Uhm...yes?!

So... I'm sorry to say that this is a very sappy, feely kind of chapter. Don't worry, the pace should pick up soon and more steamy stuff is on the horizon, but I do want to make this mainly character-driven and not just shallow sex enactments.

If you have any ideas on what new rules should come with level 2 of their trial period, feel free to post them in the comments or visit my discord (https://discord.gg/kEK7rCsxXH). There, you can also find AI pictures that approximate Emi's outfit in this chapter.

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"How could I say no to that?", Michael answered to the insane request. What else could he possibly answer after all?

"Thanks!", she chirped before digging into her food. He once again wondered just how she had ended up with him. Sure, there were a lot of assholes, but he wasn't that special. Emi on the other hand... he could picture the lineup of guys wanting her.

"Ah, is it alright if I put on some clothes, though? I'm getting a little cold.", Emi asked a few minutes later, having almost finished her plate.

"Of course!", he replied, before remembering that he was supposed to decide what she'd wear. "Do you have anything warm, yet sexy?" She chuckled in response.

"I think I've got something you will approve of."

A few minutes later, he had to agree. He was filling the dishwasher when Emi stepped out of her bedroom. She wore a large, wine-red, knitted sweater that reached down to her knees. It was sleeveless and showed some of her perky side-boob. Attached with ribbons were wide sleeves made from the same material.

The outfit was loosely fit, but somehow cut in just the right way to flatter Emi's gentle curves. The color also wonderfully complimented her collar, hair and bushy tail that peaked out beneath its hem.

"Cat got your tongue?", she teased, seeing his stunned expression.

"It got my whole brain along with my tongue.", Michael replied with a shake of his head. "You look absolutely stunning, Emi."

Her demeanor turned a little bashful. Her tail wagged in leisurely, happy swings as she came closer and hugged him.

"Thank you, Michael.", her neck craned up, and he leaned down into a deep kiss. Her lips were soft and warm, just like the feelings enveloping him. This, he decided, was better. He'd happily drop everything else, as long as this remained.

"I...", he started, but the words stuck in his throat. "You are incredible. I am so thankful that you gave this a chance.", it wasn't quite all he wanted to convey. But it would do for now.

Emi snuggled herself more into him and shook her head.

"I am the thankful one. I've wanted this for so long, but never felt safe enough. You... feel safe. There are no words for how glad I am that you turned out to be just the person I believed you to be." There was a long pause in which neither said anything.

"If you ever feel like this pet stuff is too much...", Emi muttered quietly, her ears flattened. There was a vulnerability in her voice that Michael hadn't heard from her before. He wanted to cut in, but let her continue.

"I would be fine if you just wanted to date normally.", she finished. Michael just shook his head quietly.

"I wouldn't be dating you then, though.", he hesitated for a moment, ordering the words in his head. "I'm not the most experienced, as you might have noticed.", he grinned and got a small smile from her as well.

"... so I might struggle to perform as a proper master.", protest was about to leave Emi's lips but he continued on. "Still, that doesn't mean that I don't enjoy it. I mean, how could I not when I enjoy spending time with you and you have such fun ideas on how to spend it?", the emphasis on 'fun' managed to draw an amused snort from her.

"And while I don't know you as well as I would like to, yet. I know that you want this. You might be willing to give up your goals and ideas of being a pet, but in the end? You will always want to at least try living out your dreams for a while.

And I would very much like to live them out with you.

So there is no reason not to finish our month-long trial and figure out what feels comfortable for both of us."

There was pregnant silence for a while. Emi pressed her face into his chest, her arms remaining wrapped around his waist, irremovable and solid like steel. He felt a little winded. Sincerity and open communication tended to take a lot out of him. After a while, he started caressing her back before bowing down and lifting her by the ass.

A quick yip later, he carried her towards the couch again.

"Let's take stock of our first two days of level one.", he declared with a smile, even as Emi stared with a surprised expression. Setting her down on the couch, he plopped down next to her and patted his knee. She hesitated for a moment before resting her head on his thigh and receiving the head pats he thought she deserved. By the sound of her purring, she thought so too.

"Do you want to go to level two?", there was some hesitation in her voice that told him she didn't. He shook his head.

"I'd like to talk about everything we liked or disliked until now. If you want to continue afterwards, that's your call." His answer seemed to satisfy her as indicated by her tail curling around his waist.

"I'm thoroughly satisfied.", she stated before grinning. "Especially right now. You are good at this, you know?" He chuckled in response.

"At patting your head?"

She shook her head. "At this gentle sort of interaction. You feel awkward when you have to play the hard, dominant master, I've noticed, and it's to be expected. If you didn't, I'd honestly be concerned.

But this more casual, cuddly, soft stuff?", her head turned and their eyes met.

"I think it makes me fall in love with you.", he felt himself melt at the tenderness in her eyes. For a moment, he wanted to speak. To agree with her and communicate his feelings, but Emi continued. He'd been open enough for a single day anyway.

"Anyway, aside from all that disgustingly sweet stuff. I really want to play this out a little longer. There might be some stuff, I'd maybe like to go further with-", she averted her eyes with a blush.

"Some more rules for me, for example...", she muttered, before regaining her confidence. "-But I'd honestly say that right now I feel very comfortable with what we have.

How about you?"

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Once again, if you have any ideas on what new rules should come with level 2 of their trial period, feel free to post them in the comments or visit my discord (https://discord.gg/kEK7rCsxXH). There, you can also find AI pictures that approximate Emi's outfit in this chapter.