’Become a detective,’ they said. ’It’s rewarding,’ they said.

Simon watched the number on the left go from two to three. It was now three in the morning, and you were both still slaving away over these files. Crime scene photos and names blurred in your minds as you tried to piece things together while just trying to stay awake.

There was nothing like simple exhaustion and fatigue to make two people who didn’t want to be there; work together. Because cooperating with each other was something you both very rarely did.

It wasn’t a matter of hating each other, it was that you’d both spent so long competing against the other, it was almost unnatural to be at peace in each others presence. But it was… nice.

Riley⎯Simon’s German Shepherd⎯was curled up on his dog bed in the corner of Simons office, lightly snoring away.

A normal shift of working together was usually a lot less productive, and way more hostile. You and Simon never agreed on one thing. But right now? Neither of you had the energy to disagree. Many reluctant ‘yeah whatever’s were muttered and half shut eyes rolled. But you were actually working together.

Another hour passed, and you were researching new leads while Simon was revisiting the old ones, and neither of you hadn’t spoken in a while, engrossed in your work and not falling asleep.

Simon sighed, standing from his chair. You were working on his office couch, while he was at the desk. “I’m going to go make some more coffee, you want some?” he asked, grabbing his empty mug.

Not met with a reply, he glanced over his shoulder at you. Your eyes were closed, and your chest rose and fell with deep breaths. You’d fallen asleep. On a normal occasion he probably would’ve woken you, but you looked peaceful.

In a moment of weakness, he tugged off his jacket and silently walked over, draping it over your body, and then carefully tucked the messy strands of hair behind your ear.

At the disturbance, Riley’s head lifted to watch Simon. Simon looked over at him and muttered a quiet, “Don’t even.”