Warning: Contains Logan-typical homophobic slur.
It's been Roman's favourite game for as long as he can remember. Today is a hot summer day and he crawls into the cage where Kendall has already prepared his dog bowl. He dives for the cake immediately, but quickly realises something is wrong. He spits it out having already swallowed some. He thinks he might be sick.
"That's real dog food," he says with a sense of betrayal.
Kendall is doubled over laughing. "Come on Rome, it's just a joke. I wish I had Dad's video camera."
Roman spits into the dog bowl again. He hates Kendall in that moment. "Fuck you," he mutters. "I don't wanna play anymore."
"What's going on?" Connor has just entered the house, followed by their father.
"Roman's being a baby," says Kendall in disgust.
"Ken made me eat dog food!"
"I thought you liked that game?" says Connor, looking at the cage. Roman still feels like he might throw up or cry.
"Stop snivelling, Romulus," says Logan, in a warning tone.
"He's just a little kid, Dad," says Connor. "Come here, sweetheart." He lifts Roman out of the cage.
"Don't be such a faggot," says Logan. "It must be your mother's influence. I didn't raise you like that." Connor says nothing, but his jaw twitches as he swings Roman up in the air.
"Let's find another game to play," says Connor. "How about football?"
"Yeah," says Roman, brightening, still clinging to Connor.
"I guess we know who the stronger dog is," says Logan cheerfully, ruffling Kendall's hair. Kendall basks in his father's approval. Roman feels a surge of jealousy.
The next day Roman has recovered from his trauma and asks to go back in the cage again. He's not the weaker dog. He'll prove it.