Chapter Text
Bart, full of his usual energy, scrambled onto the couch where Scott was laying. His fluffy red hair wild from his earlier adventures outside, and his green eyes sparkled with mischief. He had a plan as he crawled up, leaning over his father’s arm like a cat stalking its prey.
Maggie glanced up from her book, an amused smile playing on her pink lips. “Bart, leave your father alone,” she said teasingly. “He’s been working hard all week.”
“He’s not working now!” Bart declared, his voice full of his own righteous logic. “He’s just laying there like a big lazy dog!”
Scott peeked out from under his arm, his brown eyes narrowing playfully at the sight. He had been asleep until he felt the boy come to pay him a visit. “Did you just call me a dog, young man?”
Bart grinned proudly down at Scott, showing off the gap in his teeth. “Yeah! You’re a big, old sleepy dog!”
Maggie chuckled, setting her book down to watch the situation at hand play down. “Well, if anyone’s a dog around here, it’s Bart. Look at him, climbing all over the furniture like a puppy.”
Bart gasped dramatically, pointing at himself. “Me? A dog? No way!”
Scott sat up slightly, shaking his head in mocking dismay. “Oh no, mom’s right. Look at those wild curls, those big sharp teeth. Yep, we’ve got ourselves a puppy!” He held up his hand like a paw, wiggling his fingers at Bart. “Woof, woof!”
Bart laughed so hard he nearly fell off the couch. “No! You’re the dog!” He grabbed Scott’s hand and, with a burst of energy, bit down gently on his father’s fingers, giggling the whole time. “See? I bit you! Like a puppy!”
Scott yelped in an exaggerated tone, pulling his hand back and pretending to inspect it. “Oh no, I’ve been attacked by a rabid dog! Maggie, call animal control!”
Maggie laughed, shaking her head as Bart jumped up and barked like a dog, wagging an imaginary tail just to mock Scott. “You best be careful, Scott,” she teased. “That dog looks dangerous.”
Scott grinned, lunging forward and scooping Bart up in his arms while Bart was distracted, attacking the boy with lots of love and kisses. “I’ve caught him! Time to put this wild animal in the kennel!”
Bart shrieked with laughter, squirming as Scott started tickling him mercilessly. “Noo, haha! Daddy, i dont wanna go to the kennel!”
Scott paused for a moment, hanging Bart over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes, the boy continuing to squirm and laugh. Looking at Maggie with mocking offense, Scott decides to make a joking remark at his wife. “See what you’ve started? Now I’m the house dog.”
“Well, if you’re the house dog, Scott,” she teased, walking over, “then maybe I should be the dog trainer. Clearly, someone needs to get these pups under control.”
Scott looked up at her, an eyebrow raised, his brown eyes sparkling with mischief. “Oh, really? And what exactly is your plan, dog trainer?”
Maggie crossed her arms, feigning seriousness. “First, you get the big dog to sit. Then, you teach the little one to behave.”
Scott chuckled, his grin widening. “Sounds like a solid plan… except there’s one problem.”
“Oh?” Maggie asked, arching an eyebrow.
In a flash, Scott reached up and grabbed her wrist, pulling her onto the couch. She let out a startled laugh as he wrapped his arms around her, trapping her in the middle of the playful pile.
“The problem,” Scott said, grinning as he nuzzled his face into her shoulder, “is that the trainer just got caught by the big dog.”
Maggie squirmed, her laughter spilling out uncontrollably. “Scott! You’re setting a terrible example!”
Bart cheered, climbing onto Scott’s back. “Yeah! We got her! Mommy’s in the dog pile!”
Maggie tried to sit up but was quickly overpowered by Scott and Bart. She gave up, collapsing in defeat against her husband, her cheeks flushed from laughter. “Alright, alright, I surrender. The dog trainer is officially out of commission.”
Scott leaned his head back and grinned at her, a mischievous glint in his eyes. “That’s what I thought. Nobody escapes this pack.”
She rolled her eyes but couldn’t suppress her smile. “You’re impossible.”
“And yet you love me,” he teased, pressing a quick kiss to her temple.
Bart giggled, clearly delighted. “Mommy and Daddy are being mushy again!”
Maggie gave him a mock scolding look. “Watch it, young man, or this mushy mom will tickle you next.”
Bart squealed and immediately dove behind Scott for cover. “Daddy, save me!”
Scott shook his head, chuckling as he pulled Bart into a loose hug. “Sorry, buddy. You’re on your own. I’ve got my hands full with this dog trainer right here.”
Maggie swatted his arm playfully, her cheeks still warm with laughter. The couch was now a tangle of arms, legs, and giggles, a testament to the love and chaos that filled their home!