Quinn knew the moment Jesse came home that something was wrong with his small lover. His face was creased in thought and they hadn't immediately gone to the fridge for a snack while recounting about their day.

Not even a peanut-butter cup? Must be serious.

"Did you not have a good day, Pinkie?" Quinn asked, awaiting a biting retort about the nickname. But when they turned to look up at him, only worry in those stunning eyes, he immediately decided to forego any teasing.

"I know it sounds stupid, but I'm worried that Briar's boyfriend is mistreating him".

"Oh. Do you think he's being abused?" He asked, fully ready to intervene and help the person who had clearly become important to Jesse.

They sat on the arm of a sofa, frowning.

"No... not really? I'm not sure. But there's something. Like, you know when you just get that feeling that something is wrong but you can't explain why? When he got a call from his boyfriend today, I got that. And I'm worried that if I ignore it, something bad is gonna happen".

Quinn walked to stand in front of him, Jesse immediately leaning forward to hug his lower chest and wrap their arms around him. The older of the two hugged him back, fingers of one hand massaging the back of their neck.

"Well, tell me about the phone call and what led up to it- let's see if talking about it helps us figure out exactly why you're feeling like this".

And so, after sitting next to each other on the sofa, Jesse's legs in Quinn's lap, they began;

"After we left the café, I didn't want him to leave yet and neither did he. So we decided to go to the park- walk around and stuff, you know? And it's been hotter than Satan's ball sack this week so it seemed like a waste to just go back to our houses. I know that I'd just end up re-watching Grimm again...".

"Hmhm, so you guys went to the park. Was it fun?".

Jesse smiled, looking down and picking their pink nail polish. Quinn didn't miss the small blush to their cheeks but let them continue;

"Yeah. At first, he still seemed a bit nervous around me but the minute we passed the playground, his face lit up like a lightbulb on crack. I'm pretty sure he's a Little but denies it and since it was empty, I convinced him to play with me for a bit. I really wanted to see how he'd act".

He's a Little?

He filed that away mentally to touch on later. If Briar was indeed a Little and being abused, Quinn would need to approach the situation a bit differently, should he intervene.

"So you played in the park for a while. I'm guessing it went well, that he didn't react badly?".

Their smile grew wider, eyes sparkling and a general aura of happiness radiated from him.

"It was so good, Quinn. I think it made me really realise why people like you- Daddy's- exist. We messed around on the swings, tried to knock each other off the seesaw with the power of our asses and played tag. I wanted to go across the rope bridge- the one that's way too high for a fucking kids play area- but when he saw I was scared of heights, he gave me a piggyback. And the whole time we were there, he giggled and ran around with me. He teased me back when I made fun of how he jumps like a disabled kangaroo. It all made me want to protect him, you know? To make him happy. I'd never seen him so... energetic. It was like I was seeing the real Briar".

Quinn's chest felt warm at the scenes he imagined, scenes of his cute fox playing with their friend. Then Jesse's smile fell and he knew that this was where the day took a darker turn.

"All day he had been looking at his phone and when I eventually asked if everything was okay, he said that he hadn't heard from his boyfriend for just over a week. He hasn't been home, hasn't called and since they recently had dealings with loan sharks, he was worried something had happened. So when his phone rang and Harlow flashed on the screen, he seemed so happy. But within minutes, he changed; Shoulders slumped, energy depleted and when the guy started shouting loud enough for me to hear from the bench, Briar flinched every time. I'm not saying he's being smacked around or anything but it can't be normal to react like that around someone you've been with for nine years. I've never been like that with you or Dev, even when we argue".

Yeah, Quinn was a little concerned now. It wasn't exactly the most obviously concerning thing he'd heard in his life but where was the harm in making sure everything was alright?

But first, he needed to discuss it with Devon.

"Alright love, thank you for telling me. Why don't you give your friend a text and just make sure he got home alright, and tonight I'll talk with Dev about what we can do. Until then though, how about we make some cookies and watch a movie?".

And so that's what they did, Jesse relaxing a little more once he received a seemingly normal text from their friend. Quinn did the majority of the baking while the pink-haired scoundrel stole cookie dough and then they both lay on the sofa, Jesse cuddled into his side and happily munching away on warm, gooey cookies.

Quinn smiled and kissed their head, then his lips when they pouted for one. But he couldn't help but be curious on this, 'Briar'. He hadn't gotten to meet the man yet and only knew what pieces Jesse had divulged over the months, but they spoke of him often enough for the older two of the trio to know something more was happening.

"Do you like Briar?" Quinn asked, testing the waters.

"Duh, we wouldn't be friends otherwise. Now shh, the old guy's head is about to get smashed to pieces. Serves the dumb bitch right"

He chuckled, looking back to the tv just in time for the gore. But he had felt it; the pounding of Jesse's heart against his arm immediately after the question, had seen the apprehension in his eyes.

Quinn needed to talk with Devon about Briar and figure out what they were going to do- about the suspicious boyfriend and their fiancé's crush.

*************

"No, now stop". 

"What! But I just thought-". 

"No". 

"But why else-".

"Jesse" Quinn said, putting his fork down and focusing on them with a stern expression. "Stop it". 

They instantly nodded and picked up their fork, continuing to play with their food by moving it around the plate. Quinn sighed and put his napkin down, finished eating and content to just watch Jesse as emotions passed on his face.

The good atmosphere Quinn had built up since his little lover had come home had dissipated very soon after Briar didn't send them voice notes on how work had been that evening. A task he had apparently been doing almost religiously everyday for the last two months. And with Devon stuck at work longer than anticipated, that conversation they were due was put on hold for the time being. Now, Pinkie kept flitting between verbally announcing his displeasure on the whole situation and sitting in silence, frown lines deeper than Quinn's urge to seek alcohol. 

"I know you're worried about your friend and that I also let you off with a lot, Jesse. But don't forget that you are still my submissive and when I tell you enough is enough- you listen. Now, do you understand why I asked you to stop?". 

"Yes Sir, I do". 

"And can you tell me what that reason was?". 

Jesse fixed his glasses from slipping down their nose then nodded again. "Because it's getting me worked up and anxious. I need to stay calm, wait and trust you and Master to help me and my friend. By not listening, I was making things more difficult on myself. I'm sorry, Sir" they whispered the last part, voice shaky and Quinn realised with a heavy heart that he was beginning to cry. 

"Oh, love. Come here". 

The minute he opened his arms, Jesse was in them and burying their face into his neck.

"I'm not mad at you, my sweet fox. I just don't like seeing you upset yourself. Now, can you tell me why you're crying?". 

"I don't even know. It feels so fucking stupid. I've known Briar f-for, like, two months and I'm already like this just because he didn't message me tonight. What am I, a teenager?". 

"Hmhm. And what're you feeling?". 

"Needy and clingy and I hate it. He probably just forgot and I'm here acting like he just did the cha-cha slide on my grandma's grave.  So fucking stupid...he's just a friend, I need to give him space" they whispered and Quinn kissed their cheek. 

"Thank you for telling me. Is there anything you need right now, love?". 

Jesse looked up, eyes a little red and watery but thankfully he hadn't shed actual tears. The sight of his precious lover's emotional distress still broke Quinn's heart though and he heaved a breath through a tight chest. 

Me and Dev will need to have that talk tonight, it can't wait until tomorrow. Not if it's affecting them this bad.

"I'd really love to give you a blowjob" they said and just like that, the heavy air snapped and they were both laughing. 

"I would love that too, Pinkie. But not right now, not when you've been upset. How about cuddles in bed and we can restart that awful show you like?".

"Tsk, you have no taste. Grimm is top tier" they tutted and walked into the adjoining, open planned kitchen. "Master would've probably bent me over the table and fucked me if I'd asked him".

"Maybe- if he felt that was what you needed. What I feel you need is some time to relax and do something you like to keep your mind busy. If you would rather do something else, we can".

"Getting on my knees for you would keep me busy" they winked, coming back with an armful of snacks. "No? Well, good thing I actually really want to snuggle with you". 

Quinn shook his head with a smile, led Jesse to the bedroom where they climbed into the custom-made bed fit for all the lovers to sleep. Or fuck. Or tie each other up... 

Don't think about that stuff, you just told him no.

Once the lights were off and they stripped down to their underwear, both lovers climbed under the duvet and began watching, 'the best tv show to ever exist', according to Pinkie. They spoke a little, Quinn begrudgingly laughing at the parts that were decently funny and Jesse explaining the things his eldest lover didn't understand. 

"Why the hell are they called, Blutbaden? They're werewolves". 

"Shh, we don't question the Grimm. We just enjoy it and pretend we understand everything- capische?".

"Yes sir" he saluted and Jesse immediately gagged. 

"Fuck no, never call me that again. Ugh, that gave me goosebumps- look!". 

They did indeed have goosebumps, which made the dark skinned man chuckle. At least, he was laughing until he was suddenly being smacked on the thigh. 

"Ow, what was that for? You've been learning too much from Dev". 

"This is payback for all the, 'Pinkie's' you've called me tonight. You terrible man". 

"Aw, love, but it's so cute-". 

"No".

"... one more?". 

Jesse launched themselves at him, straddling his chest and bringing a pastel pink pillow down on him repeatedly. They were winning the fight until Quinn broke out the big guns and started tickling him behind the kneecaps and rib area. Pinkie was soon laying on the bed, crying their surrender through breathless chuckles. 

"I love you, Quinn. Thank you for cheering me up" they said, looking up at him. With the tv light reflecting off of their skewed glasses and highlighting their lovely freckles and soft smile, Quinn's heart melted.

"I love you too, Jesse". 

They kissed softly, no real passion behind it but deep endearment and adoration. After they settled back on the pillows together, cuddled tightly and restarting the episode they missed, Quinn released a deep sigh half way through another fight sequence. 

"Love, get your hand off my cock".  

"Can't blame a horny hoe for trying".