Nathan sighs with relief. “Jesus dude, you startled me.”

“Ha, sorry,” India apologizes. His jeans are ripped and covered in splatters of mud. He’s wearing a black turtleneck underneath a mustard yellow shirt. It’s a cold morning in Chaos Point, Minnesota. Nathan pushes himself up off the ground to stand but he suddenly lurches forward.

India catches him before he can fall. “Hey, you ok?”

He nods, resting his forehead on India’s shoulder. “Gonna be honest, I’ve been sleeping terribly this past week.” He gives a weak laugh. “And I still gotta go out to get more food for Bean, a bed, a collar and so much other shit. Fuck and I promised you I’d help you look for tea at the grocery store.”

“You don’t have to help me look for tea if you’re so exhausted,” India says, patting Nathan awkwardly on the back. The vampire doesn’t seem to have any interest in moving anytime soon, so just India just accepts that this is his life now, Nathan moves his head up and backs away.

“No, it’s alright. I have to go to the pet store to get stuff for Bean anyway, I wouldn’t mind.”

“I could get the pet supplies for you.” What in the fuck am I saying??? I don’t know the first thing about what dogs need to eat.

“Are you sure? Do you even know what dogs need to eat?”

India sighs. “No,” he confesses. Why am I acting so out of character? I never do anything nice for other beings. “But maybe I can come with you? You can show me what to get for Bean so I can help you take care of her.” WHAT THE FUCK AM I DOING?

Nathan scratches the back of his neck. “Are you sure?”

“Yes I’m sure.” No, I'm not sure.

“Ok, let’s go to the pet store then.” Nathan beams and India feels a warm fuzzy feeling in his chest. He pushes it deep inside him and tries to convince himself it’s just his excitement of having a friend.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The pet store is nothing how India imagined. Well, in all honesty, he didn’t really have any expectations but if he did it certainly wouldn’t have been this. There’s a lot of noise from chirping birds and other customers and there’s aisle after aisle of pet food, terrariums, aquariums, fish, guinea pigs, and so many other things. He follows Nathan to an aisle with small clothes and…

“Are those collars?” India asks Nathan.

“Yeah. It makes sure beings know her name and address and how to reach me in case she gets lost. I’ll have to get the tags later but just the collar for right now is ok, since it lets beings know she isn’t just a stray,” he explains. He grabs a black collar with a floral pattern and grabs a harness that is said to be for medium to big sized dogs. Bean is still a puppy, hence why he got an adjustable one. He also grabs a leash and a dog sweater.

India is perplexed. “What is the sweater for? Doesn’t she have a fur coat?”

“Well yeah, but it gets cold around here and I don’t want her freezing.” He puts the items in the basket. “C’mon, let’s go find the food and some treats for her.”

The celestial follows his friend further into the store, still confused as to why he even agreed to come here.

As Nathan is looking through the dog food aisle, India’s phone rings. He’s confused at first, not used to being called often but when he finally processes that someone is attempting to contact him, he pulls his phone out of his pocket and answers.

“Hello?”

“Hey India, it’s Castor. Um we’re having a bit of a… situation if you will? There’s some griffin attempting to break in through the window.” India hears squawking somewhere from the house. “Ok, not breaking in, sorry. Attempting to talk to me through the window. But either way, do you think you could come over or something? Nashira still hasn’t gotten home and won’t pick up the fucking phone.”

“Uh, sure? Hold on a sec.” He covers the phone speaker in his sweater. “Hey Nathan, my friend Castor is having a situation back at rivers house. Would it be okay if we buy the stuff for Bean and then look for tea later?”

Nathan looks up from the big bag of food he just put in the basket. “Oh, yeah sure. I just gotta get some bowls for her and we’ll be all set and ready. Could you drop me off at my house first please?”

“Sure thing.” India puts the phone back up to his ear. “I’ll be over in like 15 minutes? I can also call someone in town if you’d like?”

He hears a large sigh of relief from the other side of the line. “Alright, yeah that’d be helpful. Get here as quickly as you can. I’d rather not die to a fucking griffin.” There’s more squawking. “Sorry! I know you’re not trying to kill me but who knows!” India hangs up before he has to listen to Castor bicker with a griffin any longer. He dials Cherry’s number and notifies her of Castor’s situation.

“Oooooooo a griffin? I’ve never dealt with a griffin before. Usually they’re tame.”

“Cherry, do not hurt the griffin. I don’t think it’s gonna hurt Castor. Riv just needs someone to help calm it down I think. It might be trying to say something.”

Cherry sighs. “Ok fine. I’ll go over and help. What’s the street again?”

“Nebeski Lane.”

“Got it.” Cherry hangs up and India helps Nathan pick out some bowls for Bean.