Dogs
It's been already a decade since Laelaps/Nocturne and Prelude and even though they aren't around anymore, Yoshiko still keeps them in mind, remembering them with great affection as her fingertips graze delicately over the surface of their photo album.
Yoshiko smiles as she looks at those pictures of her Riri and their dogs in them, remembering those past days together and how that little pair of dogs allowed her to get to know more about her girlfriend, from the initial fear she had of them to how much she ended loving them, even if she didn't wanted to admit it, but especially, how thanks to them, Riri and her got closer and started to date.
It's been years since then, and even though Riko and her are happy together, Yoshiko still feels like there're something missing in their lives.
Sometimes, she flirts with the idea of having kids but somehow, as great as it sounds to have a mini Riko running around the house, it also sounds so terrifying that it makes her feel like she isn't ready for that, at least not yet, so the prospect of having a little dog around until kids can come in the future, sounds like a nice and great idea.
Yoshiko is closing the photo album with a fond smile on her face when the front door opens and closes slowly, a tired sigh being heard in the distance.
Yoshiko barely moves from her spot when she sees Riko entering the living room with a tired smile upon her face.
- I'm home - she says softly.
- Welcome back – Yoshiko answers to her equally soft, opening her arms widely for her Riri to refugee and rest in them.
Upon seeing this, Riko's tired smile turns into a soft one, her cheeks dusting lightly red as she accepts Yoshiko's embrace happily, resting her head against her girlfriend's chest to hear her calming heartbeat while Yoshiko nuzzles her head gently.
- Are you okay? – she hears Yoshiko asking her softly, making her smile wider.
She has always adored how soft Yoshiko could be, when she's not being reckless of course.
- Yeah, I'm just a little tired – Riko answers to her, snuggling more into her body as Yoshiko starts to stroke her hair in a soothing way.
Riko rests calmly against Yoshiko's warm body when she notices the photo album lying on their table, reaching her hand out to grab it and take a look at it while a fond smile takes over her features.
- Ne Riri – Yoshiko whispers to her softly as if she's afraid of ruining their peaceful moment – I was thinking about adopting a dog together.
The graze of Riko's fingertips wavers over the pictures as her girlfriend's suggestion shocks her.
- A dog? – she asks more to herself than to Yoshiko.
- Yeah. I… um… I was thinking that maybe it's a little bit soon for kids so why not a dog? – Yoshiko says embarrassedly as both blush furiously at the mention of kids – What… What do you think of it?
Riko doesn't even need to take a look at her girlfriend to know Yoshiko's embarrassed face passed to be one of pure hesitation and smiles softly at it, turning around to face her and cup her cheek gently, looking at her in the eye to erase any concern she can have before kissing her.
- I- I'd love us to adopt a dog together – Riko agrees flustered, blushing hard when suddenly, she hears Yoshiko's excited squeal.
- Really!? – Yoshiko asks her excitedly, her eyes twinkling brighter than ever and Riko just nods, loving the beaming expression upon her face before Yoshiko's lips are on hers in a sweet kiss.
A couple of days go by slowly before weekend finally arrives and with it, the visit to the animal shelter.
As soon as they get in and see all those dogs, Riko can't help but look at her girlfriend's beaming face and the way her magenta eyes sparkle with barely contained glee, bringing a smile to her own face that widens as Yoshiko takes her hand and smiles at her eagerly, ready to drag her around the facilities.
- Let's meet them Riri! – Yoshiko says excitedly and Riko just giggles at her enthusiasm, following Yoshiko around as she, indeed, drags her around the place to meet their future dog.
At some point, Yoshiko lets go Riko's hand, getting separated from her as she goes towards a dark and medium size dog that seems to catch her eye, captivating her completely.
Riko doesn't take long to realize it, looking around for Yoshiko until she finds her crouched, taking the dog's paw in her hand as if they were greeting each other while talking animatedly.
Riko chuckles, smiling at such a sight while she gets closer to them.
- Riri! Look! Isn't he majestic and just way too cute? – Yoshiko half yells happily, moving the dog's paw up and down and Riko can't help but agreed with her, feeling her smile widen at her antics, not wondering why Yoshiko seemed to love him right away.
- He is indeed – she says, crouching by their side to pet him while he does funny and happy sounds at it, moving his tail cheerfully.
- Can we adopt him?
Yoshiko's sparkling eyes look at her intensely while she pouts and gives her a puppy eyes look worthy of competing with any dog's puppy eyes and Riko can't help but compare her to the dog in front of them. Same head tilting, same pout and a somehow excited and puppy eyed expression that makes it really hard to resist
- We can adopt hi-
She barely gets to finish the phrase when she hears Yoshiko's excited squeal and finds herself into a tight hug with her face being peppered with kisses, much to her profound embarrassment.
- You're the best!
- Woof!
Both dog and now owner exclaim happily and Riko feels her heart about to burst out from so much happiness and cuteness.
Once all the paperwork is signed, they take home the new member of their family with all he needs: food, clothes, leashes, a bed…
And then, Riko learns how chaotic both of them can be together.
The way they leave the house in a terrible mess, covered in mud and toilet paper or how, amusingly, they seem to blame one to another whenever Riko sees something broken or torn apart, etc and even though it infuriates her, she can't help but soften as they give her those damn cute puppy eyes and be happy they're so alike and get along that well, sometimes too well…
But what she loves the most, it's coming back home after a tiring day and find them sleeping peacefully in hers and Yoshiko's bed, after a day probably full of mischief that she'll get to know about when they wake up.
With a smile on her face, she lays down with them, kissing Yoshiko's cheek and placing an arm around her waist.
- I love you – Riko whispers softly, caressing Yoshiko's cheek who smiles foolishly in dreams.
She lays back down with their precious dog in between them, closing her eyes to take a little nap before she feels a wet nuzzling on her chin and a playful lick on her cheek, making her open her eyes and look down at him to kiss his forehead in return.
- I love you too – she whispers to him softly and giggles seeing his happy face and how he yawns, sticking his little tongue out before they fall asleep like the little and curious family they're.
Author's note: Remember, it's better to adopt animals than buy them