Work Text:
Dogman was loved, he knew that, but sometimes it was hard to believe that. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t speak like a normal person. He knew he wasn’t normal but had learned he wasn’t natural, it stung. To rub salt into the wound, no one really bothered with him. They loved him, but wouldn’t do anything for him. Dogman was a loyal dog no matter the circumstances, but sometimes he just needed help.
He learnt sign language a while back, excited to have a new way to communicate. When he learnt no one in the office bothered to attempt learning ASL he cried in bed alone for hours. That’s when Dogman truly understood how alone he was, even when surrounded by friends. He was always lonely but never wanted to admit it to himself.
Petey and Lil P had moved in recently after Petey's lab was destroyed by his grandfather. Petey was a very jumpy cat, nervous around his ex-enemy. Dogman found a way to wriggle into his heart, but even then Petey was a very anxious cat.
Lil P was the sweetest thing Dogman has ever seen, unbelievably emotionally mature and adorable. He’d form coherent sentences with impressive intelligence for emotional states. Of course, neither of them ever relied on him for help but it was nice to talk every once in a while.
There was one issue, communication. Lil P had to translate for Dogman, it was hard to have a secret conversation or even late night talks between the two adults. Soon they came up with the notebook system, but another problem very quickly came up. Dogman couldn’t write, he knew nothing of spelling or grammar.
It took ages, but with the help of Petey and Lil P Dogman could very shakily write words, then sentences, then paragraphs. He was a quick learner, earning him a lot of head pats and ‘good boy’.
It was a steady system for a while, close to a year. Soon, Dogman grew tired. He would still use sign language, but the second his hands moved a paper and pencil was shoved in his face. It was exhausting, it ached something in him. Again, no one bothered to help him.
Dogman again would cry alone the few times he had the chance, it was embarrassing. He was ashamed, crying simply because he wanted something. He wanted to communicate better, to be loved, to have his thoughts seamlessly translated and not jumbled on paper.
He had an idea, a cruel idea but it might work.
Petey was sitting on the couch as Dogman laid on the ground to color with Lil P.
“Dogman?”
He turned his head, ears shooting up,
“I forgot to ask, how’s Chief?”
Chief had the flu pretty bad and just now came back to work, Petey wasn’t on good terms with him but it was respectful to ask. Dogman got off his stomach to get an easier angle.
Dogman lifted his hands, signing with a smile.
“He’s better! Speaking of Chief though-“
Petey cut him off, chucking as he stood to grab the notebook.
“You know I can’t understand you.”
Dogman gave Petey a strange look, he didn’t take the notebook in his hands. He finished his sentence with an almost angry face.
“As I was saying, he said he’s thinking of promoting me!”
Petey gave him a weird look back.
“Dogman, I can’t understand you.”
Dogman smiled.
“I know”
Petey scoffed.
“What’s gotten into you? Just… write?”
“No!”
Petey raised his eyebrows, confused. Dogman watched him as he laid back on the ground. Lil P looked at the two confused, but he didn’t bother asking. Lil P thought it was just adult stuff he didn’t need to know yet.
Petey knew something was strange, Dogman was happy all day until he came to talk. He’d refused to even touch the notebook, continuously signing with his hands with an angry expression. Petey tried multiple times, each time ending in the silent treatment or cold shoulder.
It was the next day, Petey thought maybe Dogman was just in a mood yesterday. He decided to just leave him alone, letting him and Lil P talk all day.
Dogman and Lil P were in the backyard, playing with the water hose. Lil P grabbed Dogmans hand, trying to get his attention.
“Dad? Are you angry at papa?”
Dogman smiled and shook his head no.
“Then why haven’t you two spoken all day?”
Dog man hesitated, looking away then right back. He bark and howled, a language only him and Lil P understood.
“I guess I… am angry, I’m just a bit tired of being forced to write. I want to talk how I want to talk, and it’s not writing.”
Lil P looked up with sweet eyes.
“You know your barks are hard to understand though.”
Dogman cut him off to explain.
“Sign language, I hate writing, I just want to use sign language.”
Lil P made an ‘ohh’ face, but no sound came out.
“Okay, I’ll tell Papa!”
Dogman cringed a bit.
“Let me apologize first, I was childish.”
Dogman grabbed Lil P's hand and led them inside, Petey sat on the couch with a new book. Petey didn’t look up as he spoke.
“Did you two have fun?”
“Yeah, but dad has something to tell you.”
Lil P quickly walked upstairs, letting the adults have their adult talk. Dogman looked down, whining a bit before he raised his hands. Petey groaned, expecting another strange argument. Dogman barked before turning to grab the notebook.
He opened it, taking a few seconds to write then a simple “I’m sorry” with backwards letters and random capitalization.
Petey looked up with a smile.
“I accept the apology, but what was wrong with you?”
Petey spoke as he handed back the notebook. Dogman flipped to another page and began to write again.
“I don’t like write, want to use ASL”
Petey furrowed his brows, confused as embarrassed blush spread to his face.
“You were pissed because I wasn’t using sign language?”
Dogman nodded as he wrote.
“You not try to learn, brush me off”
Petey cringed as he read the words.
“Dogman, I’m sorry… I should’ve made an effort.”
Dogman gave him a fake smile, it was weak and obvious. He gave him a thumbs up to signify it was okay. Dogman looked down, they both sat in uncomfortable silence.
Dogman turned around, going back upstairs. Dogman didn’t eat dinner, he fell asleep before Petey could cook.
Dogman was peacefully sleeping on his back, Lil P resting in a ball close to his head. It was a lazy Saturday morning, both sleeping a lot longer than normal. Unknown to them, the front door of the small house was gently opened.
Petey quietly sneaked into the house, not wanting to bother the two sleeping boys. He made his way upstairs, cringing at the creaky floor. Once Petey made his way to the top of the stairs, and quickly rushed over to sit on the ground.
Very hesitantly, he grabbed Dogmans shoulder and shook him awake. Dogman woke up very confused as he looked around, his eyes landing on a smiling Petey.
Petey took a breath, thinking before signing.
“Good morning. I’m sorry about” Petey stopped, trying to find the right word before finishing the sentence. “yesterday.”
Dogmans eye shot open, his tail wagging. He tackled Petey in a hug, licking all over his face. Petey groaned, trying to fight Dogman off him.
Petey laughed as he spoke.
“I’m regretting this, you stink.”
Dog man pulled back, sitting on top of him.
“Too bad!”
He signed with a smile.