Our Little Helper
Disclaimer: Got to reading AlexiaBlackBriar13's 'Man's Best Friend' series again and it ended up inspiring this.
Summary: They're a more troubled trio then anybody else and it takes the unexpected to help them heal.
Ever since they had been found on the island of Lian Yu and rescued from it, the trio never strayed far from the other. As the trio was damaged in ways that perhaps only a certain type of individual could understand. And it was something that Oliver's friends and family hated a lot as they weren't used to this new version who'd come home. Slade was perhaps the grumpiest of the trio and the most distrustful thanks to Billy Wintergreen's betrayal of him. Along with another betrayal or two over the years that he, Oliver, and Shado had suffered. His opinion of Tommy, one that even Shado and even Oliver to extent, wasn't a very positive one. Since in the Australian's eyes, the boy hadn't grown up at all in the time Oliver had been believed dead. Continuing his wild party boy ways and that was actually a reason Malcolm liked the former ASIS soldier due to how incredibly blunt and harsh he was. Slade really didn't have a high opinion of Moira either for that matter. But considering she had practically allowed Thea to run wild, no one in their right mind could blame him.
Though some thought he could be a little kinder about it. The fact Oliver and Shado both had ran the girl into the ground after a 5 mile run following finding a stash of drugs in her room had made a few blame Slade for it. Even though in reality he hadn't had anything to do with it as at the time, he'd been having a phone conversation with his son, Joe. But one day, things began to change when Shado brought home a dirty Husky puppy she had chosen to name Yao in honor of her father after finding the poor fella somewhere in the Glades after her shift at a free clinic there. Moira had instantly wrinkled her nose at the filthy dog but Shado didn't give her much attention beyond that. Oliver hadn't been too sure what to think of the poor fella at first but had chosen to help Shado clean the little guy up in the end. Even feeling a bit calmer and the like while doing so as little Yao was damned lovable and greatly loving the fact he was being loved on by the two humans. And when Thea had come across the two giving the little puppy his much needed bath, she had let out a loud squeal at the sight of him and hugged the little guy closely to her chest.
Not caring that he was still wet from his bath in the slightest. The squealing would have Slade come running, thinking something horrible was happening and when he realized what was going on, pinched the bridge of his nose and had a stare off with little Yao. Which greatly amused the other three already present. The little fella would even lick his nose and both Oliver and Shado had to hold their breaths as the man had ended up being a bit… Touchy thanks to certain unpleasant experiences over the years. But to their surprise, he had started to laugh heartily and even grabbed a towel to dry off the little Husky after gently taking him from Thea. His bath had revealed little Yao to be pure white in appearance as well. "Where on Earth did you find this little one?" Wondered the gruff man.
"After my shift at the clinic. I couldn't stomach the thought of leaving such an innocent creature as him on his own to fend for himself." Shado told him while reaching out and rubbing on little Yao's head.
Which he greatly loved. "Are you guys gonna keep him? I mean, I know mom doesn't like dogs and all so that might be a problem."
The three former islanders looked at one another and then at her and it'd be Oliver who'd speak up with a shrug of his shoulders. "Meh. She'll have to deal. He's ours now."
"Damn right, Kid."
Thea let out another squeal of happiness over that bit of news. And true enough, Moira wasn't happy about the new four legged addition of the house and had even tried talking the three into giving him up. But none of them would have it and it would prove to be a damn good decision to make as the Matriarch of the Queen family would later find out. As it seemed Yao's being around helped bring a sense of peace and the like to the trio that they hadn't had in a long time. Of course little Yao wasn't a huge fan of Detective Lance and he wasn't exactly a fan of the puppy himself. Especially after it peed on him much to the vast amusement of the trio, Thea, Tommy, and even Laurel herself. Shado's unexpected find would prove to be a great thing in the long run as little Yao would help the trio to heal from their traumas. Which in the end, would make Moira a big fan of the Husky's in the end.
Author's Notes: Started this awhile back but never finished it til now. Was gonna post it as unfinished but decided not to do that. Hope folks enjoyed!