Everything Is Blue

Chapter 39

Apartment 402 at GraStone Village was so quiet that you could hear the horns and the traffic through the closed windows. The only sound that echoed in the place was the ripping of tape. A ray of light shone through the window, illuminating the apartment kitchen in a yellow warmth. Despite it being February, the weather had been pleasant (aside from a few evening chills).

At the table, sat Kimbra, nearly done with wrapping Bud's Valentine's Day gift. She actually thought it was a meaningless holiday. It never really mattered to her in the past. She'd always refuse gifts from potential suitors. Mock them for celebrating something as trivial as Valentine's Day. Never really bought anyone a gift, much less ever celebrated it herself.

But this year would be different, she vowed. This year she would do all the ridiculous traditions. She'd give Bud a sappy over thoughtful gift. A generic card with a boring message on the inside. Gush to him about how much their relationship meant to her.

And... well... whatever else couples did on Valentine's Day.

...

She'd figure out the rest of it later.

***

Bud Flud felt like his life was finally going in a way he could enjoy. This was what he'd been waiting for. True genuine happiness. Before Kimbra, he had lived without any feeling or passion. He loved her. He loved what she had brought to his life and what she brought out in him.

And that was rare for him this early in a relationship.

Before he met her, the hound was just Bud Flud, owner of Sparkling Crystal Pure Flud Water who went home, ate if he felt like it, and stayed up until late watching his brother's talk show. He mainly went through the motions until he met her, but after Bud realized he'd fallen in love with the Samoyed, it was only then did he start truly living.

The sunshine to his wilting flower.

Bud had just pulled in front of Kimbra's apartment complex, parking his car. He turned the key, shutting it off with a small dreamy sigh. The hound stepped out of the car, shoving his hands into his pockets. He closed the door with a foot and headed up the walkway to the lobby doors.

He had been looking forward to coming here all day. Away from work and dealing with people. Just spend the rest of the night with his favorite person.

Stopped in front of her door, and knocked twice.

"Come in!" A sweet feminine voice called out from within.

Bud grinned as he opened the door, poking his head into the apartment before stepping inside. The door shut behind him with a small thud.

His heart softened at the sight of her. A thing Bud could very well get used to.

"Hi Buddy." Kimbra approached him, placing her arms around his neck. Pressed her snout against his cheek. "Did you really come all the way here to see me?"

He leaned into the kiss with a smile. "Of course I did."

She pulled away from him, out of his arms. Took his hand and led the man into the small kitchen. "Do you want coffee or anything? Water? Lemonade?"

"No, I'm fine. But thank you."

They stopped in front of the table, Kimbra completely forgetting about the wrapped gift behind her. She kept her hand in his, swinging it lightly. Hoping that the smile on her face wasn't too obvious.

"Came to ask where do you want to go for Valentine's Day, or should I just surprise you?" Bud asked, bringing a hand up to run through Kimbra's hair.

That made her roll her blue eyes. "Valentine's Day is a capitalist construct that pressures you into buying gifts for someone just to prove your love. Of course, you're into that."