Pairing: Joey and Chris
Words: emphatic; omen; mystical; mushroom


"It was an omen, Chris," Joey says emphatically.  "I dreamed it,
like, eight times in a row.  Seriously.  I hadn't even eaten
mushrooms or anything.  It's like this mystical cry for help.  You
psyche wants a puppy.  *This* puppy."  Joey pushes the tiny dog
into Chris's arms, where it finally stops whimpering and cuddles
in.  "See?"

Chris cradles the thing, looking down at it like its eyes hold all
the mysteries of the world.  The puppy licks him.  "You got me a
puppy."

"Yeah.  A girl puppy, because you named her Aurora.  In the dream."

"You got me a girl puppy named Aurora.  Knowing all about my recent
dog complex, you got me a puppy anyway."

"But she won't die," Joey says.  "She's gonna live a really long
time."

Chris rubs noses with the puppy.  "I'm not sure whether to kiss you
or kill you.  But she's cute and she's got that new-puppy smell."

Joey nods.  "She's gonna be a really good puppy, Chris.  I dreamed
it.  And she'll change colors, too, like Aurora the princess."

Chris looks up, raising his eyebrows.  "Okay, now you've just lost
it.  Dogs don't change colors.  Well, not by much, and not on a
regular basis."

"She will.  The breeder said her coat would change colors at least
twice as she grows up."

"Huh."  Chris looks down at the puppy again, then up at Joey.  He
smiles grudgingly.  "Okay, you're forgiven.  You can come back in."

Joey smiles and steps through the door.  "Not in the doghouse any
more?"

Chris bares his teeth and growls at Joey, before grinning.  "You
are now.  The house of dog."

Joey grins.  "That's cool.  Now.  You scratch my fleas, I'll
scratch yours?"

Chris waggles his tongue at Joey.  "I'll even roll over and let you
scratch my tummy.  Now c'mon in."  He turns away, holding the newly
dubbed Aurora close.  "Who's a good puppy?  Yes, you are.  Don't
listen to anything Daddy Joey tells you.  It's all lies.  You're
adorable and don't you forget it."

Joey follows Chris in, closing the door behind him.