talkingxfishbone:
Hadley liked going to the park with Toothless. As much as he loved his father and uncle, they were a lot to deal with sometimes, and the park was a place that he and his dog could just be themselves, together. Today, though, Hadley came alone. He’d been trying to study all afternoon, but the sounds from Uncle Gobber’s shop were driving him to distraction. So with a backpack full of books, he’d biked to the park, and was wheeling his bike across the grass trying to find a nice place to study when he heard Chesire’s voice. He looked up at them and chuckled, leaning his bike against the picnic table. “I have,” he said, gently plucking the tiny turtle from the other’s hair. Instead of handing him back to Chesire immediately, Hadley examined the animal. “Is he a mud turtle? Or Reeve’s, maybe? Or some other breed?” He’d always wanted a turtle, but they had been on Stoic’s “not allowed” list along with every other animal—at least, until Toothless came along.
Cheshire stared at him for a long moment, watching Mr. Mock crawl around on his hands. “You know a lot about turtles.” Was the only thing they said at first, watching him for a moment longer before speaking again. “He’s a Painted Turtle. Just a baby, obviously. I’m waiting for his tank to acclimate a bit before putting him in it. Letting the dust settle and all that. And bonding with him a bit as well, before he gets sent away to his little oasis surrounded by glass.” They glance at his bike, leaning against the table. “What’s brought you here on this fine day?”
