I Believe in Miracles [Morgan]

[Jacob Lawrence]

The MSAD compound was hardly a comfortable place for him lately. It might have been his home, but the tension was so thick that it was nearly impossible for him to relax. For that reason, along with several others involving one handsome blonde-haired man, that Jake had been spending more and more time away. For this trip out, he had company in the form of his two favorite dogs, the towering and stupid Ein as well as the short but lovable Beta. Ein, a bundle of endless energy, was bounding ahead like usual with a Frisbee hanging from his mouth, while Beta was trotting at Jake’s side, his tail lazily flicking back and forth.

His favorite place to walk the dogs was the park just outside of Pilot Ridge. All the dogs knew it and it offered plenty of open space for them to run and play. It also let Jake get far enough away from the compound that he could forget it existed, even if for just a little bit while he goofed around and chased the dogs.

But a day out with the dogs was not all that Jacob had in mind. As soon as he released the leads from Beta and Ein’s collar, he pulled his phone from his pocket and called a number that was very familiar to him by now. A quick, but cheerful invitation was extended to Morgan (that may or may not have included the words “sexy thang”) before he returned his phone to his pocket and rolled up the leashes.

Ein barreled into Jake excitedly, knowing that this meant it was time to play. Even Beta was wiggling with anticipation, his stubby legs propped up on Jake’s shin, barking in a way that sounded much too deep for his short stature. Jake smiled, his dogs always knew how to brighten up his day… as did Morgan. (Light pun intended.)

[Morgan Tonaya]

Morgan and Jake had had plenty of dates, but this one Morgan was particularly excited for. He loved to run around outside, and Jake had mentioned dogs. Dogs. They were like children, only not quite as cute and furrier. And dogs liked Frisbee. Morgan liked Frisbee too. Plus he liked Jake…there was that.

It was chilly during the day now, so Morgan pulled on a light hooded jacket over his thermal shirt and tied a scarf around his neck, snatching up his keys before he made the drive to the park. It wasn’t an excruciatingly long walk, but it would dark before it was time to come home…he didn’t really want to walk back at night with everything that had been happening.

When he arrived, he parked his car and got out. Hearing the barking of dogs, Morgan headed that direction, waving excitedly at Jake as he approached. He gasped as the two dogs came bounding towards him. Crouching to their level, Ein ploughed into him, knocking the blonde man into the cool grass. He laughed hysterically, wrestling playfully with the large dog as Beta licked at his hands. “Ahhh~! Oh my god!” He cried with obvious elation. “Puppies everywhere! Giant mutant puppies!” Morgan continued laughing and squirming on the ground with the dogs.

When Jake finally approached, he looked up and grinned stupidly at the other man. “Oh god! And it’s the biggest mutant puppy of all!” He sat up, crossing his legs and patting his lap. “C’mere Jake~!” He made kissy noises. “C’mere!” The dorky motions only served to beckon Beta and Ein into his lap. He grunted as the dogs put their paws into their stomach, squinting up his eyes as the licked his face.

[Jacob Lawrence]

His playing with the dogs was interrupted when Morgan arrived, the dogs running off to greet the newcomer in their enthusiastic and loving manner. Jake, too, was excited that Morgan was there. His progression towards the man was not as frenzied as Ein's, nor as slobbery as Beta's, but just as deliberate.

And then Ein knocked him over.

Jake laughed, shaking his head. "Looks like I'm not the only one who's happy to see you!" Once he made his way over to Morgan, he kneeled down beside him and gently scolded the dogs. "You boys are going to crush him! Be easy!" Ein actually listened for once, standing over Morgan instead of on him, and wagged about as hard as he could. Beta, on the other hand, began running circles around them, baying in his houndish manner.

"I'm not a mutant!" Jake said defensively, then chuckled. "And I'm so not kissing you now you're covered in Ein's slob." Grinning, the brunette stood up and called the dogs over so Morgan could get up. "Wanna help me wear these guys out?" He picked up the Frisbee that Ein had discarded in his rush to tackle Morgan, whistled to get the Dane's attention, then threw it across the park to the sounds of Ein's happy barking.

He held his hands out to Morgan. "C'mon you big dork." His tone was affectionate, because we all know Morgan is the best kind of dork. "Or the mutant puppies will crawl all over you again!"

[Morgan Tonaya]

Morgan chuckled and sat up on his elbows as Jake called Ein off, the Dane’s entire body quaking with the force of his tail-wagging. “Good boy!” He encouraged, running his hands down the dog’s back and hugging him around the neck. Morgan pouted when Ein bolted after the Frisbee, more so because Jake apparently refused to kiss him. He took the other man’s hands and hauled himself up.

“Are you really not going to kiss me?” He whined, batting his eyelashes stupidly at Jake. He made a fish face and nuzzled Jake’s cheek, obnoxious kissy noises smacking at his cheek. “Kiss I’ll just kiss you!” He said, chuckling and cutting the ridiculous act. “It’s good to see you.” Morgan said, an earnest grin breaking his face. “And I’d love to help wear these guys down.” He added.

Morgan tucked his hands in his pockets and headed in the direction the Frisbee had flown, shaking his head at Ein. “Sweet dogs.” He said, nodding down at Beta, who had decided to stay close to Jake’s heels, wagging and panting. He reached down and scratched behind Beta’s ears, laughing softly. “Wish I had the time for one.” He sighed wistfully.

[Jacob Lawrence]

Morgan's whine was perhaps even more adorable than Beta's, but Jake pretended to remain steadfast. He had to struggle very hard not to laugh at the goofy eyelash and he couldn't stop a small laugh from escaping when he began making those dorky kissing noises at his cheek. "You cheat!" Jake accused, finally giving in enough to wind one arm around Morgan's waist, wipe at his face with the sleeve of his other arm, and plant a proper kiss on him. "Better now?"

Jake released Morgan and grinned. "I'm really glad you came. I knew the boys would love you." It was a rare occasion that Ein and Beta didn't love someone, but who could hate Morgan anyways? He walked alongside the blonde to wear Ein was now running in lopsided circles around where the frisbee lay on the ground. "He's a mile a minute and as thick as they come." Jake explained, his voice fond. Ein was the first dog to be his, after all.

He bent down and gathered Beta up in his arms, cradling him in his arms like a baby. "And Ox here is just a big ol' cuddleslut." He kissed the hound's nose, then looked sideways at Morgan. "You know, you can see them anytime you want." As if Jake needed more of an excuse to spend time with the other man.

Beta began wiggling as they got closer to Ein, so Jake set him back down. Immediately upon doing so, he ran forward and snatched up the frisbee, his tail wagging proudly. "You wanna play that game, huh?" He grinned, squatting down to be more level with Beta, who turned tail and ran. "At least it's easier to catch him than Ein. Bet I get it first!" Jake gave Morgan a playful little shove before running off after Beta.

[Morgan Tonaya]

Morgan sighed after Jake’s kiss, and nodded. “Much. Much much better.” Morgan said softly, pecking Jake again for good measure. Morgan’s mother had always been kissy and cuddly, and the blond man had picked it up: one could never show too much affection. Especially in a semi-private encounter like their time in the park.

Looking to the dogs, Morgan beamed. “I love dogs.”(Understatement.) “and these guys are so much fun!” He laughed at Ein as the big lug circled the Frisbee. “How long have you had him?” He inquired, tucking his hands in his pockets and watching Jake interact lovingly with the pups. Frankly, a dog was the closest thing to a kid Morgan had ever had…and boy did he love kids.

When Jake took off after the dogs, Morgan balked, several feet behind before he realized what was going on. “HEY!” he shouted, laughing and chasing after them, gaining little ground through his laughter. He didn’t care if he caught up, as long as he could see Jake having as much fun as he was now.


[OoC:: BLEH. Sorry this took so long @.@]

[Jacob Lawrence]

I'm sure it comes as no surprise, but Jake has absolutely no problems indulging Morgan's affectionate side. Hell, he'd do anything to put a smile on that handsome face. And, of all people, Jake is extremely unlikely to be the one complaining about PDA, exhibitionist that he is.

But the dogs quickly became jealous that the two men were paying more attention to each other than to them and they certainly knew how to steal the show. Morgan's shout earned a goofy grin, but Jake had already caught up to Bet and had liberated the Frisbee from his jaws. "Can't keep up?" He called to his companion. "Don't worry, I'll make it easier for you!" And with a chuckle, he sent the toy flying towards Morgan. "Get him, boys!" ... as if Morgan really needed to be mauled by the doggies again. "Just don't kiss him, that's my job!" He instructed to Beta and Ein, laughing.

Sharing? What's that?

Releasing a happy sigh, Jake stuffed his hands into the pockets on his hoodie and strolled across the grass. He had his dogs, he had his Morgan, and it really didn't get much better than this.

[Morgan Tonaya]

Morgan was still running towards Jake when the Frisbee came careening toward his face. He skidded to a halt, catching sight of Ein barreling towards him. “Oh shi---“ He breathed, turning tail and running the opposite direction to catch the Frisbee. He leapt to do so and managed to wrap his fingers around it.

…but he careened into the dirt shortly after with a heavy ‘oof.’ The dogs were upon him shortly after. He half-squealed half-laughed until his sides were in stitches. Ein had seized hold of the Frisbee, but Morgan refused to let go. That meant the Dane was dragging Morgan through the grass with Beta nipping at his heels.

“Oh god!” he said, laughing and wiggling in the grass. “Jake please call them off!” He howled. Clearly he was having fun. TONS of fun. Elaine never let him have a dog.

[Jacob Lawrence]

It was rare for Jake to be unhappy around Morgan, but he could hardly remember a time where he had more fun. The blonde's oh-so-graceful faceplant into the ground made him snort with laughter and when Ein started dragging him, Jake couldn't stop himself from doubling over. Looks like the Dane finally found someone to bond with on his own intellectual level. (Sorry, Morgan, you know I love you.)

It took a moment for Jake to catch his breath, but once he did he jogged over. "Ein, you brute, let him go!" There was obvious warmth in his voice, but the dog did as he was told and let the toy go, apparently deciding that it was much less important than chasing his tail. "Show off." Jake mumbled, looking down at Morgan. Another chuckle bubbled up in his throat as he bent down, picking a stray leaf out of Morgan's hair. "I think you've made a friend for life." Ein responded with a loud bark and Jake shook his head, offering his hands down to Morgan.

"You're a big dork, but... I love you." Suddenly, he froze. Those weren't the words he'd intended to say. Hell, he'd never even said them to Gabe. But as he looked at Morgan, he knew they were right and that Morgan needed to hear them. Jake had always thought that love was some big deal, but now he just blurted them out without thinking. "Yeah..." An unmistakable grin slowly made its way across Jacob's face. "I love you." It felt good to say it.

[Morgan Tonaya]

There had to be some reason Morgan loved dogs. It probably was because they shared an intellectual side. Dogs were smart, right? …Maybe not. Morgan spluttered a bit when Ein let go, dropping the few inches it was between him and the ground. He knocked his head against the grass and squinted. “yee-ouch.” He grumbled, rubbing the back of his head. He looked brightly up at Jake holding completely still as the other man plucked a stray leaf out of his hair.
“Than---“

I love you.

Morgan’s mouth hung open. How much had he wanted to hear those words? He didn’t even know it until he felt his heart flutter at them. How much….how badly. Morgan’s face twitched into a slow smile of disbelief, his eyes softening. He reached up and curled his finger in the hair and the back of Jake’s neck.


It felt good to hear it.

“I love you, too.” He murmured. Then laughed, his eyes moist. Morgan sniffed a bit and just…smiled. Stupidly. “I love you too.” He repeated, refusing to cry like the huge baby he usually acted like. He opted for reaching out with both hands and dragging Jake to the ground, rolling so that he was hovering over top of the brunette. Morgan planted an adoring kiss on him, sighing when he broke away.

It felt better to say it.

[Jacob Lawrence]

With a grunt, Jake toppled into the grass when Morgan yanked him down. He let himself be rolled onto his back and lifted his hand to mold to the shape of Morgan's cheek. He started laughing again, but he wasn't entirely sure why. The heat that Morgan usually sparked in his chest had flared and spread all the way to the tips of his fingers at those words. Hearing them at all was wonderful, but hearing them from Morgan's mouth was a miracle.

He noticed the welling in the blond's eyes and slid his thumbs underneath them. "You're not going to cry, are you?" He teased, but Morgan successfully shut him up with a kiss. Jake knew that he didn't deserve this, he didn't deserve Morgan's love. He had lied to him, he had to sneak around just to be with him, but since day one he'd been inexplicably drawn to the other man. But hey, you can't have shadow without light, can you? (Shut up, I couldn't resist.)

Ein and Beta were barking nearby, but the sound was distant in Jake's ears. "Morgan..." He moved his arms over the man's shoulders, pulling him down on top of him. "You're amazing." He drew in a long breath and pressed his lips to Morgan's forehead. "Just... amazing." Truly there were no other words for it.