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If you told Petey he would become a good guy, and share his “child” with his former enemy, he would’ve fainted on the spot. Do-gooder?! Kid?! Sharing a kid…with Dogman?!
He never saw himself in such a position. Now, making dinner for Dogman and Lil Petey. He sighed, wiping his arm against his head.
Lil Petey was out with his friend Molly, as he was given permission to spend time with her afterschool. When Dogman leaves work, he’d pick him up and bring them straight home.
Petey watched the food on the stove, and decided to sit down for a moment. He couldn’t believe he was living under Dogman’s roof. As much as he didn’t want to, it was for the best.
People don’t just accept people with rough pasts easily. Even when he tried a few times, before just resorting back to his evil doings.
He heard the door slowly open. Dogman and LP were home already. Dinner still needed a minute.
He enjoyed cooking, it’s another thing he likes doing when he isn’t making robots or crazy inventions.
But apparently, cooking must be a “housewife’s” job. Chief and Nurse Lady thought he and Dogman were married. “He works and you clean. Then there’s the kid you both so happen to raise together.”
The thought of him and Dogman dating didn’t bother him as much as he’d like to admit.
He was shaken out of his thoughts by Dogman licking his face. Petey pushed him away quickly, “No! We talked about this Greg—”
Dogman hugged him tightly, then sat down. Lil Petey went up to his dad, “Hi Papa!”
Petey wiped Dogman’s slobber off his fur, before giving a small smile to Lil Petey. “Hello Lil P, what happened at school today?”
He showed his dad his passing quiz. “This happened! Aren’t you proud of me?” He grinned.
Petey picked him up and licked the top of his head. “Of course I am. Nice job kid.” He hugged him before telling him to go sit at the table.
Dogman watched the moment, and he felt warmth in his chest. Watching Petey and Lil Petey smile together after previously being evil was nice. Watching people change was nice. Watching Petey was nice…maybe.
Lil Petey sits at the table, next to Dogman. “Hey Dogman, what happened at work?”
Dogman couldn’t exactly talk . He would bark or use ASL. Sometimes, he would have to write since not everyone understands ASL. “Nothing crazy,” he signed.
With Petey not doing his evil-doings, crime rate has dropped drastically. There were the occasional robbers, but nothing too crazy.
“That’s good!” Lil Petey said, then suddenly remembered something. “Wait! I made something! Hold on!” He jumped off the bed, and ran upstairs.
Petey brought out two plates, and groaned. “Where’d he go?”
Dogman shrugged. “Went to get something.”
Petey rolled his eyes, before placing down the plate in front of Dogman. “Here.”
Dogman smiled and thanked him. He learned some table manners, and waited for Lil Petey to return.
Petey placed Lil Petey’s plate down. “What do you want to drink?” He asked.
“No mind.”
Petey nodded, and headed back to the kitchen.
Lil Petey returned with a drawing in his hand. “Look at what I made in art class!” He placed it in front of Dogman.
Dogman picked it up and inspected it. He smiled, and licked Lil Petey, getting a giggle from the kid. “Nice work.” He signed with his one hand.
Lil Petey was learning ASL so he could understand him, so he felt prideful when Dogman praised him, and that he understood.
Petey came back with three glasses, then noticed the drawing Dogman was looking at. “What’s this?”
“Papa, look at what I made!” Lil Petey pointed excitedly.
Petey placed the glasses down to their respectful persons, then looked at the drawing. He felt his face heat up seeing the drawing.
It had Dogman and Petey holding hands, with Lil Petey on top of Dogman’s shoulders. On the top of the paper, it read “My Family”.
Petey gulped, “It’s…It’s nice.” He could tell that neither Dogman or Lil Petey saw an issue.
They won’t be beating those marriage allegations anytime soon.
Lil Petey smiled. “They made us do an assignment about families.” He sits back in his seat.
Petey sits back in his seat. “That’s nice.” He took a sip of his milk.
“Papa, is Dogman my other dad?”
Petey coughed up the milk. He beat his chest, trying to get the milk out of his throat. “Sorry?”
“Would Dogman be my dad? Would I have two daddies? I don’t have a mom, or a brother, or a sister.” Lil Petey took a bite of his food. “Oo, this is good Papa!”
Petey was thankful for his furry orange face, it was covering his blush. He didn’t know how to exactly answer that question.
Would Dogman be Lil Petey’s dad? They did have a nice bond, and it always brought a smile to his face.
He and Dogman weren’t dating though, as they were just co-parenting since Dogman got attached to the kid.
“Also, my teacher wanted to know if you guys are married.” Lil Petey then gasped. “Wait! That would be cool! Then we’d be a real family!”
Dogman seemed to find the whole thing hilarious, meanwhile Petey was unable to think or talk at that second.
Dogman snapped his fingers, catching Lil Petey’s attention. “We are already a real family.”
Petey nodded slowly, “Exactly. Kid, every family is different.” He sighed, suddenly not having an appetite. “No one needs to be married. You know, Molly doesn’t have a mom.”
Lil Petey decided that he had a good point. “Okay…Well my teacher wants to know if anything is happening between you two.”
Petey groaned, and placed his face in his hands. Dogman wasn’t exactly sure, so he only shrugged. Lil Petey took that for an answer.
They continued to eat quietly, unless there was small talk.
Once Lil Petey finished his dinner, he was excused to go bathe and brush his teeth. Petey says he’ll meet with him in a moment.
Dogman noticed Petey hadn't eaten his food. He snapped to get Petey’s attention.
Petey looked up, “What do you—Oh. No, I’m not gonna eat it.” He pushed it towards Dogman, who inhaled it.
Dogman was eating, then thought about it. Petey didn’t eat his dinner. It was cool…but then again, something’s bothering him.
Dogman barked. “What’s wrong?” He signed.
Petey rubbed his arm. “I…I don’t even know.” He was unsure how to feel. He…wasn’t exactly mad like he wished he was. The thought of him and Dogman dating didn’t really bother him.
Dogman sighed, “If it’s really bothering you, we can talk to everyone.”
Petey shook his head. “It’s fine.” He stood up. “I gotta help the kid. I’ll be right back.” He walked upstairs.
Dogman watched and frowned, suddenly not wanting to eat anymore. He never truly cared about the “shipping”. He didn’t think too much about it, but if it’s bothering Petey, then it’ll make him a bit uncomfortable too.
He consumed his meal, and after 15 minutes, Petey came back down the stairs. He looked exhausted, and like a lot was on his mind. Dogman decided to do something helpful and wash the dishes.
Yeah, technically Petey and Lil Petey were living around his roof, but Petey did most of the chores. He said “It helped get stuff off his mind”.
Petey noticed him doing the dishes, and a small smile came onto his face. “You don’t have to, Greg.”
Petey started calling him Greg more often, since Dogman told him he preferred being called his actual name than a scientific one.
Dogman didn’t move, and continued to clean them. Petey went up to him and chuckled. “You’re making a mess, dude.”
Dogman whimpered, and turned to Petey. He signed with his available hand, “Do you have a problem with us ?”
Petey gulped. Here we are with his complicated feelings again. “I…I don’t know, Greg. It’s complicated.” He didn’t know if he wanted to talk about it.
They don’t usually talk about it among each other, but they do some small things. Dogman often thought nothing, as mentioned, meanwhile Petey would be rethinking his and Dogman’s entire “friendship”.
Dogman shook his hands clean, then pushed Petey to sit. Once he sat, he placed himself under his arm. He took off his hat, so Petey could pet him.
Petey would’ve been weirded out if this wasn’t something they did often. He started petting Dogman, and felt some relief. He could tell his little doggy friend was too.
Petey then spoke, “I put Lil Petey to bed. Want to watch a movie?” Dogman nodded quickly, before getting up to lick him. “Ack! Enough—I could still change my mind!”
Eventually, Petey made them some popcorn and they huddled up on the couch and watched a movie. Dogman seemed focused on the movie. Petey couldn’t bring himself to watch it, but he was focused on the dog next to him.
He still couldn’t believe he was here…watching a movie with his former arch nemesis, living in his home, raising a child together. And the fact that he was questioning feelings. What happened to him? Get a grip, Petey!
They were watching a comedy romance, but Petey wasn’t that interested. If anything, he was actually tired. He felt himself dozing off, and he slowly fell on Dogman’s shoulder.
Dogman felt the weight of Petey, and heard his snores. He found it endearing, and he believed Petey deserved a night’s rest. He found the movie quite entertaining, and wasn’t that tired…yet.
As the movie ended, Dogman didn’t want to wake Petey to go to bed. They didn’t sleep together, as he would be on the couch and the cats took his room. He didn’t really mind.
As his eyelids started getting heavy, his phone vibrated very loudly. It startled him awake, and Petey as well.
He grabbed his phone out of his pocket, and saw the text message.
Hey Dogman! Still down for that hangout tmrw?
Oh, that’s right. He should turn off his notifications. But he responded quickly with a thumbs up.
Petey rubbed his eyes, “Damn it…Did I fall asleep…?” He looked over and noticed Dogman on his phone. “Who is that?”
Dogman signed to him quickly, “Friend.”
Friend? Petey felt something tighten in his stomach. “Who is this friend ?” He didn’t know why he cared so much.
“Someone I met on the street.” He signed, before putting the phone away. “I might not be able to get Lil Petey until later.”
Petey raised a brow, “Why not?” He did have creations that could easily get the kid, but Lil Petey loved seeing Dogman after a long day at school and with Molly.
“Hang out.”
“With your friend?”
Dogman nodded.
Petey felt jealousy stir up in him, but he’d rather bite his tail than admit that. “Right…Well…good night.” He got up, then stopped before going up. “Throw your clothes in the wash.” He continued going up.
Dogman frowned, feeling upset that the mood was ruined.
The next morning, Dogman was getting his clothes out of the dryer. He was thinking about Petey and how clearly bothered he was yesterday. All because of his friend!
He shook off his clothes, and ironed them. Petey had taught him how to do that. He then heard Lil Petey come from upstairs, “Dogman!”
He waves back, with a small smile. The kid knew how to make him forget most of his problems, even if it was temporary. “Good morning.” He signed.
Lil Petey signed back, “Good morning!” He then looked at what Dogman was doing. “How long is that going to take? I’m ready for school now,” he said.
Dogman held up a finger, which told Lil Petey to wait.
“Hm…Okay. Papa didn’t make breakfast this morning,” he shrugged, “I’ll eat at school.”
Dogman felt his ears drop. Petey must be upset. “Is he in the room?” He signed.
Lil Petey thought for a moment, then nodded. “I would think so.”
Dogman rubbed the back of his neck, before shooing the kid so he could change into his uniform.
Once he was done, he escorted Lil Petey to the car. Lil Petey seemed to be okay, as he was kicking his feet and looking out the window.
Dogman grabbed his phone and texted Petey before driving off.
Me and LP are out, will be home later. Be safe ☺️
The message was read, and was responded with a thumbs up. Dogman at least knew Petey was alive.
Once Dogman dropped Lil Petey off, he headed to work. He ran into his friend as he was about to walk in.
“Dogman! Hey!” She waved at him. “Caught you just in time, ay?” She laughed and nudged his shoulder.
He smiled, and licked her face a few times, which erupted giggles out of her.
“Okay, okay!” She rubbed the top of his head. “You’re still coming later, right?”
He nodded, and she smiled.
“Good! I’ll catch you later.” She winks and waves.
She was a friend he met on the street, and she was interested in getting to know him more. Dogman didn’t see a problem with hanging out with her, so he accepted.
Lil Petey would be out with Molly for a bit, and Petey would have time to himself.
She was pretty nice and sweet, and her name was Johanna. She usually helps pick up around the park. She was a human, with short blonde hair. She had a nice ember eye color, and always dressed like she was going out to a nice dinner.
Maybe Dogman liked the fact that she gave him a bone too. He noticed he had a bone in his pocket. She snuck one in! God, she’s an amazing person!
Back at the house with Petey, he was exhausted . Not exactly physically, but his mind was playing with him. He felt guilty since he didn’t make breakfast for Lil Petey or Dogman.
He got up and sighed. He looked at his phone, seeing if there was anything he would need—or maybe he was just looking for a text from Dogman.
The most recent one was about the two leaving. He groaned, and hit his forehead. “Damn it Petey. You can’t let it get to you.” He was more bothered about Dogman’s “friend” than he thought he would be.
Why was Dogman hanging out with other people that weren’t him? Yeah, he knows that had a rough history, but this is the present ! They were pretty cool now, and they live together with a child! Isn’t that enough?
Wait…there’s a small issue. Him and Dogman aren’t dating. So technically, he and Dogman were free to be with whoever they wanted.
Petey wasn’t sure if he was okay with Dogman seeing other people. A small part of him wanted Dogman all to himself.
He huffed, and lied back in bed. Who was he kidding?
There’s a chance you may like Dogman, you know? Like, like him!
He growled, and covered his ears with pillows. “No! I don’t like that…mutt! I don’t like how he licks and loves on me, and…and I hate how he is so happy with Lil Petey and treats him as his own!”
He was practically telling on himself. Dude…Just admit you grew attached to Dogman! It’s okay to—
He started blasting music from his phone. “No. We’re not doing this.” He sighed, feeling some type of relief. He had some time until Dogman and Lil Petey came home.
He could clean up the house, or go out. Even sketch up some possible machine plans. But he decided to stay in bed and watch a movie. Feelings can really kick ass.
It's been a few hours, and Dogman was heading out of his office. “Bye Dogman! Remember, early tomorrow!” Chief told him. Dogman gave a thumbs up, as he saw Johanna leaning on his car.
“Hey, are you ready?” She smiled. Dogman nodded with a smile, as he began licking her face. She laughed, “Aw! You sweet thing!” As she was about to open the door to the passenger seat, Dogman opened it for her.
She grinned, and sat down, thanking him. Dogman then ran to the driver’s seat, as they drove off.
“You know, the park is a nice place to relax after a long day,” she says. “My dad is hospitalized again…” She sighs.
Dogman looks over, and barks. He signed with one hand, “What happened?”
She smiled sadly, “He…I don’t wanna get into it. I keep trying to be there for him, but I have this deep fear that one day he won’t be here anymore.”
Dogman felt bad immediately. But then he listened to her words. She was trying to be there for him, her family. “Is he all you have?” He signs.
Johanna shook her head, “No. I have two children at home.” She grins. “I spend most of my time with them. I try to get them to hang with their grandfather…but he’s…you know?”
Dogman nodded in understanding, as they both got out of the car and went for a walk. He made sure to alert Flippy that he’ll be late picking up Lil Petey.
“Ah, you and Petey are finally going on a date?” He asked.
Dogman barked in confusion. “What are you talking about? I’m hanging with a new friend!”
Flippy was quiet over the phone for a moment. “Oh. Uh…my bad for assuming.” He paused again, “Alright, Lil Petey is safe here. Have a good time!”
Then that was that. Dogman and Johanna seemed to have a great time though, bonding over small things. She even gave him a bone, and played ball with him!
It was pretty late when they left. It was around 7, and Dogman made sure to shoot Petey and Flippy a text. He knew that Petey would be upset with how late his son is coming home.
Dogman arrived at Flippy's place, and he noticed how tired Lil Petey looked. He signed, “Long day?”
Lil Petey settled in the back seat and yawned. He blinked drowsily and nodded slowly.
Dogman nodded in understanding, as they took off to drive home. When they arrived, Petey was at the door. His arms were crossed and he looked grumpy…as usual.
“I hope you had a blast, Dogman,” he says, as he picks up his tired son. “Clearly you did.” He eyed the bright red lipstick kiss mark on his cheek.
Dogman noticed, and smiled sheepishly. He didn’t notice Johanna’s lipstick would mark him. He quickly tried to sign, “You’re misunderstanding!”
Petey rolled his eyes. “Whatever. I’m putting the kid to bed.” He went upstairs.
Dogman whines, as he wiped the lipstick off his cheek. He knew Petey was quite grumpy, but he doesn’t like feeling like a bad dog.
He contemplated going upstairs to check on Petey, or just leaving the cat alone.
Petey eventually came back down the stairs.
Dogman barked quickly, before being shushed.
“Shut up, if the kid wakes up he’ll never go back to sleep.” Petey says, sounding annoyed. “He shouldn’t even be out this late. Especially on a school night.”
Dogman signed, “I did tell you I’d be out later.”
“I thought you meant 30 minutes, not like until seven—close to eight!” Petey says, raising his voice. “If you were going on a date, you could’ve said so.”
“I did—” Dogman stopped signing, then barked. “Wait, a date?”
Petey laughs, but not in a good way. “What kind of hangout causes you to come home with lipstick on your cheek?”
Dogman felt bad, like he cheated on him—but they’re not dating. Why was Petey so upset with him simply hanging out with his friend? He whimpered, and looked down.
Petey could see that Dogman was growing ashamed. “I—Look Greg, I’m sorry.” He goes over to the couch and sits down. “I…” He bit his lip.
Dogman sat next to him. “I’m sorry, I won’t do this again.”
“No! No, it’s not you, it’s me .” Petey says. “I just…” He didn’t know how to word it. He didn’t want Dogman to feel restricted to only hang out with him, even if that’s a slightly nice thought.
Dogman frowns, and holds Petey’s shoulder. He signs with his one hand, “You can talk to me. I know I haven’t been the best—”
“I like you, okay?!” Petey shouts at him. Dogman was stunned, unsure how to react. “I…I’ve been liking you for a bit. The thought of you being with someone else…bothers me. And I just don’t want you to forget about me and Lil Petey.”
Dogman was thinking, then smiled. He licked Petey’s face.
Petey spat out the slobber, “Ack! No! Stop it Greg!” He tried pushing him, but he couldn’t, and found himself enjoying it.
Dogman eventually stopped, then signed, “You don’t have to worry about me leaving. You two are my family. My real family.” Knight was also his family, but after his death, Dogman was alone.
When he met Lil Petey, he felt that he had a greater purpose than always saving Ohkay City, and that was raising a bright young soul. Then when Petey moved in, he felt almost complete again.
Dogman continued to sign, “You two changed my life in the best ways possible, I could never ever leave you guys.” He chuckles. “You being jealous of me with my friend is funny though.”
Petey’s cheeks heated up immediately. “Shut the hell up.”
Dogman wrapped his arms around Petey and barked. “I love you too.”
Petey was stunned by the hug, but slowly hugged him back. He’d take this over the licking anyday.
Dogman signs with his one hand, “I love you both so much.”
Petey purrs(a rare sound from him of all cats), feeling content, loved, and safe. “I love you more, Greg.”
They both slept on the couch that night. The news of the city’s supa cop and former evilest cat dating will be the mainstream of television.