Twenty-First Century Benefits
By Felicia Ferguson
Signed, Sealed, Delivered, Shane/Oliver
All rights belong to the brilliant Martha Williamson. My muse just took Shane and Oliver out for a playdate.
Spoilers: across the episodes and movies (bonus points and extra cherries on top if you can name all the references!)
This is my first foray into SSD fic writing after a long break from writing fanfic at all. Reviews appreciated. Thank you for reading. Long live the #POstables!
Fire stoked in the hearth, dinner remains discarded or refrigerated, Shane and Oliver sat on the couch in his living room ready for a quiet date night in. Shane leaned over and kissed his cheek, then scooted down, resting her head in his lap and leaning her iPad against her bent knees. Tucking her earbuds in beneath her long blonde hair, she opened her Netflix queue and tapped to the current episode in her binge.
Oliver picked up his hardback copy of Fahrenheit 451 from the end table and flipped to the bookmark, the elephant head letter opener. He slid his arm across the back of the couch, fingers dangling as he began to read. A moment later, as if drawn by a magnet, Shane slipped her fingers between his, linking their hands. Lamplight glinted off the diamonds in her engagement ring. A smile curved her lips as she snuggled her head deeper into his lap. Her gaze fell on the fireplace and contentment seeped through her.
The perfect way to spend an evening.
But then, he finished the page.
Oliver's fingers released hers, turned the page, then reached back across the couch. Shane weaved their hands together again, only to feel him release them a few minutes later. Lips pursed, brow furrowed, she glanced up and, finding him engrossed in his book, she tapped open her browser.
After bidding Rita and Norman goodnight, Shane perched on Oliver's desk and picked up his solved Rubix cube, rotating it between her hands with absentminded fatigue. He leaned back in his chair, and she could feel his considering gaze as he waited for the right moment. Her hands stilled, and she glanced up with a soft smile.
"What would you like to do this Saturday?" His question sighed between them, an oasis in the hectic week of discovering, deciphering, and delivering a hopelessly ripped and mangled letter.
She set the cube back down on the desk and rolled her head around her shoulders, loosening the lassitude that had settled over them in the silence. Tugging her lower lip between her teeth, she pondered his question. "It's been a long week. Why don't we stay in? You can come to my house this time, and we can get delivery."
Oliver nodded then rose and offered his arm. Shane threaded her arm through his and leaned her head against his shoulder for the short walk to the DLO doors. Once there, by silent agreement, their arms dropped, ingrained professional courtesy outweighing their deep private affection. Oliver pushed open the door. His voice warmed with promise as his gaze met hers. "I'll see you at seven?"
Savoring the sweet contentment in his eyes, Shane cupped his cheek then nodded. "Perfect."
Dinner finished and food containers tossed in the trash, Shane tucked her iPad and a white box in the crook of her arm then held out her hand to Oliver. "Join me on the swing?" Her pulse skittered with anticipation, and she sent up a quick prayer for the rest of their evening.
Oliver smiled and, taking her hand, followed her to the front porch. The leaves in Shane's front garden had taken on a golden hue, while the roses begged for a good cutting and the evening summer air had cooled, all unmistakable signs of autumn's approach. But just like the mailman's code, neither rain, nor snow, nor dark of night had ever stopped them from enjoying time together on her swing.
The swing swayed then stilled as they settled on the seat. Oliver placed his arm across the back, grazing her shoulders before laying his hand on the wooden slats. He sighed, contented, as if ready to spend the evening in quiet contemplation.
Shane tucked her tablet on the seat next to her and, biting her lower lip, offered him the white box, willing him to accept the unacceptable. "Oliver, I've got something for you."
Oliver's brows lifted and a slight huff slipped between his lips. Despite their engagement and upcoming wedding, Shane had yet to drag her favorite luddite into the twenty-first century. Tugging his hand off the back of the swing, she placed it on top of the box. "Will you trust me?"
His lips curved in resigned defeat. "Of course." He pulled off the top of the box revealing a pad similar to the one she used. Oliver opened his mouth, ready to decline the gift, but Shane placed a finger over his lips, silencing any protest.
She flipped open the cover and pressed a button. The pad blinked then the screen filled with black text on a white background. Oliver's brow furrowed.
"It's got everything on your current reading list—and even some old favorites." Her pleased grin turned cheeky. "Do you know how hard it was to find a digital copy of Frequently Misspelled Words of the English Language?"
Oliver chuckled, unable to resist her delight.
She tapped through the screen in a quick tutorial. "Once you select the book, all you have to do is use your thumb to turn the page."
Oliver still wasn't convinced, but sighed his agreement and began scrolling through the library list. His cheeks curved as he read the titles, and Shane beamed under his appreciative gaze. Satisfied, she grabbed her own tablet and laid down. Head in his lap, she linked their fingers together and began to scroll through designer shoe sites. Oliver set the swing to a gentle rock, and the evening looked to continue in the quiet solitude of togetherness.
But then, he finished the page.
Oliver loosened his grip on her hand.
Shane's fingers tightened against his. She paused her scrolling, fixing him with an encouraging look. "Use your thumb."
Oliver glanced from their joined hands to his tablet and tapped his thumb against the screen. The page flicked over.
She winked as her lips stretched into a wide grin. Squeezing their linked fingers, she lifted her brows. "Now, you don't have to let go."
Surprise and delight flickered across his face as his gaze warmed. He raised their hands to his lips. "I love it."
"And I love you."