*label I_story_start
[b]Late evening, in your office…[/b]

The rhythmic patter of frozen rain against the window blends with the stillness of the office as you sign yet another report, placing it on the stack before reaching for another.

Your shift began with a call that kept you and the forensic team at the crime scene all morning, and the weather conditions practically soaked you to the bone when you returned to the department.

The brief meeting you had with the team afterward was spent discussing your findings while trying to dry off with the towels one of the forensic team members had kindly brought from the supply room.

However, they seemed to take more than necessary, leaving the remaining neatly stacked pile forgotten on the couch in your office.

[i]Maybe I should return them now, just in case someone else might need them,[/i] you think, glancing out the window.

*page_break [i]The weather hasn't calmed yet.[/i]
Thankfully, you've already dried off, and since you'll be driving home, you won't have to worry about getting soaked again.

What will occupy your mind, though, is the sharp awareness that you'll need to drive twice as carefully on your way back.

You wouldn't want to cause an accident on the icy road, would you? You saw where that could lead—how the driver who—

Suddenly, a soft knock echoes through the door of your office, cutting through the haze of your thoughts and offering you a much-needed escape from the torment your mind is inflicting on you.

You glance up from the report on your desk just as the door creaks open, feeling the creeping weariness melt away in an instant when you see your visitor.

*page_break [i]Agent Brailsford?[/i]
"Detective ${surname}," ${isa_name} greets you with a measured tone and the small nod of acknowledgment. "Do you have a moment?"

Just one glance at ${isa_him} shows the clear imprint of the weather outside: water drips from ${isa_his} soaked coat, pooling on the floor, while ${isa_his} hair, heavy with moisture, clings to ${isa_his} forehead, droplets running down ${isa_his} face.

What remains untouched by the frozen rain's cruelty are ${isa_his} calm expression and the familiar traces of weariness.

"Agent Brailsford," you return ${isa_his} greeting, rising from your seat before walking to ${isa_him} closer. "Please come in."

As you approach, you almost reach for a one of the towels but hesitate, noticing that ${isa_name} stops just past the threshold, pausing at the door—an indication that, for whatever reason ${isa_she}'s visiting you, ${isa_she} doesn't plan to stay long.

The thought makes your chest tighten, evoking an odd sensation you interpret as exhaustion.

*page_break It can't be anything else.
"What brings you here?" you ask, still deciding to grab the towel before stopping beside ${isa_him}.

"I apologize for interrupting your work and for… my appearance," ${isa_name} responds, ${isa_his} voice trailing off as ${isa_she} pushes the wet strands of ${isa_his} hair away from ${isa_his} eyes, sighing as water continues to drip down ${isa_his} cheeks. "It won't—"

$!{isa_she} stops mid-sentence when ${isa_his} eyes fall on the towel in your grasp.

"You can use this," you offer, extending it toward ${isa_him}.

Clearly taken aback by the unexpected gesture, ${isa_name} slowly reaches for the towel, returning ${isa_his} gaze to yours.

"Thank you, Detective," ${isa_she} says sincerely, a small but genuine smile spreading across ${isa_his} face, softening the weariness in ${isa_his} features. "I really appreciate it."

"It's nothing," you reply, making an effort to ignore the way ${isa_his} smile lingers in your mind as you watch ${isa_him} begin to dry ${isa_him}self off with a sleek, smooth motion. "The forensic team and I were caught in the weather this morning, so I was in the same situation and know how unpleasant it feels."

"I wouldn't have guessed," ${isa_name} murmurs after a moment, pausing ${isa_his} movements briefly. "You look…" $!{isa_his} eyes trail over you slowly, taking you in with a subtle, lingering caress before settling back on yours. "…Perfect."

The single word carries a weight that seems to echo in the space between you.

You almost expect ${isa_name} to retract what ${isa_she} said or apologize again, but there's a quiet, distant edge to ${isa_his} gaze—calm and steady—that suggests otherwise.

*page_break $!{isa_she} meant what ${isa_she} said.
"Compared to how I probably look…" ${isa_name} adds slowly, ${isa_his} gaze lingering on yours for a moment before shifting back to the towel in ${isa_his} hands.

$!{isa_his} words echo in your mind as you watch ${isa_him}, noticing the way ${isa_his} damp hair clings to ${isa_his} forehead, the slow movement of ${isa_his} fingers as ${isa_she} brushes it back, and the soft sigh that escapes ${isa_him} as ${isa_his} usually neat waves refuse to cooperate.

Some traces of water still trickle down ${isa_his} temple and along the line of ${isa_his} jaw, disappearing into the collar of ${isa_his} coat.

Apparently, ${isa_his} disheveled state suits ${isa_him} well. Not that you expected anything different. Not that you expected anything at all.

As if sensing your gaze, ${isa_name} wipes it off, but ${isa_his} motion halts when ${isa_his} half-lidded eyes meet yours, thickening the silence between you with something unspoken.

*page_break Undeniable.
It's getting harder to keep your composure when ${isa_name} looks like this—and when ${isa_she}'s looking at you like that, so you decide to steer the conversation back to business. 

"I would have offered you something warm to drink if you're cold, but judging by how you stopped in the doorway, I assume your visit has a specific purpose?" you ask, your tone deliberately neutral despite the swirl of emotions inside.

${isa_name} nods, ${isa_his} expression turning serious. "Yes. It won't take long."

$!{isa_she} leaves the towel draped over ${isa_his} head as ${isa_she} reaches into ${isa_his} coat and pulls out a package, carefully unfolding the clipboard nestled inside.

You take it from ${isa_his} hand, lowering your gaze to study its thin contents. [i]It's—[/i]

"The report on the investigation at the orphanage," ${isa_name} echoes your thoughts, compelling you to meet ${isa_his} gaze again. "It doesn't contain any useful information for the case, but at least it should save you some time with your paperwork."

You pause, taken aback. It's not the first time ${isa_she}'s done something like this, but it still catches you off guard, especially since you hadn't expected ${isa_him} to think about something like this for you.

*page_break To think about you.
"…Thank you," you say earnestly, slowly accepting the clipboard and pausing for a moment to pick the right words. "I don't mean to sound unkind, but I don't expect you or your team to care about paperwork or… anything related to my work."

You notice the subtle shift in ${isa_his} gaze—a clear attempt to search your expression, though ${isa_his} own remains unreadable to you.

"I understand why you think that way," ${isa_name} replies after a long, weighted silence. "Still, if there's even a chance this could be helpful, I couldn't disregard it."

"You could have handed it in another day, not during this weather," you say, your tone shifting to a firmer one as you glance over ${isa_his} drenched appearance once again.

There's a brief pause before weariness settles into ${isa_his} features as ${isa_name} says, "I'm not sure I or any of the team would have time in the next few days, so I took the first chance I had to… visit you."

That admission settles heavily in your chest, filling you with a mix of emotions that almost compels you to ask, but you stop yourself just in time.

It would likely lead nowhere, even if you wanted answers—to help and to be helped in return.

But you can't, and part of you regrets that ${isa_name} told you, leaving you with a strange sense of worry, knowing it's most likely related to the third murder investigation.

Being kept in the dark is frustrating. Devastating.

*page_break Frightening.
The air between you pulses with uneasiness and unspoken words, and, lacking the strength to continue whatever this is, you break the silence first.

"I understand that you and your team are busy, but you have my number. You can use it to reach out—call or text—to keep me updated," you say, closing your eyes briefly in exhaustion. "I'd appreciate a heads-up, and… I wouldn't mind if we could communicate more…" Openly. "…directly."

${isa_s} posture relaxes ever so slightly. "I understand. I'll make sure—"

Before ${isa_she} can finish, ${isa_his} phone beeps, and ${isa_she} lets out a small sigh.

"The team?" you ask, watching as ${isa_she} quickly pulls it out and checks the message.

${isa_name} nods, the corners of ${isa_his} lips twitching upward. "I was hoping they'd arrive a little later."

$!{isa_his} words hang in the air, laced with unspoken reluctance, reflected in ${isa_his} slow movements as ${isa_she} reaches for the towel draped over ${isa_his} head, pulling it back into ${isa_his} hands.

Both of you focus on it for a moment, knowing it's time for ${isa_him} to leave.

"I'm grateful for this, Detective, but I can't help but wonder…" ${isa_name} murmurs slowly, finally breaking the silence as ${isa_she} lifts ${isa_his} gaze to meet yours. 
"Do you treat all your colleagues with such care?"

*fake_choice
  #❤️ You tilt your head. "If you want a special treatment, all you need to do is to ask."
    "It wasn't special treatment," you say slowly, tilting your head ever slightly. "But if you'd like one, all you have to do is ask."

    "I… wouldn't dare," ${isa_name} responds reluctantly, ${isa_his} gaze flickering to the towel in ${isa_his} hands once more in a fleeting attempt to resist—and failing.
    
    "Why?" you ask, noticing the faint darkening of ${isa_his} cheeks—a sight that sends a pleasant shiver down your spine.
    
    "I could get used to it," ${isa_she} admits quietly after a moment, ${isa_his} eyes meeting yours once again.
    
    The vibrant depth of ${isa_his} hazel eyes brightens for a second, washing over you with a wave of warmth that erases everything but the familiar pull toward ${isa_him}.
    
    "Is that a bad thing?" you ask in a low voice, reaching for the towel.
    
    "I don't know," ${isa_name} replies, remaining still as your fingers lightly brush against ${isa_his} when you take the towel. "I think I need to experience it a little more before I can give you an answer."
    
    You hum softly. "Then I hope you'll dare to ask me," you say, using the towel to wipe the water droplets forming at the end of ${isa_his} hair near ${isa_his} cheek. "Because I think I deserve at least one clear answer."
    
    A barely noticeable shudder in ${isa_his} breath sends a ripple of pure satisfaction through you as your hand moves lower along the line of ${isa_his} jaw, caressing ${isa_his} skin with your thumb as it trails after the towel, savoring the warmth of ${isa_his} skin.
    
    *page_break It feels far more pleasant than an ordinary touch should.
    "I'll keep your words in mind," ${isa_name} murmurs, the deep tone of ${isa_his} voice drawing your gaze toward ${isa_his} lips before you reluctantly meet ${isa_his} eyes again.
    
    "Please do," you say, pulling away while you still have the strength to. "And I hope to hear the answer sooner rather than later."
    
    Because your time together is running short.
    
    "I know," ${isa_name} says as if in response to your inner thoughts, 
  #💙 "…Why would you like to know?" you ask quietly, keeping your tone calm.
    You pause as ${isa_his} question sinks in, ${isa_his} eyes carefully watching you, hiding the intensity that sends a shiver down your spine.

    "…Why do you want to know?" you ask quietly, making an effort to keep your tone calm.
    
    ${isa_name} holds your gaze a moment longer before glancing back at the towel.
    
    "It was nice… Felt nice," ${isa_she} admits slowly, returning ${isa_his} gaze to yours. "I could get used to it."
    
    The vibrant depth of ${isa_his} hazel eyes brightens for a second, washing over you with a wave of warmth that erases everything but the familiar pull toward ${isa_him}.
    
    "Is that a bad thing?" you ask carefully, reaching for the towel.
    
    "I don't know," ${isa_name} replies, ${isa_his} fingers lightly brushing against yours when you gently take it from ${isa_his} hold. "I think I need to experience it a little more before I can give you an answer."
    
    The deep tone of ${isa_his} voice and the meaning of ${isa_his} words send your pulse racing, and you shift your gaze elsewhere in a fleeting attempt to resist—only to fail when your eyes stumble upon the droplets at the edge of ${isa_his} hair.
    
    *page_break Distracting you.
    Very aware of the weight of ${isa_his} gaze that makes you tremble in the most pleasant way, you reach out, using the towel to wipe away the drop of water before it can fall onto ${isa_his} cheek.

    A barely noticeable shudder in ${isa_his} breath ignites all your senses as you wipe away the last traces of water with the same gentleness you would use if you were touching ${isa_him}—if only you could.
    
    The thought sparks a wave of heat that settles in your chest, and you pause before starting to withdraw your hand, afraid that you've both overstepped and slipped too much.

    But before you can pull away, ${isa_s} tattooed hand gently catches your wrist. The sensation of ${isa_his} skin against yours sends ripples of pleasure through you—far more than an ordinary touch should.
    
    "It becomes significantly harder to respond with 'no' when you do something like this," ${isa_she} murmurs, ${isa_his} thumb gently caressing your skin before, slowly, ${isa_she} lets go.
    
    "I'll…" You swallow hard. "…keep that in mind."
    
    "…Me too," ${isa_name} promises, 
${isa_his} voice laced with a wistful edge. "Have a good evening, Detective. And thank you… for taking care."

Without waiting for a response, ${isa_she} steps out of your office, disappearing down the department's corridor.

You sigh, closing the door and placing the used towels on the couch before sinking back into your chair, staring at the report ${isa_name} brought you.

Wishing the CID team would disappear from your life is becoming harder and harder.

*page_break …
*goto_scene main_page