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‘On way home’, the little beep and vibrate against the table wakes Sugimoto, interrupting his perfectly good dream that he’s already forgetting. He sighs but upon reading the text, he smiles and shoots a quick reply of ‘okay’ and sits up on the couch.
Sugimoto can tell before the door even unlocks that something’s off. A key jingling frantically in the lock, hushed whispers just outside from who he suspects is Tanigaki just coming home from work. The door opens too slowly for it not to be suspicious. He peers at the front door and sure enough spots Tanigaki hunched over slightly, kicking off his shoes and seemingly refusing to face Sugimoto. Suspicious.
“I’m home.” He calls from the doorway.
“I can see.” Sugimoto strains to see Tanigaki only to find him still hiding away from view, shushing every few seconds at his coat. “What are you hiding?” In a way he already knows, but he wants to be sure.
“Nothing.” A rustle in his coat and a slight yip sound gives the game away instantly.
Sugimoto springs up from the coach, stands before Tanigaki and proceeds to stare him down until the larger man sighs and gives in. He unbuttons his coat and reveals what was hidden away.
A dog. Well, a puppy. Anyone could tell it was a puppy, no more than a few months old and panting slightly as it wiggles restlessly in Tanigaki’s arms as if desperate to explore its new environment.
“I found it.” Tanigaki’s gaze switches from the dog to Sugimoto then back to the dog again.
“You didn’t steal it, did you?” Sugimoto holds out a hand to the dog’s nose. It recoils for a second at the sudden intrusion of space, but after sensing no real threat it presses its cold, wet nose against Sugimoto’s hand and licks his fingers.
Sugimoto can’t even try to restrain the strain appearing on his face. But to be realistic… he starts thinking about how they live in an apartment, a small one at that. He’s not even sure if pets were allowed and this apparent new addition to the home would need food, toys, a bed, walks, and somewhere to… go. All things he has no certainty they could, or are allowed, to even provide.
Tanigaki nudges him out of his whirlwind of thoughts and gives him a look. Subtle. Not one that a lot of people can discern a meaning from but it’s the kind of look that informs Sugimoto that he really wants this dog.
“We can’t, Tani. You know a dog is a lot of work. Not to mention a lot of money.”
“He needs a home.” Tanigaki places the dog onto the floor, allowing it to tap around loudly and smell everything. This brand new dog who after sniffing the couch where Sugimoto had been lounging on, hops up, circles a few times, and lays down with a soft whine. “We can take care of him.”
Sugimoto sighs and runs his fingers through his hair, already coming to the conclusion that the dog would refuse to move from that spot let alone the home.
After a few moments of consideration, weighing the pros and cons of the situation and soon realising the pros were fast outweighing the cons, Sugimoto finally concedes. They’re going to have a dog, he thinks. A dog. It’s going to need a name so he stops just calling it ‘the dog’.
“Name?” He asks. Wondering if Tanigaki already has one figured out.
“Ryu.”
Of course he did.
Tanigaki, standing tall and probably feeling smug that his new friend gets to stay, makes his way to the couch and rests himself next to the dog. Ryu. Next to Ryu. Sugimoto smiles when he shuffles closer slightly just so he can pet him without reaching too far.
“Come on… move up, I want in on this.” Sugimoto wedges himself between Tanigaki and the arm of the couch, content in just watching his partner and Ryu interact. Apparently Ryu had different ideas as the second Sugimoto manages to get comfy, there goes Ryu climbing carelessly across Tanigaki’s lap to Sugimoto, not minding what he steps on or how hard his paws dig into their legs. Ryu shoves his nose into Sugimoto’s shirt and promptly flops down on both of their laps.
“I guess we’re going to be his bed til we buy him one.” Sugimoto laughs, petting Ryu’s soft fur with one hand, his other free arm around Tanigaki. He’s not complaining if that really is the case. He could’ve stayed there forever with Tanigaki this close to him and he can’t lie to himself… Ryu’s a good dog. He’s glad they’re going to care for him.
Tanigaki smiles, leaning in closer to Sugimoto. Doesn’t look like he’s complaining either.
The comfortable silence only interrupted by the occasional snore from Ryu.