Charles was lying on his bed starring up at the ceiling. He was allowing himself to debate his decision one last time.

"Charlie?"

Charles leaned up on his elbows and took in the boy who was standing shyly at the open door to the bedroom. It only took one glance at the boy who had become the centre of Charles' life for Charles to know he'd made the right decision.

"Come in love." Charles said gently knowing that Jeremiah was nervous. "Come on." Charles said beckoning the boy further into the room by holding out his hand.

Jeremiah walked into the room and stopped when he stood beside the bed. He reached out and took Charles' hand allowing himself to be pulled onto the bed until he was lying on his side face to face with Charles.

"There's no reason to be nervous 'Miah. You've been in my room and on my bed many times, this time is no different."

"No Charlie, this time is different. I'm eighteen now, it's all different." Jeremiah said quietly.

"No love, it's not. You're still you and I'm still me and I love you very much."

"You do?" Jeremiah asked, his voice full of wonder, "You love me?"

"I do." Charles said leaning down and pressing a chaste kiss to Jeremiah's lips. "I love you very much. Do you love me?"

"Oh Charlie, of course I do. I love you Charlie, I love you." Jeremiah said moving quickly so that he was on top of Charlie who was now lying on his back.

Charlie laughed as Jeremiah scattered kisses all over his face. Charlie gently pushed Jeremiah off of him and sat up. "I'm glad you do 'Miah because I have one last present for you. Come, sit here." Charles said directing Jeremiah until he was sitting cross-legged in front of him.

Charles reached over and pulled a small box out of the bedside table. "I have one question before I can give you this 'Miah. It's a really important question so I want you to think carefully before you answer me." Charles reached up and cupped Jeremiah's cheek in his hand, "Jeremiah, do you love me enough to belong to me and only me?"

Charles knew from the expression on Jeremiah's face that Jeremiah realized what Charles was asking and was glad to see Jeremiah actually think about it instead of saying yes right away. Charles was offering Jeremiah everything he'd asked for three years ago and Charles was glad to see that Jeremiah had grown enough to think over his decision before giving his answer. Charles let Jeremiah have as much time as he needed and a long moment passed before Jeremiah's face cleared and he smiled.

"Charlie, do you really mean it?"

"Yes 'Miah I do so think it over carefully. If you answer yes, there is no going back. I will give you everything you ever need or want, including all of my love but you will be mine and only mine until the end. There will be no others, no leaving me, no asking me to leave. You will be getting what you've been asking me for since the night we met but you need to make sure this is really what you want. If you say yes, you're asking me to own you – you'll be letting me be the one to make the decisions in your life, to tell you what to do, when to do it and how to do it. I'll have the last say on everything. You can argue back and let me know what you think but if I say a decision is final, that's it, there's nothing you can do but obey. If you want to go out or make new friends, get a new job or move to another town, if you want to cut your hair or change the style of clothes you wear, learn to do something new or go on a vacation, anything and everything will be my decision now. Your life will no longer be yours to live. You will belong to me body, heart, mind and soul. So I'll ask you one more time. 'Miah, will you belong to me, and only me?"

Jeremiah closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Opening his eyes, he looked directly into Charles' eyes. "Yes Charlie, I want to belong to you and only you."

Charles smiled at Jeremiah and leaned forward to give him a kiss. He pulled away before the kiss could deepen too much. Charles opened the box on his lap as Jeremiah watched with curiosity. Charles gently pulled a collar out of the box. The colour was black leather with small wings in silver on one side of the buckle. The back of the collar was lined with light grey velvet. It was obvious to Jeremiah that the collar had been specially made for him.

Charles gently lifted Jeremiah's chin and clasped the collar around Jeremiah's throat, making sure it wasn't too tight. Leaning back, Charles took his time looking over Jeremiah, seeing how he looked in the collar.

Noticing the tears welling in Jeremiah's eyes, Charles reached into the box and pulled out a small wing pendant. "You have one last chance to change your mind 'Miah. If you say no now, I will understand. You won't hurt my feelings and we'll still be together like we have been." Charles watched Jeremiah carefully until Jeremiah smiled and shook his head. "Ok 'Miah, if you're sure." Jeremiah nodded solemnly. "This is a lock 'Miah. Once I put it on, there's no going back. You won't be able to take the collar off without the key which I will have on me at all times. No one will be able to remove the collar except me. Would you like me to lock your collar 'Miah?"

Charles watched Jeremiah swallow thickly before opening his mouth. At first nothing came out but a squeak. Jeremiah cleared his throat and tried again. "Please Charlie."

Charles snapped the lock in place and adjusted the collar so that the buckle was to the side and the silver wings were displayed in the front. Reaching out to Jeremiah, Charles drew the boy forward and under him. Charles leaned down and kissed Jeremiah deeply. Breaking the kiss, Charles let his hands run over the boy beneath him, pulling of his clothes. "Happy Birthday Poppet."