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It wasn’t ever supposed to be this natural, he thinks, hand on her lower back so soft as Bell runs them through her collected details on the latest case.
He wasn’t ever supposed to be able to find her spare key in his back pocket, let himself in her front door to cook dinner for when she got in late; or offer to help her fold laundry, or pick Noah up from dance class when she couldn’t make it in time. He was never meant to be the one sending her quick texts at midday: got a spare second. you want lunch? my treat— but somehow that had happened.
It was only going to be so long until he slipped up, eased into the easy routine of slipping out of her bed in the morning, kissing her goodbye on her front step as they parted ways, her hands on his lapels as she stood on her tiptoes and made him all but melt.
They’d tried so hard to not succumb to PDA, but after waiting so long, self control was a little harder than it used to be.
Back to his hand on her lower back, her own hand reaching back to tangle her fingers with his, sharp questions from her soft lips as they profiled another suspect while the sun sank below the horizon. He knew they’d have to leave separately, he’d have to drive over to hers when it was dark because sure, her son knew, but their squads didn’t yet and he wasn’t going to be the one to—
“I think we all need some rest. How about we look at this with fresh eyes tomorrow?” Liv’s voice was softened with the need for sleep, a good bath, the glass of wine he knew she was going to request the second he walked in the door.
Bell nodded the affirmative, watching as the taskforce milled around, collected folders off the main table, started to utter their goodbyes.
“I’ll see you at home?” She turned to face him then, hand reaching up to brush his cheek (clean shaven, just how she preferred), and pressed up onto her toes to press a chaste kiss to his lips, pulling back, her brown eyes so wide.
He simply nodded, quirk of his lips as the squad fell quiet and suddenly, everyone was looking at them. He was glad she hadn’t pulled that at 1PP, in her own space, on her own terms. Here would be less questions, but Bells eyes were wearing into him as he watched Liv— his Liv, pick up her purse and swing it over her shoulder, waiting expectantly on his response.
“Mhm.” so soft, “See you at home.”