Alter

Take 6!

As they stepped inside War's condo, the door had barely clicked shut when a blur of black and white fur bolted toward them. War's dog, Sammer, a border collie with enough energy to power a small city, greeted them with an excited tail wagging and an enthusiastic bark.

"Hey, boy," War grinned, bending down to pet him, though wincing at the sharp pain in his ribs. "Whoa, easy there. Not sure I can handle your usual headbutt today."

To Vee's surprise, Sammer turned his attention away from War and made a beeline straight for him, sniffing curiously before sitting obediently at his feet, tail wagging like they were old pals. Vee froze, unsure of what to do. He'd heard that War's dog was not exactly known for being the friendliest with strangers.

"Well, that's new," War said, raising an eyebrow. "He's usually a bit territorial with guests. I think Sammer's into you."

Vee crouched down, awkwardly giving Sammer a scratch behind the ears, still wary as the dog panted happily up at him. "I have a dog at home," Vee explained, trying to keep his cool despite the weird flutter of warmth in his chest from Sammer's instant affection. "A shiba inu. His name's Zulu."

War's eyes lit up in amusement as he limped toward the couch. "Ah, a fellow dog dad. How's Zulu? Is he as well-behaved as Sammer here?"

Vee let out a humorless laugh, standing back up while Sammer continued to sit at his feet like an obedient soldier. "Zulu? Behaved? Not in a million years. That little demon is on the verge of getting his adoption papers processed... back to the shelter."

War snorted, clearly finding this too funny. "No way. You? About to give up on your own dog? That's rich. Stern Director Vee, so hard to love that even man's best friend wants nothing to do with him."

Vee shot him a glare. "He chews everything. Last week he shredded half the script of our next project."

War laughed even harder, clutching his side in pain but still grinning through it. "Okay, now I need to meet this Zulu. Poor guy's just trying to figure out how to live with you."

"Oh, trust me," Vee deadpanned, "he's got no problem living with me. It's me who's barely surviving."

War shook his head, clearly enjoying teasing Vee more than necessary. "You sure it's not your 'charming personality' driving Zulu to chaos? Because I'm starting to see a pattern here."

Before Vee could retort, War, still smirking, gestured toward the bathroom. "But hey, speaking of help, since you're already here... think you could, uh, help me apply some of the ointments? I mean, I would do it myself, but, you know... bruises and all."

Vee's heart did an unexpected somersault. "You're kidding, right?"

War leaned back on the couch, feigning innocence. "What? I can't reach my back. Besides, don't tell me you'd leave a poor, injured man to suffer alone. That's not very heroic of you, Director."

Vee rolled his eyes but followed War's lead to the bathroom, inwardly trying to calm the sudden gay panic rising inside him. It wasn't like War was flirting. Right?

Sammer followed, still glued to Vee like a new best friend, while War continued his light teasing. "See? Even my dog likes you. You've clearly won something tonight."

As Vee grabbed the first aid kit, he couldn't help but mutter, "Too bad Zulu doesn't feel the same."

War snickered from the sink, pulling off his shirt, revealing the constellation of bruises spreading across his ribs and back. "Yeah, yeah. But you've got Sammer. And now me. So I'd say you're winning in life tonight."

Vee rolled his eyes again but smiled despite himself, reaching for the ointment. As he carefully applied it to War's bruises, he couldn't help but think maybe—just maybe—War wasn't entirely wrong.