Chapter Text
“Just ask them out already,” Poley sighs.
Doggy turns to face him, and he looks unimpressed.
“What are you talking about?” He asks dismissively, pouring two cups of coffee.
Poley scoffs. “You know exactly who I’m talking about.” He grabs Doggy by the shoulder, spinning him in the direction of Player, who sits at their desk, focused on flicking through documents for their newest case.
Doggy goes red. He forces his tail not to wag. He’s forever grateful to his mother, who’d told him learning to control his tail was a necessary life skill.
“Player is a friend. Just because we’re close doesn’t mean anything.” He replies, turning back to the cups and grabbing some sugar.
“Oh, sure.” Poley rolls his eyes. “Close friendship is the reason I always feel like a third wheel. I’m not stupid, D. At least tell me I’m right.”
Doggy feels his friend's eyes burning into him expectantly. He finishes mixing up the sugar, and he glances back over to Player’s desk. He’s liked them ever since their police academy days. They’ve always been attractive, but ever since their promotion to a detective, the first officer to be promoted right away to Detective III at that, they’ve been glowing. Despite how busy they are, they’re at their happiest. Doggy looks back to meet Poley’s gaze.
“Okay. Fine. I do want to ask them out. I won’t, though.” Doggy admits, turning back to the coffee.
Poley smirks at the admission, then his brows furrow. “Why not?”
“I don’t think they feel the same.”
Poley sighs. They both know how hard Player is to read. “You know how smart they are, though. They’re one step away from being the lead detective. It’s only a matter of time before they read you, or hell, they might’ve already.”
The idea isn’t unrealistic—far from it—and that part scares Doggy the most. They’ve been his closest friend since high school. He doesn't want to ruin how well everything has been going for them. He grabs the coffee, turning back to Poley.
“I hate that you’re right,” Doggy says with an annoyed sigh.
“Just think about it, you guys already work well, and then I could really complain about being a third wheel,” Poley says with a grin, fixing his fur absentmindedly. Then, he grimaces at the sight of the coffee mugs. “I don’t know how you two drink that. It’s scorching hot. Absolutely awful.”
“You like everything freezing. Besides, Player is worse than I am. They would run through the station’s coffee supply in a few days if they could.” Doggy says, eyes moving back to Player, now distracted by his friend’s words. They look so cute when they’re focused. A tiny tail wag won’t hurt…
The two walk over to their friend, and Poley gives Doggy a look as he sits at his desk, across from them. Doggy looks to Player, who hasn’t even acknowledged him. He sets their coffee down next to them and wave a hand in their face. They smile, taking the coffee.
“Thank you.” Player says after a large sip.
“You look busy,” Doggy says, sitting down at his desk next to theirs. He raises a brow at the small stack of files and papers scattered around their desk. “I thought you had finished your case reports last night?"
“I came early to take some more.” Player says simply.
Doggy shakes his head. “You’re going to burn out,” he warns.
“I like having a lot of work.” They tell him, grabbing another paper to read. Did Doggy already think about how cute they are when they’re focused? He quickly shakes the thought away. He looks over to Poley’s desk, and he does a small motion towards Player.
Doggy sighs with anxiety filling him. “So, are you going to fill your schedule this whole week, or are you free Friday?” he asks. He knows Poley is right. It’d be worse if Player found out about his attraction without him telling them, if they don’t already.
“Umm…” Player looks over to their computer. Next to it sits a small calendar. They squint, attempting to read it. Doggy quickly grabs the small black case by the end of the desk, opens it, and puts Player’s glasses on them. They laugh. “Oh! That’s why these documents have been so hard to read.”
“Player, you need to take an early break if you’re forgetting something as simple as putting on your reading glasses.” Doggy sighs.
“I can’t believe I forgot.” They smile, they look back at the calendar. “I’m free. What did you want to do? I usually keep my weekend open anyway, since you and Poley are always dragging me out to do things other than hyperfixate on work.”
Oh. God, right. He was going to ask them out. He’s so happy that they’re distracted by all their papers once again, or they would’ve immediately known he’s nervous.
“Let me think about it.” He tells them. It’s not a good idea to bother them once they’ve decided to focus only on their work. “Just wanted to make sure you’re free before I start planning.”
Player nods, eyes on an open folder as they pick up a paper and pen, writing rapidly. “Okay, that sounds good,” they say as their focus returns to the case.
Doggy nods. He’s bought himself some more time.
. . .
Poley gives Doggy a grin, patting his back, leaving him alone to wait for Player. The three were the last people left in the station as night fell upon Lucella. Usually, it’s just Player. The chief was sick of waiting for them to leave, so they were granted a key. They work late and do their usual closing ritual, which Doggy has memorized. He’d always found it endearing how much Player enjoys a routine.
Poley had insisted they would help Player with their nightly routine to speed up the process, as Doggy had something important to tell Player. Naturally, this disrupted the solo aspect of their routine, which stressed them. So, they promised they’d hurry, assuring Poley they didn’t require any help. Doggy had spent nearly all his time today between his patrols and calls thinking about how he would execute this conversation and minimize the damage if it were to end badly, even now, as he sits on the grand steps of the Lucella Police Department.
Doggy thinks back to all the times in his life when most people's anxiety spiked, he’d always remain collected and confident. He’s reminded of every round of elimination in the Police Academy, where he’d have to tell Player, who was consistently nauseous, to relax. He still feels collected, but he feels the nerves getting to him.
He hears the large wooden double doors of the station click open, and out emerges Player, black leather bag slung on their shoulders. They smile softly at Doggy, turning to the door to lock it. They check twice, as usual, then turn back to their best friend.
“I told you I’d hurry,” Player reminds him with a grin. They walk over, and Doggy sits up, standing with them on the steps, under the large arch of the building. “What did you need to tell me?”
Oh, yeah. He’s definitely nervous. He looks at Player, who has slightly furrowed their brow. They’ve already figured that much. “Did something happen, Doggy?”
He decides to embrace it and simply be blunt in an attempt to keep any confidence he’s able to muster up. “No,” he tells them slowly, “I just wanted to have a private conversation with you.” he takes a small breath. “Would you want to go out with me?”
Player blinks at him with an unreadable look. “As in…a date?” they ask. Doggy nods. They return it, eyes sliding from Doggy’s to his shoulder. They slightly play with the latch on their bag. Doggy finally understands the look. They’re piecing everything together. Calculating.
“Oh. So that’s why you didn’t tell me what you wanted to do earlier. Usually, you already have an idea of what to do, or we stick to routine because…you know it’s what I enjoy.”
Player looks back at Doggy. He can’t help that his ears are pinned back in embarrassment at how quickly they’re piecing everything together, despite how attractive it is that they’re so intelligent. They’re bound to start asking him a million questions to confirm. Player’s cheeks are rosy, possibly feeling embarrassed themself?
“I should’ve realized sooner, I was just so caught up in my new duties as a detective…” Player stops fidgeting with the latch, and a small silence falls upon the two. “Can I give you an answer later?”
Doggy nods quickly. “Of course, Player.” It's not a no…but he realizes he is going to have a rough time falling asleep at the hands of uncertainty.
“Goodnight.” Player says, walking down the steps and to their car.
Back at his home, he is completely unable to sleep, just as he’d suspected. He’s certain they’re awake as well. Working, no doubt. He wonders if he’ll get a reply at some ungodly hour of the night. Doggy’s eyes turn to his clock. ‘1:22 A.M.’
Any time now, Player.