phaselocknroll | Shenanigans!

[ He shakes his head. ] Nope. We decide together. That's what partners do, right?

But I'm gonna go ahead and rule out this little guy. [ He points down at the puppy still snoring softly against his leg. ] Cute, but lazy.

[ There's no mistaking the little ripple of affection that rolls through their link at that.

They are partners. In everything.

She sits up, cradling the puppy in her arms as she does ]

Which one do you like?

[ -- Ah. His cheeks go slightly red at that, but he quickly ducks his head down to hide it. Not that there's really any hiding from Maya, considering their connection. ]

Um. Sir Licks-A-Lot or this one. [ He means, of course, the puppy whose belly he's currently rubbing; she flails out her front paws, trying to catch his hand. ]

Or maybe Speedy over there-- [ And he uses his free hand to gesture at the puppy who's running laps around the room. ]

Hmm. Speedy is maybe a little... too rambunctious?

Can I hold her? [ she motions to the puppy in his lap, offering up the one in her arms ]

[ He picks the puppy up, then moves over to where Maya's lying. (Predictably, Sleepy snorts a little when he's disturbed, but settles right back into his nap.) He exchanges his puppy for Sir Licks-A-Lot -- who immediately starts trying to lap at Peter's face. ]

-- Holy hell, this guy.

Maybe not him, then.

[ once Maya has the other puppy in hand, she yaps playfully, tail wagging ]

I like her. She has personality.

[ meanwhile, Peter is doing his level best to avoid having his face licked by the puppy in his lap; it has his front paws against Peter's chest, jumping up to try and catch Peter off guard. ]

I mean, they all kinda-- little man, if you don't stop I swear-- have their own charms, I guess.

We're still only getting one.

[ Maya sets her puppy down, where she proceeds to gallop her way back over to Peter to try and eat the laces on his boot. ] I think she likes you.

-- Pretty sure she's more partial to the laces, actually. Not a snack, kiddo.

[ He sets the boy puppy on the floor to free his laces from the little girl's teeth. After that, he scoops her up into his lap. ]

So. Mr. Friendly over there, or this little ray of sunshine?

I like her. [ She scoots over to sit next to Peter, petting the puppy in his lap ] She's precious.

[ He smiles fondly, because dogs are the absolute best. The world can fight him on this one. ]

Looks like we've made our choice, then.

[ she smiles as well, planting a kiss on his cheek ]

I like seeing you smile.

[ why do you have to say things like that, because he casts his gaze down to the dog in his lap. ]

Yeah, well. I've been told it's a nice smile.

[ A beat. ]

You sure we can't get two--?

I'm positive.

Shall we let them know we've made our choice?

Guess we ought to, otherwise they'll think we just came in to play with puppies. Which, you know. They're not wrong about.

[ He stands, cradling the puppy in one arm and brushing himself off; he then offers her a hand up. ]

[ She takes his hand and hauls herself upright. Once he's standing, she leans in to press a quick kiss to his cheek.

There's something so delightfully normal about the whole situation, and honestly it's making her happier than she has been in a long time. ]

I hope you're thinking about names for her.

[ He grins, feeling that twinge of happiness, then hooks his arm around her shoulders as they head over to the breeders. Without missing a beat, he says, ]

Still pushing for Charwin, actually.