Spencer wakes up irritated. The cause isn't the dogs, they're fast asleep curled up at his feet, Cerberus cuddled with Sam next to him. They snuck into the bedroom in the middle of the night and Sam happily allowed them up, falling right back to sleep in the dog pile and on Spencer's chest. It isn't the blackout curtains, closed as they are, there isn't a trace of morning sunlight. No, the cause of his irritation is the loud, constant ringing of Sam's phone on the bedside table and the insistent knocking on the front door. His puppy had a late night studying for a test and doing a later shift at the bakery, the boy doesn't wake up from the noise. Usually, any sudden noise can stir him awake. This morning Sam only whines in his throat, burying his head farther into the man's to try and block the annoying sound.

The Youtuber reassures him quietly, petting through soft hair and placing a kiss on his temple. Slowly getting up out of the bed, lowering the baker carefully back on the mattress and covering him with the blankets. The dogs stir, curious why a human is waking up before the set alarm. Fenrir ventures along with Spencer, staying quiet when his ears perk at the sound. The tall animal doesn't stray from the man's feet, on guard by the new, sudden noise. He is aware that the humans would be up and preparing for visitors, not surprised as they seem. They didn't plan for this noise, don't like this interruption, and therefore may be harmful to them. This is his family, brothers, and humans. Fenrir will protect if needed.

Spencer pats the dog's shoulder, sighing at the thought of not getting more sleep and having to deal with whoever is at the door. They're not expecting Sam's parents until another day or so, that's what his boy is planning for at least. He wants to go to the store and buy ingredients for a meal, wants to cook for his parents and have them sit down over food to speak about their relationship. The man doesn't look forward to that, and couldn't care if they accept him or how fast they are moving. He just wants it over with, that way he doesn't need to see them until holidays or important events. If that.

All he plans on doing is attempting to make a good impression, however, he is confident that Sam will defend their relationship; Spencer. The boy is too invested in the older man to allow someone to tell him to leave, like that coworker of his. Sam won't allow his parents to attempt anything if told he may even cut ties with them. If Spencer felt the need, he'd be able to manipulate the boy to do so. It may take a short time, but he could isolate him if need be. It is a good concept, to have Sam all to himself and locked up in the house. However, he can't. Not right now.

This herd of dogs and Sam are his, Spencer enjoys having them with him. He loves this home they made, loves how they cohabit in it. Their life inside the house is domestic and he will keep it that way, won't let outsiders try to take it away from him. Sam loves it too, always smiling or laughing. He is adapting well to the change in his lifestyle, obeying and serving Spencer in any way he can. Delighted to do so, jumping at the first second to do anything, request from the older man or not.

The baker wants and craves more training. Listening eagerly to explanations of specific rules, on why certain things are needed in a power play lifestyle. Asking questions to clear his confusion. He is growing more and more interested in the further knowledge he receives, from what Spencer tells him. Just last night Spencer introduced Sam's first official rule; don't leave the house without Spencer. It would not be normal for Dominants considered good, the Youtuber doesn't care if this rule is labeled as bad or unhealthy. It works as intended, keeping Sam in his direct vicinity without the chance of him disappearing abruptly. Spencer won't chance an Outsider coming in and attempting to steal Sam from their home. Robin could try to convince the baker at work or these Parents could attempt to drag Sam out the door, with this rule the Youtuber has the reassurance that his puppy won't leave willingly.

Should add another one tonight, don't let others inside the house without permission. This one would only give the added reassurance that no one will startle him by walking in with Sam. The man doesn't appreciate those kinds of surprises, especially not with Sam involved. This house is for them only, not anyone else and he will keep it isolated as it is. One of the reasons he moved them here was to keep Sam away from the other people in the apartment complex and to have privacy. Adding these rules will give Sam the structure he was promised and show him that Spencer wants warnings before people show up at their door, or that he doesn't want them here in general. He will give Sam an explanation of why, give an excuse that makes them sound necessary for safety

Going through their house is a wholesome experience, as it always is. Sam's things mixed in with his own brings a calm warmth to his chest, one he will never get tired of feeling. Seeing evidence of his boy everywhere makes him happy; his hoodie hanging by Spencers, the smaller shoes next to his own, and the dishes soaking in the sink from his last class to wash this morning. Even the signs of the dogs being comfortable here and enjoying their new life in this house, the big box of toys in the living room and the beds in his office, the bowls by the fridge on the counter. The path to the door gives such a good view of all these sights and Spencer couldn't be happier to see it all every day, all day.

The annoying knocking is still sounding from the front door, the wood faintly shaking from the force of the knock. Growling low in his throat, Spencer unlocks it and instantly hears the person stop their hand mid-knock. Forcing himself not to slam the door open, instead calmly pulling it in to reveal two strangers outside on the tiny porch for the stairs. A man in a wheelchair, salt and pepper beard, and short hair. He has a similar pale complexion to Sam, tanner than the baker, with features that remind the Youtuber of his boyfriend. Next to him is a woman with brown hair up in a messy bun, and eyes another similar gray color to Sam's. She's considerably tanner than the man with her, obviously more exposed to the sun than he is. She scans Spencer, noticing the sleeping pants and missing shirt. Flushing in embarrassment at the exposed olive-tan chest and torso of the man, light red hair covering the skin.

Let me guess, the Parents. Spencer sighs in his mind, mentally rolling his eyes at being woken up for this. Clearing his throat, he fights to keep his voice controlled in his annoyance, knowing well it shows anyway in his tone and expression. "Yes? Why are you knocking like someone is gonna kill you, at eight in the morning?"

The woman laughs nervously, suddenly unsure if they came to the correct address to see their son. She was excited to see Sam after so long and to see how he has turned his life around so abruptly. Her husband had warned her not to try and intervene in their sons' decisions, she doesn't like how fast this change has happened and is concerned. Just wants to see her son and know he is healthy, happy, and in a good spot in his life. However, she hadn't expected to see this tall man answer the door of the home Sam had sent a picture of. Sam surely wouldn't be brave enough to approach such a large man with tattoos so visible, as shy and quiet as her son is she is positive anyone would be intimidating to him. It's not the appearance of the man, merely the thought of engaging in a conversion with someone new that is Sammy's issue.

"Yes, hello. I apologize for the knocking, we're just looking for our sons' house and got overly excited. Does Sam Cromwell live here?" She makes sure to be pleasant, not wanting to come across as ruder than they most likely already seem from the constant knocking.

Spencer leans on the door frame, arms crossing as he does, and nods. Making sure to block the door to keep Fenrir from getting out, not wanting the dog to go running off, as slight of a chance as that is. "Yea, he's asleep. You guys the ones calling his phone non-stop?"

He'll hold off on letting them aware he knows who they are, waiting for them to explain or introduce themselves first. The son part of her sentence only confirmed who they're looking for, but he won't let them inside until they give him what he wants. A proper introduction of who they are. He doesn't want to let them inside, either way, not wanting to go through this integration and because he knows Sam wanted to do certain things before they showed up. Now, his boy will be stressed over cooking and cleaning while also entertaining his parents, the exact thing Spencer wants to avoid Sam experiencing.

The man speaks up, a kind smile on his lips even as he winces and waves a phone slightly in his lap. "That'd be me, sorry. We weren't sure if this was the right house and he normally answers the first time, I got worried. It completely slipped that he could be sleeping."

Before Spencer can reply to that, the man's wife bounces back in with a grin and her hand is held out to the tall man at the door. "Again, so sorry. But I'm Mary and this is my husband, Taylor Cromwell. You must be Spencer, correct?"

Finally, about time. "Yea, I'm Spencer. Nice to meet you, Sammy has told me a lot about you guys. He's looking forward to your visit." Spencer shakes the woman's hand, leaning forward to do the same to Taylor, Sam's father. He doesn't invite them in and this doesn't go unnoticed by Mary, the former nurse glancing back at the cracked door.

She doesn't bring attention to this, the house is his as well as her son and he has all the right to keep them out for a moment longer. She's sure the man has his reasons for not letting them in as soon as he realized who they were. Her husband grins at the mention of Sam relieved his son has a real home now, and they can lessen their worry over him living in such a small apartment. Taylor wasn't thrilled to know his son was in a tiny space with the large dogs, proud he was making his own life and working for himself. Yet that apartment wasn't where he could picture his little boy living in, there was no space to do much of anything and those dogs took up most of the free space.

"Yes, he said as much on the phone when I spoke to him the other day. He was excited about moving in with you, going on about the dogs having more space and the kitchen." Taylor agrees, pocketing his phone as he doesn't need to get ahold of Sam now.

Spencer nods, giving a quick flick of a smile. "Yea, he's in love with that kitchen. He wanted to cook you guys a big meal and clean up whatever he deemed needed picking up," He sighs, as if slightly troubled. "He's gonna be in a stressed hurry to do that now since you're here, and he had a late night yesterday with studying and work. I was gonna have him sleep longer, try and pick shit up for him."

His goal in saying this is to make them guilty for dropping in so early and to offer to go elsewhere for the day, this way he doesn't come off as rude and mean; instead caring and loving toward their son. Wanting Sam to sleep, rest after such a stressful night and save the boy trouble today by picking things up. Fortunately, this works. Mary coos in remorse for interrupting her boy's sleep as they had, no doubt Sam needs his rest. She remembers how hard and serious he worked for any school test, knowing they shouldn't barge in like this if he'll force himself up to entertain them.

The parents know Sam will cook and clean for them visiting, he always had worked his feet to near death for others. Taylor knows they're the main cause of this constant need to play waiter, with his paralyzed leg the father didn't have much choice but to watch his son take care of his parents rather than the opposite. They both tried so hard to let Sam be a child, to worry about himself and not work so hard for them. However, Mary needed to work for basic needs like money for food and the house.

Taylor helped Sam where he could, trying to assist in cooking or cleaning, not allowing the wheelchair to stop him as much as he could. His leg was injured after Sammy was born, in a car accident on the way back home from work. He had done much work to attempt to walk again, but the doctors stopped when they realized his nerves and muscles wouldn't corporate. The man has been in a wheelchair all of Sam's life, feeling guilty he couldn't do things with his son like other fathers.

They got out and did things, of course. Sammy always convinced Taylor to let the boy push the chair around the store or on walks, anything they could do together. The baker always reassured his father he loved him and the wheelchair didn't make him any less of a dad. His son always included him in whatever he was doing, it never mattered if he was folding clothes or fixing his mother a lunch for work. Taylor was always grateful to have such an understanding child, one who never whined about his life and what was happening in it. Sam learned how to have responsibilities, to work to get what he wants, and how good it feels to help others. They're incredibly proud of their boy.

The last thing they want is to interrupt Sam's rest by making him stressed about their visit, especially since they're aware they came quicker than he probably expected. Exchanging a glance to each at each other, Mary sighs with a smile. "We wouldn't want that, that boy needs as much rest as he can get. Thank you for making sure he does, we know how stubborn he can be. Is there a place where we can stay until this afternoon?"

Grinning, Spencer straightens up from the door frame. "Yea, he sure is stubborn, but he's getting better at laying down when he needs to." When I tell him to, at least. "There's a little bed and breakfast down the road, they should have some rooms for you. I'll wake Sam up in a few hours, have him call you."

"Oh, no no. We want to surprise him. We'll just come by around two, to give him time to do whatever he wants to do. Just don't mention we came by, please." Taylor grins, "I wanna see his face when he knows we're here."

Spencer smiles, even if he doesn't want them back. "Will do. I'm sure he'll be very shocked to see you guys."

Mary grins, "Thank you! We'll see you soon!"

After a quick goodbye, Spencer closes and locks the door. Shaking his head in annoyance as he walks back towards the bedroom with Fenrir following silently along again, much more relaxed this time around. Back in the room, he quietly steals Sam's phone off the nightstand with a glance at his sleeping boyfriend, the boy is cuddled up with the man's pillow in place of the warm body that left the bed. Unlocking the screen with a short password of the dog's birthdays, he erases the calls from Taylor to make sure Sam doesn't see them. Afterward, he carefully climbs back in bed, lifting Sam off his pillow to place him on his chest again. Ready to get a few more hours of sleep before Sam drags him up to prepare. I already hate today.