Over the coming weeks the dou continued as if nothing had changed. Mick came back to work but only desk work, not until she got her syke test would she be allowed back in the field. Mick of course had thrown a fit, cursing and slamming things at her desk, her coworkers had laughed at her antics. She was back to normal in their eyes, the only one who wasnt fooled was Kash. He knew she was putting on a bravado, fooling everyone into thinking she was fine. He saw the dark circles under her eyes from lack of sleep, the healing bite marks under her long sleeves from biting herself awake from nightmares. He saw through her 'happy' smile, detecting the lack of dimples that would normally appear when she truely smiled. The dead give away was her eyes, once bright and slightly wild were now glazed over in defeat. As if almost painted on along with that foney smile. Kash knew she wouldnt pass that syke test, knew she'd fail horribly. He wanted so badly to wrap himself around her, whisper to her that he'd protect her. But he knew he couldnt, he couldnt fight her depression and anxiety. That was a fight she had to face herself. He wanted to take all her pain for himself if it meant he could once again see her really smile. A smile that made others smile in return.
Kash's thoughts were interupted by Asuma, the bearded man was standing beside him with an unlit cigarette in the corner of his mouth.
"How is she?" Kash didnt answer right away, his eyes still focused on the woman sitting at her desk staring at the computer screen in pure confusion.
"Honestly?" Asuma nodded once, Kash sighed. In that sigh was all his frustration and turmoil, the tanned man beside him gave him a long sideways glance. Asuma clapped a hand on his friends shoulder with a knowing look, his brown eyes lingering on Kash's smokey gray irises. It was a silent understanding. Kash slowly turned back to his partner who was now typing away.
"I told her..." Kash didnt truely understand why he said it but he needed another persons input. One who was on the outside looking in.
"I see. And she must have turned you down, right?" Kash gave him a raised eyebrow, the detective smirked at him.
"You two arent acting the same anymore. Everyones guessing you finally spilled your guts to her." Kash flinched, the way he had described it was too close to home.
"Nice to know." His voice gruff with slight annoyance. The Gang task commanding officer, known for his strategic yet lazy mind and striking fear into criminals, is now the laughing stock of the precinct. Part of Kash really could care less, hed never feeling minded what people thought before anyway. But there was a part that was fired up, now everyone knew Mick was more or less unattached to him and single. For their entire careers so far Kash had been able to keep away men coworkers from approaching his partner, but now they all knew he had no power over the situtaion. And if he were to try to run them off like before it would only make him look scorned, clingy and jealous, and they wouldnt be wrong in those assumptions.
"Hmm seems you already have a rival." Asuma chuckled with a nod towards where Naruto was leaning over Mick's shoulder at her desk. The blonde had trapped Mick by putting his hands on either side of her desk, her chair was locked in place by his body which was leaning agaisnt it. Kash wanted to step in, shove that rookie off her with a few choice and colorful words, but he stopped himself. Mick wasnt his and she had that clear to him, as painful as it was to see another man at her side he refused to intervene if she was happy.
"Is she alright?" Kash glanced at the bearded detective with a questioning brow raise, Asuma was watching Mick. Kash turned to study his partner closely, his eyes widened slightly. Mick was visibly shaking, not voilently but noticeably, and that idiot over top of her of course didnt see it. Thats when it hit Kash, Mick was having one of her episodes and he finally put the pieces together. Naruto's stance over her was very possessive but playful, the big goof wasnt fully understanding that Mick was uncomfortable with his position looming over her.
Kash instantly made his way over, in reality he wanted to clobber that little toad but he knew it would only look like he was jealous, and embarrass Mick and himself. He didnt want to cause a scene to were Mick would be in the lime light, considering she looked on the verge of tears. The silver headed cop grinned behind his mask as a new thought wormed into his mind.
Kash slipped under Narutos arm, facing him with an eye crinkle. They were so close their chests touched, Narutos face twisted into a disgusted look.
"You never hold me anymore, im jealous." Kash said with a pout causing Mick to glance behind her. A snort of laughter left her mouth making Kash's heart soar. He couldnt remember the last time he genuinely heard her laugh. Naruto meanwhile dropped his arms off the desk and stood up fully, the top of his head level with Kash's eyebrows.
"Ugh Kash, personal space." humor was alighten in his blue gaze, Kash couldnt help the words from tumbling out of his mouth as he bat his eyelashes down at the rookie blonde.
"Thats not what you told me last night." Laughter exploded around the desked room, Naruto meanwhile grinned at the senior officer picking up on the joke with his own.
"Now honey,-" Kash covered his masked mouth in a dramtically shy pose as he brought his knees together and giggled softly, causing Mick to turn to the side to watch the scene unfold with amusement bright in her pale blue eyes.
"We talked about this. Im working." Kash pouted and dropped his head to his chesy with a stomp of his foot in a childlike manner.
"But Naruto-kun!"
At that exact moment Tsunade appeared close by, nearly spurting out her coffee with a shocked glance over at the two men. Kash glanced at her with a raised eyebrow as she choked loudly on the hot drink.
"Do you mind, were having a moment." With that Naruto let loose a cackle, Kash joining him. The blonde man patted Kash's shoulder still laughing,
"Youre too much." A shrug with an eye crinkle answered him, Naruto walked off towards Neji and Kiba, all three laughing. Well the two idiots were laughing while Neji looked completely disgusted. Kash shoved his hands in his pockets with a smirk, his legendary casual slouch returning.
"Thanks." Her voice soft, her smile reaching the tone letting Kash know he was right to handle it the way he did. Without looking at her he shrugged again and said as he walked over to sit on the clean side of her desk.
"No problem." They sat in companiable silence, Kash watching the others around him while Mick typed on her computer.
"Hm," Kash waited patiently for her while digging out his phone to pretend to read from his fanfic app, Mick scoffed at him lightly.
"Reading smut again?" Kash gasped in fake horror, his eyes bright at her finally wanting to banter with him again.
"Me? Smut? Well i never." He said with a mock offended eye widen. Mick glowered at him for a moment before it softened into humor. Shaking her head with a grin she continued from before.
"Want to get some drinks after work?" Kash wanted to leap into the air with a victory screech but composed his surprised face into one of indifference,
"Sure, whose buying?"
Mick sighed dramatically before leaning back in her chair to kick her boots up on her desk, crossing her arms under her breasts.
"If i remember correctly its your turn." Kash opened his mouth but Mick cut him off,
"But i know youll just end up sticking me with the bill so ill just buy." Kash grinned at her causing Mick to snort playfully.
"Youre not a cheap date either. I always get stuck with your high maintenance ass."
Kash slumped into himself with his hand over his heart, eyes still alight with amusement.
"Ugh you cut me deep."
"Did i mention youre also a drama queen?"
"Well im offended, the term is drama King!"
Mick sighed again but her eyes danced with mirth, Kash grinned under his mask at the little minx before him. The redhead rolled her eyes with a small laugh, she stood to her feet placing her hands on her hips. Her parnter raised an eyebrow with a head tilt at her.
Mick couldnt fathom how this man could look so dam cute, it was unnatural. He had a few years on her, not that she considered him old by any means, but no man his age should be able to pull off such an adorable posture and face.
Kash raised the other eyebrow as she watched him silently, he could almost see the wheels turning in her head, he cleared his throat with a mischievous grin at her. Mick blinked into reality then a light blush dusted her cheeks as she quickly looked away.
"Do i have something on my face?" he questioned with a slight chuckle. Mick turned back to him with a deadpanned expression,
"Half of your face is covered by a g-string." A laugh fell from his lips, her heart skipped a beat at the sound. She tried to maintain her expression but couldnt help laughing as well.
"Its a mask, but point for you." Kash chuckled out, his eyes crinkled at her as he ran his fingers through his tosseled silver locks. Mick fisted the air with a grin,
"Finally! Whats that now? 10 - 98?"
Kash shook his head fondly at her while she waggled her brows at him.
"Trying to compete with Guy as my enternal rival, eh?" Mick opened her mouth to retort but was cut off by a loud yowl from across the room. As if summoned by the mention of his name Guy speed walked over. He stopped between them, flashing the two his trademark white teethy smile. Mick crinkled her nose and shaded her eyes dramatically while Kash visibly deflated with a sigh.
"Ah Kash, so you finally admit to our rivalry of the ages!?" his booming voice made Mick step back a step.
"Hmm? Did you say something?" Kash asked as he sat on Mick's desk while his phone was infront of his face, not bothering to put it down even to talk to Guy. Unfazed or uncaring, Mick couldnt tell which, the bike cop spun on his left toes then stopped to pose with a finger pointed at the silver haired gang cop.
"I challenge you once more! Lets us have another youthful round of-" Kash cut him off by putting away his phone as he leaped down to stand,
"Ro-sham-bo?" Guy dropped his arm to frown at him, Mick sighed as she leaned against Kash's desk.
"No, lets race!" Mick stiffled a giggle when Kash frowned, he gave her a scowl before turning his attention to Guy.
"Sure Might, where to?" Guy smiled wickedly,
"From the parking lot to the coffee shop down the street!" Kash mentally wanted to facepalm, last time they raced down the street Guy nearly body-checked an old lady. Guys smile widened as he waited for Kash to answer,
"Alright sure."
Mick was standing at the coffee shop with a clear sight of Kash and Guy down the road. She sighed when Guys thunderous laugh reached her ears.
"How does he never loose his voice?" She questioned softly, the air trembled announcing someones close proximity to her.
"Go Partner Guy!" Mick cringed away from Lee's yowl, she gave him a stern glare.
"I am sorry, Mick." He bowed quickly to her, a full bow, she frowned with a quick glance around her before fixing her eyes on the two dots ahead of her. She took in Kash and Guy, one with a black bowl cut that blinded her slightly as the sun hit it. He was wearing his uniform a black short sleeve collared shirt with tight black shorts that stopped mid-thigh. Kash had his hands in his pockets, a black long sleeve shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. A dark pair of bootcut jeans and black boots that were scuffed on the toes. His silver hair was fluffed unnaturally to side with his bangs over his forehead and black cloth doctors mask as always.
"Ready when you are!" Mick rolled her eyes as Guy gave her the thumbs up with his smile that made her inwardly flinch.
"On your marks!"
Both men leaned forwards, Kash pulling his pants up by pinching the material on his thighs to yank it up slightly.
"Get set!" Mick raised her arm high in the air with a laugh before swinging it down with a yowl,
"Go!" They shot off like wild horses, Guy wildly pumping his arms beside him with Kash right by his side. Kash's eyes never left Micks.
Halfway there Kash shoved Guy voilently into a blue town mailbox that was screwed into the sidewalk, the dark haired man slammed into the metal with a loud hollow thud.
"Oh so thats how its gonna be!?" Guy vaulted the mailbox with a laugh and charged up to Kash. The bike cop shoved Kash into a bush, Kash leaped up as Guy smiled back at him. The two idiots kept running and shoving until the neared the shop, both mens eyes were locked in on Mick. When they didnt slow, still targeted on her Mick gulped loudly, she stepped back with her hands out infront of her.
"Hey! Whoa slow it down." When they didnt Mick gave a squeak as they got too close for comfort. Back peddling until both reached for her. With a squeal of terror Mick turned to run down the street, both men giving chase with Lee behind them.
"The shop was the finish line! Stop chasing me!" Mick snarled out without looking back, she could hear the pounding of their feet on the concrete. She thought she heard Kash's laughter but wasnt sure.
Frantic as a cat trapped in the bathroom with the tub water on she searched for an escape route. Mick snapped around the corner, following the sidewalk, they turned after her.
"The power of youth!!" She could almost feel the warmth of someones breath on her neck. Squealing, she forced her legs to run faster, dodging around a couple.
A commotion broke out behind her, but she refused to look behind her, she could still hear someone after her.
Mick was just about to look over her shoulder until the toe of her boot caught on the lip of a raised piece of sidewalk. With a gasp of terror she reached out to try and catch herself when a pair of strong arms caught her waist. Her bottom felt the contact of a mans netherlands and slammed her hands down on the concrete to swing her leg around to snap the elbow innerwardly of the pervert. Mid swing she stopped, Kash had released his grip to catch her ankle. Both made eye contact, Kash tugged her ankle back causing her to either do a split or stand up as he dropped his grip. Mick stood up and faced him with a pant still on her lips, he looked as if he hadnt even broke a sweat.
Kash stepped closer with heated eyes and his hands rested on her hips. Mick caught her breath, lifting her head to stare into those smokey gray eyes. Heat pooling between her legs as a red blush burned across her face and ears.
"I win."
