~Broken Family~

Puppies and Letters

They seriously got their tails whipped.

Harley was silent almost the whole early car ride home with Tony, staring out the rear view mirror at his teammates that were staying behind for a little while longer until the bus took them home. He rubbed his hand across the lightning bolt shape woven onto the front of his team cap, wondering if he really deserved to have one just like everyone else. He shoved it back into his bag with a frown.

"Saw you pitch," Tony said in the awkward silence as they jumped onto the highway, the sleek sports car weaving between slightly less-awesome vehicles. "You were awesome out there!"

Harley grunted in reply, pulling his hood low over his head as he fingered the new hole in his knee where Gwen had knocked him to the ground. He couldn't stop thinking of her alarmed blue eyes, the embarrassed flush of her cheeks.

Coach Kickenklobber had, as usual, been distraught at the sight of one of his athletes being beaten up before a game even started, so he'd bandaged his head and knee before Harley could protest and think up an excuse as to where he'd gotten them.

As soon as the car pulled up in the now-familiar gravel driveway, Harley jumped out, grabbed his crutch, and started making his way to the house.

"Harley!" Tony called. He heard the car door slam as he dashed up the stairs, probably faster than he ever had. "Wait---"

He threw open the door and was promptly attacked by a small furry creature.

"Woah!" he shouted as he stumbled backwards, losing his grip on his crutch and falling on his butt. The tiny thing started yanking at his pants, and Harley realized it was a puppy. "What the---"

"No! Down, boy! Down!" Pepper ran out onto the porch, picking up the Golden Doodle by the scruff of his neck and offering Harley a hand. She had to put the puppy down to use two hands to lift him off his feet.

"What the heck---"

"Happy birthday!" Pepper laughed. Harley gawked at her.

"What---"

"We thought you could use some four-legged company," Tony panted as he came up the stairs behind them. Harley glanced over at him incredulously.

"Tony, I don't want---"

Pepper shoved the thing in his face. "Oh, just look at him! Isn't he adorable?"

"Yeah, but---"

Clay popped up behind her, grinning stupidly. "I voted to name it Death-Saw, but your parents said no."

Harley rolled his eyes. "Well, duh. Wait--you guys haven't named him yet?"

"Well, he's yours," Tony said, like it should be obvious. "You get to name him."

Harley took the puppy with his free hand, looking down at the top of his swiveling head and then at his wagging tail. "Grover," he suggested slowly. "How about that?"

"Okay," Pepper said with a shrug. "Your dog."

"But what do I do with the thing?" Harley whined, holding it at arm's length. "Do I have to pay to feed it and walk it and clean up its---"

"We'll be paying for it," Tony sighed as they stepped inside the house. "But as to the care and wellbeing of the little guy, that's on you."

Pepper pointed to a blue leash and matching food bowls. "If you need help or are confused, I'm sure there are some books on dogs at the---"

"I had a dog before," Harley said, setting Grover down on the ground. "I think I can handle it." The puppy waddled over to his food bowl and peed in it.