Topic: A Walk in the Park

Jonathan Granger

Date: 2012-04-15 21:11 EST
It was a nice day for a walk in the park, a bit on the warm side for April, but cloudy and threatening rain. Jon wasn't too concerned about it though. A little water never hurt anyone, and Cosmo was pestering his master for a romp out of doors, so a walk in the park it was. It was Jon's day off, and as such, he was dressed casually in khakis and a light blue button-down shirt. It was about as casual as Jon got, unless he was hanging around the house with Vicki in sweatpants and t-shirt. They'd stopped for a hotdog as they'd passed by a vendor, and Jon had bought one for each other them, including the walking garbage can that was his dog. He was arm in arm with Vicki on one side, Cosmo just ahead leading his master by the leash. As much as she loved Jon, he did have moments when he forgot one important thing about her. But Vicki didn't point it out, surreptitiously feeding the sausage from her hotdog to Cosmo when Jon wasn't looking and feasting herself on mustard and onions in a bun. It wasn't a bad trade-off, really. Dressed as usual in her jeans and a checked button down shirt of her own, she wound her arm around Jon's as they walked along, utterly unafraid of the threat of rain. "You know, you really shouldn't let him drag you around like that," she laughed as Cosmo tugged on the leash. His memory, though a steel trap when it came to scripts, left a lot to be desired when it came to other things. The doctors had said it had something to do with the damage the bullet had done to his brain, but Vicki never seemed to mind when he had these little occasional spasms of forgetfulness. Her loss was, apparently, Cosmo's gain as the dog was thoroughly enjoying both sausages - a rare treat as Vicki usually kept the dog on a pretty healthy diet. Jon smiled over at Vicki, thinking he had the dog completely under control, which of course, he didn't. "He's not dragging me. He's perfectly..." Jon yelped as Cosmo suddenly took off in a run, dragging Jon along behind him, trying to keep up, Vicki trailing behind. The redhead couldn't help a bark of laughter as Jon was dragged roughly out of her grip, stumbling along a couple of steps behind them before she regained her balance. She watched the pair of them heading at full speed toward the fountain, wondering vaguely if Cosmo was going to stop before taking pity on her fiance. Swallowing the last of her bun, she wet her lips and let out a loud whistle. "Cosmo! Stop!" It wasn't so much the fountain Cosmo was after but the cute little girl dog that he'd spied from afar. Spring was in the air and it was lust at first sight. Thankfully, Jon was used to being taken for a walk or a run by Cosmo on occasion and was in prime physical shape so had little trouble keeping up. It was no secret that he spoiled the dog a little, sometimes undermining Vicki's attempts at discipline. He was obviously as fond of the dog as the dog was with his master. "Vicki!" Jon shouted as the dog yanked him along. It was hard to tell who was taking who for the walk sometimes. "Oh, for ..." Dissolving into laughter again, it took a moment or two for Vicki to break into a run of her own. She wasn't in as good shape as Jon, but it was good enough, and besides, she wasn't chasing. She'd spotted the pretty little poodle that Cosmo was fully intending to mount in front of her elderly owner. Cutting across the grass, Vicki launched herself in front of the Collie, landing on her knees on the damp grass as her fingers wrapped into his collar. Of course, this did rather put her directly in Jon's path, but hey, you can't have everything. He skidded to a halt or tried to, watching helplessly as Vicki very nearly dove in front of the collie to head him off at the pass, or rather, the fountain. Jon's forward momentum got the better of him and he fell arse over teakettle into the fountain with a huge splash of water that more than likely doused anyone in the near vicinity, including Vicki and Cosmo. A chorus of squeals went up around them, not least from Vicki as she clung onto the collie, both of them drenched by the backsplash as Jon went headfirst into the fountain. The dog shook himself out almost immediately, splattering Vicki even further as she leaned away, eyes closed and laughing. One hand rose to wipe her face as she wrapped the leash around her other wrist. "See what you did, you daft dog?" was the fond accusation levelled at the excitable Cosmo as she pulled herself to her feet, moving over to the fountain. "Bit of a cold day for a swim, isn't it, stud muffin?" The dog didn't seem in the least beat upset about the whole ruckus, wagging his tail happily and barking at his master and mistress as if to encourage more hijinks. Jon climbed out of the fountain, thankful he wasn't wearing an expensive Gucci suit. He looked like a wet rat, but he was smiling in spite of it all, knowing it was sort of his own fault. "I thought I'd test the water." He pushed his now soaking wet hair back from his face. Without any fussing, his hair was going to turn into a mess of curls in no time. He sighed as he looked himself over, his shoes squishing uncomfortably. "Bad dog," he scolded Cosmo, waggling a finger at him, but the dog didn't quite seem to get it. "Too late to say that now," Vicki snickered, bracing herself as Cosmo attempted to lunge away again. Her free hand rose to curl into Jon's shirt, pulling him into a cheeky kiss. "Have I ever told you how sexy you are when you're wet?" The pout on Jon's face turned to a smile as she pulled him close for a kiss, despite the fact that he was soaking wet. "Several times, but I don't mind hearing it again." And since she was already wet, he wasn't overly concerned about her getting too close. It didn't much matter if it rained either. But his shoes were probably ruined. Oh well. He had others. He kissed her back, a warm, enthusiastic press of lips against hers. It was just as well Rhy'Din didn't have paparazzi, or Jon's reputation as a ladies man would have been well and truly destroyed by the picture of happily coupled bliss he'd just created. Which was, unfortunately, destroyed in itself when Cosmo forced himself between them. At speed. He chuckled against Vicki's lips when he felt Cosmo trying to nose his way between them, and he broke away from her kiss. "Someone's come between us," he quipped, glancing down at the dog, blue eyes shining happily. At that moment, there was very little that could disturb his bliss. "Someone's going the right way for a bath," Vicki countered, the last word spoken in a playfully ominous tone to the dog himself. Cosmo was a very smart dog. He caught on quickly, abruptly backing up and setting himself down in the I'm-An-Obedient-Dog-Honest pose. Laughing, Vicki slid her arm around Jon's back, leaning into him. "Come on, boys, let's get home before one of us gets ill." "I can't afford to get ill! It's Hamlet!" Jon whined, tugging his shirt out of his pants and squeezing the excess water out onto the grass with a sigh. Thankfully, Luks wasn't far and they'd be home in no time. "I was kind of surprised Taya cast me as Hamlet. She knows I have a fondness for Laertes." But a death scene is a death scene and the star had little choice in which part he played. "I hope Max doesn't mind that I got the lead."

Jonathan Granger

Date: 2012-04-15 21:12 EST
Vicki chuckled again, using Jon as a brace as Cosmo tugged harder on the leash, pulling him back before allowing them to walk on. "Ludo's the one who casts," she reminded her fiance with a grin. "He just wants see you waist deep in the pit where no one can see him molesting you during the gravedigger scene." She flashed him a wicked wink. "Max'll live. He's so wrapped up in 'Taya and Juno these days, I doubt he'd go to work if he didn't have to." "I've been thinking about doing a workshop, maybe in the summer, for young actors. Shakespeare in the park or something like that." He hooked his arm around Vicki's leaving his shirt to hang loosely outside his pants, and letting her take charge of the overactive collie. Jon frowned a little when he thought about Juno. He'd met the little girl a few times and wondered about her. From what he'd seen, the three of them seemed happy, and that was all that mattered, but it brought another thought to light. "Think I'll be a good father someday, Vic?" Questions like that always brought a particular kind of smile to his redheaded fiancee's face. It made its appearance now, her arm tightening about him for a moment. "I know you will, Jon," she promised him warmly, ignoring the squelch as they squeezed together. "Shakespeare in the park sounds like a good idea," she added with a grunt as Cosmo lunged again. "Ah god ....you really need to teach this dog how to be walked!" Jon's attention was drawn away from Vicki to the dog once again, who was usually mostly well mannered, but had his moments. "He's got spring fever. I told you he needs a girlfriend!" Vicki had suggested having Cosmo snipped, but the mere thought of it made Jon wince. "You really want to put him out to stud?" she asked in a strained voice, finally letting go of Jon to grab hold of the leash with her other hand. "Maybe you should enroll him in something. Agility training, or search and rescue. Something to get rid of all this energy." Her heels slid in the muddy grass, threatening to drop her on her backside again. Jon looked more remorseful than the dog. He really knew nothing about having a pet, much less a dog that needed the kind of care and attention that Cosmo did. He'd never had a pet before, not that he'd remember if he had. His sister had had a cat, but that wasn't the same thing. He took pity on Vicki and reached for the dog's lease, wrapping it around his hand so that he had a firm hold on it. "I just know how I'd feel if someone wanted to neuter me." Relieved of dog duty, Vicki let out a relieved sigh, tucking herself back under Jon's arm again. "Okay, how can I put this," she mused, thinking it over before offering something up to think about. "You, Jon, are not a dog. A dog, when he has his bollocks, is full of hormones that make him aggressive, territorial, and impossible to handle. Without his bollocks, he gets calmer and happier." She grinned as she explained this. "Does that make any sense to you?" "Without his bollocks!" Jon exclaimed, looking horrified and inwardly cringing but resisting the urge to defensively press his legs together. He cringed again before turning to Vicki. "It sounds painful. Won't it hurt' Won't he....I mean..." He wasn't sure what he was trying to say. He knew that dogs were neutered all the time, but the thought of neutering his dog made him wince. He was taking it way too personally. "Jon, he'll be fine," she promised him. "Look, I'll take you to a shelter and you can get a good look at dogs that have been done, all right?" She smiled, hugging him gently. "And get one of the experts to explain things to you." Jon sighed and nodded, still frowning a little. "Will he be happy' That's all I want. I just want him to be happy." Jon loved that damned dog more than he loved some people, and it showed from the look on his face and the attention he showered on Cosmo. If this was any indication what kind of father he might be someday, it was a good thing. Reassured by Vicki's hug and her knowledge of dogs, he turned thoughtfully back to contemplate Cosmo's fate. She smiled gently, appreciating that Jon just wanted the best for his dog, but knowing he was hopelessly overwhelmed by all the information. "He will be happier," she promised him. "They always are. And he's not going to lose anything that makes him him." As though he knew they were talking about him, Cosmo stopped pulling, dropping back to walk beside Jon calmly, thumping him in the leg with his tail. Jon was still frowning, but it was a thoughtful frown more than a sad one. He just wanted what was best for Cosmo and what would make him happiest. He glanced down at the dog who was thumping his tail against his leg and felt a swell of what could only be called love fill his heart. Different from the love he felt for Vicki, but just as strong and genuine. "Okay, we'll go to a shelter and talk to some people." Finally. She was good enough to keep her sigh of relief to herself, however. Jon probably wouldn't have appreciated that. But at least this way Vicki didn't need to worry him with stories about dogs getting aggressive when they didn't rut at least once a week, and she didn't want to even hint toward the fact that there was no way in hell she was going to bring children into a home with an un-neutered dog. "I'll arrange something," she promised him with another warm smile. A shiver ran through her. "Later." Jon would have listened to reason and understood, but it was probably better this way. He didn't really want to hear about all the horrible things that might happen if he didn't neuter Cosmo. It was better to see for himself and hear it from experts. He was still frowning, but feeling a little bit better. He noticed her shiver and picked up the pace, sliding an arm around her shoulders to hug her close. "Bath and a cup of hot tea. Doctor's orders," he promised. "Oooh, are we playing doctors tonight?" That enthusiasm wasn't even slightly put on; Vicki was far too easy to interest with anything where Jon was concerned, her bawdy humor never far behind. "I'd rather just be wrapped up warm with my hunky Hamlet." He laughed. Playing doctor was never out of the question, but a nice quiet evening at home wrapped up close to the woman he loved sounded even better. The frown lifted, a soft smile replacing it, his expression one of warm affection. "I think that can be arranged." "Please don't play Ophelia though. She's got a few screws loose." "Oh, please," she snorted with laughter, rolling her blue eyes with deeply sardonic amusement. "Do I really look the type to fling myself into a pond in a silly dress and let some painter catch my dying moments on canvas?" She grinned, her hand lowering to squeeze his wet backside as they walked along. "No, you're more the flirt and stalk the man of your dreams type until he finally gets a clue and asks you out on a date." He smirked, teasing her, chuckling as she gave his backside a squeeze. He clucked his tongue at her. "You're going to get it." "I hope so, I've been working hard enough for it," she chuckled back. He seemed to enjoy the fact that she'd worn him down and not taken no for an answer an awful lot more than she'd thought he would, if the way he mentioned it so often was anything to go by. "Besides, you seem to like a woman who knows what she wants."

Jonathan Granger

Date: 2012-04-15 21:13 EST
"I like a woman who knows what she wants when what she wants is me and when I have a secret crush on her." He was still smirking, enjoying teasing her. He glanced skyward as it started to drizzle. Thankfully, the apartment building was looming just up ahead... "A very secret crush," she laughed, flinching as the first drops began to fall on them. Not that either of them could get any wetter, but there was such a thing as dignity even when soaked. "I didn't think you were interested until I all but offered myself up in your trailer." "I didn't think you were interested until you did!" he countered, steering them toward the front door, halting on the stairs and turning to face her, his expression turning serious, his voice softening, "Vicki, you're the best thing that's ever happened to me. Seriously." It wasn't often he managed to knock her speechless, but he'd done it this time. She positively beamed under that heartfelt praise, ignoring Cosmo's impatience to get home as her arms looped around Jon's neck, leaning up close to kiss him. "I love you, Jon. I've loved you longer than you could possibly imagine." Jon smiled, completely unaware of the reasons behind her statement and thinking she was just talking figuratively. After all, to the best of his knowledge, they hadn't known each other that long. "I love you more than words can say, Vicki," he replied, softly. Cosmo barked in agreement or in excitement to be home. Her hands cradled his jaw lovingly as she rose onto her toes, kissing him lovingly once more. "Come on," she murmured, nipping his lower lip with a grin. "Time to go home, stud muffin, before you freeze your knackers off out here." He smiled down at her, no argument there, kissing her one more time for good measure before untangling them from Cosmo's leash to make their way back inside. With any luck, they'd make it to his floor with their clothing intact. Who knew, they might even make it through the door this time. Jon's neighbors really were far too understanding when it came to accidental flashing outside his apartment door, and there had been a fair amount of that. Chuckling, Vicki took the stairs two at a time, encouraging Cosmo to race her purely to make Jon run as fast as he could up those stairs, dragged by the dog. Jon groaned as the two of them tries to race him up the stairs. He felt like he'd already run a marathon around the park and had a swim, too, for that matter, but he laughed a little as he was pulled behind Cosmo, on the heels of Vicki up the stairs. It was good the walls of the condo were fairly sound proof or Jon's neighbors might complain about all the noise that came from inside his apartment. "You two are wearing me out!" "Awww, poor baby," Vicki laughed as she keyed the lock, stepping aside for Cosmo to charge inside on skidding paws. "I guess me and Cosmo'll do the snuggling while you go straight to bed, hmm?" Jon sniffed, feigning jealousy. "Oh, sure, I know how it is. You love him more than me." He halted just outside the door, coming up behind her and wrapping his arms around her from behind, his lips finding her neck and brushing a few feather-light kisses there. Hopefully, the neighbors wouldn't step into the hallway and tell them to get a room. They had one already! He really had to stop going straight for her sweet spots. Vicki twisted, sagging back against the doorframe with a quiet moan, her fingers delving into his damp hair to tug gently as she sought out his lips with hers. "God, Jon, you really know how to push my buttons," she whispered playfully, grinning against his lips. "That goes double, Vicki." He smiled up at her, his arms still around her waist, though they were now facing each other. No more talking. He dipped his head down to capture her lips, showing her without words how very much he loved her. Jon guided her into the apartment, his lips still pressed to hers, and kicked the door shut. Whatever happened next between them happened behind closed doors, for their eyes alone.

((Once again, thank you to Vicki's player for this scene!))