Before They Were Lovers (Nothing Special Valentine’s Origin Story)

Chapter Three

God

Three months later, Year One…

The brisk night air cut through God’s jacket like a double-edged blade, but he’d grown used to the cold. Six months in, and the Atlanta streets had already molded him into something distant and tough.

As a rookie, he had to pay his dues by way of long shifts, grueling hours, and way too much goddamn paperwork.

He and Day were on foot tonight, walking their beat through the streets of downtown. Even though the sun had long since set, there was no relief from the noise and hustle of the city. Cars whizzed past, drivers honking and yelling curses, people shouted, and sirens screamed in the distance.

His gaze continuously scanned everything from the pavement where he stood to two miles in front and behind them. His partner was just as strong at spotting trouble before it spotted them. They were learning to track well together but still working out a few kinks in their communication.

God hadn’t known what to expect when Day had all but demanded they be partners. His bold antics in orientation were something God would usually ignore, but instinct had brought him out of his chair and to the brazen man’s defense before he could think better of it.

God didn’t like spotlight seekers. Most of the rookies in their precinct bragged about everything from their latest bust to who they fucked over the weekend like anyone gave a damn. Officers who couldn’t keep their mouths shut for more than thirty minutes on a stakeout. But Day, he was fierce when the job demanded, quiet when God needed him to be, and funny as fuck when he least expected it.

Day

“Unit 12, report of an 18-130 across from the Gold Gate Lofts. Suspect is male, wearing a green hoodie and dark pants, black hat, last seen headed north on Mitchell Street. Please respond.”

God rolled his eyes, reaching for the radio on his shoulder. “Seriously. A goddamn Peeping Tom.”

“Hey, that’s why I took this job,” Day droned. “To get lethally dangerous motherfuckers like that off the streets.”

God clicked his radio on. “Unit 12 responding.”

The Gold Gate Lofts was on their beat, less than three minutes away as they took off at a modest jog.

They turned down a narrow alley adjacent to the luxury apartments, God’s massive form barely fitting down the tight walkway. Day was quiet as he scanned the darkness. He was first to hear the faint shuffle of footsteps behind the dumpster.

“Found our perverted rat,” Day said, easing around the side of the brick wall, using the shadows like a second skin.

“You take left. I’m going right.”

“Roger that,” Day whispered.

God shouted in a voice that boomed like thunder, “APD, get your ass outta there, now!”

Day stayed pressed against the wall in case the guy bolted.

A wiry man in oversized dark clothes, with eyes full of panic and fear, slunk out from behind the dumpster with his hands raised.

“What are you doing back here?” Day asked.

“I had to take a piss.” The guy shrugged, voice shaky, his eyes shifting back and forth between them.

Day knew they had their peeper. He looked to be in his late forties, early fifties. He wore a University of Miami hoodie, buttoned but unzipped ratty black jeans, and a black beanie.

“What else you been doing tonight?” God rumbled with his lip curled. “Beating off while watching women undress in their bedrooms?”

The guy balked. “No.”

As God continued to stare, the man tried to race around them, but before he made it three steps, God reached out, gripped the man’s wrist, spun him, and slammed him against the concrete wall.

God shook his head, wasting no words.

“Put your hands behind your back, Tom. You’re under arrest for indecent exposure and for being a fuckin’ disgusting pervert.” Day cuffed their suspect, touching the man’s hands as little as possible.

Gross .

Day recited their peeper’s Miranda rights before they led him back to their patrol car.

God got in the driver’s seat since he said Day drove too slow. In his opinion, God drove like a raging lunatic whether they were responding to a call or just going to lunch.

“I should leave the back door open so when you turn the corner, he accidentally falls out.” Day got in the passenger seat of their squad car and slammed his door. “Now we’ve got an hour of paperwork because this shit-dick couldn’t beat off at home watching porn on his phone like normal people.”

God snorted.

Day smiled, knowing that was as close to hearing God’s laugh as he would get.