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Knock knock knock.
“Baaabe!” Asher sticks his head out the dining room doorway, decorations box in hand. “Can you get the door?”
“You’re closer! I'm nearly done changing.” They call back from the bedroom, smoothing down their shirt.
“But you're more socially adept! It's just the pizza guy.” He adjusts the bright blue and gold Congratulations! banner over the table.
“Baby come on.” They roll their eyes affectionately to their reflection. “It's good practice.”
Knock knock knock.
They turn to leave only to be met with a very furry face looking up at them with huge puppy eyes.
“Again Ash?” They half sigh, half snort giving him an affectionate pet to the head. “Come on then you big baby.”
They reach the door, looking down at their very fluffy partner. “My outfit okay?”
He gives a small yip nosing their hand as his tail wags rapidly. They press a quick kiss to his forehead before opening the door.
“Hi congratulations! So sorry I'm earl- what is that my god?!” The guest shrieks as soon as the door opens and they're face to face with a giant wolf.
“Oh! I uh- Janine. Hi.” Baaabe and wolf-Asher exchange a look. “It's our dog. I thought you were the pizza guy.”
“I never knew you had a dog!” She squeals, “What's its name?”
“Mr Spok.” They answer unthinkingly, “he gets excited when he hears his name.” They glance at a now very wiggly dog Asher.
“Aww he's so cute! Very big. Can I pet him?” She coos holding out a hand.
“Uh that's up to him.” They smile awkwardly as Asher gives them half a side eye, before nudging her hand and allowing her a few pets.
“Aren't you just the cutest Mr Spock!” Janine gushes, before straightening up and handing Baaabe the bottle of wine she'd been holding. “Here, big congrats on the promotion. And so glad you're finally celebrating something work related!”
“Ah yeah, blame my husband, he's always trying to get me to allow myself the break.” They laugh, standing still in the doorway, while Asher gives a proud huff.
“Can I come in? If I'm too early that's fine I don't want to intrude.”
Baaabe opens their mouth to ask for just five minutes before a couple of other guests appear behind Janine.
“Just come on in!” They say with forced joviality, ignoring the large paw nudging them insistently.
The swarm of people floods into the thankfully fully decorated apartment. All the guests fussing excitedly over… Mr Spock.
In fact, Baaabe noticed stifling a snicker, Asher actually turned out to be the centre of attention no matter how many times he tried to slip away. There was a small sliver of satisfaction as they collected the pizza, tipping generously considering how many there were for the gathering. 'Karma' they think smugly. Before they could close the door, Milo and Sweetheart appear in the hall.
“Well hey there superstar!” Sweetheart cheers, wrapping Baaabe in a big hug.
“Hey big congrats.” Milo beams, offering a hug of his own. “I know we're doing a pack thing this weekend too, but we wanted to pop by just to say it in person.”
“Thank you both, that's very kind of you.” Pulling back, Baaabe grins at the two wickedly. “And if you've nowhere else to be; you have got to come in and say hi to Mr Spock.”
At the couple’s bemused look, they lean in conspiratorially. “Ash and I’s dog.” They wiggle their eyebrows.
Milo practically jumps for joy as he immediately sprints into the apartment.
“How did that even happen?” Sweetheart snickers as Baaabe links their arms and leads them inside.
“He was avoiding the pizza guy, turns out it was Janine very early and it all snowballed from there.” They whisper.
“Oh yeah they and Ash found this dog as a stray in the dirtiest dumpster, a real charity case. Such generous people. Especially when he was just covered in garbage.” The two look up to see Milo fawning theatrically over Asher, explaining how the couple came to adopting ‘Mr Spock’. He holds up a tennis ball - god knows where he found it - and begins teasing him with it to an audience of very entertained party guests.
Baaabe has to bury their face in Sweetheart’s shoulder to prevent them from losing it at Asher’s death glare yet blatantly wagging tail. And Sweetheart near collapses in a fit of giggles when Asher knocks the ball under Milo’s feet and the two fall into a pile on the floor. The two mates barely supporting each other; watching their lovers wrestle on the carpet.
“Okay okay.” Baaabe calls out, wiping tears frommtheir eyes. “That's enough, we don't want Mr Spock to get too overexcited and pizza’s here!”
A cheer emerges from the party.
“Oh but what about your husband?” Janine pipes up looking worried.
“Asher texted me and said he'd be here soon.” They say purposely ignoring Sweetheart and Milo’s simultaneous snicker.
Smiling and nodding as they shepherded Asher out to the bedroom they quickly shut and lock the door behind them.
“Oh my god Baaabe my hero!” Asher cries the second he transforms back.
“Ash!” They shush through a smile, “call that the consequences of your actions.”
"I swear I will get the pizza every time from now on." He says solemnly before he groans, “I'm never gonna live this down.”
“Correct, Mr Spock.” Sweetheart says materialising beside him making the pair jump half a foot in the air. Baaabe lets out a small oof as Asher leaps into their arms.
“Are you supposed to be a professional investigator?” Asher sticks his tongue out at Sweetheart. “You should've stepped in sooner!”
“Nah, you were having so much fun!” They wink, mimicking a wagging tail.
“Get out!” Asher cries, and Sweetheart chuckles menacingly as they phase out the wall. “Dick.” He pouts, dropping out of Baaabe’s arms.
“Okay, I'll run distraction for the guests and you can sneak in and come back in through the door.” Baaabe says, running a hand through his hair.
“Sounds like a plan Baaabe.” Asher gazes at them adoringly. “I love when you get all strategic and take charge.”
“Oh really?” Baaabe says in mock surprise. “Then come here and give me a kiss. That's an order~.”
“Ooh yes captain.” He purrs stepping in closer to kiss them.
“Ew get a room.” Sweetheart interjects face halfway through the wall.
“Out!” Baaabe glares, throwing a pair of socks and the retreating and cackling stealth.
Asher gives them a comforting peck on the cheek. “They're right, this can wait. I wanna celebrate you tonight rather than just be Mr Spock all night.”
“Thank you baby.” They soften wrapping their arms around him. “Okay I'll go first.”
“Wait! Bonus kiss for good luck.” He quickly kisses them again, pushing them towards the door.
“See you in a minute.” They wink, slipping out the door with a click.
“Aww I miss Mr Spock already.” He hears Milo calling out as Baaabe reemerges. “We coulda tested his commands, I know he's very well trained.”