+1 Puppy!

[brave_heart_verity]

Verity's back in the Nexus, with the stripes and the crazy braids as usual, but this time she's not alone. With her, or more accurately, in her general vicinity there is a small and adorable puppy. White fur with brown ears and striped tail and stockings. There could not be a more appropriate dog for Verity in all the multiverse. (And you all thought she was a cat person.) The pup is bright-eyed and curious, sniffing and examining everything within the range of its leash, then going back to make sure nothing's moved or changed. It's on to you, stray leaf, you and your blowing hither-and-yon ways.

Ver's got a loose hold on the puppy's leash but is general content to let the little rascal romp and play and explore while she looks on with bemusement. What even is her life. There are so many questions she could ask: how did she end up with a dog, what is she even going to do with a dog, when did she become such a softy... but those aren't questions for the general populace.

"So... I've got a dog now. Anyone got ideas for names?" She doesn't have to take the bad suggestions, she figures, so that should be a safe question. "And, um. Tips? For training her and... so on? Or a limit they'd like to helpfully try to impose on how many toys I buy for her?"

Anyone who doesn't want to deal with baby animals can blame Clint for not answering his phone. He is, after all, great with dogs.

Comments

[fightlikehell]

Secret not secret. He's overjoyed to find that he can spar with her both verbally and physically. All of it lovingly. Just playing at all is winning. Verity's poker face puts an extra challenge on it.

Oh sweet lil' pup there will be so much smooshing with these people. Face smooshing and more. "Aren't all puppies pretty darn cute?" the curve of his smile only means that it's not a true challenge of her point. Since she's got that feisty little animal in her arms, he can give her a real kiss. No shyness. Not even in front of baby animals.

"Okay, so that does sound like it might be cuter than typical. I should just see myself." In his way. Matt reaches out with both hands to fluff and pet. So small and wiggly! "Hi," he says softly, smiling. The arm bap is nothing at all. "How are you? Are you being good?"

[brave_heart_verity]

No, it's not much of a secret that she can disarm him with a touch. Not between them, anyway. Loving sport between them is always a good thing. This is one they can enjoy in public.

So much with the smooshing. They're going to have to learn to keep puppy out of the bedroom. "Yes, they are, but she's even cuter than normal puppies. She'd be a superhero of cuteness were a superpower." He might not be really trying to challenge her, but she's going to argue her point anyway. Right up until the kissing commences.

Which is an excellent time for puppy to investigate this smooshing. She wriggles up to sniff at them and then presses her nose to Matt's chin. This is how it works, right? Clearly this is how it works if there's petting afterward. The questions don't mean much to puppy, but she'll yip happily at being given attention.

"I think she likes you. So... can we keep her? Please?"

[fightlikehell]

As long as this information is in the right hands there is nothing to worry about. Matt is happy to hit the figurative mat or ropes each and every time at a touch. The real sports are for out of sight.

"Are you sure she's on our side?" he laughs. Great power comes great responsibility. And who says that it's a responsibility to do the right thing? A kiss is getting the best out of him.

This close the puppy smells clean and has the fresh cut grass clinging to her fur. That little heart is really beating, so excited. Matt gives a short laugh at feeling the cold, wet press of her little black nose. It makes his head tilt and his eyes squint. This yields more petting.

"You, me and the dog." He's trying it out loud. "...I've never had a dog before, let alone a puppy. Can I hold her, honey?" Matt hasn't stopped petting their new little friend. Don't worry, Verity. This is a good sign.

[brave_heart_verity]

Right and left hands. And elbows, lips, nose, cheeks...

"Our side is the 'be adorable at all times' side, right? If so, yes. Absolutely." Responsibility is a tricky thing. Puppies don't tend to have many beyond being playful and cute. Right and wrong, with dogs, is a philosophical concept they rarely get to discuss with their humans.

Matt smells like good things to Puppy. He smells like soap and good sniffs and things to eat. Puppy is just so excited to meet him, even if his cane is disappointing. He makes the tall one happy, so he must be good. While the petting is going on she'll try to return the favor, dragging a paw down his chest several times. See? Reciprocal petting! She must be a good dog.

"Of course, you can." Verity rolls a shoulder forward and nudges Puppy over into Matt's arms. It's not much of a trip. With that done, she's free to slide an arm around his waist and lay her head against his shoulder. "You can hold both your girls if you want."

[fightlikehell]

The barrage is super effective! He's a goner. And it'll all happen with a smile on his face.

"That does cover a good amount of ground for what we do, yes." Adorable in the early morning, adorable late at night, adorable in the daylight holding a small puppy dog. Yes, puppums is a good match for Verity. And he is coming around these days believing he's easy on the eyes to qualify as adorable to her tastes. "There's no malicious intent or effort to be an overlord...overlady?"

Canes aren't very good toys. They're pretty poor weapons because they break easy. She'll get more fun things to toy with. The ball is rolling now. Matt keeps his arms still until he knows he has a good grip on Puppy. "Oh?" Two girls. "My favorite and a little little." They can all hold each other. A warm, fuzzy feeling that has become more familiar to him in these months is at full potency.

"When can we take her home? Does she have all her shots and papers?"

[brave_heart_verity]

Not a goner. He's a keeper.

"No tyranny here, petty or otherwise," she confirms. "Tyranny isn't adorable, after all." Objectively, she knows Matt is an incredibly handsome man. Subjectively, she knows he's the handsomest man ever born. And no, her curse doesn't ping on that one, so it must be true.

Puppy will get treats and toys and all the good things. They're going to make sure she has the best of everything, because of course they are. All the organic pet food, the best bed, the safest chew toys. She'll be one pampered pooch. With Puppy settled between them, it's a very cozy cuddle. "Hey! I'm not that short," she teases affectionately.

Puppy's very short, but good things come in small packages. She stands on her back legs with her front paws on Matt's chest so she can sniff and lick his chin. Puppy has this 'seduce the tall one' thing down.

"We can take her home right now. Yes, she has all her shots, I've got her papers, and there's food and a puppy bed and that sort of thing being delivered to our apartment right now. Should be there in a couple of hours." This is Verity, he should have known she'd think of those things. But he's not being left out of the puppy spoiling party. "And tomorrow we can go out and get her some toys and things, yeah? Maybe a fancier collar?"

Ver has got the biggest grin right now. "She still needs a name."

[fightlikehell]

A scruffy stray Matt Murdock, an adorable little pooch and an equally darling and smart Verity Willis make to be a fetching little crew. They're all keepers.

He should have known that already the decision was made. There's not a bit of annoyance or anything of the sort in him because there's no reason. Matt hasn't thought about life with a dog. He didn't think about what life would be like if he found anyone close to Verity. Look how far and wonderful that has been? And their lives keep coming together in the best of ways.

"You are short though, I wish there was a way to get that on record." Usually she'll correct for each and every neglected inch.

Matt has an arm around Verity and an arm tucked under Puppy. We simply cannot keep calling the sweet little thing Puppy, can we? He grins and tries to tilt his head from licks that don't seem like they're letting up any time soon. "Okay, all good to know." Phew! Verity always works fast.

"What to name her indeed." He thinks of the little fore paws. "She's kind of like your striped socks so...maybe Socks? Striped Socks is no name for any dog." He's getting there. The wheels are turning.

[brave_heart_verity]

They'll make a sweet picture together. The three of them are individually cute, but all together, are simply precious. It's almost too much.

Life with a dog is a commitment. Not one someone like Verity makes lightly. She'd considered whether Matt would agree, but their lives aren't so intertwined yet that she has to give up everything because he doesn't want it. Well. Weren't. Now they've got a dog.

"Yes, I know I'm short. Don't make me teach you how that doesn't matter again," she warns. It would sound threatening if it weren't so promising. It's hard to even pretend to be mad at him when they're like this, holding each other and cuddling their little bundle of fluff. Puppy can take a hint, and leaves off the licking to rest her head on his shoulder and survey the world.

"Socks isn't a bad choice," she allows, "but it's a little... I dunno. Lacking something."

[fightlikehell]

Their photo gallery, digital and otherwise, is going to increase by three fold.

Love, lives and all going on in it still means they are their own people. Matt would never expect or want her to stop doing anything because of his opinion. He knows that there are many things she would prefer he not do. It's with love and understanding that their harmony continues.

Who says no to wee, friendly animals anyway? Not Matt Murdock.

"That sounds a great deal like a threat, I'm not sure because you're all the way down there." Yes. He deserves to be reminded later. Puppy is so very sweet licking or staying still.

"Um. Hm." Matt licks his lips thoughtfully. It's his turn to lean his head to rest it against Verity's. "What about Bobbie Socks? Maybe with an 'I-E' since she's a girl. Or an I."

[brave_heart_verity]

Three-fold at least! There will be such pictures of their precious puppy girl. And lots of yippy phone calls with Matt when he's at work.

Perfect happiness doesn't require always getting one's own way. Compromise is the true path to contentment. They're learning. There's, well, not trial and error so much as experiments. It's all working out, slowly but surely. Puppy can only make things better.

"Oooh ho no, now you're gonna get it," she rumbles. "Later, when innocent eyes and ears are not in attendance." Puppy is too sweet to see such things.

"Bobbi Socks. Yes. That's adorable." Ver hums contentedly when he relaxes against her, reaching up just enough to give him a nuzzle. His girls do adore him. "Maybe 'Sox' with an 'X'?"

[fightlikehell]

Already he knows there are a lot of pictures of them together. From Verity's phone, Foggy's and Karen's. It's become a thing as it is and less strange the more it happens. Now they must do things with a puppy girl, she deserves to see and be seen!

Matt never wants perfect to start. Happiness in it's fluid and flawed form is what he really desires to keep. Experiments haven't proved them wrong yet. Slowly and surely with care means that their efforts are making a future built to last. That kind of home is what puppies need.

"You make it sound like I won't be ready for it." Or willing. Or able. He chuckles warmly and there's a counter nuzzle, oh yes.

Puppy is none the wiser for what these tall ones are talking about. Hopefully. She can just be sweet and dear resting her head. She is going to be so very safe, spoiled and loved. "Miss Bobbi Sox... Is she really so sassy and fashionable?" The answers are yes and yes.

[brave_heart_verity]

There will be lots of nights spent snuggling in bed while Ver describes them to Matt. He shouldn't have to miss out on any of the cute things Bobbi does. And he might get an extra dose of Verity cute for good measure, who knows? Stranger things have happened.

They'll have to work hard to be good puppy providers. Bobbi deserves all of their consideration. There's doggy daycare to figure out, and teaching her how to behave in two homes. There's so many places to explore with her. And, of course, the question of where she sleeps. There will be so much experimenting with these things, and so much joy.

"Oh, I'm putting you on notice, mister." She can just about make it through the 'mister' without giggling. Since there's nuzzle reciprocity, she'll turn her head up for a kiss, too.

Bobbi's going to be the safest and most loved dog ever. Innocent, playful, and such a good girl. Yes, she is! "She's certainly fashionable. And I think she's got just the right mix of sweet and sassy. She's gonna be a heartbreaker."

[fightlikehell]

Those nights, or parts of the night, are wonderful, wonderful things. Verity's soft voice describing what isn't apparent to him is cherished in his heart. Now add in one more familiar face to discuss. He's in for so much.

They've been working to protect a neighborhood. Now would be a true test of what wonderful things they can accomplish when the subject is so perceptive, so smart. Matt and Verity are two exceptional minds to boot. This is a new chapter and a grand adventure!

"Notice, huh?" He grin. "I'm not easy to intimidate..." For heaven's sake she's giggling. How can he even stand it? By giving her a very good, very unrepentant kiss.

Most loved ever? They sure do have a whole lot of love between them. Surely some to spare and then some. Matt has no idea how they look together standing in the daylight. He imagines it's picturesque. "We're gonna have to be on our toes. She could be on to us any day." Bobbi gets a nuzzle of her own.

[brave_heart_verity]

It's a fair trade for the nights he spends whispering poetry to her. And the mornings. And the long silences when they hold each other. Everything is cherished.

Bobbi's certainly smarter than most of the petty crooks they've been dealing with. Thank goodness she's on the side of the angels. They're going to be a formidable team with Bobbi around to keep them in line. After all, they can't stay out all night anymore when someone's waiting for them to come home.

"No, bu--mm." Kissing is so much better than arguing, even when they're playing. Good and unrepentant? And a kiss? Yes, please.

Plenty of love to spare for a sweet puppy. It'll make them all better people. They are certainly a picture, the three of them. A more complete one than they used to be. "What makes you think she doesn't already have your number, honey? She's got you wrapped around her little paw and she's only known you, what, ten minutes?"

[fightlikehell]

Waking up has never been so nice listening to her breathe, feeling the warmth they make together and knowing the days without are few and far between these days.

Clearly angels were at work placing this dog of all dogs in their care. They'll be evenly matched in wills, smarts and cuteness. Matt hums lightly into their kiss. There's a swaying fluff motion. Bobbi's wagging her tail.

"Sorry, I think you might have been saying something." He'd say he didn't mean to interrupt but that is most certainly a lie.

Matt's eyebrows lift up as he blinks in consideration. "You have me wrapped around your finger." Seeing as she is the one who brought the puppy around. "I'd say you both ganged up on me." The Devil of Hell's Kitchen has gone to the dogs. That'd be the headline.

[brave_heart_verity]

She's never been both so reluctant and so eager to wake as now that they're together. Sleep is a luxury for them both and she always loathes to have it end. And yet. Who wouldn't be eager to wake up to such a wonderful life? He makes everything grand and difficult.

Angels, perhaps, or the more mysterious magics at work in the Nexus. They've been blessed, however it happened. They'll certainly all keep each other busy.

Humming and an excited puppy and kissing. Bliss. The humming makes Bobbi all the more curious and she snuffles into the spot under Matt's jaw to try and figure out what he's doing that for. She's got so much to learn!

Verity giggles when she feels Bobbi wriggling around. "Was I?" She doesn't remember what she was going to say. His kisses have a way of doing that to her. But then again, the kisses are a form of communication, too. She's said what she needs to say.

"I do," she agrees unrepentantly. "Maybe we did. But it was for a good cause. We're on the side of the angels in this, so you should stop looking a gift dog in the mouth. Because, seriously. Dog breath."