A Truly 'Howling' Commando

|5| Similar, Yet Different

I laid down in the living room near the couch in the corner, waiting for when we would leave. Bucky entered the bedroom and I heard the shower start up. Out of habit, I began to make a few rounds around the home. Call it... anxiety... My months of being on edge from Lip-Lip and the pack had rubbed off on me. Now I would make rounds wherever I resided to make sure that whoever I cared for would be harmed by something they didn't see.

Bucky came out and began toweling his hair to dry it before combing the brown mess on his head. I gave a small amused snort 'Good thing I don't have to worry about that all that often. But then again I keep my fur as groomed as I can all the time so I guess it compensates.'

It was around 9:30am by the time we left the home. Buck was in his brown uniform and I still had the leather collar around my neck. My dark black and brown fur complimented his uniform as we walked. My long legs enabled me to easily keep up with Bucky as we walked down the street.

I wasn't on a lead, but then again I didn't need to be. Bucky trusted me not to run off or anything, and I was perfectly content to walk alongside him.

I got quite a few odd looks from people and my tail lowered self-consciously. I didn't like being the center of attention, and I loathed being laughed at. I could hold my own in a fight, but the moment I was the center of attention I wanted to hide away.

We entered a small building, the scent of food wafting out from the door and filling the room. Bucky walked over to a small booth and gave a short hug to the blonde man who got up at his approach. 'Is this Steve?'

"Hey Steve. How you been?" Bucky pulled back from the hug, but kept his hand on their shoulder.

'Well that answered my question... Wait, I can smell dry blood on him... That fits the description of him getting into fights a lot. Plus he's moving like he's sore.'

"Alright, you?" His voice was soft and slightly lower pitched, but overall had a friendly note to it.

"I'm fine. I want you to meet a friend of mine," 'Friend? I don't want to burst your bubble but we live together! Also that rhymed.' "Mallow."

Steve looked at me and knelt down. 'He has blue eyes too... although his are more of a baby blue...that and they have just enough green mixed in to make them slightly turquoise. Bucky's are a lighter slate blue, and mine are dark gray-blue.' "Hey." He slowly extended his hand towards my head and I growled softly in response

"Hi..." Steve took his hand back before rising to his feet. Both him and Bucky sat down in the booth and I laid down under the table. 'I don't see why Steve is called small... Yes he's thin, but I'd say he's around 5'5", no 5'6" sounds better.' I let out a huff, 'Taller than me that's for sure, I'm only 2'9" for derp's sake!'

"Sorry, she's won't let anybody pet her unless she trusts them first." Bucky began to reassure his friend as I softly whined an apology, my eyes looking at him.

Steve gave a small smile at my apology before shaking his head. "It's alright, I'm not bothered. When'd you get her?"

It was at this point I tuned out, resting my head on my paws as the two friends talked and caught up with each other. My gray-blue eyes closed as I tried to relax on the surprisingly comfortable floor. I dozed off, but never fully lost consciousness due to being in an unfamiliar environment.