Chapter Text
Beef sat on a chair with several cushions on it, so he was eye level with the top of the table. The usually dark and bare room was lit up, full of fun decorations, and even better, full of all his and his dad’s friends. Beef had a little hat on his head, with a tiny bone shaped cake in front of him.
He had been told to wait, so he was waiting, mouth watering uncontrollably at the snack in front of him. All of the people were chattering to each other, some holding up their own rectangles and pointing them at Beef. Some were dancing around, and everyone was drinking. Except his dad, who was making his way over, grumbling about something.
Beef watched him approach, overjoyed his dad was okay. It had been a couple more days before he saw him again, but he got a fun sleepover at the warm one’s house in the meantime. His dad looked tired, but that was nothing new. What mattered was he’s okay, maybe a little bit more bruised than usual, but his face still lit up with joy every time he looked at Beef, and that made Beef’s tail wag uncontrollably.
When his dad finally got to Beef, he tried to take the little hat off his head. Beef sat up as much as his chunky body would allow, and pawed at his dad’s hand, wanting to keep the little hat. He may not know what’s going on, but the hat made him feel special.
A chuckle sounded from next to Beef, as the lady who could disappear revealed herself, scrunching Beef’s cheeks in her hands. He was reveling in all the attention. His dad just rolled his eyes, nudging the tiny cake towards Beef.
With a wag of his tail, and a quick glance at his dad, Beef put his paws on the counter and ate the delicious treat. It was crunchy, with a smooth frosting on top. It tasted mostly like peanut butter and oats, and was the best thing Beef had ever eaten.
There was cheering all around him, and he lifted his face up, lapping up crumbs that were stuck on his snout. Beef still wasn’t entirely sure what he did to have everyone here to watch him eat a treat, but he was just glad his dad was okay.
He felt a hand scratch under his chin. Beef closed his eyes, leaning in and enjoying the touch. When the hand stopped, he looked back, to see his dad, his eyes soft and full of love. The version of his dad he enjoyed seeing most. And the moment was only made better as his dad spoke, barely audible above the din of the rest of the room,
“Good boy, Beef.”