Work Text:
-1-
It was only a matter of time before bane of his existence number one and two showed up to the crime scene.
It's getting to the point in the night where Carlton would normally consider clocking out and heading home, but he was called to the scene of a suspected murder that left little to no clues behind. This was the type of crime that would keep him up at night, laying in bed and thinking through any connection that could be a lead. He dragged his hand down his face, he was going to need a lot of coffee tomorrow.
Not five minutes after Lassiter drove in, Shawn Spencer and Burton Guster arrive to sow chaos. Spencer in particular is sneaking off to an area that he is not at all entitled to, and as usual, it's Carlton's job to reprimand him.
The boys are whispering in a corner when Lassiter clears his throat, causing them to turn around in the most suspicious manner possible. Like catching kids in a cookie jar.
"Lassie! Look at that, I didn't know crime was on the docket today." Spencer said in his usual flair.
"I saw you limbo dancing under the crime scene tape, Spencer. You're interfering with an official investigation." He responded, his no nonsense voice once again falling on deaf ears.
Spencer gets all too close to Carlton, putting an arm around the taller man's shoulder and non-discreetly looking at the files in his hands. "So it would seem! But this party is only getting started, right Lassie?"
Carlton growls and shuts his folder close before the other can read anything more, cue O'Hara walking in smiling. "Shawn! Did you have a vision about the body?" She asks naively, fooled by the false psychic like everyone else in his damn department.
He smiles smugly, "That I did Jules, that I did. This time it was less Marvel’s Vision, more dark and gritty.. like DC."
Guster nods at this, stepping up. "We're here to get added to the case. And to get paid, but mostly about the case of course."
Juliet nods and says, "I'll ask the Chief for you," nearly turning around before addressing Spencer again, "And Shawn! Thank you for the crystal, it's so pretty it makes me want to start a collection!"
"You're welcome Jules!" Spencer yells, way too close to Carlton's ear, before walking back from whence he came.
"And you too Lassie", he winks, before ducking under the crime scene tape and walking off. Carlton narrowed his eyes wondering what that could mean, but let it go easily enough.
Later while leaving, Carlton went to get his keys from his pocket when he felt something strange. Pulling it out revealed a smooth stone or.. crystal, small enough to rest in his palm. It was a muddy orange-brown, with black stripes and a smooth, glossy surface. He might've mistaken it for a roadside pebble had it not been clearly polished.
He huffed, not wanting to play pointless mind games with Spencer today. He looked around and found O'hara, approaching her with his hand out for her to take the rock. She looked confused, and Carlton added for clarification "I think this is yours, too. See you back at the station." and walked off before she could respond.
If there's one thing about psychic and crystal nonsense Carlton knew, it was that women ate it up. All the less for him he supposed.
-2-
The second time it happened was all the more surprising only because Carlton had no idea how long they'd been there.
He was working at his desk, a recent lul in Santa Barbara's normally overwhelming criminal activity had him working on weeks of backloaded paperwork he saved for times like these. He hated the mind numbing sensation that came with pencil pusher jobs behind desks but it was a necessary evil as a detective. He had reached into his stationary drawer- one he very well may not have opened for months given he usually uses one particular pen- only to find rocks.
No, not rocks, crystals. After taking inventory of the drawer he pulled out ten crystals, all smaller than the one he found in his pocket, and put them on his desk as they innocently gleamed in the lights. He felt like he should be mad, and he is a little given Spencer messed with his stuff again, but the futile nature of this 'prank' just left the man more.. confused. Maybe Spencer had put a curse or something on them, something Carlton doesn't believe in but would annoy him all the same.
O'Hara saw them before he had the chance to get rid of them, and looked confused as well. "Are you starting a collection too, Carlton?" She asked innocently enough, to which the man sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose.
"No, this must be Spencer's doing... again. Though I have no idea what idiot thinks hiding rocks makes for a good prank." he says. Juliet mules this over, before taking a closer look at the assortment on his desks.
"Maybe they're meant to say something, crystals have meanings and all. I've even been learning a few, like this-" she points to a purple, mostly opaque rock "is amethyst, for stress and spiritual protection. And this-" she points to a pure black one "is hematite, it's for grounding and protection from negativity."
Carlton doesn't care for this hippie nonsense in the least, but his curiosity grows as he sees one of the same material from the first crystal he had found in his pocket. He points and asks "What is this one?" putting as much disinterest into his voice as he can.
Juliet doesn't mind either way, picking up the aforementioned crystal. "I think this is a tiger's eye! It's for courage and.. protection as well." She surveys the pile again, "In fact I think these are all meant for some kind of protection."
He scoffs, ignoring the small warmth in his chest at this possibly being an act of genuine feelings. "So what, Spencer's saying I can't take care of myself? He should say it to my face instead of through rocks if he's trying to be tough."
His argument is weak to his own ears, and clearly doesn't work on Juliet as she gives him a strange look with emotions he can't quite place. "Yeah.." She agrees, awkwardly patting his shoulder before giving him a smile and walking back to her own desk. He sighs, looking at the various pieces on his desk and wonders what to do with them.
After his paperwork is done and he heads home for the night, he gives seven of the rocks to Officer Allen, whom he forgets still works there most of the time. She's thankful, and attempts to make small talk with the Head Detective for the interaction's sake, but he simply walks away not bothering to come up with some excuse for socializing.
The other three crystals, the ones Juliet gave him descriptions on, get put back into his stationary desk for.. further review. It has everything to do with confronting Spencer later and nothing to do with his chest getting fuzzy at the idea of the psychic wanting to protect him. Nothing at all.
-3-
The third time probably shouldn't have come as a surprise, given how he knows how hard Spencer will commit to a bit, but maybe it's because there seems to be no punchline that it does.
Since the Drimmer incident, the younger man has been a bit.. dare he say, clingy, to him. Now, Carlton certainly owes Spencer, out of his friends and family and colleagues, Shawn was the only one who didn't doubt him for even a second despite the overwhelming evidence. Despite his opinion on the man as a whole, he's grateful for that unwavering faith, because without it Carlton would very likely be rotting in a cell.
But beyond appreciating the effort, perhaps even more worrisome is that Carlton allows the extra touching and closeness that Spencer keeps initiating. He knew he felt outright worry and fear in the heat of the moment- when he walked into his own home and Shawn was at gunpoint. He felt furious when the psychic was slammed in the head with the brunt of the gun, an amount of protectiveness that Carlton doesn't want to admit goes beyond his civic duty to serve and protect.
Maybe it was part of that protectiveness that allowed (even wanted) Spencer to stay close, for his own sake of mind.
During all this however, he didn't get an exact answer on the crystals. When he asked the younger man, Spencer would play coy and pretend to not know what Carlton was talking about. Given how small scale it was in terms of pranks (that's what it was still, right?), he chose to simply let it go.
It wasn't until he was getting off work he noticed the extra bulk on his keys. He had more than a few; his car, house, safe, other safe, secured desk drawer, file cabinet, and interrogation room key that he may or may not be allowed to have, made it a struggle to even fit in some of his coat or pant pockets. He completed it with a simple black key wrist to grab onto, only functional, which is why he took notice of an extra keychain with a brilliantly cut crystal attached.
The gem was unlike anything he's ever seen, tilted one way it almost appeared black and muddy, but as it moved it almost appeared to glow with a blue-green hue in the middle. It has additional implements of green, yellow, and orange in one corner that reflected light in a way that he's never seen before, and the way the colors blended reminded him of the strange beautiful colors caused by oil spills.
Maybe he would understand the obsession with rocks if all shined like this, he thinks, in the primitive man's mind the colors could easily be mistaken for magical or something of the like. As it was though, this was probably the only time a hippie rock has ever managed to impress him.
On his drive home he occasionally glanced at the rock, noting how it looked under lamppost lights. Despite not being one for decor, he already knew he was going to keep this particular pran... gift, if for nothing else but to acknowledge that a stone like that certainly wouldn't come cheap.
After a shower and a microwavable dinner, Carlton sat on his bed trying to google the crystal with vague descriptions. The material was labradorite, which had a special color-flashing property called labradorescence. Its supposed properties were for healing, restoring energy, and... spiritual protection.
Shawn Spencer was the opposite of worried. The man was as carefree as they came, his recklessness and ADHD making him act on impulse, yet he never showed remorse for his words or actions afterwards. Carlton had seen the man's regret once, when his best friend was trapped without him in a bank hostage situation. He had almost foregone all jokes and tried to rush in headfirst, as if having eyes on the situation alone could save his friend.
It was admirable in a way that Carlton felt about his own scenario, where Spencer planted his feet and refused to give up on the detective no matter what. And maybe, in some kind of strange way, the man was now trying to protect Carlton when he wasn't there.
Carlton didn't believe in psychics, or special rocks, or cards that could tell your future. For a long time he didn't think Shawn believed in those things either, the man never used such things in his own investigations, save for his jewelry often having crystal pendants. But if he did believe in these things, maybe in his own abilities due to some self-illusion, then his small gifts were actually quite... nice.
Nice in a way that let Carlton know he was on the younger man's mind. Nice in a way that made him want to reciprocate and be nice back despite his annoyance. Nice in a way that had him keeping the keychain with his keys, despite his disbelief, because even though it didn't mean anything for him, it meant something for someone else.
Maybe nice in a way that Carlton could allow himself to have, if he would ever be brave enough to embrace his own feelings.
-4-
It's been a long time that he’s felt as young as he does now, sharing whispers and small kisses under the blanket of night, giggling at jokes he wouldn't dare to make with anyone else, and feeling rebellious like a teenager sneaking into the house as Spencer unlocks his own door for them to slip inside and have some privacy.
Carlton has now been on two dates with the other man, two and a half if he counts the small coffee date he mistook as a regrouping of evidence and case files that had them rushing to a new scene in light of new ideas. He isn't as apprehensive as he was before, if Spencer was playing with him or trying to humiliate him he would have done so long ago.
Instead the younger man was earnest, and nearly shy, asking Carlton out using the 'd' word. The first date consisted of Carlton being way too paranoid and trying to see if any and all bystanders were a part of Shawn's shenanigans, while the second was one of the best evenings he's ever had, complete with a long stroll down the boardwalk and ultimately leading to Carlton's bedroom.
This time, however, they were fresh off of solving a murder case due to Shawn's instincts, and the man had invited Carlton over for.. celebrating. Not one to look a gifted horse in the mouth, he said yes and is now stumbling into Shawn's abode.
When the door was finally unlocked, Shawn pulled away to turn on the lights and gave a quick peck to Carlton's cheek. "I'm gonna freshen up, alright? Get comfortable Lassikins~" he said, turning to what must be the restroom of the now converted laundromat.
Carlton nodded, still grinning, and took the chance to look around the space. It was undoubtedly Spencer's place, filled with movie memorabilia and a portrait of himself on the wall. Clothes were on an automatic clothes rack and boxes of random junk sat near the sofa.
It was cleaner than he expected, at least, knowing how Shawn acted like his life was in peril if he had to clean anything. It also contained some decorations that he didn't expect; a shelf filled with jars of loose leaves and candles, a deck of ornate cards (what were they called, taring? tarot?), and even a large transparent orb on a stand.
And crystals, there were crystals everywhere. On the shelf, on the windowsill, one beautifully cut geode on the nightstand, and a hanging decoration made of silver and gems. Carlton only ever visited the Psych office, where there was not a gem in sight, but seeing all these pieces laid about made him consider again that Shawn genuinely believed in their properties. Or that he just liked shiny things, which was also very likely.
Shawn broke him out of his thoughts, voicing behind him "Like what you see?" He turned in time to see the suggestive eyebrow movement to the comment.
Carlton cleared his throat, "It's.. surprisingly clean in here, is all." He looked at the windowsill lined with rose quartz and opalite. "I thought you didn't bother with this hocus pocus part of your job title."
He avoided calling Shawn a phoney, it having caused some tension the last time he did. He doesn't believe the man is a psychic, but he's starting to think the man himself believe he is one at least.
Shawn just smiled and took it in stride, like he always does. "Well I do my best, but we both know I have nothing on Sarah Jessica Parker." His eyes fell to where Carlton was looking by the window, "It's not just decoration, though, if that's what you mean. Even if I like sparkly things."
Carlton rolled his eyes fondly, wondering how he didn't notice Spencer being bisexual sooner. His feet took him closer to the other man, as his arms came around Shawn's waist.
"Shall we continue where we left off?" He asked in a low voice.
Spencer closed the gap between them, kissing him deeply, before pulling apart to whisper "Hocus my Pocus?"
Carlton definitely made a face at that, which Shawn laughed at. "Not my best I admit. They can't all be winners."
He would have to disagree, Lassiter definitely felt like a winner that night.
-+1-
It was the third and final day of the California Police Appreciation Convention, and Shawn was having an amazing time.
He was surprised Chief Vick extended an invitation to him at all, even more so when her response to his confusion was a soft "You're as important as any of us, Detective." which left Shawn speechless for an impressive 7 seconds. It might still be his own high score, but he typically entrusts Gus to handle the counting.
Over the past two years of being with Lassie, their relationship became very known. The Chief must have been the one to bunk them together, and short of having rose petals on the bed it was downright romantic. All dim lights and soft sheets, a well deserved vacation indeed.
Now on his last vacay day, it seemed Carlton was the one to be almost rebellious? Waking Shawn up at 1 am, he insisted he had a surprise for him. Shawn was absolutely never one to turn down a surprise, and as he was led down to the main floor he stage whispered his theories to his partner.
"Ooh, is it a trampoline? Gus says they're not normal a hotel accommodation, to which I have to disagree. Maybe you saw Curt Smith in the lobby, in which case I have to say I would never cheat but I did tell the man I loved him the last time we met. Oh or maybe-"
Shawn was cut off by their arrival at the dining hall, it was completely empty.. save for one candle lit table in the center of the room, complete with two covered dishes, a bottle of wine, and a small vase of roses. He was taken aback in the best of ways, darn Lassie and his absolutely adorable traditional ways of romancing.
He let himself be led as Carlton pulled his chair out for him, ever the gentleman. He took the metal covers off both dishes to reveal a well made classic steak dinner, with Shawn's favorite side dishes. He tried to speak, but in a rare moment, he suddenly felt overwhelmed by emotion.
Carlton took it as a sign to explain, "I figured this was our last night here, and really there's never an empty restaurant in California so the kitchen staff let me-"
Shawn cut him by standing up, much to the panic of his partner, only to smash their faces together as passionately as possible. He softly pulled away, hoping his eyes could convey his sincerity when he said "It's perfect."
They enjoyed the meal and exchanged stories like they would any date, Shawn not feeling tired in the slightest despite the late hour. It's like being with Carlton put electricity through his veins, like he could do anything. He loved it.
Shawn being a psychic detective probably should have been able to see what was coming next, but he was thoroughly surprised. Carlton held his hand when they were done eating and the conversation lulled, and spoke with love in his voice.
"Shawn, being with you has been the best relationship I've ever had. The most fun I've ever felt. And I truly can't imagine my life not having you in it forever. So.."
He was getting up. He was getting on a knee. Shawn gasped.
"Shawn Spencer," he pulled out a black felt box and revealed a ring, a band of cool black and silver. The center of the band glowed like..
Labradorite, it was made of labradorite.
"Will you do me the honor of marrying me?"
Shawn was on his feet in an instant. "Yes! Yes oh my god a million yeses yes oh my god." He wasn't crying, his eyes were sweating.
He heard cheering behind him, and turned to see Juliet, Gus, his Dad, Vic and Buz behind a table they must have been hiding under. Juliet held her phone, recording, and Gus gave his best friend an enthusiastic thumbs up from across the room.
He turned back to Carlton, who was standing up to slip his engagement ring on his finger. It fit perfectly, because of course it did, and both men eagerly met each other at the lips to celebrate, to the chorus of cheers behind them.
Shawn has collected a lot of crystals throughout his life, small gems that held meanings. But the one he had on his hand right now?
That crystal by far meant the most out of any of them.