Good Dogs

Kazuo whined from the other room.  Not a genuine whine, but a desperate call for attention.  Particularly Davin's attention.  Davin pressed one of the buttons on the coffee machine, jabbing whichever one his finger happened to meet first.  It didn't really matter as long as it made a coffee appear.  Or tea.  Or hot chocolate.  Hell, a cup of hot water would be good enough, just whatever it was had to pour itself fast.  As long as it was ready before the whining picked up.  Steam rose from the mug as the liquid poured and the second it neared the top, he grabbed it.  Some of it was still pouring, but that was a later kind of problem.  He didn't even remember to check what it was he had a mug of before he reached the other counter.

It was, in fact, just a mug of hot water.

Good enough.  He could work with that.  A hot drink to soothe a boyfriend in need.  He grabbed one of the fruit tea bags from the box on the counter and threw it in the cup with a glob of honey.  It wasn't anything magical, but it would do the trick.  Something sweet and soothing in his time of need.  Davin grabbed a cookie from the jar as an extra treat as he stirred it together.

Then grabbed another one just as another lonely whine came down the hall to meet his ears.

He sprinted to the bedroom, tea sloshing over the side as he went.  The entire thing almost going as he tripped at the door and barely caught himself in time.  Looking in, he was greeted by the sight of Kazuo lying face down on the bed.  He'd changed into a pair of loose-fitting pyjamas, ones with a high waistband, and a long shirt.  Davin tiptoed in, hoping not to startle him, and placed the mug down on the bedside table with one of the cookies.  There was a twitch, and a heavy eye looked out from behind an elbow, before disappearing back into the pillow.

"Thank you,"  Davin's ears perked up at the words.  Despite the whining that had been echoing through the house, he'd done well.  Even with his face buried in the pillow, Davin could tell Kazuo was happy with him.  He probably appreciated the cookie as an extra touch.  Now they could just lie down and relax.  Kazuo wouldn't have to sound like a lost puppy a second longer.

Kazuo's feet flexed, tensing and relaxing and slowly tangling the sheet of the bed as he lay there.  He was on his phone, most likely texting Aichi for a distraction.  Davin took a bite of the cookie he'd kept as he watched him.  Taking in the sight of his boyfriend.  His shirt was riding up a bit, allowing for Davin to see the small of his back and the perfect shape of his ass.

Soft and squishy.  Like a ripe peach.  Peach, peach, peach-

"Delicious."

"Nope."

"I wasn't-"

"It hurts like fuck to sit on, what makes you think I want anything you have in mind."

Davin pouted, ears nearly flat against his head.

"I was just admiring, I wasn't gonna touch."

Kazuo groaned as he tried to shuffle over to make some space beside him.  His hand gave a gentle couple of pats to the space.  Davin placed his own cookie down with Kazuo's and lay down beside him, carefully slinging an arm around Kazou's shoulders to pull him closer.

He smelled different after an injection.  The scent of him was stronger and more intoxicating with the rush of hormones.  There was a temptation to bury himself in the smell and let it overwhelm his senses.  The smell of his beloved boyfriend, the sweetest scent in the world.  Far better than the subtle smells of the fruit tea or how the cookies had smelled when they'd taken them out the oven.  This was Kazuo and there was nothing better than Kazuo.  Nothing better than having Kazuo so close to him even when he wasn't feeling his best.

That was the downside.  As nice as it was to smell him like this, it came with Kazuo's discomfort and he wasn't sure if that was really worth it.  Well, it was definitely worth it for Kazuo.  It was just a momentary discomfort, overriding a much bigger discomfort, so it was worth it in the end.  It just happened that, in the moment, he'd feel bad for him.  He didn't like seeing Kazuo sore and uncomfortable.  But whatever made Kazuo happiest, in the end, was what was best.  Right now though, he needed his comfort and Davin knew the best that he had to offer at such times.

"I saw a cool dog today," Davin said, tracing absent spirals on Kazuo's back.

"How cool?"

"It had sunglasses on."

"Did they stay on?"

"Nah, it saw a big pigeon and it just went ZOOM across the entire park.  Little pair of sunglasses were just gone.  Went flying into the air and I didn't see where they landed.  Don't think the owner did either since they had to launch off after the dog.  I don't know if they ever went back for them."

"What did they look like?"

"The dog or the sunglasses?"

"Dog."

Davin tried to picture it again and gestured the approximate size behind Kazuo's back, adjusting a few times until it felt right.

"Like... small, really small.  But like a little barrel.  Like if I knocked them over they would just roll away like that and not even realise something was up.  They were white."

"Did you pet them?"

"Nah they just kind of zoomed about, I wasn't about to catch them."

"Must have been fast for a barrel."

"Yeah, they were kind of just like a bullet, absolutely gone.  Maybe they tucked their legs in and just flew off after it.  I should have watched closer, that could have been the world's best pigeon hunter and I didn't even get to pet them."

Kazuo wriggled out a bit to look at him, eyes pleading at him sweetly as his lip quivered.  The misery that comes from an unfulfilling dog story.  Davin could feel it in his soul; the weight of the devastating crime he had committed against them all. His failure to make sure that the dog knew what a good dog it was.  There was no recovering from such a thing, it's weight likely to hold down his soul for all eternity.  Or until he happened to see the puppy again and finally right his wrongs.

"There was a dog outside earlier too," Kazuo said and cuddled back in.  The one ounce of forgiveness his crime may allow.  A cuddle from his boyfriend and the opportunity to move on.

"I did pet that one!  His name is Al and he's a four-year-old golden retriever.  He's very gentle but kept trying to sniff me.  He really liked sniffing and every time I went to pet him he'd move behind me just in time with a big smile on his face.  I caught him though and his fur was so soft.  I was going to call you to come pet but his parents had to go.  They were going to the park to play ball for a bit, but Al always lets the other dogs take his toys so they have to be careful.  They said if I saw them on their way back not to be surprised if they didn't have it with them anymore."

"How long ago was that?"

"A bit ago, but I didn't see them heading back so there might still be a chance if you want to pet him."

Kazuo groaned the most miserable sound he could.

"I don't think I want to move that much.  I just want to lie here."

"I don't know if they'd be okay with letting Al in here."

"Don't invite strange dogs you just met into the house.  That's how we ended up with fleas last time."

Davin's face dropped at the memory.  Going through the entire house to deep clean everything and still waking up in the middle of the night itching.  Some of their favourite blankets almost met their end for fear of the fleas having gained immortality.  Davin cuddled him in tighter as if to ward off their furious ghosts.  May eternity prevent such things from having souls to haunt the dwellings that dispersed them.

Kazuo's hands crawled up his shirt, trying to get a grasp on him that would bring him comfort.

"How are you doing?"  Davin brushed his hand through Kazuo's hair, tangling a little as they went.

"I'm not dying or anything, I just want to be cuddled," He nuzzled his head in, burying his nose deep in Davin's collar.  His soft hair falling and tickling his neck.

"I'm pretty good at cuddling," Kazuo nodded against him and he could feel his tail flick to life, tickling his legs in happiness.  Even if they couldn't pet dogs like this, it was nice.  It was nice to have each others company in times like this.  They could be together and enjoy themselves in simple ways until Kazuo felt better.

Kazuo's phone vibrated, lighting up with a message.  They pulled apart, Kazuo grabbing it to check what it was, then fingers dancing as he responded.  Davin cocked his ears at him, but the softness in his eyes and the smile on his lips gave it away.

"What's Aichi saying?"

"She's at the dog park getting pictures for me," Davin's tail thumped rapidly against the bed in response.  "I'll ask her if she can find Al for you."

"Tell her to keep an eye out for a little barrel dog too and if she sees it she has to pet it.  Tell it the pets are from me and I'm sorry for not petting it last time.  Ask if it caught the pigeon too."

"You don't even know if it's there yet."

"I said 'if'."

Kazuo sent a couple of other texts before showing the screen to him, showing a large Shiba, panting happily for the camera.

"Aichi said he reminded her of you," He could see it.  Their faces definitely had some similarities and the fur was similar.

"If I didn't know better I would say he's my cousin."

"I don't think so, apparently he was having a nice nap under a tree while his owner read."

"Yeah, definitely can't be related to me then.  Did she-"

"She got to pet him a bit, but he wanted to go back to his nap,"  He locked the phone again, setting it back down to cuddle in.  "Tell me about some other dogs."

"Aren't you better waiting on Aichi getting back to you about some?"

"I have to fill the dogless void between somehow."

"Isn't that what you're cuddling me for?"

"No, I'm cuddling you because I like the smell of dogs."

"You could pet this dog."

"Davin-"

"I mean you can pet my ears,"  Kazuo sighed and scratched behind his ears.  Not quite hitting the perfect spot, but his hand quickly relaxed and instead found itself petting his hair.  That was better anyway.  His hair might not have the same texture as Shiba fur but it must have done the trick.  He could feel the smile against him.

"Dog story."

"I don't know if I have more."

"Any dog story."

He chewed on his lip.  Any dog story.

"I saw a dog playing basketball-"

"Stop renting 'air bud'."

"You wanted a dog story!"

"I've seen 'air bud', I don't need you to explain the entire plot of it to me."

"But there haven't been many dogs around recently,"  There was a twitch in Kazuo's shoulder.  Nothing noticeable to look at but he felt the muscle move.

"Where did they all go?"

"Well, we haven't been to the dog park recently for a start.  It's kind of awkward to play with a dog on their way there.  They'd rather just get there so they can get off the leash.  Then, I think there's another park nearby.  I think it's starting to get more popular.  I think there used to be a mothers and babies club that had picnics there and got real uptight about dogs being anywhere near them.  Supposedly, they stopped meeting there.  I don't know why.  I don't think there's anywhere better for a picnic.  Maybe they decided just to go to a cafe or something.  But then the babies can't roll around so maybe they've rented a hall.  It could be one of the kids got bad hay fever."

"Dogs."

"So if they're out the way, it opens the space up for more dogs to play.  It's pretty nice over there too.  We should go check it out some time.  Do you think you'll be up for it tomorrow?"  There was a nod and another scratch to his ears.  "I'll have to check tomorrow's weather and see if it's nice."

"I wouldn't mind going for a walk in the rain with you."

"Yeah, but people don't hang out at the park if it's raining."

Kazuo kissed him, a gentle peck as his fingers entwined with his hair.  He looked tired like he could fall asleep without the kiss even breaking.  It sent a warm feeling through his chest and every place where their bodies met.  The sweet feeling of knowing that his boyfriend, even at a time like this, was able to find comfort.  Comfort with him.  Comfort from being cuddled in together and just talking about stuff.  Instinctively, he tightened his hold on him as if to keep him warm as he slept.

"We can see the dogs another day.  You'll be a good enough substitute."

"What if we end up soaked?"

"You think I'm not used to the smell of wet dog?"  His eyes were getting heavy and his head falling beneath Davin's chin.

"We can have a shower together when we get in,"  He glanced down, just making out the soft smile past Kazuo's nose.  He didn't reply, his breathing changing as he started to doze off.  Chest softly going up and down in time with Davin's own.  Setting a soothing, dreamy pace that it was hard to not match.

The tea was getting cold.  He'd hardly touched it.  If he'd known, Davin would have skipped making it entirely.  He could have skipped right to this part.  Lying down with his boyfriend in his arms, thinking up shaky plans for the next day.

Kazuo's phone buzzed and lit up.  He could tell it was a text at least, so he wouldn't have to worry about waking him up.  Moving carefully to avoid waking him, Davin took the phone and checked who it was.  It was Aichi, with an image attached to the message that he couldn't see without unlocking but he could see the message.

'Found Davin's sunglasses girl!'

The phone buzzed again and another message came up.

'Her name is Dog.  Short for Good Dog.'

Another, with another image attached that he couldn't see.

'I am petting Good Dog.'

He wanted to pet Good Dog.  At least Aichi was righting his mistake.  As much as he'd like to do it himself, he had a much more important pup to keep happy.  If he was lucky, maybe one day their paths would cross again.  When that happened, hopefully, Kazuo could also pet her and all would be right with the world.

He put the phone back and settled down again, Kazuo's grip slack on him as he fell into a deeper and deeper snooze.  For a while, it seemed a nice idea to join him.  To fall asleep in his arms and bring him comfort in his dreams.  Soft and loving.

But it was only a few minutes before his legs were itching to move.  He couldn't really spread out without waking Kazuo.  Actually, he didn't want to spread out.  He wanted to move.  He needed to go somewhere and do something.  He wasn't tired after all.  What could he do though?  Maybe he could get something ready for when Kazuo woke up.  There had to be something in the kitchen.  Maybe some ingredients.  They had to have some flour and sugar.  There was definitely eggs.

Gently, he untangled himself from Kazuo's limbs and slid over him to his escape.  Tiptoeing to the door and shutting it with his thumb cushioning it as he did.  He paused for a second, listening.  There was a light snore.  Perfect.  He turned and carried on down the hall returning to the kitchen.

There was a nice pool of water around the counter.  Not quite a water feature he'd planned for but it was certainly adding something to the room.  Mostly distress.  Davin grabbed the towel off the counter and threw it on the puddle.  The water tank on the coffee machine had run out eventually at least.  There probably wouldn't be any lasting damage if he was lucky.  He hit the 'stop' button just in case though.  He didn't need this any worse than it already was.

He emptied the drain and mopped up the rest of the spilt water before going on his hunt for the flour and sugar.  It wasn't like the water was anywhere near the electrics or oven.  He could have a cake cooling by the time Kazuo woke up if he worked fast.