A/N: Prompt from Droite. Thank you!

Yeah, I went there. (You'll see why when you read.)

6

Smile

When she gets a puppy for her birthday, Rio knows she'll love it for the rest of their days together.

"What did you name the runt?" Ryouga asks when all of the guests have gone, leaning over the side of the couch where she and the tiny Beagle are cuddling. His sister keeps tickling the animal's ear, making it whine and bite playfully at her just-out-of-reach finger.

Rio glances at him and smirks sheepishly. "No clue yet."

The boy shrugs, not really caring and wandering off toward the kitchen to grab something to snack on. She turns her attention back down at the bundle of hyper on her lap. The pup seems to grin up at her, tongue lolling and eyes sparking mischievously.

.

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"So you're telling me that you've had this thing for three days now and you haven't given it a name?" Thomas questions in an extremely flat tone as he watches the puppy sniff his boot.

Rio frowns thoughtfully. "I know...I haven't thought up the perfect name, though. Nothing seems to fit right."

The visitor scowls, considering that. "Just pick one. Maybe a standard title, like Max or Bruno. Or you could be like a celebrity and call it something completely wacko; like Purple Pineapple or Quattro."

"Who the hell names someone Quattro?" Rio snaps, crossing her arms to add effect. "That's stupid. I'm not calling my dog that, Thomas."

He raises his shoulders in defeat, making a weird face. "I tried." It's completely sarcastic, but she decides to dismiss it.

Rio purses her lips skeptically at him, but forgets their strange little...whatever it was, when the nameless puppy jumps up, pawing at her leg. She makes a squealing noise at the sheer adorableness and Thomas blows a raspberry. Ignoring him, the Kamishiro girl kneels onto the carpeted floor and scoops the baby dog into her arms, lovingly rubbing his scruff and accepting the slobbery kisses on her cheeks. "You're so sweet~" Rio giggles as the Beagle yips.

Thomas hasn't said anything; his chin is resting on the palm of his hand while his expression appears irritated.

"What's wrong with you?" Rio chides, shuffling to her feet once more, still holding her new little companion.

Her boyfriend shrugs, arms crossed. He's glaring at the opposite wall awkwardly, one side of his mouth puffed out indignantly. There's a light flush to his face and she lifts an eyebrow confusedly. Rio considers his attitude a moment when it suddenly dawns on her.

"Don't tell me...," she begins, trying to hide the amusement in her voice, "that you're jealous of the dog?"

Thomas hunches up and grimaces, blushing red. Rio chokes on a wave of laughter and eventually can't force it down anymore. She bursts out snickering, which quickly evolves into all out cracking up. He narrows his gaze, clearly embarrassed with himself and at the fact that she'd noticed.

"You're unbelievable," Rio comments, moving next to him and placing the puppy in his arms. Thomas tries to retort, but is soon cradling the thing in one arm, glowering down at it sourly.

He peeks up at his girlfriend and smirks. "I'm just that desperate."

She playfully smacks him on the shoulder and the Beagle barks - high-pitched - and he winces dramatically. Rio spins on her heel mockingly, back facing him. She hears him standing and holds back a squeak when his arms snake around her waist and his breath pasts by her ear.

"Fine, the creature is kinda cute," Thomas offers, nibbling her lobe teasingly. "But not as cute as your smile."

She slaps her forehead at the cheap comment and throws her weight backwards so they stumble onto the couch, Thomas on the bottom, the animal on top. "I'm going to name him Smile," Rio declares, patting the pup's ears. "You inspired me."

Thomas sighs loudly, shaking his head as Smile crawls over and licks his nose.

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~Finish~