Every Ending is a New Beginning (Flynn)

[Dhara]

Back dated to 20 September 2017

Dhara It wasn’t long between the time the news of a ‘cure’ broke to the lab being destroyed. The quick work of vampire-kind had obliterated everything and no one knew where the ‘cure’ data was now. It made her not only paranoid for her own safety, but for that of her childe and for Flynn. She’d spent days awake and worrying since the news of the ‘cure’ got out, knowing Flynn was out in the city and knowing vampires could be, too. The entire vampire race had been labeled as terrorists, causing cops that were already jumpy to be even more so.

Lucky for her, the streets were fairly quiet as she headed for the dog park. No one troubled her in the least, but that could have been due to the massive dog that walked beside her. A dog so big it made the petite woman look even smaller. Lucky for her, it had a lot of training, about 14 months worth so far, and it’s leash manners were impeccable, otherwise she’d be screwed. She grinned as she thought about how Flynn would react when he saw his gift. The giant dog was even wearing a blue bow on it’s collar and didn’t seem to mind. As she reached the park, she ambled over to ‘their’ bench and sent a text to Flynn. “I am at the dog park. Come meet me. And do not forget to bring MY girl. ;)”

FLYNN The events of Longslade had accomplished two things. One, the cure research was in the air, with no knowledge of where it may be, or who might have it. Two, the city had become unstable. There was an uneasy peace between the human and vampire occupants, but that could change at the drop of hat, and everyone knew it. More cops than ever roamed the streets, armed and ready for the slightest whisper of trouble. Flynn had gotten more than a few looks passed his way, but so far, he had managed to avoid them fairly well. Keeping to himself happened to be one of his strong suits.

And then there was the matter of Dhara. His vampire girlfriend was quite the pacifist, and had never so much as thrown a punch. With things the way they were, it was impossible not to worry about her when she roamed the streets at night, going between jobs and one of their apartments. Since losing her job at the university, it was one less concern, but he was sure to send out a text a few times a night to check in. If only for his own peace of mind.

“What do you think, girl... stay in for the night, or venture out for a walk?” he asked of his red husky, kneeling down to properly give her affection. As she barked at him in response, his phone vibrated against the arm of the couch. Snatching it up, he read his girlfriend’s message. “Well, Athena, looks like the decision was made for us. Someone wants to see you.” With a small grin, he shot off a text that he would be right there and got Athena ready to go. It would take no time at all to reach the dog park, especially if the streets were deserted.

Dhara She shivered as she sat with the giant dog, feeling exposed and paranoid. She was the only one in the park, and, it seemed, the only one out at night. Her phone pinged, the text confirming Flynn and Athena would be there soon. She looked at the dog, then eased off the bench and sat on the concrete pad around it. “Down.” She said softly to the beast, pleased when it obeyed. She nestled against it’s warm side, swallowing her fear, trusting that she was hidden by the large dog.

Not much had changed in her routine since the Longslade Incident. The worst was losing her job at the university, the Dean and the University President had come in person to fire her. A sweet touch as they tried to assure the woman it wasn’t her fault, nevertheless her heart had broken as she packed up her office. Since then, she tried to go about her days and nights as normally as she could, but every so often, fear grabbed hold of her spine and shook her like a wolf with prey. She sighed and pet the animal, curling closer and waiting for Flynn. She knew it wasn’t far, but each minute felt like an eternity as she sat and counted in every language she knew to keep herself calm.

FLYNN As much as he tried to avoid it, Flynn couldn’t help but search the area as he walked. Be it for vampire, human, or soldier, he was not going to be caught unaware. When it came to vampires, he had a fairly decent radar system, but there was nothing to help him identify a human close by other than his own two eyes and ears. Maybe that made him look suspicious, but he couldn’t bring himself to care. Lack of vigilance could be deadly. Not that many took to random violence these days, with tensions only rising with each passing day.

As he came upon the entrance to the dark park, he immediately sought out the bench that he and Dhara had since claimed as ‘theirs.’ It was too far to make out, but he could just make out a silhouetted form seated on the concrete. Assuming it to be Dhara, he made his way over with Athena at his side. Before he could get too close, the dog at his side seemed to slow, her eyes glued to the bench. Frowning, he stopped just shy of the bench and finally realized what was so different about tonight. And that was a dog. A massively huge dog with Dhara perched up against it. “Uh...who’s your new friend, Dhara?” he asked, eyes wide as he stared at the huge, but beautiful, canine.

Dhara She got to her feet and the massive dog stood, revealing it’s huge size. “Well, according to the breeder, this is Puppy Number Four. He does not have a name… yet.” She grinned impishly and told the dog to stay. She wandered over to Athena and hugged her, whispering in her ear about how beautiful she was and how she was Dhara’s favorite. Then she hugged Flynn and smiled up at him. “I thought we should see how Athena likes him before you name him.”

She walked back over to the dog and buried her fingers in his thick fur, scratching behind the floppy ear. The dog looked sweet and docile, like a giant teddy bear come to life, but the breeder had assured her that he had plenty of training in guarding and attacking. She had a folder of commands tucked in her satchel for Flynn. Adjusting the collar so the gift bow was showing, she waited for him to catch on that this massive creature was a gift for him.

FLYNN He was a little wary as Dhara stood, now fully faced with the drastic size of the dog compared to the tiny woman next to it. If she weren’t a vampire, he would have wondered just how she had managed to control a dog that size. But as she spoke of the dog coming from a breeder, he figured he had to have had some form of training in the past. Puppy Number Four waited as she moved away to Athena, staring at the situation before him with astute attention, taking in everything. Flynn watched the animal in wonder, oblivious to Dhara’s hug, at first, Blinking, he wrapped his arms around her, tightly and tried to catch on to what she was saying.

Suddenly, the big blue bow registered, and the way she had said ‘before you name him.’ Like the dog was for him. Because...the dog -was- for him. “Wait...he...he’s for me?” he suddenly voiced, eyes going wide. He couldn’t deny how beautiful the creature was, even if he was a big ball of fluff. But, the longer he stared at it, the more anxious Flynn became. She was giving him a dog...couples got dogs, together. Their first step toward a commitment to each other. Dhara...had bought him a dog.

[Flynn]

Dhara “He is, yes.” She grinned that he had caught on. “I know it is probably insane, and I am certainly no expert on safety and combat and things. However…” She paused, suddenly feeling ridiculous. “After Longslade… I just… I wanted something to keep you safe.” She put her hand on the massive dog and looked up into Flynn’s hazel eyes.

“He is trained to guard and attack… I thought perhaps he could keep you safe while you are working…” She looked between the dog, Flynn and Athena with a small, unsure smile. “Athena is far too sweet to be in those situations. Whereas this guy…” She put a hand on the dogs shoulder, “This breed is used in Russian Prisons as guard dogs. The breeder gave me a list of commands and has assured me he has police level training already. He is 14 months old and not fully grown yet.” She babbled the details, then stopped talking her mouth shutting with an audible snap of teeth. She was nervous that he didn’t like the dog as he was uncharacteristically quiet.

FLYNN His attention shifted to Dhara, slowly, listening in silence as she began to explain her reasoning for the dog and what he was capable of. The gesture was sweet, and he wasn’t surprised by it. She had been a tightly wound ball of worry ever since Longslade, and it hadn’t helped that he had quite literally been in the middle of the facility as it all went down. Despite that, she had never hovered, and understood that he would continue with life as normal. This...this was just another way that she could feel a little better about it, to know that someone had his back. Except...there someone one who did have his back. And, therein was the problem.

Swallowing back a sudden wave of nausea, he slowly moved forward while keeping a safe enough distance for the dog to sniff him out. “Dhara...this is...I really appreciate the gesture, but...I don’t know if I can accept him,” he said, voice low with an effort to keep it even. The large dog came forward enough to nose his palm, surprisingly gentle. “Hello, puppy...you’re just a big ol’ fluffy, aren’t you? I’m Flynn.” His entire tone changed when speaking with the dog, as it was near impossible to let his tension impact his relationship with the beast. Even if he couldn’t keep him.

Dhara She smiled as she watched him approach, moving from the dogs side to take Athena’s lead. Introductions would come slowly, following the breeders instructions. She watched as Flynn spoke to the puff ball, a hand finding Athena’s fur. She began to pet her best canine friend, reassuring her that she wasn’t trying to replace her, but rather trying to keep Flynn safe since she was quite fond of him being in one piece.

She blinked slowly, then frowned, her hand going still. “What do you mean you cannot accept him?” She canted her head to the side, copper eyes roving curiously over him. “I certainly cannot keep him. I think he is bigger than my entire bed. You must. I need to know you are safe… I need to know that someone is watching over you.” She paused and sat on the ground again, Athena folding herself up and laying beside the woman with her head in her lap to encourage more skritches. “I am terribly afraid and I just… I worry for you. Please, Flynn?”

FLYNN He had known the question of why would come up, and that was the part he was least willing to explain. Puppy Number Four was growing a little less wary, and more open to Flynn’s presence, and so he seized the opportunity to give the canine some scratches behind the ears. He was stalling on the answer to her question, and he knew it, but he needed a moment to collect himself. When he tried to find the words, the only thing that came to mind was a set of animalistic blue eyes, and that wasn’t helpful in the least. Sighing, he lowered himself to the ground as she had, while keeping a hand on the unnamed puppy. “Dhara...there is something you need to know…”

Before he continued, he looked away from her and the two dogs, trying to find the best way to say it. And honestly, it didn’t seem like there was a ‘best way.’ “Remember the night at Longslade? I told you I went in the Dragons?” He might as well start from the beginning. “Well, no. Backtrack for a second.”

Shifting in his spot, he tried to think straight. If he was going to explain this, then it needed to make sense, and she needed to be able to understand why it mattered. And that meant telling her something that literally no one else even knew. Flynn trusted her, though. More than anyone else. “You know all about my track record with women. It’s no secret. What is a secret...is the few attractions I’ve had to other guys. I never felt a connection to them beyond something physical, and so they were never pursued. It was a line I wasn’t willing to cross without having more of a reason than that. And, it’s not that I was ashamed to feel it, I just...wanted to know if I was going to address that part of my identity, that it was for more than some random good time.” The speech ended, suddenly, as he looked back over at the woman next to him. She was so kind, so giving. And she could make any man happy, if they gave her the chance.

But, this was a conversation that they needed to have, one step at a time. And he needed to know she was keeping up before he went any further. Dhara was smart, she would no doubt see where this was going.

Dhara Something was off with him and it set her on edge. Her hand never stilled with petting the dog that lay in her lap and she stayed silent as Flynn stumbled through his explanation. Her lips pursed slightly as she listened and processed what he was saying, but more importantly, she processed what he wasn’t saying. At least, not yet. She wondered if he would, or if his obvious nerves would get the better of him. She had the mean spirited thought of forcing him to stumble through the rest of it, just to see him suffer. Her nose crinkled and she pushed that thought away.

“And now you have found someone that you are wanting to explore that side of yourself with, so long as I am not in the way?” She asked gently, sparing him the torment of a backstory and explanation. She blew out a breath and examined her own feelings. Flynn was basically breaking up with her, if she understood all this correctly. Ending their budding relationship before it really had a chance to begin. Her expression was thoughtful as she realized the idea didn’t hurt like it should. She realized then that while she loved Flynn, it was the platonic love of friendship and would never be anything more than that. Her eyes met his again. “I still fail to understand why you cannot take the puppy?”

FLYNN He opened his mouth, then, only for it to fall closed so that he could stare at Dhara in silence. ‘Not in the way’ sounded awful, like she was an obstacle that needed to be overcome, and that simply wasn’t the case. His gaze narrowed on her, but there was not anger or hostility in his eyes. “In a manner of a speaking, yes. His name is Azraeth, and it’s...something I can’t explain, to be honest. Nothing may happen, and that’s fine. But, either way, the fact it’s even an idea in my head means that I’m not being fair to you. You aren’t ‘in the way.’ You’re someone I trust, and respect too much to betray that way.”

His lips pursed, then, as he glanced at the massive canine between them. The dog really was amazing, and he couldn’t deny how badly he wanted to keep him. “As for Four, here...I just, don’t know how I feel about accepting a gift like this when I’m...well, to be blunt, breaking up with you. That just seems...well, shitty.” Flynn looked to the woman with a wrinkle of his nose, as if to emphasize his point. She was giving him the dog out of caring and a desire for his safety, and this seemed like a good way of shoving that back in her face.

Dhara “My English not so good.” She reminded him, teasing him by emphasising her German accent and using an incomplete sentence. “I do not mean to say I am a burden but more of… not what you want. And that is fine.” She smiled and her delicate hand came to rest over his. “I love you, very much. But I know that the kind of love I feel for you will never grow beyond the genteel feelings of friendship if that makes sense.”

She looked at the dog, then looked at him and smiled, giving his hand a gentle squeeze. “And of course you can accept him. I got him because I care for you and I fear and worry for you. Being a couple or just being friends will not change those feelings or make them go away. I still wish you safe and protected.” She flipped her purple locks over her shoulder and smiled up at him, then looked down at Athena, leaning over to press a kiss to her snout.

FLYNN It was a surprising relief, to hear that Dhara was accepting and understanding of what was happening. He didn’t even have the slightest inclination to be upset by the fact that she hadn’t seen their relationship moving any further than it had at that point. If anything, he couldn’t have seen it progressing any further, either, when he had his head wrapped up in the idea of another vampire that could never actually manifest into something more than that.

“He is a beautiful dog...and I’m sure he would be a force to be reckoned with…” he mused aloud, surveying the size of the dog and just how furry he actually was. By this point, he had grown more comfortable with the pair and happily seating with his tail wagging. “If...and I did say ‘if,’ Dhara...If I keep him, what would I name him? A dog like this cannot be named something like ‘Fluffy.’”

Dhara “Do not be silly. ‘Fluffy’ is absolutely preposterous. You simply must call him ‘Cuddles’. Or perhaps ‘Snuggles’.” She smiled up at him, showing the rarely seen dimple in her cheek before looking back to the dog. She ran her fingers through the thick fur, then looked at Athena whose head was still in her lap. She mentally ran through what she knew of mythology and looked up at him.

“What about Ares? He is the brother of Athena and the God of War. It would seem only perfectly fitting?” She grinned at him. “Unless you are totally sold on the name Cuddles.” She chuckled softly, toying with the violin charm that she never took off. Her copper eyes took on the thousand yard stare as she got lost in her thoughts for a moment.

[Dhara]

FLYNN There was way of stopping the laughter at the idea of naming such a large creature ‘Snuggles’ and ‘Cuddles.’ In fact, those even seemed like names meant more for a feline, than anything, and certainly not one of his magnitude. He shook his head at the idea, but soon fell silent as he considered how easy this was. For a break-up, it went surprisingly well, and that was odd. After Vanessa, he expected worse.

And then she offered a name, and he looked from Dhara to the dog in consideration. He knew enough about mythology to know Ares, and what he represented. The more he thought about it, the more it seemed to fit. A warrior is exactly what Flynn would turn the dog into, and he deserved a name that implied as such. “I like it…” he said with a small nod, reaching out to catch his attention. “What do you think, bug guy? How does Ares sound to you?” The canine stared up at him, clearly with no intentions to answer, but his tail began wagging even faster, which the paladin took to mean he approved. “I think that’s a yes.”

Returning his attention to Dhara, he caught the far off look in her eyes and he frowned, reaching out to place a hand on her shoulder. “Hey...you okay? You are here, but clearly somewhere else...:”

Dhara She pulled her attention back to the dog and the man and smiled. “I am well.” She lied smoothly, a hand coming up to rest on his over her shoulder. She didn’t feel like discussing the rabbit hole her mind was trying to wander down. She didn’t have friends. She didn’t really have anybody, because everyone she knew was gone. And even when they suddenly reappeared, they never stayed long. Her mind was trying to slot him into the ‘loss’ category, and panic threatened to close off her voice. It wasn’t the break up that made her sad and scared, it was the idea of losing another person.

But she said none of that as she opened her satchel and tugged out a folder, offering it to him. “His medical records, health assessment, joint testing and pedigree, along with pages of commands that he’s already trained in.” She smiled warmly at him. “I am glad you two are getting along. And I think, perhaps, you should take these two home so Athena can get to know Ares and Ares can get to know where he’s living.

FLYNN The way she answered gave no impression that she wasn’t okay, but the far off look in her eyes had suggested otherwise. But, at this point, it was no longer his place to pry. If she wanted him know, she would have told him, and it was evident that was not the case. Not this time. Maybe she would tell him in the future, but for now, he only nodded out of respect for her privacy.

At the suggestion of taking the dogs home, he shot the woman a frown, but slowly stood after accepting the paperwork for Ares. “That would probably be a good idea. Give me a chance to go over this stuff, too...learn more about the big guy,” he agreed, taking both leashes to wrap them around his hand. The walk back to the apartment would be a good chance for the two to feel each other, as they work with trying to adjust to being around the other. Suddenly, the duo had become a trio.

Before moving toward the gate of the park, he frowned down at the small woman. “Let me know you make it back home safe…you know that I don’t trust these streets, anymore,” he sighed, leaning down to press a chaste kiss to the top of her head. Only then did he back away several steps and then turn to head for the gate.

Dhara She smiled, watching him as he stood. When he pressed a kiss to her hair, she in turn pressed one to his cheek, nodding. “I never did. But I will let you know as I always have.” And it was true. Every night that she left work, or his apartment, she had texted him that she was safe. She sighed softly and watched him go. His back was to her and so she drew her knees up and hid her face, her forehead resting on her knees, as she realized she couldn’t watch another person walk out of her life.

She twined her arms around herself, a small, pathetic sound escaped her as she fought the tears. The panic that she’d fought off while he sat with her now washed over her like an out of control wave. It pulled her under and tossed her around and she found there was nothing she could do. That’s why it was called an irrational fear, because you couldn’t stop it and you couldn’t reason it away. Her biggest fear, probably her only fear, was losing the people in her life. And she’d just lost another one.

FLYNN Flynn had been taking slow, deliberate steps as he left, as he had every intention of stopping to glance back and make sure she was okay before he was too far out of reach. But, as it was, he didn’t need to turn around on his own, because he heard the noise that resembled the beginnings of a restrained sob. As he turned, he saw the way she had seemingly doubled in on herself, lost to her own emotions.

Confusion hit him like a truck, the gears in his head turning as he tried to reason out why she had told him she was fine, only to fall apart the minute he was walking away. But, regardless, that didn’t matter. The paladin was back at her side in an instant, the tying the two leashes to the arm of the bench so that he could sit down beside her. “Hey, hey…” he soothed, wrapping an arm around her shoulders and pulling her into his chest. A hand idly moved over her hair, with gentle shushing in her ear. First things first, he needed her calm.

And then, a light bulb went off. A vague memory of a time when they had talked about their fears, the things in life that scared them. Abandonment. That had been her answer. “I’m right here, Dhara. I’m not going anywhere…”

Dhara She was trying not to drown in her own fear when she felt a presence, an arm sliding across her shoulders. Slight as she was, the action nearly pulled her into his lap, and a gentle push of her feet against concrete completed the movement. Comfort seeking, shamefully so. She could be embarrassed about it later, right now she just needed to be held.

Her breaths came ragged, each one a struggle. Her hands shook as she bunched them in his shirt. Logically she knew she was experiencing a panic attack, at least a mild one. But she couldn’t make it stop. She swallowed hard and his words filtered through. It sounded like a promise and she wanted to believe it. She was still a tight little ball in his lap. “Apologies…” She managed to whisper between gulping breaths, the thread of embarrassment finally spinning it’s way through her mind. “I do not mean to be such a problem.” She realized, that by turning back, Flynn knew she couldn’t help it. She, too, recalled the long ago conversation where they talked about their deepest fears. She thought he’d forgotten, but it seemed she was wrong.

FLYNN He didn’t speak as he held her, his hand in constant motion as it rubbed in circles over her back. Flynn knew that the best thing for her would be too let the panic take its course, and simply hold her while she reached the end of the darkened tunnel created by her fear. And his patience was unwavering, with no attempts to rush her or lead her to think he had anything better to do. Regardless of where they now stood, he still cared, and she needed him to be there for her. Completely. Undivided attention. “You don’t need to apologize nor are you a problem. Don’t be ridiculous…” he sighed, even going so far as to shake his head at the very notion. Fear was a powerful force, and he understood that on a deeper level than some.

Once she seemed to gain a little more control over herself, he leaned away to get a better look at her expression, the emotion behind her gaze. “Do you want to tell me what brought that on? If I was going to walk out of your life to never see you, again...I would have made a much nastier exit,” he said with an attempt at teasing to bring a smile to her lips. Raising his hands to her face so that one fell on each side, thumbs brushed over her cheeks to clear away the remaining tears he found there. “And I have to say, I much prefer your smile. So, I would appreciate it if you could bring it back for me.”

Dhara She breathed slowly, coming back to herself and the situation piece by piece. His words soothed her and she did indeed feel he had all the time in the world to sit there and help her calm down. Once Flynn leaned back, she looked up to meet his green eyes. Her amber gaze was filled with fear and embarrassment that he’d seen her so weak. She could count on one hand the number of times she’d cried in front of people and to do so now made her just a little bit angry at herself for not having better control.

The next thing she knew he was teasing her, and his hands cupped her face to wipe away her tears. She managed, just for him, a small smile as she continued to search his face. “I do not know.” She finally said, looking pensive as she examined her mental self. “I am fine and watching you go, then I am not fine. Perhaps the subconscious fear of history repeating itself? Every time someone has walked away, it has always been gentle. A thing filled with hopes and promises that never come true.”

She managed another small smile for him. “I know you are not the same as everyone else, and that every situation is different. I just… I do not know. I was fine and then suddenly I was not. It is not something I have ever experienced before.”

FLYNN It was a brave face, and Flynn knew it. The smile on her lips wasn’t as easy to come as she would have liked, and it was possible to see the inner conflict in her eyes at having been so weak for that brief moment in time. Considering her history, the very history that she mentioned, the Paladin couldn’t say that he blamed her. When so many walked away to never return, why wouldn’t watching another bring on those involuntary reactions? “Well, here’s the thing...I won’t make you any promises, because I don’t want to be the one to break them. But, I will say that I’ll always be in your corner when you need me to be.” The human offered her a smile in return, hands dropping back to his sides as his gaze shifted to the two canines in front of him.

He was quiet for a moment, head falling to the side in thought as he once again glanced at the woman in his lap. “Would you like the dogs and I to walk you home, grab a coffee on the way? Or...we have a movie marathon for the sake of finishing the night off right? I’ll even take the couch,” he offered, shooting her a wink in the process. The idea of leaving her now seemed...well, inherently wrong, and he wasn’t sure he wanted that kind of worry hanging over his head. It would drive him insane.

[Flynn]

Dhara She smiled and kissed his cheek, then let her head fall to his shoulder as she finished relaxing from her panic attack. “All of those sound like really appealing ideas. And you don’t have to take the couch. I promise I won’t ravish you in your sleep. Though you do look sexy in your matching pants and shirt that you sleep in.” Now she was teasing him, which was a sure sign she had relaxed.

She looked over at the dogs and then smiled, reaching out to bury her fingers in Athena’s fur. “But perhaps your place? Ares seems to have a thing for my piano. I caught him trying to sit on the bench and then when I told him no, he wedged himself under it and started licking the legs…” She chuckled softly and then rubbed her eyes to clear away the last of the tears. “But really, if you just want to walk me home I’ll be okay.”

FLYNN The kiss to his cheek was unexpected, but he returned the smile as it was given. An arm wrapped around the woman’s shoulders, pulling her in closer to his chest as he laughed at the joke. “Hey, don’t bash on the pajamas. They are comfortable,” he shot back, nodding once as if to illustrate his point further. “But, I suppose...if we must share the enormous bed that is clearly not enough room for any living soul, then we can do that. As long as you keep your knees on your side.” With an arm sliding under Dhara’s knees, and the other behind her back, he moved to stand while she was still cradled to his chest. Only when he straightened out to carefully set her back down.

Stepping around her, he moved to the dogs and their leashes, which he quickly untied. “You have to earn your keep, of course, so…” he drawled out, handing off Athena’s leash so that Dhara could lead the husky back to his apartment. It was still pretty early and they would have more than enough time for a movie or two before it got too late and he, inevitably, had to go to sleep. “Come on, then, Miss Sabria. I believe there is a cup of coffee calling your name several blocks away.” With his signature smirk taking over his expression, his arm wrapped around her shoulder once more to pull her close to his side, heading off toward the gate of the dog park.