Embrace (Rocky x Chase)

Chapter 7- Blood and Water

The city was shrouded in the night as Rocky hastily ran back into the alleyway as fast as his little legs could carry him. His strength was mostly spent for the day, what little of it remained considering his a measly pile of chicken bone occupied his stomach. Many dogs feared the night, it was a perfect atmosphere for an ambush at any angle, the fear alone was enough for most strays to hide away. Rocky, however, used this to his advantage and kept low as he traversed the cities in the darkness.

Walking himself through grimy puddles and stepping over trash, he approached a chainlink fence lined with empty boxes. Quickly finding the small hole in the metal wiring, he lowered himself and passed through the fence. He had grown used to the jagged metal edges cutting his skin a long time ago. Passing onto the grass, he panted in exhaustion as he walked toward the back alley of a warehouse.

"Well well, look who's back," Dakota turned around, grimacing at his little brother, "took you long enough."

Rocky came to a tired stop before his sibling, breathing for a moment before looking up at him. "I can't navigate these mazes as you can," he said apologetically, "I'm small."

"Oh believe me, I know." His brother dismissed him. "Your little runt ass is the reason I have to stick my neck out so many times." He was about to growl, but quickly abated his temper. "All the more reason for you to get stronger, and eventually you'll be able to fight for yourself." Sitting back, he narrowed his eyes at the small dog. "Such is the life of a stray. If you didn't have me, you'd already be dead. Especially considering how little you pay attention to your surroundings," the venom quickly returned to his face. "You're about as vigilant as a blind turtle."

"I try," the puppy attempted to defend himself, "I do everything you say and-"

"Don't give me that bullshit." Dakota cut his brother off, rolling his eyes, "I see how you look at other dogs. Now, I look at dogs too, it's called tactical observation." He said matter-of-factly, "but I know that's not what you look at."

Rocky turned away slightly, refusing to meet Dakota's gaze as shame crept into him.

"You look at bodies," The larger mix spat, "never the females, either. You think I wouldn't notice that?"

"I don't want to talk about this," came Rocky's barely audible voice.

"Tough shit, we are." Dakota leaned forward a little, "tell me Rocks, you a fag? I need to know in case I need to whore you out for chicken legs."

The puppy snapped to attention, the shock freezing him. "What?!"

"Heh, relax, I'm kidding," Dakota chuckled darkly. He turned around, trudging back to the pile of garbage bags he had arranged into a bed. "Although," he briefly looked back, "it would be an efficient way to get some use out of you."

Rocky was left dumbfounded, eyes wide with fear at the scenario Dakota had proposed. He was better than to speak up against his family, no matter how desperately he wanted to make himself heard. Dread filled him inside, dragging a sinking feeling in his stomach.

"Listen Rocks," Dakota climbed onto his bed and lowered himself to his belly, "life ain't a fairytale. You aren't gonna be happy, you aren't going to grow up in good condition, and you're certainly not going to meet some boy-dog of your queer dreams." There was a scoff in his tone, but his voice briefly softened. "But that's not your fault, it has nothing to do with you or me."

He paused, sighing as he flicked his eyes along the ground. He then lowered his head and closed his eyes. "That's just how life is, Rocks. That's how it's always going to be."

-=-=-=-=-

Even as Rocky grew older, Dakota's words still danced in his head. His brother was long gone yet his voice left a black stain in his mind. In the darkness of his kennel, Rocky aimlessly stared into a mirror hanging on his wall. Studying his features and one floppy ear, he realized with a depressed sigh that he didn't recognize himself anymore. His eyes, despite always being the exact same shade of brown, didn't look so colorful anymore. A permanent frown had stagnated his mood, and he truly doubted he would ever be happy.