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Leaving the veterinarian clinic had been much harder than he thought. That job had become the one continuously stable thing in his life. Many people came and left, his siblings coming and going just as they did... And it was hard to break away from one of is biggest sisters; their parting leaving a surprisingly large hole in his heart.

But this time, she wasn't gone forever. No, she was right down the road, and that was just a little bit of relief for him. It was just enough that he could move onto the next job with a smile on his face.

And smile he did. It became quite clear that December wasn't just good at his job at the bakery, he was excellent. Cleaning, customers, baking, cooking, all of it he seemed pretty outstanding at, even more so when he was left to his own devices to do things. Sure, he was a bit small compared to alot of the other staff, but he moved with a surprising amount of deftness, clear that he had plenty of experience in the kitchen.

The whole cute theme of the Bakery only had him work all the more harder as he wanted to do his best to uphold the image there they had. He even pushed for a few 'silly' days, where he'd come in with cute headbands with bear ears to wear and shyly handed out to everyone who wanted to wear them. Snuggles, of course, didn't have to wear one, but he did manage to find some really cute material to make her a onsie that maybe Bear would let her wear.

It was a bit too warm to suggest that just yet, so for now he was simply hanging about the kitchen, decorating a pick up order of curry buns with little sesame seed faces and packing it up to give to a server up front. Just as he was wrapping up, turning a corner to pass along the order, he heard the voice of his manager, and the owner.

The conversation seemed private... But even he felt for his Boss... How many times now had he been stood up or ghosted since he worked here? Bear was very clearly a catch! Sweet, gentle, owned his own business and kept it running in this god-forsaken city. How could they---

As the conversation went on, and his name came up, December's gaze grew a little dark.

Oh.. Now it made sense... Maybe it wasn't just a dating site, but one of those looking for company sites. And he was looking for someone like him? Parts of the conversation didn't quite reach him as his wandering mind took over with negative thoughts. Could he lose his job over this? No, Bear wasn't like that at all. But maybe it could be more secure if he gave the man what he seemed to crave. And ultimately, he didn't mind using his body to stay safe. It happened all the time before in the Negaverse, now it would happen in the real world, and nothing that could happen here would ever hurt as badly back then.

But when to bring it up? Alissa was still there, and he couldn't just burst in saying he'd let Bear do what he craved to him! Before he could even think too much about it, he heard his name called by the cashier up front, and he scurried not-too quietly away with the order, knocking over a broom and barely getting it back up before disappearing around a corner.

That rumbling, prodding thought in the back of his mind just didn't seem to let December go. He kept glancing towards the back, watching as Miss Alyissa came out. That meant that Bear was by himself now, right? And his own items were in the oven, just waiting for a beep to let him know they were done.

After making sure he could step away for a moment, he disappeared into the back, to where Bear was.

... To his own surprise, it didn't seem to phase him at all seeing Bear now, after hearing what he wanted. If anything, it was relieving that he still looked as kind in his eyes as he did before. Nothing had changed except for the knowledge that his boss wanted him.

"Excuse me, Bear, do you have a moment? Could we maybe talk alone? I heard something and I wanted to share my thoughts with you..." He gently called out, trying to seem as calm and as willing as he had been before. Sure, things between them were lax and peaceful, but he didn't want to simply seem like he would change out of nowhere just because he gave his boss what he wanted.

His body was a tool to be used, after all. And if it bought him a bit more time in this wonderful place, he was more than willing to late it down.

December had half the thought that Bear was about to squat down to hear him, as if he were about to whisper to a child. In a way, that thought too made him smile, and he nodded. Atleast this was going to be simple.

Once the custard was taken care of, December lightly took Bear's hand in his own, and tugged him towards the office. The first few steps came easily enough, but then he became highly aware of just how big Bear's hand was in his own. How light his touch...

Bit by bit, his nerves began to shake his resolve. And by the time he reached the door and closed it behind them both, he could feel his confidence shot.

"I.. I uh.. I-I heard what you.. You and Miss Alyssa were talking about..." He started softly, letting go of Bear's hand and holding onto one arm infront of him. His fists clenched and unclenched in thought as the thought of that pure, unbridled rejection and dismissal seemed to be the conclusion his mind started on.

"If you really want to sleep with me, I.. I don't mind... Really, I don't... I'm happy to, I just... I'll still keep my job, right...?"

Had December any shame at all, he'd find the conversation absolutely mortifying. Even more so with the way that Bear vehemently denied and rejected him. Yet December only seemed to blink up at him, confused. So he just patiently listened and tried to understand just exactly what Bear wanted.

And then he seemed even more confused than before.

"... Does one need a type if they want to have a friend? I would have thought that friendship didn't rely on someone's looks." If Bear was someone that focused on appearances of companionship, no wonder he was stood up. That seemed so terribly cruel of him, and December's own gaze seemed to fall to the ground in disappointment.

"So... If not for sex, only for friendship, and I fit the aesthetic, does that mean I'm the only one suitable here to be your friend? What of Miss Alyssa and the others? Aren't we all friends? Oh, but it's the cuddling part that's difficult, isn't it? I can do that too. If it helps you out in any way, and keeps you happy and me here by your side, then I'll do it."

"You really do make it sound really complicated, but that's okay. People are complicated. We have lots of thoughts going through our heads all at once, but that doesn't make us bad people." It was the acting on those bad thoughts that made all the difference. Bear here was in no way a bad person. Especially not how he seemed almost overwhelmed by his own feelings, to the point where he had to sit down!

"... I'm not that bright, Bear..." He softly started again, a bit more ashamed of that than he'd like to admit. High School was never finished, and one could say he only had an inkling of street smarts. What he did have though was a strange amount of compassion and patience, what he wished was given to him before.

"I get that you don't really want to do anything I don't want to do. But what is it that you do want from me? I believe you when you say my job is safe, and.. And I know you're very sweet and kind and generous with me... So what I'm offering isn't just for my job it's... What can I do to make you keep smiling? If you're attracted to me, and I fall into that category of people you really like, I... I'd like to try then, if you'd want..."

"I don't understand why you think I should though... It's always been this way. If you're happy, you'll keep me around. If you're not, then, what good am I?" His voice almost trembled at that, as if repeating a mantra he had thought he had broken free of.

No, he gently reminded himself, Bear wasn't like them. He was good. He could only be good. So if he said something, surely he must have meant it? After all of these months, why would his tune change? Thinking on it more and more simply made his head ache and his ears ring. So he gently nodded, trying to take those words to heart. What did he even want? Had anyone ever asked him before? Had anyone tried to get to know him that way and not make demands?

Being put on the spot like that made his stomach twist and turn in knots...

Pleading and pushing a topic never did December very well at all. More often than not, it led to rougher treatment, with his once superiors telling him "if you can still speak, you've not been punished enough." So he simply nodded when Bear made the suggestion to shelf it for now.

"I understand. I don't... I think we can do that without any problems... I'm not feeling too well, Bear... I'm sorry, but can I go home early today?" After speaking of all of that, he was stressed, and craved nothing more than to just hide under his blankets and process just what was going on. One evening, just one and he was certain he'd be okay again.

"If not, I can keep working, it's fine..."

Those words... Those kind, sweet words... It made him want to wretch, to reject the very idea that something could be true. His cheeks burned hot, both finally feeling that embarrassment from the reassurance and from how warm Bear still was after all of this.

Before he would leave, he'd pause, biting his lip as he fought with a decision that had gotten him in trouble before. Showing emotions and appearing weak always led to the worst possible outcome. Yet he just didn't want to stop.

He took a careful step forward and wrapped his arms as best he could around the much larger man, resting his head against his belly and breathing in a deep, tired breath.

"I'll be back soon, I promise. I... I'm not running away, I'm just gonna rest for a little bit. You have my phone number, you can always call me later, I'll answer."