Work Text:
After a particularly tough case; trafficking, kids, murder, really the full monty of human depravity, he simply took her hand after she put on her coat, and they went home.
Home to her kids, home to socks stuffed in-between the couch cushions and dirty dishes on the table and them quietly toeing off their shoes at the door before he led her to the bathroom.
They undressed without preamble, no lingering looks or touches or words, and he checked the water temp before he took her hand again and they stepped inside the tub.
The water was close to scalding, just how she liked it, and she melted against his chest as the spray hit her back. He let her rest there for a spell, but eventually nudged her back into the water.
She went willingly, wetting her hair and allowing him to work shampoo and conditioner through her strands before rinsing. She turned down the water temp afterward and took her time washing his too as she maybe stole a kiss or two.
Which was probably how they ended up making out in the shower, but despite the growing interest she felt, her partner’s cooler head prevailed.
“Raincheck,” he promised as long, strong fingers splayed around her hips and his lips snuck another kiss from hers, “Work doesn’t decide what happens between us, especially when I’m where I want to be–”
Those fingers grazed her inner thigh, and she was just about ready to bargain for at least some digit action, when a hard knock echoed on the bathroom door.
“Mom, Chloe had a bad dream and she wants you! I can only hold her back for so long!” Elliot’s cracking voice made it past the door and running water, and she sighed. She loved each of her children with every fiber of her being, but being a parent definitely had its downsides. Plus, with her oldest off to college, the household dynamic had definitely shifted.
“Take your time,” Karadec cut in, pressing another kiss to her lips, “I’ve got them.”
Another shift, but a welcome one as she smiled her thanks and turned to adjust the water temp as he hustled out.
Thankfully, all of her brood knew her work partner was now also her life partner, so Elliot’s reaction was minimal when Adam opened the bathroom door.
And maybe she took advantage to let the hot water run out on her shoulders which refused to relax, but she quickly grabbed a towel afterward, and spirited to her bedroom to change into a loose tee and sleep shorts before venturing back out.
Elliot’s room was dark which led her to Chloe’s (aka Ava’s old room), where she found Karadec in her fuzzy fuschia pink bathrobe finishing a bedtime story to a fast asleep Chloe.
“You know you can stop once she’s out, right?” she softly chuckled, offering him a hand.
“Not about her, I needed to know how the story ends,” he smirked back, taking her hand and standing up close.
“So, a good ending?” she asked, threading her fingers with his.
“The best,” he nodded solemnly, pressing a kiss to her neck before humming there, “C’mon, bed time.”
She led him this time, and slid into her side of the bed as he traded the robe for fresh boxer briefs. Any other night and she’d be making very pointed commentary about his ass, but all she wanted then was him close.
And he delivered, turning off the lights and slipping into his side before urging her closer, his arm around her waist and their breaths mingling across the pillows.
“Rest, Morgan, I’ve got you,” he whispered, and she believed him as she cuddled closer.
After all, Adam Karadec didn’t make promises he couldn’t keep, especially with those he loved.