Work Text:
Rocky isn't quite sure what to make of him at first, especially not after he starts rubbing against his protective suit and making weird sad noises.
"Friend Grace, what. What is dog doing? Question."
"Oh he's just asking you for attention Rocky."
Rocky raises his arm-legs up as a defensive act of submission. Jean-Claude merely lies down next to him, licking his chops.
"What do Rocky do? Question."
"Try petting him!" the clones say in unison.
"Pet? What that mean?"
"It's when you run your hand across something. Usually to let someone know that you care, and make them feel happy!"
"So like hug?"
"Exactly."
Rocky turns over to the dog creature as it yawns, licking it's chops again quickly after doing so. He reaches one of his limbs forward, cautiously to try and pet Jean-Claude with. Jean-Claude turns around to look at him, and his arm while he does so, beginning to growl as the rocky appendage inches closer. Rocky pauses before continuing... and then presses the stump of his arm-leg on top of the dog creature's head. Jean-Claude's growls crescendo into a fierce bark, after a few seconds of which, he lunges directly at Rocky. Rocky backs away cautiously, entering a defensive ancient Eridian battle stance, and then freaking out when the dog attacks his consumption orifice.
"Oh shit." Colt blurts out, jumping over his house's fence to run in on the unexpected feud.
"Rocky no!" Ryland shouts hurriedly, trying and immediately failing at copying his brother's stunt.
"Sorry Ry, forgot to mention that Jean-Claude's an attack dog sometimes."
"I-, Sometimes?"
"Yeah, you typically need to give him a French command to get that beast awakened though."
"Huh. Explains the naming choice."
Rocky, presents his appendage more properly this time, letting Jean-Claude sniff his hand before petting. After he's familiarized himself with the alien creature's scent, Rocky begins softly, and slowly petting Jean-Claude from his top of head, down to his back. After a couple strokes of the pleasant-feeling fur, Rocky chirps out some jolly laughter.
"Rocky apologies, I not know the customs for greeting dog creature. Genuine."
"It's all good Rocky, you can blame my brother for not explaining his pet's behavior beforehand."
After a couple more pets, Jean-Claude's tail begins to wag, and he barks more playfully at Rocky. This alarms him at first, but that alarm is quickly replaced by more confusion and mild amusement when Jean-Claude starts licking him.
"What. What is this tongue-wiping? Question."
"It's called "licking" Rocky, and it means that a dog likes you."
"Aww, how friendly! Cute, cute, cute. Precious, precious, cute."
Rocky continues to coo at the dog creature while it kisses him and wags it's little tail.
"Wow, even I struggle to get Jean-Claude feeling that excited. Your friendly alien's a regular dog whisperer!"
"Yeah, it's hard to deny his charms." Ryland says with a smile.
But Rocky thinks he's got it now. And in his clone-friend's words, "he's a dog person." Whatever that means.