Dead by Midnight

THIRTEEN

If there's one thing Kit noticed about Skipper, it's that his pet detests trespassers. Sure, he can tolerate the occasional guest or two if he's able to be let out of the house, but with Pierre having stayed overnight, it's different.

For one, Skipper tried every single way he could to tear off Pierre's ankle once the man was close in range, preventing him from getting near Kit. It's difficult for the two of them  since it's clear Skipper doesn't like Pierre, but they try to make it work and ignore the incessant barking and inhumane snarls. They could only do so much though.

The breaking point was when Skipper ended up trying to headbutt Pierre in the stomach once he climbed up on the couch where the two of them were sitting at. Pierre had his face back in the crook of Kit's neck, pressing small kisses here and there while listening to Kit laugh at the tickling sensation. Unfortunately, Skipper didn't like what was going on and put a stop to it immediately.

And then Pierre leaves. A little too reluctantly.

"You shouldn't do that, you know," Kit chuckles as Skipper wiggled his way onto his lap. "He'll be coming over often. You should try to get along with him. Would it make a difference if I tell you that I like him?"

It doesn't mean shit to Skipper apparently, not when his dog somehow understood what Kit was trying to get at and turned his head away as if he disapproved. Kit could only pat him on the head.

"And you shouldn't sit on my lap either. You're getting heavier these days. I originally thought you were something of a lap dog, but you just keep on growing, don't you?"

He continues talking to Skipper in a calm manner. Of course, he did scold him again for  pulling those small stunts with Pierre, knowing that it was rather helpless since it seems like Skipper will forever hate the man. But he lets it go. After all, he's come to adore Skipper, so he can't really fathom getting too angry with him.

He's still not so sure how Skipper views him. Sure, Kit's a provider and can do a lot for him, but he still scampers off into the trees and roams who knows where and goes missing for hours upon hours before trudging back to this house. At the very least, Kit knows that this place has become a home for Skipper. That's enough for him.

"Should I get a cat? A playmate might do you some good," Kit asks. Skipper lets out a small rumble, a strange echoing sound that doesn't sit so well with Kit. "I see... I'll take that as a no for now. Maybe when you get a little more used to this place and to me. But having a playmate might do you some wonders instead of always going out and attacking the first thing you see moving."

Actually, maybe getting a cat would be a bad move. Skipper might attack it. He should just be content with one pet for now and think about getting another later on.

That thought just solidifies itself once Kit headed over to the kitchen to feed Skipper, watching him down a huge portion of meat with no hesitation. The sounds he makes are a little off-putting as well, like an actual beast tearing into a poor animal.

Kit simply crouches down and pats him on the head with a small smile.

He'll work on getting Skipper's behavior fixed bit by bit.

The next time he goes back to the flower shop, all was well. Just another regular day of helping customers and sprucing up his efforts on making the prettiest bouquets, even if Cora was pessimistic about his growth and threw some back-handed compliments at it. Still, the improvements are there, and she does give him some good suggestions.

Though the peace doesn't last for too long when a man comes in the door, almost during closing hours. Kit doesn't really have to look to know who it was, and he put on a smile almost immediately once the man walked on up to the counter.