GerUk/GerEng Collection

The One Time Ludwig Didn't Have a Plan

Author's Note: So over on tumblr I asked for some names to give the dog and I chose a few I liked. I'd like to thank @fizzycherrycola @misteria247 and @crumpled--notes for giving me the names used in this fic!

It had been a long day at work, and all Arthur wanted as he climbed the stairs up to his apartment was to settle down on the couch with his lover and a good book. But when he opened the door, he was greeted by a brown ball of fur barreling towards him, barking loudly. It was a small puppy, barely two months old, with pointy ears far too big for its petite body and sparkling brown eyes. Ludwig came rushing towards them not even a second later, scooping the dog into his arms.

"What's this?" Arthur asked, trying his best to make sense of the scene he had returned home to.

"A puppy," Ludwig replied sheepishly.

"I know that. What's it doing here?"

The German's gaze fell to the ball of brown fur in his arms. "W-Well..."

"Ludwig," Arthur stated sternly as if lecturing a child. It was quite strange since usually, it was Ludwig who was the lecturer out of the two of them.

"Someone at work had a dog that had puppies, and she was struggling to find homes for the last two so..."

"Love...please tell me you didn't take both."

"N-No. Just the one. Gil ended up taking the other."

Arthur let out an exasperated sigh as he watched the German place the dog back on the ground. "Ludwig..." He said his lover's name as calmly as he could before just losing it: "What the hell were you thinking? You can't just take in a puppy out of the blue. We need food, bowls, leashes, treats, a bed, toys...Not to mention all the time we'll have to put in to train and care for it–"

"I know," Ludwig interjected, obviously irritated by the lecture, "I've had dogs for all my life."

"This is so unlike you. Do you have some semblance of a plan?"

"N-Not really." Ludwig's gaze lowered to where the puppy had seated itself between him and Arthur. "But look how cute she is. I know we'll figure it out."

Arthur went to argue some more, but stopped short when something tugged at his trousers. He looked down to find the puppy looking up at him once more with those pleading brown eyes. With a groan, Arthur crouched down giving the puppy ample opportunity to lick his nose. Though he had his concerns about their lack of preparation, that small sign of affection began chipping away at Arthur's frustrations. "Fine, you win," Arthur conceded as he picked up the puppy, "but we're going to the pet store right now."

Ludwig gave him a bright smile, and Arthur swore his heart stopped. As they made their way downstairs, Ludwig said: "We'll have to name her."

"Hmm..." Arthur looked over the puppy in his arms, noting the mix of browns in her fur. "How about Nutmeg?"

Ludwig looked over the dog as well. "Hmm...She looks more like an Edda to me."

"No way," Arthur shot back.

As they loaded themselves into the car, the two lovers continued their bickering over all kinds of names, unable to agree on one. Eventually, the young pup seemed to have had enough and let out a loud bark from the backseat. The two men turned to her.

"You know...Jane Pawson is kind of funny," Ludwig said with an amused huff. "I mean that in a good way."

"We could always call her Jane for short too," Arthur suggested.

"One thing down..."

"And a million others to go."

Ludwig and Arthur gave each other matching smiles before setting off to the pet store.