Reluctantly Relaxed [101 Dalmatian Street drabble]
“Grr…So much to do…”
The eldest Dalmatian brother paced about frustratedly as he mentally went over his list of chores for the day.
“I still need to clean the dishes, wash the windows, take chew toy inventory, re-calibrate the bowl launcher…”
Dylan flinched and hissed as a sudden stress headache took over.
“Hnng…Dog GONE it…” he grumbled grumpily as the headache made him lose his train of thought. “Where was I…”
At that moment, Deepak had walked by the open door to the room in which his stressed-out older brother was rambling to himself.
He stopped and quietly approached Dylan so as not to alarm him. The young zen pup then closed his eyes, softly placed his paws on Dylan’s temples, and began gently rubbing.
“H-hunh!? What!?” Dylan exclaimed with a start.
“Shhhh…” Deepak soothed. “Just relax…”
“Ugh, Deepak,” Dylan groaned. “I really don’t have time to relax. I have to–”
“It’s okay, brother,” Deepak whispered softly into Dylan’s ear, sending tingles through the elder pup’s spine. “There’s always time to relax…Just breathe deeply…Let your tensions melt away…”
“D-Deepak…” Dylan was beginning to feel groggy and heavy, but tried with all his might to resist his little brother’s calming powers. “I have…to get stuff…done…”
“Shhhh…It can wait…” Deepak murmured. “Your inner peace is more important right now…”
“N…No…” Dylan mumbled, his vision beginning to haze and his legs becoming weak as he reluctantly felt more and more relaxed. “G…Gotta…d-dishes…ch-chew toys…”
“Just let go…” Deepak whispered. “Let your eyelids become heavy…Let your mind become quiet…Surrender to serenity, dear brother…Breathe…Breeeaaathe…”
“Dee…pak…”
Dylan collapsed to the floor, his body feeling warm and tingly. He suddenly began breathing slowly and rhythmically. A peaceful smile slowly spread across his face from ear-to-ear. He could no longer keep his eyelids open. He was losing the battle against serenity, and he was beginning to feel okay with it.
Dylan finally gave in to it, and let himself fall asleep.
Deepak slowly opened his eyes and looked at his sleeping brother. Satisfied with a job well done, he smiled warmly and curled up next to Dylan. The yin-yang pup snuggled up and let himself drift off for a nap alongside his brother.
