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Colby settled into his cubicle, embracing the quiet routine of administrative work that he was totally okay doing for the day. These slow days were a rare treat, and he knew better than to take them for granted. His therapist said repetitive tasks might help his mind relax and ease him down and it worked surprisingly well and as he clicked through spreadsheets and filed reports, the familiar rhythm of the work began to soothe his thoughts, wrapping him in a sense of calm.
The best part of his day in the office was being in a cubicle with David, because of the comfort of knowing his partner was close by. It was nice to simply sit and tap away on the computer, the general office noises blending together to an incomprehensible background noise around him. Days like this provided a different kind of comfort for him, especially the knowledge that he still enjoyed the time spent with David, without the excitement of having a field day.
As he watched his colleagues bustling around him, he felt a strange sense of freedom. It was as if his brain had been given permission to take a break, knowing that everything was being handled by the people around him. He liked to think that on days like this, his thoughts had somehow stepped out of his head and into the bodies of his coworkers. They were the ones doing all the thinking and worrying, leaving him to simply exist.
On days like this, he didn't have to relive past mistakes or stress about what came next. He didn't have to strategize or worry about how to protect his partner. All he had to do was type away on his computer, and let the world move around him without needing to control it. It was a rare and beautiful feeling, one that he savored deeply.
Because he could just… be.
Colby really had to digest that he could just exist, together with David, who was humming a tune while looking at some paper. This was the kind of comfort he valued the most.
“Are you really humming one of the songs from the Backstreet Boys?” Colby felt compelled to ask after hearing the same tune repeatedly for a time. David briefly chuckled.
“Why?” He asked while turning his chair to the other. “You don’t like it?”
“Oh no, I really like it. You are just always humming the same part,” Granger replied without looking away from his computer. He knew the song, and now he wished he hadn’t said anything about it; his mouth just acted faster than his brain. As David liked to say it.
“I think it matches us,” David continued after a moment of silence, while Colby noticed the wheels moving on the floor, his partner pushing his chair against his. “I don’t care who you are. Where you’re from. What you did. As long as you love me.” David recited the chorus by heart, just quiet enough so only Colby could hear it.
He eventually shifted his gaze from the monitor to David, who was nearer than he first thought. The surrounding noise was still going strong, and Colby really wanted to believe that everybody was busy enough for them not to be worthy for even a glance at this moment.
“Are you sure?” Granger asked with a smirk, trying to hide his discomfort regarding his past. His betrayal. He almost could see David’s gears turning before, with a sudden flash of confidence, David raised an eyebrow, a sly smile spreading across his face as he anticipated the next lyrics.
“Don’t you dare…” Granger started, but it was already too late as David’s voice cut through his.
“Doesn’t really matter if you’re on the run, it seems like we’re meant to be,” the man sang with a hushed voice the next part, slightly chuckling between the words, fully knowing how ironic the lyrics were and how false his voice sounded. “You have to admit it Granger, you brought this on yourself,” he added afterward with hands up, mimicking that he had nothing to do with how the lyrics perfectly blended with reality. “And you know that I like the Backstreet Boys.”
“Sure, sure. You got me,” Colby smiled, totally surrendering. “Now go back to your desk before Don sees you slack off.” With that, he placed a hand on David’s thigh and pushed him with his chair back to his desk, his touch lingering just a bit. Just as a treat for himself. He saw David’s eyes trailing down before coming back up, a promise in those eyes if he ever seen one.
“Okay, Granger. Okay, I see how it is.” It was the only thing David said before turning back to his desk, focusing on their real job.
Or focusing on the administrative section of it. Colby tried not to admit before the team that he liked this side of the job, because then they would totally give him everything to digitalize. Labeling the evidence, writing up the report on the case, it was the perfect low intensity task for him according to his therapist. According to her, David was also the perfect companion for him, which he tended to agree with.
As David went back to humming different songs, Colby went back to just listening to it and enjoying the slow day. He caught up with some friends whom he finally could see after some time as he stayed put in the office, he took coffee breaks and took the time to really get some nice hot coffee in his system, and not just ice cold ones. He lived this white-collar day to the fullest.
“Are you sure, man? You don’t want to come with us?” he asked slightly nudging David’s shoulder with his hand while leaning against his desk trying to get his attention. It was lunchtime, and Colby finally took initiative once and asked around who brought food and who wanted to go to the near bagel shop. “I can bring you back something, if you want.” Granger just couldn’t understand why he didn’t want to go out with them to have lunch, and his dissatisfaction was evident by his pursed lips.
“Pass. But you can go ahead.” The answer was not what he wanted to hear, and didn’t get unnoticed by David either. The touch that followed was so gentle, so light that Colby thought he was just dreaming it at first. As his hands were set on the table behind him, conveniently near the keyboard, David was quick to move. Colby could feel his skin tingle as David’s touch stayed, making him want to reciprocate it.
And maybe kiss him.
But it was a rather dangerous idea to carry out in the middle of the office, so instead he just smiled, and helped linking their fingers together without drawing attention to them. The moment was brief, David’s thumb smoothing just a couple of touches down to the back of Colby’s hand, before they had to move away from each other, but it was enough for them. It was enough for them to know they were okay.
“I will grab you a snack though.” This was Colby’s way of saying goodbye to him, which was paired with the small grunt of his, as he pushed himself away from the table. The grunt was nothing David hasn’t heard yet, because Colby makes these noises unconsciously all the time. During gym sessions, team meetings when he doesn’t agree with something, even while sleeping. It was just a noise that was so Colby coded in David’s eyes.
The moments after the group left for lunch were peaceful, only the buzzing of the computers could be heard before the telephone’s ringing cut through it. David could see how Colby was glowing in the mundane things, he could actually feel the others happiness by just sitting in the same cubicle with him, and it made him want this type of life just a little bit more. Of course, the thought quickly faded away, but it was nice to play with the idea of a life like that with Colby.
“Close your eyes.” The sudden voice behind him made him flinch, and his fingers were itching to reach for his gun for a second before he recognized the voice. He quickly glanced at the time, now it made sense that the group was back.
“I almost pulled my gun on you, just sayin’.”
“Sure, big guy. You closed your eyes already?”
“Yes, Granger, I closed my eyes.”
David then heard some rattling on his desk, something being placed on the wooden top, then a gentle touch on his shoulder that stayed.
“There, you can open them now.” Before him was a small heart shaped chocolate-chip cookie. It was a small thing, placed on top of the paper bag with the bagel shop’s logo on it, but it was a sweet gesture.
“I know that I am the best partner, you don’t have to say it,” Colby grinned at him, patting David’s shoulder before moving away to his desk. Moments later the quiet hum of the office was broken by the soft ping of an incoming email, the instruction in it clear and short. Colby’s heart raced, as he saw David raising from his chair, his movements deliberate and charged with unspoken tension, and he was quick to follow within a 3 minute mark.
The moment the door clicked shut behind them, the world shifted. David's hands were suddenly everywhere, propelling Colby into the nearest stall with an urgency that left him breathless. The cool plastic of the wall met Colby's back with a thud, forcing a surprised grunt from his lips. That small sound was all it took to ignite the fire in David's eyes, his control snapping, and making him even crazier for the other.
The stall was cramped, the air heavy with the faint smell of disinfectant and the sticky floor beneath them a reminder of its less-than-ideal state. But none of that mattered. It was theirs for the moment, and that was enough. The first kiss came fast and hungry, full of teeth and tongues, a raw display of the need simmering inside them.
“Remind me to get you cookies more often,” Colby murmured, his voice breathless and teasing as he tilted his head back when he felt David’s tongue leaving a wet trail down his neck. He let himself melt into the other man’s hold, gripping David’s waist firmly to pull him closer, his mouth opening to a silent grunt.
“Shut up,” David said with a hushed tone, his breath heavy. His breath brushed against his partner’s lips, the closeness just making him yearn for more. Colby didn’t hesitate. He grunted as he surged forward, capturing David’s mouth in a kiss that was slower this time—deeper, deliberate. He wanted to savor every inch of him, every taste David had to offer.
Colby’s hands slid up to David’s neck, fingers tightening as he angled their faces just right, guiding him with practiced ease. David followed without hesitation, his skin burning under Colby’s touch, his hands trembling as if they couldn’t decide where to land, while Colby just grunted and grunted, making David lose his mind.
“Still best partner, I am assuming,” Granger added when he could feel David heavy breathing and small kisses on his neck after they calmed down. He could hear the small chuckle the man let out, before he moved away slightly to look at the other’s face.
“Definitely.” David was smiling now, his face lightning with a mix of excitement and mischief. Colby couldn't help but think that this wasn't exactly what his therapist had in mind when recommending mundane office days for relaxation, but oh well. But all thoughts about the unethical use of therapist’s recommendation vanished from his mind, as David’s strong, warm hands were on his body, holding him tight, before moving away, so they could get back to work. Colby let out a soft grunt of disappointment as he followed his partner out of the stall, his mind replaying the rare display of dominance David had shown. It was a side of him that Colby rarely saw in the office.
“No more shenanigans until end of day, okay?” David asked before they opened the bathroom door. His hand was placed on Colby’s nape, tightening his grip. It wasn’t fair, Colby thought. David knew very well that Colby had a sensitive spot there.
“Got, it.” Colby replied as they each returned to their desks with a shared secret smile. For now, the weight of past mistakes and heavy thoughts remained at bay for Colby, pushed aside by the thrill of their stolen moment. And this sense of freedom stayed with him, untouched by his usual worries, until the day finally drew to a close.
“Are you ready to head out?” David asked him with his coat in hand, leaning against the glass panel above his cubicle.” Or we lost you to the admins and managers?” He added with a cheeky grin.
“You wish,” Colby smirked finally logging out, and trying to save this momentum of calmness he knew he wouldn’t be experiencing for a while. “I’m just too good at running after criminals to have me locked up behind a desk. Better than you, anyways.” Granger grinned while packing up, landing a wink at the other, who just stood there bamboozled.
“I will let you know, we both got the same number of people in a foot chase. We are tied,” David responded after he waited for the other to get ready.
“Sure, old man, “Colby said, patting the other’s back, and leaving his hand on his shoulder and bringing him to move. “Sure.”
They left the building in a chatty mood, talking about cases and ideas to check out the next day, and Colby noticed how the bustling office environment receded into the background, its background noises fading into silence. His thoughts about important things coming to the front.
But he was ready now, prepared to welcome these thoughts back into his mind.