Gilbert spent more time distracted than doing the paperwork, but at least he wasn't distracting Ludwig. While Gilbert was staring out the window or fiddling with his zipper, Ludwig got through his portion soon enough, opting to fill out - at least what he considered - the more difficult parts. For two reasons that both revolved around Gilbert; his brother wouldn't like to do it and his lack of interest could cause errors. It was by coincidence that his pragmatic attitude allowed Gilbert some slack.

Ludwig really should push him to be better, to act as someone of his position should, but for today he could be lousy and say it's for the best. He already knew Gilbert was capable of filling out sheets and sheets of paperwork considering it was the main aspect of his job.

Considering it didn't cost him anything, Ludwig supposed he could aid his brother with his workload. Hopefully, his silent assistance would make things easier for Gilbert.

With nothing else on their schedule and the initial paperwork out of the way, Gilbert roped Ludwig into helping him with his other paperwork.

Despite the tedious work, they got through a fair amount before the end of the workday. Ludwig appreciated that Gilbert was putting in the effort instead of completely passing it off onto his brother, though he knew his brother's pride would never allow otherwise.

Ludwig was also satisfied that his time was used for progress rather than waiting on pending results. Not that he'd tell Gilbert, who'd probably take it as an invitation to have Ludwig help him more often, even if he wasn't free. He doubted they'd have an opportunity to sit down and simply work through things slowly again.

While he sympathised with Gilbert's predicament, his brother did get himself into it and was theoretically capable of getting out. Otherwise Gilbert would have to figure out how to live with his career choices.

Though he supposed his workload was balanced with the right ratio of action to paperwork, whereas Gilbert was just positioned behind a desk, no doubt burnt out and lacking motivation.

Ludwig pushed it from his mind. That was his brother's problem, which he wouldn't have to solve alone but there wasn't much he could do when Gilbert was disguising dissatisfaction as being content.

The weather was clear when he stepped out of the station. The sky was clear, there was little to no wind and the air had a crispy element to it that was refreshing after being inside a stuffy office for a couple of hours.

After a moment to take in the pleasant change in atmosphere, Ludwig began his routine walk back to his apartment.

Beside him, cars zoomed past on the busy highway. A majority likely going home after their nine to five, ready to rest before doing it all again tomorrow. Between the largely greyscale coloured cars, bright colours would filter between as the traffic moved onward.

With the sun's rays peeking just above the highrise buildings, covering some areas in blinding orange light and others in shadow. The city was transitioning to the nightlife, light posts were barely emitting an obvious luminance and about half of the cars travelling past had their lights on.

As he walked beside the road, his peripheral vision caught a singular figure slowing down on approach, riding a sleek black motorbike. Ludwig recognised the figure before they beeped in a pointless attempt for his attention.

The biker wore a darkly tinted black helmet, the surrounding urban landscape reflected sharply on the surface, and a PD jacket hung loosely around their frame. Ludwig stared blankly at his brother as he enthusiastically turned the acceleration handle, driving the engine louder. Ludwig gave Gilbert a sincere wave to indulge him, watching as the figure revved and took off.

He wasn't too bothered by his brother's antics, and living in a city he was sure the onlookers didn't care either. Personally he didn't care if they did, considering most people did nothing when bothered about something. It would've either been a minor annoyance or slightly entertaining. If he witnessed this exchange between two strangers, he'd recognise the fondness they shared then continue on with his day.

Gilbert thought his bike was 'awesome' and took any opportunity to ride. Ludwig didn't disagree, he just hoped his brother didn't ride up to anyone else and bother them. He had brought it up to his brother before, and Gilbert claimed that he only waved at other bikers. Who, like dogs coming across another canine on a walk, enthusiastically waved back.

It sounded surprisingly wholesome.

Not that he'd even see it, Ludwig's first choice of commuting was walking. He was aware of the benefits regular exercise provided, trying to incorporate it into his lifestyle when possible, and staying in shape was essential for his work.

Though he wouldn't really call it strenuous activity when his apartment was ten minutes away. In his opinion, it was too close to commute any other way, though he'd long given up on having Gilbert join him. Their lifestyles were too different. Ludwig would have already left the building before Gilbert left his bed.

Striding into the clean, minimalistic lobby of the apartment building, Ludwig headed straight for the stairs hoping the extra movement would release the restless feeling sitting inside him.

It didn't take long for him to reach his floor and unlock the apartment. It was an open plan for the living space and kitchen, the only rooms were for the bathroom and bedroom.

He shrugged off his police jacket, feeling the weight shift awkwardly to one side from the case documents. He frowned as he took them out and placed them on his nearby coffee table. Tearing his eyes away, he folded his jacket and positioned it beside the unassuming folder.

He'd have to pass them onto Gilbert later, who conveniently was only as far as a floor above him. Gilbert would get them tomorrow, if not before then. But for now, Ludwig had other things to do.

A couple of hours later, the sky outside was dim and grey. Ludwig stood in his tidy kitchen as he washed the dinner dishes in the sink. Living alone, washing dishes by hand saved more water than running the dishwasher.

While his hands were busy, his eyes were fixed forward, beyond the window and into the night. The sky might be dark, but it only served to better highlight the brilliantly illuminated landscape beneath. Lights of all colours were everywhere, bathing the concrete environment in light. Streetlight, cars, buildings, the city was never in true darkness.

The rhythmic motion of drying the dishes was relaxing and required no real thought to it.

His mind was elsewhere, uselessly going over Vargas' case over and over. He was painfully aware there was no point to it, there weren't any revolutionary details he could pull from the documents and statements alone. Yet he continued to obsessively ponder, over nothing in particular, just about Vargas.

The poor boy must've been so terrified. Scared to death in his last moments.

Ludwig moved away from that speculation. Of course he sympathised with the victim with every case he worked on, but the victim couldn't benefit from that now. His position required he view situations from a legal and third-person standpoint. He needed to be indifferent as he digested cases, to ensure he can weigh every factor and come to the right conclusion.

Sometimes to work a job like his, he needed to be somewhat of a psychopath.

While the lack of reaction would disturb some people, it came naturally to him as he investigated crime scenes that would render others impotent.

Using the dry towel to brush over the crevasses of cutlery, Ludwig peered out the window and focused on the flickering blips as an aeroplane flew over the horizon.

But yet, the case was still on his mind. It was frustrating, having it on his mind for no reason and no conclusion to arrive at. Just thinking about it for the sake of thinking about it.

He supposed he should get used to it. Digging through the other cold cases after this would probably be the same. Though he hoped once this case was solved, he'd have an idea what to expect from the other ones. He'd have the optimism that if Vargas' case could be put to rest, the others would follow.

Though it was a bit too hopeful to think he'd be able to solve *all* the cases on the list. He wasn't so naive to assume that every wronged victim and their families would eventually get their justice and answers. While quickly developing technology is exposing new leads that would've never been uncovered otherwise, some cases may never be solved at all.

He wondered how many of the cases weren't homicides with a body to show for it, but missing people. If someone was missing for so long, the chances of recovering them -dead or alive- were quite slim.

The now clean dishes were stacked on the bench and Ludwig busied himself putting them away. Even while doing things his thoughts were precise, the downside of being composed, he figured.

He moved to the lounging area, collected the remote and leaned back on the couch. Turning the tv on, he flicked the channel to the news and placed the remote on the coffee table.

Crossing his arms, he intently stared at the tv hoping to distract himself for a while.

It seems nothing notable happened today, the news anchor reporting on internet trends and delayed construction works around the city. He watched idly with no real concern for the events reported as he wound down for the night.

When the news program ended, he turned off the tv with a sigh and pushed himself off the couch. He returned to the kitchen and located a glass from an overhead cupboard, filling it halfway and drinking it in one go.

With his thirst quenched, he turned the lights off and navigated to the bathroom using the lights shining into the apartment from the surrounding buildings outside.

Stepping into the cooler room, he turned on the overhead light and the radio set to the city's local station. Closing the door behind him, Ludwig commenced his nightly routine. After a brief shower, he put on a plain shirt and shorts. He opened the bathroom door to let the humid air out and defog the mirror. Regarding his reflection in the mirror, he was satisfied with his appearance.

His hair was clean and he didn't need to shave today. He found it easy to keep a professional appearance, it was in his nature to keep himself tidy.

He pulled out his toothbrush from the cup on the counter and grabbed the all-natural charcoal toothpaste from its place in the drawers. Squeezing out some toothpaste and putting the tube back, he watched his reflection as he thoroughly brushed his teeth and the paste foamed black in his mouth.

He had only just begun flossing when he heard a door shut nearby.

Gilbert was standing by his front door, dressed in his pyjamas. His choice of PJs had little colourful birds all over them. His toothbrush clamped in his mouth as both hands were holding his phone and a round yellow speck sat on his shoulder.

Ludwig turned back to the mirror and continued flossing, though keeping an eye on his brother through the reflective surface. After a moment Gilbert put his phone into his pocket and strode over to him while continuing to brush his teeth.

Ludwig tried not to feel exasperated, given that he would never stoop so low to walk around while brushing. It was something their parents were always strict on when they were younger.

Gilbert stood beside Ludwig for a moment while he hastily finished brushing, before using his hip to bump his brother out the way and hog the sink.

Ludwig stepped aside and put the floss down. He tried not to cringe as he saw the state of his brother's frayed toothbrush, long due for a replacement. Looking through the counter drawers, he located a pack of toothbrushes and pulled out a new one for Gilbert.

He waited for Gilbert to wrap up brushing before handing it to him.

"Throw that one out," he commanded and gestured to the one in his brother's hand.

"'kay," Gilbert shrugged and stepped on the lever on the little tin bin between the bathroom counter and door. He dropped it into the bin while tucking the other one into his pocket.

Ludwig turned back to the mirror and ran his hands through his limp hair, sifting through the clumps and pushing it back away from his eyes. Beside him he eyed Gilbert examining his face in the mirror, running his fingers over the pale skin looking for any blemishes or blotches. Pleased at finding none, he stepped back confidently and grinned. Turning his attention to the little blob on his shoulder, he poked the little bird and coaxed it onto his finger.

Gilbird chirped at the attention and sidestepped up and down on the digit as Gilbert raised it to his head, allowing Gilbird to step off and nest himself in his owner's scruffy white hair.

Ludwig gave him the side-eye in the mirror. That little spoiled bird was more taken care of than Gilbert. Its feathers were always sleek and shiny, whereas Gilbert didn't even brush his hair every day.

"So when are you gonna give me them documents and that about the case?" Gilbert asked as he watched the little yellow bird comfy itself on his head.

Ludwig refrained from pointing out that Gilbert could've come over for it at any other time. Considering how he was about to go to bed himself, he couldn't in good conscience give it to Gilbert this late. Well, Gilbert would argue that it isn't late and would probably be up for a few more hours, but Ludwig wouldn't give him such sensitive material this late. Just in case he did read it then slept on it, the depressing nature might affect his sleep.

"Tomorrow."

"Fine," Gilbert sighed, "have you checked what movies are on the tv?"

"No," Ludwig replied and ushered Gilbert out of the bathroom, turning the lights off and closing the door behind them.

"Probably nothing good on anyway, huh Gilbird?" The small blob chirped at the mention of its name.

"It's a weekday, so probably not," Ludwig reasoned and tried to direct his brother to the front door. "Since it's a weekday and we have work in the morning, I'm going to bed."

He doubted that would convince Gilbert to do the same, but as long as he let Ludwig adhere to his bedtime routine it'd be a win.

"Okay, goodnight grandpa," Gilbert teased and opened the door, "guess we'll have a sleepover some other time!"

"When we have a day off. Goodnight." Ludwig shut the door and made sure to loudly turn and slide the locks in place, leaving Gilbert cackling on the other side of the door as he walked away.

It was only a joke, of course, pretending to be so exasperated by his brother. Gilbert was in on it, hence why he acted so insufferable. Or maybe that was just how he was. Either way, Ludwig didn't truly mind.

He checked his phone, finding no notifications he left it on charge in the lounge area before turning off the lights and going into the bedroom. With his bedside lamp being the only light, Ludwig drew the blinds closed to block out the outside world.

Completing five minutes' worth of stretches, Ludwig felt he had wound down enough. His mind was clear, even if it was just for today. Tomorrow he can worry about what he will do with the pending results. Tomorrow will be a new day with new information, either conclusive or vague, and he can take action. Until then, he would just have to wait.