Catch the Thunder

From the Ashes a Phoenix Arises

"From the ashes, a fire shall be woken; a light from the shadows shall spring." — J.R.R. Tolkien

Freed stepped into the condo, sighing as he loosened his tie and hung his jacket by the door. The weight of a day full of grueling meetings lingered in his weary posture. If he had to be honest, all he really needed now was for Laxus to fill him with love and make him forget everything but the orders of his master.

"Laxus?" he called out, glancing around the living room.

No response.

As he moved through the condo, he finally caught the faint sound of Laxus' voice coming from the bathroom. It was not his usual gruff tone; instead, it was soft, almost cooing, and punctuated with laughter. Curious, Freed approached the door and listened inside.

"Who's my mighty huntress? Yes, you are! You gonna catch the fuzzy mouse? C'mon, Trashy, show me what you've got. Get the mouse, get the mouse. Good girl!"

Freed pushed the door open, but suddenly a gray ball of fluff bolted between his feet, a streak of silver disappearing into the living room.

"No, Trashy!" Laxus called after her, scrambling to his feet. He paused when he saw Freed standing in the doorway. "Hey! Didn't hear you come in."

Freed crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow. "Have you been in here all day?"

Laxus looked sheepish. "Not all day," he muttered, brushing a hand through his messy blond hair. He had to admit, he only went out once, and he had eaten lunch in the bathroom. His plate was still on the bathroom sink like a guilty piece of evidence.

Freed let out a sigh, but his lips twitched into a smile. Laxus leaned in to greet him with a kiss.

"Welcome home. How was work?" Laxus asked, his voice deep and warm.

"Horrible," Freed said with a dramatic sigh. "I wish I could have stayed here with the cat."

"Well, you can help me hunt her down." He grinned and leaned in close. "Prove to me you're a mighty hunter too."

Laxus began to walk by, but Freed's hand shot out to stop him. Laxus looked over in surprise, but he saw Freed's cheeks were bright pink and his head had lowered subserviently.

"Could you ... m-maybe really let me prove that?" Freed glanced up, hoping Laxus knew what he meant.

He did! His hands caressed down Freed's body. "Are you ready to be my kitty?"

Freed licked his lips and replied simply, "Meow!"

* * *

Twenty minutes later, with plenty of sensual stripping of clothes and dominant orders, Freed was fully nude except for a collar, muzzle, fuzzy ears, paws, knee pads, and a fluffy tail sticking out of his ass. They walked into the living room. Somehow, Freed felt even more exposed than usual knowing the cat was somewhere and would see him, maybe even judge his strange cat-like appearance.

"Crawl on the floor," Laxus ordered. "Maybe you can find Trashy."

"Her name is Ash," Freed mumbled through his muzzle.

Laxus pulled on the collar, forcing his chin up. "No talking, kitty. On your hands and knees."

Enthralled, Freed dropped, and he felt a spark of thrill as Laxus caressed his head.

"Good kitty. Go find your new friend."

Obediently, Freed searched under furniture, calling for Ash by clicking his tongue, going Pspsps, calling out her name, and saying "Here, kitty, kitty." He was not sure what she would respond to best. He even tried shaking a bag of treats, but she was too young and untrained to know any of these cues.