Chapter 42 - 42 - Puppies

Ren had always thought of himself as a cat person - but it wasn't as if he didn't like dogs. Overall, he was quite pleased with the situation once he heard the entire tale of how Fang had managed to acquire a couple of pups.

That evening, when Fang was on his way home from training, it had been raining heavily. He felt a little cold, so he had stopped by a cafe to pick up a mug of hot chocolate. (The fact that Fang had actually gotten himself something he wanted made Ren more pleased than he'd admit.) When he stepped out of the cafe, Fang had heard some low whines and found two pups in a soaked cardboard box at the corner of the lane, clearly abandoned by their owner. They were really small, probably no more than a few days old. Fang couldn't bear to leave them to die out in the rain, so he'd picked them up and brought them home. Steward Paul had immediately called a vet, and the pups were warm and safe and well-fed now.

"Well done," Ren said to Fang, grinning from ear to ear. "I'm so proud of you."

Fang blushed, and Ren found his hands feeling itchy. If he were back home, if Fang was in front of him rather than on a video call, he'd be pinching the boy's fair cheeks now.

"Are you sure you don't mind?" Fang asked shyly. "The vet said they are wolfdogs...they will grow really big."

"Hmm? Are you afraid we can't afford to feed them?" Ren joked.

Fang giggled. "Well, I can always sell my Sirocco shares to you to raise money for their meals," he shot back.

Ren laughed heartily. "No need, my little darling. Your pups are my pups; we'll raise them together."

Fang blushed furiously.

"Have you named them yet?" Ren asked.

Fang shook his head. "Do you want to name them? Wait, I'll show them to you first." He ran out of his room and went downstairs. Steward Paul had arranged for the warmest corner of the living room to be set up temporarily for the pups; they'd have to make proper arrangements later on.

The two pups were fast asleep on a soft white pillow. They looked very similar, with downy grey fur.

"Should I wake them up? They have the most beautiful gold eyes, very much like yours. The vet said it's quite unusual and they may have mixed blood," Fang said happily.

"Let them sleep," Ren said. "Just take a few pictures when they're awake for their meals and send them to me."

"All right," Fang agreed. "What do you want to call them?"

"Do you have any names in mind?" Ren asked.

Fang hesitated. "Well...they have grey fur...I thought it looked similar to smoke...or shadow..."

"So, you want to call them Smoke and Shadow?" Ren asked, his eyes crinkled with mirth. "That sounds good, and it doesn't violate the 3 AM rule, either."

Fang frowned. "3 AM rule? What's that?"

Ren laughed. "The 3 AM rule states that you shouldn't name your pet anything that you wouldn't be able to call out in a public space at 3 AM. It's the first rule of pet care."

Fang rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "That makes sense," he said. "I think I need to get more books on pet care - the one I started reading today doesn't mention this at all."

Ren's eyes widened. "You're already reading books on how to raise our pups?"

Fang nodded.

"What if I'd been allergic?" Ren teased. "Or if I was terrified of dogs? Or didn't want to keep them?"

"I'd have found them another home before you returned," Fang said simply. His cheeks turned red. "I hoped that you'd let me keep them, though."

Ren groaned. "Oh, Fang, my dearest, how can you be so adorable!"

Fang grinned cheekily. "You're blinded by love," he teased.

"Hmm? Is it? I think love's making me more clear headed than ever!" Ren replied.

Fang smiled helplessly, thinking that he'd never be able to have the last word with his silver tongued boyfriend.

An alarm beeped on Ren's computer, indicating Fang's bedtime. Ren sternly sent the teenager to bed and promised he'd call earlier tomorrow so they'd be able to chat longer. Fang could only obey reluctantly.

Ren was still smiling indulgently half an hour later when Pax walked into his room with a briefcase full of papers.

"Congratulations on your new fur-babies," Pax wished him.

"Thanks!" Ren replied cheerfully. "Do you want to be a godparent?"

Pax smiled slightly. "Sure, why not," he murmured. "I'll buy you a bag of dog food for the naming ceremony."

"Fang named them Smoke and Shadow," Ren informed him. "But you're right, we should have a ceremony when we return."

"I'll make arrangements," Pax offered. "Do you want me to involve Fang or would you prefer it to be a surprise?"

Ren shook his head. "Involve him. I don't think it's a good idea to spring another surprise upon him; he still feels guilty about the vacation."

Pax nodded. He understood Ren's concern very well.

"Let's plan it together...perhaps for the last weekend of this month," Ren suggested. "What do you think?"

"Don't you have a meeting with Dragon Nation scheduled for that weekend?" Pax asked. "First weekend of the next month should be good enough."

Ren sighed deeply. He had forgotten about the meeting...once he returned, he'd have to tell Fang about the scheduled business trip to Dragon Nation. Fortunately, it was only a couple of days. Perhaps...he could bring Fang along...?

As if reading his mind, Pax asked, "Would you like to take Fang? They did show an interest in our new model, and Fang could take a short assignment."

Ren rubbed his nose, pondering over the matter. "It will boost his confidence to have work experience outside of Sirocco, wouldn't it?"

Pax nodded in agreement.

"I'll ask him tomorrow, then," Ren said.