In three weeks, Sam is increasingly considering the Cage in the playroom, he started calling the guest room what it is; they don't allow the rare guest they have in it and they mainly play in the room. The more he glances at the folded cage in the corner, the more it lingers in his mind. He's nervous about bringing it up, wanting to make sure he thinks through this decision before mentioning it to Spencer. It's a big step for him, one he doesn't want to rush into. He knows if he doesn't like it, his partner wouldn't force him to keep it, and he wouldn't make a fuss over it. Spencer will get rid of the cage if they never use it. Still, the baker is apprehensive of it.

Sam throws himself into baking when at work, attempting to focus on that instead of the cage while at work. Noticing that Robin doesn't ask about Spencer again as he had, in the past few weeks, his friend hasn't so much as looked at the man when the Youtuber comes to pick him up. His friend stays in the back if he has the option, if not, he fakes being busy while Spencer is around. The man converses with Sam, but ignores his boyfriend as much as he can. This behavior saddens Sam, having thought that his friend and partner could finally find a way to get along. He understands they dislike each other and doesn't push them, allowing them to continue how they are as he knows he can't force them into a friendship, or something close to it.

Although, he does curiously wonder how they came to dislike each other so strongly. When it comes to Spencer, he suspects being told Robin had said certain things to Sam while working had caused a distrust. The man was upset, didn't want the baker to hear such words of their new relationship, especially after just starting it and gaining that trust from the loner. Yet, Robin had never interacted with the youtuber to have such a strong hatred for him. While Sam is curious to ask why, he is also fearful of the answer and if his friend would try to discourage his relationship. He loves Spencer, wouldn't leave him for anything and trust the man intensely. However, he wouldn't be able to hear negative thoughts on the man. It'd hurt him deeply, perhaps even personally offend him. The thought of Robin, his close friend, speaking nasty words about his partner would only result in Sam going to Spencer for comfort. In turn, being gently commanded not to speak to his coworker again. It's a known fact to himself, Sam, that he may just follow the order this time around.

Spencer has reasons he does things, for his demands and requests. Even when he stays quiet on specific reasons for them. Sam has learned not to question his boyfriend, to trust both the spoken words and unspoken. The man will always take care of him, and has his best interest at heart. The baker admits to himself that if he was told to break his friendship off, he'd do it. Acknowledging that it'd hurt to lose a friend, after opening up to yet another person and finally overcoming his loneliness. But for Spencer and his relationship, he'd do anything. The man has brought out the better half of himself, Sam is happier and more interested in human interaction, much more willing to try new things. He's eating better, has a healthier lifestyle and wants to explore his needs in different ways with the youtuber. If Robin can't see how lively Spencer has made him and won't accept them, he doesn't think it's fair to himself or Spencer to have a person that may cause issues for them in his life.

Robin has shown he can't handle seeing them together, or specifically Spencer. While Sam is grateful his friend had attempted to ask questions and learn about his relationship, the man had plainly not been able to push past his own feelings. Sam accepts this, he doesn't want to force them and he won't. Perhaps it's best if I just listen to Spence on this, stop talking to Robin or gently end our friendship. It's not healthy for any of them to get hung up on a person that could be toxic to them, not good for Robin to constantly act the way he does around Spencer. It'd be better to simply focus on his relationship, grow it and mature it more. Even if I don't like the thought of ending anything with Robin.

Spencer watches his boy considering all of this, and observes how his eyes are distant as he thinks. The man has a suspension of what is bothering Sam and he lets the boy's brain work, he'll step in once Sam opens up to him about it. This Robin character is causing problems for him, as little as they may seem. Sam is getting distracted and he may end up listening to his friend, getting ideas, and having doubts planted in his mind. Spencer can't have that, Sam is his boy and he'll sacrifice the friendship the baker has to keep it that way. For now, though, he'll focus on this cage interest Sam has. It seems he is too shy to step up and tell the man, needs a soft push and that's exactly what Spencer does.

In an attempt to distract his mind and gain a new element in their relationship, he sets up the cage in the playroom. Unfolding it while Sam is at work one day, setting it up next to the bed, and placing thick blankets, pillows, and stuffies inside to be comfortable. Laying a thin throw blanket over the cage, one with puppies all over it. Taking a metal clip to latch the door open, connecting the door to the side to keep it open and not scare Sam with it closing without Spencer easing the thought to the boy. He crawls halfway inside, resting his torso on the pile of blankets and pillows to make sure it's comfortable and feels cozy. He is too tall to fit his legs or waistline inside, yet he deems it good enough for his boy. Adding two more pillows, he checks his phone and decides it's time to grab Sam from the bakery. Making sure to close the door to the playroom as he leaves, ensuring the dogs stay out of it.

Sam is delighted to see the man, not giving him time to step inside the building or get remotely close to the door. As soon as the car is spotted through the window, the boy comes running out to hug Spencer. Getting up on his toes to press a soft kiss to the man's lips, giggling at the vibration of the firm chest when he gains a deep chuckle at the action. Spencer steals another kiss when his boy pulls back, speaking in a low volume to keep the conversation private with strangers walking past on the sidewalk. "Miss me that much, Baby? I know I sure did."

Sam grins, leaning as far as he is able into the man's chest with a short sigh of contentment. "Of course, I did! It was super boring today and really awkward, Robin and I didn't talk much. It was so tense and uncomfortable! I wanted to go home all day!"

Spencer hums at this, soothing his hand along the boy's lower back. "I'm sorry for that, Pretty Boy, I know how much you wanna be friends with him. But sometimes things don't turn out the way we want. How bout we go home and relax? Take your mind off work and Robin. I got a surprise for you."

"Really?!" Sam lights up at the mention of a surprise. "Can I have a clue of what it is? Please?!"

Laughing, Spencer guides him to the passenger seat of the car, opening the door for him. "Well," he drags the word out to hear the excited giggle Sam gives. "It's something you've been thinking about for a few weeks now, I've noticed."

It confuses Sam, furrowing his eyebrows as he climbs into the car and buckles himself in. Wondering what Spencer could have done as he hasn't said a word about anything he was considering or thinking on. He spends the entire ride asking questions and whining playfully for more clues, knowing Spencer doesn't find it annoying and likes playing along with him. The man has his hand resting on the boy's thigh, Sam fiddling with his thick fingers as they talk. It's a comforting weight on him and he fights to not show his displeasure when the hand is removed for one reason or another. Spencer always laughs at the pout, kissing it away and promising to put it back whenever they ride in the car. When they return home, Sam drags his boyfriend to the door and bounces on his toes as he watches the man unlock the door. The Youtuber laughs, allowing his boy to bash inside to greet the dogs as they run towards them.

The younger man is made to wait until after dinner to see his surprise. The sun setting on the horizon and the color-changing lights turn on in the house, the shifting colors reflecting off the counters and hardwood floor. They watch a movie, feeding the dogs while Sam shakes with his eagerness to see what Spencer did for him. He is cuddled to the man's chest on the couch, being promised if he can sit through one like a good boy, they'll go up to the playroom. It works, Sam forces himself to forget about the surprise, instead turning his attention to Spencer's body against his as they sat together. The steady breathing, his hand gently rubbing the boy's full stomach soothingly and the little kisses he is given. They make whispered comments to each other about the movie, making each other laugh. Eventually, the movie goes off and Sam is quick to look up at Spencer from his place laying on the man's chest, gray eyes wide with excitement.

"Oh, alright!" Spencer laughs, covering his eyes with his hands. "Stop with those puppy eyes, sweetheart, it's too much!"

Sam giggles, bouncing up to clutch a larger hand in his and pulls on the heavy weight of his boyfriend. "C'mon! You promised!

"I did, didn't I?" He chuckles as he allows Sam to pull him off the couch, lifting himself as the boy can't pull or push his weight. "Well, lead the way, Baby."

He allows himself to be dragged behind the younger, softly tugging Sam to slow his pace on the stairs to avoid his socked feet from slipping on the floor. Once at the door to the guest room turned playroom, Spencer pulls his biy into a hug from behind him. Pressing his chest into Sam's back and leaning down to brush his lips along the shell of his ear. Speaking low, husky. "Can you close your eyes for me, Pretty Boy? Don't open until I say."

Nodding, Sam trustingly closes his eyes, lifting his hands to cover them for added insurance he can't see. He gains a kiss on his temple for obedience, then hears the door knob turn and feels the door being pushed open. Guided inside by large, warm hands on his shoulder and hip, he carefully sits on the lightly swaying bed when he is instructed to. Spencer helps sit him down, a hand disappearing to keep the bed still for him. The man's hand stays contacted with his boy at all times, not removing his grip to keep Sam comfortable. The baker feels him kneel, petting his knees and thighs.

"Open, Sammy." Instantly, gray eyes snap open and blink a few times to readjust to the light. Spencer is smiling at him, lowered down to his knees. "Now. I want to go over something with you."

"What is it, Master?" The title no longer sounds odd, coming through his lips easily and he finds that it's starting to bring another comfort from Spencer. He had noticed only weeks after they started using it, but now it feels like a stronger comfort.

He gains a grin for using it, and he smiles. The Youtuber nods his chin to the side, encouraging Sam to look over and his eyes widen at the sight of the cage set up. It's covered in blankets and stuffies he hadn't seen before, he admits it looks very cozy and he finds himself wondering if it's as comfortable as it appears.

"I've noticed you've been looking at it and thinking about it for the last few weeks," Spencer explains, finger's taking his chin to turn his head back to the man and make him pay attention. "I was gonna wait for you to talk to me, ask about it. But it seemed like you needed a little push, so I took it out and made it all nice and soft for you. The door won't close unless you ask me to close it. What do you think? Be honest, don't say something if it's what you think I wanna hear. This is for you, not me."

Sam smiles, happy he doesn't need to worry about bringing this up and that Spencer paid close attention to him to know this. He had wanted to talk to the cage but was too nervous about what that would mean for them and what would happen. The thought of being in a cage, like a dog, was still unusual and he hadn't known what to think of his thoughts. "Thank you. I didn't say anything because I was nervous. It's a little odd for me, but I wanna try. It's been on my mind for a while, I just didn't know how to say it. Maybe I did need a push."

This admittance earns him a kiss on his forehead and a smile, the man's voice deep and gentle. "Good. That's all you need to do, is try. You can come to me for anything, Puppy. You know that. If you can't, I'll give you a push and we'll talk just like this."

At the boy's nod, Spencer stands up, hovering over him and holding his jaw in a large palm. "Now, why don't you go over there and check it out? If you don't want to go inside, that's okay. We'll work on that. Just feel around and sit next to it, get used to it first. Don't push yourself, go at your own pace. You understand?"

"Yes, Master. I understand."

Leaning down to kiss Sam on his lips, the man sits on the bed. His hand softly pushes his boy up to go look at the cage, he hesitates for a moment, then gets up and kneels on the floor to crawl closer to the giant metal cage. It's large enough for his whole body and his curious mind brings the question if he could actually move and shift around in it comfortably. He spends long minutes staring and nervously feeling the soft blankets inside, reaching his hand inside to do so. It's so soft. Wow. How many blankets are in here? I see like five pillows and the stuffies just add the coziness of it.

Eight minutes in, Spencer watches silently as Sam slowly goes in feet first. Hunching his back in case his head knocks into the top of the cage, he has room to sit straight and stretch his short legs out. Once the boy realizes this, he turns around and sits crisscross, legs folded under him as he leans against the back of the cage, the pillows shielding his spine from the metal bars. It's quiet, Spencer doesn't speak, only observing as Sam tries different positions in the cage and find each one comfortable. He watches for a sign of fear, nervousness, and displeasure, looking for a wince from the bars or pain. He finds zero of these signs. Sam is relaxed, laying down in a curled ball with a stuffie hugged to his chest and a small, content smile on his lip.

He waits for Sam to crawl out, but after five more minutes, he doesn't move to get out. Eye's closed and serene to sit in there. Spencer lowers himself off the bed and sits at the door of the cage, reaching in to rub an exposed ankle. Sam jumps, laughing at the short shock as he momentarily forgot what they were doing. Too shocked he loves this. The blankets, pillows, the entire space within the room he had grown to consider safe and protected. Being in the cage increases that sensation ten folds, which surprises Sam considering he is in a cage, a space with limited movement and he has trouble staying still at times. However, knowing Spencer is watching over him and that no one can hurt him inside the cage, calm his thoughts down into a placid, untroubled mind.

"You okay, Pup? You gotta use words, tell me what you're thinking." Spencer commands, making certain to keep his volume low and gentle if stern.

His boy crawls into a turn, moving to face him, and lays back down happily. Sighing when his hair is brushed back by warm fingers and a palm caresses his cheek. Forcing words out is suddenly difficult, the fog in his mind shocking him at how fast it had come in. "Nice. Love it."

He hears a chuckle, a deep one that makes his chest tingle pleasantly. "That's good, Baby. You're being such a good boy for trying this for us, I'm very proud of you. Do you want to come out? We'll play with the leash if you want to. Or my puppy can keep me nice and warm."

Sam blinks, shyly shaking his head and hiding his face in a pile of stuffies at the corner by the opening. "Stay. Master, please."

"You can stay, I'll give you a few more minutes until you need to come out, we can talk about that more after my puppy rests up. I'll sit right here with you."