Chapter Text
Patton entered the little shop with a grin, looking around excitingly. He couldn’t believe it was finally happening! He was going to get his very own pet tiny! Something he had wanted since he was little. His heart beat widely in his chest as he asked for assistance to where the tiny’s where. He was led to the back and saw terrarium upon terrarium of tinies. Oh, how was he supposed to choose?
Meanwhile, one of the tinies was far less excited to be seen. Logan sat away from his peers, choosing instead to sulk in the corner. He was not exactly-how did the humans put it?-obedient. Logan despised this unjust system, so much so that after weeks of his badgering the owners of the shop had equipped him with an obedience collar.
Logan scratched at the device idly, forgetting how it always chaffed. He never could get used to the sensation.
Patton scanned the cases, looking over all the tinies within. They were all so cute. He came to one of the last cases in the line-up and his gaze was focused on the tiny in the corner. Patton blinked, staring at him with a slight head tilt.
Feeling the human’s gaze on him, Logan turned. He wanted to tell the human off, yell at him for participating in such an inhumane economy and the enslavement of borrowers everywhere…but, with the collar still on, Logan knew better. Instead Logan raised a judgemental eyebrow, hoping his expression could convey what words could not.
Patton’s eyes widened in awe as he took the tiny in and something in him just clicked. Was this the feeling people talked about? When you just knew the pet you were meant to get? Patton had to think so. He grinned. “Hello little guy.” He greeted.
No. Refusing to let the human think they were ‘bonding’ any further, Logan turned his head away, looking at the other end of the cage instead.
“Ah, come on little guy.” Patton said, trying to move and catch the tiny’s eye. “My name is Patton. Do you have one?”
“I do.” Logan said coldly, knowing he was meant to respond when addressed.
Patton lit up when the tiny spoke. “And what would it be?” Patton asked again. He was loving this tiny already.
“I think it would be ill advised of me to share that information.” Logan responded, careful to avoid the ‘no’ word as he turned back to the human.
Patton tilted his head. “Oh? And why is that?” He was happy to see the tiny talking but he did think it was weird that he didn’t want to say his name.
“Because then you might get the notion to become attached.” Logan explained.
Patton chuckled. “Well, it’s a little too late for that.”
Logan frowned, beginning to feel a sinking feeling in his chest. “…oh?”
“Yep! I think I’ve decided.” Patton smiled down at the tiny. “I’ll be right back.” And with that, Patton went to go grab an employee to help get his tiny.
Logan paled, looking around at the rest of the tinies within his view, all looking as shocked as he felt. No one ever expected Logan to be sold, and frankly after spending so long in the security of these walls Logan found himself quite nervous to leave.
Patton came back and pointed to Logan. “I’ll take this little guy, please.” The employee gave him a weird look but didn’t say anything. He just shrugged and opened the case to scoop Logan out and put him in a smaller cage.
“No-” Logan tried to protest, but the moment the word left his lips a slight electric shock was sent through his veins, causing him to be compliant as the worker wrapped his grimy hands around Logan’s form.
Once Logan was in the cage and it was closed, the employee handed him over to Patton, who took it carefully. He grinned. “Thank you!” The employee nodded and let him to the register to pay. Patton set the cage down for a moment in order to take out his credit card. As soon as the transaction went through he looked down at the tiny. “You are now officially mine!” Patton said excitedly, picking up the cage and holding it close to his chest.
Logan shuddered at the implication. To be merchandise on display was degrading enough, but to be owned?
Patton walked out to his car, putting the cage in the passenger seat while he buckled up. “Oh this is gonna be great! We’re going to have a lot of fun together!”
“Doubtful.” Logan muttered. This human seemed overwhelmingly bubbly, and Logan began to wonder if his role would be more equivalent to a toy than a pet.
As Patton pulled out of the parking lot, he couldn’t help but wonder how Virgil’s search was going.
————————————–
Virgil entered the shelter with a small sigh. Maybe he should have just gone with Patton but, then again, the whole reason he chose the shelter was because he didn’t want some frilly, trained tiny or whatever. That wasn’t his thing. And the only place he would find one of those was here. At the tiny shelter.
A worker led him into the back and Virgil started walking, scanning each tiny nervously. Geez, there were a lot more than he thought. How was he supposed to choose?
Roman, unlike most tinies was always eager to greet humans. He sized them up, hoping to find the ideal match. Not that Roman wanted to be owned, oh no- Roman was a free spirit. He longed to one day return to his borrower roots. That’s why he needed an easy target. Roman had actually been nearly successful on several occasions, but always after sneaking away from his owners something would go amiss and Roman would end up back here. No matter. Sooner or later, Roman knew he could succeed.
However, that would only be possible with a human who was negligent and easily manipulated. Looking at the emo nightmare that had just walked in, Roman could tell from the way his eyes shifted that he was neither.
Virgil’s eyes wandered over to a strange looking tiny. He seemed to be wearing some sort of prince outfit, probably from a doll. He raised an eyebrow at him.
“What?” Roman scoffed. How dare the human judge him when he was dressed like that. “Move along, Jack Skellington.” Roman advised, waving him off.
Virgil blinked, eyes going wide. “What did you just call me?” He asked, coming right up to the little cage the tiny was in.
“Jack Skellington.” Roman repeated, unafraid. “Because you look like a halloween nightmare spirit come to life.”
Virgil stared at him for a moment before snorting. “Well, princey, you sure are creative.”
“I try.” Roman preened a bit, always grateful for a compliment before he remembered that he was meant to drive this human away. Curse his everlasting charm.
“But seriously, hit the road, Jack.” Roman pointed down the aisleway.
Virgil smirked, leaning against the wall. “It’s Virgil, actually.” Virgil said. “And what are you gonna do about it if I don’t?”
“Ah…” Roman hadn’t considered that. “Well, I may not be able to make you leave, but I’m certainly not going anywhere with the likes of you so you might as well keep your hopes down.”
Virgil raised an eyebrow. “You act like you have a say on whether or not I bring you home with me.” Virgil chuckled. “How cute.”
“What- you don’t want a borrower like me.” Roman sputtered, desperately trying to make himself sound unlikeable. “I’m a rebel, a firecracker. There’s a reason guys like me end up in the shelter, you know.”
“I know you’re trying to make yourself undesirable.” Virgil said. “But unfortunately, you just listed everything I was looking for in a tiny. Why do you think I came to the shelter in the first place?”
“D-did I say rebel?” Roman let out an awkward laugh. “I meant obedient! Well-mannered, quiet as a mouse even.”
“Uh huh. Sorry, Princey, but I think I made my decision.” Virgil shrugged and walked off towards an employee.
“HEY!” Roman ran up to the front of the glass, pounding on it angrily. “YOU GET BACK HERE AND UN-LIKE ME RIGHT NOW!”
Virgil did return, but he was not alone. An employee was there to happily maneuver the little cage out of its spot and hand it over to Virgil. Virgil raised the cage to his eyes, smirking. “Too late. We’re definitely gonna have some fun together.”
“I disagree wholeheartedly.” Roman crossed his arms, glaring defiantly back at his newest owner.
“Yeah, we’ll see.” Virgil paid for Roman and then got into his car. Heading home. He wondered if Patton was already done with his little errand but that question was answered for him when he saw his car in their driveway.
“Looks like you get to meet my roommate today.” And his new pet. He wondered what kind of tiny Patton got.
“Oh, yippee. I’m so thrilled.” All of this Roman said with a deadpan expression, sulking at the bottom of his cage.
“Don’t be like that. Besides, you’ll have a little friend too.” Virgil revealed, taking the cage and getting out of the car.
“What?” Roman perked up slightly at that. Another borrower could act as his partner in crime, making it twice as easy to escape. Although, Roman quickly dashed that hope as soon as he caught sight of the borrower in the other enclosure. It was trained, still collared up and everything. There was no way the humans would let such a precious pet out of their sight for more than a second.
Patton perked up as he saw Virgil come home. “Virgil!” His eyes wandered to the cage. “You got one!”
Virgil smirked. “Yep and I see you did too.” Virgil looked to the tiny still in it’s cage, putting his tiny’s cage next to it.
Logan looked over, eyes wide as he took in the appearance of his fellow borrower. He offered a wave of greeting, but the princely figure just scoffed and turned away from him.
“Hey,” Virgil said, noticing this. “Princey, play nice.”
Patton blinked. “Princey?”
Virgil looked at Patton. “Oh, it’s just a nickname. Because of his outfit.” He motioned to it. “He hasn’t told me his name yet. What about yours?”
“Oh. Uh, not yet but I just got home so I haven’t really gotten the chance to talk to him.” Patton spoke.
“I still think providing my name is unnecessary.” Logan spoke up, his voice quiet in the presence of two humans.
“Hey look, we agree on something.” Roman smirked. Perhaps this other borrower was alright.
“Well, we have to call you something.” Patton said with a small frown. “Wouldn’t you rather us call you by your own name?”
Virgil shrugged. “Hey, if you want to be difficult, I’ll just keep calling you princey.”
“Well joke’s on you, because I happen to like that nickname.” Roman stuck out his tongue.
“Oh darn, guess I should come up with something else, then.” Virgil smirked. Patton chuckled at the two of them, seeing that they really were a good fit. He picked up Logan’s cage.
“I’m gonna head to my room to bond with this little guy.” Patton announced and Virgil nodded. He thought for a moment, before picking up Roman’s cage again.
“I think I’ll do the same.” He said.
“Oh, goodie.” Roman twirled his finger with an unamused expression.
Meanwhile, Logan was a bit more nervous in his reaction. What exactly did ‘bonding’ entail? Unlike Roman, who had experienced this song and dance before, Logan was brand new to the pet world and was not a fan of the uncertainties.
Patton brought Logan to his room, setting the cage down on the desk and sitting down. He sent the tiny a comforting smile and he opened the door of the cage. “Come on out, little guy, I bet you feel all cooped up in there huh?”
“I have adequate leg room.” Logan shifted nervously on his feet, hesitant to come out. He did not like to be grabbed, but in a new environment Logan was unsure how to avoid such an outcome. Perhaps it was inevitable.
Patton’s smile turned softer. “It’s okay, you don’t have to be nervous. Besides, it’s good to stretch your legs a little.” And Patton wanted to get a better look at him.
Logan supposed he would rather have the choice to walk himself, and knew that one way or another if the human wanted him out Logan would soon be leaving this cage. So, with hesitance, Logan stepped out onto the desk.
Patton grinned. “There we go!” Patton looked the tiny over, eyes focusing on his neck. Patton blinked as he finally took notice of the thing, lifting his hand to touch it. “Oh! You already have a collar.” He smiled at the tiny. “Well, at least we don’t have to buy you a new one now.”
Logan touched at it absent-mindedly with a scowl. “I think this collar is unnecessary.”
“I think they’re pretty handy.” Patton said. “That way if you ever get lost, people know who to contact! Although, I’ll have to get a new tag for it. With all my information on it.” They could do that next time they went shopping. Which he was hoping to do with Virgil tomorrow anyway.
Logan wrinkled the thought of his bane of existence now serving a duel purpose of keeping him tied to a human owner as well.
“So! Can you tell me your name now?” Patton asked with a smile.
“I could.” Logan said carefully, watching the human for a reaction.
“Great! Then what is it?” Patton asked, leaning forward in anticipation.
“It seems you would benefit greatly from learning my name.” Logan observed. “What motivation do I have to be inclined to share?”
Patton frowned in confusion. “Wouldn’t it be nice to be called by your name?”
“I suppose, but at this point it feels like I will be submitting my only leverage.” Logan was surprised to find himself admitting this aloud to a human.
Patton’s eyebrows furrowed. “Your…leverage? Well, why would you need leverage?” His tiny sure was confusing.
“To gain a sense of control, as well as to possibly help manifest an understanding.” Logan explained. “Perhaps my name can be exchanged for a policy decision regarding how I am treated.”
Patton blinked. “How you’re-oh kiddo, you don’t have to worry!” Now Patton understood. He felt sad that his little pet even thought that of him for a second but now he’ll set the record straight.
“I promise, I’m not going to hurt you or anything. I’ve never been one to believe in those types of punishment. It’s just cruel, ya know?” Patton said.
“I certainly agree.” Logan gave Patton a suspicious look, trying to gauge if the human was telling the truth. It would certainly be foolhardy to trust an individual so easily. “Regardless, I can guarantee an issue will arise where we do not see eye to eye. For example, I am generally against the entrapment of borrowers, while you clearly view the issue in an abysmally positive light.”
Patton blinked. “Uh, what?” His borrower was using a lot of big words that Patton wasn’t sure about. What did abysmally mean?
“I think I should be free, and you think I should be in a cage.” Logan deadpanned, gesturing back to the enclosure.
“Well…of course, kiddo.” Patton gave him a small, kind of confused, smile. “You’re domesticated. And it’s been proven that a borrowers life is longer than ever when they’re with a human.”
Logan looked to the side. Why could humans not comprehend that a longer live was not necessarily a better life? “Regardless, the idea of being another person’s belonging is rather distasteful.”
Patton frowned. “I’m sorry kiddo, I don’t know what to yell ya.” He smiled. “But I can promise that I’ll take great care of you. We’ll be a small, happy family!”
“Very well then.” Logan sighed. It was indeed the way of the world, whether Logan enjoyed it or not. At least this human seemed malleable enough, and Logan might even be able to form a tolerable existence here for the time being.
“Great!” Patton said, clapping his hands together. “Does that mean you’ll tell me your name now?” He asked, putting on the puppy dog eyes.
“N-ah, later.” Logan cringed, quickly changing his answer from ‘no’ as the collar gave a warning buzz.
Patton pouted. “Pleeeeeeaaaaaase.” He wanted to know his pet’s name!
Logan quite literally could not say no to that face. “What do you intend to do if my name remains unshared?” Logan asked, curious.
“Be sad.” Patton admitted. “But, I mean, I don’t know. I guess I would call you kiddo until the meantime? Little buddy? Things like that?”
Logan’s lip curled at the juvenile suggestions.
“You really aren’t going to tell me your name?” Patton asked, looking deflated.
Logan paused, considering the consequences of not sharing this piece of information. Finding the odds to be in his favor, Logan shook his head.
“Oh.” Patton looked down. “Well, that’s fine. I get it. You’re in a new place and need to get used to everything. I just, I do need your name by tomorrow so we can get your new collar tag, okay?”
“Perhaps I wish to remain untagged.” Logan stuck out his nose defiantly.
“Well, that’s just not safe. What if you got lost? I’d never find you again.” Patton said, shaking his head. He then stood up suddenly. “Alright, well, I’ll let you rest for a little bit while I go make up some dinner, okay?”
Logan jumped, so startled by the human rising to his full height that he could only nod.
Patton smiled and lifted his hand to gently nudge the borrower back towards the cage.
Logan quickly shied away from the touch, scurrying back into his enclosure. He certainly preferred his own two feet to being grabbed.
Patton closed the cage door and sent him one last smile before going down to prepare dinner. Hopefully after some food, his borrower would be more inclined to talk.