Title: Paperwork
Fandom: L&O CI
Disclaimer: No infringement intended, I am not profiting from this, L&O CI isn't mine.
Summary: Paperwork late a night.
A.N.: First try for CI after months of falling for this fandom. Let's see how it turns out, shall we? Review please, I like them.
Paperwork, it was the bane of their existence. Sorting files, writing down useless facts, too-close deadlines, trying to find out just how exactly to spell a person's name, and heaven forbid writers cramp! But sometimes, when it was late at night, and they were all alone, it was almost, worth it. When the glare from their computer screens being the only light in the shady floor that burned into their retinas. When the words molded, jumbled and took new meaning, when the lines on the paper went on and on forever, and when they both looked up simultaneously to ask the other if they wanted to take a break, it was almost endurable.
The way they helped each other into their coats, shut off there monitors to conserve electricity and turned them back on again because it was their only source of light. The way they chatted endlessly about nothing or said nothing about everything. The way they walked to the elevator, down the street, to that little pastry store that had the best 2am coffee, walking closely together, for the reason of 'weather', it was almost nice.
Even when they knew what the other was going to order, even before they did, how they'd sit at the same booth every time, because it let them stretch out their legs, how they'd say exactly what was on their mind, because it was too late to be coy and protective. Because he wouldn't flirt with the waitress to get more cream, and she wouldn't ask the busboy ever-so-nicely to mop up their table, it was almost pleasant.
Because on the walk back (with their to-go coffees in hand) they'd point out stars, him whispering out the name of the constellations, her telling him quietly to stop being such a smart-ass, but listening and commenting anyway. Because the wind pulled them that much tighter together, his frame protecting hers, and they'd pretend not to enjoy it. Her explanations as to why exactly the sun didn't come out at night, as told to her by her sister in their childhood years to pass the time, and him explaining why the moon came out in the day, as told by his mother in one of her episodes, it almost seemed enjoyable.
When they got back, and realized how stupid it was to leave the hardest, shortest bit for last, the witness testimony, they complained. Complained at the font size, how some forms had to be typed, and some had to be written, how the only permutable font was either Times New Roman, Arial or Verdana. How sick and tired they were of those fonts. Playing truth or dare when they'd had too much coffee, and the case was so horrible they needed to take their minds off of it. And if it was late enough, they'd talk about the dates they'd been on, and how awful it was, not seeing, or refusing to see what was so clearly in front of them. This made it almost fun.
Paperwork, it was the joy of their existence. Sorting files, writing down useless facts, deadlines far too soon, a strange names spelling, drinking coffee, sharing jokes that could only be made at the middle of the night, trading childhood stories, and traumas, over-explaining even the simplest concepts, just to hear the other's voices, to know they weren't alone. Feeling drunk on coffee and knowing they wouldn't sleep right for the next few days, telling each other their greatest fears in the entire world, and both knowing the other would die of torture before letting it up, it was almost, amazing. Almost.
This was paperwork after all.
End.