Spencer takes Sam out for a date every Saturday for three weeks, goes along for walks with the boy and the dogs, checks up with Sam at work through text or calls. Each time he is with Sam, he'll slip tiny lessons in conversations or actions to slowly condition the baker. Sam now knows to answer his phone when the message or caller ID displays Spencer's name, he doesn't ignore it or leave Spencer waiting. The first time Spencer called while Sam was at work, the boy was distracted and didn't answer or respond to messages. The red head tried multiple times to check up on his boy, when he got no response, he took a break in filming to go to the bakery.

Sam nearly dropped the tray of cupcakes he was carrying when Spencer walked in with an expression that announced the man was upset, stumbled in his step to the glass counter. Spencer waited quietly and watched Sam restock the shelf with fresh cupcakes, arms crossed and amber eyes dark. Once he was finished, Spencer gently pulled Sam aside for a minute to drill into his mind to always answer his phone for the man. Being certain to repeat it was to check on Sam, for his well being and Spencer's want for him to be safe. The skittish boy quietly, yet quickly apologized for unintentionally ignoring Spencer and promised he'd answer.

Sam has also learned to allow Spencer inside his home when he knocks, now he'll unlock the door in the mornings and allow Spencer to walk in. He lets the man cook breakfast before classes or work, and in the evenings Spencer brings dinner in the form of take out or homemade simple meals. They'll eat and watch a movie before walking the dogs or going to bed, Sam always cleans the dishes they use to give back to Spencer. The older man is delighted by Sam's progress, excited to see how far he has come in a few months with the work Spencer is putting into teaching and conditioning.

He has gotten Sam comfortable with him, to the point the boy doesn't freeze up or shy away too much anymore. He can only imagine how Sam will interact with him in a few months time, and can't wait for it. He wants Sam to be able to hug, cuddle him on the couch without thinking and gathering anxiety over it, just to freely move to the tallers side or on his lap. He can speak his mind just barely, ask questions about their relationship or what they'll do as a couple. Spencer puts off answering those kinds of questions in full, gives little answers of "we'll figure it out and learn what you're comfortable with", to avoid spooking Sam with his own cravings for they're power dynamic. He doesn't want to tell Sam that seeing the boy roleplay as a cute puppy or little colt is what Spencer would like, that would scare him too much for where they are in his learning curve.

Sam is proud of himself for slowly allowing Spencer into his life, questions how easily he lets Spencer convince him of things, but ultimately is happy. He is glad he managed to get this close to someone, to let them walk into his home without much of a warning, only a knock. It's impressive what Sam lets the older man do or convince him to do, like answering the phone. The boy never uses his phone much, no one really calls him except family or Charlie and that normally happens at odd times throughout the weeks.

Now his phone rings at work every night and often in the morning, times when Spencer wants to check up on him while the man is working. It's a new change, one Sam actually likes. He is shown that Spencer cares enough to check in on him, takes time to call and ask how he is doing, enjoys hearing him unconsciously ramble about a project at the bakery. Charlie does as well, however he loves to gossip about things, his brother, to Sam. His parents mainly speak of worry, family issues or which person died in the town they live in. Spencer lets Sam ramble for however long he needs or wants to, doesn't interrupt and asks questions to keep him going. It's as if the man genuinely adores the sound of Sam's voice and that amazes the younger man, who has never had someone like that.

With these new changes to his life, Sam has noticed he feels much healthier, fuller. Spencer makes certain he eats food, breakfast and dinner, sometimes lunch if they're both free. If Sam doesn't finish his meal, Spencer convinces him to. Either with a simple look and a nod at the plate, gentle praises until the last bite is swallowed, even pointing his finger towards the food. He watches Sam finish every meal he is given and praises him in various ways; spoken, little pats on his back or head, a hug, even giving him sweets as treats.

Spencer doesn't raise his voice, doesn't need to. Sam is aware that Spencer is consciously watching himself to avoid overly scaring Sam away, and while he feels bad the man has the want to do that he is also grateful for it. Spencer is a large man and he's intimidating to Sam, having him raise his already thundering voice would only scare Sam more. He isn't positive if he would run away, but Sam is confident he'd give the man a decently sizable gap to calm down afterwards. He doesn't enjoy the thought of Spencer getting angry at him, his nerves are constantly high naturally and the man is stronger than Sam. It's entirely possible that combination, nerves mixed with a shouting Spencer, could throw him into an anxiety attack. Sam shutters at the mere thought of having another attack, he hates them with a passion.

Monday, the start of the third month since they met, Spencer walks in for the first time without knocking. Sam is in the bathroom brushing his teeth, unaware that door opened with the sound of the dog wrestling competition next to him. Seeing movement in the corner of his eyes, twisting his torso to look and chokes on his toothbrush at the sight of Spencer leaning on the bathroom door. His body flitches, eyes water and he gags in shock, saliva and toothpaste sliding down his throat. Spencer laughs, but slides behind Sam to hug his back and rub at his upper arm to soothe him.

Giving firm comfort while he calms his heartbeat down and leans back into the sturdy chest, Sam holds his toothbrush away over the sink to spit and breathe for a moment. Spencer chuckles, amused by the reaction he had hoped for. He only wanted to mess with his boy a little, no one got hurt by the tiny scare and Sam giggles when he progresses what happened. Giving Sam a small squeeze around his waist, Spencer speaks lightly, as close as he is to sensitive ears. "You okay, sweetheart? Didn't mean to scare you."

Sam spits into the sink again, getting most of the leftover toothpaste out as he rinses his toothbrush. He laughs at the question, nodding. "Yes, you did! I'm okay, though."

He gains a light, barely there pressure on his head, just above his ear of lips kissing him. Shocking him for a moment as he stares at Spencer through the mirror, only seeing him smirking at him with a laugh. "Yea, you're right. I definitely meant to spook you, just a little bit."

Playfully, without thinking, Sam softly elbows the man's side, not aiming to harm or get him off. Spencer grins at the action, knowing Sam is distracted from his own thoughts to do such a carefree act. Instead of bringing attention to it, he sets the toothbrush down for Sam and lifts the boy off his feet to carry him to the couch. Laughing at the surprised yelp he gives and the weak struggle that gets the dogs excited, jumping over them as they flop down on the couch. Sam lands on his lap, a wiggling weight Spencer is delighted to support. The dogs crawl over them, tails wagging and tongues licking at exposed skin, trying to wiggle under and over them. They laugh and sit for a few moments in peaceful happiness, one Sam didn't ever expect with another person.

Calming down, he feels Spencer's breath on his neck, the strong arms wrapped around him securely and the firm thighs under him; and feels safe. With his dogs cuddling into and kissing him with wide licks, Spencer petting them and his deep voice vibrating through Sam's ribs, he also realizes he is genuinely happy. Sam is eating better, working well and school is great, he has a man that cares for him now and his dogs as well. Is this what pure happiness feels like? If so, I want more.

"Can- may I ask a question?" Sam corrects himself, remembering that how he forms words matters to Spencer.

The man squeezes him around his middle again, free hand on Fenrir's head giving little scratches. "Of course, Sammy. What is it?"

Spencer catches a glimpse of the boy's skin flush in a pink blush, fingers tapping anxiously against the olders knuckles. His voice is quiet, shy. "We've been on dates and we're together most of the time, in books characters say they're a couple when that happens. Am I being naive or are we boyfriends?"

Behind him, Spencer smirks, delighted at such an innocently curious question that gives him the ability to claim Sam without much more work. After this, he'll be labeled as a boyfriend and can do things he can't now. Kissing Sam for one, currently he needs to surprise his boy with head kisses and doesn't go near his lips. Didn't want to risk moving too fast. He doesn't answer immediately, thinking through his words as he moves Sam on his lap. Fixing the younger man to sit up sideways properly on his thighs, legs spread out on the couch and his side against Spencer's chest.

Curling his arms around his back and waist, the amber eyed man smiles at Sam and pulls him closer. Speaking in a soft, intimate tone to hide the cunning thoughts behind it. "No, you're not naive, pretty boy. There's no official day or time to decide to be with someone. We've been dating for some weeks and I consider you my boyfriend, is that okay?"

Sam listens, staring at Spencer with wide, guileless gray eyes. Trusting him to explain and help Sam understand, a fact that has Spencer's chest warming with gratification as that is exactly what he had wanted to see. Sam only asks the question Spencer was aiming to receive, one asked so sincerely the man wants to lock him up forever, keep Sam from the world of hurt and deceit.

The nervous man fiddles with the trimming of the others shirt, twisting it to help focus. "Will you still do what you do? Caring for us, I mean. I really like that and I wanna care for you too."

Spencer grins, hand sliding up to caress the pale jaw of Sam and softly force direct eye contact. "Of course, I will keep caring for you. I want the best for you and to keep you happy. I'll never stop." He quickly plants a small kiss on the boys' cheek. "But, as my boyfriend, we'll be getting into a power dynamic like we talked about. New things will happen and I'll teach you stuff."

Anxiously, Sam bites at his lip. "What kind of stuff?"

"Oh, nothing big. Just small things, similar to answering my calls or letting me walk in here. You probably won't even notice them." While he responds, the man rubs at Sam's back and the nape of his neck. Voice causal and loving, while inside he is planning paths to get his boy where exactly he wants him in the future. "We'll continue as we are, sometimes adding tiny insignificant actions and words. How's that sound? Everything will be as it is, just with saying we're boyfriends."

"We'll go slow, right? I'm not sure how these things work, I wanna do stuff right, safely. Not rush myself, or us."

Nodding, Spencer smiles reassuringly. "Yeah, we'll be careful and go slow. I don't want to spook you away. We won't do much so soon, wait some time. This okay with you, sweetheart?"

He hasn't given me reason to distrust him, not overly anyway. Sam thinks, scratching at the fabric of Spencer's shirt. He said we'll go slow, not do too much too soon, he bites his lip. I really like him and he seems happy with me, protective and caring. Mentally, Sam nods to himself. He likes how Spencer treats him and his dogs, as if they're his family and he genuinely cares for all of them. If he changes behavior and starts making me uncomfortable or question the dogs and my safety, I'll break up with him at the first sign I see. Move buildings. He swears to himself, I'm not ending up on of those murder shows because I stayed with a dangerous man.

Mind made up, decision clear and promises to himself, he nods slowly, hesitantly. "Okay. If you make me feel unsafe, or the dogs react badly to something you do, I won't stay with you."

Spencer mentally rolls his eyes at the warning; you won't go anywhere, I'll keep you on a tight leash. Yet grins and hugs Sam to make a show at how delighted he is. "You won't need to worry about that, Sammy! I'll protect you from everything, even myself."

Sam laughs, leaning more confidently on Spencer's chest. "Soo..?"

"So, you're mine now, pretty boy. My boyfriend. Stuck with me. So are these guys!" The red head pats the closest dog to them, Orthrus jumping up to land between them and lick at whoever he can reach while his back end bumps into the others.

Laughing Sam pets and scratches at his beloved dogs, happiness lighting his gray eyes up. They sit for a moment more, Spencer watching and scheming plans on how to get Sam in his own apartment, on his knees and being the puppy boy he is. Sam; genuinely proud of himself and enjoying being in a relationship, imagines a simple future walking dogs and baking sweets for his new boyfriend. Eventually, the older man speaks up again, sighing through his nose to play at being upset. "Well, you have a class and I have work. You haven't eaten yet, so I gueess," he draws the word out to see the amused smile Sam gives, "we need to go make breakfast. Though I loath letting you get up off my lap "

Smiling and rolling his eyes, Sam jumps up off the man. "I'll go get things ready and feed them, I need to get ready anyway."

Spencer smiles, watching Sam lead the dogs into the kitchen to take out breakfast supplies for both humans and the animals. Eyes dark and mind swirling with possibilities. Sammy, you're never leaving me. I'll never allow that.