A/N: Thanks to SSJL for planting this idea in my head.
Spoilers/Timeline: None/Sequel to "Something's Changed That I Can't Quite Put My Finger On".
Disclaimer: Bones does not belong to me. Title found in Lady Antebellum's Love's Lookin' Good On You
It's been five weeks, two days, and eight hours. Not that I'm counting. Except, well, I sort of am. Five weeks since we went from professional partners to partners - period.
It's just that sometimes even my highly intelligent brain can't process it: that I convinced him. But I had and, truthfully, I couldn't be happier about it.
I almost laugh aloud. If you had told me a couple years ago - hell, if you had told me a year ago - that I'd be encouraging, inviting, anything other than logic into my life I would have stared as though you'd told me the adult homo sapiens had two hundred and twelve bones.
There is an easiness between us though that makes it simple - logical - to accept. And not much has changed - we've already had a couple arguments (one of which caused Cam to stop mid-toxicology report and stare) - but I find myself "bumping" into him at crime scenes with greater frequency and being able to kiss him (almost) whenever I want is a welcome change.
I wave hello to my doorman and wearily start up the steps. The past two weeks are beginning to take their toll, our latest case getting seemingly more and more bizarre with each passing day. By the time we get out of the lab most nights the only thing we have time for is a quick dinner and some discussion of the case before we're both almost asleep on our plates. One night I actually awoke and found a piece of garlic bread stuck to my head. Booth has been bullying me ever since to take one day and clear some time from my schedule, disregarding any new developments in the case.
"You've got an hour." I shut the door and move towards the kitchen; something smells wonderful.
"Relax." He doesn't even turn to look at me, just continues fixing our plates.
"But I found a new anomaly on the x-rays when I went over them with Wen-"
"It'll still be there in the morning." He sets the plate in front of me and I feel myself grin: burgers and homemade fries.
"The morning?" I take a bite of my burger. Mmm. He may not be willing to try one, but he cooks a soy burger perfectly. "I was planning on going back in to analyze it tonight."
"And you'd undoubtedly come up with a brilliant solution to explain whatever's hinky-" I raise my eyebrow. "Whatever the anomaly is, Bones, whatever the anomaly is. But you would have to wait to follow up on it anyhow." He takes a bite of his sandwich, chewing thoughtfully.
I hate when he uses logic against me. I'm about to say as much when I notice the face he's making as he continues eating. I lean forward, glancing at his plate, and my suspicions are confirmed.
"Are you eating a soy burger?!"
He nods and swallows. "I contemplated the merits of trying it and decided it was worth a shot. " He grins that cheeky, sincere charm smile that's all mine and takes another bite. "Not bad. An actual burger is still better, of course."
"Of course." I shake my head and reach across the table to steal one of his fries.
"Hey, you have your own!" He swats at my hand.
I shrug. "Yours taste better." I steal another and relax against the chair, content for the first time to disregard work entirely.