This is inspired by a tumblr post, though I'm not sure whose.

"By 'eck, Prof, I'm so glad you came. I know you're tired, and all, but you never leave the office. This'll be good for you!"

It had been a long week in the Mystery Room. Alfendi and Lucy had been working tirelessly on a particularly difficult case. They were at a bar, celebrating the now closed case. Florence hasn't been able to come.

"I'm glad I came, too." Alfendi said matter-of-factly. He rubbed his eyes in an effort to keep them open. Smiling softly, he looked up at Lucy. "I'll get us some drinks."

After their drinks had been ordered, the two sat in silence, taking sips. Their eyes met. Lucy smiled, but Alfendi quickly glanced down, his cheeks flushing. Lucy opened her mouth to speak, but then realized she had nothing to say. Besides the regular office business, she had never exactly talked to the Prof.

In any other situation, the long silence would be considered painfully awkward. However, the bar was quiet, and whether it was the drinks, or the tiredness they felt from the long week, they both seemed content to sit in silence.

Time passed, attempts were made at small talk, mostly by Lucy, and empty glasses gained in number.

"Lucy." His voice split the silence like a knife.

"Eh, Prof?"

"I never really thanked you for clearing my name, did I, Lucy?"

"I think you did, Prof. You're welcome, anyhow."

"Well, thank you, Lucy. I know this has been hard on you, what with my... well... 'Jeckle-and-Hyde-ing' as you call it..." He laughed nervously.

"No problem, Prof. I were really starting t' get used t' it!"

"No, seriously, I owe you, Lucy. You're the best, y'know that, Lucy?"

"Eh, what're you saying my name so much for, anyway?" She smiled sheepishly. The way he said it made her cheeks feel warm.

Alfendi ignored her question, "Y'know, when you first came into the Mystery Room, I thought to myself, 'I don't need an assistant, I'll have to train her, and everything," but you've really proved yourself, Lucy."

"Why, thanks!" She realized that Prof had drank a couple more drinks than herself. He had a grin on his face that seemed very similar to the malevolent look that often came with Potty Prof. She thought back to something Florence had told her after her first encounter with Prof's "other side," something along the lines of, "If he changed while there wasn't a criminal around, I'd rip out my drip and make a run for it."

But a tipsy Potty Prof? Her curiosity got the better of her. She had also never really seen that side of him outside of a case. She wondered if casual Potty Prof could really be that bad...

She watched, suppressing a smirk as Alfendi took a long drink.

"Take it easy, there, Prof!" she laughed, jokingly.

"Don't tell me to take it easy, you take it easy!" He slammed down his glass. His voice was harsh, if a bit slurred, and Lucy flinched, thinking twice about her decision to stay.

"Sorry, Lucy." She felt a hand brush hers. Looking up, she saw a terribly ashamed, almost angry with his self, Placid Prof. Her stomach twisted to see him like that. "It's just, Lucy, I... well..." He paused, looking at her.

"Wot's that?" Her heart quickened.

"Well, I just wish... I mean, I don't mean to frighten you. Really, even when I'm... you know."

"I know, Prof." She reassured him, although she wasn't so sure.

"No, I see how you react. I see how you look away." He said piteously, "It's just, I really... er... well, you're a great assistant."

"An' you're a great prof. No, really, I mean it," she said, seeing by the look on his face that he didn't believe her. She was starting to get nervous. 'I guess 'e's one o' them truthful drunks," she thought to herself.

"Lucy, no, you're really great, y'know? Like, er, your hat, for instance." He stumbled over his words.

"My hat?"she said, smiling, "Wot of it?"

"It's just really great!" He exclaimed, louder than usual. The few people in the bar glanced over at them.

"Okay, Prof. Let's get ya home." She gingerly took his hand, as though it was very delicate, and led him out onto the street. It was a nice night, and Lucy knew they were close enough to Alfendi's flat to walk. The two walked the streets of London in silence until he suddenly stopped. They were still holding hands, simply because they had forgot to let go, so Lucy was pulled to to a stop, as well.

"Wh–" she started, but she couldn't finish, for her Prof had pulled her up to him. She closed her eyes. He tasted of liquor, and a shivery warmth spread through her fingertips as she reached up to his cheek.

She finally pulled away from him. "I'm terribly tired, Prof," she began.

He looked down at her, the smile on his face dissolving.

"And it's a very long walk back to my place." She finished, "I'm en't sure if I could make it all that way, Prof..."

A wild grin spread across his face as he pushed his crimson bangs out of his eyes. "Do you think you could make it to my flat?"

Lucy grinned broadly. She tried to say something, but her chest seemed so full that she could only manage a nod.

Alfendi swung her off the ground and into his arms, and began to walk. As he carried her to his flat, Lucy laughed and said jokingly, "What a gentleman!"

"Yes, he'd be proud," Alfendi said sarcastically, chuckling to himself.

Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed my first fanfic! Rate it if you want, but really, I'm not gonna tell you what to do.