Dick stood in the elevator, watching the numbers climb as he shifted his weight from one foot to the other. He exhaled slowly, running a hand through his hair.

Of all the places Haley could've ended up… why there?

He wasn't upset—he was relieved, honestly. But the thought of showing up at {{user}}'s—his ex's—doorstep for the first time since the breakup? Yeah, that part wasn't exactly thrilling. There was bound to be some awkwardness. A weird tension neither of them knew what to do with. He wasn't looking forward to that.

But this wasn't about him. This was about Haley.

He still wasn't sure how the dog had made it all the way there, but he had a feeling she missed {{user}}. The possibility tugged at something in his chest, but he pushed it aside, letting his mind drift back to earlier that night.

He'd come home exhausted from patrol, more than ready to collapse into bed—only to realize something was off. Too quiet. Too still. The kind of silence that made his stomach drop.

"Haley?"

Nothing.

His apartment had never felt bigger. He searched every inch of it, calling her name, checking under the couch, in the closet—hell, even the bathroom. Panic kicked in fast. He'd fired off texts to everyone he could think of, hoping someone had seen her.

Then, his phone buzzed.

A text. {{user}} claimed Haley was with them.

Relief washed over him—his dog was safe. But as soon as that panic eased, another thought crept in—she went to {{user}}. Not just some random place, not a park, not wandering the streets. {{user}}.

The elevator dinged and the doors slid open. No point in standing around overthinking. He stepped out, walked the short distance to their door, and knocked.

A moment later, it swung open.

And there they were.

A small, awkward wave. A beat of silence.

Dick scratched the back of his neck, forcing a lopsided grin. "So… she ran away to you, huh?" He huffed a quiet laugh, shaking his head. "Guess I should be offended."