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“Oh, it’s you,” Buddy smirked, leaned up against the doorway.
Dusty blushed and turned her face away shyly. “Yep, it’s me.” She giggled. “Sorry to drop in so suddenly, but I really wanted to see you,” she said, nervously tugging on her ear.
“Oh? Miss me already D?” He chucked, wiggling his brows at her. She laughs harder, gesturing him to stop.
“Quit that, you,” she gently placed her hand on his chest, and gave it a few gentle pats. “This is serious..” she paused. “Sorta,” Buddy raised a brow.
“Come on, I'll show you!” She beamed. Buddy nods and steps aside. Dusty smiled and walks in, carrying a small bag. Buddy shuts the door and follows close behind, looking down at the small, purple poodle leading the way.
“Here!” Dusty throws herself onto the couch and pushes the bag into his hands. “Take a look!” She bounces.
Buddy blinked and stared down at the bag. Odd, usually when Dusty gave him presents, it be wrapped up in lovey dovey wrapping paper with a neatly wrapped boy on top. This, however, was just a brown bag with crumbled construction paper covering the top, hiding the gift from sight.
“Sorry about that. When I had gotten it, I didn’t have the time to wrap it up like I normally do. I was just too excited!” She excitedly pats the spot next to her and winks. “Cmon, let’s look at this bad boy together.” She smiled.
Buddy rolled his eyes and shook his head, chuckling, he plopped next to Dusty. The impact nearly launches her off the couch.“Alright, alright,” he digs his hand through the bag, “but…. you know…you don’t always have to get me something just to see me,” he side eyed her, smirking. “You can always drop by whenever, D.” He said with a flirtatious tone.
Dusty blushed. “I know.. But, I-I like bringing you gifts,” she said, fidgeting with her sleeves. Hesitantly, she gently rests her cheek against his messy, scruffy fur. Despite it looking disgusting and rough, it was actually soft to the touch, much to people’s shock. She melted into his arm.
Buddy smiled. He pulled out the construction paper, set it aside, and reached for the object; it was a picture frame.
“Ta-da!” Dusty squirmed excitedly. “It’s a picture of us!”
Buddy gazed at the picture Frame in his hands. It was indeed a picture of them two, but there was just one problem…
“Er, D….” He looks at her, absolutely baffled.
“You do know I don’t show up in photos, right?” Buddy said, containing the laughter bubbling up within him.
“I do,” she nodded, a bit embarrassed, “but that’s ok. No one else needs to understand it but us.” She held the other side of the picture frame. “Just me and you.”
Buddy thought about it before turning his attention back to the frame. The frame itself was made of wood, with beautiful patterns decorated on each side of the frame. Buddy couldn’t help but trace his thumb against it…. So smooth…
After analyzing the frame, he takes a closer look at the photo. To others, it just looks like a regular photo of Dusty making a silly face over a sleeping Gromit, but to buddy (and Dusty), it was a photo of the both of them making silly faces. Buddy remembered this; Fluffles had invited Dusty over for dinner, and Gromit had called it a night not too long after they had finished dessert. Buddy had this great idea to go upstairs and mess with him, and Dusty was all in. The two snuck into his bedroom, snapped a few photos, and then scribbled on his face with permanent sharpie, it was absolutely hilarious! Though, it did take the poor chap quite a few weeks to get it off. Buddy snickered remembering that.
“Do you… like it?” Dusty said, interrupting buddy’s train of thought.
“Huh? Oh,” he sets it aside, “I love it D, this is awesome!”
“Yea?”
“Yea!” Buddy gets up and picks up the frame. “I gotta put this somewhere, somewhere where I can see it!” He scans the room, eager to find a place for it. “Crap—Ya think Gromit will get mad if I hang this and in his room?” He said, half joking.
Dusty giggles and nods her head, “yea, I think so. You know how he is.”
“Yea, yea. He’s already mad I’ve been leaving my stuff here,” he scoffed, “what a baby; his casa is me casa, right?”
Dusty shakes her head.
“Oh come on!” Buddy whined. Dusty giggles.
“Wait, I have an idea!”
Dusty blinked and tilted her head. Before she could even ask, Buddy shoved the frame into his fur. Dusty jumped.
“Ta-da!! Cool, right? It’s only one of my many, many, MANY awesome powers.” He smirks, “here, check this.” Dusty didn’t know how this could get any weirder, but it does. He takes a steps back, lifts up his arms, and sucks them right into to his torso. Then, his legs merge and mesh Into each other, creating a sort of long dress, but with fur.
Dusty yelps and covers her mouth. Her eyes shining with amazement.
“Holy cow… That is….” She pauses.
“INCREDIBLE!” She squealed, running to him. “I didn’t know you could do that!” She barked, wagging her tail excitedly.
“I know,” an arm pops out, “I’m amazing, I know~” He said with a wink. Dusty swoons.
“Anyway, I think I’m gonna hold onto it for now until I get to my office. I’ve got a GREAT spot for it there.” He said, His body gradually starting to return back to normal.
Dusty clasps her hands (sleeves?) together and smiled widely. “Oh thank you, thank you thank you, thank you!” She jumps him, pulling him into a tight hug. Buddy wheezed before returning the gesture.
After a beat or two, Dusty pulled away. She glances at the grandfather clock behind Buddy (An heirloom passed down to Wallace no doubt) and gasps. “Crumbs, I’m going to be late!” She quickly heads for the door.
“Late? Late for what, you just got here!” Buddy complained.
“I-I know, I’m sorry!” She cracks the door open halfway, “but I have to back to the police station before PC Mukherjee realizes I’m gone!” She slips out the door. “Goodbye buddy, goodbye! I’ll see you tomorrow for lunch!”
“Dusty wait!—“ But before Buddy could finish, she was already gone.
Buddy just stands there at the doorway, completely baffled. He was expecting—no—HOPING she’d stay just a bit longer, but unfortunately, that wasn’t the case….
——————————————————————
“Hey buddy, turn off the light will you? I think I’m finished reading for tonight.” Gromit closes his book.
“Sure, I can do that,” he smirks, “it’s easier to watch you sleep in the dark that way…”
“Ugh,” Gromit rolled his eyes. This kind of thing was nothing out of the ordinary. Buddy says stupid stuff like that all the time, the trick is to just ignore him. So Gromit does. He settles into bed and pulls the blanket over himself. “Just be quiet while you do that, ok?” He yawned.
“Rodger,” Buddy hummed, switching off the lamp with one quick motion. He then turns to Gromit and leans in uncomfortably close. “Goodnight sweetie~” he said teasingly, fluttering his lashes.
Gromit groaned and rolled over to the other side. “Don’t call me that.” he huffed.
Buddy chuckles. “Alright alright…” he said, “i won’t call you sweetie…”
Gromit sighs in relief. “Thank you…”
Buddy’s mustache curls into a mischievous grin. “Of course…“ he taps his chin, “I’ll just call ya honey then.”
Gromit groans even louder. “Goodnight, Buddy.”
Buddy looks over Gromit, his features softening.
“Night, bud…” he whispered. Buddy turns his back, walks over to the corner of the room and plops down with a thud. A grunt escapes him as he adjusts himself, not the most comfortable, but it’ll do—he thought.
Reaching into his chest fur, he pulls out the picture frame and begins to trace his fingers over the glass. Not a single crack or scratch.
He smiles softly. Oh D, you’re always wearing you heart under you sleeve…
he settles in more comfortably, holding the picture frame up close to his nose. He couldn’t wait to see her again tomorrow.
