December, 17, 2019

Revision/rewrite: October, 7, 2023

Speaking collar for Dog Man whoa
Detey ship* lol

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Dog Man had just finished giving Li'l Petey a bubble bath, drying the kitten with a small towel, he wrapped the towel as Li'l Petey stretched his arms up high. Giggling softly to the tickle of the soft cotton against his fur. Dog Man took the towel away and then placed a quick kiss on top of the kitten's head, leaving the kitten with a huge grin on his face.

"I'll brush my teeth now!" Li'l Petey said, stepping towards the sink and pushing his little stepping stool in front. Dog Man nodded, placing the towel on a hook behind the door to dry.

Little did the two know, a certain orange cat was pacing around outside the house.

"What am I even doing here?!" Petey spoke to himself, staring at the object he held in his hands. That then reminded him to keep himself together. It wasn't supposed to be a big deal, it was just a nice gesture to an acquaintance of his.
It didn't mean anything.

Nothing more, just being nice and giving someone, something useful. A simple step closer to being a better cat, then the kid would see he was really trying.
He gathered up all his courage and pushed himself towards the door bell. Finally pressing it, and backing away instantly afterwards.

Upstairs, the doorbell rang through the hallway. Perking the ears of two animals, and a robot to shoot from his place. Dog Man walked out of the bathroom, seeing 80-HD and Li'l Petey come out of the rooms also.
Uncharacteristically, He raised a hand, to gesture that he'll get the door, as he walked away. Maybe it was because the canine was tired, and I didn't want to cause a huge commotion for the door today. Who knows—but either way it was odd. Leaving both behind a little confused.

Dog Man trotted towards the stairs, yawning once he got to the bottom of the stairs. Once he got to the door, he saw who he thought he wouldn't see until Sunday night. So naturally, he was quite confused on the sudden appearance of the feline. He perked an ear up, Petey making eye contact with the dog hybrid, he almost forgot why he was there for a second. He shook his head and his tail twitched.

"Hi" He said plainly, waving a hand slightly. Keeping a hand behind his back, hiding his latest invention. He sighed and placed his free hand on his face, only making the dog even more confused.

He wanted to ask why Petey would be at his house, but unfortunately he couldn't. He couldn't speak, and at these moments he really wish he could. Though he had learned to adapt with it all his life, there was nothing he could do anyway, right?
"I just came here to give you something." Petey continued, nervously smiling. Dog Man gave him a certain look of acknowledgement and he nodded.

"It's something that I think will be good use to you." Petey said, taking out the device from behind his back. Dog Man stared down at it, thinking it was just some simple collar, puzzled at the choice of the gift. He quickly recalled his old days where he was simply a regular dog.

"It's not a normal collar, if that's what you're thinking." Petey said, unbuckling the collar, and wrapping it around the canine's neck.
"I don't know if this is a good idea but whatever." He said, finishing buckling it on Dog Man.
"There."
He said, then he pushed two buttons on the side of the collar.

"Listen now, this thing can make you talk." Petey said, raising an index finger. "So, well go ahead." He said, backing away from Dog Man, the cat watched as Dog Man fiddled with the collar for a few seconds.

He looked up at Petey, then finally, he spoke words as he never thought he would in his life. "Does this really wo—" Dog Man said, well the collar spoke, but it was still his thoughts and it was magically translated to the collar making the sounds come out like some sort of high level technology. Which it was, Petey had made it, so imagine his surprise and happiness to see his new invention work. Petey smiled, "Wow yeah! it really does work." He stated proudly, placing a paw on his own chest. "Try it again." He said, waving his hands towards Dog Man.

"This is sooo cool!" Dog Man said, grinning in delight, he was absolutely amazed and content. "Hah, yeah glad you like it." Petey answered, he almost felt happy for what he did for Dog Man. He couldn't deny it though, he kind of liked seeing Dog Man happy; as much as he hated it with all his heart to admit it.

"I've always wanted to talk!" Dog Man said, clasping his hands together, giving Petey the biggest, grateful smile ever. His eyes sparkling in glee, Petey swore he saw the very stars up above appear in the black orbs.

"It's no problem." Petey said nonchalantly, looking away from the thankful canine.

"Thank you so, so, so much!" Dog Man thanked Petey, spreading his arms to give Petey a hug. Petey raised his eyebrows. "Uhh. . . I don't th—" He couldn't finish his sentence as he was interrupted by small arms wrapping around his waist. He raised his arms, not knowing what to do.
"Really, it was no problem at all." He nervously chuckled. "You know, trying to do good for others and what not."

Dog Man let go of Petey, and it was like there was a weight lifted from Petey's chest and his heart beat slowly calmed.

Huh, weird.

"This is a great gift!" Dog Man said. Then he stepped up on the very tips of his toes. Giving Petey a quick lick on the cheek, Petey stunned, an unamused look plastered on his face. "Um—well" Petey mumbled, he shook his head. "That's enough. I think I'll be heading home now." He pointed away from himself with his thumb.

What the two didn't know, was that they were being silently watched. And by their very son actually, he was sitting down against the wall right in front of the entrance, he couldn't believe his Papa had done such a nice act like that for Dog Man. Once he heard that his papa was going to leave, he jumped up from his spot.

"Hey Papa!" Li'l Petey said, peeking out the door. Petey perked both ears to the sound of his son.
"Oh, hey kid!" He softly smiled down at the small kitten. "What are you doing here?" Lil' Petey asked, acting like he didn't know what was happening. "Well, I actually came here so I could give Dog Man something." Petey said, gesturing to Dog Man's collar. "He can talk to you now."

"Wow! That's supa amazing!" Li'l Petey grinned from ear to ear.  "Yes, I love it so much!" Dog Man said, making Li'l Petey gasp lightly. "So you can say anything now?" He questioned. "Yup!" Dog Man replied, nodding. Li'l Petey turned to his father.
"Thanks Papa! I'm so glad he can finally talk now!" Li'l Petey praised. Petey smiled warmly, loving all the kind words he was receiving. This really was how it felt to be good...

"You're welcome, guys." Petey slightly raised his chest in pride, at this moment he was on top of the world. At least two people in this world gave him the time of day. Li'l Petey hugged his father's leg, nuzzling his head lovingly.

"You're the best, papa." Petey felt like crying, but he most certainly didn't want these two to see him cry, so he just stoked Li'l Petey head. Li'l Petey then let go of his leg, taking a step back.
"Well, it's getting late, I should get home." Petey said, then kneeling down in front of Li'l Petey. "And I think you should get to bed, kid." He said patting his head again, then hugging him. "Okay, papa." Li'l Petey said, then they broke apart, Petey getting back up.
He smiled at Dog Man. "Don't worry, we were just heading to bed now." Dog Man said, taking Li'l Petey's paw in his own. Petey glanced down at their hands, then back at them.
No matter what he felt about Dog Man, he still wouldn't trust anyone else in world than him to take care of his own.
He had realized this for a while now.

Pure relief.

He had just one last thing to do before he leaves.

"Dog Man, you've always been lots of help to me. . . Taking care of Li'l Petey and everything." He said, as he saw Dog Man's smile grow bigger. "You're welcome, Petey!" Dog Man said. "He means the world to me too." Dog Man continued, looking down at Li'l Petey. Petey, not really shocked by his answer, but still a little stunned that he cared so much for him just like he does.

"I'm glad." He said. "Good night guys" Petey said, turning around and waving goodbye to them. "Bye papa!" Li'l Petey said, waving bye to him. "Bye!" Dog Man said. They watched as he walked off for a few more seconds, like they almost wanted him to stay.

"Let's go, we've got a long day ahead of us!" Dog Man said, turning around. "How?"

"We're going to Petey's house tomorrow." Dog Man declared, smiling down at Li'l Petey. Lil Petey completely lit up from those very words. "Really?!" Li'l Petey beamed, skipping around and going in front of Dog Man. "Yeah, it will be our surprise!" Dog Man replied, softly tapping the kitten on the nose.

"Yay, I can't wait!" Li'l Petey said, giggling.

Li'l Petey loved being able to talk to Dog Man more fluidly, it was totally a life changer. Thanks to Petey, Dog Man can finally say what he always wanted to say. Not that he couldn't voice it before in some other matter, but it felt more genuine and heartfelt.

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Art by yours truly !!!

Anyways hi I hope u like the silly dog man story :) my love for dog man always going strong.