The Real Life Love
Dick's POV
I knew Jay was up to something as soon as I woke up. Because he is still beside me. And it wasn't early. In fact, it was my alarm clock that woke me. Yet here he is. Jay's an early riser, which baffles the hell out of me. Considering that we patrol until the early hours of the morning, I have no freaking idea how he manages to drag himself out of bed before seven. I suppose he takes naps during the day, in between reading and working on cases. Jay is always up and about before my alarm goes off at quarter past seven. In fact, he usually has my morning coffee ready for me when I force myself to get up at seven thirty.
Sometimes I hate that he's out getting the worm while I sleep. There's not much more I enjoy than morning cuddles. But Jay says that lounging in bed in the mornings makes him feel lazy. I have a suspicion that he goes out for runs in the early morning. Freak. I kind of wish that Jay would sleep in more often. But then, there would be no coffee or breakfast prepared for me. Which would suck.
Yet here he is. Fully conscious, staring at me with a gentle smile. Was he watching me sleep? Cute! I'm so glad it's not just me that does stuff like that. Yawning, I curl up into his side as he reaches over to hit my alarm clock. He kisses the top of my head, before settling again. We've been dating ten months now, and except for the first month when he was recovering from the bullet that almost killed him, I can count the number of times I've woken with him still in bed on one hand. Which makes this very suspicious.
I just can't manage to care, though. Not when I get morning snuggles. Jay obliges, letting me get as close to him as possible. He's just so warm. I don't know if it's his large size or whatever, but Jay runs hot. Not just in looks, though I'm sure I've made it clear to pretty much everyone just how attractive I find him.
"Time to get up, Pidge," Jay says, seeing that the time is seven thirty. Grumbling, I bury my face in his neck. I want to stay here forever. Jay chuckles, the sound rough and sexy, before sliding out from under me. I attempt to keep him still, but somehow, he manages to escape my clutches. His pillow is a sad replacement for him, but it will have to do.
"Come get me when breakfast's ready," I mumble, before realising how douchey that sounds. I really shouldn't be taking advantage of him like this. I'm lucky to have an awesome boyfriend that doesn't mind making breakfast for me. But Jay just laughs again.
"It already is, babe. I made it, then snuck back into bed before you woke up." Was there ever a time I didn't love this man? If there was, I was being an idiot. As sweet as a gesture this is, though, it means that I have no excuse or staying in bed. Sighing, I pull myself out and follow him to the kitchen. True enough, Jay pulls a plate of pancakes out of the oven where they were being kept warm. Chocolate chip, my favourite. But again, this lets me know that Jay's up to something. His favourite is blueberry, and he's slightly reproving of me over-doing the sugar.
Pouring myself a coffee – Jay had switched the keep warm button on the coffee maker – I eye him suspiciously. He's got an innocent look on his face. Which, really, just confirms that he wants something. The man never looks that innocent, no matter what he's doing. He makes brushing teeth seem sexy and sinful. I need this coffee before I can deal with this. Jay keeps a carefully neutral face as I pour cream and sugar into my coffee, but I can see him itching to tell me off for it. This is kind of fun, actually.
As we sit down, I start digging into the pancakes. Excellent, like everything Jay cooks. I really am going to get fat with a boyfriend so good at cooking. Jay smiles, knee bouncing nervously as he more slowly starts eating his own pancakes.
"So," I begin, smirking a little, "Why are you buttering me up with cuddles and delicious pancakes?"
He glances away, cheeks slightly pink. "I can be nice one day of the year," he replies. Oh yeah, I'm not buying that for a minute. He's a bad-boy, but he's also an incredible ball of mush. A strange contradiction, but I can't complain when he makes pancakes. And bakes cookies. And cooks lasagne to die for. To me, and his family, he can be nice every day of the year. Sometimes he just chooses not to, pulling pranks and teasing mercilessly. Fortunately, these days, the pranks are mostly aimed at Bruce, Tim and Damian. Unfortunately, the only one safe from his teasing are Alfred. Even Cass, which she only tolerates because she's so happy he's not killing anyone anymore. Most of the time.
So I just snort, raising a brow at him. "Just tell me, Jay. I've noticed that you always feed me pancakes when you want something, so just ask. Better be quick, though, I've got to get to work soon."
"It's just, well… I'm a bit lonely when you go to work. I know, sometimes Roy and Lian visits, or I go see them, or various family members come over. But, that's not every day. I was used to being alone, before I moved in with you. I was used to feeling lonely."
On one hand, I want to hug him. On the other, I want to tease him. Two conflicting wants. For some inexplicable reason, I decide to tease him. "So, you want me to set you up with playdates?"
I expect him to sass me back, as good as he got it, like always. Instead, his cheeks get a little pinker, utterly mystifying me. "Well, kinda," he admits quietly.
I almost choke the coffee I'd stupidly decided to sip at that moment. "Wh-what?" I gasp, after getting my breathing under control. Finally, he meets my eyes, teal orbs determined.
"I want a dog."
Laughing gently, I get up, walking over to him. I cup his face in my hands, bending down to kiss him. "You could have just said that. Didn't need the theatrics. But we live in an apartment; we can't have pets."
Jay grins, sly and triumphant. "Actually, the landlord said we could."
"Really?"
"All it took was a batch of chocolate chip cookies and a Belgium slice." Of course, Jay had charmed poor Mrs Keets with his smile and madly good baking. A man that can kill with his bare hands effortlessly shouldn't be so good at baking. But now I had no reasons to not get a dog. He had me.
"Jay, look, I really have to go to work. Can we talk about this later?" He smiles and nods, but I can see the disappointment in his eyes. Dammit, I never want to be the reason for that look.
…
Which is why, that Saturday, Jay's driving to an animal shelter in Red Hood's territory. I'd given in to his demands of a dog, and started to research breeders before Jay scoffed at me. Puppies from breeders always find homes, he said. Rescued dogs need homes. Couldn't argue with that.
Excitement buzzed in every part of Jay's body. He just couldn't keep still. He's practically bouncing in his seat. Which was utterly adorable. He'd spent the past couple of days buying toys, treats and other things for the dog. Even a collar, and I knew from that that he was expecting to adopt a big dog. I tried to not be nervous about that.
And it isn't like I'm not excited either. I had a smile that I just couldn't wipe off. Part of it's how happy Jay is. Another part was simply about getting a dog. Some people say I never really grew up. I guess it's kind of true; what boy doesn't want a dog?
But probably the biggest cause for my joy is how big of a step this is in our relationship. We live together, and now we're getting a pet together. It started leading me to more scary future thoughts. Jay wants us to get a dog. That means he doesn't see us breaking up. And therefore, there's a chance that we never do. That we get married, live in a house, and adopt kids. The fact that Jay and I have a future together, and that he thinks so, too, fills me which such joy I can't express in words.
After we arrive at the animal shelter, Jay takes my hand. He walks fast, even compared to his usual ground-eating stride. He's such a little kid sometimes.
We approach the counter, the girl behind it smiling in recognition when she sees Jay. Interesting. Not liking the spike of jealousy, I try to shake free of it. I try tell myself I don't care about who Jay's dated, if he dated this girl. That he's with me now. But I guess I can be pretty damn possessive. Before I can ask how they know each other, the girl greets us.
"Hi there!" Her smile is wide and genuine, and I feel a little bad about my initial resentment.
"Hey, Claire," Jay responds, his grip on my hand tightening and pulling me closer to him. "This is my boyfriend, Dick. We're here to adopt a dog." Remembering my manners, I smile in greeting to her. She looks a little shocked. But I don't think it's directed at me, since she's blinking at Jay.
"Adopt? I thought you couldn't? Which is why you donate so much to us?" Wait a minute. Jay donates money to the shelter? And a significant amount, too. How come he's never told me?
Jay's smile grows, bouncing on his toes. "Yeah, I'm finally in a situation where I can. Dick and I are very excited." True that.
Claire gets over her surprise, smiling happily again. "That's great. I'd love to show you the dogs we have. This way," she says, leading us to the back.
"You donate?" I whisper to Jay, quiet enough so Claire couldn't hear.
"Uh, yeah," he replies, trying for nonchalant and failing. "You know when I said I had no money? I kind of lied. But all the money I make pretty much goes straight to all the animal shelters and orphanages in my territory." Wow. I had no idea. Who knew Jay was such a philanthropist?
"How do you make money?"
"Well, you know how I took over Gotham's drug trade? I never really stepped down. I put my most trusted lieutenant in charge, one that actually does have some kind of morals. He keeps my rules, and he also gives me a cut. I donate all of that."
Probably should've guessed that. Say what you want, but some of the crime in Gotham did calm down a bit with Jay in charge of the drug trade. And even when he stepped away, that didn't change. I was trained by the world's greatest detective, I should've guessed that Jay left someone capable in charge, rather than let different gangs war for control.
"You're amazing," I tell him, because it's true. He shakes his head slightly, but the smile never wavers.
"These are our kennels," Claire announces, pushing open a yellow door with black paw prints painted on it. There were barks and yowls as we entered. Jay lets go of my hand and drifts down, peering at each dog. I stand back and let him choose. The dog will be ours, but I knew Jay would be spending more time with him/her. Claire and I watch, amused, at the way Jay behaves around the dogs, cooing and talking to them.
But then he stops and stares at one kennel. Crouching, he pushes his fingers through the wire door, speaking gently to the dog inside. "Here, girl. That's it, sweetie." He chuckles lightly when a pink tongue starts licking his fingers.
"This is the one," he calls to me. Claire gasps beside me, eyes tearing up.
"Is that Joan?" She asks, as we approach Jay and his chosen dog. Finally, I get a good look at her. She is a big dog, standing slightly taller than a Labrador but having a more graceful and slightly more slender frame. She was mostly dark brown, but had a patch on white on her chest and all her toes. She has small, floppy ears like a lab. Her eyes are large, gentle and chocolate brown. She looks like the sweetest thing, and she looked at Jay like he is already her whole world. Jay had a similar look, and I could see why he picked her. They seem to have a connection.
Claire's ecstatic at Jay's choice. "We've been trying to find a home for her for ages. She's so loving, but unfortunately, many people thought she looked violent due to her breed. She's a ridgeback cross, and only two years old. It shouldn't have been hard to rehome her, but sadly, no one wanted her. I'd take her myself, but my boyfriend said two dogs are more than we can handle, and we really don't need another one."
"Can we open the kennel?" I ask, really wanting to our new pet.
"Absolutely. Let me get a leash for you, and you can take her outside for a bit."
Claire disappears, returning with a leash, collar attached, which she hands to me before opening the kennel. I quickly clip it on, and after patting her on the head, hand the leash to Jason. He doesn't care about that though, he simply opens his arms to the dog. Joan (I'm not crazy about the name) wags her tail almost shyly, walks over to Jay, giving to quick licks to his face. Jay chuckles, patting her shoulders and rubbing her ears. Standing, taking my hand with one of his and holding the leash in the other, Jay leads us outside.
And all of a sudden, this seems real to me. Having a dog, the responsibility, Jay and I taking walks together through the park while throwing a ball for her. And I wanted that, wanted her, so much. Joan jumps about, tail wagging enthusiastically now, tugging at the leash. Jay lets go, running around and playing with her in the unkempt grass. She's already part of the family. But I'm still not fond of the name.
"She doesn't look like a Joan, does she?" Jay asks, playfully pushing her over as she barks happily.
"No, she doesn't," I reply, glad that he's thinking the same things I am.
Jay hums thoughtfully. "How about Button? Because she's as cute as a button."
"More like because she's going to butt in on all our fun times," I say, and I know I have a dumb grin on my face. Which is confirmed when Jay groans.
"You're the worst," he laughs. "Isn't he, Button?" Button just barks in response, licking at his hands. Still laughing, he rubs her ears again. "Button it is."
And that's how Button joined our family. She is a very welcome addition, and makes being at home better, as she's such a joyful presence. Button's always awake when we come home from patrol, waiting for us. She sleeps on our bed more often than Jay would like, seeing as he bought a nice, expensive dog bed for her. He doesn't know that I encourage her to sleep with us. If I have an opportunity to have one more thing to cuddle with, I'm going to take it. Jay takes her with him when he goes running in the mornings. She becomes my new alarm clock, jumping on me and licking my face when they get back. Which isn't as fun, but Jay finds it amusing.
Jay isn't lonely anymore, and it's true when they say that dog is man's best friend. More often than not, I come home after work and find him sprawled on the couch, her napping on top of him as he reads. She thinks she's a lap dog, and we haven't the heart to tell her she's far too big. But we love Button, and I don't think we could've found a more perfect dog.
…
Author's Note: I should be sleeping! Yet, here I am. Button is based off a dog I met when doing work experience at a vet clinic. Her name was Kira. She was a pound dog and had just been adopted. The owner wanted her desexed, and she stayed at the clinic for the whole week I was there because the owner had to dog-proof his property. I had the job of taking her out for walks every day. Kira was one of the sweetest dogs I've ever met, and if I could've, I would've taken her home myself.
Thanks for reading, and please comment! Let me know what you think, even it's just to tell me your favourite part or whatever.
See ya!
