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

Chapter Twenty

God

One year later…

Day pushed the captain’s door open and poked his head inside.

“You wanted to see us?”

“Yeah, get your asses in here,” Captain Murphy barked.

Even when they hadn’t done shit wrong, worked their asses off, and followed all the rules—mostly—when Cap summoned them, it felt as if he were walking into a lion’s den.

The precinct teased them mercilessly—some even hatefully—that Murphy had a soft spot for them, but if he did, the man sure as hell didn’t show it.

“God, Day.” The captain’s tone was no-nonsense as he stared them down.

“Sir.” Day frowned, confused.

It was then he noticed the two shiny detective badges on the desk, gleaming like new money under the harsh fluorescent lights.

Day inhaled a sharp breath, and he could almost hear God’s pulse quicken from where he stood behind him.

Murphy looked as if he were suppressing a grin as he tossed them both a badge that would replace the ones on their scratchy polyester uniforms.

“I know you guys have gotten shit from the other officers for getting this promotion so fast, but you’ve earned it…and they haven’t. You passed the exam and the months of training with flying colors.”

Day smiled, glad all those late nights, lack of sleep, and knots of stress in his neck had paid off.

“And you’ve kicked ass in phase four of your training. You guys are as ready as you’ll ever be.”

God’s fists were balled tight at his side, his jaw set, showing his emotions in the only way he knew how.

Not at all.

His partner was the quiet beast in their partnership. He waited on Day to do the talking.

“Thanks, Cap. We’ll make sure we earn this every day.”

They’d been busting their asses while they went through the four long phases of detective training. And they did it all while continuing to work their beat and backing up the SWAT team anytime they called on them.

Murphy nodded. “I have no doubt. You two make a helluva team. I can already tell y’all are gonna do some big things together.”

Together .

Those words hit Day hard. He glanced back and met God’s radiant green eyes, holding his gaze for a long moment.

God wasn’t smiling, but Day could feel he was on the inside. Could feel his relief and his pride.

Their captain watched them, his eyes narrowing as he stared at their silent exchanges. He looked as if he were trying to decipher what they were saying. Day could see the curiosity. He and God were an enigma, a mystery no one could understand or solve.

“All right, now get out.” Murphy frowned. “You waiting on me to hug you or some shit?”

Day laughed as he got up, clutching the badge tightly.

“And, uh, Detectives,” the captain said before they walked out the door, “congratulations.”

Detectives .

The title rolled off the captain’s tongue as if it were meant for them.

Once they were outside, God stared at him for a long time. Day watched him shift his weight, his chest expanding as if he were taking a deep breath.

He knew what his partner was thinking.

“It’s about damn time, huh?” Day whispered, taking God’s badge from his palm.

His calloused hand grazed Day’s fingers—an almost imperceptible touch, but it shot a jolt of energy through his core.

“We got this,” God rumbled, his raw, gravelly voice rippling under Day’s skin.

What he felt didn’t frighten him. He’d always wish for more with God, but he was content with the parts of him he did have.

They’d always be partners, one way or another.

It’d been a wild, dangerous, kick-ass ride so far…and it was just the beginning.