"He's late" Quinn said for the third time, foot tapping up and down and a deep set to his eyebrows. No one would have guessed that such an unhappy looking man had been in bliss just an hour before.

"You know what he's like, he's probably found something to obsess over for a little bit. We'll wait another ten minutes and if he doesn't turn up, we can go look for him" Devon reassured, looking cool as a cucumber as he checked his phone for any new messages then continued looking around the room slowly.

But Quinn knew better.

In a relationship like theirs, polyamorous and of various lifestyles, there were roles to fill. Jesse was their shared submissive and pet, who Devon was the master of. Quinn was the softer dominant who allowed more leeway in terms of rules and behaviour and was less extreme in the bedroom. Jesse often said he was perfect daddy material and personally, he found great comfort and peace in him. He was also very playful- perfect for Jesse's energetic moments.

Devon... well, he was a good, strong dominant who enforced rules, punishments and expectations. But where he was hard and unyielding, he was also incredibly supportive and reliable. If there were problems or issues, he was the man to go to. And for his lovers, he was their rock.

And the fact that he was calm had Quinn shaking his head. If Jesse could sit seven days after they got home, he would've been surprised.

"There he is. Told you he'd be fine" the oldest of the trio said and nodded his head as though he hadn't been just imagining all of the ways his little fox could have been hurt, lost or worse.

They watched as their youngest and smallest lover worked his way through the crowd, checking the time on his phone then visibly shaking his head and hurrying his steps. If there was one word to describe Jesse at that moment it would've been frantic and at any other time his partners would've found it amusing. But this time, not so much.

"You do realise that only last year someone tried to kidnap you, yes?" Devon said the moment Jesse reached him.

"Sorry, I was just-".

"Did I ask you for an excuse?" he questioned darkly, arms crossed and tone not accepting any bullshit.

"No, Master".

"Right, I didn't. What I asked was if you remember being almost kidnapped- because I do. I remember it very well and when I tell you that for the last twenty minutes we have been worried, that's an understatement. Were you so busy you couldn't have messaged or called, just to say you would be late? Were you so busy that you forgot you had rules to follow? Was I stupid for believing your promises and letting you come with us?".

If Jesse had been a real fox, his tail would have been between his legs and whines coming from his chest. He felt awful. As frightening as the experience had been for himself, he knew that his near-disappearance had truly shaken his men. Quinn had coddled him to the point of suffocation and obsession, constantly checking on him while neglecting his own health. And his master had been distant, ashamed of himself for not being a good enough lover or dominant, for allowing it to happen in the first place. They had all entered a dark space for a few months after that and getting them both to agree to taking Jesse along this year had been a battle of reassurances and promises.

Promises and reassurances Jesse had broken.

"Alright love, I'm sure he understands how scared we were and that he could have done better to make sure we knew he was safe. Isn't that right, Pinkie?".

Jesse nodded, trying not to let his eyes tear up too much. But Quinn saw and pulled him into a hug, calming down the sniffling young man and kissing his hair.

"I-I'm sorry Master and Sir. Really sorry".

"I'm just so glad you're okay. And thank you for apologising. But you will still be getting a punishment when we get home, yes?".

Jesse nodded, perfectly okay with that. He had been disobedient and felt ashamed to have worried his men so much. So once the punishment was over, he knew he could move on and be completely forgiven. In fact, he wanted to get home as quick as possible so the ache in his chest and frown between Quinn's eyebrows would fuck off.

"Yes Master, Sir".

"Good. Now, Princess, did you get everything you wanted?" Devon asked, linking their hands while Quinn walked around to take Jesse's other one.

"Yeah, these ears and tail" he talked about them a little, showing the tail where it came through the hole in his leather trousers. But as it was a plug, he couldn't show them the whole thing. And despite Quinn's earlier exasperation over the purchase of more ears, he couldn't help but stroke them fondly and smile when Jesse nuzzled his hand.

"Such a precious little fox" he complimented and said animal licked his palm, pleased by the attention.

"Did you get anything else?" Devon asked, opening the backdoor of the car so the fox could slide in. And as he was gradually slipping into pet space, Quinn buckled him in.

"Hmhm, a friend!" Jesse said, eyes blinking slowly. It seemed this time, he was going to be a sleepy little fox which his men found very cute. They got into the front of the car but turned so they could keep talking.

"Oh, that's good. What were they like?" the eldest asked.

"Beautiful. Really...beautiful..." he said, voice tapering off to a whisper before his head fell to the side and he curled up in the seat. He was gone, leaving his lovers curious as to this, 'beautiful' friend who they pondered about together during the drive home. 

And if the fox had dreams of Briar, of playing together in the park and sitting at the dining table with his lovers, everyone smiling and holding hands, he didn't say a word once he awoke.