It's not her usual. Not at all. Cosima stares around the pet store closest to Delphine's rental condo. She'd borrowed a friend's car for this, and hopefully it would go OK. She'd managed to parallel park the car on her third try, with minimal honking on the busy road. She's never even had a dog. She's pet them occasionally… but not much since childhood. And there's a huge difference, Cosima decides, from occasionally hanging out with your aunt's Yorkie or your high school friend's family lab and having to prepare for an incoming dog. Who may have weird health or breathing issues from having been bred to have a squished muzzle.
She's staring helplessly around the store when she sees a familiar face walk by outside, and upon noticing her, enters the pet store. Even masked, apparently, she's that recognizable.
"Why are you here?" Felix looks at her. "You look totally lost."
"Why are you here?" Cosima counters, but recalls his favourite dispensary is just down the street. Not far from here at all.
"I saw you looking around helplessly outside the window."
"Yeah I need to pick up dog stuff." Cosima tries to nod casually. So far, she was eying the variety of dog foods, looking for something that would meet Delphine's high standards.
"So… a dog? You got a dog?" Felix notices her eyeing stuff. She can imagine the smirk behind the purple mask far too well.
"Uhh no… He's Delphine's dog. She went to get him from her ex. Apparently Simon was going to rehome Henri otherwise."
"Her dog? You are whipped." Felix rolls his eyes. "Hey… Cara." He reads the nametag of the store clerk quickly.
The young woman with blue hair behind the front desk looks in their direction. "What?"
"My friend here needs to get stuff for her new girlfriend's dog…" Felix jabs a thumb in her direction.
"French bulldog." Cosima supplies, wondering if it helps. At least with size. She knows Henri isn't that big of a dog.
"Right. So… you need food. Sized for a larger toy breed." The girl gives a wave and leads down the dog food aisle. "Wet food? Dry food?"
"Delphine probably wants high end. Both I guess? I don't know anything about feeding dogs." Cosima supplies and she's directed to pick between two bags of dry food. She picks the fancier looking one, hoping it works well. She opts for a small bag, just in case. She picks several cans of wet food, figuring it cannot hurt to get variety into the dog.
"So… girlfriend's dog?" Felix prompts again. Watching as Cosima selects a series of dog toys.
"Yes. And he needs a new leash and harness… some doggy toys. Treats. A bed..Bowls… All the dog...stuff." Cosima looks through her last email from Delphine. "She's bringing him from France, and apparently all his stuff is worn out. Her ex… isn't such a good dog parent." Is that a thing? Cosima thinks… She certainly knows people who consider themselves parents to their pets. Is that where this is heading? Are they going to be like… dog lesbians now?
"Hey...umm… Cara, do you have like anything in...rainbow?" Cosima looks over to the counter, raising her voice enough to be heard. She notes the rainbow lanyard around her neck and figures, she knows how to hook her up.
"Yeah. We do." Cara responds with a nod. "We've got rainbow leashes… We might have a rainbow harness… not sure if we have that in the right size for a Frenchie… but I can look. Come back in the summer and we have a ton of rainbow stuff for Pride. It's just not in quite yet… a few more weeks."
"Great. All the rainbows." Cosima nods. This… this can be easy. She can gay up the dog. She might as well have fun with it. She gets a long commentary while she examines various products, trying to find things Delphine will like. Other than like a brush and doggy nail trimmers. She figures those items are pretty much the same wherever you go.
"French bulldogs can't even mate naturally! And most of them are born by c-section. And they cost like… upwards of 4 grand!" Felix is clearly looking up things on his phone. "They're so squashed looking. And … I don't know but any animal that is not typically capable of fucking and then… whelping… they call it whelping when they have puppies… should be allowed to just die out. This… this is ridiculous."
"It does sound kind of crazy… but Delphine said it was her ex-husband who brought home the dog. She didn't pick him out."
"No, Cos… you need to like find breeders for these dogs and reserve puppies in advance and pay out the bloody nose… this is crazy. You are… getting into some crazy dog lady shite now. I cannot save you."
"I don't want you to save me. Can you grab that mid-sized grey dog bed off the shelf? Thanks. I cannot reach." Cosima goes through her list.
"You are so whipped. Is it that good?"
'It is… and I am… so in love with this girl. Like… seriously." Cosima admits readily. She won't admit to her pining while Delphine was out of the country for less than a week. But she doesn't need to. Felix doesn't need to know that.
"What happened to not wanting to throw her into a crisis of sexuality?"
"Too late. I am sure she's there." Cosima admits that much. "I'll… I'll help her through it however I can though."
"And her little dog too." Felix quips, and then throws her a bag of dog treats. "Here. You'll need these to win over the … very expensive dog."
In the end she resists extra purchases like, a doggy raincoat or funky coloured collars. Though no doubt Henri will need one, she can leave that to Delphine. Who will no doubt have her own preferences. Felix helps her get her dog stuff to the borrowed car, and she drives off wondering what the hell she's getting into now.
Cosima carries the box of dog stuff to Delphine's condo. Her spare key, Delphine had told her, was under the mat. It wasn't hard to get, Cosima thought. And was definitely not secure enough. But then again, this was a rental.
Hopefully Henri could adjust to condo living. He wasn't a big dog after all. She places the doggy bed in the living room. Puts the bowls and their holder into the kitchen. Puts dog food in one of the lower cabinets. Scatters dog toys around the room and puts a few backups away in the closet. It should be enough, Cosima thinks. It looks at least 60% more dog-friendly. And Delphine can move things around as she wants to. She leaves the leash and harness near the door, hanging them up in the closet for Delphine to find later. The bag of other things, she puts up in the top of the closet. Delphine can figure out where she wants to keep her minor dog grooming stuff.
She goes home alone and wonders if this means Delphine will need to move to a bigger, more dog-friendly place. She didn't see this coming. She thinks she could start looking at rentals to help. Townhouses maybe? Anything with a small yard or easy outdoor access? But then again, if Delphine's divorce was through, did this mean she was going to buy? Maybe not in this market, Cosima thinks to herself as she settles herself comfortably at home.
She texts Delphine letting her know it's done. She'lll have to return the car later tonight, but doesn't see that being a huge issue. Next time she sees Delphine she'll have a dog. She looks up a couple online pages on dogs trying to decide what to expect.
It all sounds like what she expected. Walks. Feeding. Playing. Vet visits. Occasional vaccines and heart worm preventative treatments. Henri wasn't a puppy so there was no puppy training to expect. It might actually be pretty cool, Cosima thinks. If Henri was a chill dog who just wanted to hang out with her and Delphine. Maybe they'd take walks and meet dog people. It'd be good for regular exercise anyway. She'd have to get out, one way or another. And so would Delphine.
Cosima tried to picture it. She and Delphine cuddled up on the couch with tea, Henri lounging against Delphine's legs. It looked...peaceful. Maybe… they'd get a place together next year with a tiny square of a yard and… Cosima cuts off her fantasies. Whatever she wants to dream about, it'll have to wait.
Cosima catches Delphine's text around her lunch hour, and quickly makes a couple calls. She PMs her boss, letting him know she's taking the afternoon as a half personal day to pick up her girlfriend at the airport. But getting a car is a bit harder.
She quickly thinks of her most reliable friend and gives it a try. Maybe he'll be OK with letting her borrow the car...again.
"Can I borrow your car?" Cosima tries to put on her most charming voice. Scott does have a car. And he sort of trusts her, at least half of the time.
"Uhh… Yeah. You can borrow the car. Just like, make sure I get it back." Scott mumbles. "I mean, I am on campus so you'll have to get to me… but then you can borrow it. I need it back before 6 pm though. I don't like taking public transit."
"Great I need to go umm get my girlfriend and her dog at the airport." Cosima tells him. "I'll bring the car back as soon as I get them home."
"Right… just try not to get too much dog hair on the seats." Scott asks. "Or… like… pay to clean it."
"Great. Thanks. I owe you one." She'll pay up, if needed. "And I'll fill up the gas tank."
"OK. Thanks." Scott returns to his work, and she has to hand it to him. His concentration is almost singular.
She parks at the airport, and tries to follow Delphine's jilted instructions sent via text to find Delphine and Henri. She doesn't park too far from international arrivals. That sounds like stress nobody needs. Cosima finally spies Delphine, waiting just outside the large doors, Henri clutched in her arms, the carrier sitting empty beside them. The dog seems intent on pushing himself as closely into Delphine's face as possible. Delphine looks… less enthused. Or maybe just exhausted.
"Delphine!" Cosima calls her name quickly to get her attention.
"Cosima!" Delphine looks at her relieved. "Thank you… Henri is a bit nervous."
"Hello Henri…. Now get into your crate and I'll drive you both home." Cosima instructs, but it takes Delphine several minutes and two doggy treats to coax Henri back into his carrier.
"Great." Cosima grabs Delphine's suitcase, opting to let Delphine carry Henri back to the car. The dog is a bit stinky, Cosima thinks, maybe he needs grooming? Or he has an anxious stomach?
"How far did you park?" Delphine asks over low whining from the carrier.
"Not far. We'll get you two home."
"Whose car?"
"My friend Scott's." Cosima shrugs. It's an old Civic, but perfectly serviceable. The ride takes no longer than usual but between the dog whining and Delphine murmuring soft French at him Cosima wonders what she's gotten herself into. But moving countries is an adjustment. And supposedly the dog will miss Simon?
"I need to return the car… but I can like Uber right back?" Cosima offers once she's dropped off Delphine and Henri at the door. She looks at Delphine, looking tired but as beautiful as ever. And she thinks, maybe, maybe this will be a really good thing.
"So quickly?" Delphine's disappointment is palpable.
"Delphine… I'll be right back. I just need to get Scotty back his car before his head explodes. We can order some takeout. Have a chill night just the...ummm three of us...I guess."
"Hah. OK." Delphine agrees, looking somewhat enamoured. And her heart skips a beat the whole way to drop off the car. She has to get back.
She cannot get back quickly enough, she tosses Scott his keys, thanks him. And orders an Uber. She's masked and excitedly in the backseat before she thinks again.
Her evening should involve some attempts at bonding with the dog, and then long drawn out sex with Delphine. A reminder to both of them what they'd been missing out on the time Delphine had been away. Assuming Delphine had enough energy. If not, Cosima figures she could stay over anyways.
She rings the bell and is buzzed up to the condo quickly, and begins looking at their dinner options. Something relaxing, Cosima thinks. Maybe they could eat a quiet supper and then snuggle on the couch?
"Cosima." Delphine smiles when she sees her, and Cosima looks down to see Henri right at Delphine's heels. "Come in."
"Of course." Cosima finds herself grinning, wishing she'd gotten more dressed up. Delphine's hair is wet from a quick shower, but otherwise looks the same. Comfortably dressed in clean joggers and a t-shirt.
"So…?" Cosima asks as Henri marches his little furry body around the apartment, before stopping to play with one of his new toys.
"I think… I think it's OK." Delphine nods uncertainly. "Henri is… settling in I think. But… it is a new place. Not easy for him."
"He'll adjust in no time… did you see the harness?" Cosima prompts. She'd left those near the door.
"The rainbow one?" Delphine giggles a bit under her breath. "It will do fine. I've tried it on him."
"So what do you say, we take Henri on a short walk…" Cosima steps closer, drawing it out. "We order a really good supper… maybe from that Ethiopian place? Have you tried it yet? Or we get like… soup and sandwiches. Something super relaxing… and we all cuddle up on the couch?" Might as well try to make part of her domestic fantasy a reality.
"Do you… want to stay over...after?" Delphine asks her, and she cannot resist anymore. Delphine doesn't seem so tired now, she seems… almost eager.
Cosima leans in and lays a soft kiss against Delphine's mouth, she opens her mouth tempting Delphine's tongue into play. Delphine kisses back, arms going quickly around her, pulling her in by the waist. She might be too late in her cycle to enjoy penetration now… but she's more than willing to try. Or try… anything with Delphine really. Practice makes perfect, Cosima thinks as she is hauling Delphine in closely.
A loud canine whining from beside them is initially ignored… but the growl that follows has Delphine breaking the kiss.
"Calme-toi Henri. C'est correct." Delphine looks down firmly at the dog. She leans back in for another kiss, to be met with more growling from the dog who then lets out a small bark.
"Uhh did your dog just growl at me?" Cosima looks down at Henri who looks distinctly unhappy with the state of affairs.
"He did… yes… that is not usual Henri behaviour. Though… Simon said he growled at Julie at first. But… you two are still getting acquainted." Delphine states firmly. "Henri used to be better trained than this. I am sorry."
"Henri…" Cosima tries, looking down at the dog. "I am Delphine's girlfriend… you have to get used to this… You are a dog. Delphine and I are dating. It will all be OK." Of course Henri can't really understand her, but she should at least try to talk to him. Right?
"He will." Delphine states firmly. "Let's take him for a short walk. We can decide what we want for supper."
"Sounds good." Cosima agrees and watches as Delphine puts Henri into his new rainbow harness and attach the leash. Delphine pets him on the head and the dog calms happily panting at Delphine. He's cute, Cosima thinks, in a weird squishy faced dog way. Maybe they could have him groomed for less stinkiness? Cosima knees down and looks at Henri, he seems OK with her when she's not trying to kiss Delphine at any rate. She pets him and he tolerates it happily, clearly enjoying the attention at any rate.
"Is he too … smelly?" Delphine looks up at Cosima, reading her well. "I cleaned his facial folds.. But… I may need to do a more thorough job. And he...probably needs a bath."
"He is a bit stinky… yeah." Cosima agrees. "We can like… get him groomed." Cosima thinks. Maybe there's a product for cleaning the folds? She can look something up anyway. If there's one thing she's always excelled at, it's research.
"I looked at the food you got him, the small breed one. It looks good. High quality." Delphine nods contentedly. "It should be better than what Simon bought."
"Have you fed him yet?"
"No, we'll feed him after his walk." Delphine states decisively. She leads both Henri and Cosima down into the elevator and then outside.
She reaches to hold Delphine's free hand, and it feels good natural. The doggy-poop bags in the holder on the leash are… not as big a mood killer as she thought.
"I really missed you." Cosima tells her openly.
"Toi m'a manqué aussi." Delphine stops to scoop up dog poop in a small green bag, and tosses it into the next garbage can they pass by. And it's not sexy, at all, Cosima decides. But she can live with it. Just… dog life… she guesses.
Wisely, Cosima thinks, they opt to shut Henri out of the bedroom after dinner. And she's clambering up on the bed when she hears whining and scratching outside.
Delphine covers her face with her hands. "Henri is persistent… He is so clingy now. He was not this bad before."
"I believe you. New country. New smells… probably missed you."
"Maybe. Come here." Delphine urges her into her arms, leaning up for a quick kiss which she gives her.
"I know you're tired… you can just lay back. I can do everything." Cosima offers quickly. She is eager enough to get going… if only Henri would quiet down and like chill in his doggy bed.
"You often do." Delphine admits. "We… we need to work on that. I want this to be just as good for you as it is for me."
"But I like it." Cosima protests. "I am really happy with this. It is good… and it'll just get better."
Henri for his part gets loud, scratching more intently. No doubt wanting to throw his small furry body between them. But she expects he'd panic and freak out and probably think she was trying to eat Delphine or something if they let him in.
"Delphine… your dog is a mess." Cosima shakes her head. "You did used to shut him out when you had sex, right?"
"Euhh… usually I think so." Delphine responds with a slight wince, that makes Cosima think that this dog has seen way too much.
"He's got like crazy separation anxiety then."
"I know. He just whines when I go pee. He slept with me at the hotel… I think… I think he may whine a long while. Whether or not you are here." Delphine sighs. "Do you… want to go home? We could try another night?"
"I thought you said he was well trained." Cosima tries to keep her tone non-accusatory but what she's seen of Henri leaves her doubting whether this dog was well-trained at all.
"He was. Then I left him with Simon for 18 months and now he is a mess." Delphine sighs. "I will buy him a bigger crate online… I will have to crate train him, again . I don't want to… he was fine until I left!"
"It's OK. We can handle it." Cosima opts for optimism. She can go read about dog training, or something.
"We can." Delphine sighs. "But he is killing the mood with his whining."
"Do you want to let him in?" Cosima asks.
"Non… I need him to be calm when I open the door. And he is not calm." Delphine states decisively.
"OK. He's your dog.
"He is… Simon's dog."
"OK. But… you're taking care of him and have moved him across the Atlantic." Cosima reminds her.
"Would you… stay anyways? Even if we don't..." Delphine asks softly.
"Yeah." Cosima nods. "Of course!" Spooning Delphine all night, after all, was far from a disappointment. When she wakes in the night, she cuddles closer into Delphine, into her skin. She kisses her neck, caresses her… but stops short of waking Delphine. The blonde is exhausted after all, and she doesn't want to make it worse.
Sometime in the night, Delphine gives in. Or she accidentally leaves the door open after going to the washroom in the middle of the night. Either way, Henri winds up in the middle of the low bed, pressed against Delphine.
Cosima wakes to the sounds of Henri snuffling again. His breathing, she thinks, is likely impaired by his smushed snout. She reaches out a hand to pet Henri, who seems OK with her in the morning night.
"He… he seems calmer." Henri sniffs at her hand and licks it, pressing his head into her hands when she scratches him behind his ridiculous looking ears.
"You smell like me now." Delphine tells her softly. "It helps."
For a few beautiful moments it's peaceful. She snuggles in, maybe Henri is cute after all. In a weird way. Delphine was definitely more than cute. And she… she could get used to this. Beautiful woman. Snuggly happy dog. It could be pretty great.
"So he likes me now?"
"He is getting used to you. If you keep petting him like that he will warm up very quickly." Delphine assures her. "And… you can play with him. Or walk him… bond with him more so…"
"So… he should be chill if I…." Cosima leans up and kisses Delphine again, and the change is apparent within minutes. Henri begins to growl again.
"Henri! Non! C'est assez!" Delphine tells the dog firmly, breaking the kiss. "Descends!" Henri jumps down with a small whimper.
"So… dog re-training?" Cosima nods, feeling kind of put out by all of this. Not that it was really Delphine's fault her dog was kind of anxious.
"Dog retraining." Delphine responds grimly. "He needs to be calmer. So… I will have to start crating him at night. Should help him remember. Hopefully it won't have to be permanent. He was so well behaved…"
"Hey. I am totally here for that." Cosima assures her. Even if Henri wasn't as well behaved there was always some kind of obedience school or something. Something that could help retrain him so at least he didn't whine for hours or freak out whenever she kisses Delphine.
"I know. You really are." Delphine leans in to kiss Cosima again, not minding the whimpering from the floor. So Cosima decides not to mind either. She can always feed Henri and take him for his morning walk to make it up to him.