Work Text
Trixie Heeler sighed, lowering her phone as her eyes darted across the bustling restaurant. Her hand trembled as she adjusted her fur, a futile attempt to keep herself steady. Another breath escaped her lips, then another, each heavier than the last. Her foot tapped an anxious rhythm against the tiled floor, the sound lost in the hum of conversation and clinking dishes. ‘Am I making a mistake?’ she thought, her stomach churning. She shook her head firmly, chasing it away. ‘ No. This is what he deserves. This is what I deserve. If he wants to play games, let’s see how he likes it. I can have a little fun, too.’ It still felt surreal, finding herself here, in this situation. Trixie had never pictured her life turning out this way. When she first married Stripe, everything seemed perfect. And for a while, it truly was. They built a home together, raising their two young daughters, Muffin and Socks. But somewhere along the way, the spark began to dim.Slowly, Stripe’s excuses piled up – late nights at work, team-building events, last-minute meetings, crucial deadlines. Then came the business trips, stretching over days, leaving Trixie to hold down the fort alone. Each absence added a crack to their once-solid foundation, until those cracks became impossible to ignore.And now, here she was, waiting in a restaurant for a complete stranger and wondering how it all went so wrong.But Trixie knew the truth. Every night, when Stripe finally stumbled through the door – often not until two or three in the morning – the sharp stench of alcohol clung to him like a second skin. At first, she made excuses for him. She missed the days when he was home more often, but she told herself he was working hard, putting in long hours to provide for their family. Surely, he deserved to unwind with a few drinks at the pub after a stressful day.But it didn’t take long for the cracks in her rationalizations to show. The drinking was no longer confined to late nights out. When Stripe was home, his presence was often overshadowed by hangovers and irritability, leaving little room for the husband and father she once knew.Trixie tried to reach him, to talk about the drinking that was becoming impossible to ignore. Each time, Stripe waved her concerns away with a dismissive shrug. “It’s not a big deal,” he’d say defensively. “Work’s been stressful, babe. I just needed a little something to take the edge off.”But as the nights stretched longer and the excuses wore thinner, Trixie couldn’t help but wonder if the dog she married was slipping away for good.Then came the night of Radley and Frisky’s wedding. By now, Trixie had grown numb to Stripe’s antics at family gatherings – he was usually the first to hit the open bar and the last to leave it. But this time, he outdid himself. Barely an hour into the reception, he was already staggering drunk, turning what should have been a joyful evening into a circus of humiliation.Stripe caught the bouquet during the toss, as if mocking the bride. He tore a massive chunk out of the wedding cake with his bare paws, drawing gasps and awkward laughter from the guests. Worst of all, he made crude, inappropriate remarks to one of the women on Frisky’s side of the family. By the end of the night, he’d passed out cold in the hedges of Bandit’s neighbor’s yard, too far gone to notice the glances that followed him.Trixie had had enough. Scooping up Muffin and Socks, she left him there to sleep off his drunken stupor. Let him wake up alone, she thought bitterly, and figure out how to get home on his own. Maybe that would teach him a lesson.Still, for all the embarrassment, the heavy drinking, the overworking, and the way his absence strained their family and their intimacy, Trixie stayed. She stayed because, despite it all, she still loved him. She clung to the vows they exchanged on their wedding day, believing that love meant weathering the storm, no matter how rough.At least, that was how she felt – until the night she discovered something Stripe had done. Something she couldn’t forgive.The final straw.* * *“Triz... Trizzie...” Stripe slurred, his words thick with alcohol as he stumbled through the bedroom door at 2 A.M. His steps were unsteady, his feet dragging clumsily across the floor. He placed his phone lazily on the bedside table before collapsing onto the mattress with a groan, the sudden shift in weight jostling Trixie from her sleep.She rubbed her eyes and yawned, her ears flicking in mild annoyance as she tried to settle back into her pillow. With a sigh, she buried her muzzle deeper, willing herself to ignore the disruption and drift off again.
“SNOOORE...”
Trixie’s eyes snapped open, her husband’s thunderous snoring rattling through the room like a freight train. She groaned softly but resisted the urge to nudge him awake. It wasn’t the first time his snoring had disrupted her sleep; by now, she was almost used to it. She exhaled slowly, turned away, and began to drift off once more.Then came the sound.
DING.
Trixie’s ears perked up, her fleeting drowsiness shattered.
DING.
Another notification. She sighed in frustration, throwing off the covers as she slid out of bed. Crossing the room, she reached for Stripe’s phone, intending to silence it so she could finally get some peace.Her hand paused as she noticed the screen. Stripe had forgotten to lock his phone; the messages app was still open. Trixie’s eyes flicked to the most recent text, her curiosity fleeting – until she read it, and her heart stopped. “Tonight was amazing, babe <3,” the message read, sent by someone named Sugar . For a moment, Trixie remained in denial. Maybe it was just a misunderstanding, or maybe a co-worker being a bit too overly flirtatious with him. Trixie opened the conversation out of curiosity, her hand shaking slightly as she read through the messages. But before she got far, yet another text was sent by this ‘Sugar’.
“Here’s a little treat for your collection~”
Trixie’s jaw dropped as she looked down at the selfie Stripe’s phone had received: a thin and pretty white Saluki with long straight white hair, probably only around 20 years old or so, laying in a bed with her pink canine pussy spread open by her fingers. Trixie’s stomach churned, her trembling hands clutching the phone as if it might shatter in her grip. Her thoughts spiraled in frantic denial. The text must have been unreciprocated, a desperate attempt by some woman to gain her husband’s attention. But then, the phrasing echoed in her mind: “Your collection.” A chill ran down her spine as she stared at the screen. Slowly, hesitantly, she closed the messages app and navigated to Stripe’s photo gallery, her pulse hammering in her ears. She scrolled through his photos, scanning each one with a growing sense of hope. There was nothing incriminating. No evidence. Maybe – hopefully – this wasn’t what it seemed.But doubt gnawed at her.Swallowing the lump in her throat, Trixie opened the settings and searched for hidden albums. Her breath caught as she spotted it: select albums to show. Her finger hovered over the untoggled option, her chest tightening as though bracing for a blow.With a sharp inhale, she tapped it.Her world crumbled before her as it revealed a secret album with dozens of photos and videos. Her vision blurred with tears as she scrolled, each image cutting deeper than the last. There she was – the same woman from the texts, posed provocatively in countless selfies. And then there also were ones of Stripe. With her.Photos and videos burned themselves into Trixie’s mind, each frame more damning than the last. Stripe intertwined with this other woman in ways he hadn’t been with Trixie for nearly a year. His body pressed against hers. Her lips on his. His paws on her. Explicit acts captured in graphic detail. His penis inside her, her mouth wrapped around his length, his release smeared across her fur.It was grotesque. Unforgivable. And yet, Trixie couldn’t tear her eyes away. It was like watching a catastrophic train wreck – except the wreckage was her marriage, her family, her entire life as she knew it.She dropped the phone onto the bed, her body shaking with silent sobs. Everything she had built lay in ruins before her.Trixie hid the album again and closed the phone, setting it gently on the bedside table. She turned her gaze toward Stripe, still sprawled across the bed, his mouth hanging open as he snored without a care in the world. For a moment, she just stared at him, her chest tightening with a suffocating mix of rage and heartbreak. With a deep, trembling breath, she rose from the bed and left the room, her steps deliberate but unsteady. She descended the stairs in silence, the house around her dark and still, and made her way outside to the poolside patio. The cool night air hit her fur as she softly closed the door behind her.Trixie approached the edge of the pool, staring down into the dark, rippling water. The thought crossed her mind – a desperate, fleeting urge to dive in and let the weight of everything pull her under, to never surface again. But her legs buckled before she could take another step.She crumpled to her knees, clutching her face in her paws as the tears that had been silently trailing down her cheeks now flowed freely. Her palms were soaked almost instantly. The sobs she had been holding back wracked her body, her breaths shallow and ragged.Leaning forward, she stared into the water, her reflection fractured and distorted by the ripples. Her pain erupted in a raw, guttural scream that tore through the stillness of the night.
“WHYYY?!”
The cry echoed into the darkness, a desperate plea to a world that offered no answers. Her anguish hung in the air, heavy and unrelenting, as if the universe itself had shattered along with her heart. Her whole world lay in ruins, reduced to ashes by the betrayal she never saw coming.And then, something unusual happened. Her vision began darkening at the edges until it was swallowed by total blackness. A strange, suffocating heaviness overtook her body, like the weight of the world was pressing her down. For a moment, she felt no heartbreak, no anger… nothing at all.Suddenly, a blinding flash of light erupted before her, and it was so bright that it seared through her very soul. The ground beneath her hands quaked as though the world itself was shifting. No – being reborn.Before she could fully comprehend what was happening, there was a deafening splash. Water erupted from the center of the pool, drenching Trixie in a cold spray as she stumbled back onto the patio.Gasping for air, she wiped the water from her face, her heart hammering in her chest. Ripples raced across the pool’s surface, distorting the moonlight reflected upon it.Trixie squinted, her breath hitching as her eyes adjusted to the dim light. All she could see was a dark shape submerged in the water. Whatever it was, it wasn’t moving, though its faint outline was unmistakably… alive.“Hello?” she called out hesitantly, her voice barely above a whisper. She crept closer to the edge, her heart pounding as she tried to make out what – or who – had fallen in.The figure finally began to move, suddenly breaking the surface with a loud, gasping cough. Trixie stepped back in shock as an unfamiliar dog hauled himself out of the water and onto her patio.A yellow Labrador with brown hair and ears heaved as he coughed violently, struggling to clear the water from his lungs. What caught Trixie’s attention most, though, were his eyes – his irises were glowing an unnatural, vivid green that seemed to pierce through the darkness.Trixie froze, unsure of whether to feel frightened or concerned. She watched as he shakily pushed himself to his knees, his movements slow and disoriented. He blinked a few times, his glowing eyes darting around in confusion until they landed on her.For a brief moment, their gazes locked, and Trixie’s fur bristled. He looked utterly bewildered, as if he didn’t understand where he was or how he had gotten there. Then his attention shifted downward, and he stared at his paws with a sharp, audible gasp.“What... what is this?” he muttered wearily, his voice trembling. He turned his paws over, flexing his fingers as though seeing them for the first time.Trixie found her voice, though it came out shakier than she intended. “W-who are you? And what are you doing in my pool?!”The dog didn’t answer. His glowing eyes flicked back to her, his expression filled with guilt and panic. “I-I’m sorry,” he stammered as he backed away. “I’m so sorry.”Before Trixie could respond, he turned and hopped the fence before sprinting off into the darkness.“Wait!” Trixie called after him, but he was already gone, leaving only wet paw prints in his wake.She stood there, stunned and dripping with water, staring at the empty space where he’d been as her mind raced with questions. Who was that random dog? How had he ended up in her pool? And what was with his eyes?Trixie wrapped her arms around herself, starting to shiver as the night air cooled the dampness on her fur. She couldn’t explain it, but deep down, she got the feeling that everything had changed.* * *In the weeks that followed, every glance at Stripe felt like a fresh wound for Trixie, a searing reminder of his betrayal. She couldn’t yet summon the strength to confront him about what she had discovered. Instead, her demeanor shifted – colder, more distant. She answered his attempts at conversation with detached responses, her warmth for him replaced by an icy reserve.The images still haunted her, etched into her mind like scars. Every time she looked at him, she couldn’t unsee the way he had touched another woman, the intimate moments he had so freely given away. The fact that the woman was younger, prettier, and slimmer than Trixie only deepened the sting, gnawing at her self-worth. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t escape the comparisons, the whispers of inadequacy that chipped away at her confidence.Eventually, the weight of it all became unbearable. It wasn’t until Trixie realized she was beginning to have intrusive thoughts of self-harm did she accept that something needed to be done. But then, Trixie thought of her daughters; she couldn’t tear their family apart with a messy divorce, the idea of putting them through that kind of pain felt just as unforgivable as Stripe’s betrayal.And as much as Trixie deeply wanted to kill Stripe for what he’d done, she knew she didn’t have it in her to inflict any physical harm on him. Eventually, she came to the conclusion that it would be better for her and for everyone’s sake not to get mad… But to get even.
* * *
Trixie sat alone on the living room couch, her heart racing as she watched the download bar inch forward on the PuppyLove app. The house was quiet – Stripe was off on another “business trip”, and Muffin and Socks were spending the night at her brother-in-law’s house, playing with their cousins. There would be no curious eyes peering over her shoulder, no one to question what she was doing.Even so, her fingers trembled slightly as she held the phone, her conscience warring with her resolve. This felt wrong. No matter what Stripe had done, installing a dating app on her phone felt like crossing a line. She tried to silence the nagging guilt with a bitter thought.
‘He started this. If he can sneak around behind my back, then why shouldn’t I have a little fun too?’
But this wasn’t about finding love – she knew that much. She wasn’t looking to replace Stripe, or undo the years they’d spent together. This was purely for revenge. Still, doubt crept in as she glanced at her reflection in the darkened screen of the phone. Would anyone even match with her? She wasn’t young or slim like Sugar. At nearly fifty, she saw herself as plain, average, and a bit overweight — a far cry from the bright-eyed, confident heeler she had once been.But maybe, just maybe, someone out there might see her differently. It was a long shot, but the thought gave her a sliver of hope. After all, what harm could it do to try?Trixie took a deep breath and tapped the app icon, ready to take the plunge.After setting up her account, complete with her age, location, and interests, she struggled to find a decent – and recent – photo of herself to set as her profile picture. Eventually, she settled on one she’d taken last year, when she was on vacation with Stripe in Bali - making sure to crop him out, of course. With that, she made her account public and began scrolling through some potential dates in the Brisbane area.First up was an older and scraggly English sheepdog with matted and unkempt dreads - definitely not her type, so she swiped left without a second thought. Up next was a Boxer. He was quite good-looking and had a nice, toned body, so she checked out his profile, and…
‘Byron, 42. Alpha male looking for a submissive trophy wife. Must cook/clean. Fatties and hags, don’t waste my time.’
“Fuckin’ prick…” Trixie scoffed under her breath as she shook her head, swiping left. After that was an Irish Setter.
“Rufus, 31. I just got out of a relationship, so I’m kinda bad at this… but I’m a bit of a nerd and love science fiction movies. I enjoy reading and learning new things. I’m often told I’m nice to be around.”
“Well, I guess this guy seems alright,” Trixie said to herself, intrigued. But then, she scrolled lower.
‘Looking for Irish Setter females only, I don’t believe in breed-mixing.’
“...Aaand there it is.”This went on for over an hour, with Trixie finding one thing or another wrong with most of the dogs on this app. There were a few that she eventually swiped right on, but overall, some were only looking for a serious commitment, most were looking for someone far younger than them, and many just seemed like all-around narcissistic dickheads. So, she ended up swiping left on about every 9 out of 10 of them.Eventually, she came across a profile of a younger yellow Labrador with brown hair and ears. He appeared to be in his mid-to-late 20s, with a mellow, but almost somber look about him. It took a moment for Trixie to notice that this dog’s irises were also a vivid emerald green. There was no way this could really be the same dog from that night… could it? Curious, she then scrolled down to his profile.
‘Colby, 26. Just looking for some companionship, maybe go out to dinner to get to know each other. I’m also up for just relaxing and seeing a movie together, or whatever you’re in the mood for. If you need someone right now, I want to be someone who can be there for you. I hope you might be the one for me, too.’
“Hm…” Trixie hummed, reading further.
‘And who knows, if we’re right for each other, I’m open to the possibility of having a family if it comes down to it. I love kids, and family is important to me.’
“Interesting…” she continued, gently biting her finger as she scrolled.
‘Any age or breed is fine, but I’m ideally looking for someone who is mature and knows what they want out of life.’
“Well, I’m sold,” Trixie whispered with a smile, swiping right. She was surprised, however, to have a large pink notification suddenly pop up on her screen.
“It’s a Match!”
Colby’s picture was above the notification, with a button below that read, ‘Message’.“Oh my Dog, he already matched with me?” Trixie muttered nervously, in complete disbelief that someone had actually already swiped right on her. She held her thumb over the message button, feeling overwhelmed as infinite possibilities awaited her. If she did this, there was likely no going back. Could she really do this? What if he was just a catfisher? What if he matched with her by accident? What if they arranged a date and he was just another asshole after all? But what if… she ended up having sex with him? And what would Stripe do if he ever found out?All the “what-if”s buzzed in her mind like a swarm of hornets as she gently tapped the button with her thumb. However, she didn’t even need to worry about sending the first message, as her match had just done that for her.
‘Hello Trixie, it’s nice to finally get a match with someone!’
Trixie took a deep breath, as she looked down at the screen, trying to put together her response in her head before she finally tapped on the keyboard with her shaky thumbs.
‘Hi there :] Yes it is, how are you on this fine day?’
Trixie immediately groaned in embarrassment at her response, expecting him to block her any second now. But instead, she got a response back.
‘It’s a hot one today, that’s for sure. But when is it NOT hot in Australia? lol’
Trixie let out a sigh of relief. It seemed like this dog was surprisingly not only easy-going, but easy to talk to as well. She began typing again.
‘LOL so just to be sure you know my profile says I’m 48... You don’t mind that?’
She waited for a response, half-expecting to be blocked immediately.
‘Of course not! Very nice pic btw, you don’t look a day over 30.’
Trixie blushed a little as she wrote her response, her heart beating faster in her chest as the chance of meeting with this guy was becoming an increasingly-likely possibility.
‘Well you certainly know how to make an old girl like me feel young again :P So how are we going to do this? Your profile mentioned dinner? Are you free tonight?’
‘That sounds perfect to me if that’s what you’d prefer, and I’ll be willing to pay of course. How does Bone Appétit sound?’
Trixie was surprised by the suggestion. Bone Appétit was known to be quite expensive, and not even Stripe had taken her there before - not even for their anniversary. But if she was being given the opportunity to be wined and dined, there was no way she’d turn that down.
‘Sounds lovely! My whole night is free, so just let me know what time you set the reservation for and I promise I’ll be there! <3’
She waited for a response for about 10 minutes, beginning to worry if all of this was just him leading her on. But then, just as she was about to set her phone down, she got another notification.
‘I got one, 4:45 tonight. I know it’s a bit early for dinner, but it was one of the only spots they had left. I hope that’s ok?’
Trixie kicked her feet giddily as she sat on the couch, giggling with an excitement she hadn’t felt in a long time. This was such an oddly thrilling feeling, arranging to meet another man for a date behind her husband’s back. In a strange way, part of her could now understand the feelings Stripe must’ve been going through when he first got together with Sugar.
‘That’s perfect, I’ll be there!’
* * *So here Trixie was, looking around the entrance of Bone Appétit for the dog she’d arranged to meet for dinner. Currently, it was 4:39 in the afternoon. Her heart felt like it was going to explode out of her chest not only at the thought of actually meeting him in-person in a few short minutes, but at the thought of what could potentially happen later tonight as well.She soon heard someone behind her, clearing his throat.“Trixie?” the voice asked politely.“Colby!” Trixie blurted out in surprise as she turned around to see a familiar yellow Lab. “U-uh… hi. Hello. It’s nice to meet you.”“Nice to meet you too,” Colby replied, offering her a warm smile.The two awkwardly held out their arms for a moment, unsure of which greeting felt more appropriate. A handshake felt far too formal, so they settled for a quick hug.“So, shall we?” Colby asked, gesturing at the hostess at the entrance. “I don’t know about you, but I’m starving.”Trixie gave a nervous but relieved laugh, her stomach fluttering in a way she hadn’t expected. “Definitely. Let’s head in.”They were seated at a cozy corner table, a soft glow of light illuminating the menu in front of them. Trixie could feel the faint buzz of nerves still lingering in her chest, but the hum of conversation around them and the delicious smell of food starting to fill the air helped ease the tension.“So, uh,” Colby began after a moment as he unfolded his menu. “ I’m really curious about you, Trixie. Tell me about yourself. What do you like to do when you’re not going on mystery dinner dates?” he asked with a warm chuckle.Trixie let out a giggle, relieved by his easygoing tone. “Well, I’ve got two daughters,” she started, her smile softening as she spoke of them. “Muffin and Socks. They’re… a handful sometimes, but I wouldn’t trade them for anything.” She paused, her thoughts drifting to her husband, but she quickly steered the conversation away from her home life. The less Colby knew about her situation, the better.“Those have to be the cutest names ever,” Colby said, clearly pleased to hear about her pups. “What do they like to do?”“Oh, y’know,” she said with a light laugh. “The usual kid stuff. Muffin’s only four and currently obsessed with ‘Cat Squad’, and Socks is two now and all about crafts – glue, glitter, the whole mess. I’m just trying to keep up most days.”“Sounds like they keep you busy,” Colby said with an amused grin.“Always,” Trixie agreed. “But I also try to carve out a little time for myself. On weekends, I play hockey with my sister-in-law on a local Mums’ team. It’s just for fun, but it’s a great way to blow off steam after a hard week of parenting.” She couldn’t help the pride that slipped into her voice as she mentioned it. Hockey was something she had loved ever since she was a teenager.Colby’s expression lit up. “That’s awesome! I’ve never played hockey, but I’ve always wanted to learn.”“Really?” Trixie raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “I could teach you a thing or two! Maybe you could come watch my team one of these days.”He laughed, clearly amused by the suggestion. “I’d like that.”They both chuckled, and from then on the conversation flowed easily between them, as though they had known each other much longer than just a few minutes. Trixie found herself relaxing, enjoying the normalcy of a conversation that didn’t feel loaded with tension or resentment. “So, what about you, Colby?” she asked, leaning forward slightly, curious to know more. “What’s your story? What do you do for fun?”Colby leaned back in his chair, tapping his fingers on the table. “Well, let’s see… I’m still getting used to this world, but-”“Wait,” Trixie interrupted, “whad’ya mean, “this world”?”“O-oh, uh…” Colby’s eyes shifted nervously. “I-I meant I’m… not from Australia. Feels like a whole other world “down under”, heh. I’m from the US.”“Oh, that makes sense,” Trixie nodded. “I should’ve recognized the accent sooner.”He gave a sheepish grin. “Anyway, I guess you could say I’m a jack-of-all-trades, I’ve been doing odd jobs to make money since I got here. And I’m always up for trying new things. Life’s too short to sit still, right?”“A dog of many talents, ay?” Trixie raised a brow, impressed. “I like that. Always moving, always learning. I can get behind that.”There was a quiet pause between them, though comfortable and easy. As the waiter arrived to take their orders, Trixie found herself feeling a little lighter, a little more herself."So," Colby said with a grin, "are we ordering or what?"Trixie laughed, glad for the light-hearted moment. "Definitely, and we gotta start with some tortilla chips,” she said. Colby chuckled, clearly amused. “Can’t go wrong with the chips.”“They’re my absolute favorite.” Trixie shrugged, blushing a little. “Something else you should know about me, I can devour a whole bag like it’s nothing. I just can’t help myself around them. So if there’s chippies, I’m gettin’ chippies.”“No complaints here, I personally like a girl that can eat.” Colby blushed a little as he discreetly eyed Trixie’s generous figure up and down for a moment.Trixie noticed, but didn’t mind in the least; she couldn’t deny that it felt nice to have her body appreciated for once.When the waiter turned his attention to Colby, however, he immediately snapped out of it. “Sorry. I’ll take the ribeye steak, medium rare, with a side of… loaded mashed potatoes.”Trixie raised an eyebrow in playful surprise. “Ribeye, huh? Good choice.”Colby grinned. “Might as well splurge a little, right?”“Fair enough,” she said, smiling.For herself, Trixie thought for a moment before deciding. “I’ll go with the grilled salmon. It’s light but still filling, you know?”Colby nodded, though his expression strangely seemed more sullen as he looked down, muttering quietly, “Salmon...”Once the orders were placed and the waiter had left them in peace again, Trixie couldn’t help but notice how Colby’s mood had shifted. He seemed quieter now, his gaze a little distant, as though he were lost in thought. Before, he had been engaging, joking with her, and genuinely smiling. But now, his casual confidence was replaced with a quiet sorrow.“Hey,” she said softly, leaning forward slightly. “Is everything okay? You seem a little... down.”Colby blinked and gave a weak smile, but there was a shadow in his eyes. “Yeah, I’m fine. Don’t worry about it,” he said quickly, but his voice didn’t carry the same energy as before.Trixie watched him closely, concern tugging at her. “You sure?”Colby’s smile faltered, and he ran a hand through his hair, clearly wrestling with something inside. He let out a sigh and looked down at the table, a deep, quiet sadness in his eyes.“Truth is, I… had someone,” he began slowly, the words heavy on his tongue. “A long time ago. Kids, too. I lost them all. I…” He paused, as if weighing whether or not to continue, then finally shook his head. “I don’t really want to go into the details. It feels like eons ago, but… it’s still too fresh at the same time. Know what I mean?”Trixie’s heart gave a little lurch as she listened, a wave of sympathy washing over her. He was so young, and to have lost his whole family… she could see that the pain he was carrying wasn’t something he was ready to share. Not yet, anyway.He took a deep breath, forcing a lightness to his voice as he finally spoke again. “The thing is, salmon…” His voice faltered for a second, and his gaze turned distant. “It was her favorite. So… I don’t know. I guess it brought back some memories just now.”Trixie’s expression softened, her instincts urging her to reach out. “I didn’t mean to bring up bad memories for you,” she said gently. “If it’s too much, I can change my order. I don’t want to make you uncomfortable.”Colby quickly shook his head earnestly, though tinged with regret. “No, no, it’s fine. I’m fine. I don’t want to ruin the night with my baggage. Don’t change your order for me. Please.” He forced a smile, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “I’m okay. I’m just trying to move on, y’know? One day at a time.”Trixie nodded, her gaze soft and understanding. “I get it,” she said quietly. “And I respect that. I’m… so sorry for your loss. I can’t’ even begin to-”“Thank you.” Colby interrupted as he wanted the subject dropped, but he said it with genuine gratitude. There was a long moment of silence between them, the weight of Colby’s unspoken past hanging in the air. But Trixie didn’t press him further. She could tell he wasn’t ready to dive into the deeper details, and maybe he never would be. That wasn’t her place to push.Finally, she offered him a warm, reassuring smile. “Well, for what it’s worth, I’m glad we’re here, about to have a nice dinner together. We don’t need to talk about anything too heavy tonight, right?”Colby’s expression softened, and he gave her a small, grateful smile. “Right. Tonight’s about having a good time, getting to know each other better. That’s all.”Trixie returned his smile, relieved that the tension had eased. The air between them seemed to shift again, back to a comfortable, lighter place. They both knew there were things left unsaid, but for now, they could just enjoy their dinner together, without digging too deep into their respective pasts.* * *After finishing their dinner, Colby and Trixie found themselves standing awkwardly outside the restaurant, both unsure of what to do next. The night was still young, and though they’d enjoyed their meal together, there was a lingering sense that their time together hadn’t yet run its course.“So, uh,” Colby scratched the back of his neck, glancing around. “I don’t know about you, but I could go for a walk. There’s a park not far from here, and the weather’s nice.”Trixie gave a small, polite smile but shook her head slightly. “I’m not really feeling the walk tonight, Colby. I’m more in the mood for something relaxing, you know?”Colby chuckled nervously, realizing she wasn’t quite as enthusiastic about his suggestion. “Right, yeah, that makes sense. How about we grab a drink? There’s a pub a few blocks away.”Trixie glanced at him, her eyes thoughtful for a moment before shaking her head again.Colby raised an eyebrow coyly. “Well, I don’t want to hold you hostage if you’re ready to call it a night. Maybe I’ll just head back to my motel.” He paused, wondering if Trixie was merely playing hard-to-get or if she sincerely wanted to end the date already.Trixie tilted her head slightly, her curiosity piqued. “A motel, huh?”“I wouldn’t say I’m “homeless”, but I don’t exactly have my own place here yet. Still working out the whole living situation.”“Must be interesting living out of a suitcase.”Colby shrugged, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “It’s not so bad, really. It’s just temporary. Once I get settled, I’ll figure out the next steps. I can only move forward from here. I have… no other choice.”Trixie hesitated for a moment, considering the implication of an evening spent at a motel. She wasn’t sure where things were heading between them, but something about the night felt right. She’d enjoyed their time together, and she wasn’t ready to let it end just yet. Besides, without her kids or husband around, she imagined her house would feel rather cold and silent tonight.“A-actually,” she said after a beat, her voice softening as she looked at Colby. “Would you mind if I… go back to your motel with you? We can just relax, maybe talk some more. Put a movie on or something and have a drink or two?”Colby’s expression shifted, a mix of surprise and warmth in his eyes. “I don’t want to pressure you into something you’re not ready for.”Trixie smiled, the tension that had been lingering all evening easing. “No pressure, I promise. Just... thought it would be nice. We’re both in the mood to unwind, right?”He grinned, the relief clear in his posture as he nodded. “Y-yeah, that sounds great. Let’s go.”They both started toward the parking lot, the night still full of possibilities.* * *The motel room was modest but cozy, its beige walls illuminated by the flickering light of the TV. A cheesy old action movie played in the background as Trixie and Colby chatted the night away, the explosions and dramatic dialogue filling the gaps between their conversation. Trixie sat on the end of the bed with a half-empty glass of rum while Colby sat next to her, his own glass resting loosely in his paw.Their conversation gradually drifted from lighthearted banter to more personal topics, the alcohol loosening their lips as the night went on.“Alright, here’s one for you,” Colby said, “if you won the lottery tomorrow, what’s the first thing you’d do?”She thought for a moment, her ears twitching. “Honestly, I’d probably pay off all my debts first. Mortgage, car payments, bills – gone.”“Practical,” Colby chuckled. “But after that? Say you’ve still got, what, ninety-nine million left?”“Okay, okay, fine.” Trixie grinned. “I’d buy a new house – a big one. Not like a mansion or anything crazy, but something with a huge yard for my girls to run around in. And then I’d probably set aside some money for Muffin and Socks – college, first cars, all that good stuff. Gotta set them up for success, right?”Colby nodded approvingly. “You’re a good mom.”Trixie giggled, her laughter trailing off as she fixed him with a playful look. “Okay, your turn. What’s the first thing you’d do with a hundred million dollary-doos?”Colby leaned back thoughtfully, tapping his chin. “Well, first I’d buy myself a proper house, maybe with a little workshop so I could build stuff in my free time.”“Build? Like what?”“Anything, really,” he said with a shrug. “Engines, gadgets, you name it. Give me something broken, and I’ll try to make it work again.”Trixie tilted her head, intrigued. “That’s kinda cool. Okay, but what about a ridiculous splurge?”Colby smirked, his green eyes twinkling. “I’d buy a private island with a cabin, a hammock, and some peace and quiet. And maybe a boat so I could fish whenever I felt like it.”Trixie raised an eyebrow. “That’s not ridiculous, that’s smart. You’d be livin’ the dream.”Colby leaned back, swirling the rum in his glass as he glanced at Trixie. “Alright, another one…” he said, his expression suddenly darkening. “If you could have any superpower… what would it be?”Trixie tilted her head as she thought about it. “Hmm… that’s a tough one,” she admitted. “There are so many to choose from. Flying, invisibility, super strength…” She trailed off, her tail flicking as she mulled it over. “I think I’d want to control time. That way, I could pause everything and just… breathe, you know?”“Time…” Colby muttered thoughtfully. “The most precious resource in the universe. That’s a good one.”“What about you?” Trixie asked.Colby was silent for a while, staring at his glass.“To control… fate,” he finally said. “Destiny, the future, whatever you want to call it. Just to know what’s ahead, to do something about it… that’s what I’d want the most.”Trixie glanced at the bottle on the nightstand, noticing there was only a quarter left.“This is nice,” she said after a moment, her voice softer. “I mean, just sitting here, talking, not worrying about… everything else.”Colby looked at her, his green eyes illuminated by the TV’s light. “Yeah, it is,” he agreed. “I don’t get a lot of nights like this. So far it’s been just me, and… whatever’s on cable.”Trixie tilted her head, her curiosity piqued. “Do you ever get lonely?”He hesitated, swirling the liquid in his glass. “It’s all I know anymore,” he admitted. “But I guess I’ve gotten used to it. Life definitely hasn’t gone the way I thought it would, y’know?”Trixie nodded, her eyes dropping to the rim of her glass. “Yeah… I get that.”For a moment, the only sound was the crackle of the TV and the faint clink of ice in their glasses. Then Colby leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees.“What about you?” he asked drunkenly after taking another sip. “How’s Trixie Heeler’s life been so far?”She hesitated, the question landing heavier than she expected. “...Complicated,” she said finally, with a wry smile. “But, you know, I manage. Between my girls, hockey, and… everything else, there’s not much time to think about… what I want.”Trixie’s words lingered in the air, her voice trailing off as her eyes met Colby’s. There was a quiet intensity between them, the kind that felt heavy and unspoken but undeniable.Colby’s gaze softened, his brow furrowing slightly as he murmured, almost to himself,“What I want...” He echoed her words like they carried a weight he hadn’t fully realized until now.Trixie’s ears twitched, her heart pounding as she looked at him. She felt a spark – something that had been buried beneath years of compromise and routine, now ignited by the vulnerability in his voice. Without thinking, she tilted her glass back and chugged the rest of the rum, the burn in her throat adding to the fire building inside her.She set the glass down on the bed, her paw trembling slightly as she turned back to Colby. Her eyes searched his face for a moment before she reached out, resting her paw lightly on his leg.Colby’s posture stiffened under her touch, his green eyes widening slightly, but he didn’t pull away.Trixie leaned in slowly, her voice barely above a whisper. “What I want...” she repeated, her breath warm against him as she closed the distance.And then their lips met.The Labrador froze for a heartbeat, then leaned into her with equal yearning. For the first time in years, Trixie let herself forget about everything else – her marriage, her worries, her guilt. In that moment, it was just her and him, two souls grasping for something they couldn’t quite name but desperately needed.When they parted, their noses rested against each other, both of them catching their breath. “Trixie... are you sure about this?”“I don’t know. But right now... this feels right.”Their lips met again, the kiss deeper this time, growing more intense with every second. Trixie felt herself sinking into the moment, into the warmth of Colby’s touch and the way his paws rested hesitantly but firmly on her hips.As their tongues brushed, the heat between them rose, and she clutched his scruff, pulling him closer. Colby responded in kind, his movements growing bolder as his paw slowly started to wander between her legs.But then, a nagging feeling tugged at the back of Trixie’s mind, like a voice whispering in her ear that cut through the haze of rum and emotion. She tried to ignore it, but the guilt it carried grew louder, pressing against her chest.When their lips finally parted again, Trixie’s breath came fast and uneven. She stared at Colby, her heart pounding – not just from the kiss but from the weight of what she knew she had to say.“Colby...” she began, her voice trembling as she grabbed his eager wrist.He blinked at her, his brain still hazy with the heat of the moment.“What’s wrong?”Trixie hesitated, her paws dropping from his chest as she sat back slightly. The alcohol in her system dulled her inhibitions, but it also made the words feel more urgent, impossible to keep inside.“I…” she said, her gaze flickering to the floor before returning to him. “...I have a husband.”Colby froze, the glow of his eyes seeming to dim as the words hit him.“You’re… married?” he asked softly.Trixie nodded, swallowing hard. “I didn’t plan for this to happen. I didn’t plan for any of this. But... my husband, Stripe, he’s been cheating on me. I found out a few weeks ago, and it broke me. And tonight, I just...” She trailed off, her voice cracking as tears welled in her eyes.He stood and took a step away, running a paw through his brown hair as he let out a frustrated sigh.“You’re married,” he said again, his tone flat. It wasn’t a question – it was a statement that carried the weight of disappointment.Trixie winced, her ears drooping as she sat back on the bed. “Colby, I-”He held up a paw, cutting her off. “Trixie, I like you. I really do. But... two wrongs don’t make a right.”Trixie’s stomach sank. “I didn’t mean for this to happen,” she said softly. “I didn’t even plan on-”“But it did happen,” Colby interrupted. “And now you’re telling me you have a husband while we’re alone together in a motel room, drinking and making out like it doesn’t matter!”Trixie’s throat tightened, tears welling in her eyes. “It’s not like that,” she insisted. Colby sighed again, his shoulders slumping as he turned back to her. “Look, I had a great time tonight. But I don’t wanna just be some guy you use to get back at your husband. So if you’re not ready to figure out what you really want – then I don’t see how this can go any further between us.”“I’m not just using you, I...” She trailed off, unsure of how to explain what she was feeling. She swore to herself that this was all just about getting revenge on Stripe. But was she using Colby? Or was this already becoming something… more?“I’m sorry,” Colby said quietly. “I know you’ve been through a lot, and I’m sure this isn’t easy for you. I wouldn’t ask you to leave your husband for me, that would be unfair. But I can’t be the one who helps you avoid making that decision, either. You’ve got to figure that out for yourself. Either you can find a way to make things work… or you can’t.”For a moment, the room was filled only with the quiet sound of the TV, the movie’s credits playing in the background. Colby walked over and picked up the bottle, downing the rest in one go before setting it down with a hard clink. “I should get some sleep,” he said with a shudder as the liquid burned his throat. “It’s been a long day.”Trixie nodded, her voice caught in her throat as she rose from the bed. She felt raw and exposed, her heart heavy with shame and regret. “I... I’ll go,” she whispered. Colby didn’t stop her as she headed for the door. As she paused in the doorway, she turned back, hoping for some sign that he might ask her to stay after all, that this wasn’t the end.But Colby just gave her a small, tired smile. “Goodnight, Trixie… it was nice meeting you.”She nodded, the lump in her throat making it impossible to reply. And with that, she slipped out into the cool night air and requested a rideshare.That night, the weight of regret followed her all the way home.