bees are women

Slowly, he turns to Robby with a sheepish grin. 

Robby nods his head up and back, and Dennis gently extricates himself from Jack, prying his sleeping hand away from his tail and padding over to Robby with a grin. 

He puts a hand on Dennis' shoulder and leads him safely down the hallway before he asks, "what were you doing, hmm?" 

Dennis yawns. "I woke up so was just watching him. He has freckles. I just wanted to touch one. Sorry." 

"It's okay Den. Maybe we let him sleep a bit now though yeah? Wanna come hang out with me downstairs?" 

"Yeah!" 

"Good boy, come on then puppy." 

Dennis flushes a wonderful pink and follows him without question downstairs. But when they get into the kitchen he starts to squirm, shifting on his little brand new socked feet. 

"What's up pup?" 

Dennis bites his lip, "do you wanna try it?" 

"Try what?" 

"The like, no-talking puppy stuff." 

See, Michael knows that Jack thinks his desire to adopt a hybrid comes from the dog he nearly adopted as a child before his bubbe found it a new home with people who were much more equip to care for it. It had broken his little heart. He'd cried about it for days. He'd told Jack this story what- years ago- when they were both still fresh faced and laughing over beers, pretending not to be wildly attracted to each other. Jack's clearly remembered it, and when he pitched Robby the idea of adopting a hybrid together he'd seen the story reflected back at him in Jack's eyes. 

Michael is happy to let him believe it. 

Really though its all about devotion and control. 

He loves Jack, more than anything, he'd be quite happy with Jack for the rest of their lives but … 

It's just that he feels like his life is slipping by faster and faster, and he sees people die every single day, people with hopes and dreams and loves and untouched potential. People who probably never got to experience things in their lives that they wanted to try. Were too ashamed to try. Didn't have time to try before- 

See, Michael has been thinking a lot about mortality since Adamson, in a way he knows scares Jack. 

It's just that he doesn't want to die having never… it sounds stupid, even when he says it to himself. Having never fulfilled his fantasy of fucking a sweet omega hybrid? Fuck off Robinavitch. This is why, despite all Jack does to encourage him, he can't talk to Jack about this. Why he kept it not so successfully hidden from him for so long. 

Worse, too, Michael thinks, because it's not even entirely sexual. 

Devotion. Jack won't let him dote on him or baby him or coo and praise him. He'll try to an extent but that just isn't him, and Michael doesn't want to show his love to Jack that way. Not when he has a million better ways to show it that Jack is on board with. And Jack is devoted to him, too, but on a deeper level and sometimes… sometimes Michael lays in bed at night and thinks about what it would be like to have that in its base form. 

The way a dog loves it's master. The way a hybrid might love him. The raw simplicity of it. 

Devotion and- 

This is why he can't just get a dog. Because it's also about control. And the control is sexual. 

Michael is not unaware of his desire to take charge and lead. Would have been a piss poor career choice to go for the big job if he didn't. He, too, knows this desire has a tendency to leak like a dripping faucet into other aspects of his life. 

In a way that sometimes makes him feel a little sick to his stomach, the way he wants to have a someone eat from the palm of his hand and squirm on his lap and tease them until they blink into subspace, all whiney and perfect and waiting with baited breath for his command. Jack bottoms, gets all bratty and desperate, but he never- he never just-

Michael loves the sex they have, the push and pull and the equality of it all. He'd be quite happy with Jack for the rest of his life. He would. 

But as always Jack sees him, even when he doesn't want to be seen. 

"Oh- " Robby stammers, cock twitching. "I think we should probably wait for Jack before we do anything um-" 

Dennis flushes beet red and squirms. "Not that! Unless that's- I just meant- I guess I thought when it's gonna just be us that I would act like your puppy all the time even when were not doing sex stuff. Or?" 

"I mean-" Robby rubs the back of his neck. "That is what I was thinking yeah." 

Dennis nods, "Cool, yeah." 

"Do you want to try it?" 

He narrows his eyes as the kid avoids looking at him.

"I just…" 

"You can tell me puppy, it's okay." 

"I just don't want to mess up? Like maybe we do a trial run where- where I can still ask questions and you can tell me if you want something different. I want to be good." 

Robby frowns, "puppy you are go-" 

"I'm not though. I know I'm not. I was- sometimes I wish I was one of the hybrids who couldn't talk and then I wouldn't be so much trouble and everything would be simpler. I got in trouble a lot growing up Robby, I know I'm not good." 

As he speaks, Dennis' ears slowly fold back against his head, and Robby's heart breaks for him. Maybe this is what Jack meant when he said he wanted a rescue. Maybe he knew that Robby's bleeding heart would have no defence against this. 

"Okay pup, come on, lets go sit on the couch and have a little chat." 

Dennis' ears flatten fully, and he follows Robby to the couch like he's walking to his own grave. 

He sits the pup over his lap so his lets stretch across the cushions and runs a soothing hand through his hair and ears until the kid calms down a little. 

"Dens, listen to me okay? This is all super fun and exciting right? But it's also new for all of us. Theres going to be stuff we don't get right, or we try and don't like, and all three of us can change our minds at any time yeah? That doesn't make us bad. Me and Jack, well we'd prefer if you didn't throw our things about, break our plates and glasses, chew on our furniture or pee on our clothes-" 

Dennis takes the bait. "I would never do that." 

"I know Dens, because you're such a good boy right?" He ruffles Dennis' hair. "Heres what I'm thinking, which mind you puppy, might change when we start doing this because I've never lived with a hybrid before either- what I'm thinking is that it would be really nice to come home to you baby, to give you a little cuddle and maybe play a little, actually play, make some dinner and we both eat- maybe I can feed you little bits and you can sit by me and take it from my fingers, cuddle up with me while we watch TV or I do admin work on my laptop, if you need anything you can paw at me or whine or bark and maybe it could be a fun little game for us both to figure out what you need? I want to give you what you need Dens. We can talk about the sexual stuff later with Jack but… none of that means you can't speak if you want to, or need to. I'm not- this isn't- I don't want that. I want you to want to be like that with me, it won't work if you don't and that's okay too. Is that something you… want?" 

Dennis chews on his bottom lip. "Yeah, I really… I really want to try that. That sounds like… really good to me Robby." 

"Yeah puppy?" 

"Yeah. I was- I meant what I said before, I really like just being more like a proper hybrid? It's nice not to think simple sometimes." 

Like a dumb little pup. He thinks, but doesn't say yet. 

"Still wanna try it out? A little hybrid-" He waggles his eyebrows and Dennis puffs out a laugh, "-approach? How about until Jack wakes up, we give it a go and if you have any questions just speak up pup, and if either of us don't like anything we just say. A little trial run?" 

"Could we-" Dennis stops again, and Robby waits patiently until he finds his words. "-maybe we could like. You've just adopted me right? We could play like you're- like I am one of the hybrids without speech capacity? For a little bit." 

~

"Now puppy-"

Dennis is knelt in his kitchen, sat back on his heels and blinking up at Robby with the most adoring face he's ever seen, ears fully pricked up and waiting. 

"- you've been a very good boy so far. I know you're desperate to explore, but if you keep being such a good boy for me I promise I'll give you a treat, would you like that hmm? Would you like that Dens?" 

Dennis whines, following it up with a little excited yip as his tail swishes so hard it wiggles his body, just like at the store. 

Robby feels like he's gonna fucking pass out. He feels like he's on the precipice of getting everything he's ever fucking wanted and he's not sure what he's done to deserve it. Like on his birthday, when his bubbe would hand him his carefully wrapped present and for a second before he unwrapped it, it could be any of the things he'd been too shy to hint at, because he wouldn't want to be trouble. 

"Good boy. Here, you can have one now for sitting so good." The wiggles increase, and Dennis opens his mouth and carefully slips out his tongue. 

His cock twitches as he places the gummy bear into Dennis' mouth, waiting until he closes and sucks at his fingers a little before pulling back. Dennis hums happily. 

"That nice?" He ruffles Dennis' ears. "Come on let me show you the living room." 

Because he hasn't got his collar on yet- Michael thought best to wait for Jack- he slows his walk and drops his hand to play with Dennis' hair as he crawls besides him. When they make it through, Dennis looks to the dog bed, back to Robby, then back the bed and lets out these puffy excited whining noises. 

"Now what's all that about pup? Hmm? So dramatic. Go on then, go try your new bed." 

Dennis yips and tumbles into it, rolling around and stretching and rubbing his face all over it. Scent is important for omega hybrids, Robby has read, especially dog-hybrids. So he comes over and plays with his boy, ruffling his ears and roughhousing him a little until he hopes both of their scents are on the fabric. Right up until Dennis gets real squirmy, rubbing his legs together and-

Ohhhh. 

Robby narrows his eyes. 

"Puppy are you getting excited?" 

Dennis whines pitifully, looking up at Robby with big pitiful eyes. 

"No puppy, we can't-" He's interrupted by a louder whine and the spreading of legs. "Dens, no. We have to wait for Jack." 

Dennis pouts, looking ridiculously human when he does, and Robby is helpless to the laugh that bubbles out of him. 

"Come sit between my legs like a good pup and you can have a treat." 

Dennis contemplates this, but ultimately gives in and nods. Lovely. 

"Okay pup stay- that's right, good boy, stay there-" he makes his way to the sofa and sits. "Okayyy- come! Come boy!" 

And like a dream Dennis does, scrambling to him and nudging apart his legs to be able to sit on the floor between them, balancing his head on Robby's knee and peering up at him while his tail hits Robby's shin with each wag. He parts his little mouth, and FUCK does Robby wish the treat he could give him is his cock. Instead, he slips in another gummybear- green this time. 

"A little treat for a good little boy. Now, see this?" He points to the couch. "You're only allowed up here when we- me or Jack- say okay puppy?" 

Dennis pauses, blinking a little as he comes to. With two fingers he taps on Robby's knee and gently says his name. When Robby gives him the obvious all clear, he asks, "is that all the time? Or just when I'm like this?" 

"Oh- oh just when you're like this. It's- we don't have to-"

"No I think its fun, I was just wonderin' is all." 

"Okay then, sure, just when you're like this. I doubt Jack will do the same when its just you to though." 

Dennis nods, and then gives a little huff of a bark, butting his head against Robby's knee. 

"Okay, because it's new you can come up puppy, come on up you get, that's it, want to cuddle on my lap? Up puppy! Oh that's a god boy here have another treat." 

Dennis hums happily around Robby's fingers, his tongue- slightly rougher than a humans- wiggles between Robby's fingers. 

"Aren't you just the sweetest thing." He coos, pressing a kiss to Dennis' forehead and letting Dennis' suck on his fingers. 

~

"Well, isn't this a lovely sight?" Jack mumbles from the doorway, his sleep soft eyes crinking when he yawns, ending it in a smile. 

"Jack!" Dennis yips, completely forgetting, it seems, his promise to be quiet and trying to wiggle out of Robby's hold. He lets him, watching with delight as he bounds over to Jack and nearly knocks him sideways with the force at which he goes in for a hug. 

Jack lets out a big old man huff. 

"Woke up to see you'd snook out on me." He mumbles as he presses a kiss into the kids curls. 

"Robby came and got me." Dennis says, snitch.

"Did he now?" He looks up at Jack, but Jack's eyes are filled to be brim with fondness. "Hope you didn't get up to too much fun without me?"" 

"Well," he drawls, watching Dennis tense up in Jack's arms. "He did get extra squirmy playing about in his little bed, but he was a good boy and waited for you." 

"Oh really? Well I think we should reward such good behaviour don't you Robby?

Outside of the store, Dennis' form is a little more visible, and the boy has muscle. Probably from all that farm work. It makes Jack's mouth a little dry watching him flex them as he rocks back and forth on his heels, clasping his hand behind him and grinning as he forces himself to slow down. 

"Sorry. I know I'm a bit… much." 

"Don't apologise puppy. This is a yapping friendly house-" Jack nods solemnly, until he gets a shoulder nudged into his own and a wink from his partner, the corner of his mouth pulled into a teasing tug. 

"Well." 

Jack throws him an exasperated look, and semi-jokes back. "Well. We can get to that later Michael. Jeez let the puppy settle in." 

Looks like he'll have to manage them both. 

Dennis narrows his eyes at them, and then widens them as big as the moon. "Oh is it like, Jack you want me to talk and Robby you want me to.. not? Like they asked us to in the store?" 

"Shit I-" 

"Thats okay!" Dennis says quickly. "I can do that!" 

"It's not that I don't want you to talk." Robby says, shoving his hands in his pocket.

Except, that is what he wants. That was clearly on the list of things they wanted from adopting a hybrid, someone to dote on and care for and to be a sweet little pet that barks and whines. Obviously not strictly, they're not assholes, but he shouldn't be lying to the kid to appease him either. Or diminishing his own wants and needs. Jack frowns. 

Before he can intervene, Dennis goes to bump his head into Robby's chest, snuffling and pressing until Robby gets a hand in his hair. "M' not saying it to say it cos' you adopted me. I like doing more hybrid stuff, being more hybrid. I used to play with my brothers like- like a real dog I guess. That was fun. And then I would yap with my- uh- I called her my ma, but she wasn't but- I just mean that both are fun for me. Sometimes it's nice to switch my brain off for a while." 

Robby flushes, "yeah? It's not- it wouldn't be like- you can speak if you needed something for sure. I would never-." Dennis butts his head into Robby again, all his pearly white teeth gleaming in the sun, shoving a little harder this time until Robby stumbles back. "Okay, okay. I get it puppy." 

Jack tries, and fails, to hide his grin. Jim was right, Dennis is a good boy. He'll talk to him later about it again, preferably alone so Robby doesn't sabotage himself. 

"Mmhm." Dennis hesitates. "But can I speak now? While you show me around?" 

"Course' pup." Jack laughs. "We haven't talked about that sort of stuff yet, and I don't think we could stop you if we wanted- you look like you're about to take off." 

"M' just so excited!" Dennis bounces from heel to toe. 

"This is a house of talking Den." Robby huffs through a laugh. "Too much talking sometimes. You wont get anything past this one without a million and one conversations about feelings." He leans down and whispers, "he's goes to therapy and don't we all know it." 

"Heaven forbid everyone's on the same page." Jack laughs as Dennis giggles, running a hand through the kids hair and patting his back. "Come on, let us show you the rest of the house." 

The kids enthusiasm is a little infectious, but he still gets all solemn and nods seriously when Jack or Robby gives him what they call 'serious info', where to find the medication draw for painkillers, how to lock the doors, where they keep the keys. He doesn't even protest when Jack tells him that until he's settled they'd prefer him to come to them before he takes anything from the draw. None-pulsed by the lack of trust. 

"Do you have a- uh- like a bath thing for me? Outside?" 

"Oh, um, we thought you'd just use our shower?" Robby looks at Jack and he nods, hand on Dennis' lower back as he peers at the two sets of electric toothbrushes and shaving cream. A disposable razor and a fancy stainless steel engraved safety razor. He wishes he could peer inside of the kids mind. 

"You're gonna let me shower where you shower? With hot water?" 

"Yeah… did you not have that at the shop?" 

Dennis peers into the shower. "Oh at the shop sure! It was really nice, and they had this cool shampoo we could use for our fur and our hair! At home I just bathed outside cos' I used to run around a lot and get all dirty and they said I'd clog the drains." He giggles. "And so we just used soap cos I used to get dirty so often." 

The kid pauses, seems to realise what he's saying, and he peers up at them both. "Not that- I won't get- I won't do that with you guys, promise, I'll be clean and-" 

"We don't mind a mucky pup do we Mike?" Jack forces a smile on his face. He'd wanted a rescue hybrid, something he could get a handle on. Dennis is a little… softer than he'd perhaps been expecting. He doesn't think Dennis will struggle to follow any rules. But maybe this can be what he sinks his teeth into. "What's the point in enjoying the outside if you don't get all up in it, hmm?" 

Dennis studies him for a second, before slowly grinning again, practically vibrating as he says, "right!!" 

"Sometimes I like to run the trails, gets real muddy in the autumn or after some good rain." 

"He comes back filthy, mud splattered up to his eyelashes." 

"Really?" Dennis' tail wags with fever now. "Can I run with you? Please? Please Jack? I love running." 

Robby groans, "-oh thank fuck. Does this mean you won't try and persuade me to go then anymore?" 

Jack dutifully ignores him."Sure pup, we'll get you fitted for some shoes today if you want." 

Dennis' tail slows a little. "You don't have to do that. Spend money. I can just have, um, cheap ones? From goodwill or something." 

Robby frowns. "Puppy, it's okay we want to buy you things." 

"Mike loves buying shit. If you wanna make him happy let him spoil you." 

"And Jack always tells me getting good shoes is important." 

"It is. We'll get your gait measured and make sure your feet don't roll and get you proper support. Helps with knee problems and shin splints and blisters." 

"And then you'll be able to run for miles." 

"And then you might be able to keep up with me." 

"He's probably going to run rings around you Jack." 

"Just because when I run with you I have to go snail pace doesn't mean that's how fast I run without you Michael. Do you even check my strava?"

"Do I check your strava? No Jack I think I have better things to do with my-" 

Jack turns his head exasperatedly to the kid, who is looking at them wide eyed, but his little tail is wagging again at least. "He doesn't even check my strava puppy. I think I have grounds for divorce." 

"We're not even married Jack!" 

~

Eventually, they manage to cajole Dennis into the idea of a shopping trip. They might as well get everything they need in one go while it's their day off, and there's still so much of the day left. The actually logistics of adopting Dennis had been surprisingly simple. 

It does make Jack feel a little strange, they they were practically just given Dennis with only one nebulously promised house visit, but it's fine. Dennis seems happy at east. Despite his protests about having money spent on him, it's clear that Dennis is excited. 

Now that they're making waves to get going, Dennis has stopped his yapping and has instead taken to circling Robby, nudging him and stepping over his feet and swatting him with his tail. If he could crawl inside of Robby's skin Jack's pretty sure he would. He even yips in excitement when Robby grabs for the keys. 

And Robby is enamoured, guiding Dennis with a soft hand to the back of his neck or in his ears, and one memorable moment- a hand tugging gently at his tail while Dennis giggled, stopping him from ragging about Robby's shoes. The little menace. It's clear too, that Dennis is taken with Robby. Pushing him playfully to get little reactions. 

Robby keeps a hand to his shoulder all the way to the car, opening the door for the kid to jump in the back. 

They start with some clothes, nice jumpers (Robby), some little white Nike socks the kid will look adorable in (Jack), and a cap that says 'bad day to be a hotdog' (Dennis). 

Then to the running shop, where Dennis' sprint on the treadmill genuinely makes him fear for his life on their next run. They'd started at a nice pace, upped it to Jack's own speed when Dennis was clearly having a ball- his tongue lolling out, and then up to a sprint, and a mega sprint, just to see him go. Even the shop's staff had gotten excited with him, two of the boys making a bet with the woman behind the counter and the seasoned ultra marathon runner owner. They just kept on upping the speed and Dennis kept laughing and speeding up his legs. 

At his fastest, Jack had hovered a hand behind his back just in case, but he shouldn't have worried. Dennis was a little greyhound. 

When he finally stepped off the treadmill, dopey grin on his blotchy red face and sweat at the corner of his brow, he'd gone straight up to Robby (sat on the little chairs for people to try on the shoes) and collapsed down between his legs, resting his grinning face on his knee and puffing out air while Robby pets him. 

"Enjoy that puppy?" 

"So much. I've never been on one of those before." 

Jack smiles over at them, and then turns to owner to negotiate shoe options. 

He doesn't let Dennis see the price when they leave. 

The real gem of the day though is the hybrid pet store. 

"Woah- this is huge." Dennis breathes out, eyes sparkling as they walk through the automatic doors, Robby's hand practically glued to him still like Velcro. "Is this just for hybrids?" 

"Yup. Perks of living in a city I gue-" 

"JACK IS THAT A FRISBEE?" 

Jack, rather unsuccessfully, hides his grin behind his hand. 

~

"Hmm, how do you feel about this one pup?" 

Robby's fingers trace the delicate blue collar with the a little black plastic clasp, though his eyes keep sweeping up to the premium solid block of leather on the top shelf. Jack personally thinks the leather and the flimsy blue thing are stupid choices- he'd go with the sturdy looking one with the grab handles but whatever. He'd told himself that he'd leave this bit to Robby, and Robby is apparently keen on choosing it together with Dennis.

It's very sweet. 

"Thats nice, sure." 

"But you don't love it?" 

"Uh- it's a bit thin maybe?" 

"Hmm, I agree yeah." Robby's eyes slide back up to the leather, and Jack has to look to the side to resist the urge to interfere. He loves Michael, he does. He loves him in a way he didn't think was possible after Liz, in a way that feels both comparable and completely incomparable at the same time. 

But it doesn't mean that Robby doesn't annoy the fuck out of him sometimes. Especially with this shit. The way he continually ignores his own wants and needs because he thinks they'll be an imposition, when all Jack wants is for him to impose. 

He looks down the isle and makes a mental list of all the things left for them to buy, going through the essentials first and then the wants, and then the 'absolutely unnecessary but definitely going to buy'. 

When he looks back over to them, its to Dennis peeing up at Robby with a contemplating look in his eye as Robby glances up again. He quickly makes himself look busy when Robby looks back down at him, but after a few minutes he does a little- if Jack's being honest a little on the nose- theatrical little gasp. He peers up at the thick leather and points with his little hand. 

"What about those ones? I like that colour- do you?" 

Jack sees the moment he notices the prices, and his ears go back a little, but Robby has already perked up, biting at his lip.

"I do, those are really nice Dens. Which do you like?" 

Jack wants to take him by the shoulders and shake him. He was half-joking before but he's not now. He'll train both of them, and he'll use each of them to train the other, just watch him. 

"Will you pick me some options? Theres too many to choose from." 

"Sure puppy." 

He gets three down, the one he keeps looking at- a thinner option- and a truly garish black one. It's a good thing Dennis' neck is a little thick from farm work, because both Dennis and Jack can see clear as day which he's favouring. 

Still, Dennis pretends to consider and then nudges the thick collar with his hand (paw?) with a little yip. 

Mike beams. 

When they've done trying it on, both on them nearly wriggling with excitement, Dennis turns to look at Jack. When he grins, all Jack can hear in the tug of his mouth is see? See Jack? Did you see how I picked the right one? Did you see how happy I made him? Are you proud of me?

It's like he knows, the clever little pup, that the quickest way to Jack's heart is through kindness to Michael. 

~

They make it through most of the essentials. Dog bed, blankets, a cage (not as punishment as per the article), fur shampoos and normal shampoos and curl cream (though Jack probably has enough to share, it's nice for Dennis to have his own things). They're mostly done when they see the little tag engraving machine. 

This time, it's Dennis who looks at it and away a little too many times. 

Jack nudges Robby and tilts his head over to Dennis then to the machine. 

Sometimes, the effortless way they move with each other really is a blessing. Robby gets him almost instantly. 

"Oh wow, look at this- I didn't know they were automating them now. Look at this Dens!" 

After a little back and forth, they decide on a plain circular design and a gold brass. The little machine engraves the 'Dennis' on one side and 'M. Robinavitch and J. Abbot' on the other, their phone number underneath. Not that Jack thinks they need it- but it means something to Robby he thinks, something that he's not sure he'll ever be able to fully understand. And it clearly means something to Dennis too, as he peers through the glass and watches their names etched permanently into bronze, eyes misty and watery as he pulls back. 

~ 

"Shit- Jack we forgot a harness and leash. I was thinking one that matches the collar." 

"I'm not going to run away." Dennis pouts. 

Robby flushes beet red. "Um- it's not- I was thinking." 

Jack leans down and says lowly in his ear. "He wants to strap you up and fuck you in it puppy- that something you're up for?" 

It's Dennis' turn to flush then, squirming on his toes and peeing up at Robby with his big round eyes. "Y-yeah. Please? Whatever one you want." 

"Do you want to come help me pick?" Robby powers through.

"No I trust you." Dennis tells him. 

While they wait for him, Jack snags a few toys and treats for their already overflowing cart before his eyes snag on the cute little underwear section. He supposes that's to be expected, the frills and the sex toys. House pets do tend to be fucked. That is, too, why they have Dennis. And Jack supposes too, that people want their house pets to look all pretty and sweet. 

It's just that earlier Dennis had picked up some classic boxers, and Jack knows from his paperwork that Dennis is sporting a pussy and a cock under his shorts. He's just not sure how that shit works. How gender works, he guesses, for male omegas and female alpha hybrids. He's never really thought to ask. The middle of the store doesn't quite feel like the place to either. 

"Which do you like best? I think the blue ones are neat." 

He raises his eyebrow. "Don't play that game with me kid. I'm not sucker like Robinavitch." 

Dennis giggles and for the first time since leaving the house, butts his little head into Jack. 

"How'd you feel about them though? I wouldn't be opposed to seeing you in some adorable little frilly panties kid, no shame in saying it, getting you all wet and soaking them through, but-", he shrugs. "Maybe a little much for now." 

"I haven't had sex but I didn't live under a rock Jack. I had a hand-me-down phone and access to the internet. I've like- gotten off- to stuff before I presented." 

Huh. Of course. Jack hadn't considered that-

"It's just my pussy I haven't played with." 

"Christ puppy." Jack mutters, glancing around to see if anyone is close. Luckily not. But then again, what are they expecting from a guy and his omega hybrid stood in front of panties and sex toys. Gruffly, he asks, "what size are you pup?" 

Dennis grins hard and runs his fingers over some of the knee-high socks and suspenders.

"You a little freak Dennis? Hmm?"

Dennis flushes. "Just pick what you like I'll wear them." He peers up innocently. Though Jack can see right through his little facade. "I just want to make you happy Jack, will this make you happy? I'll be good for you I promise." 

Jack puts several sets in the cart. (And one particularly lacy panties, bra and knee-high socks set). 

~

"Pup, it's like the middle of the night for me. Come cuddle." Jack demands. He's fucking shattered its 2pm and though he's got tomorrow off he really doesn't wanna obliterate his sleep schedule. Plus the puppy looks like he could do with a nap after all that excitement. 

"Oh- I was going to help Robby with the things." Dennis rings his paws in the hem of his shirt, ears perking up at the sounds Robby's making in the kitchen unpacking the actual food shopping they did too. Gotta get good snacks for the puppy.

Jack shoos him away with his hand. "He'll be fine." 

"Will he now?" Comes the muffled reply. 

"He will if he wants me to be awake enough to fuck the pup later. Otherwise he's waiting for me." Jack calls back. 

Robby grumbles, but otherwise doesn't protest. 

"He'll be fine puppy, it's just a few bits and bobs. How about we nap in your room? You up for it?" 

Dennis nods eagerly and follows him upstairs practically nipping at his heels. They'd decided to give Dennis the spare room as his own safe space, but they're hoping to transition him to the dog bed in their room, or to the crate that will also be in their room. For now, Jack pats the bed and Dennis hops up and instantly curls into him, wrapping his tail around Jack's hip alongside one of his legs. 

Jack huffs, pressing a kiss between Dennis' ears. 

"You're such a good boy Dennis." He mumbles. "I'm really glad we found you." 

Dennis chirps, letting out a content little sigh and rumble as he presses boneless into Jack. "I'm glad you found me too. Today was so good Jack. Like, the best day ever." 

"Yeah?" Jack snuffles a laugh into his hair. "You know… we talk a lot of game puppy, and I know you're excited too, but it's okay to be nervous as well. When or if we do anything later, if you want to take it slow, or stop, you just say okay?" 

Dennis nods and burrows into his chest. "K'ay Jack." 

"And if you don't like something tell me. It's only fun for us if it's fun for you too. Don't try and impress us because you think you need to. Especially cos we bought you these things. You don't owe us anything." 

Dennis is silent for a moment. 

"But you adopted me because you wanted to fuck me?" 

Yeah, Jack supposes they did. "Mmm." 

"So if I say I don't want to then I'll go back to the shop right? And you'll have wasted all your money." 

He really is a smart fucking kid. 

"Two things, one- not wanting to now, or wanting to go slow doesn't mean no forever. It doesn't have to be all or nothing, we can go at your pace. And two- I know what I said at the shop, but thinking and doing are two different things. I won't ever begrudge you for trying something and discovering you don't like it. If you hate it and never want to do it, then we'd just adopt another hybrid and you'd have a friend." 

Dennis scoffs. 

"Hey- I'm not kidding. You're cute, you're funny, you've already had Michael smiling more than I've seen him smile in months. You don't need to audition to stay kid, you've got the part." 

"Yeah?" He asks weakly. 

"Yeah puppy… Do you feel like you could tell me Dennis? If you didn't like or want something? And know that I wouldn't be mad at you or disappointed? It's important to me that you understand that." 

"Yeah. I… I do yeah." And he sounds it, rolling the words around on his tongue and settling on them. "What are you- um- what should I?" 

"Oh you don't have to do anything but let us make you feel good. Gonna maybe start by kissing you a little, run our hands over your body, tease your nipples. Then probably play with your cock if you like that, if you get hard. Robby's got quite a mouth on him, and I'm betting you've never had anyone suck your cock before right? 

Dennis shakes his head. 

"Mmm. Well that'd probably get your pussy dripping enough that we could hve a little play with her. We'll try you out on some fingers, see if we can get you to cum a few times. If you like that, maybe we can stretch you out to take us. Little steps see? Build you up. Nothing youve gotta do but lay there and look pretty and let us make you feel good puppy. Just like your friends in the shop yeah?" 

Dennis whimpers, squirming on top of Jack while his cock starts to thicken. Jack feels it, surprisingly big- not huge, but big- against his stomach. He grins and pats his back.

He knows they want a puppy-hybrid, not too young, but still energetic enough, none of this 'virgin' shit- Jack wants a rescue, something to sink his teeth into. Robby wants something sweet off the batt, something he can dote on and hand feed and love. Lets hope they find a compromise. He likes the idea too- bleeding heart that he is- of taking in something that needs a little extra love. A male hybrid too- an omega (Robby's preference). Jack had frowned at that. He doesn't really miss pussy, but there was a moment of insecurity with that when he realised Robby might. Still, Robby's been struggling a little lately, and if a wet little hybrid-omega pussy is going to cheer him up then fine. The only real strong preference Jack has that Robby is indifferent on is speech capability. Robby would be happy without it, but the thing is they can train that into him and have the best of both world. So he knows when Jack's at work he can't speak dogs don't speak Jack, they bark and he knows he can when Jack's home I'm not yapping to myself all night Michael. He doesn't want a stupid dog. 

Jack relays most of this to the attendant, who studiously nods and notes some things down. "Okay, boy you guys sure do know what you want huh? Makes a nice change." 

He leads them through to the back, where the big windows are casting rays of light down on the shared play area. It's a cute sight, Jack has to admit. He's never really been into the whole hybrid craze, but seeing the little bunnygirls curled up around the catboys and the puppy's play growling and tugging ropes between them. Yeah, cute. 

Robby looks fucking enamoured too, sucker. 

"Okay so we have a couple of options…" Jim takes them around to meet a few hybrids, who are nice and everything, but largely indifferent. Jack would have happily adopted any of them, but Robby- when he was a wee kid- once had a puppy jump into his arms and snuggle into his neck. He still laments to Jack that his bubbe didn't have the capacity to keep it and him, and Jack thinks that he's secretly wanting to recreate that here. God, he wants it for Robby too.

Robby outright veto's the one that growls at him, though Jack would have also taken a crack at that one. He's grown up with dogs, see, back in the mountains. He knows how to set down rules and guidance in a way he thinks Robby would be terrible at. And really, with some of these hybrids, their animal nature runs closer to the surface than one might think. 

They see him when Robby starts to flag. Well, Jack sees him first. The hybrid is laid out in a corner on some blankets, stretching his arms above his head and yawning so hard it ends in a little yip. He's in the sun like a cat, but that's definitely puppy ears on his head between those would be curls. Maybe with Jack's curl cream they would. Fuck, he even looks a little like Jack in med school. Definitely Robby's type then. The stretch pulls up his t-shirt, giving Jack a look at the taught stretch of his little stomach. Very cute. He nods his head and Robby follows his line of sight. 

Like fate, when he looks over the hybrid blinks open his sleepy eyes and perks up, floppy ears twitching and his head raising. He smiles over at Robby and his little tail starts to wag. Robby, predictably, melts. 

"Oh hey buddy." Robby grins, leaning down and crouches next to Dennis, whose whole body wiggles as he shakes his tail. 

"Oh, Dennis." The attendant says, tapping his clipboard. "Hmm-" 

"Hmm?" 

"Well, he does fit you're needs. He can speak, male omega, he's twenty seven." 

Dennis clearly gets fed up of waiting for Robby and buts his head straight into his chest, huffing as Robby brings a delighted hand to his ears to pet him.

"Okay… so?" Jack raises his eyebrow. 

"Dennis is…a slightly more complicated case. Bought for farm work as a pup, raised with the family in Nebraska, but presented late as an omega. The owner has put a pretty- a pretty exceptionally high price tag on him, shipped him over here I think in an attempt to fool some city slicker. Financial trouble I think. Hoping to get him sold as a breeding omega, but he's a little too old for the price tag on him, despite being a virgin." 

"Huh, and how much are we talking?" 

Robby is laughing now as Dennis wiggles and rolls about and shows Robby his belly, stretching out again as Robby says 'big stretch puppy wow.' 

Jim names the price Dennis' owner has set, and Jack winces. It's more than double what he'd expected, way too high for what Dennis is, but then who the fuck cares about that. They both have way too much money to know what to do with, and they're not breeders or traders, he just wants a pup that will make his partner think twice about stepping near the fucking edge of the roof again. 

"Are we sure he can speak?" 

"Ah, well most people prefer them not to. So we advise them to stay quiet during the meet and greet stage of adoption." 

"Sure." 

"It's sad really. He's such a good boy, we've never really had any trouble with him at all, but the price just-" 

"I think if my partner agrees then we'd be interested." Jack interrupts, as he watches the boy giggle as Robby scruffs him about a bit. "Is there any room for negotiation on price?" 

"I'm sorry- his owner was very clear on that. He's been rotated around five stores already. Due to be moved on next week." 

Jack winces. Poor little pup. 

"Michael?" Robby peers over his shoulder, hand stilling in Dennis' ears. Dennis stills too, looking up at him, over his crossed arms and raised brow and bites at his lip, ears going back a little. "What do you think?" 

"Jack." He breathes out. Yeah, he thought so. 

"Okay, we'll take him." 

Dennis' tail stars wagging so hard that Jack thinks he might take off. He yips excitedly and he can't help but smile down at the kid. 

"What a day hey Dennis!" Jim laughs too, reaching down to pet Dennis' ears. "You want a little more time or are you happy to start the paperwork?" 

"Why don't you go ahead Mike and get us started while I say hi to Dennis here?" Jack offers. He still hasn't heard the kid speak yet. Although he's not sure he could stop Robby wanting him even if Jim was wrong and he couldn't. 

When the two men move to the side and Robby starts giving out their information Jack tentatively reaches out his hand, palm towards Dennis. The kid considers him for a second or two, much longer than Robby, but then butts his head into Jack's hand and hums delightedly when Jack scritches at his ears. 

"There we go kiddo. So, Jim tells me you know how to speak?" Dennis looks at him cautiously. "It's okay, I know you were told it's better to stay quiet? But I'm looking for a hybrid who can." 

Slowly, Dennis leans back to peer up at him, but not so far as to dislodge Jack's hand. "Hi." 

"Hi." Jack laughs. "My names Jack, that over there is Robby, or Michael. Or sometimes I call him Mike." 

"Thats a lot of names, I'm just Dennis." He tilts his head to the side and his ears flop. 

"Yeah, I'm just Jack too kid." 

"Are you really going to adopt me?" 

"Well, that depends on you buddy." 

"Me?" 

"It's not just our choice." He runs his hand from the base to the tip of Dennis' ear. "Michael is super excited because he's been wanting to adopt a hybrid for a while, you'll have to excuse him, but that's why he has me right? I want to see if this is what you want to." 

"Yep!" Dennis bounces on his heels. "For sure." 

"Hold up there buddy." Jack laughs. "I know you've been waiting a while for this, but it would make me feel better, personally, if I told you what it would be like if you came home with us, and then you can make an informed decision. I…hybrid ownership has never been on my radar before, so it's all a little new for me. Can you do that for me?" 

Dennis tilts his head the other way, and his ears flop again. He considers, biting his lip. "Okay, yeah. I can do that." 

"Good boy. Okay, we both work at the hospital in the emergency department, I work nights and Robby works days, so they'll be someone at home most of the time. We live near a nice park-" Dennis' ears perk up. "-and I like to run if you think you can keep up with me. We go hiking sometimes in the woods, and have a nice little yard. But also… you grew up on a farm right? Farm work is a little different to being a house pet…" 

Dennis bites at his lip. His canines are a little longer than usual. "You can say it. I know that owners have sex with house pets, not like working hybrids. I presented a little late, and then my da- my owner. He uh, I think wanted to sell me to a breeder, so I haven't had sex or anything," he says, fast. "-and they didn't want me to do anything to like impact that sale? So I haven't touched myself a lot or anything but I know what house pets are expected to do, 'specially omegas… can I tell you something though?" 

Makes it a little easier. Dennis sure isn't stupid. "Sure bud." 

"Sometimes when the others are getting adopted, the older rescues who have already had sex, they uh- they play with them here? And sometimes I wish that was me. I've touched myself um- twice? Just on the outside, and it was so good but then they made me stop. And they always look like they're having a lot of fun." 

Dennis is bright red, squirming and looking down. 

"Yeah puppy? You gonna be our good boy and let us make you feel good too?" 

"Please? Do you um- I know Robby was interested but do you think I'm… attractive?" 

Jack laughs, scruffing his ears. "Very much pup. What about us? How do you feel about us?" 

Dennis flushes nearly twice as much. Beet red to match the blanket he was sprawled about on. 

"Well I guess that answers that well enough. You were practically crawling in Robby's lap earlier. None of the other hybrids were doing that. So, you wanna come home with us Den?"