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The single, sternly spoken word caused the black lab to halt in its tracks and promptly plop down on its haunches. Deep, brown eyes turned affectionately toward their owner, watching as the tall, tattooed man moved along the hiking path. "If you're good," Kyle said, reaching down to pat the obedient animal on the head once he was within arm's reach, "I'll let you chase a squirrel on the way back." Almost as if he understood, Woobie stood up and trotted alongside his owner as he passed, tongue hanging lazily from the corner of his mouth.
The erratic early spring weather had, thankfully, been clear and sunny, if not a bit on the cool side. As the sun had reached its zenith the light breeze settled, allowing the bright rays to warm the hiking trail Kyle and Clarke had been traversing along with Kyle's trio of canine companions. The aforementioned black lab, Woobie, was the unquestioned leader of the group and elder statesman. He trotted ahead a few paces keeping tabs on the terrain ahead while casting the occasional glances behind him to ensure everyone was keeping close by. Ruger, the stoic German Shepard, remained close by Kyle's side, never daring to venture more than a few feet from him throughout the entire trip which had, up to now had spanned more than a couple miles of hilly trail. The last of Kyle's travelling companions was by far the youngest and most curious. The black and white border collie known affectionately as Sammy seemed to be far more interested in the redheaded companion accompanying them. He trotted alongside her, stealing a quick sniff of her hand as it swung by his snout and keeping his bright, blue eyes locked upon her.
"Okay." Kyle began, his eyes shifting to shoot a short glance at Clarke partially to take stock of her status. It wasn't terribly hot but the hiking trail he'd chosen for their excursion certainly wasn't the type that had public restrooms and gift shops lining the path. It was isolated, to say the least, something Kyle appreciated, and slowly rose up to the hills overlooking the Pacific Ocean. "You're gonna have to tell me how you became a fuckin' DJ." There was no judgement in Kyle's tone, despite his language. His genuine curiosity on the subject was easy to pick out. "'Cause that just seems like the most random job ever."
When Clarke agreed to go on a date with a military man, she hadn't exactly expected him to be this dorky fellow that just had excess energy to shed. She also didn't expect him to come with three dogs she instantly fell in love with when they first met. Poor Kyle had to actually compete with the dogs for her attention but Clarke couldn't really help that she bonded more with animals than she did with human beings.
But Kyle was easy to talk to, despite not having anything in common with, something that surprised Clarke in a good way. In all honesty, he sort of reminded her of his canine companions. Warm, energetic and fun to be around with.
The hike he'd asked her out on was proving to be even more fun than she expected. She wasn't much of an outdoorsy type but this was definitely changing her mind. The dogs they were accompanied with were also a plus point in Clarke's book.
She was happy to give Sammy whatever attention he wanted as they moved up the trail. Her breathing was heavier than normal, which was to be expected since the most exercise she got these days was on a treadmill.
Kyle's question about her occupation had her chuckling as she shrugged. "Just one of those things that made sense when I was younger." She responded. "Which turned out to be something I enjoyed. I mean, I'm in charge of music and nobody knows how I look like. It's a dream job." She chuckled again.
She pulled out the small hand towel she had brought along with her, wiping the sheen of sweat that had collected over her forehead and around her neck.
Kyle didn't seem to mind taking a back seat to his canine companions, in fact, it suited him just fine. The trio of dogs had become his family so he felt it fitting they got more of the redhead's attention. After all, they usually got most of his attention so it was only fair. Anyway, it eased any worry he may have had about whether the obviously out of her element Clarke would enjoy the impromptu hike.
"Dream job, huh?" Kyle replied with a faint nod of his head. He wasn't quite sure what, if anything, he would qualify as such but the weight of the comment wasn't lost on him. "Guess you can't go wrong with that." Though there was something she said that caught his attention. He glanced in her direction, in no small part to admire the sweat on her brow before she wiped it off. He would hardly deny he thought it was a good look on her. "Is no one knowing what you look like a... good thing" He questioned curiously, turning his focus back to the black lab who was still trotting a few paces in front of them.
Clarke gave a small airy laugh to his remark and nodded as she pulled at hair band keeping her hair out of her face, shaking it out to keep her head cool. "Apart from the stupid policies and politics, you really can't go wrong with sitting down and getting music to the masses." She paused and shook her head in amusement. "As much of a mass it is at twelve to six in the morning."
Kyle's question caught her off guard, not really figuring it was a matter of discussion. She laughed after a moment of contemplation before nodding. "For all the lame, stupid jokes I crack for the five people listening in? I'd say so."
It was the easy answer and though it wasn't a lie, it wasn't the whole truth. But she didn't think Kyle deserved to be regaled with her mountain of insecurities. At least not on their third maybe date.
"And you're working at Bellefonte, right? What thought went into that?" She asked.
It hadn't been difficult for Kyle to notice Clarke's introversion. In many ways that had been what drew him to her the most. To say he'd interacted with far more 'forward' women in his time would be a hell of an understatement and after his third divorce maybe someone with a bit more of a thoughtful approach to socializing would do him well. And that she'd bonded well with his canine friends so quickly was definitely a bonus.
Now, if only they could have continued talking about her and left his own background out of the conversation Kyle'd be just fine.
A bit of a shrug followed Clarke's inquiry. It wasn't a shrug that meant the story was simple or boring, rather it was a gesture offered to simply buy a little time as he figured out the best way to go about explaining it. "After I got out of the Army I was looking for something to do and a buddy of mine mentioned an open position at Bellefonte." Kyle said, giving an almost laughably simple account of his exit from the military as well as his true intentions that had led him to the Academy. "There wasn't much keeping me in Georgia so I thought, why not?"
The simple explanation had Clarke nodding, noting that Kyle was just as much a private person as she was. She supposed he had more reason to be, judging by his past. She didn't personally know anyone with a military background but she did know the ramifications of having one. No one came out of the military unscathed one way or the other.
"No family? Loved ones?"
It wasn't until she had asked the question that she realised that she shouldn't. It would only be fair that Kyle would turn the question around to her and she wasn't quite equipped yet to answer it. But it was out there, she would just have to deal with it later. Although she was genuinely curious why he didn't stay where he was.
Kyle simply shrugged, the subtle, relaxed grin on his face not wavering. The question was expected and he didn't bristle at it. She hadn't crossed any of the few lines he had when it came to his personal life and more often than not rarely spoke of himself unless someone asked. It was a reasonable inquiry, of course. He was in his mid-30's, after all, and was apparently single with no talk of kids or even a family in his hometown. "Of course." The answer came without hesitation. "Woobie. Sammie. Ruger." He gestured at each of his loved ones in turn.
Naturally even Kyle didn't believe his simple reply would suffice. She'd asked a legitimate question and, given that they were on a date of sorts, she deserved a reasonable answer. "Mom and dad back home in San Jose." He said with a bit of a nod. "Few siblings floating around." A warm smile touched Kyle's features as Woobie, seemingly aware of the exchange between the two humans had slowed his pace to walk beside his owner, looking up at him with affectionate eyes. "No kids." Kyle felt the need to mention, since they were on the subject. He paused a moment to glance down to Woobie and pat the dog's muzzle lovingly. "But, uh, three ex-wives." The last revelation came almost sheepishly as he offered another shrug, his eyes shifting to glance at Clarke and gauge her reaction. Giving her time to do so before predictably turning the tables.
