Part 23

Lil Petey had finally fallen asleep in his bed. Dog Man carefully tucked him in, making sure his tail wasn't caught between the sheets.

Before leaving, he leaned down to give him a kiss on the forehead.

—Goodnight.

Lil Petey stirred slightly, mumbling something in his sleep, but didn't wake up.

Dog Man smiled, watching him for a moment longer, making sure he was completely asleep. Then, with quiet steps, he left the room and gently closed the door.

With his task complete, he headed to Petey's room.

Upon entering, he noticed the lights were off, but Petey's silhouette on the bed didn't seem like someone deeply asleep. Greg blinked, focusing more clearly.

—Petey?

The cat shifted a little under the blankets and let out a soft sigh.

—I'm awake —he murmured, his voice a bit rougher than usual.

Dog Man approached and sat on the edge of the bed.

—Do you still feel bad?

Petey grunted softly and rubbed his face with his hand.

—It's nothing serious. Just uncomfortable.

Greg tilted his head, thinking.

—Do you want to snuggle up against me? Maybe that would make you feel better.

Petey looked at him incredulously.

—What? No. What a—

Dog Man perked up his ears.

—It helps when Lil Petey feels bad.

—I'm not a kid.

—But you still feel bad.

Petey clicked his tongue, turning his head to the other side.

—I don't need...

But he didn't finish the sentence. Because the truth was, he felt terrible, and although he didn't want to admit it out loud, the idea of leaning on Dog Man didn't sound so bad.

The dog didn't insist. He just waited.

Finally, after a long sigh of resignation, Petey murmured:

—...Fine. But just for a little while.

Dog Man smiled and made himself more comfortable on the bed, leaving space for Petey to decide how close to get.

There was a moment of hesitation. But then, with some awkwardness, Petey turned and laid his head against Dog Man's chest.

The warmth was comforting.

Dog Man moved his tail slowly, relaxed.

—Better?

Petey closed his eyes for a moment and then murmured:

—Maybe a little.

They remained silent for a few seconds. Dog Man continued to stroke his back with slow, distracted motions, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Finally, Petey opened one eye slightly.

—You know... lately you do a lot of things without asking me first.

Dog Man tilted his head.

—What things?

—Sleeping here, hugging me, rubbing my back...

Dog Man lowered his ears, suddenly concerned.

—You don't like it?

Petey sighed.

—I didn't say that.

The dog wagged his tail slightly.

—So... you do like it?

The cat frowned.

—Don't put words in my mouth.

Dog Man smiled.

—But you didn't tell me you didn't like it.

—Ugh.

Greg let out a quiet laugh and rested his snout on Petey's head.

—It's just... I like being close to you.

Petey felt his stomach twist unexpectedly.

—That's cheesy.

—Yeah.

The cat rolled his eyes, but didn't pull away.

—I guess... I don't mind it so much.

Dog Man gently rubbed his back in response, saying nothing.

After a moment, Petey sighed.

—Tsk... Don't get me used to this.

Dog Man smiled, closing his eyes.

—Too late.

The silence between them was comfortable, interrupted only by Dog Man's quiet breathing and the faint sound of the wind outside. Petey wasn't sure what time it was, but he knew he couldn't fall asleep just yet.

It wasn't that he was uncomfortable. In fact, being curled up against Greg felt... nice. More than he'd like to admit out loud.

Dog Man, with his warmth and constant presence, made him feel strangely safe.

—Are you still awake? —Greg asked quietly.

—Yeah —Petey murmured.

—Do you feel better?

Petey stayed silent for a moment before answering.

—A little.

Dog Man smiled against his fur.

—I'm glad.

Petey sighed.

—You're too kind for your own good.

—Is that bad?

—I don't know. Sometimes it scares me.

Dog Man tilted his head.

—Scared of what?

Petey hesitated. It wasn't easy to put into words what he felt.

—That... one day you'll get tired of me —he said, almost in a whisper—. That you'll realize I'm not worth being with.

Dog Man looked at him in surprise, as if the very idea were absurd.

—That will never happen.

Petey bit his lip.

—You can't know that.

Dog Man hugged him a little tighter.

—I can.

Petey rolled his eyes, but his heart beat a little faster.

They stayed like that for a while, until Petey spoke again, his voice quieter than before.

—You're good at everything.

Dog Man blinked.

—Huh?

Petey sighed.

—You're strong, you're good at your job, people like you, you're kind, you make everything seem so easy... even Lil Petey adores you. —He bit the inside of his cheek—. And I...

He hesitated.

—I'm not like that.

Dog Man tilted his head.

—But you're great.

Petey let out a dry laugh.

—No, I'm not.

Greg looked at him seriously.

—Yes, you are.

—Oh, really? How?

Dog Man smiled gently.

—You're very smart. You always have great ideas.

Petey looked away.

—That's not enough.

—You're funny. You make me laugh all the time.

Petey frowned.

—I'm not trying to be funny.

—You're also affectionate, even if you won't admit it.

Petey felt his face warm up.

—I'm not.

—You are. You take care of Lil Petey better than anyone. You make him happy. You make me happy.

Petey narrowed his eyes.

—Stop saying things like that.

Dog Man tilted his head.

—Why?

—Because... —Petey sighed, frustrated—. Because it's annoying.

Dog Man smiled.

—Well, get used to it.

Petey looked at him, but the dog only watched him with that calm and sincere expression that made his heart feel strange.

Finally, Petey sighed and closed his eyes.

—You're an idiot.

—And you're amazing.

Petey felt a slight tightness in his chest.

He didn't answer.

But he didn't pull away either.

Petey felt his eyes welling up too quickly. The knot in his throat became unbearable, and before Dog Man could notice the tears gathering, he rushed to move.

—I'm going to get some water.

His voice sounded forced, as if nothing was happening, but his shaky breath betrayed him.

Dog Man tilted his head.

—Now?

—Yes —Petey answered sharply, already standing up—. I need ice-cold water.

He had barely gotten to his feet when a strong dizziness hit him. He staggered, feeling his legs give way for a moment.

Dog Man reacted immediately. He stood up almost at the same time, catching him before he could collapse.

—Hey! —Greg said, his voice filled with concern.

Petey tried to downplay it, but embarrassment flooded him.

—I just stood up too quickly. I'm fine.

But Dog Man didn't seem convinced, and before Petey could protest further, he felt large, warm hands gently cup his face. Petey tensed instantly, unable to avoid it. He looked into his eyes, confused by the gesture.

—What... what are you doing? —he asked, a little nervous.

Dog Man looked at him with a serious yet tender expression, holding his face gently in his hands.

—Petey, do you think I'm a liar? —he asked softly, his eyes locked on Petey's.

Petey frowned, a bit surprised by the question. He didn't understand where he was going with this.

—What? No, of course not —he answered, embarrassed and a bit confused.

Greg sighed, as if he had finally had enough.

—Then listen to me, Petey —he said more firmly, not letting go. His words became slower but no less sincere—. You are enough. I'm in love with you.

Petey went completely still, as if those words had taken his breath away. His mind went blank for a moment. He couldn't believe it.

Dog Man smiled softly, and with a touch of vulnerability in his voice, he added:

—I love you.

Petey felt a knot in his stomach, and Dog Man's words made it feel as if something inside him had both broken and been rebuilt at the same time. There was a soft pain, but also a comforting warmth. The shame, the confusion, everything seemed to fade under that direct, honest gaze.

He still couldn't fully understand it, but he felt that Dog Man's words were genuine. The knot in his throat made him swallow the pain he felt, and without meaning to, a couple of tears fell again, but this time not out of sadness, but something deeper.

—I don't know what to say —he murmured, embarrassed.

Dog Man looked at him gently, as if he understood every unsaid word.

—You don't need to say anything, Petey. I already know.

Petey closed his eyes, still unsure how to process it all. But at that moment, the only thing he could do was let Greg's words stay with him.

Seeing Petey's tears, Dog Man couldn't help but move closer. Gently, he used his fingers to wipe the drops falling down his cheeks. Petey didn't say anything, just stayed there, feeling the warmth of Dog Man's hand comforting him, but also making him uncomfortable at the same time.

—You don't have to do this —Petey said with a voice a little broken.

Dog Man smiled, tenderly, and adjusted him back in the bed.

—I know. But I want to. If you need to talk, if you ever want to say something, I'm here for you.

Petey felt a bit calmer, but still carried that sense of insecurity inside him. He took a deep breath and looked at Dog Man seriously.

—Just... —he hesitated for a moment, searching for the words—. I need my boyfriend to give me affection.

Dog Man raised his eyebrows, surprised by Petey's sincerity.

—I can do that. —He said with a smile before getting a little closer and wrapping his arms around him, pulling him close to his chest.

Petey let it happen, feeling Dog Man's warmth around him, and in a spontaneous act, the dog began giving him small licks on his head, as if trying to comfort him even more.

At first, Petey tensed, but then acted like he was enjoying it. He closed his eyes, and although his body responded to the gentle touch, a small pang of guilt struck him. He couldn't help it. His mind told him that he should feel something more than just the temporary relief from Dog Man's affection.

The guilt hit him immediately. "Why didn't I say it?" he thought. "Why couldn't I return the 'I love you'?"

It wasn't that he didn't want to, it was just that he felt so vulnerable. Every time he thought about those words, a part of him froze. He didn't want to give more than he felt willing to receive. He was afraid that if he gave himself completely, if he returned the "I love you" at that moment, he would lose something of himself.

But feeling Dog Man's gentle caresses, feeling how his licks continued softly, Petey tried to calm his thoughts. On the outside, he stayed calm, as if he really enjoyed that moment of affection.

"I need this, I need this..." he repeated to himself over and over in his head, seeking comfort in Dog Man's closeness, while his chest remained tight from the guilt consuming him.

Dog Man's licks were gentle, comforting, and despite what he felt in his chest, Petey tried to relax. He tried to convince himself that this moment was what he needed, that Greg's affection was enough. But something didn't feel right. The guilt still lingered inside him, like a shadow he couldn't shake off.

He felt weak. "Why can't I say what I want?" he thought. Every time he tried to free his feelings, that sense of vulnerability paralyzed him. He was afraid of being seen as weak, of showing everything he felt for Dog Man, and maybe, making him see him as someone less strong, someone not worthy of being loved with the same intensity.

"I don't want him to think I'm fragile. I don't want to be a burden." Petey's inner voice kept hammering in his mind.

But there he was, under Greg's warm embrace, receiving his affection. "How can it be so easy for him?" Petey thought. "How could it be so easy to give everything he has without holding anything back?"

He was, on the other hand, filled with doubts, insecurities, and confused thoughts. Petey felt like he couldn't stay empty-handed, with silence, with that distance between what he really felt and what he showed.

So, in an almost mechanical attempt, he did it. He leaned toward Dog Man and, with an impulsive gesture, kissed him. It was a soft kiss at first, maybe more to confirm that he was doing the right thing than to really feel it. The kiss was short, but their lips didn't part; he stayed there, as if the action gave him some kind of security. "Now there's no turning back," he thought.

As their mouths met over and over, Petey's hands moved with the same automatic need. At some point, they both fell back onto the bed, Petey on top of Dog Man, kissing with an urgency he didn't fully understand.

But while their lips met time and again, guilt intensified. Every kiss felt like a mask being placed over something deeper, something buried deep inside his being. "This isn't what I want... It's not what I want because I'm not sure what I want."

His mind raced as he felt Dog Man's caresses on his back. Am I doing this for him? Or for me? The question echoed in his head, but there was no time to answer it. Dog Man was around him, touching his face, caressing his neck, and Petey, in his desperation to make nothing feel strange, continued kissing him.

But deep down, it all felt like he was acting on autopilot. The kisses didn't feel natural, but like something he had to do so Dog Man wouldn't notice his own insecurity, so he wouldn't realize how badly he felt about himself. "I can't show him this..." he thought as he stayed on top of him, unable to stop.

"Is this what he wants? Is this what I have to do to be accepted?"

The feeling of losing control over his own body made him feel smaller, more vulnerable. And even though his body responded to the touch, his mind felt out of place, trapped in the web of negative thoughts.

Each time their lips parted and their breathing slowed for a moment, Petey felt a small momentary relief, but soon that feeling faded. Something inside him told him he wasn't being honest, that he wasn't being himself. The guilt, that heaviness in his chest, wouldn't let him breathe freely. "Why can't I be like him? Why can't I feel good about what we're doing?"

But Petey, at that moment, had nothing to do but keep going. And he did, like an endless cycle, kissing Dog Man, while his mind kept spinning. How could he feel so bad about something he also wanted so much?

He couldn't answer himself, and the confusion continued to take over him.

Greg, though a little confused by the urgency with which Petey kissed him, didn't question it. The love he felt for him, his desire to be close to him, made him want to follow every gesture of Petey's without doubt. There was something in those kisses, in the way the cat touched him, that made him feel like they were finally connecting, like Petey really wanted him, even if things didn't seem entirely clear.

As the kisses grew more intense, Dog Man let himself go, feeling the warmth of Petey on top of him, his hands searching for contact with his body, the small gasp of the cat between each kiss. "This is what I wanted," he thought, "Is this what he always wanted?" He didn't stop, didn't suspect anything beyond what he felt at that moment. For him, every kiss was a confirmation that things between them were moving forward, that their relationship was growing.

However, something in the way Petey moved, in the way he seemed driven by something more than desire, felt strange to him. Petey's kisses, in his desperation, seemed to lack the softness they used to have. There was a certain urgency, a need that Dog Man didn't fully understand, but he preferred not to think too much about it. If Petey was so engaged, if this was the way he showed what he felt, then Dog Man was happy to follow his pace.

Petey didn't pull away from him. Dog Man's hands caressed his back, searching for comfort in the physical contact, but he couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. There was something in the way Petey avoided looking him in the eye, how his lips didn't seem as relaxed as before. But, once again, Dog Man ignored it. If Petey needed him, if he wanted to keep kissing him, he was willing to do it, because he loved him.

Finally, after a long moment, Petey pulled away slightly, breathing heavily. Greg, still lying beneath him, looked into his eyes, now a little brighter, but also somewhat empty. The dog tried to smile, not fully understanding why the atmosphere between them didn't feel as natural as before.

—Do you feel okay?— he asked gently, running a hand over his neck, not breaking eye contact.

Petey, with his breathing still shaky, nodded quickly, but his eyes avoided his. Dog Man didn't understand, but he didn't want to press.

—We can keep going if you want, I just... I don't want you to feel uncomfortable,— he said, smiling reassuringly.

Petey lay against his chest without saying anything for a few moments. Dog Man's heartbeat echoed in his ear, and despite everything, the guilt still burned inside him. He was trapped between what he felt for Dog Man, what he desired for them, and what he was truly capable of giving. And the fear of being vulnerable had pushed him to this moment. Now, there, with Dog Man, in his warm embrace, he could only think that maybe he was drifting away from what he truly wanted.

Not from lack of love, but because, once again, Petey didn't know how to say what he felt.

Dog Man, however, had already decided that it didn't matter. What truly mattered was that Petey was there, in his arms, and wasn't thinking about leaving. The happiness of having Petey close to him filled him completely, without noticing the small cracks forming in his partner's heart.

"Everything is fine," Dog Man thought. "He's here, with me. That's what matters."

Petey continued kissing Dog Man, but something had changed. Each kiss he gave seemed more frantic, more desperate, as if by merging with him, he could escape the internal storm that wouldn't leave him in peace. His body, exhausted by fever and emotional discomfort, kept moving as if he had no control. He didn't want to stop, because deep down, he thought that was what Greg wanted, what he needed to be happy.

But, as their lips met over and over, guilt flooded him even more. His mind couldn't find answers, only the need to keep going, to stay close to Dog Man, to not show what he really felt. However, tears began to fall, silently, swept away by the flood of emotions Petey could no longer control.

As they kissed, a tear slid down Petey's cheek and fell gently onto Dog Man's skin. It was a small touch, almost imperceptible, but it was enough. Dog Man, feeling the cold brush of the tear on his face, stopped suddenly and slightly parted his lips from Petey's.

Petey didn't notice, his eyes closed and his mind clouded by the fever, but Dog Man, now more attentive to the small details, could feel the change.

—Petey...— he said softly. He took Petey's face in his hands again and carefully lifted it to look at him.

Petey, with his face flushed from the fever and eyes closed, tried to hide the sob, but his body trembled.

—No... it's nothing.— His voice was broken, and the tears kept falling, though he tried to hide them.

Dog Man furrowed his brow, concerned. He didn't understand why Petey felt this way, but he could see that something wasn't right. This wasn't normal.

—Petey, why are you crying?— he asked gently, caressing his cheek with his thumb, wiping away the tears.

Petey, embarrassed, tried to pull away, but Dog Man held him more firmly this time and spoke with more tenderness.

—You don't have to hide it. Tell me what's going on.— His eyes reflected concern, as if he wanted to fully understand what was happening.

The cat, unable to contain the weight of his emotions any longer, let the tears overwhelm him completely. And although he still felt the need to kiss Dog Man, a part of him wished that Dog Man could see him as he truly was—vulnerable, insecure, without the façade of strength he always tried to show.

"I don't know why I'm doing this... but he deserves it."

Petey sighed, and with a trembling voice, whispered:

—I'm sorry... I don't want you to think I don't love you, or that I don't care... but I don't know... how to make this... right.—

Dog Man, still holding Petey's face, looked at him with confusion. The tears that kept falling from the cat's eyes made him feel even more worried. Petey had been so... different, so distant in his reactions, that he couldn't help but feel insecure about what was really happening.

—What do you mean?— he asked softly, but doubt and concern were reflected in his voice. He didn't understand what was happening to his boyfriend, and the lack of an answer made him uneasy.

Petey, upon hearing the question, felt his embarrassment grow even more. He wanted to explain how he felt, he wanted Greg to understand, but he couldn't find the right words. He was too confused, too vulnerable to say anything coherent. His face turned red as he tried to look away, avoiding Greg's sincere eyes that were waiting for an answer.

—No... it's nothing, Greg.— Petey tried to make his voice firm, but he couldn't hide the tremor in it. —Let's just go to sleep, okay?—

Dog Man didn't move from his spot. Despite Petey's evasive response, something told him he couldn't leave it at that. He wanted to know what was going on, he wanted to help, but seeing the fear and shame on Petey's face made him feel like maybe it wasn't the right time to insist.

—Petey...— he began, with a calm voice but filled with concern. —If you need to talk, I'm here. You don't have to hide it.—

Petey, feeling the weight of the conversation, sighed and shook his head. He wanted Dog Man to stop insisting. He needed time to process everything, to calm down, to understand what he was feeling. He didn't want to be the center of attention, he didn't want Dog Man to see that vulnerability he wasn't ready to share yet.

—No, Greg...— he murmured, already too exhausted to continue talking. —Let's... let's just sleep.—

Petey quickly turned, giving Dog Man his back. The gesture was small, but clear: he didn't want to talk anymore. He needed space. He needed everything to calm down, for the thoughts in his head to quiet. And maybe, at least for that night, the only thing he could do was sleep and try not to think about everything that had happened.

Dog Man, for a moment, stayed silent, watching Petey's figure as he moved away from him. His heart was still filled with worry, but he didn't want to push him to talk any more than he was willing to. He settled into the bed, not moving too far, and with a sigh, stayed still, waiting for Petey to relax.

The silence filled the room as they both stayed there, separated by a distance that, despite the physical closeness, felt larger than ever. Petey, with his face buried in the pillow, tried to calm himself, but the discomfort still overtook him. And Dog Man, though he wanted to comfort him, knew that it was better to give him the time he needed.

Finally, Dog Man closed his eyes, his thoughts agitated, but silent. He knew that, the next day, there would probably be a new opportunity to talk, to understand what was going on. But for now, he only had one thing in mind: to make Petey know that he would always be there for him, even when he didn't have the right words.

Time passed slowly, as they both stayed there, in their own worlds, hoping that sleep would offer them a respite.

________________________________

Hello! In the end, I decided to combine three chapters into one, since they all revolved around a pretty similar plot.

I hope you enjoyed the chapter.

I know today was a bit more intense, but I really wanted to write it. I wanted to explore the feeling of wanting to please your partner, even when that means doing things you're not entirely comfortable with. However, it's important to remember that every step in a relationship should be something desired by both parties. It's not just about doing what the other wants, but finding a balance where both feel happy and respected !!!

And just a note, I'm still writing the one-shots for the special, in case anyone has any other suggestions, the link to the strawpage is in my profile.