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Tim was enjoying his Saturday morning in the park, the sun shining through leaves beginning to drop, the scent of fall in the air. A good book was open in his lap, tempting him with the escape he loved best, and the rest of bottle of milk was ready for him when he got thirsty.
If Tim closed his eyes, he could be back home in Staten Island or on the campus at Fordham. But Tim liked it here in Washington. Yes, he was new, and yes he didn't exactly have a full social calendar yet, but he was going to do good here. And things were starting to change for the better. He could feel it.
It felt, strangely, like an insistent tugging at the leg of his trousers.
At a particularly fierce tug, Tim looked down, surprised by the soft brown eyes and adorable face of an Irish setter puppy.Slowly, careful not to startle the puppy, Tim reached his hand down, holding it still for the puppy to scent.
"Where did you come from?" Tim asked, relieved when the integrity of his trouser leg was no longer in danger.The puppy wagged it's tail, sniffing his hand happily.
Tim scratched the puppy behind its ear, letting it get comfortable enough with him before he tried to see if it had any identification.
"There you are!"
Tim looked up at the relieved exclamation, his mouth dropping open at the man before him.He carried a vaguely frazzled air, messy curls (as if hands had been run through them frequently), and possibly the most handsome face Tim had ever seen. And it was all Tim could do not to blush at the very sight of him.
The man crouched down on the path and smiled apologetically at Tim while the puppy ran uncoordinatedly towards him.
"He's still getting used to not chasing after squirrels," the man said with a slightly sheepish smile. Then, with a faux-stern glare at the happy puppy. "And I thought we had an agreement when I let you off the leash."
Tim chuckled, earning bright blue eyes on him again.
"Thank you for looking after him," the man said, snapping the lead back on the puppy's collar. "My children would have been very upset with me if I'd lost him."
Tim tried not to let the spike of disappointment at that news show on his face. "He found me," he replied with a fond smile at the eager puppy. "And I was happy to look after him."
"Thank you anyway," was the reply, soft and sincere. "I'm Hawkins Fuller. And this squirrel-chasing menace is Fluffy."
"Nice to meet you, Mr Fuller," Tim greeted, smiling in what he hoped was a less besotted manner than it felt.
Mr Fuller smiled, waving off Tim's formality with a, "Hawk, please."
"Tim."
Hawk inclined his head, mouthing the syllable as if tasting it.
Tim turned to the Irish Setter puppy bouncing around Hawk's feet. "And hello, Fluffy."
"My children picked out the name," Hawk admitted, giving Tim that slightly sheepish, half amused smile again. "They insist he's good company for me, now that they're old enough to understand that not every set of parents aren't not together."
Tim stared, mentally replaying the words in case he'd misheard.
Hawk walked a little closer, Fluffy happily sniffing around Tim's shoes now. "That was my subtle way of letting you know that I'm single, by the way."
Tim absently reached down and patted Fluffy's floppy ears. He wasn't quite sure what his face was doing, but his cheeks hurt like he was grinning, and he couldn't remember ever feeling this bubbly. This buoyant.
"Me too," Tim blurted, realizing that was probably his cue. "Single, that is. No children, just a few pot plants and a lot of books."
"And a fondness for milk, it seems," Hawk teased, nodding towards the bottle with a sparkling smile.
Tim blushed but nodded. "My parents hoped it would make me taller."
Hawk laughed, "I'll have to remember that one." He whistled lightly to get Fluffy's attention, then turned his back to Tim. "Can I buy you a cup of coffee?"
Tim tilted his head, resolutely not getting his hopes up. "As a thank you?"
"For a start," Hawk agreed, his eyes sparkling like he knew exactly what Tim was hoping. "And then we can see where the day takes us. If you're amenable?"
Tim nodded, closing his book and downing the last of his milk. "I would love to, Hawk."