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 Posted: Mon Dec 18, 2023 5:18 pm
Casey let out a quiet sigh as he buckled his seatbelt and looked out the window towards the entrance of the apartment building. He knew Ariel had gone back to his apartment to get ready for work, but he already missed him and was looking forward to coming back home.
“Ah, no, that’s for me,” he placed a hand on Harrison’s muzzle as she tried to get at the lunchbox. Not wanting Morgan to feel like a chauffeur, Harrison was moved to the back while Casey took the front seat. He didn’t mind the dog hair at all, and brought a little lint roller in the small sling of a bag he kept with him over his shoulder.
But from the bag, he did pull out a treat to give Harrison, and then turned to grin at Morgan.
“Thanks again for doing this. Oh, it’s a few exits off the highway. That big shopping center with the movie theater? It’s such a pain to get to, but… well, with everything going on, I was lucky to get a job there,” he explained. He was embarrassed that he’d already revealed that he hadn’t had the best time the previous work day to Ariel. Maybe Morgan could be spared of his theatrics and self pity.
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Posted: Mon Dec 18, 2023 5:24 pm
“Oh, that’s not too far.” Morgan settled into his seat and buckled up without much fanfare. He seemed like he’d been willing to drive much further. Really, he didn’t mind. He had a lot of freedom in this position, and he was fortunate enough to be able to make the offer.
He turned the car on and waited until everyone else was settled before he began to drive. He had a confident, easy-going air about him. He was mindful and alert, and seemed to take driving very seriously. “You said ‘lucky’,” he mused. “What makes you say that?”
So far as he knew, Casey didn’t love his job so it couldn’t be that he felt fortunate to have gotten the position. From their conversations, he’d been able to infer plenty. Casey talked a lot, so it was easy to draw conclusions about some topics, but he didn’t want to just assume.
Especially because he wanted to make sure Casey could relax.
Morgan knew this was a lot. They’d seen each other several times already in a short span, and it hadn’t exactly been normal. He had no complaints. In some ways, it felt like skipping a few steps in the friendship, but it didn’t bother Morgan. He knew what he wanted and he wasn’t the sort to drag his feet along the way. If he didn’t feel like he wanted to get to know someone, he could just shut them down. Easily.
Meeting Ariel and Casey, though–it felt like opening a familiar, but forgotten, book. He couldn’t turn the pages fast enough.
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Posted: Tue Dec 19, 2023 7:47 am
“Oh,” Casey cringed that Morgan would pick up on something like that. He wasn’t sure how much he was comfortable with telling Morgan. He wanted him to tolerate him! Not think he was a loser or something like that.
But he was quick to add in an extra little laugh as though making sure Morgan knew he thought it was funny rather than pathetic.
“Just, you know, people aren’t really jumping to hire kids who, um… you know. Out of high school. With no experience.” He started strong but ended up mumbling through part of the rather vague explanation.
“It’s better than having no job and being on the streets!” A pause. An awkward laugh. “If that was, you know, something that… could have happened. Just trying to get any job that pays the bills and feeds the dog, you know?”
He didn’t know why it was so easy to just tell Morgan everything. He was usually better at keeping his mouth shut so people wouldn’t judge him. Except maybe it was because Morgan hadn’t seemed like he was judging him at all. At least not yet. He wanted to keep it that way.
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Posted: Tue Dec 19, 2023 1:59 pm
Morgan’s eyes never left the road, and yet he somehow seemed like Casey still had his full attention.
“Of course. I’ve been on my own before. Hard to get your foot in the door anywhere. I didn’t have an extra mouth to worry about, though. I can tell that you take good care of her.” He probably took better care of Harrison than he did of himself. “I didn’t make that offer yesterday just to be polite, though. If you’re looking for a career change, let me know. I can put in a good word for you if you’re ever interested in park services. Or writing a letter of recommendation if you’ve got something else in mind. But I have to say, Harrison’s already got a lot of fans at the park.”
She’d probably have fans everywhere. He didn’t want Casey to think he was pressuring him to work at the park or to meddle in his private life, especially with how things were right now, so he tried to keep the conversation fairly open. “How did you two meet? If you don’t mind me prying.”
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Posted: Tue Dec 19, 2023 6:04 pm
Casey wasn’t really uncomfortable. Quite the opposite, really. But he was also feeling a bit overwhelmed by the kindness Morgan was showing him. He was already offering so much despite barely knowing him.
“Oh…” he glanced back at Harrison who had made herself comfortable on the seat, but was staring intently out the window. “Well, there was a shelter that was over capacity and, uh… they weren’t going to keep all the puppies they had. And she’d just been turned in and was covered in fleas and was one of the first in line to-- I mean… I would have happily taken all of the dogs they had but they had a limit. I guess they didn’t want to risk abuse even though they were going to--... Um… sorry, I still feel really guilty sometimes that I could only save her. But… I’d never had a dog before. Oh, but I had a bunch of books on puppy training! So that helped. Ah… sorry,” he mumbled, knowing he was rambling again, and twisting the hem of his shirt between his hands.
He let go of the fabric before he could wrinkle it too much and clasped his hands together to wring anxiously instead.
“I would, um… yeah, if there’s an opening somewhere. I don’t know how much longer I’ll be able to stand working where I am now. I don’t want to sound ungrateful! It’s just… a lot. I don’t mind the physical work, but. Ah, I know I talk a lot and people think that’s annoying so, it makes things difficult sometimes. But you were on your own? I mean, you must have already known what you were doing right? You seem like the type to always have their ducks in order!”
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Posted: Tue Dec 19, 2023 6:15 pm
Morgan saw. He didn’t say it, but he’d noticed a few of Casey’s nervous tics, and out of the corner of his eye, he observed the way he was tugging at his shirt, and then how he wrung his hands together. He didn’t bring it up.
Of course he wanted to know if there was something he was doing to stress him out, or to make him feel the need to worry like this, but if he called attention to it he assumed Casey would put more effort into hiding how he felt. It wouldn’t do either of them any good.
“Not always. I got lucky by being in the right place at the right time. I was pretty desperate and unhappy. I didn’t have anyone to ask for help and I didn’t really know what I was supposed to do. You read books, you see things on the television. None of that is like the real world. It’s almost always just about being in the right place at the right time. I worked hard to get to where I am but I won’t ever pretend like I didn’t get lucky. Might have been the universe trying to be a little kind to me after everything else.”
He shrugged. “Maybe that’s the same with you and Harrison. You were in the right place at the right time and so was she. Don’t feel guilty, you saved one life. That’s the number that matters. Have you ever thought about being a tour guide or anything? There’s a lot of talking, but that’s what your tour group signed up for. You take them along the path, talk about the animals, the area. You get all the education you need, walk them around and answer questions, and then let them loose. And if there are questions you don’t know the answer to, you can always radio someone to ask.”
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Posted: Tue Dec 19, 2023 6:38 pm
There was guilt that he still felt. He wondered how oblivious he was to the hardships of others, and he couldn’t help but feel like he was doing both Morgan and Ariel a disservice by complaining about his own problems without thinking about theirs.
Casey knew he was lucky as well. He had a roof over his head. He had Harrison. And he had Ariel as a friend. And now Morgan, he hoped.
Even after everything, he felt bad because what if he was making a big deal over himself when in reality Morgan and Ariel had a lot more hardships in their lives than himself? Especially if Morgan had been desperate and unhappy.
“Being a tour guide sounds like a dream job,” he laughed, although it probably seemed a little strained. He was always worried about not being good enough, or annoying people with his talking. But Morgan was right -- a tour guide was supposed to talk a lot.
“I’m glad the universe was kind to you. Um… what happened…?” he asked and then immediately cringed and shook his head. “Sorry, I have a bad habit of being curious about things. But if that’s too personal then that’s okay. Sorry.”
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Posted: Tue Dec 19, 2023 7:59 pm
“Curiosity is a good trait to have. If you’re not surrounded by people who appreciate that, don’t hold onto them. Find someone else. I don’t mind questions”
His eyes were on the road as he spoke but it didn’t seem like he was trying to avoid Casey or the question. There was no tension in his shoulders, and while he had both hands on the wheel, he had a loose grip. He said he didn’t mind, and he meant it.
“I didn’t know what I was going to do when I was a kid. I thought I’d have more time to figure it out. My family had an accident. Long time ago, I was young. I made it out, but I was the only one.”
He paused, albeit briefly. His expression and tone didn’t change so it wasn’t as if he were overcome with emotion, he just seemed to be considering how much he wanted to say. Morgan might not have minded the questions, but he was private by nature.
He didn’t want Casey to feel bad for asking, so he continued. “Took me a long time to wrestle with that. That one was hard for me to get over. I still have a lot of thoughts about it. But, you know. Only direction to go is forward. You do the best you can.”
Another mild shrug.
“Don’t let it get you down, though. I think you’d make a good tour guide, by the way. You’ve got a really friendly, approachable air about you. Makes you easy to talk to. Easy to listen to.”
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Posted: Tue Dec 19, 2023 8:10 pm
Casey was quiet while Morgan spoke. His heart ached for him, and he knew he barely had anything to complain about after knowing what Morgan had to live through. And Ariel too.
He also wasn’t sure if Morgan was telling him to keep him around, since he didn’t mind him being curious. It brought a flush to Casey’s cheeks, but he did his best to not make it obvious.
“I’m sorry about your family. And about what you had to go through. That must have been really difficult. Wow, I’m really glad we brought you food yesterday, then,” he said quietly, and then cringed at himself. “Not that… I’m trying to assume that you wouldn’t have had anyone else to celebrate with but your coworker said you’d be there alone, so…”
Okay, he was making things weird, probably.
“You think I’m approachable?” he asked in surprise, because with how others treated him, he often felt like an outcast. But Morgan and Ariel were definitely different. They didn’t seem bothered by him at all.
“Um… I don’t think you’re scary,” he decided to say for reasons beyond his comprehension, but his stomach did awkward flip flops when he realized it escaped his mouth anyway. “I mean. You seem like you could be scary, if you wanted to be. You’ve got a really serious expression, but it’s really sweet when you smile. Not that you have to smile! And not that you’re, um. I mean, how can I not notice? I know Ariel noticed too, he was blushing the whole time you were talking to us I really think he likes you but I mean you’re really attractive too so that’s not the issue -- because there is no issue and -- oh boy, are you sure I’d be a good tour guide because wow I’m just… pretend you didn’t hear any of that.”
Casey groaned and hid his face in his hands. Why was he not able to just stop talking, sometimes?? Right after Morgan had been talking about his dead family, too! Talk about insensitive and rude!
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Posted: Tue Dec 19, 2023 8:23 pm
Morgan laughed. Not a fully bellied laugh, but more than a little chuckle. It was something that came from deep within him, and his smile reached his eyes. It was only for a few seconds, like that was all the time he needed to get himself under control. If it had been anyone else, they might have gotten a smirk, but Casey was just so honest, he couldn’t help it.
He hadn’t been expecting it, it was sweet.
“Thank you, Casey. I appreciate that. I’m too intense when I play tour guide, I’ve been told that I seem like I’m scolding everyone. I only really have a problem with the adults, the kids and I get along just fine. It’s a lot of energy to try and play nice. I can do it if I have to, but I’d rather just be myself. If you don’t think I’m scary then I guess you passed that test. I don’t usually talk this much. Or go out of my way to spend time with someone. I like a set schedule, I’m pretty set in my ways and I’m happy to be by myself. I’ve been thinking about you two a lot since we met. I still haven’t found anything strange about the forest. I must have watched those tapes a few dozen times by now.”
He shrugged. “None of it makes sense. But I’m glad you decided to come back. I think I’d have been disappointed if I didn’t get to see either of you again. You feel like an old friend.” It felt strangely vulnerable to admit, so he didn’t linger on the topic for long. A soft smile remained on his face even now. “I think you’d get people who came to visit just to listen to you talk. You’d have to try and remember to stay at least a little bit on topic. But, yeah. I think you’re approachable. Much more than me. And thoughtful, and kind. I’m glad you brought food yesterday, too. I forgot what it was like to have someone looking after you. It meant a lot to me.”
Casey was right, he didn’t have people to celebrate with. So, he’d gotten used to not celebrating. He didn’t mind. Or, he thought he didn’t mind. It was easy to convince yourself that you didn’t miss something you couldn’t have anyway.
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Posted: Wed Dec 20, 2023 6:54 pm
Casey rubbed his face as if doing so would make the lingering blush fade away. Harrison seemed to notice his distress and popped her head over the armrest so she could slop at his elbow.
“Ah, gross. Why would you do that?” he laughed and reached back to playfully push her face and wet tongue away from his arm that was now soaked with dog drool. But he appreciated it, even if she didn’t understand. At least it was enough to snap him out of his embarrassment for the time being.
And it gave him a few moments to really think about what Morgan said. He might ramble a lot, but Casey liked to believe that he really did think about things. Words just tended to spill out and make him seem like he wasn’t really listening.
He was glad he and Ariel went back to visit Morgan, too. But he was certain he would start saying more embarrassing things if he kept on that topic.
“I don’t know. I think you’d be a really good, like… good cop, bad cop tour guide. You would just have the be the one with your arms crossed, looking all serious, while I -- or… or whoever else -- talks about how it’s important not to litter. And then you can crush a can between your hands and look everyone in the eye as you dutifully place it in the recycling container,” Casey suggested with a grin, although he knew it was pretty silly.
“Oh, and then you can stand around in the background of the tour doing things like… carrying heavy objects, or chopping wood. But that would mostly be for me, rather than the tour.”
Too much? Probably.
“Thanks for looking into the tapes, though. I still really feel like there was something but… I guess it was just our imagination. Anyway, Ariel has been through a lot, so… I mean, it’s not my place to say. But… yeah, thank you for believing us, even if there was nothing.”
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Posted: Wed Dec 20, 2023 7:06 pm
Morgan’s mirth never diminished, and he looked like he almost laughed again with Casey’s proposition. Ordinarily, he might not have put the effort in to make sure his smile was visible, it felt like so much unnecessary work. It wasn’t that he didn’t smile, just that people often missed it. His expressions were slight, and if you weren’t already familiar with his face, maybe they all looked the same.
He’d thought it several times already but it wasn’t like that with Casey.
In the beginning, he’d made an intentional effort to be more obvious specifically to reassure them while they were already shaken. Now, he didn’t have to work as hard. It was just easy.
“I didn’t want to tell you back then, but it’s not the first time something strange has happened in the forest. I can’t explain everything. I don’t really think I believe in supernatural or paranormal things, but I believe in instinct and science and I think there are things we don’t yet understand. I heard a tree got hit by lightning that day. It’s not impossible, obviously. Sometimes you don’t have to have a storm for there to be lightning. I wondered if there was some sort of electricity in the air. It would have explained why Harrison was so spooked, too. Animals have a better sense for that sort of thing. Also, she might have eaten a worm this morning. She’s very good at digging, I’m going to have to clean her feet well before I return her to you. I don’t mind looking out for her as long as you need me to. But I think it’s good for the both of you to get a chance to see each other. When you get off of work, should I drop her off so you can spend the night with you? I can come pick her up before you have to leave tomorrow. Maybe even drive you to work again if it’s raining as bad as they say it’s going to.”
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Posted: Wed Dec 20, 2023 10:13 pm
“Oh, Harrison,” Casey groaned in exasperation as he looked over his shoulder at the too happy dog. Her tail was enough to thump out any bits of dust that had collected on the back seat. “That’s so gross.”
Not that Casey could ever blame her for anything.
“Oh… is it supposed to rain?” he frowned, finally digging out his phone so he could check the weather. “I’ve been so busy I haven’t even looked… Um… actually, I don’t usually look, anyway. But… thank you for the heads up. I feel really bad about you taking time out of your day for me. You’re already doing so much for us. Do you want to spend the night too?”
It was supposed to be a joke. Maybe. But his face flushed and he laughed awkwardly.
“I mean, it’s an open, um, invitation. You’re welcome whenever. Ariel is probably going to come over and keep me company too when he’s off work. I’ve been really spoiled by you both I don’t know what to do about it other than, I mean, I can definitely cook you something for dinner. Any time. It doesn’t have to be, well, for you to spend the night. But you could if you wanted.”
Clearly, there was something in his mind that said he could absolutely dig himself out of saying awkward things if he just kept talking, but he also felt like he was just digging a bigger hole.
“I would be happy to see you and Harrison and don’t feel like you have to do anything but… it’s been greatly appreciated.”
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Posted: Wed Dec 20, 2023 10:38 pm
“Oh, I don’t know if you want me on the couch. Sometimes I snore. And I get up and walk around, too. But if you’d like to invite me over, let’s do it when you’re not so busy at work. I really would like to pick your brain about some of the things you’re reading.”
It didn’t seem to be just Morgan’s unflappable nature, and it wasn’t him saying what he thought Casey wanted to hear. He’d spend the night at Casey’s sure. He’d only been there for a moment, and it might have been a bit small, but–well, why not?
Morgan was a creature of habit and rarely liked to step out of his own carefully constructed schedule, but maybe–
It wasn’t so bad to shake things up once in a while.
“Of course, I won’t say no to any home cooked meals, but don’t push yourself. You’re already spread thin with work right now. I’ll still be hungry when you’ve got better hours.”
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Posted: Thu Dec 21, 2023 9:35 am
“I’ll… just have to get a bigger bed,” Casey hummed thoughtfully to himself and then paused because wow why would anyone jump to that conclusion? They were just friends and he liked Ariel a lot! But he also kind of like Morgan. But Harrison needed room, too!
“I just mean… Um, maybe the couch isn’t that comfortable. Maybe a foldout couch. I’ll have to look into that eventually. But, well, I was thinking if you ever wanted to come over for dinner but then didn’t want to have to drive home. It’s just easier if you stay over if it’s late. Weird things happen in the city at night. And I’m sure Harrison would like to spend more time with you!”
His thoughts were all over the place and he knew it was all coming out at once. So he bit his lip to keep himself from spewing more nonsense and wrung his hands some more.
“I guess… I don’t know. I feel like if I don’t make sure you know you can come over whenever you want, you’ll get bored or… or I’ll get distracted and not reach out, or our schedules won’t match up. So it’s easier to offer now, even if I’m stuck with long hours,” he tried to explain, even though he was sure it didn’t make much sense.
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