Archive of Our Own

The lights were blinding, Angela noted as she, Lucy, Jackson, Nolan, Harper, and of course Tim walked into the bar. The music was deafening, to say the very least. 

Angela’s hand was intertwined into Lucy’s. Her warmth was something else, something nourishing. As opposed to the heat of the bar, which felt almost suffocating, like a bunch of drunk frat bros. Cold, distance, and sweaty, Angela thought. 

“Ready for a do over?” Angela said as they approached the tables.

Angela and Lucy sat down together at the elongated booth, with Angela sliding her arm around Lucy. “You know I am. Thirty Day Push, baby!” Lucy exclaimed, as she pulled her hands into fists downward, close to her body.

Tim sat down. “The only reason I agreed to this is because Angela would’ve terminated me otherwise. Also this is not cause for celebration, they could still easily be washed out.” Tim said, facing Harper. 

“Lighten up, Bradford. They’ve made it this far.” Harper eased out.

“Suprisingly.” Tim scoffed out.

Angela shot out a glare. “Of course your rookie is the exception, right?” She said, slightly angry while playing with Lucy’s hair. Lucy smirked back at Tim, awaiting his response. 

He straightened his posture a bit. “Of course.” Tim stumbled out. 

Jackson and Nolan were just observing the conversation between the three T.O.’s. Wanting not to be involved any more than they had been yet, Jackson set up an escape for them. “Why don't I get everyone a round. A little help Nolan?” Jackson said, signaling to Nolan. Their escape he thought.

Nolan nodded and got up and followed Jackson to the bar. Angela turns toward Tim. “So, how’s Jackson’s training going Tim? You’re watching him aren’t you? Can’t let my boot wash out.”

Tim rolls his eyes. “Yeah, yeah, yeah. Whatever you say Lopez.” He caught her playful sarcastic tone immediately.

“No, but seriously how is he?”

“Fine. I think he’s struggling with his new T.O. But I think he’ll be fine.” He says as he looks at his watch, no doubt counting the seconds before he gets his beer.

Angela looked around, almost confusingly. “What’s wrong with his T.O.? Why would Jackson be struggling?” She looked almost worried.

Tim focused on her, sensing her worried look. “He’s a bit- unorthodox.”

Angela scrunched her eyebrows in confusion. “What does that mean?”

Harper rolled her eyes. “Come on Bradford, you can’t say it? Man up and say it, he’s a racist.”

Angela felt hurt, slightly. “Why didn’t I know? Luce, did you-”

“She didn’t because I didn’t tell her.” It was Jackson and Nolan walking back with everybody’s beers in hand. He set the beers down with a little more power than what was necessary. Nolan following with a couple more for the others. “I didn’t want her to have to lie to you.”

“Why?” Angela asked.

“I didn’t want you to go curse out my new T.O., I’m handling it. So, please I’m begging you Lopez, don’t do anything.” Jackson pleaded.

“But-”

“Nothing.” Jackson held up his index finger and pointed it at her. “Nothing at all.”

“Fine.” Angela gave in. She picked up the beer that was put in front of her and started sipping. A few seconds went by and anyone else would’ve called it chugging. She slammed the cup back on the table and only about 20% of the alcohol was left. 

Everyone was shocked, Jackson and Nolan hadn’t even sat down and Lopez had finished her beer. Jackson felt a little bit guilty not telling her at this moment, but still felt strong in his decision. 

“Damn, Lopez.” Harper praised the detective. “Save some for the rest of us.”

“Yeah, well.” Angela looked over to Lucy where she was sipping down her beer, similarly to how Angela had. She too finished her beer in record time. “Damn sunshine, you tryna keep me on my toes?”

Lucy looked into her eyes mischievously, no doubt the buzz flowing through her system. “Yeah well, no one else is going to.”

“Damn straight.” Lucy glanced over to the karaoke stand. “Wanna do something fun?” Lucy whispered into Angela’s ear, leaning in. The warm breath made Angela’s hair on her neck stand up. 

“Oh, yeah.” Angela grabbed Lucy's hand and whisked her out of the seat. They walked with passion, passion for singing their hearts out. 

The group watched as the two walked off, the way that they were looking at each other enough to make them look away. Afraid of intruding in a personal moment. “Thank god, I can’t handle their flirting.” Said Jackson, looking back at the group. 

“Remind me how long they were dating and it went above your heads?” Harper said as she grinned at the three boys on the other end of the table. Pointing her finger, almost accusingly. 

Tim scoffed. “You didn’t know either.”

“Over there,” Harper said as she pointed to the karaoke bar, where Lucy and Angela no doubt where singing some cheesy, carefree love song. “Is your rookie and apparently best friend,” She said pointing to Tim. “And your T.O. and roommate. Despicable really.” 

“What about Nolan?” Jackson said in defense. “Why does he get a pass?”

“He doesn’t know Angela like that. I mean yeah Lucy, but it’s forgivable I suppose. You two are another story.”

Tim scoffed. “Whatever Harper. It’s not my fault their professional, if anything it means I’ve taught Chen well.”

Harper chuckled at his comment. “Yeah, you can believe that all you want but I think Chen has other motivators than you to be professional.” Harper glanced over to the 2 who were finishing up the song. Angela’s hand was around Lucy’s waist and Lucy had her hand atop Angela’s chest. 

Jackson started. “It’s not even professionalism. Lopez never came to the apartment, and Lucy said,” He did little, mocking quotation marks with his fingers. “‘I just want to focus on work’, I mean what bull.” Jackson said, getting ahead of himself.

“Watch it boot, I’m still your superior.” Tim said, making Jackson squirm slightly in his seat. While his appeal to authority was getting looser by the day, it was still very much prevalent. 

“Seriously Tim? Lay off.” Harper said as she took a big gulp of her beer in.  “You’re gonna penalize him for saying ‘bull’?”

“It’s the principle!” Tim exclaimed.

“It’s bullshit!” Harper asserted. Her eyes trialed to the right as she saw Lucy dragging Angela towards the bar. Knowing her tolerance, or lack thereof, she imagined how bad this night could be if they both got drunk. “If Lucy is a lot to handle with liquid gold streaming through her veins, and Angela is the only one to get her to be somewhat normal, what happens if they’re both drunk?”

“What?” Jackson turned around to see Angela and Lucy doing shots. Once he saw the view he rubbed his hand over his face. “Not my problem.”

Harper scoffed again as she tilted her head back; taken aback, thinking to herself how ridiculous that sentiment was. “That is your roommate. That is literally your problem, what you mean not my problem?”

“I’m putting it on Tim.” Tim scowled at him. “What? You weren’t here last time, it was really bad.”

“I saw the video, wasn’t that bad.” Tim crossed his arms.

“Video, what video?” Lucy said as she slightly stumbled down into the booth seat next to Harper, Angela quickly followed.

“We’re talking about your love declaration on instagram. A royal fuck-up, if you will.” Tim said, sarcasm lacing his voice.

“Okay, that was bad.” Lucy said, she turned around to look at Angela. “In my defense, when I’m stripped of my inhibitions I’m super mushy.”

“Yeah, but isn’t that your best quality?” Angela said, once she did Lucy pinched her thigh. “Owww! Meanie.” She exclaimed.

“You know what I really want right now?” Lucy asked Angela.

“Couldn’t be water could it?” Lucy pinched Angela’s thigh again while simultaneously biting her lips in a seductive manner. Angela let a small sound of pain escape. “Sorry, sorry! A drink babes?” She said as she leaned in closer. 

Lucy chuckled. “You know me so well,” Lucy leaned in. “Vodka Cran?” She looked up with mischievousness and lust in her eyes, as she also bit her lip.

The rest of the group watch the scene unfold, deeply unsettled by the intimacy between the two. “Babes?” Tim whispered in a questioning tone as he turned to Jackson who just shrugged in shoulders as he watched further.

The two women were still deeply entranced in each others eyes, neither one moving for the so called drinks of Lucy’s request. “Should we do something?” Nolan said, leaning forward.

“Just let it play out,” Harper said, shaking her hand side to side to signal her feelings about the situation. “If we do anything, it’ll just make it worse.”

“If you say so.” Nolan said, and Harper didn’t believe that he shared her sentiment. She was sure that he was oh so unsure.

Lucy leaned in closer, her breath touching Angela’s cheek. It was unsure if she knew what the conversation going around them two was about and was just ignoring it, or if she was just in a bliss in her little circle. “Why don’t you take me to the bar, Ange?” She said, temptingly. Angela recognized this as her bedroom voice, and god was it working on her.

“Hell, yeah.” Angela took Lucy’s outstretched hand and lifted it and her up from her seat. They were quickly tied to each other as they headed for the bar, Lucy giggling in Angela’s arms. 

“After what happened last time why are we letting Lucy drink so much?” Nolan questioned. “I mean if Angela is the only one who can get her to behave normally and she’s also hammered-”

“Watch it boot.” Tim interrupted. “It’s not your job as their friends to police their beverages on a night out. The only thing you need to do is help them get home when it’s all over if anything. Go tell Angela she can’t drink, see how that blows over.”

“I get that but-”

“But nothing. Butt out, boot.” Tim asserted.

Nolan looked like he was about to say something more before he closed it quite fast when he saw Officer Bradford’s glare. He leaned back in defeat.

As the time passed, the conversation changed from Lucy and Angela’s relationship to things like work and Nolan’s life as a father. The group didn’t even notice how much time had passed.

“So wait, Henry did what?” Harper asked, astonished. 

“He shoved it down the garbage disposal? How did he think that could work?” Jackson asked.

Nolan was reveling in a very interesting story of Henry shoving one of Nolan’s contracting awards down the garbage disposal after he broke it, or at least what was left of it. “He was seven, I don’t think he debated that.”

“So what happened with the award?” Harper asked.

“Well, I had only got it the week prior-”

Tim interrupted. “Wait, your son broke your award that you got a week prior? It wasn’t some old tarnished thing-”

“It was brand new yes, and it also broke the disposal so I had to work on that for 2 hours on the weekend. But since it was so new they sent me another one.” Nolan gleamed. 

“Brave kid, surprised he didn’t just throw it out. How did he even reach the it? The disposal.” Jackson asked.

“Well, the switch was under the sink. And we don’t keep anything under there so he just threw it and switched it. I’m assuming.”

“See, my babygirl would never do anything stupid like that. Ever.” Harper emphasized. 

“Speaking of which, what time is it?” Jackson said, looking to Tim, reaching for the watch on his wrist.

“It’s half past eight, why?” Tim questioned.

“Of course you’re the guy to say ‘half past’, Lucy and Angela. They went to the bar forever ago.” Jackson said looking around. He looked behind him to see Lucy being cheered on by a bunch of lonely drunk white guys, with a line of shots being ready to be taken. Jackson sighed as he turned around, slumping into his seat. The rest of the group looked at what he was previously looking at, seeing Lucy finishing up her shot. Only to be followed up by Angela who one upped her. Only Angela could match her crazy. “It’s going to be a long night isn’t it?”

“Yeah, for you two.” Harper said as she laughed.

The night went on, between shots and making out in dark corners, Lucy and Angela had the whole team befuddled. 

“How are you just so chill with this?” Nolan asked, directed at Harper. The team saw, from the corner of their eyes Lucy and Angela making out, again. It was probably the fifth time that night. “They’re so much more expressive than I thought they’d be.”

Harper shrugged. “Personally, I just don’t care. They’re like every other couple that dates. All over, obsessed with each other. I don’t know them like that so it doesn’t affect me.”

“You’re still watching.” Said Tim, as if he wasn’t watching too.

“What can I say, it’s hot as hell.”

“And the hands under the shirt. That’s it, move!” Jackson said as he ushered Nolan out of the booth so he could get up. He walked over with the intention to interrupt the situation. Once he went to the same dimly lit corner that they both took up he gawked, only for a second. He moved Lopez off of Lucy, as Lucy was the one on the wall. If he could’ve he would’ve moved Lucy instead. He wished he would.

“Piss off, Jackson.” Angela said, miffed. 

“Yeah, no.” He took Lucy’s hand, as he knew that Angela would be quick to follow. 

“What the fuck!” Angela exclaimed. She quickly followed, slightly stumbling. 

As Jackson was dragging Lucy’s hand he noticed that she was stumbling a bit too. He got to the table, “Sit, both of you.” He looked behind to see Angela right there, having quickly catched up. 

Lucy slid in and Angela did too. Once in the booth Lucy put her head on Angela’s shoulder. “Seriously, you three blind as bats. Like actually.” Harper quipped.

Tim groaned. “Yeah, well. Can’t dwell on the past.”

“Not when you’re wrong.” Harper said as she took the final sip from her drink. “On that note, Mama’s baby girl is waiting for her at home.” Harper said as she left over the booth, not even bothering with the two drunken ladies next to her. “Nolan, why don’t you walk me to my car?” She said knowingly, trying to give him an escape on this night. 

“Will do.” Nolan said as he got up. “Night guys!” Nolan said as he and Harper walked towards the bar to pay their tabs.

Tim was seething. “Those fuckers.”

“Shush, Tim.”  Angela said, slurring her words. “The night is young, don’t ruin it.”

“I didn’t-”

“Don’t!” She yelled, still sluggishly. 

Jackson and Tim gaped at her outburst. “Understood.” Tim said knowingly. 

Angela put her hand on Lucy’s thigh, her fingertips inching more and more towards the top of her leg. Lucy felt an electric sting at the touch, alongside the buzz flowing through her veins. “Don’t be mean, starting things you can’t finish.” Lucy said, also slurring her words.

“Wanna bet?” Lucy looked questionably at Angela from her words until a second later she felt her lips and Angela’s collide. It was sloppy, messy, and very much drunken. Her lips became swollen as her and Angela’s juices mixed between their mouths. Lucy moaned as Angela leaned in a little bit more, hitting her head against the back of the booth. She didn’t mind though, if anything it made her feel more invigorated than ever. Angela found Lucy’s hand around her face and then her neck, while she found hers around Lucy’s waist. 

“Should we just let this happen or?” Jackson questioned to Tim, who had a face between confusion and embarrassment. “They’re about to fuck on the bar’s booth.” 

Tim groaned. “I guess?” Tim saw that Angela’s hand was about to go under Lucy’s shirt. “No definitely team stopping whatever this is.” He rubbed his hand all over his face in frustration and a bit of astonishment. “Boot, go pay for them. I’ll, ugh babysit.”

“Yes, sir.” Now being given an order, Jackson made himself being put to good use like the soldier he was. Jackson made his way to the bartender to make sure everything was straight with everyone’s tab.

“Hey, no stop that!” Tim yelled across the booth, but it was no use. Lucy and Angela were out of hearing distance, in their own little world once again at this point. The moans filled his ears and once Lucy hopped on top of Angela’s lap was the last straw. “Nope! Nope! Nope!” Tim immediately got up to separate the two, settling Lucy onto the booth away from Angela’s lap and grabbing Angela’s hand and ushering her to the other side of the table. She was too drunk to oppose. 

“Tim, nooo!” Angela whined. She tried to get up but Tim blocked her and pushed her over so she was doubled locked by his body weight. 

Jackson walks back over with his copies of the receipts of their bar tabs. Looking confused at the new situation folding in front of him he asked, “All paid up, what’s-”

Tim rolls his eyes, “Don’t ask. Sit next to Chen.”

Jackson promptly follows. “Angieeee!” Lucy whines. “Jackie, get up so I can sit next to Angie please!” She begs. 

“It makes a comeback.” Jackson sighs at the ridiculous nickname from the last time he had to interact with inebriated Lucy. 

Lucy grabs ahold of his arm and starts shaking him back and forth. “Jackie!”

“Luce, no,” Jackson rolls his eyes. “Why are we still here, let's go!” 

“The moment we get up, they’re gonna climb all over each other. We need to be strategic about this.” Tim says.

“Yeah, I don’t think they’re getting in your truck unless they can sit together.” Jackson scoffs. “I say take Harper’s advice and let it all play out.” 

“And let them fuck in my truck, I think not.” Tim deadpans.

“I think it would be very light sexual teasing.” Jackson jokes, Tim is not amused as he scowls towards the rookie. “At most it would be some under the shirt action.”

“Fine,” Tim says, irritated. “But if they start unbuttoning each others pants, you’re sitting in the backseat between them.”

“Now, that’s just rude.” Jackson frowns.

“Suck it up boot.” Tim says as he stands up. “Time to get these two home.”

Jackson stands up alongside Tim and as expected the two women are all over each other. More as if they were separated for a million years from a million miles away, when in reality it was maybe three feet  for 3 minutes. They weren’t all drunk-horny touchy though. It was more as a gentle touch.

Their hands were intertwined and Lucy’s head was on Angela’s shoulder. Angela’s free hand was moving between rubbing Lucy’s arm with just one finger, a sort of back and forth soothing motion, and playing with Lucy’s frizzed up hair.

Jackson and Tim lead them out of the bar while Tim groans at their touching. Not like they were sober enough to care, and even if they were they probably still wouldn’t have. They arrived at Tim’s truck, parked right outside the bar. “Get in.” Tim instructed the two women. 

Angela instructed Lucy to go in first, and she did with a slight stumble to which Tim stepped in to help her up into the tall vehicle. Angela followed and somehow she was even more clumsy than Lucy. Tim was about to shut the door behind Angela before he saw how much the two, in their inebriated state, were struggling with their seatbelts. 

“West, fix that.” He instructed, and Jackson immediately followed. He clipped in Angela and then went to the other side for Lucy. Hopefully the seatbelts would keep them in place for a bit longer before they decided to make out. 

Jackson hopped in the passenger seat and Tim put the truck in drive and speed off to Jackson and Lucy’s apartment. Tim fixed his rearview mirror and saw Lucy and Angela inching closer to one another once again. A bit of a pain but not unsurprisingly, but when he looked again a few minutes after that their closeness became instant attraction. They were full on making out again like teenagers at a high school party. 

“Hey, no stop that!” Tim yelled as he was driving. “Chen, quit that!”

Angela pulled back from their drunken, sloppy kisses. “She’s not your boot, Tim. Not tonight.”

“That’s fucking gross Lopez. Can you wait like normal people?” Tim argued.

“Uhh-uhh.” Angela replied back. Her lips and Lucy were mixed once again and there wasn’t anything that Tim could do to stop it.

“West, do something. I mean it, if pants start coming off you’re going in between them. And who knows if that’ll stop them.”

“And if it comes to that I will reluctantly do it, but I’m not stopping anything. Sorry not sorry.” Jackson asserted. 

A few minutes went by and Tim had pulled in front of Lucy and Jackson’s building. Finally, Tim thought. “Come on West, time to do this thing.” Tim said as he shut off the car and slammed the door shut.

Jackson went to Lucy’s side and Tim to Angela’s, each man going to their respective best friend. Tim opened Angela’s door, only to find them still making out. Tim groaned as he unbuckled her seatbelt and separated the two. “Noooo! Timmmm!” Angela slurred.

“No nothing, Ange. Let’s go.” Tim mustered. 

Jackson did the same, resulting in a similar reaction from Lucy. “Jackie, nooo!” She whined. 

“Ugh, come on. I’ll help you out.” And they both did. Step by step they got the two inside the building, by some miracle they didn’t get on top of each other once again. 

By the end Angela was dragging so much that Tim had to carry her all the way to the apartment. “West, please tell me you have your key.”

“Yep, right here.” He said as he inserted his key into the doorframe, Lucy hanging on his side attached to his chest. Everyone was exhausted by the end of the night.

Tim led Angela to the side he assumed wasn’t Lucy’s and laid her there. He pulled off her shoes and pulled the blanket up. “Thanks Timothy.” She slurred. 

“Yeah, get some rest Lopez.” He said as he went into the kitchen. Jackson did the same for Lucy, but she was proving to be a bit more difficult. Tim seeing this helped her into bed and they took her shoes off and covered her as well. The women were leaning in towards each other in a magnetic way and snores were heard as the men left the room. 

“So next time we cut them off?” Asked Jackson.

“Definitely.”