For Harry

[0_0_7]

After talking to Q, Bond had taken Jack the pup to the Dome to find him something to eat. Oddly enough, now in the storage room he found cans of dog food along side tinned peas and peaches. He took a can to the kitchen, opened it up, scooped it on a plate, then grinned at the puppy as it scarfed up the food. As Jack ate, Bond put on the kettle, just waiting for someone to walk in so he could introduce his new friend.

Comments

[lepidopterologist]

He had the opportunity soon enough, as Harry had come in with the intention of making tea himself.

He saw Bond, and started to greet him, when his attention was caught by the puppy instead. He lit up - somehow evident even behind the sunglasses, and immediately crouched down to the dog's level as it came over to him to say hello. "Oh my," he said, addressing the dog rather than Bond. "Where did you come from then, my boy?"

[0_0_7]

Jack gave a baby bark and jumped up to lick Harry's face.

"He turned up on the shore in a wooden crate," Bond said. "He's going to be living with us...though Q insists we build onto the cottage so we all have room and the babies aren't underfoot."

There was a softness to his tone, a fondness that came from simply watching the little pup.

[lepidopterologist]

"That makes sense," Harry said. "It would also save Q sleeping on the floor." He said this neutrally, as if he had no opinion on the matter.

He scratched behind the puppy's ears, thinking of the first time he'd met Mr. Pickles. When he'd picked him out of the lot... and then been willing to shoot him in the head months later.

[0_0_7]

"Its past time for him to be in a bed," he agreed. "I think we should plan on adding two more bedrooms at least. And perhaps expand the kitchen."

[lepidopterologist]

"You make it sound so easy," said Harry, though his attention was still on the puppy. "Did you give him a name?"

[0_0_7]

"His tag says Jack," he replied. The puppy wiggled away, only to come bounding back. "Suits him, I think."

[lepidopterologist]

"Jack," said Harry, sounding surprised and a bit sad.

JB. Jack Bauer. Eggsy had named his dog Jack, too.

"I ah, I knew a dog named Jack."

He scratched the puppy's ear. "Good dog."

[0_0_7]

"M had a figurine of a dog like this. She called him Jack. When she died, he came to me," Bond explained.

[lepidopterologist]

Harry looked up at him. "Are you worried about how he'll get on with the cats?"

[0_0_7]

"Q is more concerned about it than I am. The darlings were not best pleased when I brought him in," Bond chuckled. "He just needs a bit of training. Though I haven't trained a dog since I was a boy."

[lepidopterologist]

Harry straightened up, leaving the dog be for the moment. "I've had a fair amount of experience," he said. He'd even trained Mr. Pickles the second, less than a year ago.

[0_0_7]

"I'm going to exploit that, you know," he smiled.

[lepidopterologist]

"The selection process for Kingsman agents... it's long. Grueling. And they give us all a dog at the beginning, have us train them as we're trained."

The puppy jumped up, paws on Harry's shins, and he reached down to pet him again.

[0_0_7]

Bond nodded in understanding.

"I think we should begin by teaching him to sit. I'm sure Q would appreciate if Jack didn't jump on him."

[lepidopterologist]

"We can start now if you like," Harry said. "What sort of treats might we have around here?"

[0_0_7]

"There's sardines in the storage room. I'm sure he'd like those," Bond offered.

[lepidopterologist]

"Particularly if he's part cat," Harry said pleasantly, and then stepped into the room. He came out a moment later holding a bag of dog training treats. "You know, the more often this happens, the more annoyed I am that a pair of decent glasses hasn't shown up for me yet."

[0_0_7]

"Why do you imagine that is?" Bond asked with a bit of cheek. "Not romancing the wardrobe gods enough?"

[lepidopterologist]

"I haven't had as much practice as you," Harry said as he pulled out a few of the training treats. Jack jumped over to him.

[0_0_7]

"You seem to get fine suits," Bond pointed out. "Maybe if you stood in the closet and said please a few times you might find a pair," he suggested.