The moment Namor sees a golden wrapping paper on the floor is the moment he fucking freaks out.
“Spit it out, you stupid dog!”
His Yorkshire Terrier is frantically running in circles around its small bed, not stopping for even a moment.
“How much did you eat, Terror?! Just this one?! Are you sure?!”
Terror starts whining at him furiously. Pacing around her water bowl relentlessly.
“I don’t believe you!” Namor quickly fills her bowl with more water in the hope it helps flush away the toxicity of chocolate.
Dogs can’t eat chocolate. It’s toxic to them. In severe cases, it may cause coma or death.
Terror drinks her water as if she’s thirsty for days. This is not good. Namor immediately checks her litter box for any signs of diarrhea. It wasn’t her usual time to potty yet. He grabs his wallet and keys, they have to make it before the vet closes— wait, it’s 24 hours! What is he thinking?
Terror paces up to him, whining and barking more agitated than usual. She even tried to jump on him. But she was too little for that.
“No walks for today, Terrocito,” it was their usual time for a walk and Terror would always excitedly grab her leash and tug at him. “Because you are in trouble, chiquita.”
Terror whines loudly beside his feet, her mouth wide open and Namor thinks she is going to vomit anytime now. But her continuous panting and breathing seems to quicken now it’s time for him to snatch her up and run.
Shit. “Time to go!”
Animal Medical Center
Namor sits at the waiting bench with Terror in his arms, she is having slight tremors and twitching now as he holds her tighter and tighter. His heart is beating nervously, frustrations build up because when it’s going to be their turn— at least he made a booking before he left home.
“Mr. Almehen.” A lady staff called on him and Namor recognized her, it was Vivien. She gently pats Terror when he gets up, signing in defeat, “What did she do this time?”
“Ate a fucking chocolate.”
Namor walks into the room, thinking Terror wouldn’t have the energy to bark at McKenzie anymore this round, he’s been her vet for quite some time now.
But today, the one facing him was not Dr. McKenzie.
“Good evening, Mr. Almehen, I’m Shuri. You wrote your dog, Terror, ate chocolate. Can you update me on the amount she ate and what type of chocolate it is? And has it been over two hours?”
It was a new doctor he had never met before. Namor gently settles Terror onto the table and lets the doctor do her work. She carefully lifts a fussing Terror, she weighs her and assesses her symptoms.
Namor quickly pours out everything he observes, setting aside the weird feeling in his chest when he meets eyes with the doctor, Shuri. Her eyes are beautiful.
“I think it’s been over two hours since I found out. I was too focused on work by the time I realized it. I only found a piece of chocolate wrapping paper on the floor. Like the size of a coin. It should be milk chocolate because I never bought any chocolate on my own. Must be because my nieces and nephews left it during the weekends. I should have checked. I don’t even know how she peeled off the wrapping paper…” Namor states with a hint of guilt.
Shuri lifts Terror back to the table, the little one is having an “I am mad” face, sulking while staring at her. She couldn’t help but chuckle, easing the tension between owner and pet.
“Aren’t you a clever one, huh? I can imagine her peeling off the wrapping with her little paws and mouth.” Her tease instantly makes Namor relax, chuckling with her. “I think she’s pretty mad to be here now, look at her.”
Namor finally laughs, reaching out to pet Terror, calming her nerves. “She barks like a chihuahua every time she sees McKenzie. I think she openly hates him.”
Shuri laughs along with him, “Since it’s been over two hours, I will not induce vomiting and I’ll give her some activated charcoal first. Oh, by the way, McKenzie is off work today, I’m his replacement. Guess Terror can save some energy today.”
“I was surprised to see you, even Terror is more calm in your presence.” Namor blurts.
Shuri smiles, her full cheeks looking as cute as a biteable apple.
“Or maybe she’s intimidated by my presence. You are more alert and aware of potential issues than most owners I met. Don’t worry, I don’t think her condition is too serious. Anything else you want to add on?”
With precision and gentleness, she injects the liquid-activated charcoal with the help of a syringe into Terror’s mouth when she’s dozing off. Patting her and distracting its focus back to her handsome owner. “Her heart rate will start to slow down shortly after.”
“I checked she had no signs of diarrhea or vomiting before coming. But she was trembling and twitching slightly when we were waiting outside just now. And she was pacing around more than usual, breathing quickly and downing a lot of water back home.”
Shuri nods along in every detail, “She’s showing signs of hyperactivity. Chocolate is toxic to dogs because it contains theobromine and caffeine, which their bodies cannot metabolize effectively. When the hyperactivity worsens and stimulates the nervous system, it leads to tremors and irregular heartbeat. Thank Bast she only ate a piece, still it is dangerous since she’s a smaller dog.”
Namor couldn’t imagine if Terror had eaten more than one or if he hadn’t found out earlier, she might be in even worse condition now.
Shuri takes a blanket and wraps it around her, seeing her still weak and sulking, she decides to use IV fluids as well. “With everything you said and to be on the safer side, I’ll suggest giving her IV fluids now. It helps flush out toxins through the kidneys, support hydration and stabilize her condition. Both treatments will minimize toxin absorption and speed up elimination. May I proceed?”
“Yes, please.” Namor eagerly agrees. Anything to make his baby feel better.
“She will receive IV fluids for about half an hour, and then after that, we’ll check her condition to see if she needs to stay for observation. Ideally, it would be best for her to go home for monitoring so she’ll be more comfortable.” Shuri prepares the equipment as she walks around, leaving the owner and pet in a staring contest.
“Let’s see if you dare to eat chocolate again next time.”
Terror whimpers at him, as if knowing it had done something wrong. But the next moment, she tries to get up and starts barking at him sadly.
Namor instantly understands what she’s whining about. “Papa didn’t mean to call you stupid, baby, I was freaking out, okay-”
Terror whines even louder.
“Was the milk chocolate that nice?” He scratches her chin, letting Terror lick his fingers as if she’s comforting him.
“Dark chocolate and baking chocolate contain higher levels of theobromine and are more dangerous than milk chocolate,” Shuri adds on the side and returns to their side, ready with the IV. Namor reminds himself to keep those far away if he ever buys them.
Namor helps hold Terror in place because the moment she sees Shuri coming back, she instantly gets anxious and starts wriggling in his grasp.
“She might bite.”
Shuri beckons him to let go of her and let Terror barks at her until very quickly, it gets tired again and settles down.
“I’m not afraid.”
Shuri tells him with confidence. She bends down and gently whispers to Terror, “After this, you just rest a bit and you will be all good again, good girl. Don’t you want to be all energetic and play with Daddy? Then be a good pup and lie down, okay?” Terror listens to her and goes quiet, she can’t wait to play with her Papa again.
Shuri patiently comforts the little one, then carefully starts the IV fluids. Terror resists for a moment, whimpering anxiously as she whines at her dad.
“Have a seat, Mr. Almehen, it’s gonna take a while.” Shuri lifts her chin towards a chair nearby. The man looks like he’s gonna—
“Just Namor, Shuri. It’s alright, I’ll stand before I start fidgeting like Terror when I sit down.”
Namor, too, gently reassures Terror, his hands tightly clasped as he watches. “It’s alright, baby girl, you are gonna be fine—” his heart aching when the needle pierces her little paw. It was a success in one go and now they just have to wait.
“Tell me about her.”
Shuri murmurs softly, distracting and easing Namor’s tense nerves. “Was she a very naughty puppy? How did you come up with a name like that?” She asks curiously, her eyes sparkling with delight.
Namor stares at her, momentarily in a daze before snapping back to reality.
“Ah, from the moment I brought her home, she was fearless. Always stirring up trouble like she ruled the world. So, I gave her a bold name to match.”
“I see. It’s normal and she’s only 9 months old now. It gets way worse.” Shuri grins at her own words, staring at Namor’s eyes glistening with joy, her heart skipping a beat.
“She loves going out for walks. I take her out several times a day. Or maybe… I just really like walking too?” Namor chuckles at his own words, they both love walks. “It’s pretty relaxing, even though she always tugs me along like crazy.”
Shuri softly pats the squirming little dog, as if she was protesting his words.
“When I have time and no patients to attend to, and if the situation allows, I also take some recovered pups for a walk in the backyard. It helps them heal faster.” Shuri brightly beams, nothing feels better than seeing the animals recover fully. “It’s the same for people— getting out, walking around and seeing the world… Life isn’t so bad after all.”
Namor agrees. “You’re a vet, do you have pets yourself?” He asks with curiosity, his heart growing soft and silently praying for all the animals to recover soon.
Shuri glows when he mentions it, “I have a cat right now, her name is Nooshy. She’s a lynx. Here, let me show you a picture of her.” She takes out her phone and shows him excitedly.
They both lean over the table, their heads almost touching as they look at the adorable cat on the phone screen.
“I’ve never seen a cat like this before. She’s beautiful.” Namor comments sweetly that the cat has an eye-widening beauty just like its owner.
Terror suddenly barks, then whimpers in protest.
They both break out in laughter, soothing the jealous baby together. She pats and he leans down to kiss her ragged hair. “You’re beautiful too, chiquita, the most beautiful, okay?” Terror barks softly now and snuggles into his hands, feeling bored but more energetic now.
Shuri grins when she sees Terror being clingy. “Cats are easier to take care of, but they can be clingy sometimes too.” But the little one reminds her of old, treasured memories too. “I used to have a dog too, he was clingy as hell… As he got older, illness took over… My family and I thought about it for a long, long time… In the end, I was the one who put him to sleep. At least… he passed away in my arms, smiling.”
Shuri strokes Terror longingly, feeling a little melancholic. It had been a long time since she last thought about her beloved companion. Her big baby, Griot, was a golden retriever.
The mischievous Terror tries to nibble on her fingers when she boops her nose and she playfully bites Shuri a few times without any real force. Before Shuri could rub her inviting belly, Namor’s large hand gently brushes Terror’s incoming bites away and rubs the faint bite marks left on her fingers.
Shuri’s fingers tremble under his soft touch.
And there are more scars than Namor imagined when he caresses her hand.
“I used to have another Yorkshire Terrier too. She lived to a very old age. On one sunny day, she was just napping in my arms… and she left, peacefully.”
Namor resists the urge to lift Shuri’s hand to his mouth, kissing every large and small scar that she got from treating the wounded animals.
“I once thought I wouldn’t get another dog… but when I saw Terror, I knew I couldn’t keep that promise to myself.”
Across the table, their hands resting lightly in each other’s grasp, fingers gently kneading. Like hearts landing softly on the same cloud, their gazes locking into each other’s brown eyes, lost in peaceful silence.
If not for the occasional sounds from the animals in the next room, they might have kept staring into each other’s eyes, drowning deeper and deeper.
Namor and Shuri both realized the other’s eyes were also brown.
Different shades of brown.
So different, yet so alike.
Shuri’s breath pauses long ago and Namor watches as she wrinkles her nose slightly in an adorable way, snapping back to reality.
Quietly, Shuri withdrew her hand, her fingertips leaving a trail of tiny tremors against his palm.
“This breed has a few common health issues. I think you should know about them and take preventive measures. Let me check her records… It looks like you didn’t mention any past illnesses. That’s great.”
Shuri buries her head in the folders, secretly smiling.
At this moment, Namor only wishes freaking McKenzie would be off work forever as he stares at her smiling.
“Well, since Yorkies have small mouths, regular brushing and dental checkups are essential. And I see you used a harness that helps prevent pressure on the neck which is splendid. Oh, and Yorkies are prone to cataracts, dry eye and PRA. Just bring her for regular vet checkups to help detect early signs when she gets older… what else?” Shuri lists out the most common ones, back to full vet mode already. “Knees, hip joints, windpipe, liver, skin and coat issues…”
“She used to have hypoglycemia when she was a puppy, but she’s all good now.” Namor finds her mesmerizing when she works.
“Yorkies can live 12 to 15 years or more with proper care, a balanced diet and regular vet visits. Don’t worry, this little troublemaker is full of life, she’ll be with you for a long, long time…”
Namor’s heart softens at her words, and all his worries vanish. She assures him again, “And of course, she’s seeing one of the best vets here.” Shuri’s eyes sparkle with pride and satisfaction, reminding Namor of the same look Terror had when it got its way.
“The IV is done. Come on, let’s take another look at her.” Shuri carefully makes sure every last drop is gone before slowly removing the needle and pressing a bandage over the spot. Terror howls in pain as the needle comes out, making his heart ache all over again. Namor’s hands clenched into tight fists again.
Seeing this, Shuri gently pats his fist with her right hand like how she comforted Terror just now, silently reassuring him that everything was fine. Namor meets her gaze softly and gives her a small, grateful smile.
But just as the moment settles, Terror— now fully energized, sees Shuri patting Namor’s hand and immediately lunges forward, biting down hard on her hand.
Namor jumps on his spot.
“Shit! I told you she bites! Let go, Terror!”
Shuri didn’t even flinch. It happens more often than people think. “I’d say the IV worked well. She’s definitely full of energy now.” She even chuckles at Terror, moving her free fingers to tickle her.
Namor rushes over, trying to pry Terror away, but she has a latch tight on Shuri’s hand. Luckily, she wasn’t biting down like she did on furniture. With the only aim of ripping it apart
“My Chaac, I’m so sorry! She’s just too excited to be good again now.” Namor kept on trying but the girl only had one goal.
“It’s okay, really. I don’t mind the pain. Don’t pull her, she’ll just get more anxious.” Shuri waves him off, feeling its teeth sink into her flesh. The little one has no teeth problems at all.
Terror let out tiny growls on the table, like a furious plush toy, so adorable it made Shuri’s heart melt despite the pain. And the situation they are in now is so funny it makes her laugh. As long as it wasn’t a large dog, she could handle the pain. She relaxes her hand, letting Terror bite her hand like a bone in its mouth.
Namor grips Terror’s harness, ready to pull her away the moment she lets go.
“Come on, Terror, that’s enough.” She growls in response to Namor’s serious voice, not yielding at all.
Shuri presses her lips together. As a veterinarian, the first rule is to stay calm. If you start getting nervous and restless, the animal will follow and become frantic too.
“I think she’s just a little jealous… I’m really sorry.” Shuri figured it out not long after.
“Why are you apologizing? If anything, I should be—” Namor finally gives Terror a stern glare. At last, she obediently let go, sitting still without moving an inch, her tongue out in a cheeky grin.
“Ah, she let go. I’ve had dogs bite down and refuse to let go for ages before… In the end, I had to sedate them—”
Before Shuri could finish, Namor quickly grabbed her hand and pulled her to wash the wound, anxiously inspecting it.
“Do you need to see a doctor? The bite is deep. You’ve had your shots, right? We should go to the hospital just to be safe.” After rinsing clean, Namor immediately snatches a clean cotton pad and presses it firmly against the bleeding out.
Two deep bite marks sank into the edge of her palm, blood steadily seeping out, staining the sleeve of her white coat. Namor’s heart hurts terribly at the sight.
Suddenly, a hand gently pats his bowed head, offering steady reassurance— because, for a moment, Shuri thinks he looks like he is about to whimper just like Terror had earlier.
“It’s fine. I can disinfect it and take care of it myself later, it’s just a small injury. Looks like I’ll be taking some time off too, huh? Heh… Calling McKenzie back just to annoy him sounds like a great plan.”
Shuri jokes with him, earning an unbelievable gape from Namor.
Once freed, Terror happily bounces around on the table, looking between her dad and the doctor, wagging her tail triumphantly.
She trots to the edge of the table, panting with her tongue out, her tail wagging so hard it could almost take off. Compared to the pitiful state she was in before coming in, she is now adorably amusing.
“She’s going to be grounded, that’s for sure.” Namor sighs, face-palming in defeat.
“I don’t think she needs to stay for observation, she’s clearly full of life again,” Shuri tells him gladly, letting Namor lead her to sit down as he watches her quickly take care of her wound. It was faster than the IV drip process and Shuri was done treating her palm, now wrapped in white bandages securely.
“Shuri, I’m so sorry. She’s never bitten me like this before… I—”
Namor is frustrated, almost wanting to let Terror take a turn biting him as compensation. But just as the thought crosses his mind, Terror starts gnawing on his reaching hand… not-so-gently and playfully biting his fingers, chasing after his dodging hand, not serious at all.
“Sometimes, dogs do take after their owners…”
Realizing what she had just said, Shuri burst into laughter, the corners of her mouth curling up to the sky.
Namor stares at her, amused in disbelief, catching the mischief and boldness in her eyes. He can’t believe it.
“Are you teasing me???”
This woman! Taking his breath away just like that!
“The part about liking to bite? Hmm… yet to be proven.”
Shuri would love to know.
“Then how do you want me to prove it to you?”
Namor catches her hand mid-flight as Shuri laughs uncontrollably, holding it firmly yet gently, rubbing it with care. It must hurt, yet she smiled so brightly, so breathtakingly.
Shuri arches her brows, teasing him as she tugs him up to wrap up the treatment. “I don’t know~ Maybe you should ask your dog.”
Even as they were about to leave, Namor still hadn’t let go of her hand.
“Would it be too late if I asked for your number now, after she bit you?”
He hopes it’s not too late.
“I’ll just take it as a welcome gift from her.”
Shuri turns back, picks up her name card from the table and hands it to Terror, who proudly bites it in her mouth. Head holding high and smug.
“Are you booking future check-ups with me, or are you planning to monitor my recovery?” Shuri teases smoothly.
And Namor takes in every gleaming light in her eyes, heart racing like a happy pup tasting its first chocolate.
Deadly yet irresistible.
“Both. And to ask if you’d like to go on a walk with me.”
Their hands tangling in warmth lingering between them as their eyes meet, sharing the silent laughter and teasing dancing in their gaze, a quiet promise unspoken yet understood.
“Sure. Text me, and if I happen to be free, I’ll consider it.” Shuri slowly nods, and with each nod, her smile grows brighter and wider.
Namor scoops up Terror, trying to snatch the card from her mouth, but she holds on stubbornly.
“Does your cat like dogs? Maybe she can join us for a walk too.”
“That’s yet to be proven. See you, Papa Terror.”
Shuri flashes him her prettiest smile, waving goodbye.
As he leaves the center with Terror still biting onto her name card, Namor can’t help but think— Today has been an incredibly lucky day.
Maybe even too lucky.
A few weeks later
Shuri shifts her bandaged hand away from petting Nooshy, it is her day off today. Holding her phone up and opening their conversation…
Yes, she has been on walks with Namor several times now.
It’s… blissful.
His photo comes with a message that says:
“Who just ate chocolate and is on observation???”
Terror’s raggedy look and Namor’s little smirk were perfect.
Shuri replies in glee, laughing until Noosy snuggles into her deeper.
“You look SO READY to laugh.”
“I am, duh.”
Another video comes, and it is Terror chasing Namor’s hand to bite his fingers as he dodges left and right, pressing her down and letting her go from time to time.
“Someone peeled the chocolate. Again. This time I even found the wrapping papers she hid under the covers🙄🙄🙄”
“I told you she would do something like that last time😝”
Shuri suddenly remembers and types madly.
“WAIT me and McKenzie are both off for today!!! Do you need me now?!?!”
Already on her feet with Nooshy, Shuri looks at her phone which comes with a buzz.
“No, because your intern called McKenzie instead of you🤣 he just came in🤣”
“Is he pissed off?”
“Absolutely.”
“HAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHA”
“HAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAA”