Thank you to Dee, my beta. Any remaining errors are all mine.
Out of habit, Vincent left for work by the side door. So wrapped up in mentally reviewing the list of things he wanted to get done at the book store before opening for the day, he was oblivious to everything else. That is until:
“Darn!” he muttered as droplets of water landed on his face. Without a second thought, he headed back inside to fetch an umbrella. He was half-way across the kitchen when it suddenly hit him that rain had not been forecast.
His eyes narrowed and his lips drew into a thin line as he quietly exited via the patio, stealthily making his way around the side of the house. Stepping up behind the unsuspecting man hiding in the bushes, he grabbed Kadyn by his collar, took the toy out of his hands and marched him into their home.
“How many times have I told you not to shoot this thing at me?” Vincent demanded, giving his partner a shake and placing the super-soaker on the counter.
“I don’t know,” was the reply, accompanied by a shrug of vagueness. Quickly realizing the older man would view that response as being inadequate, Kadyn hastily declared, “I don’t know the exact number. A few, I guess. It’s not as if I actually keep a running tally of things you tell me not to do, Vincent.”
Vincent turned the sassy young man bottom-up over his hip and landed a dozen hard swats. “The next time you squirt me with your water gun, you’ll be keeping a tally of how many wallops I pepper your bare backside with.”
“You should have let me buy you one too, Vin. Then you could squirt me back. It would be so much more fun that way.” Kadyn’s voice held a beseeching note as he rubbed at the seat of his pants and blinked back tears.
Relenting somewhat, Vincent pulled his subdued partner into his arms for a brief cuddle. “Maybe I’ll reconsider if you let me choose the times we play with them. But right now I have to get to the store and I’m running late. See you tonight, honey. Be good.”
Kadyn saw Vincent out with a final hug and a goodbye kiss. Then picking up the super soaker and refilling it, he sauntered out to the deck with Bandit at his heels. He made sure to take a bottle of water with him. The sun was brightly shining, a clear indicator they were in for another hot, sultry day.
He was sitting in the shade of a large tree, laughing at Bandit jumping up to catch the water shooting from the soaker, when the gate was slowly pushed open and the big shaggy dog from next door staggered into the yard.
“Look, Bandit; it’s Rufus. Hmm, wonder if he’s hung-over?” He waited for Rufus to get close enough to plunk down in front of them. “Ya need something to drink, old boy? I can only offer you water.”
Sad eyes seemed to plead with him and Kadyn gave in. “Okay, I know what you’re looking for so I’ll go get a beer out of the fridge. Be right back.”
Returning with the promised treat, Kadyn poured a small amount into the aluminum pie pan he kept for just this purpose, and then watered it down. He emptied the rest of the bottle onto the ground as it would be flat before he would get around to drinking it. “I can only give you a taste, Rufus. And if Vin ever finds out, my butt will be redder than your blood-shot eyes. Man, it sounded like you and Marlow were partying real good last night. Guess your master is sleeping it off, huh?”
Marlow was a rather unconventional, retired seaman who had moved back to his wife's hometown of Jade Heights several years before Vincent purchased the house he presently shared with Kadyn. Their neighbour was an alcoholic whose favourite drinking companion happened to be his dog.
For the most part, Marlow and Rufus lived quietly minding their own business; their only visitors being Kadyn and Bandit. But every now and again, much to Kadyn’s delight and Vincent’s chagrin, the man and his canine friend would get plastered. Then Marlow would begin caterwauling bawdy songs from his seafaring days with Rufus providing a howling accompaniment.
Kadyn found this very entertaining, while Vincent barely managed to tolerate it and then more for his Brat’s sake than their neighbour. As often as he got the chance, Kadyn would sit by the bedroom window into the wee hours of the morning, listening to the serenade. He soon knew every song by heart. Of course, he never sang them in Vincent’s presence. He figured a guy was entitled to some secrets.
To Kadyn, Marlow and Rufus were the best neighbours anyone could ever hope for. But he also knew they wouldn’t be around too much longer due to their ages and unhealthy lifestyle. So the young man befriended them whenever he could and Vincent for the most part, pretended not to notice.
“I guess there’s mixed blessing in last night’s shindig coming to an abrupt end, Rufus. I want you to know it wasn’t Vincent who called the cops, even if he kinda had a mind to. There are others in the neighbourhood who don’t appreciate good music. Maybe it’s a sign of getting older.”
Rufus finished off his treat and belched loudly. Stretching out on the cool grass, he slept while Kadyn busied himself grooming Bandit. By the time, the job was done there was a good size pile of fur on the ground. Bandit had a thick coat and required a good brushing at least twice a week.
It was the rising temperature and the loud snoring of two dogs that had Kadyn tidying up and returning to the house in search of something else to do. As luck would have it, the computer called out to him.
An hour later, his games had lost their appeal and he started surfing the net to find a big water gun for Vincent in the hopes that if he had one, the older man would play with him.
His eyes widened when he stumbled onto something he’d never seen before and of course, he had to have it. After signing into the site, he checked off ‘Add to Cart’ and just prior to clicking ‘Checkout’, he typed the number two in the quantity box. Then before he had time to change his mind, he quickly completed his purchase. Realizing the order was large enough to qualify, he selected the ‘Free Shipping’ option. He hoped this choice didn’t mean it would take longer to get his new toys.
Seeing the time in the corner of the screen, Kadyn realized he’d better get a move on if he wanted to arrive at his ceramic shop in time to set up for the afternoon Seniors’ class.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Just when Kadyn felt he wouldn’t be able to wait another day, the parcel arrived. The timing was perfect as Vincent was at work.
Kadyn excitedly tore off the brown paper, swearing a bit when the packing tape gave him trouble. He crowed with glee as he held up one of the items, his eyes sparkling with pure joy. He had already purchased several bags of ‘ammo’ and although he was anxious to try it out, resigned himself to waiting a little longer. He wanted Vincent to be his first target.
Vincent strolled down the driveway leading to their home. He had just placed a foot on the bottom step when from out of nowhere, a soft white sphere thwacked against his cheek. He heard the giggling before he identified the object that had hit him. It was a marshmallow.
“Kadyn!” he growled at the young man stepping out of the bushes.
“Don’t come near me, Vin. I’m armed to the teeth.” Kadyn held up the gun, but backed off as the older man approached. He found for the reddish hue of Vincent’s face somewhat disconcerting. He chewed at his lip, hoping he hadn’t offended his Top.
The slight tension dissipated when Bandit pounced on the sweet and devoured it. Vincent sighed and rolled his eyes. “That dog eats anything that doesn’t eat him first,” he muttered, then turned his attention back to the animal’s owner.
Seeing the look of uncertainty on Kadyn’s young face, he acknowledged to himself that sometimes an older, conservative Top had to make allowances for the whims of a free-spirited, playful Brat who was twelve years his junior.
Kadyn picked up on the subtle change in Vincent’s body language and laughed as he turned and ran into the back yard with his partner in hot pursuit. “There’s a gun for you on the deck, Vin, and it’s fully loaded.” He took refuge behind the tree and watched as Vincent put down his briefcase and picked up the marshmallow shooter.
Vincent ran towards Kadyn with a good-humoured grin on his face. “Let the battle begin!” he shouted, closing in on his prey and firing.
The End
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