Season of love? Yeah right! -Anya-

[Desert]

The air was crisp, but still had a warm edge to it. He could tell because his freaking window was freaking open freezing his freaking ass off! The young adult man was laying under a pile of blankets that were failing to do their job. Which was warm him up. Aaric Slay, a rather large man was freezing on his queen sized bed, his feet handing off the side for he was laying the wrong way. A five foot ten mound of muscle and testosterone twitched in his uncomfortable sleep.

He had another disturbing dream about his friend Anya. A dream about losing her. Aaric was a very protective and paranoid man when it came to the blond woman. The thought about losing her trust and friendship shook him to the bone. Made him scared. He tried to be loyal, and not stupid. He'd actually stopped drinking as much. And his sex drive ended...kind of. Every now and then he'd slip up and get seduced. Then there was the vermin that ran around. A pack of Contaros were always around. Watching him. Not trusting him. Made Aaric feel like he was in a box.

He was close to falling asleep again when his alarm went off. Spooking Aaric to no end. He jumped out of his skin and smashed his hand against the clock. And it shattered into a few big pieces. Crap! Now he'd have to buy a new alarm! Oh well, at least he shut the old one up. Time to get his lazy ass outta bed.

He put on a pair of jeans and his riding boots. Forgetting the shirt for now. Still rubbing the sleep out of his eyes, the young man dragged himself into his kitchen for breakfast. The out of nowhere popped a little doberman puppy. Oh yeah. He got a puppy! Living alone was boring. He got the pup sometime in January. His name was Decon. Why? The little dog was already an expert mouse catcher. Never had Aaric seen a dog enjpy catching mice as much as Decon.

Decon's already cropped tail wagged wildly, making his whole body vibrate. He started jumping around yipping and growling. Making Aaric chuckle when the pup fell over. "Easy, tiger, you'll hurt yourself." he laughed, setting down the bowl of puppy chow. Decon dove in, growling as he ate.

"You're such a freak." Aaric muttered, shaking his head. He loved his new dog. Couldn't wait until he was a big bad doberman. Then they'd both be badass. Decon was Aaric's canine mini me. The dog was fed, and the boy was fed. Time to go.

Clipping on the leash, Aaric led his pup out the door. Grabbing his keys he walked slowly to his Mustang. Sitting in its glory. Not a bad car for a poor boy. The puppy struggled to hop himself up into the seat. Yipping. Aaric helped him up.

The drive to the ranch took about fifteen minutes, he drove slow. When a red ferarri came past, quickly. Aaric jerked his hand out the window and stuck his middle finger in the air. That car belonged to Dr. Contaro and Sawyer. His mortal enemy. The doctor was cool, the doctor's son was a bastard. Pulling his hand back in, he hit the gas. Cursing to himself.

Stepping into the cold, he carried his pup to the barn to grab Cher. The chestnut was due for a date with the round pen. He fed Rose and grabbed Cher. The stallion twitching excitedly. "Yeah buddy, the round pen is yours."

Letting his horse take off in circles, Aaric sat down, crossing his legs. Watching people walk past. Ladies turned to stare, others turned up their noses. Guys glared at him. Hmm. He wondered if Anya would be here today. He'd wait forever for her if he had to.

Having met Anya back in December, they'd been friends for a few months and somehow their friendship lasted. Actually, Aaric really really liked her. Was that such a crime? At least he hadn't busted a move on her....Yet. Valentines Day was only days away. The season of love. Maybe cupid could shoot her in the ass. He knew that he probably hurt Anya's feelings more than once these last few months. He never meant to, and she probably knew that.

He shivered and scratched his chest. That's when he realized that he was still shirtless. Oops.

[Anya DeBouc]

For Valentine's...

Anya awoke that morning with an irritable yawn. The whole night had been spent tossing and turning, back and forth in an uncomfortable sleep. She’d had a horrible dream but couldn’t remember what it was about. At first she thought it must have been about Aaric but then something told her it wasn’t. It might have been about those strange Contaro people that scared her so much though. It wasn’t often Anya saw any of them around but whenever she heard the name her skin prickled and she looked around unconsciously for Aaric. It was silly to be afraid of a whole family having only ever met two members, but if one of those members had nearly beaten up the one badass she knew, then Anya had a right to scared. The other was fairly much alright and she didn’t jump every time she heard that name. Anya would never tell Aaric but she actually thought the Doctor was kind of cute but far too old for her. Besides, he was married and all that jazz so she wasn’t about to be hung up on any of that. But still, Dr. Contaro was far from ugly.

Gazing at the ceiling of her bedroom, Anya sighed. She’d have to get up sooner or later. She knew she would. But she really just didn’t want to. Groaning in sleepy agitation, the blonde tossed her pillow on the floor and pulled back the tangled sheets. Her bedroom was very warm what with the heater she had on during the winter but February was sometimes on the warmer side for which she was grateful. February was a lovely month in Anya’s opinion. Firstly, it signaled winter was coming to an end, despite her love of Christmas the cold was only favorable sometimes, and secondly Valentine’s Day was in February. It was coming up soon actually. Valentine’s Day had always been a favorite holiday of Anya’s she remembered as she pulled on her fluffy crème bathrobe. This year she didn’t have many people to give presents but she was thinking of getting Aaric a cheesy card to make him laugh. Anya loved to see Aaric laugh far more then she liked it when he frowned or got himself hurt.

Moving through the bathroom to brush her teeth then through the apartment to her small kitchen, Anya began to make herself a cup of coffee. It was a bad habit she had gotten into actually. Tea had always been her preferred morning drink but recently, with the having to keep on her toes around Aaric, she’d taken to drinking coffee so she’d be awake when the first thing happened. It wasn’t bad stuff really she just wished it didn’t spike then drop so quickly. It gave her a headache after just one cup. Anya was getting used to it though just like she was getting used to Aaric and Shady Lane and not to mention Show Down.

Show Down, her other male extra in life, was Anya’s all. He was a jittery thing but had a tremendous energy she’d never seen topped. When described to her family, her mother had said she and the stallion were alike in many ways but Anya didn’t see it. As far as training went, Show Down had been a fairly good show jumper from the start and they’d done well together in recent, local competitions. Anya was still working with him though to try and peak those skills he had already mastered. Taking her coffee to the small table, Anya sat and took a sip burning her tongue. Sticking it out a few moments later, she laughed at herself. In truth, Anya didn’t know how long she was planning on hanging around Shady Lane. She loved all the people there and she’d even gotten a job as a riding instructor but she’d always been on the move competing here and there. She didn’t know what it would be like to really leave Aaric and the others and it was a thought she tried not to think about too often. Having already passed up a few good shows across the country to stay made Anya wonder. She knew she was getting too attached but she couldn’t help it.

Deciding to leave the coffee cup on the table to cool down, she went to change. Sorting through all her things Anya pulled on a pair of jodhpurs and found a warm, fuzzy white sweater for on top. Slipping that on, she found her boots and gloves and made a mental note that her helmet and crop should still be in the office if she needs them later on. Checking her mess of hair in the bathroom, Anya sighed and pulled it up into a ponytail not wanting to play around with it today. Then, a touch of eyeliner and lip gloss and she was set. Anya wasn’t big on makeup for everyday uses. Special occasions were…special.

Checking the clock atop her night table, the blonde jumped. She was going to be late for the first lesson she had that morning! Double-checking she had everything once more, the girl moved through back to her kitchen and set out a little dish of seeds on the porch like she did every morning. Anya had taken to feeding the birds and squirrels after having caught one of the latter trying to attack an neighboring birdfeeder. She had always wanted a little bird too, a cute little parakeet or finch but with the traveling Anya knew she couldn’t have any pets aside from her horse.

Going back through the apartment, she grabbed her keys and triple checked everything was in place before closing and locking the door. Making her way down the stairs and elevator to the parking lot, Anya spotted her car and climbed in. Beside her in the passengers seat was still that same pile of, now outdated, showing brochures pertaining to the shows she had skipped for staying at Shady Lane. On top of those sat a small pile of peppermint horse treats for Show Down - or Gunner as was his barn name. The stallion had really taken well to the peppermint and Anya was glad because it was her favorite sweet too. Preferably even more than chocolate because the latter was more fattening.

When she reached the barn, Anya hopped out with her gloves in her mouth, keys in one hand and sticking a cell phone into her pocket with the other. Taking her gloves with one now free hand, she grabbed a regular peppermint that had been sitting in her cup holder and shut the door. It was now, popping that peppermint in her mouth, that Anya remembered the cup of steaming coffee still waiting for her at home on the kitchen table. A small ‘oh’ escaped her as the blonde wrinkled her nose in remembrance. Oh well, she’d see to that later.

Walking now to the office and checking the staff list, she saw that her first lesson was due to start in an hour. That was plenty of time to check up on Gunner though she’d have to exercise him later. With a nod, the blonde tossed her gloves on the table that always seemed to have papers all over it and made her way to the stallion’s stall. The chestnut seemed sound asleep as Anya crept up not wanting to startle him. Poking her head inside the stall, she giggled at the sleeping thing. At the sound of her voice though, Gunner jerked his head up slightly and awoke to turn and look at her. Shaking his mane the stallion nickered softly and did a small jig before turning in his stall. He was always acting like he had ants under his fur and was the only creature on Earth who Anya knew would never benefit from coffee. Pawing a hoof softly, still fairly tired, the stallion nosed Anya’s back pocket and pushed her almost all the way to the side making the young woman laugh.

“Be nice,” she scolded gently whilst laughing. Manners were a thing she was still working on with him but it probably didn’t help that she laughed and still gave him the treat. Now, running her fingers through his mane and scratching his forehead gently, Anya gave Gunner a small kiss on the muzzle to which the horse snorted and shook his head making her giggle again. “I’ll get you out in the ring late’r.” she said. “For now I need to check up on a few things and find the oth’r big lump of man aro’nd here. Then I’ll be free to car’e f’you.” Gunner gave a bob of his head as if he understood but really didn’t have a clue of what was just said amusing Anya. With one last pat, she left the stall and made her way through the barn back outside.

Shady Lane was buzzing this morning as Anya emerged and made her way back to her car. Having remembered she needed to fill out another form for a local show she figured now was as good a time as any. Her lesson wasn’t due to start for another forty-five minutes after all. Grabbing the show listings and form, Anya turned around and closed the door again when suddenly a bark caught her attention. It came over from the round pen so, crossing her arms and flinching slightly against a large, unexpected gust of wind, Anya made her way over. As she reached the rail, a bundle of fur bounced up and down in excitement and she immediately recognized it. The other male on crack! Giggling, Anya crouched and hugged the wriggling puppy before straightening and gazing inside the ring. Just as she had expected, Aaric was working one of his horses in there. Cher possibly?

Tucking her arms into a crossed position again, Anya stepped onto the bottom rail and leaned on the top one to watch. Her eyes flickered with amusement as she saw Aaric was topless and the blonde had to hold back a laugh. “Forget your’ shirt at home?” she called with an evident smile spreading across her lips.

...and from Valentine's

[Desert]

Another cold breeze blew past. This time, Aaric ignored it. He was a true hothead. That meant his skin was warm too. Even though it was an honest mistake that he forgot the top half of his clothing. He was a guy and had nothing to hide from the world in the top half of his body. Besides, it was nice to be free every once in a while. Shirts just slowed men down. With a sigh, he watched Cher run himself silly. The stallion happy as ever to be out of the horsebox. Aaric was just happy to see his animals happy.

Decon was staying close. Then he started yipping his head off. That didn't surprise Aaric. Decon barking like that meant one thing Anya. Decon WAS IIN LOVE WITH ANYA! Talk about puppy love. Still, Aaric didn't turn to face her, at the moment. He was watching his stallion call to a mare. Today, Cher just had his free time in the pen. He could run, graze, flirt. Whatever he wanted. Aaric was there to observe. Anyone who lived there knew that Aaric was a dickhead. But he loved his horses, a lot. He'd put their lives before his own if it was the right thing.

He was just a weird guy! Get used to it. When Anya stepped up he turned and smiled at her "Uh yeah. I also killed my alarm clock. Crazy morning." he looked down at his puppy. Decon was tugging at his pant leg. "Can I help you, you crazy little monster?" he picked up the puppy, a wet nose touching his chin. He walked over to the fence and hopped up, sitting on the top bar. "How's your day been so far?" he asked, black eyes turning to gaze down at the tiny blonde.

[Anya DeBouc]

For Valentine's...

Anya watched and raised an amused eyebrow as Aaric ignored her. She resisted the urge to poke him and instead gazed down at the crazy puppy until she was acknowledged. Once Aaric turned, Anya gave him a smile and listened to his crazy morning.

“Smashed the alarm clock?” she inquired looking up. Anya felt very tiny and close to the ground as Aaric, as large as he was, sat on the fence above her. Deciding to even things out a tad, the blonde climbed over the rail and sat beside him.

“My day’s been alr’ight. I left my coffee on the table after bu’ning my tongue this mo’ning though.” she said with a giggle. As the wriggling bundle of fur in Aaric’s arms continued to squiggle around, Anya rolled her eyes playfully and scooped him up pulling the puppy away from Aaric with a grin. The moment he was in Anya’s arms, Decon began licking her face so thoroughly she almost fell backwards.

Laughing, Anya pushed the puppy’s slobbery nose away and buried her face in his fur in an attempt to get rid of the sticky wet feeling he’d left her with. “You’re crazier than your owner!” she mumbled softly and teasingly. “But at least you give friendly kisses to make up for it.” Contorting her voice so that it sounded like she was talking to a baby, Anya giggled and tapped the puppy’s nose making him sneeze. Decon then wriggled in her lap and Anya hugged the puppy again.

“So, Valentine’s Day is coming up.” Anya said turning her attention back to Aaric. “Any plans yet?”

Anya spoke with a grin evident on her features. She wondered what Aaric was going to reply. Men often tended to avoid the subject and she always jumped at the chance to tease this particular one since it wasn’t often Aaric was uncomfortable. But, knowing him - he’d probably take the question in stride anyways and turn the tables quickly enough.

...and from Valentine's

[Desert]

Cher was still trying to get anyone's attention. Some people turned their heads to the happy whinnies of the chestnut Arabian. Other horses called back. Some just looked at him. Aaric's eyes shifted from Cher and back to Anya, the from Anya to Cher.

He listened to her short story and laughed at the end. Burned her tongue. Good for her. He let her take his dog, the pooch was like a fish out of water. Always squirming. The energetic dog was good enough to make anyone's day better. Watching their interaction with a smile, he started laughing at Anya's vocals. So, that's how it was going to go huh?

"Hey! I taught him everything he knows about being crazy. Plus! I'd give friendly kisses to make up for it, too. But you don't let me." he pouted, crossing his arms, acting like a child. Aaric was a big child, at least he acted like one sometimes. Now, he was just playing around. Anya knew that he was a flirt. Especially since he was flirting with her, a lot. Thus, leading to his ultimate Valentines Day plan! It couldn't fail.

He watched his puppy and sighed "Attention hog." he mumbled. Where was his hug? Did he get a hug? Or at least a jab in the ribs? His face lit up into a huge grin when Anya asked about V-day. Oh yes! His plan!

"Oh I have a plan. I'm turning Valentines Day into, Flirt with Anya and get away with it Day!" he grinned his master plan was epic! He reached across and gave Anya a playful poke to the shoulder. And Decon growled at him. "Hey! Anya's my friend too, so you better share!" he snapped to the puppy. The animal's doberman features gave him the evil eye for a moment. The pup wasn't fixed yet, so all that puppy testosterone was coming out in waves, same with Aaric as the two stared eachother down. Anya was lucky to be friends with a bunch of boys. All of them animals. A dog, a few horses, and an Aaric!

"So! What are you planning?" he raised a brow and offered her a crooked grin.

[Anya DeBouc]

For Valentine's...

Anya smiled and let the wriggling bundle of fur jump down onto the grass before she turned to Aaric. “You must have, who else?” she replied laughing. “But I’m going to be the one teaching manners.” she added with a sly smirk. Anya knew Aaric would pick up on the possible double meaning but she kept the concept to herself if he did not. Instead, she simply blushed at his next comment and turned away with a smile as a sudden idea popped into her head.

Turning back to Aaric, Anya smiled again and leaned up to give him a quick kiss on the cheek.

“I know.” she said smiling. “That’s for being so good about it too.”

Turning back to the ring, the blonde let out a small shaky sigh. She didn’t know exactly why she kissed Aaric but she’d always wanted an excuse to do so without him needing to reciprocate. Ever since the day they’d met, Anya had harbored a crush on Aaric and she still struggled with it. His constant not-so-subtle hints also made it worse but at the same time made her feel a tad bit better. At least he acknowledged her in that way as opposed to being oblivious. She shouldn’t like it but she did.

Aaric was a lovely man with a huge personality and she simply adored him for it. He was a person who she could always turn to and ask for help, someone she could easily joke around with and someone she could understand without the need to feel he didn’t understand her. The only reason Anya refused to let him crack her shell was because she didn’t know if he might crack it too far. The blonde didn’t want to set herself up to be hurt and Aaric was very likely to do that despite whatever she might hope or try and convince herself of. She did love him as a friend - always - but anything more and she would just be asking for trouble. Anya didn’t know if she was ready to be lifted up then thrown back down in a hole of depression. Aaric wasn’t exactly…reliable, in that sense and Anya needed someone who was. Besides, what if Aaric wasn’t ready to make a commitment anyways? She couldn’t ask something of him like that after what he was used to and asking anything less for someone she wanted to be romantically involved with was just out of the question.

“Flirt with Anya and get away with it day?” she repeated blushing still. “Who says I’m going to let you get away with it?” she asked with another sly grin. “What if I don’t? Then what will you do?” she giggled at the ridiculousness of the statement. As if she could possibly stop him from flirting with her if he wanted too. Pfft, the very idea was absurd.

“As for my plans, I don’t know yet.” she replied pensively. “I don’t exactly have a date that night or anything but I might just stay home. Valentine’s Day isn’t as great by yourself.” she mused quietly. Then turning to look at Aaric in the face again, she smiled. “But if you put your plan into action I guess it means you’ll be hanging around?” she giggled softly. “You’re welcome to come over that day if you’d like. We can watch a movie or something then go somewhere maybe.”

Anya didn’t know if Aaric had night plans already but she hoped against everything that he didn’t. It was kind of selfish of her but she thought perhaps if she kept him at her house he would forget any other plans and leave them but Anya knew it wasn’t likely. She knew Aaric was working on his sleeping habits but it was far too much to ask him to not go out on Valentine’s Day of all days and he simply wouldn’t anyways so it was pointless to even hope.

Deflated a tad now, Anya let her shoulders drop and turned her head away. “I’m sure you have other plans though.” she mumbled watching the puppy dig a hole then sniff it curiously. It was amazing how dog-like men could be but at the same time so different. Puppies had innocence and older dogs integrity. Integrity to the point where if a pretty poodle passes by they don’t always have to follow if they are busy with their masters. Most men seemed to lack both. Or at least those in her world.

...and from Valentine's

[Desert]

That small, quick kiss burned his cheek. Or was that the light blush that had come to rest there. Great! He was blushing?! Aaric Slay DOES NOT BLUSH! Now, he felt like a total sissy la la. It wasn't fair! Well, maybe if she'd placed that kiss a little to the left on the place called his lips...It would've been much better. Whatever, a guy can dream. Right? Luckily she wasn't a mind reader, or she would've run off screaming a month ago.

He may have gotton better with all those affairs, but he still had a dirty mind. How many times had he pictured Anya naked? Eight...Nine, maybe? He looked down and smiled at her. "Uhh. You're welcome." he spoke calmly, trying to keep from saying something stupid. Hell, she had to be used to his stupid remarks by now. He really did like Anya. More than for her looks. She had a good heart. A strong one too! She was able to put up with his antics. That had to be enough.

He liked her since day one! Sure, he was a big chicken and couldn't tell her his ture feelings for her. Yeah, he flirted and played around. Maybe a sexist comment here and there. Though he never intended to hurt her. Anya deserved the best and he'd be there if she ever needed him. He'd always be there for her. No matter what. Only when she demanded him gone would he leave. If she was happy, so was he. Even if she didn't want him in her life. If she didn't want to be with Aaric, and would be happy. He'd leave without a second glance.

Of course, with how things were going between them, that was unlikely. Too bad they were only friends. Aaric would love to be the man she could always count on. In a relationship. Funny, how Aaric had had so many affairs he never actually dated before. It was so different. Then again, he was always the one being seduced. He was such a "give in and do it" kind of guy. Every touch turned Aaric Slay on. Then again, it could've been the alcohol talking. He was drunk three fourths of the time he was with girls.

"Of course I'll get away with it! I always do." he offered the young woman beside him a cocky grin. "If you do happen to stop me then I'll really be impressed." he chuckled lightly crossing his arms over his bare chest. It was pretty chilly out. He listened closely to her "Plans". No date huh? That was surprising. A lot of guys in Shady Lane had a crush on Anya. Of course, she was always with Aaric. Almost every guy in Shady Lane knew for a fact that if you touched his woman then he'd eat your face off. They thought that Aaric and Anya were actually dating! At least men would keep their hands off her.

Sure, Aaric was a pervert sometimes. But, he never touched Anya in a way she didn't like. If anyone did touch her that way, he'd kill them, bring them back to life, clone them then kill them again. He'd kick anyone's skinny ass into the middle of next week if he had to. Anya was his one and only human friend. He would be loyal to her and protect her with his life.

He stared at her when ash asked him to spend Valentines night with her. Was she asking him out on a...date? By the way she was putting it..Yes she was. A date? A date with his best friend? Aaric had never had a real date before. Sure, he hung out with Anya sometimes. Probably not as much as he should. She still had other friends though. Aaric, sadly, only had her. But he didn't mind that. He wanted to have only her!

"Well, I was planning to go out for a drink. But, being with you is way more important. I'd love to be with you for Valentines Day." he said with a smile. Maybe then he'd bust a move. No, go with the flow. Go with the flow. Sometimes he felt like a brick wall was between them. He needed to find a way through. Maybe one day she'd fall for him. But then again, it was only a dream.