You Were, and Always Are, Mine.

"Come here, pet. I want you to see something."

Whumpee's chin lifted off the floor slowly- in harsh anticipation. They were never pleased when Whumper wanted to show them something.

"Hurry, now. You know I have little patience."

Yes, they did know. Whumpee simply tried forgetting the fact of impatience as they also tried forgetting their own existence in such a sad life.

The pet crawled toward Whumper's desk, falling onto their rear as they approached the chair.

"Up," Whumper said. "On my lap."

Whumpee obeyed, standing with a hunch as they settled themselves on their captor's lap.

Three orbs sat atop the desk, glowing just enough that Whumpee felt the need to squint.

Whumper pointed to the furthest left orb. "Past," they said, then pointed to the centre orb. "Present." Finally pointing to the third, Whumper said, "Future."

Nodding with understanding, Whumpee shifted, reaching toward the orb in the centre. It brightened at their touch, causing them to flinch back into Whumper's chest.

"You see yourself, yeah? All tucked into me?" Whumper's chest bounced for a moment before they instructed Whumpee to touch the 'past' orb.

The past orb showed Whumpee when they were first found by their captor. Whumpee didn't need a reminder of that time. They nestled further into Whumper's chest- almost seeking comfort. "Other one," Whumpee murmured.

Usually, they'd have been berated for speaking. 'Pets don't speak,' Whumper would have reminded, but not this time- thankfully.

"You want to see your future?"

Not particularly, but it must look better than...than the past and present. "Do you already know what the future holds for me?" Whumpee's voice was raspy from having spoken so little.

"Don't answer a question with a question."

Whumpee nodded in acknowledgement. "I want to see."

Whumper leaned forward, bringing Whumpee along with as they touched the last orb. As with the others, Whumpee's form appeared within the glowing glass.

Staring for some time, Whumpee finally whispered, "But- but it's the same as the present. It's the same." They didn't understand. Had Whumper made a mistake? Grabbed the wrong orb?

"Your future is the same as this moment," Whumper explained, wrapping their arms around their pet and taking in a big whiff of their hair. "You were," they breathed, "and always are, mine. Always, you hear me?"