Volunteering [Ash]

[Taeyeon Kai]

As the mother of a rather rambunctious Welsh Corgi puppy-turned-teenager, Tae knew it was in her duty to volunteer at the animal shelter whenever possible, if only to give back to the place who had given her such a wonderful addition to her family and a shining light in her life. Kuma was her best friend, her confidant, and her guardian, as well as her playmate and snuggle buddy. She didn’t go anywhere without him, and today was no exception.

Driving in Tae’s 1970 Dodge Challenger, a gift from her parents that was long overdue from the pair that had given life to the teenager, Kuma looked at home in the passenger seat, his front paws propped on the open window and his tongue lolling out of his mouth as he enjoyed the breeze. He was bigger now, almost to his full height, but he still had a ways to go. Tae maneuvered the car downtown to the animal shelter, pulling into the parking lot with a smile; it had been a while since she had been here.

Walking inside to the sounds of dogs barking and birds chirping, Tae smiled at the receptionist as Kuma trotted beside her and made himself comfortable in the lobby. “I’m here to volunteer,” she told the woman, leaning on the counter.

“Are you one of the private school volunteers?” the woman asked kindly, and Tae was mildly surprised. She hadn’t seen a meta in awhile, not since Braxton…

“Sure,” Tae answered, smiling. She followed the woman’s directions to the backyard pens and exited in the closed-off yards, her dog following behind her. Soon enough Tae saw some people from the private school, and one familiar face made her grin happily. “Hey there, Ashton,” she greeted, coming to his side.

[Ashton Harper]

Growing up with one dog and having that dog die took a lot out of Ash. His parents brought King home when Ash was six and King had only been a few weeks old. He was a fiesty little rottweiler, but Ash loved it at that age. They grew up together and King managed to live for the full life expectancy of twelve years. He died in his sleep after suffering through an illness Ash didn't know about. He hadn't found out about it until a few weeks later because he had been so busy at Hammel.

Once he found out, he took it pretty hard. It had taken him a while to even get out of his room. Once he was out, he had headed out for a run. Well on that run he had passed by an animal shelter. Due to King's death, he had signed up for volunteering later that week. He just needed something. A reminder of King in some way. He figured this was a good way to repay his dog for all the years they had shared together.

He had been in the shelter for about fifteen minutes. He was playing with a small German Shepherd puppy when he heard a familiar voice and a soft pitter patter of paws on the floor. He looked up from the puppy and smiled when he saw Tae and Kuma. "Hey Tae. Hi Kuma, I have something for you, if your mom doesn't mind." He looked up at Tae and showed her a small toy that he had picked out especially for her dog.

He had seen Kuma once before because of Tae taking him on a walk whenever Ash was walking King. Ash cleared his throat to try and hide the thoughts. He didn't really want to dwell on King's death anymore.

[Taeyeon Kai]

Tae smiled when Ash offered Kuma the small dog toy; it warmed her heart that he was so friendly and nice. Her dog wagged his little butt and barked once, making the small puppy at Ash’s feet perk his head in curiosity. “I don’t mind you spoiling him, thank you,” Tae said genuinely as she knelt beside the blonde, giving him one of her brighter smiles. Ash had that way with her; just by seeing his face, she felt better.

Kuma took the dog toy from Ash’s hand and walked over to the puppy, looking at him with his dark eyes before offering the toy to the younger dog. The German Shepherd sniffed the toy and wagged his little tail before attacking it with his paws. Tae giggled at the antics as the two dogs interacted, taking the time to look at Ash. He was smiling, sure, but she could sense something was wrong. She took his hand in comfort, squeezing his fingers gently. “Is something wrong, Ash?” she asked softly, looking at him. “You’re not stuttering like you normally are, and your eyes are sad.”

That was the thing with the girl; she had an uncanny sense of sensing when something was wrong with a friend. She felt a wet nose and looked down to see Kuma looking up at her, the puppy by his side also looking up at her. She took a hold of the puppy, giving it a kiss on its head and a ruffle of its ears before setting him in Ash’s lap.

[Ashton Harper]

Ash laughed at the response he got from Kuma. He looked down at the puppy that sat on his foot. He watched as Kuma and the German Shepherd went off to play. His heart gave an unpleasant squeeze when he thought of the first time he'd seen King messing around playing with a shoe. Ash frowned and looked away from the dogs. He wasn't sure why he'd wanted to be surrounded by dogs, but it was just crushing him.

Ash felt her hand on his and his heart gave another more pleasant leap. He looked up at her and frowned deeper. He hadn't been stuttering because his mind was elsewhere. If he'd been focusing strictly on Tae, well the stuttering would definitely have been there. "Just thinking about King..." His voice broke on the name and he took a deep breath. His mind started to wander to when he'd taken King out once and Tae was with Kuma. Kuma and King had gotten along pretty amazingly. After that King was excited to go on walks because he wanted to see his best friend. Ash squeezed his eyes shut and his bottom lip trembled slightly.

"He's dead," Ash finally whispered. He hadn't told anyone else that his dog had died because he'd never been able to get it out before. Just thinking about it made his throat tighten. He held the puppy in his lap and ran his free hand through his hair.

[Taeyeon Kai]

Tae remembered King. He had been a handsome Rottie, one that made Tae reconsider what kind of dog she wanted before she had gotten Kuma. Now she couldn’t see herself without the small dog. When she heard the news about King, she didn’t say anything, for words wouldn’t be enough to heal Ash’s heart. She merely hugged him around his shoulders and felt Kuma lay at the boy’s feet, offering him support in the only way a dog can. Even the puppy in Ash’s arms nudged at the boy, too young to understand but willing to help.

“I’m sorry, Ash,” Tae whispered to him, kissing his temple in comfort and taking a moment to appreciate his scent. As boys went, Ash was one of the more attractive that Tae had met, and she had a tiny crush on him, she would admit. But now was not the time to dwell on that; he needed a friend first, and a friend she would be.

“He’s in a better place now, without pain and probably chewing on a rubber ball like he used to,” Tae continued, letting go of Ash and smiling softly at him. “He’s with all the other dogs of heaven, chasing a Frisbee. Besides, it looks like you made a friend already,” she gestured to the puppy in his arms, who wiggled in attention.

[Ashton Harper]

Ash looked down and tears fell from his eyes, though he willed them to stop. Crying in front of a girl?! What was he thinking? Nothing. That was the answer. He wasn't worried about what she saw, he just wanted his dog back. King had been the only thing he had kept as he grew up. He didn't have any siblings, he out grew his toys...well most of them. King was the only thing he never out grew. Unfortunately, King had out grown him.

Ash would have turned bright red any other time if Tae had hugged him and comforted him, but now that it was when he needed it, it just felt nice. It didn't make him nervous. She was being the friend that he needed. Someone who knew King, Avi hadn't gotten the chance to see King at all. She wouldn't have understood. Ash just nodded at Tae's words. He felt the puppy nudging his chest and he held it closer. The puppy cuddled up to his chest and Ash started to relax a little.

Tae was right, he had found a new friend. He knew that this one wouldn't replace King, but he knew that it was better not to dwell. He needed to focus on what was best for him. A puppy just so happened to be that. It's not like he had a girlfriend to lean on instead.... Ash glanced at Tae and smiled slightly, "Thanks."

[Taeyeon Kai]

His slight smile was all she needed, and she smiled back at him, leaning in to kiss his cheek warmly. “You’re welcome, Ash,” she whispered against his skin, pulling back to look at him. “I’m always here for you.” And, indeed, she was, for she had no one else in her life to say that to. Cole had moved on, Braxton was still in the air…so Tae felt the closest to Ash in this moment.

Feeling Kuma move, Tae looked down as her dog licked Ash’s leg before looking at her. Now was the time to have fun. Tae grinned and picked up the toy, waving it around in her hand. Both Kuma and the puppy watched the toy, both transfixed. She tossed it in the pen and watched as both dogs scrambled to get the toy. She stood and brushed off her jeans and offered Ash a hand to stand before walking to the open pen where the dogs were currently wrestling.

“Who’s a good boy?” she said loudly, laughing as Kuma jumped away and ran to her. She laid on the ground and wrestled with her dog before she felt another set of paws attack; it seemed that Ash’s new friend wanted to play too. “Ah, I’m being attacked!” she called out to Ash, laughing as she looked at him.

[Ashton Harper]

Ash's heart lurched when she kissed his cheek. That was the reaction he had been expecting before. Damn she had a way of making him nervous. It was like she had been put on this planet to torture him, except he liked this kind of torture. It was perfectly fine with him. He'd always had a crush on Tae. Ever since that first day that they had met when they both went jogging. Sure, it was embarrassing because Ash couldn't stop rambling, but she hadn't seemed to mind. And he managed to stay friends with her.

Just friends. That part was what sucked.

Ash looked down at Kuma and laughed. The dog seemed excited and ready to play, so was the small puppy beside him. Ash set down the puppy and let him chase after the toy once Tae threw it. The two dogs took off and dove for the toy. Ash took Tae's hand and stood up watching the two dogs and occasionally (or so he thinks) glancing at her.

She was always so happy and he'd never really seen her upset. Then again he didn't want to. He liked seeing her smile. Her happiness was what made him happy. It was intoxicating. Once she got on the ground and started wrestling around with the two dogs, Ash started laughing.

[Taeyeon Kai]

Tae alternated between playing with Kuma and playing with the new puppy, the sweet little German Shepherd with eyes like twin chocolate coins. His personality would pair with Ash’s nicely, enough to form a bond that would last for years. Tae felt the loss of King dearly; the dog had been so friendly and playful, and he would have liked this little youngling. Pretty soon, both dogs got too tired to keep wrestling with her and plopped down on the grass to pant and try to cool down.

Tae smiled and grabbed a couple of bowls nearby, filling them with water from the hose and setting them down near the dogs. Kuma gave out a soft woof in thanks before he started drinking, the puppy following suit. Sensing that her dog was now a role model, the girl stood and wiped off her back, grass falling off her clothes as she stood next to Ash, gazing fondly at the dogs.

“I think Kuma’s become the puppy’s best friend,” she told the boy before looking at him, smiling gently, her hazel eyes more blue than green in that moment. The wind ruffled her hair, tickling her cheeks, and it made a strand of his hair fall into his eyes. She reached up and ruffled it away, looking at him thoughtfully as her fingers traced a path over his forehead to his cheek, then downwards across his jaw. Her eyes locked with his, wondering what he would do.

[Ashton Harper]

Watching the dogs and Tae together was quite a sight. The puppy was so hyper and playful. Ash liked that and he knew he needed something like that. Of course the puppy wouldn't be able to replace King in his heart, but it'd help mend it. Then there was Kuma, the new role-model dog. He was doing a good job of keeping the German Shepherd in check and it was funny seeing them together playing. They were both the same size, for now at least, and when the pup got bigger, Kuma would still be the boss. That was the best part about it.

Then there was Tae...

So maybe what he thought about being over her wasn't entirely true. It wasn't his fault though! She was just too damn beautiful and fun to be with. It wasn't fair. Every time she smiled at him, his heart gave a sudden lurch and squeeze. It was kind of painful, but he could handle it. Seeing her smile was enough to make him content for the moment despite his loss. She made him forget about the bad things that happened to him and just focus on what was good in his life. That was something he really needed.

He felt the wind blow and he looked up slightly, his hair ruffling. A stray piece fell in his eyes and before he could move it himself, he felt her fingers brush it back softly. Though she was barely touching him, the trail of her fingers burned his skin. His eyes caught hers and they just looked at each other for a moment.

Ash took a deep breath and chewed on the inside of his cheek debating on what he was going to do. (JUST KISS HER DAMMIT!!) He put his hand on her waist cautiously and leaned in to press his lips gently to hers.

Now all he could do was hope she didn't slap him and say that he was a creepy jerk.

[Taeyeon Kai]

With Ash, she didn’t need to feel like she was walking on her toes around him. She could be herself, be as goofy or as friendly as she could be, and he would look at her with those eyes and smile, as if he was indulging her. Sometimes, when she glanced at him to see him watching her, it was as if he was memorizing her, wanting to know every nuance of what made her happy, what kept the smile on her face.

Sure, Cole had done that, but she had no more feelings of that sort towards him. Her attention was on Ash.

And he surprised her by pulling her close and kissing her. Granted, she had never expected Ash to make the first move, but it was a pleasant surprise, one she took joy in. She kept her hand on his shoulder, holding him close as her other hand cupped his cheek, tilting his head so that she could kiss him back. The wind swirled around them, making her step even closer, until her chest was brushing his with each breath she took. All too soon, she broke the kiss, her mouth tingling from the contact.

She looked up at him and smiled, her hazel eyes twinkling. “What was that for?” she asked softly, her voice slightly husky from the heat running through her body.

[Ashton Harper]

Ash was painfully relieved when she kissed him back. Her palm pressed against his cheek and he sighed happily. Her touch was soothing, gentle, but needed. He had forgotten before how much he enjoyed spending time with her. She was always laid back and what seemed like her true self with him. She never put on that fake facade that girls usually put on for someone to like them. Ash didn't particularly like when people did that. He did it a few times though, so he couldn't really say anything.

He wrapped his arms around her waist loosely, not wanting to push the limit, his own or hers for that matter. The kiss deepened only slightly, then she broke away. Ash looked down at her and blushed slightly. It was a little embarrassing having just kissed her for no real reason. It was a risk though, one he had taken. One he didn't think he was capable of taking, but he did. Talk about gaining man points!

Ash brushed his fingertips across her cheek to brush her hair back and smiled, "Not sure. I'll let you know when I figure it out though." He laughed lightly and pecked her on the lips again before winking playfully. Where was this Ash a few months ago?!

[Taeyeon Kai]

His arms around her felt nice, right even. Her cheeks were flushed with dark gold and light pink, tinting her skin as her eyes, slightly darker than they had been, gazed up at him. Her eyelids fluttered when he pushed back her hair, and she looked at him as he gave her that playful laugh and another small kiss. This Ash, the one who had just kissed her…she liked this side of him. Sure, his stammering, blushing, shy side was adorable, but Tae liked the confidence Ash now exuded, a confidence that said he knew what he was doing.

Hopefully he did know what he was getting tangled up in.

“I’ll be waiting for that explanation, Harper,” she said playfully, grinning and leaning in to peck his lips back as she felt little paws on her feet. She pulled back from Ash to gaze down, meeting Kuma’s eyes. It seemed that both dogs had recovered and were now walking all over her shoes to gain her attention. She smiled and shook her head as she knelt, mourning the loss of Ash’s arms around her waist, and ruffled the ears of both dogs. “You silly puppies, just had to wait until I was having a moment to ruin it, huh?” she asked her dog, who responded by lolling his tongue out of his mouth and giving her that grin. The puppy just gazed at her with his big eyes, and Tae scooped him up in her arms and brought him back to eye level with Ash.

“I think he’s going to be a wonderful dog,” she told the boy, smiling at him as the puppy licked her chin. “I know he won’t replace King, but he’s the first step to healing. And I’ll help take care of him too, if you want.” She leaned over and kissed Ash’s cheek, wanting to kiss him again but knowing that if she did, it would be pushing it. “Kuma has a new friend now.”

[Ashton Harper]

Okay so Ash was acting strangely for him. He wasn't a confident flirt. He usually attempted to flirt and totally failed by stuttering like a moron. It was embarrassing, but some girls found it cute and irresistible. He just found it annoying and frustrating as hell. So this new side of him he liked. He was confident enough to flirt openly with one of the girls that he was most nervous around. It was a change, one he knew he needed. There was a time for cute stuttering, then there was the time for serious flirting. That time was now.

He smirked and shut his eyes briefly when her lips touched his. He felt her pull back and looked down at the two dogs at their feet. They seemed to have cooled off an bit and were wanting some attention. Unfortunately that meant that he couldn't keep holding Tae. He put his hands behind his back and took a deep, steadying breath.

He laughed at her comment and looked at the puppy in her hands. He really was a good dog. Not King, but good enough to help him through King's death. The name Max popped into his head and he smiled wide, "I think he will be too. Little Max." He tried the name out and saw the puppy's ears perk up and his tongue hang out in a happy smile. Ashton's face lit up slightly and he looked at Tae with a soft, shy smile. Not any less confident, just shy.

"I'd love for you to help me with him, Kuma would be a good example to follow I think." Ash said softly as he looked down at the other dog. He knelt down and patted Kuma on the head and scratching behind his ears.

[Taeyeon Kai]

“Max is a good name,” Tae agreed, smiling as Ash’s face lit up. There it was, that face he had always had whenever he had been playing with King, or running with her and their dogs. He smiled shyly at her, still that spark of confidence present, and she set down the puppy next to Kuma as Ash kneeled at her feet, petting her dog. Kuma was getting bigger and bigger, and soon he would be at his full height and weight. Like any good mother, Tae wondered how her dog had grown up so fast, for he was the smartest dog she had ever known.

“I would love to help you,” Tae said as she knelt beside Ash, smiling. “I still have all of the puppy books, and some of Kuma’s old toys that Max can use.” She grabbed a small rope, normally used for teething dogs, and played tug of war with Max as Ash petted Kuma. After a few minutes, the puppy pounced on Kuma, and both dogs took off running across the enclosure, and Tae was left alone with Ash again. She looked down at his hand and threaded her fingers with his, squeezing gently.

“So where does this leave us, Ash?” she asked quietly, the question burning in her eyes as she looked up at him. “Are we still friends, or are we more than that?” Normally Tae wouldn’t have gone farther than the kisses, but with Ash, she wanted to be more, wanted to be by his side as more than a friend. The worst he could do was reject her, right?

Or break her heart.