Anthony is definitely his servant now. "Well, inside we go, then," he said, moving away from the edge a bit, and picking James up. He was becoming really good at...holding children. A thing to feel great pride over. Anthony started walking. Inside the house they go.

After a bit of very nondescript walking and 'going inside'ing, they had found their way there, against all odds. "Well, here we are." Anthony had even impressed himself with how long he held the kid without dropping him.

James beamed. He had probably never gotten this much attention in his life. He sat back down on the bed. "Now you have to get me them sweets, so I can have them for lunch!"

Anthony was not ecstatic about having to spend his money on sweets, but if he must do it then he must do it. "Patience. I'll get you your sweets," he said, flashing a brief smile, aware of the fact that he is this child's slave now. After a few moments of contemplating whether he should actually do this, he decided that not doing it would make James sad and he doesn't want to make James sad. Putting on his gloves and coat, Anthony headed out to 'get him them sweets, so he can have them for lunch'.

———

Anthony has returned! And with chocolate, nonetheless—the only sweet he can actually tolerate even looking at. "I'm back, James," he called out. Yes, this chocolate cost more than he expected, and yes he absolutely regrets this. But wasting his hard-earned money on sweets seemed less horrible than having to live with the fact that he made James sad.

James bounced on the bed when Anthony returned. "You're the best dad!" he shouted.

If James keeps that up then he'll start crying again. Anthony smiled, taking off his coat and gloves and putting them away. "Thanks," he responded, sounding only slightly like he's going to cry again. "well, come eat your sweets, then." He didn't buy them for no reason.

Anthony didn't have to say that twice. He grabbed the chocolate, broke off a large piece, and started eating, staining the bedsheets. But don't worry. He had already done that with his dirty feet and clothes.

Anthony watched helplessly. He's never buying any chocolate for James ever again. At least he's enjoying it? "So that's that, then," Anthony shrugged, clicking his tongue as he watched James devour the chocolate.

James' already dirty hands were covered in melted chocolate. As was his face. "Thank you," he said. "It's delicious." He gave the man a chocolate-y grin.

Anthony smiled a strained smile, trying to disguise his horror. This was a mistake. "I can imagine," he said. "why don't you—why don't you go clean your face and hands up. They're a bit....dirty." Or he's going to start sobbing like a madman again.

James looked at his hands. He wasn't used to washing them, unless Claude ordered him to. "Okay," he said, "But only if you carry me."