Moving On

I don’t know how much time had passed since I had fallen asleep, angry at the only man who had ever really understood me and my need for constant companionship. They say you should never go to sleep angry. I can’t ever remember why the hell not, it’s just a warning. I guess if there was ever a time to find out why it would be now.

But I am afforded no time to contemplate as the ever insistent noise that drew me out of slumber in the first place interrupts my moment of reflection. It is a sharp tap on the door. Not a knock or a friendly wrap, but a sharp tap meant startle me out of whatever daydream my roommate knows I am wont to wonder into.

Irritated, I throw back the ugly ochre colored comforter that had somehow become entangled around me during my nap, and stomp my way to the door. Flinging it open with more flourish than necessary I find myself staring at a broad chest covered in a loose fitting and pristine white t-shirt. Raising angry green eyes to his face, I give Vince the glare he deserves. But the look falters almost a moment later when I am greeted, not with angry blue eyes, but a solemn and very apologetic frown. In his hand is a small plate with an intricately decorated, and if I might add scrumptious looking, slice of cheesecake. It is his specialty…and my one true weakness. And tonight he seemed to exploit that weakness shamelessly.

“If you’ve come to apologize, don’t waste your breath.” he grumble, quoting his own words back at him with a triumphant balloon swelling in my chest.

As always he seems barely phased by my gruff dismissal and simply pushes the cheesecake towards me. “Accept it or don’t, it’s my only offer.” he murmurs and pauses long enough to assume I am still going to refuse him before he turns to leave.

Just before the cake is out of my reach, I lean forward and snag the delicious looking treat and watch a small almost indiscernible smile grace his lips as he turns slightly to watch me swipe my finger through the cool filling and lick it away. It was the closest thing to an apology I was expecting from him and after knowing him for so long it was as good as one, honestly. But the moment the thought crosses my mind I feel guilty almost instantly. I was the one acting like a child here and he comes to apologize. Even made me cheesecake and everything. The bastard.

“Vince I-” a sharp look silences me as the warmth drains from his eyes and I am left staring into the murkiest color of blue his eyes had ever been.

“I’m sorry Jake.” he murmurs so quietly I almost miss it and before I can think to cover my shock my jaw is hanging wide open. He gives me a long and suffering look and my jaw snaps shut once more. “Vince I-” another sharp look and the words die on my lips instantly. It was the first time I had ever heard him apologize in all the years I had known him.

“I know…it’s sudden, but Jake I need your support in this. You know I don’t have anyone else to rely on.” his voice is still so soft it’s almost impossible to hear him, even in the dead silence of the house.

I knew, of course, that I was the only one he really had. Both of his parents had died a couple of years back while he was still in grad school. I think it devastated him that he hadn’t been there with them before it happened, but accidents happen. Still, his words cut deep. I was all he had left in the world…and I was practically turning my back on him when it was obvious he needed me. Damn I was such a brat.

Taking a step forward I reach up and ruffle his tidy hair and he grimaces, shoving me away and nearly making me dump my precious cheesecake onto the floor. I laugh and dodge his next shove, bolting into the kitchen to find a fork. He follows at a much more sedate pace, straightening his hair as he shuffled into the kitchen.

I look up from around a mouthful of cheesecake and grin at him. It was a wonder I stayed in shape even with jogging with how much junk food and sweets I consumed regularly. Then again I had always had a fast metabolism while Casper across the kitchen had always had to work his ass off to stay so perfectly trim. I envied him that drive, though. If I had that much will power to do half as much as he did I’d be equally as ripped. I just never could do much more than jog once in a while. I wasn’t scrawny or anything, I had some definition, but next to geek master I looked like a pre-adolescent punk who only pretended to have any sort of muscle. I won’t complain though, it’s nice having a tall dark and handsome type around when you want girls interested. Once they realize he’s not interested they turn to me…yeah, definitely can’t complain.

He moves to the kitchen table, discretely closing the news paper, or at least trying to, so that I can’t see the blaring circles of red taunting me mercilessly. Relieved at his quiet attempt to keep me in a good mood I pat the seat next to me and offer him a slice of cheesecake. He declines politely, as I knew he would, but I can feel his eyes on me as I devour my first piece and start on a second. The smooth texture of the cheesecake is rich and after a while I set it down away from me, unable to taste another bite without something to drink.

Before I can even move a glass of milk is set next to me filled only to the point an inch below the rim. God he knows me too well. I can never seem to keep from spilling any kind of drink on myself if it is past the one inch mark. What can I say, it’s a curse. Giving a noncommittal grunt in response I reach for the glass and his hand is there to steady the glass as my clumsy hand bumps into the salt shaker and knocks it into the glass. Moving it a few inches to the side he lets the glass go and moves back to his seat. Grinning broadly at him I grab the glass, safely this time, and take a gratifying sip. Now I’m ready for the rest of my cheesecake.

I can still feel his eyes on me, but this time I oblige that intense gaze and raise my own to catch him looking away hurriedly. Puzzled by this I frown slightly but turn back to my cheesecake happily. I feel it a moment later and look back up this time to see his blue eyes widen just a bit at being caught. “What?” he question automatically and I am floored to see a faint color touch the bridge of his nose.

“Uh…” Oh yes, that’s eloquent.

The flush only darkens, his blue eyes glittering with some unknown emotion as he turns the full weight of that crystal gaze back to me. “I was…thinking about that dog thing I mentioned earlier.” he murmurs. I can tell instantly that it was not what he had meant to say, but knowing Vince it was something strange and beyond my level of comprehension so I let it slide.

“Oh? And what did you come up with?” I indulge him, though my focus is on the blueberry topped cheesecake before me.

Again there is an awkward pause as he struggles to cover and I give him an amused smile. His gaze turns somewhat irritated and he gives me his most challenging glare. “Well, they are having a sale down at that little pet shop just inside town. I thought you might like to check it out. They have a golden retriever litter and then some mixed breeds that are almost too old to keep anymore. No one wants the puppy when it gets to its awkward stage so they’re selling them really cheap.” he informs me and turns his flustered gaze back to the table. I wonder what fascinating code he is trying to decipher in the flowing lines of the faux wood table top design.

I give him a shrug and spear the last remaining blueberry, popping it into my mouth. “I’ll think about it,” I murmur and rise from the table to rinse the plate off.

I don’t want a dog, I want to keep my best friend. A dog won’t make me cheesecake when he wants to apologize. Dammit I’m going to miss him.

Dumping the plate and fork into the dishwasher I finally turn around and face him. He is ignoring me rather effectively, his gaze averted so that I can’t catch his attention and force it back to me so instead I turn and walk from the kitchen. I’m not mad this time, but I can feel the tension in the air so thickly I half expected to be able to reach out and touch it, it felt so incredibly tangible.

I don’t know what all the tension is for and I know even if I ask he won’t tell me so I brush it off as easily as I could and head for my room. I need a shower and then it really was bed time. I had work in the morning and if I was late again I’d be sorting fish guts for the next two months. As much as the smell of hickory smoke irked me, I did not want to go home smelling like fish guts every damn day.

He stays away, just as I knew he would. Sometimes, I swear, he’s a little too predictable. But I am allowed to shower in peace and the warmth of my bed is most appreciated. But this time it seems so much more welcoming than the first time I braved it’s cave-like depths earlier.

Funny, I guess the myth really is true. You really shouldn’t go to bed angry.

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The next day is hell and I don’t mean just figuratively. I wake up forty minutes late to a pillow smothering me and a cool tone telling me to prepare for fish guts when I get to work. And today was the day my supervisor was supposed to be viewing me today. Dammit all to hell.

Jumping out of bed I stumble into the shower and then out before the water heater has enough time to kick on. Diving for something clean to wear I come up with the faint scent of hickory smoke clinging to me. Wrinkling my nose I hop around trying to pull on my shoes before I bolt out the door.

Before I even reach the end of the hall a cool tone rings out, “You forgot your nametag.” Turning on the spot I bolt into my room and snag my nametag before turning once more for the door. “Gloves,” he intones calmly once more and I turn back around to grab them. Racing back towards the door he stops me and pushes travelers cup of coffee into my hands. He opens his mouth to speak and I cut him off. “Let me guess. Hat?” I ask irritably and to my surprise he laughs. Dear god what did I do to merit a laugh?

“Actually I was going to say pants, but that too.” he murmurs, snickering as he turns back into the kitchen to drink his morning sludge.

Glancing down I gawk at my pants-less lower body and turn back for my bedroom. Yanking on a pair of faded blue jeans I give myself a once over in the mirror, making sure I didn’t forget my head or something before I turn back around and bolt for the door. “Later!” I call and he lifts a hand to show he’d heard before I am gone.

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Standing outside of the pet store I can’t believe I’m doing this. I gaze down into big brown eyes and wagging tails and I can’t bring myself to walk into the store. I don’t want a dog for christ’s sake! I want to keep my best friend.

Brushing aside a stray lock of blond I approach the second window and pause. Off to the side of a group of rowdy retrievers, all brown eyed and tails wagging, a little black dog, obviously not much of a puppy anymore, sat curled up away from the others. His sad blue eyes seem to look right through me as if he could see every last thing I’ve ever done wrong…and still he’d be willing to love me if I just took him home.

I was sold before the man behind the counter even had the chance to greet me properly the moment I walked through the door. The words barely left his lips before I was demanding the price of the small black puppy in the window. I felt like I should break into a chorus of ‘How much is that doggy in the window’.

He looks sufficiently startled and assures me that I can have him for as little as thirty. He’s a mixed breed and reaching that awkward puppy stage when most people would rather give the dog away than train them to behave, so I was getting a great deal. At least that was what he told me.

By the time he was through with me, though, I had already bought a collar, a leash, a pet carrier, a bag of puppy food, a mountain of chew toys and a complimentary bag of treats. I spent more on the dog that I had on anything in forever…but I couldn’t help it. The moment I spotted those bright blue eyes I was sold. They made me think of another pair of sad looking blue eyes with that same piercing quality…

When I returned home the house was empty, thankfully, as I could not face Vince’s scrutinizing gaze at the moment. Setting the puppy down he tripped over his own leash and landed in a tangle of limbs on the floor. He was quiet though, never making a sound as he got up and kicked the leash away, trotting into the living room to sniff and be curious like puppies were supposed to do. I already knew what I wanted to name him.

“Vincent Jacob, get your scrawny little butt back here.” I crooned happily and chased after him, nearly tripping over his trailing leash myself.

I tracked him down to Vince’s room where I spotted him squatting in the corner…peeing on Vince’s shoes! “Shit,” I bit out and ran for him only to yelp and fall trip over him as he bolts between my legs and makes a break for the kitchen. Cursing fluently I pick myself up and race after him, determined not to let him make another mess. A resounding crash and a yelp tell me I’m too late before I even get to the kitchen. There is glass and cheesecake everywhere and I have to wonder how the little bugger was able to get to the cake dish on the table. I spot him huddled in the corner with the cheesecake filling smeared over sleek black fur. I cringe, but my anger dissipates quickly. I just can’t stay mad at him when he’s this damn cute.

Picking up his trembling form I wipe away some of the sweet treat from his face and offer it to his inquiring nose. He sniffs it curiously and licks my fingers clean before looking up at me expectantly. Laughing, I take him to the bathroom for a quick bath.

Sometime between getting the little guy into the tub and getting covered with suds Vince had returned home, quiet as ever and never alerting me to his presence until his cool tone drifts over the noise of splashing water. “What hurricane raged through the house?” he questions and I spin around, soaked from the waist up with suds and water. Amusement makes his eyes sparkle before they find the squirming puppy in my hands.

“You uh…got a dog.” he murmurs intelligently and I give him a dry look. “Thank you captain obvious.” I mutter and motion towards the towel hanging on the door. “Mind handing me that?” I ask and he glares. “That’s my towel, Jake. Use your own.”

Rolling my eyes in disgust I stand and reach for the towel only to have it snatched away with an angry growl. “Vince!” What was his problem? It was just a towel, and it was going to be used on a clean dog anyway. I don’t understand his anger so for now I ignore it and grab the towel just beneath it. It’s not as thick so it will be soaked before the puppy is dry completely, but it will do in a pinch.

Ignoring his glare I track back over to the bathtub and pull the puppy out, laughing when he smothers my cheeks in kisses. “Vincent Jacob, you stop giving daddy kisses this instant!” I croon and rub his belly enthusiastically.

A choked gasp draws my attention to the doorway and I meet angry and confused blue eyes. “You named it after us?” he asks, baffled.

Another dry look later and I am standing with the puppy in my arms, wrapped securely in the towel to keep him from reaching my cheeks with his obscenely long tongue. “Well what else am I supposed to name him? It’s not like I have your brains or anything. Would you prefer if I named him Midnight or something original like that?” I ask sarcastically.

A confusing mix of pain and anger flash across his expression before he is gone, leaving me wondering what the hell had just happened.

But before I can go after him, the strangest thought occurs to me and I glance down at the puppy in my arms. His ears are folded down cutely, all floppy and boneless, and sad blue eyes gaze up at me contentedly. Was Vince jealous…of the dog? It seemed ridiculous, but it fit so perfectly. It would explain everything that had happened in the past two minutes.

Grinning broadly down at the puppy and lean down and submit my nose to thorough kissing before kissing his nose right back. “You know…I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship Vince old pal.” I murmur and bounce happily into the living room.

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Dinner that night is strained at best. But much to my surprise the food is the greatest it’s ever tasted. The chicken is nice and moist and the casserole practically melted in my mouth with how many cheeses were in it.

The thought was both amusing and worrying. There wasn’t anyone to impress really, so what was going on inside that handsome head of his that made Vince think he had something to prove?

Glancing down a the puppy sleeping at my feet I think I could guess. It was just a dog, what was there to get so upset over? He was the one who suggested I get a dog in the first place…so why was he acting so grumpy over it? It just didn’t make any sense.

“So…find any houses you were interested in?” I asked casually, sipping on the glass of milk I had next to my plate of delights.

Cold blue eyes find me and I swear of looks could kill…

“No, actually. I haven’t found anything that suits my tastes just yet.” he says with a scowl and sets his fork to the side of his plate. I still don’t understand why he is so upset. It was just a dog, a dog that acted and resembled Vince remarkably…and happened to be named after him, but a dog none-the-less. It wasn’t like he was trying to replace him or…oh shit.

Glancing down nervously at the dog I look back up to meet his calculating and cold gaze, scared now that I had seriously fucked up. Toying anxiously with my fork I avert my gaze and poke at the remaining bit of my casserole. “I uh…was thinking about renaming the dog…” I began nervously and instantly I feel the weight of his eyes burning a hole into the top of my head. “I wasn’t sure naming the dog after you would be such a great idea, ya know? I might get confused and think you’d come running every time I called for the pup.” I finish lamely.

Risking a small glance upward I can see the gears turning once more behind his intense blue eyes and his jaw tightens a few times before he finally leans back in his chair, looking slightly mollified. “What did you have in mind?” he questions, his tone quiet but no longer angry.

I heave a sigh of relief and lean back as well, grinning at him. “I dunno, I was thinking about naming him Rex or something. One syllable, easy to remember and he won’t get it confused with anything else either.” I murmur thoughtfully and shrug. “Max is another one. Yeah I think I’ll name him Max.” I say and glance down at the puppy at my feet. He is laying on his side as he isn’t quite big enough to use his paws as a pillow yet, and his tongue is sticking out cutely.

Max it is then and one glance at Vince tells me he agrees as well. At least now everyone is happy…well mostly.

I wonder how Max would react to a kitten…

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Okay yes, crappy ending to a chapter and still no smutty goodness. But it is on its way I promise! Just gotta give me some time to work up to it. Also, please review! My muse is working overtime, like vet school overtime and really needs some support! Leave some love because even muses need inspiration once in a while!