Marlos

"Friends"

The first rays of the Auradon sun peeked through the dorm room window, casting a warm glow across the sleeping forms of Carlos and Mal. Nestled at the foot of the bed, Helios stretched, his tiny body wriggling with morning energy. He yawned, a surprisingly wide gape for such a small creature, and then, as if an internal alarm clock had gone off, he let out a sharp, enthusiastic bark.

Woof!

The sound, though not overly loud, was enough to stir Carlos from his slumber. He groaned softly, shielding his eyes from the sudden brightness. Mal, however, remained deeply asleep, a soft smile playing on her lips.

Helios, undeterred by Carlos's sleepy state, let out another, slightly more insistent bark, his little tail thumping against the mattress.

Woof! Woof!

Carlos chuckled, reaching down to ruffle the puppy's golden fur. "Alright, alright, I hear you, little guy," he mumbled, his voice still thick with sleep. "Someone's ready for breakfast."

Helios responded with a series of excited yips and wiggles, his nose twitching towards the kitchenette, undoubtedly remembering the delicious meal from the night before. He hopped off the bed, his tiny paws clicking on the floor as he made a beeline for the area where his magically created food had appeared. He sat patiently by the spot, looking back at Carlos with expectant, bright eyes and letting out a small, hopeful whine.

Carlos pushed himself up, the events of the previous night – Hades's unexpected visit and their surprisingly calm conversation – still fresh in his mind. He glanced at Mal, still peacefully sleeping, and decided to let her rest a little longer. The Lord of the Underworld's presence, while initially startling, had left a strange sense of reassurance in its wake.

"Come on, you little food monster," Carlos said with a smile, swinging his legs out of bed. "Let's see what magic can rustle up for you this morning." He followed Helios into the kitchen, the puppy's eager tail wags a cheerful start to the new day.

As Carlos entered the kitchenette, the subtle scent of the dog food from the night before still lingered, a faint, savory aroma. Helios was already there, sitting perfectly, his gaze fixed on the spot where his bowl had magically appeared. His ears were perked, and his little body quivered with anticipation.

Carlos chuckled again, the sleepiness finally receding. He focused his energy, the familiar warmth building within him. He pictured a fresh bowl of the same nutritious food he had created the night before, ensuring it was just the right temperature and consistency for a growing puppy. With a gentle flick of his wrist, a small, colorful bowl materialized on the floor in front of Helios, filled with the same tempting mixture of tender meat and vegetables.

Helios didn't need a second invitation. With a joyful bark, he dove into his breakfast, making happy little slurping and crunching sounds. Carlos watched him, a feeling of warmth spreading through his chest. Creating something that brought such simple joy was surprisingly rewarding.

He then turned his attention to their own breakfast options. The fridge, still stocked with the magically fresh produce from the night before, offered a tempting array. He pulled out a couple of bright red apples and a handful of blueberries, deciding on a light and healthy start to the day.