Title: Chocolate
By: angstytimelord
Pairing: John Reese/Jordan Hester
Fandom: Person of Interest
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: This is entirely a product of my own imagination, and I make no profit from it. I do not own the lovely John Reese or Jordan Hester, unfortunately, just borrowing them for a while. Please do not sue.

***

"He's mine? Are you serious?"

Jordan looked up from where he was kneeling on the floor beside the puppy, the smile on his face brighter than the sun. "How did you know that I wanted a dog?"

"I didn't," John told him, unable to hold back his own smile at the obvious happiness he'd given Jordan by something as simple as giving him a puppy.

"Yet you knew just what kind of dog I was thinking of getting." The obvious delight in Jordan's voice made John's heart soar. He hadn't known that his boyfriend was thinking of getting a dog, but he was glad that he'd decided to give him this puppy before he'd gone looking for a pet on his own.

Somehow, it seemed to bring Jordan closer to him, the fact that he'd thought to bring his lover a dog. They could bond even more closely over this little animal.

"What are you going to name him?" John asked, closing the door as they entered Jordan's apartment and making sure to lock it behind him. They couldn't be too careful.

Jordan shook his head, still smiling. "I'll have to think about that."

"Here are the things that Harold and I got him," John said, offering Jordan the two shopping bags he'd been carrying. "Food and water dishes, a blanket, some chew toys, and puppy food."

Jordan laughed softly as he took the bags from John, peering into them. "I'd already gotten dishes, a leash, a dog basket and blankets, and chew toys. In preparation."

"So you were planning on getting a dog," John said, feeling pleased that, in some odd way, he'd anticipated his boyfriend's desires. "It's almost as if I read your mind, isn't it?" He couldn't hold back a soft laugh; he was no mind reader, but he was glad this time, at least, he seemed to have done just that.

"I think you could just tell that I was lonely and needed a companion," Jordan told him, his voice very soft. Their eyes met as they both petted the puppy, unable to look away.

That was one of the reasons he'd gotten Jordan this puppy, John realized. Something in him knew that the man he loved needed more companionship than John could give him.

"I wish I could spend more time with you," he said, the words tumbling out before he could stop them. "I'd spend every moment of every hour of every day with you if I could, Jordan. You know that. I love you, and I want to be with you. But I have responsibilities that I can't walk away from."

"And I know that," Jordan told him, his fingers meeting John's in the puppy's fur. Jordan twined their fingers together, squeezing John's hand reassuringly.

"I know that you have to do what you do. I understand it," Jordan continued. "I don't hold it against you, John. It makes me proud, what you do, how much you help people."

John could swear that he felt his heart melting at those words.

"It's what I have to do," he said softly in response to Jordan's words. "I need to do this, Jordan. I'm just glad that you understand, and that you stay with me."

"I stay with you because I love you," Jordan said softly, his gaze riveted on John's. "I'm not going anywhere, so you don't ever have to worry about that."

"Neither am I," John said, giving Jordan's fingers another gentle squeeze before he reluctantly let go his boyfriend's hand. He could tell that the puppy was getting restless, and that he was eager to explore his new home. But at least he wouldn't have to go out for a while.

"I think this little one needs a name," he said with a smile, scratching the puppy behind the ears. "Any ideas? I'm fresh out, and I'm not good with names, anyway."

"You named Bear," Jordan pointed out. "But I think I have a name for him." He grinned as he petted the puppy, laughing when the dog raised its head to lick his face. "His name is .... Chocolate."

"Well, that works," John said with a laugh. "He is a chocolate lab."

"And with those big brown eyes, how could I call him anything but that?" Jordan said with a laugh. He got to his feet, picking up one of the bags. "Come on, let's get his stuff arranged."

John picked up the other bag, following Jordan to the kitchen with the puppy's food and water dishes and the bag of food. It looked as though it was love at first sight between Jordan and Chocolate; the puppy bounded after the other man, his tongue hanging out and his tail wagging.

Love at first sight, John thought with a smile. Like the two of them, only he hadn't known it was love at the time. But he did now. And it meant the world to him.

He was sure that the newest addition to their little family would heartily agree.

***