A/N: I’m not sure if people actually like this couple, because I haven’t gotten any reviews on their other story, ‘Housewarming Gift’. I’m going to give them another try, though! Really lame title, guys, I’m so sorry!

Mint in the Morning

“I hate you.”

It was rather sad that I was reduced to this. Hating a dog. Not just that, but talking to it.

Brownie simply barked in return. I glared at her and knocked on the door. It was less than a minute before someone actually answered the door.

“Lee?”

Darn, he actually answered. Who actually answers their door on a Saturday morning?

“H-Hey Kell. Iwaswonderingif…” At his confused expression I took a deep breath and started again. “I was wondering if you’d like to come for a walk with us.”

I felt my face heat up when I realized he was still in his pajamas. Since when was I the shy one?

“Um…” His eyes sparkled with amusement as he ran a hand through his mussed hair. “Of course, Lee. Let me get dressed. Would you like to come in?”

He didn’t wait for my answer, instead dragging me into the house and setting me on a chair in the kitchen. His furniture and other things had come in last weekend, and I had helped him move most of it.

The only other time I had been in the kitchen, though, was when I had kissed him. I felt my cheeks flush again and scowled.

We were not a couple. Kell and I were not a couple.

Too bad I didn’t want that to be true. Neither did Brownie, apparently. Every time I let her outside she headed for Kell’s house. Let’s just say this wasn’t the first time I had seen Kell in his pajamas.

“Okay, I’m back.” I jumped as Kell reached over to ruffle my hair. I scowled deeper and pushed away his hand gently, only to cause his smile to grow.

“Don’t touch my hair,” I said sternly. He laughed.

“But it’s so pretty,” he whined, grabbing a fistful of my red hair and yanking gently on it.

That got a small laugh out of me. Kell could be very childish at times.

“How ‘bout that walk, huh?”

---

“Stupid dog,” I wheezed, trying to catch my breath. Brownie had dragged us after squirrels and cats, but Kell didn’t seem to mind.

“She’s a dog, Lee, it’s what they do. Let her chase a few animals, it’s not hurting me.”

I smiled faintly at him. “Yeah, but it’s hurting me.”

Kell took the leash from my hand as I rubbed at my sore arm.

“You okay?” I looked up to see Kell glancing at me with concern in his eyes.

“Yeah, just fine.”

We walked in silence for a while, with just the sound of wind and Brownie’s panting to keep us company. I had just closed my eyes to enjoy the breeze on my face when I felt something brush against my hand.

Surprised, I looked down to see Kell’s own hand inches away from mine. He caught my gaze and smiled playfully, and ignoring my own blush, I grabbed his hand.

My heart sped up as we neared our street. I couldn’t believe the walk had gone by so quickly. As we reached my driveway, I turned to Kell.

“Thanks for coming, Kell. It was reassuring to know that there would be someone to save me if Brownie dragged me-”

Before I could finish, Kell had closed in and kissed me full on the mouth. I slowly brought my hands around his neck, relishing the mint flavor of his toothpaste that he had used before we left. Yum, mint in the morning. It occurred to me now that he might have planned it, but I couldn’t really think with his lips pressed to mine.

I pulled away with a soft moan, blushing at the sound of it. I caught Kell’s smile and frowned.

“I don’t usually get embarrassed, you know,” I told him. “It must be something about you that-”

He pressed his lips to mine again. “I don’t mind. I think you’re cute when you blush.”

“So the other times I’m not blushing I’m ugly?”

“No… you’re cute the other times to.”

“I don’t like the word ‘cute’. I’m not a three year old.” I turned my back and walked slowly up the driveway. Kell caught up.

“Sorry, Lee. I meant it in the best way. I… I really like you. Remember our first day? You said you liked me too? Do you still mean it?”

I laughed at the long string of questions as I locked Brownie in the house and turned back to face Kell. “I meant it then, and I mean it now. It was weird at the time, because I hardly knew you, but I’m starting to think all those fairy tales about love at first sight have some truth in them.”

“Do you mean the magical creature parts or the true love parts?”

“The true love parts, you idiot. There aren’t any fairies or goblins.”

He smiled sheepishly, pulling me in for another kiss. I pulled back for a second, a thoughtful look on my face.

“Though if Brownie were in a fairy tale, I’m sure she would be a goblin or ogre or something. She’s strangely strong for a dog.” I moved to rub at my arm again, but Kell caught my hand and brought it to his lips.

“You need to be kinder to animals, Lee.”

I just huffed and leaned in for another kiss.