Work Text:
A dog. A large white dog, with many red spots, droopy red ears and a red snout. It is in a peachy-tan coloured space.
A man. A thiren, to be specific, named Ye Shiyuan. He is knelt on the ground of this space, strong flexible back laid on the floor with his feet tucked underneath him and the red-spotted dog slumped across his lap, its body like a rag doll.
A bark is heard in the distance. Exhaling, Shiyuan heeds this call as he rises upwards, tucking his left arm underneath the dogs chest, and begins to pet its back slowly with his right. In one slow, smooth motion, Shiyuan strokes softly down the back of the dog from its lower neck to lower back. In response, the dog stretches fully, craning its head upwards and straightening its tail, holding this pose for a brief moment.
Quickly and swiftly, Shiyuan returns to lying down, and the dog returns to its slumped position, panting quietly. However, Shiyuan does not remain this way forever. Just a couple seconds later, the dog lets out a small woof and he rises yet again, repeating his petting hastily four times. His previous soft, slow, light petting found the first time he pet the dog was not found, but in its place were heavy, fast, repetitive pets. Once, twice, thrice, before four times, Ye Shiyuan pets the dog in this rapid way, each time exhaling audibly while lying down and rising back up once again.
Additionally, the dog reacts in suite, slumping down and stretching up as well. It keeps up its quiet panting throughout the four fast pets.
But, on the fifth pet following the four rushed ones, Shiyuan slows again. Now, sighing slowly, he drags out his pet for what feels even longer than the initial one. Completing the action, his right hand remains on the outstretched dogs lower back, and as the dog tilts its head upwards, it lets out a burp.
Finally, after all six pets, Ye Shiyuan and the dog return to the position they were in before the petting began. Shiyuan lets out one last breath, and the dog becomes silent once more.
This beautiful exchange in its entirety lasts for a mere 16 seconds, but it encapsulates everything.
The end.