Chapter One

Brian sat alone in the Griffin family kitchen. Everyone was long in bed and sound asleep. Usually, he would be either in Peter and Lois' bedroom sleeping at the foot of their bed. Tonight, however, he was allowing his thoughts to get the best of him.
The white canine was sipping on the last of his Jack Daniels he had stored in the cabinet above the fridge. Enjoying the wonderful burning sensation each drink did to his stomach. He knew he drank too much; but every drink he took, he took some false comfort in the thought that he became closer to forgetting about his current depression.
It is a well known fact that it doesn't take much to make a dog happy. That any dog can find meaning in life. Brian, however, was not born with that trait. Being the family dog just wasn't enough for him.

I want to go out. Live my life. Find someone I love who truly loves me in return. I want to find meaning in my life.

Hopeless thoughts for a dog who has had the amount of dates he's had that have ended badly. Not to mention pouring his heart and soul into a book that society deemed as a joke. How did he end up like this? A dog with such complex emotions. Why did it have to be him to suffer through this life where a purpose and finding love seemed like a fairy tale for someone like him? Why could he not just be a simple minded canine where a bowl of dog food and a family that loves him would be enough? These thoughts were consuming his mind like wildfire.
Brian sighed as he finished off the last of the Jack, which clearly wasn't going to help subside his thoughts tonight. He stood, a little unsteady at first, and went over to the sink to wash out the glass. As he finished, he walked into the living room and jumped onto the couch to try and get some sleep. He would have just slept at the foot of Peter and Lois' bed, but tonight, he didn't feel like being around them.
As he made himself comfortable on the couch, his mind began to wander once again. He attempted to block out the feelings, but to no avail.

Maybe I should go talk to my therapist again tomorrow. I need someone to talk to right now.

It was right then, he remembered those couple of days he and the youngest Griffin Stewie were trapped in a bank vault. During that time, he admitted to Stewie about his troubles and how it had made him question his purpose in life. Not to mention, telling him how he had thought about ending it at times. Stewie comforted him and made it clear that if Brian were to ever leave, he would have lost someone who meant a great deal to him.
Though, Stewie was a pain at times. Though they had said and done things to each other that would render any other two people enemies. Stewie was the only person he could really talk to.

I wonder if he's awake.

It was unlikely as it as 2:30 in the morning; but Brian had a sudden need for comfort. Stewie was the most likely person to provide that.
Brian slowly rose from the couch and groggily made his way upstairs. As he approached Stewie's bedroom door, he hesitated. Surely, the toddler would not take kindly to Brian waking him up in the middle of the night to talk to him. Brian decided it was no worse than things that have happened in the past and quietly opened the door.
The light from the hallway cast a light over Stewie's crib. Brian could see that the toddler was fast asleep. Brian quietly tiptoed to the crib and prodded Stewie in his side.

"Stewie." he whispered.

The baby stirred but fell still.

Brian sighed and prodded Stewie a little harder. "Stewie, wake up."

Stewie slowly turned over and barely opened his eyes and glared at the dog. "God dammit, mutt. What could you possibly want at this time? Could you not see I was sleeping?"

Brian was used to the toddler's sharp tongue. He would usually come up with a retort in lighter moods. "Sorry. I need someone to talk to."

"Could you have not waited until I was actually awake? Moron."

Brian lowered his head and sighed. "Never mind. Sorry I woke you." He began to walk out of the room.

"Wait."

Brian paused and turned his head to look at Stewie. The toddler's gaze had softened a little as he waved the dog back in. Brian turned around and came back over to the crib.

Stewie unlatched the bars separating the two and lowered them. He climbed out of the bed and sat beside the dog. "What's on your mind?"

Brian sighed. "I've been having...thoughts again."

The baby's eyes flashed with knowing; but he remained silent as the dog continued,

"Everything. All these relationships I've had that have went sour. The fact I'm an absolute failure at everything I do. It makes me question the fact why I was ever born in the first place. Don't take this in the wrong way, but I want more than just to be the family dog, Stewie. How can I be anything more than that, though, when I have no one to share it with. Not to mention the fact that I have nothing to do with my life to help with something like that." he sighed in defeat. "Oh what's the point in it anymore? I'll never be truly happy. The sooner I face that fact, the better."

Brian looked over at Stewie and seen the most incredulous look on his face. Before he could say anything, the child jumped to his feet.

"How dare you." Those words erupted from his mouth like venom. "You are the most important person in my life. You think I care about any of these creatures that infect this house like a virus? No! You are the only person that even keeps me sane in this place. I'm so tired of you acting like your life has no meaning. I told you before, Brian. You give my life meaning!" Without you, I don't know where I'd be. There are things you will never understand as to how much you mean to me, Brian. But I promise, you will find that person you're looking for. It may not be today, may not be next week, but you will."

Brian just stared at the child. He eventually smiled. "W-wow. Stewie, I...thank you. You just made me feel so much better."

Stewie didn't reply right away. He had a small grin as his eyes began to lighten up. "I'm glad." Almost instantly after he said that, he looked down at the floor for a few seconds before lifting his head with the usual gleam in his eyes. "Now go be better somewhere else, dog. I'm going to sleep."

Brian chuckled at this and got up to go back downstairs. "Night, Stewie. Thanks."

Stewie had already gotten back into his crib and raised the bars. He stared after the dog and smiled warmly. "Night, Brian."

Brian made his way back downstairs and curled back up on the couch. Though their relationship was definitely full of ups and downs. He knew he could always count on the child to be there for him when he needed him most. Though, Stewie's words did make him feel better. It didn't stop some thoughts from lingering at the back of his mind. Even though they were present, he was finally able to drift off into sleep.