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[notintehkitchen]

Mr. Hawk, will you please come back to the house? I found a solution to our problem.

I've sealed my gas mask on permanently so I don't have to talk to you again or be strange. I'll just be a normal Pyro again, you don't even have to think of me as a girl if you don't want to. Just think of me as a boy--or even better, an it. I'm fine with that, really. Just come back, please?

Comments

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[hasstandards]

I said I'm not. Now knock it off.

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[notintehkitchen.livejournal.com]

Your opinion of yourself is invalid because it's not true. Sniper is kawaii.

You're just as cute as Jell-O.

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[hasstandards]

I don't want to be compared to your blob. I'm—

Ya know what? This was a bad idea.

[He turned around to head back to the base, hesitating at the sound of barking. Pyro was right- there were puppies in the window, visible in the light of the store.]

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[notintehkitchen.livejournal.com]

[When he turned his back to her something inside of her broke. For someone who could kiss her and act physically attracted to her Sniper was easily wavered by his own negative emotions.

Pyro did the only thing she could think of. Grabbing his uninjured shoulder, she gave a low hiss and didn't blink an eye as she formed a solid glare at his face.

The sound of her voice lowered again to something many would not be able to recognize as the one of the sweet girl covered in scars who loved cute things.]

You don't get it. Regardless of what difficulties you may throw at me, I will not let you ruin your own mood because of it or mine for that matter. Quit your negativity before you can no longer save yourself or else I will be forced to do things I'd prefer not to do.

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[hasstandards]

[Even the barking of puppies in the nearby store wasn't enough to keep his temper down as she grabbed him, rooting him to that spot. He cast her an impassive look.]

And just what would you be forced to do, I wonder?

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[notintehkitchen.livejournal.com]

[Good question. One she wasn't entirely sure how to answer. Looking a little taken aback, she pushed away and crossed her arms.]

...

No sex.

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[hasstandards]

[He turned away again, trying to make it look like a move born of stubbornness; it was to actually mask how furiously his face burned.]

We weren't gonna do that, anyway!

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[notintehkitchen.livejournal.com]

[Saying the word sex made her blush regardless of the teasing or not. Being intimate with the opposite gender was an odd idea to think about.]

That's not what it sounded like earlier. You said you wanted to. Now you're not interested?

[There was a pause of silence.]

Good. I guess puppies are better then sex anyways.

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[hasstandards]

I didn't say that!

[His response came out before he'd even thought about what he was saying, and it showed on his face.]

Right. Let's just- [He took a breath to recompose himself.] Look at the dogs. Let's do that.

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[notintehkitchen.livejournal.com]

That's a good idea.

[That way you won't be as cranky. No one can resist puppies. She thought.

Running down the street, when she came to the window she almost immediately pressed both hands and her face against the glass to ogle all the different puppies either sleeping or playing. A certain one caught her eye and proceeded to make her squee in delight. A shiba inu puppy hopped about on two feet playfully unaware of the woman adoring him.]

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[hasstandards]

[Grateful she didn't follow up on the fact he hadn't denied his interest in intimacy with her, he waited a moment before heaving a sigh, finally heading down the path after her.

He reached the window where she stood, eyeing the pups behind the glass. He stole a sideways look to her, following her eyes to the pointy-eared puppy hopping around.]

Like that one, do you?

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[notintehkitchen.livejournal.com]

It's so cute. Can we get it? Please?! I'll be it's mother and love it forever and ever, promise!

[As an adult, it didn't seem like Pyro should have to ask to get a puppy. Since Sniper lived with her though, she thought he should have some opinion on what creature she might bring into home.]

It's so fluffy!

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[hasstandards]

[He kept his eyes on her, kicking himself for considering it. She didn't need another pet in the house, and he didn't have the stamina to train it, anyway. On the other hand, a dog was preferable to the pet she currently had... and he did like dogs an awful lot. His concerns silenced themselves as he watched her, noting how happy it made her.

That nagging feeling hit him as he realized he was doing it again- concerning himself over appeasing her, gaining her approval in some way. Already, he was letting himself get to wound up with her. It was ridiculous.

In spite of that, he gave her a nod after a moment of hesitation. This wasn't just for her, he told himself.]

I don't think it's a bad idea. He could keep the house safe, should that masked bloke who put me in the hospital come back.

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[notintehkitchen.livejournal.com]

I wonder if Spy will mind... not that it matters to me. It's our dog!

[Pulling away from the window, Pyro ran inside and immediately went to pick up the puppy in both hands. Looking down at it, she tilted her head curiously.]

Are you a girl or a boy?

[She soon found out when she saw at the right angle.]

Oh, another boy. Jell-O will like you! He's a boy too. You're going to need a name though. I wonder what would be best? Bacon? Ham? Cheeseburger? Hmmm...

[All the names were foods, it was clear were Pyro's mind was.]

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[hasstandards]

[Following her inside, RED overheard her talking to the dog.]

I'm not sure you oughtta name the pup after food, pumpkin.

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[notintehkitchen.livejournal.com]

Hm, maybe not after Western foods. He's a Shiba Inu, so a Japanese name would suit him better.

[Lowering her brows in thought as she stared at the little one now attempting to lick her neck, she finally found his name.]

Teriyaki! I'm going to name him Teriyaki! Teriyaki and Jell-O!

[Bringing him close to her chest, she began to nuzzle her head against his.]

Teriyaki~

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[hasstandards]

[Though she named him after food anyway, he didn't argue as he really didn't mind the one she picked. Plus, she looked so serene nuzzling him. He didn't want to ruin the mood with his continued grouchiness now that things seemed better again.]

That name's not so bad. At least I can pronounce it.

[Sniper felt that smile reappear on his face again as he watched Pyro with the dog, something in her mood contagious. He gave the pup a pat on on his side.]

This the one you want, then?

[He felt silly asking her that, as though he could buy it for her- and in some show of generosity and because he felt that was what the man in a relationship of some sort ought to do, he really wanted to. However, as he had no funds or job in Paradise, the puppy would have to be on her dime. It was her dog, after all. They'd both benefit from it, but he was her dog.]

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[notintehkitchen.livejournal.com]

Japanese isn't too difficult, unlike English it's rather phonetic. Words are spelled like they sound.

[Petting the dog on the head after Sniper was finished, she glanced upwards at the ceiling in thought.]

English is... difficult. In most cases, I suppose people would say 'English is hard.' but the word 'hard' is slang without those whose native tongue is English not realizing it. When I think hard, I think like a rock. That's the only meaning in my tongue. English words have so many different meanings, it can be hard for me to understand at times despite my teachings.

[Realizing she just used the word 'hard' in the right way, she laughed.]

Oh, I did it like a Westerner would! Hard! It's hard! Everything is hard! Life is hard!

[Shaking her head after she realized just how off topic she went, Pyro went over to the register to pay for her new pet with the card that held her salary. Once the transaction was finished, she began to spin around in circles while snuggling the dog.]

Teriyaki! Teriyaki!

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[hasstandards]

[Well, that certainly explained some of the language barrier Sniper had seen crop up between them, though how she'd gotten onto such a tangent was beyond him. He nodded dumbly, his brow knitting together in mild confusion- the look remained on him until she's paid for the pooch.]

Don't spin him too much, now. You'll make him sick. Wouldn't want him ruining your dress.

[And in Sniper's mind, that'd be certainly be a shame.]

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[notintehkitchen.livejournal.com]

[When Sniper told her to stop due to the possibility of the pup vomiting she literally stopped in mid-spin and gawked at him. Vomit!? It probably wasn't as cute as Jell-O's vomit and it would smell, that wouldn't be fun.]

But he's so cute I can't help it!

[Pressing Teriyaki to her chest again, she nuzzled her chin against his tiny head. The feeling of his fluffy fur tickled.]

Teriyaki needs to be held by you too, you're his father after all!

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[hasstandards]

[Sniper's brown knitted again.]

I'll hold him, but I'm not his father. He's a pet, Pyro.

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[notintehkitchen.livejournal.com]

He's your child, stop calling him a pet.

[Placing him down on the ground, the dog immediately began to paw at the bottom of Sniper's legs before giving a chipper bark.]

See? He called you Dad.

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[hasstandards]

I don't think that's what he said, pumpkin.

[It took some effort, but Sniper managed to get low enough to pick up the puppy by his scruff, maneuvering the wriggling animal until he was comfortably held in his working arm. His cold demeanor disappeared as the puppy licked at his face, his grin more than he could hold back.]

Rambunctious, ain't ya? We'll probably need a leash for you, unless Pyro wants to go running after when you take off.

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[notintehkitchen.livejournal.com]

I already paid for a collar and leash for him.

[Not to mention food and water bowls, treats and toys.]

Let's pick out something for him to wear.

[Walking towards the back of the store, Pyro crouched down and began observing all the different dog collars. Many of the ones she spotted looked rather feminine.]

He's a boy dog... he can't wear anything pink.

[But that would still be cute.

Moving a few of them off the hangers, she finally spotted one in the back that had a flame print on it.]

Ah! This one! This one!

[Holding out to show Teriyaki, Pyro smiled.]

What do you think?

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[hasstandards]

[As Pyro headed to the back of the store to look at collars, Sniper stayed where he was, chatting quietly with the pup in the crook of his arm just below an audible level. A laugh escaped him- low, but genuine- as the puppy nipped at his nose. It had been too long since he'd had a dog of his own.

Not that this was his dog, of course. He was Pyro's dog, as evidenced by his name. She called to them, holding out a collar that made her ownership all the more appropriate.]

S'perfect. Ain't it, pup?

[The dog nudged at his face again- he tried not to let his enjoyment show, but it was clear the dog put him at peace on some deeper level.]