Walk and Talk (H,R)

“It was very nice of Aubrey to do that for us,” Hazel said.

They both had just finished having lunch with their friends at the dining hall after Aubrey’s lessons on Zeus, Aphrodite, and who she suspected the potential mentors to be. The others had split off from them in a few groups, eventually leaving Richard and his date to their own devices.

“It was, though I think a big part of her wanted to do it for herself. She’d always loved those stories almost as much as Disney, though funnily enough she hated that Hercules movie they did back in the 90s.”

“I don’t think I’ve seen that.” The bodyguard replied dryly.

“It’s good if you like musicals, though I guess not if you like mythology. She’s ranted a few times to me about how they used his Roman name rather than the Greek names they used for the rest of the cast. The reason I brought it up was to say that the type of stories that she taught us this morning are why she went into teaching English and language arts instead of Spanish or another language.”

Hazel smiled. “They’re certainly turning out to be useful. May I change the subject?”

“Of course.”

“We have the rest of the day to ourselves. I had two ideas on what we could do together, though I’m afraid neither of them are particularly unique. Was there anything that you’d like to suggest before I describe my back-up plans? I can change clothes if you need.”

He tried to remember everything he’d seen since arriving and what they may be able to revisit together. They’d already gone dancing together twice. Murphy’s was busy, and she didn’t drink even if it’d been available. She seemed too serious for the arcade, and while he knew that she put effort into staying fit he wasn’t sure if it was something she enjoyed enough to use for a date activity. Which left…

“A small petting zoo was added to the forest recently. Would you want to see it with me?”

“That sounds nice, sir.” Hazel agreed, and gently wove her hand into his. “I know that you’ve enjoyed our dancing lessons, but I also thought given your position as Master you should have a chance to take the lead. Despite the title, it doesn’t seem like Genet and her schedule have afforded you much agency.”

“You’re right I suppose. I’m still not fond of that word, Master.”

“I’m sorry, Sir. I’ll keep that in mind.” She said in a noticeably lighter tone than usual.

“Was that supposed to be a joke there? I didn’t think you were allowed to do that.” He teased.

“I’d never joke with you.” The bodyguard insisted sternly. But she squeezed his hand once to confirm that she was lying. “I’m glad this happened, for all three of us.”

He was trying to decide how to respond when her phone chimed.

“I’m sorry, may I check that?”

“Go ahead.”

She pulled out her phone and scanned through the message she’d received. She looked at him before replying and tucked it back into her pocket.

“Is Hel alright?”

“As far as I know. That was actually your friend Ava, she wanted to ask me for advice.”

He nodded, then saw a familiar brown roof. “It’s coming up now.” He pointed out the Jensen’s sign.

“It’s cute.”

“Stella made it.” He said as he led her in. “So I know the selection is a little limited, but was there an area you wanted to see first?”

“I’d like to start there, " Hazel requested, pointing at the sign for the dogs.

The puppies were just as hyperactive as they’d been when he’d seen them yesterday. The sound of the door thudding closed behind them as they entered the room caused them both to be swarmed with yips and wet noses. The Indian woman sat down among them like he and Stella tried, and after a moment he joined her on the ground.

Hazel seemed significantly more comfortable than Stella had been, wrangling them and repositioning them as they jostled for attention.

“Do you have a lot of experience with dogs?” Richard asked.

“I wouldn’t say so,” she answered without needing to look at him. “I spent some time learning with a bomb squad that had K-9 units, but nothing more than that. I always wanted a dog when I was younger.”

“You’re pretty good with them.”

“Thank you.” He watched her blush. “Do you think we’d be allowed to take them for a walk?” It might help with their energy.”

“That sounds like a good idea, though I’m not sure how we’d manage them without a leash.”

Hazel’s phone chimed twice, one right after another. The bodyguard did her best to type while the herd tried to climb on her while she was distracted.

“Ava again?”

“Yes, she had a question, but there was also something from Genet. She wanted to check if I was interested in spending any BP to be able to take them on a walk like we were talking about.” A moment later he saw collars appear on the dogs around them, and a pair of hooks grew out of the wall followed by a cotton leash that dangled from each hook.

A few minutes later they’d each gotten one of the dogs leashed and outside. Neither of the puppies had really resisted, showing a mixture of excitement and confusion as they were led outside.

Genet had thankfully assured them not to worry about doggie bags. So it was just a walk through the forest together as their dogs weakly strained against their leashes to inspect every tree, bush, and rock along the winding path. Hazel received two more texts that she apologized for before answering. Aside from those brief interruptions, it was nice exploring the woods with her. After a while each meadow started to blend into each other.

When they wound through another curve on the trails, the corgi pup walking with Hazel stopped in its tracks. It seemed determined not to take another step, and the corgi he was with seemed similarly tuckered out.

“I think they’re ready to go back.” Richard suggested. “Though I’m not sure how easily we’ll be able to get him to walk back with us.”

As if agreeing with him, the dog barked at her.

“He doesn’t need to,” Hazel said as she picked it up and cradled it in her arms.

The two of them came back to Jensen’s and let the first dogs that they’d taken settle down for a nap. They went back out into another part of the forest with another pair of dogs to help them work off their energy like the first pair had.

“Can I ask you what you hope things will look like, when all this is over?” Hazel asked him.

“In what way?”

“You travel between the estate in Providence and the capitol. Your friends mostly live in the capitol, but Aubrey works several hours away back home. Your sister and I are only at the estate on the weekends. Do you have any ideas for how to balance that when we’re trying to live together in the future?”

“Hazel, I don’t think most people will want to move in with me. Aubrey and probably Felicia’s obligations will be something to figure out, but I can try to figure that out with them if things keep going well.”

“Richard.” She slowed and looked at him tenderly, ignoring both pulls from the leash to keep going and another chime from her phone. “I said we’re trying to live together. I want to be included in your calculations. Plus at a bare minimum we’ll need to consider Stella.”

“I don’t know if she wants that.”

“I’ve seen it in her eyes when she looks at you. If not yet, then soon.”

“Then- god, I’m pulling everyone off course.” What am I doing?

“We all were pulled off course, Sir.” She corrected as they resumed their pace. “It’s too late to fix that. Everyone’s bound to you now, but you have the power to decide how.”

“You’re right. Thank you.”

“Of course. Once I answer this text from Ava, I prepared some ideas with Ms.Turner’s help that I wanted to share with you.” Hazel frowned at whatever it said. “Miss Soto certainly has a number of questions.”

That’s odd. Richard noticed. She’s usually very intentional about names.

***

They spent most of the afternoon walking together. As they made sure each dog at Jensen’s was able to get much needed exercise and time to explore the outside, they ended up seeing every inch of the forest. But their walk wasn’t over, as they had decided to walk along the beach after leaving Jensen’s.

“I’d like to get Japanese at the dance hall again with you when we leave. Does that sound alright? I know you don’t like the idea of sushi, but there'd still be the karaage I know you enjoyed last time.”

“I can’t guarantee that I’ll stick with it, but I’ll at least try the sushi this time.”

Hazel smiled. “Good. Since you’re not fond of spice you can try the soy sauce or eel sauce.”

“Eel sauce?” He blanched. Maybe I spoke too soon.

She stifled a laugh. “It’s used with eel, it doesn’t come from eel. I’m pretty sure it’s just soy sauce mixed with a few sweeteners, though I think Stella would know better than me which ones.”

“Oh.” His face burned. “I knew that.”

“I really don’t think you did. But that’s alright.”

“How do you know I didn’t recognize what eel sauce is?” He insisted.

“Sir. You changed colors. I love you, but you are not as subtle as your stepsister is. You’re just not.”

Hazel Singh +2 VP (Love Confession)

The mood grew more serious.

“You just said you love me?” Richard asked.

“I did." She admitted "I’ve been thinking about it for a week now. You and her are so different in so many ways. But you both have this thing where you decide that something needs to happen and you don’t let go of it until it does. When Ms.Turner- when Helena was in danger you were willing to fight everyone on it, including her. It’s been sitting in my mind since it happened and I’m glad I’m finally saying it out loud.”

He swallowed a breath. “I hope you’ll forgive me, but I’m not sure I’m ready to say it back.”

“That’s alright, Sir.” He couldn’t read the expression on her face.

“But if it was ever you in her position, I want you to know I wouldn’t let go of you either.”

“Thank you. That’s enough for now.” She took his hand for the second time that day, and they slowly turned away from the beach and the Sun that was just beginning to dip. “Richard?”

“Yes?”

“There’s something else I need to ask, and I’d like you to not feel pressured in any direction by what I just told you.”

“What’s up?”

“Do you remember what I told you the same day we saved her, how I had wanted our first time to be slow?”

“Yes.”

“I wanted it to be intimate?”

“I remember.”

“I wanted it to feel personal?”

“Hazel, I was a lawyer for a few years there. I can tell that you’re leading me somewhere.”

“Yes, Sir.” She took a breath. “You’re aware that Miss Soto has been sending me messages all afternoon?”

“Of course. I also noticed that you started calling her Miss Soto a few hours ago.”

He’d managed to catch her off guard.

But she said something that did the same to him. “She’s asked to watch. I haven’t fully decided how I feel about it yet.”

“Watch us… in bed together?”

“No, I think she just wants to watch us have dinner.” She responded dryly. “Yes, in bed together. She said she’s trying to figure out the emotional draw and that I was the one she thought that’d be most comfortable showing that to her. But if we’re both not comfortable with it, I’ll tell her.”

“I’ve done so many things that I never thought I would have already. If she’ll agree not to say anything while she’s watching then I wouldn’t have any other problems with it. I’ll let you have the final decision.”

She nodded. “Thank you. I’ll let her know what I decide after you try the eel sauce.”