straydognik

[straydognik]

Nik chuckled, "Should have seen him the other day, full on jumped into a puddle in front of Liz's house. But you have a point it is worth it, though Liz's dry cleaning point was a few more zeros than I expected."

It took him a minute to remember Devlin before he nodded, "It's good you can do that for him, Liz mentioned something about sore throats though I haven't been around enough Banshees for any tips on that." Shrugging he gave her a small smile, "Figured you weren't, just like making sure you know that you can bring them around here if you need a place to hang out and get comfortable. You always seem a little brighter after seeing Devlin."

"i think we should let him roll around in the mud, at least for a little while. i'll clean the floors and carpet if i have to, but watching his little face be so happy is worth it." ezra managed the smallest of smiles, the thought of a mud-covered oswald delighting her, if only for a fleeting moment. ezra was still working on chasing and maintaining happiness, but it was a slow process.

nik's question made her sigh, eyes glancing in his direction. "just went to see devlin. i know he gets lonely sometimes and i figure it quells the wailing for at least a little bit. don't worry, i wasn't out causing trouble." not that anyone could ever accuse ezra of causing trouble; she liked keeping to herself too much. "i appreciate you keeping tabs on me, though. makes me feel kinda special."

[straydognik]

It wasn't often that Nik had the house to himself, able to relax and actually read a book for one. Hearing the door he smiled spotting Akira and opened the door for her. Taking a few tins just to be safe, "This one of your vegetable only one? Or super on the protein?" he asked as he led them both to the kitchen setting the tins on the counter. "You brought enough for a whole army looks like, should last...2 days? Maybe 3 if there's not enough fish in these for Sam."

closed starter for @straydognik location: stray dog house

"Special delivery," Akira chirped as she brought in a couple tins, grinning at Nik. "I'm trying a new recipe at my restaurant, and lucky you, I've decided that you and all your friends get to be my taste testers! Do you think this is enough for everyone to get some?"

[straydognik]

"He's going to think throwing books is how you make friends, and it'll be a hell of a time when he starts preschool," Nik said shaking his head, though there was a fond smile on his face. He was about to reach for his son, his coat already being a goner, when she held Ozzy close. Ozzy letting out a happy sigh before snuggling closer, the mud spreading even more, falling asleep not long after. "Well that was one way to get him tired enough for his nap, you can send me the bill for you coat by the way. It even from this century?" He might have to ask that Emmett kid to clean it.

Liz let out another amused laugh at Ozzy's joyful reaction. If she had been told only a few years ago that one day, she would become incredibly fond of a sea otter and his werewolf dad, she would not have believed it. But here she was. "Who says I'm lying?" she quipped back with a grin. "I don't think we argue with each other. We have spirited debates. Passionate disagreements. Occasionally books may be used as projectiles." Glancing back at the otter, she let out a soft sigh before relenting to his cuteness and holding him to her chest, making a mental note to take her coat to the dry-cleaner.

[straydognik]

Nik had a moment most parents have at one time or another. Wondering what life choices led to him standing in front of his coworker's house while his son happily played in mud while looking like a sea otter. Ozzy made a noise of surprise when he was picked up, looking more than a little annoyed to have his fun spoiled. At least until he realized Liz was holding him, letting out a squeak of joy and tossing his little paws up. "Discuss? Don't you mean who you'll argue with?" Nik quipped folding Ozzy's clothes over one arm, "It's not good to lie in front of the impressionable youth, you know."

Liz let out another delighted laugh when Ozzy escaped his father's clutches by shifting into a sea otter. Nevertheless, she briefly stepped inside to change into a different, longer coat—mostly to avoid getting mud on her other clothes—before coming back out and walking up to the puddle. "Oi, you little rascal," she said, reaching out to pick up the otter and holding him in front of her. "You're going to give your father a heart attack one of these days. And then who am I going to discuss literature with?"

[straydognik]

Ryan Gosling for Variety, 2024

[straydognik]

"Can't threaten me when I'm holding him, look at this face. He still thinks his dad can win every fight, don't crush his dream like that," Nik said managing to get a firm hold on Oswald who had settled for kicking his feet in the air. Said boy grinned at Liz, "Uh huh!" Seeming to take her laughter as encouragement found Nik holding clothes as a sea other squirmed out of them and landed with a splat into the puddle. "Ozzy I swear I will hose you down," he grumbled rubbing the bridge of his nose.

Liz was in the process of unlocking her door and walking inside when she heard the familiar sounds of the Harley boys behind her. Turning around, she leaned against the doorframe and watched them with a fond smile on her face, the amused laugh slipping out before she could stop it. "You let that child track mud through my house at your own peril, Dominik," she teased, without any real bite to that threat. She turned her attention to Oswald and waved at him back. "Are you having fun, Ozzy?"

[straydognik]

WHERE: Outside Liz's House WHO: Elizabeth Hartford (@ofdyinglights)

"Oswald Harley don't you dare!" Nik called out to the young boy toddling away from him. He'd tossed his jacket off onto the ground and was eyeing a puddle in front of the house. He glanced at his dad then back to the mud puddle, giggling before belly flopping onto it. "Dammit Ozzy," he grumbled, hearing laughter he glanced at Liz who was watching them from her front door. "Keep laughing and I'm letting him run through your house," he said mock glaring as he tried to get a handle on his squirming son who was eagerly waving at her, getting mud on his own jacket.

[straydognik]

Nik took his glasses off, tossing them onto his desk as he rubbed his eyes. They weren't technically prescription, one of the few magic items he bothered to use that let him read even the most illegible of handwriting. Glancing over at Ezra, leaned over to glance out the window, "Hmm, thinking you're right. Does mean I'll have to get the kids rain gear, Oswald would roll in the mud if we let him."

He shook his head as he leaned back into his chair, "You end up somewhere interesting last night? Came rolling in pretty late this morning." His tone was casual, letting her opt out of the subject if she wanted to. Some nights she was up for talking, others they spent roasting his student's papers.

closed starter for: @firestarterknightley (nik because your BLOG ISN'T READY YET)

with her arms folded and her chin resting on them, ezra practically had her nose pressed to the window. sitting silently in nik's office had become routine at this point; he would work and she would wallow, and neither of them ever seemed to mention it. ezra was usually caught up in memories of life before coming to dallas, when she didn't have to worry about a full moon cycle and when she could smile freely without second guessing it. she missed her old life, but she didn't think she could say something like that without someone giving her a lecture about how wonderful supernatural life was. their words, not hers.

"think it's gonna rain soon," she muttered, her head lolling so she could look over to nik. "i feel like we need the rain."

[straydognik]

ryan gosling: full-time ken, part-time puppy wrangler