Asserting Dominance

[Pearce Lockheed]

Adopting a puppy had been a big step. One he wasn't so sure he was ready for. Whisky was...a big puppy. And try as he might with insisting the dog belonged entirely to Zander the young man seemed stubbornly dedicated to them raising the dog together. Well, Briella was involved too, it seemed the whole house needed to know how to handle a dog.

The nobleman had informed his staff of the new family member and most of them were excited. Which was a surprise. He had thought Heather and the gardener and all the others might revolt. Either they all thought it was funny seeing him with a large fluffy animal or they were all dog people. Probably the later. Most people were dog people. Heather did insist that he be house trained immediately.

In his own home, with a lot less dogs around (and a relatively smaller one), Pearce was much less nervous. He still wasn't inclined to pay special attention to the animal except when Zander worked during the day and even then, Briella was more in charge than he was. Not because he couldn't put his foot down, but because he was still mildly afraid and largely uninterested. As far as he was concerned, Whisky wasn't his dog. But he was still happy seeing Zander with Whisky. It was adorable.

He was sitting in the gardens that evening before dinner, waiting for Zander to get home and watching Briella and Whisky. Breeze hadn't been pleased the first couple days but she had finally ventured over into Pearce's lap and was asserting her dominance over his person. He was more or less certain she wouldn't be so hesitant to assert her dominance over the dog now that she knew the beast was a permanent fixture.

Zander Brogthamon

[Zander Brogthamon]

Zander didn't particularly care how much Pearce insisted that Whisky was his. They'd gotten the dog together. In fact getting a puppy had been the noblemans idea. Whether or not it was because the man wanted to make the redhead happy was neither here nor there. While he was happy to take over most general care for the dog he still wanted to take care of it with Pearce.

Briella had been ecstatic when they brought the large pup home. Over the time they had him she'd really stepped up and asked if she could help train and care for him. Even if Pearce was disinterested or not as much of a dog person the man still needed to help train the puppy. He couldn't allow the dog to not respect the noble. The last thing he wanted was there to be issues when he was away because Whisky wouldn't listen.

After he returned from work and changed into more comfortable clothing he made his way to the garden. As soon as Briella heard footsteps coming towards them she turned and gave her brother a bright smile. He had just enough time to crouch down to catch her as she practically tackled him in a hug. Whisky jumped at his legs excitingly before Zander gave the dog a high pitched whistle and snapped his fingers for the puppy to step back and sit down.

After giving his sister a tight hug he set her down then reached over to pet Whisky who excitedly accepted the affection. With those two greetings out of the way he made his way over to where Pearce and Breeze sat. "Evening, love." Breeze seemed more apprehensive towards Zander since they brought Whisky home. He remembered Briella saying something about the feline feeling betrayed but that idea only made him chuckle.

[Pearce Lockheed]

Pearce smiled at the way Briella and Whisky greeted Zander. Full of the enthusiasm of youth. Maybe he should try tackling the redhead sometime since he seemed to enjoy it so much.

Whisky listened rather well, though it was clesr the pup wanted to get in on the near dog pile.

"Good to see you, handsome. Was work enjoyable?" He scratched Breeze's chin affectionately. "I believe I am forgiven. P-provided I don't bring home another one," he joked, indicating Breeze. "I'd greet you properly if I wasn't being held hostage." He grinned apologetically at Zander.

[Zander Brogthamon]

Even now it seemed Zander couldn't help the love drunk grin that crossed his lips when Pearce gave him some compliment or term of endearment. There was a small part of him that thought it was embarrassing but he didn't care to listen to that. "It was fine. Some jackass tried to come at me with a knife but he had horrible form." Physical threats hadn't phased the redhead in some time. Especially while on his rounds.

He chuckled at the cat who flicked her tail at him in annoyance. "It doesn't seem that I've been forgiven just yet." Still, he leaned down to place a quick kiss on the nobles cheek as he heard his sisters voice a bit off from where they were.

"Breeze! There's a mouse!" With a new interest the cat hopped off of her humans lap and padded over to where the girls voice had come from. Zander watched her walk off before his eyes turned to the panting puppy at his feet. As his green eyes met the dogs big brown ones Whisky wagged his tail so excitedly his entire bottom began to wiggle. "You really should help me train him. He needs to listen to you."

[Pearce Lockheed]

He was much more comfortable using terms of endearment in a private safe setting. Briella knew enough and he knew her enough that he didn't think twice about it. Not that he would every get too colorful with her around. Besides, Zander was handsome. Pearce felt a little too awkward to return the one Zander had used on him. He loved Zander. Calling him 'love' just...sounded odd to the noble. But he had to admit he liked hearing it so he supposed he would have to try it out.

"Tried to...to what?" He blinked. Physical threats of violence would always alarm the blonde. Sure, he had grown up with them (and with actual violence enacted on his person) but that didn't make him numb to the occassion. "Are you alright?" And then he caught himself because he realized who he was talking to. "Is he alright?" The noble tried to smile and pretend he wasn't as worried for Zander as he really was. Sure that was his job as a soldier but Pearce was allowed to worry.

Pearce grunted as Breeze 'hopped' off of his lap. She was a large cat and while her landing was as soft and quiet as any natural hunter, her take off was from an area a little too close for comfort. It had been nice to have a small lap warmer while it lasted. Breeze past Whisky without a second glance and busied herself with acquiring dinner for her person because he really needed to eat more and she owed him that much. Also how dare there be any more mice around? Were the beasts stupid or something, as they seemed to return frequently. They must not be smart enough to know they would be eaten.

Pearce stood and wrapped Zander in a hug almost before he started speaking. A kiss on the cheek was fine and all but a hug and kiss on the lips were much better. Also it gave him an excuse to subtly ensure the boy wasn't hurt from his knife fight.

"I should be training you to take a bath when you get home," Pearce teased. Not every day. Once a week seemed acceptable. "You seem to have the dog under c-control." He glanced down at Whisky and subconsciously shifted away from him a little. He was much happier just watching the dog and not touching him or being touched or anything that might invite fangs being involved. Whisky was certainly cute. Where he was.

Though Zander had a point. The puppy should listen to him. Especially because he would only get bigger.

[Zander Brogthamon]

Zander didn't have much in the way of self-preservation. His father had trained him that pain and injury was inevitable but so long as he could still breath, still move, he could still fight. Threats of physical violence against himself did little more than bore him. In certain mindsets the redhead might welcome them. An excuse to fight someone was more than encouraged half of the time. However, threats against people he loved were different. Those he wouldn't stand for. The question on if he were alright made him snort a laugh. Why was that everyones first concern? "I'm fine, love. We wear armor for a reason."

When asked if the other man were alright he gave a devilish grin and shrugged his shoulders. "Other than a broken nose he's fine. I just needed to get him restrained and get the knife away from him." Had he not been working Zander more than likely would have escalated the situation. But there were rules and standards for guardsmen and he knew his life wasn't in danger. Though the redhead did have a rather jagged cut across his collarbone he'd cleaned it up of any blood before coming home.

As Pearce stood to properly greet him Zander winced a bit. "Sorry, Darragh kept targeting my side during practice today." He was aware the last time the noble and Darragh had met it hadn't been pleasant by any means but he wanted to make sure Pearce knew he was only sore from practice that morning. Not because of any serious injury. The idea of taking a bath after work made him scrunch his nose playfully in protest. "Only if you join me." He teased with a chuckle.

The notion that he had Whisky under control made him laugh. "You'd think differently if you saw the way he acts on rounds with me." Though he would admit the puppy was very slowly but surely getting better.

"That doesn't change the fact that he needs to listen to you as well. If you don't want to be nipped at anymore."

[Pearce Lockheed]

Pearce was always impressed and a little terrified at how martial and capable Zander was. And proud. Very very proud. He blushed. Armor, of course, he knew that he just...worried. Because he knew Zander didn't worry about himself nearly enough and Pearce had to for him. He did sometimes worry zander might take on more than he could handle but worry though he did, the noble tried to be supportive and not too over protective. Zander hadn't come home injured yet, at least.

He immediately released the boy at the wince. So much for not coming home injured. His eyes were wide with concern as he swept over the young man. "Zander, you need to sit. Get some ice..." He knew more or less the suggestions would be shrugged off so he didn't push but he had to say it anyway. A hesitant smile made it to his lips but not his eyes at the mention of bathing with him. "That's not a question," he said.

Pearce glanced at the dog and frowned slightly. Zander was probably right, about both the dog's behavior and how to avoid being bitten. Playful or not he didn't like it. "Alright," he sighed. "How, uh..." He had a pet cat. He didn't have to train her. Well, he had a little but... Dogs just made him uncomfortable.

[Zander Brogthamon]

At his suggestion to sit Zander shook his head with a small chuckle. "I'm fine I promise." He insisted as he wrapped his arms back around the man in protest. When asked how to train Whisky he chuckled and pulled away to pick up the puppy.

"Well for starters, you need to not be afraid of him." He teased as Whisky looked curiously between the two men. While he was sure the noble was exactly afraid of him it was obvious Whisky made him apprehensive and uncomfortable enough. Zander nuzzled his face affectionately into the side of the pups neck who began to squirm and nip playfully at his hair and ear. The redhead chuckled as he pet the top of his head.

"You also need to be firm and consistent. Let's start with something simple that he's already gotten pretty much down." Zander set Whisky back on the ground and faced away from him. "Now just tell him to sit."

[Pearce Lockheed]

Pearce gave the young man and his dog a half step of distance when Zander picked Whisky up.

Afraid. He grimaced. He didn't particularly like that term. He wasn't afraid of Whisky. Sure, he'd gotten him pretty good with his needle puppy teeth a few times, but the dog had never cone after him. Pearce had a playful cat who did the same thing, he understood it wasn't an aggressive behavior. But it could be eventually. And he kept thinking of how big the dog would get. And about his general experience with dogs. He swallowed. "Okay," he allowed, watching Zander cuddle the ball of fluff.

He frowned at Zander. Firm and consistent. Well, he was learning to be that way in other settings. Sometimes. He folded his arms around himself and glanced down at Whisky and the Zander and back. Why was he turning around? But Pesrce took a breath and nodded. He winced even before the word came out. "S-sit," he stammered. Of course.

[Zander Brogthamon]

Zander kept his kept his attention away from Whisky who looked from Pearce to him expectantly. If the noble was to start getting the puppy to listen to him the redhead couldn't be the ones taking the reigns. Whisky already saw him as an authority figure.

When the pup didn't sit he nodded. "I'll be right back." He walked just inside to grab the Whiskys collar and lead then returned. Once they were attached to him Zander handed the lead to Pearce.

"Now, tell him to sit again and this time if he doesn't I want you to tug on his leash." Zander didn't believe in repeating the same commands over and over again. Repeating himself only served to make him frustrated which didn't work in training. He kept faced away from Whisky who looked up at him puzzled. When the puppy tried to step closer to him he stepped further away.

[Pearce Lockheed]

He didn't expect the dog to sit. Maybe that was where he was going wrong already. It was, unbeknownst to Pearce, rather fitting that the dog listened to Zander and not to him. Pearce might be 'in charge' of the house but...he wasn't in charge of their relationship naturally.

Pearce wasn't certain he liked the idea of being alone with the dog. He liked even less the leash and collar. Not out of fear just...it was awkward. He held it loosely at first

"Won't that hurt him?" He asked, looking down at Whisky again, watching the dog attempt to get his person's attention and seem just as confused as Pearce about what was going on.

[Zander Brogthamon]

The question made him smile and shake his head with a chuckle. "Not hard enough to hurt him, just enough to get his attention." Zander stepped behind Pearce and wrapped his hand around the one holding the leash. "Like this." With a gentle tug Whisky quickly sat down and stared up at the two of them.

"See? Doesn't take much." With a quick grin he couldn't resist leaning up to press a soft kiss on the back of the mans neck before stepping away again. As he moved back to his spot Whisky quickly stood up and wagged his tail as he watched the redhead expectantly. "I'll go get some treats and when he does what he's told give him lots of praise and a treat."

Though he knew the man wasn't all too comfortable being alone with the puppy it was good for him to get used to it. At least in little intervals as Zander when to retrieve some treats for Whisky. When he returned he handed them to Pearce and smiled. "Now try again. Just tell him to sit."

[Pearce Lockheed]

That made him feel a little better. Zander's example didn't really make him feel more comfortable but it at least gave him an idea of the amount of jyanking it took to get Whisky's attention. Clearly the dog knew how to sit so it was just a matter of this whole 'listening' thing.

Pearce twitched in surprise at the kiss. Not because it was unpleasant, entirely the opposite, he just hadn't been paying attention. The man smiled appreciatively. It immediately vanished along with Zander when he left again. Pearce's watched him leave, mouth half open. And the he looked at the dog again. "Well, at least you...you aren't d-dragging me after him," he mused. His stomach felt full of butterflies. And not in a good way.

The noble took the small treats and a slow breath to try to relax his mouth. "Whisky, sit." Starting with the dog's name was a lot easier of a sound for Pearce when he was nervous. And well, he was staring at Zander so maybe it would help?

[Zander Brogthamon]

At the command Whisky tilted his head slightly before turning his attention to Zander. When the redhead gave no indication that he'd be giving him any acknowledgement the puppy whined softly before turning his eyes back to the other man. It was obvious he knew the command. The puppy and Zander had been working on it since he was brought home. It wasn't a matter of not knowing what to do it was a matter of the wrong person telling him what to do.

Zander hated hearing the whine but he refused to turn to him nonetheless. If he gave Whisky the attention he wanted he'd never properly listen to Pearce. With his attention brought back to the nobleman Whisky slowly lowered his butt to the ground to sit.

The corner of Zanders lips twitched upwards in a smile as he resisted praising the pup himself. It wasn't his place to be the one praising Whisky. For the moment Pearce was the one that needed to be in charge of the training. At least until the little furry beast started to listen to him.

[Pearce Lockheed]

Pearce was mostly sure Whisky new the command. He'd seen Zander use it with the pup before and he was reasonably sure the dog was smart enough. He was just...attached. And used to the idea that Pearce wasn't important to pay attention to.

He was honestly surprised Whisky sat at all. Pearce couldn't help the small smile on his face.

"Good boy!" He said excitedly. Maybe a little too excitedly but he didn't care. He offered one of the treats to the fluffy beast in the palm of his hand, forgetting about the fact that he had needle sharp teeth for a moment and smiling over at Zander.

He gave the puppy a few more treats and a tentative but affectionate scratch behind the ears.

"So...do I have him do that a lot or..."