JP - RIP Bruno

Sorley sleepily snuggled up against Gelf, breathing in her hair.

Gelf mumbled softly and pressed closer to Sorley before her eyes fluttered open. Letting out a yawn, she smiled at him. “Morning,” She said in a sweet tone.

Sorley stared at Gelf, having that brief moment of panic. He registered that she was smiling, she was happy. She was not sad, crying, scared or angry. He remembered last night and recalled that she was happy last night too, he never did anything to her that she did not want him to do, he forced the unwarranted guilt away and returned her smile. “Morning.” He replied, gently stroking some stray pink hairs from Gelf’s face.

When his fingers brushed along her shoulder to stroke the hair out of her face, she let out a soft giggle. “Sleep well, handsome?” She asked, rubbing his shoulder gently. “I hope so. You really wore me out last night. Where did all that energy come from?” The smile never left her face. She was truly happy with him.

“I slept well.” Sorley blushed scarlet. At least he made Gelf happy last night. “I don’t know…” His blush became alarmingly bright. “I just tried to do what you wanted me to… I hope it’s what you wanted me to do.” Sorley blushed from the dark roots of his hair to his toes.

“Of course it is.” Gelf said and stroked his hair back gently. “You always do what I want, but I hope you enjoyed yourself and did what you wanted. Remember, I want you to be happy, too.” She explained and gave him a gentle kiss. “Should we get up?”

“I enjoyed myself.” If Sorley blushed more Gelf would have to call an ambulance. Last night was amazing. “I guess we can get up… do you want waffles or pancakes?”

“Surprise me,” Gelf said with a wink. “I’m gonna get a quick shower and check on Bruno.”

“Okay.” Sorley got out of bed, his blush started to fade until he realized he was still naked. He got some boxers from his dresser and pulled them on.

Gelf giggled again. “You worry too much about nudity, silly.” She told him as she got up and made her way out of the room without a worry.

Sorley blushed at Gelf’s words. He looked in his drawer and saw the box of condoms and blushed again. He felt faint for a moment and leaned against the dresser. After he recovered he got dressed and went downstairs to start making breakfast.

After her shower, Gelf got dressed and found Bruno relaxing on the floor in the kitchen with Sorley. The dog was simply watching the man cook, a tired look in his dog eyes.

Sorley smiled at Gelf, he was experimenting with a savory, cheesy waffle. “Good morning, you’re just in time. And you don’t have to fight Kiana for the first waffle out of the iron- she must be at the vet’s with Herbert.”

“Ah, yeah, she mentioned that,” Gelf said with a smile and sat at the table, reaching down to pet Bruno. The dog let out a small huff of joy and kept relaxing.

Sorley brought Gelf the first waffle from the iron, it was ‘imperfect’, shaped slightly like a heart. Probably on purpose. He set the plate in front of Gelf, and laid out toppings on the table before going back to the waffle iron.

“Oh, Sorley, it’s perfect!” Gelf said with a giggle and promptly enjoyed the waffle. Even imperfections were perfect to her.

Sorley made a stack of waffles and brought them to the table with a plate for himself. He smiled at Gelf, just happy to be with her. Everything about her was just perfect, she was so beautiful, and so kind. His eyes sparkled.

Gelf smiled at him and enjoyed breakfast and the morning with Sorley and watching over Bruno. The old dog hadn’t moved from his spot once and she knew it was almost time, so she kept close and petted him gently. Bruno deserved some comfort and happiness in his last moments.

Sorley could tell that Bruno would not be around for much longer, so he tried to make Gelf and the dog as comfortable as possible.

Gelf merely continued petting Bruno until he finally fell asleep, only to never wake up again…

Sorley noticed that Bruno was so still he was no longer breathing. He gently wrapped his arms around Gelf.

Gelf had to take some time to weep, hugging Sorley tightly. Bruno had been with her before she’d even come to the farm, so it hurt to see the old dog go. They would have to bury him, but for now she just needed to shed her tears.

Sorley held Gelf tight, rubbing her back in soothing circles. He shed some tears too, he had not known Bruno as long as Gelf did, but he had grown attached to the old dog in the past five years. He also hated for Gelf to hurt.

After a while, Gelf would get to work on digging a grave for Bruno, keeping silent the entire time.

Sorley carried some digging tools to the grave. “Do you want help?” He asked her softly.

Gelf shook her head. “No, this is something I have to do on my own.” She explained and gently touched his face. “Thank you, though, love.”

Sorley nodded, he set the tools to the side where Gelf could easily reach them. “I’m here for you.”

“Thank you so much, Sorley.” Gelf replied as she kept working. “I may need your help with getting him down into the grave, though.”

“I’ll do anything for you.” Sorley said, watching Gelf sadly.

Gelf could only smile…

It would be hours later when they finally had him buried and a little cross stuck in the ground for him. On her way inside, she realized something and understood why this unsettling feeling had come over her a while ago. “Kiana and Herbert aren’t back yet…” She told Sorley.