Chapter Text
Juliette likes to think she has good resolve. Anyone else would say the complete opposite - that she has zero self control
Finding the small, dirty puppy she named Midnight in that alley is what made Jules realise that maybe everyone else was right, maybe she didn’t have much self control after all
As Calliope had mentioned, it was not an easy task to say goodbye to the puppy the following morning.
”He’s looking at me all sad” Juliette commented, stroking the dark fur. Calliope rolled her eyes, “I think that’s just his natural look Jules”
The puppy did seem forlorn though, and perhaps Cal was right - he wasn’t the loudest or most energetic pup. He seemed quiet and reserved in a way that melted Juliette
She wanted to keep Midnight, to take back home and buy a cute little dog bed to keep him safe and happy
But as much as she was a dreamer, Juliette knew she had to be realistic. Keeping a live animal in the Fairmount house would most likely end in a disaster, Oliver and his pet turtle was the catalyst for the entire drama which unfolded
So instead, Juliette formulated a new plan. She named it - plan: convince the Burns to take in Midnight.
The title was to be confirmed.
Calliope begun to get her belongings ready, filling up her bag with school work and Juliette gulped in anticipation.
“We’re not keeping the dog Jules” she called over her shoulder
”I wasn’t going to ask!” Juliette responded, almost too quickly as she slipped on her jacket, tucking Midnight into her arms before following Calliope downstairs
The house was quiet, which made the plan easier. It gave Juliette time to try and convince Calliope to take in the stray puppy
“You’re holding onto him like he’s your child” Calliope points, taking a bite from an apple
And that was true. Over the past few hours, Juliette had grown attached to the puppy. Yes he was small, and dirty (even after three baths). He wasn’t entirely social either, but there was definitely a bond there.
As though sensing her feelings, Midnight burrowed closer to her chest and Juliette used that to her advantage, her free hand pointing at the puppy
“Look at him Cal! He’s all alone!”
Calliope sighs, finishing off her apple and joining Juliette at the dining table. She pets the puppy, stroking his fur cautiously
”Jules, my parents aren’t really animal ... people”
That was also true. The Burns were an extremely focused family, whether it be on training or school, work. There was always something going on
”But he needs a stable home!” Juliette pouts, clutching the puppy to her chest. “Cmon Cal”
Calliope’s eyes soften when she looks from the puppy to Juliette, who can feel herself slowly beginning to win the fight.
But before anything else can happen, the front door swings open and Apollo enters the house.
Midnight barks loudly, and Calliope curses under her breath. “Yo! What’s happening?” Apollo saunters into the kitchen
”Is that a dog?” He asks immediately, hand outstretched to fist bump Calliope in greeting. Juliette beams at the smile on his face.
“Jules...” Calliope begins, but Juliette reformulates her plan.
She holds out Midnight towards Apollo, accepting his fist bump whilst showing him the puppy, who whines as though staying in character.
“Apollo meet Midnight” she introduces, and watches with baited breath to see what will happen
Success
“What’s up little dude?”
Calliope sighs loudly, outnumbered. Juliette sighs too, but in relief. Thankfully, Apollo is unlike his parents - he is an animal lover or at the very least, a Midnight lover
He offers the puppy a small first pump to his paw. Juliette grins the whole way through the interaction, because she now has an ally. There is no way that Apollo will let Midnight return to the streets
Calliope is defeated. Outnumbered now too, even though Juliette secretly believed that she alone could have convinced her girlfriend to keep the puppy
After fawning over Midnight for a short while, Juliette ramps up the next stage of her plan. “He’s a stray, Apollo. I found him all alone in an alleyway”
She banks on his sympathy, and horror at the situation, and Apollo does not disappoint
“Was he abandoned? There’s no way anyone could leave the poor little guy”
Juliette nods her agreement, and Calliope looks fondly exasperated at the pair. “Someone might be looking for him” she cuts in, but the argument is weak.
“There was no chip!” Juliette argues, “or collar too” and it was true, no sign that anyone owned the puppy.
”So he is all alone” she tells Apollo, who looks rightfully appalled. She hadn’t expected the Burns brother to be such an avid animal lover - but it was working so far
“Isn’t he the cutest?” Apollo takes the puppy from Juliette’s arms and holds him against his chest with a wide grin.
And as much as Cal isn’t an “animal lover” (her words, not Juliette’s), she seems to have a soft spot for the stray too
”He’s very cute, but mom and dad won’t think so when he’s tearing up the living room”
But Juliette has prepared for this defence. “We can watch for him! And train him. Make sure that he doesn’t cause any damage”
This part is more of an exaggeration. Juliette is terribly coordinated and has the skill set sometimes of a toddler.
There have been many occasioned where she had caused a disaster in the Burns household (not to mention the bins, neither Jack nor Talia let her drive within a mile of the house since she accidentally obliterated the bins)
So if Midnight was anything like his owner, there would be no guarantee that he wouldn’t cause complete and utter chaos
”And I’ll watch out for him too” Apollo cuts in, seemingly understanding Calliope’s hesitation
”There’s no way that mom and dad will agree to this”
That's another hurdle too. Calliope was easy enough to convince, Juliette knew that she had a hard time saying no when it came down to her signature pout.
Apollo was a win too, and Theo would probably be the least bothered in the house considering how often he went out
”How about we hide him for now?” Juliette offers, taking Midnight back from Apollo and settling him down into her lap.
This, was a bad idea with hindsight. But she was desperate! And Calliope, as usual, was right. There was no way that Talia and Jack Burns would agree to adopt a stray puppy that Juliette brought in from the street
“We can let him stay, on the low, for a little bit until we find a way to tell your parents” Juliette suggests, and Apollo wraps an arm around her shoulder, punching her arm lightly
”Dude! That’s a great plan”
It was not a great plan. But it was the best that Juliette had, and she didn’t even want to consider her backup plan - which was definitely, totally, not - bringing Midnight home to the Fairmounts
It could work though, theoretically. So long as Juliette (and Apollo as his de-facto uncle) kept him as far away from Talia and Jack as possible
Calliope sighed again, and Juliette unravelled herself from Apollo’s grasp. She handed him the puppy and took her girlfriend’s hand - catching her eye with a gentle smile
“It’ll be fun Cal! You know, sneaking around is kinda our thing” she winks, and it’s clumsy and awkward but Apollo snorts and Calliope laughs
She can see the resolve breaking and pouts again to try and soften her girlfriend, who already looks ready to agree.
”Fine, fine. This is such a bad idea”
Juliette and Apollo cheer loudly, exchanging a high five and all Calliope can do is shake her head at the pair
”Welcome to the family Midnight” Apollo tells the puppy, holding him in the air, above the dining table