A Day at the Lake

[Lacey]

It was a gorgeous day, the temperature hovering just between the end of spring and the full onset of summer, with a gentle breeze teasing white fluffy clouds across the sky and sending small ripples across the lake's surface. Caelyn had decided to take a break and had left his babies frolicking in the pasture in front of the stable, changed into an old faded swimsuit, packed a small lunch, snagged an old blanket and towel, and headed to the lake to relax. Laying on the blanket in just his swim trunks, green eyes closed, sunlight warming his already tanned skin, shaggy blonde hair fanned around him, listening to the sound of the horses and the various other animals rustling around, it reminded him of his younger days back home, hanging out at the local watering hole with his buddies.

Of course that was years and another life ago, too. Forcing that line of thought away, deciding it was much too nice a day to start feeling melancholy, he started letting his shields down little by little, his whole body starting to truly relax as his mind did. He was in a hazy almost-sleep, his foot tapping idly to an old song he had stuck in his head, when he felt the first flicker of emotion near him. Concentrating a little he found it coming from somewhere to his left, a playful curiosity mixed with mischief. Cracking his eyes open just enough to see through his eyelashes, he saw one of the large stone outcroppings that bordered the lake, and next to it a small little spotted cat...well it was large for -just- a cat, but for a wild animal it was on the small side. Fortunately, this was one he knew.

Following the cat's line of sight to his still twitching foot, he had to keep from smiling. Pretending to be almost asleep once more, he continued to slowly wiggle his foot, feeling the long grass that grew around the lake twitching against his toes. Sure enough, just a few moments later a set of warm fuzzy paws landed on his foot and a mouth full of sharp teeth gently grabbed his ankle. Laughing, he propped himself up on his elbows, looking down at the creature, wiggling his toes against the soft fur of the cat's belly. "Hi, Kieran. Having fun today?"

Caelyn felt a wave of contentment and amusement coming from the cat as it ran its rough pink tounge over his ankle in apology before walking up the blanket to bump its head against his open hand. Giving in, he scratched behind the cat's ears and then under his chin, laughing softly as the creature began to purr loudly. "You want to join me? I've got some extra food and stuff if you'd like a snack."

He felt another wave of pleased amusement as the cat stretched out on its belly next to him and he reached to grab the little basket he had packed his lunch in, shaking his head, feeling a small ripple in the air next to him. "You beggar, you knew I had food. Next time, I'll make you get your own."

A masculine laugh was his answer and as he turned back, Kieran was stretched out in human form on his stomach, the long toned body completely bare, light wavy brown hair teasing across strong shoulders. Leaning up slightly, resting on his arms, the other man grinned at him. "You always say that, Cae, and you still always share with me."

Caelyn laughed and rolled his eyes, handing the young shifter half of his sandwich, turning so he was propped on his side looking at the other male as he started on his own half. "That's just cause the idea of you eating mice in front of me ruins my appetite."

"So you keep telling me" Grinning unapologetically, Kieran accepted the sandwich. He was feeling as content as he could, sharing lunch with his friend, basking in the warm sunlight, breeze playing over his bare skin...ohhhh and a bug crawling across the edge of the blanket. Finishing his sandwich, he laid his head on his arms, watching the little bug. He felt Cae moving next to him and glanced over, seeing the other man had rolled onto his stomach and was resting his head on his own arms. Wiggling over slightly, he bumped the older man's shoulder with his head and tried to look pitiful.

Caelyn looked over at Kieran as he bumped him, into those trying to be pitiful blue eyes and laughed softly. "You're so demanding today. I don't know why I put up with you" Shaking his head, a warm smile tilting his lips, he shifted back onto his side, pillowing his head on one arm and reached out to run a strong hand over the soft hair, essentially petting the shifter.

"Cause you're nice and I'm adorable and you love animals so I've already got an "in" with you." Kieran glanced back over at Cae and smiled brightly, laughing softly as he felt his hair getting ruffled in response. Resting his head back on his arms, watching the bug that was now trying bravely to crawl onto a piece of grass, feeling the slow steady pass of Cae's hand over his hair, he soon slipped into a light sleep.

----

A shadow cast over the two followed by a soft "ahem", had the two males waking, blinking sleepily at the pink haired woman towering over them. Lacey looked down at them, violet eyes sparkling with amusement. Apparently some time after they'd both fallen asleep, they'd wound up snuggled against each other, Caelyn's arm thrown over the shifter's waist. "Hi, boys. Have a nice nap? You two might want to turn over before your backs burn completely...not to mention that's going to make an interesting tan line" She gave a very pointed look at Cae's arm still draped over the other male.

The two looked at each other and Caelyn started chuckling as Kieran grinned broadly. "If you say so."

Lacey was trying to figure out what was so funny when the two rolled over, Caelyn propping himself on his arms, Kieran rolling onto his back and giving a rippling full body stretch that only feline shifters truly managed, grinning broadly up at her. Her eyes followed the ripple of muscle down to a very awake part of his anatomy that left her blushing and rolling her eyes. "I swear! Men! Shifters! Why can't you guys stay in your clothes?" Laughing she started to turn away, shaking her head.

Caelyn grinned broadly. "Don't lie, you know you liked the view." Laughing, he snagged his towel and flipped it over the other male's hips, covering him.

"And empaths! Why do I put up with you guys?!" She watched as they looked at each other and then up at her, mischief evident both sets of eyes.

The two spoke in turn, pointing at each other. "Cause he's nice." "And he's adorable...and you really like the scenery!" The sound of their combined laughter as Lacey stalked away muttering about stupid irritating adorable men floated away on the summer breeze and they collapsed back on the blanket, eyes closing, to soak up some more sun.