A dark world aches for a splash of the sun

“Oh, he’s beautiful,” Elle smiled as she looked at the picture. “I have heard that dogs are some of the smartest animals.”

“Yeah Pongo I love that dog but he can actually be a big dumb animal sometimes.” Levi chuckled thinking about his dog. “Oh yeah I think that might be a risky thing to try to do over zoom.” Levi pointed out. “I mean if my instructor wasn’t there I might freak out.” 

Annabel’s eyes went down over to the dog and she smiled. “Dude, it’s totally cool. I love dogs and this guy, right here, seems pretty cool,” She nodded as she went to rub his head softly. “Name’s Annabel, resident dog lover. What’s you guys’ names?” 

No one was around so he didn’t need to pretend to like Kris right now. “Are you sure? Because if things get too fun we’ll really need you there to bring it down with talk of rocks and flea bites.” Hans pulled his phone, texting his hired bouncer to not let his cousin through. Obviously Kris wouldn’t show by Hans’ invitation, that didn’t mean someone else wouldn’t try and get him to go. "It’s pretty weird you not being big on me when I haven’t done much to you.”

“Yeah you got it.” Gavin held his hand out for the leash. He was a big dog lover, and while Gavin didn’t have a pup of his own he still loved basically any one he came across. “I can definitely sit with him, I don’t mind at all.” 

He handed the leash over before giving Sven a stern look. “Behave yourself.” Kris headed inside, coming out a few minutes later with a bag in his hand. “I, uh, I really appreciate this. Oh, uh...I’m Kris by the way.” 

Clarissa grinned as her attention flit between the man and his dog. “Oh, yeah, new can be overwhelming sometimes. Especially out here.” She nodded. She gently pet the dog’s head. “Well, hello, Sven.” She turned back to the stranger. “I’m Clarissa.”

“He’s usually pretty good about adjusting.” Kris on the other hand? Not so much. Making friends had never been a strong suit and California was so different than his last home. “Oh, uh, I’m Kristopher. Er, well, Kris.” 

“Yeah Pongo too he bites at them like there’s something he can catch.” Levi shook his head with a chuckle. Dogs were interesting things, and maybe that’s why Levi loved them. He loved how they just didn’t care and did whatever they pleased. Dogs also loved you regardless of anything. “I’m just glad that I don’t have to keep sending a hundred emails or explain why I don’t want to zoom class.” Levi shrugged. 

“Same with Sven. And he always looks so confused once he comes away with nothing in his mouth.” Kristopher had always liked dogs more than people. People could be cruel; dogs were full of unconditional love. “I do miss the isolation aspect in regards to work. But I guess people can’t really zoom call for rock climbing.” 

“I can picture him already,” Elle chuckled. She’d run across quite a few animals who’d match the latter half of the description. “Sometimes I wonder what goes through their minds. If they realize that something’s off or if they just enjoy the extra time.”

He pulled up a picture on his phone, always proud to show off his best friend. “That’s him there.” Kristopher smiled fondly at the picture. “I think he knows something is up. I’m never home this long.” 

“Yeah that does kind of suck I’ll admit to that” Levi nodded. “But Pongo is glad he can take walks on the beach again and not just in the neighborhood so small wins I guess.” Levi shrugged. He was never really a silver linings kind of guy at all but he guessed he was just in a better mood. 

“He is happy he can go back to the beach. He likes to chase the waves.” Kristopher laughed softly. Sven was remarkably happy that they were able to be out and about during this time. That was something that the man was thankful for, even if he was still miserable in city limits. 

“Uh yeah dude that’s no sweat.” Gavin nodded. “Would you feel better if I stayed with the dog or you did?” Gavin asked. He knew some people would like to stay with their dogs and others didn’t mind. “I get it though.” He offered. 

“Right, uh...thanks.” He glanced down at the dog, who was happily wagging his tail and staring up at Gavin as if he expected attention immediately. “Uh...I mean, he wouldn’t mind making a new buddy if you wanna stay with him? He’s used to knowing everybody so...he’s having a little trouble adjusting.” 

Levi sat in the park breathing in the fresh air. “Yeah I know I don’t get out much but being forced inside I have to say I missed this.” Levi nodded towards the person next to him. He was a free man at last and he was not going to take the outside for granted any time soon. 

“I mean I’m glad we can go outside, but I wish we were allowed to leave Santa Monica.” His plan had been to drop Sven off at his mom’s and head into the mountains for a bit. Nothing like self-isolating in the mountains...but he couldn’t leave his dog not knowing when he’d be able to get back in. 

Gavin heard the pst and turned around. Spotting a guy with a rather large puppy he nodded. “Hey man what’s up?” Gavin asked. He wasn’t sure what exactly was going to be asked of him but Gavin didn’t have much to do so he figured why not? “Yeah what do you need?” 

“Can you, uh, can you watch my dog? Or run in and grab my to-go order?” If they were back home, he would have trusted Sven to sit still and behave, but with all the new smells and people, Kristopher was certain the dog would take off. “It’s already paid for...I just don’t want to leave him out here alone.” 

Clarissa had decided to study outside, since she was especially needing the sunlight. She’d just closed her book and laid it to the side when a dog came running towards her. “Oh, I don’t mind at all!”

“Well that’s good because he has zero concept of personal space.” With a hand gesture, he got the dog to sit. “He’s just overwhelmed by all the new stuff I guess.” Back in Seattle, he’d been well behaved. A little goofy, but he listened. Here it was like Kristopher was teaching him all over again. “That’s, uh, that’s Sven.”