James walked into the room and sat next to Thomas. "I want a dog,"

"Dogs are too much work. I want a cat,"

"I never figured you for a cat person, Tom,"

"Well, you remind me of a cat. Go figure,"

"Aww, you love me~"

"I do. But we are not getting a motherfucking bitchass dog,"

"But my birthday is in two weeks. We should get a dog, and then it could prepare us for a ... kid, perhaps~?" James nuzzled Thomas's neck.

Thomas groaned and blushed. "I really don't want to,"

"What if I paid you back?" James' hand slid onto Thomas' knee.

"Fine, but you owe me, don't fucking forget,"

"You've cussed a lot today, you know? What's up?"

Thomas leaned back, breathing out heavily. "I'm really stressed out. I would actually love a dog,"

"What's so stressful, Daddy?" (I'm so sorry lmaoooo I can't help myself)

Thomas rubbed his forehead, trying to hide that his blush had intensified tenfold. "Hamilhoe and his boyfriend are hurting my brain at work, then they're distracting in my classes. It's so hard to focus on anything else,"

"I'll help you focus on something, Daddy,"

"Jemmy!"

James chuckled. "Really, Tom, what can I do to help you?"

"Let's go get that dog,"

••Time skip to the shelter••

James' eyes lit up as soon as he entered the place, but that all paled in comparison to his face when he saw the  German Shepherd in the corner.

Thomas groaned, then watched silently as James rushed over to it.

It was red and black, full grown but still rather young. It's fur was a little short, and it appeared to be a mix breed from up close. When it saw James, it leapt over the high fence of its enclosure and sprinted over to the man, frolicking and licking James' face.

An attendant rushed over, and Thomas recognized him instantly. "John Laurens? You work here?"

John nodded and hooked his fingers in the dog's thin collar. "Sorry about that, James, he gets out when he gets really excited. What brings y'all in here?"

Thomas shot the dog a glance. "We want to adopt a dog. I think James likes this one,"

John grinned. "He's about two years old, he was confiscated from an abusive home a couple months ago. He's actually really calm, and his abusive owner was a military veteran who taught him all of the standard obedience. He can get nervous, but usually he's incredibly well behaved,"

James reached down and the dog licked his hand. "What's his name?"

"This is Cello,"

Jefferson started muttering to himself. "You trying to be a stupid ass omen, bein' all part of Monticello and a bitch,"

James overheard him and glared. "Thomas, play nice with your son,"

John fought to hold in his laughter. "You can fill out a form and we can have it reviewed today since the manager is in. You can take him home today if you want to hang around for a few,"

Thomas was about to decline, but James nodded eagerly and walked off with Cello to fill out a form. John smiled after him, then resumed his place behind the counter. Thomas sighed and followed James.

"Jemmy, are you sure about this dog? This one?"

James made The Puppy Face™️. "He's such a good boy! He loves you Tommy,"

Thomas looked down at the dog, sizing it up. It seemed to mimic James' expression. "Fine," he grumbled. "That better be the best damn dog in the fucking state,"

"He is, Tom!" James rushed through the rest of the form and gave it back to John. "You won't regret this!"

"And how can you be so sure?"

"When I see the first signs of regret, I'll kick you out of the house!"

Thomas rolled his eyes and consented to a dog life.

BONUS John's POV:

My phone started ringing with a cheesy love song and I scrambled to take it from my pocket and answer.

"Alex, I'm at work,"

There was chuckling on the other end of the phone. "I know. How about I come visit you?"

"The manager is here, he'll get mad. I'm not even supposed to answer personal calls while I'm working,"

"I'm coming over anyway,"

I started to object but Alex hung up. I sighed and waited for Thomas and James' papers to come back from the office, but Alexander walked in.

I sat up straight. "Wait, were you already here when you called?"

Alex nodded and leaned over the counter, clearly expecting a kiss.

I pushed him back playfully. "Lex, get out of here. My shift ends in two hours,"

"My classes were finished and I missed you and you weren't there," Alex put his hand on his forehead dramatically.

I rolled my eyes. "No PDA in my pet shop, I don't care if you miss me,"

Alex pushed himself up and over the counter, sliding into me and planting a firm kiss on my mouth. I melted into it, unable to deny him when he was this close.

There was a loud click and I broke apart to see Thomas with a camera. Alex flipped him off then hid beneath the counter as the manager came out.

He had a gruff voice and a dark suit, rather formal for a pet shop. "Here you are boys, you're clear to take Cello home today,"

James took the leash and Thomas took the papers, then the manager receded.
Alex came cautiously from the counter.

Thomas smirked. "See y'all later, Mr and Mr Hamilton,"

I blushed.

AN: floof for your soul
Love,

Wolf
(937 words)