Chapter Text
RC: So what are you getting Cullen for his nameday?
RT: Maker’s breath
RT: I don’t know
RT: Well, that’s not true. I KNOW what I want to get him, but …
RT: I think I need your help.
RC: MY help? Why am I scared?
RT: Are you home? I’ll be home in about 15 and can explain everything.
RC: See you soon.
Regan Cousland sat her phone on top of the pile of towels behind her and frowned at the small plastic pool in front of her. The complex’s hose was taking way too long to get an adequate amount of suds out of the water. Before Alistair had moved in she would just do this in the apartment’s bathroom, then light candles to try and hide the wet dog smell. But it just didn’t seem fair to make him deal with the smell seeping into everything he owned. “What in the Maker’s name could she need my help for, Jasper?”
“Woof!”
“Helpful.” Regan exhaled and rubbed her eyes. Every now and then, she could swear her dog had picked up the ability to use sarcasm. Oh well; time to get to work. “In you go. No stalling this time.” There was a pause, and she saw what could only be described as a mischievous grin cross his face. His muscles tensed; his back end waggled, almost like a cat getting ready to pounce. “Don’t you even …”
*SPLASH*
Of course. Her lips pursed tightly, biting back the shriek she knew her dog had been angling for while trying to look as stern as she could. As slow as that pool had filled, there had obviously been enough water to thoroughly drench anyone nearby, which was currently limited to Regan. “Really, Jas?” She looked down at herself, arms extended on either side, hair hanging in front of her eyes.
“Woof!”
“Uh huh; sure you are.” With a sigh, hair was pushed away from her face before plucking up the bottle of mabari shampoo. “Now hold still; I don’t have five hours to try and get you clean. Trev’s gonna be here in about ten minutes and I don’t want a dog with a sick sense of humor drenching her too.”
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“I tried to warn you.” Regan Cousland sighed and watched as the mostly-dry Jasper sprawled comfortably in a sunny spot on the sidewalk in front of the complex. She leaned back on one of the spare towels she had brought out with her before starting the dangerous task of bathing a mabari. “Honestly, any normal person coming up on a kiddie pool with a very large mabari in it would give it a wide berth.” She grinned as Regan Trevelyan proceeded to lift one finger in her general direction.
“You waved me over,” Trev laughed, sitting cross-legged with yet another towel between herself and the grass in front of the apartment. “I just figured that meant it was safe.” She hadn’t expected to be greeted by a soaking wet dog determined to give her a hug. “Besides, when have you ever considered me normal?”
“Point.” Regan thought about running inside to change into something dry, but until Jasper was actually completely dry, it wasn’t really worth the risk. So, she and Trev just relaxed on towels, letting the sun dry their clothes while Trev outlined her plan for Cullen’s name day. “So you’re determined? This is for sure what you want to do for his name day?” The answering nod was met with a thoughtful purse of lips. “You realize, though, there’s a chance the one you pick out won’t … be a fit, right? It’s perfectly possible that it will; you know Cullen well enough. But it can be a tricky thing.”
“I know.” Trev drummed her fingertips against the sidewalk. “What if you and I go and check out the place first, then schedule a time to bring the boys and let Cullen pick it out himself?” It was imperative that he be happy with this gift. It was something he’d wanted ever since childhood. Rosalie had once even mentioned that he would sneak over to the neighbor’s house in the evenings just to see theirs.
“Sounds like a plan. I know just the place; we can go as soon as we change into something dry.”