With a returning threat on the horizon, all the Dalmatians could do now was return to Camden Town and continue their lives. But with many of the eldest siblings injured and traumatized, will they be able to keep the secret of Cruella for long, or will the entirety of Camden Town be under full panic and alert from this evil woman? Only time will tell.
The next day, Da Vinci was laying down in her and DJ’s bed. It was the afternoon, and laying in bed was all she did, what with her leg bandaged up and in a splint, staring up at the ceiling, still thinking about the fire. “........now I know how Dante feels…”
Meanwhile, Dylan was playing games with his year old sister Dorothy. “Wheeeeere’s Dorothy…..” his hands covered his face. “There she is!” He showed his face and made a goofy smile.
Dorothy laughed cutely, clapping her hands. Da Vinci could see the two of them through the open door and sighed again.
Dylan lifted Dorothy’s little shirt up and gave her a raspberry, making her laugh hysterically.
Da Vinci started to softly cry, wishing she could do something that happy today. But with how she was feeling, it wasn’t gonna happen.
Dorothy’s giggles and little barks always made Dylan feel better, especially after…you know. He picked her up and started a warm bath for her. DJ walked in to see Da Vinci. “Hey, sis. Anything I can do for you?”
Da Vinci: “....can you find my will to feel happy?....cause I can’t find it….”
DJ: “How about some music? You can pick whatever you like.”
Da Vinci: “Do you have anything soothing?”
DJ looked through on his phone and searched. “Aha. This one’s a classic.” he pressed play on Bach’s Air on G String.
Da Vinci closed her eyes and took a deep breath, listening to the song. “Thanks, DJ.” she sat up, laying against a pillow. “Can….can you stay with me too?”
DJ: “Of course.” he cuddled up to her, rubbing his cheek against hers. “I’m here.” he said softly.
Da Vinci turned her head to look at him. “How did I deserve the best brother and roommate in the world like you?” she gave him a sisterly loving lick on the cheek.
DJ: “No clue.”
Da Vinci: “Well…I’m glad it did.” she nuzzled her snout against his snout as she rested.
Delilah took the week off, same as her husband, in order to spend as much time with their children as possible. Delilah was holding Diesel and scrubbing a brush on his feet. “It's that time of the week.” she giggled.
Diesel was giggling a lot as she was cleaning them, wiggling his toes vigorously.
As this happened, Deepak was doing a handstand on the other side of the two. He breathed calmly and closed his eyes.
Back upstairs, Dylan held Dorothy out of the tub and kissed her cheek. “There. All clean.”
Dorothy giggled more. “Dyyan!”
Dylan gasped. It wasn’t the first time he heard her speak, but it was still a surprise. “That’s right!”
Dorothy: “Dywan! Dywaaaaan!” she giggled more. Dolly walked in, leaning against the door frame, smiling.
Dylan: “Go say hi to your sister.” he set her on the floor gently.
Dorothy crawled and hung onto Dolly’s leg.
Dolly: “Heh heh heh. How’re you feeling, bro?”
Dylan: “Much better, thanks to you.”
Dolly picked up Dorothy. “Aww, please. It wasn’t all me.”
Dylan: “I know that. I meant all of you.” he chuckled.
Dolly: “Heh heh, yeah. Anyway, since mom and dad are staying home, they’re helping us out a lot more. Especially with all the ones that went on vacation. You know, Dawkins is even spending time with the Triple D.”
Dylan smiled. “Good on him.”
Dolly: “I wonder what they’re doing right now.”
Dylan’s smile faded a little. “Um, how’s Dante doing?”
Dolly’s smile faded completely. “.....how do I put this? He’s….not taking it well. He knew about what happened, ‘cause, well, it’s Dante. He….hasn’t said a word, or come out of his room. Maybe you should go talk to him.”
Dylan: “I was just thinking the same thing.” he got up and went to Dante’s room. He stepped in and saw Dante reading. “Hey, Dante, what’s up, bro?”
Dante was reading a book about End of the World Scenarios, but….it didn’t look like he was enjoying it, surprisingly. “Oh….hey, Dylan.”
Dylan: “Look, I’ll just cut to the chase. I want to make you happy. Is there anything I can do?”
Dante sat up. “Can…..you and I just….talk?”
Dylan: “Of course we can. I’m all ears.” he sat down with him.
Dante: “.....am I….a nuisance, Dylan? Am I just someone who’s paranoid, and that annoys the rest of you?” He adjusted the sleeveless black jacket he was wearing.
Dylan: “No, Dante. You’re not a nuisance at all. You’re just easily scared.”
Dante: “Sometimes, I wish I wasn’t so scared….but now, I’m even more scared than ever…..”
Dylan: “You have every reason to be. But don’t forget that you have a family that loves you.”
Dante: “....sometimes, I wonder if you do…..what have I done to help around here? I mean, I’m 15 years old, and all I do is keep screaming about prophecies….and how we’re all going to die…and it might just happen.”
Dylan: “Tell you what, how about you tell me how this paranoia all happened to you?”
Dante: “I guess it was….from hearing about our ancestors and…what happened back then, in 1961. Long before mum and dad told you and Dolly. I guess remembering that our grandparents went through the same thing with their 99 kids….although, no one knows I know about that woman. It just made me scared it was gonna happen again….o-only…” he started to hug his knees. “O-only this time, we actually do end up dying….severely…painfully.”
Dylan: “So all this time, it was Cruella!” he growled in his head. “Don’t worry, next time she comes for us, we’ll fight back. All of us!”
Dante: “If we fight, we’ll lose people….I’ve been seeing it in my dreams…..if we fight, you, Dolly, mom and dad…..you’ll all end up getting killed, skinned alive…and the rest of us will have nowhere to go. But…..I hope I’m wrong.” he wiped his eyes.
Dylan: “Trust me. I'll make sure that never happens.” he said softly, rubbing Dante’s shoulder.
Dante relaxed a little, lightly wiggling his socked toes, wearing only black socks on his feet, which perfectly blended with his black furred feet. “Can you….I dunno….give me a foot massage?”
Dylan was surprised by his request. “Well, as long as it’s fine with you.” he peeled Dante’s socks off and began to rub his black toes firmly.
Dante laid back against his pillow, giving a small smile of relaxation. His feet felt sweaty and warm to the touch.
Dylan: “That’s it, just relax.” he rubbed his thumbs up and down his arch.
Dante: “Aah~ that’s…..actually really good.”
Delgado peeked his head through the door and rolled away. “I wish I had feet.” he lightly wiggled his leg stumps. “Oh well.”
Dante: “Mmmm…..thanks, Dylan…..you know, this stuff is actually really good….guess I was too paranoid to do these kinds of things.”
Although Dante’s feet really stunk, but not as much as Dolly’s, Dylan ignored it as he just wanted to make his goth brother feel happy.
Dante: “Hey, Dylan….” he blushed, feeling more talkative. “Can you….uh….oh jeez I can’t even say it.”
Dylan: “Hey, it’s okay. Take your time.”
Dante: “Can you…..stay with me while I…take a nap? Just so I can get some good sleep for once?”
Dylan: “Aww sure I can. I just hope Dolly can handle the little ones without me for a bit." he shed his clothes except his black briefs with planets on them. He hopped into Dante’s bed and pulled the covers over him.
Dante took off his black jacket, wearing only a black tank top and black boxers, and he laid his head back.
Meanwhile in the Triple D’s room, Dawkins was laying on one of their pink beds, taking a break from his inventing and science work, playing a game on his tablet.
Deja Vu: “Whatchya playing?” she asked.
Dawkins: “Oh nothing, just a rather strange little puzzle game.” he was insistently tapping on the screen.
Deja Vu took a peek at the screen, and guess what, he was playing Candy Crush. “Ooooooo.” Dallas and Destiny entered the room.
Dallas: “Hey Dawkins, we’re going out, mall shopping. Do you wanna come?”
Dawkins: “Hmm…..I could get some interesting data from how much consumerism is dealing with our city….” he sat up. “Why not? Let’s go.”
Triple D: “Yay!” the three chimed. The four went to the kitchen to ask Doug.
Doug was currently making a snack, humming, but also slightly worrying.
Dawkins walked in with the Triple D. “Hello, Doug.” For some reason, he still calls his dad Doug.
Doug let out a Homer Simpsons scream as he turned around after throwing his hands up in surprise, a knife now sticking to the ceiling. “Oh….whew, you scared me there.”
Dallas: “Sorry, dad. Didn’t think you’d jump like that.”
Destiny: “Anyway, we were wondering if you or mom can take us to the mall.
Doug: “Well, since I sorta made myself hungry after that scare, why not?” he giggled. “I’ll drive you th—wait, Dawkins. You wanna go?”
Dawkins shrugged. “After what happened at the theme park, it sorta made me think how much time I haven’t spent with my siblings. Given how I spent time with these three…” he put his arms around the three girls. “...why not, right?”
Doug: “Awwwwww, you’re so sweet. I’ll take you there. Let’s go!”
Dawkins: “Brilliant.”
It took some time to get to the mall, but not excruciatingly long. Being dogs, they don't have a car, so they always had to walk to places, except for Dolly and Delgado.
Dawkins looked around the place as they stepped inside. “Well now…..I don’t believe I’ve ever been here….it’s fascinating.”
Doug: “Alright, kids. You go have fun. I’m going to get some shopping done.” the smell fried rice hit his nose. “Mmmm, and maybe some food.” he walked off.
Destiny looked at Dawkins: “We’ll follow you.”
Dawkins: “Wha…me? I’m sure you know this place better than I do. Besides, I don’t really need anything….” he looked at his outfit, which was almost a copy of Dylan’s except with more posh and fancy, with some scientific looking designs on his clothes. “Except, maybe better clothes.”
Destiny gasped. “I know!” she pointed at a Sears. The four walked on in the clothes store, which was gigantic compared to everywhere else in the mall, as you’d expect.
Dawkins: “Ah ha….now this is for me. What would look good?” He turned to the Triple D. “Any advice, fashion experts?”
We cut to Dawkins coming out of a changing booth with the Triple D waiting outside. He was wearing sky blue sandals encrusted with a big sapphire each, pink knee-high socks with individual toes, long grape purple shorts which went down to his knees, a mint green T-shirt with pockets all over, and regular green shaded glasses. “Voila!” the three said.
Dawkins put the glasses up on his forehead. “Hmm, a little glitzy. Although, I do say, these socks feel rather comfortable.” he wiggled his toes.
Deja Vu: “You like it? We knew you would.” she smiled.
Dawkins: “No…..”
Deja Vu’s smile dropped. “Oh…well, I guess we-”
Dawkins: “I LOVE it!”
The girls’ faces brightened up again. “YAY!”
Dawkins looked at himself in the mirror again. “The pockets, the colors, the pizzazz of it all. It scientifically shouldn’t go together, but it does! It breaks all laws of fashion science!”
The four went out to search for other stores. Dawkins was so pleased with the girls’ work, he’d go anywhere in the mall. Just then, a passerby came, which was a female poodle. “Nice clothes, doofus!” she laughed.
The Triple D gave her a glaring look as she walked by them.
Dallas: “Just ignore her, Dawkins. She doesn’t understand good taste when she sees it.” she patted his shoulder.
Dawkins: “Oh trust me. If you’re as smart as I am, you soon start realizing that petty comments are nothing.” However, another passerby, a great dane, laughed from near the fountain. “Nice clothes, FAGGOT! Did your boyfriend hand those out to you?!”
This actually offended Dawkins. “Now...that's just insensitive.” he blushed a bit. “I mean, he’s half right.”
Dallas: “What’re you talking about?”
Dawkins led the girls into a hallway where a male and female restroom was. He knelt down to them, since he was a little taller. “You can’t tell mother and father, ok? I’m gonna tell them when I can. PROMISE me this.”
The three crossed their hearts with their fingers.
Dawkins was silent for a bit, then took a deep breath. “....I’m gay. I like boys.”
The Triple D gasped in shock, then smiled. “EEEEE!!!”
Destiny: “That’s wonderful!”
Dallas: “Why didn’t you tell us before?”
Deja Vu: “Same gender couples are so romantic!”
The three then dramatically cried with joy, tears flooding the floor.
Dawkins jolted back in shock. “....well, I guess I should've expected that.” he took out a recorder and spoke into it. “Note to self, never expect your family to immediately say you are going to hell.” he puts it away.
Destiny wiped her eyes. “Oh Dawkins, mum and dad told us that the Lord loves EVERYONE, no matter if it’s boys who love other boys, or girls who love other girls.” she said softly. “If people make fun of you or push you away in disgust, then that’s their problem, not yours.”
Dawkins: “Wow…..thanks, you three.” he smiled, putting his hands in his pockets.
Dallas: “So, any specific someone you have a crush on?”
Dawkins: “Well…..I do. But I’m not telling you. I’m going to tell mum first.”
Dallas: “Awwwwww….."
Destiny: “Hey, let’s head to a movie! What types of films do you like, Dawkins?”
Dawkins rubbed his chin. “I believe I have an idea.” when they got to the cinema, they went in front of a poster for ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’. “A scientist and superhero. What’s not to like?”
2 hours later, the four exited. The girls were mixed on the film, but had a good time nonetheless.
Dawkins however was entranced. “That was outstanding! The way he handled that surgical equipment. The way he spoke. The way he was able to combine science and magic into one?!” he held his heart “Dog, Steven Strange, take me away!”
Dallas shook her head, chuckling. “That’s our nerdy brother.”
Doug suddenly walked over with a bag of stuff. “Come on, kids! We gotta get home to make dinner! I’m cooking steaks!”
Meanwhile, Dylan was still asleep alongside Dante.
It had been a few hours, and Dante was waking up, getting out of bed, scratching his head. “Man…..I feel a lot better….better get downstairs.” as he walked out, he still had his black tank top and shorts.
Dylan slowly woke up and followed suit. He then heard a knock on the front door. He placed his hand on the scanner and opened it. “Dawkins! Looking good, I must say.” he smiled, surprised.
Dawkins: “Heh heh. Thanks, elder brother.” he walked in, but looked at Dylan. “Dylan…why are you in your underwear?”
Dylan squeaked. “Ah! My bad, I was taking a nap with Dante because he wanted my company.” he ran upstairs to grab his clothes.
Dante shook his head, chuckling a little before walking into the kitchen and grabbed a Diet Coke bottle from the fridge. He noticed a writing on the bottle that said. 'Put some Mentos in your coke. It'll make it taste sweeter.' The goth pup grabbed a pack of Mentos from the cupboard, twisted the cap open, and pours some Mentos in. Without warning, it fizzed up and shot like a rocket right up his nose “Aaaahhhh!” After that, he was soaked.
The three Dimitri brothers stood up from behind the couch, laughing.
Dimitri 1: “Huhuhuhuhahahahahahaha! He fell for it!”
Dimitri 2: “Dude, that was priceless!”
Dimitri 3: “Oi, high five me, bros!”
They all started high fiving each other.
Delilah: “BOYS!” her voice suddenly called.
Dimitri 1: “Aww, come on, mum! We’re just having fun!”
Dimitri 2: “Yeah, we’re rebel teens.”
Dimitri 3: “Yup.”
Doug set his bag on the table and crossed his arms "Alright, what did you do?"
Dimitri 1: "Alright, we stuck a piece of paper to his soda bottle saying to put some Mentos in to make it taste better."
Delilah: “Ohhhh I see. For that, I want you to help your father make dinner tonight.” she ordered.
Dimitri 1: “What?! Aww, come on, mum! It was just soda.”
Dante was wiping himself off. “He's right, mom. I was gonna take a shower anyway.” he chuckled, soda bubbles fizzing from his nostrils.
Dimitri 3: “Oi, did Dante just make a joke? Well, damn, big bro. You really grew up.”
Doug: “Language, Dimitri 3. You’re not old enough to swear.”
Dimitri 2: “Dad, we’re 11.”
Delilah: “Well…..as long as the victim of your prank is happy, I’ll let this slide.” she smiled at them.
Dimitri 1 looked at Doug. “What’s for dinner, dad?”
Doug: “Steak.” he smiled.
Dimitri 2: “Steak?! Oh hell yeah!”
Doug: “Dimitri 2!” he spoke sternly.
Dimitri 3: "Alright! Steak! No boring kibble this time!"
Delilah watched the four head to the kitchen, carefully passing by a crowd of littler pups. “How was your day?” she asked Dawkins.
Dawkins: “It was really good, mum. But…..I kind of need to talk to you about something…privately.”
Delilah: “Of coarse, dear.” she followed Dawkins to his room.
Dawkins’s room was about what you’d expect from a scientific genius. He sat on his bed, looking nervous. “....whew….this is going to be hard for me to say.”
Delilah sat next to him. “It’s alright, take your time.”
Dawkins looked at her. “Mum, I like boys…and I have a crush on this one boy I see at the park from my telescope.”
Delilah: “Really? Oh son, that’s wonderful! Who is he?” she smiled.
Dawkins: “Well, I only met him a couple times. His name is Dennis. He’s really into sports. He looks pretty friendly, but….I don’t know if he’d like me, or any boy for that matter. I mean, I’m the polar opposite of him.”
Delilah: “How so?”
Dawkins: “Well, it’s obvious, mum! I’m an inventive stay at home, don’t go outside much or do sports kind of dog, and he’s essentially an athlete, even though he’s the same age as me at twelve! But he just looks…..c-cute! And he’s a lab, mother! A LAB!” he covered his face, blushing. “Gaaah, what is wrong with me?!” He laid back on the bed.
Delilah: “Honey, honey, look at me.” she spoke softly. “If you love him, how about you go out and meet him. Greet him nicely. Ask what he likes and tell him what you like. You know, just be yourself.”
Dawkins: “Mother, myself nearly froze the entire house and blew apart the ceiling at one point." he sighed. “But you’re right. I’m going to talk to him right now.”
Delilah rubbed his head and kissed his cheek. “Good luck, sweetie.”
Outside, Dennis, the black Labrador was dribbling a basketball in his backyard and shooting at the goal. It missed, but he kept trying. He was right next door to the Dalmatian’s house, since Clarissa and her human Hugo moved down the block.
Dawkins was peeking from behind the fence, peeking through a small hole in it. “Wow….he’s…really good.”
Dennis threw the ball again, but it bounced off the rim of the net and landed in the Dalmatians’ backyard. “Whoops!”
Dawkins took the opportunity and grabbed it. “You dropped this.” he looked over the fence. “Oh, it’s you. From the park.”
Dennis: “Yo, ‘sup dude?!” He greeted him with a smile. He had a thick Italian accent, but perfectly understandable.
Dawkins: “Golly, I didn’t know you were a neighbor.”
Dennis: “Yep. My name’s Dennis.”
Dawkins: “I’m Dawkins.” he climbed over the fence. “I’m part of the Dalmatian family here. You probably heard of us. I have 98 siblings.”
Dennis gasped. “Crazy, dude! How do you deal with that many?!”
Dawkins: “It’s a lot tougher than you think.” he chuckled nervously.
Dennis: “So…..” he rubbed his arm. “Wanna do something with me? It's kind of lonely around here.”
Dawkins blushed. “O-Oh yes! Indubitably!” he then thought to himself “Indubitably?! No one says that anymore! YOU don’t even say that! You’re blowing this, Dawkins!”
Dennis handed him his basketball. “Try and shoot some hoops.”
Dawkins: “Oh….uh….well ok, I don’t see why not.” he stepped up to the hoop. “Alright.” he whispered to himself. “Come on, Dawkins. Science is used in everything. Just use trajectory and mapping, and you can easily shoot a hoop.”
Dennis: “Wow, he’s really concentrating.”
Dawkins took a deep breath, took a shot, and it….bounced off the rim and went back to Dawkins, nailing him right in the nose. “Ouch!” he fell on his butt, holding his nose.
Dennis bent down to him. “Dawkins, are you alright?” he asked, worried.
Dawkins rubbed his muzzle and stood up. “Sports isn’t much of my thing.”
Dennis: “Sorry about that. What IS your thing then?”
Dawkins: “Well……I like inventing things. Things about science. I’m…incredibly smart.”
Dennis: “Ooooo, cool!”
Dawkins: “You….think that’s cool?”
Dennis: “Yeah, dude. I don’t know why, but I like having an Einstein in my neighborhood.” he punched his arm playfully.
Dawkins chuckled cutely, rubbing his arm. “Thanks, Dennis.”
Dennis: “No problem. Um…do your parents know you’re out here?”
Dawkins: “My mother knows. She actually told me to come over and spend time with you, which I was more than happy to.”
Dennis: “Sweet! My papa’s making Chinese. Wanna come inside for a bite to eat?”
Dawkins: “Oh yes!” he smiled. “He can cook Chinese? That’s impressive.”
Dennis: “My parents are kind of Einsteins themselves. They learned how to make all sorts of international foods. They can even make Burger King items without even going there.” they walked in through the sliding glass door.
Dawkins: “Wow. How I wish my parents were like that sometimes. Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love them with all my heart, but my father can be a bit of a….goof, and my mother is far too nice sometimes. Okay, that’s half true, she can be a little scary.”
Dennis: “I wouldn’t wanna be her enemy then.” he looked over at his dad. “Hey, papa! I want you to meet Dawkins. I invited him to stay for dinner if it’s fine with you.”
His dad was chopping up vegetables. “Well, I don’t see why not. He looks like a nice boy.”
Dennis sat at the table since his dad was almost finished cooking. “So, I grew up in Italy with my family. Me and my parents moved here in London not too long ago because…I don’t know, they said it would be a more peaceful, quiet life here.”
Dawkins sat next to him. “Ohhh, you’re Italian? That’s really interesting. We never get anyone besides English people. Well, except for that one fox, but we don’t talk about him much.”
Dennis: “Glad I’m here then.” he giggled.
Dawkins: “Yeah. You know, back when I saw you at the park, you looked really…what’s the word? Cool.”
Dennis: “Oh, thank you.” he blushed a bit. “Not used to being called cool from my country. Don’t worry, I wasn’t made fun of or anything, just wasn’t looked up to so highly is all.”
Dawkins: “Well, I can feel the same, in a way. Sometimes, my siblings don’t always take my ideas of the scientific approach as well as they do with my sister, Dolly.”
Dennis: “Oh that’s right. Hey, tell me about your siblings.” he smiled.
Dawkins: “Oh, it’d take way too long to talk about all of them. Let me just give you the basics of the siblings I spend time with the most.”
Dennis: “Sounds fair to me.”
For the past few minutes, Dennis got more familiar with some of Dawkins’s siblings as he talked.
Dennis: “You’re a brother of the Triple D?! I watch their commercials all the time!”
Dawkins was suddenly all quiet, and tears started forming in his eyes after mentioning his siblings.
Dennis: “Hey, what’s the matter?” his smile dropped.
Dawkins: “Huh? O-Oh…” he sniffles, wiping his eyes “Sorry. It’s nothing.”
Dennis: “Come on, you can tell me.”
Dawkins: “Well, my mum and dad told us about a horrid woman that mum’s great great grandparents defeated long ago, and she’s still trying to come for us. Her name’s Cruella De Vil. She means to…..k-kill all of us and fashion our flesh into stylish fur coats.”
Dennis’s mouth was agape. “Wha-how can she do such a thing?!"
Dawkins: “.....when she captured us, she tested this shredding machine on my beloved Princess Positron doll….” he sniffled again, pulling her plastic eyeball from his pocket, looking at it. "Oh you would've loved her."
Dennis: "I'm sure I would've." he smiled sadly.
Dawkins: “Now, I-I’m just so scared. I mean, I can’t die….I haven’t done anything to make myself known. I never won any award for an invention…..for dog’s sake, I never kissed another boy!” he then gasped, covering his mouth and blushing.
Dennis looked surprised. “Oh, you’re gay?”
Dawkins was now tearing up, completely embarrassed about what he just said, and he stormed out of the front door, crying his eyes out.
Dennis: “Dawkins, wait!” He ran after him, going out the door. “Please come back!”
Dawkins was too far to reach. He was running towards the park.
Dennis: “Dawkins, please come back! I don’t care if you’re gay! I just want to be your friend!” he called out.
Delilah and Dolly were about to leave their house for a girls night out, until they noticed Dennis. Delilah went over to him. “What happened?!”
Dennis: “I don’t know. I just asked if he was gay and he started crying and running off.”
Dolly: “Oooooh….yeah….hey, Dennis? He has a crush on you. He’s been scared about a lot of things, and I guess….it just got the better of him.”
Delilah: “Well I’m going to find him. Anyone who wants to join me is welcome.” she said, running in Dawkins’s direction.
Dennis: “I’m right behind you, Mrs. Dalmatian.”
Dawkins was sitting up in a tree at the park. He was currently crying softly as he had his face covered. “I-I’m such a dumbass, a stupid, stupid dog.”
Dennis was slowly walking up to him. “Dawkins? Are you okay?” he asked softly.
Dawkins: “Go away. I’ve embarrassed myself enough. So much for being an Einstein.”
Delilah: “Sweetie, please come to us.”
Dawkins shook his head. “No….” he laid down on the tree branch, laying on his side, sniffling and crying still.
Dennis barely just met Dawkins less than an hour ago, but as he watched Dawkins in this state, he looked very sad for him. “Dawkins, please come here.”
Dawkins looked out at the night sky, crying. “W-Why should I? I blabbed out my secret that I’m gay. You probably want to push me to the ground in disgust for romantically liking boys…..I-I just want to die now.”
The other three were shocked at such a thought.
Delilah: “Dawkins, don’t ever say such a thing! Please just talk to us.” she said, her eyes getting a little runny.
Dennis: “I would NEVER push you away! I don’t care if you’re gay. The truth is…I am as well.”
Dawkins sat up and looked down at him. “Huh?”
Dennis nodded. “From the small time we had earlier, I kind of felt the same. You’re inventive, resourceful, funny and cute. I’d love to be your boyfriend.” he smiled.
Dawkins was silent for a minute. Then he climbed down the tree and gave him the biggest hug. His eyes started to dry. “I can’t believe it. Love at first site really does exist. Maybe I need to get more in touch with reality than scientific reasoning….”
Dennis held his cheeks gently with his thumbs. “Hmhmhm, you look so cute.”
Dawkins blushed. “....you’re not just doing this because I was crying, right?”
Dennis: “Of course not. I’m serious.”
Dawkins: “Oh my dog…this is really happening….”
Dennis: “So, what do you say?”
Dawkins: “For once, actions speak louder than words.” he then wrapped his arms around his neck and kissed him. He didn’t care if he was rushing into it.
Dennis looked shocked, but then he closed his eyes and embraced the kiss.
Delilah and Dolly’s hearts were about to melt when they saw them.
Dennis: “Now then, let’s head back home before dinner gets cold.”
Doug suddenly ran over to them, panting heavily. “You….two ok?....whew….oh dog…I haven’t ran that fast since high school….”
Delilah: “I’ll explain later.”
Dennis and Dawkins walked back to his place. Luckily, dinner was still hot. “You’ll like this. It’s pork drizzled with BBQ sauce and completely wrapped in mochi dough, plus noodles with chicken and drizzled with sweet & sour sauce. Oh, my dad also baked fortune cookies.”
Dawkins: “Wow, it all looks good.”
Dennis: “Careful, it’s hot.” he blew on his noodles a few times before twirling them with chopsticks and slurping them up.
Dawkins however struggled with the chopsticks, which made Dennis giggle. But he managed to use them and slurped some noodles and a piece of chicken. “Mmmmmmmm!”
Dennis stabbed a dumpling and took a bite. “Oh dog, yeeeessss.”
His dad chuckled. “Oh, you two. Don’t spoil me with all that kind noise.”
Dennis: “Shut up, dad. You know I love your meals.” he smiled, making him laugh.
Afterwards, the two brushed their teeth and headed to Dennis’ room. “You can sleep with me tonight if you want.”
Dawkins: “Oh, it’s quite alright. Even with the big extension I added to the underside of the house, I still share a bed with my brother, Diesel.”
Dennis: “Cool.” he looked at his digital clock which said 7:30. “We got plenty of time before bed, wanna watch a movie?”
Dawkins: “Why certainly.” he smiled.
Soon, the two were sitting on Dennis’s bed and watching the 1986 Transformers Movie, while both their folks conversed with each other downstairs.
Dad: “Oh please, Miss Dalmatian. It’s no trouble at all. My house is open to you and your whole family now that our sons are together. Please do not feel bad for letting him stay for the night.”
Delilah smiled. “Thank you, kind sir. Now if you’ll excuse us, we got a night out to attend to.” She smiled at Dolly as the two girls stepped out.
Dolly: “You know it! What do you wanna do?”
Delilah: “Whatever YOU want to do.” She winked.
After the movie, the boys began to yawn.
Dawkins: “I’m bushed.”
Dennis: “Me too.” he looked at his feet. “Hey…is it alright if I take my shoes off. My feet can…..smell really bad.”
Dawkins: “Sure. Go ahead.” he said with a hint of hesitance.
Dennis then kicked his sneakers off. His big feet in stirrups were able to breathe now. Visible stench fumes floated up as he wiggled his toes. “Ahh that feels much better.”
Sure enough, Dawkins caught the smell. “PEE-YEW!” he fanned his nose.
Dennis blushed a bit. “I warned ya.” he peeled his sweaty stirrups off before crawling into the covers, same with Dawkins.
Dawkins: “No no, it’s alright. I’ll get used to it.”
Dennis wrapped his arm around Dawkins and gazed at his smile.
Dawkins gazed right back. “Heh heh, you have a nice smile.”
Dennis: “Right back atchya.”
Dawkins nuzzled his snout.
Dennis licked his nose.
Then the two slowly drifted to sleep together.
