Take A Break

The precinct darkened as one of the officers in the back turned off the lamp on his desk, but it was the jingling of car keys that had Chloe looking up.

Davis waved at them from across the room as he walked towards the exit. 'Goodnight, guys.'

She smiled and waved back. "Night." Lucifer gave the man a polite nod.

Most of her colleagues had already left hours ago, and even the diehards were starting to head home at this point. Even Dan had left moments ago. There'd been a large burglary downtown that evening and it seemed that, after all those hours, their paperwork was finished. Well, given that Davis didn't seem to be taking anything home with him.

Lucky guy, she thought.

Chloe turned on her smartphone, lying a bit lost between the heaps of paper. 11:21 PM.

Several sorts of files and documents laid spread out on the desk, along with about three empty mugs of coffee, an empty can of diet soda and a couple of candy wrappers. Anything containing some form of sugar or caffeine, though she felt that the buzz of the coffee was starting to wear off.

Her mind became sluggish, the letters of the case file starting to swim in front of her eyes. Letting out a sigh, she pinched the bridge of her nose between her fingers, trying to ease the dull ache there.

Lucifer gave her a knee a small squeeze where his hand rested on her leg. He looked up from the paper he was filling in. "Are you alright, Detective?"

"I'm fine." But when she opened her eyes again, she had to blink a couple of times before the text in the file became clear.

"Why don't you head home? There's always tomorrow." He tried not to sound too relieved that the bore of a paper trail was almost over for the day. It failed.

Chloe shook her head. This case was a nightmare for paperwork, mostly due to the vast amount of people who'd been present when the crime had occurred. Just the thing she needed at this moment, especially when there were other things she'd much rather spend her evening doing.

At least he was helping her file reports, something he'd only started doing recently after years of playing Candy Crush or simply running off to do God knows what.

Better late than never, she guessed.

The first time she'd explained the different files to him, he had tried to hide his confusion behind that damn smile. As if he'd been distracted by something while she was laying out the basics of it. But watching her work intently, he'd copied her movements on the file. And every so often he'd ask her a question, dark eyes serious. Taking in her every word with a sharp focus.

When he'd finished up that first file he'd looked so proud of himself - and of the fact that he'd helped her- that warmth had spread in her chest. She still had to double-check it, but he was certainly improving.

And lately, paperwork reminded her of how small her problems could seem compared to some of the more recent things she had faced. The troubles of heaven and hell made filing reports look pretty bleak in comparison. It put things in a different perspective. Made her grateful for the things in her life.

At least he was here, by her side.

"The interviews we have tomorrow and the day after with the witnesses and family will only add things to the pile." Chloe gestured to the heaps on the desk. "It's better to get it over with now." She tried to suppress a yawn but failed miserably, attempting to hide it but raising her hand too late.

He tilted his head slightly to one side, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.

"Well, I fear you're not going to get very far like that." Frowning at the form before him, he added more to himself, "And I don't think I can quite figure these out all on my own yet."

Chloe drew her eyes wide open in an effort to stay awake and waved his comment off. "I just need some more coffee." She made to get up, but Lucifer moved his hand to her shoulder and gently coaxed her to sit again.

"If you have any more caffeine or sugar at this point, I fear you're going to go into cardiac arrest soon."

Chloe scowled. "You're drinking coffee," she said with a nod at his half-full mug with 'Devilishly Handsome', which was probably more bourbon anyway than anything else. He'd gotten the mug from Ella as a joke two years ago but had been incredibly delighted with the gift. He nearly used it every day.

"I am used to being up all night."

"And I'm not?"

"Night club, Detective. And caffeine doesn't affect me like it does you." He looked pleased with his arguments. Dropping his hand to her forearm, he added more softly, "You should take care of yourself." A gentle graze of his thumb on the inside of her arm had her heart speeding up.

The effect his touch had on her lately was nothing less than intoxicating. The feeling definitely went both ways, much to Chloe's delight. Lately there were more and more subtle brushes and grazes during work. Barely there but deliberate. They made her feel content, safe. Loved. And he knew it.

"Are you charming me into sleeping?" she asked wryly.

That typical smile spread across his face, only a little more subdued. A little more intimate. Her smile.

"Is it working?" Another stroke on her skin, and her heart gave another flutter. It was only because she was absolutely exhausted that she didn't immediately close the space between them.

The stern glance she tried to give him, she knew, was betrayed by soft eyes. A smile threatening to spread across her face, Chloe looked away. "Maybe," she said, unable to hide the mirth in her voice.

"We can go to your place. It's a bit more... quiet than mine."

There was nothing in the world she'd rather do. Go home and get out of these damn shoes, change into something more comfortable and sink into her bed. Curl up next to him and forget everything.

But the spell was broken when her gaze fell on the sea of paper on her desk.

Chloe shook her head. "I can't. I really have to wrap up some more of these before tomorrow."

Lucifer shrugged his sleeve up and looked at his watch. "That would give you about forty minutes. Less, actually."

She glared at him. "You're not helping."

He sighed. "Then at least take a break. Lie down for a moment. It won't kill you."

Chloe took one look at him, at the determination in his eyes, and knew he wasn't going to let this go.

And she really didn't have the energy for this.

"Fine. But only for a little while."

"Excellent." He stood up from his chair in one smooth motion and swept his arm out. "After you, Detective."

Chloe got up with a groan, several joints popping in the process. Her neck and shoulders ached from being hunched over the desk for hours.

Rubbing her sore neck with one hand, she walked over to the break room. Lucifer trailed right behind her, as if to make sure she didn't down more caffeine when he wasn't looking.

It was dark in the break room, the only light coming from the humming vending machines in the corner. The smell of cold coffee hung in the air.

Taking a good look at the sagging couch, Chloe immediately had second thoughts about lying down there. The Break Room Couch had never been the sturdiest, but now it looked downright decrepit. Her neck and back were already killing her, and she highly doubted she'd be able to get back up from that relic. Or if the relic would survive it.

"You know what, never mind. It's probably not a good idea anyway."

Lucifer glanced between her and the couch, noticing its questionable state. Took in the stiff way of her movements.

He held up his hand. "I have an idea."

Lucifer sat down on the couch, eyes widening at the loud creaking sounds it made. When he decided it wasn't going to collapse, he swung his legs on there as well. Settling himself against one of the armrests, he motioned for her to join him.

"Come on, Detective. I'll be your pillow." And though he meant for it to be coy, she can see the softness in his eyes. The question in them.

Chloe shook her head, smiling. He could be a major pain in her ass, but there were times she was glad he was so persistent. Even though she wouldn't always admit it. Even if he was right sometimes.

Reaching behind her head, she undid her bun and shook her hair out with one hand, relieved that that tension in her scalp was gone. She walked over to the couch and toed her shoes off.

Putting one knee on the edge, it let out a groan that had them both looking towards where she was placing her weight on it.

"This isn't going to hold the both of us."

He grinned. "Guess there's only one way to find out."

She glared at him. "They're going to think we broke the couch."

His smile turned feline at her words, but it dimmed when he saw how tired she was. "Well, in our defense, it was already broken."

Yeah, well, cops were still cops. And they could gossip and whisper behind people's back like no one else. She'd found that out firsthand years ago with the Palmetto case.

And yes, it's not like they were subtle anymore about each other, especially not after the last few weeks. Well, they didn't make out in front of anyone, but all the smiles and looks and touches? Chloe highly doubted that'd gone unnoticed. They'd been getting comments about it for years, and it certainly wouldn't improve from now on. Especially the way some of her colleagues quickly averted their eyes when they stood close together.

And it wasn't like she was ashamed of him. It was just that a little part of her feared that they would think her less competent, less able for the job because of it. That she could get carried away at all times. Which, she had to be honest, did happen on occasion, but they were still more than competent.

She'd fought so hard to prove herself, and she had tons of successful cases to prove it. They had tons of successful cases to prove it. But sometimes it still gnawed at the back of her mind. That voice bugging her-

The pounding in her head spiked, and dark spots swam in front of her eyes. Chloe swayed, toppling backwards with a shout.

Lucifer managed to catch her by arms and pulled her back on the couch with little effort. The wood beneath them groaned loudly in protest but didn't collapse. Yet

"Do you see now what I mean when I tell you to get some rest? You are literally falling asleep."

Fine. He was right, but this wasn't her first all-nighter and she-

"Are you cold?"

His question snapped her out of her thoughts, slow as they may be.

Chloe followed his gaze to where her sleeve had ridden up her, revealing pebbled skin. Though it was the height of summer, the air conditioning in the precinct could give you the feeling that it was freezing. She always got colds because of it.

"Lucifer, it's fine, I'm good-"

But it was useless.

He sat up, taking off his jacket. It felt strange, seeing him only in his shirt. Before she could protest any further, he had draped it carefully around her shoulders.

"Can't have you freezing to death." Lucifer adjusted it so it covered her better. Then he leant back- prompting a few squeaks beneath him- and looked at her. "There. That's better."

Warmth seeped back into her body, and it wasn't until then that she realized how cold she had been.

A rush of affection went through her, and she leaned in to brush her lips against his. She felt his breath hitch, just for a second, and then he kissed her back, wrapping his arms around her. Giving her that glowing feeling in her chest. Making her head spin.

Chloe broke away first after a while, a little out of breath, and caressed his cheek. "Thank you."

Lucifer put his hand over hers and gave it a little squeeze. The look in his eyes made her stomach do a flip. "Anytime."

Chloe looked to where she was kneeling on the couch besides him, then looked towards the entrance of the room. The precinct was dark and quiet, the lamp on her desk one of the few sources of light. For a moment, she was afraid anyone might walk in on them, but she pushed that thought to the back of her head.

They weren't doing anything wrong. And it was late anyway. Nearly everyone had gone home already.

The jacket had made her a bit warmer, even though she was swimming in it, and her exhaustion hit her like a brick in the face. She supposed it couldn't hurt to lie down for a few moments. But only a few.

Careful not to wreck the furniture any further, Chloe laid down on his chest, scooting back as far she could. She let out a groan as her stiff muscles relaxed.

The couch creaked beneath them, but held, and they both burst out laughing. Chloe could feel the laughter rumbling through him. Moved with it. Savored the rich, warm sound of it.

"Looks like we didn't break it after all," Lucifer said.

Chloe hummed in agreement and rested her head just above his heart, the steady beat of it calming.

The scent of his cologne was comfortably familiar. Then she drew her legs up, so she was completely curled up on his chest. The jacket was draped over her as a blanket. Her arms were starting to warm up again, and she'd never really appreciated how Lucifer practically radiated heat as much as she did now.

Chloe let out a sigh of contentment. Angling her head, she peered up at him, their noses nearly brushing. "Are you comfortable like this?"

A feline grin. "With you on top of me? Nowhere I'd rather be."

Alright. She should have seen that one coming. And while lately she took great pleasure in finding a retort to whisper under her breath as he passed by just to see his reaction, she was simply too tired.

Another time.

Chloe let out a snort and settled down again, resting her head in the crook of his neck.

Lucifer wrapped his arms around her, holding her close to him. He pressed a kissed to the top of her head. "Get some rest, Chloe."

The way he murmured her name, with near reverence, like a prayer, never failed to make her heart skip a beat. She would never tire of the way he said it.

A feeling close to bliss overtook her. Even though her entire body ached from exhaustion and stress and hours of paperwork, nothing mattered now beyond this.

Because she was warm, and she was being held. By him. Because he was here, and it was real. They were real.

And if anyone had a problem with that, they could go to Hell. Literally.

With one last look at the doorway, Chloe closed her eyes.

They laid in comfortable silence, the only sound besides their breathing the humming of the vending machine.

Chloe could feel he was beginning to relax beneath her. His breaths starting to deepen, muscles relaxing after a long day. But he never loosened his embrace, as if he feared that when he did it would all turn out to be a dream. And she would be gone.

The steady beating of his heart was lulling her to sleep. Everything became distant as she balanced on the edge between awareness and sleep. But just before she tumbled over it, Chloe thought she heard him whisper something.

"I'm never leaving you again. I don't think I can survive that, Chloe."

"You mean the world to me."

It was the best night of sleep she'd had in a long time.

Dan had forgotten his wallet on his desk. Or that was what he hoped. After driving out of the precinct garage, he'd felt how empty his pocket was.

How hadn't he noticed? He couldn't even remember the last time that had happened. For all he knew, it could have been stolen. This case - and the damn paper trail that came with it - was draining. For everyone. They'd all been working over-hours the past few days, and it'd been so bad he'd had to call a babysitter for Trixie twice now.

Everyone was starting to look somewhat like zombies. Ella had walked face-first into a door not once but twice this evening due to the huge amount of evidence that needed to be processed.

Everyone but Lucifer. The guy seemed as unfazed as ever. Did he even need sleep?

As a night club owner, Dan guessed he was used to the hours. But still. It wasn't natural. He could count the times he'd seen him truly tired on one hand, and that hadn't been the physical kind.

Dan locked his car and walked inside the precinct, the sudden drop in temperature giving him goosebumps. The AC was constantly on during the sweltering late August days, cooling the building. After a while, you felt like you were freezing to death.

The bright light in the hallway had him blinking a couple of times

Rookies jogged past him, some with gear, others holding much-needed cups of coffee. Officers from the night shift were loading up their cars, getting ready for patrol.

And despite the hustle and bustle going on in that part of the building, it felt different at night. Less people, the building quieter. Time moving a bit slower than it did during the day.

The memories of his rookie days brought a smile to his face. He'd been so young then. So full of hope. A little cockier, a bit bolder. But certainly without all the scars that marred his heart. Without all the loss. The regrets.

He quickened his pace through the bright hallway to the bureaus of the detective squad. He really just wanted to go home.

It was mostly dark in there. Everyone had left already. Expect maybe for Chloe.

The lamp on her desk was still on, seemingly lost between the paperwork and coffee mugs. But she was nowhere in sight. And neither was Lucifer.

The two had been nearly inseparable since he'd come back from Florida. They always had been- right from the start - but this was something new. Like they'd finally crossed that line. In the end, Dan guessed it had only been a matter of time.

He was happy for them, he was. Chloe deserved happiness, especially after everything she'd been through the past few years.

After everything he had put her through.

But he just hoped Lucifer didn't break her heart, although he could see how much he cared about her. Still. Dan would hammer it into him how precious her love was. Because it was the way she looked at him.

Eyes soft and vulnerable, with a smile in them. Dan knew. She'd once looked at him like that, too.

Dan let out a sigh of relief when he turned on the lamp on his desk. His wallet was there, half-buried under a file. The last thing he needed today was losing his credit card and driver's license. He put it quickly into his back pocket.

He checked his phone. 11:34 PM. It'd be well after midnight by the time he got home. And he had to be up early again.

His stomach grumbled loudly. Might as well grab a quick snack while he was here.

Making his way over to the break room, his head started to feel heavy as well. No way he was going to be able to make his way home properly without some coffee.

Mentally rifling through the different foods in the vending machine, Dan stopped dead in his tracks in the doorway.

Looks like they hadn't left after all. Lucifer was stretched out on the couch, eyes closed, probably asleep. It was one of the few times Dan had seen him without the air he liked to put on, without the arrogance and sarcasm. No mockery or sneers. No flashes of some lingering trauma concealed a beat too late.

His shoulders were relaxed, as if all the burdens he carried - whatever they may be- had fallen off them for a moment. Dan couldn't quite tell from where he was standing, but it seemed like a smile was playing at the corner of his mouth. Something subtle. Something intimate.

He looked like a wholly different person.

And curled up on his chest lay Chloe, his jacket draped carefully over her. She'd nestled her head in the crook of his neck and was snoring softly. Lucifer had his arms around her, holding her close to him. Cradling her gently on his body, like she was the most precious thing in the world.

Yet the thing that surprised him most was that the ancient Break Room Couch had managed to hold them both. Most of the officers had estimated it was going to give out one of these days. Apparently not, so it seemed.

Dan didn't know how long he stood there on the threshold. He knew he should move, having stumbled upon this intimate scene. But grabbing a snack from the vending machine would make too much noise and wake them up, and there was really no way he could make coffee in complete silence.

Studying them once more, a pang of pain went through his heart. Moments like this made him even more painfully aware of Charlotte's absence. She'd been gone for more than a year now. And despite that, it could still hurt enough to knock him off his feet.

Felt like a punch to the gut. Linda's books had helped him a great deal. Gave him new insights, ways to turn his thinking around. They kept reminding him that there was always light at the end of the tunnel, no matter how far. No matter how deep down he might have been.

Dan had learned to give his grief a place. To make peace with it. And most days, that went fine. Most days, all he felt was a dull ache. An echo of the searing pain he'd started with. The sharp edges were softened now, sometimes scraping bluntly against his heart. But it was moments like these that he felt-truly felt, deep down in his scarred heart-what he missed. Who he missed. What might have been.

A flash of envy shot through him but was almost immediately replaced with shame. They deserved happiness. Both of them. They deserved their happily ever after, more so than anyone he knew.

After what seemed like ages but what couldn't have been more than a minute, Dan made to turn away. He could survive another half hour without food. He'd gotten home safe in much worse conditions.

As he made to turn away, movement caught his eyes.

Lucifer had lifted his head from where it rested on top of Chloe's and was looking at him. He blinked a couple of times, bleary-eyed, before he seemed to realize who was standing there.

Dan saw his guard go up. Shoulders stiffening slightly, the look in his eyes turning more distant. His grip on Chloe tightened for a second before relaxing again, almost imperceptibly so. That hint of a smile had disappeared.

"Daniel."

Spoken softly, he couldn't tell if it was a statement or a question. Lucifer didn't seem embarrassed. Dan had never seen him ashamed before, and he seriously doubted the guy was even capable of it.

No, it was more like he was bracing himself for something. There was no sign of that easy air he always carried himself with. Those dark eyes were watching him intently.

Dan felt himself flush at being caught. Thank God it was dark in there so he couldn't see the redness of his face. His eyes flicked involuntarily to Chloe. Lucifer's gaze followed his, then returned to him.
It took him a moment to find the words.

"Just- just take care of her, okay?"

Because you never know what tomorrow brings. Because everything could change in the blink of an eye, for better or for worse. Especially in their line of work. You could lose the one you hold dearest to you in a moment. And then regret everything you didn't say or did. Life was too short. It truly was.

Dan didn't say all of that out loud, but he had the feeling that some silent understanding passed between them.

The look on Lucifer's face was grave but knowing. He'd changed since he'd come back from Florida. Still his charming old self, but a little more self-conscious. More grounded.

It was quiet for a while. Turning his head to look at Chloe in his arms, Lucifer's gaze softened. And Dan could have sworn that smile was back.

"I will," he whispered. "I will."

Dan waited for a moment to see if he was going to say something more. But Lucifer kept gazing lovingly at Chloe, who was still asleep. Unaware of what had passed between them.

Then he turned away from them, hunger completely forgotten. Walking past Chloe's desk, he turned off the light.