#everyone always headcanons that Simon has a big dog like Riley

[xmalereader]

• New Member to the Riley Family •

Feel free to make asks on headcanons! You can also check out the Baker Series tag and the Main Masterlist for more works!

Simon spent years working with the special forces and during those years he had a loyal companion; Riley. A German Shepard that he found as a pup during a mission of his. He had taken the pup back to base and had gotten Laswell and Prices approval in training them along with the other K9’s.

She was a playful puppy with the others in Simon’s team, but when the time came that she started her own training her little playful side was put on pause.

During her training, Riley only listened to Simon. No one else but him.

Simon still remembers the first time he put the vest on her once her training was completed and had gotten big enough to officially join him on missions.

The two were perfect for each other, until Simon finally claimed retirement. After leaving his military life behind and Riley, Simon didn’t think he’d see the dog again. She was government property and would be passed on to someone else on his team who will continue to take care of her until her time came to an end.

That was until Soap payed Simon a visit at the bakery with Riley in tow.

When Riley’s eyes land on Simon her tail wagged like crazy and pulled on the leash that Soap held onto, only to stumble forward, escaping his grasp and giving the dog a chance to run across the bakery and towards Simon. The dog was eager and full of excitement that she jumps onto the counter.

Scaring Alex who was putting cups underneath the counter, poor kid nearly had a heart attack at such a young age when he saw the German Shepard jumping over the counter and into Simon’s arms. Riley’s main focus was on Simon, sniffing and licking his face with joy.

Soap was surprised to see Simon smiling when interacting with the dog, showing how much their bond meant to him making the visit much easier for him. Soap later tells Simon that Riley is under retirement too and was in the process of getting adopted by a couple, but due to the strong bond that she has with Simon he came to pay him a visit in hopes of having her stay with him.

Simon was thrilled with the idea.

Alex was not.

The teenager was quick to remind Simon about asking permission from Y/n since they are to be living above the bakery all together.

Alex would have expected his father to tell Simon ‘no’ about keeping the dog only to get the opposite answer.

Y/n was quick to fall in love with Riley, cooing at her and spoiling her with baked treats. Even inspiring the man to start baking friendly dog treats that he later started selling in his bakery a week after having Riley in their family.

Alex didn’t like Riley. Not because he hated dogs, but because he had a fear for dogs. Alex was chased home after school when he was only nine by the street dogs, giving him a fear of dogs. Simon didn’t know about this until after Riley was already accepted into their home.

Simon noticed the little signs.

Alex would hide in his bedroom, would always step away from Riley wanting his attention. Other times the teenager would throw Riley a baked good across the hallway in order to run back to his room.

Y/n had noticed too and felt bad for keeping Riley without consulting Alex about it. Simon couldn’t force the kid to get over his fear, stuff like that took time even if it happened years ago. So, Simon made the best decision that’ll suit them.

It wasn’t until Alex returned back from school that he noticed the lack of Riley’s presence in their small home, making him question Simon.

“She wasn’t a good fit here. I sent her back to the adoption center where a good family will take her in.”

“oh.”

Everyone would expect the day to go by normally, focusing on the Bakery and the holidays approaching that filled up the place, keeping the small family busy with baking and making warm drinks for everyone.

After he day slowed down, both Simon and Y/n focused on cleaning up the counters and the back, distracted by the mess they were cleaning. They didn’t notice Alex’s lack of presence.

It wasn’t until the closing hour hit that Alex returned back to the bakery. He was breathless from the running and the specks of snow clinging to his beanie and coat as he stood inside the bakery with Riley next to him.

Turns out that Alex found the shelter that Simon dropped her off at and was quick to get her back before anyone decided to adopt her. The teen did have a fear of dogs, but Riley’s presence around their home in the last month had become apart of Alex’s daily life.

The kid missed the way Riley would follow him everywhere even when he was trying to avoid the dog. He missed sneaking her treats even when he was told not to.

Alex had actually cried in the bathroom when Simon gave her up.

Riley then became a permanent member of their family. She’d follow Alex around the house and sleep in bed together.

Riley had surprised Simon when she started to listened to Y/n and only him. Even if Simon tried to get her attention, she’d only turn to Y/n for attention.

Let’s just say that Simon grew a little jealous when Y/n secretly taught Riley a few new tricks around the bakery, such as delivering to go bags to their customers that waited at tables, fetching a rag for Y/n whenever his hands were wet or dirty.

Riley even got her own little apron with the bakeries logo and title, being there with Simon each morning when opening the bakery.