"I want this one."
A small, curly haired boy walks over to where I am lying, picking me up carefully.
"You want a dog? Why?"
Another boy, this one older, comes into view. He has a small glass bowl in his hand, a fish.
"Hes better than a goldfish."
"Shut up Sherlock."
The little boy, Sherlock, hugs me tightly.
"Mummy! Mikey is bothering me!"
"Mycroft, leave your brother alone. Sherlock dear, have you picked anything out yet?"
"I want this one mummy."
"A dog?"
"Yes."
The woman picks me up, cradling me in her arms until I lick her face.
"If that's what you really want..."
"Thank you mummy!"
Sherlock runs over and hugs her, taking me back. We leave the pet store soon after, Sherlock fixing a collar around my neck. He holds me during the car ride back to their house, whispering in my ear the whole way back. I fall asleep when he tucks me into his jacket, head on my paws. Sherlock takes me outside to use the bathroom before running upstairs to his room, closing the door behind us.
"Mummy says I have to get you trained, but we can do that on our own."
I bark at him, watching his expression turn to a look of pure joy.
"Sit Redbeard. Sit down."
He walks over to me, tapping my rear gently until I sit back.
"Good boy. Do it again, sit."
We go over 'sit' until I can do it without his help, though it takes about an hour. And a lot of treats. Sherlock tires of the game quickly, lying down on his bed with a book.
"Up Redbeard. Come here."
I jump onto the bed beside him, curling against his side.
"Good boy."
Sherlock lies his head on me when he tires of his book, falling asleep quickly. I tumble off of him when he sits up, jumping out of his bed.
"Are you hungry? Come on buddy, lets go get something to eat."
He picks me up and sets me on the floor, running down the stairs.
"Keep the dog out of the dining room Sherlock."
"Redbeard, go sit down."
I slink out of the room, lying down just on the other side of the doorway. Sherlock takes me back upstairs after dinner, sneaking me something in his pocket.
"Lets get you your food, okay?"
He pours some kibble into a dish, setting it on the floor next to my water dish. I eat quickly, running back to sit on Sherlocks bed.
"Sherlock, its time for bed."
"Okay mummy."
"Lights out, now."
"Yes mummy."
He climbs out of bed, clicking off the light and jumping back under the covers. A blast of lightning illuminates the room, making Sherlock scream. He grabs onto me suddenly, pulling the blanket over our heads. The thunder is earsplitting, shaking the whole house. Sherlock screams again, nearly choking me as he hugs me. Someone opens the door, crossing the room quickly. I poke my head out from under the blanket, cool air hitting my nose.
"Sherlock? Are you okay?"
Sherlock doesn't respond beyond jumping into Mycrofts lap, burrying his face against his chest. Mycroft holds him until he quiets down, trying to lie Sherlock back in bed. The storm gets worse, driving Sherlock back into Mycrofts arms. I nudge my way between them, whimpering when thunder rattles the windows again. Slowly, the storm dies down, leaving us in the silence of the wind.
"Lie back down."
Mycroft tries to let go of Sherlock, attempting to pry his fingers out from around his arm.
"Its okay Sherlock. Its over. Go back to sleep."
"Dont go."
"You need to go back to sleep."
Sherlock starts hyperventalating again, digging his fingers into Mycrofts arm.
"Okay. Okay. I'm not leaving."
Mycroft lies down, pulling Sherlock down as well.
"Go to sleep, I'm staying."
I nudge my way between their arms, lying my head on Sherlocks chest. He burries his face in my fur, still not letting go of Mycroft.
