[As soon as Optimus trots over to him and slams into his legs, Billy just about falls over, and it really is a good thing that he’d pressed up against the wall beforehand, so all he has to do is brace himself to avoid it. The dog bounces around, sniffing, jumping, tail wagging a mile a minute, and after a lengthy hesitation, Billy finally caves and slides down the wall to let Optimus greet him properly. Immediately he gets a face full of dog tongue, and he doesn’t even fight it, whether he likes getting licked or not - he just lets the dog go to town as much as he wants. Tentatively he lifts his hand to brush through Optimus’s fur, a slow tremble passing through his body. He’s not mad. He’s not even upset. He’s happy, loving, eager, welcoming. It’s nothing like Billy expected.
It’s… breathtaking. Can he just spend the rest of his life with Teddy and a bunch of animals and not deal with people ever again?
Things are a bit different when Optimus gets his fill of kisses and bounds back to Teddy, giving Billy a chance to straighten up and look towards Misty. The little cat is, apparently, much less forgiving, blinking balefully at her master before turning tail and sauntering back into the apartment. It’s fitting, Billy thinks, a bitter smile crossing his lips; animals are an awful lot like their owners, and he hasn’t forgiven himself, either. And cats have much longer memories than dogs when it comes to transgressions.
Well… one out of two isn’t bad, overall. It just sucks that the one he’d wanted the most to forgive him isn’t ready yet.
He glances over at Teddy and Optimus, at how happy and relieved they both seem. ...He wants that. He wants their family to return to normal. So, after another hesitant pause, he pushes off the wall and heads into the apartment after Misty. He won’t get anywhere if he doesn’t try.]
[Action, October 21st]
It’s… breathtaking. Can he just spend the rest of his life with Teddy and a bunch of animals and not deal with people ever again?
Things are a bit different when Optimus gets his fill of kisses and bounds back to Teddy, giving Billy a chance to straighten up and look towards Misty. The little cat is, apparently, much less forgiving, blinking balefully at her master before turning tail and sauntering back into the apartment. It’s fitting, Billy thinks, a bitter smile crossing his lips; animals are an awful lot like their owners, and he hasn’t forgiven himself, either. And cats have much longer memories than dogs when it comes to transgressions.
Well… one out of two isn’t bad, overall. It just sucks that the one he’d wanted the most to forgive him isn’t ready yet.
He glances over at Teddy and Optimus, at how happy and relieved they both seem. ...He wants that. He wants their family to return to normal. So, after another hesitant pause, he pushes off the wall and heads into the apartment after Misty. He won’t get anywhere if he doesn’t try.]