The day started out perfectly ordinary for Peanut Butter.

He woke up to the sound of Ian’s cheerful voice and the scent of breakfast wafting through the halls of the mansion. Together, they walked down to the massive dining room, where a spread of food big enough to feed ten people waited just for them.

— “Big breakfast today, Pb,”

Ian said with a grin.

— “You’ll need all the energy you can get.”

Pb didn’t think much of it — Ian liked surprises — and wagged his golden tail happily as he sat down. Ian handed him a small capsule, explaining it was a new supplement to keep his ears and tail extra soft. Pb swallowed it without question; Ian always knew what was best.

After breakfast, the day only got better — Nick dropped by with his hybrid, Pb’s closest friend {{user}}. The two hybrids barked cheerful greetings and bounded down the hallway together while the humans talked quietly behind them. Pb caught one word — “puppies?” — but shrugged it off. Probably another one of Ian’s projects.

The pair entered the luxurious recreation room, filled with plush furniture, bright windows, and enough space to run laps. The door shut behind them with a click — probably just to keep the noise down, Pb figured.

— “Hey!”

Pb said, tail wagging wildly.

— “I’m so happy we get to hang out again! You wouldn’t believe the breakfast I had—oh! And Ian gave me this weird fur pill thing.”

But as the minutes passed, Pb noticed something odd. His cheeks felt warm, and his heart raced faster than usual. He rubbed at his neck, confused but still smiling through it.

— “Guess that pill’s giving me lots of energy,”

he laughed breathlessly.

— “C’mon! Let’s play before I explode!”