"The radio…?"
Yao mumbled to himself before letting out a relieved sigh. Turned his head towards Ivan, giving him a bright smile before answering.
"Yes! Of course, you can play whatever you want!"
Detective Braginski was somewhat taken aback by his partner's reaction. Was Yao actually allowing him to touch the radio? He very distinctively remembered being scolded on the first day for turning it on without permission.
"What are you waiting for? It's not gonna turn itself on, you know?"
The Chinese man said frantically, he was not a fan of uncomfortable silences, and right now Ivan was just staring back at him with a dumb blank face.
"Ha! I know what you're playing Wang, this is one of your tests, isn't it?"
Ivan slapped his knee, cackling to himself as if Yao had made the funniest joke ever. Because that's what it was right? But by the time his outburst was done, Yao was looking back at him with a confused frown between those charming eyes.
"Do not ever touch a Chinese man's radio!"
He finger-quoted while trying to imitate his partner, making his voice two pitches higher.
"What are you on about? Are you trying to mock me? My voice does NOT sound so pitchy- you sound like a 12-year-old girl!"
Detective Wang rolled his eyes. He did remember saying that to Ivan on their first day working together, and he did mean it seriously at the time! However, Yao was willing to make an exception just to stop Ivan from bringing up the event from the night before.
"But seriously? Are you gonna let me play the radio or not? Or are you going to smack me like last time?"
Ivan insisted, still not quite buying Yao's sudden change of heart. He was well aware of how Yao felt about people touching his car, and he would rather not enrage the little Chinese man who happened to have way more strength than one might think.
"Keep asking stupid questions and you'll use your radio privilege for the day".
Yao did not want to deal with this any further. Honestly, he could use some music to shush all the thoughts going on in his head. On one hand, he wanted to keep talking to Ivan, that was the undeniable attraction that had him acting up. Was there anything more exhilarating than talking to his crush? Murder, probably.
"Just turn the goddamn thing on for christ's sake."
His impatience struck again, pressing the button to turn the radio on. As much as he enjoyed chit-chatting with Ivan, there was also the lingering chance that at some point Ivan would want to talk about last night. And frankly, Yao was not ready for that conversation. If it was up to him, he would rather not address it at all, ever!
"I'm never gonna dance again, guilty feet ain't got no rhythm".
The Russian knew that Yao was impatient and basically a ticking time bomb, but he had no idea that he felt so strongly about the radio.
"You have to be fucking kidding me!"
Detective Wang's panic kicked it all at once and at full force. The last thing he wanted to hear was fucking Careless Whisper. He was not going to tolerate this, absolutely not. Yao reached over, finger stretching out to turn it off.
"Though it's easy to pretend, I know you're not a fool".
"Hey! You said it was my radio day!"
Ivan protested, holding Yao's wrist down to stop him from turning the radio off.
"I should've known better than to cheat a friend, and waste the chance that I'd been given".
"Are you- are you out of your mind? Let go of me! I'm driving!"
Yao's heart almost stopped for a moment. Those sudden and inappropriate touches were not good for a man his age. One of these days Ivan was gonna kill him just from excitement. No! Why was he even reacting this way? Why was he even making such a fuss over a stupid song? Yao just didn't know when to stop and once again, made himself look like an old fool.
"So I'm never gonna dance again, the way I danced with you, oh."
"Sorry! I'm sorry!"
The Russian immediately let go. He really did not think things through, not only what he did was dangerous but also quite daring, and he could tell by Yao's reaction that he was startled. Ivan's thoughts began to spiral again, perhaps Yao was upset with him about last night, which is why they were actively avoiding the topic and if Yao reacted so negatively to that little touch, then it could only mean Yao was not into him, at all.
"Tonight the music seems so loud, I wish that we could lose this crowd. Maybe it's better this way, we'd hurt each other with the things we'd want to say."
Yao didn't want to say anything now, not because he was angry but because of embarrassment. Once again he managed to absolutely blow it. His cheeks were starting to feel warm, and the last thing he wanted was for Ivan to see him blushing like a teenage girl. He tried to distract himself by focusing on the road and just letting the music keep on playing. This was all George Michael's fault!
"We could have been so good together, we could have lived this dance forever, but now, who's gonna dance with me? Please stay."
Detective Braginski just wanted to ground to swallow him and disappear from the face of the earth. He screwed up big time, and for what? All because of his radio privilege? That wasn't even a real thing! Ivan looked away from Yao, too ashamed to meet those hazel eyes which were probably full of disgust. But what if he was overthinking and sabotaging it all? To be fair, they kissed and were quite passionate. Then again, alcohol was involved so maybe it doesn't count. But isn't there a phrase that says that alcohol shows one's true colors? Ivan scratched his chin and listened closely as if George Michael was speaking to him personally.
"They could have been so good together…and lived this dance forever."
Ivan repeated quietly, barely making any sound at all. Suddenly it all clicked in his head. He and Yao were good together, and they could be good…forever! He only had to admit his feelings and ask if Yao felt the same way! All he had to do now was man up, gather all his testosterone, and just ask Yao out!
"Yao, we have to-"
The Chinese man slammed on the brakes, making his partner jump and bump his head against the ceiling of the tiny car.
"We're here, it's work time, come on."
Yao hurried, once again hoping to avoid the awkwardness from before. He quickly jumped off the car, ready to submerge himself into work instead of acknowledging his feelings and processing them. Feelings were for sissies anyways! He was a man, and the right way for a man to cope with feelings was by burying them deep down! Very healthy coping mechanism for sure.
"...we have to talk."
The Russian finished his sentence but by the time he did his partner was already waiting outside the car. He sighed, it seemed like the talk would have to wait until after work hours. How was he supposed to work properly with all that tension between them? Ivan just couldn't catch a break.
"Pretty sure this is the house."
Detective Wang pointed at the small, somewhat ran down house on the outskirts of town that stood by itself.
"Time to pay Sadik a little visit I guess."
Ivan added, trying to shift back into professionalism as he knocked loudly on the door and then waits for a response.
"Sadik, it's the police! Open up!"
The Chinese man yelled, approaching the door and knocking with his two fists, making the door shake a little.
"Come out, you little shit!"
As usual, Yao let out his bottled emotions through anger, as he screamed and started hitting with more force.
"Wait, did you hear that?"
The detectives paused and Ivan made a shushing sound, squatting down where he heard a weak meow coming from behind the door.
"Is that a cat?"
Yao kneeled, and the cat's meowing got louder, followed by a faint scratching on the door.
"Seems like the owner isn't home, and this cat could be starving…"
Ivan raised his eyebrows suggestively, hoping that his partner was thinking the exact same thing as him.
"Are you suggesting we…"
The Chinese man was starting to follow, a devious little smirk appearing on his face as he stood from the ground.
"Break in!"
The detectives shouted in unison before Ivan went for a fist bump with his partner. This was exactly what George Michael was singing about, they were just so good together.
"Chief won't be thrilled about this, going in with no warrant is certainly risky but with an animal in danger, I'm afraid it's the only way. Should we do it at the count of 3?"
Yao honestly could use some action, as if he didn't get enough the night before with Ivan. But he needs more work action, after all the case was stuck in the same place and the case was the only thing that could distract him from that partner of his with a smoking body and that witty smile.
"1, 2, 3!"
The detectives kicked down the door and the cat sprinted inside the house, probably frightened by all the commotion.
"Sadik if you're in there, this is your one last chance to come out before we get to you!"
The Chinese man warned one more time and instinctively traced his fingers around his gun, ready to pull it out at any given second if Sadik were to jump out of nowhere.
"One last warning!"
Ivan yelled, but only heard the echo of his voice. He also had his hand near his gun, this was the time they needed to keep their guards high.
"Come on, let's get moving."
Yao whispered, taking a step and hearing the floorboard crack. He started to make his way through the messy living room with the beer cans on the floor and an open bag of chips laying on the couch and the ceiling fan still on.
"Either he's hiding or just left, and left quite in a hurry."
Detective Braginski didn't want to bring the morale down but it seemed like by having their case aired, their only lead to Heracles' murder might have hit the road after seeing it all over the news. Surely, he must have known the cops were going to start looking for him.
"Goddamn it, I swear if he's gone it's all Gilbert's fault! If I were Ludwig I would have fired that idiot on the spot!"
The Chinese man complained as he headed towards the master bedroom. He was still fuming about Gilbert revealing their case to that reporter, the level of unprofessionalism was just unbelievable.
"Door seems to be stuck".
Ivan moved around the doorknob, struggling to open it. He could easily tear the door down again but didn't want to do anything without consulting Yao, in fear of his anger since he was getting in a pissy mood at the thought of Gilbert.
"And what the hell are you waiting for? Am I supposed to tell you everything?"
Yao's typical bad mood was bad, and with a strong bump from his shoulder, the door swung open. An eerie sight awaited the detectives.
"Oh for fuck's sake."
Detective Wang turned, facing away from the room.
"He 's dead."