Temporary Bliss [boyxboy]

37: Surprise

Caleb

[note: a little shorter, but I hope you enjoy!]

I'm not sure what had possessed me to agree to go get some last-minute stuff at the mall with Matt on Christmas Eve, but I had and I couldn't back out now that we were already about to enter the shopping center.

It was absolutely packed, and I was wondering what the hell was so important that he absolutely had to get it now. Because by the looks of it, the odds of us even being able to find anything were pretty slim.

And still, I followed my friend through the masses awkwardly, quite thankful for my height because that way I couldn't lose him.
He got some cheesy cutesy stuff for Danny that almost made me vomit and some other things that I wasn't allowed to see.

There was another reason I had come along with Matt, though. Because I had a... special gift for Finn, and I'd stored it at Matt's parents' house for the past two days. We were fetching it now, and I was a little nervous if I was completely honest.

I didn't know why, because I was absolutely sure that Finn would be ecstatic and do anything to ensure that the little guy was happy.

Yeah - I'd gotten Finn a three month old puppy from the local animal shelter. After much thought and talking to Matt and Danny about it, I had decided that that was truly the perfect gift for Finn.
And even though I didn't exactly love dogs, I could appreciate that I'd chosen well because the little mutt was definitely adorable.

"Oh, hi!" said Matt's mother excitedly as she opened the door with a warm smile. I returned it and stepped inside along with the red-head beside me.

It wasn't long until the small dog came running up to both Matt and I excitedly, whining quietly when we didn't immediately shower him with attention.
I surrendered and crouched down to give the pup a fuss and scratch him behind the ears gently. Yeah, he was cute.

"Here's all the stuff, I hope I didn't forget anything," said Mrs. Mullins and handed me a bag with the puppy's food bowls, blanket and everything else I'd gotten for him.

"Thank you," I said politely and Matt hugged his mom.

"I'll come by tomorrow afternoon, yeah? Thanks Mom, see ya!"

With that we left, an overly-excited puppy in tow.

Matt agreed to staying in the car with the puppy so that I could go warn Finn.

Stepping into the living room I rubbed my palms together nervously and cleared my throat. Both Finn and Danny, who had previously been in a conversation, fell silent and looked up at me.

"Uh, Finn?" I started, "I kind of have to give you one of your gifts already. Is that cool?"

"Of course," said the blonde boy, but he looked immensely confused.

"Great. Stay where you are, I'll be right back."

I turned around and jogged back outside to collect the puppy. When he saw me, he let out an excited, high-pitched bark and I put my index finger to my lips: "Shh! You're a surprise! Don't ruin it!"

I picked him up and carried him inside through the front door that I'd left open.
When I re-entered the living room, Finn and Danny were already talking again. I cleared my throat for the second time to get at least Finn's attention.
When I did, it took a few seconds for him to register what was going on.

He gasped, his eyes going wide: "For- for me?"

I nodded, "For who else would it be?"

I set the puppy down, who immediately ran towards Finn and began attacking his face with a pink tongue as disbelieving laughs filled the air.