You're very tired by the end of your shift, and you didn't even make much progress on your cases. You turn to Kim, and he flashes you a smile. It makes you instantly feel better. "Well, that was a lot of running around today," he says. "Reminds me of old times."

You smile back at him. "Wow, Martinaise really was months ago, huh?" you say as you head out to the garage.

"Yes," Kim says as he gets into the motor carriage. "And I thought it was just going to be a regular case."

You climb into the passenger seat, thinking about this for a few moments. It really feels like you were living someone else's life before Martinaise. "I don't know what I thought. From what I remember I don't think I was thinking much about work at the time. Or… most things."

"Don't beat yourself up about it. You've made a lot of progress since then."

"Do you really think so?"

"Yes."

You try to direct your thoughts away from yourself before they really start to get you down. Before you can think about all the times you drank, all the times you let him down. Kim. You should think about Kim. Before Martinaise you had no idea he existed.

You chuckle and try to pretend everything is okay. "Little did you know your life was about to get turned upside down by a superstar detective."

"Interdepartmental cases are always interesting," he says, his tone flat, his expression neutral.

"But some are more interesting than others, right?" you say, and you're guessing. You probably worked with other precincts before, but those memories yet to resurface.

"Hmm," he says thoughtfully. And then you notice a slight curve to his lips. He's teasing you. "Maybe."

You lean over and kiss him by the ear. His skin is warm and his stubble scratches your lips in a good way. Oh god, you love him so much.

"Harry! Can't you at least wait until I'm not driving?" he says, his ear going slightly red.

You grin at his response. "No," you say, and kiss him again, your nose knocking his glasses this time.

"Stop that," he says, resettling his glasses on his face. He sounds serious this time.

You fold your arms and sulk, but it's mostly just an act. You're almost home.

"I love you, Kim," you say as he parks up in front of your apartment building.

He smiles. "I know," he says. "I love you too Harry. Now let's get inside."

The throbbing pain in your leg that you've been trying to ignore comes to your attention again as you walk up to your apartment. But you don't want it to ruin your last evening with Kim this week, so you put on some music to listen to as you cook. Kim laughs at you as you dance around as you wash vegetables and pass them to him to chop. You manage to steal a few kisses too, and he pretends to be annoyed about this, which only encourages you.

After dinner, you intend to take a hot shower to try to ease the pain, but as the hot water is intermittent, it ends up being of limited help. Before Kim came to stay with you, you'd often roll into bed without bathing. You recall sleeping through your alarm a few times and congratulating yourself through your hangover that you were a genius for saving time by sleeping in your clothes. But now it's important that you're clean and smell nice for Kim's benefit. Maybe you really have made progress since Martinaise. All you really needed was a seriously cool detective from another precinct.

Kim casually kisses you and trails a hand across your belly as he passes you on the way to the bathroom. You have to sit down after that. Your mind is filled with nothing but thoughts of Kim.

You're starting to feel pleasantly relaxed when you hear the shower being turned off and realise that you haven't done your stretches yet. You forgot to do them yesterday too. Maybe that's why you're feeling so stiff today. You start with the easier stretches, and even those make you wince and groan in discomfort.

Kim comes out of the bathroom rubbing his hair with a towel. His glasses are steamed up.

"You got some hot water?" you say.

"I did. Did you not?"

"Not much," you say. "I swear there's something wrong with the boiler in this building. Damn thing only works half the time."

"You should tell the landlord."

You shake your head. "Don't wanna give him an excuse to increase the rent again."

"We'll find a better place soon," he says.

"Yeah. Wanna just pretend to be working tomorrow and go apartment hunting instead?"

Kim smiles. "We could pretend the witnesses are very hard to track down," he says.

You smile back. "Yeah, we'll totally get away with it."

"I don't think we will," Kim says. "Finding an apartment will take more than one day. But there is no harm in keeping a look out while we work."

"Yeah, it'll be like a side investigation!" you say, and wince as you try to touch your toes.

"From my time at the 41st, I already know a few districts to avoid."

You stand up to attempt your other stretches. "You mean like all of them?"

"I don't know, I'm sure there are a few places I will eventually feel safe without my gun when I'm off duty," he says. "Are you okay, Harry?"

You stand up straight again, abandoning your stretches. "My leg really hurts. Must've been all that running about."

"You really should take it easier while you recover."

"But what if I never do?" you explode, then you see Kim's expression. "Sorry. I just… it's just been going on so long."

"It's okay," Kim says, putting down the towel and stepping over to embrace you.

You drop your head onto his shoulder and wrap your arms around him as he pats you on the back.

"Is there anything I can do to help?" he asks.

"No," you say, and your voice comes out so weak and pathetic.

"It's been a long day, Harry," he says, letting go of you and touching your arm. "I think we've both earned some rest."

"Actually, there is something you could do to help," you say, and hesitate. Do you actually dare to ask?

"Yes?"

You're tempted to back out and tell him it was actually nothing, but he's looking at you expectantly. "Would you… give me a massage?" you ask, sure your face has gone red.

Kim gives you an easy smile. "Of course, if it'll help," he says. "Why don't you get yourself comfortable on the bed?"

You immediately do as you're told, propping yourself up on some pillows.

The mattress moves as Kim gets onto the bed beside you. "Okay, which part hurts the most?" he asks.

You grimace and move your hand over your whole thigh from groin to knee. "This whole area," you say.

"Okay." He moves his hands towards your leg and you flinch and giggle. He gives you a serious look, pausing his hands above you. "Harry, try to relax."

"Sorry! I just had the sudden thought that it might tickle," you say, feeling ridiculous.

Kim smiles and shakes his head. "I'm not going to tickle you."

"What, not even if I asked?"

He sighs. "I thought you wanted me to give you a massage."

"Yeah, yeah I do. Sorry. I'll let you, uh, get on with it."

Kim place his hands on you leg, and instantly you forget about your pain. You can't think of anything other than Kim's hands on you. He touches you gently at first, running his hands over your leg. You close your eyes.

This is like some wonderful dream. You can't believe how lucky you. Kim so close to you, you can hear his breathing as his fingers begin to probe and press into your muscles. As he moves towards the top of your thigh, a sudden fear grips you. What if you get a little too enthusiastic about Kim touching you? What if your enthusiasm shows? You concentrate on trying to stay very calm and still.

Thankfully, your body cooperates. But wait, is it weird that your body isn't responding to Kim touching you? Would he be offended if you became visibly aroused? What if he's offended if you aren't? What if when you get down to it, you just can't? Any time recently that you've thought about jerking off you've been too sad or drunk to actually do it. You got hard when you were with Kim this morning, you remind yourself. But that was only briefly. Your body still might be broken beyond repair.

"You're very tense," Kim remarks, digging his fingers harder into your muscle.

"Ouch," you say. You open your eyes.

"Do you want me to ease off, or stop?"

You shake your head. "You know what you're doing," you say, gritting your teeth as he finds a particularly tender spot.

"Do I?" he says.

"Huh? I thought you did."

Kim smiles. "You think they teach massage at the RCM?"

You shrug. "I don't know what goes on at the 57th," you say.

"Well, let me tell you. Not that."

You notice Kim has stopped moving his hands.

"Don't stop," you say. "You're pretty good even if you are an amateur."

"Okay. Just a little longer," he says. He sounds tired.

You close your eyes and enjoy the rest of the massage, noises escaping your mouth when his fingers prod and squeeze at painful parts, but you quickly reassure him that you want him to carry on.

"So, do you feel any better?" he asks, running his fingers along your leg one last time.

"Loads," you say. But then you suddenly think that you don't want him to think you're totally cured. "I just need you to do that every day."

Kim sighs. "I would, but it might be a bit difficult if I'm not staying here."

"Oh yeah, good point," you say sadly. "Wait, you could just stay here all the time!"

Kim smiles. "I don't think that would work."

"We need to hurry up and find a place. We can start looking tomorrow."

"Mm-hm," Kim says, climbing off the bed so he can get under the covers. He takes off his glasses and places them on the nightstand.

You join him in bed. "I can just see it now, our cozy little home."

"Don't start thinking too big. Remember we don't have the largest salaries."

You turn onto your side to face him. "Wherever we go, we'll make it perfect. Anywhere will be perfect with you, Kim."

Kim smiles, his eyes crinkling at the sides. "From you, Harry, I can almost believe that," he says, leaning over to kiss you on the cheek, then the mouth.

You curl a hand around the back of his neck and return the kiss. For a few minutes you both lay there, exchanging kisses. Your eyes grow heavy. You shift a little, the pain in your leg nagging at you.

"Do you want me to cuddle you again?" Kim asks.

"Yes!" you say immediately, and turn over onto your other side. Kim shifts into position beside you a little easier tonight. He curls an arm around you and you wrap your hand around his.

"Good night, Harry."

"Good night, Kim. Love you."

"Love you too," Kim says, and you can hear in his voice that he's smiling. This is nice. You're going to miss him terribly when he goes home, but you try to banish that thought from your mind. You can't wait to be able to drift off to sleep with Kim every night.