Eric
ERIC
His brother’s shocked words shot through him, ripping from his thoughts. A flush warmed his face at Blaine’s wry greeting. had been thinking about what his partner was saying, considering it. The offer was dangerous, or at least, it felt dangerous. To ease back even a little could very well be an invitation for trouble.
Then again, he could just go to the chief and tell him it wasn’t working. That would be quick, simple, and take care of everything for both of them. wouldn’t have to feel like he was wound so tight that another twist would shatter him, and Blaine wouldn’t have to deal with...well, with .
“What brings you to our little corner of the world?” Blaine asked.
Sean snorted. “Me? Jesus. What the hell are you doing here?”
couldn’t hide his cringe and bowed closer to the computer as though it might make him small enough to be missed. In the past couple of weeks, he had talked to his brother a few times, mostly in text. In all those conversations, he hadn’t once mentioned that Blaine was his new partner. Sean was bound to wonder why, but wasn’t sure he had an answer.
“I’ve been in the city for a few weeks now,” Blaine told him.
“And uh, how long you been ’s partner?” Sean asked.
Blaine cleared his throat softly. “Not too long. We’re still finding our feet.”
“I’ll bet.”
really didn’t like his brother’s soft tone. He could hear the threat under the gentle layers. And damned if he didn’t shoot his partner a gratified look before letting his face turn sour once more. There was no reason on God’s green earth for Blaine to have covered for him, but he had. His partner’s answer had been vague enough that would have the chance to tell his brother whatever he wanted, and the agreement to back up was implied.
It was a small thing, but against his better judgment, was thankful.
“Well, little brother,” Sean began, turning toward him. “Came by to drop off some coffee and breakfast for you.”
Oh shit. Sean never referred to him as ‘little brother’ unless he was particularly ticked off.
“How nice,” said between clenched teeth.
“Yes,” Sean drew out. “I knew you’d had yourself a long weekend and figured you probably got shit for sleep.”
took a deep breath, turning to face Sean. His brother and former guardian stared at him with a soft, gentle smile.
Double shit.
eyed the bag and drinks holder in Sean’s hands. “Well, you could have texted. I would have told you there’s coffee here.”
“Ah, but dropping in as a surprise is one of my favorite pastimes. It’s fun catching you off-guard,” Sean cooed.
Blaine said nothing, but could see him shift uncomfortably in his chair. immediately knew what the man was going to do, having seen him do it in the past. There was no way he could shoot his partner a pleading look to stay. And he knew it wouldn’t work anyway. Blaine never stuck around when Sean was that strange mix of pleasant and hard.
Once upon a time, had confronted Blaine on it, accusing him of abandoning in his time of need. Blaine had laughed, curling his arm around ’s neck to pull him close and kiss the top of his head.
“Babe,” Blaine had said gently. “I love you and would do whatever it takes to make you happy and safe. But when you piss your brother off enough for him to come after you, we both know you deserve it.”
“You’re still supposed to save me.” had grumbled, refusing to admit Blaine was right.
“Sometimes loving someone means letting them learn their lessons. And if not learning, then at least dealing with the consequences. Plus, your brother is the sweetest person I know, but he’s scary as hell when he gets like that.”
Back in the present, cringed as he stared up at his brother’s face. Blaine had been right about everything. probably did deserve his brother’s ire, and the man was terrifying when he got mad.
“Running?” Sean asked Blaine as the large man slipped behind him.
“Tactical retreat. Plus, I need more coffee,” Blaine said, slipping out the door.
scowled at his partner’s apologetic look. Some things never changed.
Sean cleared his throat, kicking the door to the office closed. “So.”
groaned, flopping his head down onto his desk. “Sean, please. Didn’t you just get done saying I had a long weekend?”
Sean dropped the items on ’s desk with a snort. “Nice try. Coffee and a sandwich from Mithril’s is all the sympathy you’re getting out of me.”
perked up at the mention of the little cafe. The prices matched the quality, which made them more of an occasional treat than a habit for someone on a cop’s salary. It would make up for obsessing over case files all weekend at the expense of anything restful, and sleep. It sure wouldn’t make up for whatever was about to come out of his brother’s mouth, though.
“So,” Sean said, snagging Blaine’s chair and rolling it around the desk. “When were you going to tell me Blaine was back.”
“Just make yourself comfortable,” grumbled as he snatched the coffee.
“And that he was your partner,” Sean said as though hadn’t spoken.
“Probably when I felt like it was a good time to bring it up,” told him, hating the sullen tone in his voice.
Sean sat down, crossing one leg over a knee. “Right. Blaine was nice and vague about it, but I’m betting it’s been longer than a few days.”
“What makes you say that?” asked.
“The extremely guilty look on your face.” Sean cocked his head, smirking at the flush on ’s cheeks. “And you only blush when you’re in trouble.”
“I do not!” contested hotly.
“Well, you might at other times, but I don’t think I want to hear about those.”
“Oh, Christ, Sean. Don’t.”
“I could always ask what his face is...God, what was the name of that guy you totally weren’t dating...Mike?”
“Mitch,” grumbled. “And we weren’t together.”
“Sleeping casually with. Same with every other guy you totally haven’t dated.”
“Please get to the point. Hearing my brother talk about my...private life is getting really awkward.”
Sean made a soft noise. “Oh, right. There was one, wasn’t there?”
huffed. “Don’t you dare.”
“The only man you ever actually dated. Officially, that is.”
“Sean.”
“The only one you ever let in, the only one you ever loved.”
“I swear to God.”
“The same one you were heartbroken over after...you broke up.”
“Fucking...just...quit.”
“The same one who is suddenly your partner at work. Showing up after so long.”
thumped his head against the desk. “Yes.”
“The one you didn’t tell me about.”
Another thump. “Yes.”
“One might think that was news you should have shared on the first day.”
slumped. “I’m sorry, okay? I didn’t know until he was sitting in the chief’s office. And the past couple of weeks, it’s just...it’s weird, okay?”
“Weird or hard?”
“Both.”
“And uh, do you…?”
didn’t let him finish the question, turning to snarl at his brother. “No!”
Sean blinked innocently. “Well, that was certainly an abrupt answer.”
“Because it’s the answer,” told him pointedly. “The past is the past, remember? We talked about that, how many different times?”
“Right,” Sean said doubtfully. “But I remember pointing out that the past has a way of affecting the present, almost like it’s the road that leads to now.”
“I’m not…” started, realizing he couldn’t finish the statement.
“Mm, no, you’re not. That’s the problem.”
“You don’t even know what I was going to say.”
“You were going to say that you’re not holding feelings for him, good or bad. That you’re fine and that you’ve left your history with Blaine in the past.”
Okay, maybe Sean did know what he was going to say.
“Fine, save me the trouble of saying it then,” muttered.
“If that were true, you would have told me Blaine was your partner. And I wouldn’t have to hear from the front desk guy that you and your partner are getting along like fire and oil.”
“Officer Cochran talks too damn much,” muttered.
“And you don’t talk enough,” Sean said.
scowled. “You’re the one who’s always saying I need to take a breath more often.”
“Fair. You talk a lot, but you don’t say much. Better?”
“No, that’s just fucking insulting.”
“With a mouth like that, you should have been a sailor or a mechanic.”
“You just said I don’t say anything of importance!”
“You don’t. You like to hide it behind your temper, your foul mouth.”
narrowed his eyes. “Don’t psychoanalyze me.”
“I don’t have to. I’m your brother. Hell, I raised your moody ass. I know you better than anyone, .”
“And you say I have a foul mouth.”
Sean’s mouth curled upward. “Well, maybe not anyone.”
God, hated it when Sean smiled like that. It signaled he knew something everyone else didn’t, and he was going to enjoy holding it close. Blaine had been right. Sean was probably the nicest, most giving person on the planet. That didn’t change the fact that his brother was a devious little shit who wasn’t above messing with people, and he was good at it. had yet to see that particular power used for evil, but that didn’t mean he liked it when it was used against him.
“I don’t want to know,” muttered, turning away from Sean.
A chair creaked, and felt warm arms wrap around his shoulders. Sean’s lips pressed against the side of his head, kissing him gently. was still trying to be mad at his brother. He knew he was being manipulated. Still, it was Sean , the man needed his daily hugs, or he would start pouting.
“Do you remember the way he used to look at you?” Sean asked softly.
stiffened at that. “What?”
“Blaine.”
“Sean, don’t. Not this.”
“I think you two were always more than friends. Maybe it didn’t get official until a few years later, but I saw it before that. I don’t think he did.”
“Yeah, you made me talk about that. Right after you made sure we were practicing safe sex,” growled, cringing at that particular memory.
“I never told you I knew because of the way he looked at you.”
He didn’t want to know. He wasn’t going to ask. That was dangerous. That was asking for trouble.
“What way?” asked hoarsely.
“Like he could see right through all your bluster, your anger. Like he knew you were doing everything you could to make sure people didn’t see right through to who you were. Like he accepted everything you ever threw out at the world, loving you for what everyone saw and what only he could see.”
closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. He didn’t know that look, but he could remember Blaine’s smile, the one he only used for . The one that had told his friend and eventual boyfriend had never been so happy to see someone as he was in that given moment. A smile that spoke of contentment, thrill, and pleasure only could give him.
A sharp knock came at the door, followed by a curt, “Andreas, I’m coming in.”
“Oh, hell, what did I do now?” muttered.
Sean stepped away from him as Chief Morgan entered the office. The older man’s sharp eyes scanned the room. His brow shot up when he saw Blaine’s empty desk but didn’t bat an eye at Sean standing in the room.
“Morning, Ron,” Sean greeted him cheerfully.
“Sean. Come to baby him or scold him this time?” Morgan asked knowingly.
“Eh, bit of both,” Sean told him.
closed his eyes. “Oh, fuck you both.”
Morgan snorted. “Well, if you’re done, I need to talk to him.”
“That’s alright, I have an appointment in half an hour anyway. His coffee should be kicking in soon, so take advantage of the grogginess while you’ve got the chance.”
rolled his eyes. “Go away, Sean. I’m awake now, thanks to you.”
“Ah, more’s the pity,” Sean shrugged, squeezing past the police chief.
“Love you too!” called after him with a scowl.
Morgan closed the door, brow cocked in amusement. “A shame we couldn’t keep him around.”
“Why, because you want someone else to give me shit?” asked.
“Yes.”
grunted, not surprised in the slightest by the blunt answer. The chief was a fair man and a tolerant one. supposed he would have to be, dealing with him day in and day out. He was also incredibly fond of pushing ’s buttons.
sipped his coffee, eyeing Morgan. “Okay, round one was my brother. So, let’s start round two. What the hell did I do wrong?”
“Other than make your partner’s life a living hell? I don’t know, you tell me.”
narrowed his eyes. “I have not.”
“Uh-huh.”
“Who’ve you been talking to?”
Morgan rolled his eyes, leaning back against the door. “I don’t have to talk to anyone to know what’s going on in my precinct.”
“It was David, wasn’t it?” accused.
Honestly, the man was as nosy as he was useless. had never met a man who could do so little and still know so much. He was convinced the only reason the front desk worker even had the dispatch radio nearby was so he could be nosy about the city’s business as well as everyone else’s.
Morgan rolled his eyes. “And mostly because everyone’s talking about the fact that you’ve barely talked in the past two weeks. And everyone’s avoiding talking to you, which only happens on bad days.”
“So? It’s better that way.”
“Bad days . Not two weeks, going on three.”
took another drink. “Look, we’re just...having some personality differences.”
“And here I’d hoped your old history together might make the transition smoother,” Morgan said with a sigh.
“Apparently not.”
“Well, it’s been long enough. I’ve already talked to Edwards, so now I’m going to ask your opinion.”
He’d already talked to Blaine? wasn’t sure he liked the sound of that.
“Okay,” said slowly. “On what?”
Morgan crossed his arms over his chest. “We have the opportunity to get you two new partners.”
“I thought we were all you had?”
“That was true two weeks ago. But there have been transfer requests from a couple of other precincts. One a newbie, one a vet.”
“One each for Blaine and me,” murmured.
“That’s the idea. So, do we separate you two as a lost cause?”
It was exactly what had been humming through ’s mind before. It was obvious he was never going to be comfortable with Blaine. Honestly, was a little surprised that Blaine was tolerating it as well as he was. knew he was going overboard, but every time he tried to soften, to pull it back, his gut would clench, and he’d remember how he’d been left behind.
“What did Blaine say?” asked, curious.
“I’m not telling you, and you know that.”
hummed, turning to his phone as it buzzed twice and fell silent. He picked it up and wondered what Blaine had told him.
Morgan shrugged. “You both have to agree to stay. If one says they want to go, I’m ending it anyway.”
“So he said he wants to go,” said, unlocking his phone to a text from Sean.
“Or he could want to stay. I’m not asking one without asking the other, Andreas. Answer the question.”
He tapped the screen, stalling for time. He could be rid of Blaine, once and for all. Maybe not for good. The guy would still work at the precinct. But it would be much easier to tolerate him without him constantly at ’s side.
His eyes scanned the text from his brother and froze.
He still looks at you like that, FYI.
’s throat squeezed shut as he reread the line over and over again. Blaine did what ? had seen nothing, but even he had to admit that he did his best not to look at Blaine.
“Andreas. I don’t have all day.”
swallowed hard, locking his phone.
“Stay,” he heard himself say.
Morgan’s brow rose nearly to his hairline. “Really?”
No. “Yes.”
“Interesting.”
What the hell was he doing? The answer had been right there.
Morgan snorted, opening the door. “Then, partners you’ll stay.”
looked up, unable to keep his surprise off his face. “Chief?”
Morgan shrugged. “For whatever reason, Edwards is fine putting up with your shit. My advice to you? I’d shape up and do something about your attitude. There aren’t too many people who’d be willing to put up with your shit this long if they weren’t staying around.”
“Sir?” Blaine’s voice echoed from down the hall. “Can I get back to my office now? I still have paperwork.”
“He says as if it ever stops,” Morgan chuckled. “Think about it, Andreas.”
’s eyes were on his phone as Blaine entered. His partner glanced at him as he walked in, and almost looked up. Would that look be on Blaine’s face, or would that neutral, unreadable expression be there again?
And why should he give a shit?