n5 | [ Open rp post + TFLN overflown]

[ The puppy wags his tiny tail as it plays with Luther, sometimes tripping on its own paws and other times managing to catch the man's hand. His teeth are too small to do more than bother Luther slightly if he tries to bite. It's only about 10 minutes later that Five jumps back into the bathroom, a big paperback in his hands and a grin on his face. ]

I see that you two are doing well without me. [ He knew that the adorableness of the puppy will win Luther over, it was inevitable. It might even work for Diego, who knows. Five will have to introduce them all to the dog one by one. ]I got the shampoo, puppy food and some toys. And a drying towel.

[The puppy is adorable, honestly, and even the biting doesn't really hurt. It's cute how excited he gets when he wins and captures Luther's fingers anyway.

When Five comes back, he does try to look a little more serious though. He's entirely not won over by cuteness, no.]

Right. Good. That should do him for a little while.

[ It's only a matter of time until Luther gives in, Five decides. The puppy seems happy to see him as well as curious about the bag when the teen sets it down on the floor to reach out and scratch the dog's ears. There's a calm, rare smile in Five's lips as he gives the pet some attention ad the puppy tries to lick his face again. ]

Weren't you going to get the water running? [ He admonish slightly, looking up at Luther, but it's a casual question rather than an accusing one. Five is in a rare good mood. ]

Right-- I was just trying to make sure he didn't get into anything.

[In other words, he might have gotten distracted by playing with the cute puppy instead, but he moves to turn on the water, making sure it's not to warm or too cold.]

You really like that puppy, don't you?

That you did. [ You can't fool him, Luther. Not like Five looks too bothered by having wait until the tub fills with water, they only need a few inches or too much water would scare the dog. And since Luther is being helpful, Five decided to be honest for once. ]

I do. It's cute and friendly, never get a lot of that in my life. [ He scratches the dogs head one last time and let it play with his shoelaces as he fishes the towel and dog shampoo out of the paper bag. ]I don't suppose dad let you had pets after I left?

That sort of attachment would have... gotten in the way. [It would have been a distraction, right? Their dad always had his reasons for why they weren't allowed things.]

I guess I quit wondering about what it would be like to have one eventually. [Like so many other things, but he'd rather not focus on it.]

Water's ready. You want to grab him?

In the way of what? A normal childhood? No doubt.

[ Five states nonchalantly, if a little bitter, as he takes off his blazer. He understood that Luther was repeating what he had learned from dad, he lived with the bastard the most, but it was frustrating that the man's shadow was still present even after he was gone. He leans to carefully pick up the puppy, a hand under him to support his chest, and looks up at Luther with a cat-like grin on his face that would look sincere if there wasn't a hint of something predatory behind it. Five just had that kind of smile sometimes, it was a thing.]

Now you don't have to wonder any more. [ He lowers the puppy into the bathroom, water reaching only under his belly and murmurs some reassurances when the dog starts yipping. ] Pass me the shampoo, will you?

... Maybe.

[He murmurs it, almost reluctant. It doesn't feel... right to say, even now as disillusioned as he is. He still wants to grasp at something, anything that meant that his time with their father hadn't been... as meaningless to him as it feels at the moment.]

I suppose so. [He reaches for the shampoo, handing it to Five while he tries to distract the puppy from climbing out.]

He's not listening, Luther. You can be just you.

[ In Five's opinion, the sooner Luther face he truth the better but he won't push his brother further. He takes the bottle in a small 'thank you' and uncaps the bottle as the puppy tries to chase Luther's fingers again. Bathing a dog is no something any of them has done before but it can't possibly be that hard right?

Wrong.

The dog quickly gets used to the water, so much that he enjoys moving around the bathtub and it's wagging his tails so fast that is splashing water everywhere. ]

Even knowing what he did-- it feels like I shouldn't go against him. Like I'm dishonoring him or failing...

[And honestly, he doesn't entirely know who he is outside of Dad encouraged them to be. But now's probably not the time to get into it. Not with a cute puppy getting entirely to into his bath.

The splashing gets a surprised huff out of him before he actually just smiles.]

Okay, someone's liking the bath too much now...

You still need time. It will be easier with time. [ Their father hasn't been dead for that long, after all, and his shadow is still very present everywhere in the house.

Five, being the one closer to the puppy jumping around inside the tub is getting his hair and shirt soaked. He's never inconvenienced by these kinds of things and much like Luther, an amused smile is in his face.]

Not afraid of water, this one. Brave little thing. [ Five lets him play some more as he puts a handful of soap in his palm. He looks up at Luther, some of his wet fringe sticking to Five's forehead. ]

Could you hold him up while I wash him? Just put your hand under his chest and lift him a little.

I hope so. [It's all so fresh.

But he supposes Five would know better than any of them.]

He should probably be, if he's living with us. Wait until Diego sees it... [He smiles a little more when Five looks up at him. He's soaked, but-- he looks happy. Ridiculous, but happy. It's nice to see... he hasn't looked like that in a while.

Reaching down, he slides a hand under the puppy's chest to hold him up.]

Allison will like him tough, I bet. Vanya... Vanya too, hopefully.

[Although that's possibly a more awkward topic.]

[ Yeah, he sadly has a lot of experience when it comes to dealing with unpleasant feelings. But he also could never let go of the memories of his family so this is more a case of Do as I say...

He gives a nod, listening to Luther as he starts to gently rub the soap on the dog's fur. Diego is probably the only one Five can't anticipate what kind of reaction expect from the dog. Klaus will be thrilled, no doubt, and Ben will have a similar reaction because they share the same kind of enthusiasm. ]

I'm thinking about asking Vanya if she wants to name him. [ It could be good to help her feel more included, besides, she needs happier things in her life. Five eyes Luther briefly before his attention goes back to the pup. ] Have you two talked since..?

[ Open rp post + TFLN overflown]

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