"Come on, Bepo...I'm still your friend!" 

The dog merely growling as you try to calmly approach with his leash in your hands, your intention is to take him to the vets and get that foot fixed up before Rosinante's cranky brother sees what you've done and murders you.

A forced smile on your lips as you try to take another step toward the dog but he merely wedges himself further into the corner of the room with his tail between his legs and his head ducked.

Please don't guilt me this way, I didn't mean to hurt you!

This position sure as hell won't look good if Law were to walk in right now either!

At least taking this opportunity to step closer, you finally fill the space, hastily hooking Bepo's leash to his collar, pulling away before he has the chance to bite you. 

Although giving the furball some credit, he doesn't try to at least, he instead just looks sad still and somehow that only makes you feel worse. 

Poor little thing...

Nevertheless you are still determined to help the pooch so with a little bit of tugging here and there, you get him to reluctantly follow you outside, you had called a taxi at least 15 minutes ago and he had arrived while you were still trying to get Bepo ready so when you approach the vehicle, the man unsurprisingly frowns at you. 

Though you choose to ignore that for now, simply bundling the dog into the back before climbing inside yourself and setting your handbag aside, a subtle little tune chiming from your phone and causing your eyes to roll in complete exasperation as you secure your seatbelt.

That will have to wait!

"I need to go to the vets, please." You request while wrapping a dish towel around Bepo's paw to prevent the dog from bleeding on the backseats, since he won't let you touch the foot properly you have to rely solely on your observations to work out how bad it is before covering the wound completely with the cloth and honestly, it just makes your stomach turn.

You've managed to split the poor thing's claw right into the dried quick and that would be where the blood is coming from, a slight grimace entering your features as your free hand gently rests on the furball's head, your heart essentially sinking into your butt.

I'm so sorry, little fella.

"Took you long enough." The cab driver grumbles, drawing a deep frown to your features as he starts up the engine, apart of you wants to reach over and slap him but that would likely result with you being kicked out and you don't have time to waste right now so begrudgingly, you allow that one to slide also.

Your eyes staying focused on the dog beside you for most of the ride, his aggression seemingly wearing off once again as he lays his head in your lap, but anytime you attempt to look at his paw, he'll pull his foot away and his hackles will raise so you decide it best to wait for a professional to deal with it.

Your hand finally reaching into your bag and checking your phone, only to find that the noise earlier was a text message from Rosinante, simply saying; 

"I forgot it was my birthday today, they surprised me with cake! :D"

His birthday?

Taking that information in, you make a mental note to get a gift for him once Bepo has been dealt with, hopefully it won't take too long since it's just a busted nail. A guilty smile on your lips as you read the text a couple of times, your thumbs both hovering over the keyboard but you simply don't know what to say. 

You would have told him about Bepo outright usually but he seems like he's in a good mood and you'd rather not dampen it, especially on his birthday.

But he'll find out sooner or later, would he be more annoyed if you didn't tell him?

A picture popping up as you contemplate, it's of a chocolate cake, a few slices already missing from it and you can vaguely see the chests of his co-workers in the background, you'd wager one is male and the other female...unless they prefer to be addressed differently, of course.

On the cake is pink icing spelling; "Happy Birthday, Corazon!!" 

Which brings a small frown to your face, the name Law called out early this morning slowly beginning to make sense and giving you the perfect thing to type back. 

"Corazon?"

Of course, his response is quick and although worded so sweetly, still makes you feel rather stupid. 

"Yes, it means heart in spanish. It's a nickname given by Doffy because I was always considered the nice brother and because I restart hearts a lot at work."

Suddenly their birth names make much more sense to you also; Rosinante and Doflamingo. 

Of course they're spanish.

Then another picture comes through, drawing your attention toward a smiling Rosinante doing a peace sign with his two co-workers posing in the background, the caption underneath saying; 

"We've received a callout so I gotta go, speak again later! <3"

A smile embedding itself into your features as you stare at the cheerful blonde in the photo, he looks like he's having a good time and you don't miss the little bit of icing smudged beside his lip, although that only makes your heart flutter more.

He's adorable, that's for sure.

Okay, I won't tell him about Bepo yet, but I will have to later!

Apparently his face is quite distracting since you hadn't even felt the taxi stop in the meantime, the driver staring at you over his shoulder with a small pout etched into his features.

"When you're done looking at your phone, feel free to pay me and get out."

And just like that, he has grinded on your last nerve.

Your fiery eyes flickering up toward the male to see that he is somewhat young with purple hair and a shaved side, though you can only see a bit of his hair since most of it is obscured by a hat, he's wearing a facemask over his nose and mouth and has seemingly no eyebrows but you can still tell he's furrowing what should be there due to the crinkles on his face.

"Listen here, child--!"

"I'm 20!"

"I've had a bad fucking day so if you snap at me again, you won't be getting any money although you will be getting your head caved in!" Despite your irritable remarks, you still grab the money you owe him regardless, your eyes checking the metre to ensure you've got the right amount and a small wave of guilt hitting you as you realize he hadn't charged you for the 15 minutes he was waiting outside which was technically when his service to you started so he was well within his rights to do so.

God damn it.

But you're not one for vocally apologizing so soon after snapping at somebody, especially not a stranger, so you simply just grab a little extra out of your purse, passing the money and tip to him before briskly leaving the car, getting Bepo out before the boy has the chance to count the money and realize you've given him too much.

Today started off so well with the kiss but it would seem that it's going to become quite the pain in your ass instead, Bepo limping by your side as you slowly etch closer and closer toward the veterinary, a voice stopping you once again in your tracks.

"Oi, miss! You gave me too much money!" Seems the cab driver has more of a moral compass than you had thought, the guy even got out of the car to let you know, most drivers would just capitalise on your mistake.  

Perhaps I was too mean to this kid...

"Keep it." 

You don't miss how his eyes widen at that before they shift back down to the cash, the confusion as clear as day on his face as a thoughtful hum rumbles in his throat, he ultimately pockets the money regardless but lingers for a moment, his stare shifting down toward Bepo.

What do you want now, kid?

"Hmph...here, let me help." The purplette suddenly sounding a little more polite as he steps in, crouching down and wrapping his arms around the dog before effortlessly lifting him, all while making sure to avoid his paw in the process, carrying the canine toward the veterinary door and instantly causing your jaw to drop.

You've called this guy a mere kid several times now but it would seem he's at least a tough one, this dog must be weighing at least 60 pounds.

Your legs hurriedly keeping up with his own and opening the door for him, the boy still not making a fuss though, setting Bepo down carefully before brushing the fur from his clothing with his hands, an accomplished glimmer in his eyes as his gaze meets yours. 

"There, now I've earned my tip! Thanks!" 

And with that, he walks out, laving you completely dumbfounded behind.

That was why he helped me?!

Looks like you got lucky with that cab driver, he could have been a real asshole if he wanted, especially since you were so rude to him previously.

Since the receptionist is seemingly busy speaking to another customer, you finally bring your phone back into view, texting in reply to Rosinante;

"What a cutie! Happy Birthday anyway, have a good time!!"

The last customer exiting the building as you hit send before making your way over to the receptionist. 

"Hello, I've accidentally injured my friend's dog. Please help."

And preferably, don't inform the owner!