Dog Days Are Beginning -

Note: The events in this story are purely fantasy. In real life, please show respect and practice safe and consensual sex.

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Chapter 9: Home

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Steve was back home with Mark. The place looked the same. Exactly as he had left it, but he knew he was different, and his relationship with Mark was changed. He was now a certified sub, owned by Mark. He was his husband's property, and everything that had once been his was now Mark's.

Steve knew all of this, which made it even more confusing as he readjusted to his old life. The things he had learned during the training were ingrained in his brain. He hesitated to make any decisions, expecting Mark to tell him what to do. When Mark threw himself on the couch, Steve stood still, believing he hadn't any permission to sit with him. The first few times, Mark just stared at his husband, wondering what he was doing. It took some coaxing, but eventually Steve became comfortable with sitting on furniture of his own volition again.

Steve was confused when it came to eating or drinking. He didn't go for snacks or a glass of water, his body had adjusted to the morning and evening meals of sub chow he had gotten in the training facility. It was strange for him that he could eat whenever he liked or eat proper food again.

When it came to sleeping, Steve had expected to be sleeping on the floor beside the bed, thinking that was all he deserved. Mark had to almost drag him into their warm, comfy bed. The soft bed and blankets were foreign to Steve compared to the cold mattresses he had been sleeping on all week. And he taken aback by the feeling of a warm shower and a nice toilet that he could use whenever he wanted.

Steve struggled with his interactions with Mark too. He kept calling him "Sir" and acting obedient and overly respectful. It had made Mark laugh the first few times, but eventually he had to get Steve to stop with the seriousness and formalities. Gradually, they adjusted back to how they had been, comfortable with each other and behaving as equals.

It was a lot for Mark having his husband back home. He was overjoyed to be reunited with him but he hadn't expected this much change in Steve. Mark thought Steve was behaving like someone suffering from PTSD; he was hesitant of making any decisions and having any sense of agency. It worried him at first. He just wanted them to go back to how they were. He had talked to Steve about what he had been through the past week. Some it seemed laughed it was so unbelievable, but there were things Steve told him that made his stomach turn, he almost wanted to go lie down by himself it was so hard to hear. But he knew Steve needed his support. He made an effort to hug him whenever he could and make sure he knew that all that was behind him.

Sure, Mark had accepted that Steve had had to get his sub accreditation for the internship programme, but it was purely administrative for him. He had no desire to become a bossy dominant owner who used his sub as a servant. He was just happy that Steve was back home and he wanted life with his husband to return to normality. He didn't even question the idea of Steve wearing his own clothes again, sitting on furniture, sleeping in bed, watching TV, being able to eat whenever he liked. But Steve had been struggling with all those things he had taken for granted as part of the life of a normal person. Mark had had to almost debrief Steve from the week of training he had been through. It was exhausting. He hadn't expected this level of work in terms of providing emotional support, guiding Steve through his confusion, and helping him readjust to his life.

Gradually, things were getting back to normal as the days went on. Steve had a week between the end of training and the start of the internship programme at work. The completion of the training meant an automatic acceptance into the programme, so the two men were delighted that things were looking up for Steve. He finally had a work placement and he could see the beginning of his career path in front of him.

Steve was mostly back to normal. He still had some hesitancy with making his own decisions, sometimes turning to Mark for reassurance or permission to do things, but he was catching himself, remembering that it was ok, he could do things on his own without the permission of Mark. Sure, Mark was technically his owner, but he knew his husband didn't care for any of that Dom/sub dynamic. It was all paperwork for him. He had agreed to the arrangements so Steve could get his foot in the door, and have a head start in the beginning of his career. He knew his husband was just happy they could be together again and things were working out for his career.

"How are you feeling about?" Mark asked. He and Steve were wrapped up in each other's arms on the couch watching a film.

"Excited. I can't wait to just get started and actually make use of my degree," Steve laughed. The internship programme started tomorrow. He had his induction in the morning. "A bit nervous as well though."

"Ah, that's normal. You'll be ok. They usually just have all the interns meet each, tell you a bit about the company, and then start with some light tasks and duties, nothing too crazy. You'll be learning on the job, so don't worry."

"And how do the treat the interns since, you know, technically we're subs."

"It's all administrative really. Just a title. You're basically just assistants there to do some of the grunt work: getting coffee, photo-copying, running errands, that kind of stuff. Eventually, you'll get to do some more interesting things once you prove yourself. But, no, it won't be anything like what you went through with your training. You're subs in terms of your salaries, but that's about it."

"Phew. I can handle that," Steve smiled, laying his head on his husband's chest.

"You'll be great. So proud of you," Mark kissed his husband on the forehead as they relaxed for the evening.