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Post by Dare Blackwood-Hardt on Oct 25, 2012 17:41:47 GMT -5
Dare told Elouai to sit before he knocked on the door. The shop was closed by now, and he knew chances were high that Rhys and Matthew would just be sitting around, Rhys doing Internet on his computer.
"They're going to love this," he said to Michael. He and Elouai had been back at Hogwarts for weeks now, and though his friends were probably enjoying their privacy, Matthew had loved having Elouai around.
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Post by Rhys Moreau on Oct 25, 2012 17:52:43 GMT -5
Rhys was up and slipping by Matthew before the man had the chance to finish saying I'll get it. He didn't know who was at the door, but taking a trip down the stairs would help rid himself of some of the energy that had been filling him the past couple of days. When he opened the door, he smiled brightly. "Hey!" he said, glancing between the three visitors.
"Come on in." He stepped back and, unable to help himself, raised a hand to his neck, where a new piece of jewelry sat. Just how long did he have to wait before it was polite to brag a little? "We're not really doing anything."
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Post by Dare Blackwood-Hardt on Oct 25, 2012 18:18:50 GMT -5
"Good," Dare said. He headed in, watching as Elouai nosed into Rhys's hand. "We're here to take you guys out, if you're up to it." And they'd brought a present. Dare didn't say anything about the paper gift bag Michael was carrying, but that could wait until they had Matthew around.
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Post by Rhys Moreau on Oct 25, 2012 18:21:05 GMT -5
"Oh, yeah, sure," Rhys said. "I'm sure I've been driving Matthew mad the past couple of days, he'll probably jump down the stairs at the chance to get out." He squatted to briefly give Elouai some well-missed attention, then gestured for the others to head upstairs as he stood. "We were just listening to the radio, not really doing much."
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Post by Dare Blackwood-Hardt on Oct 25, 2012 18:25:30 GMT -5
"You said that," Dare pointed out. He squatted to unleash Elouai, then let her run ahead. They'd probably be here a few minutes, and she'd be much happier if she got some free time before they left again.
In the living room, Dare gave a brief wave to Matthew. "We're taking you out," he said. "It's boring in here, you need something to do." He was sure that they had plenty to do, but he was also sure they'd enjoy the results of their outing.
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Post by Matthew Moreau on Oct 25, 2012 18:32:11 GMT -5
Matthew watched as Rhys followed Elouai around the room to find a leftover toy, then looked over at Dare and Michael. "Okay, where are we going?" he asked, raising his eyebrows briefly. His gaze flickered over toward Michael, wondering if this outing with him would turn out better than the first one had.
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Post by Dare Blackwood-Hardt on Oct 25, 2012 18:35:54 GMT -5
Dare took the bag from Michael and pulled out a sturdy rope tug toy, a new version of one Elouai had loved since she was a puppy. He tossed it to Rhys, then handed the rest of the bag to Matthew.
"We're getting you a dog," he said. "Elouai's coming to give her advice." She was a great judge of character to begin with, and if he was getting his friends a dog, they may as well like each other.
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Post by Matthew Moreau on Oct 25, 2012 18:37:49 GMT -5
Matthew's eyes widened in surprise and he sat forward in his seat to take the bag. "You're kidding." He glanced toward Rhys. "I mean, I've been thinking of getting one, but you..." That was kind of a big gift, wasn't it? "It's not for the collaring, is it? I mean, we didn't even announce it or anything."
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Post by Rhys Moreau on Oct 25, 2012 18:39:47 GMT -5
Rhys looked up in surprise, as well, after catching the toy. Matthew had been wanting a dog for quite a long time, but they hadn't made any decisions about it, yet. And no, they hadn't announced the collaring, so far only one or two other people knew. "Are you serious?" he asked, though his surprise was melting into a broad smile, perhaps partly because of the look on Matthew's face.
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Post by Dare Blackwood-Hardt on Oct 25, 2012 18:45:49 GMT -5
"Wait, what collaring?" Dare asked, looking between the two. "No, it was just..." He and Michael had thought it would be a good way to say thank you for everything, and they had enough money, now that they were back together. "You did it, huh?" And they hadn't said a thing. Maybe it was presumptuous to assume he'd have been invited to a collaring ceremony.
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Post by Rhys Moreau on Oct 25, 2012 18:48:20 GMT -5
Rhys glanced over at Matthew, but he said nothing, so Rhys took the opportunity. "Yeah, it was just me, Matthew, and my old Dom, the one you went to. We didn't tell anyone, mostly because Matthew didn't tell me, he just dressed me up and dragged me off." He smiled brightly. "We're thinking of having a party as an official announcement, though."
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Post by Matthew Moreau on Oct 25, 2012 19:02:36 GMT -5
"Yeah, I wanted a private ceremony, nothing fancy, just me and him. I kind of wanted to surprise him, too. It just happened day before last, so more or less no one knows, yet. You're one of the first people to know," Matthew said, smiling. "And I haven't been able to keep him still for more than five minutes since it happened."
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Post by Dare Blackwood-Hardt on Oct 25, 2012 19:06:03 GMT -5
Dare made himself smile, and tried to shrug off the hurt feelings he had. More or less no one knows. More or less. It was none of his damned business. "Well, congratulations, I guess," he said. He wondered if he'd ever have found out if he hadn't shown up at some point. "Get dressed, let's get you that dog."
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Post by Matthew Moreau on Oct 25, 2012 19:21:24 GMT -5
"You don't have to get me a dog, Dare, that's a big thing," Matthew said, though it was a token effort, proven by the fact that he stood and set the bag aside even as he asked. "I mean, even shelter dogs are expensive..." He glanced toward Rhys, knowing he would prefer they got a rescue from previous conversations about it.
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Post by Michael Blackwood-Hardt on Oct 25, 2012 19:22:34 GMT -5
If neither of the others caught on Dare's discomfort, Michael did, and he took a step closer and took a hand. "It's just to say thank you," he said. "You know, for letting Dare stay here this summer, for being good friends to him, that kind of thing. Just for your help. You're not allowed to say no."
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