*label T_story_start
[b]The afternoon, in your office…[/b]

"…Understood. I'll be ready, just in case," you say curtly, hanging up the phone with a weary sigh. Taking a moment to collect yourself, your eyes drift toward the window.

The gusts of wind whip the falling snow into a blizzard, audible even from inside, and the thought of spending more than half an hour outside in such weather sends another wave of fatigue through your already exhausted body.

Shrugging your shoulders to ease the creeping tension, you turn away from the window and rise from your seat, beginning to gather the necessary items.

Just a moment ago, you received a call informing you that your presence might be needed at a crime scene, and you should be prepared if dispatch confirms the information.

This alone is inconvenient—enough to frustrate you—since it's not related to the most important ongoing investigation. But then again, you know you shouldn't prioritize one case over another.

[i]A little too late for that,[/i] a tired whisper echoes in your mind, reminding you of your mistake—letting it get this close to your mind and heart.

*page_break A mistake you don't regret.
Regardless of how you feel, you're going to do your job to the best of your ability—even if it turns out to be a waste of time, which has been happening far too often lately for your liking.

After all, the news of the break-in at the orphanage has stirred another wave of panic in Fallenmor, increasing the number of calls driven by fear rather than awareness—calls that don't help the police or your work at all, wasting one of the most precious resource.

Time.

The next victim's time is running short, while the ongoing calls turn out to be dead ends, taking seconds you could spend trying to actually find something. 

It all adds to your frustration, leaving you restless, desperate, wishing that things would either return to how they were when Klemens was alive, or simply end—end along with—

"Going somewhere?"

*page_break You turn your gaze toward the familiar voice.
${teo_name} stands in the doorway with a lazy smirk, ${teo_his} dark green eyes twinkling with amusement as soon as your gazes lock.

"${teo_name}?" You can't help but let a hint of surprise slip into your voice as you see ${teo_him}—partly because you were so lost in thought you didn't even hear ${teo_him} to come in, and partly because of the possible reason behind ${teo_his} visit. "What brings you here?"

[i]Could it be related to the investigation? No, ${teo_she}'d be with the team if it did…[/i]

"Just checking on my favorite resident of this boring town," ${teo_name} says almost dismissively, pausing for a moment as if to let ${teo_his} words sink in. "But it seems like ${mc_she} already @{plural have|has} other plans."

As ${teo_she} speaks, ${teo_his} eyes slowly traveling over your half-prepared appearance with less then appropriate yet expected from ${teo_him} slowness.

You don't let it faze you as you return the gesture, noticing how ${teo_his} outfit is completely mismatched for the weather, even though ${teo_his} unzipped leather jacket shows no signs of being affected by the conditions. 

*page_break [i]Makes sense if ${teo_she} arrived by car.[/i]
What's new about ${teo_his} attire is a plain scarf wrapped loosely around ${teo_his} neck—more of an accessory than a protection from the cold. 

You also can't help but notice the neckline of ${teo_his} shirt that dips daringly lower than usual, leaving little to the imagination.

But—just like before—it's the extensive scars marking ${teo_his} dark skin and not the more than pleasant view that makes your eyes linger for a second longer before you return your gaze to ${teo_hrs}.

As if only waiting for this, ${teo_name} meets it with a lopsided smile, not hiding how ${teo_she} enjoys your attention on ${teo_him}.

"So, will you tell me where you're going?" ${teo_she} asks casually, though the strange edge mixed with curiosity in ${teo_his} tone doesn't escape your notice.

"Duty calls," you reply evenly, shifting your focus back to your preparations. "If you're not here on urgent business, it would be better to visit another time."

There's a brief, suspicious silence following after your words that compels you to glance up, only to find ${teo_his} smirk widening with smug satisfaction.

"Does that mean you don't mind me dropping by even when it's not urgent?" ${teo_name} asks slowly, pushing away from the doorframe and stepping deeper into your office with a casual grace.

$!{teo_his} eyes remain locked on yours as ${teo_she} closes the distance between you, stopping perhaps just a little farther than you expected—but still close enough for you to feel the heat of ${teo_his} presence.

*page_break Or is it your coat making you feel overly warm?
"I'm pretty sure that's not what I said," you respond, your voice steady despite the way ${teo_his} proximity is starting to throw off your focus.

"It's okay, Detective," ${teo_name} almost purrs, the tilt of ${teo_his} head makes ${teo_his} cocky smile even more pronounced. "I can read between the lines."

Just as you part your lips to respond, your work phone rings, saving you from giving ${teo_him} an answer. 

[i]For better or worse…[/i]

As you pick it up quickly to listen the dispatch information, your gaze remains fixed on ${teo_name}, one eyebrow raised at the playful challenge in ${teo_his} eyes—daring you to look away first.

However, the teasing cheer of ${teo_his} presence fades into the background once you confirm with dispatch that your involvement is indeed required, and you end the call with a weary sigh.

*page_break [i]I hope it's not too cold outside.[/i]
Double-checking to make sure you haven't forgotten anything, you turn to ${teo_name} to say goodbye—only for ${teo_him} to break the silence first, saying, "I'm coming with you."

The unexpected suggestion catches you off guard, but you quickly regain your composure and respond firmly, "No."

"[i]No?[/i]" ${teo_name} blinks, clearly taken aback by your blunt refusal. "Are you really turning me down without even asking why I want to come?"

"I've learned that questioning you and your team's motives is a waste of time. Besides, this call isn't related to your task, and it could require hours spent outdoors," you say, zipping up your outerwear. "Given how lightly you're dressed, it's simply unwise to bring you along."

"It's sweet of you to worry about me, Detective, but I know my limits," ${teo_name} says with a smirk. You part your lips, ready to retort when ${teo_she} quickly adds, "And my task includes keeping an eye on suspicious activity around town, so who knows? It might actually be related."

"You don't even know the details of the call and already call it suspicious?" you ask flatly, causing ${teo_name} to chuckle.

"Even you, knowing the details—which, for a second, were passed along by someone else—can't be sure if it's truly suspicious or worth your time. The only way to find out is to check, right? Isn't that how it works?" ${teo_she} asks slowly, ${teo_his} light tone carrying an edge that unsettles something deep within you.

You hate how right ${teo_she} is, but you also hate how ${teo_she} twists it just to… what, come with you? Especially when you remember how quickly ${teo_she} dismissed the possibility that the second victim's diary could offer any useful information.

*page_break ${teo_name} is far more cunning than ${teo_she} lets on.
Having neither the desire nor the time to argue, you sigh and brush past ${teo_him} toward the locker near the wall.

"Does that mean I'm right?" ${teo_name} calls after you with amusement, chuckling at your silence.

You clench your jaw and continue ignoring ${teo_him}, opening the locker to retrieve your police coat.

You wear it occasionally when the weather is bad or when you'd rather ruin your uniform than your clothes. Plus, it's warm and practical—designed to fit a range of body types. 

[i]This should do,[/i] you think, grabbing the coat and closing the locker before walking back to ${teo_name}.

A look of confusion creeping into ${teo_his} features erases the smugness from ${teo_his} expression as ${teo_she} watches you approach, 
${teo_his} eyes dropping to the coat as you hand it to ${teo_him}.

*page_break 
"Seriously?" ${teo_name} asks after a moment, ${teo_his} gaze shifting back to you, ${teo_his} voice lacking the usual warm amusement.

"Yes," you reply without missing a beat. "Either put it on, or handle the call separately from me." You're not sure why ${teo_she} looks so taken aback, but you still continue, 
"I don't need someone distracting me from the investigation because [i]${teo_she}'s[/i] not dressed properly."

You also don't want ${teo_him} freezing—or, even worse, getting sick. [i]Not that ${teo_she} needs to know that…[/i]

"Are you saying I'm distracting?" ${teo_name} asks after a moment, a smile returning to ${teo_his} face before ${teo_she} chuckles at the shift in your expression. "Alright, alright. Hold it for me for a second, will you?"

Without waiting for your response, ${teo_name} reaches for ${teo_his} scarf, unwrapping it slowly and revealing the smooth line of ${teo_his} neck before placing it on the coat you're holding. 

Not a second later, ${teo_she} shrugs off ${teo_his} leather jacket with the same deliberate slowness, ${teo_his} eyes never leaving yours.

As ${teo_she} turns to hang ${teo_his} jacket on the coat rack by the door, you can't help but note that ${teo_she}'s leaving ${teo_his} clothes here—a subtle hint that ${teo_she} plans to return with you later.

*page_break 
You find yourself letting your gaze linger, mostly because it's the first time you've seen ${teo_him} without ${teo_his} usual layers.

The fitted clothes cling to ${teo_his} frame, outlining a figure that clearly requires a lot of effort to maintain. The soft fabric of ${teo_his} shirt hugs ${teo_his} back just enough to trace the contours of ${teo_his} @{T_gen muscles|toned form} without being too tight, and—

"You're really something, Detective, you know that?" ${teo_name} asks quietly, turning toward you with a knowing smirk, clearly pleased that you took the opportunity ${teo_she} gave you to check ${teo_him} out.

"Can you hurry up? Or I'll leave without you," you say, ignoring ${teo_his} words and keeping your expression unaffected. It's hard to stay focused when you know ${teo_she}'s enjoying the attention you're trying so hard not to give ${teo_him}.

"Of course. But for the future…" ${teo_name} steps closer—not to grab the coat, but to lean in toward you, ${teo_his} voice @{T_gen growing lower and huskier|${teo_his} voice taking on a quieter and alluring tone} as ${teo_she} murmurs, "There are other ways to keep me warm…"

*fake_choice
  #❤️ "I'm pretty sure the coat will do…" You drape it over ${teo_his} shoulders. "For now."
    You hold ${teo_his} gaze a moment longer, feeling the implication of ${teo_his} words course through your body, igniting a pull that becomes harder to ignore—especially as the heat of ${teo_his} presence envelops every fiber of your being.
    
    "I'm pretty sure the coat will do," you say in a low, subdued tone as you lean in to drape it over ${teo_him}. "…For now."
    
    Your hands linger on ${teo_his} shoulder, and ${teo_name} shifts ${teo_his} focus to your touch. 
    
    For a brief moment, you catch a change in ${teo_his} expression—a flicker of brightness in ${teo_his} dark green eyes that disappears just as quickly before ${teo_his} gaze returns to you.
    
    "For now?" ${teo_name} repeats slowly, slipping ${teo_his} arms into the sleeves with ease, ${teo_his} eyes never leaving yours. "What about later?"
    
    You keep your expression unreadable, recognizing the deliberate challenge in ${teo_his} suggestive tone. $!{teo_she}'s doing this on purpose—teasing you, tempting you to take the bait.

    *page_break And it's becoming harder not to.
    "That depends," you respond coolly, reaching for the zipper of ${teo_his} coat, "on how well you will handle the call."

    "Oh, I know how to behave," ${teo_name} says, ${teo_his} eyes shining with amusement as you pull the zipper up. "And since you've been so nice to me, I promise I'll be a good @{T_gen boy|girl}."

    "I'm not sure you're capable of that," you reply, your fingers now working to wrap ${teo_his} scarf around ${teo_his} neck. "So far, you've only been difficult."
    
    ${teo_name} lets out a soft hum. "That's because being difficult gets me exactly what I want."
    
    "And what is it you want?" you ask, keeping your focus on the task at hand, trying to distract yourself from the heat ignited by the palpable intensity of ${teo_his} gaze.
    
    "Your hands on me," ${teo_name} murmurs, ${teo_his} words causing you to pause, your hands lingering on the ends of the scarf as you glance up to meet ${teo_his} gaze.
    
    "Is that really all you want?" you ask, a shiver running down your spine as you notice it again—something raw, familiar, almost primal hidden in the depth of ${teo_his} eyes.
    
    "Of course not, Detective," ${teo_name} says quietly, each word laced with a seductive undertone. "I want much more than that…"
    
    Everything stills as ${teo_his} eyes flicker to your lips with agonizing slowness, then return to yours with palpable reluctance.
    
    Your heart hammers with anticipation as ${teo_she} leans in cautiously—not invasively. You can feel the rise and fall of ${teo_his} chest beneath your knuckles, the warmth of ${teo_his} breath brushing against your lips, pausing for a second—waiting for your reaction.
  
    *page_break For you to shorten the distance.
    Before anything can happen—before the temptation to erase the electrifying proximity can overtake you—you pull away and cover ${teo_his} lips with the final wrap of the scarf.

    "Ouch," you hear ${teo_s} muffled voice through the fabric, followed by a bubbling laugh—so rich and lively that not even the scarf can stifle it.
    
    "I hope you stay true to your word, because we should be going," you say, your hoarse voice betraying the effect ${teo_she} has on you. [i]I need to stay focused…[/i]
    
    Before you can withdraw completely, ${teo_name} reaches to the scarf and lowers it slightly, revealing a familiar smirk. 
    
    "I'll be more than happy to prove it," ${teo_she} says, ${teo_his} voice dropping to a suggestive whisper, "and to properly thank you later for all your care…"

    "Survive the weather outside first," you reply, turning away and heading out of your office without waiting for ${teo_his} response. 
    
    ${teo_name} chuckles but doesn't offer one, silently trailing closely behind. 
    
    $!{teo_his} smugness practically radiates off ${teo_him} in a way you can feel even from behind, but you make an effort to ignore it. However, 
    ignoring the thick, unresolved tension that still lingers between you is something you find impossible to accomplish.
    
    You're unsure how the call you're heading to will go, but something tells you that neither of you will feel as cold as you'd expect in this weather.

    *page_break …
  #💙 You suppress a sigh, saying, "Must you be so difficult? I'm being serious."
    You suppress a sigh and hand ${teo_him} the coat without giving ${teo_him} a response, making an effort to stay calm as the heat of ${teo_his} words courses through your body.

    ${teo_name} chuckles but takes the coat, slipping it on with ease. 
    
    For a brief moment, you catch the shift in ${teo_his} expression—a flicker of brightness in ${teo_his} dark green eyes that disappears just as quickly before ${teo_his} gaze returns to you.
    
    "Happy now?" ${teo_she} asks, sending a shiver down your spine as you notice it again—something raw, familiar, almost primal hiding in the depth of ${teo_his} eyes.
    
    "It's not about being happy," you reply, keeping your tone steady as you hold out a scarf to ${teo_him}. "It's about common sense."
    
    ${teo_name} lets out a soft hum. "Well, since your common sense has been so nice to me," ${teo_she} murmurs, not taking the scarf, but instead leaning in just a fraction closer. "Mind helping me with this too?"
    
    You pause, recognizing the deliberate the implication of ${teo_his} words. $!{teo_she}'s doing it on purpose—teasing you, enjoying your reaction.
    
    Not intending to give ${teo_him} one—and against your better judgment—you lean in closer, ignoring the delight evident in ${teo_his} expression because you've just given ${teo_him} exactly what ${teo_she} desired…
    
    *page_break Your proximity.
    "Must you be so difficult?" you ask, not unkindly, reaching @{T_tall to|to|to|up to|up to} wrap the scarf around ${teo_his} neck.
    
    "If it means having your hands on me," ${teo_name} murmurs, but you focus on the task at hand, distracting yourself from the heat ignited by ${teo_his} suggestive undertone.
    
    "I'm being serious," you reply slowly after a moment, your hands lingering on the ends of the scarf as you glance up to meet ${teo_his} gaze.
    
    "I know," ${teo_name} says quietly, the teasing gone from ${teo_his} voice, replaced by something heavier—darker. "And it's truly adorable…"
    
    Everything stills as ${teo_his} eyes flicker to your lips with agonizing slowness, then return to yours with palpable reluctance.
    
    Your heart hammers in your chest as ${teo_she} leans in cautiously—not invasively. You can feel the rise and fall of ${teo_his} chest beneath your knuckles, the warmth of ${teo_his} breath brushing against your lips, pausing for a second—waiting for your reaction.
    
    *page_break For your permission.
    Before anything can happen—before ${teo_she} can erase the electrifying proximity—you pull away and cover ${teo_his} lips with the final wrap of the scarf.
    
    "Ouch," you hear ${teo_his} muffled voice through the fabric, followed by a bubbling laugh—so rich and lively that not even the scarf can stifle it.
    
    "If you're ready, we should go," you say, the slight croak in your voice betraying the effect ${teo_she} has on you. [i]What am I doing?[/i]
    
    Before you can withdraw completely, ${teo_name} reaches to the scarf and lowers it slightly, revealing a smile—not a smirk—as ${teo_she} earnestly says, "Thank you, Detective."
    
    The softness in ${teo_his} tone and expression makes your chest tighten with a heavy tug—so different from what you felt earlier.

    Not trusting your voice, you give ${teo_him} a small nod before heading out of your office, your heart racing as you feel ${teo_him} following close behind.

    You're unsure how the call you're heading to will go, but something tells you that with ${teo_name} around, you won't feel as cold as you expected in this weather.

    *page_break …
  #💜 "I know," you say simply, handing ${teo_him} the coat. "But for now, this will do."
    You hold ${teo_his} gaze a moment longer, feeling the weight of ${teo_his} words settle in your mind, making your heart skip a heavy beat.

    "I know," you say after a pause, handing ${teo_him} the coat. "But for now, this will do."
    
    ${teo_name} narrows ${teo_his} eyes at the simplicity of your words but takes the coat, slipping it on effortlessly.
    
    For a brief moment, you catch a shift in ${teo_his} expression—a flicker of brightness in ${teo_his} dark green eyes that disappears just as quickly.
    
    "For now?" ${teo_name} repeats slowly, watching you with an almost primal intensity. "Does that mean you have something else in mind for… later?"
    
    You instantly catch the implication of ${teo_his} words, knowing ${teo_she}'s doing it on purpose—teasing you, tempting you to take the bait.
    
    But you're not that easy.
    
    "In fact, I do," you reply, holding ${teo_his} gaze as you lean in closer and drape the scarf around ${teo_his} neck. "There's a heater in the car, so we'll definitely use it. I also have hand warmers, so we can put them in our pockets. If we get too cold after we're done, I have tea and coffee. Not to mention, I have a blanket you can drape over your shoulders when we return. So, as I said before, I know how to keep someone warm," you finish kindly, taking a step back.
    
    The silence that follows, along with the surprised expression on ${teo_his} face, makes it hard to suppress a growing smile.

    *page_break $!{teo_his} stunned reaction is priceless.
    It takes a moment for ${teo_him} to blink before a bubbling laugh escapes ${teo_him}—so rich and lively it seems to light up your office from the inside out.

    Just like it does with you.

    "Oh, Detective," ${teo_name} says after ${teo_his} laughter calms into a soft chuckle. $!{teo_his} eyes still crinkle with amusement, and a subtle glint of joy lights up ${teo_his} expression as ${teo_she} adds, 
    "I think I get it."
    
    You raise an eyebrow. "Do you?"
    
    "Of course," ${teo_name} replies, ${teo_his} lips curling into a playful, suggestive smile. "Next time, I'll make sure to word my desires more directly."
    
    You roll your eyes. "Survive the weather outside first," you reply, turning away and heading out of your office without waiting for ${teo_his} response. 
    
    ${teo_name} chuckles but doesn't offer one, silently trailing closely behind. 
    
    $!{teo_his} smugness practically radiates off ${teo_him} in a way you can feel even from behind, but you make an effort to ignore it. However, ignoring the lingering residue of ${teo_his} words is something you find hard to accomplish.
    
    You're not sure how the call you're heading to will go, but something tells you that with ${teo_name} around, you won't feel as cold as you'd expected in this weather.

    *page_break …
*goto_scene main_page