AU considering the timeline of the movie...
Sixteen year old Sinbad considered the mutt with a raised brow, before turning his unimpressed look to Proteus. In Proteus' arms, the puppy wriggled, starting to chew on a strand of Proteus' dark hair. Readjusting his hold on the dog, Proteus frowned in concern.
"You don't like him?"
Sinbad stared at him as if he had just suggested that the Earth was round and the Gods figments of human imagination. "It's a Gods cursed mutt."
"I thought, maybe..." Proteus dropped his gaze to the marble floor of the palace.
Sinbad kicked himself for his tone. Here was his best friend offering him a gift and he was acting as if he hated it. Not that he was fond of dogs. They were just another thing that needed feeding and looking after. What use would a dog be on a ship?
The dog embraced in Proteus' lithe arms was the colour of ocean sand, and though small now, his paws promised that he would grow much larger. The puppy whined, scrambling up to place his too large paws on Proteus' thin shoulders.
As the dog started to wash Proteus face, Sinbad softened slightly towards the pale scrap of life. It was obvious Proteus liked the thing. As a prince, Proteus couldn't have a dog. Especially a rangy street mutt. But if he took him, Proteus would be there constantly, doting on the small thing. The dog could come in handy.
Proteus scratched the dog's ear and it groaned in pleasure. Proteus smiled as he looked at him, and Sinbad felt his heart give a kick.
Sinbad rolled his eyes, holding out his arms. "Give it to me."
"What shall you call him?" Proteus asked, as he handed over the mutt, which promptly curled up into Sinbad's chest, his head resting on his shoulder while he nibbled on Sinbad's ear.
Sinbad considered. "Spike."
It was Proteus' turn to groan and roll his eyes.
"He's pretty friendly for a street dog." Sinbad said in surprise.
"Funny." Proteus murmured, reaching up to pet the dog's head, his eyes locked on Sinbad's. "That's what I said about you."
