He didn’t hate dogs. It wasn’t like a rabid mutt bit him as a kid or Cerberus chased him down a dark alley. When he was a kid, the other orphans tried to bring in some stray from off the beach. It was filthy and smelt of wet poo and left a trail of slobber. It kind of put him off of the whole idea of pets in general.
Yet Rinoa and Angelo were kind of a package deal. Squall loved Rinoa, so Squall must also love Angelo. But Angelo was Rinoa’s pet and Rinoa’s responsibility. Squall didn’t have to pet him or rub his belly or pick fleas out of his fur.
At least, that’s what Squall thought at first. Angelo seemed determined to make Squall love him and pet him, even if it meant that Angelo had to wedge his big, furry self in between Squall and Rinoa while they were sitting on the couch, or dig under the covers while the two humans were in bed.
And then there were the days when Rinoa would go out without Squall. Squall would sit at his desk, hard at work, and Angelo would sit by his feet and stare at him. Angelo would stare at him for hours. It really made Squall uneasy, especially when Angelo would whimper.
Angelo would not leave Squall alone. Squall had to do something. Angelo was way too distracting and Squall had way too much to do to be distracted. He leaned over and pet Angelo between the ears, just giving him a little scratch. Angelo barked happily and ran off to play.
Every day after, it was the same routine. Squall would be stressed out at work, and Angelo would come to his desk for a daily head-scratch. As the days passed, Squall began to weirdly enjoy this new ritual. It kind of relaxed him, just that little touch of fur between his fingers.
Eventually the other SeeDs made a bowl with “Second-In-Command” written on it, and a doggy mat decorated like a desktop and placed them in Squall’s office.
Angelo was sometimes still a distraction for Squall, but on a hectic day, a welcome distraction.
“So how’s Squall’s second-in-command?” Rinoa gave Squall a kiss on the cheek as they lay down on the couch later that night.
Angelo jumped on top of both of them and licked Squall’s face.
“He’s alright,” Squall rubbed his cheek. Dogs aren’t so bad, Squall thought. He just hoped he never found fleas.
"Distraction", FFVIII: Angelo + Squall, G
He didn’t hate dogs. It wasn’t like a rabid mutt bit him as a kid or Cerberus chased him down a dark alley. When he was a kid, the other orphans tried to bring in some stray from off the beach. It was filthy and smelt of wet poo and left a trail of slobber. It kind of put him off of the whole idea of pets in general.
Yet Rinoa and Angelo were kind of a package deal. Squall loved Rinoa, so Squall must also love Angelo. But Angelo was Rinoa’s pet and Rinoa’s responsibility. Squall didn’t have to pet him or rub his belly or pick fleas out of his fur.
At least, that’s what Squall thought at first. Angelo seemed determined to make Squall love him and pet him, even if it meant that Angelo had to wedge his big, furry self in between Squall and Rinoa while they were sitting on the couch, or dig under the covers while the two humans were in bed.
And then there were the days when Rinoa would go out without Squall. Squall would sit at his desk, hard at work, and Angelo would sit by his feet and stare at him. Angelo would stare at him for hours. It really made Squall uneasy, especially when Angelo would whimper.
Angelo would not leave Squall alone. Squall had to do something. Angelo was way too distracting and Squall had way too much to do to be distracted. He leaned over and pet Angelo between the ears, just giving him a little scratch. Angelo barked happily and ran off to play.
Every day after, it was the same routine. Squall would be stressed out at work, and Angelo would come to his desk for a daily head-scratch. As the days passed, Squall began to weirdly enjoy this new ritual. It kind of relaxed him, just that little touch of fur between his fingers.
Eventually the other SeeDs made a bowl with “Second-In-Command” written on it, and a doggy mat decorated like a desktop and placed them in Squall’s office.
Angelo was sometimes still a distraction for Squall, but on a hectic day, a welcome distraction.
“So how’s Squall’s second-in-command?” Rinoa gave Squall a kiss on the cheek as they lay down on the couch later that night.
Angelo jumped on top of both of them and licked Squall’s face.
“He’s alright,” Squall rubbed his cheek. Dogs aren’t so bad, Squall thought. He just hoped he never found fleas.