Sam marvels at the ring on his finger as he calls his parents. Directly after Spencer cleans him off from the multiple rounds of celebratory sex they had, still naked and hyper when he snatches his phone off the nightstand. The grin on his lips never disappears, eyes practically glowing as he studies the rings, lifting Spencer's hand to his eyes to do the same with the man's engagement band. The baker is ecstatic, body vibrating with pure excitement and happiness. He doesn't care if it's too soon for marriage, doesn't think about how little he actually knows about the older man, and casts aside any doubts he may have had subconsciously.

Spencer loves him enough to ask him for marriage, and wants to be with him until they die and that's all he needs to focus on. Sam doesn't need to worry, won't need to be alone when Spencer takes good care of him. The call with his parents takes a quick turn from excited greetings to questioning his decision to say yes to such a huge life choice. It dampens Sam's mood when his Mother expresses her worry about the short time they've known each other, mentioning the couple is moving much too fast. Moving in together after merely a few months was unexpected and abnormal to them, yet they saw how happy their son was and trusted he knew what he was doing.

However, the news of the engagement took them by surprise. Shocked, Sam would agree without thinking responsibly of what it means to be married. They'd only met Spencer once, after all, and while the man was decently respectful to them, they had noticed how distant and uncaring of their opinion he was. Looking back and speaking about it, they realized the man wasn't interested in them as a partner perhaps should be. Spencer never worried what they would say or do, did only the minimum to be respectful and give the impression they wanted from someone dating their son. It worked as well.

Sam wouldn't listen to his parents' concerns, speaking over them to remind them he is happy and wants to be with Spencer. Encouraged by the man rubbing a soothing hand along his bare thigh and kissing his temple. The younger is firm as he and his Mother get into an argument, each trying to speak simultaneously while the volume of their voices grows. By the end of the call, Sam had told them to either come to the wedding or don't. That he will continue to be with Spencer, no matter what anyone else says.

With his mood saddened, he cuddles into Spencer's chest and rants about everything he was told. Grateful when the man listens and provides comfort, only speaking when he goes quiet. "Everyone's against us, Baby. We can only trust each other. Not Robin or your parents, because they'll just try to take you away from me." Planting a kiss on the boy's lips when grey eyes look up at him, vulnerable and eager for guidance. "We only need each other. No one else. Just us. We're the most important thing, not the opinions of other people. We'll have a private wedding, one that's beautiful and free of hate towards us. Okay? You understand me?"

Sam could merely nod, agreeing easily at the fresh memory of his parents' disapproval. "Just us, no one else matters."

"Good boy."

°°°

The couple spent the rest of the day in the content company of each other, hours flying by in the playroom with the cage, leashes, and the bed swinging with the movements of deep, intimate thrusts. Sam had felt an ache in his muscles from it all, pleasant and sensitive, as well as the dark-colored marks staining his pale skin. Over the length of his throat, chest and thighs are signs of Spencer's lip, tongue, and teeth in the form of bite marks and harsh sucks.

Wearing another turtleneck to work to hide them, Sam hoped no one noticed or got distracted by the new ring on his finger. He plans to wear gloves all day, suddenly paranoid he'll lose the band wrapped on his finger. Spencer drops him off with a kiss, reminding him to either ignore Robin or attempt to get the man to butt out of their business.

Pamela squeals when she takes notice of the faint, subtle glinting as the baker walks, psychically forcing the man to pause his steps with hands on his shoulders. She gushes about the ring, congratulating Sam and showing support for the couple that slightly shocked him. He had known his boss likes Spencer, but he hadn't realized how much considering they haven't spoken much as far as he was aware.

However, she asks questions about how Spencer asked him and seemed delighted to know it was a simple, calm event after grilled cheese. Laughing, "that does seem like something he'd do. I'm glad though, anything too much and I fear you'd both may have heart attacks." The thought of Spencer setting up an extravagant event for the proposal did seem ridiculous and give Sam a spike of anxiety, merely because he knows he would've been unable to answer. If there were candles, dinner, a fancy restaurant, with a big, long speech; he would have had a panic attack from overthinking everything. Doing it in their home, watching TV after lunch while surrounded by the dogs, in his safe place, was the best option.

It's his lunch break when Robin takes notice. Doing silly faces for the selfie pictures he takes for Spencer, to reveal he is eating, is interrupted when the other baker drops a large metal mixing bowl. Sam had taken the gloves off, folding a new pair next to him as he ate.

The light in the kitchen catches the glitter in the ring whenever he takes a bite from the sandwich Spencer helped him make. The sound makes Sam flinch in shock, turning to see what happened, only to be met with an incredulous Robin. The disbelief in the man's expression throws Sam into confusion, vaguely wondering what's wrong as he hadn't said or done anything.

"What is that?" Robin gestures to his own finger, eyebrows furrowing when Sam blinks and then grins.

"Oh! Spencer proposed to me last night!" This fact is said with excitement, and glee not just a fleeting emotion from the night before.

Robin takes a moment to process this, mind flicking back to the threats and intimidation he had been victim to by the younger man's fiancé. The memories make his voice harsher than he meant. "And you said yes?! To that sociopath?!"

Sam's open expression of joy melts into a deep frown, eyebrows furrowed and grey eyes avoiding his co-workers' dark ones. "Of course I did. I love him, and he is not a sociopath!"

The man rolls his eyes, scoffing. "Boy, he has his claws deep into you, doesn't he?" At the confused, saddened look he receives, the man continues. The volume rises subconsciously. "Sam, he threatened me multiple times! He doesn't let you out of the house unless he knows exactly where you are! You need to constantly message him! That is not healthy!"

"Stop!" Sam's heart beats increasingly faster, his cheeks flushing as his blood runs quicker. His eyes water and he can feel his hands shaking. Uncertain why he is being yelled at, only aware it's by a person he called a friend, who is now upset at his partner for no valid reason. "Robin, stop! Please!"

"I've tried to tell you before, that dude is no good! He will hurt you eventually, it's all good now, but sooner or later he will do something!" Robin keeps going, ignoring, not noticing, how Sam's breathing grows heavy as his anxiety attacks him.

"Stop!" It's a short demand, nearly breathless. The baker needs to fight his body to force words out. "You don't know anything about my relationship! Or about Spencer! Please, shut up!"

His coworker shakes his head, crossing his arms. "I'm trying to help Sam! That man threatened me to stay away from you! He wants you- like- some kind of possession!" He points to the mocking ring, "That ring! It's not about love or whatever bullshit he fed you! It's to mark you as his possession! Open your eyes!"

Without hesitation, Sam calls Spencer on his phone. His hands shake and he runs out of the kitchen as quickly as his legs can carry him, stumbling past Pamela at the door. The woman gasps at the start of stressed tears beginning to fall from her employee's cheeks, watching as he leans against the wall outside, taking practiced breaths.

She had heard Robin yelling and was on her way to demand he stops or does it later when there is no customers inside. She doesn't care if he has issues he needs to release, just wishes he wouldn't take them out at work. Inside the kitchen, Robin is pacing, hand rubbing down his face. He doesn't notice her, but she has enough information to know he had triggered an anxiety attack on his coworker.

While she demands answers, outside, Sam is obeying Spencer's instructions to follow the man breathing over the phone. Hearing the deep, gravely voice had helped calm him ever so slightly, yet tears still leak from his watered eyes. Spencer had answered on the first ring, greeting interrupted by stuttering breaths and strangled request to come home. The man hadn't wasted a second, grabbing his keys and running out of the door of the house. He doesn't care what happened, only focusing on the fact Sam needs him.

Perhaps breaking a few laws on stop signs or speed, but he doesn't get pulled over. Sam tries to explain, but the man orders him to breathe instead, reassuring his boy that he can explain later what had caused a rare attack since they started dating. He makes it to the bakery in record time, slamming the car door closed and kneeling next to Sam, pulling him onto the man's lap and deepening his own breaths to assist.

"You're okay, Pretty Boy. Did so good, calling me and doing your breathing. Such a good boy." The whispered words in Sam's ear are gentle, finished with a lingering kiss to his hair. Large, warm hands smooth over his skin, one resting at his nape and firmly squeezing.

Sam burrows his head into the man's throat, hiding from the odd glances passing strangers give them. Whining, "Home. Please."

"Of course, Baby." Spencer agrees instantly, picking his puppy up and helping his short legs curl around his waist. Pamela walks out as he opens the passenger seat door, carefully sitting Sam in the seat and buckling him in, kissing his head. "I'll be just a second, keep breathing, close your eyes, and think of what you wanna do when you get home. Okay?"

He gains a slow nod, "okay."

Closing the door, Spencer steps closer to the bakery door where Pamela has stayed to give them privacy. Not allowing her to speak before he demands, "Robin did this, didn't he?"

The woman winces, yet nods regretfully. "Unfortunately, yes. I heard him shouting and when I went to check, Sam ran out. He has the rest of today and tomorrow off, I'll work with Robin and see what the issue is. I'm so sorry, Spencer."

The man scoffs, glaring hatefully into the building where he can see Robin staring outside. Shaking his head, he growls. "His issue is getting into our business! He fucking hates me and is taking it out on Sam. I want you to find a replacement to work with Sam, I don't trust that damn bastard to learn his lesson."

Pamela sighs understanding and silently agreeing. She is aware that Sam and Robin had tense moments that stemmed from Robin speaking about Spencer, and heard the man accusing the older of threats and violence. However, when she checked the tapes from the cameras, there was no evidence of any of the claims. Robin, for some reason, has a strong hate for this man and it has finally gone too far. "I understand. That'll be the responsible thing to do, separate them as far as I can. I'll find another worker to take his place and put him back at the counter. I'll keep an eye on them, I promise."

°°°

Hours later, the sun sets and the couple has been in aftercare. Sam wanted his cage the second they got home and Spencer sat with him, praising his boy and feeding him snacks. He had brought out the leash as well, encouraging Sam into a deeper Headspace in an attempt to keep him content and forget about the stress of the day. The robe tie on the baker's neck hooked to the leash did assist, Sam was his little puppy for a good few hours, body limp and relaxed.

The man made sure to praise his fiancé for even the littlest of things, kissing him and keeping skin to contact. They had been working on doing naked sessions, both of them bare and Sam seemed much more interested. He likes skin-to-skin contact, and being able to touch Spencer without clothes in the way has improved his mood greatly. Nothing sexual, Spencer doesn't allow them to be any way sexual when they're doing a Headspace session.

Sam can't consent properly, isn't in a regular mindset, and could forget to safeword or simply not use it to keep Spencer happy. Wanting to please his Master, avoiding doing anything that could ruin that. It could hurt him, and Spencer to a point, mentally and physically. Which the man will avoid at all costs.

Spencer had thrown pants on an hour ago when Sam slowly came back fully, intense aftercare and watching movies taking up most of the evening—instructing his boy to stay in the playroom while he makes them something to eat and feed the dogs, while he put his sweats on. It's when the man is plating mac and cheese and mashed potatoes in two separate bowls, that the door sounds with a knock and the dogs begin to bark. He ignores it, doesn't want to deal with whoever is interrupting them, and knows they weren't expecting a guest. It's later in the evening, and the sun is nearly completely down over the horizon. Whoever that is, is out of their fucking mind knocking this late.

Yet the knocking keeps sounding, impatiently quick and the dogs are getting louder in an attempt to warn him of the stranger. Sighing and rolling his eyes, Spencer curses the human population as he puts the bowls in the microwave to keep warm. Grumbling to himself, he steps over and through the herd of dogs, who prance around until he gives the command to sit. Quickly, they obey and run to the living room, ears perked and alert as they lay down on the furniture.

Opening the door, the YouTuber pauses and then scowls, glaring intensely at the man at his door. Growling hatefully, "You have a lot of fucking nerve to come here."

Robin rolls his eyes, returning the glare. "Where's Sam?"

The shirtless man leans the door frame, crossing his arms. "That's none of your damn business. He's still recovering from the attack you gave him."

A fleeting spark of guilt flashes through Robin, hating he had ignored how his friend was taking to him raising his voice. He hadn't meant to yell or shout at him, was going to have a calm conversation, but his emotions had gotten the better of him. The thought of being the cause of his friends' harsh, rare attacks bothers him greatly. "I want to tell him I'm sorry. And tell him the truth about you, he needs to know what mistake he is making."

Spencer laughs, finding it amusing this man thinks Sam will believe him over the man he loves. He had worked hard to get Sam to pick him over others, he knows his boy will stay with him. Confident any words this former friend of his puppy will go in one ear and out the other. "What truth would that be, again?"

"That you're a god damned manipulator and sociopath! Lying to him and treating him a thing!" Robin loudly states, needing to take a breath to calm himself down.

"Treat him like a thing? By caring for him, loving him? Man, you're more of a crazy dude than I thought." Spencer knows he is pushing this already heated man, enjoying watching him squirm with anger and hate. He keeps himself relaxed, content to lean on the frame and simply observe as he gets under Robin's skin by simply standing here.

He can hear Sam slowly come down the stairs and through the hallway, the dogs getting up to greet him. The older man's frame blocks Robins's view of the hallway, keeping the door shut just enough to hide the inside of the house. Using his hand behind his back, Spencer gestures for Sam to stay back, already knowing he plans to use this situation to his advantage. Robin is inching for a fight, one he will get once he throws the first punch. Spencer can defend himself then, any police that could get involved would arrest the attacker.

Robin scoffs, stepping an inch closer, momentarily intimidated by the height difference between the two of them. The YouTuber has good ten inches on him, which could cause him some trouble. But he pushes past that doubt and continues. "You don't love him. You just want to control him. Threatening people who get in your way to do that, threatening his friend to stop asking questions. He's too blind to see you, but I'll help him. He needs to get as far away from you as possible."

Spencer smirks, still completely at ease. "Does he? What about what Sam wants?" It's rhetorically asked, choosing his words wisely. "He loves me and loves what I do for him, giving him shit he needs and wants. Imma marry him and you can't do shit about it, because he shouldn't be around someone so... unhealthy for him."

"Unhealthy?!' Robin shouts, no doubt alerting sam to what's happening and who had interrupted them. "I'm his friend! I actually care for him! I'm not you, you're the one controlling his every move and manipulating him!"

The man shrugs as if uncaring of the outburst. Keeping control of his volume and tone. "Some friend you are. Insulting his relationship, accusing of me shit I never did, and tossing him headfirst into an anxiety attack. You always seem to find a way to make him sad." He tilts his head, a bemused expression that mocks the co-worker coming over his face. "Huh. How odd of a good, supportive friend."

"Don't make me out as the bad guy!" Robin yells, poking Spencer in the middle of his bare chest. Watching the man glance down at the finger on him, slowly raising his darkening amber eyes piercing him. "You're the one that has ruined Sam's ability to be happy, genuinely!"

The older hums, leaning back to let the finger fall off him. "Really? Cause it seems to me that Sammy is always delighted to be with me. He can talk to me." He smiles sarcastically. "If it were up to me, he wouldn't have given you the time of day. But he wanted a friend, and now you've caused so much trouble for him. As I said, unhealthy. Unsupportive." His voice lowers, dangerously. "Don't touch me again."

The words cut Robin deeper than he had thought he would allow, already guilty for shouting at Sam and now being called a bad friend, by the man he knows is the real danger. He's angry, rage bubbling under his skin and before he can control himself, his fist is connecting to the taller's jaw. Spencer stumbles purely for Sam to see, feigning shock as the door swings open to reveal the entire scene. Sam gasps, eyes wide as he stands in the doorway to the living room, having peaked around the wall to watch. Disbelieving what he is witnessing as Spencer defends himself, punching Robin and pushing his coworker off the tiny porch and into the yard.

Running to the open door, he slams it shut to keep the dogs from joining the men outside. Going to the window and looking out to watch, scared for his partner getting in trouble and uncertain what to do. Should I call the cops? They're gonna hurt each other. He winces as Robin gets gut-punched, getting knocked down again. "Maybe I should call...Right, Fenrir? It's all I can think of."

The Dobermann blinks at him before turning back to the window, standing with his back legs to watch as well. Growling when Robin gets his own punch on Spencer. Sam huffs wetly, "So you're on Spence's side, huh?"

Spencer get's his co-worker on his back again, hitting him over and over again, until Robin has blood coming from his nose and lips. Then, he calmly stands back up, speaks to him briefly, and turns back to walk into the house. Sam and the dogs book it to the hall, watching the door open and the man step in, locking the door with the knob, the deadbolt, and the chain at the top of the door.

He laughs at the concern on Sam's face, kissing his head and wiping the dot of blood he had left from the split lip. "He needs to learn how to fight. Was shorter than expected. He'll be fine, has his pride wounded though. I'm perfectly fine, Baby."

Sam shakes his head, still shocked at the turn of events. "I can't believe he would-" sighing, he waves his hand before grabbing the older's mans hand. "Nevermind. Come on, you have blood on you and it's nasty."