Work Text:
Target: Norton Campbell.
Last Seen: Ayrshire, Scotland
Note: “Don’t force him to return to where he belongs, I just want confirmation that he’s safe and sound - tell the ol fucker that I miss him.
-Benny.”
Naib reread the paper in his hands several times, pipe gentle on his lips, puffing out smoke as he made his way down the busy streets of London. As a detective, receiving requests from desperate souls to track down their long lost loved ones, stalk their lying partners and families, the lot. Yet, he was always surprised when people went to him . Naib was better at murder investigations, potential kidnappings, trying to find people without a criminal trail behind them was difficult for him.
Thankfully for Naib, he had an ace up his sleeve, said ace who he was due to meet up with soon. A rare smile came up on his face, knowing that he’ll see his ex-rival turned friend turned… interesting partnership soon. Eli Clark. A detective much more famed than he was, Naib knew that he was always the right man to go to.
Coming up towards the alleyway they were so familiar with, Naib put his hand into his pocket, holding the pipe to his lips still, as he maneuvered his way down the alley.
It was edging on 11pm, perfect time for a secret meeting, the sharp cold of the night lingering on the winds as the lively London streets carried their cheers and singing across the buildings, the alleys, the trees. As Naib blew out the smoke, it danced away on the winds, as the bitter cold made the smoke more exaggerated. He sighed.
“Eli,” His voice was low. “I’m here.” He was a bit late but as he saw Eli walk towards him from the side of the industrial bin, Naib knew that Eli wasn’t waiting for long.
“Verification.” The fellow detective was quick to respond. Naib knew that this request alone was enough of verification, but at the rare sight of Eli looking serious and demanding, almost in role reversal, Naib couldn’t help but go along with it. He took a few steps forward, Eli taking a few steps back until his back hit against the wall, a small grunt escaping him on impact. Naib put away the pipe in his pocket and used his now freed up hand to trace up Eli’s chest and wrap his hand around the detective’s tie, a smile forming.
“Of course, Eli.” The once noisy street was brought to silence as Naib brought the tie up to his lips and gave it a firm kiss, confident, before looking back up at the now blushing Eli, amusement evident on his face. “Is that good enough?”
“I dunno,” Eli’s embarrassed expression transformed into a wide smile, lifting his blindfold to show his eyes, highlighting how they shined in the moon, how Naib loved them oh so much. “Maybe you should show me again?”
“Oi, cut the shit, Eli.” Naib bit back. Despite his words, his smile betrayed his true feelings, the hand in his pocket finally falling back at his side, the use of a weapon no longer needed. The agreement the two made regarding their verification was made they first became partners, knowing that people would try to take any vantage they could get when it came to solving murders or hiding their trail, it was always safer like this.
Eli suggested the manner but Naib wasn’t going to complain about it.
“How is it shit, Naib?” Holding onto Naib’s hand, which was still holding Eli’s tie, giving a reassuring squeeze. “I always desire your affection, you’re always so withdrawn in public. We haven’t had the pleasure to see each other in weeks and this is how you repay your partner?” A fake pout came up on Eli’s face, teasing the ex-mercenary. “I’m wounded, Naib. Wounded.”
“Ah, yes. Very wounded. I’ll leave you to bleed out then.” Naib and Eli had agreed while they were romantic partners now, discussing such matters in places potentially overheard was dangerous. Dangerous for themselves and for each other. The amount of people who had them in their bad graces made it too risky to let this come to light, neither wanted the other hurt. “Want me to kiss it better, you big baby?”
Without dignifying that with an answer, Eli simply embraced Naib, pulling the smaller man close to him as he put his face on top of Naib’s head, being met with his obnoxious hat rather than his surprisingly soft hair. “I missed you,” His voice was soft, vulnerable. “So much.”
“Oi-” Naib quickly relaxed into the hug as he gave Eli a squeeze. “Shit- don’t get all sentimental on me, we’re in public-”
“Brooke’s on lookout.”
“... I missed you too.”
Looking back to several years ago, Naib never would have thought his relationship with Eli would evolve this much. Originally having his case stolen by Eli himself, to viewing him as a bother, slowly growing into affection until what they had now, it was shocking. Especially considering Eli’s rocky relationship with… well, relationships.
“... Remind me again why we couldn’t go to your office?”
“I am allowing Aesop to reside in my office for now, due to his mentor’s death being recent on him.” Eli quickly replied back, closing his eyes as he held Naib tighter. Almost afraid that he was going to disappear if he let go. “And- well, it’s been six months since we first got together, in this same alley. I suppose I wanted a throwback.”
“Shit, I forgot-” Naib’s mild panic was drowned out by Eli’s laughter. “Oi! Don’t laugh!”
“No no, it’s quite alright. It isn’t a big occasion, I just thought the coincidence was far too large to pass up- ah!” Eli remembered the whole reason they were together right now and leaned his torso back slightly, still holding Naib yet being able to look at his fellow detective. “Please, tell me about the case-”
“Ugh, now you remember about the case?” Naib secretly just desired to stay in Eli’s arms for the rest of the night, listening to each other’s heartbeats and breathing, relaxing and feeling free, away from all responsibility. “I just want to spend time with you, I guess- shit…”
Eli’s features softened at hearing Naib’s voice trail off. It was cute, how the once distant and prickly man was now by his side, showing off his gentle nerves when he’s trying to give affection, and how the two were able to fall into their bantering. “Here- tell me the details of the case, and I’ll give you another kiss, okay Naib?”
Naib quirked an eyebrow upwards. “So you’ll give me a kiss for discussing the thing we planned on discussing together a week ago? Sounds like an excuse for a kiss to me.” At Eli’s knowing smile, Naib rolled his eyes and leaned his weight against Eli, softly crushing him against the wall before pulling out the letter he received from the hiring gentleman. “So, the target is Norton Campbell-”
“Him again?”
“Oi, what-”
“I had to track him down beforehand.” Eli explained, leaning his head down to rest it on Naib’s as they both stared at the letter. “By his boyfriend, Mike Morton. He vanished in thin air, I found him. Turns out the man enjoys exploring mines which were left unchecked due to retired miners. Real piece of work, he can be.”
Well, that made Naib’s job ten times faster. “I presume you found him then,” Quirking an eyebrow at Eli’s smug look. “Guessing by your expression, you did, oi? Where was he?”
“Left the country with Mike, not sure where he could be now.” Reaching out for Naib’s hand, which was holding the letter, Eli held his hand gently. “We’ll have to get databases from local shipping companies, get the ticket destination, and go from there.”
“Excuse me, Clark?” Naib, despite the blunt response, happily held Eli’s hand back, glancing up at the taller detective. “We?”
“I’m not letting another investigation drive us again, dear.” Eli’s usage of pet names always made Naib shiver, feeling his stomach twist up in butterflies. It was rare when Eli used them but when he did, it made Naib feel so special. “Let me join you, Brooke can join us, and I’ll help you… plus, it’ll be a fun vacation, don’t you say?”
With Eli’s smile and the light way he sang out the end of his sentence, Naib could never say no. “Yeah, it’ll be nice, and shit… we technically know he’s fine, so we don’t have to worry too much. Just enjoy our company, for once.”
“Exactly,” Eli’s voice was soft, both hands cradling Naib’s cheeks, thumbs brushing against his mouth scars, fondness in his eyes. It felt like he was in paradise, being with Naib, even if they were only in a dirty alleyway, the occasional rat scurrying past and the party goers getting louder in the streets. “You know, you could have solved this on your own.”
“I know,” Naib admitted. “I just wanted an excuse to spend time with you, I dunno how busy you were and shit and I didn’t wanna hold you back with casual meet ups and-”
“Shhshhh…” Eli’s thumb dragged his thumb under Naib’s chapped bottom lip, soothing the man. “I always want to be with you, even if I’m swarmed with work.” A small smile formed on Naib’s face at the reassurance. “I love you.”
“... and I love you too, Clark.”
Still cradling Naib’s cheeks, caressing his old scars, Eli pressed his smooth lips against Naib’s, eyes closing as Naib leaned into the kiss and wrapped his arms around Eli’s waist. The kiss was surprisingly tender, if you ignore the fact both tasted like smoke and Naib’s lips were always rough to touch.
“Was that my reward?” Naib’s voice was gentle as he pulled back, mumbling against Eli’s lips as he reached up, tracing the tattoo on Eli’s cheek.
“Mmm… no. I just felt like kissing you,” Eli mused as he gave another tender kiss against Naib’s lips before pulling back again. “Neither was that-” And another quick peck. “Or that.”
“Oi- stop your teasing, fucker.”
“Your wish is my- mmph-”
Naib cut Eli off by reaching up on his tippy toes to kiss Eli again, unable to listen to another word when they could be enjoying each other’s company. Going away together, across seas - it was perfect and Naib wanted nothing more but to celebrate it, celebrate their love by showing it to each other. As soon as Naib dragged his tongue across Eli’s lips in silent ask for entry, as his arms slid down to touch his back and a groan escaped the taller man, they were interrupted by Brooke loudly hooting and flying towards the two.
“Ah shit-”
Embarrassed at Brooke staring at the two in knowing, Eli began to fluster as he laughed softly. “Is someone coming, Brooke? Thanks for letting us know, come on, my dear. We should head back soon anyway, I don’t trust Aesop not to blow up my kitchen if I was to be gone for too long.”
Grunting with annoyance, Naib huffed and pulled away from Eli, nodding in compliance. “Sure, whatever- but you still owe me.” Pulling out his pipe once more, Naib pointed at Eli in a jokingly threatening manner before the two exited the alleyway, happily chattering away about their hopeful vacation destination as Brooke sat on Eli’s shoulder, content.
There wasn’t anyone coming. She just wanted to get them to stop before it accelerated too far, not wanting to see such a display, especially in public.
Again.
Brooke’s going to have to have a chat with Eli, wasn’t she...