Something Fluffy

[Pearce Lockheed]

Pearce was growing quite fond of his morning walks with Zander. He hadn't initially been so excited because he didn't like being reminded of his health. But he did enjoy the young man's company and between his busy schedule training and patrolling and Pearce's meetings and teaching lessons, it was nice to have consistent time together every morning. So that while they might not always get out somewhere later, they started their day together. Well, considering sleeping together was the new normal, that was how they started their day.

This morning, he was feeling up for something a little more than just his own garden and the surrounding streets. Not to mention all the walking and Zander's reaction to seeing animals had given the man an idea. One he was certain the younger man would both love and hate.

He had hinted he wanted to go for a longer walk the day before, without the pressure of Zander training so early. When asked why, it was of course to enjoy the gardens. The big gardens. Which was true enough and close enough that he only got a little nervous saying it.

They had left the manor with the usual ritual. Apples neither of them wanted to eat but did and some very unappealing tea that did taste a little better with a lot of lemon.

"Have you visited the Garden recently?" he asked of his redheaded companion.

Zander Brogthamon

[Zander Brogthamon]

Zander did love having his early walks with Pearce in the morning. Given their schedules it was nice to just have time alone together to talk or just enjoy some fresh air. Certainly they spent time together but it was usually around other people or when they went to bed. Not to mention having Pearce getting up and moving earlier had seemed to be doing a bit better for his health. As much as the man didn't like thinking about it.

When Pearce had suggested going on a longer walk the night before Zander was a bit confused but didn't question it too much. The question about if he'd visited the garden recently made the redhead shrug his shoulders. "Not really. I did walk through it during one of my rounds the other day, but I wouldn't consider that really visiting it." He said with a soft chuckle. Why Pearce wanted to visit the big Garden was a little confusing. They had one back at the manor that the redhead thought was perfectly nice on its own. Still, any excuse to spend more time with his lover was a good enough excuse for him.

[Pearce Lockheed]

He was grateful Zander didn't ask too many questions. He struggled woth outright lying and deception. Avoiding the truth was one thing but intentionally misleading someone never sat right with the man and trying to made him nervous. Even for a good cause like the one he had right now.

Pearce certainly hoped it was helping. He hadn't had any issues recently, at least, not related to his heart, bouts of panic attacks and nervous fainting aside.

"Did I mention how safe I feel walking with you, guardsman?" He said with a smile and a slight blush.

He did like the Gardens. They were lovely grounds with plenty of people and different flowers and fountains and hedges...much more than his gardens at the manor. But it was specifically a place on the edge of the gardens, near the forest that he was aiming to visit. They were almost there, just another block and around a corner of the hedges beyond.

"Maybe you haven't visited the right parts?" He said thoughtfully, mostly in an attempt to be distracting.

[Zander Brogthamon]

Zander rarely thought too much about the things that happened around him. If there wasn't any danger involved he generally didn't question things. Especially when it came to things Pearce wanted. The redhead would do anything to keep him happy. At the comment about how safe the noble felt walking with him he chuckled.

"I'll always protect you. No worries." While it was said in a more playful tone he was serious. The boy wasn't about to let all his hard work and training go to waste.

At the suggestion that Zander hadn't visited the right parts of the Gardens he raised a brow curiously. While the area was certainly beautiful he'd never given much thought into really taking the time to walk around it. Mostly due to never having someone to walk with him. Though now he was a little more curious about if there were another reason for their visit. "I suppose not. Are you going to show me the better parts?" He asked teasingly.

[Pearce Lockheed]

The noble smiled at Zander's playful confidence. He expected the younger man meant it. But hearing and seeing something in action were different. Regardless he didn't want to test that protection. He trusted it was there. Pearce also knew he didn't want anything to happen to his boyfriend. That was...well, part of the reason their destination was what it was.

Pearce particularly liked the lavender fields. But he was rather partial to the herb and the color purple anywhere it was to be found. "N-not today," he said as they rounded the corner, unable to entirely keep up the ruse. "But there is something I want to show you."

He led the boy around the hedge and along it for a moment and then past the edge of the Gardens there was a path that split off from the main one. Thankfully there was no signage to ruin the surprise. They were quickly met by a fence and a closed gate that suggested private, not public property.

Pearce approached at opened the latch, gesturing Zander through. "Almost there." They only took a few steps before the sounds of barking and yipping could be heard moving their direction. There was a small house surrounded by outbuildings ahead, a few trees breaking up the way and a pack of puppies rounding it.

[Zander Brogthamon]

Something Pearce wanted to show him? What could the man possibly want to show him? If it were pretty flowers that was nice but there were pretty flowers everywhere. Still, as they came up to a fence of what looked almost like someones home the redhead became even more confused. Was he meeting someone?

The sound of small barks and yips sent Zanders heart soaring. Already there were four rather large puppies barreling towards them excited at the new company. "Puppies!" He exclaimed happily. The excitement radiating off of him made the wind pick up around them as he kneeled down to pet the very fluffy creatures.

"They look like teddy bears." He cooed as the dogs jumped into his open arms and licked at his face. It had been far too long since Zander had a dog. The last one he'd had was a guard dog for the farm to chase off other animals. The dog had died when he was ten and they hadn't adopted another one.

[Pearce Lockheed]

Zander's skepticism made Pearce smile. It broadened at the man's reaction to the balls of black and tan fluff sprinting towards them. Or tumbling. Sort of both.

"Whoa," he exclaimed, pressing the gate closed quickly. He had expected they would be greeted by the owner first. Or maybe one of the parents...

A sort of grumbly howl broke the yard as a very large maned bear looking beast ambled out from around the side of the house, tail stiff. Not a bear, a very large dog. Well...the breeder had said they were big but...the thing looked heavier than Pearce. He swallowed nervously. He had spoken to the owner via a messenger, they should be here to know they were visiting...

The large mastiff didn't jump at either visitor but he did approach Zander first, snuffling at him for a moment before deciding he was harmless and looking at Pearce. "Hello..." the man hazarded, holding out his hands placatingly mostly certain the dog didn't understand. He took a half step back into the gate. Pearce didn't particularly like dogs and most of them seemed to know it. He'd grown up with a few guard dogs. None of them had been very nice and he'd been bit once. He didn't blame the dogs he just...avoided them.

"Vor! Leave off, they's friendly!" Came a shout from the house, followed by some under the breath grumbling. "Youer Lord Lockheed?" The man folded his arms casually and glanced between Zander and Pearce, uncertain who he was supposed to be speaking to.

Vor glanced at his owner momentarily and stopped making the scary noise. He did not refrain from inspecting Pearce's boots. And pants. And crotch. The noble would have preferred to push the bear away but...well it was bigger than him. And had teeth. And its puppies were nearby. "P-Pearce Lockheed. T-talk to him..." he sort of gestured at Zander around all the fur, at a loss. "He's looking not...not me."

The owner smiled slightly, amused. "Sure. Name's Garren. This is Vor. These are his pups. Mum's round somewhere, napping most likely." He turned to Zander and whistled suddenly. Vor immediately vacated Pearce's personal space and padded happily over to the man. "You ever 'ave a dog afore?"

[Zander Brogthamon]

As the older dog came over Zander was a bit more hesitant. He'd seen these kinds of dogs before, not often but he knew enough about them. They made good guard animals, but that could be dangerous for a visitor. Especially one that seemed as terrified as Pearce did. He kept on the ground with the puppies who seemed to demand his attention all at once. They nipped at his fingers and forced their fluffy little bodies under his arms trying to get his undivided affection.

When the nobleman suggested he was looking Zander blinked in surprise. Looking? At what? He looked back at Pearce with confusion before standing up. As he stood the puppies around him whined and barked in protest. There was a large part of him that wanted to grumble about Pearce tricking him. About him getting him another gift. Seeing as the redhead himself certainly couldn't afford to get the dog on his own. The question from the man though caught his attention first. "Ah, I've owned a dog before, though not in a while."

His eyes wandered to Vor who seemed content to sit next to his own and pant. Though the dog still seemed rather trained on Pearce. "Y'ver own a dog this big?" Garren pat Vor on the top of the head before motioning for the two men to follow him. "Not this large no." Zander admitted as the puppies followed after them. "Well, the pups seem real keen on ya, boy. We got a few more 'round here."

Zander chewed on his bottom lip as he leaned down to pick up one of the puppies. "They're so cute." He whined quietly to himself before nuzzling his face into the one in his arms. Once they were closer to the house there was another larger one laying under an apple tree with three more puppies playing around her. "Ah! There she is."

[Pearce Lockheed]

Pearce smiled faintly once he got his personal space back and let out a long breath he had been holding. Likely Breeze's scent all over him didn't help.

He pointedly avoided looking at the dog and at Zander. Eye contact was confrontational and he wasn't in the mood for that after the brief smothering and the trickery. He did catch Zander's eye briefly and offered an apologetic smile.

Big dogs indeed. The noble wasn't sure he had seen a dog this big before. He was glad to see Vor was obedient and attentive at least. He was less glad to see the dog staring at him so much. It made him uneasy as he brought up the rear. One of the pups bounded over to him as they walked and attempted to attack his boots with teeth. He very nearly tripped on the fluffy thing six times. Luckily his boots were thick enough to avoid any real damage and it was actually prety cute.

Pearce smiled again at Zander's adorable noises. He was happy to see him happy. "F-fluffy enough for you?" He teased.

[Zander Brogthamon]

Zander doubted Breeze would be all to pleased with them bringing a small bear home. Though he was sure she'd get used to it. His eyes wandered to the mother dog with her pups. She seemed rather exhausted though he couldn't really blame her. "Look 'round if ya want." The redheads eyes bounced between the puppies torn. Of course he wanted a dog so terribly bad. The boy had wanted a dog since he moved to Aralore. But he still felt bad having Pearce buy him so many things.

"Do the pups have names?" He asked curiously as he continued petting the one in his arms. Garren shook his head at the question. "Nope, figure whoever wanted the pups would name em' themselves." Zander chewed his lip nervously for a short moment before turning to Pearce as he sat on the ground.

He pat the spot on the ground next to him just as all the puppies came barreling toward the stranger that was now on their level. "Ya gon' need ta train em' if ya want one. Otherwise they'll walk all over ya." Almost as if to prove a point the wave of puppies seemed to literally be trying to knock him down to walk on him. Still, if he was going to get a dog he wanted Pearce to be comfortable with them too.

[Pearce Lockheed]

Breeze was resourceful enough that the dog would never be able to bother her. Whether she decided to bother the dog, Pearce wasn't so surr. He did know that size wasn't a factor for the cat.

Pearce could very nearly relate to the mother. He had never had his of children of course, but he had taught a lot of them. And Briella was an experience just like her brother. He couldn't imagine having seven or eight children at once to deal with like she did. If she could sleep though, she was likely used to it.

While Zander considered puppies, Pearce considered his boyfriend. He could tell the young man was divided on more than just which pup but on whether he should be looking at all.

He shook his head faintly when Zander invited him to sit, a nervous smile on his face. "J-just one, mind you," he teased encouragingly. While raising two would give them a friend, he wasn't sute he wanted to jump from no dogs to two that quickly. He was more than invested in being comfortable with the dog. The. Just one. Not a score of them.

"Two make fer good company," Garren nudged with a grin, echoing the noble's thoughts only to be met with a adamant shake of the head from Pearce.

"Mmmaybe later," he acknowledged. Not to mention they would be buying a lot more than just a dog. It would need to eat and more.

"D-definitely need to train them," he agreed. He might be buying the dog, but Zander would have the hard part. Pearce would help of course. He chuckled though as Zander was stampeded. "There any you like?" He asked from his position near Garren and ten feet from the mob of puppies.

[Zander Brogthamon]

Seeing Pearce's apprehension about joining him on the ground caused a devilish gleam in the redheads eyes. If they were going to be getting a dog the noble was going to be picking one out with him. He managed to pull himself out of the sea of fluff long enough to grab Pearce by the hand and gently pull him down to the ground.

As soon as they touched the ground again the puppies swarmed. Garren snickered to himself as he watched the redhead push the puppies back a bit from the noble. Just to give him some room to breath. "This ones got spunk." Zander stated as he picked up the largest puppy that seemed to be the size of a toddler. The pup wiggled happily in his grasp as he attempted to lick Pearce's face.

"Oh he's gonna be a biggin'." Well, good thing that was exactly what Zander was looking for. "He'll make a good guard if that's what yer after." It wasn't exactly what he was after personally but it would be a good plus.

[Pearce Lockheed]

Pearce did not go quietly. He did not want to sit where the puppies could smother him and step on him and lick him and bite him and all manner of things. Also he didn't want to sit on the ground for a few reasons, the first of which being it was dirty and another being he didn't want to make it easier for Vor to harass him should the dog get any ideas.

"Zander, I d-don't...you can pick one your...yourself," he stumbled over the words. But as much as he resisted Zander's tugging, the young man was determined. Stubbornly so. The noble did his best to breathe and not freak out. They were just puppies. And he admitted they were cute.

Despite Zander's best efforts, he had a lot of paws stepping on him vying for attention. And then there was the big one that was lifted to his face. Kissed from Zander were one thing. From a dog? No thank you. At once, he gently pit his hand between his face and the puppies and scooted sideways. Which of course only made him less defensible and opened him up to a flanking assault of fluff.

He was set upon by three of them at least, all going for his face and hands and he gently attempted to defend himself which meant he ended up with a lot of needle sharp teeth in his hands. He winced and yelped a few times and really really hoped he didn't start bleeding. He tried to get to his feet but they were persistant. Might be better to just give up.

[Zander Brogthamon]

Watching Pearce struggle with the assault was awfully endearing. It seemed the more he tried to resist the more the puppies seemed intent on getting his attention. As much as he thought it was adorable watching his boyfriend try and fight off three tiny bears Zander couldn't leave him to it on his own for long. With a quick high pitched whistle, that even seemed to catch the two parent dogs attention, the puppies paused before quickly running over to the redhead.

Garren blinked a bit in surprise watching as the puppies rushed over to the redhead. Zander gathered them as best as he could onto his lap. He didn't personally care about getting dirty or being nipped at. As sharp as their little teeth were they weren't biting hard enough to break skin and a bath could always be taken later. "If you keep showing them you're scared they're going to attack you even more." He stated as he glanced over to Pearce.

The puppies seemed to be calming down now as their mother stood from her stop under the tree and made her way over. She nudged at the puppies with her nose causing most of them to follow her back to the spot. Zander assumed that meant it was lunch time for them. Though the large one that he'd held up to Pearce seemed content to lay across the boys lap. Panting and wagging his tail happily.

Zander motioned Pearce back over with a sweet smile. "You want to come pet him now?"

[Pearce Lockheed]

Pearce started in surprise at the whistle too before pulling hinself up gratefully. He inspected his hands and the red marks and scrapes. No bleeding. So maybe he overreacted a little. He wiped his sleeve over his face and all the slobber thefe. Between the dirt and the dog kisses...he wanted to take a bath.

Scared. He wasn't scared he was...okay, he was scared. Pearce swallowed and nodded. "R-right," he said, watching Zander, the dog whispered. He looked so comfortable. It reinforced that Pearce should have done this sooner.

"That one likes you," he noted with a bit more confident smile. He was moving to pick himself up fron the ground when Zander asked him over. The noble hesitated and the moved back next to Zander and took a deep breath. He held his hand out to the puppy who immediately licked him. Pearce grimaced and attempted to scratch behind the pup's ears and neck gently.

"You like them?" He asked. And then realized it sounded like he was rushing him. "N-not that you have to pick right now. We can stay a while. I, uh...reserved first ch-choice if you want one so..." There really wasn't a reason to rush.