I chuckled as the pup licked my face, my actual face, not my mask. This was the only place I took both the black mask, and the skull mask off. 

But, I yanked them both back on as the kennels' main doors opened. “Quinn?” Torres called.

“I'm over here.” I said, my mood going back up as the pup in my lap grabbed the edge of my black mask, pulling it between sharp baby teeth. “Stop,” I giggled, “You're going to rip it.” 

“Who's going to rip it?” Torres walked up, seeing me seated on the floor, back pressed against the far wall, german shepherd puppy in my lap. “This is Stinger, he's a new recruit.” 

Torres coo'd at the pup, leaning into the open kennel, “Why are you here?” I snapped, back to him as I leaned against the link wall just beside the door. I heard him shift as stood up straight, “I came to say I'm sorry, and to give you this.” He threw a bag of chip at me, bouncing them off my head. They skid across the floor, and the pup went after them like a new toy. “Canteen was closed,” he answered, my questioning glance over my shoulder. “That's from my own snacks.” 

I stood, hunched in the kennel, picking up the chips. “I hate this flavor,” I said, tossing the bag back. I let his face drop for a moment, “But I accept the apology.” I walked out, shutting Stinger inside. He whined a bit, but went back to his bed. “You're a h3ll of a shøt. I'm glad you'll be on my team.”

“You're team,” he said with a laugh, “It'll be my team. Last I heard, you like to hide on top of buildings and snïpê.” 

“You'll be glad I do,” I said, leaning over him, “When things get heated.” 

He swallowed hard, pulling away from my bigger form, “Still my team,” he said, voice shaky. 

I laughed, “Sure it is."