Work Text:
Nick knew Rafael. Not on some shallow level. Not as a detective would know a prosecutor. Not even as a friend.
Nick knew the very soul of Rafael Barba.
He knew what he looked like when cried. How his bottom lip would disappear. How the green of his eyes would turn grey.
He knew how he laughed. Truly laughed. When he couldn't help but screw up his eyes and curl forward. Like it was the most beautiful pain he’d experienced.
He knew how he slept. How when he wasn't used to sharing a bed, he would lie stiffly on his back, arms at his sides or crossed on his chest like a vampire missing his coffin.
He knew how he snored. Wispy and high-pitched. How he would only stop if Nick pulled him against his chest. How he would sigh and his breathing even out when he nuzzled his face in his neck.
He knew what he looked like when he came. How his brows would furrow just before. How his mouth would fall open. How the sounds he made. Sounds that no one else got to hear, would fall freely from him. Unscripted. Perfect.
He knew how difficult it was for Rafael to let himself be known. How he used to fight to keep the wall up. How Nick had put down the sledgehammer and went about it a brick at a time.
He remember how he knew the final brick had been lifted. He remembered how he'd let the words fall–
I love you.
–How Rafael had barely given himself enough time to catch them before the ground broke and dirtied them.
But he did catch them.
Nick Amaro knew Rafael Barba.
He knew him.
But he didn't know how to do this. Not without him.
Rafael would know how to write an impact statement.
Rafael would know how to get up in court and say the words and not fall apart.
Rafael would know how to put his killer away.