#bc apparently

No, it wasn’t 002’s voice; it came from the other side of the door.

018 and 002 recognized it instantly, but 018 was the only one who reacted with a sharp inhale, only to get cut off by 002 holding up his hand yet again. 

“Hello?” The voice, a man by the sound of it, had a gruff voice and a tone that said that he was only being polite out of mere habit and not out of true kindness. 

“State your purpose,” 002 said, adopting no pretense of politeness as he pointed a gun towards the still closed door.

“I’m here to…ask for a favor.”

002 remained unwavering while 018 blinked in confusion. Somewhere behind him, 002 could hear 008 whispering, “Is he serious?”

“Very serious,” came the man’s voice again, and 002 tightened his grip on the gun.

“It has to be some favor if someone like you can't manage it.”

“My current situation allows for very little… flexibility.” 002 looked over his shoulder when he heard fabric moving, and he was met by the sight of 018’s monitors turned to face them, John Wick’s face displayed on it. It wasn’t just John: he had a dog. A pitbull that even through the shoddy cameras, they could tell that it was well cared for, if its sleek coat and healthy weight had anything to say about it. “I need someone to watch my dog.”

002 had dealt with a lot of situations, most of them deadly, some of them odd, but hearing that thoroughly threw him off. 

“What?” 

“Dog is all I have left,” John said, his dog's tail wagged wildly as he ran his hand over its head, “it would be better for everyone if he stayed safe with someone.” 

“No.” 

“Uh, let's think about this for a second.”

“He is the most wanted man in our world now; we can’t risk associating with him.”

018 wasn't deterred, “Okay but consider this: We would be on the good side of the most dangerous man in the world.”

“That means nothing if he’s dead next week and we’re targeted for helping him.

“002, do you actually think there is someone who could kill John Wick?”

“Even mountains get eroded by rain.”

“Okay, Diogenes. Even if he does get killed, who’s going to care if we have his dog? No one is going to go out of their way to find us, just to hurt a man who is already dead by killing his dog.”

“It wouldn’t be to hurt him,” 002 snapped. “They would use us as an example.”

That killed the mood, but a glance at the others told 002 they were still wavering. “Who’s after you?” 

“The High Table,” came John’s voice, and 002 was sure the man heard the sharp fuck that came from 018. “It's an open contract. I know you didn’t get the hit, because you operate outside them.”

016 spoke up from the back, "Don't you have any friends to do this?”

“None that aren’t bound by them. They’re already doing me a favor by ignoring the hit, I can't ask them to do more.”

“But you can ask us?” 

“They know of your reputation, they won't bother you.” 002 glanced at the monitors to see John scratching Dog behind the ears before he continued, “And she’s a good girl. You won't get an easier client to protect.”

Looking at the others was a mistake. The others had already taken to the idea of doing such a favor for John Wick of all people, and the news that Dog was a well trained dog only helped convince them further.

There was only one thing to be done, the one thing that they always did: they’d take a vote.

The end result was one that 002 wasn't happy with, but it was one that he would have to deal with. 

He opened the door. Their security cameras hadn't been able to pick up the details of his face: he looked haggard, and worn down. 002 gestured him inside without a word. “I appreciate this.”

002 said nothing, but luckily he didn’t need to as 016 and the others cautiously made their way towards Wick and his dog. Wick’s somber mood hadn't rubbed off on Dog, she wagged her tail when she spotted the others, though she stayed right by his side.

“She really is very well behaved,” 016 marveled, stars in his eyes. Though their opinions might have been influenced by the fact that the only dogs they ran into were strays, or attack dogs, dogs who were partial to the idea of tasting their blood. 

Although he was haggard, the look on Wick’s face could only be described as soft as 016 crouched in front of Dog, just out of arm’s reach. “She's a rescue,” He said as 016 presented his fist to Dog to sniff. “You can pet her if you’d like.” 016 nodded and he kept his movements slow as Dog watched his hand relax and move to the top of her head. Although she stayed in place, her whole body shook from the sheer force she was wagging her tail with.

A laugh bubbled out of 016, and he used both of his hands to pet her, “Oh, you’re a good girl, aren't you?”

And just like that, 018 was hovering just behind 016, seeming to waver about whether or not he would pet Dog too. His eyes were completely focused on Dog as he asked, “Is there anything we should know about her?”

“I have her care instructions here,” Wick said as he pulled out a folded sheet of paper. 016 moved out the way so 018 could insert himself next to 016, and Dog soaked up their attention like a sponge did water. 002 accepted the sheet and looked it over, and Wick continued, “Just feed her twice a day and take her for walks if possible.” John looked over at the others again, and Dogs tail was a little propeller, "She's also a bit spoiled, she likes to sleep in bed with you. She likes to sit on the furniture too; just tell her ‘no’ and she’ll hop down.” 

018 chuckled as Dog bared her stomach, and his voice was filled with amusement, “Oh, she can sleep with me.”