Archive of Our Own

“Hey buddy, I need to take a picture, okay?” You said and crouched down to his eye level. You grabbed your phone and took a photo. Stephen tilted his head, not understanding why you did so. “Maybe your owner will turn up.” You pet his head one more time and headed out the door. 

Not likely, dear. He thought and jumped from the couch and began to explore your home. You had a unique taste in décor, his favorite piece of the bookshelf with the seashell bookends. He trotted into your bedroom, wanting to know more about you. Your bedroom was beautiful, your queen size bed was in the middle of the room against the wall, and mahogany dressers were on either side of the bed. Your vanity desk stood against the wall across your bed, a tall mirror right next to it and the ceiling of your room had fairy lights. He saw the dresser that stood right by your closet door to the right of the room. At the top of the dresser were several photo frames but at this height, he wouldn’t be able to see them. 

I suppose just a quick peek can’t do any harm. He thought and shifted into his human form. He walked over to the dresser and took a look at the photos. Lots of pictures with you and your mom and dad, your siblings, two brothers, and a sister, and a few of you at your college and graduate school graduation. He then saw one frame that was faced down and picked it up carefully. It was a picture of you and Michael at the state fair. You were smiling so brightly, holding a bag of popcorn and giving your boyfriend a kiss on the cheek. Michael had his phone in one hand and the other around your waist, he was smiling at your kiss. 

What a pity… He thought and placed the frame back down. He couldn’t see any photos of you and your friends, he wondered if you had any. He hoped you did, you seemed like a beautiful soul. He shifted back into a dog and his mind began to wonder what happened last night, maybe you two had a fight? Maybe you two were going to be, okay? 

Why do I care about this human?! He let out a frustrated ‘boof’ trying to stop thinking about you. He left your room and went to the front door. I’m losing focus! He scolded himself and used his magic to teleport through the door. He ran off to explore more of the town but he had to be sure he would come back by nightfall so you wouldn’t suspect a thing. He had explored the town and didn’t notice anything suspicious. He got quite bored after people-watching and went back to your home. 

This world is so...Mundane...I could die of boredom here. He laid on the couch and waited for you to come home.

It was 6 pm, and you opened the front door and walked into your home. You were exhausted and looked like you were going to pass out. You stopped when you saw Stephen looking at you from the couch and wagging his tail. Stop it! He grumbled trying to stop his tail’s movements, but he was just so happy to see you! “Awww did you miss me?” You chuckled and closed the door and set your purse down. You walked over and poured dog food into a bowl. You walked over to Stephen with a sweater, “Hold still!” You put the dog's purple and gold sweater on him and smiled brightly. “There you go! You look adorable!” You clapped your hands and scratched his head. Stephen glared at her and huffed. 

You chuckled at his little huff, “Go on, I know you’re hungry!” The food did smell good, and he was hungry...But is he really desperate enough to eat dog food? Before he could debate the decision his feet spoke for him and he made his way to the food bowl. He began to eat the food. You walked over to the fridge and grabbed a bottle of wine and a glass, you poured a glass and walked over to the couch. You lay on the couch and turned on the TV. 

When Stephen was done with his food and water, he walked over to you and jumped on the couch by your legs. “Come on.” You patted the area above your breasts closer to your neck. Stephen blinked a few times, if he was human, he would be blushing, but as a dog, he was just tilting his head. He sat down by your feet and put his chin on your feet. You were quiet, watching the TV and drinking your wine, enjoying not having to talk to anyone. 

You jumped when the TV began to change channels on its own. “What the hell?” You tried to get back in control with the remote. Stephen watched and grew tense, was his presence really this strong? He barked at the TV and it went back to normal. You stared in shock at Stephen and then at the TV. “I…I think I should go to bed.” You rubbed your forehead. 

Your phone suddenly buzzed and you picked it up. “Hey, Barb...I’m good and you?” You said and your work friend, Barb, began to tell you about an issue at work that you would both need to solve the following day. You got up from the couch and set your glass in the sink as you talked. Stephen’s ears went back, annoyed that you were being bothered by someone when you were off work. He relaxed when he saw you smile though. “No, he’s still here, he’s a sweetie...No, no one has claimed him yet so he’ll stay with me...I’m sure he’s fine, he looks healthy, maybe not groomed but healthy.” You were talking about him! 

Not well groomed, excuse you. I’ve been more focused on threats than how my fur looks! He let out a huff and heard you giggle at it. You began to stroke his head as Barb asked you about Michael. Your smile faded and you nodded your head. “Yeah...I broke up with him yesterday...Well I was picking up on the change in his attitude for a week now...He was just dismissive of everything I talked about.” You sighed and took a sip of your drink. Stephen’s ears perked up; he sensed your sadness but you seemed much better now than last night. 

You deserve better anyway. He ‘boofed’ again. “Yeah, I mean I was sad but it’s all good, I won’t miss him.” You shrugged and Stephen smirked, delighted to hear your confidence. “Okay, thanks Barb for checking in on me. I know for sure I need sleep I keep seeing things. Nothing scary I guess, just lights flickering, TV acting weird...Oh, yeah on Saturday I’ll be heading to the mountains for my birthday...No just me.” You said and Stephen grew nervous about your retellings of the strange occurrences. You then said your goodbyes and hung up. The mountains? Interesting...Perhaps I can join…For safety, of course. Stephen tilted his head as he looked at you. You smiled softly and kissed his head. 

“You wanna come with, huh? If no one claims you by Saturday, you’ll come with me, okay?” You spoke. Stephen barked happily and wagged his tail. Stephen empathized with you, he understood being alone and constantly working. Although in his situation he was very alone. Stephen wondered if he could help you find someone but for now, he will have to do.

Saturday came by quickly and as Stephen predicted no one would claim him despite your online postings. You had groomed him and gotten him a blue leash. He jumped into your car while you put your suitcase in the trunk of your car. You got in the car and drove off to the mountain roads. You had rented a cabin deep in the woods by the lake. It took you a good three hours before you finally reached the cabin. You unloaded the car and Stephen grabbed your purse by his mouth and trotted over to the cabin. 

“Thank you, buddy!” You smiled and unlocked the cabin door. After you unpacked and changed into something warmer, you sat on the couch and relaxed. He thought the place was beautiful and began to wonder...Maybe he can finally reveal himself to you? It had been four days since you two met and he’d grown fond of you and wanted to give you a happy life. “You okay, buddy?’ You asked as you noticed his intense stare out the window. Stephen turned to you and let out a ‘boof’ before jumping onto the couch with you. You two cuddled and the next day came.

You and Stephen went out for a hike up the mountain trail toward a meadow. You took pictures and sat there, enjoying the peace. He sat beside you, enjoying your presence. Tonight will be the night. He decided. You two made it back and night fell. Stephen trotted over to you with a blindfold. You were on the couch, reading a book and sipping some champagne. He sat by the couch and boofed. You turned to him and chuckled, setting down your book and glass on the coffee table.

“And what am I doing with this? You want me to put it over my eyes?’ You raised a brow, confused. Stephen barked and put his paw on your leg. You hesitated, puzzled by the dog’s actions. You shrugged and put the blindfold on. Stephen stepped back from you and the table and shifted into his human form. He didn’t change into his current form though, it would be too scary for someone so delicate like you. He changed to his previous appearance: the handsome, beardless, well-groomed, doctor. “Can I take it off now, buddy?” You asked.

 “Yes.” He said nervously. You froze at the male voice and slowly stood up from the couch. You undid the blindfold and your eyes grew wide at him. 

“Surprise?” Stephen said nervously. 

“W-Who are you? Where’s the dog?’ You said frantically. 

He smiled, “My name is Stephen...And…I was the dog.” He said showing you the collar and the sweater. 

You continued to look at him like a deer in headlights. “I-I don’t understand...” You took a step back. 

“I was cursed to be a black dog. But you broke it by bringing me here.” He lied finding it easier than telling you the truth. 

You took a step toward him now, recognizing his blue eyes that you’d grown to love. “What was in the champagne?” You grabbed the glass to look at it. Stephen chuckled softly at your actions and stayed put. 

“If I may…I wanted you to know that you are the most wonderful person I’ve ever met. You are a kind and gentle soul. And you deserve love, you deserve someone who will treat you like an angel because that is exactly who you are.” Stephen decided to take a bold step toward you. 

You looked up at him, glass in hand still, “This shit must be really strong…” Stephen smiled again and continued to approach you, he then took your hands in his, taking the glass from you and setting it aside. 

You looked at him and shook your head, “Don’t...I’m nothing special. Just someone you bumped into…” You took your hands from his and smiled sadly, “Thank you though, for your kind words...Even though disagree with them.” 

Stephen was about to rebuttal your words and then stopped, “If you will not accept my words, then accept my gift.” He closed his eyes and a small orb appeared in his hand. 

“W-Whoa! What is that?” You took a few steps back. 

“A wish...As a thank you. Whatever you wish it will come true.” He gazed at you. You looked between him and the orb and scratched your head. 

“I’m for sure dreaming...” You furrowed your brows. 

“Then let it be a good dream,” Stephen said, not realizing he was looking at you lovingly. 

You blushed at this and at how handsome his smile was. “Keep your wish Stephen, give it to someone who needs it. Not me.” You shook your head. 

He made the orb disappear, “Then what can I offer you?” 

“Just answer this…Why me?” You said softly and you held his hands, your thumb brushing over his scarred knuckles. 

“Call it fate.” He leaned in close and pressed his lips against your forehead. “Strawberries...” He mumbled. 

“What?” You pulled back and looked at him. 

“You always smell like strawberries, it’s a beautiful scent.” Stephen smiled kindly. Your cheeks turned red and your eyes slightly wide at his words. Here was the most attractive and kind man you’ve ever met and he was interested in you?! 

Whether it was the wine or a dream causing this, you decided to be bold. You leaned in and pressed your soft lips against his cold ones. Stephen cupped your cheeks and kissed you back. 

You pulled back from the kiss with a smile, “How about my lips?” 

“Hmmm...I think I might need another taste.” Stephen chuckled and kissed you again. Your lips were heavenly, in fact, intoxicating. “You’re so beautiful...” He said against your lips. You pulled back and looked at him, searching for any lie. When you saw none, you felt tears begin to form in your eyes. He cupped your face and wipes your tears with his thumbs. 

“I-I don’t thin-“ You began to say when Stephen kissed you again. 

“None of that. You’re going to take my compliments, okay?” He kissed your cheek. 

You let out a breathless chuckle and nodded, “Yes, sir.” 

He embraced you softly and held you close, savoring your scent.

The next morning, you woke up on the couch alone. You remembered that Stephen was holding you, lulling you to sleep as you two were on the couch by the fire. You looked around for Stephen or for the dog and found nothing. It was definitely a dream… You decided and while you were sad, you were happy for such a romantic moment. You remembered his embrace, how genuine and kind he was. You hoped to see him again in your dreams. You packed your things and drove back home. 

When you arrived home, you found a basket of strawberries on your welcome mat. You picked it up and read the card attached ‘Sweet like strawberries’. You smiled softly and wondered now if it wasn’t a dream, where was Stephen? 

A few feet away, stood Stephen in his dog form, watching you as you smiled and entered your home. He wished he could join you, that he could show you the ‘real’ him. He wished he could embrace these feelings he’s having for you. He sighed sadly, the reality of his world sinking back in. He walked away toward the parking lot where the portal back to his broken world appeared. He walked back into his Sanctum, holding the red collar fondly.