like a rollin' stone

hey y'all. i'm august flowers... i'm 24... from alabama... i play the guitar.... not much more to say than that, really...

[sorin-corstache]

[gusflowers]

That's one of many.... are you all right?

[sorin-corstache]

[Sorin flopped onto the floor by the couch, the puppy running over to him and licking his face.] 

See? Worth it. Dogs are the best. 

[He shrugs.] I don’t know what to name her.

[gusflowers]

[Gus smirks.] Yeah, I s'pose you're correct.

[He scratches the back of his neck.' M'bad with names. That's why cat's just cat. 

Isis? Um. Sara. Bessie Smith.  Hazel.  Mary Ann. Peggy Day. Sally Gal. Lily, Rosemary, and the Jack of Hearts.

[sorin-corstache]

[It took about an hour to get all the paperwork sorted out, but the dog was healthy and perfect and free to go with the two men. She was timid toward people on the street and so Sorin opted to carry her the short distance to the subway and back to the apartment.] 

What do you think we she call her? [Sorin asked, unlocking the apartment and setting the puppy down to explore.]

[gusflowers]

[Gus takes his coat off as he enters Sorin's apartment, which he'd been in more often than not these days. He shrugged a little when Sorin asked for  input on her name, though smiled at the idea of it.]

Um. I dunno. She's your pup. I'd probably name her after a Bob Dylan song 'er somethin, you probably wouldn't want that.

[sorin-corstache]

It’s the best way of saying it. 

[Sorin turns toward Gus with a kind of silly grin.]

Yeah, I really do. What do you think?

[gusflowers]

[Gus' heart gets a little sore at the big smile on Sorin's face. Since Dodger died the guy hasn't really seemed that happy... well, to be honest, since Gus had known him he'd never really seen him that happy, but it was a sight to see now.]

Perfect. She's perfect.

[sorin-corstache]

All dogs are rowdy to an extent. They just like living. 

[Sorin walks over to the kennel, reaching a hand out to the dog who whimpered a bit before licking his hand. Sorin kind of melted.] 

I like him. [He glanced at the sign on the kennel.] Or rather, her. 

[gusflowers]

[Gus smiles a little.] Yeah. They do. S'a nice way'a sayin' it.

[He trails after Sorin, watching his face more than he's looking at the black and white border collie puppy. He goes all gooey and it just makes Gus grin stupidly.] Yea, she's real cute. You wan' her.

[sorin-corstache]

[Sorin grabs his keys and they head out, catching the subway to the shelter that Sorin volunteers at sometimes. He greets the woman working and she lets them into the kennel area.]

[Sorin shoves his hands in his pockets and looks around at the dogs.]

He’s cute. 

[gusflowers]

[Gus follows Sorin to the shelter. The trip is quiet, as they usually both are, but amazingly enough, not awkward. Gus frequently looks up to catch Sorin's eye, smiling every once in awhile.

Finally they're at the shelter, looking around at all the dogs.]

My neighbor growin' up had that kind'a dog. He got kinda rowdy.

[sorin-corstache]

[Sorin nods.]

You want to go down to the shelter with me? [He asks, rubbing the back of his neck.]

[gusflowers]

[Gus smiles again.] Yeah, let's go. You lead the way, I still dunno where the hell I'm goin' in this city.

[sorin-corstache]

[Sorin sighs and shrugs again.] I still miss Dodger. 

But I do want another dog. 

[gusflowers]

Yeah. I miss 'im too. He was a good dog.

Well let's get you one. Maybe it'll be easier if you just get a new pup now y'know? If you have it then it'll make it easier.

[sorin-corstache]

[Sorin makes a face and shrugs.] I don’t know if I’m ready for another dog…

[gusflowers]

[Gus looks up, little smile on his face.] You just said you should get one.

[sorin-corstache]

Yeah, alright, but you’ve got to jump on me and bark when I get home from work too.

[gusflowers]

[Gus laughs, dropping his head.] I don't wanna get in the habit of tackling folks, but if it's what you really want then I can try.

...Or we can go n'get you a dog. What kinda dog d'ya want?

[sorin-corstache]

You and the cat are lovely but neither of you licks my face in the morning or gets excited when I’m home.

[gusflowers]

Oh you just want somethin to lick your face? I can lick your face. [Gus laughs, leaning over and sticking his tongue out.]

[sorin-corstache]

I should get a dog..

[gusflowers]

Me n'the cat 'ain't enough, eh?

[charliemolson-blog]

[As Charlotte gets out of the subway station, she looks around her]

Oh great.. Where am I?

[gusflowers]

You're askin' the wrong fella. Been here a few months and I'm still all kinds'a backwards.

[sorin-corstache]

[gusflowers]

I haven't swam since I left Alabama.

[sorin-corstache]

You’re drunk off your ass, August. [Sorin mumbles, letting himself move closer to the other man and rest his head on the pillow with him.]

Sleep time. 

[gusflowers]

Yeah. [Gus yawns, butting his forehead on Sorin's for a moment and wrapping his arm further around him as he moves closer.] Yeah.

[sorin-corstache]

[Sorin shuts his eyes, forcing himself not to do what he did weeks before and brush his lips over August’s. He clears his throat, keeping his eyes closed.]

S’just… thank you in Romanian. [He lies in a low voice, giving him a small smile as his chest constricts painfully.]

[gusflowers]

[Gus shuts his eyes too, hand moving down to rest on Sorin's side.] You're vury welcome, Sorin.

[He laughs a little.] Sorin. Like an eagle.

[sorin-corstache]

[Sorin’s breath kind of hitches in his chest as he blinks up at August, his warm hand on his cheek.]

Surisul tau imi topeste inima. [Sorin murmurs back.] 

[gusflowers]

[Gus lies down, his nose brushing Sorin's. He speaks in a sort of warm mumble.] What's that mean?