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 Posted: Mon Aug 07, 2017 8:00 am
Having been over enough times, Tris knew what cupboard to open to look at the tea. Green eyes flicked from label to label before he shook his head and just reached in blindly, pulling out a tin and setting it on the counter within Danny's reach. His chosen selection looked to be some sort of fruity herbal tea with peaches drawn on the labeling.
"Doesn't mean I can't work to be better," he countered, mouth quirked in a partial smile before he looked away. A slight click of his tongue had Gatsby peeling from his spot on the floor and excitedly to the brunet's side, tail thumping against the floor when the dog plopped himself beside the tall man.
"If he lives with you and you take care of him, doesn't that make me more of the dead-beat dad and you the adoptive dad who showers him with love and affection that's never quite returned the same way because dog-son is too busy pining after the dad that comes and goes?" His nose wrinkled and lips quirked downward when he reached to give Gatsby scritches on the top of his head.
"If you're going to be anything, you're gonna be his dad too. Maybe you'll help me make up for my bad dad tendencies." Now, Tristan looked over at Danny with a fond smile on his mouth.
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Posted: Mon Aug 07, 2017 9:22 am
He watched as Gatsby wasted absolutely no time in listening to Tristan's calling. One eyebrow rose while the other remained flat, staring down at the canine with a look that read really?
Maybe it wasn't a matter of instilling commands in the dog. Gatsby clearly already knew orders... he was just selectively listening to who he wanted to, the little furry twerp.
Green eyes glanced back up to the dog's "co-dad" in question as Tristan seemed to be putting far more thought into this notion than Danny would have guessed he would. His nose wrinkled, however, at the mention of dead-beat fatherhood. Daniel knew all too well about dads like that and Tristan was far from the description, teasing or not.
Thoughts of his own father were quickly dismissed as he turned on the balls of his feet to open the box of tea that his companion and picked out. "You just tend to wander, that's not a bad thing. A busy dad who needs a reminder now and again of a dog-son who's waiting at the door for him."
The smile was returned in full as he found himself enjoying the silly banter. That Tris was willing to play into it at all spoke leagues about his character. "You hungry? I've got a few things in the fridge - why don't you and your faithful companion there figure out something to snack on while I make this."
Turning back to the water, he lifted the hot water and began dispensing them between the two cups, mindful of the dog's whereabouts just in case.
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Posted: Tue Aug 08, 2017 8:32 am
"You better keep me in line then, fellow dog-father." Tristan quipped with Gatsby butting his head against the tall man's leg for more attention. There was a low doggy whine and he clucked his tongue. "Come on Gatsby, no begging."
A happy bark followed in a you caught me kind of tone before the furry beast was plopping onto his belly and watching his two dog-fathers.
"Oh, no I'm - " Tristan attempted to turn Danny down, because he wasn't hungry, but there the blond was, insisting. With a soft sigh, he was nodding and walking across the kitchen towards the fridge. Once there, however, he hesitated, fingers wrapped around the metal handle. It didn't matter that he had been over countless times and that Danny was always insistent that anything he had Tris was welcome to, Tristan still managed to feel like an outsider who was uncomfortable rummaging through someone's fridge. It didn't matter that he had permission.
It was like that at Fiona's too, despite the way the woman insisted that what his home too.
"I'm not really feeling anything Danny," he forced himself to stay, letting go of the door handle and stepping away. "Just tea is perfect."
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Posted: Tue Aug 08, 2017 9:12 am
"Then just tea it'll be."
Two bags were slipped inside the mugs and he began to dunk them. Were he feeling in the creative mood, he might have taken out some of the tins of leaves and actual tea and done the steeping process. Today, however, he was simply content with drinking whatever was easy and on hand - he had other things to focus on, after all.
"I still haven't figured out your favorite kind of sweet, you know. Really thought the blondie might have been it."
Green eyes turned to meet the other's as his body shifted, both mugs now secure in each hand as the small string dangled off their rims. "You're putting my reputation for figuring these sort of things out at risk. There hasn't been a challenge I haven't been able to figure out, until you."
Pulling back his fingers, he offered one of the drinks to the taller boy, stepping over the splayed dog to make his way closer to the sink. "Guess this means you're going to have to taste test a few more things, next time."
The dog at their feet barked and he grinned, offering Gatsby a look. "I'll be sure to find you something too, noble dog-son."
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Posted: Tue Aug 08, 2017 11:15 am
Relieved that Danny didn't push it, he accepted the mug and made his way over to the kitchen table where he pulled out a chair and sat himself down in it. Immediately, Gatsby peeled himself up off the floor and trotted over to the man's side, finding a seat between his legs so he could rest his furry face on his thigh.
"Looks like someone's a bit attached," he commented thoughtfully, providing the shepard mix with the attention he thought he deserved. Tris had no doubt that if he were on the couch that Gatsby would have crawled into his lap and planted himself there.
The ceramic was almost too hot with the freshly made tea, but the slight burn in his fingertips was a pleasant sort of pain that helped ground him and remind him that he was here and present. "Maybe I'm not really a sweets guy?" He offered, lifting the cup to his lips so he could inhale the scent before taking a sip. "Gives us an excuse to hang out, at least, if you can't figure out that it treat for me." A little shrug and he was setting his cup on the table.
"I don't mind taste-testing though as long as it's not a trouble for you."
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Posted: Tue Aug 08, 2017 3:31 pm
"C'mon, can you get any more corny than that?" He rolled his eyes at the hanging out is a treat comment, though the grin never left his face, the blonde clearly not put off by the implication. The tea was lifted and sipped carefully before Danny pulled the cup back down and began dragging the bag through the mug, stirring it further. "I like hanging out with you too, dweeb. You're never any trouble."
Well, aside from the not responding to texts part but Daniel would never bring that up, not when he knew his friend was already feeling guilty enough as it was for being a terrible texter. "We can hang at the Cube or we can do whatever. I mean, we do have parental responsibilities now, so we might want to consider what's good for the Gats..."
Eyes cast a glance down towards the dog between Tristan's legs, looking happy and content as ever. Little dork. It was clear that Gatsby was attached to Tris, even without the need for treats and bribery.
Well, to be fair, it hadn't taken Danny a treat to find himself attached to the tall boy, either. Funny how that worked.
"I hear there's a few parks around here. Maybe we can all get a little bit of exercise next week, if you've got the time?"
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Posted: Wed Aug 09, 2017 12:00 pm
Tristan blinked, looking a bit perplexed at the accusation. He didn't feel like he had said anything particularly corny, but Danny seemed to think he did so he merely shrugged. "Maybe you're rubbing off on me," he offered, because corny sayings seemed more up the blond's alley than his own. "I know I just..." He sighed and let himself trail off, deciding that it wasn't worth trying to argue over.
Danny had his opinion and Tris didn't share it, but it was fine.
"Does this mean I need to pay some sort of doggy child support? How much do you think that'd be? Cost of food and paying for vet visits?" His nose wrinkled as he tried to do some mental math regarding it. "I can't do shared custody, sorry. Don't want to spring a temporary house guest on Fiona..." His attention returned to the furry beast between his legs. "Don't think that'd be good for Gatsby either."
Dogs needed a stable home and a stable person. At least, he was pretty sure he read that at some point.
Collecting his mug back up with both hands, Tristan looked over at his friend. "Okay, I think I could manage that."
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Posted: Wed Aug 09, 2017 12:46 pm
"Oh no, if I'm the kind-hearted adoptive dad, the Gats is going to be staying here and you have to shape up and show up for him. Can't disappoint the furry kid."
He blinked in surprise at Tristan's offer to pay for Gatsby's care. It was a generous notion, but completely and utterly not the tree that Danny was barking up. "Hey - costs come with the territory of him staying here. You can get him toys and whatever you feel like it, but I've got the rest covered, okay?"
Heaven only knew how much money he had in savings as it was - a small plus to having no life outside of work, perhaps. He'd always figured he'd run off and visit another country one day, but that "one day" just never seemed to arrive, so the small nest of savings simply kept growing and growing in the meantime.
"Could always... be my partner in obedience class, though? I saw one being held over at the community center, thought it might help Gatsby learn some manners." He paused, mid-drink, as his nose wrinkled. "Then again, the silly boy already does everything you tell him to do. What's your secret, anyways?"
Nuxaz Just a couple of cute lil dog dads, nothing to see here, move along.
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Posted: Thu Aug 10, 2017 8:03 am
The conversation was ridiculous and he had to chuckle at the way they were treating a dog like a child. Though, privately, Tristan hoped that if he ever was a dad that he wouldn't be a deadbeat dad, but he wasn't about to voice that. Still, it was an easy joke to keep playing into and it seemed to make his friend happy and maybe that was all that mattered.
"Guess you better keep me in line McKay." Tris commented thoughtfully before he resumed sipping at the tea his companion graciously made for him. "But..." he hesitated, thinking that it was likely that he would be turned down but he wanted to try anyway, "if you need help, with anything you'll let me know, right?" He didn't know why he was so invested in someone else's dog, but clearly Gatsby was attached to him and he knew that some part of him was attached in return.
Who could resist that happy face?
"Oh, maybe." For all his energy, Gatsby seemed like he knew commands, from Tristan at least. "Uh." Green eyes went wide at the question and he shrugged helplessly. "Dunno, no secrets here. Sorry Danny." He frowned because it was appropriate too, wasn't it? "How about, you attend the obedience classes and if Gatsby is good for you, I take you both out after?"
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Posted: Thu Aug 10, 2017 11:59 am
Shaking his head, he clucked his tongue at the offer but grinned nevertheless. "I appreciate the offer, but I accepted these responsibilities when I signed my name on the dotted line. You were too slow in snappin' up old Gats here, so you'll just have to suffer and keep your money in your wallet."
The tea was calming, but then again, so was the presence of his friend. Had Tris not bothered to come over, Danny would probably still be lounging on the couch with his newly acquired friend, flipping channels and sighing about the lack of entertaining programming. This... this was much better.
With no secrets being revealed, the blonde had to finally admit that there wasn't any dog whisperer talents laying dormant within. Clearly, unlike Tris, he'd have to teach Gatsby to listen through other means than just by saying the request. The notion of having an adventure after class, though... well, that almost made it worth it, now didn't it?
"Sounds like a plan. Though you can't spoil him too much, might make a guy jealous."
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Posted: Thu Aug 10, 2017 2:08 pm
Setting his mug down, Tristan held up both hands in surrender. "Okay, okay," he mumbled, doing his best to keep his smile hidden even as he looked at the blond with amusement shining in his eyes. "Don't say I never tried to be a good dog-father."
Gatsby barked at them both and peeled himself free of Tris to trot over to Danny, tongue lolling when he barked for attention.
"Do you want to be spoiled too Danny?" He asked, the idea that his question could be anything but innocent completely missed by him. His smile was gentle and he rested an elbow on the table as he waited, almost expectantly for an answer. "I could spare an afternoon every week to spoil my favorite boys."
It wasn't like Tris had any other close male companions so, to him, it made sense to refer to Danny and Gatsby as his favorite boys.
Only after a moment passed did he blink and realized what he said and how it might be taken. Struggling not to wince and try and talk his way out of the awkwardness, he just added more things on. "But that's only if Gatsby does well in class. If he doesn't, he doesn't get to join us."
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Posted: Fri Aug 11, 2017 2:03 am
He held his breath, genuinely surprised as the large dog padded away from his favorite person and ambled his way towards him. Danny immediately moved to the side of the counter to greet the canine, kneeling down to rub the old dog behind both of his ears in awed appreciation. He was so tickled, in fact, that he almost missed what Tris said.
Almost.
"I wouldn't complain to making it a weekly affair."
Eyes remained focused on Gatsby though the tips of his ears burned a bright, angry red. "Can't complain about getting more time with our favorite person, can we Gats?"
The dog barked, adding his thoughts on the subject and appearing happily enthusiastic about everything in general.
"Need to get him a proper collar. And a vet." It was easy, getting overwhelmed with the growing list of to-dos when it came to his newest charge. Danny laughed, the sound more forced than genuine. "They weren't kidding when they said that dogs were a lot of work. Really does feel like I ended up with a furry overgrown kid, ha."
The furry, overgrown child in question proceeded to flop down on the ground and present his belly for further rubbing.
As he indulged the dog with affection, he shrugged and finally glanced up towards the brunette, his smile bright and cheerful as always. "Did you have some place in mind to go? Y'know, next week."
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Posted: Fri Aug 11, 2017 9:15 am
"Then we'll make it a weekly thing," Tris responded definitively.
Despite assurances that he was fine, the brunet was determined to make a positive change that meant he was more present in his day to day affairs and the lives of his friends. He was going to be better about his texting habits and how he communicated. He was.
"Did you get him a kennel?" Tris asked, gaze sweeping across the kitchen as if to look for one. "Gatsby's a good boy but probably too high energy to leave out when you're not home." While he didn't care much for the idea of kenneling, he understood why it was necessary.
"If you want, we can go get that stuff now? I don't have anything else today."
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Posted: Fri Aug 11, 2017 3:02 pm
Kennel?
Danny's nose scrunched as he thought over the suggestion. He hadn't... he hadn't thought about a kennel before. Kennel was a nice way of saying cage and the negative connotations that came with the word cage left a foul taste in his mouth. Gatsby had been in a cage for far too long as it was, but...
Green eyes drifted to the chewed up leg of the table where Tris sat, a tiny shred of mutilated newspaper lingering beneath the shadows of the furniture like unswept evidence. He had made a nuisance of himself the two times Danny had been forced to go to work and leave him behind, so maybe if the kennel was big enough, maybe it wouldn't be so... inhumane?
"Do you think it will... upset him?"
The question sounded much more intelligent in his head and Danny inwardly winced at just how pathetic it sounded out loud. "I mean, he probably could use a safe space of his own, right? It's not like... a bad thing, to put him in one when I'm out?"
He rose from the floor, the dog happily still splayed out with his haunches bent, as if he could never get enough belly rubs to satisfy his eternal need for attention. "I mean, it doesn't hurt to look, right? Lemme grab my shoes and wallet - wanna grab Gats's leash? It's over there, on the stand by the door."
Swallowing hard, he dodged his silly question by ducking out of the room to fetch his shoes. Nothing like escaping when he knew his cheeks were growing too red for their own good.
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Posted: Mon Aug 14, 2017 8:57 am
Where all of this doggy-related knowledge he apparently harbored came from, Tris didn't know but had to assume that it came from part of his other, mostly forgotten life. He could see the hesitation on Danny's face when he brought up the kennel and dark brows furrowed in response. Chapped lips pressed together when he swallowed, cup set back on the table so that he could wipe off sweaty palms on the tops of his jeans.
"No." Tris made sure to sound confident, resolute, when he answered. "Kennels, if you get the right size, aren't a bad thing Danny." There had been more he wanted to say but it appeared that his companion had made a decision about going to go look at them. Carefully he rose, watching as Gatsby perked at the sound of leash. Leashes meant walks and walks meant for an excited dog!
Doing as instructed, Tris cross the room to fetch the leash that he clipped to Gatsby's collar. Both man and dog exited the kitchen to look for their blond haired companion. "It'll be a good thing Danny. A safe space for Gats when you're not home or he needs somewhere to recoop."
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