It all started with a fight.

A *stupid* fight.

Petey didn't even remember how it began. Something about Dog Man being *too careless*—or maybe Dog Man had *broken* something in the house again. Or maybe it was just Petey being in a bad mood and Dog Man getting on his nerves.

Either way, words were exchanged.

Petey snapped.

Dog Man barked back.

And then—

"*I'M DONE, DOG BREATH!!*" Petey had shouted. "*I DON'T WANNA DEAL WITH YOU ANYMORE!!!*"

Dog Man's ears drooped.

But Petey *didn't care.*

At least, that's what he *told* himself.

---

Petey was *serious* this time.

No talking. No looking at him. **Nothing.**

Dog Man tried to follow him around the house—Petey *ignored* him.

Dog Man wagged his tail, hoping Petey would acknowledge him—Petey *looked away.*

And when morning came—

Petey *didn't* make Dog Man's lunch for work.

It was routine by now. Dog Man always packed *their* lunches, but ever since Petey secretly started making *his,* it had become *their thing.*

But not today.

Dog Man *whined* when he saw his empty lunch bag.

Petey *sipped his coffee.* "*Guess you'll have to pack yer own lunch today, huh?*" he muttered.

Dog Man let out a *low whimper* and slowly packed *his own lunch* for the first time in a while.

And yet, Petey *refused* to feel bad about it.

...Right?

---

Dog Man went to work.

The house was *quiet.*

Too quiet.

Li'l Petey had noticed right away. "*Papa? Why aren't ya talkin' to Dog Man?*"

"*Hmph.* Not dealin' with him right now, kid.*"*

"*But why?*"

"*Because.*"*

Li'l Petey *pouted.* "*That's not a reason...*"

Petey *grumbled* but didn't answer.

---

When Dog Man got home, he was *still* wagging his tail, trying to get Petey's attention.

Petey *stayed on the couch,* flipping through a book, completely ignoring him.

Dog Man sat beside him.

Petey *got up* and walked to the other side of the room.

Dog Man *whined.*

Petey *ignored* it.

But for some reason...

The couch felt *too big.*

Like something was *missing.*

Or someone.

---

That night, when they all got into bed—

Petey *turned away from Dog Man.*

Dog Man, confused, tried to nuzzle close—

But Petey *shifted further away.*

"*Sleep on yer own side, dog breath.*"* Petey said as he took Li'l petey to his side.

Dog Man *stopped wagging his tail.*

For the first time since they started sharing a bed—

Dog Man curled up *alone.*

Petey closed his eyes.

Told himself this was fine.

And yet...

The bed felt *colder* than usual.

---

They used to fight all the time.

When they were *enemies?* That was all they *did.*

But this?

This was *different.*

Because *before,* their fights never left an *empty* feeling in Petey's chest.

He tossed. He turned.

He couldn't fall asleep.

The worst part?

Neither could Dog Man.

He could *hear* the mutt shifting under the covers, letting out the occasional *sad sigh.*

Petey groaned.

"*Ugh, what is wrong with me...*"

He shouldn't care.

He *shouldn't.*

But maybe...

Just maybe...

This fight *wasn't* worth it after all.

--- PART 2 : Making Up (Maybe...)

Petey had gotten *zero* sleep.

He stared up at the ceiling, scowling. His brain *wouldn't* shut up. The *longer* he ignored Dog Man, the *worse* he felt.

The bed was too *cold.*

The house was too *quiet.*

And worst of all?

Dog Man wasn't snoring.

That mutt *always* snored.

But tonight, nothing. Just occasional *sad sighs.*

Petey groaned and *pulled a pillow over his face.* "*Why do I feel bad?! He's the one who's annoying!!*"

No answer.

Not even an indignant bark.

Because Petey wasn't talking to him.

And Dog Man wasn't talking back.

For some reason... that thought made Petey's chest feel *weird.*

---

**The Next Morning**

Petey woke up cranky, exhausted, and *still* mad—except now, he wasn't even sure *why.*

Dog Man got up first, stretching and yawning.

Petey *turned away.* He wasn't *ready* to look at him yet.

Dog Man *lingered* for a moment, as if waiting for Petey to say something.

Petey said *nothing.*

With a low whimper, Dog Man *got up,* put on his uniform, and grabbed his lunch bag—the one *he* had to pack.

No tail wagging.

No goofy grin.

Just a quiet glance toward Petey before heading out the door.

Petey sighed, rubbing his face. "*Ugh. What am I doin'...?*"

---

Dog Man was gone.

Li'l Petey was playing outside with 80HD.

And Petey?

Petey was alone.

He sat at the kitchen table, his tail flicking. He *should've* been relaxing. Enjoying the peace and quiet.

Instead, he was staring at Dog Man's empty lunch bag.

The one that *should've* had a meal *Petey* made inside it.

Petey groaned and *dragged his claws down his face.* "*Stupid mutt... why do I feel like *I'm* the bad guy here?!*"

The house *felt wrong* without Dog Man being loud and annoying.

And Petey *hated* that he missed it.

---

Later that afternoon, when Li'l Petey got home, he *immediately* noticed something was up.

"*Papa?*" he asked. "*Didja and Dog Man make up yet?*"

Petey crossed his arms. "*No.*"*

Li'l Petey *pouted.* "*Why not??*"

"*Because.*"*

"*Papa...*"

Petey sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "*Look, kid, sometimes adults fight, okay?*"

"*But ya always make up!*"* Li'l Petey huffed. "*Dog Man looks sad. I don't like it when ya fight.*"*

Petey *felt* a pang of guilt at that.

"*He ain't sad, he's fine.*"*

"*Nuh-uh! I saw him at work today! He was slow an' distracted an' Chief yelled at him a buncha times! Even Sarah was wonderin' what was wrong!*"*

Petey blinked. "*Wait—*he got in trouble?*"

Li'l Petey nodded. "*He even ate a soggy sandwich 'cause he didn't have a good lunch today...*"

Petey *winced.*

...That *was* kinda sad.

"*Papa, c'mon...*" Li'l Petey gave him a *big* pout. "*Please make up with him?*"

Petey groaned, dragging a hand down his face. "*Uggghhh...*"

Li'l Petey hit him with the **puppy-dog eyes.**

Petey *grumbled.* "*Fine. Whatever. I'll talk to him when he gets home, okay?*"

"*YAY!!*"

Petey sighed. "*What have I gotten myself into...*"

---

That evening, Dog Man finally came home.

His ears were drooped. His tail *barely* wagged. He looked **exhausted.**

Petey *stood by the kitchen counter,* watching him.

Dog Man noticed and *perked up slightly—* then quickly looked *away,* as if *he* was ignoring *Petey* this time.

Petey sighed. "*Alright, look. Before ya get all mopey on me—*"

Dog Man's ear twitched.

"*I *guess* I was kinda a jerk.*"* Petey muttered. "*A *little.* Maybe.*"*

Dog Man turned slightly, his nose twitching.

"*And... maybe I missed ya today, okay?*" Petey admitted, crossing his arms. "*I'm *used* to fightin' with ya, but not like *this.* It's weird. So let's just... y'know. *Stop.*"*

Dog Man blinked.

Then, slowly—

His tail started wagging.

Petey *rolled his eyes.* "*Oh, don't get all smug about it.*"*

Dog Man *jumped on him* and started *licking his face.*

"*ACK—DOG BREATH!!!*" Petey *pushed him off,* sputtering. "*I SAID STOP FIGHTIN', NOT LICK ME TO DEATH!!*"

Dog Man barked happily, his tail *wagging like crazy.*

"*Ugh. Whatever.*"* Petey smirked *just a little* and grabbed a container from the counter. "*Here. I made you somethin' for dinner.*"*

Dog Man's eyes *lit up.*

He sniffed it and let out a *happy* bark.

Petey *smirked.* "*Yeah, yeah. Yer welcome, ya big mutt.*"*

Dog Man gave him a *big, goofy hug.*

Petey huffed—but *this time,* he *didn't* pull away.

Li'l Petey peeked in from the hallway, *grinning.* "*Told ya y'all would make up!*"*

Petey *groaned.* "*Don't rub it in, kid.*"*

Dog Man barked in agreement, *grinning.*

And just like that—

Everything was *back to normal.*

---

PART 3 : Back to Normal

The next morning, everything felt *right* again.

Dog Man woke up *snuggled* between Petey and Li'l Petey, his tail wagging in his sleep.

Petey groaned, *squished* between Dog Man's ridiculous muscles and Li'l Petey's tiny paws. "*Ugh... why is this bed so cramped again?*"

"*Cuz we're a family!!*" Li'l Petey chirped, still half-asleep.

Petey sighed, but he couldn't argue with that.

Dog Man nuzzled closer, his nose twitching against Petey's ear.

Petey *shoved* his face away. "*Personal space, mutt!!*"

Dog Man *whined,* but his tail kept wagging.

Yeah.

Everything was *definitely* back to normal.

---

Petey actually got up first today. *Miracle.*

"*Alright, ya freeloaders,*" he stretched, "*I'll make breakfast.*"*

Dog Man's ears perked up.

Li'l Petey gasped. "*You *never* make breakfast!!*"

"*Yeah, yeah, don't make a big deal about it.*"*

Petey turned on the stove, cracked some eggs, and started flipping pancakes. Dog Man sat at the table, tail wagging *rapidly.*

The second the pancakes were ready—

Dog Man *jumped up* and tried to snatch one.

"*HEY!!*" Petey *swatted him away.* "*Wait till they're on a plate, ya savage!!*"

Dog Man *whined.*

Li'l Petey giggled. "*Dog Man, ya gotta be *patient!*"*

Dog Man sat back down, pouting.

Petey smirked as he slid a plate in front of him. "*Alright, now ya can eat, ya big baby.*"*

Dog Man *lit up* and devoured the pancakes in *two bites.*

Petey blinked. "*You're kidding me.*"*

Li'l Petey giggled again. "*He really missed yer cookin'!*"*

Petey sighed, shaking his head. "*This house is full'a weirdos...*"

But, weirdly enough—

He *didn't* mind.

---

**Work Time**

Dog Man finished breakfast and grabbed his bag, wagging his tail *excitedly.*

Petey smirked. "*Excited to go back to work now that we ain't fightin', huh?*"

Dog Man nodded *vigorously.*

Petey grabbed his lunch bag and handed it over. "*There. Try not to let it get soggy this time.*"*

Dog Man gasped dramatically.

Petey *rolled his eyes.* "*Yeah, yeah. I know. 'Oh my gosh, Petey, you're the best cook ever, how did I survive without ya.' Whatever. Just get outta here before Chief yells at ya again.*"*

Dog Man *hugged him* before running out the door.

Petey huffed but didn't push him away. "*Yeah, yeah. Go fight crime or somethin'.*"*

Li'l Petey waved. "*Bye, Dog Man!!! Have a good day at work!!!*"

Dog Man barked happily and dashed off.

Petey crossed his arms, watching him leave.

Yeah.

Everything was *definitely* back to normal.

And maybe...

That wasn't so bad.

---

Hii it's me the author again :) thanks for reading! Tell me if you prefer short stories or the longer ones more :)