Random x Reader

Lt. Columbo x Reader

You've been dog sitting for Lieutenant Columbo for a few weeks now. You don't mind doing it, if anything you love having an excuse to spend a bit of time with him, and you've been rather fond of the Lieutenant for quite awhile.

He always uses you to bounce his ideas off of, and you've even helped give him some ideas when he's had none. You like to think that you've helped solve a few of his cases, but you know for a fact that his brilliant mind is what solves every one of them.

Every night is the same thing; Columbo comes home as tired as ever, seeming as if all of his energy had been drained from working all day. You want so badly to massage his shoulders or draw him a relaxing, warm bath, but know that would be weird coming from you, especially with you being 17 and him 36. So, instead, you do small things for him, hoping your little sprinkles of kindness will help ease his tension.

You lay on the green couch in Columbo's warm home, reading your English assignment for school as you pet Dog - which is what Columbo named his hound dog. The cute, brown pooch is currently laying on your stomach, that being his favorite position, snoozing away as you mindlessly play with his floppy ears.

Columbo opens the front door, immediately taking off his trench coat and brown suit jacket, looking as tired as ever. You great him with a kind smile as he waves at you without looking in your direction, giving you little acknowledgment.

"Dinner is still warm, if you want any," you comment in a soft tone, watching as he makes his way into the kitchen.

You see him give an uninterested wave of his hand while nodding his head before he disappears into the other room. You turn back to your book, then see his head pop out of the kitchen threshold as he gives you a baffled look. You glance over at him, tilting your head in confusion. He leans his torso into the living room.

"You made dinner?" he asks in surprise, blinking while raising his bushy, brown eyebrows.

You slowly nod, not understanding why he's so appalled. He shakes his head, glancing away while running a hand through his hair. That action always causes your heart to flutter, but you push the feeling away.

"I didn't even have time to pick up groceries today," he mumbles, giving you that same goofy smile that you know and love so much.

You giggle, your cheeks reddening as you hide your mouth and nose behind your book.

"Don't worry, I got groceries while Dog and I were out," you shyly comment.

His eyes widen at your words before he quickly walks into the kitchen. You hear him open the fridge before 'tch'ing, causing you to grin as you scrunch up your nose in embarrassment.

He then chuckles, peaking his head out again to gawk at you. "And you made lasagna?" he questions, a thankful grin on his face.

You reply with a shy shrug, hiding your blushing face behind your book, attempting to act nonchalant about your cooking skills. Columbo shakes his head before heading back into the kitchen.

"If I'd known that, I'd have been home sooner," he jokes, his voice becoming muffled. You giggle in response, wanting to be polite, but also deeply enjoying the flattery.

You look at Dog, seeing his brown eyes staring back at you, a knowing gleam in them. You're sure the dog knows you have a slight crush on his owner. You ignore the pooch, turning your attention back to your book.

"So," you start in an attempt to break the silence, hearing Columbo rummaging around in the kitchen. He must be so hungry by now, with it being past 10 p.m. "Dog made a friend at the dog part today."

Columbo hums, taking a bite out of your lasagna, his eyes widening as he looks down at the food. This is some of the best lasagna he has ever tasted. He sits down at the dinner table, enjoying your cooking as he listens to you talk about your day with Dog.