Chapter Text
It was easy to forget how beautiful Santa Barbra was. The sun radiated every inch of the roads and the local sea birds soared through the sky. Shawn rushed out of the Psych office and Gus sauntered after him. Shawn kept his phone in his and, occasionally glancing down at it as if it would magically make a new message appear. Instead, he was just greeted by the warmth of the phone combined with the bees background he was able to install.
To distract himself from the disappointment of not receiving another message, Shawn ranted about the new ice cream flavours at Sunnyside Ice Cream Eposium. Even though the morning had just started, the need for something sweet and cold directed the psychic detective and his sidekick to treat themselves. There weren’t any cases for them, so it was nice for them to enjoy everything Santa Barbra had to offer.
“I know what you’re thinking. Bubblegum and chilli flakes together?” Shawn said. “It sounds disgusting, but it’s really an interesting flavour. You just have to open your mind and rethink what you know about ice cream. Who knows what they’re going to think of next? Basil and avocado?” He laughed and shook his head. “Actually. That sounds delicious. Remind me to get an ice cream maker. And learn how to make ice cream.”
“Well, someone certainly woke up on the right side of the bed this morning,” Gus remarked with a light smile. “Did you finally decide to ask Juliet out on a date?” Shawn shrugged and turned to face his friend as he continued walking backwards.
Shawn had been working up the courage to ask Juliet out on a date for several weeks. She wasn’t like all the other detectives he had encountered. There was a ray of light that was always trying to break free of its human constraints, but it never got in the way of her professional life. She was often on his mind, but there was someone else who was more important.
“Not quite. If you must know, I got a message from Trent. He’s in Santa Barbra for a few days and he, well, he asked me out for drinks tonight.”
Gus stopped walking. He raised an eyebrow. Shawn was expecting a gleeful cry of excitement, or a fist bump. Anything but the quizzical look that stared back at him. Shawn shoved his free hand in his pocket and swayed back and forth. “I know. If it’s half as exciting as it sounds, it’s going to be an amazing night.”
“Are you talking about Cleveland Trent? Science teacher Trent?” Gus asked. Shawn couldn’t hide his grin anymore as he nodded. Of course Gus knew who he was talking about. Gus was the only one who knew about Trent and the two got along well. Maybe Gus was just as excited as Shawn about the reunion but decided to hide it. Shawn nodded. “That is a horrible mistake. Tell me you’re not going to see him.”
Gus started to walk again, making Shawn follow him this time. There was always a difference between the way the two walked. While Gus strode with confidence, Shawn bounced by him, trying to keep up with his friends’ pace.
“What are you talking about? You loved Trent”
“I liked him when he made you happy. When he dumped you, I made a personal pledge to punch that man in the face if I ever saw him again. And I had a spa day the other day, so I really don’t want to mess up my hands anytime soon.”
Shawn scoffed and shook his head. The breakup wasn’t that bad. It was barely even a breakup. Trent decided he didn’t see a future with Shawn, and Shawn couldn’t fight that logic.
“Man, come on. It wasn’t that bad. Trent just needed some time to cool off. Maybe two years is enough. Now, I’m not saying I’m definitely moving back to Cleveland. Who knows? He might be in the area because he’s– “
A hand gripped Shawn’s shoulder, bringing him out of his rant.
“Don’t you think you’re rushing into this a bit too much? You haven’t even seen him yet and you’re already planning a future.”
It was amusing. People always told Shawn that he needed to think about his future, but they would dismiss him whenever he brought it up. Even though it was something he had experienced hundreds of times, Shawn just couldn’t understand it.
“I was just kidding, man. You know I would never leave you.” He patted Gus’ shoulder.
Gus shook his head, but the argument wasn’t over. Even when they bought ice cream, Gus and Shawn argued over every aspect of Shawn’s previous relationship. There was fighting. Didn’t every couple fight? The two hadn't spoken to each other in over two years. That meant there was more for them to talk about. Honestly, Shawn didn’t think the two would reunite and everything would magically go back to what it once was. He was just excited to see Trent again. Plus, it was fun to see Gus get all protective.
The ice cream was even a little too sweet for Shawn’s taste, but it was just the kick he needed. Some of the bright blue mixture melted onto his fingers, only to be licked up immediately. Gus continued to make arguments about why Shawn had to be careful with Trent, but they became weaker and weaker. Shawn and Trent were together for close to fifteen months.
They started to walk away from the ice cream store. They passed one of the streets, but Shawn noticed a crowd. He nudged Gus and gestured to the scene.
“So much for a day off.”
Yellow tape created a barrier between the crowd and the commotion going on. Gus had already devoured his ice cream, but Shawn’s cone remained in his hand. The familiar blonde hair of the junior detective passed by them.
“Jules,” Shawn called out, heading over to her. Juliet looked back at Shawn. She smiled at them.
“I just knew you two would be here sometime soon. And you brought ice cream.”
Shawn nodded.
“Yes. We were going to bring one to you, but unfortunately, they were just too delicious to share,” he replied with a smile. “But you can have this.” He offered the half-eaten ice cream to Juliet, who dismissed it immediately. Oh well. Her loss.
A body sprawled on the pavement. The body lay on its back. Deep red blood leaked through the green shirt, showing where the bullets pierced the body. The poor guy didn’t have a chance. Lassiter stood over a body. The detective glanced over at Shawn and let out an audible groan. The look on his face matched the annoyance that saturated his voice.
“Did you really feel the need to come here? Surely there’s a circus or something you two can run off to. And make sure none of that junk tampers with the evidence.”
Just like every other day, the insults didn’t affect Shawn. There were some people you enjoyed seeing mad, and Lassiter just was one of the people. Shawn finished the ice cream and made his way over to the body.
Shawn’s response to Lassiter had become so natural due to the repetitive nature of their relationship that Shawn didn’t even have to think about it. The circus was their next stop and Lassy would make an amazing bearded-woman, and that they still needed him there. He continued to ramble until he saw the victim’s face.
It was as if he hadn’t aged a day. The same soft features shaped his face. His amber hair reached down to his shoulders and had been dishevelled by nature. A thin layer of stubble framed his lips. The blue eyes that were once vivid had all life drained from them.
It was Trent.
Nothing like this had happened to Shawn before. He couldn’t think of a witty remark or find clues immediately. The only person he had ever been in a proper relationship with lay dead in front of him.
“He doesn’t have any ID on him,” Lassiter said. “We’ll have to look through the databases.”
“Not needed,” Shawn mumbled. “His name is Trent Samuels.”
He could feel Gus stand up straighter and move to get a better look at the body. Maybe he didn’t remember Trent as well as Shawn did, but Gus never lovingly gazed at it in the early morning.
“You know him?” Juliet asked. Shawn opened his mouth, but words couldn’t come out.
“He and Shawn used to –“ Gus started, but Shawn managed to push the words out.
“Know each other. You know, young bachelors and what not.” Shawn glanced at Gus, hoping his friend would realise that the level of their relationship shouldn’t be told to the detectives. At least, not yet. Gus frowned but didn’t fight back. The concerned look from Juliet only made Shawn force the beginning of a smile onto his own face. “I am capable of having friends other than Gus. We were meant to catch up for drinks later tonight. I guess that’s not happening.”
He hoped no one heard the slight tremble in his voice or deeper breaths he took. It was becoming more difficult to hear what Juliet and Lassiter were saying. There was only one thing that crossed Shawn’s mind. Trent was murdered and it was up to Shawn to find the person responsible.