Fire and Clay by Noja Lina

Author:Noja Lina [Lina, Noja]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: LGBTQIA Romance Fiction
Publisher: Totally Entwined Group
Published: 2022-02-22T00:00:00+00:00

* * * *

Early May weather allowed for outdoor events and the NGO consisting mainly of students from the veterinary medicine college had taken advantage of that. Hayden had been a member of that NGO from his first year, and Danny had joined not long after meeting Hayden the past autumn. Every year, the NGO organized the Human-Animal Interaction Day in Thornburg’s central park. The event featured educational activities, stands with information about local shelters, various activities for children and places for collecting donations, among other things.

Such an event didn’t need a professional photographer. But ever since Hayden had joined the NGO, Ian had volunteered to help whenever he was free and the NGO needed any photography-related services. It was partly to support Hayden in what he cared about and partly because, having grown up close to Hayden’s family, Ian liked animals.

After a workshop on interactions with therapy dogs ended, Ian let his camera hang from his neck and went to buy three bottles of juice to fight off the accumulating heat. Hayden and Danny were stationed at a stand promoting adoptions. Ian went there and handed two bottles to Hayden because Danny was busy talking to an elderly couple.

Hayden took several mouthfuls and let out a sigh of content. “Thanks.”

“Sure. How are things going so far?”

“Pretty much as expected. Those who were serious about adoption came early on. Many people are showing interest, especially in the friendlier dogs we brought with us, but we’ll see if they’ll actually follow up.”

Danny came to the table, grabbed some papers, threw a smile toward them and ran back to the elderly couple. It seemed like one more dog would get lucky that day in finding a home.

“Oh, right,” Hayden said, reclaiming Ian’s attention. “Danny and I are breaking up.”

“Huh?”

Hayden laughed. “I’m kidding. But he wants to get more involved in the NGO’s activities. And as a third-year, I really have to hit the books more. I already told you I’m gonna do practical preparation throughout the summer. Well, starting next university year, that’ll be a constant thing. We’ve arranged to share the same dorm room next year too, but our schedules won’t match so much anymore. So, we won’t be as attached to the hip as you said we were. And I won’t be able to take you out for walks as often anymore, either.”

“Well, that’s all damn fine and dandy, but who are you trying to kid here? Last time you cut off socializing in order to study, you were chewing the desk within two weeks. Face it. You need human interaction about as often as you need to take a piss.”

“Hey, I didn’t say I won’t hang out anymore—just that I’ll be limiting myself to…once a week maybe.”

Ian raised a doubt-heavy eyebrow.

“Okay, twice a week. I’ll make it work. Stop doubting me.” Hayden poked Ian’s side with the bottle cap.

Weird. I knew Hayden would get more absorbed into his future career, making it harder to see him, but I’m not

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