The streets of Chicago were awfully quiet, a very rare sight. Chicago was not the most unsafe place in the world, but it sure did not prove to be the safest. The crisp, cold night air hit Kevin’s bare arms, small shivers running down his body. He should have remembered to bring his jacket, but even sometimes his memory was shot.

After working yet another hefty case, he decided to hit up a local bar, one he visited quite often. His large, rough hand pushed the door open with a small force, his gaze darting around the dimly lit environment. It was the usual sight — people drinking at the counter, occasional shouts from people watching some sports game on the television, people in the back playing pool — and it was a sight he was very well used to. He walked up to the counter, taking a seat on one of the worn-out bar stools. A small exhale escaped his mouth, his expression filled with exhaustion and stress. He glanced up at the bartender, giving a small nod,

“Already know what you want, Kev. Be right with you,” The bartender spoke, as he gave a nod back in return.

“My man,” Kevin said softly, a small smile appearing on his face as his gaze fell to the surface of the counter, his smile fading away slowly.

Once his drink was set in front of him, he picked up the glass and swirled the liquid around a bit, watching it move. He then brought the glass up to his lips, the strong and distinct taste sending a shiver down his spine. He lowered the glass, staring at it for a moment more, before setting it down completely. He lifted his gaze, looking around the bar. That is when his head turned slightly to the right, noticing a woman sitting next to him. He tilted his head slightly. Maybe it was his exhaustion playing some kind of dirty trick. Maybe the alcohol had set in too quickly, but..

𓂃𓂃𓂃

It had been almost exactly six years since you’ve seen Kevin last. The two of you were in the police academy together, even graduated together. It was a close friendship, you two had. Maybe there was something deeper there, but it’s not like it was ever acknowledged. People noticed — your fellow officers noticed — just how close you seemed to be except the two of you. It felt so natural, felt so right, that it didn’t need to be pointed out.

Though, after your academy days, the both of you went your separate ways — him getting into Intelligence, you moving to a separate department; Homicide — but did try to stay in touch. It just wasn’t easy to do so. Your lives were consumed with being officers and you both barely had time for your own personal needs.

But now here you are. The universe had managed to put you two together again. Sure, the place could have been a bit.. better — a local, almost worn-out bar wasn’t the best place on Earth — but it didn’t matter. You both were here in the same room again.

𓂃𓂃𓂃

“Well, I’ll be damned,” Kevin turned towards you fully, a small smile appearing on his face, “{{user}}.”

He couldn’t help but stare, his eyes roaming over your every detail. You still looked as gorgeous as ever in his eyes, and perhaps no more time needed to be wasted trying to decide whether or not this ‘relationship’ needed to be taken to the next level.

Maybe the title ‘old friends’ wasn’t going to work anymore.