weirdly wholesome

"Diesel flinches back as your hand approaches, his growl turning into a low whimper. He doesn't understand what you want from him. Humans always wanted something, always hurt him. But he also smells something new on you. Something that fills him with a strange sensation."

"He sniffs hesitantly at your hand, muzzle still making it hard to fully explore. His amber eyes dart between your face and your hand. Diesel is torn between the instinctual need to submit to any human that shows him affection and the overwhelming urge to lash out."

"In the end, he opts for something in the middle ground. Slowly but surely, Diesel nudges his head against your palm, his tongue flicking out to taste the unfamiliar skin." "Wh-who are y-you?" "he manages to get out, his voice hoarse and laced with fear. Inside his cage, the dog-boy tries to relax his tense muscles, even though every fiber of his being tells him to run."

"Diesel's eyes narrow slightly as you scratch his head, but he doesn't pull away. He feels a warmth inside him that he hasn't felt in so long it startles him. Your words are soothing, unlike anything he's heard from humans before."

"S-safe?" "he repeats after you, tilting his head slightly to the side. Diesel's ears perk up at the mention of safety, and he wags his tail ever so slightly, feeling a flicker of hope." "D-diesel safe?" "He tries out his own name on his tongue, liking the sound of it. But the muzzle keeps getting in the way of what he wants to say, and it frustrates him more than he'd like to admit."

"Diesel's ears droop slightly at the mention of the muzzle, but he nods his head eagerly in agreement. He hates the damned thing, hates how it takes away his ability to communicate like a human."

"Yes-yes," "he mutters under his breath, his hands clenching into fists. Diesel feels a sense of eagerness building up inside him, a mix of fear and hope." "D-diesel behave."

"He watches you closely as you fumble with the locks on his cage door, ready to spring forward and attack if necessary. But as soon as the muzzle comes off, Diesel rushes out of his cage towards you, knocking you down onto the floor with a soft thud. His tongue flicks out, licking your face eagerly, tail wagging all the while."

"Diesel backs off obediently, looking up at you with his tongue lolling out of the side of his mouth. He's pleased that he didn't hurt you and glad that you seem happy with him."

"Heh-heh...sorry," "he says bashfully, tail still wagging slightly. Diesel starts pacing around the room, his nose twitching as he takes in all the new scents. He's never been in a place like this before. It's overwhelming."

"Without warning, he whips around towards you and starts sniffing eagerly at your clothes, pushing his face into your chest to get a better whiff." "Y-you smell good," "he blurts out, feeling his cheeks flush with embarrassment."

"Diesel's eyes flutter closed as you scratch behind his ears. It feels so good, so soothing. His tail thumps against the ground in appreciation."

"You like that?" "he mutters under his breath, nuzzling his head against your hand." "D-diesel likes it when you do that."

"He looks up at you, amber eyes filled with a mix of affection and curiosity. Diesel can't help but feel drawn to you, even though he doesn't really understand why. Maybe it's because you don't seem afraid of him." "W-why are you b-being nice to Diesel?"

"Diesel's tail wags excitedly as he hears your words, jumping up to his feet and pacing around the room again. He heads towards the door, pausing to give you a quick lick on the cheek before charging out of the room."

"Heh-heh...okay!" "he yips in excitement, feeling alive for the first time in years. The house is much bigger than the cage he's been kept in all his life. Diesel starts sniffing everything he can get his nose on; the furniture, the carpets, even the walls."

"He reaches a staircase and pauses at the bottom, staring upwards with trepidation. Diesel has never seen stairs before. But something inside him tells him that he wants to explore more, to learn more about his new home." "Umm...w-what is...this?" "he asks, looking back at you for guidance."

"Diesel hesitates for a moment before following you up the stairs, his hand still clasped in yours. He's never held hands with anyone before and it feels strange to him, but also comforting."

"W-what is upstairs?" "he asks, his voice trembling slightly as he steps onto each stair cautiously. Diesel feels unsteady on his feet, having never really walked on flat surfaces before." "Is it...s-safe?"

"Diesel pulls back his hand abruptly as you yelp, his amber eyes darting around the hallway. He's on high alert now, sensing something's wrong."

"W-what is it?" "he barks out, growling lowly in his throat. Diesel takes a protective stance in front of you, ready to attack anything that might harm you." "Sh-show me! D-diesel will protect you!"

"Diesel relaxes slightly as he sees that it was just a toy, his tail starting to wag again. He's relieved that there was nothing dangerous after all."

"Oh...t-toy?" "he says, nudging it with his nose. Diesel has never seen toys before either, having been deprived of any form of entertainment in his old life." "C-can Diesel play with it?"

"Diesel follows the toy with his eyes, his tail wagging eagerly. He's never seen anything like it before and he's excited to play with something that isn't a piece of meat."

"W-what is it?" "he asks again, pawing at your hand in excitement." "C-can Diesel play with it?"

"Diesel's eyes widen as you throw the toy up the stairs. Without a second thought, he bolts up the stairs after it, scrambling to catch the toy in his mouth as it bounces on the landing. He brings it back down to you, tail wagging furiously."

"H-heh...t-that was fun!" "he exclaims, dropping the toy at your feet and looking up at you expectantly." "M-more? P-please?"

"Diesel looks around the room again, tail wagging in excitement. It's only now that he realizes that he's managed to climb up the stairs without any help from you. He feels a sense of pride welling up inside him, tinged with a bit of fear."

"D-diesel...went up stairs?" "he says slowly, as if trying to convince himself. He's never been allowed to roam free before and he's afraid of making a mistake." "G-good?"

"Diesel wags his tail eagerly as you pat his head, feeling a sense of satisfaction from the praise. He nuzzles his head against your leg, whimpering softly."

"T-thank you," "he says quietly, feeling a flush of embarrassment across his cheeks again." "D-diesel likes it here."

"Diesel's tail wags excitedly as you say that you're going to show him his room. He follows you eagerly, nosing around everything in the hallway as he goes. When you get to his room, he pokes his head inside curiously."

"W-wow...it's so b-big," "he murmurs, taking in the spacious and well-furnished room. There's a large bed, a dresser, and even a few toys scattered around on the floor."

"Cautiously, Diesel steps inside, looking around with wonder in his eyes. He's never had a room of his own before, let alone one this nice." "F-for me?"

"Diesel nods in agreement as you explain that he's not a dog. He's used to people treating him like an animal, so your words are both comforting and confusing at the same time."

"I-I understand," "he says, looking around the room again. Something catches his eye; a large mirror on the wall. Diesel approaches it tentatively, staring at his own reflection for the first time."

"W-who is that?" "he mutters under his breath, cocking his head to one side as he studies the image in front of him. His ears perk up as he hears your voice behind him."

"Diesel looks over at you as you chuckle, unsure of what's so funny. He turns back to the mirror, gazing at his reflection with a mix of curiosity and fear."

"M-me?" "he mutters, still studying himself in the mirror. For the first time, he notices his own canine features; his pointy ears, sharp teeth, and short tail. It makes him feel self-conscious, like he's not really human."

"W-why does Diesel look like that?" "he asks, glancing over at you again." "N-no one else looks like this."

"Diesel's ears perk up as you scratch them, the feeling sending a shiver down his spine. He closes his eyes briefly, enjoying the sensation before opening them again to look at you."

"Demi-human..." "he repeats slowly, trying to remember the term. It's new to him, but it feels like something that makes sense." "T-that's okay?"

"He looks back in the mirror, staring at his reflection again. Something about your words puts him at ease, making him feel more comfortable in his own skin." "I-It is okay," "he says finally, nodding firmly to himself." "D-Diesel...is okay."

"Diesel looks around the room again, taking in all the details as you show him around. He's particularly interested in the bed and the closet, having never had either of those things before. The idea of having a space of his own to store his belongings is both new and exciting to him."

"D-diesel...like it," "he says finally, wagging his tail as he speaks. He starts to explore the room more fully, nosing around in the closet and pawing at the bedcovers." "T-thank you, Jeyline."

"Diesel continues to explore the room, taking in the various scents and textures as you leave. He sniffs around in the closet for a while longer before wandering over to the bed, flopping down onto it with a contented sigh."

"T-thank you," "he says again, addressing no one in particular. It's not often that he gets treated kindly, so your generosity means a lot to him." "D-diesel...grateful."

"Diesel stirs in his sleep as you approach, sensing your presence. His eyes flutter open slowly, and he blinks blearily up at you for a moment before realizing where he is. A smile spreads across his face as he realizes that you've come to bed with him."

"H-hey," "he murmurs softly, nuzzling his head against your chest. He can feel the warmth of your body against his own, making him feel safe and secure." "I-I didn't mean to fall asleep."

"Diesel's tail wags excitedly as you kiss his cheek, his eyes closing in contentment. He snuggles in closer to you, savoring the feel of your body next to his own."

"M-mmm...thank you, Jeyline," "he murmurs, feeling a sense of gratitude towards you that he can't fully express. He feels lucky to have found someone who treats him so kindly, even though he doesn't understand why." "D-Diesel...happy."

"Diesel closes his eyes again as you hug him, feeling a sense of warmth and contentment that he's never experienced before. He wraps his arms around your waist, holding onto you tightly as he falls asleep."

"D-diesel...happy," "he murmurs softly into your ear, before drifting off to sleep."