that next morning

[wildrover]

Ryan fell asleep quickly after letting Esposito crash in the bed with him, their brief banter wearing him out once again. Like he had admitted to Javier, the day had been long and hard, their current case exacting a toll on Kevin mentally if not quite so much physically. A lot of shifting through useless data and trying to find the useful. At least they'd put this one behind them already, solving it through a fluke of luck and rendering most of Ryan's work obsolete. But it was done and for that Ryan was thankful. Now he just wanted to sleep.

So he did, and heavily too. He didn't shift often in his sleep at least and neither did he snore. And if Esposito did either of those two things then Ryan didn't notice them, not tonight.

Morning came and sun started to peek through the window. One bad thing about having an apartment on the eastern side of the building: the sun always got to the window early in the morning. Ryan shifted slightly but he still wasn't ready to get up just yet. The bed was comfortable, and the body pillow he'd snuggled into was warm and compliant to his needs. He was blissfully content to just stay where he was all morning until the afternoon. Maybe longer.

If only.

Comments

[wildrover]

He was silently thankful.

"I know. Sometimes I wish there was a high-rise next door just to block out the early morning light." Ryan crawled to the other side of the bed and managed to untangle himself from the sheets. He sat for a while on the edge of the mattress to keep from getting a headrush when he stood up. "But beggars can't be choosers, and cops can't afford to be picky. Not even detectives."

[specialforces]

"Who knows, man. Maybe urban development will catch up. Or maybe I'll get you some shutters for Christmas."

[wildrover]

"I got used to it," Ryan said but then went on after a slight pause, "although I wouldn't object to less light when I'm trying to sleep."

He glanced over at his curtains, barely able to keep the view out much less the light. He shook his head and stood up.

"Maybe you could invest early if your block still smells like sewage by the end of the day."

[specialforces]

"Yeah, we'll see. Although shutters are probably tougher to install, so maybe just thicker curtains."

[wildrover]

"What? Are you afraid to do a little handyman work? What happens when the plumbing goes out in your apartment, Javi? Do you call for a plumber every time the facet gets a little leaky?" He made a soft sound of teasing amusement and smirked at his partner. "I'll put it up myself if you have such an aversion to a little grunt work."

[specialforces]

"Oh, fine then. Bring it. Crazy intricate shutters, too. I will own shutter installation, my friend."

[wildrover]

Ryan smirked in triumph. He began to gather up some clothes to take with him to the bathroom for after a shower when midway through he suddenly stopped. He turned to face Javier.

"Did we just agree to go shopping for shutters? Is that as bad as picking out the curtains?"

[specialforces]

He shakes his head emphatically. "Don't worry, bro. It's totally cool as long as we also get some power tools to compensate."

[wildrover]

"...I'm going to be nice and let that one slide, Javi. Only because you're buying."

[specialforces]

"Yeah, good idea, or I'll bring up shoving things places."

[wildrover]

"I'll shove you places."

...yeah. He should keep his mouth shut this early in the morning.

[specialforces]

"Aaaand suddenly I have the upper hand again."

[wildrover]

Ryan blushed and excused himself from the room before he could make any more bad choices in words. He went to take a shower and, being the considerate guy that he was, got out quickly enough to leave Espo some hot water if he chose to take one, too.

He headed for the kitchen after getting dressed and started up a pot of coffee.

[specialforces]

He went out to grab the bag he'd left by the front door so he could get his spare clothes before ducking in to shower himself.

When he emerged, he smiled. "Coffee. Now that's what I'm talking about."

[wildrover]

Kevin returned the smile, more like a smirk though as he replied. "Yeah, well, I'm too lazy to fix you breakfast so you'll have to fend for yourself on that one. But help yourself."

He didn't have to admit that he made the coffee after his shower on purpose so that it would still be warm for Javier when he emerged from the bathroom.

[specialforces]

He grabs himself a mug and pours himself some coffee. "Got bread and a toaster?"

[wildrover]

"I've got that much at least. In the pantry where it's always at."

[specialforces]

"On it." He fetches the bread. "Want me to make you a couple, too?"

[wildrover]

"Going domestic on me, Esposito?" But Kevin nodded with a grin and mouthed "thank you" anyway. He reached into the fridge for some butter and the cabinet for some cinnamon. As an after thought he grabbed some jelly and honey as well just in case.

[specialforces]

"Yeah. I was so upset when I realized I forgot my french maid costume."

He popped the toast in.

[wildrover]

"Huh." Ryan cocked his head to the side as he stared at Esposito with that far away look in his eye that indicated he was trying to image some far-fetched idea. Typically reserved for Castle inspired theories but the image of Espo in a maid's outfit was disturbingly image-inducing.

He shook his head clear. "Next thing you know you'll be bringing over feather dusters and rubber gloves to start on the cleaning."

[specialforces]

"Ooh la la," he said with a grin as the first couple pieces of toast popped out and he put them on a plate to hand to Ryan. He promptly put some in the toaster for himself.

[wildrover]

Kevin smirked and shook his head to mitigate the slight blush on his cheeks. He was surprised with himself when he was able to keep up the teasing banter. "Yeah, I'll have to remember to snap a picture with my phone so I can sell it on the internet."

Well, teasing maybe witty not quite so much.

[specialforces]

"You would make a truckload, bro. Just cut me in on it." He got his toast and coated it liberally with both jelly and honey.

[wildrover]

"If only," Ryan said with a laugh. "You think we could make more than Castle?"