"Bear is mine!"

We both looked up at the gruff voice; Bear looked at me hopeful but deflated a little as he saw that I was just as startled as him. Bear clenched my shirt in his hands a little before he let go, looking a little sad as he did so, confusing the hell out of me. As soon as Bear and I were separated, Roland's arms wrapped around Bear's slightly shaking form as he murmured something in his ear. I couldn't help but feel that this situation was a little forced and Bear was forcing himself to accept Roland's affection. When I opened my mouth to speak up, Bear shook his head lightly and let Roland lead him back out to the car parking lot. I followed silently behind; still feeling conflicted by this development. Why am I acting like a jealous boyfriend? Shouldn't I be happy that Bear accepted Roland's obvious affection for him? Then why do I feel so conflicted? Those thoughts kept spinning round and round in my mind on the way home.

Standing in front of my own apartment door felt strange, I haven't been here in a while, like say three months. "Hello Scottie!" a cheery voice quipped from behind me, turning I was met with the happily beaming face of young Scottie. Hello Scottie, how have you been?" Before he could answer I heard his father's voice calling him back inside. He waved "I missed you Scottie!" I smiled slightly before opening my door and enter my dusty smelling apartment. I smiled slightly as I noticed the fully stocked fridge and a little note from Bear to eat properly when I get back home and that he misses me. Even though it's raining I opened the windows to get the musty smell out of the rooms, I was looking out over the park when the door behind me opened and Master walked in.

I relaxed fully as I was wrapped in Master's warm embrace, "What's on your mind Pet." His voice was warm as he nuzzled just under my ear. "I am a little confused on Roland sudden interest in Bear; I don't think Bear is ready for that kind of relationship. It looked like he was forcing himself to accept Roland's affection, and that doesn't sit well with me. I don't like the fact Bear is forcing himself instead of letting it come naturally. " Master turned me around and cupped my cheeks; making me look up to him. "If it is indeed so that Bear is forcing himself to accept Roland's affection, then it can't last very long. Our types of relationships are based on honesty and trust, if they are not the bases of this kind of relationship it can't last long and it will end up hurting both parties."

The last thing Bear needed was ending up hurt again, especially in his current state of mind. If he is certain he wants to stay in this relationship with Roland, then I hope I can somehow make him tell Roland his true feelings and not force them back and just agree to everything Roland says because he is the Dom. I hope to persuade I can him to be as open with Roland like he is with me. Though it is quite hard to get a private word with Bear ever since he went home with Roland the other day, the man was literally everywhere I turned when I wanted to privately talk to Bear about the situation. Master just laughed slightly as I grumbled to him about not being able to actually talk to Bear without Roland breathing down our necks. Master claimed that it has been a while since Roland had a Sub he could train so he might be a little excited, just like he was when I first called him Master.

Yet, I was pleasantly surprised when Bear turned up on my apartment's doorstep the other day. He seemed to be okay, although he still looked a little gaunt and grey. I pulled him in a firm hug "How have you been Bear? I haven't seen you since Roland took you home." Bear blushed a little as I mentioned Roland as he shuffled in, making a beeline for the couch after losing his coat and shoes. "So tell me, what happened?" I settled in my reading chair opposite of the couch, so I can keep a close eye on Bear's reactions. I guess old habits die hard as I immediately pick up on Bear's nervous fiddling and he wouldn't meet my eyes, not one time. "When Roland brought me home, he offered me to take care of me and introduce me to the kink. But I don't know if I am ready just yet to make that step."

I wanted to hug him tight, to comfort him but I don't know if I should. "Did you tell him that Bear? You have to be honest with him if you are going to be in this relationship, honesty and trust are big in these types of relationships. You can't hide your unhappiness from him if something makes you feel uncomfortable or unhappy." Bear looked startled at me as I say that and grin a little "I know that you like to please everybody at the expense of your own happiness. That is something you should never do Bear no matter what. But if you are still on board of being in a kink relationship, you can follow training at the club to see if you it is something for you or not." Bear frowns at me "Since when did we offer training people? I don't remember that." I shrugged a little, "Master said that is because the training isn't always at the Red Velvet but across several kink clubs in town."

Bear hugs me tight before pecking me lightly on the lips. "Thanks for the food and company, it was something I really needed, I think." I grin and squeeze him a little more "I am here for you Bear, always, no matter what. I will be here for you." I cup his cheek softly "We are part of the same soul so no matter what you can't hide from me." Bear laughs a little pressing his forehead against mine. "That was awfully cheesy, even coming from you Link." With another feather light peck he disappeared down the hall. I sigh as I close the door leaning against it as I watch the ceiling, thinking about what I could do to help Bear with giving what happened with his family a place in his life. Might as well start with finding out what happened to his brother after he left their parents to die in the fire.

I groan as I stretch my arms over my head after being hunched over my laptop screen for hours and I am still no closer to answering the question as to what exactly happened to Bear's old brother Reagan Black after he left the crime scene. I lean back against my chair, folding my arms behind my head chewing on my lip as I went through all kinds of scenario's Reagan Black could have ended up in after the fire. Like Bear he could have gone into foster care or if he was old enough he wouldn't have to but what would he have done then? For as far as the documents say that he barely graduated high school after losing his parents and after that he just disappeared from the face of the earth. I wonder if I could inquire by my old boss if he has a clue about what happened, but better not do it right now since gaining access to that case file took a lot of effort and it would be suspicious asking about the brother right after. I might need to ask Bear if he wants to know, if not, there is no reason to dig any further.

Every time I manage to grab him for a quick talk Roland butted in and dragged him away saying they needed to discuss some security matter. A meeting I and the rest of the security team should be present, but when Roland waved it away saying it only concerned Bear's expertise, I knew it had to do with Bear still thinking about going to the training. "There he goes again." Rico grumbled, watching with narrowed eyes as Roland led Bear away. It wasn't just me that noticed Roland's odd behaviour, others did as well and some took their complaints to the one person higher up the ladder than Roland and that is my Master. When Master became aware of the situation he promised me that he would talk to Roland about his behaviour.

As Master talked to Roland about his behaviour, I grabbed the opportunity to speak to Bear. "Bear do you want to know what happened to your older brother Reagan?" I startled him as he nearly dropped his cup when I asked him that question. We were in Master's house, just hanging out, like we did before I got whisked away by Master. "I—I don't know. I never really liked him and after the fire I never really minded that he was gone. I saw him once, at the funeral but he was gone before it was over." He shrugged sadly as he turned back to the sink and started washing hid cup. My arms wrapped themselves tight around his waist as I rest my chin on his shoulder. "You should tell Roland that you are not ready to jump into a relationship with him." I kiss his shoulder, "Never ever force yourself to do something you don't feel comfortable with. Promise me Bear?" I gave him my best puppy dog eyes, knowing he couldn't resist them. Turning he sighed leaning his forehead against my shoulder, mumbling an agreement under his breath.

Roland's behaviour relaxed a little after a stern talking to from Master. We saw more of Bear because of that, and he was more relaxed and open. Especially when Goldie came around with her daughter Rosalie, Bear totally lit up as he held her in his arms. Goldie shook her head as the both of us watched Bear having a lengthy conversation with Rosalie about who knows what. "I don't know how he does it." Goldie sighs quietly as she watched her daughter babble baby talk to Bear who responded seriously to her. "Maybe it's because he takes her babble seriously." Her husband Roy Macintosh added lightly as he kissed her cheek as he took a seat beside her. Goldie pouted as she crossed her arms, a little jealousy lacing through her words as she watched as bear returned with Rosalie.

"Bye baby girl" Bear pouted as Goldie hoisted Rosalie higher on her hip as they got ready to leave. Rosalie garbled and reached out with her little arms to Bear as Goldie turned before leaving. "Don't pout like that Bear; I am sure she will be back soon." I assured him as I wrapped my arm around his shoulder as we stood there watching Goldie, Roy and Rosalie speed away in their car. Bear's shoulders sagged a little as they left our sight and we returned back inside. "I know that Link, I just really miss her when she leaves." I laughed a little, making him glare a little at me. He growled under his breath before he lunged at me playfully.

I laughed at his playfulness; it's been a while since I had seen this side of him. "I take it you spoke to Roland?" I panted a little as we caught our breath after romping around the house. "Yeah, I told him I am not ready for everything he is offering me. I felt bad when he looked like a kicked puppy, but he said he respected my decision since he cared for my welfare."