for the street that Fen's home was on when he suddenly tripped, then flopped over onto the sidewalk. 

Well, you could have picked a worse time, at least. 

Twitching his whiskers, Pyre stood up on his hind legs and carefully packed his clothing and shoes into the messenger bag, then lifted it back onto his tiny shoulder. After making a few adjustments, he continued on his way. Quite a few people were staring at him, but he just flicked an ear and ignored them as he finished his trip home. 

The doorman raised an eyebrow as he walked into the air-conditioned lobby, clearly surprised to see a tiny panda carrying a messenger bag... and walking on its hind legs. Pyre made it all the way to the elevator before realizing that his journey had hit a snag that he couldn't solve himself. He couldn't reach the buttons. 

"I'll get it," the doorman said as he hurried to press the button for him. 

Thankfully, he knew where he was going, too, since he'd seen him in his panda form with Fen before, and slid his own master key card into the slot before stepping back off the elevator. The man smiled and nodded afterward, but when the doors didn't close, they both looked down. 

Oh right. Long tail. 

Leaning over, Pyre let his bag slip from his shoulder as he reached for his fluffy tail, then tugged it inside the elevator. As soon as it was far enough, the doors closed. They then opened a few moments later to the smell of something delicious. 

He didn't know many dishes, but the longer he lived with Fen and Gin, the more he was learning about different ones. He'd definitely loved the Chinese food Fen had bought him a few nights ago, and the biscuits and gravy Blake had made for breakfast yesterday were delicious, too. 

"Hey there, little Spitfire," Blake said as Pyre stepped off the elevator. 

Looking up, he saw the guy walk over to him and take his messenger bag off the elevator with one hand, then pick him up with the other. A few moments later, after Blake had set aside the bag, he carried Pyre over to the counter and sat him next to the stove. 

"Try this for me?" he asked as he got down a little bowl and ladled a small helping of something into it. 

Pyre eyed the grayish slop with interest, but didn't dive in right away. 

"I promise it's not bad. I just want an opinion." 

...okay. It does smell good, at least. 

Reaching forward, Pyre dipped one black paw into the gray mushy stuff, then lifted it to his mouth. 

Oh?

Tilting his head, Pyre considered the flavor, then dipped his paw again. By the fourth time he was addicted. 

"I'll take that as a strong approval of those chicken and dumplings," Blake said as Pyre leaned forward and shoved his fuzzy face right into the mushy goodness. 

Once he had licked the entire thing clean, he came up for air... and was a bit surprised to see a large, plump feline sitting in front of him.

Gin bear!

He got up on his back legs, intent on giving the fluffy kitty a hug, but as soon as he got closer Gin's cat reached out and swatted his face, sending a few bits of chicken and dumplings he'd been saving in his fur for later onto the floor. Thankfully he'd kept his claws retracted.

The cat then looked down at the bowl and reached over, tapping the side of the object until it went over the edge. 

Pyre reached for it, but his paws weren't exactly hands. Thankfully, Blake was paying attention even as he was kneeling down to wipe up the bit of food that had been smacked to the floor, so he quickly leaned to the side and caught the bowl right before it could break on the floor. 

With his plan thwarted, Gin's cat hopped off the counter and flicked its fluffy tail up as it strutted away. It was rare to see him in his cat form, making Pyre think that the animal might have decided that it wanted control for a bit... especially considering its current attitude. 

That sass is hot. 

Pyre leaned over the edge, considering jumping, too, but when he heard the sound of feet shuffling around the corner, his ears perked up and he looked toward the hallway leading to Fen's room. 

Husband? 

Fen came around the corner a moment later, his hair an absolute mess and his pajama pants sagging a bit low on his hips, but not quite low enough. 

"Hey there, my Fire," he said as he walked right over and happily picked up Pyre's wiggling panda. 

After a tight hug, he settled him in his left arm and carried him over to a few large boxes sitting near the couch. Pyre eyed them curiously as he was set down on a cushion, then watched as Fen knelt in front of one of the boxes and cut it open with a key. 

What he saw him pull out made his head tilt. 

"Your clothing came in, but I added a few things to the order that would fit your panda, too," Fen said as he turned and tugged a tiny little pink and black shirt over Pyre's fuzzy head. 

It settled right at his middle, and honestly fit quite well as Pyre looked down, then moved this way and that. He'd never thought about putting clothing on his panda, but he found that he didn't mind the look, and his animal was actually quite intrigued by the cute shirt. 

"I got one of these, too, in case we go back to the zoo or out somewhere else," Fen said, drawing Pyre's attention back to him right before he felt a light blue cap settle on his head. 

It even had little holes for his ears, too. 

Let me see.

Fen heard the request and pulled his phone from his pocket, then turned on the camera function. He expected him to just switch it to selfie mode, but when he took several pictures, Pyre tilted his head again. 

A moment later and he was being shown the photos as Fen gladly flipped through each several times. 

Is he... enjoying dressing me up? 

Fen hesitated to swipe to the next photo, clearly having heard his thought and taken it the wrong way. 

I don't mind the clothes. 

Blake walked over at that moment, taking a seat in the recliner nearby. 

"That outfit does look really good on you," he said, making Pyre nod to him, then turn back to Fen. 

I like it. Do you have anymore? 

Fen hesitated for a few more moments before reaching back into the box and pulling out a little blue jumpsuit. 

Okay, I would normally never be caught dead in such a thing, but that looks like it would be adorable as hell on my panda, Pyre thought to Fen as he quickly but carefully tugged off his current outfit, ready to try on the new item. 

Pyre thought that Blake might join them, but he just put his feet up and simply watched with a content smile as Fen began helping him into the jumpsuit. When he finished snapping the two buttons for the shoulder straps, Fen lifted his camera with an excited smile and snapped several more photos. 

Pyre leaned forward and reached up after he was done, pawing at the phone until his little toes managed to turn it just right in Fen's hand. 

Oh my god. I'm freaking adorable. 

"You really are!" Fen said before wincing slightly. 

Be good. Your mouth is still healing, Pyre chided, even though he was just as excited. 

Fen's face reddened slightly as he reached forward and unclipped the jumpsuit, replying quietly, "almost healed. Just a little sore now." 

So I can kiss you soon? 

There was an awkward silence from not only Fen, but Blake, making Pyre flick an ear and tilt his head. 

So... I can kiss you soon? 

He knew that Fen was toxic, yet neither him, nor Blake, were telling him that he couldn't. His eyes narrowed on the man staring down at him from where he was still kneeling in front of the couch. 

That surgery you got done... was it to remove your venom glands? 

Another stretch of silence and a darkening blush told him that his guess had been correct. 

But if that's the case... 

His eyes widened as he tapped the edge of the cushion he was on several times with his paw, excited. 

That means that I can really kiss you soon? I can, right? Can I? 

Fen rubbed at the back of his neck as he slowly stood up with a nervous smile. 

"Technically, yes, but I need to wait at least another day to finish the testing kit they gave me to make sure that I'm really not making anymore venom."

Pyre sat back on his fuzzy bum and clapped his little paws together, too excited to keep still. 

That's what those little chemical test strips were in your bathroom's garbage the past few days? He guessed, wiggling with even more enthusiasm when Fen gave him a nod. 

"He's been wanting to try removing them for a while, but the surgery is very new. He's one of the first people who have actually tried it," Blake said, drawing their attention to him. 

He looked like he was about to say something else when they heard footsteps approaching from Gin's room. Said person appeared a moment later, unfortunately clothed and looking a little sleepy. 

Your cat got the best of you for a bit? Pyre questioned, earning a nod from Gin as he yawned, then settled onto the sofa next to him. 

Pyre took the silent invitation and made himself completely at home in Gin's waiting arms. The pets that he got as a result were perfect. 

"Um, well, if you'd guys like, I made chicken and dumplings with garlic bread for dinner," Blake said after another stretch of silence. 

Oh yeah, it was really good. 

He'd been able to eat a lot more recently, too, and could definitely empty another bowl. 

"Dinner it is," Gin said as he began getting up, only for Fen to reach forward and settle a hand on his head, then muss his hair the slightest bit. 

"Go ahead and sit. Your cat has been making you wander around all day trying to get into trouble, and Pyre did some errands for me," he said, then turned to Blake. 

"And you made dinner. I'll get everyone their meals." 

Pyre settled in, not bothering to argue since he was practically useless at the moment besides looking cute. 

"Looking cute is very important," Gin said as he lifted him up from beneath his little fuzzy arms and held him up to press a kiss to his tiny black nose. 

Gin kissed me...

Pyre felt his face heat beneath his fur as Gin set him back down in his lap. Except, he wasn't done. One little kiss? Definitely not the way of panda Pyre. He carefully got himself back up on all four paws, then leaned forward and up until his front paws were just below Gin's shoulders. He then leaned onto his back tip-toes and let his tiny tongue tap the edge of Gin's chin. 

He got two more licks in before Gin lifted him up again, then turned him around and reached up for the plate Fen was offering him. 

"Thank you," Gin said as he quickly dug the fork Fen offered a second later into the food.

Instead of lifting it to his own mouth, however, he leaned over Pyre's shoulder and blew on the big dumpling he'd gotten onto the fork, then held it up to Pyre's panda's mouth. Since it was being offered, he didn't hesitate to lift his little black paws to awkwardly grasp the middle of the utensil, then guide it forward as he opened his mouth. 

He gratefully nibbled until the dumpling was no more, then waited as Gin got himself a forkful of food before it was reloaded and offered to him again. 

By the time they had a quarter of their plate gone Blake had his own food and Fen was sitting down beside them. It was a bit of a tight squeeze since Gin was sitting kind of close to the armrest, but not completely on either cushion, but Fen didn't seem to mind at all as he even tucked his legs up and leaned against Gin's left shoulder. 

Thank you for the meal, Blake, Pyre thought to the man, drawing his attention toward him as he smiled. 

You're welcome. I'm glad to see that you are doing so well. 

Pyre took a huge mouthful of crunchy garlic bread and began chewing quite messily. He didn't really mean to... his panda just really liked it and wanted it chewed up and swallowed as soon as possible so that it could have another bite. 

I gained five pounds already. I think I might get fat if I keep eating so much. 

His words made Blake have to bite back a chuckle, though he could still hear it faintly in the back of his mind. 

You would make a very cute chubby panda. 

He couldn't really argue with that. His panda, while absolutely useless in almost any kind of important situation, made looking adorable seem effortless. 

Hey, by the way, I'm curious about something, he asked, wanting to ask a question. 

Blake finished off the last bite of his meal and set his plate down on the coffee table in front of him, then leaned back in the recliner. 

What's up? 

Pyre took another big mouthful of garlic bread as he replied. 

We don't actually have a bond, do we?

The surprised look on Blake's face was only there for the briefest moment, but he'd caught it well enough. 

Smart kid. 

Pyre let the kid thing go, since the guy was actually talking to him. He'd been so quiet lately that he knew talking through their thoughts would probably be the only way he'd really get him to have any kind of conversation. 

I can hear everyone, to a point, Blake replied when Pyre didn't say anything else. 

That was really impressive, but at the same time, he knew that he'd go insane if he could hear everyone's thoughts. 

It isn't too bad if I don't focus on anyone, but if I do, or if I'm touching them, I can hear their thoughts very well. 

Pyre settled back against Gin's belly, letting the guy finish off their shared plate of food as he closed his eyes, his tummy, perhaps, a tad too full. 

Then he really did love you. 

His thought made Blake immediately withdraw from his mind, but he could feel him pacing at the edge of it still and, eventually, reenter. 

Yes, he did love me. Very much so. 

Pyre fought himself to open his eyes, then glance over at Blake. The movement caught Fen's attention, earning him a head pat and an ear scratch that was graciously accepted. 

What will you do now? he asked, curious. 

He really did like Blake, but he didn't see the same kind of possibilities with him that he saw with Gin and Fen. It was almost like Blake was looking for something very different, but the thought made him nervous. He'd gotten hurt pretty badly already. 

Don't worry, little Fire. I will try not to make the same mistake again. 

He appreciated that the guy wasn't lying. You could never truly promise something like that. Everyone made mistakes, and for some, they had to make the same mistake two or three times before they finally figured things out. 

I'm going to leave for Ohio in the next few days. I'd been looking at taking a break from my job for a while, and there's a really cool facility up there that specializes in pediatrics and even has available courses that I can take at the college nearby to further my education. 

Pyre wrinkled his nose at the word education, but he knew better than to judge others for their choices in life. He didn't really hate learning, but it was just so hard to care when you didn't plan on living long enough to use the lessons. 

You have two very sweet people around you now that, I believe, want you in their lives permanently. They're just a little too new to such emotions to say some things out loud just yet. 

Pyre tilted his head up until he could see Gin. The guy looked down at him as he finished chewing the last bite of their meal, smiling with his mouth closed without hesitation. His attention turned to Fen next, but he noticed very quickly that he wouldn't get any kind of response from him. 

The pain medicine has knocked him out again. 

"I think it's time for someone to go back to bed," Blake said, drawing Gin's attention to Fen. 

The guy gave a quiet chuckle as he leaned forward the slightest bit to set their bowl down on the coffee table without jostling Fen, then turned. Pyre hopped down from his lap since it was clear Gin needed to stand up. He quickly made sure that he was out of the way, then turned around and watched as his Gin bear lifted his other husband up into his arms as if he weighed nearly nothing. 

He watched until the two disappeared into Fen's room, then turned when he heard Blake stand from the recliner. 

"I think I'm going to turn in early, too. Go ahead with them. I'm sure Fen won't mind waking up to you two keeping him warm," Blake said with a wink that had Pyre questioning exactly how much the guy actually heard. 

"Just enough," Blake said with a grin before turning toward the kitchen, clearly intent on putting away the leftovers before heading to bed. 

Deciding that he was now dismissed, Pyre hurried into Fen's room. By the time he got to his bedroom, Gin had already tucked him in and turned on his heating blankets. He seemed to hear him coming because as soon as he stopped nearby, Gin turned and leaned over to scoop him up. 

Instead of tucking him in, however, he carried him into Fen's bathroom and set him near one of the sinks. 

"Teeth," he said as he rinsed off Pyre's toothbrush, then added some toothpaste before lifting it up to him. 

His panda really wasn't a fan of having its teeth brushed, but it pouted its way through the ordeal and hurried to rinse its mouth out as soon as Gin had finished torturing it. 

"Such a dramatic little guy," Gin said quietly as he brushed his own teeth, then rinsed out his mouth. 

When he finally straightened back up to look at him, his eyes widened and his face reddened enough to be visible even beneath the dimmed bathroom lights. 

"I behaved... now let's misbehave a little," Pyre said as he reached forward, tangling his now-human fingers in Gin's adorably-messy hair. 

When Gin simply swallowed, but refused to look away at all, Pyre moved his left leg to the side and gently pressed it against Gin's right hip, guiding him closer until he was settled between Pyre's naked legs. 

He gave the guy another ten full seconds before tugging him downward by his hair until their lips met. The kiss was slow and careful since neither of them wanted to risk waking Fen, but he could still feel Gin trying to take control almost immediately, but he didn't give in until Gin literally pushed him backwards, forcing him to lean against the mirror as his mouth began to be devoured. 

They took out any  and all of their frustrations for the week on each others' mouth's, only pulling away once both their lips were deliciously bruised. 

Fuck. 

Pyre stayed leaning against the mirror as Gin shakily walked over to Fen's door and quietly shut it, then turned back to him. His nervousness was beginning to shine through, making Pyre lean forward, completely unembarrassed by his lower body's reaction to their make-out session. 

"Want to rinse off before we settle down for the night?" he asked quietly. 

Gin hesitated on a response for a few moments, and even averted his eyes twice, but then... His Gin bear straightened his shoulders and licked his bruised lip before stepping forward and easily lifting Pyre right off the counter. 

Considering the invitation, Pyre wrapped his arms around his man's neck, then did the same with his bare legs around the guy's waist as he was calmly carried into the large frosted-glass shower in the far right corner. It didn't have a tub like the other they tended to use in his bathroom, but that was perfectly okay... The extra room would be nice since he was planning to be on his knees, anyways.