The clock on the wall ticked toward evening. Ryan had checked on Hercules three more times, each visit confirming the recovery was progressing exactly as expected. No complications. No signs of distress. Just a dog healing under the care of people who actually gave a damn about him.
“We can load him up now.” Dr. Sullivan appeared in the doorway, his scrubs exchanged for casual clothes. “He’s stable enough to travel. Just keep him quiet for the next few days. No running, no jumping. Let those ribs heal properly before we let him get too active.”
Sonny nodded. The dog’s eyes opened when Sonny sat up, tracking his movements with drowsy awareness. “Come on, buddy. We’re going home. You get to sleep in your own bed tonight.”
Reese helped lift Hercules from the table, his strength making the task look effortless despite the dog’s weight. Hercules’s head rested against Reese’s shoulder, trusting completely. Delilah walked beside them, her tail wagging as they moved through the clinic toward the exit.
The evening air hit Sonny when they stepped outside, cool and carrying the scent of rain that hadn’t fallen yet. The parking lot was mostly empty, just a few cars scattered across the spaces. Streetlights were beginning to flicker on, along with the safety lights above them.
Reese settled Hercules in the back seat of the truck, arranging blankets around him so he’d stay comfortable during the drive. Delilah jumped up beside her buddy, her body pressing close. Both dogs settled together, Delilah’s head resting on Hercules’s shoulder.
Sonny climbed into the passenger seat, his body finally starting to register the exhaustion from hours of anxiety. His muscles ached from all the pacing, his bunny demanding rest. The truck’s interior smelled like leather and that clean cold scent that was pure Reese, familiar and comforting.
“Thank you.” Sonny’s voice came out quiet. “For all of this. For making sure Hercules got the surgery. For being here, even though you probably had a hundred other things you needed to do today.”
Reese laced their fingers together then kissed Sonny’s knuckles. “There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.”
The simple statement made warmth bloom in Sonny’s stomach, made his bunny content. His mate was here because he wanted to be, because Sonny and the dogs mattered to him. The knowledge still felt strange, too good to be completely trusted, but Sonny was learning to accept it more with every day that passed.
THE END
