Chapter Text
The most enlightening part of “the incident” was finding out that Marc’s protein shakes smelled just as bad- if not worse- as they did before. Like a gross concoction of bacteria and peanut butter. Albeit more robust on the bacteria.
However, that fact surprisingly didn’t stop Steven from lapping up the disgusting shake Marc dropped. His new domesticated instincts propelled him to the murky puddle, drool dripping from his muzzle at the horrid smell. He fought against tasting it for only half a second before surrendering and digging into Marc’s misfortune. The last few scoops of his protein powder were gone within a minute by several quick, calculated swipes of Steven’s tongue.
Jake watched from the sidelines. A disgusted grimace on his face shadowed below a mustache he’s yet to style from last night's tossing and turning.
Marc shares the same expression of displeasure. He stands with his arms raised from the initial shock of dropping his after-workout snack, a twisted wrinkle between his brows.
“ Well fuck,” He slaps his hands down on his thighs. The impact makes his shorts puff up, scaring Steven off the circle of dog drool he’s left behind, trying to gather up every last bit of the peanut butter taste he could find. Marc gestures to the floor and looks back over at Jake.
“ Are protein shakes bad for dogs?”
Jake clacks a toothpick between his teeth.
“ Yo... ¿No lo crees?” He sets down his coffee and pulls Steven’s phone out of his pocket. After many arguments about him needing some form of connection, they settled on a simple burner phone. Of course, with it only being practical enough to give a few short calls, Jake never used it much. His time with electronics was mostly spent with the tv. Watching cheesy romance movies and drama, the works. But he sometimes found it getting old, watching the same shows repeatedly.
In these times of boredom, Steven would offer up his phone to entertain the taller man. An insult Jake takes with a lot of acknowledgment; he’s not just some kid you could put in front of a screen to keep them busy, but not once has he made that clear.
He takes the phone every time.
Jake taps in the password- Gus’s “birthday”- and pulls up google. “Ah... Veamos.” He clicks away slowly, combing his inexperience with touch screens and a pair of leather gloves proved tedious, Marc huffing at the prolonged silence.
A few more quiet taps, and he ran a hand down his face.
“ Y’know, he could be dying.” Marc looks down at the small pup, an unknown breed that looks like it would weigh four pounds hairless. Its dark marble-like eyes are shielded behind the crazy hair that hangs down. Yet, besides the little beast's lack of sight, he seemed joyous. An opaque tan color stained its white muzzle, the slight smile a slap in Marc’s face as his poor drink settled in the canine’s belly.
Marc’s frown deepens. He leans down and picks the pup up, turning to face Jake with a narrowed glare at the sight of him still typing.
“ I’m not trying to go back to the duat.” The dog wiggles in his grip, but Marc stays firm and keeps it trapped between his hands.” If this were you, Steven probably would have already found an answer.”
Jake taps on the phone some more. He side-eyes the two looking at him but only shrugs.” Si Fuera yo, Steven no me dejaría lamer la mantequilla de cacahuete del Suelo…Reina del drama….” Marc grunts; he sets Steven back down and shoos him away with a light tap on the dog's rear. Steven gives his toe a little nip but stumbles towards the living room. His little claws tapped against the wooden floor.
“ Just figure out if he’ll die or not. Don’t want to go to the vet either.” Marc crosses his arms. He stands over Jake with a heavy aura, but that does nothing but make the other’s nose twitch.
“ Sí, sí,” Jake sets the phone down, revealing to Marc that he was texting Layla the entire time. The conversation moved slowly enough for Marc to catch a glimpse of a picture of himself holding Steven. The dog’s pink tongue a blur as it licked the peanut butter off his muzzle.
Marc felt slightly annoyed, but before announcing it, Jake pushed back from his seat and slowly walked to the living room.
“No es una sin azúcar, ¿verdad? Steven estará been.” Jake smiles at the puppy, a slight giggle in his throat.” Vamos Stevie.” He whistles, and Steven comes bouncing over from the couch- one of the legs was left freshly chewed- to meet Jake halfway.
Steven springs up on his hind legs to paw at Jake’s shins, but before he can do any damage, the man plucked him up from the floor. Steven snuggles into Jake’s hold with little to no squirming and practically settles into the man’s lap when they sit on the couch.
Marc watches with a slight hint of jealousy. “ Not sugar-free— but enough to put this guy to bed.” Marc plops beside Jake and runs a casual hand through Steven’s fur.” Already tired from doing nothing.”
Steven flaps an ear, his little paws situated under his muzzle in familiar dog-napping form.
Jake rolls his eyes and gives the pup’s head a scratch.” Es pequeño. Este Mundo es como un parque gigante para él ahora.”
Marc nods.” Yeah, you’re right.”
They sit in silence for a moment. Jake looks out at the window while Marc gives his neck a scratch, but Steven stays put. His brown eyes disappear as he falls asleep.
A forgotten phone buzzes on the table, an unread text from Layla with a paragraph cut off.
Neither gets up to answer it.
Marc hums, leaning back into the couch. “ Do you have any idea’s on how to change him back?”
Jake takes out his toothpick, shrugging at Marc’s question with a hyena laugh.
“ ¡No tengo ni puta idea, Hermano!”