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Pet.
It was the irksome little name Aldrich had bestowed upon Matthias very early into their time together, much to Matthias’s chagrin.
“I’m not your pet!” He would always spit at his superior, back in the days where he was determined to maintain some semblance of pride and dignity. Back when he didn’t want to give his all to Aldrich. But nowadays he no longer fought it. No longer did his ears droop and his heart sink slightly every time he heard it. More and more he had been conditioned to accept it just as much as his own name. Just as he had gotten used to calling his superior ‘master’. Such terms used to make him wretch. Now they were second nature.
It was as if Aldrich was determined to chip away at his dignity, piece by agonising piece. He know how much of a prideful creature Matthias was, and he always looked positively joyful when he could use that against him. Torment him with pet names, degrade him with a collar and leash, subject him to humiliating actions a Kavaji should never have to endure.
“Crawl for me, pet.”
“On your knees, pet.”
“Open your mouth, pet.”
It made everything taste so much more bitter, having that name rattle around in his head. The collar constricting his throat, a constant reminder of his place at Aldrich’s feet - or between his thighs - only compounded things. Worst still, he was getting used to it all. Slowly, ever so slowly, he was finding a modicum of comfort in knowing his place. It had started as a small voice in the back of his mind, thanking Aldrich for the protection and sanctuary. Now it was growing louder, and Matthias was losing more and more of himself with every passing day.
The next time the door opened and Aldrich commanded his pet to follow, Matthias didn’t even flinch at the name.