Chapter Text
>"Next!"
>the rabbit woman glances up from her computer to the line you're currently standing at the front of
>you step forward, and she regards you through the window of plexiglass with administrative indifference
>"Name and ID number?"
>you remain silent
>the rabbit sighs and taps the button attached to the base of a small speaker coming out of her desk
>"Security to the civil unity desk please."
>the tramping of heavy footsteps against cheap tile announce the presence of the mean looking gray wolf that had been reclining in a chair at the back of the nondescript administrative office
>the rabbit looks at her with the same uncaring eyes that she looked at you
>"Please ensure compliance with state inquiries."
>the wolfess grins and clamps a heavy paw on your shoulder
>"With pleasure."
>the rabbit looks back to you and repeats her question
>"Name and ID number. Please."
>you feel claws dig into your shoulder, the threat of them enough to compel you to answer
"Anon Nemo. ID two-seven-six-A-four-two."
>the rabbit woman taps your information into her computer and starts reading
>"Let's see. Three charges of public disharmony, slanderous speech against the state, and two attempts at evading civil union."
>the wolfess snarls in your ear at that
>"Have to learn your place, human. I'd love to give that lesson."
>she digs her claws into your shoulder, and you tug away from her in a fruitless attempt to escape the pain
>the rabbit catches both your attention with a short cough, however
>"I think that will be all, security. You may return to your desk, thank you."
>the wolf gives the rabbit a dark scowl before releasing your shoulder and stalking back to her desk
>the rabbit, meanwhile continues typing away at her computer
>"No violent incidents however. Not even a playground scuffle. Anything you'd like to say on your behalf?"
>once again you remain silent
>the rabbit sighs, and makes a final few strokes of the keyboard
>a printer somewhere beneath her desk rattles to life
>letting it run to completion, the rabbit collects a stack of forms from under the desk and drops them in front of you
>"You've been assigned to Shelby Winn."
>she stamps the top most form, leaving a cherry red "MARRIED" across it
>"I now declare you man and wife. Please proceed to waiting room 4-D so you can be collected. Congratulations, Mister Winn."
>you stare sullenly at the paperwork, taking it up and shuffling aside from the desk
>"Next!"
>another security guard, this one a water buffalo that made the she-wolf look small and cuddly, escorts you to a hallway lined with identical doors that are only differentiated by a numbering scheme on each on
>you march up the hall to your assigned room, doing your best to ignore the sound of shaking furniture and moans coming from behind behind of the other doors
>the waiting room is more than you expected it to be
>a couch big enough for two takes up the back wall, along with a chair and a small coffee table with a vase of fake flowers on it
>"Get in there!"
>the water buffalo shoves you into the room none too gently, and slams the door shut behind you
>you try the door knob and find it locked
>nothing to do but wait
>and worry
>you know the stories
>what happens to men with records
>the kind of animals they get handed off to
>chain you to a bed, crush your pelvis to dust, bite and claw you to shreds
>you'll be nothing but a legal slave to be wrung out
>nowhere to go
>no escape this time
>you drop the papers on the coffee table and curl up on the couch to await the inevitable
>the inevitable doesn't take very long
>only a short while after you laid down, someone knocked on the door to announce themselves
>"Hello?"
>a soft voice comes from the door as its owner cracks it open
>"Are you Anon?"
>you pick your head up to see the anthro peering into the room is a far sight from the savage predator you were expecting
>instead it's a dainty looking canine woman wearing a pleasant sundress
>"Wow!"
>she steps into the room, leaving the door open behind her
>"Gosh you're even cuter than I thought you'd be! I'm Shelby!"
>she crosses to the couch, her long tail swishing side to side
>"Do you mind if I sit next to you?"
>you glance up at her, then toward the open door
>even if she doesn't appear to be what you feared in a government assigned wife, appearances can be deceiving
>you sit up and make room, just in case
>"Thank you dear!"
>Shelby sweeps her dress out and drops onto the couch next to you, giving you a beaming smile
>"You're awful quiet hon, but that's okay. I know this must be a big adjustment."
>she reaches out toward you, but when you flinch away she hesitates
>"I'm not going to hurt you, Anon. I'll give you space if you like, but I'd really like to be close with you soon, okay?"
>you just stare at her, trying to see past her caring tone and kind eyes to find any malice that may lay hidden underneath
>for now she's seems wholly genuine
>"How about just your hand to start?"
>Shelby drops her paw to the couch next to you, holding it open and waiting for you
>there can't be any harm in it, right?
>you stretch out your hand toward hers
>when you hesitate just before making contact, the shepherd woman finishes the job for you, intertwining her hand with yours in a quick motion
>"Aha! I've got you!"
>she beams once again, squeezing your hand gently
>her paws are warm and soft
>you and Shelby sit in silence for a while
>you keep your eyes down, but you can feel her eyes on you
>"Oh! What happened to your shoulder, Anon?"
>glancing up, you see her peering close, and you follow her gaze to a row of holes in the shoulder of your shirt
"It's nothing."
>you attempt to deflect and pull away from her, but she grips your hand
>and her other hand comes up to grab the shoulder to draw you closer
>you hiss as the paw on your shoulder aggravates where the she-wolf had squeezed you
>Shelby's eyes narrow, though she lifts her hand from your shoulder
>"You're hurt Anon. Who did it to you? Was it someone here?"
>her demeanor has changed
>gone is the sweet shepherd dog that coaxed you into holding hands
>now she has you fixed with an intense stare, and refuses to let you shrink away from her questioning
>you should have seen it coming, of course
>too good to be true
>"Anon! Look at me!"
>Shelby jolts you out of your downward spiral
>you look her in the eye, worried that you might invite some sort of reprisal from the suddenly intense woman
>"If you tell me who did this, I can make sure it doesn't happen again. To you or other humans."
>you shake your head
"Please, it wasn't even that bad. It's not important."
>you had gotten rougher treatment in the past, of course
>a little pinch was nothing
>Shelby growls
>then cuts it off by snapping her jaw shut
>"It is important. I'm sorry to do this Anon, but it's for your own good."
>she presses her snout to your shoulder, taking a deep whiff
>"Bovine, definitely not. Canine? It was a canine?"
>you finally nod in affirmation
"A wolf. She was in the assignment office. Security."
>Shelby pulls back
>her face has become a mask of cold stone
>”Come with me, Anon.”
>Shelby stands, tugging you by your hand to stand with her
>you want to protest, but she seems to have made up her mind
>Shelby pulls you out of the room
>she marches you down the hall back to the office where you were first assigned to her
>and throws open the door
>"You!"
>she points at the she-wolf at the security desk
>everyone in the office stares
>the bunny at the assignment desk
>the line of humans still awaiting their fates
>the water buffalo guard who had been behind the door
>you wish you could disappear from sight, avoid the wrath of the wolfess who was starting to bare her teeth as she stood to address Shelby
>"Look lady! If you have a problem with your husband, you take it to--"
>Shelby cuts her off with a bark that forces you to flinch
>"Quiet! Do you see what you did to my husband?"
>you're dragged along by your hand to the looming mass of muscle and fur in a beige security uniform
>"You put your wretched paws on him and hurt him!"
>the wolf snarls and bares her claws
>"What are you going to do about it bitch? If you don't take your sorry ass out of this office now, I will drop you and give your precious humie a few new marks."
>she snaps her jaws to emphasize her point
>Shelby scoffs and flashes a badge in the wolf's face
>where was she keeping that?
>you don't get a good look at what it says, but whatever it is, it stupefies the wolf into stunned silence
>"Let me make this clear."
>Shelby's voice is calm and cold
>"I will bury you. If you so much as scuff a human's toe, I will make sure you and everyone in this office loses husband rights. You won't get approval for a body pillow."
>Shelby flicks her gaze to the bunny, who finally had an expression other than bored indifference
>abject terror
>"Expect a full audit of your department."
>Shelby turns on her heel to depart and pulls you along with her
>once you're out of the office and in the hallway, Shelby lets out a deep sigh and deflates
>"I'm sorry we had to do that, Anon."
>Shelby finally lets go of your hand
>you had gotten used to the feeling
>"But I'm proud of you for telling me the truth, Anon. It was very brave!"
>she smiles again, and is back to her cheerful self, if a little more sedated
>you consider asking what exactly had happened there, and what that badge she had was
>but that may set her off again
>and she's started wagging her tail again as she started talking about plans for the day
>"...we'll have to stop somewhere for dinner, I don't really have the free time to cook. Is there anything in particular you like?"
>you consider your options as you follow her down the drab hallway toward the main entrance
>usually you just ate pre-made meals at home
>Shelby holds the door and you step out into the light of the city street
>a harsh blast of cold wind greets you as you step onto the cracked asphalt of the sidewalk
>Shelby is right behind you, laughing
>"Whoo! Lovely weather today, huh Anon? Don't worry, I parked close."
>she ushers you along toward the alley, where a small car sits
>the height of luxury nowadays
>once you're settled into the passenger seat, she leans across you and draws a seatbelt across you to buckle you in
>her tail wags when she drapes her body over you to do it
>"There! Nice and safe. Let's hit the road!"
>she takes off, driving toward the heart of the city at a steady clip
>you watch the dilapidated buildings roll by out the window, turning more upscale as you get closer and closer to the city center
>long before you reach downtown, however, Shelby turns off the highway and into a residential neighborhood
>it's still far better than your old place
>you wonder what's going to happen to it now that it's been seized
>the car pulls over to a side street
>"Anon?"
>you look away from the window and over to Shelby, who fidgets pensively
>"There's something I wanted to give you when we finally met. I left it in the glove compartment in case...well, why don’t you just have a look?"
>following her directing finger, you open the glove compartment and pull out a small box with a hinged top that fits in the palm of your hand
>"I read it was a human tradition. I figured it might make things feel more right for you."
>you flip open the top of the box, and inside is a ring
>it's a simple band of silver, unadorned save for fine lettering on the inside
>'Shelby Winn'
>"If it's not the right size, I can get it resized. Do you like it?"
>you take the ring from the box, turning it over in your hand and considering it
>then you look over to Shelby
"Do you have one? A ring for you?"
>she blinks
>then gasps
>"I'm supposed to have one too? No! I didn't even think! I thought it was supposed--like a collar--I can get one! Tonight! I want everything to be just right for you, I'll go get one tonight. Should I put your name on it?"
>Shelby babbles, and you can tell that she's starting to spiral
"Miss Winn."
>she continues to fret about getting things right
"Shel--Shelby!"
>Shelby freezes, ears perked, staring at you with big round eyes
"It's okay. I'm not upset about the ring. It was very kind of you to make the gesture. I will just wear it if you want me to."
>Shelby takes a deep breath
>then another
>and then cracks a grin
>"That's the most you've ever spoken to me, Anon. You even used my name."
>her paw snakes up and closes your fingers over the ring
>"I don't want you to wear it until you want to. Just hold onto it for me until I get one to match, okay?"
>you nod
"Okay."
>after you set the ring box back in the glove compartment, Shelby puts the car in drive and rolls on
>you sit quietly and consider the ring, turning it over and over in your hand
>"Like a collar" she had said
>a reminder
>proof
>that you were not longer your own, but hers
>you frown and look at her name inside
>she had meant it as a gift though
>something purely for your sake
>and she was unflinchingly nice
>except when she was telling off that wolf
>you shudder at the way her mood swung to cold and calculating
>you'd hate to have that malice directed at you
>whatever power she had, it was enough to scare the biggest and the toughest anthros in the room
>you guess she works for the state, and even controls whether or not women get husbands
>you regret not paying more attention when they taught civics
>Shelby taps your shoulder, breaking your train of thought
"Wha! Huh?"
>Shelby giggles at your startled reaction
>"I said, what did you want for dinner?"
>pointing out the window, you see you're parked outside a takeout place, eastern style food
>you shrug, telling her that she can decide
>"Sure thing Anon! I'll get something for both of us to try."
>she jumps out of the car and and cheerily trots off into the restaurant
>her tail swings from side to side the whole way
>and as you watch that tail sweep side to side, your eyes are drawn to her long legs
>they're shapely, toned muscle and soft black-and-white fur on full display
>that dress must get cold in weather like this
>but it fits her so well
>once she's gone back inside, you return to contemplating the ring
>though she's back in only a few minutes, carrying a plastic bag filled with steaming containers of food
>"Here you go! Hold this for me?"
>you accept the bag as she climbs back into the car
>whatever she got, it smells pretty good
"It smells amazing, Shelby. Thank you."
>you have to resist pulling out one of the boxes of food and digging in while Shelby drives
>you arrive at your destination mercifully quick
>you're so focused on the food that you forget for a moment what that destination was
>only when you step out of the car and look up at the apartment building does reality catch up with you
>Shelby steps up beside you, mimicking you by looking up at the building
>"Home sweet home, Anon."
>you continue to stare, starting to tremble a bit as the full reality of it sets in
>your home
>your new home, with your new wife
>that you were married to just a couple hours ago
>and now you have to spend the rest of your life with her
>you sigh, and shake the thoughts from your head
>the food is getting cold
>time for freaking out after you eat
>"Anon, do you--Oh!"
>Shelby was about to snap you out of yet another spiral when you stepped forward to the entrance to the building
>she hurries to get around you and hold the door
>"Here, I'm--we're on the second floor."
>once you're inside, she overtakes again, and leads the way up the slightly dingy stairwell
>she's already rattling through a key-chain by the time you join her on the second floor, unlocking the door and letting it swing open
>you're about to bring the food in when Shelby stops you with an arm across the door
>"Wait! Wait. Anon, there's something--I mean just a small thing I wanted to do. Since this is the first time we're home together. Would you mind if I carried you in?"
>you blink
>you weren't so sure about that
>Shelby was bigger than you, sure, but only by a small bit
>and you weren't sure how comfortable you were with her touching you yet
>but she had gotten you the ring
>and her eyes were wide in hopeful anticipation
>and ears were perked
>and her tail wagged
>you set down the food and nod your head
"I don't mind, Shelby. Go ahead."
>"Eee! Yes! Thank you Anon!"
>Shelby throws her arms around you in a hug, squeezing you tight
>then she shifts the hug, ducking to put her arms around your abdomen
>"Okay! Lean forward for me?"
>you do as she instructs, and with a grunt of effort, she heaves you up over her shoulder
>"Hurf! Gotcha! Okay, just gotta..."
>she carries you the two steps needed to cross the threshold into her apartment, and then drops you down onto your feet
>"Ha! Welcome home Anon!"
>her tail is somehow wagging even faster
>Shelby leans out the door to grab the takeout while you take in your surroundings
>you're in a short hallway that leads left and right from the entrance
>the left branch terminates in a closed door, with a another door along the inside wall
>the right branch leads into an open space, where you can see light from the setting sun filtering in through shaded windows
>"Here, kitchen is that way. I'll get dinner ready if you feel like looking around."
>Shelby goes down the right hall toward the open area, leaving you to consider your options
>and then your stomach rumbles and the choice is made
>you follow Shelby into her kitchen
>your kitchen too, now
>weird to think about
>it's a large open space, with the kitchen taking up one half, and a modest living room taking up the other
>Shelby's set out paper plates and arranged all the food containers on the small kitchen table
>you take one of the two chairs set at the table, and don't even wait for her to join you before you grab a plastic fork to dig in
>you ladle helpings of everything onto a plate
>steaming rice
>fried vegetables
>chicken swimming in orange sauce
>and some in spicy smelling red sauce
>Shelby starts serving herself by the time you've started eating
>after today, you have the appetite of a starved hyena, and you relish the veritable feast
>far better than the flash-frozen stuff you had subsisted on before
>Shelby sets into her own food with similar enthusiasm
>neither of you finds time to speak while inhaling your food, and it's only after you've finished and sat in content for a while did she speak
>"Good to see you enjoyed it! I'll have to remember that place."
>she starts condensing the remains of the meal into fewer containers
>"So Anon. Think you could tell me a little about yourself?"
>you had moved to start helping her, but you're caught off guard with this new line of questioning
>what should you tell her?
>she had to know your record
>but what did she know
>best to start simple
"Well. I grew up in a state home. I didn't have many friends, and I did not excel in my studies. When I turned sixteen they turned me loose and I was on my own for a while. Then when my number came up, they assigned me to you."
>you shrug
"Not much to tell, sorry."
>you had recovered your senses enough to start helping while you speak, and fill the takeout bag with all the empty containers
>Shelby shakes her head
>"I'm sure there's more to you than that. What was the home like?"
"I was fed."
>you avoid looking at her as you give a classic non-answer
"I was clothed. I received state education."
>Shelby sighs, but doesn't push the matter
>"We'll talk about you when you're comfortable. Is there anything you want to know about me?"
>that gives you pause
"Anything?"
>the dog woman nods eagerly
>"Anything at all! I'm Shelby Winn, youngest of three sisters, and runt of the litter! I work for the State, and I enjoy listening to classic punk rock."
>the final fact forces of a scoff of disbelief from you
>she definitely didn't seem the type
>"Here! I'll show you!"
>Shelby abandons her work, leaving the food on the counter by the fridge
>she runs across into the living room, and pulls out a CD player from its spot beside the couch
>"Here! Fang Face's best album, 'Animal Kingdom'!"
>with a press of the play button, the apartment fills with the sound of wailing guitars, and a hoarse voiced woman singing about the woes of society
>Shelby bangs her head along
>you can't help but laugh at the sight
>it's hard to reconcile the image of Shelby rocking out, tail swinging in time to the beat, with the terrifying State employee you saw earlier
>you let her enjoy the moment as you finish the cleaning up
>the kitchen is immaculate
>not a surface on it has any evidence of food ever being made there
>after you deposit the empty containers in the trash, you set the leftovers in the refrigerator
>it's equally sparse, a half-full quart of milk, and a carton of eggs that have expired
>how does she live like this?
>you feel a hand on your shoulder
>"You didn't have to do that for me Anon! I wanted you to feel welcome, you shouldn't be doing work like that."
>but you're already done
>and it wasn't really any trouble
"You bought dinner. It was the least I could do."
>Shelby leans in and kisses your cheek before you can react
>"Thanks Anon. You're a sweetheart."
>your face burns
>she had caught you off guard with that
>certainly wasn't fair of her
>Shelby's gone back to the living room and put away her CD player by the time you recover your wits
>"Alright Anon, I've made up the couch for you. I hope it's comfortable enough for you."
>sure enough, she's put out a heavy looking comforter and pillows on the couch
>at the mere thought of sleep, you let out a yawn
>even though it was barely past 7 pm, you felt like you hadn't sleep in days
>all the excitement
>and fear
>and dread
>had worn you out considerably
>you join Shelby in the living room, and throw yourself down on the couch
>it's plush, and you sink down into it
>"You gonna be okay, Anon?"
>Shelby peers down at you, ears perked in curiosity
"I'm fine," you assure her, "just tired. Long day."
>she nods sympathetically
>"Yeah, me too. Not every day you get married, huh?"
>she chuckles flatly
>"I know this may not be what you wanted, Anon, but we'll make this work, okay? I promise I'm not a monster."
>that sounded like Shelby was trying to make a joke
>but her ears are folded flat
>"Have a good sleep, Anon. I'm right down the hall if you need anything."
"Goodnight, Shelby."
>despite your exhaustion, it's hard for you to actually fall asleep in a strange new environment
>you lay awake, watching the ceiling and going over the day
>Shelby was nice, but she had also been assigned to you
>there had to be a catch
>some quirk or personality defect that would land you in her care
>with the kind of respect she commanded in that office with just a flash of a badge, she could have had any human in the system
>why you?
>that question chases around your mind over and over again
>until finally exhaustion takes you, and the world slips away
>the sleep you get is still fitful, haunted by visions of sharp teeth, gripping claws, and old memories dredged up from forgotten youth
>and then cutting through it all is the whine of a canine crying
>you slowly rise out from murky dreams to realize that the crying was real
>it was still dark outside, and Shelby had left no lights on
>you turn over and try to go back to sleep
>but she still whines from behind that door at the end of the hall
>you groan and throw the blanket off of yourself
>and after struggling to escape the plush couch, you take your feet and slowly creep across the living room and down the hall
>belatedly, you realize you never kicked off your shoes before going to sleep
>you leave them by the front door on your way to Shelby's room
>the door is unlocked, and slides open soundlessly
>you see the form of Shelby, tossing and turning, half covered by her sheets as she whines
"Shelby."
>you whisper her name, to no avail
>you step closer, and repeat her name
>she goes on with her nightmare
>finally, one more step and you're by her bedside
"Shelby? Are you okay?"
>you reach out to touch her shoulder, and the moment your hand brushes against her fur, she snaps awake
>her paw catches your wrist
>"Anon!"
>she pulls you down onto the bed, forcing you to look her in the eye
>tears are streaming through her fur
>"Anon I'm sorry. I'm sorry I made you do this."
>she takes a shuddering breath
>"Please don't hate me. I couldn't stand it if you hated me. You don't have to love me, or even like me, but please."
>you're stunned
>whatever you expected, it wasn't this
>Shelby takes another deep breath, before letting you go
>"You should--"
>she hiccups
>"You should go back to sleep, Anon. I'm sorry I woke you."
>but you stay there, half-on and half-off her bed
>and then you reach out and take her paw in your hand
"I don't hate you Shelby. You've been kinder to me than any anthro I've ever known. I...I..."
>you fail to get any more words out, unused to sharing anything more than surface feelings with anyone
>you don't know how things will go
"I'll try to make things work too, Shelby."