It had only been a day since Charles and Rowan had returned from their Rodeo Drive excursion, but he already missed her terribly. The master headed back to his cabin feeling conflicted, and he found himself waiting for his thoughts to drift elsewhere, but of course they remained lodged in his mind. He felt guilty because he wanted her so badly, but hadn’t even met the pet who he was supposed to claim. What if she needed someone too? He considered the fact that she was especially chosen for him, so for all he knew she might make an incredible match as well. Should he hold out for this practically imaginary woman, or let himself develop even deeper feelings for the one right in front of him?
A trip to the library at daybreak shed some light on the dilemma, and the few people who he met there offered some sound advice, and they basically confirmed what Charles had already intended to do. The man had spent the entirety of that day rushing around and getting everything in order, before finally deciding to take the plunge and make his way to Rowan’s dorm. He ascended the stairs once more, and they were far more familiar to him this time. He felt like they were right back where they started, except instead of sunflowers Charles held a few dozen crimson roses, and instead of a weekend he planned to offer her an infinite amount of time together. Gently knocking her door, he held his breath, hardly waiting for it to open before saying his piece.
“Hey…” he started as he let out a heavy sigh, unsure if he could go on, but knowing deep down how badly he wanted to. “I know it hasn’t been very long, but these last two days have probably been the best of my life. I missed you so fucking much, and I can’t get you out of my head. I know they suggested that I claim someone else, but I just don’t care about that anymore. I just want you, and I don’t think I could take another minute alone in my cabin. I guess I’m just asking if you want to come be with me.” An incredible weight seemed to leap off of his shoulders as he spoke, and he made sure to gaze into her eyes as he finished what he had to say, a look of almost desperation sweeping over his features. “Please be with me.”
IT HADN’T EVEN BEEN that long since they parted ways so rowan doesn’t expect to miss him. she expects to think about him -- if for no other reason than the fact that she now has an actual wardrobe of clothing options and can’t help but let charles cross her mind as she’s picking out her outfit for the day -- but she doesn’t expect to miss him. which would be why the sensation comes as a surprise, prickling in the undercurrent of her depth of feeling. rowan lets it fester instead of ridding herself of the burden; she allows pleasant memories to flicker into her mind’s eye instead of stamping them out. each passing though is met with a slight bitterness because surely she’s the only one harboring these feelings. she’s a pet to him and not even the only one -- he has his assigned pet and the other weekend winner.
rowan’s back in her room after having talked with a few other pets about their masters. one had sounded like her charles -- kind, willing to take it slow. she’s sure that he’d be the most accommodating dominant here, if that’s even something he’s into. maybe his kink is an emotionally fulfilling relationship -- rowan and her kink-dodging way around bates were in no position to judge. despite the grounds not being infinite, she doesn’t actually expect to run into charles again. different circles and different positions of power should keep them apart. therefore, he’s not the first guess she has when there’s a knock on her door and she doesn’t even bother to try and pretty herself up for who she assumes to be a routine guard.
her breath stutters out at the sight of him, stood in her doorway in all his debonair char and with a dozen roses in his hands. “hey,” she returns with an airy giggle but, after that, she simply lets him speak. rowan’s not certain she’d have been able to say anything anyways, she’s so stunned into silence. her cheeks flare up in a dark blush and she feels an excited jittering in her stomach at what he’s saying. “so you felt it too,” she murmurs out loud, not even meaning to speak her thoughts. her slender arms accept the flowers to her chest, holding them affectionately. the girl is so surprised that she nearly forgets to answer and only just barely nods before getting her mouth to cooperate. “i... i think i’d really like that,” she whispers softly, a smile blooming on her lips. “and you’re very sure? you want me out of all the pets you could have? you’re -- i think you’re very special, charles, and i want the person you’re with to be everything you could have wanted and then some.” rowan hardly ever feels timid but in this moment, she can barely feel anything else.