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For years the boys (and Severide) have asked for a dog, a puppy to raise together as a family. Casey’s always been hesitant for obvious reasons. It’s harder to take care of a puppy when they are away for twenty-four hours at a time. It’s harder to clean the house and take off for trips and things if they want to hang out as a family.
Yet, he knows that it’s something that they all have wanted for some time and frankly, the boys are old enough now that Griffin’s taking himself to and from school and if he’s responsible enough for that, why isn’t he responsible enough for a dog?
He wants the dog to be kind-of a surprise, but he’s done his research, he’s asked the boys what kind of dogs they like, he knows Severide’s happy with a dog that he could go on runs with. The kind of dog that wouldn’t be too big, but also not too tiny.
So, when he’s out and about with Ben after visiting Heather, trying to cheer him up a little. He’s been a little disheartened lately because Heather’s chances of parole were denied last month. It’s not as if Ben and Griffin would go back to her if she got out, but he’d been hopeful that she could get out and visit more.
Casey had tried to warn him that it was unlikely even though she’s been a model prisoner, largely because of what she did – not once, not twice, but three times – and because it caused multiple deaths. He’d been surprised that she was even up for parole, but figured her odds were not in her favor.
“It’ll be okay, Ben. I’ll bring you to see her as often as you’d like. We can visit more than once a month, if you want?” he offers as they near PAWS Chicago on their walk.
“It’s not the same, dad.”
“I know, kid,” he offers, giving him a side hug. “Why don’t we go and look at some puppies instead? That’ll cheer you up, no?”
Ben brightens. “Yeah, yeah, I’d like that!”
“Good, then, let's go.”
***
Casey’s smiling as he watches Ben playing with the puppies. There’s a particularly cute tan-brown one with white fur on his belly and paws that are littered with tan-brown spots that seems to really love Ben. To be fair, Ben really seems to like him, too.
“Your son seems to like him,” one of the workers comments. “Would you be interested in getting him?”
Casey hums. “What kind of dog is he?”
“Uh, well, they said he was a beagle-terrier mix, but our vet thinks that he’s more of a red heeler.”
“Red heeler… farm dog?” he asks, slightly disappointed. They definitely don’t have a farm, and he’d probably have a lot of energy to burn that he’s not sure they could manage.
“Working dog,” the worker answers. “He’d do well if he’s given tasks, and he doesn’t necessarily have to be on a farm for that to work. As long as you and … your wife,” they say, eyeing the engagement ring on his left hand, “Are active with outdoors stuff, and you take the time to teach him jobs as such, he would do great.”
“Me and my future husband, and our boys are all runners, and we love camping and hiking, so maybe he would still be a good fit,” Casey replies, noting the blush at the assumption made about Casey having a wife. He does think that with running and the four of them, they could certainly keep him entertained.
“Then, you should consider adopting him. He certainly seems to like you guys,” the worker offers when the puppy comes bouncing over to him when Ben stands, clearly having overheard the conversation.
“You’re thinking of getting him, dad?” Ben asks, eyes alight and trying to temper his excitement.
“What do you think?” Casey asks, picking up the puppy, who tries to climb into the hood of his sweatshirt, clearly trying to catch a ride home with him. “Do you think your dad and brother would like him?”
“They would love him!” Ben says, cheerfully. “He would be great!”
Casey grins, the puppy now in his hood and licking his ear. “Well, I think he wants to go home with us, too. So, I think – I think we should get him.”
“Awesome. I’ll start the paperwork!”
***
Severide had been surprised when Casey said that they’d be home later than usual and with a surprise, but he’s glad that it gives him and Griffin some time to bond over racing around the neighborhood and competing at the arcade to see who’s the best at video games.
They got so caught up that they’re actually home later than Casey and Ben, pulling in the garage just before dinner time. He spies Casey starting the grill, which means that he was already anticipating that they’d be home soon without even needing to check (when did he become so predictable?). Oddly, it makes him smile.
But what really makes him smile is the thought of getting to kiss his man silly whenever he gets home and seeing the grin on Ben’s face when they spot him and Griffin leaving the garage.
He doesn’t have a chance to ask about whatever surprise Casey had mentioned because as soon as he gives Casey a kiss, he hears, “Oh my god, is he ours?!” from Griffin.
He breaks the kiss to see Griffin on his knees (and getting his jeans wet and dirty) petting a … puppy. A puppy in their house! Griffin’s looking up at Casey, who’s grinning.
“You always wanted a dog,” he offers by way of explanation.
“You bought us a puppy, really?” he asks, happiness bubbling inside. He cannot believe that his wonderful husband-to-be has given him something that he’s dreamed about since he was a little boy. He’s always wanted a puppy. Fucking best husband ever.
“I’ve been thinking about it for a while, and Griffin’s been responsible enough this year getting himself to and from school and I figured that he could handle being responsible enough for a puppy, too, right Griffin?”
“Yeah, dad, absolutely!” Griffin assures him, not looking at him, but instead focusing on the puppy that is wagging his tail and happily getting all the attention from the boys. “We’ll take good care of him.”
“You better,” Casey says, but he’s smiling because even if the boys don’t make good on their promise to take care of the puppy, he’s actually happy about getting the puppy. “What are you going to name him?”
“Ben doesn’t have any ideas?” Severide questions, not quite believing it. Ben’s been the most vocal about wanting a puppy since he first asked for one when he called Casey dad for the first time, and he’s always seemed convinced that someday Casey would cave to having a puppy.
“Oh, he does,” Casey starts, but Ben cuts in.
“We could name him Buddy but you always call us bud or buddy so maybe not. But then, we could call him Smokey because fire is smokey. But he doesn’t really look smokey. Maybe we could use Red ‘cause he’s a red heeler, and fire is red,” Ben rambles off quickly.
“Must he have a fire-related name?” Severide questions.
“Yeah, duh, dad,” Ben says. “You guys are firefighters and he’s gotta fit in with us.”
Severide gives Casey a look, who looks like he’s trying not to laugh. Clearly, they have had a conversation about this prior to him and Griffin making it home.
“You do know that not everything has to be about fire just because we’re firefighters, right?”
Before Ben has a chance to answer, Griffin says, “What about Blaze? You know, like a fire blazes?”
Casey loses his battle with trying not to laugh because clearly the boys are not going to hear a name not related to firefighting and fires since even Griffin is adding to the concept of a fire-related name.
“Or we could do something like … Cooper?” he suggests.
“Nah, I like Blaze!” Ben says, happily. Then, he moves to put the puppy with Griffin, clearly talking to the puppy, “You like Blaze?”
The puppy wags his tail (not necessarily at the name), but both boys agree that it’s a sign that he wants to be named Blaze.
“Blaze it is!” Griffin says, happily.
“Great, he has a name,” Casey says, cheerfully. “Why don’t you boys go inside and get cleaned up for dinner?”
“Okay!”
It’s not surprise that Blaze follows after the boys especially since they beckon him to follow them, leaving Severide alone with his future husband.
Casey looks at him, a little nervous. “So, uh, that’s okay, right?”
Severide grins and moves his hands to Casey’s waist, pulling him close for a short, reassuring kiss. “Case, you’re my best friend, you’re my coparent, you’re my lover, you damn well know how much this is way more than okay. This is the best thing ever.”
Casey’s smile turns from nervous to relieved. “You’re not mad that I got him without you?”
“No, no, of course not. You wouldn’t have gotten him if you thought that I wouldn’t love him, too,” Severide assures him, running a hand through his hair affectionately.
“Good, good, it was … I’d been thinking about it for a while, but this particularly puppy was a bit spur of the moment. I’d had thought I’d get him – or any puppy – as like a present after we got married but it kinda happened a little sooner.”
Severide grins. “You’re the best fucking fiancé ever.” He gives him another quick kiss. “I can’t wait to marry you.”
Casey flushes. “All this for a getting a dog?”
“Fuck off, you know I couldn’t wait to marry you before you got us a puppy,” Severide counters. “I just love you even more now. And I am counting the days until I get to be Lieutenant Casey-Severide.”
“Me too,” Casey agrees. “Well, Captain Casey-Severide, but I can’t wait.”
They lean forward, again, but before their lips can connect, they feel paws on their legs and the boys’ footsteps coming outside.
Blaze gives a sound that isn’t quite a bark but clearly is an attempt to bark. Wanting their attention or at least, them to separate. Severide shares a look with Casey, who laughs. “Remember, you wanted a puppy to raise.”
Severide laughs as he presses a quick kiss to Casey’s lips before he bends down to play and pet his new puppy. “I will remember that. Thanks, sweetheart.”
“Anytime.”