Chapter Text
You found the puppy wandering near the edge of the property, its tiny body shivering and eyes wide with fear. The poor thing looked lost and hungry, whimpering and backing into the bushes as you tried to grab it. But you couldn’t just leave it there. You pushed through, earning a few scratches on your arms, and finally reached it. Its little heart raced against your chest. You walked back to the house, abandoning your gardening tool where you surely wouldn’t find them next time. Right now you had a bigger task on hand, a task that was trying its hardest to wiggle out of your arms.
You had to free a hand to push open the door, and sure enough, the puppy jumped off as soon as your grip loosened. Thankfully, you managed to close it before the stray found its way between your feet. It panicked at the lack of exit, and ran to hide behind the closest piece of furniture.
Brahms knew the sounds of the house all too well, so the puppy scurrying across the wood floor immediately piqued his curiosity. You were crouched under a console when Brahms got close enough to see, seemingly looking for something. Three inquisitive knocks spooked the poor thing out of its hiding place, and you bumped your head in the commotion.
“Ah- fuck! Brahms!”
The puppy was now at your side, eyes fixated on the nearby wall. Seeing the tiny, defenseless creature growl at an invisible threat tugged at your heartstrings, and you scooped it up, this time without much struggle.
“Shh, it’s okay,” you cooed, hoping to soothe the dog. Then louder, you addressed Brahms. “I found him outside. You’ve never seen a puppy before?” Your tone was patronizing despite you, reproach seeping through.
He hadn’t. Or at least none that looked like that. You walked to the kitchen before setting the dog down. This time it stayed nearby, looking in all directions as if guarding you. Brahms watched you grab leftover chicken to give to the dog, a bit upset about having to share. He knocked again, as if demanding an explanation. You paid no mind to him, setting the plate down for the puppy to devour.
“Poor baby, you must be so hungry.”
But Brahms couldn’t stand the attention not being on him, so he knocked again, quicker.
“Brahms, enough. Not so loud.” You tried to calm down. Brahms often upset you, but you knew not to take it to heart. However, it wasn’t fair for others to pay for his bad temper. “There’s nothing to be afraid of. It’s just a puppy. He–” you checked if you were right, “he’s more scared than you are. So be nice.”
Brahms groaned in response, low and rumbly like a storm forming.
“None of that with me.” Your tone didn’t leave room for arguing, and yet you could sense him brewing behind the wall. “Brahms. Nice. Please.”
You knew not to trust his silence. The sudden, loud bang tearing through the room justifying your defiance. It startled you, as always. His outbursts were something you never got used to no matter how much you expected them.
You took a deep breath through your nose, denying him the satisfaction of seeing you scared. Instead you spoke calmly. “You’re a bad boy Brahms. You hear me? You’re mean and selfish.”
And now he was whining. Like you were the mean one and he was the victim in all this. It was hard to stay unphased when the complaints dragged on. You couldn’t help but take pity whenever he pulled that. Brahms communicated poorly, through grunts and other animalistic noises. Like a big, untamed, untrained dog, who had no interest in learning. And you were just its owner, a simpleton okay with feeding the beast and playing fetch until it got bored.
Brahms was entitled and ungrateful.
The innocent puppy that was now under your care would be a welcome breath of fresh air.