Anybody [bhu]

[I L Y I C H]

Lindsay sat infront of me with her grumpy face set into place. She liked that face a lot now a days. Not that I could really say very much about grumpy faces, but still. We shared the same problem after all. God damn Barbara. The girl wasn't a girl anymore, and she was all over Gavin. The fucker was eating it up to, which led to me hiding out with the only other real dogs in camp. Skoll only knew where Clari was at the moment. So me and Lindsay would just hang out and make faces at everyone else. The office was actually pretty empty for once, and the breeze blowing through felt utterly amazing. So at least it was comfortable. Geoff had taken the gents, and Caiti, out on some sort of hunt. Joel had wandered off alone to do something involving wind currents. Who the fuck knew what he had blathering about earlier. And other then that Gus was out cold on the other side of camp, having gone deer hunting early this morning and dragging back his kill leading to his stone cold doze.

Lindsay shifted unhappily beside me, her white chin dropping back to the dirt. "It's just not fair man. Go get your man. Jeez" Pealing my lips back slightly I side eyed the border collie, having expected her to say something but not having much to say in response. It was our usual discussions after all. Love sick dumb asses had to stick together. Though at least I did actually have Gavin, even if I was getting more and more fearful that Barbs was stealing him away from me. Lindsay was head over fucking heels in it for Barbara and the golden woman didn't so much as glance at her. It pulled on my heart strings. Pulled at my heart strings even worse with the simple fact that despite herself Lindsay was more worried about my well being then her own. Made me feel like shit really, but I mean that was a general reaction for me.

"You should just go say something to her" A reoccurring argument, of course and the roll of the eyes that Lindsay gave me was the general answer I would get. I could hear her arguments without her saying a word so she wouldn't speak up. Waste of energy and all that. Asshole. 'Why don't you tell him he's upsetting you?' 'Why don't you sit down and tell him your scared?' All of it boiling down to that curiously empathetic look on the dog's face. She knew a shit ton more about me then some people and we'd only just met maybe a month ago? Guess Clari and I had another sister. A fucking annoying as shit 'pierce into your very soul with her eyes' sister. Not like she had any room to talk. Stupid collie had the total hots for Barbs and refused to say a word. Was openly as sweet and traumatically playful with her as she was with everyone else. I wasn't going to open my mouth if the sable collie wouldn't.

Not fair.

Lindsay gave me a quick look and snorted, blue eyes narrowing. Yeah yeah I knew what that meant too, and I rolled my own eyes in response. She worried about me. Wanted to know if Gavin knew my bulimia had ramped back up. Skoll knew he probably did but he hadn't said anything. She figured her situation was a shit ton less health damaging so she ignored it in favor of trying to help me and it was annoying as fuck. Yet here she was all sprawled out next to me on the warm grass enjoying the breeze. Made me wonder where Clari was. She'd normally sooner knaw her own leg off then miss out on 'family time' or whatever the hell we were calling this game of 'judge the fuck out of everyone else'. Lindsay snickered shortly at my eye rolling and I curled my lip at her. Of course she knew my usual response anyway so I didn't have to say shit either.

[Bhu ♥ Irwin]

Arching my back I managed to weasel myself out from under the moose of a man. His shrill laughter pieced through my ears as he leapt back to his feet and bounced away to avoid my counter-lunge. Both our laughs were sharp and childish as we broke into camp with my chasing the much faster man. It was just as we were entering the clearing that I caught up with the taller man and threw myself onto his back, pushing a surprised yowl from his lips as I did so. He had been so sure he would outrun me that my weight brought him to his knees and we literally broke through a bush bordering the camp edge, rolling into the clearing, out of breath, yet continuing to heave out laughter. It was childish, perhaps, but I relished this moments. Gavin very rarely allowed me to be this physical towards him so close to camp, always paranoid about Michael. He told me once that he was afraid Michael would get the wrong idea and then, out of spite, would hook up with someone else. We both climbed to our feet and dusted each other off. He pushed away my snout when I put it too close to his maw and wipe away some lingering mud, reaching up to take care of it himself. I didn’t let my smile fade, but it frustrated me how Gavin wouldn’t even give me a chance. What he and Michael had was cute, but was Gavin really not willing to open up and explore some? Maybe he will find the opposite gender is more his thing--he never had a relationship of any kind with a female before, except maybe his human. I huffed and his smile faded to give me a stern look, mouthing the word 'no’. Loyalty was an admirable trait in him--one of the many things I loved about him, but envied Michael for owning.

Childish grins back in place, I watched Gavin make his way across camp. I sighed inwardly before following, frustrated. We had tried to go out and hunt but Gavin had clearly been distracted. I had made the mistake of asking what was wrong. After no more than a seconds hesitation he complained anxiously about his fear of losing Michael to Lindsay. However much it hurt me, I had assured him of Michael’s love for him. I may have wanted more out of Gavin, but he was my friend first and foremost. It hurt me more to see him so unsure of himself. I knew I was largely to blame, I demanded a lot of the boy’s attention, but I couldn’t help but be angry at Michael for causing this sort of grief for the lad. I considered that maybe Michael felt the same over Gavin and me, but the idea never stayed long. Gavin had very clear lines drawn that he refused to cross with us. I pushed limits and he always put down the door when I did so. He was loyal to a fault and obsessed with his mate--Michael had to know that. How could he not when Gavin made it so obvious to me?

Despite my selfish protests, Gavin had insisted we drop the hunt for now and head back to camp to invite Michael and Lindsay along. He claimed it was so I could have a female to talk to, but the boy was a terrible liar. He wanted Michael around him--the man’s very presence comforted him in a way I could only dream of one day doing for someone. It was becoming more and more clear each day that Gavin would never love me like I loved him. I would keep trying to prove my worth, but there were other fish in the sea--I was simply stubborn if nothing else. “Hey, Mickey!” I was dragged back to the present as Gavin broke into a boyish gallop, skidding to a halt by the pair. “Barbs and I were hoping you would join us on a hunt!” Cheerful, carefree, mask firmly in place. The boy refused to let Michael know how terribly self-conscious he was.

“Lindsay, too, of course.” I added in lightly as I came up beside the man, shooting the second newest Achievement Hunter a bright smile. “Michael and Clarimonde can’t have you all to himself--we all want a chance to get to know you!” I had neglected every other member of AH since Gavin decided to stop avoiding me. It hit me heavily, the reality of my obsession. It was unhealthy--but I knew I wouldn’t be able to fight it over night.

Where Gavin was my ray of light, I could have friends. It was okay to talk to other people.

[I L Y I C H]

The two idiots came tumbling back into camp shortly after our little silent conversation. Michael tensed aggressively at my side, his ears twitching back just slightly. So possessive. Really there was no need for it. You'd think he would be confident enough, I mean, Gavin didn't exactly try to hide how much he obviously adored Mickey. Elbowing the half breed I stood up swiftly, smile pulling neatly and evenly into place. I was always careful about that. Poor Barbs didn't need to deal with some silly dog mooning after her after all. Michael moved to get up after me, his curled tail flicking to the opposite side of his back in the best show of irritability it could properly give.

Expecting what came next I rolled bright eyes and took a step away. Gavin couldn't deal with being separated from Michael at all. No more then Michael could deal being separated from him, which just made the entire situation all that much worse. Pathetic really, though I did see where Mickey was coming from. That aside I guess it was my time to step aside. I was just a dog after all, I wouldn't be very much help in any sort of large hunt. I was a teacher, my teeth were made for sheep herding not elk killing. So it came as a surprise when Barbara spoke up. Sable ears flicking back slightly I looked back from where I had turned slightly to move off. "Oh." Flattening out my lips to exaggerate the surprise for a moment I just as swiftly turned back enough to smile warmly at the larger woman.

"I won't be much help." It was more of a warning then a denial, though Michael did huff at me anyway. The prick. Bright eyes bounding back to Barbs I smiled warmly, flicking away the spider webs that clutched my stomach into knots. She was like Ryan after all. Not homophobic of course, she didn't have any issue with Ray and Joel. Just... not thinking like that. Straight as a pole. Left a little dike of a doggy all alone. Not that I blamed her. No reason to blame someone for being straight. Feather duster of a tail waving I closed my eyes in apparently playful bliss and moved past the two of them. I thought I was a good little actress, striding confident as could be across the clearing, but of course Michael just frowned at me. I could feel that stupid face on his, well, face. It was annoying.

Look we could judge each other all we wanted but in the end we were family. Clari, Michael and I. Dogs in a folami world. He wouldn't rat me out just like I wouldn't rat him out. Neither of us would rat Clari out. Us little sad saps had to stay together after all. We'd still worry about each other though. Which was stupid. Clari and Michael had massive problems. They were in real danger from themselves because of them. I was going to protect them all I could. My stupid little crush wasn't making me puke my guts out on a near daily basis. Wasn't making me into a suicidal whore. Bad combos really. No judgement and all, but I wasn't the issue here. So Michael could just put away his frowny face and get over it.

Coming to pause in the general area where the two idiots originally crashed into camp I shot a look over my shoulder. Michael had gotten up to drag his paws following after me. He didn't look any thinner if you just looked at him. Fluffy fur hid everything and the man had learned a lesson. He was taking in vitamins in other ways. That dark coat of his was almost soft as silk finally. Yet I could still count his ribs every time I so much as brushed against him. Could just barely see his hips through that fluffy exterior when he pounced in a particular way. It had led to Mickey avoiding touching anyone but Clari and occasionally me. Worried for Gavin's sake, and not realizing that he was feeding the white boy's fears. Apparently we were all just idiots.

"So where are we off to then?"

[Bhu ♥ Irwin]

My smile became forced as both dogs prepared to follow Barbara and me out. I was perfectly fine with Lindsay tagging along-Barbara was a social butterfly and wouldn't be able to resist attaching herself to this dog, whom was still a mystery to her. She would distract herself willingly to untangle the web, understanding and respecting my need to focus entirely on Michael here. I wasn't stupid and Barbara wasn't shy--she was infatuated with me. It had frightened me at first, but I almost enjoyed it now. Ray got annoyed sometimes because I would argue him down into letting her join us, but the boy spent a lot of time with Joel now-a-days anyway, so it didn't matter. He was probably out stalking the brute now, just waiting for the perfect moment to scare the shit out of his dorky boyfriend.

Michael was clearly unhappy and this is what made my smile tight, eyes losing their enthusiasm. Part of me was tempted to tell the girl's we needed to split up, because I really did want to talk privately with my mate. I knew he had started up with the bulimia again. I hadn't broached the subject because I was sort of waiting for him to come to me. I couldn't help but shoot an anxiously frustrated look at Lindsay. He had her and Clarimonde now, he didn't need me to be his therapist. This should make me happy that he had people to turn to, but all it did was make my heart ache. I pushed towards him, aiming to press my nose affectionately into his cheek. I loved Barbara, and I was happy Michael had Lindsay and Clarimonde, but when was the last time I told him I loved him? It hit me like a rock that we hadn't spent a moment alone together in months.

Pulling away, I turned emerald eyes towards Lindsay at her question. I flicked a gaze towards Barbara, whom just responded with a shrug. "Well, ground is still pretty soggy. I think the safest route is to stay in the Far Wood--Ray mentioned something about a sinkhole still lingering in the prairie yesterday. I am sure there is more." I took stride beside Michael, prepared to be a parasite and stay attached at the hip. I could see Barbara shuffle awkwardly in my peripherals, but I had to remind myself that was her own problem. She knew I was in love with Michael--she had to accept that. And she did. Usually.

But maybe it is for her sake that I often avoided affectionate contact in camp. That isn't right.

Guilt building, my smile dropped as I put on a serious mask. I couldn't force myself to look gleeful with this rock in my stomach, but I could put on a business face. "I bet you're a better hunter than Gavin, Lindsay." I caught Barbara's tease and shot a warning glare, but the corner's of my lips twitched upwards. "Oh right, I forgot, that bloody pebble bit your toe."

[/b][/i] The girl cackled as she pranced out of camp. I broke connection with my mate and moved quickly after her, a playful snarl on my face.

"Like you're one to talk. You missed that rabbit, and it practically served itself on a platter for you! At least I had some excuse." I nudged her roughly, tripping the girl towards Lindsay. "Don't mess with someone who stands a good foot taller than you, princess priss." I stuck my tongue out as the woman smiled sheepishly at Lindsay, eyes apologizing for having fallen into her. The glare she shot me afterwards, however playful it was, surprised me. Was Barbara embarrassed?

I shook it off and looked over my shoulder at Michael, shuffling around to stand beside him again. I swiped my whip-like tail over his back before trotting away from camp, back into the trees.

This could be fun. Or this could be an utter disaster.[/blockquote][/blockquote][/size]

[I L Y I C H]

Michael noticed the tightness in Gavin's smile, that much was obvious. The husky mutt jumped slightly, and made an attempt to shoo away his anxiety. Smile pulling up on his lips Michael leaned into his mate's touch, pressing his tongue just barely across Gavin's cheek. My attention was drug away from the smug smile on my own face when Gavin spoke up. Looking at the man in slight surprise, having not been expected to be spoken to I offered him a shrug in time with Barb's. Hey stuff might have walked into the sinkhole. Shit like that was easy to eat once you got it out. Without all that nasty getting kicked in the head possibility bits. But whatever. Soggy was a reoccurring issue. At least the woods would protect us from falling into the easy dinner tables ourselves.

Barbara shuffled awkwardly off to the edge when Gavin moved to Michaels side, and though I felt my stomach stretch unhappily I ignored it. Sill young. Still figuring out love and all the ways it did and didn't work. Stop stressing Linds. Nothing to do about it. So I was off in lala land when Barbara spoke up, and my hearing my own name in the air made me look up from the furrow in my own forehead. "What?" I spoke aloud without really meaning to, voice long and stupid before ears caught up with brain. "Oh. Oh yeah no thats kind of doubtful." Flicking small white paws I grinned at them both, teasing and self-depriciating humor was my shtick. "Bet I could bury your ass in rabbits though, Gavvers. Whatcha think?"

Michael let out a loud bark of laughter, shaking his head. It took us both a minute to notice the other two idiots go after one another. Michael leaned after Gavin when the larger folami moved off, and thats really what drew me in. Frown thickening I shot a worried glance at the hurt expression that sparked over the half-breed's orange eyes. It only lasted a second before Mickey hid it away, but those were always the most dangerous. Especially with Michael refusing to just go up and talk to his supposed 'mate'. God damn. Distracted trying to keep an easy going smile on my face I almost had a heart attack at the abruptness of weight against me. Being very much not at all folami I went flying into the ground.

Half sprawled in confusion I managed to hide the heat under my fur. Stupid crush. My little mantra. Stupid crush and she didn't have any real intention of touching me. Right. "You jerks. Picking on me because your all damn mega-beasts." Michael gave me a long incredulous look which I returned ten fold as I scrambled back to my paws. "You heard me! Mega-beasts! I'm afraid you must not have noticed but I'm a pretty princess and I won't have my good dog sensibilities ruined by such barbarian behavior!" Nose stuffed straight into the air I strolled as regally as I could away from them. Stupid boys. Well and Barbara. But I mean it was the same thing really. Peaking over one slim shoulder with the massive grin I couldn't quiet hide I waved my tail once as hard as possible. "Come on you idiots. Onward!"