Hund entered the living room of his apartment concerned. Seated on the couch were his partner Tanu and his best mate Ty snickering at what looked like an album of pictures.

What are you two doing? Hund asked. His usual gravelly tone was lifted by a hint of curiosity. While Ty looked up from the photo book like a teenager caught looking at pornography, Tanu merely suppressed her laughter to answer Hund’s question.

“I’m just showing Ty what I call my ‘Hund’s Greatest Moments’ collection.”

Hund looked at the two suspiciously but rose his head slightly as his pride elevated from that comment.

“Oh? Like what? That time I squatted you, Pan, and Ty on that sled?” Hund asked nonchalantly.

“Did that happen?” Ty asked incredulously. “I don’t remember that happening.

“You probably forgot because you landed face-first on the ground after trying to stand at the sled’s front,” Tanu said. “I’ve just been digitizing some pictures of you that you carried around and added some of my own moments that I’ve captured.”

‘Why’d you have these pictures then if you put them on the computer?” Hund asked, wondering if this was a prank.

“It’s more fun to pick up a photo than swipe it on a screen,” Tanu argued. Hund picked up one of the squarish images from the pile and gasped. The picture was more recent, with him dressed in his black collared bouncer shirt and dark denim jeans. Although the way Hund’s body hugged any fabric would be complimentary to his build, having one’s head stuck in a toilet is far from flattering.

Ty snatched the picture from Hund’s limp grasp and chuckled. “This was my favorite picture so far,” he said.

“A really handsy rhino happened to be at the Bent Tail that night,” Tanu explained. “He was really good with his hands.” She said, looking at Hund.

“Horny bastard.” was all that Hund was willing to elaborate on that moment.
Hund grabbed another photo; his look of displeasure didn’t change. Each pick he made led to another embarrassing moment that Tanu would explain.

“Do you have anything that doesn’t make me look like a dope?!” Hund explained after the 10th picture he grabbed.

“I don’t think these are the worst.” Tanu defended. “If anything, they really show your softer side.” As Tanu talked, Ty spotted a picture hiding under the album cover.

“How about this?” Ty said, handing Hund the picture without looking.

As soon as Hund’s eye locked on the photo, his look of displeasure shifted into discomfort. Hund didn’t say anything for a while, making the pair worried. It looked as though Hund was restraining his emotions. Despite his best efforts, Hund’s eyes began to moisten. Soon, his breathing grew heavy. Realizing he couldn’t restrain himself any longer, he dropped the photo and fled back to his room.

Tanu and Ty stared at each other confused and concerned.

“What did you show him?” Tanu asked as she reached for the dropped memory. All Ty could do was shrug. The guilt of possibly harming his friend began to weigh on him. Tanu flipped over the photograph and grew even more confused.

The picture showed a brown husky pup seated on a log with a bone in his mouth. The puppy looked to be weighing down on the rotted wood based on how massively fluffy the dog appeared. By the fur and bulk alone, the pair could quickly tell this was Hund though what caused them pause was the massive content grin on this younger Hund’s face.

Tanu grabbed the photo and marched down the hall hurriedly to the bedroom. Then, reaching for the knob, she found it wouldn’t turn; Hund must have tried to secure his privacy.

“Hund! Are you alright?” Tanu called through the door. The silence was her response. Placing an ear against the door, she heard her usually cantankerous partner breathing slow and steady with a forcefulness uncommon to slumber. Tanu tried wiggling the handle in hopes of loosening it to no avail. Then, desperate to know what upset him, Tanu had her foot raised, ready to kick down the door. Then, before she could bring her swift strike down, she took a whiff of the air and smelled…. chocolate chips?

“Hund bud, can you let me in? I have a peace offering if I upset ya.” So Ty said from behind, holding a warm chocolate chip cookie wrapped in napkins. Tanu turned around, confused by how Ty suddenly became a baker. Scanning behind the broad retriever, Tanu’s answer came in the form of the open microwave door and unzipped Ziploc bag on the floor. The pair heard the sound of thumping as Hund approached the doorway. Then, the lock released itself with a click, and Hund’s lumbering form emerged. Hund looked over the pair, face scowling as usual.

“Hund?” Tanu asked, trying to read the husky’s expression. Hund grabbed Tanu’s wrist with surprising speed along with the cookie in Ty’s hand. Then, yanking both across the threshold, Hund shut the door in Ty’s face. With the sound of frantic knocking in the background, Tanu stared over at Hund. She wasn’t surprised about what Hund did. Hund was always stand-offish against the usually amicable golden retriever. However, Hund took the cookie because he had no qualms against Ty. Yet why does he still look so conflicted?

Hund looked back at Tanu as if he wanted to talk but couldn’t form the words. So he tossed the cookie in his hand into his open maw and gulped, barely enjoying the taste. The two watched each other, silently struggling with what to say. Finally, Tanu decided to take the leap and begin the dialogue.

“Ok, so I guess what I want to know is what’s up with this picture? You actually look happy here.”

Hund looked over at the photograph, then back at the raccoon who stared at him with such concern.

“I was,” Hund responded.

“So this wasn’t a bad memory?” Tanu clarified. Hund shook his head.

“Was it something that happened around the time of that picture that made you upset?” Tanu asked.

“That picture was during the summer before my first day in school,” Hund said. Tanu looked over at Hund, gears turning in her head.

“Was school good for you?” Tanu asked. Hund took a deep breath and sighed. Instead of answering with a yes or no, he lifted his shirt and turned his back to her. Tanu stared across Hund’s broad, muscular back. She was used to seeing the expanse of brown and white in her face in bed when Hund turned to his side. As she stared over at him, one previously innocuous detail stood out to her: the long stretching streaks of dull pink that scarred Hund’s back.

Taking a step closer, Tanu gently placed a hand over each damaging etch in the carpet of fur. She wanted to know more yet couldn’t dare to ask.

“My dad said they’d get bored and stop eventually. That I might toughen up if I act like I don’t give a fuck about it.” Hund said, voice trembling. “I tried to not smile, not laugh to stay out of sight, but being the only one with fur like this made it hard.” Tanu’s eyes began to flood as the pieces to Hund’s response fell into place. “That picture was the last time I was ok being soft.”
All Tanu could do at that moment was wrap her arms as wide as she could over Hund’s behind in an embrace. Hund patted Tanu’s hand, clinging under his chest, and closed his eyes, holding back his own remorse.
————
“You sure he’s alright?” Ty said as Tanu guided him to the door.

“Yeah, he’s all good. A beehive fell on him in front of his crush in that picture. He’s taking a nap now after having to reprocess that moment.” Tanu said matter of factly.

“Ouch, I could see why he wouldn’t want to remember that,” Ty said, wincing while rubbing over his face.

“Hund said the cookie was great. It really helped him cheer up.” Tanu added.

“I’m just lucky I had an extra one from Pan.”

“Did you really heat up that cookie with the microwave?” Tanu said incredulously.

“I mean, it isn’t my first choice, but if you need some emergency comfort, it works pretty well.” So Ty said, earning him a look that was a mixture of distrust, oddity, and reluctant acceptance. “I swear Pan was the one who told me about this trick.” Tanu only nodded.

After a few more pleasantries, Ty made his way out the door. He still found Hund’s reaction to the photo odd, though, at this point, he decided asking Hund about his response would be better for another day.

---

Just when you thought Hund couldn't get any more huggable, I introduce you to Pup Hund! When I imagined what a younger version of Hund would look like, this essentially is what came to mind: big yet approachable while being very soft and squishy. This pupper hasn't developed his muscles yet but at least you can give him a big old hug without risking getting nom'd. Thanks again to  TankDragon for making this idea a reality.