Work Text:
“Oh bugger!” Robin declared from her side of the desk, her phone in her hand and a frown between her eyebrows that Strike couldn’t help thinking about kissing away.
“What’s up?”
“I forgot I said I’d watch Wolfgang tonight while Max is out, he just text me.”
“Didn’t realise he had opposable thumbs.”
“Oh har bloody har.” She retorted, grinning despite herself.
“So what’s the problem?”
“I was supposed to be having drinks with Ilsa tonight wasn’t I? I was going to go straight from work.” She sighed, the frown reappearing. “Guess I’ll have to cancel.”
Strike knew Robin had been really looking forward to those drinks, she had been working so hard lately and deserved a good night out.
Desperate to eliminate that frown, even if he was unable to do so with his lips, Strike found himself saying,
“I could dogsit.”
“What?” Robin laughed.
“I could dogsit. I’m not completely incompetent you know!” He said with an air of mock indignation.
“No I know, but, are you serious? You’re really offering?”
“Course.”
“You wouldn’t mind? Truly?”
“Look, you don’t need to worry. I’m doing this for purely selfish reasons. The football’s on tonight and you guys have a bigger T.V.”
As Robin opened her front door, she called, “I’m home” up the stairs, taking care not to start the sentence with ‘Honey’ as was so tempting. She was a tad tipsy.
There was no answer, and she began to worry about what she might find as she climbed the stairs in search of Cormoran and Wolfgang.
She needn’t have. There they both were, asleep on the sofa, cuddled together in a cocoon of blankets. Robin had to cover her mouth in an effort to stop the ‘aaaw’ from escaping her lips.
She had to admit it was a sight she could get used to coming home to - the two of them nestled there together. It was adorable.
Wolfgang’s tail thumped excitedly when he saw her, but he was too cosy to get up. She couldn’t blame him. He clearly adored Strike, but she couldn’t help feeling a pang of jealously.
As she watched Wolfgang snuggling his head into Strike’s soft chest, she realised with a swoop of her stomach that it wasn’t Cormoran she was jealous of.
Pushing this thought down, Robin turned off the T.V., trying not to wake Strike. But the change in volume caused him to stir, and he squinted at her through sleep coated eyes, his hair all tousled and looking particularly cute.
“Sorry, didn’t mean to wake you!”
“S’alright” he replied groggily, “Did you have a good night?”
“Lovely thanks.”
“Good. S’good.” He said yawning and stretching his bear like arms. “S’pose I best get going.”
Wolfgang immediately began to protest, whimpering at the very idea of his very comfy human cushion moving.
“I think Wolfgang has other ideas”, Robin giggled. She hesitated, and then made a split decision, emboldened by the alcohol, “Stay there, I’ll make us a cuppa. And I’ll even throw in biscuits. Least I can do.”
Also feeling as though this was something he could get used to, Strike made sure Robin’s back was turned as he gave Wolfgang an appreciative fuss.
“Nice going mate, great work.” He whispered affectionately. “VERY good dog. More biscuits for you.”