Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“Ooops, my bad.” Hunter grinned watching the waiter slip on his smoothie. It was the little things in life that make it worth living. At least he could enjoy this moment before his aunt Cruella calls to see if he’s found any dalmatians yet.

And of course, it’d be a no. It’s not like dalmatians are going to walk right past him.

“You want me to follow you? Okay, let’s do it!”

Usually Hunter would ignore everyone else in the cafe but something about the man’s words seemed odd. He turned to see the ginger man was bent over talking to-

Dalmatians.

Two dalmatians right there. Hunter felt his heartbeat race the more he took in the two dalmatian puppies. After looking for so long, he finally found dalmatians. And they were now coming towards him.

Okay, Hunter, be cool. When they got to his table he faked an excited gasp, “Puppies! Oh look at you two!” he reached down to pet the one with the black ear, frowning when they hesitated before letting him scratch their head. They must have seen him pour out his smoothie.

Note to self: don’t leave a tip for the waiter.

The puppies moved to keep walking, oblivious to the blue collar he held tightly in his hand. Those puppies didn’t even know who they just met. A De Vil, Hunter De Vil. And now he had the address right in his-

Wait. This can’t be right. Hunter looked the collar over, finding nothing on it. He groaned. Of course. He was right back to square one…

Hunter never goes to the park. He finds it too loud and full of annoying people. At least he could take pictures of the flowers and cute animals. That’s one good quality, he thinks walking down the concrete path towards the center.

He was desperate, a fact he didn’t like admitting. He was having trouble finding dalmatians. They had to be in this district somewhere. His aunt tracked down a descendant to this area, but so far he’s only found Destiny, Dallas, Deja-vu -or Triple-D as he and all their other fans called them- and those two from the cafe.

And yet, here he was, hoping to spot some dalmatians somewhere in the park. If he was actually looking around instead of at his phone, he would’ve seen the dalmatian stampede coming.

Instead he finds himself sprawled out on his back with his clothes covered in dirty paw prints. Dazed he just stared at the sky until someone blocked out the sun with their head.

“Hey, sorry about my siblings running over you.” they said, leaning closer. “Are you alright?”

It took Hunter a few minutes to realize what they were asking and that they were a dog -a dalmatian to be more precise. He knows, in that moment the dog talking should’ve been the biggest surprise, but he was focused on something else.

“Siblings?” he asked himself, way louder than intended.

The dog, assuming the question was meant for him, nodded. “Yeah, all ninety-eight of them are a handful. Wait did you just understand me?”

“Ninety-eight?” Hunter repeated, stars practically shining in his eyes and completely lost to the dog’s shock. It felt like he had hit the jackpot- unless they weren’t all dalmatians. That would suck.

He sat up, the dog walking around to sit in front of him. He looked down at his clothes and sighed. Of course, now he has to go home and change. And his phone had a small crack in the screen now. Great.

At least the dalmatians make up for it, right?

“Um…” the dalmatian turned shy, patting the ground under his paws. “I’m Dylan. What’s your name?”

“Hunter.” he replied casually, keeping his excitement -and annoyance- out of his voice. This could be his big break. He just has to get a hair sample, check the DNA, and then capture the puppies. It’s simple even a special snowflake could do it, his aunt sneered in his mind.

Or, he grinned, he could just get the dalmatians to fully trust him and then betray them. He could savor their surprise and hurt. His aunt would compliment him on his sneakiness because now she finally sees he’s worth something.

It was the perfect plan.

“So… dude, where’s your human at?”

“I’m in charge.” Dylan said, puffing out his chest. Hunter laughed, genuinely -in the back of his mind he wondered why. Suddenly two familiar dalmatians pounced onto the human, dirtying his clothes even more.

“It’s you!”

“From the pet shop!”

Hunter momentarily stared at them in confusion. Pet shop? Oh! The cafe. He chuckled, reaching into his pocket. “Yes, I remember you two. I think you forgot this?” he pulled out the collar and moved to click it back in place around the dog’s neck.

“Look Dee Dee,” the puppy said excitedly. “He found my collar!”

“He’s not a meanie after all!” Dee Dee replied before the two raced off again.

Hunter cringed and shied away from Dylan’s confused gaze. “I uh… wasn’t having a good day so I did something mean to a waiter…”

“Oh.”

“But it’s all better now,” Hunter quickly said, hoping he could salvage this. “After I met Dee Dee and uh…”

“Dizzy,” Dylan offered.

“Dizzy, right, I felt a lot better.” he pulled at his tie, feeling embarrassed. Why was he getting all nervous about talking to a dog. He’s just gonna betray him later. “And I apologized to the waiter.”

Dylan moved to place a paw on his knee. “Everyone has bad days.”

Unused to the affection, Hunter coughed and pulled his knees up to his chest. “Right… yeah.”

An awkward silence enveloped them and he glanced down at the dog’s collar, a star tag dangling off it. He reached for it. “You like space, too?” he asked, his voice dripping with fake interest. Anything but going back to that.

Dylan, oblivious, nodded eagerly. He mustn’t get asked about it often. “Yeah! Did you know that…”

Hunter nodded along, barely listening to the dog talk. He found his in and that’s all he cared about. Though, he realized, he would have to research space in case the dog ever asked him anything about it. Absently he played with his wrinkled tie.

Man, a shower and a change of clothes would be nice right now.

Chapter Text

Hunter wasn’t used to all of the puppies running around him like a stampede. He’s almost stepped on too many dogs and it was starting to get old. Remember Hunter, he told himself, it’ll all be worth it in the end when aunt Cruella has her coat.

She’ll be proud of you, he reminds himself following the dalmatian parade.

Dylan had begged the boy to come with them to the festival to help keep the pups in check. They kept freaking out over ‘Boom Night’, what they affectionately nicknamed Bonfire Night. He found it almost adorable that they’re freaking out about a day about fireworks -key word, almost. He can’t be getting all… warm and fuzzy for these animals.

Rule #1 of betrayal; never get attached. A rule he knew he would never break.

“Hey, watch where you’re going human!” a fox called, darting between his legs before the boy could step on him.

Momentarily taken aback by the fox, Hunter just stared. The fox, ignoring him, trotted up to Dylan and Dolly, commenting about the puppies. The conversation wasn’t his main focus at the moment, despite knowing who this… creature was could help him.

Dolly caught his gaze and shot him a glare. He turned away, rolling his eyes. Of course she would befriend a fox.

Hunter honestly hated foxes with a burning passion. They were wild and gross, not to mention said fox had just riled up the puppies once again the moment he turned his back on the three of them. Great, now it’ll take them forever to get all the dogs home.

He surveyed the festival and all of the dalmatians running around it. It astounded him that the other humans just stepped around the puppies, effortlessly like they weren’t even there. He wondered, for a split second, who really mastered the art of dodging, the puppies or the humans?

Before he could answer that important question, he found three specific pink collars in the crowd. Destiny, Dallas, and Deja-vu. The boy hated to admit this to anyone -especially his aunt- but… he had a soft spot for the three. He was their biggest fan.

He collected everything from their t-shirts to those crappy mouse-pads you could find anywhere.

But, he sighed, he had to betray them to get his aunt her coat. He’d do anything for his aunt even if it means betraying his favorite dalmatians.

Feigning nonchalance, Hunter walked up to them. He held his phone up to snap a picture of a stand behind them, purposely moving to almost step on one of their tails.

“Hey, watch it!” one of the girls yipped, a look down would reveal it to be Dallas.

He stepped back, placing a hand on his chest as if she just disgraced his entire family. “I’m sorry, I didn’t see you…” he squinted down at the three of them, hiding a grin. “Who are you again?”

“We’re Triple-D!”

“The most famous-”

“-and amazing-est dalmatians-”

“-in the world!” all three finished, getting into their signature pose.

Hunter laughed, snapping a picture of the three. “Yeah, amazing dalmatians, sure.” he replied, teasingly as if talking to children -ironic. He knew that would rile the three up. He had a knack for getting under one's skin. It was honestly kind of fun.

Destiny’s glare turned into a mischievous grin. “Pretend all you want but we know the leader of our fan club when we see him.”

The boy fumbled with his phone, looking anywhere but them. He wasn’t so well off when the tables were turned on him. “Me? No.” he chuckled, awkwardly. If they know, they could tell Dylan and all progress he’s made so far -so little, he would later realize- would be gone.

Plus it was really embarrassing to be called out by a dog.

Act cool. “Don’t tell Dylan,” he blurted out before he could stop himself. Okay, not cool but I can roll with it. “He’s a really nice guy and I don’t want him thinking… you know.”

Destiny followed Hunter’s gaze to where Dylan was trying to wrestle a stick from Dorothy. If they weren’t being serious then, he might’ve found it funny.

“Alright,” she said, softly. “We won’t say anything. But you owe us something.”

Hunter grinned. He was good at making deals. “I can get you into that new human and dog salon, downtown?”

“Deal.”

It’s not exactly the way he wanted things to go but at least he has a foot somewhat through the door. Turning back to his phone, he narrowly dodged Dolly’s gaze. He didn’t know why she was watching him.

It just couldn’t be good.

---------

Hunter felt embarrassed hiding in a supply closet, listening to the dalmatians’ parents give a touching goodbye. It was kind of gross and sappy. They would see them again the next day. They don’t have to be all… dramatic.

He momentarily wondered what it was like to have loving parents. He pushed the thought away to a corner of his mind he never visits, he will never visit it.

All was silent for a few minutes until a paw knocked on the door. Hunter burst out of the closet, dusting himself off, trying hard to not look back into the dark and confining space. He turned a light glare on a sheepish and somewhat concerned Dylan.

“I’m never doing that again.” he paused, grinned and reached over to flick Dylan’s bunny ears. Anything to keep the conversation away from the closet. “Nice ears, dude.”

Dolly laughed from her seat on the banister. “Yeah, we’re never letting him live it down.” she jumped to the floor. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going out.”

Dylan jumped in front of her, both rebellious teens could sense a lecture coming. “No, Dolly. You can’t go out on Boom Night!” he said and she groaned in response. “It’s dangerous! And mom and dad will be mad at me for letting you go, so just stay put!”

Hunter sat down on the stairs and pulled out his phone. “I don’t get what’s up with you dogs and fireworks,” he said offhandedly. “They’re not that scary.” But then again, I’ve never really seen one. He kept that part to himself, not wanting to embarrass himself anymore today.

“Fire-whats?” Dolly asked, annoyed. “That’s not even a word.” she turned back to her brother, lowering her voice. “Why did you even invite him? You hardly even know him.”

The human's gaze flickered up at her then back to his phone. Hmm, guess she's not as clueless as her brother. He's gonna have to work extra hard to get on her side. He hid a grin behind his phone. He always did like a challenge.

Dylan growled. “I don’t say anything about you inviting Fergus over.” he lowered his voice, “Even though I really should…”

“That’s because he’s your friend too!” Dolly threw back. “I don’t care what you say, I’m going.”

Hunter huffed and stood up abruptly, startling the two. “Can you two just knock it off?” he gestured wildly behind him at the puppies at the top of the stairs. “You’re arguing in front of the puppies and even I, a child, know that’s not good. So… let’s all just go up to the roof. You’ll see what you’ve been missing all these years and maybe, just maybe the puppies will have fun.”

“Regret inviting him now?” Dolly asked with a smirk. “I mean, he did just ask us to take the pups to be really close to the sky where we’ll be unprotected and vulnerable.”

Hunter had to admit, she was good at manipulating her brother.

“Go up on the roof? Are you crazy?” Dylan cried, starting to pace as he talked. “We’ll never survive! I’ll be risking the lives of the pups and mom and dad will never forgive me! I can’t just-”

The boy grabbed the dog’s shoulders -both cringing at the contact for different reasons- and shook him. “Look, it’ll be fine, Dyl. Don’t you…” trust me? went unsaid. He sighed. It was too soon to ask for that, especially with Dolly right there. “Come on, just live a little. You’ll be safe, I promise. I'm a human. I know these things better than anyone.”

His word has to be enough for now.

Dylan stared up at him, then past his shoulders to the puppies on the stairs. Hunter could see the cogs turning in the dog’s mind, hoping it was in the right direction.

“Fine, but on a few conditions…”

With some debating, Dylan finally agreed to taking all of the pups up to the roof as long as they kept their earmuffs, even forcing a pair onto Hunter. They covered the area -a sea of cookie n cream chocolate chips, Hunter thought feeling poetic- including the strange few dalmatians the boy has yet to learn the name of.

Dylan crossed and un-crossed his paws multiple times, looking everywhere but the sky. The De Vil sighed. Watching the dog was kind of… sad in a pathetic way. Was he always this uptight? Maybe he could work on that…

Or he wouldn’t bother. He wasn’t really the dog’s friend.

“Okay,” the nerdy dog called out -Hunter really needs to learn all these names. “One minute until it starts.”

“And ten seconds to the end of dog kind,” one dalmatian said, surprising Hunter. That’s kind of dark for warm and fuzzy dalmatians.

Before he could think much on it, two pups were piling onto his lap. He tensed up, looking down at them. Dizzy and Dee Dee, he remembered. Why were they sitting on him? Why not on Dylan or Dolly or even the nerd dog?

Hunter nudged them off his lap, ignoring their pouts. He wasn’t a seat for dalmatians. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Dylan look at him oddly before turning away.

“Ten seconds,” a puppy yelled out.

“Nine!”

“Eight!

“Seven!”

Hunter bit his lip, hands gripping the hem of his shirt. What was he doing up here? This was beyond stupid.

“Six!”

“Five!”

“Four!”

He’s never even seen fireworks in person before, always too busy helping Cruella look for dalmatians. You'll be safe, he said, nothing to worry about, he said.

“Three!”

“Two!”

“One!”

Hunter sucked in a breath just as the sky lit up in every color of the rainbow. The fireworks burst out into various shapes and sizes of stars and circles and he didn't know what. It all melted into a beautiful sight that will always be engraved in his memory.

He wondered if this is what Dylan feels when he looks at space, absolutely in awe of all of the stars just spread out across the sky like him and the puppies are on the roof. Very poetic tonight, huh?

Beside him, Dylan quietly said, stunned, “I don’t regret inviting him...”

The boy was confused until he recalled the conversation from downstairs. Hunter had to agree with him. He didn't regret this. He didn't regret any of this plan so far. It was going to work, easily, he was sure of it. He grins to himself, oblivious to a certain top dog watching him suspiciously.

Against his side, less conspicuous, two puppies lay watching the sky. For the moment he'll leave them be, but just for this moment.

Chapter Text

Hunter’s sitting on the stairs at the dalmatians’ home, phone gripped tight in his hand. He’s mindlessly scrolling through posts, gaze flickering up every once in a while to the second door on the second floor where two oblivious adult dalmatians were getting ready for work.

It was risky for him to be sitting there out in the open, but both Dylan and Dolly were adamant that they could easily hide him. He almost questioned why he had to hide but he realized he honestly didn’t care.

He didn’t even want to be there.

His plan of lounging around and watching his favorite show was dashed the moment his aunt called. As usual, she bit into him about not having found any dalmatians even though he knew differently.

(When she finds out, she’s either going to kill him or praise him. He really hoped on the latter.)

But, of course, he couldn’t tell her how wrong she was so he listened to her call him useless and all the insults she had in her vocabulary. It honestly really hurt to hear her say that (again for the millionth time, when will it stop hurting? ) but the boy would never admit it out loud.

De Vil’s have a reputation for being strong and he was set on keeping up appearances.

So, here he was -so early in the morning, he might add- trying to keep his plan in action and he hated it. 

Dolly’s laugh, loud and obnoxious cut through his thoughts. “What is Dylan even doing?” she was stretched out on the railing, resembling a cat (she growled at him when he first commented on it) with her gaze set on something -someone down the hall.

Hunter follows her gaze, boredly, to find Dylan leading a trail of puppies in a march. The air of confidence floating around the dog made the boy want to stick up his nose and mock him for it. He resists the urge, keeping up his indifferent attitude.

Which seemingly doesn’t impress Dolly.

“Dude, don’t you ever stop looking at that thing?” she asked, not trying to mask her annoyance. He ignored her. “Whatever, Dylan’s a better conversationalist than you any day.” she jumped off her perch and walked away.

Hunter rolled his eyes. “You’re one to talk.”

He didn’t mean for her to hear him, but by the way she paused he knew she did. Fudge. The last thing he wanted was to tick off one of the dalmatians before he could even gain their trust.

Dolly doesn’t reply, just continues on.

Hunter tapped the side of his phone, weighing his options. He follows and acts interested in what’s going on or just stays where he is and risks looking like a terrible friend. With a groan, he gets up and follows her.

"Uh, we're going to the bathroom, Dylan, not war." Dolly commented, stepping in front of her brother.

Hunter opened his mouth to make a snarky remark but was cut off by a black dalmatian (is it even a dalmatian?) popping up out of nowhere.

"Take cover all!" It shouted, looking like it -him, sorry- hadn't slept in days. "My dreams forecast division and disaster on dalmatian street! Also rain."

The De Vil didn't believe in fortune tellers, but he still found the prediction somewhat unsettling. Then the gothic dog catches his gaze and takes a big step back. Something everyone seemed to be oblivious to.

Guess he knows. Great.

"Bet ya didn't forecast this, Dante!" Dylan said, pushing the other dog away.

The gothic dalmatian -Dante- slipped away into the shadows, not before giving Hunter a nervous look.

Now he has to keep an eye on that dalmatian too. Can this day get any worse?

“Behold. Dalmatian nation, check out my latest creation!” Dylan exclaimed, catching Hunter's attention again. He took a step into the doorway to behold the machine.

He expected to be impressed or given a reason to falsely praise the dog, instead he found an automatic teeth-brushing machine.

Why didn’t they already have one made? Can they hold toothbrushes in their paws? How do they squeeze the toothpaste tubes?

(He never liked having questions with no answers.)

Hunter was starting to become distraught from these thoughts alone ( its impossible! They can’t hold a toothbrush! ) when Dolly scoffed. She jumped onto the machine, right next to where the toothpaste tubes sat.

Dread settled like lead in his stomach.

Oh no.

“Everybody say ah!” she shouted, giving Hunter barely any time to turn away before she stomped her paws hard on the tubes. He felt it splatter his back, the strong scent of mint made his nose cringe. His hair felt heavy, a glob slinging from his hair as he spun around to face the smirking dalmatian.

That smirk. She knew exactly what she was doing.

He growled, taking a step forward, then stepping back again when toothpaste squished underneath his favorite sneakers. “You did that on purpose!”

"What? Me? No." She replied, barely feigning ignorance.

Hunter had the urge to punt her out the nearest window but he knew he couldn't. He had to keep a level head but it was hard with how tight his chest felt and how his veins practically boiled.

Before the boy could say something he would regret, Dylan stepped between them. The dog shoots his sister a glare before turning back to the human.

"There's another bathroom on the second floor, you can get cleaned up there." The dog sighed, as if this was a constant occurrence. "Dante, can you go distract mom and dad so Hunter can get by? Thanks."

The De Vil couldn't hide his annoyance at having to change as he walked away from the dalmatians, barely giving them a second look as he went to find his backpack. He had hidden it behind the couch, in fear that the parents might notice it.

With it in hand, he quietly crept up the steps to the bathroom Dylan spoke of. He may be close to breaking something but he wasn't too livid to give away himself.

The bathroom was small compared to the one back in his pent house but its just as clean, ignoring the few dog hairs lying in the sink. Too small for a DNA sample, he notes.

Besides, he can always get one later.

Sitting his bag on the counter, he turned to study the shower. It didn't seem to be used much. Probably reserved for the human Dylan insisted they had -he knew the dog was lying, no human could handle living with this many dogs.

At least no humans currently alive that is.

He managed to find probably outdated body wash and an all-in-one shampoo-conditioner combo that made the boy cringe. (Why would someone combine the two? How does that work?)

They both smelled like green apples.

Hunter checked the door was locked before getting into the shower. Later, he will regret not looking at the clothes his nanny packed for him.

In the bag was blue jeans he rarely wore but couldn't bring himself to get rid of, pink sneakers, and a hot pink sweater. After one look at the folded sweater he knew he was in for it.

On the front was the original logo for the dalmatian sensations, Triple-D. Though he collected so much merchandize of the three (which his aunt would burn if she ever found it) and ran their fan club, he felt absolutely ashamed of it.

On one hand, its childish and on the other, society determined he should like them and the thought of confirming makes his skin crawl.

But, mainly because they're dalmatians. You know, the enemy of the De Vils?

He didn't even want to ask the dreaded question. He already knew. This day was going to keep getting worse until he eventually passes out in bed.

And even then, who knows, maybe it'll just repeat in a loop and he'll never escape it.

So he just shrugs on the baggy sweater, flaps the too-long sleeves at the mirror, and just walks out into an election.

Wait, what?

While he was in the shower they set up a stage and a giant screen and not once did they check in on him. He expected such from Dolly, but Dylan?

Guess he still needed to work on that relationship, huh?

Honestly, he’s noticed from the past week of being Dylan’s friend that the dog had some kind of ego. Though Dylan seemed oblivious of this himself. The dog has not asked once anything about Hunter, actually the human doesn’t get a word in at all. All he has to do is sit there and let the dalmatian ramble.

It’s fine. He’ll do whatever he has to to get his aunt’s coat.

He was pulled out of his thoughts when he felt someone tug at his pants leg. He would’ve made a comment on how the action screamed child-like if he didn’t look down and see Triple-D sitting beside him. Déjà Vu was the one to get his attention (he recognized her circle tag).

(As their biggest fan, he did his best to remember each of their names and differences.)

The human just stared at the three, somewhat awestruck that they would want to talk to him and embarrassed that he was wearing their merchandise.

He coughed, as if that would make him seem any less awkward. “Hey… Déjà Vu, right? What’s up?”

“Is that a rare miss-colored sweater from one of our first kiosks?” she asked, all in one breath. Surprised, the boy glanced at her sisters whom could only roll their eyes in amusement at their sister’s question.

“Uh… yes?” he rubbed the back of his neck. “How did you know?”

"Déjà Vu is very insistent on making a log of all of our merch and the various versions of them." Destiny says checking her claws. She catches her sister's embarrassed look and quickly adds, "It really saves us the trouble of not printing more of the… rarer merch."

She looks up at Hunter at that. Hunter couldn't tell if she was checking out his sweater or silently judging him. So, he stayed on edge until she smiled and went back to her nails.

"Oh no." Came Dallas's voice from beside them. "Diesel just won."

"Won what?" Hunter asked, genuinely confused. He knew there was an election but for what was up in the air.

"To be Top Dog." Destiny replied effortlessly. "Its gonna get real messed up in here real quick."

Déjà Vu nervously shuffles her paws. "We could leave?" She asks and then looks to her sisters as if to see if they agree. She's dependent on them, Hunter notices.

"Yeah," Dallas replies. "Diesel's going to destroy the entire house."

Destiny doesn't freak out, just slowly looks up at Hunter. He freezes wondering what she wants now.

"I could use a manicure…" She seemed to have more to say but was interrupted by Dylan walking over.

"Hey, Hunter, we should go back to the tree house before Diesel starts bossing everyone around." the dog demanded, not asked.

Hunter felt his blood simmer, unbeknownst to the dog in front of him.

"You can help me pack," Dylan continued. "And… is that a Triple-D sweater?"

"Yes," Hunter replied, the words coming out quickly. "They gave it to me when they came to check on me-" watching the guilt appear on Dylan's face made the whole day better "-and now if you will excuse me, I promised them a spa day."

He was halfway to the door with a backpack slung over his shoulder and three puppies trailing him when he realized what he did. This was a classic teen rebel walkout. He'd never done one before, his aunt wouldn't have been amused.

That thought makes his frown turn into a grin as he steps out into the surprisingly sunny day in London. He can see his penthouse rising high above the buildings across the street.

He points at it, not really thinking, and grins back at the three dalmatian super stars. "I live on the top floor." He realizes as they oo and ah (mostly in respect and politeness) that he's never had anyone to brag to before.

Hunter kind of likes this.

He starts off down the street, humming a familiar tune he couldn't quite place. Momentarily he forgot where he was going. That new spa. Right. He was doing this to get close to Triple-D so he can betray them.

(But, he might as well get a facial to counteract the cheap products he had to use on himself.)

Now that he thought back on the day, Destiny was leading up to his promise, wasn’t she? Subconsciously he picked up on that and used it against Dylan. The dog’s hurt face before he walked out flashed across his thoughts.

Should he feel guilty? No. De Vils never feel guilt or regret. Besides, Dylan deserved it.

Right?

Shaking away the unease settling back onto him, he looks down at the three puppies, watching them walk. Déjà Vu chased her sisters, the two darting between his legs. Adorable. Only them , he admits quietly, only them can be that word.

Hunter managed to look up in time to dodge a pole. How embarrassing. He looked around, hoping no one saw that. But no one was out enjoying this day, it seemed. Probably all stuck at work.

That’s fine. More sunshine for him.

After a walk that helped Hunter relax, they finally got to the spa.

The boy strolled in up to the clerk, pulling out his phone to act disinterested. "I want a mud mask for me and a manicure for my dogs." he leaned on the counter his back to the lady.

"Um… Do you have an appointment?" She asked, nervously. New worker, huh? He can work with that.

The boy shrugged, fighting the urge to smirk. "Nope."

He heard her fidget with the keys on her computer. "Well… I can't just-"

Hunter spun around, catching the lady off guard. "Excuse me, do you know who I am?" He paused, giving her enough time to shake her head. He leaned in close, lowering his voice so only she could hear.

" I'm Hunter De Vil. "

The look of horror and embarrassment that fell upon her face was his favorite thing to see every time he dropped his last name.

"I'm so sorry Mr. D-"

"Hunter," he interrupted, not wanting the Triple-D to know who he is just yet. It would ruin everything.

"Yes, right, of course." She stood up. "I'll take you to your private room, Mr. Hunter."

The four followed the woman into a dimly lit room. If it was bright in there, the three dalmatians might’ve taken notice of the spotted pillows his aunt insisted any salon invest in -just for them. The boy settles down on the black and red couch, barely visible in the light.

Usually the dark made him… some kind of uncomfortable, but in a salon with the soft music playing above, it was perfect. He feels the three sink down into the cushions beside him, giving his space he much needed.

They waited only a couple of minutes before four women came in to start their treatments.

Hunter let go the moment he was laying back in his chair, hair wrapped up and a mud mask on his face. He barely paid attention to the three dogs beside him.

They were talking about fashion, he thought. Usually he would be all for that but all he wanted to do was relax. Today was too much of an emotional roller coaster.

Hearing his name, he turned and opened his eyes. "Huh?"

"I said," Destiny replied, patiently. "You should wear pink more. Its really your color."

"Really?" Hunter tapped the side of his chair in thought. He then rose an eyebrow, smirking playfully. "You're sure its not just because you like the color?"

(Somewhere in the back of his mind he wondered if the ladies doing Triple-D’s manicure thought he was crazy for having a conversation with a dog.)

"If we could, we would make everyone we like wear pink." Déjà Vu said, catching Hunter off guard.

Liked? Him?

He pushed that thought away. They hardly know him. Déjà Vu was just being silly. Puppies get attached so easily.

Nonetheless, he thought about it all the way back to their house and even more on the way up to his penthouse and so much more when he laid in bed.

He hardly slept that night, thinking about how well his plan was going.

Chapter Text

Hunter ignored the buzz from his phone, too focused on the flat screen in front of him. He was curled up in a fuzzy blanket with a bowl of popcorn watching an old spy movie.

His phone buzzed again and with a groan he paused his movie to check it.

Another text from Dylan -or, technically, said by Dylan and translated into text speak by Triple-D. He was starting to regret giving the girls his phone number with how many invites he's gotten to come over from the dog in the past three days.

Hunter knew he was risking his plan denying each one, but honestly he felt the other dog deserved the silent treatment.

Dylan leaving him all alone in a stranger's bathroom and only feeling guilty when Hunter pointed it out? Yeah, that wasn't gonna cut it. The dog already treated him like an accessory or dare he even say, a pet?

Distracted by his thoughts, he jumped when his phone buzzed in his hand. Fumbling with it, he brought up the screen to read three messages he'd received.

Destiny: dyl wants you to come over… if he bothers you we can hang out, maybe go to that same spa?

He could practically see her batting her eyelashes at him. He smiled at the image before catching himself and scowling instead.

Focus, De Vil.

Dallas: Dizz and DD want u to play hide n seek with them and Dylan, so just come over already.

He sighed, sitting back on the sofa. Dizzy and Dee Dee want to see him again? Ugh, he hated that he knew exactly which pups they were though it helped him greatly seeing how there was so many of them. He really needed to make a guidebook for them all or something.

Pushing that aside for later, he focused on the last text.

Deja-Vu: please come over, dyl is sad :crying_emoji: I miss u 2, please, and bring sweaters :eye_emoji:

Hunter was embarrassed to admit it took him a couple of minutes to decipher that last one. The youngest triplet was a wild card when she didn't have her sisters guiding her.

It was kinda cute, he thought immediately scolding himself right after.

He sat the phone down on the cushion beside him, fiddling with his blanket as he thought this through. He could go over there, deal with the awkward silence between him and Dylan or just stay here with his movie.

The latter was the easiest, most relaxing option but… He really needed the dalmatians to trust him and if pretending to make up with Dylan would help with that, so be it.

A quick text of, I'll be over in a few minutes and his fate was sealed. He got up, stretching and went to go get ready for the day, leaving the popcorn for the nanny to take care of.

After a quick shower and a change from his silk pajamas to a pair of sweatpants, an old raggedy t-shirt, and some crocs he was on his way out the door.

He passed his nanny in the lobby. "Hello, Ms. Smith. Bye, Ms. Smith." he called, unaware of her raised eyebrow and confused gaze.

Hunter made sure to never be home when she would come to take care of him. Aka, clean the pent house and wash his clothes.

De Vils don't mingle with their workers.

Hunter, despite having a driver that can take him anywhere, preferred to walk to the dalmatians’ home. On the one hand he found it surprisingly relaxing since he always took a shortcut through the park, and on the other he didn’t want his aunt finding out about the dalmatians just yet.

He doesn’t know how much she watches him.

That… that’s actually a terrifying thought. He’s just gonna tuck that away for a night of insomnia.

When he got to Dalmatian street (he still keeps mentally slapping himself, that name is so obvious ) he prepared himself for the most awkward interaction in the world. He’s doing this for his aunt, he’s doing this for his aunt.

He knocks, putting on a neutral expression. This is fine. This is fine.

Dylan answers, a look of pure unfiltered guilt on his face.

This is not fine. They just stand there, silence wrapped around them. The tension is so thick, Cruella could turn it into a coat.

Dylan's the one to break the ice. "I'm sorry." Its simple, and to the point.

It felt fake.

"I forgive you." Its simple and to the point. It is fake.

"Now that that's over with," Dylan says, turning so quickly looking as if the burden was dropped from his back. "Dizzy and Dee Dee are waiting for us in the attic."

Hunter follows, almost robotically. He feels a simmer in his veins and a voice at the back of his mind urging him to yell, to rant, to keep Dylan from walking off like everything was okay now.

He shakes his head, it is okay now. Dylan apologized. That's the least he can ask from anyone.

(Even if he rarely gets an apology-)

The attic is dusty and full of boxes and cobwebs like every movie has shown him. He doesn't have an attic in the pent house (and if he does, he's never seen it) so it feels odd walking into one.

He chooses to sit on an old trunk, not quite sure whether to join their game or not. It has already started, Dylan moving around, logging his first day on Mars.

Its… entertaining. He wouldn't say cute or interesting just… entertaining.

Hunter prefers to stay where he is, mindlessly scrolling on his phone. He can still feel his blood simmering, leftover anger pooling in his gut.

He ignores it. He has to. He already almost messed everything up by staying away from the dalmatians.

He almost wishes he could go back to when he thought there were no dalmatians in London. In a sense, he's dug his grave and now he has to lie in it.

And wait for his aunt to come bury him alive.

Chapter Text

Hunter is sitting on the couch, the notebook on his knees. It’s new, except for the already written title and the small stains where he accidentally spilled a smoothie on it. They look like spots on the once pure off-white color. It’s fitting, he thinks. It’s a spiral notebook, his favorite kind of notebook.

“97 dalmatians?” Dolly reads over his shoulder from her perch on the back of the couch. “Good luck with that.”

Dylan shakes his head out of the corner of Hunter’s eye, probably frowning at his sister. “Ignore her. If you really think this will help get to know our family better, we’ll, all of us-” he directs this to the puppies playing around them and sighs when none even look at him “-will help you. Even Dolly.”

“Hey!” she growled. “I didn’t sign up to help mr. im-too-good-for-peasant-toothpaste with his weird guidebook.”

Hunter takes out his pen as the two siblings break out into an argument. He might as well start with the basics.

----------------------

Dylan

• One of the oldest dalmatians
• Responsible
• Nerdy

He hesitates before continuing.

• My best friend
• Really needs to work on his people skills
• Currently fighting with Dolly, as usual

----------------------

Dolly

• Other oldest dalmatian

• Annoying

• Irresponsible

Hunter pauses, thinks better of it and crosses them out. He should keep it unbiased (even if the other words are true).

• Other oldest dalmatian

• A̶n̶n̶o̶y̶i̶n̶g̶  Fun to be around

• I̶r̶r̶e̶s̶p̶o̶n̶s̶i̶b̶l̶e̶  Outgoing

Better.

• Possibly my rival

• Needs to work on being more responsible

• Currently threatening Dylan’s sock puppet for the millionth time

----------------------

Hunter doesn't understand how he missed her before. Sure she was tiny and possibly his every time he would come over, but she was the youngest.

She was curled up on his lap asleep. He stayed frozen, arms up in an awkward pose, unsure what he should do. She had just climbed onto him and claimed the spot.

He didn't want to find it adorable. De Vils, no, he hates dalmatians.

Dolly snickered, when she caught him like that. "Yeah, you're not moving for a couple of hours."

That alone scared him, not to mention the strange way the puppy's weight comforted him. He watched Dolly leave with a chew toy, probably going out to the backyard with all the other dalmatians.

He has to do something. Can't just sit there.

Careful not to move her he reaches for his notebook and starts to write.

Dorothy

• The youngest

• Sweet

• Chews on things (he would've gone on unaware of her if she didn't try to chew his shoelaces)

• Hasn't talked yet

• Has everyone wrapped around her little paw

He looks down at her, watching her tail wag. She's having a sweet dream.

• Has everyone wrapped around her little paw… even me

• Soft fur

----------------------

Hunter laid on the couch, exhausted from all the playing he did with the puppies. He was barely aware of three voices talking in whispers as they struggled to write with their paws.

"Shh, you'll wake him." Destiny hissed at her two sisters, managing to also drop the pen. "Ugh, whatever I was done anyway."

Destiny

• The leader

• Loves to help the community

• Is Hunter's favorite

"What, you're not the leader!" Dallas complained. "And you're not Hunter's favorite either!"

"Fine. I'll change it."

• The leader The oldest

• Loves to help the community

• Is Hunter's favorite my favorite

"My turn!" Dallas dragged the notebook over to her, earning a light glare from her older sister. Deja Vu just… sat there, patiently.

Chapter Text

Hunter sat on the steps -his signature spot- watching Dylan and the pups march towards the bathroom. Dolly sat on the banister beside him, rolling her eyes. One was absolutely amused by the dog -because it’s stupid, Hunter defends- and the other was tired of her brother’s shenagins.

Dolly hopped off and approached her brother. “We’re heading to the bathroom, Dylan, not to war.”

Before Dylan could reply or for Hunter to make a snarky comment, the black dalmatian jumped out. He yelled something about disaster and rain. Hunter wasn’t paying attention, focused on coming up with the perfect tags for his latest photo. Maybe asking triple D would be a good idea...

“Dalmatian nation, check out my latest creation!” Dylan yelled, oh so proudly. Hunter shrugged. He might as well go see what he’s supposed to be marveling at. He walked to the bathroom and just stared.

A teeth-brushing machine. Seriously… that’s all it is.

He might as well praise him to get on his good side.

Wow, Dylan you’re so smart! How did you make it? I’m glad I have a friend as smart as you! Hunter frowned. They all sounded so fake. Maybe something else like-

“Scratch that!” Dolly shouted jumping on top of the sink and Dylan’s machine. “Everybody say ah!”

Hunter realized his mistake of being in the doorway too late. He barely had enough time to turn away before he was splattered with toothpaste. It was all over his freshly clean jacket and stuck in his hair. Of course he should’ve expected this when coming to the dalmatians’ home.

But that didn’t calm his rage.

He whipped around so fast a glop flew from his hair and he glared up at Dolly. She smirked, looking about as innocent as a cat with a feather sticking out of its mouth. He stomped up to her and poked her hard in the chest.

“You did that on purpose!”

“I did not!” she growled, slapping his hand away. “It’s not my fault you were in the way. Maybe if you didn’t hang around Dylan like a pesky fly.”

“Why I oughta-”

“Enough!” Dylan shouted, pushing at Hunter’s legs. The human stepped back, still seething. “Hunter go clean up while I talk to Dolly about getting the pups fed.”

“But-”

“Please, Hunter,” the dog begged, looking away. “Just go.”

Hunter huffed and walked off to go find where he stashed his duffel bag on spare clothes. Stupid Dolly for acting like a pest and stupid Dylan for taking her side. With bag in hand, he stepped back into the hallway.

He froze. Dylan’s parents were walking down the stairs, too caught up in their conversation to notice him yet. He dove into the nearest bathroom and slammed the door shut. He just locked it when someone knocked on the door.

“Dylan, sweetheart, is that you?” Dylan’s mom , Hunter’s brain oh so helpfully supplied. “Are you feeling alright?”

Think, Hunter, think. What would Cruella do? A diversion maybe? Impersonation?

“Uh… It’s not Dylan.” Hunter replied, stupidly.

“Oh! Dante?” she sounded… concerned? “Your voice sounds awful.” Rude. “Have you been up all night preaching about the apocalypse?”

“Uh… yes?”

“Dear, we talked about this.”

“Come on, Delilah, we have to go.”

“Yes, right, of course. Dante please try to rest your voice today. I have to go to work now.”

Hunter listened to her footsteps fade before sighing. That was close. He could’ve been caught and then what would his aunt think?

No matter that now, he needs to get cleaned up. First he bent over their tub to wash the toothpaste out of his hair. Then after drying it he opened his bag to pull out the clothes his servants packed for him.

Oh. Oh no.

How did this shirt even get in his main closet? Oh he’s going to fire a maid today. He can’t even just say no to wearing it, going out in public covered in toothpaste is not his idea of fashion. And already his hands felt sticky and gross and he hated it.

A sniffle escaped him and he mentally slapped himself. Stop it, stop being such a baby. He took a deep breathe, a sharp reminder filling his mind. De Vil’s never cry.

Well… guess today is the day he admits to being a big fan of Triple-D. This is going to be embarrassing.

When he walked out of the bathroom he didn’t expect to find Dolly and Dylan having an election. He was only gone for thirty minutes! How could those two set this up so fast?

“Is that-”

“What I think it is?”

Hunter crossed his arms, hoping to hide the logo from the only dogs in the hallway. Triple-D practically pounced on him, standing on their back paws to touch his shirt.

“It is!”

“A rare, one of a kind-”

“-Triple-D logo-”

“-accidentally printed on silk!”

Hunter, unused to the attention, blushed in embarrassment and looked down at the dogs in confusion. “Yeah… how did you know?”

“Even we couldn’t get one!” Destiny barked, her tail wagging hard. “How did you get it?”

The human scratched his neck, looking away from the puppy. He always thought the three of them were cute and awesome and to have them now focused on him? It felt amazing, to say the least.

“I just… waited in line for a couple of days to be the first to get to buy your new merchandise.” he said it quietly, ashamed. Cruella would think he’s weak for doing all that for something so… frivolous. At least he learned camping wasn’t his thing.

“Wow, a dedicated fan!”

He turned to look down at Dallas, the one who spoke, surprised. Her eyes sparkled as she padded at his side. He took a step back, almost causing them to fall. What was up with these dogs and physical contact.

“Sorry,” he said, immediately, unsure of why he was apologizing. “I like my personal space.”

A worthless snowflake-

“That’s fine,” Destiny replied, her voice gentle and soft like she was trying to calm a wild beast. Oh, he’s the beast. He didn’t notice how tense he was until then.

Probably just embarrassed.

Yeah, that’s it.

Deja-Vu walked over to the living room and poked her head in. She turned back to the three with a serious expression. “I think we should go outside for the rest of the day.”

“Okay,” Dallas said as if that was a reasonable and understandable request.

The three started off towards the back door. Destiny paused to look over her shoulder. “You coming, Hunter?”

Startled, he nodded quickly. “Sure.” he coughed, putting up a cool facade. “Yeah, alright. Let’s go.”

Needless to say Hunter narrowly missed the apartment filling up with water. He was having too much fun gossiping in the backyard with the girls. He wouldn’t admit it out loud but it was an amazing time.

Cruella would be so disappointed in him.

He needed to make it worth something. He had to. So when he went to fetch his bag from the bathroom before their parents came home, he stopped.

Sitting on the cabinet were three pink brushes, each bedazzled with jewels of different shapes. No one was around. Cruella would be proud of him, he told himself as he shoved one of the brushes into his bag.

He was sure of it.