A/N: This is an all-fluff chapter so if any reader is only here for the mystery-portion of the story, I recommend skipping.
......[(( _ _ ))..zzzZZ(( _ _ ))..zzzZZ]......

POV HAL:

I feel like I joined a race with two unwanted opponents after the same goal, Riley. Thank god my angel is a stubborn man who doesn't waver under their advances. I got to step up my game before someone else tries steals him from me- okay, I'm exaggerating. Despite that, when I saw Jack, this possessiveness risen from me like some untamed lion. I'm a grown man, for Pete's sake; I shouldn't be fazed by someone like him. I just didn't like the fact that Riley was partnered with someone else after I get sent to the hospital.

We separate with the rookie on our division's floor. It almost four when we arrive at Chief Dean's office. The woman smiles at us when Riley closes the door behind us. "Nice to have you back, Berghim," she says.

"The feeling is mutual," I simply respond.

"My apologizes that I didn't visit you while you were hospitalized. I want to thank you again from saving one of my men but I hope in the future you will not put yourself at risk. I don't want to be visiting two funerals back to back. This is a lesson learnt- right, Swanson?" Chief Dean stares down Riley who quickly nods. I don't want to promise her anything; I would do it again in a heartbeat.

"Good. Now- other than coming here to greet me, what do you two want?" She leans over her desk.

Riley jumps the gun and speaks first, "Have us back on the case." I place my face in my hand; my angel, we got to ease our way into persuading us, not full throttle. I'm no former government agent for nothing. I place my hand on his shoulder, giving it a light squeeze. I intervene, "What he means to say is I feel fine now and we can work together on cases again."

"You two want back in," Chief Dean points at us with her index and middle finger. My partner and I nod enthusiastically. She sits back in her seat with her arms crossed, staring us down with no hint of emotion. I can feel myself shrink under her gaze.

Her fingers brush over her chin as she narrows her eyes at Riley. She then nods to herself and informs on what she's think, "I'll let you both in." Riley and I glance at each other in small victory. The chief continues, "On one condition. Riley, you will have to take care of your partner while he's in this condition. Until I seen he is fine to take care of himself, you must stick with him. I don't care who lives with who but I expect you both to show up here together. Got it?"

My heart leaps at the idea of Riley being with me more than just during work or stuck in a hospital bed. I glance once more at Riley to analyze his reaction. Neutral is the first expression than it shifts to considering the fact he'll have to watch me. Riley nods a bit, "Yes, chief."

"He's your damn partner. A good one at the start to boot. Take care of each other. I expect both of  you to leave early so one of you can settle in the others place for now," Chief Dean states as she shoos us both away.

I close the door as we walk out. Riley asks me right away, "How long does it take you to go to work?"

"Fifteen minutes by public transport. Why?"

"Just needed to compare times. We can shorten that if we use my car. I'll be sending a note to Jenkins first the let's go to my place first so I can grab some stuff."

No complaints here!

After the long drive full of traffic I agreed that having Riley stay over is more convenient for him then his usual place. I've only driven here late at night so it wasn't bad as it should be.

I wait patiently in the car, as he insisted. I turn the music on and the first thing that blasts on is AC/DC. Of course. I turn off the noise and search for the painkillers on me. I can feel my chest beginning to bother me since we left the police department. I bring the bottle close to my non-working arm so I can have my restrained hand to help out.

The door to the backseat opens and Riley throws his backpack on the seat. He close the door then opens the driver's then slides in. Closing it behind him, Riley glances at me questionably. "What are you- Hal, give me," says my angel. I hand him the med bottle and with a small push, twist and pull, the cap comes off. He hands it back to me as well as a water bottle he grabs from his side.

"I hope those pills don't knock you out because I'll get lost in no time."

I gulp down more water before responding, "...I wouldn't mind that if it means I'm stuck in the car with you." My angel scowls at me then avoids hitting my injured side by slapping my thigh. Jeez Riley, don't make me excited in the car! We haven't reached first base!

I direct him through the roads, staring at his attentiveness to my every word. We drive into a an open parking lot. Surrounding it is the condos that reach to the third floor. Riley gets his backpack and we head up to the third floor to my humble abode.

"Roomy," is the first thing Riley comments. He wasn't joking. These condos were spacious on the inside. The owner also upgraded his appliances to the latest before I moved in. I didn't bring much when I moved into Upside so the place hasn't been litter with my belongings.

The narrow hallway at the entrance opens to a large living area. I have a modern-styled taste: a long L-shaped black couch adorned with a few dark red pillows, surrounds a white coffee table. A flat screen TV hangs above a black TV stand. Pass the grey carpeting for the living room turns into white tiling for an open kitchen. The granite counters are speckled black and white. In the middle of the kitchen is a small round white table with two white chairs pushed in. An electric stove is on the island while the sink is at the counters closer to the white walls. Two black stools are underneath the island counter. A sleek black fridge is wedged between the counters that has a washing machine installed on one of them.

"You must have payed an arm and a leg for this," says Riley as he tosses his backpack on the couch. He knocks on the granite counter top and mumbles, "My aching frugal heart."

I couldn't help it but respond, "Want me to cure that for you?"

Cue the cute eye roll. My angel scoffs, "You can't. It's in my half Asian blood. I'm was born to be a cheap stake." I laugh softly so my chest doesn't hurt. I sit myself onto a stool and spin side to side. I glance at the wall clock above the fridge then ask him, "It's almost six. Because Chief Dean bans us from coming back until tomorrow, I say we have a little fun."

"Didn't you have enough R&R hospitalized?"

"If you mean being strapped to a bed and marathoning Luz Carlita like if the world was going to end- then no. What I'm suggesting is a movie and take out- because really, who wants to cook right now? And-"

Eyebrow raised, Riley gives me a smirk, "Why does this sound like a date?"

I smirk back, "What if it is?" My angel faces away from me and let's the side of his face get covered by a hand he's propped up. I can't see his expression but I can tell he's blushing. The tips of his ears are red. I definitely have a chance; the other opponents in the race are nothing.

The smirk on my face is replaced with a wide grin as I hurry to get everything set up. I motion Riley with my useful arm to sit on the couch. He plops onto it, watching me with amusement as I dig through DVDs in the TV stand. I pull out the Notebook-

"Hell no. Don't even try to convince me to watch that," says Riley immediately before I can even offer. I replace it with a hidden pout; I bought the damn movie but never got to watch it even though it's been a long time. I start pulling out other movies and pile it on top of the coffee table. I hear Riley search through them as I'm close to emptying everything out.

"How about this one?" I look over to see him holding up The Maltese Falcon.

I frown, "Nah, I've watched it once. It was fine."

He gives me a exasperated look then asks,"What are you planning to watch?"

Something romantic; I didn't say out loud. I slide a couple of choices to the side. I ignore his question and ask, "If you like old stuff then watch this with me." I hold up the Titanic movie. He rolls his chocolate eyes as he sets down his choice. Riley retorts while crossing his arms, "If you are referring to the movie settling, then no. Why is your selection of movies more sappy?"

"Oh come on the movies I selected were good."

"So were mine!"

I hold my one arm up, "Okay okay, how about we compromise."

After thirty minutes of debating what were good movies and what were not- and somewhere half way, I ordered Chinese food- we settle for Casablanca. I get my romance while Riley gets Humphrey Bogart as his main actor. The sunset turns into a dark night sky. I let the moonlight dimly light the living room with the aid of the hallway lights. Food arrives midway of the movie.

We sit silently most of the time. I curiously glance at Riley once in a while just to see him focused on the movie. The food's done long ago and the credits are rolling. I lean back with a sigh, "I still hate it." My head rests on the couch.

"Why?"

"Because I understand Rick for putting the person he loves first before his own wishes. But then he never gets the girl in the end.

Riley is silent for a moment until responding, "...I think it's a satisfying ending." I turn my gaze towards him. My angel has his eyes closed allowing me to stare without having him noticing. A good minute passes until he speaks up again, "It's almost nine. Let's get some shut eye. Get off the couch so I can sleep."

"Hey, I can't let you sleep here. I don't have extra blankets and it's cold inside right now. We can share the bed," I smile. His eyes widen slightly but quickly turns into a scowl. Riley puts his arms over the backend of the couch. He shakes his head, "I can't take an injured man's bed. There won't be enough room."

"My bed's really spacious," I get up from the couch and stand in front of him. I hold out my hand, "Come on. I don't have any weird habits in my sleep."

Riley laughs, "I'm not worried about that. I'm good, Hal. Just head to bed."

I sulk silently- then I have an idea. I don't expect him to not move but it's a great excuse to do so. I put my left knee between his parted legs then hover over his figure. His eyes widen and face flushes red while I have my face inch closer to his.

My working hand holds onto the couch behind him. "If you don't come with me... I'll kiss you...until you do," my voice says in a lower tone. Now our faces are just a few inches apart. Riley's frozen in his seat, not moving a muscle under my close form. His eyes tear away from mine and glances down at my lips.

I grin slightly; that's definitely my cue. My lips touch soft ones as I move my head to perfectly capture his. A small gasp emits from my angel when I break apart. We both gaze into each other's eyes. Riley's lips part. "Hal..."

I come in for another one, this time more passionate and long than the previous. He moans lightly as I gain access to the inside of his mouth. A hand runs along the side of my neck with weak grasps. I can feel my heart beating loudly in my ears. The rush of blood heats up my body as the kissing becomes more intense.

We break apart once more; his hand holds onto my shirt. "Let me think about this more," says Riley softly as he lets go. One side of me is screaming "why" but the other half reluctantly complies to his wishes. "Okay," I nod. "Just sleep with me. Please." I stand back up again. I hold out my hand once more.

Riley takes it, placing his in mine, allowing me to effortlessly pull him up. I lead him to my bedroom with my mind stuck in the clouds.

I was so close! Now that I've gotten a little bit of what can be my possible future, I can't help but end up wanting more.

......[(( _ _ ))..zzzZZ(( _ _ ))..zzzZZ]......
A/N: Slow right now because of studying for finals all weekend. Just finished just half of the battle. Tomorrow is my last day as a freshman in college. I need that summer break, jfc.
I hoped you enjoyed the fluff. I'm so damn happy how this story is turning out.
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