Chapter Text

1 

There was a Beagle, walking down the road with his head down. His tail was tucked between his legs and his ears drooped lower than they already were. I wonder what could have happened? 

“Oh!,” said the Beagle, suddenly noticing me. “Sorry, I didn’t see you there… hello!” 

I looked down at the Beagle, cocking my head to the side. 

“Hello, are you well?” 

The Beagle gave a warm smile, closing his eyes. 

“I am! Are you?” 

I blinked, “Are you sure you’re well?” I clasped my hands together and began to feel them, fidgeting. “I don’t mean to pry, but… you didn’t seem very well just a second ago.” 

The Beagle's eyes widened. 

“Oh… uh, sorry – that’s just how I look when I’m… uh… I wasn’t doing badly! Honest!” I could tell the Beagle was lying. 

I furrowed my brows, “Well… alright. Where are you headed?” 

The Beagle opened his eyes and looked out into the direction he had been walking, his smile faltering. 

“Uhm… just, uh… down the road! I like taking early morning strolls. Reminds me of… good times.” 

“Good times? Like… walks? Did you have-” 

The Beagle’s tail had suddenly started up in a wag, making him blush. 

“Ah, s-sorry! Ignore that, please…” 

I chuckled. 

“It’s alright!” I smiled, only for it to fade as I realized what this meant. “...Where is your owner, little one?” 

The Beagle looked up at me. His expression went blank. 

“...” 

I looked down at him, looking away after a moment; it felt as if he were staring through me. 

“Uh, are-” 

“Oh, sorry! Sorry, I-I didn’t mean to stare! I just… he… uhm… there-” he began to stumble over his words, his voice trembling. “He’s…” 

I suddenly regretted ever bringing this up. 

“H-hey, it’s alright… you don’t need to tell me. I’m sorry for asking, I really don’t mean to pry. I just… you seem so…” I shut my eyes, thinking it better not to say something like that. 

“So… what?” 

“Nothing, apologies,” I cleared my throat, “I’m just a bit concerned. You look thin.” 

“Oh, I’ve always looked like that. My metabolism is really fast, heh… more of a curse than a blessing, if you ask me…” 

I breathed a laugh through my nose. 

“I know a few people who’d disagree with ya, there.” 

That made the Beagle smile. 

“Heh, yeah… it’s funny how different people see things like that.” He looked away from me again, this time to hide his face. “...How they see things.” 

I didn’t really know how to ask this, so I just up and said, “Do you want to come home with me?” Out of the blue, just like that. 

It was so out of nowhere and sudden; I probably should have worked up to the question more. The Beagle snapped his gaze back up to mine, his eyes wide. 

“What?” 

“Oh, I’m sorry – that was probably really… uhm… weird to just up and ask like that? But… I live in a complex that’s okay with dogs. And, I mean… I really wouldn’t mind if you’d want to come home with me, even if it’s just for the night. Or… longer.” Why did this feel so weird? 

The Beagle continued to stare at me wide eyed. He opened his mouth, but no words came. 

I was having a really hard time discerning whether or not that was a good thing. 

“Uhm… it’s okay, I–” 

“NO!” He yelled suddenly, flinching as if he had just scared himself. “Ah, I’m sorry… I-I didn’t mean to yell, but, no… I-I do want to go home with you, really… it-it isn’t weird. But… are you sure? I’m… you know, kind of just another mouth to feed.” 

A weight had lifted from my shoulders. 

“Of course I’m sure! I wouldn’t have offered otherwise.” I knelt down to his level, making him take a small step back – I gave him a reassuring smile (at least, to the best of my ability…) and rubbed the top of his head briskly. He lowered it, smiling, shutting his eyes as his tail once again began to wag. “And trust me, feeding you won’t be an issue. I usually cook more than I eat, so… now I’ll actually be saving food!” I lifted my hand from his head, not realizing that he had begun to tear up. 

I pretended not to notice. 

The Beagle sniffled, “Oh… okay…” His voice was muddled with emotion; he looked down, tears falling onto the ground. “T-thank you… thank you.” 

My entire body was filled with warmth. 

“Don’t mention it.” I told him, suddenly realizing I had never asked for his name. “Say… you got a name?” 

The Beagle met my eyes with his – they were damp and sparkling. 

“...Bailey.” He gave me that same smile, the one I’d never forget. “My name is Bailey.” 

I beamed. 

“‘Bailey’, it’s fitting; cute.” 

The beagle blushed. 

“...thank you.” 

I stood, putting my arms on my hips and leaning to the side – I make a streeetch noise, then bounced back up with a small jump; I was feeling oddly light. 

“Please, don’t mention it; I want you to be safe, little guy.” I gave him a wide smile, trying to match the warmth of his own.

I would never be able to compare.