“I am going to have conversation with this dog about proper behavior.”
“Good luck. He doesn't speak Russian.”
“He will learn.”
Apollo, sensing he might be in trouble, deployed his secret weapon. He rolled over. Exposed his belly. Tail wagging. The universal dog signal for 'I'm adorable, please don't be mad.'
Viktor stared at him. “This is not going to work.”
Apollo's tail wagged harder.
“I am immune to manipulation.”
More wagging.
“Fine.” Viktor knelt. Scratched Apollo's belly with the kind ofgentle precision he brought to everything. “But you are getting bath when we go inside. And you will not enjoy it.”
Apollo made a noise that sounded suspiciously like contentment. His back leg kicked. His eyes went half-closed with bliss.
I watched Viktor kneel in the dirt, perfectly pressed suit forgotten, scratching my ridiculous dog's belly while Apollo made happy groaning sounds. Watched the way Viktor's shoulders relaxed. The way his face softened. The way he looked almost, almost peaceful.
“You love him,” I said.
“I tolerate him.”
“You're scratching his belly in the dirt.”
“I am maintaining operational rapport with a key asset.”
“You're petting my dog because you like him.”
Viktor looked up at me. Something in his eyes went soft. Vulnerable. “I like many things I should not like.”
The weight of those words. The meaning underneath.
Apollo rolled over, climbed to his feet, and immediately tried to lick Viktor's face. Viktor caught him, held him at arm's length with both hands. “No. We do not do this.”
Apollo's tail wagged harder.
“I said no.”
Apollo squirmed. Got one lick in. Right across Viktor's cheek.
Viktor's face went through several expressions. Disgust. Resignation. Something that might've been amusement if he'd allow it. “Your dog has no respect for boundaries.”
“He learned from the best.”
“I have excellent boundaries.”
“You're covered in mud, holding my dog, in the middle of a garden, throwing sticks. Your boundaries are shot.”
Viktor stood, setting Apollo down carefully. Apollo immediately went to find another stick. “This is your fault.”
“How is this my fault?”
“You and your dog. You make me do things I would not normally do.”
“Like play?”
