Archive of Our Own ^beta

Early morning sunlight filtered its way through the open arched windows of the Ardhalis Police Department, warmly illuminating the numerous mahogany desks around the room. Officers made their way to their desks to get a start on paperwork, minus a handful on an early morning patrol. At one desk sat an auburn-haired officer, her hair in her typical ponytail while she worked on a document she needed to finish and turn in before the archivist made his rounds. A cup of steaming coffee accompanied her while she labored.

The sound of typewriters and quiet chatter gave a rather calming atmosphere to the room, which felt bright and airy for once. Lauren looked up from her pages, taking a moment to look at her surroundings. Near her sat Kym, who was, as per usual, teasing the ever-dutiful Lieutenant. He mindlessly waved her off, attempting to focus on his paper, but Lauren caught a hint of a smile on his face as he faked annoyance. At the front of the room, Lila sat by a beautiful bouquet of flowers she had brought from the farmer’s market. They bloomed on her desk as she quietly hummed and typed away, unaware of an indiscreet watcher from the opposite side of the room. Lauren made eye contact with Lukas, who quickly scowled and looked away from his muse. She smiled to herself and glanced back down. 

A couple minutes passed before Lauren heard the opening of the door around the corner and the steps of a guest approaching. She heard the familiar lilt of his voice drift into the room, smooth and comforting, before she even saw him. He greeted Lila, who gave a warm smile back. 

“Good morning to you too, Kieran!” Lila fought back the blush that threatened to appear on her face. He laughed softly, Lauren found the sound sending a warm vigor through her body. She chose to ignore it. 

Feigning indifference, she returned to her work, however she was intensely aware of his presence as he made his way through the room, exchanging documents with the officers and making light conversation. 

His words from last night echoed in her head. 

“They haven't had anything to blackmail me with in years...and if they get you, it will work." Lauren thought about the way he had reached to touch her face, the gentle brush of his hand on her cheek providing a warmth in the chill of the nighttime air. Though she didn’t admit it, she had been a little disappointed when he had pulled back quickly after.

Do I truly mean that much to him? She thought. We’ve been through so much together. And I suppose…he is the only person I trust in this world right now. It must be the same for him. Lauren fought to rationalize his choice of words. It most certainly was not in any romantic sense at all.

…was it though?

She thought back to every brief touch, every accidental brush of hands or shoulders. Though fleeting, each had sent electric pins dancing across her skin, a sensation she couldn't quite explain. They had been through so much together. Navigating the city at night, putting a stop to phantom scythe members, all while slowly coming to understand each other. Countless hours spent at the cave compiling information together. She had come to learn his little personal quirks, like how he never leaves a pen without its cap on, or how he has a habit of talking to inanimate objects when he's focused or frustrated. She laughed to herself when she remembered his quarrel with a stapler. He had been trying to staple a report, but it was jammed. 'Why do you hate me, stapler? What did I ever do to you?’ He had muttered to himself.

Kieran had come to know her odd habits as well, though he sometimes chose to tease her for them. Still, he understood her more than anyone. The night of the factory explosion, he had stayed by her bedside and had waited for her to wake up. He was her rock, the one person she could trust completely in a world that often felt chaotic and unpredictable.

Though she still didn't know everything about him, his past still a mystery, Lauren felt an undeniable connection between them. She felt safe with him, anchored in a way she never had been before. His presence was a comfort, his voice a balm, and deep down she cherished these moments, even if she couldn't fully grasp the depth of her feelings.

His voice brought her out of her musing. Lauren’s ears subconsciously strained to hear his conversations, wanting to know what he was talking about. She wanted to know if his morning was going good, what he had in plan for today, what—

Woah, Lauren. Relax. I should not be concerning myself with that. Lauren intercepted her own thoughts. Giving a slight shake of her head. She stole a look at Kieran, who was talking with Kym. 

 Subconsciously, she found herself admiring her partner in crime, watching him stand by her best friend. Lauren was familiar with the curve of his back when he stood tall and proud. Currently, he was missing his usual arrogant and cocky demeanor he so often shared with her—much to her annoyance—and had instead adopted a slight slouch in his posture. Part of his facade of the meek archivist. Still, she could not help but admire the broadness of his shoulders, and how he somehow managed to look so confident even with his act. He turned to the side, and Lauren examined the straight slope of his nose and angle of his jaw. She watched the sun hit his raven locks, tied up in a neat ribbon. She liked it more when he threw it up messily in one of his buns. Even now, the couple stray strands that always managed to escape framed his face, falling in front. Lauren stared at the curve of his lips; she only looked up when he glanced her way for a moment. Their eyes met, golden meeting a bright blue, framed by those dark lashes she oftentimes found herself jealous of.

His questioning look snapped her out of her thoughts. 

Lauren quickly rolled her eyes and snapped her attention back to her paper, acting as if she had not a care in the world about the man in front of her. She scribbled down nonsense on her file in order to help her regain the steadiness back in her heartbeat, which had stopped for a moment when she had locked eyes with him. She didn’t understand why her pulse was so erratic. Taking a couple deep breaths, she shoved any last thought of her annoying subordinate to the back of her mind. 

The officer continued her work when she felt someone approach her. Looking up, she found herself staring back at her partner. He gave a small smile, acting as if they were nothing more than coworkers. 

“Good morning, Officer Sinclair.” Kieran quickly scanned the room to make sure no one was watching, and the usual roguish glint in his eyes returned as he leaned a bit closer, lowering his voice. “Seems I caught you staring. I knew you couldn’t resist my charms.” The archivist flashed a grin and Lauren simply rolled her eyes. 

“In your dreams. I was actually wondering whether your charm could ever compensate for your questionable fashion sense. I suggest you fix it.” She quietly retorted. Kieran placed his hand on his chest, a surprised look mocking his offense before he laughed, turning and wheeling the cart to the exit of the room. Lauren began to start her next file. She tried to focus on the papers in front of her, but her mind kept drifting back to Kieran. His teasing words, his infectious laughter she rarely got to hear, the way his eyes always held a bit of mischief. She sighed, reminding herself firmly that she needed to get a grip. This was Kieran, the one person she couldn't afford to be distracted by.

Lauren shook her head again, trying to clear her thoughts. She needed to focus. Stay professional. But as she glanced at the empty doorway where Kieran had disappeared, she couldn't deny the growing warmth in her chest, or the sense of longing that was becoming harder to ignore.