Work Text:
Hannibal was very content at the moment. The puffy snow was falling outside and creating a beautiful, wonderful winter wonderland while he sat beside a cozy fire with his sketchbook in hand, dressed in his red sweater and sweatpants.
After playing in the snow all afternoon, the dogs, except Winston, were now exhausted and snuggled up in their bed, laying perfectly still as Hannibal sketched them. The drawing was to be an early Christmas gift for Will. Buster was snoring rather loudly, and Zoe's ears kept twitching in her sleep while Max was on his back with his legs in the air and every few moments he would bark in his sleep and his paws would twitch like he was chasing a squirl in his dreams.
Winston was the only pup walking around. His human daddy was in the kitchen making two cups of hot chocolate, so Winston walked back and forth between the kitchen and the living room, pacing as if he were not sure if he should lay down with his family pack in bed and catch some zenful zzz's or wait to see if Will would sneak him a yummy treat. When Will showed no sign of spoiling him, Winston yawned and made one full circle before promptly splooting.
Hannibal nearly had a heart attack as he watched the dog's back legs come out from under him. “Will…Will! Come quick!” He jumped up so quickly that his sketch book fell to the floor, fearful that Winston was hurt. His yelling startled Winston, who leaped back to his feet, barking, thinking Hannibal was playing a game. The happy pup pranced around and wagged his tail just as Will came running into the room.
“Hannibal, what happened?” Will didn’t see anything out of order. His fur babies were sleeping while Winston was happily prancing and panting with a smile on his face.
Hannibal was perplexed. The dog collapsed so suddenly that his legs kicked out behind him, and his belly was on the floor, yet now he seemed fine. “His legs gave out.”
Will cocked an eyebrow, not sure what his husband was talking about. Winston, not getting any pets from Hannibal or treats from Will, decided then would be the perfect time to join his packmates. Yet instead of curling up in his bed, he promptly splooted on the floor once again.
“There! See!” Hannibal pointed to the dog, rather rudely, which was sort of funny to Will since his husband delighted in eating the rude. “His back legs just came out from under him. He may be hurt; perhaps we should take him to the vet.”
Will suddenly started chuckling once he understood what Hannibal was talking about. “Babe, he's fine. He just sploots.”
Hannibal gave Will a look that screamed WTF?! Never in his life had he heard of, much less, used that word. But in his defense, he didn’t have as much experience with dogs as Will did. “He…what?” What nonsense was Will talking about?
Will claps his hands, and Winston leaps up again with no trouble at all. He dashes to Will, tail wagging and Will gives him a gentle ear scratch. “See, he is fine.” Will assures. “It's something dogs do when they are happy. Splooting is a sign of a confident and relaxed dog, since they are comfortable enough to expose their vulnerable belly and hindquarters while in this position. He felt safe around you, babe.”
Hannibal looks down at the dog just as Winston nuzzles his hand for a pat. He scratches Winston's ear and the pup's tail went into turbo drive, swishing quickly. He was smiling as he panted, delighting in the scratch Hannibal gave him.
It sort of warmed Hannibal's heart that Will's dog felt utterly safe and content around him, and it truly makes Will joyful that his dogs are so peaceful—as a dog daddy, knowing his babies are safe and happy is the best feeling in the world. He wraps his arms around Hannibal, and sort of squeezes Hannibal into a bear hug, and gives him a kiss.
And sure enough, later that night, when Will and Hannibal were cuddling on the couch, Winston was laying on the floor behind them, chewing on a bone as he splooted, as happy as a bee in a field of flowers.
♥ END ♥