Dog of War

The soft sheets of the hospital bed were the second thing that Princess noticed. The first thing they noticed as they stirred, blinking in the bright lights, was the fluttering feeling in their chest. Their voice felt sore as they called out. “Nh, Mistress?”

 

Her vines were on Princess in a heartbeat. Comforting them, stroking gently through their hair, giving light scritches. “I'm here little one, don't worry.”  

 

What would we worry about with Mistress here?

 

Princess sighed, lolling their head into the touch, they would open their eyes later. Right now, they just wanted to feel her touch, and the heat of her presence. They felt a bit strange; their thoughts were more clear than they had been in a while in some ways, but more obscure in others. “We don't wanna leave anymore.”

 

Princess felt Mistress' vines twitch, just a little.  “It's alright dear, you’ll never leave my care again, okay?”

 

“Okay.” Princess couldn't help but smile at the thought. As long as Mistress was there, everything would be okay, and if she was always there... The idea seemed to make her happy too, as the tension in her rhythm lessened.

 

The feeling was fleeting. “Can you tell me what happened? Why did you want to leave?”

 

Princess’ smile faded, grumbling as they grabbed onto her vines. The thought of being more than a room away from Mistress was painful. More than could be borne by the pet that they were. That Mistress looked and felt like she had been in genuine distress only made it worse. Her normal luster was gone, as were nearly half of her flowers and moss.

 

We owe Mistress the answers.

 

They did, and Mistress was here, so it would be alright. “We were scared.” The words came with deceptive ease. “Of being property again, and that you tricked us. We had a fight about it, but figured out that it didn't matter in the end.” They yawned, letting themselves sink into the otherworldly comfort Mistress brought. It all seemed so silly now, that they had ever fought this. What could ever hope to compare? “We were never gonna be independent anyways.”

 

That we ended up with Mistress as our owner is something to be grateful for. She's been patient with us every step of the way.

 

Princess winced as Mistress' rhythm soured. Did they say something wrong? Wasn't this what she wanted?

 

“Fight? What do you mean?”

 

There was a certain relief to knowing it wasn't something Princess said, but the prospect of explaining what had happened far outweighed it. They didn't even really know how to put it themselves, the memories of the time they were split were fuzzy at best. “Uhm-” They grunted as a bolt of pain, like lightning, ended their attempt to sit up. The flood of painkillers washed it away just as quickly, replacing it with a pleasant floaty feeling. “Mm, whatever this is, it's nice.”

 

“Thank you, but I'd advise you not to move, little one,” said an unknown Affini. “You're still recovering from the incompatible xenodrugs.”

 

Must be the vet.

 

“Mm, alright.” Princess had forgotten about the xenos, honestly. They had been too distressed to object at the time they were given, and too preoccupied with Mistress to question why they were in the hospital.

 

That's probably why that nightmare was so intense.

 

Princess really didn't want to think about that. Thoughts of their old life were uncomfortable in their new one, especially the ones that had just been dug up. What they wanted was to sit up. “Can Mistress hold us?”

 

There was a pause, before the vet spoke again. “It should be alright, as long as she isn't engaging any of her muscle groups. Just be careful.”

 

Princess smiled as she felt Mistress’ vines wrapping around her. The Affini took extra care to make sure she was properly supported before lifting her into her vines, where she belonged. Princess felt so wonderfully right, so utterly content as she nestled into her Mistress' breast. Everything was perfect.

 

Mistress clearly thought so too, her rhythm finally gaining a semblance of its normal joy. Her soft leaves tickled Princess as she was cradled in her embrace. They stayed like that for a moment, their first true moment together as- Mistress and pet. The ‘O’ word still stung.

 

We should ask for help with that.

 

The peace couldn't last, unfortunately. Mistress still had need of them. “You were going to tell me something about a fight you had?”

 

“Oh.” Princess frowned as they remembered. How could they even talk about the subject? “Uhm, one of us was really hung up on the fake wardship, but our other half was able to see that we're happier as a pet. They couldn't accept it, though, so they cut them out for a little. The memories are kinda weird.” It was like they were all aged recordings of someone else's memories.

 

They kind of are, we aren't supposed to be separated like that. We did get there in the end, that's all that really matters.

 

“Cut them out?” Princess could feel the worry in Mistress take root in them.

 

“Mhm. We shoved them deep. It was lonely. Then they came back and helped us realize we can't leave. Our plan was really bad.”

 

An understatement if there ever was one.

 

Princess perked up as much as they could, looking back at the bed, and up at Mistress. Even in her rough state, she was nothing short of stunning. “Where's Mr Bear?” They had him when they passed out, but he wasn't anywhere to be seen!

 

“I have him, petal, don't worry.”

 

Oh, duh. Of course Mistress had him, she took care of everything. “Can we have him?” They liked letting go of Mr Bear about as much as they liked being away from Mistress.

 

Mistress looked to the vet. “...I’m sorry Princess, but, well, roots.” She took a moment to select her next few words. “The xenodrugs damaged your heart, little one. You’ll be going into surgery for a transplant soon, and Mr Bear doesn't have the medical licensing to assist in the OR.”

 

“Oh.” Mr Bear was a professional, but he was no vet. At least that explained why their chest ached. Princess tried to turn their head to see the display themselves, before quickly giving up. If Mistress said they needed heart surgery, they needed heart surgery. It was a prospect that would cause them some concern if they weren't in their Mistress' vines.

 

The Affini surgeon doesn't hurt either.

 

Princess would be fine, but there were some details they were curious about. “How long will we be out?”

 

“Couple of hours.” Mistress stroked her cheek. “I'll be here when you wake up, okay?”

 

“O-okay.” Princess fidgeted with a vine in her teddy's absence. “Uhm, how long will we be in the hospital?”

 

“The vet says I can take you home tonight, but you'll be... recovering for a while. This is the last time you'll be remotely lucid for almost two weeks.”

 

“We see.” That was... well it was hard to be worried with their Mistress here, but two weeks was as long as they had been in the Compact. They would get to go home with their... Affini, but that just meant facing Daisy and Jess.

 

Mistress isn't the only one our foolishness affected.

 

Princess swallowed. “I-in that case, can you tell Daisy and Jess we're really sorry? We feel really bad about using them to try to run away. We didn't want to hurt them.”

 

Mistress pricked beneath them. “Little one, this isn't your fault, it's mine. I couldn't protect you, I failed as your guardian and you got- you could have died because I-’

 

Princess couldn't help but laugh at that. It was weak, and it stung their lungs, but they laughed still. “Die? Don’t be so dramatic Mistress, we didn’t get these scars by being easy to kill, we’re not just going to die like that. You saved us from that life, and gave us one worth living. We owe you everything for that.”

 

“Princess, this is serious!” Mistress’ worry sullied her scolding tone. “This isn’t something to make light of!Your heart could have given out all because I- because I-” The leaves tickled Princess as they rustled. “Because I failed you, petal. You deserve an Affini that can take care of you!”

 

We really fell for the sappiest, most overly dramatic Affini we could have, didn't we? Well, we have an idea of what to do about that.

 

Princess hummed, taking up one of the vines that still had flowers on it. As they brushed it against their cheek, they recited. “You are our life-giving sun, our guiding moonlight, the air that we breathe. The stars may wheel overhead until they are dust, and ourselves a forgotten song, but we'll be thankful still for all you've given. Our place is forever at your side.”

 

Mistress' smile was as captivating as any sunrise, art beyond the bounds of any canvas. Her song alighted with raw, overwhelming adoration. For one brief moment, Princess could feel the love Mistress held for her- far deeper and vaster than they could ever muster in a thousand life times. “And you shall have that, and all I can muster, for to be your owner is the greatest gift ever given.”

 

Princess' nerves pricked up through the tender moment. Try as they might, ‘owner’ was still a tainted word, one still associated with another.

 

Luckily, we have an idea for that.

 

“Though, uhm, if you do want to do us a favor...”

 

“Anything.”

 

“We're still really- Being property again makes us worried. Last time... Uhm, yeah.” Princess squeaked as Mistress' vines coiled tightly around her, as if by reflex at the mention. Her heart quickened, and they let go just as fast. It took a few moments to calm down, and few more to regather their courage. “S-so we need this to be really different. Can you uhm.” Princess swallowed her nerves, failing to get her breathing under control. She forced the words out in desperation, “Ownusaspet?”

 

Mistress growled, that oh-so-wonderfully possessive clicking filling the air. The vines around Princess tensed, fighting to keep themselves at bay. “Excuse me?” Only two words, but they held far more within them. They were being given a chance to back down, but not one they were allowed to take.

 

Princess tried to keep themselves under control as they doubled down. They stumbled over nearly every word anyway. “It's just- well- l-last time we were a tool and that sucked, but when you make us feel like a pet it's nice, so- uhm-”

 

“Oh, Princess.” Mistress grabbed her jaw, laying her thumb over Princess’ lips to stop their stammering. It was as sweet in their lips as they remembered. The pet eagerly met her gaze, pinks and golds and blacks and purples colliding and exploding in fractals that only drew them in further. “It is so cute that you think you ever had any choice in the matter.”

 

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

 

Princess felt their heart pop. All the blood burning their cheeks seemed to drain in an instant, and various alarms started. Breathing was difficult, as the blood refused to pump to their lungs. There was no panic however, how could there be? They were in their Owner's vines.

 

“Right, adorable stuff the both of you, but it's time I got started!” The vet interjected. There was a clamor as they rushed about setting up various instruments.

 

Mistress gave them one last cuddle, accompanied with a head pat, before slowly lowering them into the hospital bed. “I’ll be here when you wake up, okay?”

 

Princess clung to a retreating vine, “C-can you stay? Just until we go under?”

 

Mistress ran her hand through their hair, giving her best smile. “For you Princess? I wouldn't dream of leaving sooner.”

 

 

-_-_-_-

 

 

It didn't take long. Vera adjusted a few things on her IV and she was out within a minute. Her grip loosened, and Camila planted a parting kiss on her forehead. Vera shooed her out a moment later, and she nearly bumped into Anther on her way out the door. He pointed her towards the observation room, and slipped her Princess' coin. He also told her that Ezra had left in a hurry. He supposed the sight of their reunion was simply too much. Camila made a note to reach out to her later.

 

Suddenly Camila found herself alone, and the nerves crept back in immediately. Princess may have not held a grudge against her, but she was a pet now, and with that came a certain reverence for her owner. She may not even be capable of it anymore. The simple truth was Princess got hurt, and it was her fault.

 

Even through the gnawing guilt, there was a certain giddiness. The feeling of Princess safe in Camila's vines, of being able to call the girls hers- not to mention that look in her eyes! Stars, those wonderfully adoring eyes that held no trace of independence. Princess was hers. And the way she quoted The Stars Betwixt- Ugh! It made Camila wish even more that it wasn't under such circumstances. She couldn't properly enjoy any of it! How dare she be so cute about all this!

 

What Camila could do was keep her word; she would not fail Princess again. The observation room was quiet, and the large display on the wall saw that it lived up to its name. She had arrived just in time to get a commanding view of Anther and Vera hooking Princess up to some machinery. Her vitals slowly returned to normal as it took over for her heart.

 

Camila recoiled as they started to cut into Princess, and again when they began to crack her ribs open a moment later. She did not let herself look away however, this was part of her penance. This was the result of her own greed. More than that, she promised. If she couldn't be in the room with her, she would be with her in spirit. She was thankful that Ezra had left it on mute. This was hard enough without the sound of her bones snapping.

 

Minutes ticked away as Camila watched each incision intently, the layers of protective flesh peeled away. She was, as any Affini in this burgeoning branch of the Compact, intimately familiar with Terran physiology. She had seen plenty of diagrams and images of their internals. It was something entirely different when it was Princess under the scalpel. Then came time for the transplant itself- watching them work to cut out her heart put Camila on edge, even if the vitals didn't budge.

 

It was as Vera was replacing it with a Phytotech heart that the door opened. What snapped Camila out of the trance-like state, however, was Cordelia embracing her. “I'm so sorry it took so long for me to get here! How are you holding up?”

 

Camila fell apart again in her friend's vines. “I don't know. Princess is hurt, and she'll be alright, but it's my fault. She was so scared and I never even noticed.”

 

Cordelia intertwined with her, soothing her. “I didn't realize either, Camila. I was right there alongside you, and I saw her through Daisy’s eyes. This is on me as well.”

 

“Cordelia-” She began to object.

 

“No. I can’t let you take all the blame this time. She fooled me, and Daisy too!”

 

“Cordelia.” Camila repeated more forcefully. “I fucked up. This is just like the incident with Jess, or Elle, or- or- I don’t know! I just keep hurting her!”

 

She didn’t say anything, but Camila could feel Cordelia’s petals droop. It seemed like she finally understood. “Yes, we hurt them, sometimes a lot, but that’s why we have to keep trying. It’s part of being an Affini.”

 

“I’m not sure I’m cut out for being an Affini anymore.”

 

Cordelia sighed, letting go just enough to look at her. She was somehow more stunning in her disheveled state. “I love you, Camila. I love the way you get caught up in your fantasies, I love the way your flowers blossom and vines wiggle when you get excited, I even love how you fall apart at times like this. Which is why I’m going to tell you that you need to get over yourself.”

 

“Cordelia?”

 

“Going through this pain is something every Affini does. It is something we must bear for the sake of our pets, and our roles as caretakers, but we do not have to bear it alone.” Cordelia pulled her in tightly again. “I am here for you, and Princess is too.”

 

Camila wailed into her lover. She let out every fear and frustration, squeezing them out of her core until she was spent. Cordelia listened to them all, offering comfort, and her own worries. At the end of it, she felt better. Not good, but better. The conversation shifted after that- moving in together, Princess’ desire to feel like a pet, the way she had laughed, telling Jess and Daisy what had happened.

 

Anther fetched them some time later. Princess’ transplant had gone off without any complications. Vera went over the care instructions again, and said they were going to come by for check ups every other day. Seeing Princess lying in bed, a red flower emerging from her chest, pushed Camila back to the edge, but not over. It was clear it would be a while before the ache inside was gone.

 

Princess felt like thin glass as Camila picked her up. Her smile was all the more precious for it, and the way she looked at her made it hard to stay upset. The way she murmured happily as she carried her home told Camila it would be alright in the end.

 

Whatever the future held, they’d all take the steps into it together.

 

 

-_-_-_-

 

 

Princess was floating happily in a dream, or perhaps it was reality? Everything was so hazy, and raw content coursed through their veins. Even trying to move was unappealing. Whatever. The important thing was Mistress was there, and she was where she belonged. Mr Bear was even in her arms. It was all so perfect.

 

Everything is perfect.