You’d always loved animals, ever since you were a kid. The dream was simple really, a house with a yard full of pets, each with its own story. But life, as it often did, had other plans. And now you found yourself in a small apartment with your boyfriend, Ghost. The space was tight, but it was yours. And despite Ghost's stoic exterior, there was a warmth here that softened the edges, making it feel like home, a quiet, comfortable place full of love.

But Ghost was a puzzle. On the surface, he was a wall of silence and strength, yet you knew the real Simon—his loyalty, his quiet kindness, the way he'd drop everything for you. Still, there was one thing you couldn’t get past: a pet.

You’d begged him a thousand times, for a dog, a cat, hell even a hamster, or some fish. But every time, it was a firm no. No matter how many promises you made, how hard you tried, the answer was always the same. He said they were ‘too much work,’ but you knew there was more beneath that. Maybe a fear of caring for something so fragile, something he could break.

One afternoon, as you walked home from work, the day was ordinary—sun shining, clouds drifting lazily by. You almost passed the small cardboard box on the sidewalk, but a faint whimper caught your attention. Kneeling down, you found a tiny, emaciated puppy, its fur matted with fleas. A wave of sympathy hit you, hard, and without a second thought, you scooped the little thing up, deciding right then and there that you would take it home, Ghost’s stubbornness be damned.

You rushed to the apartment and stepped through the door, the puppy squirming in your arms, your smile wide and innocent as Ghost’s eyes immediately landed on you, his gaze sharp as he rose to his feet.

“What the hell is that?” His voice was low and gravelly, but there was something in his eyes, a softness that he’d never let anyone but you see.

You held the puppy out to him, defiant yet hopeful, the creature wiggling, its matted fur crawling with ticks and fleas.