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Jaxon's light-hearted comment brought a smile to Gabriel's face. "Well no. I definitely plan on being there."<br/>
<br/>
Gabriel leaned against the counter as he grabbed a stainless steel mixing bowl from the middle shelf in the kitchen cabinet. He continued talking as he turned on the faucet, filling up the bowl with cold water for Kiv. Gabriel chuckled as crouched, setting the bowl down for the dog. As he rose to stand, his hand brushed gently over his thick mane. Turning to gaze at Jaxon, he would have never expected him to dispense relationship advice. Nor would he have asked for Jaxon to give him advice on his love life. Gabriel was surprised by the admission that Jaxon survived a marriage near miss.<br/>
<br/>
"Wow. Almost married. Guess it must be your girlfriend's loss, huh?"<br/>
<br/>
A winsome smile accompanied another one of Gabriel's compliments, as he brought his glass of limeade into the living room as he joined Jaxon there on the sofa. Long ebony hair cascading into his face was flicked back over his shoulder after nodding his head in agreement. Knowing where Jaxon stood as far as his relationship with Slater Conway meant it wasn't necessary to say another word about his psychotic ex-boyfriend. As it wasn't really any of his business to ask, Gabriel didn't pry even though he was curious about what happened with Jaxon's failed relationship.<br/>
<br/>
Gabriel sipped his limeade but appeared to be deep in thought about something, but Kiv approaching the sofa seemed to refocus him, and Gabriel's hand patted the edge of the cushion for Kiv to rest his muzzle on. Petting Jaxon's dog felt so calming, and seemed to ease the awkward yet anxious edge to having Jaxon in such proximity to him. Not only was he extremely handsome, he smelled pretty good. Like aftershave. Or good shampoo. One thing that Gabriel could agree on was the fact their pain was shared.<br/>
<br/>
"I suppose you and I are a couple of big messes. I have mine and you have yours. That makes us quite a pair."<br/>
<br/>
Gabriel flicked the television on, but turned to a cable channel that had music on it, America's Top 20, but set the volume on low in order to hear what Jaxon was saying. He didn't want to fall into a muddy pit of uncomfortable silence while being a host, especially during this getting to know Jaxon phase.  Gabriel could see that his flirting wasn't having any effect on Jaxon, but it didn't matter to him. It was just his habit, and a habit that was hard to break. Gabriel was as oblivious about the way Jaxon thought he was level-headed and relaxing, as Jaxon was to the fact Gabe was flirting with him.<br/>
<br/>
"Well we can space our dinner date out a little. OH! Or I can make something on the light side. Do you like fish?"  he asked.<br/>
<br/>
Since they were still on the topic of adopting a dog to be the much needed canine companion for Gabriel, he was delighted to hear that Jaxon thought that he would make a good candidate to adopt a dog. With his being connected to the Academy and all, it seemed to be a done deal. Seeing as Jaxon invited him to come for a visit to his job, Gabriel wholeheartedly agreed.<br/>
<br/>
"I'd love to come for a visit Jaxon, and see if I can find a dog to become my partner in crime."<br/>
<br/>
Gabriel didn't say aloud this thought: <i>Since you're straight and can't become my partner in crime, Jaxon.</i><br/>
<br/>
<i>But a boy could still dream couldn't he?</i><br/>
<br/>
They conversed until half past midnight, and then it was time to call it a night. Jaxon was kind enough to walk him back to his Uncle's home after he locked up the casita. Gabriel felt much better for having had Jaxon there tonight, and he quickly fell asleep once he settled into bed.<br/>
<br/>
<i>---------------------------------------------------------</i><br/>
<br/>
Gabriel woke up early the following day, but not for the same reasons that Jaxon had. He had breakfast, and took an hour to decide what color shirt he should wear with his blue jeans, as if he lost some brain cells last night. Under normal circumstances, Gabe was calm and collected. He knew how to coordinate his clothing selections, and he wouldn't have burnt his fried tortillas while daydreaming about Jaxon's blue eyes.<br/>
<br/>
"Get it together, Gabriel. Get it together." he repeated the mantra.<br/>
<br/>
Gabriel chose a turquoise and blue plaid short sleeved shirt, worn over a plain white T-shirt and his jeans. He wore his blue Chuck Taylor's, and a pair of Ray-Ban sunglasses on his handsome face. He thought of bringing a gift for Jaxon's dog Kiv, and stopped at Petco on the way over to his house. He wasn't quite certain what kind of toy to buy Kiv, but he gave a basic description of the dog to a Pet Specialist, and he recommended a <a class="link link--external" data-proxy-href="/proxy.php?link=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.schutzhund-dog-training-equipment-store.com%2Fimages%2Flarge%2FDog-Rubber-Ball-string-dog-training-toys-Rottweiler_LRG.jpg&amp;hash=6c0789e413e5367fb407162f5d6142ae" href="https://www.schutzhund-dog-training-equipment-store.com/images/large/Dog-Rubber-Ball-string-dog-training-toys-Rottweiler_LRG.jpg" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" target="_blank">ball tug toy</a> for heavy chewers.<br/>
<br/>
He hoped that the dog would like playing with it, and the trip to the pet store sort of gave him a feel of what it was like to buy something for an animal. There was so much of a selection of different dog foods, toys, collars and leashes, supplements, beds and carriers that if Gabe hadn't asked for assistance he would have been in Petco all day. Since he was asked to bring a side dish to Jaxon's barbeque, Gabriel made some <a class="link link--external" data-proxy-href="/proxy.php?link=http%3A%2F%2Fcook.fnr.sndimg.com%2Fcontent%2Fdam%2Fimages%2Fcook%2Ffullset%2F2011%2F7%2F7%2F0%2FCCKEL210_Black-Bean-Salad-with-Mango-Cilantro-and-Lime_s4x3.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.462.suffix%2F1496512574953.jpeg&amp;hash=0facf6b813eb3adb366c1a92e18b56b6" href="http://cook.fnr.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/cook/fullset/2011/7/7/0/CCKEL210_Black-Bean-Salad-with-Mango-Cilantro-and-Lime_s4x3.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.462.suffix/1496512574953.jpeg" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" target="_blank">black bean salad with mango, cilantro and lime.</a> The tortillas he planned to make had burned beyond recognition, and he thought that the light, cool salad would be a real crowd pleaser.<br/>
<br/>
Gabriel had no trouble finding Jaxon's place, especially since his home had been on his delivery route originally. He pulled up to the curb and parked, getting himself a pretty decent spot close by. He could already smell the charcoal burning, and couldn't wait to sample some of Jaxon's cooking. He was nervous as hell as he approached the front door, leaning on one Converse covered foot, then the other as he tucked a lock of dark hair behind his ear. Blue tupperware bowl in hand, Gabriel appeared to be among one of the first of Jaxon's guests to arrive.<br/>
<br/>
It was already a substantial crowd, and even though he didn't mean to gaze around at the faces of Jaxon's friends, he of course was looking for someone that looked like himself. Not seeing any brown faces tended to make Gabriel's anxiety worse, but he trusted Jaxon more than he did Slater Conway. His co-host, Kiv, was there with his tail wagging at the front door to greet Gabriel when he arrived.<br/>
<br/>
"Hey Kiv! Help me find Jaxon! Where's he at, boy?" asked Gabriel to the dog he had a surprise for.<br/>
<br/>
Kiv was definitely intelligent as well as well-trained, leading Gabriel inside and through the back door where he was able to find Jaxon manning the grill. Gabriel grinned, his heart doing a flip-flop in his chest when he saw Jaxon. There were lots and lots of preparations underway, and Gabriel gazed at the well stocked table with buns, and all the fixings for burgers, steak and hot dogs.<br/>
<br/>
"Where do you want this?" asked Gabriel, who carried the black bean salad over with him. "I did get some rest after you left for home. So do you need any help with anything? I'm good at cutting vegetables or whatever."<br/>
<br/>
"OH! I brought something for Kiv, if you'll allow him to have it." Gabriel said, handing him the Petco bag. "The pet consultant recommended it. He said it would be a good thing for a Belgian Malinois to have."</span></span>