I rolled my eyes so hard they hurt but when they landed back on him, I could tell he hated that even more than my constant cursing. “Look, I want to have sex with you. For as long as you help me get out from under my father and get away from that fuck buddy of mine, I’ll pay you with my body. I’ll follow whatever rules you have, and you get to do whatever you want to me.”

“I do not want a sex doll. And just so we are clear, I will not be paying you for sex.”

I shrugged. “Then I’ll be managerial director of the f- laundry.” I just managed to catch myself from cursing again. “I’ll be whatever you want me to be.”

Aubyn looked me up and down. “You are too fragile. Have you forgotten that I am not human? You are. I could break you.”

I knew he was going to start pulling excuses out of his ass at some point or another, but I wasn’t going to let him. I wanted him, and I’d have him. “I’m not as fragile as you think. Do you have a cock?”

“A what?”

“A penis.”

“Yes.”

“That’s all I need. If we are to become sex partners, then not only will I have to adjust to you, but you’ll have to adjust to me. We’d have to meet each other in the middle, right?” At least I thought so. I hadn’t ever had an example of a real, working relationship presented to me before, romantic or otherwise.

“You have a point,” he murmured. “Alright then. You are so stubborn. I know you will regret your decision, so you are free to get out of this at any time. Once you have cleared some steps, I will seriously consider giving you what you want.”

It was about time he agreed. I was running out of points to argue with. If he hadn’t given in, I wasn’t sure what else I could have done to persuade him. “Then can we start tonight?” I asked. I only wanted to do it with him once to satisfy my curiosity.

Aubyn smiled. “No. Remember my non-negotiable rules? Well, I need you tested first.”

My eyebrows drew together, and my shoulders sagged. “Tested for what? STDs are nearly nonexistent these days and I never have sex without a condom. I’m clean.”

“Then your blood test will show that.” He stood and went over to the closet, taking out his uniform, a different one than the one I’d first seen him in. “I should start getting ready for work. I will be back in the evening with a doctor to get the testing underway. When the results are back, we can talk.”

My protest didn’t even make out of my mouth before he left the room. I was fine giving a urine sample. I would even give a stool sample if it was asked of me, but I didn’t like needles. I hated them. They freaked me out.

The last time I came into contact with a needle was years ago when I thought I was going to die and posed as my father to set up a doctor’s appointment for myself. Since I hadn’t done any blood work for a while, the damn doctor wouldn’t let me leave until I agreed to do some labs. It had been a very difficult day.

I couldn’t crack so easily after putting on such a show of confidence though. I got him to agree to at least think about having sex with me. A little blood test wasn’t going to end the world. All I had to do was keep myself busy until he came back from work with the doc to get it over and done with. Easy. I could do that. Maybe.

Aubyn and Sang were in their uniforms by the time I went back out into the living room. Aubyn was packing away his tablet and Sang was speaking lowly to Milan on the couch. The poor boy was curled around a pillow, his head in Sang’s lap with a rather miserable look on his face.

“I thought you were staying home,” I said, approaching Milan and Sang. “I don’t mind being here with you… alone.”

“So I have been informed,” Sang said, running his fingers through Milan’s hair. The boy closed his eyes and sighed softly, seeming to snuggle into Sang’s lap even more. “But I need to go in for a couple hours to attend a meeting. I hear you plan to study today.”

“Yeah.”

“We need to go over a few rules,” Sang said.

“I’m not a child-”

“I am well aware that this country’s laws have deemed you old enough to make adult decisions. However, I have a few rules that shouldn’t be too hard to follow while you are here.”

I pursed my lips to keep myself from saying anything rude and gestured for him to go ahead.

“Do not invite anyone over, even if they won’t be entering the building. Milan is not feeling well – as you already know – so I would rather you not take him anywhere. I would like for you to not leave him here alone for the same reason. I should not be gone for very long. Three hours at the most. If you do need to leave him alone before I return, please contact me.”

“I don’t have your number.”

“You have Aubyn’s work number. That’s good enough.”

I nodded slowly. Everything seemed doable so far. I had been worried that he was going to say something ridiculous. I glanced at Milan who seemed to be enjoying Sang’s caress. There was even a little smile on his face. “Anything else?” I asked Sang.

“Keep an eye on Milan and let me know when I get back if he’s gotten any worse. He shouldn’t have anything that isn’t a smoothie or plain toast while I am gone.”

“Hey!” Milan protested, opening his eyes and sitting up. He glared at Sang who gave him a look that clearly said, ‘Don’t try me’. It had no effect on Milan though. “I can take care of myself. One slice of cake isn’t going to kill me.”

“It won’t, but I just might if you touch anything else in that kitchen,” Sang said in such a serious tone that made me question if it was a bad joke or if he was being serious.

I searched his face to see if he was joking, or if that threat was real, but Milan was unmoved by his roommate’s tone and only stared at him, his lower lip trembling. Milan looked as if he was about to burst into tears.

Aubyn came over behind the couch and placed his large hand on Milan’s small head. “Io, it’s just until your stomach feels better,” Aubyn said in a low, soothing tone. “Once the smoothie is finished, I will make you some soup.”

“But I don’t want soup,” Milan whined. “I want a cookie.”

Aubyn kissed the top of Milan’s head. “We’ll see how your stomach heals first.” Milan obviously liked how that was phrased better because he no longer looked like he was going to cry.

Sang muttered something under his breath before saying louder, “You spoil him”.

“I am simply better at speaking to others than you are. We need to get going or we will be late in meeting the others.” He gently patted down Milan’s strawberry blond curls. “I will see you tonight, alright?” Aubyn’s eyes met mine. “You too.”

Milan nodded and followed the two to the door as they headed out. I meekly shuffled behind him and even gave a small wave as they left. There was a strange feeling that accompanied the action. I had never had to see someone off before. I felt a little fuzzy on the inside at being acknowledged when Aubyn left. It was comforting that he had promised to return even though it was his house.

“Are you going to run away?” Milan asked, tearing my focus away from the closed front door. He was back on the couch. “I’m going to report you if you do.”

I narrowed my eyes at him. “What makes you think I’ll be running away?”

“Isn’t that what people do when they’re uncomfortable? They leave. In this case, you’d be running away.” Milan picked up the remote. “So, are you?”

I couldn’t get a good read on him. He behaved so childishly sometimes, yet now he was speaking to me with more maturity. I couldn’t tell if he was only pretending to be childish. And then there was how Sang and Aubyn seemed to fawn over him like he was their human pet.

“I don’t think what I do is any of your business.”

“You’re in my home,” Milan reminded me. “The only reason Sang allowed you to stay here alone with me is because I told him that you should be trusted not to do anything to me. I carry just as much weight as they do in the decisions to keep you here. You think that because I’m small and human that I’m a stray they chose to take in and help like you are?”

I went over to stand in front of him. “Aren’t you?” I asked.

“Obviously not.”

“Really? Because you sure act like it. You must feel mighty important with those two wrapped around your finger, getting your little head pats and kisses, and being looked after like a child.”

Milan let out a rather childish giggle as he turned on the TV and launched one of the streaming apps. “You’re jealous, aren’t you? Must hit even harder since I hear you have a thing for Aubyn, but he doesn’t want you.”

Aubyn seemed like the gentle one. Sang seemed like the strict one. But this child was something else. I couldn’t see him as more than a pet of theirs. Sang and Aubyn weren’t human after all, so what would they need with a small, weak human being who didn’t seem capable of doing much on his own?

Ignoring him for my sanity’s sake, I went back into Aubyn’s bedroom and got my books and laptop out of my bag. I figured Milan was only being rude because a stranger was in his home. I needed to get some studying done and since Milan and I would be the only ones in the suite, I knew there shouldn’t be much noise. I just needed it to be quiet enough to read.