#Vy on the other hand cleary thinks Hayden wins

[izayoichan]

Rylan gets up and picks up his phone, quickly calling his dad, talking for a while, before hanging up.

“There we go, dinner is now ordered”

He looks his brother for a bit, but deciding not to ask, pulling River over to the other sofa instead sitting down, Lobo joining them, along with a couple of small dogs that want their attention and safety. Vy slowly starting to calm down, and very slowly starts petting the tiny dog... then instantly pulls away when the dog lays on its back wanting belly rubs, tail wagging looking at Hayden to see if it is scary or not, Hayden just nodding to him with a smile to tell him it is not. Vy petting the dog again much like he'd do with a Cat.

“Not... So scary I guess... “ “They’re just bigger cats, at least these ones here, the ones River says are good.”

He lets Vy handle the petting, resting against him slightly, knowing he would either need a walk outside or that tub to just cool off soon.

“Cats don't try to bite you and drag you back to... “

He stops himself on time, pulling lip and looks at Hayden, nothing how warm he is getting.

“I should put you in the tub... Tiny doggo will be okay with me moving... Won't you Charlie?”

He looks at the dog giving it a long reassuring pet.

“we won't be going anywhere.”

River pulls Rylan to his lap, while petting the dogs that are gathered around them, kissing the top of Rylan's head.

“Are you okay?”

He whispers so Rylan is the only one that can hear him, even if he thinks Hayden and Vy are too busy with Charlie to notice much.

“I'm fine... do you think we have all the dogs that should be here, cats can roam a bit more, I just don't want to have forgotten anyone of the scared ones.

He smiles at River, holding back on his worry about his brother, not wanting to drag that into everything. River smiles at Rylan and shakes head

“they're all here. Don't worry.” “Okay, just wanted to make sure since we’re all here and have everything set up.”

He leans against River, looking at his brother and smiling slightly at Vy already being good for Charlie, two scared ones can often work that way he thought to himself.

“And yes, btw River... are any of these liable to take a bath with me or are they not fans of cold water?”

Hayden smiles, looking at River

“Lobo likes water, he can take a bath with you, and there's also the Labrador, Goldie, that old lady also loves water”

He smiles, wrapping his arms properly around Rylan and smiles

“Just as long as Charlie doesn't get scared... dog barking scares me a little... So... “

He pets the dog again and carefully gets up, helping Hayden up and leading him to the improvised tub with cold water.

“Okay, slowly”

Hayden lets Vy help him into the tub, his merman form for once not appearing, something that surprises him slightly, maybe he has less energy than he thought...

“I don't mind, as long as they don't... “

He doesn't get any further as both mentioned dogs have jumped into the pool with him making him chuckle.

“Never mind!”

Rylan laughs as the many cats are looking at the spectacle with disbelief, while two dogs prance around the bath, happy to be splashed by Hayden, playing around in the water, Charlie watching them as if he is trying to understand, mostly he keeps an eye on Vy whom it seems he has bonded with him in some odd way.

“Well, I guess we know how to keep Goldie happy, just throw you into a pool!”

“Oh very funny Rylan!

He still chuckles and plays with the two dogs. Vy sitting next to the pool with a smile watching the dogs.

“Careful stinkies... “

He watches the Labrador with suspicion but as he's okay with Lobo he doesn't say anything though he let's go of a little yelp when he feels Charlie lying next to him looking surprised at the dog.

“See, Vy? stinkies like you!” “he likes you.. maybe because you are as scared as he is, so he is trying to make you less scared?”

“Yeah, must remember too that for the adoption event. Put a pool there for those two!” “Oh god...I foresee wet kids and annoyed parents if we do that.” “I say we do it for the laughs.”

He chuckles, still trying not to think too much about that day, or well more specifically what comes after.

“These are indeed good stinkies, well most of them anyway.”

He knows they have a few that still need work until they can be called good, but those are safely in their cages until that time. Hayden, scratching Lobo behind an ear and tossing water up for Goldie to catch something she clearly enjoys, feeling how his body cools down again. Vy petting Charlie, while watching the two in the pool with Hayden. River looking at Rylan, knowing there is still something on his mind, outside the normal worry about his brother, and he can easily guess what it was.

“Dogs scare me... Evil dogs attacked me when I was a kid... Plus they stink...

He pouts a little and pets, Charlie, again.

“But you are a good dog, right Charlie?”

Charlie wags his tail as if to say yes, lying close to Vy and much like him just watching the two other dogs play in the water. River taking the quiet moment to pull Rylan close, kissing him before whispering to him.

“We still have time, Rylan.” “I know, I’m sorry it just keeps popping into my mind randomly.”

“Random question, but a towel? Don't want to drench the sofa in water after all.”

Hayden smiles, as his merman form slowly appears.

“See, no fancy skin, just ears, and well a tail.”

He chuckles looking at River, then at Vy.

“I think you made another stinky friend now.” “I guess I did... “

He smiles a little and kisses the top of Hayden's head.

“Don't tell the cats.” “Yea, sorry mate. Rylan is the prettier mermaid princess!”

He laughs playfully and kisses Rylan gently.

“I'll go get a clean towel. We have the ones we use on the pets, they're clean.” “I used to be envious at those ears actually” “I never understood why though Rylan... and I'll leave being a princess to my brother! And I won’t tell them Vy, but I think...”

He doesn't get further before he notices Millie walking on his tail, ignoring both dogs and water, curling up on his chest purring happily expecting her cuddles.

“Okay, I'm still yours apparently... “

Vy smiles at him and kisses him gently.

“River is wrong! You're a very pretty merman and I love your ears!”

He chuckles as he looks up at Vy, Chris walking inside with their food seeing River coming towards him.

“Sushi delivery.” “Oh. mister Chris... They're in the back. I'm just going to get a towel. “ “I'll take the food there then.

He smiles and walks to where he feels the others are, sometimes being a reaper is fairly handy, and he had a good idea of where they would set up their camp for the night from visiting earlier.

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