Fic: But He Followed Me Home (Leverage, PG)
Title: But He Followed Me Home
Author: sheryden
Rating: PG
Word Count: 1734
Spoilers: None
Warnings: Should I warn for cute and fuzzy?
Disclaimer: If they were mine, Eliot would be shirtless in every episode.
Summary: Eliot adopts a dog he finds while coming home from a job.
Notes: This was written for the Team-Up Challenge at leverageland. My partner is crimsnbutterfly (Team Grifter), who made the accompanying art.
Preview for Art (click pic to see full-sized art):
Eliot became aware of his pursuer almost as soon as he passed through the creaking gate that led away from the warehouse where he’d just left a thug lying in an unconscious heap. He had to give his shadow some credit. He was keeping up with Eliot’s broad, purposeful strides, even though it was a cold damn Boston night, and not many living things that had a choice were out and about. Eliot allowed himself to be followed for almost a minute before he stopped, turned slowly around, and said, “Hey, man. Did you see what I did to that guy back there? You really want to follow me?”
The fuzzy brown dog that sat at Eliot’s feet gazed up at him with a fearless expression on his face. He was just a little thing-small enough that Sophie would be able to fit him in her purse and still have room for high heels and handcuffs. He was panting rapidly and practically vibrating with excitement. Then suddenly, he jumped up and balanced his two front paws against Eliot’s jean-clad legs.
Glancing over his shoulder to make sure he didn’t have an unwelcome audience, Eliot bent down and rewarded the dog with a vigorous scratch behind his ear. “You got guts, I’ll tell you that. You may not know this, but I’m a bad dude.” He smoothed out the unkempt brown fur for a few moments, then stood up. “Okay, get out of here. I’ve gotta catch up with my team.”
The dog made no move to leave, so Eliot turned and walked briskly away. Behind him, he could hear determined little paws padding along against the frozen ground. After they had walked for about thirty seconds, Eliot heard a shrill bark.
Arching an eyebrow, he turned to the dog. “Man, that’s not a bark.” He folded his arms across his chest. “I mean, seriously?” Two more shrill barks followed, and the dog scurried up and flung himself back up against Eliot’s legs.
Eliot shook his head and pointed out into the darkness. “I gotta go, man. Go find a warm corner to sleep in.”
The dog dislodged himself from Eliot’s leg and stared up at him. He let out a weak bark, then he laid down right where he was.
With a nod, Eliot tore himself away from the dog and walked exactly five steps before he stopped and closed his eyes in resignation. It was damn cold in Boston, and the idea of a defenseless little dog facing the elements… well, it just didn’t sit well with Eliot. He moved back to where the dog was still lying in a dejected pile of brown fur. Tugging off his black knit cap, Eliot reached down and scooped the dog up. He bundled the little guy up in his hat and held him in his arms.
The dog seemed thrilled by the turn of events and used his new proximity to Eliot’s face to show his appreciation. A tiny tongue darted out of the furry mouth and licked Eliot across his stubble-covered face. Eliot broke out into a broad grin in spite of himself.
About then, Hardison screeched up beside him in the van. With the window rolled down just enough, he said, “Hey man, I’ve been calling. You take your earbud out again?”
“It got smashed,” Eliot said, scowling at the memory.
“Well, get in. Nate’s tying up loose ends. He’s meeting us back at his place. Sophie’s already on her way there.”
Cradling the dog in his arms, Eliot climbed into the van and scooted into a seat next to Parker, who gazed down then flashed him a goofy smile.
“You have a dog,” she said. “You have a dog that fits in your hat.” She leaned forward and held out a finger.
Eliot wrapped his arms protectively around the little dog and glared at Parker. “Don’t poke.”
“I want to see him.”
“You can see him fine from where you are.”
Hardison looked over his shoulder. “Hold up. Who’s got a what now? ‘Cause I know you didn’t say dog.”
Eliot felt a blush starting to creep into his cheeks. “I wasn’t gonna leave him out there in the cold all night. We’re taking him home.”
With Eliot distracted, Parker reached out and tentatively touched the dog with a finger. Apparently convinced she would keep her hand, she began to pet the dog. “He can be our mascot. Hardison, you can paint a picture of him with Old Nate!”
“Nuh uh.” Hardison shook his head. “This is all you two. I am not a part of this.”
Parker scratched the dog behind the ear. In a babyish voice, she said, “Don’t you listen to the mean old computer guy. We’re going to get you your own bowl and your own little doggie sweater.”
Eliot made a face. “Stop with the baby talk,” he groused. “And we’re not putting him a sweater.”
***
It was late when Nate finally pushed open the door to his apartment. No sooner had he walked through the door, he was greeted with a familiar flurry of activity. As usual, Hardison was sitting at the table, tapping away at his laptop. Nearby in the kitchen, Eliot, Parker, and Sophie were bickering back and forth.
“We’re not putting him in a sweater. He’ll look ridiculous.”
Sophie was holding a tiny piece of blue fabric in her hand. “He’ll look adorable, Eliot, and he’ll be warm.”
Eliot scoffed and shook his head. “Nate keeps the heat up in here. He doesn’t need a sweater.”
Nate arched an eyebrow. He was fairly certain that he couldn’t fit into a sweater the size of Eliot’s fist. Folding his arms across his chest, he moved closer to listen in on the conversation.
Parker jutted out her bottom lip. “Why don’t you want Puppy to be warm?”
Squaring his jaw, Eliot glowered menacingly in Parker’s direction. “I do want him to be warm, and his name’s not Puppy.”
Lowering himself into a chair at the dining room table, Nate tapped on the smooth wood to get Hardison’s attention. “Anything I need to know?”
Hardison shook his head. “It’s all on them. I’m not a part of this.”
Eliot glanced at Nate, then scowled at Hardison. “Don’t pretend like you don’t have some dog website up on your laptop.”
Clearing his throat, Hardison gently closed his laptop and leaned back in his chair. “He’s apparently a teacup poodle.”
Sophie clasped her hands together. “Oh, Teacup. That would be a perfect name for him.”
With a glare, Eliot walked across the kitchen and wrenched open the refrigerator door. “We’re not calling him Teacup. His name’s Sebastian.”
Hardison picked up a bottle of Orange Squeeze and took a sip. “Did you know teacup poodles are good dogs for people who have allergies, because they don’t shed much?”
“We certainly do now,” Sophie said indulgently. “Oh, Sebastian is a fine name, I suppose. It’s the name of a dog who would wear a sweater, certainly.”
“You’re not putting him in a sweater.” Eliot snapped the door to the refrigerator shut and turned toward Sophie. “He’s my dog.”
Nate stood up, scraping the chair against the floor just loud enough to get everyone’s attention. “Why are we talking about a dog?”
Before anyone had a chance to answer, Nate heard a shrill bark from over by his desk. He narrowed his eyes at each of his teammates and walked purposely over to his office area. Next to the wall near his desk was a small dog bed with a tiny brown ball of fur inside. A few inches away, there was a small plastic box filled with what appeared to be dog toys.
Taking a breath, Nate turned slowly back toward the others. “Care to explain?”
Parker thrust her hand up in the air. When Nate nodded at her, she said, “He’s our new mascot.”
“Our mascot?”
Eliot ran a hand through his hair and walked over to the desk. The little brown dog-Sebastian apparently-was already scrambling out of the bed and making a beeline for Eliot’s legs. With a silly grin flitting momentarily across his face, Eliot bent down and scooped the dog up. “I found him over by the warehouse,” he said apologetically. “It was freezing out.”
Nate shook his head. Trust Eliot to become attached to a dog of all things. For all his gruffness, their hitter had a soft spot in his heart for kids and animals that ran river deep. Really, Nate considered it to be one of Eliot’s strengths and a constant reminder that the man was still capable of compassion and nurturing, even after all he’d seen.
“Well, I suppose you couldn’t leave him out there. I’m sure we can find a home for him.”
Eliot gave Nate a baffled look. “He’s got a home. He lives here.”
“Here as in my apartment?”
Parker practically sprinted over to the office area. “We got him a bed and a bowl and some dog food and some toys and a sweater that Eliot won’t let him wear. And Sophie says we can get him a leash and take him for walks, and Eliot’s getting him a collar tomorrow.” She paused to take a breath, then added, “I never had a dog growing up.”
Nate glanced at Eliot, who was currently laughing softly as Sebastian licked his face then back at Parker, who was wearing her best “sad little girl” expression. Suddenly, he was overwhelmed with the sinking feeling that he was now roommate to a brown teacup poodle named Sebastian.
Resigned, Nate reached over and scratched Sebastian behind the ear. “I don’t see why he can’t live with one of you, though.”
Eliot deposited Sebastian onto the ground so he could run around and play, then he cocked his head at Nate. “That’s dumb. How would it be fair to leave him at one of our places? I mean, we’re always here.”
“Yeah, silly me.” Nate pinched the bridge of his nose, then walked back to the table and sat down. After a moment, he felt a tiny pair of paws pressed up against his leg. With a sigh, he scooped Sebastian up and sat him on his lap. Shaking his head at the dog, he gestured around at the others. “I hope you know what you’ve gotten yourself into, little guy.”
Author: sheryden
Rating: PG
Word Count: 1734
Spoilers: None
Warnings: Should I warn for cute and fuzzy?
Disclaimer: If they were mine, Eliot would be shirtless in every episode.
Summary: Eliot adopts a dog he finds while coming home from a job.
Notes: This was written for the Team-Up Challenge at leverageland. My partner is crimsnbutterfly (Team Grifter), who made the accompanying art.
Preview for Art (click pic to see full-sized art):
Eliot became aware of his pursuer almost as soon as he passed through the creaking gate that led away from the warehouse where he’d just left a thug lying in an unconscious heap. He had to give his shadow some credit. He was keeping up with Eliot’s broad, purposeful strides, even though it was a cold damn Boston night, and not many living things that had a choice were out and about. Eliot allowed himself to be followed for almost a minute before he stopped, turned slowly around, and said, “Hey, man. Did you see what I did to that guy back there? You really want to follow me?”
The fuzzy brown dog that sat at Eliot’s feet gazed up at him with a fearless expression on his face. He was just a little thing-small enough that Sophie would be able to fit him in her purse and still have room for high heels and handcuffs. He was panting rapidly and practically vibrating with excitement. Then suddenly, he jumped up and balanced his two front paws against Eliot’s jean-clad legs.
Glancing over his shoulder to make sure he didn’t have an unwelcome audience, Eliot bent down and rewarded the dog with a vigorous scratch behind his ear. “You got guts, I’ll tell you that. You may not know this, but I’m a bad dude.” He smoothed out the unkempt brown fur for a few moments, then stood up. “Okay, get out of here. I’ve gotta catch up with my team.”
The dog made no move to leave, so Eliot turned and walked briskly away. Behind him, he could hear determined little paws padding along against the frozen ground. After they had walked for about thirty seconds, Eliot heard a shrill bark.
Arching an eyebrow, he turned to the dog. “Man, that’s not a bark.” He folded his arms across his chest. “I mean, seriously?” Two more shrill barks followed, and the dog scurried up and flung himself back up against Eliot’s legs.
Eliot shook his head and pointed out into the darkness. “I gotta go, man. Go find a warm corner to sleep in.”
The dog dislodged himself from Eliot’s leg and stared up at him. He let out a weak bark, then he laid down right where he was.
With a nod, Eliot tore himself away from the dog and walked exactly five steps before he stopped and closed his eyes in resignation. It was damn cold in Boston, and the idea of a defenseless little dog facing the elements… well, it just didn’t sit well with Eliot. He moved back to where the dog was still lying in a dejected pile of brown fur. Tugging off his black knit cap, Eliot reached down and scooped the dog up. He bundled the little guy up in his hat and held him in his arms.
The dog seemed thrilled by the turn of events and used his new proximity to Eliot’s face to show his appreciation. A tiny tongue darted out of the furry mouth and licked Eliot across his stubble-covered face. Eliot broke out into a broad grin in spite of himself.
About then, Hardison screeched up beside him in the van. With the window rolled down just enough, he said, “Hey man, I’ve been calling. You take your earbud out again?”
“It got smashed,” Eliot said, scowling at the memory.
“Well, get in. Nate’s tying up loose ends. He’s meeting us back at his place. Sophie’s already on her way there.”
Cradling the dog in his arms, Eliot climbed into the van and scooted into a seat next to Parker, who gazed down then flashed him a goofy smile.
“You have a dog,” she said. “You have a dog that fits in your hat.” She leaned forward and held out a finger.
Eliot wrapped his arms protectively around the little dog and glared at Parker. “Don’t poke.”
“I want to see him.”
“You can see him fine from where you are.”
Hardison looked over his shoulder. “Hold up. Who’s got a what now? ‘Cause I know you didn’t say dog.”
Eliot felt a blush starting to creep into his cheeks. “I wasn’t gonna leave him out there in the cold all night. We’re taking him home.”
With Eliot distracted, Parker reached out and tentatively touched the dog with a finger. Apparently convinced she would keep her hand, she began to pet the dog. “He can be our mascot. Hardison, you can paint a picture of him with Old Nate!”
“Nuh uh.” Hardison shook his head. “This is all you two. I am not a part of this.”
Parker scratched the dog behind the ear. In a babyish voice, she said, “Don’t you listen to the mean old computer guy. We’re going to get you your own bowl and your own little doggie sweater.”
Eliot made a face. “Stop with the baby talk,” he groused. “And we’re not putting him a sweater.”
***
It was late when Nate finally pushed open the door to his apartment. No sooner had he walked through the door, he was greeted with a familiar flurry of activity. As usual, Hardison was sitting at the table, tapping away at his laptop. Nearby in the kitchen, Eliot, Parker, and Sophie were bickering back and forth.
“We’re not putting him in a sweater. He’ll look ridiculous.”
Sophie was holding a tiny piece of blue fabric in her hand. “He’ll look adorable, Eliot, and he’ll be warm.”
Eliot scoffed and shook his head. “Nate keeps the heat up in here. He doesn’t need a sweater.”
Nate arched an eyebrow. He was fairly certain that he couldn’t fit into a sweater the size of Eliot’s fist. Folding his arms across his chest, he moved closer to listen in on the conversation.
Parker jutted out her bottom lip. “Why don’t you want Puppy to be warm?”
Squaring his jaw, Eliot glowered menacingly in Parker’s direction. “I do want him to be warm, and his name’s not Puppy.”
Lowering himself into a chair at the dining room table, Nate tapped on the smooth wood to get Hardison’s attention. “Anything I need to know?”
Hardison shook his head. “It’s all on them. I’m not a part of this.”
Eliot glanced at Nate, then scowled at Hardison. “Don’t pretend like you don’t have some dog website up on your laptop.”
Clearing his throat, Hardison gently closed his laptop and leaned back in his chair. “He’s apparently a teacup poodle.”
Sophie clasped her hands together. “Oh, Teacup. That would be a perfect name for him.”
With a glare, Eliot walked across the kitchen and wrenched open the refrigerator door. “We’re not calling him Teacup. His name’s Sebastian.”
Hardison picked up a bottle of Orange Squeeze and took a sip. “Did you know teacup poodles are good dogs for people who have allergies, because they don’t shed much?”
“We certainly do now,” Sophie said indulgently. “Oh, Sebastian is a fine name, I suppose. It’s the name of a dog who would wear a sweater, certainly.”
“You’re not putting him in a sweater.” Eliot snapped the door to the refrigerator shut and turned toward Sophie. “He’s my dog.”
Nate stood up, scraping the chair against the floor just loud enough to get everyone’s attention. “Why are we talking about a dog?”
Before anyone had a chance to answer, Nate heard a shrill bark from over by his desk. He narrowed his eyes at each of his teammates and walked purposely over to his office area. Next to the wall near his desk was a small dog bed with a tiny brown ball of fur inside. A few inches away, there was a small plastic box filled with what appeared to be dog toys.
Taking a breath, Nate turned slowly back toward the others. “Care to explain?”
Parker thrust her hand up in the air. When Nate nodded at her, she said, “He’s our new mascot.”
“Our mascot?”
Eliot ran a hand through his hair and walked over to the desk. The little brown dog-Sebastian apparently-was already scrambling out of the bed and making a beeline for Eliot’s legs. With a silly grin flitting momentarily across his face, Eliot bent down and scooped the dog up. “I found him over by the warehouse,” he said apologetically. “It was freezing out.”
Nate shook his head. Trust Eliot to become attached to a dog of all things. For all his gruffness, their hitter had a soft spot in his heart for kids and animals that ran river deep. Really, Nate considered it to be one of Eliot’s strengths and a constant reminder that the man was still capable of compassion and nurturing, even after all he’d seen.
“Well, I suppose you couldn’t leave him out there. I’m sure we can find a home for him.”
Eliot gave Nate a baffled look. “He’s got a home. He lives here.”
“Here as in my apartment?”
Parker practically sprinted over to the office area. “We got him a bed and a bowl and some dog food and some toys and a sweater that Eliot won’t let him wear. And Sophie says we can get him a leash and take him for walks, and Eliot’s getting him a collar tomorrow.” She paused to take a breath, then added, “I never had a dog growing up.”
Nate glanced at Eliot, who was currently laughing softly as Sebastian licked his face then back at Parker, who was wearing her best “sad little girl” expression. Suddenly, he was overwhelmed with the sinking feeling that he was now roommate to a brown teacup poodle named Sebastian.
Resigned, Nate reached over and scratched Sebastian behind the ear. “I don’t see why he can’t live with one of you, though.”
Eliot deposited Sebastian onto the ground so he could run around and play, then he cocked his head at Nate. “That’s dumb. How would it be fair to leave him at one of our places? I mean, we’re always here.”
“Yeah, silly me.” Nate pinched the bridge of his nose, then walked back to the table and sat down. After a moment, he felt a tiny pair of paws pressed up against his leg. With a sigh, he scooped Sebastian up and sat him on his lap. Shaking his head at the dog, he gestured around at the others. “I hope you know what you’ve gotten yourself into, little guy.”