Hi! I just lost my 13yo dog and been so down, but trying to think about all the amazing times we went through. Made me wonder about the cubs adopting a rescue dog, or even better, Logan maybe gifting Leo said dog, or something like it, dont know, just wanted something very lovely and cute. Thanks
Hi friend,
I am so so so sorry for your loss. Dogs love unconditionally like nobody else can, and I imagine it must be so hard right now. However, they are some of the greatest gifts life has to offer, even if their time on Earth is much more limited than ours. They bring so much joy and happiness, and I hope you can find that in the memories you carry of your sweet baby. <3
Have some sunshine being a sweet dog-whisperer and Logan and Finn wanting to surprise the very best husband they could ever ask for.
Sending lots of love your way!!
Credits to @lumosinlove
Logan laced his fingers through Leo’s as they walked along the path through the park, stepping aside every now and then to let bikers and runners pass by. Leo’s skin was tan from the summer sun and matched beautifully with the gold rings on his fingers. Logan brought his hand to his mouth and kissed it, then turned to look up at him. They were discussing where they wanted to go for dinner. “What do you want to do tonight, soleil?”
Leo shrugged. “Don’t know. Could ask Finn, he was talking about this new place that opened up in the center of the city. Or we could go to that café we like for an early dinner, then go for a walk by the water. It’s a nice day.”
“Mm,” Logan hummed distractedly. He stopped abruptly and bent down. When he stood to give Leo the flower he picked, small and yellow, he smiled. “Allez. For you.”
Leo smiled back. “Thanks, honey.” He kissed Logan’s forehead. “I love it.”
Logan was leaning up for another kiss when he felt something cold sniff his ankle. He pulled away and looked down. “Quoi?”
The dog had moved on to Leo now. It was medium sized, with long, triangle ears and a boxy face. It’s entire body wiggled as it looked up at Leo and stuck its tongue out in a smile.
“Sassy!” a woman said. She gave the dog a tug by its leash and smiled sheepishly. “Sorry, sorry, she’s not leash trained quite yet.”
“That’s alright,” Leo said. He looked up at her. “Can I pet her?”
“Yeah, yeah, of course.”
Leo grinned and bent a bit to let Sassy sniff his hand, and when she licked it, he crouched fully to scratch behind her ears. He laughed when she made a content little grunting sound. “You’re so pretty! Look at you, baby.”
Logan smiled fondly then looked up at the woman. “What breed is she?”
She shrugged. “We’re not entirely sure. We think a pitbull-coonhound mix. I’m not her owner, I’m just taking her for a walk. I volunteer at Gryffindor Shelter on Lavelle Street.”
Logan tilted his head. “So she’s not adopted?”
“No. A group of us take the dogs for walks every week so they get used to it. Helps to socialize them a bit.”
“That’s awesome,” Leo chided in. Sassy now had her paws on his bent knees and was wiggling happily as he continued to scratch her ears. “You’re a very sweet girl.”
Logan took in Leo’s smile and bright blue eyes. They had talked about getting a dog before, in theory. Leo always joked that Finn basically was their dog and that they needed to run him, but Logan knew he wanted the real thing. He loved whenever the Lions did charity work or photoshoots with rescue dogs. Finn and Logan had shared knowing glances many times over the years as they watched every single dog, old and young, big and small, fall in love with Leo the second they met him.
Suddenly, there was a warm body behind him and a wet, slightly sweaty, kiss was pressed to his cheek. “‘Sup, hubs.”
Logan turned and caught Finn’s eye. “Salut. Good run?”
Finn nodded eagerly, bouncing on his toes. “Oo-ways. Two more miles left.” He noticed Leo on the ground and the women holding the leash and smiled. “Hi! Who’s this?”
The woman smiled. “This is Sassy. She’s at Gryffindor Shelter, I’m breaking her out of jail for the day.”
Finn crouched down and held out his hand. “Aren’t you a sweet little girl!” He laughed when she came to lick his wrist, then Logan’s ankle, before going straight back to seek attention from Leo. “Damn, okay, I see how it is.”
The lady winked at him. “Seems she found a friend.”
“Looks like. She’s very pretty.”
The woman nodded. “She is.” She checked her watch briefly, then tugged on the leash. “Let’s go, Sassy girl, gotta get you back.” She looked up at the three of them. “Nice to meet you…?”
“I’m Finn,” Finn said. “And this is Logan and Leo.” He gestured accordingly with a tilt of his head. “And you?”
“Melanie.”
Finn turned on one of his signature grins. “Well, Melanie, thanks for sharing Sassy with us. And taking her for walkies, I’m sure the shelter must be boring for her.”
Melanie smiled. “My pleasure.” She gave the leash another tug. “Let’s go, Sass!”
Sassy let out a whining sound before resisting just enough to give Leo’s forearm another lick and receive one last scratch before she was being led away down the path. Leo watched her go with a small smile on his face for a moment. Just enough time, really, for Finn and Logan to share a meaningful look. Logan grinned and turned to Leo, holding out his hand. “Ici, soleil, let’s finish our walk.”
Leo let out a sigh. “Okay.” He took Logan’s hand and stood. “She was really cute.”
“She was, baby,” Finn agreed, kissing his cheek. “I’ll meet you at the fountain in a few, okay? Love you.”
Leo nodded. “Love you.”
Finn jogged backwards for a moment, making a heart with his hands, before winking and turning to run ahead. Logan stood on his toes and kissed Leo on the cheek. “You look very pretty in the sun.”
Leo rolled his eyes good naturedly, but he turned his face to brush their noses together. He still had the yellow flower between his fingers. “I love you.”
“Je t’aime.” Logan kissed him on the mouth, then squeezed his hand. “Allez, or our oversized puppy will get impatient waiting for us at the fountain.”
Leo laughed and let Logan pull him along the path.
***
Two weeks later
It took a lot of planning, and insisting Leo go out with Regulus one day while they had a secret house inspection, but Logan had done it. Well, really, he and Finn had done it, but he liked to credit himself for the idea, at least. They had told Leo they were going out to get fertilizer for his herb garden, which they did actually do- the store just so happened to have all necessary dog accessories, and was a three minute drive from Gryffindor Shelter on Lavelle Street.
“Are you excited, Sassy girl?” Finn cooed from the front seat as he parked. He turned to scratch her behind the ears, and patted Logan, who was sitting in the back with her, on the head. “Your daddy’s gonna be so happy!”
She let out a whine and a short bark, her entire body vibrating with energy. Logan clipped the leash they had got her around her collar and gingerly opened the door. “Allez, ma petite, careful.”
Sassy paid him no mind and leapt out of the car after him, nose in the air and twitching like a bunny’s with soft huffs. Finn chirped the car and went to open the door leading from the garage to the lower lobby and the elevator.
“Wanna bring the other stuff up later?”
“Ouais,” Logan said, gripping tightly to the leash as Sassy pulled in her excitement. “I want Le to see her first.”
Finn made a happy sound in the back of his throat. “I can’t wait, he’s gonna be so excited.” He turned to look at Logan as they stepped through the elevator door and kissed him. “You’re a good husband.”
Logan smiled against his mouth. “Toi aussi, mon rouge.” He bent to rub Sassy’s side. “She’s very happy.”
“Wiggly little thing, huh?” Finn crouched to give her a kiss on the forehead, which just made her wag her tail even harder. “Gonna have to take you on runs to get your energy out. Yes I am!”
Logan ran a hand fondly through Finn’s hair just as the elevator door opened. Sassy immediately dragged Logan out, nose to the ground as she scurried her way down the hallway. Finn laughed and went to unlock the door. “Hold her here for a second, ‘kay?”
“D’accord,” Logan replied, crouching to hold Sassy around her chest.
Finn touched Logan’s cheek, winked, then pushed the door open. “Sunshine! We’re home.”
“Hi, honey,” Logan heard Leo say. There was the sound of a brief kiss. “Where’s Lo?”
Logan could imagine Finn’s mischievous smile. “We’ve got a surprise for you.”
“What?”
“Lo, let her in!”
Logan stood and held onto Sassy’s leash and guided her into the apartment. Leo looked briefly confused, but his entire face changed when he saw her, breaking into a wide smile. Those bright eyes flashed to Logan’s face. “No.”
Logan nodded, a warm feeling working its way up his chest. “Ouais.”
Sassy whined, entire body vibrating, before Logan let her go. Leo crouched and she launched herself right into his lap, happy, high-pitched noises escaping her. Her paws were dancing on Leo’s legs as he cupped her face and scratched her ears. He was laughing and cooing at her. Logan and Finn and Logan shared a fond look.
“Hi, baby, hi!” Leo was saying. “Oh, you’re so beautiful.” He looked up at Finn and Logan, both dimples on full display. “She’s ours?”
The look Finn gave him was so in love Logan felt his heart speed up. “Yeah, sunshine. She’s ours.”
Leo laughed again and buried his face in Sassy’s neck. She had both of her paws on his shoulders and was sniffing by his ear. She had calmed down a bit, comforted by the warmth of Leo’s body. Logan could relate.
“Thank you,” Leo said softly. He tilted his chin up. “C’mere.”
Finn sat by his side and Logan kneeled in front of him. Leo leaned in to kiss them both softly, a hand supporting Sassy on her back. Finn wrapped one arm around Leo’s waist and Logan scratched Sassy’s side just beside Leo’s hand.
“She will need some training,” Logan said. He moved his hand up and flitted his fingers over Leo’s curls. He leaned into the touch. “But she needed a home, and she loves you, Le.”
“She’s perfect,” Finn said wistfully, head now on Leo’s shoulder. He reached out to rub Sassy’s ear between his thumb and forefinger. “Her ears are so soft.”
“Mm, like- how do you say it, soleil? Le velours?”
Leo smiled and peeked out at him. “Velvet. Yeah, they are.”
Sassy was wiggling again, excited and eager with all the hands petting her, and let out a happy little growling sound. Logan barked out a laugh. “Rouge, she sounds like you.”
Finn mimicked her happy growling sound and reached out with both hands to scratch behind her ears. She opened her mouth in a smile and talked back to him again. “Just like your dad, baby, did you hear that?”
Leo kissed her on the side of her head. “Okay, c’mon, baby girl, let’s show you the house.” He coaxed her off his lap and took her leash, leading her through the kitchen. “This is where all the yummy snacks are made. I’ll have to find some dog friendly recipes for you, sweetheart.” They continued on. “And this is the couch, it’s great for naps. I’ll make sure to get you a blanket.”
Leo continued chattering to her as he showed her the bedrooms and the hallway. Her nose was moving rapidly, the sounds of her sniffing making Logan let out an amused breath. He settled back on his heels as Finn came to sit beside him. He wrapped his arms around his shoulders and kissed his red waves. “Good surprise.”
“Good surprise,” Finn agreed. “He’s so happy. They both are.”
Logan hummed into Finn’s hair and breathed out a laugh as Leo’s voice continued to carry through their apartment, followed by a bark from Sassy. “I think we married a Disney character.”
“Oh, we definitely did. We could put him in the forest and he’d be friends with all the animals in an hour, probably.”
Logan smiled into Finn’s hair. “You’re so weird. I love you.”
Finn tilted his head and kissed him. “I love you, too.”
They turned to look as Leo walked back into the entryway with Sassy, who was now free from her leash. She saw them and trotted her way over, entire body wiggling, and nudged their hands. They both smiled and complied, scratching her side and ears. Leo stood over them, leash in one hand, his smile bright. Logan couldn’t tear his eyes away.
“Is her stuff in the car?” Leo asked. At the sound of his voice, Sassy turned around and went over to him again. He squatted to pet her.
“Yeah, but we’ll get it, baby,” Finn said. He stood, then held out a hand for Logan. “You relax.”
“You sure? I can help-”
“Non.” Logan bent and cupped his face to kiss him quickly. “Stay here, mon coeur. We’ll be back.”
Later that evening, after the three of them had taken Sassy for a long walk around her new neighborhood, Finn and Logan arrived from picking up their Thai take out for dinner to find Leo fast asleep on his back on the couch. Sassy was a heavy weight on his chest, limbs splayed out as she softly snored. One of her ears was flipped inside-out. Leo’s arms were wrapped gently around her to keep her from falling.
Finn sneakily took a photo. “New lockscreen.”
Logan rested his chin on his shoulder. “Send it to me, please?”
“Already done, baby.” He kissed the side of Logan’s head. “They’re so cute.”
Logan bent to kneel beside the couch and kissed Leo’s forehead, brushing his hair back. “Mon amour. Mon mari. Dinner.”
Leo took a deep breath in and blinked slowly. He smiled sleepily. “Hi.” His arms tightened around Sassy. She let out a content sound and opened her eyes, too. “Sorry, we were just taking a nap.”
Logan shook his head. “Non, don’t be sorry.” He nudged their noses together. “You were very cute.” He felt a paw pat his forearm and he turned to Sassy. “You, too, ma petite.” He kissed her between her eyes and she let out a satisfied sigh.
Leo scratched her back. “Up, sweetheart, it’s supper time.” He laughed as Sassy let out a groan and stretched her back legs and yawned. “Oh, big stretch and big yawn, wow.”
Sassy hopped off the couch and shook, her lips and ears making a flapping sound. She trotted over to greet Finn and sniffed eagerly at the bags he was still holding. “Ah-ah, none for you. Yet. Maybe some chicken.”
Leo tisked. “Spices aren’t good for dogs, they upset their tummies.” He walked over and rested a hand on Finn’s lower back and leaned in for a kiss. “Hi. Thanks for getting dinner.”
“You’re welcome, sunshine.” Finn opened the takeout bags on their counter and began to unload them. Sassy sat obediently and looked up at him, ears perked up. Finn looked at her, then at Leo with his very own pleading puppy dog eyes. “Are you sure she can’t-”
“No. But we can cut her up some cucumbers and you can give them to her, how’s that?”
Finn smiled and nodded. “That sounds good.” He bent to touch his and Sassy’s foreheads together and kissed her nose. “You’re just so cute!”
She barked and wagged her tail happily. Leo looked down at her proudly, then caught Logan looking at him. “You okay, sweetheart?”
Logan nodded. “Ouais,” he said, going up to wrap his arms around Leo’s ribs. “Just love you.”
Leo kissed the top of his head. “I love you, too.” He bent to wrap his hands under Logan’s thighs and pick him up. His dimples were there again. “You got me a dog.”
Logan scratched a hand through his hair and tightened his legs around his waist. “I did.”
“We.”
“It was my idea!”
Leo rolled his eyes fondly and kissed Logan on the mouth. “Well, thank you both. She’s perfect.”
Logan kissed him again. “You’re perfect.”
Leo just grinned and set him down again. “C’mon, let’s get the plates. Then I gotta give Sassy her dinner.” Logan scratched Sassy, who was still watching Finn open the take out containers with rapt attention, on the head, letting the warm feeling of family fill him up as he went to get the silverware.