The Simple Things. Chapter Eighteen.
#18 of The Simple Things
The Simple Things
Chapter Eighteen
By Roofles
It was good to be out, to be free and alone once more. Or so I thought as I drove down the road, leaning partially out the window and feeling the breeze on my face. The air was dry and left me sweating by the time I rolled up the window and turned the air conditioner on. I had been attatched to Richard's hip, literally at one point, for the whole of last week. To know what personal space was, to have my "me" time again was nice once more. And yet freedom wouldn't be the word I would choose as my eyes glanced at my empty passenger seat. I just shook my head of such thoughts as, if out of instinct, they had drifted back to work, to the week ahead and back into the way I had been before I had come over from Central. It was a good distraction from it all.
The worst part was, unable to find my cloths in the mess that was Richard's room (thankfully I had my wallet and phone), it left me in a pair of his own. And his scent made me long for his touch once more. That thought, I'll admit, made me laugh - giggle really. Not even a full hour later and I was wanted to talk to that bastard once more; damn loveable dog.
My phone buzzed and I dared to look at it, waiting for a response since I left their place. Yet, even waiting for another text from someone else I half expected, half hoped it to be from Richard. It was from a friend I had known since I was in high school, someone back home. We've been through a hell of a lot together. I value his opinion on nearly everything I did.
The text was simple and it read only thee words. "A dog?" I could read the surprise, contempt even in those two words on the screen. And that was enough to be said on that matter.
"Fuck," I ended up saying adjusting my mirror before starting off again taking a long, round about way to my hotel. I just needed to drive. It allowed my mind to go blank, empty really and then I could actually think things over. All of this.
First week here and I've already made a friend, wow. This was like kindergarten, good job Alex. Plus... I could be a real dick sometimes. To myself and worst yet to Richard.
It wasn't like Richard was bad or that I didn't like him. Hell, he was one of the coolest guy's I've actually met. I just...this is the first, real time I've gotten to think over this. Us, him, me. To not just go along with the motions and get swept away with the passionate flow that was Richard. He could be like a raging river that'd sweep you away if you weren't careful. Problem was, you kind of wanted to be in that musky furry embrace of his.
Even before I had pulled out onto the winding, twisting turns of rush hour I had already come to the conclusion. I liked Richard, that much was obvious. Hell, I might like him possibly too much. Not that that was much of a surprise. Yet now? And now I was afraid I had blown it leaving so abruptly as I had as if this were a hook up. Be a strange hook up to go to a bar, meet his friends, sleep at his place and not wear his cloths.
The idea worried me, scared the hell out of me, that I had lost such a friend. Sure I'd see him at work an it wasn't like we were dating; hell even that I might lose him as a friend was what worried me. The very thought made my stomach churn. It wasn't like I could spend the whole damn weekend with him, however. I had only known Richard for a week, tops. A week! I was rushing this or trying too. Or not trying too. I wasn't sure. I just knew what I wanted and how selfish that was of me to ask of Richard. If I did ask, I knew he'd say yes. And I didn't want that; a short-term relationship? It even sounds like a joke. A bad one at that.
Friends with benefits. I nodded at the idea as I pulled up behind a rather large SUV. I rested my head on the steering wheel as I mulled that over. It wasn't like I was breaking up with Richard, hell we weren't dating. I kept having to tell myself that. Maybe that was the problem. Maybe I wanted too? But what did Richard want, expect from this? He couldn't possibly think this was something that would last - more than friendship that is. After all...
I was only here for three more weeks, maybe less. And I knew Richard knew that but it was clear he wasn't the best at focusing on serious matters. Then again I wasn't any better at that either. Three weeks of heaven before going back to hell? Or live in purgatory for the rest of time. Sadly, that sounded the best option.
This was fun, it really was. I wanted to continue this. Still the fact of the matter remained clear at the end of the day (or month rather) I would be gone rather I liked it or not. And then Richard would be, once more, alone after a friend left him. Then again Colby stayed around, maybe I could too...
I did laugh at the idea and shook my head, biting my bottom lip a bit after thinking such guilty, selfish thoughts. Damn, I really was a selfish son of a bitch. I doubt Richard would want another roommate as it was tangled up with three other canine-sapients living there with him. And then I laughed at the idea of even thinking about that. Living with three big canine-sapients. And here I was trying not to jump the gun, thinking such naughty thoughts as I was.
I can't even believe, for a second, I wouldn't see Richard again. He's all I could think about as I drove in the circles of the free way up above the world before riding it back down to the part of town I had been in before. Without even really thinking about it I made my way to the approximate place where Richard lived; only after stopping to grab some eggs and milk - seeing as how they were out.
And why was I back here after all of that? Going out to clear my head? Well the alluring thoughts and selfish desires, sure. That and I had gotten a single text from a certain chocolate labrador that made my heart ache.
"Sorry." It read. Soon followed by another. "For falling asleep on you." Then another. "Well not on you exactly." Then another. "If I had you wouldn't be leaving." Then there was a moment pause before the next and I was sure Richard was giggling at the idea of falling asleep ontop of me, hell it made me smile too. "Sorry." Was the last text I got as I turned back around.
I sent a text back. "We need to talk." And we did need too. Admittedly I shouldn't have worded it like. Should've chose my wording better. As when I did end up picking Richard up he was basically shaking from head to toe with worry. His tail tucked between his legs, his floppy ears drooping down the sides of his head and the very life in his eyes seemed dulled. And the groceries, I had used as an excuse for leaving, were rotting in the back as we took off once more.
To cheer the dog up, since my words were failing me, I chose another tactic that always worked for me. Or most people. Food. As in going out to buy something nice and greasy.
It took some traveling and searching but I finally found the place I wanted to go too. Driving in silence was bad enough so I did what I could; ask him for directions. And no it didn't go so well as neither one of us wanted to stop for directions.
"The map says there should be one at the corner of fifth and West." Richard said pulling the complimentary map from under the seat. Half naked, Richard not even putting anything on more than some shorts, the dog was nose deep within the map trying to get head or tails of it.
"West?" I asked looking at a nearby street sign clearly reading East. Then the next one was Clam. I didn't know what to say to that however.
"Other west." Richard said looking up and over the map to look at the street sign.
"Yes, I'm aware of that."
"Other left." He pointed out only after I turned right.
"Good to know."
"...What are we looking for again?" And that's when I rested my head back on the steering wheel at a red light, wishing I had just left him to sleep.
What we were looking for? Something simple and quaint, from my home town in fact - or like the ones from there. A small old, classical diner. White and black checkered floor tiles, red bar stools and booths. A long counter with the kitchen in view from the slot in the wall. It was even in a large trailer that had been remodeled and planted into the ground. There was even an old refurbished Chevrolet-3 out front! Glossy black with silver trim. It was a beaut. And felt like home.
I pointed it out to the chocolate Labrador out the window of the booth we sat in.
"I'm sorry." Richard blurted out after I finally spoke up and looked at me with those wide uncooked brownie eyes that really did resemble a puppy's. "I don't mean to get so passionate." He added an apologetic smile as he spoke his ears slowly rising up. Both of which wouldn't have been so bad if we weren't in the restaurant and he hadn't been so loud about it. He looked down at the table in front of us. He drummed his fingers around the top of it. And he moved a half inch over and away from me.
The fact he knew about what I had said only meant Max had mentioned it to him. About his passionate, warm, sweaty, musky love making we had. And, assuming Max was indeed the dog he was, that was only the iceburg of kinky, knotty things we did together and that he was more than happy to tease Richard about. The idea made my shorts uncomfortable. Richard had that effect on me as he sat, uncomfortably close, even if he moved over a bit. His leg was touching mine and he was practically bumping my hip with his own. His body was warm as ever even in this air conditioned place. It had that natural earthy musk to it and it was clear, with his matted scruffy looking fur that he hadn't shower. He had bed fur...go figure.
I could feel his tail as it began to wag.
"I just get...worked up, is all." He chuckled a bit at that and only went on after seeing my reaction. A genuine smile. Something that was hard for me to do and so easy for the chocolate Labrador who returned it gladly. He nudged my side and I flushed a bit at the affection he was so easily able to show me in public. And how glad it made me feel. "An you are, my friend," he gave me a wink. "One giant tease. It's hard not to get worked up. You're my aphrodisiac." He added nosing at my cheek, saying playfully as he rested a hand-paw on my thigh.
"H-hey, we're suppose to be having a serious talk." I said giggling a bit as those whiskered tickled my cheek. He kept nosing at me and his tail wagged more. Those dull nails trailed up and under my shirt to scratch at my belly.
"I know." Richard just said. "We are." He smiled. "We're just talking." And he tickled my side making me squirm, and he loved that. "Just normal guys talking over lunch." An he didn't need to add the playful growl after; he did anyways. "So what was this big talk about? Are you going to nag me about the toe licking?"
"Toe licking?" I lifted an eyebrow at that looking at the dog. I could smell his morning breath on my face and it was clear he didn't care.
"Oh, you must've been asleep when I did that. You're just toe lickingly fun." He shrugged innocently making me wander what else he did while I was asleep. "You'd do the same to me when I took a nap." He both made it sound that I would and that I did. I was still trying to focus on what else he did to my sleeping self.
"Nope." I rolled my eyes dismissing it all.
"Well you could've." He frowned now and it made the corner of my mouth tug up into a smile. "What kind of friend," he went on a bit too loudly making me blush. "Doesn't lick a guys toe when he's taking a nap?" He growled after as if he were, or capable of being angry about such a thing. "Our friendship is over." And he barked a laugh that was suppose to be a growl. Then it dawned on him, I could practically see the light bulb go on over his head as he recalled why we were here to begin with and at that he went a bit silent. "It's not is it?" He dared to ask chewing the words as he spoke them, making them sound like granite.
"What?" I lifted an eyebrow. It wasn't lost on Richard how much it looked like his own fishhook. "No. I mean yes. I mean of course not you big lug!" And I punched him in the arm. Unfortunately it wasn't really a manly bro punch you got after a foot ball game but a girly, giggling light shove a punch after your boyfriend does or says something stupid and silly. "Why the hell would we stop being friends?"
"Well..." He looked down at his shirtless self. "I am a dog." He said as bluntly as ever. It took me a moment before I even really thought about the fact I had been texting my old friend just about that very thing a half hour before. This dog had a rather distracting effect on my logic and reason. One of which was becoming more an more clear as we sat here. In public.
I never paid attention to the crowd within the place. Or those on the streets. Or even the cars passing by. Richard was...captivating and it was hard to focus my attention elsewhere; hell why would I? And here I was, once more, thinking about just up an leaving him an hour or so ago. It was hard to think clearly around Richard...I think I said that already. He was like a drug I needed a constant fix of.
His hand-paw ran over my thigh and it was only more apparent how close he was sitting now, on the same side of the curved corner booth we sat and, like me, focusing his attention only on the two of us. Richard could just capture a moment. Making you feel as if you were the only one in the world.
"Your paws are slightly damp." I said squirming a bit as he ran a hand under my shirt once more and over my belly, scratching over it a bit as he withdrew it from my words.
"Well it is bloody hot." He said with his best British accent. It was horrible. And I still laughed at it. "You don't mind, do you?" Richard asked as concern as he always was when something could possibly worry me. He cared too much, wearing his heart on his sleeves at all times.
"I don't." I lied and just nudged his side. Sweaty paws, musky dog and warm morning breath? Not the best thing in the world by any means. "Look, Richard." I said at first and he scooted over a bit if only so he could face me more. I was about to go on when he placed one of his large hands over my own and gave it a reassuring squeeze as if I were the one getting bad news, not him. Richard, even in this moment, was comforting me. I looked down at it. Damnit, this was hard. "You know I'm leaving by the end of next month, right?"
"Duh." Richard said dryly with a raised eyebrow. "What's your point?" That took me by surprise.
"My point is!" I said a bit louder than I meant to and cleared my throat, lowering my voice and trying not to focus on the few people here on a Sunday morning - there were far more than I thought would be. "I can't do this?" I'm not sure why it came out as a question.
"Do what?" Richard tilted his head. Damnit, he needed to stop being adorable. Even with messy bed fur.
"Us." I said flatly as if stamping my foot down on the matter. Speaking of which, Richard was rubbing my whole leg with one of his bare hind paws. And the worse thing was? It felt nice.
"Us what?" He asked genuinely unsure.
"We us." I motioned between us with my other hand. So Richard felt the need to take it with HIS other hand. Damn him.
"We us what?" Richard asked keeping his head tilted, face blank and voice so smooth warm honey couldn't compare.
"This isn't getting us anywhere." I said in defeat.
"Isn't getting us anywhere...where?" And I nearly face palmed after that one. Or punched him in the face. Or kiss him. It was a very confusing morning for me.
I sighed and shook my head. "About what I said the other day..." I admitted as if pleading to some sort of crime. "About the whole...loving you thing."
"Well, to be fair." Richard shrugged a shoulder. "You said you WERE falling in love, not that you ARE in love. A big difference, ya?" He smiled after that and wagged his tail, teasing me as always. "I was just glad to hear someone like you could possibly fall in love with a dog like me." It took me a moment to realize what he was talking about.
"Hey now," I said rubbing his arm a bit to comfort the sore subject this was for him. "You're the only dog I actually know. You're the only one I've ever wanted as a friend." I chuckled a bit feeling embarrassed again as he placed his hand on top of mine that was still resting on his arm. I couldn't meet his eyes. Damn, society. Makes this all far too difficult. "You're the only one I even know." I said that last part more of a whisper of self shame and regret.
Back home, to be truly honest with myself, I had never even tried to be friends with a fur. It was complicated, unneeded and you got little to nothing in return with it. Society would look down on you, from both sides. Family would disown you - or so I read. Friends judge you, coworkers dismiss you.
"Well, to be fair." Richard said far more happily and without some sort of self pity that inflicted me. "I don't know, particular, any humans either. You just, I don't know..." Richard muttered a bit seeming sheepish himself now. He scratched a dull claw on his cheek, squeezing my hand even tighter and pressing his large foot-paw on top of my shoe. "Most," he said if to change the subject but motioning with his muzzle at the other humans in the room before turning back towards me. "Most don't care. Or even look at a guy like me. Just keep their distance and keep their kids close." His ears drooped a bit more at that last part. "Yet, Mr. Alexander Wright, you my sir did not. You gladly acknowledged and greeted me as an equal co-worker. You know what that makes you?" He smiled, wagging his tail and his ears jumping up in the same motion. Canine-Sapients could be very...expressive.
"A nice guy?" I dared to say.
"A freak." Richard said as bluntly as ever and as if he hit me over the head with a club I winced.
"Hah, thanks bud. Thanks for that one." I flushed in my cheeks.
"You asked for it." Richard just said. I let go of his arm and he flexed after, holding it...until I groped his biceps as if he were trying to show off. "Feel that? Pure muscle." And I wasn't sure why I laughed at that. Or why he said. Or why I was enjoying this.
Richard beamed though after and his tail was wagging and he had eyes only for me. The sound of my laugh just brightened his day, like he brightened mine.
A moment of awkward silenced passed between us.
"So you really don't mind?" I asked going back to the original topic. "That I will only be here for a month. I didn't, don't want to..." I bit my lip a bit looking down. I felt a cold black, bumpy nose touch my own.
"Really. It sucks. It's not fair." Richard said in a soft voice that made my heart ache. "But that's life. It's a bitch." He smiled a bit at that. "We can focus on such things later. We got this moment here, now. Together. And that's all that matters." Passionate dog. And I ended up lifting my head up just in time to meet those warm velvet lips press against mine.
Whenever this happen he, or I, had to tilt our head to the side so that our lips could form perfectly against one another evenly. It was a simple thing that'd go unnoticed by most. And yet we both did it, in such a way, that it was - by definition - perfect.
"We really should order something." I said only after Richard stopped petting the side of my face. I was flushing, bad and felt hot even in this air conditioned place. And was desperately trying not to let my bulge be so apparently. Richard groping paw didn't help either.
"We really should." Richard agreed and showed no sign, at all, that we were going too.
So I made the first move.
"Miss." I asked the waitress keeping her distance from us. "We'd like some menu's." I smiled at her unsure why she hadn't come over to begin with. For a second I thought we were suppose to grab our own; we hadn't even been given complimentary water.
"Sir..." She said the word carefully only speaking up after, slowly, walking over to us. "I have to ask you to leave."
That took both of us by surprise.
"Good job." I nudged Richard, hard, in his side. "No shirt no service." I grumbled. It was lost on me why Richard didn't chuckle back or mock-apologize. Instead he looked, dare I say? Depressed.
His head was bowed, ears floppy drooped even further and his whiskers had lost their bounce. Richard's shoulders had slumped and his whole body had deflated as if he had been kicked off the little league team.
"Sorry." He said standing up. He didn't even ask me to come with him. And it took me a second to realize she hadn't been talking to me but to Richard.
"What's this about? I got a spare shirt in the car." I tried to reason standing up and knocking over the empty glasses on the table. Neither said anything and Richard continued heading out. So I went around the corner. "What's the meaning of this?" I demanded getting angry now for something, I knew already, but didn't want to even acknowledged.
"We have the right to refuse service." She said looking down, ashamed. Clearly she hadn't been the one giving the orders here. Just the poor messenger. "Refuse service to anyone we chose too." And at that she quickly left. I felt bad for her looking up, past her, and into the kitchen where some white trash looking yank was staring at the chocolate Labrador who left.
I soon followed behind.
"The hell was that all about?" I said a bit too loudly, catching Richard's arm as he nearly reached the car. "Richard." I said his name forcefully so. He winced. So I eased up, letting go of his arm.
"Did you know in thirty-seven states the minimum wage for sapients is less than that of humans? It's not really enforced, sure, but a lot of places still treat us like animals. Less rights and no privilege." Richard sighed, shoulders still slumped and rested back against the car looking up. I shot daggers towards the windows and at the people enjoying the show.
"I'm sorry, I didn't know." I admitted resting against the car next to him. He didn't move. So I did. I just took his hand in my own. And when I did Richard finally looked down at me. And he smiled.
"I know." He said.
"Is it always this hard?" I asked looking up at the nice blue summer sky. I was beginning to sweat and Richard's palm was damp.
"I'm always hard around you." And that made me nudge the chocolate labrador side, hard. And we chuckled and got back in the car. We had a moment of silence both reflecting on what had happened. It was so sudden, so quick.
I remember hearing about a riot a couple years ago that broke out when police tried to vacate a whole complex building because of "unwanted" guests. It was huge story, everywhere. And the one day it was gone and everybody forgot. Even I had. Of the injustice of the world.
"So....tacos?" Richard asked with a smile, a wag and held my hand.
"Whatever you want bud." I smiled back starting the engine.
"Anything?" Richard said lewdly.
"Except that..." I frowned as we drove out of the parking lot.