#::CoreyxJuanDiego

[magicvet]

|| Juan Diego & Corey ||

The waiting room of the animal clinic was unusually empty save for one patient left, too early in the morning to yet have critters and pet owners of all sorts lining up for their appointments or other requests to see a vet. And even that one patient, a lovely, calm, good-natured senior bulldog, didn’t even need to go into the exam room, Corey bringing an otoscope into the waiting room just to give the pup a quick check of his ear canals, following up after therapy for an ear infection. Reassuring the owner and his adorable son, whose dog this was, that everything was progressing nicely and that the ear infection was allmost entirely gone, he got ready to see them off, welcoming another visitor almost right after.

And a smile immediately lit up Corey’s face because it was an old friend who’d just walked in, making this a very pleasant surprise visit. “Juan Diego. This is a pleasant surprise. What brings you in?” He walked over to the man, reaching out to give him a hearty pat on the shoulder in greeting, pearly whites showing beneath his smile. “Come on in, it’s a slow morning, could I interest you in a cup of tea? Or coffee?” He remembered JD loved his coffee. Corey, on the other hand, was more of a tea person.

@juandiego-flores

[magicvet]

“Whatever you think is right, my friend.” Corey smiled, genuinely alright with whatever Juan Diego decided was the best. Any friends of his friends would be welcomed kindly and politely, particularly if they were friends of a special kind and deeply cared for. He nodded carefully along, wary to school his expression as he listened to what was now basically also involving Roman, unless Corey was so terribly mistaken and confused. But he was pretty sure he wasn’t. Gosh, he hoped his expression revealed none of the awkwardness he felt inside. He hoped Jual Diego will not ask for advice or an opinion. How could he ever give any, knowing that they were indirectly talking about Roman?!

He was very thankful that his friend picked up on the dog adoption part of their conversation instead of pursuing further the topic of his new love and the family affairs that came with it. He chuckled good-naturedly, endeared by JD’s enthusiasm. “I wish you could but trust me, there are far too many. It would take days to properly greet and meet them all.” He warned although if JD’s schedule allowed it, Corey would not mind arranging it anyway. Because as much as he wanted to be more involved, he really didn’t go into details about every single shelter animal’s specific and unique personality. There were just so many. The people more involved in shelter work beyond Corey’s obligation to keep everyone healthy probably had a much better idea. "We can go through it together during your next visit. Have a shelter volunteer with us to tell us more about each individual canine that you feel like you might enjoy the company of.”

“Perhaps we can go out for dinner someday, or maybe I can ask her to come join me when I come by to meet the dogs, I figure it’s for the best since she’s a big part of my daily routine too, right?”. He smiled and nodded “Yeah, she’s an amazing mother, but she thought it was time for the kid to spend time with his son and to well really be a part of his life, since he wasn’t.” He did notice that there was something inside his friend’s mind that seemed to be puzzled his thoughts for a moment before going back into their conversation about the doggy adoption thing.

“Sounds great I will check the photos too, and maybe see if I can pick the ones to meet, but I have to be honest with you. I would love to meet them all.” He joked "But really now, if you also have any suggestions since you know their personalities more, I'm more than happy to receive them."

[magicvet]

“I will be happy to meet her.” Corey smiled gently, just glad to share his friend’s happiness. He nodded then, it made sense to be cautious, especially if you were a single mother with a small child sailing into a new relationship. “Eleven, a grown young man, good job to mom.” Corey nodded, hoping things would work out for the two. Children and fathers of said children may complicate things and Corey sincerely hoped this wouldn’t be the case here. The curious thing was that Roman, Corey’s longtime best friend, had also recently found out that he had a son he didn’t know about around that same age.

“Those sound like good things to start at.” Corey smiled but that expression faltered when he caught a few names, especially Nova and Lucas. Now some dots were starting to connect. “Lucas, huh? That’s your missus’ son’s name?” Could it be really? Corey knew the town wasn’t that big but for it to be small enough for such coincidences? The vet glanced away for a second, unsure if he should say anything, in the end deciding not to though it might’ve been noticeable that he fell silent for one short moment. “Anyway, feel free to look these things through and we can schedule a day when you’d like to meet a few dogs, see if you could take a pick. We have them online too with photos and all, on the clinic’s website, so if this makes things easier, feel free to also give it a browse.”

JD smiled, knowing that he was probably right, since she didn’t have a pet, or not that she had mention that Lucas did, he figured Cory didn’t know her yet “Yeah, well, if not I will introduce to her soon” He took another sip of his coffee before answering “Oh she has one, I believed he’s eleven, his father lives here so that’s why they are here, and well I still haven’t met him. I guess she’s trying to make sure that we are serious before I entered into his life. Which I’m totally fine with and even understand.”

“Oh yeah, I totally understand, okay so I know I don’t think I should take an elder one, because I would like them to come with me, while I run around or go out hiking, so it’s good to have one that will be good for that. But also, I’m good if they are not a puppy, I have enough space at my house for them to have running and play space, also near my gym there’s a dog park that I can take them there too.” He nodded “Totally, well I have Santiago with me, and Nova is always visiting so not kids yet, but hopefully in future Lucas will be in too”

[magicvet]

The new woman in JD’s life really did sound like a dream come true, almost too perfect to be real, and Corey sincerely hoped that after their honeymoon phase it’ll only get better for the two. Who knew, maybe Corey will soon have a wedding to attend. At their age, it was truly great to get a second chance at happiness. “Yeah, very unlikely that I’ve met her, I haven’t met too many new people lately.” Corey admitted, although it was no secret that the man wasn’t really going out. Difficult to meet new people, especially women, when you prefer to stay at home after work with TV on and a hot cup of tea as your only company. “So she has children? How old and how many?” He asked, just for curiosity’s sake.

“Great, this one here is a questionnaire that can maybe help you pick a dog breed and temperament according to your lifestyle and general preference. Just a little fun quiz to do if you find yourself a little undecided, it doesn’t have to determine anything.” Corey explained as he slipped the first slim stack of papers stapled together in front of JD. It really made Corey smile to hear that JD would be up for adopting a pet who’d been a shelter’s resident for a long time, potentially because of some issues or what could be considered ‘unappealing’ appearance and size. This was a ridiculous criteria in Corey’s humble opinion but he had to be realistic, not all people adopted purely out of the kindness of their hearts. “I understand this sentiment however my suggestion is to take on a dog you are sure you can manage with your lifestyle and current expectations. As kind-hearted as the intention is, I maybe would not recommend a large dog to a person with a small apartment living situation. Or a dog who’s been returned after a few behavioral issues if you have kids or children visiting your home, if you know what I mean.” Corey explained patiently, always the type to first do what might be the best for both the new dog owner and the pooch they plan to adopt.

“She’s quite special, she’s a lawyer, a great mother, she’s new in two, so I don’t know if you have met her but yeah, she’s great.” He smiled at his friend knowing that he probably sounds like a teenager all heart eyes for Nova, but he couldn’t help it.

“Sure, I will fill out all the applications and you can also give me some tips on what should I get to have my place right for one.” He smiled excited about the idea of finally being able to adopt the pet he had been wanting to adopt for so long. “ You know I’m also to get one of the ones that have the longest time here, I know that probably means that they are either old or too big or anything like that but if I can give them a good home I'm here for that.”

[magicvet]

“Hope you haven’t had like three already.” Corey grinned back at his friend, just teasingly, not meaning to be a health nag. Although he’d busied himself with preparing them a cup of coffee each, waiting for the coffee maker to do its thing, he still listened to his friend, full attention on him. It made sense that JD was doing his best to keep busy, divorce was quite a change to go through. One of many reasons Corey never married himself - he’d hate to go through all that trouble only to have to go through the torture of a divorce. And never separating was not something Corey thought anyone could promise.

“I understand, don’t worry about it.” He reassured his friend, giving him a comforting smile over his shoulder. “It’s good to keep busy sometimes. Especially if you’re going through things.” He probed tentatively, just to check if JD would like to have a talk and maybe say something more on the matter. If not, that was also fine. Corey was never the type to push topics if people weren’t comfortable or ready to talk about them.

JD patted his friend in the back “Bless you man, that’s what I need” He knew most people didn’t know him too well to know that he liked coffee, but the people that knew him well, where very aware that JD couldn’t live without at least 3 cups of coffee at day, especially in the mornings.

“I have kept myself busy, to be honest with you, I feel like a shitty friend, but I have been hiding myself with work, I haven’t been feeling at my top, even have trained myself like I have some fight, which oddly enough I even have thought about it, coming back to a ring, don’t know if a professional one thought.” He shrugged “So yeah sorry about being a hermitage and not coming to visit you sooner.”

[magicvet]

“That’s right.” Corey agreed with a grin still on, a deep chuckle rumbling in his chest, the hand still resting on his friend’s shoulder as he guided him further into the clinic. “C’mon, let me fix you up with a fresh cup of hot, good morning brew.” He guided JD to the back behind reception, where the clinic had staff rooms and offices and a kitchen for staff use only. It was spacious enough to even have a couple of tables for the people working in the clinic to use during their breaks, if they decided not to go out for lunch, some even living close enough to go home for their meals and return later. So there was never too much of a crowd in the clinic’s kitchen.

Corey motioned Juan Diego to take a seat while he moved about to get two coffees ready. Although he preferred tea, he didn’t mind a cup or two of coffee every now and then either. “Been busy lately? I feel like I haven’t seen you in ages. Council business keeping you pretty occupied, huh?” He assumed, mostly because the only thing that ever occupied Corey to such an extent that he missed checking in with his friends was work. Corey rarely had anything else going on besides his work.

Truth be told Juan Diego had always wanted to have a pet, what kind he wasn’t sure, he loved both cats and dogs, he knew that much, he also knew that birds were out of the list, because he always felt sad when he saw a bird behind cage or unable to fly, but he never really made his mind into what he wanted because his wife wasn’t really much fond of the idea, she always told him that her allergies would get worst, but now his life was changing so he figured it was a good time to adopt the pet he has always wanted.

JD went to visit a friend he hasn’t visit in a long time, but someone who would guide him into find out exactly what was the best pet for him, or if he was even ready to get a pet at all. Juan Diego greeted Corey “Slow morning means not many patients so that’s good, right? Oh and you know me, I’m coffee all the way.”

[magicvet]

“Are you sure I would? Tolerance levels change and so do symptoms of hyperarousal. You’d have fewer telltale signs than a person not so used to consuming caffeine.” Corey argued but only for the sake of light-hearted banter, nothing else. He wasn’t trying to be a nag and he spoke with a grin on his face. However, when his friend had some good news for him, Corey’s eyebrows rose in pleasant surprise. “Oh wow, look at you go. Dating already. Good for you.” And Corey really meant it, bringing over two steaming mugs of filter coffee for them to enjoy. They had a proper espresso machine in the clinic’s kitchen area but Corey never quite learned how to use it. The stupid device was always asking for something - more water, more beans, to be emptied… And Corey could not be fussed, he left that to his other coworkers to bother with.

“I am also glad that, as your friend, I am benefitting from this change of perspective you are having and that I am finally seeing my hermit pal again.” Corey grinned, taking up a seat across from the other man at one of the kitchen tables. He wished he had something to report as well and had to admit that he sort of hated this question JD inevitably asked because really, aside from work, Corey was a boring person, nothing noteworthy ever happening to him. “I am trying to find something for you but, unfortunately, I am sticking to my usual boring self, I am sorry.” Corey chuckled, putting the mug of coffee in front of JD.

He chuckled “I think you would have noticed already if I had three” Even if he was used to drinking coffee, it was still impossible not to be affected by it, especially since he was all about having a double espresso.

“Well funny enough, I’m kind of dating now. So, I’m over what happened and well these past months gave me a new perspective of how things were, it was time to visit my friends and see how they are doing and stop being a hermitage. But hey tell me anything new in your life man. Any updates I need to know about.”

[magicvet]

It was impossible not to at least chuckle back at Juan Diego’s honesty about them two missing each other. Though Corey had a hunch JD would go MIA again, though this time for altogether more pleasant reasons. Corey wasn’t the type, but he could see how a good woman could be the reason. And the more his friend spoke about the one in his life now, the more Corey was assured that he’d soon find himself missing his friend again. But at least this time he would be glad for him. “Oh that’s a big feeling, alright. She’s that special, huh?” Of course she was. Just look at Juan Diego. He looked like a new man. It made Corey smile.

Then there JD went, surprising him again with a little announcement. He’d already said before that he had thought to adopt a pet but now it seemed very official, like he was decided. It certainly gave Corey hope that they’ll see each other much more often from here on after all. “Well then, let’s see what we can do about all that.” He took a little sip of his coffee, already knowing that he’d probably be unable to finish it. Tea worked much better for his stomach. “Let me go get you some application forms and questionnaires to fill out.” He pushed off the table with a small grunt of effort to go and fetch what he’d said he would for JD. A couple of minutes later, he was back. “You can fill out the application form right away or you can do it online, whichever you prefer. And then, we can schedule an appointment to meet up with a few potential candidates.” He explained as he left the forms on the table for JD along with a pen to use.

He couldn’t help but smile at his friend “I have missed you, bro!” he laughed and shrugged “Surprising I know, but this woman, I don’t think I have ever felt the way she makes me feel, it’s just new and scary but excitingly, if that makes any sense, is almost like seeing the sea for the first time, you know?”

“Well, for your delight my friend, I think I will see each other more often, that’s part of what brought me here, Corey. I want to ask you to help me adopt a dog, and well obviously become the doctor of them.” He smiled “I have always wanted to have a pet and now that the reason holding me back is no longer there, I think is time to give a home to a dog friend.”