-"¡callarse la boca!" -"Hazme."

HeeJake:A steady shoreline bea pt3

Ethan finds fascination in the simplest things, he had a knack of perceiving their beauty in a manner that others needed to see. And maybe, that’s the factor that made him click with Jeng. People may think of them nicely but in their defense, they’re just simply appreciative and curious.

Ethan’s curiosity with everything is anything but restrained and he’s the type who likes to feed it, after all– if one is not initially intrigued, then there is nothing solid to anchor the learning on.

And maybe, just maybe, that curiosity is what drove Ethan’s interest in that specific ancient rumor that no one believes in their modern world.

Hybrids.

The first time he had his gaze on the thick golden fur: flowing through the meadow as if he’s one one of them, galloping over the surface and tail wagging in excitement, Ethan already knew that Jeng needed not to utter any kinds of plea for him to keep the pup under his refugee.

“Sorry pre, hindi ko kasi matatakas sa apartment ‘to.” Malungkot na bigkas ni Jeng habang ang kamay ay nasa batok, an indication that his friend is feeling problematic.

He’s too mesmerized with the dog’s tiny paws— tapping on Jeng’s thighs before nuzzling his head on it— to comprehend what his friend is trying to utter.

“Tan?” Muling kuha ng kaibigan sa atensyon niya.

“H-hah? Ano ulit?” Jeng, once again, explained his dilemma to his friend while Ethan crouches down so he could level the height of the stray dog, or maybe it’s not a stray? The dog’s too large in size and has an extravagant ruff of coat to be an aspin, at nang pasadahan niya pa ng haplos ang ulo nito ay agad niyang naramdaman sa palad niya ang lambot at kinis ng balahibo, his body jolted for a moment, rendering his arms with goosebumps when he feels a different kind of sensation the moment his skin had a short contact with the silk like fur na agad din namang naputol ng iniwas ng aso ang sarili sa kaniya only to return its attention to his friend again, tails twirling in circle in hopes to get Jeng’s attention.

Looks like the pup does not like him.

Oh, the silly thing does not like him at all. It doesn't even acknowledge his presence.

“You sure hate me that much huh, bud?” natatawang bigkas ni Ethan habang pinagmamasdan ang aso sa carpet niya na nakahiga, eyes landing on him only for a second before going back to ignoring him. He sighs with humor before pouring his glass with another set of beer, chugging the whole thing in one go.

Ethan’s been nitpicking his brain for a hint of why his adopted dog is aloof towards him. Pinapakain naman niya ito, he’s even providing the pup with the highest quality of dog foods and treats. He never failed to give the dog his morning walk, play with him na madalas ay nauuwi lang sa malakas na buntong hininga dahil sa dulo ay hindi rin naman siya papansinin ng aso.

Then he’ll always end up with the image of Coffee, being so giddy whenever Jeng’s in his apartment. Always tilting his head to the side whenever Jeng would pat his head, closing his eyes in the most submissive gesture Ethan had seen the pup did. It’s obvious that the pup favors his friend more than him.

And yes, he named the pup Coffee. Ethan is really not the kind of person who can think of something witty for a pet name and would rather settle for something convenient and easy for him to remember.

“Ungrateful brat.” Bulas nito at nginusuan ang aso na ngayon ay napatingin muli sa kaniya ngunit agad din nag-iwas ng tingin.

“I told you, ayaw nga niya sakin!” Reklamo ni Ethan sa kaibigan habang pinagmamasdan ang kaibigan na pinapasok sa kulungan ang isang aso na iniwan ng customer sa daycare nila sa loob ng dalawang oras.