Another Day, Another Bone: Love or Self

  Meph was sitting at his window, head on his paws and staring downward with his good eye. He could see the Fleabite down below, and knew right now Elliot was probably sitting alone as usual. He had seen him again a few days ago when he had woken up from his nap and when he had seen him he had demanded to know why he was still there.
  He was horrified to know that he was a new tenant, working as a bouncer for the Fleabite to pay off his rent. His grandpa Charlie didn’t seem to mind the food he had heard he stole, too busy with the pups he had brought to care and he couldn’t bring himself to ruin his happy mood. So he sat up here by himself, fuming about the fact that the mutt was there, and he heard a knock at his door.
  “Come.” He grunted, turning his head to look back.
  To his surprise, Philip stepped in, giving a nervous sort of smile. “Thought I’d find you up here.”
  Meph didn’t answer, only blinking at the hound that had come in. Ever since his encounter with Andrew, dreading becoming like him, he hadn’t bothered Mel about him. Though it didn’t mean that he liked him, he figured he should make the effort.
  Philip shut the door behind himself, walking up and sitting a few feet away from Meph. “Is something bothering you? Not that I miss it, but you haven’t glared at me in days.” When he still didn’t get a response, he continued, “I know you don’t like me all that much, and you probably don’t want to tell me what’s on your mind, but I want to be here to help if you’re having troubles.”
  The green-eyed mutt stared at him a bit longer before turning and looking back down out the window, frowning thoughtfully. The Akita watched him turn away; staying silent in case he wanted to speak. After a few seconds he turned and started to walk out before Meph actually said something. “I still don’t like you, but you’re off the hook for me.” There was a pause, then, “It’s that new guy I don’t like.”
  “Elliot?” Philip turned to look back at Meph, looking surprised.
  “Yeah. There’s something about him I really hate, can’t put my paw on it worth a damn.”
  “He’s barely said anything since he’s been here.” The nervous hound said, stepping closer once more. “He was talkative the day you two came back, but the days since he’s been quiet and grumpy.”
  The mutt rested his head down, trying to think about what exactly he didn’t like about him. “He called me a kid when he found me.” He said thoughtfully, thinking that was his reason.
  “He didn’t know you’d take offense.” Phillip offered. “He told us everything that happened, and he really didn’t expect that kind of reaction for just one word.”
  “Still annoyed me.”
  “Not a good reason to hold onto it for so long.”
  “And why do you even care?” Meph turned his good eye to him again, frowning deeper. It was taking all he had to keep his temper in check.
  Sensing the danger zone, Philip tried a different approach. “Zero told me that he wanted him to keep quiet that he was staying, to surprise you.” He saw Meph’s lip curl up and heard a growl escape him, he quickly added, “To be honest Zero told me he didn’t sound mad, more teasing.”
  “I’m going to be honest, you aren’t helping.” Meph snapped. “Unless you are going to give me some good advice, you can just get out of my room.”
  “Do you think there’s a way to resolve it?” Philip asked, frowning back at him. “Or are you just not willing to try?”
  Meph was about to snap at him, but he stopped himself from speaking, shutting his muzzle. Now that he thought about it, he really didn’t think about a way he could take it out. He felt his aggression rising again, but not at Philip, but at the fact that he was just staying up here, tail between his legs and hiding from some guy he just met just because he didn’t want to see him.
  “Meph?”
  “What?”
  “Do you have something?” The Akita tilted his head, looking curious. “You look angry, but I can also see that you’ve got your cogs spinning. Do you want to share what’s going on in that head of yours?”
  “No. No, this is just between me and him.” Meph took a deep breath. “Hate to say it, but thanks for this conversation. Would you mind leaving? I need to think.”
  Philip nodded, turning and starting to walk out. When he shut the door and made it down the hall, he shook his head. “What have I done?”

  Down at the Fleabite, Itchy was chasing after Casper under tables, around the stage and dodging canines. The Pit was trying to avoid his bath, yipping and trying to think of a place to hide. “Cas, get back here! Charlie told me you needed a bath so you’re going to take one!” The Dachshund barked after him, short legs pumping to try and catch up.
  “I got him, I got him!” Duncan growled, pouncing forward, paws outstretched. Casper ducked him, the mutt sliding forward on his chest. He tried a last effort to pin him with a footpaw, but missed his tail by a hair. “Elliot, can’t you control your kid?!”
  “Hm?” Elliot blinked, obviously having zoned out. When it came to his new friends, he usually quit paying attention to go into his thoughts. “What was that?”
  “Catch your kid!” Itchy and Duncan shouted at him as the pup dived under a nearby table. Itchy dove under too, making him dash back out. Casper yelped in surprise as he was grabbed by two pairs of paws.
  “Got ya!” Charlie said, smirking as he held his scruff while his buddy, Zak, held him by his rear end. Itchy poked his head out from under the tablecloth, huffing out his nose.
  “Stubborn pup.” He said, adjusting his cap on his head.
  Casper squirmed as the two grown-ups held him, trying to escape their grip. Elliot frowned and walked up to the trio, giving Casper a light bop on his nose. “Behave.” He said flatly, crossing his paws.
  The pup stopped squirming at the tap, looking at the big, fluffy mutt. “Yes sir…” He said, looking grumpy as he was carried off by the older hound and Doberman with Itchy following at the rear.
  Elliot shook his head before taking his position again, arms still crossed as he looked off into space. There was a feeling in his gut that told him something would happen soon, but he couldn’t place what. It was just a mix of feelings he couldn’t place, starting to think it was just something he ate.
  Mel was sitting with her mother Rosa, giggling. “He sure is running Grandpa and Itchy ragged, isn’t he?” She said with a smile.
  “And dad loves every bit of it.” Rosa said, watching him carrying the pouty pup away. “He was always hoping to have another shot at this sort of thing. Zak raised Duncan for me and Joey, which also kept him out of dad’s hair. Sam had Andrew, and Meph took care of you while Joey handled his job.”
  Before Mel could reply, she saw Philip come out of the apartment, seeming bemused. She waved to him, watching as his ears perk up and he smiled serenely, picking up his pace to get to her. “Hello, Philip! Where’d you get to, you were supposed to be here for lunch with us a bit ago.”
  “Sorry,” Philip said as he sat next to Mel, “I went to go talk to Meph; he’s been acting really strange lately.” He looked from Rosa to Mel, giving a shrug. “I think I gave him a suggestion to whatever his problem was, but I don’t know if it was the right idea.”
  He decided it wasn’t his place to tell them what Meph’s problem was since it was not his business to tell. It also didn’t help that the dog in question was only a few feet away and he was sure he could hear him, despite looking like he was staring off into space.
  But Elliot was actually alert now, listening intently when he heard Meph’s name but keeping his face calm and distant. He resisted going over and asking Philip what he had talked to Meph about, deciding to wait to see if he would talk. It didn’t take long for Mel to press him.
  “Phil, how are we supposed to know what his problem is if you won’t tell us?” She asked, holding his paw in hers. “Besides, he’s related to us so you can tell us what he is going through.”
  The Akita looked down at his cross a moment, toying with it in his paw thoughtfully. He took a deep breath and sighed. “Alright, just don’t tell anyone else, okay?”
  “Philip, would we ever?” Rosa asked him.
  “Good point…” Philip muttered, giving a few nods. “Yes, well… He’s having an issue with the new tenant.”
  The mutt subtly raised his ear, listening closely as Mel spoke.
  “You mean Elliot? He’s only seen him once.”
  “I pointed that out to him too, but he’s insistent on disliking him.” Philip shook his head, showing his confusion from earlier. “I asked him if he had even tried to solve the issue in any way or if he was willing to try, and that seemed to strike a chord in him, but considering how he is…”
  “You