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 Posted: Fri Sep 25, 2020 5:50 pm
There was only so much that Sterling could do with a bruised rib, and it had put a decent damper on their plans to power up and try to go work on things. It was difficult to even consider powering up and going out alone when Sterling had been hurt even when it was the two of them, and Priam had his patients and his career to focus on.
He wanted to help, but he knew he wasn't in the position. Yet.
They'd signed up for the self defense classes; Sterling could only sit out and watch, but the first class was thankfully mostly just discussion and some light demonstration. The second class was warm ups, stretching, and a few techniques. Priam had sheepishly tried to just sit out and hide, but even he had been called up. He tried to ration that he needed to learn so he could go over it with Sterling when he was feeling better, but he had been embarrassed all the same.
...But he could handle it, because after this was over he had something to look forward to. Sterling had visited often in the past week and a half since he was injured--they had planned these lessons, they had talked of school and career, had a little study session, planned renovations, and...
Planned a trip to the shelter.
Priam was a bundle of nerves, but easily convinced by Sterling, and now he was parking the car and nervously unbuckling in the parking lot. Sterling was in the passenger's seat, and he hoped that he couldn't see how shaky he was about all of this.
Sometimes he was excited. Sometimes he was afraid. Sometimes he was guilty.
Now, he was here, and he was feeling too many emotions to decipher any of them.
"Ah, we're here," he announced, like Sterling wouldn't already know. "Are you sure?" he asked one last time. "That this is a good idea?"
He had cleaned the house, puppy proofed it, and put away some of the treasured toys of his last dog. The pictures were still out, his memory was still preserved.
Priam was afraid to be too excited and find only disappointment.
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Posted: Sun Sep 27, 2020 8:17 pm
Sterling laughed softly and took Priam’s hand, tugging at him and getting out of the car. “Yes, yes I’m sure. Come on, Priam. You can’t back out now. This is going to be so good for you…I’ve seen how your eyes light up when we talk about the new dog, and I’ve seen how happy you are when you’re getting things ready for him or her…”
He got out of the door and made his way carefully around to Priam’s, opening the door and holding his hand out, giving a halfway mocking bow. “Come on, your new best friend awaits. Your other dog wouldn’t have wanted this. He would have wanted you to find a new friend to take care of you, and love you like he did…so come on. It’s time to help fill the hole in your heart!”
There was no way to say such things and not sound like a Hallmark greeting card, but Sterling didn’t care. It worked for Priam, and sometimes you just had to say things in the way that worked for who you were talking to. Who you were helping.
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Posted: Sun Sep 27, 2020 8:25 pm
The tugging on his hand gave him just enough strength to not run away. He would have, if Sterling hadn't been there to give him the assurance he needed. He couldn't help but smile at how exaggerated he was being, but he accepted the hand again and pulled himself up. "All right, all right!"
It summoned a laugh from him and he shook his head. "I'm just nervous. I don't want to get in there and suddenly feel like I have to adopt all of them. Or maybe I just get so desperate that I pick the wrong one."
He smoothed his outfit out, frantically tried to make sure he looked the best that he could. He had filled out the papers he needed online and had already called ahead to find out their procedures, to make sure that he had everything ready to get a dog, and go home.
Already, he could hear the echoes of barking. He hadn't let go of Sterling's hand.
"...I know you're right, in my heart," he said after a few seconds. "...I know he wouldn't want me to be alone. I know...Ah." His eyes misted over just thinking about it and he sighed, a bit heavily. It was a sensitive topic for him, and maybe it always would be. "...He was the best dog in the world, you know. For me. I just miss him. I should have gotten him a little sibling when he was younger, I bet he would have loved that."
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Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2020 4:05 pm
“You’re not going to pick the wrong one. And I’m here to make sure that you don’t adopt them all. We have a plan, and we’re going to stick to the plan. Just because you and I are weak, and have hearts that melt at the slightest bit of cuteness, that doesn’t mean we’re going to melt when faced with tiny, cute animals.”
Sterling had more confidence in his voice than he was feeling.
There was no way that they were going to get out of here with just one dog but…
But that was the plan and so long as he could stay strong…
It could work.
“You can’t dwell on the past…he was happy with you, wasn’t he? You obviously loved him, and just because you think should have, doesn’t mean it was the best choice for either of you. Sometimes dogs can get really stressed out when there’s more than one. And I know that people can get stressed out if there’s more than one dog….You did what you had to do, and did what was best for you, also, should have and would have and could have…there are no phrases so dangerous, Priam. Be careful using them.”
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Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2020 4:10 pm
Priam managed a little smile. Sterling could help guide him. Make sure he didn't have a mental breakdown and take home forty dogs.
"Ah, I suppose. I just don't want to make the same mistakes again. I think I did my best to give him a happy life, but I'm always going to wonder if I couldn't have made it better in any way. If I can't make the next one's better. Maybe I'll just get one. Maybe two."
Maybe forty.
He pulled open the door for Sterling and seemed to be jittery all around.
"I think I'd like a big one, though," he said again. "You know the type. Just big enough that if you saw someone walking it, you might think twice about trying to--ah. Mug them. It's Destiny City," he reminded. "I want something big enough to take care of itself if something goes wrong. Mm. Something big enough to keep the bed warm for me, too."
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Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2020 6:22 pm
“A big dog sounds good. Something fluffy, but maybe…not unduly so unless you want to invest in a Roomba.” He walked into the building and gave a soft laugh. “Though, honestly it isn’t a bad idea to invest in one anyway. Especially since you’re busy with work so often. It would help keep the house nice and tidy.” Sterling continued to tug Priam’s hand, bringing him towards the dog kennels and looking around, not really liking the sound of the dozens of different barks.
Dogs were…quite noisy, and honestly….if Yu ever wanted one, he might have to say on, unless of course it was a nice and quiet dog.
“…Would you mind terribly if we look at the cats too? Just…for fun? I’m obviously not in the market for one but. I’m thinking I might like one someday, though I’d have to talk to Yu about it first.” Obviously.
“There are some cute ones in here, Priam! I wonder where the big ones are hiding…do you have a breed in mind?”
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Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2020 6:51 pm
"I can invest in a Roomba," he assured, like this wasn't even the slightest bit trivial. He didn't quite know if they were worth the hype, but he trusted that Sterling wouldn't lead him astray--and if he recommended one, it seemed only fitting that Priam would trust him. The barking didn't seem to bother him, but it was distracting; he couldn't figure out who needed his attention more.
He wasn't the slightest bit concerned with Sterling's hand in his own--in fact, it was more reassuring than he realized, and he held onto it like it was the most natural thing in the world.
"We can look at cats," he assured, eyes on the dogs; he seemed visibly distracted. "I'm looking for any breed. A mutt works best, they tend to have better genetics than purebreds. At least, in my opinion. And something big, so anything with big p--"
He paused, staring at a gangly puppy whose tail was wagging against the wall as he stood over and licked the face of a very sad looking puppy. The bigger dog was a furry monster--definitely Roomba worthy--and taking intensely good care of the thinner, sad, brown little puppy who was half curled beneath him.
"...Big paws," he said, eyes on the very large paws of both dogs. "...Look at those big ears, too. He looks so gentle. Oh, but look at that one he's licking. Those eyes hurt my heart."
He was quiet, chewing on the inside of his cheek.
"...Aren't they both just precious? ...Maybe. Maybe one of them." If they like me. If they don't, there's no point, but. Do you want to go in and pet them with me?" he asked; they were the only two in the little pen and Priam was visibly bursting to go in.
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Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2020 7:05 pm
Sterling glanced at Priam when his words suddenly cut off, and then his brown eyes slid to the kennel and he gave a little laugh. Perhaps…perhaps he wouldn’t be able to stop Priam from only adopting one dog today but…the joy in the male’s voice made him smile in spite of himself.
“I’d love to go in and pet them with you…though…” He hesitated. “You know that…I know that you won’t be able to separate them. They’ve obviously bonded.” There was no way he could get out of this without getting himself a Roomba.
“I think they’re precious, and I know I’ll want to come over and see them often…and if you ever need to go away, Yu and I can watch them. Or just me. I can puppy sit…”
They were very cute. Sterling flagged over an attendant who let them into the kennel, and he tugged Priam inside, bringing him right over to see the puppies.
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Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2020 7:15 pm
Priam nearly melted when he got into the room; the sad little puppy on the ground looked up with big, pleading eyes, but didn't even try to move. The dog standing over it looked uncertain, but his face split into what looked like a crooked grin; his tongue was partially hanging out and he started wagging his tail again, looking between the two of them.
Slowly, Priam crouched on the ground and reached out a hand for them to smell, and if he hadn't already been seriously considering them, when the sad little puppy on the floor licked at his fingertips, he was sold.
He didn't want to wait in here to get to know them, to think about getting them.
He wanted them.
"...Realistically, I know I should take a little bit of time to see what their temperament is, but..."
He gestured for Sterling to pass him the sheet of paper on the two dogs and quickly scanned over it. "No health issues, that's good. Both mutts. Different litters. Girl and a boy." He looked at the little one on the ground and stroked her cheek gently. "She looks so sad. Look, she's begging to go home." Back to the paper. "Good with children--good with cats, Sterling. That's good. No food aggress--they're perfect." He lowered the paper and didn't even manage to make it all the way through. "She's still licking my hand. I want them. I know you said one, but this is less than the forty I anticipated coming home with, so honestly? This is really good for me."
His eyes were misted over already, though he tried to ignore it; he had reached out to the other dog whose tail hadn't stopped wagging--who had come over to sniff at Priam curiously and then to walk in circles curiously around Sterling before moving to stand in Priam's lap and try to lick at his nose.
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Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2020 7:23 pm
Sterling shook his head and looked a mixture of amused and terribly pleased. “I knew you were lost the moment you mentioned their paws, Priam. But they are precious. Those eyes on her…I feel like I’m going to cry just looking into them!”
He sat on the floor and patted the backside of the puppy who was now licking Priam’s face, laughing softly. “They’ll have a good home with you. I’m really, really glad you agreed to this. I…I know it sounds cheesy but I feel like I can already see a difference in you. Or like, there’s a dark cloud that’s kind of been lifted off of your shoulders…if that isn’t too silly.”
It was too silly, and far too cliché, but…it was the truth.
“I bet…I bet your other dog’s tail is wagging like crazy right now. I bet he’s so happy that you aren’t alone anymore. But, you know this means we have to go shopping for some more things. We didn’t plan on two pups.” Well, at least Sterling didn’t think that Priam had…
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Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2020 7:53 pm
Priam managed a soft laugh, but for the briefest second his face contorted into something that almost looked like pain. He closed his eyes and pressed his lips into a smile. "That does sound like him. His tail was always wagging. Even in. The end."
His words came with a pause, like it was hard to finish the sentence at once. He turned away so Sterling couldn't see him, and though his voice wavered a bit, he managed, "I don't mind getting a bit more. Who is going to complain about shopping for more toys and treats?"
If Priam wasn't already smitten, the fluffy dog stood on his knee and nudged his glasses, licking at his cheek and--undoubtedly--the tears that he wouldn't let Sterling see.
"It's very hard to have a cloud over your heard when there are very sweet animals surrounding you!" Priam said, managing a laugh. He placed a hand over his chest and rubbed, as though something pained him, but then said, "Perhaps we should have looked at the cats first. I want to pick up these puppies and never let them down. They haven't barked at us once, they're so well behaved. Oh, I don't even want to leave them here to go pay. Someone else might snatch them up..."
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Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2020 8:15 pm
“That simply won’t do.” He gave a soft laugh and got back up, shaking his head at Priam. “Stay here with them, I’ll send an attendant over so you can work on getting them adopted…I can look at the cats on my own. I’m in no danger of bringing any home, and you deserve to keep getting to know your new family.”
Not that Priam seemed to need any sort of help. Sterling felt so warm, watching his friend with the dogs. He knew that Priam would never have made this step without help. Without a push, and that…made him sad. These dogs…they seemed as though they were put here just for Priam, meeting each of his needs effortlessly.
“You just enjoy their company, I’ll be back soon, or an attendant will be back to get the paperwork. You won’t lose them, not if I can help it.” Brushing himself off, Sterling went to the door of the kennel.
“Are you okay with that plan?”
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Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2020 8:24 pm
"All right," Priam said after a few seconds, thinking it might be nice to be able to clean up his face so he didn't make too much of a fool of himself. He didn't look over all the way, but turned his face just a bit. He could see Sterling in his peripheral and added, "Thank you. For bringing me here today. I'll try to go quickly, here. But take your time with the cats. I hope you have fun. I'll come find you when I'm done."
The two puppies were visibly distracted by all of the attention he was giving them, and Priam didn't seem like he could have been any happier--especially not when the sad little puppy pawed her way closer and put her little head on his knee as her tail thumped uncertainly while she looked up at him.
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Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2020 8:59 pm
Sterling watched Priam for a moment more, a contented smile on his face and then nodded. “See you soon, then. I’ll always coax you into what’s best for you, Priam. Don’t you worry. And this…this was clearly one of those things. Thank you for taking my advice.”
Because…this would be his job at some point. And…it was very nice to know that he really might actually be good at it.
With a fond smile on his face, Sterling left, going to find an attendant and to take a look at the cats. Obviously not to adopt one. Just to look.
Obviously.
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