You'd sure you'd hidden them well enough, the tabs on your computer and incognito mode, the little stares at collars and such at the local pet stores as you passed by, even the little Chewtoy you hid beneath your bed.
So why is it like he knows? Why does he come home one day with a bunch of items from a pet store, a glimpse of a collar under the whole things that doesn't make sense. A sly gaze at you before quickly making things seem absolutely normal, you're not crazy you know he knows something.
I mean sure you have a little dog of your own, he needs the food, he needs the bags and toys, but he's already got a collar, one bright pink because he'd preferred the colour, yeah for a boy, maybe he noticed the jealous look you gave the little pup at the time, no he'd never.
You'd moved out of your parents' house. They'd never really accept if you were, well, how you were. If they ever found out, that was. And your generous big brother, well he'd got a spare room at his apartment further in the town centre. You'd always loved your big brother, not the usual overbearing one You'd seen stereotyped in show after show after show, but he did have a way getting on your nerves sometimes.
He always gave the best hugs, never really cared about personal space much, always said his love was through physical touch. And it was so nice, the cuddles late night on the sofa, little bags of popcorn you had gotten, he hated the little squeakers but he got them for you anyways. He always gave you his hand-me-downs, sure he could've gotten you new things but you never argued much, his shirts were always way too big for you, yet you loved the bagginess (even though you couldn't wear any bottoms and they'd still cover you up :P) and he knew that just well.
But then something, and for a lack of a better weird, absolutely odd happened?
The day started out completely normal, your elder brother sat back in his armchair with a hot drink by his side, he looked peaceful, despite the fact you felt so horrible. It had been your birthday, and through the lack of balloons or streamers, he'd very clearly forgot. That's one thing about you're brother, he always had this horrible memory. You didn't want to blame him, even if it hurt so much, slowly trodding along the floors in the same oversized hoodie he had given you at your last birthday, little holes cut out around the ends of the sleeves so you could stick your thumb through and make little gloves out of it.
And he looked at you, that normal warm smile like nothing was wrong, like ignorance truly was bliss. His hand patted softly at his lap, like signalling exactly where to sit, and you wouldn't say no, it was the best seat in the house. You patted over and ended up planting yourself firmly against his lap and chest, like a baby in his arms, well not that small but you get it.
"You forgot my b.." the last of it mumbled.
"I forgot your what?" His voice sounded slightly caring, the low yet warm vocal range you'd come to expect.
"My...my birthday." You responded, hesitating before fully explaining it out.
And he laughed, he just, laughed. How dare he, didn't he know how important this is to you!
"I didn't forget, im sure you've seen it already. Check in front of your room door, I'm guessing you pushed it aside when you opened the door. Dumbass." His voice lighthearted, like he hadn't just almost made you just so horrible on your birthday of all days.
And so you picked yourself up as he took a sip of his drink, the steam rising far above it. Your step filled with a little more pep, because he didn't forget, he didn't forget, he didn't forget. And there it was, a little wrapped box sat pushed aside from your door, a heavy flush spreading across your cheeks after just having assumed something despite missing it yourself.
You dropped to your knees to pick the box up, shaking it sounding like something filling the tiny box out, something metallic in there as well. Your nail slides along the little tape, pulling it off of the box and finally..looking...inside....
And there it sat. A little black collar, the take shining in the morning light that reflected so perfectly into your eyes. Looking close you noticed your name burned into the tag, his name on the other half. And there you sat, just like it, your mouth slightly agape, the reality of the situation fully hitting you as a hand slides around your throat, breath heavy against your ear from behind.
"Now, why don't we help you get that on, dear puppy~"