Become Mine Only, With Three Simple Words

The way that he was pulled around the store with his now childlike boyfriend made him happy. "If I didn't limit you, you know you would go home with the entire store. You can't even deny it." They were both animal lovers, which was many another reason as to why they fit so well together. "Of course, but you have to be happy with it first." He was glad that Jericho was at least giving him a say in the animal he was getting, as he would be spending a lot of time around it.

They looked through the various animals, pointing out certain ones but never staying firm in their opinion. Not until they came across a little babe. "Yes." Cairo said without hesitation. Even though he was more of a big dog kind of guy, the thought of being able to bring it anywhere only made him excited for their future. "The little puppo wants you, I can see it!" He said before lifting Jericho up and spinning him, grateful about this new relationship goal. After putting him down, he gave the other man a little kiss, before moving away to get a worker there. "This one?" A slightly younger girl, by the name of Orlena nodded as she came over to the kennel. "Oh yes! This little one came in just a few nights ago. Found 'em all alone a few blocks from here, actually!" She smiled, moving over and unlocking the cage, as the dog yipped and jumped for her. "Seems to like me! But here you go sir." With a nod, the girl handed the small animal to Jericho. "Get a feel for the animal, see if it's what you're wanting through and through."

"She sure does!" Orlena giggled, agreeing with Jericho. "Take your time though, really." She hummed out, happy that someone had taken an interest in him. Cairo on the other hand, just stared at Jericho and the puppy, so full of delight. "She really is super cute, I think that she'd work really well." He added on again, hoping that it would help solidify his answer. "Of course we can get her, of course." He smirked, nodding to Orlena to confirm it. "Oh wonderful! I'm so happy! Just, go to the till then! I'll help you out." She squeaked a little before running to the cash register, pulling up a bunch of things for them to get with the puppy. Cairo leaned down and kissed his cheek, wanting to make sure that he knew he wasn't doing this alone.

"You just hold the baby, okay? I got it." He slowly walked over to the cash register, taking out his wallet. Orlena ringed it all up, adding in a specialty food bag for extra measure. Either way, they would be going to Winni Pinnie's after Cairo... Told him a few things. "That'll be... $170! I gave you a little discount because I really wanted to see him have a good home!" She smiled at them both, before taking Cairo's card and helping out with the transaction. "Thank you and bubye little cutie!" That was the last thing they heard before leaving the pet shop. "So um... I'd like to have a little talk with you, and then did you want to go to a pet store and get her some supplies? Or vice versa."

"No no, this is all you. You deserve her." His grin was ear to ear as his face lit up from the kiss on his cheek. Oh how he was so in love and it was clear on his face. With a chuckle, he reassured his boyfriend with a subtle kiss on the head. "Don't worry your little head over it, okay?" Cairo walked for a solid minute with him and his dog before speaking another word. "Okay, this looks good." His tracks stopped, before he took a breath in and out to calm himself. Breathe, chill out man. The man closed his eyes for a second, trying not to pass out from the nerves he was feeling. With that, he stepped in front of Jericho to make sure he stopped. With his eyes on the other man's gaze, his speech picked up again.

"I'll need your left hand, please." He would say, waiting for Jericho to readjust himself and his new 'child' in order to complete this request. When he grabbed Jericho's hand, his own were shaking furiously; only a bit of that was due to cold. Cairo nodded to himself, biting his lip almost to the point of it bleeding. "Listen, Jericho. I know that I haven't known you for so long, and that things have been shitty and horrible sometimes, mostly due to me but-" He had to hold his own wrist to stop the shaking. "I'm serious about you, really. You mean everything to me right now." He reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a ring, turning Jericho's hand and placing it in his palm. "It's um... A promise ring or w-whatever, from me to you. I know it's super girly and it may not even fit you but it reminded me of you." He waved his hands defensively in front on his own face, the crimson on his cheeks giving away his embarrassment. "W-We aren't engaged or anything just- I just wanted you to know that I love you. That I always will."

Cairo wasn't stable in those moments. His breath was getting rigid, unbalanced. He fidgeted a bit as he waiting for Jericho's response, unknowing if he was going to get anything back in return. Had this all been a mistake? Sure, Cairo was silly and fucked up a lot, but the thought of being rejected in this big a level was overwhelming him. Did he not like the ring? Was it too girly, or maybe it wasn't a good enough time to express his feelings? Cairo mind swirled, as his heart stopped when Jericho pulled away from him. He knew it, too much. Fuck. He didn't feel the same way, did he? His mind ached, his body a wreck like he had been shattered apart.

This was it, this was the exact moment where he was going to give up on love, wasn't it? If Jericho hadn't hugged him so tenderly a few seconds later, he knew he would have died inside. His grip around his boyfriend was death like, as if there was no way that he was going to let him no. Not now, not ever. Jericho O'Malley was his and his alone, to love and hold. A hand ran through the ginger's hair, suple, soft, his. "I-I... I can't express that. How much I love you. It hurts, Jericho." He didn't want his boyfriend to see the tears that were pouring out of his face. He was supposed to be the strong one, the one that wasn't supposed to cry about anything. "You have no idea how happy you make me feel. I want you, forever." Maybe he was being a bit possessive, but he didn't care in those moments.

This was his time, finally, to be in love and feel wanted. Cairo pulled away, shivering still from the kiss of affection Jericho had given him. Everything felt fresher, more alive in his mind. He grabbed the other man's chin and raised it before kissing his lips. This time he felt like he was going to die due to the amount of excitement and desire he had flowing through him. He tilted his head more, exploring the other man's mouth with his tongue, giving his body a little break from his nerves. After a solid minute, he pulled their faces away, leaning down to pick up the puppy. He stuffed her into his own coat, as he didn't want the poor thing to feel cold or left out at all. "I love you. I love you. I love you, Jericho. Do you hear me?"

"Y-You're here, yeah." His voice was still shaky, as it seemed that most of his words didn't want to come out. Would it be too much to say that he was lovestruck, unable to properly use his mouth? Maybe, Cairo wasn't even surprised in those moments. When Jericho started to talk again, he tried his very best to try not to cry. This was too much, this was stupid, childish; he felt he was confessing his love for a crush of many years. How had he been so swept away by this winged man? It hurt him to know that he wanted someone so badly.

"You're my everything." He smiled, nuzzling their noses together, cheerful. "You're the one I want in my bed when I'm all alone. I want to hold you when I'm sad. I want your lips when I want my home back." He chuckled a bit, feeling as if his words were cheesy. "I'm not sure if that even helps your heart, as I know it hurts you. I know, you can't deny that." With that, he lifted his ringed hand and kissed it. "You are my best." He let his hand move to where Jericho wanted it, feeling his face light up again. "Thank you for giving my life meaning, Jeri-Bun."