Petey sighed, rubbing his temples as he stared at the wreckage of what had once been his secret lab. Sparks fizzled from the remains of his machines, smoke curled into the sky, and all that was left of his former hideout was a pile of rubble.

"Well. That's just great," Petey muttered.

Li'l Petey stood beside him, clutching his tail for comfort. "Papa... where are we gonna live now?"

Petey's ears twitched. That was the question, wasn't it? He had spent years hiding out in his lab, but now? He had no plan, no backup lair, and most importantly—he had a kid to take care of. Li'l Petey needed stability. He needed a home.

Just then, a familiar figure trotted up, panting happily. Dog Man.

Petey groaned. "Oh, what do *you* want?"

Dog Man wagged his tail and held up a notepad with a message scribbled on it in messy handwriting:

**"YOU CAN STAY WITH ME!! :D"**

Petey blinked. "You've *gotta* be kidding me."

Dog Man nodded enthusiastically, his tongue flopping out as he bounced in place.

"Papa, can we? Can we stay with Dog Man? Pleeease?" Li'l Petey asked, eyes wide and hopeful.

Petey hesitated. He and Dog Man had been enemies for *years*. Living together sounded like an absolute disaster waiting to happen.

But then he looked at Li'l Petey—the way his little paws clutched onto his own, the way his ears perked up in excitement. Li'l Petey adored Dog Man. And, as much as Petey hated to admit it, Dog Man wasn't all *bad.* He was annoying, sure, but he had a good heart. And right now, Petey needed help.

"...Fine," Petey grumbled. "But if you chew up my stuff, I *will* make you regret it."

Dog Man let out a happy bark and licked Petey's face.

"Ugh, gross! Personal space, ya mangy mutt!" Petey wiped his face with his cape, but Li'l Petey just giggled.

And so, that's how Petey found himself standing inside Dog Man's house, a box of his (few remaining) belongings in his arms. The place was surprisingly neat—lots of dog toys, sure, but it wasn't the disaster zone Petey had expected.

Li'l Petey ran ahead, bouncing onto the couch. "See papa I told you Dogmans house looked bigger on the inside!"

Dog Man wagged his tail and patted the empty spot beside him on the couch. Petey scowled. "No way am I sitting next to *you.*"

Li'l Petey tugged his paw. "C'mon, Papa! It's family cuddle time!"

Petey stiffened. *Family.* The word made his heart ache in a way he didn't quite understand.

With a dramatic sigh, he finally sat down, letting Li'l Petey curl up between him and Dog Man.

"...This is weird," Petey muttered.

Dog Man just gave him a goofy, happy look.

Li'l Petey purred. "It's *perfect.*"

And as much as Petey hated to admit it... maybe, just maybe, the kid was right.

---

Hope you liked it! Let me know if you want more cozy family moments between them!