Chapter Text
Inigo had quite a few regrets. Deciding to start a dog walking service was definitely one of them. This is how it began.
He'd been whining to his friends on Skype that he had nothing to do ; Owain and Brady were at some fancy hotel on vacation with their families, and Cynthia went with them because she was Owain's girlfriend. With his closest friends gone, he was bored as all hell. Not that he didn't like the others, but thirdwheeling Kjelle and Severa wasn't enjoyable at all, and Lucina was driving her siblings to a camp halfway across the country, so she wasn't pleased whenever he called.
"Aw, Buddy, I'm sure it can't be that bad."
"Yeah, cheer up Inigo! We'll be back in a week. You'll live!" Cynthia and Owain shared a box on the screen, looking like they were having the time of their lives. A slightly disgruntled Brady occupied the next one. They all had one camera originally, but when Cynthia and Owain got a little too cuddly, he jumped ship. Owain, by the way, had somehow already gotten sunburnt everywhere. Brady has his dog sat on his lap, and was cuddling it offscreen.
"You guys don't get it," He sighed, and ran a hand through his ginger hair. "There's literally nothing to do once I get off work. I can't go anywhere alone, then people would think I'm weird,"
"That ship has sailed my friend." Inigo sent a glare Owain's way, but it was half-hearted.
"Have ya tried asking to help out at your ma and pa's bakery?"
"I want to have fun, not another job, Brady."
"Ah, quit yer yappin already."
"I'm gonna die. I'm actually going to die of boredom and this is my farewell." Inigo's face hit the desk and he groaned, in both physical and emotional pain.
"Stop being so dr-" Owain began to talk, but a look from Cynthia stopped him short.
"I'm sorry, were you gonna say 'dramatic'?"
"...Nope."
"Ya sure 'bout that?"
"Absolutely. I've revised the whole thing." He looked away bashfully, clearing his throat. "Anyway, Brady, speaking of yapping, make your dog stop. We can hear him in our room."
"Yeah, why'd you even bring a dog? This is vacation!" Inigo lifted his head, finally out of the spotlight. Cynthia looked offended, as though bringing a dog hurt her somehow.
"We couldn't find a sitter alright!? And you hush yer mouth about Moz, he's not doin' anything."
"We'd have looked after him." Inigo interjected, before an argument started. "Though I don't know how happy Candy and Biscuit would be about that."
"S'actly why we didn't ask."
"Gods I can't believe you two actually named your dogs that."
"Mozart is a legend, you shut yer trap!"
"Dad named them, not me!"
The duo defended their dogs honor immediately, causing Cynthia to snort, and Owain roll his eyes. Then, they turned to face their door, listening to something Inigo couldn't hear.
"Uh-Oh. Brady, Maribelle's headed your way, you better -"
Maribelle could be seen throwing the door open on Brady's screen. There was a moment of panicked silence, before everyone sprung into action.
"Oh well - look we've gotta go eat something!"
"Bye Brady!"
"Later dude!" They all pulled out of the call, the last thing they saw being a bikini clad Maribelle storming over to Brady.
The call has ended.
Owain: he'll be fine, right?
Inigo: well...
Owain: we'll keep an eye on him.
Owain: Cynthia says good luck with ur boredom issues. Also say hi to the dogs.
Inigo: Haha, what great friends u all r
Inigo: u both suck
Inigo: the dogs said woof. r u happy now?
Owain: nah she just looks put out. anyway bye
Inigo: whatever, bye, see u at my funeral
He sighed. Well, that had been no help whatsoever. He was glad he'd spoken to them though, he did miss them. He swiveled on his chair to face the two dogs currently sleeping on his bed. Candice, nicknamed Candy by Gaius, was a cute little Papillon and Biscuit, a hyperactive Australian Shepherd. An odd combination for sure, and truthfully, they'd been content with just Candy, but when Olivia's friend Panne (Who was basically his aunt) had come to them with the stray Aussie, they couldn't say no. And Inigo was glad they hadn't, because he loved them both so much, and considering how easily Candy got lonely, it was a good idea.
They weren't the only pets they owned though. Olivia had also adopted two rabbits from Panne's shelter ; They were currently in a large hutch in the garden. Gaius had been banned from naming these two so Olivia had named the male Chambray, and Inigo christened the female Velvet.
The door slammed loudly downstairs, making him jump, and Biscuit shot up, but he shushed her.
"Inigo! You in?" It was Gaius, his father.
"Yeah Dad!" He tiptoed over to the door, eyes locked with Biscuit's. He shook his head.
"Come down a sec, would ya?"
Don't do it, B. Don't betray me.
He began to slowly open the door, just a crack. "Yeah sure thing."
Biscuit slunk off the bed, awaking Candy.
"Where're the dogs?" He was so close, he could nearly fit through the gap.
Just as he was about to squeeze through, he looked away for a second, and instantly, Biscuit pounced. The door flew open and both dogs shot out of the room, and down the stairs, barking excitedly, probably on their way to assault Gaius.
"Awww, dangit."
Inigo could hear his father's disgruntled cry as he encountered the dogs. He winced, clutching his head, and trudged down the stairs. Sure enough, Gaius, hands full of bags, had two dogs running around, getting in between his legs. Biscuit kept trying to jump up and lick his face.
"Ack! Down B!" He turned to face his son. "Were they in your room?"
"...No?" Gaius sighed, gently nudging Biscuit away with his leg, and motioning for Inigo to take a bag.
"Just clean your bed before your mother gets home." He sighed, and ruffled Inigo's hair with his now free hand.
"Dad!" Inigo pulled away, looking horrified, and desperately began smoothing out his hair as Gaius laughed. He placed the remaining bags on the counter, and walked into the living room, opening up the patio doors. Biscuit ran out, and Candy followed behind, tiny legs slowing her progress.
"So, Kiddo, whatcha been doing?" They conversed quietly as they packed away the items Gaius had just bought ; He'd been out shopping in Olivia's stead, so there was a lot more confectionary than usual.
"Not much. Called the guys, fed the rabbits...uh...I finished that book I was reading."
"Oh yeah? Any good?"
"The ending was frustratingly vague, but I think there's a sequel next year."
"Something to look forward to then." Inigo smiled. It was nice to just spend time with his parents like this. Especially since the incident a few years back. He shook his head to dispel the memory.
"What about you?" Gaius thought for a moment, and then grinned.
"We got a new kid at the bakery. Just a year or two older than you I'd reckon. Kinda weird, but hey - He can bake well enough. Makes a mean brownie."
"He cute?" Inigo asked slyly, leaning against the counter.
"Nah. More like...well, he's intimidating. Got this lone wolf, batman-esque thing going on."
"Oh."
"I'm scared about lettin' that kid on the register, he'll scare away customers."
"That bad?" Inigo winced sympathetically. "Yikes."
"You could always help out, Mr. Charming." Gaius snickered and Inigo batted at his arm, knowing he was about to muss his hair.
"Ha ha, Dad, but no. I already have a job. I am really bored though. Any ideas?" His father grinned devilishly.
"Yeah. Take the dogs out." Inigo groaned, but headed over to the rack by the front door, grabbing the dogs' leads. He whistled loudly, and patted his knees.
"Candy! Biscuit!" The dogs came running, Candy ahead this time. She must've gotten a headstart. Biscuit sat at his feet, tail wagging wildly, a happy look on her face, and Candy strutted around. Gaius chucked a few doggie treats their way, and Candy gobbled them up while Inigo fixed Biscuit's leash, leaving her to watch as her fellow canine betrayed her. She whined pitifully, and Gaius gave her her own treats as Inigo caught Candy. He made sure the give the Aussie a good rub as well. If Gaius was honest, a rare occurance to be sure, he preferred bigger dogs.
Inigo waved goodbye to his dad, and, with the leads in hand, headed out.
"Later Ginger!" He laughed, and shook his head as he secured his dog-walking hoodie around his waist. It was too hot to actually wear it, even though he was wearing a t-shirt.
He was glad they had extendable leads, because while Candy happily trotted along beside him, Biscuit bounded ahead. He lightly tugged the leash whenever she got too far though, and she'd fall back in line.
Sometimes if Brady was busy, he'd walk Moz as well, and it caused heaps of trouble. Moz was only a small thing, a miniature schnauzer and he was scared of Biscuit. All big dogs really, but he'd never thought Biscuit was that big, compared to other dogs. Candy just plain didn't like Moz. Whenever they came near each other Candy would nip and yip, as though asserting her dominance. She'd tried this with Biscuit too, but Biscuit just didn't care. She didn’t mind Candy being dominant. Moz was honestly quite a sweet dog though, quiet and obedient. (As though a dog trained by Maribelle could be anything other than perfect.) He liked him. He enjoyed walking the dogs.
Suddenly, an idea formed in his head.
He was bored. He liked to walk dogs. Walking dogs was fun. Brady couldn't always do it, so Inigo would. Who else couldn't walk their dogs? He liked to walk dogs, why didn't he?
He could start a service!
Suddenly excited, he began to jog the rest of the route, to his dogs' delight.
It was about five o'clock when he returned, face flushed. Olivia greeted him from the living room, laying on the couch.
"Welcome back, sweetie." She smiled, waving him over. He unhooked the leashes on the dogs as he kicked off his shoes and they hurried into the kitchen. He kissed his mother on the cheek.
"Hey Mom. How was work?"
"It was nice. Did Gaius tell you we have a new staff member?" He nodded, and fell beside her on the couch. "Well, he's quite intimidating if I can say so. He's got a lovely dog though."
Inigo perked up. "Right, speaking of dogs,"
"Hm? What is it?"
"You know how I've been super bored without the guys?"
"Boy do we ever." Gaius entered the room carrying two plates of food and balancing one in the crook of his arm. "You haven't shut up since they left."
Olivia shot up, and took the precariously placed crockery from him. "That's dangerous Gaius." He smirked and pecked her on the lips, bringing up a flush of red on her face.
"Thanks Babe." She batted at his face, and rolled her eyes.
"What were you saying about dogs, sweetie?" Candy and Biscuit padded into the living room, panting happily. Biscuit climbed atop the three-seater and sat on the back, behind the couple, and Candy lay on the armrest beside Inigo, earning her an affectionate scratch on the cheek.
"I'm gonna start a dog-walking service, over the holidays!"
"Oh, that sounds like fun!"
"Yeah, I mean what could go wrong?"
What indeed?