A Truly 'Howling' Commando

|5| Similar, Yet Different

About an hour later, I rose to my paws and gently placed a paw on Bucky's thigh. I looked up at him and tilted my head, a silent question in my gaze. He nodded his head and I walked to the door before leaving. I followed the scent of grass and did my business before starting back to the diner.

On the way back, a small terrier in a woman's arms began to bark and growl worriedly. My legs stiffened on instinct, but I ignored them as I entered the diner again. Walking over to Bucky and Steve, I sat down again beside the table.

"What's wrong Mallow?" Steve's question caused me to look over confused, before I realized he was right. My ears and lips were twitching occasionally and my fur slightly bristling.

I softly growled with an apologetic look in my eyes, "I'll be alright in a minute, sorry..."

My apologetic expression turned into shock as I saw Steve seemed to understand the intent behind the growl with a nod. 'I wonder if he will pick up the crooning in my growls as fast as Bucky did...'

"A dog most likely saw her outside, right?" I looked towards Bucky and gave a huff.

Steve looked confused so I pushed Bucky with my muzzle and let out a soft growl, "Well explain it to him. He can't understand me, so that's up to you."

"Dogs don't like her for some reason. Anytime she is seen by one they growl and bark at her. And -since she hasn't had the best experiences with dogs- whether or not she wants to her instincts will kick in. Bristling fur, stiff legs, that sort of thing." Bucky elaborated and I gave a satisfied grunt before going under the table again, laying down at their feet with my head up.

The conversation switched around a lot, more often than not settling back on me. They talked for hours and ate. Steve quickly got on my good side because he would drop pieces of his food down for me. If there's one way to my heart it's through my stomach.

At one point, Steve put his hand under the table, palm up and fingers gently outstretched. I sniffed at it, before gently touching it with my damp nose. Pulling away, he took his hand and put it back in his lap.

——Time skip: 1:00pm——

I had dozed off again under the table, Bucky's hand sometimes gently scratching my head or rubbing my ears as a reassurance. We had been there a total of 4 hours, and I got in naps so I was happy. Once we got outside again, they gave a quick farewell to one another and Steve knelt down to look at me. He put out his hand again with the palm up. I sniffed at it before placing my chin on his palm. He gently began to rub under my muzzle and a crooning growl rumbled from my throat. Steve smiled before taking his hand back and giving a short hug to Bucky. "Stay safe, jerk."

"Punk" I snorted with amusement at their interaction, laughter in my eyes and my tail wagging slightly.

Steve looked down at me, "Yeah you too Fluffy."

My eyes widened, "Fluffy?! Ohohhh that's how it's going to be is it?"

I gently took his hand in my teeth, biting down just hard enough to leave imprints of them before letting go. He looked at his hand before looking at me, one eyebrow raised as I wagged my tail good naturally. I opened my mouth a little showing my teeth in a cheeky grin that made them chuckle before parting ways.