Work Text:
Her routine was the same today, as it was every day. Wake up (or rather, stay awake), cover her findings from the night before, change her clothes, brush her teeth, and make her way down the stairs and out the door. No later than 8 a.m. she’d show up to work, make her way to the lockers, and after a second of contemplating life, walks to the main part of the office. It was the same every day, the most efficient way to stay on top of her responsibilities.
Except for today.
Right before Lauren has the opportunity to walk into the office, she’s shoved from behind through the slightly-open door. She’s greeted with the flick of a light switch and a synchronized “HAPPY BIRTHDAY!” from about 25 co-workers.
Lauren’s eyes go wide as Kym, the culprit behind the assault on her back, steps in front of her and squeezes the air out of her lungs.
“Surprise!” Kym lets go, motioning across the room with her arm. “As you can see, we’re all very glad you’re still alive for one more year.”
Lauren laughs, and turns towards the rest of the room. “Thank you everyone.” Birthday wishes and farewells are exchanged, as everyone begrudgingly leaves the temporary party to get back to their piles of paperwork. Kieran is standing in the corner with a cart of files stacked high, observing the birthday girl interact with her friends from afar. After a few moments of pondering, Kieran makes his way towards Lauren.
“There was more noise than usual in the hallway, so I figured I should leave the archives and check it out.” Kieran winks at her. “Happy birthday Lauren.”
Lauren rolls her eyes, a smile creeping up her face. “Thank you Kieran, I’m glad you're concerned with the office’s safety.”
Kym interjects, putting her hands on their shoulders and saying, “Now now, kids, no snarky banter is allowed today. Only birthday wishes!”
Lauren and Kieran eye each other for a moment before Will pulls Kym away. “I’m sorry, please feel free to continue your ‘snarky banter’ as Kym puts it.”
The duo share a laugh as Kym frowns at the Lieutenant pulling her along.
“I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of those two,” Kieran chuckles.
Lauren turns back to him. “Agreed.” She lowers her voice so that only Kieran can hear. “So, where’s my present, partner?” Kieran’s mouth goes slightly agape as Lauren smirks. “Is it a well-deserved break from our midnight endeavors, perhaps?”
Kieran raises an eyebrow. He walks until he’s shoulder to shoulder with Lauren and whispers, “Darling, the last thing I want to give you is a break from me.” With that, he begins to stride away. Lauren scowls, a taunting glint in her eyes. Kieran flashes her a toothy smile, and makes his way out the door. Lauren pauses, then follows him into the hallway.
She clears her throat and he turns around to face her. “In all seriousness though, a bunch of the office is meeting at the bar tonight.” Lauren diverts her eyes and mumbles, “I really would like you to go.”
Kieran freezes, slightly unbelieving of her words. He remembers, however, that their relationship has been improving, and she does seem a bit more comfortable with him again. He smiles. “I’ll be there, then.” Lauren smiles back. “Thank you,” she responds, and then turns back in the office, her workaholic tendencies bettering her.
About half an hour late, Kieran walks into the bar and finds Lauren dancing with an already-intoxicated Kym. He chuckles to himself. It’s like deja vu. Lauren spots him, tells Kym that she’ll “be right back,” and makes her way towards Kieran. “Looks like someone finally decided to show up,” Lauren teases.
Kieran feigns remorse, placing a hand over his head and leaning back. “I know, mon amour, and I deeply apologize for being late.” He holds out his hand. Lauren questions him with her eyes, and he simply nods towards a less populated corner of the room. She takes his hand and lets him guide her there.
Once secluded, Kieran reaches into his pocket, pulling out a small cardboard box. “I was going to give this to you last night, but you looked exhausted and I didn’t want to keep you from sleeping.” He hands her the box. “It’s nothing spectacular, but…”
He trails off as Lauren opens the box, slightly gasping. “Kieran…” Inside is a tiny necklace with a charm in the shape of a crescent moon, made out of iridescent opal crystals. “This is- beautiful. Is that my birthstone, too?”
“It is.”
Lauren looks up at him. “I- thank you so much. I didn’t- I wasn’t expecting this at all. How did you manage to get this?”
Kieran smiles at her genuine gratitude. “Let’s just say I know a guy that knows his stones.” He chuckles. “Would you like me to put it on for you?” Handing him the necklace, she responds, “Yes, thank you.”
Lauren hisses slightly when his fingers brush her neck. “God, Kieran, why are your hands so cold? How long were you outside for?”
Kieran quickly clips the necklace and pulls his hands away. “Not long,” he responds, to which Lauren raises an eyebrow. “Alright, human lie detector, you caught me.”
Lauren laughs. “Really, though, thank you. You didn’t have to get me anything, but this was very thoughtful of you.”
Kieran smiles softly, glad to be the reason for his partner’s bliss for once, rather than her stress, fear, or anger.
“Of course.”
A few drinks and many conversations later, Lauren is left with Kieran, Will, and Kym, the last group to leave the bar.
“This was sooo- *HICCUP* much fun!” Kym lazily states in dire need of some water and sleep. “Yes, and now the fun is over. I’ll walk her back home, we’ll see you two later,” Will puts Kym’s arm around his shoulders. “Happy birthday, Lauren.”
Kym shouts, “YES! Merryyy birthday!”
Lauren and Kieran burst into laughter as Kym and Will straggle away.
After their laughs die down, the pair stares into each other’s eyes. After a moment of breath, Lauren looks down at her feet, catching a glimpse of how noticeably close their hands are. Lauren, only slightly inebriated, grabs ahold of Kieran’s hand. Kieran looks down, his eyes wide, surprised at the contact.
“You need to learn how to keep your hands warm, subordinate.” Lauren looks back up at Kieran. “I don’t mean to intrude, but could I stay at your place tonight? We’re kind of far from my district, and I don’t mind walking back, but I’m not sure if-”
“Yes, you can stay,” Kieran interrupts abruptly, just coming back to reality after Lauren Sinclair surprised him twice in the span of a minute. Putting back up his charismatic façade, he quickly adds, “Was holding my hand part of your plan to persuade me to say yes, detective?”
Lauren grins, and begins walking hand-in-hand with him towards his apartment. “Oh, absolutely.”
Back in the apartment, Kieran shakes out their coats and begins a fire, the apartment somehow colder than outside. “I’ll get some blankets, it’ll probably be warmer to sleep on the floor next to the fire.” Lauren nods and grabs the cotton pants and button-up shirt he offered to her for the night. After a quick change and a few trips to find a surplus of blankets, the pair are together again in front of the fireplace, drinking tea in an effort to both warm up and sober up.
“Thank you again for letting me stay,” Lauren speaks softly, as if she could extinguish the flames if her words were too loud.
Kieran grabs his and Lauren’s cups and sets them aside. “Like I said last time, you’re always welcome here.”
Lauren lays down, surrounded by a sea of blankets and pillows. “Thanks,” she sighs tiredly. Kieran joins her, and soon they are facing each other in the makeshift bed. Kieran becomes hyper aware of how close they are, how he can feel her breath on his neck and his legs touching hers. Not wanting to make her any more uncomfortable, he begins to move away.
However, he surrenders all movement when he feels her head slump onto his chest.
“You know, I’ve always been grateful for birthdays because I get to be with friends and family,” Lauren murmurs into Kieran’s shirt, “but every birthday these past few years has just been a reminder of how long I’ve been stuck in the same motions, looking for answers I can never seem to find.”
Kieran frowns, looking down at the redhead. He wraps an arm around her, finding the courage to physically console her for once. “Birthdays have been a pain in the ass for me too. It’s hard to move forward when you have no one to push you along but a measly number tacked onto your age.” He closes his eyes, recalling all the times Lune has been together, between dangerous missions and somewhat ridiculous investigations. Between long nights and even longer mornings. And then, Kieran feels a lump form in the back of his throat, as he realizes how much those moments mean to him.
Kieran closes his eyes, allowing himself to feel some emotion for once. He manages to choke out, “But, having you as my partner has made it a lot more worth it to press on.”
Kieran’s grip tightens slightly, and Lauren notices it. She responds by placing one hand on his chest and snaking the other around to his back, grabbing the fabric of his shirt and hugging him just as close.
“You're worth it too, Kieran.”
And with that, the couple falls into blissful slumber, holding each other through the night.