"Okay," Shiro said slowly, looking out over the rented equipment. Pidge and Hunk had gotten together to help their photographer set up the lights and camera. So far, none of the dogs seemed to be especially bothered by the commotion. A few came over to sniff and investigate, but the chilly weather had driven most inside back onto the couch. So there was that, at least.Lance looked over, sporting a clipboard, an iPad, and a bright smile. "Yes, Shiro?" He asked, all studied innocence."I get the calendar," Shiro said. "The calendar makes sense. It's a good way to raise money for charity and to show the dogs we have who need forever homes. That part is good."Beaming, Lance held his armfull to his chest. "I'm glad you agree. We got so many requests for a calendar that it seemed silly not to at least think about it."Shiro held up his hand, stalling Lance's chatter. "Yeah, good idea. But what does that have to do with this?" He held up the tight black shirt that the photographer had shoved into his hands just a few minutes ago.Lance shrugged. "Well, you need an outfit for the photos, right?""No, I don't," Shiro said. "The shirt I have is perfectly fine for standing by and making sure the dogs are comfortable.""Shiro, I told you that you were going to be involved." Lance eyed him, brows up and severe. He looked terrifyingly like the librarian in Shiro's high school who had believed every student was going to run off with her books and never return. "What did you think I meant?""What I just said," Shiro replied. "Working with the dogs. Doing my job. Maybe helping to pick out what dogs should be in which shots."Lance pressed his hand to his face and slowly dragged it down. "No, Shiro, I meant you were going to be in the photos." With a flat glare, he pulled out his iPad and started to flip through something. Then he handed it over. "Read the comments."It was the original post about offering a 2018 calendar. Shiro's brows rose as he started to scroll down. The first few were exactly what Shiro would have expected. Talking about wanting to buy a copy, getting some for friends, happy to support the organization-'It'll include the hot owner too, right? You know, for charity.'The comment had well over a thousand likes, and a couple hundred comments. A few were scolding, either telling them not to objectify Shiro or reminding them it was about the dogs, not thirst. But the vast, vast majority were agreements. Some responses were only emojis, including lots of eggplants, faces with the tongue stuck out, and water drops.Shiro swallowed and shoved the pad back at Lance. "Oh."
"Yeah," Lance drawled. "Oh. So, we figured you could at least be in a couple. February would be nice, maybe getting kisses from the dogs. And another for later in the year. The summer maybe, or November." He paused, then pointed a finger at Shiro. "You still have that little costume you put on Black this year?""The angel wings? Yeah, somewhere, I think." Shiro frowned thoughtfully, distracted by the change in topic. Then he shook his head hard. "You- seriously? You really want...?" He looked at the pad again. "They know about this?" He held out the prosthetic.Lance nodded. "Oh, yeah, they know. Shiro, if you really don't want to, don't worry about it. But you being in the photos always nets us a few hundred more likes than average. There's a whole lot of middle aged women out there who would love to have a calendar of an attractive man, but with the dogs and charity as an excuse. Only a couple of shots. Please?"This was- On one hand, the entire thing was baffling. Once, Shiro had taken a lot of pride in his appearance. He had a good mix of delicate and strong features, and he could be plenty charming when he wanted to be. That had gone away when he'd come back from service with his face scared and his arm gone. Now, people didn't really look at Shiro's jawline or eyes anymore. It was his nose or his metal arm. He wasn't attractive anymore, he was a curiosity. On the other hand, it was clear there was a market, and wasn't raising money for the charity the most important thing?Especially when over a thousand people were willing to publicly throw their (very thirsty) support behind the idea?Shiro shifted from foot to foot, carefully considering. Then he finally took a deep breath and nodded. "Alright. At least one. But not on the cover, alright? Those comments were right. This is about the dogs first.""Perfect." Lance beamed at him and knocked their shoulders together. "It'll be tasteful, I promise.""By who's definition?" Shiro asked.Hand on his chest, Lance stuck out his bottom lip. "Rude. C'mon, I know what the people like. That's my job. It's the thing you literally pay me for, Boss Man. Besides, it doesn't have to be just you. I'm definitely getting Hunk in there for one. The Red Cross has a Pet First Aid month in April, so that'll be good for him. And I'm taking Juen for sure. We'll bring out the wading pool."Shiro frowned. "It's a little cool for that. Not too long." That earned him a nod, so he sighed. "Not Pidge, alright? I mean, if she really wants to, I guess, but... I'm friends with her dad. I have to look Sam in the eye next time I see him. I'd rather not have to explain why I put his daughter in a sexy dog calendar."Nose crinkled, Lance shook his head. "Please never call it a sexy dog calendar again. It's only a little sexy, and never with the dogs.""Agreed.""I'll talk to her about it. I think she'll want to bow out anyway. I'm not even going to bother to ask Keith. I don't feel like getting stabbed." Lance held his clipboard in front of him, as if to fend off Keith's imaginary attack.Shiro watched, unimpressed. "Keith wouldn't stab you for asking. He's never stabbed anybody.""Are you sure?" Lance asked, glancing around conspiratorially. Brow up, Shiro nodded. "Pretty damn sure, yeah. I technically employ you guys, remember? I did background checks. I knew I wasn't going to find anything, but better to do due diligence than have problems later. It's a charity, I want to have my paperwork done.""You have my background?" Lance perked. "What'd it say? What's in my background check?""Confidential.""It's my background!""It's my business.""Shiro!"***Two hours later, Shiro was shivering in the thin black tank top. "Can we do this quickly, before I freeze to death?""It's not that bad," Pidge called, rolling her eyes. She was decked out in the winter gear they'd just finished shooting her in, so she had exactly zero room to talk. Especially since she had Rosie the golden doodle snoozing away on her legs. "You might want to pick Black up a little bit higher, though."Shiro shifted his grip on Black, who continued to survey the lawn/studio with all the contented ownership of a queen. All was well in her realm, even as Shiro struggled to hold her not insignificant weight. "Okay, like that? Was she not in the shot?"Pointing to his chest, Lance grinned. "You could see some stuff through your shirt."Oh. Shiro looked down, and indeed, he could see his body reacting to the cold. He groaned and cradled Black closer, only to have to spit out black fur when she shifted."Okay, the shot looks good." The photographer pulled back, head tilted. She looked over the cheesy fake heart behind them both with a critical eye. "Actually, the flower collar is a little crooked on the dog. Can someone get that?""I got it." Keith stepped over carefully to avoid stepping on any of the props. He gently straightened the rows of fake flowers. "What about the crown on Shiro? That good? It's off too.""It's fine, the angle gives it character." The photographer waved Keith back. With a final, comforting smile, Keith ducked back behind the camera.Lucky bastard.Once everything was settled again, Shiro offered the camera a smile. "Just let me know when to get Black started.""Now is good."Show time then. "Black," Shiro called, voice pitched up and encouraging. Her tag started to wag as her ears perked. "Kisses!"Obediently, Black leaned forward and pressed her nose to Shiro's cheek, just as she was trained. It was Shiro's absolute favorite trick, and never failed to make his chest feel like it was melting. And why not? His dog was trained to give cheek kisses. It was the cutest thing ever.There were a couple of clicks from the camera, but this wasn't what Shiro was supposed to get for the shoot. So instead he turned and gave Black a kiss on the tip of her wet nose. At first, Black reared back, eyes wide with shock. No matter how many times he did it, she still seemed shocked by the touch. Then she came back forward and lapped wetly up the side of Shiro's face. He laughed, camera forgotten, as she licked a huge wet stripe over his ear. "Eugh!" But the tone was anything but discouraging, so Black continued to lick and wag her tail.It was a bad habit, and Shiro really shouldn't be so good at egging her into licking. But he couldn't help it. Doggie kisses were too sweet, and Black seemed to like giving them. She'd chase his face all over the couch so she could continue to lap. It was probably because he reacted so positively and because skin was salty, not because Black understood that Shiro thought of it as kisses. Even so, how was he supposed to seriously tell her no?Actually, telling Black 'no' in general was a hard task."Okay, these look good," the photographer called. "Let's try some with you sitting down. I don't think the photos of you dropping your dog will sell very well.""I won't drop her. Will I, girl? You like being picked up, don't you? I'm very good at this." Shiro made a kissy face at Black, then burst into delighted laughter as she licked over his nose. "Gross, Black, that can't taste good."The photographer looked on blandly. "Just for options, then, alright? Were there other dogs we wanted in this shoot?""I've got 'em." Keith wandered off, and returned with a fluffy white older dog with a pink ribbon around her neck.Shiro beamed at her, shifting so Black was sitting his his lap and he could hold a hand out. "Don't you look pretty, Lady?"Lady's tail wagged, a dignified little twitch, and she plopped down contentedly next to him to rest her head on his knee. She wasn't so much of a cuddler, so Shiro just used his free hand to pet over her head while Black continued to lick over his ear like it was a treat. "How's this?""Good." The photographer went back to work, quickly snapping photos.Chuckling, Lance held up his phone and snapped a picture. "Our very own ladies man.""Hah.""I'm totally posting this. You know that, right? Gotta drum of excitement for the calendars themselves."Ah, boy. Shiro sighed dramatically, only to giggle again when Black rested her head on top of his. "Yeah, fine. Go for it."They went through a few other poses, including letting Black play with a squeaky toy shaped like a heart. Lady snoozed through most of it, not seeming to care at all about the commotion.By the end, Shiro was coated in fur and saliva and beaming. "Am I allowed to go back inside, now?" It really was chilly out in the early November air, and Shiro would prefer a jacket."I think we're good, yeah, if you want to go wash up."That wasn't at all what Shiro wanted, but he still shot the photographer a polite smile. "Is there anyone I should bring out next?"Pidge shook her head. "Nah, just let Hunk know we're ready for him. He's got Sandy and Old Yeller ready to go.""Stop calling Yeller that," Shiro grumbled. "None of my dogs are going to die. Ever." It was a complete lie, but one that made Shiro happier to believe. By now, Pidge just waved him off with an indulgent eye roll.Shiro slipped inside and let out a groan as the warm air hit his skin. "Thank god," he muttered, rubbing up and down. "Hunk?""My turn?" Hunk gave a wave from the couch. He was wearing a lab coat over scrub tops, all decorated with cartoon puppies. With a groan, he stood from the soft cushions, picking up Sandy with him. The terrier barely cracked open an eye at the new position."All yours. At least you have a coat."Hunk grinned at Shiro's outfit. "No kidding. I'm impressed Lance managed to get you into that.""For the dogs," Shiro repeated, which had become his mantra over the day.Smiling softly, Hunk stepped forward and patted Shiro on the back. "Hey, you're still allowed to bow out of stuff. No one will mind, least of all the dogs."Shiro's expression went bland. "Because they bow wow?""Dammit, I've used that one too much." Hunk grinned back and soothed his hand up and down to rub warmth back into his skin. "Now, I prescribe a nice long session on the couch with some warm dogs for you.""You're a vet, you can't diagnose me."Hunk rolled his eyes and shook his head. "Take the excuse. Once you're warm, you might want to play with Bluebell a little. I think Lance wants to use her for his shoot, and she'll need to get rid of some energy first."Brows up, Shiro nodded. "Alright. I'll do Bluebell and someone else. Lance is still pretending he's not going to adopt her?" It had been going on for a month, since they'd taken Bluebell in. Lance had immediately fallen in love with the poodle, but he still insisted he didn't want a pet yet."I have a client who owns mice, and was looking for an older dog without much of a prey drive," Hunk said. "I told Allura about here, and I was going to point her toward Bluebell. She's high energy but not much into chasing, so she'd be fine. Maybe someone else interested in Bluebell might kick Lance into gear."And if not, Bluebell would still go to a good home. Hunk never sent along clients who wouldn't be good dog owners. Shiro nodded agreeably. "Sounds like a plan. Now, you might wanna head out there while you can. Need help with Yeller?""No, I have it. Yeller!" The huge lab bounded down the stairs and sat in front of Hunk, tongue lolling out. "See you when you're warmer."Shiro waved him off and flopped down on the couch, stretching out comfortably. Black immediately staked her usually claim on his chest and became snoring. He kept on eye on Lady while she delicately picked her way to her favorite dog bed and settled in.Everything was going well. Silly, yes, but tomorrow everything would go back to normal. Hopefully this would bring in some money and help them keep the dogs happy.Shiro was happy too. And that counted for a lot.
