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Jack prides himself with how well trained Warrior is. He’s poured hours upon hours in teaching Warrior commands and behaviors. It helps that the dog’s a damn genius. But all that goes flying straight out the window the second they enter the pet store. Whatever shit they got going on in there just makes Warrior lose it. He won’t pull on his leash, thank god, but definitely tries to wander and stick his nose just about anywhere that smells good. Spoilers, that’s everything.
Jack holds in a disgruntled sigh, barely. He tried to steer Warrior away from the chew-toy section, but the dog’s smarter than a damn toddler, honestly. Now they stand in the middle of the aisle, Warrior sniffing every single toy. Jack would pull him away, but Warrior needs a new toy anyway. He’ll buy whichever one Warrior sniffs the longest. Right now, a weird lumpy thing that looks like an octopus seems to be a strong contender.
Warrior sniffs around for another minute or two, then goes back to the octopus thing. He makes a noise deep in his throat, and Jack finally lets the sigh go.
“Yeah, yeah, yeah,” he grumbles and pulls the toy off the rack.
Warrior’s little nubbin tail wiggles as hard as it possibly can. He pants in excitement, and lets Jack lead him over to the front counter.
There’s no line currently. The pet shop’s a smaller place; one of the few brick-and-mortar, non-corporate places left in this side of town. It’s convenient, only two blocks away from the park and directly on the walk back to the house. Perfect for stopping in to pick up something on the way home.
Jack steps up to the counter, glancing around. Whoever’s working today isn’t around. Must be that slow of a day. He sets what he’s holding on the counter, and is about to call out for someone when a voice chimes up from behind him.
“Sorry, sorry!” The person says as they rush past Jack. “New stock came in today, so I’m having to rearrange some things.”
“It’s okay,” Jack replies, eyes following the stranger.
Their back is to Jack until they round the counter and step up to the register. Then, hot damn.
How has he not seen this guy before? Jack definitely remembers a pretty face. And this guy’s got a whole lot more than just that. Legs for daaaays, leading up to the kind of waist Jack might be able to wrap his hands around. A blue tattoo swirls around his arm, from wrist up past the sleeve of his shirt. Then god, is he stunning .
Again, how has he not seen this guy before? Is he new? Does he work only when Jack’s not in? How?
Jack’s eyebrows furrow as he thinks, completely missing the man starting to coo at Warrior.
“Awwh, aren’t you handsome?” The man asks, leaning across the counter to scratch between Warrior’s ears. The dog damn near melts, tongue lolling out and head tilting up to press into the touch.
“Uhhh,” Jack says, oh so eloquently.
“Can he have a treat?” The man asks, either not hearing Jack or choosing to ignore it. Either way, him not commenting is awesome.
“Yeah, uh, of course,” Jack says out loud. Internally, he says pull yourself together, idiot.
He watches the man reach under the counter top, then come back out with a bone-shaped treat. Warrior wiggles at the sight of the treat, and Jack registers what’s happening a second before it does. He tightens his hold on the leash, saying,
“Ah-ah-ah, down Warrior.”
Warrior obeys, probably only by muscle memory. His eyes are laser focused on the treat. The man laughs, and god, even that’s beautiful, and holds the treat at Warrior’s eye-level.
“Gentle– oh come on,” Jack tries, but Warrior chomps down the second it’s within biting distance.
The man laughs again. “He’s just excited.”
Jack snorts, watching Warrior chomp once, twice, then a third before he swallows.
“Probably didn’t even taste the thing,” he comments.
“Probably not,” the man agrees.
They both watch Warrior for a moment, then look at each other. The man starts tapping at the register, and picks up the items on the counter to scan.
“He’s really handsome. Warrior, you said?” The man asks.
“Yeah.” Jack nods.
“That’s a nice name. Fitting for such a distinguished gentleman.”
Jack snorts. “You probably see dozens of dogs each day. Do you fawn over all of ‘em like this?”
He realizes how that could be taken right after the words leave his mouth. Yeah, usually he doesn’t give a shit about it, but he’d hate to annoy this gorgeous guy.
“Only the really, really cute ones,” the man says with a little laugh. He scans one of the items, and winks in time with the register’s beep.
Jack laughs, something quieter and realer than the braying laugh he often has. The man’s smile is warm, and he hits a few more buttons on the screen. Jack’s prompted to pay, which he does without thought.
The receipt is printed out a moment later, but instead of it being handed off immediately, the man grabs a pen and scribbles something on it. Jack has a real good idea as to what’s being written, but he’ll still act surprised.
The man holds out the receipt once he’s done. Jack takes it with a raised eyebrow, and skims it over. Just as he suspected– ten digits and a name written across the back.
“Well,” he says, “hopefully you’ll be seeing more of him then, Rhys. ”
He throws his own wink in for flare. Color just barely begins to fill Rhys’ cheeks. Shiiiit, that’s a good look on him.
Jack takes the bag, making a show out of tucking the receipt into his jacket pocket.
“Bye Warrior, bye…” Rhys trails off expectantly.
“Jack,” Jack replies.
“Bye Jack.” Rhys grins.
They hold each other’s gaze for a few long seconds.
“Talk to you soon cupcake.” Jack’s feeling saucy enough to wink again before turning towards the door. Warrior follows dutifully at his side. Just as he’s pushing open the door, he spares a glance over his shoulder.
Rhys has one hand leaning on the counter, cheeks blushing up a storm and bottom lip caught between his teeth. When their eyes meet again, he smiles sheepishly. Jack throws him one last smile, then steps outside.
The bell above the door chimes as it shuts behind him.