It had almost been two weeks since they put in the request to do the genealogy. Luckily they'd been notified that they'd get the results Monday morning, after the precinct meeting.

Ludwig sat next to Gilbert in the designated crowded room, listening to the reports his grandfather was detailing because he knew damn well his brother wasn't. Gilbert was busy trying to annoy Natalya by flicking scrunched-up post-it notes at her. He couldn't tell if it was working. If anything Gilbert was getting annoyed at his lack of success. It was annoying Ludwig too knowing his brother would waste his own time picking them up later. He kicked him under the table in a meaningless attempt to encourage him to listen.

He supposed in all fairness the statistics and area news weren't required to be memorised, but as police officers, they needed to be informed. But he'd be lying if he said his entire attention was on the Chief. While he was listening, his mind tossed and turned with unrest. Thinking back to Friday night at his brother's apartment flooded him with intense emotions he couldn't name. It was intense but he had the strength to deal with it. He'd been reflecting since and seeing his grandfather right there brought his turmoil right back.

Despite the conflicted feelings from the newfound perspective of his childhood, he'd already made the decision that he wanted more to do with his grandfather. Even though Gilbert didn't explicitly say it, Ludwig definitely knew he felt the same. Now it was just a matter of how to express it. He wanted to act now when he had the chance and with his brother by his side.

He wanted to act while he had the courage. Before he convinced himself that things were fine the way they were because that was easier than taking what he wanted.

When the meeting was dismissed and their colleagues were filing out of the room Ludwig cast a glance at their grandfather who was shuffling papers before leaning towards his brother. He didn't have a plan besides letting his much more charismatic brother talk but first, he had to let him know his intentions.

"We should talk to Opa." He knew his brother heard him when he cocked his head and paused halfway out of his seat. "About, not work things. Try to have a relationship."

He didn't need to clarify. He knew that watching the Vargas family on the tapes had gotten to his Gilbert just as much as him. His brother's face grew serious as he nodded. Ludwig kept his face passive and stride confident as they approached the chief. Their grandfather glanced up but continued to pack up.

"What's going on Opa?" Gilbert leaned on the desk before the man could speak.

"Work." He answered in his no-nonsense tone. "I covered it in the meeting."

"Right. And I was definitely-" at his choice of words their grandfather's eyes narrowed at the same time as Ludwigs did "-paying attention to that, but I meant like, what's going on? Outside of work? Have you been up to much? Do you have a hobby? More paperwork maybe? I'm joking! I bet you like solitaire or the news or something..."

Ludwig grimace. Was Gilbert being awkward on purpose?

"I'm doing well, thank you. I've planted some vegetables on my window seal which has taken up some of my free time. I suppose that would be my hobby." All the papers had been sorted and packed into the right drawers. Ludwig ignored the urge to just politely shuffle away and let the man do what he needed to do. "Was that all? We've all got work to do."

"You're always working," Gilbert groaned. "Are you not working this Saturday?"

"I'm not. Why's that?"

"Well, we were wondering if you'd to, I don't know hang out with us and join us for some, to do some adult thing, yknow like..."

Gilbert started trailing off and Ludwig quickly picked up.

"We're going to clean Gilbert's apartment. More hands make light work."

Clean Gilberts apartment? He didn't put much thought behind it as the words tumbled from his mouth. But Lord knows that apartment needed maintenance and it would make their grandfather feel like he's achieved something so his time was spent wisely. Or at least that's how Ludwig would feel.

The chief raised an eyebrow, likely having caught on to the fumble between them but didn't comment.

"What time?" By asking that question he confirmed he was coming. Ludwig internally cheered at the success.

"One pm."

"I'll be there."

"Hell yeah, we could have lunch!" Gilbert raised his hand and when their grandfather ignored it he turned to Ludwig. He supposed one high-five wouldn't hurt his professional look and obliged his brother.

"I suppose we can." Their grandfather confirmed. "Was there anything else?"

"Nope, that was all!" Gilbert said gleefully and lead Ludwig away. Ludwig just gave him a nod as he turned away.

He found the exchange to be awkward but it still felt like progress. Bugging his grandfather about non-work related things wasn't so daunting after all and now there was another opportunity to converse in the future. He found himself looking forward to it as much as he dreaded it. He felt a little guilty for it, but there was pressure there to say and do the right things in this unknown social scenario where he wanted to impress the other person.

Ludwig was a confident person. He wasn't used to feeling nervous.

"We did it!" His brother stage whispered as they left the room. "And it was so easy too! We should've done that ages ago."

Ludwig wished Gilbert could see that his confidence was his strength. His brother was just able to embrace it, despite the fact they'd be required to interact with their grandfather outside the normal work context.

"Well, better late than never as the saying goes," Ludwig added.

"Yeah, guess that's true," Gilbert shrugged. "We can worry about it Friday. I already know you're worrying about it but I know what'll cheer you up!"

Was his worry really that obvious?

"What are you thinking of?"

"Work!" Gilbert elbowed him and Ludwig knew there was a joking going on somehow. Right, because he was a 'workaholic'. "Aren't you keen to see the results from the thing?"

Of course he was, that was on the agenda for first thing that morning.

"What'll cheer me up is a lead."

"Well lets-a open the results and find out," Gilbert replied as he kicked in his office. "I have a good feeling!"