Sean narrowed his eyes on Mark, trying to stay civil as he practically growled out. "Come again? What exactly am I 'expected' to do at these Expos?" Mark swung a leg back over the chair to sit back down, folding his arms across the top. Once he was comfortable, Mark informed him casually. "Pet Expos showcase breeding. To put it in simpler terms. It's where Pets go to breed or fuck for recreation." Sean scooted back against the headboard with a horrified look, upon stating out timidly. "But that guy said that no one will breed with a Slum Dog? So, I should be exempt from it. Right?" Mark's demeanor didn't change when he answered. "Wrong. You are still eligible to have sex. Plus, both Masters and Pets will watch you at the Milking Expo." Sean leaned forward over his knees, snapping back bitterly. "So, you plan to whore me out? NO! You can't make me!" Mark blinked unfazed, smugly uttering out semi-dark. "I assure you that I can. But you're looking at this all wrong."

Sean shrugged his shoulders with a disgusted huff, retorting coldly. "What other way am I supposed to look at? You just said-" Mark cut him off to talk over him firmly. "I said it was mandatory for Pets to go and I said they go to Breed and fuck. Where did I say that any of it was forced?" Sean pointed a stern finger at Mark, sharply shooting back. "Don't try to pull that shite with me. Can you honestly tell me that ALL those Pets do that stuff willingly?" Mark didn't answer, causing Sean to lower his hand and mumble out to himself grimly. "Ya. I didn't think so. I saw on that data pad how it works. Pets can't breed without their Master's permission. The Masters pick their mates... they don't." Mark exhaled through his nose softly, before telling him bluntly. "You can't hold me accountable or compare me to every Master in Valhalla. My point was that 'I' wasn't going to force you to do anything. You could just attend to observe, for all I care. However, you want your bike. I want you in the Milking Expo."

Sean glared at him with hurt in his eyes. It wasn't fair to make him chose between his dignity and his bike. Licking his dry lips, Sean lowered his eyes to the mattress to mumble out. "Why? How would putting me on display benefit you?" Mark's voice turned warm and gentle as he informed him. "Elite Pets are held to much higher standards than others. At the first of every month, it is expected that the Elite Pets are showcased. By being showcased, it's an honor. It protects you from the retribution of other Nobles. They'll know that if they hurt you... It could result in the loss of their titles. You plan to race? This will keep the Nobles from shutting that door to you. The Nobles may not like you, but they'll be forced to respect you. Besides, Matthew wants DNA samples from you in order to study up on your condition more thoroughly." Sean slid his legs down across the mattress, asking curiously. "My condition? You mean the food poisoning stuff?" Mark suddenly rose to his feet, turning his back to him as he messed with the tray that he had brought in.

Upon turning around, Mark brought him over the dog bowl of red-looking water and a spoon. Taking the dog bowl carefully from him, he gave it a few sniffs as Mark told him dismissively. "That doesn't matter. The point is that it will get him and the rest of Valhalla off my back. Now eat before it gets cold." Sean nestled the bowl on his lap and tentatively licked the red liquid off the spoon. It was creamy looking and with a little sip, he found that he liked it. Before eating more though, he asked Mark reluctantly. "What will this 'Milking Expo' make me do?" Mark picked up the data pad off the dresser, typing in something as he moved back to the chair. Sitting down into it, he turned the pad around and showed him a set of pictures. Sean dropped his spoon onto the dog bowl with a loud metallic 'Clang.'

Mark chuckled, setting the pad down on the bed before he told him honestly. "Those are just a few ways that Pets have done it. The point is that you sit in a protected glass case and you... Ejaculate. No one touches you. You can choose to be blindfolded. You can use a virtual neural system to act out the motions if you desire. You decide whether you want to be tied down, free range, or suspended. You can dress up for it or wear nothing." Sean's free hand gradually slid between his legs protectively as he nervously uttered out. "That machine... Does it hurt?" Mark's expression composed into a more confident one, answering truthfully. "I've been told that it feels weird at first. But I assure you that it isn't painful and the people that run it are professionals." Sean removed his hand from between his legs, feeling awkward. He couldn't believe he was actually considering this. Mark's voice slipped into his train of thought, telling him in a deep gentle tone. "I'll let you think it over."

Mark sat back in the chair, shifting his weight to get up, when Sean blurted out to his own shock. "Wait... How long would I be in there?" Mark relaxed his body, answering openly. "They milk you three times and then you're free to go." Sean lowered his eyes to his dog bowl, picking the spoon back up as he muttered out. "Do people actually enjoy watching that kind of stuff... Jesus." Mark sighed heavily in response, clearly trying to keep himself from saying something. Then in a more collected tone, Mark addressed it casually. "I wouldn't be so quick to judge if I was you. I've seen Slum Dogs rape each other like animals in the streets. At least what we do is hygienic, and the Pets are well cared for after such interactions." Sean snorted, stirring the soup as he retorted sharply. "You don't know anything about my world." Mark cracked his knuckles, causing Sean's eyes to meet his. Stirring his soup much slower, he watched Mark pull up the front of his shirt up. Sean's eyes widened at the sight of Mark's muscular abdomen. For a few seconds he didn't know what he was supposed to be looking at... Until he saw the scar.

Mark locked hard eyes on him, darkly throwing his words back at him. "You don't know anything about MY world." Sean stopped stirring, asking very softly. "How did you get that scar?" Mark lowered his shirt, coolly uttering out. "Doesn't matter. The point is that the grass isn't any greener on your side of the fence. So, don't act like I don't know what suffering is. I've seen more than my fair share of it." Mark rose to his feet, gradually making his way over to him. Sean flinched as Mark's hand drifted toward his face. Mark didn't hesitate though. His hand went straight to his forehead. Sean tensed for a moment, until Mark lowered his hand and told him nicely. "Eat and get some more rest." Sean saw Mark begin to turn away and grabbed his wrist. Sean felt Mark's wrist tense, forcing him to rush out anxiously. "If I did agree... How do I know you'll keep your word?" Mark moved to pick up the pad off the bed and Sean released his wrist. Mark messed with the pad, then turned it around to show him the screen that asked for the Master's permission code.

Sean sat up a little straighter on the bed. Mark's face was serious, upon stating out bluntly. "Say you'll do it and I'll confirm it right now." Sean gripped the dog bowl tighter, mumbling out hopefully. "Will you let me see it, when it arrives..." Mark nodded. Sean's heart leapt at the thought. Closing his eyes briefly, he swallowed his pride and answered softly. "Alright. I'll do it... She's worth it." Mark pressed his fingers to the screen, allowing a green light to scan over them. After a few seconds, the transaction beeped pleasantly. Mark turned the screen to show him the order went through, then set the pad down. Sean felt so much relief that he'd see her again, that he said to him nicely. "Thank you, Mark." Mark made his way to the bedroom door before he replied just as nicely. "You're welcome. When you're better, I'll show you what to expect at the Expo. Consider it the official start of your training." Sean lowered his eyes to look into his bowl with a blank look.

After Mark left the room, Sean finally let his muscles relax completely. He knew he'd regret this, but he kept reminding himself that he needed his bike. As bad as being milked sounded, he could do it as long as he felt protected enough that no one would touch him. Drinking down the bowl of soup, he set it off to the side and curled back up for another nap. He drifted off so much faster in this soft bed. It was heavenly... but his dreams were far from peaceful. In his dream, he kept finding himself walking into that dark warehouse. He was alone and it was too quiet. In the back of his mind, he could hear Nate's words haunting him from the shadows. "You think you're better than us?!" Sean thought he saw Nate's form amongst the shadows and reached for him. His fingers almost touched him, when hands sprang out from behind him to grab him. Thrashing wildly, he tried to break free of them, but they were too strong! Yanking him backward, they pulled him down into a hole that landed him inside that familiar glass coffin.

Sean yelped as the lid slammed shut, forcing him to stare up at the sudden brightly lit edge above. Up there, Nate casually stepped up to the edge to look down at him with a broken hearted expression. Sean screamed his name, banging on the lid. He only stopped when Nate told him loud and clear in a grim tone. "I tried to warn you, Sean... You made your bed... Now you have to lay in." Dirt began to slide in over the top of the glass coffin. Sean screamed as loud as he could and fell off the bed. His ungraceful fall, jerking him awake too fast. A hand touched his shoulder and Sean lost it. Thrashing to untangle himself from the sheets, he swung wildly out at the person who had touched him. Someone snatched his wrist before he connected with anything. Twisting his arm up against his lower back and forcing him down over the edge of the bed. Sean jerked in a panic, until a deep voice ordered into his ear. "Sean. Relax. Breathe." Sean's heart was still racing wildly in his chest, but his body was calming down.

Taking deep breaths, Sean tried to stop himself from panting so hard. The moment his mind was more awake and rational, he buried his face into the mattress with embarrassment. Laying over him to keep him pinned down, Mark asked him in a voice full of concern. "What happened? Are you ok?" Sean nodded, muffling out into the mattress numbly. "I'm ok. Just a nightmare." Mark eased off him, releasing his arm as he said curiously. "Must have been some nightmare." Mark tapped his bare shoulder, then pointed to the headboard. All over it was claw marks. It looked like an animal had tried to dig his way through it. Sean winced, pulling his hands under his chest to discreetly look at his nails. His fingertips were a bright red and some of his nails had splitters in them so deep that they were bleeding. Mark most have seen him looking at them, because he grabbed his arm and yanked him upright. Sean tried to lower his hands quickly, but Mark snatched his wrist to look at his fingers. The second Mark's eyes rose to meet his, Sean guiltily mumbled out a bit distraught. "I'm sorry..."

Mark kept ahold of his wrist but lowered it as he told him warmly. "Don't apologize. It's not your fault. You've been stressed and... I'm sure it has more to do with your sickness than you." The minute Mark brought it up, Sean remembered that he was standing up and his stomach lurched. Shoving past Mark, Sean ran into the bathroom and clutched his stomach as red liquid with streaks of black gushed forth. Sean collapsed to his knees, hoping the red he saw was the soup and not his own blood. Wiping his lower lip, he found himself staring at his fingertips with fright. His fingers were black and oily. The sight of it made Sean toss up more of it. As he groaned with disgust, he heard Mark tell him from the doorway. "Don't swallow that shit. Get as much of it out as you can." Sean spit into the toilet, weakly snapping out. "What is it?" Mark moved closer, placing his hands on his shoulders to comfort him as he honestly informed him. "It's what is making you sick. Those nutrient bars you were eating were coated in that stuff. If it's coming up, that's a good sign."

Sean tried to get up on his own, only to accept Mark's help. Wobbling on his feet, he leaned over the sink and washed his mouth out as best as he could. If it was making him sick, then he wanted it out! When he rested his head down on his arms to rest a bit, he found himself moaning to the feeling of Mark's hand running up his back. His back was aching from all the stress and Mark's fingers ran over ever spot that needed to be loosened up. Sean started to drift off, until Mark whispered over his shoulder. "Come on. Let's get you back to bed." Mark's arms wrapped loosely around his chest, pulling him away from the sink gradually. Sean lifted his head, turning around sleepily. He was so tired all of a sudden. His body felt weak and he just wanted to lay down anywhere. His legs gave out beneath him, but Mark's arms tightened around him to keep him upright. Sean groaned in protest as Mark bent down to adjust his arms in order to pick him up off the ground. Resting his head on Mark shoulder, he listened to Mark tell him with a small chuckle. "You're always lighter than I expect you to be."

Sean groggily mumbled out in response. "You're an arse..." Mark placed him on the bed and carefully picked up the blanket to lay over him. Sean snuggled into the fluffy pillow, trying to drift back off. The noise from the bathroom kept him awake though. Mark was searching for something in the drawers. When he came back, Sean weakly growled out. "Go away..." Mark sat down on the edge of the bed, taking ahold of one of his hands. Sean opened his eyes to watch Mark take care of his fingers. He removed the splinters and cleaned his wounds, before wrapping them in white cloth. After he finished with one hand, Sean willingly shifted to give him his other hand. Mark took his hand with a smile, beginning to work on it as he asked him curiously. "Who's Nate?" Sean buried his face in the pillow to muffle out grimly. "I don't want to talk about him." Mark lifted his head, gently prodding. "Why not?" Sean glared back at Mark, darkly uttering out. "Because I don't trust you enough to share that. He's my friend and that's all you're allowed to know."

Mark finished the rest of his hand in silence, then kissed the back of it. Sean lifted his head up in shock, not sure what to expect next. Mark let him yank his hand back, whispering to him sweetly. "Good night, Sean. Sweet dreams." Sean pulled the blankets higher up his chest, feeling weird. Mark stiffly got to his feet, running a tired hand through his hair as he left. Sean nestled back down, trying to slow his heart down. Why had something like that worked him up? He'd been around men who had tried much more demanding attempts than that. Staring at the back of his hand, he bit his lip absently. Now that he was thinking about it... he could feel Mark's lips on his. For as brief as the kiss had been... the sensation of his kiss and touches lingered on his body. Forcing himself to take a deep breath, he closed his eyes and tried to drift back off. He told himself not to dream about him... but it was too late. He had Mark on his mind now. To Be Continued...