# Getting into Trouble

Author: Revresbo
Tags: Brothers, Cougar, German Shepherd, Sad

The cougar rested a paw on the small dog's shoulder.&nbsp; It had taken a long while for the canine to fall asleep.&nbsp; The cat had heard him sniffling from his own room, and his heart went out to the poor German Shepherd.&nbsp; Even now, he could see the lines of matted fur where the tears had been flowing.&nbsp; The cougar stayed sitting on the edge of the bed, paw on the younger dog's shoulder, just staring at the unfortunate pup.

He, too, had heard the argument.&nbsp; His parents hadn't exactly been quiet.&nbsp; He was old enough not to succumb to tears, but young enough to want to.&nbsp; Still, he wanted to be strong for the pup.

He hadn't known the Shepherd for long.&nbsp; Only about three months, actually.&nbsp; Still, he cared for the canine.&nbsp; Everyone else called him Trouble with varying degrees of affection and annoyance, but the teenage cougar called him Niko.&nbsp; He wasn't even sure if anyone else knew the dog's real name: Nikolaos.&nbsp; Niko seemed almost resigned to his sometimes not-so-affectionate nickname, but the feline felt it was important for him to remember he had another name.

Niko let a small whimper in his sleep and curled up reflexively.&nbsp; The cougar rubbed Niko's arm.&nbsp; "Shh."

A tear finally slipped from the cougar's eye--not for his parents, but for the young pup sleeping in front of him.&nbsp; The pup really didn't deserve his nickname.&nbsp; He wasn't trying to be trouble.&nbsp; He simply had never had a chance to learn.&nbsp; He had been through a few foster homes, the feline knew.&nbsp; He also knew it wouldn't take many more before Niko gave up entirely.&nbsp; Niko didn't really try to live up to expectations because he didn't think he ever could.&nbsp; Getting a smile out of the pup was a difficult task.&nbsp; The cougar did his best, and Niko seemed to be warming to him.&nbsp; Now, though, the feline wasn't sure what would happen.

It sounded like this was it.&nbsp; His parents were finally fed up.&nbsp; It didn't bother him as much as it should have.&nbsp; They had fought a lot, though, and he had never been to close to them.&nbsp; He thought he remembered them being better when he was younger, but it was so long ago that it blurred in his mind.&nbsp; Niko was taking it hard, though, and the teen wasn't sure what would happen to him.

His name had come up a few times in the argument: Roger was supposedly better off with both of them over the other.&nbsp; Niko's name hadn't come up once.&nbsp; Not even his nickname.&nbsp; The antique china cabinet had caused more debate than Niko.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Roger absentmindedly rubbed his brother's shoulder.&nbsp; At least, that was how Niko felt to him: a brother.&nbsp; He was really opening up around Roger, and he was actually a decent kid.&nbsp; He also made Roger feel a lot less lonely around home.&nbsp; If things kept up like this, though, Niko might end up somewhere else.&nbsp; Maybe the next home would be better, but the last few hadn't, it seemed, and Roger really cared about the dog.

Niko whimpered again, clinging to his blanket.&nbsp; Roger sighed and laid down behind Niko, sliding under the covers.&nbsp; He wrapped his arms around the pup and closed his eyes.&nbsp; There was no telling what would happen tomorrow, but he could at least comfort Niko tonight.

Source: https://sofurry.com/s/pnGjwl6m