Lady and the Tramp II

“Oh, aw, ain't that beautiful?” Buster sneered, stepping between Jack and Luke. “I think i'm getting all misty-eyed here.”

“I see you haven't changed a bit.” Jack shook his head with a chuckle, moving to step around Buster. The other man prevented him from doing so, though, instead blocking his way and speaking to him, starting with, “So here we are again.”

Jack eyed his old friend curiously, wanting to hear what he had to say. It'd be years since he'd conversed with Buster, but he'd never been one to hold a grudge. He didn't have anything to hold a grudge over, in actuality. All he'd done was follow his heart, and it was Buster who was left angry and alone. Jack had no idea of the state he'd left his friend in, though, but nevertheless, he wasn't surprised by Buster's current doings.

“Just like old times…” Buster continued, staring down his old friend. "Before you turned your back on everything that we stood for.”

“He says you walked out on him.” Luke piped up from beside Buster.

The Tramp shot Buster a look of displeasure, before turning to his son, ready to explain. He knew he couldn't really be mad at Luke, and he also knew that was definitely not the way to bring him home. "After I met your father… I-l guess Buster just got jealous.”

“You ditched me!” Buster cried out, moving towards Jack and shoving him backwards.

“I fell in love!” Jack countered, returning Buster’s push with even more force than had been exerted on him.

“You made your choice!” Buster growled at Jack, and then he turned to Luke. "Now it's his turn to choose. Come on, kid.”

“You don't know what he's really like, son. You're coming home." The Tramp urged, reaching out to take Luke by the shoulder once more. His son stepped away cautiously, though, wanting to hear what more Buster had to offer.

"You hear that, kid? Daddy's telling you what to do again." Buster laughed, watching proudly as Jack tried to reason with Luke some more.

"You don't belong here." Jack whispered, trying to talk some sense into his boy.

"And he's leading you back to a life on the chain," Buster interrupted, "I'm offering you freedom.

This seemed to do it for Luke, as he shook himself of his father's hold, moving to stand with Buster. The rest of their group arrived as well, standing by and watching the show.

"So, you've made your choice, kid?" Buster grinned, the sly look in his eyes started a fire in Jack's.

"Scamp," Jack called, before raising his voice louder, speaking to Buster. "He doesn't have a choice!" Jack didn't believe his words any more than anyone else did, though, by that point. "I know what's best for him." He finished, looking at Luke with one last pleading glance.

"No," Luke responded, looking his father directly in the eyes for the first time since they'd seen each other that day. "You know what's best for you, and l'm not you, dad."

"That's my boy." Buster said, clapping Luke on the shoulder.

All Jack could do was watch as the crowd in front of him began to break off, Buster leading Luke away.

'I guess there are some things you have to learn on your own.' Jack thought, before calling out, "When you've had enough, our door is always open!"

Buster simply laughed in reply from a distance.

Later on, Luke was sat talking with the rest of Buster's crew, while the aforementioned man was off doing God knows what. Angel was perched next to Luke on one of the arms of the ratty couch they were occupying, staying mostly silent after begrudgingly following the group back to the building earlier.

After a small while, Buster finally showed up, carrying the cake in from the kitchen that Luke had stolen earlier that day. "Hey, Luke! This is for all you've done, kid." Buster congratulated, and as he came closer, Luke noticed a couple candles awkwardly placed atop the pastry.

"You did it, kid! You're at the top of the world now!" Francois celebrated, laughing as he saw Mooch eyeing the cake.

"You made it to the pack! Ha! I knew you would!" Mooch cheered, just glad that Ruby was finally passing out the cake.

As she gave Luke his plate, Ruby winked at him, whispering, "You're a doll, doll face." Apparently, this had been enough for Angel, as she got up and swiftly moved towards the kitchen. Although he was so caught up in officially getting to know everyone, Luke had always been keeping an eye on Angel. So, of course, he noticed her get up and leave. Sighing, the brunet boy followed in her lead, determined to make sure she was having just as much fun as everyone else.

When Luke entered the kitchen, Angel's back was towards him. Nevertheless, the girl spoke. "How could you do that?"

"Come on, Angel." Luke breathed, taking her hand and guiding her to take a seat at the table.

"He's your father," Angel stressed, head in her hands as she rested her elbows on the table top, "Go find him. You're not like the rest of us. You're good and decent, kind. The streets will beat that out of you if you stay."

“But I made it. This is everything that I've ever dreamed of.” Luke responded, voice soft. He sounded quite unsure of himself, though, Angel thought.

“Dreamed of what? This? You have a home and a family that loves you.” Angel remarked, jumping when her statement was followed by a bunch of laughs.

“You're not like the rest of us, Luke.” Sparky mocked, as Scratchy followed with, “Oh, yeah, yeah, that's right. Let's see. Uh, uh, he's good and decent and kind.”

“Is that it, Lukey?” Buster laughed, walking over and taking a seat with the pair of teenagers. “Because you know how I feel about city folk. Especially ones from Snob Hill.”

“You want to go live with your little family?” Francois snorted, sitting next to Buster

“No!” Luke all but snarled, slamming his fits on the table. “Cut it out! She's the one who wants a family, not me!

“Is that true, Angel, baby?” Buster humoured, chuckling along with everyone else.

“I don't think a family's so bad.” Angel responded meekly, to which Buster announced, “You hear that, boys? She wants to be all posh and pampered.”

“Gonna wear ribbons in your hair?” Mooch asked from the doorway, clutching his belly as he wracked with laughter.

“You don’t belong here.” Buster said to Angel, with a shake of his head.

Notes

these chapters suck... but this story gets better... at least i think