Part 20

The police station was as busy as ever. Phones kept ringing, officers worked tirelessly at their desks, and Chief, as always, was buried under stacks of paperwork. The coffee in his hand seemed more like an extension of himself than a mere drink, and his gaze was fixed on the pile of reports he still had to review. However, today, something was different in the air. Something... strange.

Dog Man, sitting at his desk, seemed completely lost. His tail occasionally tapped the floor, but his mind was elsewhere. Jerry, the officer sitting across from him, was the first to notice his colleague's unusual behavior.

—Hey, Dog Man —said Jerry softly, trying to get his attention.

Dog Man didn't respond. Jerry frowned and raised his voice.

—Dog Man!

Nothing. The dog remained lost in thought.

—What's up with him? —asked Mark, who was going through some paperwork beside him.

Jerry looked at his partner with concern, then back at Dog Man.

—I don't know... he's acting weird —Jerry replied, scratching his head.

That's when Dog Man sighed, as if he was completely disconnecting from the world around him.

—Petey... —murmured Dog Man softly, almost like he was whispering something private.

The two officers exchanged puzzled glances, not understanding what he had just said.

—What did you say? —asked Mark, leaning toward him, his expression filled with doubt.

Dog Man lifted his head, confused by the question but still smiling.

—Petey... —he repeated, this time with a dreamy smile.

Jerry and Mark froze. A chill ran down their spines. Just one name—one single name—but that was enough to unleash chaos.

—¡¿PETEY DID SOMETHING?! —Jerry shouted in alarm, his voice filled with concern.

—¡¿IS PETEY THREATENING DOG MAN?! —yelled another officer from the back.

—¡¿DID HE TURN VILLAIN AGAIN?! —added a third, pointing towards Chief's office.

Dog Man didn't understand what was happening. He was just thinking about Petey, his boyfriend. It felt nice to be around him. He thought about how wonderful it was to spend time together, about how Petey made him feel... But for everyone else, those words only increased the confusion.

—¡¿WHAT IS PETEY PLOTTING?! —shouted all the officers in unison.

Dog Man just smiled, completely unaware of the chaos he had just triggered.

—He's so smart... —he murmured, thinking about how clever Petey always was.

The officers, now completely in panic, began whispering among themselves. Nobody knew what was going on.

—¡¿WHAT DOES HE WANT FROM DOG MAN?! —asked Mark, looking around in distress.

—¡¿IS HE SPYING ON US?! —said another officer, his voice trembling.

—¡¿IS HE GOING TO STEAL SOMETHING?! —added someone else, their theories becoming wilder by the second.

—¡We have to tell the Chief! —exclaimed Jerry, rushing towards Chief's office.

Just then, Chief entered the room, his usual cup of coffee in hand, unaware of the chaos unfolding before him.

—What's all this racket?! —asked Chief, looking at his team, visibly annoyed.

—¡Chief! —Jerry and the other officers shouted urgently— ¡Something's wrong with Dog Man!

Chief frowned and approached Dog Man, who still had a completely relaxed expression on his face.

—What's wrong with him? —asked Chief, observing his officer, who didn't seem as worried as the others.

The officers all started shouting at once, each with their own interpretation of the situation.

—¡He's distracted! —said Jerry.

—¡And he said Petey's name! —added Mark, still alarmed.

—¡He wants to distract us so we lower our guard! —shouted another officer.

—¡He's setting a trap for us! —exclaimed a third.

Chief raised his hands, asking for calm, and looked at Dog Man seriously.

—Alright, alright... —he said, rubbing his face— Dog Man, what's going on with Petey?

Dog Man smiled widely.

—I like him... —he answered, completely unbothered.

The officers fell completely silent, not knowing how to interpret that response.

—What do you mean "you like him"? —asked Chief, confused.

Dog Man nodded, still with a goofy smile on his face.

—Spending time with him is fun.

The officers looked at each other, terrified, their minds racing with even crazier theories.

—¡He wants to distract us so we let our guard down! —said Mark, now pale.

—¡He's controlling his mind! —added Jerry, staring at Dog Man like he was a victim.

—¡Petey hacked his little dog brain! —cried another officer, looking at Dog Man with trembling eyes.

Dog Man started to chuckle softly, unaware of the chaos he was causing.

—He makes me feel good... —he said, in a carefree tone.

Jerry nearly fainted from anxiety.

—¡We're doomed! —he cried, almost in tears.

—¡It's a long-term plan! —added another, feeling the situation slipping out of control.

Chief, watching his officers grow more paranoid by the second, held his head in frustration.

—God, help me... —he murmured, feeling everything collapse around him.

Despite the chaos, Dog Man remained oblivious to the situation.

—Petey... —he whispered, thinking about how happy Petey made him.

—¡Chief, we have to do something! —shouted the officers in unison.

—¡Yeah! Before it's too late! —they cried out.

At that moment, Dog Man, seeing how agitated his colleagues were getting, decided to clear things up.

—¡Alright, alright! —he said, raising a hand, trying to calm everyone down— Listen.

The officers looked at Dog Man, confused but eager for an explanation.

—Petey... is my boyfriend —said Dog Man, grinning from ear to ear.

The station fell into absolute silence. No officer uttered a word, all of them staring at Dog Man as if he had just said something impossible.

—What? —said Chief finally, unable to process what he had just heard.

—He's my boyfriend. Petey is my boyfriend —repeated Dog Man, happier than ever.

The officers stood frozen for a moment. A second that felt eternal.

Finally, Jerry broke the silence with a nervous laugh.

—Ohhh... Now we get it —he exclaimed.

Mark blushed.

—We just couldn't believe it! —he said, letting out a relieved sigh.

Chief frowned, still confused, but at least now everything made some sense.

—And why didn't you tell us before? —he asked, incredulous and exhausted.

Dog Man beamed.

—Because I didn't think it was necessary —he replied, still smiling.

Now, everyone in the station knew the truth. No one had been brainwashed, and Petey wasn't plotting anything. He was just a dog in love with his boyfriend.

The silence in the station lasted a few more seconds until, finally, one of the officers spoke up.

—¡We have to celebrate this! —said Officer Jerry, jumping from his seat enthusiastically— ¡A party! A party to celebrate Dog Man having a boyfriend!

Everyone in the room looked at Jerry, some confused, others curious.

—What? —asked Mark, still half-lost in the conversation, but now considering the idea of a party.

—¡Yeah! A party! —insisted Jerry— ¡A party for Petey and Dog Man! That way, we can celebrate and get to know Petey better! We all know Dog Man is always so busy, he never has time to socialize with us. This is our chance!

The other officers started murmuring among themselves, slowly nodding, though some were still a bit hesitant.

—Where would we have it? —one of the officers asked.

Everyone looked around, searching for an answer. No one seemed to have a clear idea. But at that moment, someone raised their hand with a mischievous smile.

—Why not at Chief's house? —Officer Mark said, his expression sly.

Chief, who was taking a sip of his coffee, nearly spat out his drink upon hearing the suggestion. All eyes turned to him.

—At my house?! —Chief exclaimed, setting his cup down with a loud thud—. No way! I'm not hosting a party at my house!

But the officers didn't give up so easily. As soon as Chief rejected the idea, they began insisting.

—Come on, Chief! —Jerry said with an even wider grin—. Your house is perfect for this! You have space, and food... you probably have some food! And besides, we all need a celebration every now and then!

—Yeah! —another officer added—. Just think about how Petey and Dog Man will feel! This is the perfect moment to show them how happy we are for them!

Chief frowned, but he could see that his colleagues wouldn't back down easily.

—But... it's my house! —he protested, crossing his arms—. I'm not the kind of person who loves having parties...

Still, the officers kept pushing, convinced it was the best idea. Finally, Chief let out a heavy sigh and leaned back in his chair.

—Alright, alright... —he said, resigned—. But don't make it big! And no loud noise! Just a small gathering, nothing crazy!

The officers erupted in cheers, and Jerry started jumping with excitement.

—Perfect! I'll take care of the music! —he said enthusiastically.

—I'll handle the food, don't worry! —another officer exclaimed, already thinking about what to bring to the party.

Meanwhile, Dog Man, who had been smiling like a fool throughout the conversation, looked at everyone in the room with a mix of surprise and happiness.

—So it's all settled? —he asked, looking at Chief with his big, bright eyes.

Chief sighed, realizing there was nothing he could do to stop his officers' enthusiasm.

—Yes, Dog Man, it seems like it's all settled. —Chief said, still unable to believe what had just happened. — But please, don't come to my house and cause trouble, understood?

—Of course! —Dog Man responded, excitedly. — It'll be great!

At that moment, Jerry raised a hand as if he had just had a brilliant idea.

—We have to invite Petey and Lil Petey! —he exclaimed with enthusiasm.

All the officers fell silent for a moment, staring at Jerry, and then nodded in unison.

—Yeah! —Mark said. — It's their party too, we have to make it special!

—And Lil Petey could help us with the decorations! —another officer added. — He surely has creative ideas!

Chief looked at everyone, a slight smile forming on his face.

—Alright, alright... But please, keep your expectations low. —he said, feeling like this whole party planning process had spiraled out of his control.

The decision was made. The party would be held at Chief's house, despite his initial reluctance. Everyone eagerly started planning, while Dog Man kept smiling, happy at the idea of sharing a special moment with his friends.

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The day of the party arrived quickly. Everyone at the station was busy preparing for the event. Jerry had brought a playlist, Mark had bought some decorations (which, according to him, were "in the theme of an underground party"), and another officer was handling the drinks.

Chief was at his house, staring at the table, which was already filled with drinks and simple dishes. Everything seemed in order, though he couldn't help but wonder how wild things might get.

—This won't be so bad —Chief said to himself, trying to convince himself.

At 7 p.m., Dog Man arrived with a radiant smile, followed closely by Petey and Lil Petey. Petey, as usual, looked somewhat skeptical but also curious about what to expect. Lil Petey carried a small box with decorating materials, though he seemed more interested in what was inside Chief's fridge than in actually helping with the decorations.

—Thanks for inviting us! —Dog Man said, hugging Chief enthusiastically.

Chief blushed slightly, not quite used to such displays of affection.

—You're welcome, Dog Man. Just don't cause a ruckus! —Chief warned, though, truthfully, he was starting to enjoy the lively atmosphere.

Petey, though he seemed a little uncomfortable, gave a small smile.

—Thanks for inviting us. —Petey said with a slight bow. — This is... a bit new for me.

—Don't worry! —Jerry chimed in. — This is going to be great! Just relax and enjoy!

Lil Petey approached Dog Man and Petey, looking curiously at the decorations before turning to Chief.

—Where can I put my decorations? —he asked with a mischievous grin.

Petey frowned slightly but didn't say anything. He knew Lil Petey always ended up being a bit... troublesome.

Meanwhile, the officers continued with the last details. The whole place was buzzing with excitement, and Chief, though he had started the night reluctantly, could no longer deny that celebrating something so special for Dog Man had won him over.

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The night carried on with laughter and the soft hum of lively conversations. Chief's house, though small for so many people, had become the center of an impromptu celebration.

At the dining table, the officers shared stories while devouring chips and sipping drinks. Lil Petey, with endless energy, moved around excitedly, thrilled to be at an "adult party." But as the night went on, his energy slowly faded, and his eyelids grew heavy.

—Wow, looks like someone is running out of battery —Chief commented, crossing his arms as he watched Lil Petey nodding off in his chair.

Petey, leaning against the doorframe with his arms crossed, rolled his eyes but smiled.

—I told you not to eat so many swe —he teased.

—I didn't eat that many candy... —Lil Petey murmured, resting his head on the table. A second later, a soft snore confirmed he had lost the battle against sleep.

—...He's adorable —Dog Man whispered with a smile.

Petey sighed and walked over, carefully placing his jacket over Lil Petey's shoulders. Then, with gentle movements, he adjusted his head to make him more comfortable.

—Yeah, he is —he admitted quietly, as if it was hard for him to acknowledge it out loud.

Dog Man looked at him with fondness. He liked seeing this softer side of Petey, the one he rarely showed.

The party continued, though with a calmer tone. Little by little, the music lowered, and most officers began to relax. Chief was still playing host, but he couldn't help but throw annoyed glances at how his living room had turned into an improvised resting area.

Amid the scattered conversations and background noise, Dog Man and Petey found themselves standing by the window, slightly away from the rest.

—Did you have fun? —Dog Man asked, tilting his head slightly.

Petey shrugged, looking outside.

—It wasn't so bad... I don't usually come to gatherings like this.

—I'm glad you came —Dog Man said, with that sincere smile that always seemed to brighten everything around him.

Petey felt his cheeks warm slightly.

—Don't thank me —he muttered, looking away—. If I hadn't come, you would've probably dragged me here yourself.

—Maybe... —Dog Man tilted his head, a playful glint in his eyes.

A comfortable silence settled between them. Outside, the city lights twinkled softly, and the cool night breeze drifted through the open window.

Suddenly, Dog Man took Petey's hand naturally, intertwining their fingers together.

Petey blinked, surprised, but didn't pull away.

—What are you doing? —he asked, though his tone lacked any real protest.

Dog Man smiled.

—Just... being with you.

Petey felt his heart skip a beat. It was ridiculous how such a simple gesture could affect him so much.

—You're an idiot —he muttered, but he gently squeezed Dog Man's hand in return.

Dog Man rested his head on Petey's shoulder, closing his eyes for a moment.

Petey exhaled, relaxing.

Their quiet moment didn't last long.

—Ooooh! —a teasing voice rang out from across the room.

Petey whipped his head around and found several officers watching them with amused smiles. Jerry had his arms crossed and one eyebrow raised, while Mark tried to stifle a snicker behind his soda cup.

—Look at them —commented another officer, making a fake pout—. The great Dog Man and his dear Petey, all cuddled up by the window.

—When were you planning to tell us you're the protagonists of a romance novel? —joked Jerry.

Petey felt heat rush to his face, unsure if it was embarrassment or anger.

—Oh, please! —he huffed, pulling his hand away from Dog Man abruptly—. We weren't doing anything!

—Yeah, yeah, sure —said Mark, with a teasing smile—. And Dog Man totally didn't have the face of someone completely lovestruck.

Dog Man, oblivious to the teasing, tilted his head curiously.

—But I do like being with Petey...

—Awwww! —several officers exclaimed at the same time.

—Stop saying things like that! —Petey complained, covering his face with one hand.

Dog Man blinked.

—Why? It's true.

The teasing intensified.

—My God, this is worse than I imagined —said Chief, massaging his temples—. They don't even try to hide it...

—It's like watching a live rom-com! —added another officer.

—Who would've thought that Petey, the former supervillain, would end up melting for the city's hero?

—I AM NOT MELTING! —Petey growled, clenching his fists—. And stop making those weird noises!

—But you're blushing!

—I AM NOT BLUSHING!

Dog Man, far from being bothered, just smiled calmly, as if the teasing didn't affect him in the slightest.

—I like being with Petey —he repeated, not caring about Petey's humiliation.

—Enough already! —Petey was about to explode when he felt a tug on his shirt.

He looked down and saw Lil Petey, still half-asleep, gazing at him with drowsy eyes.

—Dad... why are you yelling? —murmured the kitten, rubbing one eye.

Petey sighed, letting his shoulders drop.

—Nothing, kiddo... just that these idiots don't know when to shut up.

—Mmm... —Lil Petey didn't fully understand the situation, but he yawned and rested his head against his dad's side—. Can we go home soon?

Petey felt all his fury evaporate in an instant.

—Yeah, soon.

Dog Man looked at Lil Petey fondly and gently petted his head.

—Rest a little more, Lil Petey.

Lil Petey gave a small smile and closed his eyes, falling asleep again.

The officers exchanged glances and smiles among themselves.

—Wow, this really is a family... —one of them whispered, unable to hide a smile at the scene.

Petey, still annoyed by the teasing, crossed his arms.

—If anyone says another word, I swear I'll make them run five laps around the station.

Dog Man just smiled and looked at him fondly.

—You're cute when you're angry.

—GREG!

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HELLO, sorry for the delay in the chapter, I had a rather busy day.

ON ANOTHER NOTE, more than 10k reads... thank you all so much for giving this story a chance!!

I'd like to do something special if it reaches 15k, but honestly, I have no idea what. I'll just go cry now hehe.