Ever since I was 13, I’ve been excited about turning 31 because it’s my lucky number backwards (…). You’ve all been so caring, supportive and thoughtful on my birthdays and so this time I thought I would give you something! I also know this holiday season will be a lonely one for most of us and if there are any of you out there who turn to music to cope with missing loved ones the way I do, this is for you.
A/N: My first entry for the @comfortember writing event! One of my first attempts at a post-canon fic. Married Shules is so soft and relaxed, and I hope I captured that feel here. Also, it felt weird to be writing Shules again, I've been writing for a different Psych ship over on ffn the last several weeks and it was weird having to switch back again for this.
Prompts used: 7-Blanket Fort & 15-Campfire
"I'll Be Your Hiding Place"
Shawn glanced up at the sound of the doorknob rattling. He relaxed again a moment later when he heard the scrape of a key in the lock and the familiar sound of his wife's footsteps in the entryway.
His attention turned back to the little girl snuggled into his lap, helping her turn the page on the book that was too big for her tiny hands. But part of his focus was still on the noises coming from the front area. He didn't miss the fact that Juliet double checked the lock on the front door before removing her shoes and sidearm. Or the way her eyes scanned the room upon entering — and specifically the windows — before landing on her family.
"Mom!" Riley shouted, launching across the room at her mother.
Juliet smiled tiredly, kneeling down to wrap her daughter in a hug. "Hey, sweetie. How was your day?"
The greeting was normal enough, but there was something off in the tone used. And something entirely too protective in the grip that held her little girl close.
"We made muffins," Riley said proudly. "And Dad took me to his office. I got to talk to the clearance."
"Clients," Juliet autocorrected. Between her husband and daughter, she'd become quite adept at interpreting them without having to put any conscious effort into it. Shawn was somewhat impressed by that talent.
"Selene had a doctor's appointment today," Shawn explained. "And Gus had to work all afternoon, so the kids ended up at Psych. Riley's cousins insisted on organizing the whole backroom while she helped me up front."
"I was good at it," Riley felt the need to add.
"She is surprisingly good at dealing with the customers," Shawn agreed. "I think we're raising a little con artist."
"Well, she is your daughter," Juliet teased, finally releasing the squirming girl in her arms. "Everything went okay today?"
Shawn understood the unspoken part of that question and nodded reassuringly. "Yeah, everything was fine here."
He didn't ask out loud how her own day had gone, but the concerned frown he sent her was enough to get the idea across. She nodded back, biting her lip as her hand landed on her daughter's tousled head.
Riley added her own agreement, completely unaware of the silent conversation going on over her head.
It was never hard to keep their painfully oblivious child out of the loop on things like this. So far, she showed no signs of having inherited her father's memory and observation skills. Madeleine told them it was unlikely it would manifest in her as early as it had for Shawn, but Shawn was secretly holding onto the hope that it never would. He knew the downside to having an eidetic memory and wouldn't want his daughter to go through that. Even if part of him would have loved to have someone around who could see the world the way he did.
"So, what's going on in here?" Juliet asked. She stepped farther into the living room, eyes sweeping over the massive blanket fort and other items gathered around. "You two renovating the apartment?"
"We're camping," Riley said. "We were gonna do s'mores. You want some?"
Juliet laughed, hand swiping quickly at her cheek. "Sure, sweetie. That sounds great."
"Why don't you grab the marshmallows from the kitchen," Shawn suggested. "I left them on the table."
Happy to have a task to do, the little girl rocketed towards the kitchen, disappearing through the doorway.
Juliet sat down on the pile of blankets next to Shawn and leaned into his side. He looped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her close, resting his head on hers. They sat in silence, listening to the sounds of mild destruction coming from the kitchen. It wasn't anything they couldn't clean up later.
Shawn frowned as his wife leaned in closer, wrapping her arms around him and clinging on tight. He held her tighter in return — a silent promise that finally let some of the tension ease from her body.
"I've got them!" Riley shouted as she barreled back into the room, holding her bag of treats high.
Keeping one arm around his wife, Shawn helped her get a marshmallow onto a chopstick. Their flameless candle surrounded by lincoln logs didn't hold up to his father's idea of a real campfire, but at least it wouldn't burn down their apartment, so it would have to make do. And the nice thing about having a child with an overactive imagination was that Riley never seemed to care when they had to make substitutions like this.
Someday they'd be able to invest in a real house with a backyard for Riley — and a matching yard next door for her cousins. With Gus's ever-growing army of mini geeks, that day might have to come sooner rather than later. But for now they were content with their little home.
"We weren't sure what time you would get home," Shawn said quietly. "So I kind of promised her that she and I could sleep in the tent tonight. But if you need—"
She shook her head, jostling his slightly with the movement. "No, that actually sounds really nice. As long as you two don't mind me joining you?"
"Yay!" Riley cheered, giving her obvious approval of the idea. "We made a big tent, Mom. You'll fit easy."
"Big-ish," Shawn corrected with a laugh. "But it should be fine."
After they'd eaten their uncooked s'mores, Juliet headed back to the bedroom to change while Shawn helped Riley brush her teeth. They regathered in the blanket fort a few minutes later.
The three of them snuggled into the pile of pillows and blankets, with Riley sandwiched between her parents. Shawn opened the book he and Riley had been working on the last few nights and read the next chapter until his daughter finally nodded off.
Closing the book, Shawn pressed a kiss onto the blonde head nestled against his shoulder. "I love you," he murmured into her hair. It didn't matter how often they exchanged those simple words, there were some days he felt it really needed to be repeated.
"Love you, too," she murmured back sleepily.
After getting them all settled into more comfortable sleeping positions, Shawn checked the window and door locks one last time before climbing into the makeshift tent beside them.
The quiet living room, lit only by the soft glow of the flameless candle, was soothing after the chaotic day.
He was almost asleep himself when a hand reached across from the other side of the tent. Smiling, Shawn latched onto it, letting both their hands rest on the sleeping child between them. A few minutes later, he could hear his wife's gentle snores drifting over.
He might not be able to protect her from the bad days like today, but at least he could be there for her when it was over. A silent reminder that, no matter what she was going through, she would always have people here who loved her.
I did it!!!! 31 days, and more than one prompt for most of them! God, I can’t believe it. Anyway, here’s my try at a masterpost! Will include links, fandom, warnings, and a brief summary. If the post exists on both tumblr and ao3 I’ll link to AO3. All links etc below the cut!
Some post-whump softness today! It’s shules time. I believe this is still SFW, but there is nudity (of the shower variety) and innuendo. No warnings other than that! Set around season 6. Recommended listening: Regina Spektor’s Begin To Hope album
Juliet putters around her apartment, busying herself with idle tasks. She strips out of her work clothes until she’s in only slacks and a blouse. Her hair comes down, messy and rumpled once the pins are no longer holding it in place. Mostly, though, her attention remains on the man lying spread-eagle over her bed.
“I’m sorry, Jules,” he mumbles.
She sits next to him, running her fingers through his hair and over his bruises. A darkening back eye. A blotchy purple mark showing under his sleeve. And who knows what else under his clothes…
Shawn catches her hand, bringing it to his lips. “Jules?”
“Let’s get you in the shower,” she murmurs.
“I’m sorry for investigating when you told me not to,” he says.
“Well, you did solve the case.” A smile flashes briefly over her lips. “I just wish you hadn’t had to get beat up to do it.”
“Infiltrating an underground fight club probably wasn’t my brightest idea,” he admits.
Juliet laughs softly and kisses his cheek, leading him to the bathroom. “Strip.”
Even as she turns to set up her cd player, he chuckles. “I don’t think I’m gonna be at my best tonight, Jules.”
She sets a Regina Spektor CD in place and then smacks him lightly. “Believe me, none of that is happening. We are getting in the shower so you don’t hurt yourself trying to get clean. I am going to make sure you are not seriously injured. And then we’re going to bed, to sleep.”
Shawn leans down, his hands resting possessively on her hips, and gives her a long kiss that doesn’t line up with his earlier statement. “I love a woman who can lay down the law,” he rumbles.
She hums as he kisses down her neck. “I do that, don’t I?”
He chuckles against her, and she pushes him off, turning on the shower. “Calm down, mister. Let’s get you washed up.”
In the shower, she grows even more worried by the bruises covering him and the way he winces when he moves, but even more than that… he just seems to have slowed down. Every movement speaks of exhaustion. He’s leaning heavily into every touch she gets him.
“Just let me get your hair,” she murmurs, working her shampoo into her own. “And then you can get some rest.”
“Mmmn, that sounds nice,” he murmurs. “You, too, right? You know I love cuddles.”
She reaches up to shampoo his scalp. “Of course, Shawn. You’re gonna get plenty of cuddles.”
The heavy piano notes of Bartender reverberate through the bathroom. The lights are off, and the shower is steamy. Juliet inhales the strong, minty scent of Shawn’s conditioner.
I love you, she thinks. But it’s not time to say it yet.
She’s been worried about him all day, all night. But as they climb into bed together, her anxieties melt away as she melts into the mattress.
“Get some sleep,” she tells Shawn.”You’ll feel better in the morning.”
He smiles through the dark and kisses her softly. “I feel better already.”
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