Giving up on a strict updating schedule, because. You can be reassured that it will be at least once a week, almost definitely more. Now, on with the fluff! The Funeral storyline will be revisited.

503 words

PUPPY LOVE

"Pleeeeaaaassseeee?"

"As much as I adore cats, Angelique, I can't stand them," Arthur says with a hint of exasperated amusement. He's obviously trying to resist Angelique's adorable face, held next to the equally adorable face of a brown long-haired cat.

"That didn't even make sense, Arthur!"

Lovino is rather okay with breaking their stalemate, smirking as he does so. He raises one hand. "I'm allergic to cats."

"Damn it!"

Lovino restrains his laughter as Angelique kisses the little cat goodbye and climbs to her feet, frolicking off back into the rows of animals at the shelter. He leans towards Arthur, watching her walk away. "Why did we come here again?"

Arthur sighs and Lovino has the suspicion he really does love cats. "I have no idea. She knows we don't have any room for a pet, and our lease strictly outlaws animals."

"We just can't resist her, can we?"

Lovino grins as Arthur shoots him a look detailing exactly how he feels about that. "No, we cannot." He and Lovino begin wandering the large aisles of the animal shelter, as Lovino tries not to look at any of the poor cats and dogs that they really cannot take home. Not until years from now, when his secret plans to move them out of that cramped apartment are born and come to fruition, will the trio have a place for an animal.

Until then, they'll just have to do with driving down here and watching Angelique coo over any and all kinds of animals, as she's doing right now.

"Oh, aren't you just the most precious little thing," Lovino hears as they round a corner and both look left. And there Angelique is, kneeling in her tiny blue sundress next to a kennel with a small dog, pawing at the wire as he noses her hand in happiness.

Angelique glances up to see them, a smile splitting her face upon seeing them just like the smile on her face upon seeing the dog. "Come here guys! Isn't he adorable?"

"You're adorable," Lovino hears Arthur mutter under his breath, and he can't help but agree even as he strolls forward to stand next to her. "I suppose he's cute."

He really is; the puppy can't be more than a year old and is all black and tan with a white underbelly and markings - the paper with his information labels him as a Shiba Inu.

Lovino smirks. "Hey Art, he's got your eyebrows."

Arthur leans closer as if to inspect the truth in that statement, then flushes and hits him. "Shut up!"

While Angelique can't resist her laughter, and Arthur goes off on her too in embarrassment as he kneels down next to her and the puppy, Lovino just smiles and watches the two of them absolutely fawn over this dog.

He's pretty sure the feeling blossoming in his chest isn't just puppy love.