Suitable Wereiness (Hetalia)

Author: Ashynarr

Summary: An otherwise routine day working as a wildlife vet is interrupted by the arrival of the most unusual wolf captured by a poacher's trap. The oddities of the whole scenario just don't add up, especially when more and more odd occurrences start happening around the building, and Alfred's determined to get to the bottom of things.

Disclaimer: Hetalia's not mine.

Warning: 1pAme2pCan, werewolf!Alex, human AU

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Alfred was going insane. That was the only explanation he could come up with, and it wasn't reassuring in the least. How else could he explain the all-too-realistic dream he'd had last night, along with all the oddities that he'd been noticing (thought, thought he'd been noticing)?

He hadn't told anyone what he'd dreamed about last night; he could already guess they'd agree with his own self-assessment.

Everything had been normal when he'd finally woken with the dull throb of a headache; their temporary guest had still been there, Bucky had greeted him as usual, and there were no signs of anyone having broken into or out of the building last night. Hence, he was going crazy, because normal people don't dream about naked guys creeping about in the middle of the night-

Well alright, maybe some did, but he wasn't - hadn't - been one of them before.

Which only lent further credence to his conclusion of insanity. Probably from the stress of everything going on recently, as Yao would quip in his 'I am wise beyond measure' tone. You should take a break, pull yourself together. You wouldn't want to risk a patient in your current state, would you?

...it was actually rather creepy how on the spot his mental impression of the ecologist was. Then again, they'd known each other for forever at this point, so it probably wasn't too shocking all things considered.

Still, a vacation sounded like a great idea right now, and with the successful release of the pups back to their pack, there wasn't much need for him at the clinic for a while anyways. Not to mention if it was an emergency they could call him in - they did have his number, after all - so there was little guilt in the idea of taking some time off to relax.

Thankfully, Toris was more than sympathetic. "You've been working hard lately; if anyone deserves a break it's you."

Alfred's smile was a bit weaker than usual, but no less honest. "Thanks, Toris. I'll only be gone for a few weeks at most, and I'll have my cell if you need me-"

"Don't worry about it," The brunet soothed. "I can handle an emergency if it comes in - though I doubt anything will happen, to be honest. Just focus on enjoying yourself, alright?"

Alfred sighed, a small laugh escaping him. "Fine, I can do that. I still at least expect a call if anything serious comes in so I'm not too surprised when I get back."

Toris grinned, patting his friend's hand sympathetically. "I'll try to keep that in mind."

"Jerk," The blond replied. "Just remember to take care of Bucky for me too, got it?"

The way Toris suddenly bit his lip sank any sort of good mood Alfred had been holding on to. "About that…"

"What's wrong?" There was only one thing it could be, he realized after a silent second, his breath shuddering to a halt. "Don't tell me-"

"We can't keep Bucky," Toris sighed. "Our appeal to keep him didn't go through, so they're taking him to have him put down. I'm sorry, Alfred."

"But- why? He's completely harmless, we have proof of that!"

"State laws still apply; we don't have a license, so we can't legally own him, and since his previous owner let him escape…"

Alfred's head sank into his hands, palms rubbing at his eyes as it sank in that the mutt he'd come to love was just going to be put down, just like that, all because of his heritage. He felt a hand resting on his shoulders, Toris' sympathetic gaze on him.

"I'm sorry, Alfred. I know you cared about him a lot."

The part of Alfred that was still the little kid who'd always wanted a pet was tempted to scream about how unfair it was, but he swallowed it down and wiped at his face one last time, putting on a weak smile for his friend. "Can- can I say goodbye, at least?"

Toris' expression fell again. "The officer who came by to put up our guest already took him. It was while you and Erzsebet were out releasing the pups; Yao thought it'd be- easier-" He looked somewhat ashamed now. "-if you didn't have to see him go."

Not knowing what else to say, Alfred nodded, looking back to his hands and starting a long, awkward silence until his friend finally broke it with a cough.

"I wish I could see you off with better news, but," Toris hesitated. "I hope your vacation goes well."

"Thanks, Toris," Alfred replied eventually. "I'll try."

His friend gave him one last pat on the back, pressing something into his hands before leaving Alfred to his own thoughts. It was Bucky's collar, still looking as new as it had when he'd gotten it, complete with engraved name tag, less than a month ago.

Had it really been only a month and a half since Bucky had come into the clinic and his life? It was hard to believe now.

(He didn't think three weeks was going to be enough time to recover, but it would have to be, wouldn't it?)

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AN: I wasn't honestly expecting to write this today considering my mood, but I got it out somehow. Maybe because the tone fits my mood or something IDK. I feel really bad for Alfred, but I know happy times are coming soon for him so it'll all be better, but still.

This is sort of the end of the first half; the second will basically all be well away from the clinic and it also gonna have the relationship buildup and the rest of the serious plot. …In all respects, it's probably been well under less than halfway, but whatever.