Part 21

During the following weeks, Dog Man and Petey's relationship continued to develop naturally. Without anyone saying it out loud, Dog Man practically lived in the lab.

Sure, he still had his house, but he was spending less and less time there.

At first, Petey had insisted that he sleep on the couch on the first floor. It wasn't that he minded his presence, but he wasn't ready to share his space so openly either.

However, every night, before going up to his room, he would glance at the couch and see Dog Man curled up there, his tail hanging off the edge, ears relaxed. And every night, the thought that he didn't look comfortable at all bothered him a little more.

Until the night before, when, on impulse, he sighed and said:

—Come on, sleep with me this time... but don't get used to it.

Dog Man perked up his ears, blinking as if he hadn't heard correctly.

—...Really?

Petey rolled his eyes and clicked his tongue.

—Don't make me regret it. If you take more than five seconds to get up here, I'll change my mind.

Dog Man needed no more. In the blink of an eye, he was already in the room, closing the door behind him with the enthusiasm of a puppy. He climbed onto the bed carefully, as if he still feared Petey would take it back.

The bed wasn't particularly big, but there was enough space for each of them to have their own side without issue. Petey settled on his side, back facing Dog Man, arms crossed, as if his rigid posture could convince himself that there was nothing odd about sharing a bed.

Dog Man, on the other hand, lay on his back, staring at the ceiling. His tail, though hanging off the bed, tapped the sheets every so often, betraying the excitement he was trying to contain. It wasn't that he was nervous... well, maybe a little. But more than anything, he was happy.

The first nights on the couch hadn't been bad, but Petey's bed was infinitely more comfortable, and just being there, beside him, made him feel more at ease than he could express in words.

A few minutes passed in complete silence. Petey breathed slowly, eyes closed, his back turned. Dog Man, however, struggled to relax, because for some reason, the space between them felt larger than it really was.

There was no need to close it, of course. It wasn't like Petey expected him to get closer.

But... what if he did? Just a little.

Cautiously, Dog Man rolled onto his side and shifted just a few centimeters. Not enough to touch him, but enough to feel his warmth a bit closer.

Petey didn't react.

Dog Man waited a moment longer before moving another small inch.

Nothing.

He took a slow breath.

"It's fine," he thought. "Just a little more..."

Finally, in an act he didn't fully think through, he wrapped both arms around Petey's waist.

The reaction wasn't immediate. But after a few seconds, he felt Petey take a deep breath and, to his surprise, he didn't pull away.

—What do you think you're doing? —Petey murmured in the darkness.

Dog Man smiled.

—Nothing.

Petey half-opened his eyes and turned his head just enough to glance at him.

—You don't look like someone who's doing 'nothing.'

Dog Man closed his eyes, tail swishing against the sheets.

—You're warm.

Petey let out a soft scoff but made no move to pull away.

Silence returned, interrupted only by the sound of their steady breathing.

After a moment, Petey let out a quiet sigh.

—Hmph... if you're going to cling like this, at least... —Slowly, he turned onto his back and, almost absentmindedly, slid a hand along Dog Man's back, tracing a slow, lazy path with his fingertips.

Dog Man froze for a moment, surprised by the action. Then, little by little, he closed his eyes and exhaled a relaxed sigh.

His tail wagged slightly, happy, before finally settling still.

Petey continued the soft caresses, effortlessly, without thinking too much about it.

Dog Man smiled.

—I like it.

Petey huffed.

—Yeah?

Dog Man nodded.

—A lot.

Petey rolled his eyes.

—You have simple tastes.

—Mm-hm.

Dog Man curled up a bit more, burying his nose in the curve between Petey's neck and shoulder.

The cat felt the warm breath against his skin, his brow furrowing slightly.

—Hey, don't push it.

Dog Man didn't reply. He was already completely relaxed.

Petey sighed, continuing to stroke his back gently.

—What a pain...

But he didn't move away.

And so, wrapped in shared warmth, they fell asleep.

.

.

The next morning, the peace didn't last long.

The bedroom door swung open.

—Papa! Dog Man! Good morning! —Lil Petey exclaimed with all the energy in the world.

Petey was just waking up when his brain registered the scene: Lil Petey standing in the doorway, Dog Man still half-asleep with an arm draped over his waist...

And then he acted without thinking.

Pure reflex, pure panic—he shoved Dog Man off the bed.

—Wha—?!

The dog hit the floor with a loud thump and a low groan.

Lil Petey blinked, tilting his head.

—Why'd you push him?

Dog Man rubbed his head, bewildered.

Petey, his heart still racing, sat on the bed and crossed his arms.

—Because you came in without knocking! What did I tell you about that?

Lil Petey completely ignored the scolding and climbed onto the bed as if nothing had happened.

—So, now Dog Man sleeps with you too?

Petey felt his face heat up immediately.

—Don't ask weird questions this early in the morning!

—It's not weird —Lil Petey insisted, wagging his tail—. He used to sleep on the couch, and now he sleeps here?

Dog Man, still on the floor, raised a hand.

—Well... Petey invited me.

Lil Petey's eyes widened, and he smiled.

—Ohhh, so now you guys are super boyfriends!

Petey covered his face with both hands.

—Enough.

Lil Petey giggled and then looked at Dog Man, who was still on the floor.

—Are you gonna stay down there or what?

Dog Man nodded with a big grin.

—It's nice and cool down here.

Petey sighed in exasperation.

—Whatever. But next time, knock before coming in.

Lil Petey nodded enthusiastically.

—Got it! ...But if I hadn't knocked, would I have caught you kissing?

—GET OUT!

Lil Petey ran off laughing while Dog Man chuckled from the floor. Petey, red to the tips of his ears, collapsed onto his back on the bed, covering his face with a pillow.

He was definitely not ready to start the day.

Petey lay on the edge of the bed, staring at the ceiling. As much as he enjoyed having Dog Man around, something still unsettled him—a feeling that something was missing to make this completely real. Was it time? No. Everything had felt so easy, so natural, but...

Wasn't this the next step? Petey didn't want to rush things, didn't want to be reckless. But he had been with Dog Man for weeks now, and the feeling that there was something more lingered in the air. Maybe it wasn't even something big... just a small step. A gesture of affection, something more tangible than hugs and words.

He was so used to doing things at his own pace, but now he felt like it was time. He just... didn't know how to say it without making it weird. Without making it feel like pressure.

He glanced at Dog Man, who had gotten up and was now standing by the window, distracted by the view. The evening light illuminated his face, and for a moment, Petey felt overwhelmed by his presence, by everything they had already shared. If there was one thing he didn't understand, it was why he hadn't taken that step yet. But how was he supposed to bring it up?

He sighed to himself, rubbing his hands together. "Maybe I could hint at it," he thought. "Just a little."

—Hey, Greg —he said, not looking directly into his eyes but trying to sound as casual as possible.

Dog Man turned to him, ears perking up, always so attentive to what Petey had to say, but never quite sure if it would be something important or just one of the random things he sometimes came up with.

—Yeah? —he responded with that goofy smile that always made Petey feel strange.

Petey bit his lip, feeling his stomach churn. "This is ridiculous!" he thought. Why was he so nervous? Everything had been so easy between them so far. But this—this tiny shift—felt like an enormous mountain.

—I was thinking... —he started, unsure how to continue. He took a step toward him but stopped at the last second, crossing his arms and looking at the floor. —We've been together for weeks... and we haven't taken... I don't know, the next step.

Dog Man frowned, and Petey noticed how his ears tilted back. Petey tried to read his expression, but he just looked confused.

—The next step? —Dog Man repeated, his tone reflecting his uncertainty. He didn't seem to understand what Petey meant.

Petey felt awkward. "Did he get it?" In his head, the question had sounded so simple, but Dog Man's confusion was making him even more anxious.

—Yeah, you know... that step —he said quickly, avoiding eye contact, his voice nervous. —Maybe... I don't know. Maybe it's time to...

Petey struggled to find the right words. He wanted to say something, but the sentences got stuck in his throat.

Dog Man took a step toward him but stopped when he saw that Petey looked even more flustered than he had expected. Petey looked up at him, unsure of how to continue.

—Are you talking about... the next next step? —Dog Man asked, his eyes locked onto Petey's. Petey couldn't help but notice how red he was, and how his tail swayed anxiously from side to side. "What's he thinking?"

Petey swallowed, but the discomfort didn't go away. "Should I be clearer?" he wondered.

—No, no... —he replied quickly, raising his hands apologetically. —I don't mean that... I'm not talking about... I mean, no... —He trailed off, feeling nervous.

Dog Man blinked a few times, still visibly confused. His face had turned even redder, and for a moment, he seemed completely lost. Petey, who had been waiting for some sign of understanding, now felt utterly unsure of himself.

"What is he expecting from me?" Petey thought, watching Dog Man, who looked more flustered by the second, his tail still flicking back and forth.

Finally, Dog Man tilted his head slightly, as if trying to piece things together.

—Then... what are you talking about? —he asked, his voice full of uncertainty.

Petey couldn't help but stare at him, his heart pounding. Why did this have to be so hard?

"Come on, Petey, just say it." He took a deep breath, biting his lower lip before exhaling heavily. He knew what he wanted to say, but the words felt impossible.

—I don't know... just... why haven't we... —Petey hesitated, breathing in deeply. —A kiss, Greg.

Surprise flashed across Dog Man's face like lightning. His ears turned completely red, and Petey could see the confusion and shock take over. For a second, Dog Man didn't say anything. Then, with a nervous, barely audible chuckle, he shrugged.

—Ah... a kiss... —he finally said, as if the word was still processing in his mind.

Petey observed his reaction with a mix of relief and nervousness. The air between them was now thick with a tension neither of them knew how to handle.

Dog Man gave a shy smile, and suddenly, Petey felt the space between them shrink.

The atmosphere remained heavy, filled with an anxiety they were both trying to ignore but couldn't escape. Dog Man looked at Petey, seeing how his eyes kept shifting, as if searching for some kind of signal. Petey, on the other hand, felt like he should do something, but everything felt... strange. He wasn't used to this—especially not with Dog Man.

—So... how... do we do this? —Dog Man murmured, his ears tilting forward. There was something in his voice that suggested he wasn't sure about anything, though he wanted to get it right.

Petey, hands still in his pockets, took a step forward and looked at Dog Man, wondering what to do. How do you kiss? He had seen so many movies, but nothing felt quite the same.

—I... don't know —Petey admitted, a little embarrassed. —I guess we just... lean in?

Dog Man nodded, still a little nervous. In his mind, movies always showed characters getting closer slowly, tilting their heads at the perfect angle for an ideal kiss. But none of that felt natural.

So, without really knowing what they were doing, they both started leaning in. Slowly, hesitantly, but without pulling away. It was a clumsy movement, as if their closeness only made things weirder instead of easier.

Finally, when they reached just the right distance, they both tilted their heads—but at the exact same angle.

Their noses bumped.

They immediately pulled back, laughter escaping from their lips. Dog Man rubbed his nose, looking just as flustered as Petey.

—Wow, that was... weird —Dog Man admitted, still embarrassed.

Petey smiled slightly, but his face flushed as he scratched the back of his neck, looking at Dog Man with an expression of amused confusion.

—Yeah... I guess I should've moved a little more... — Petey said, his tone softer and more relaxed, though clearly a bit embarrassed by his clumsiness.

They looked at each other for a few seconds, and although the awkwardness of their initial attempts still lingered, something had changed. The atmosphere between them no longer felt tense; there was a new sense of vulnerability, of closeness. Suddenly, without saying a word, they moved closer again, but this time more slowly, more carefully. This time, they made sure not to bump into each other.

Dog Man closed his eyes slowly, his heart pounding in his chest, while Petey did the same. Finally, their lips met gently in a timid, tender kiss. It was a delicate contact, unhurried, just the brush of their mouths, testing the sensation. Petey's softness and Dog Man's warmth blended perfectly, as if everything they had been searching for had finally come together in that moment.

Petey shifted a little closer, feeling Dog Man's heart beating rapidly against his chest, while Dog Man, still with his eyes closed, hugged Petey tighter, as if clinging to that new, comforting feeling.

The kiss was warm and soft, without urgency—just a quiet sharing, as if they were discovering a new language only they could understand. Petey, although a bit clumsy at first, let his hands fall to Dog Man's sides, caring about nothing except that perfect moment.

After a few seconds, they slowly pulled apart, looking at each other in silence. They didn't need words, not yet. Their eyes sparkled, and the air, though charged with nerves, was no longer uncomfortable.

—That was... — Dog Man murmured, smiling timidly.

—Yeah — Petey replied, his cheeks still red and a smile reflecting everything he felt at that moment.

They stayed gazing at each other for a few more seconds, still embraced. The intimacy of that gesture completely enveloped them. Although it was something new, something neither had experienced this way before, both knew it was the beginning of something even greater.

—I think... — Petey whispered, his voice barely audible but full of affection — I think I like it.

Dog Man smiled widely, nearly unable to contain his excitement.

—Me too. A lot.

And without saying another word, they hugged again, letting the moment speak for them.

As they embraced, the silence between them grew more comforting, the calm in the air enveloping everything around them. Their breaths synchronized, and for a brief moment, it seemed as if the world had stopped. Petey felt Dog Man's warmth, and Dog Man, with his head resting on Petey's shoulder, was completely at ease.

Almost without thinking, Petey moved a little closer. Dog Man, sensing the movement, lifted his gaze, their eyes meeting with the same tenderness that had carried them thus far. Without a word, they leaned in once more, seeking to reconnect the contact they had shared before.

But just then...

—PAPA! DOG MAN! — Lil Petey shouted from the bedroom door, his voice filled with unrestrained enthusiasm.

They immediately broke apart, as if struck by lightning. Dog Man, completely red, raised a hand as if trying to fend off the sudden intrusion.

—What?! — Petey, visibly annoyed, turned around quickly. Though he wouldn't admit it, a part of him wished to remain in that embrace.

Lil Petey bounced around, beaming broadly.

—See! I told you I'd catch you kissing! — he exclaimed, as if he'd just won a prize.

Petey covered his face with one hand, wishing the ground would swallow him whole.

—Enough, Lil Petey! — he said, his tone desperate, as his face turned even redder.

Dog Man, still standing by the bed, laughed nervously, not quite sure what to say.

—Uh... no... we weren't... uh, well, we were... — he scratched his head, unable to form a coherent sentence.

Lil Petey paid little attention to Dog Man's confusion. He simply looked down, then, with an expression of total indifference to the situation, said:

—I'm hungry! When are you making breakfast, Papa?

Petey, still a bit flushed, sighed in frustration, but also felt relieved by the change of topic. It didn't matter as much that they'd been caught in such an awkward moment anymore.

—Alright, alright... — Petey said, turning toward Dog Man with a slight smile, realizing that despite everything, there was something nice about the fact that his son still had the power to interrupt the strangest moments. — Let's go make something, okay, Greg?

Dog Man nodded quickly, as if he needed an excuse to escape the embarrassment of the moment. But before leaving, he turned back toward Petey with a small, nervous smile.

—I'm sorry about... you know, earlier. — he murmured with a light laugh. — It was just... an attempt.

Petey, seeing the sincerity on his face, stepped closer and gave him a gentle pat on the arm.

—Don't worry. We still have plenty of time.

The two shared a calm look before following Lil Petey to the kitchen, leaving the awkwardness behind and remembering that the day had only just begun.

_______________________________

HELLO, sorry for disappearing for a while, but there was a power outage in Chile and I couldn't use my computer hehe

AND TAA-DAA... THE KISS!! After so much waiting... the kiss!

I hope you all enjoyed the chapter, smooch!.