" long night , chief yanagi ? "
as familiar as gallagher was with the faces of those that worked within the various branches of the local law enforcement, it was slightly rarer to see her face within the local bar. most sought to the taps come weekend, actively seeking comfort from long days of paperwork and demanding missions, and those that didn't come for the drinks usually came for the company. she, however, wasn't someone gallagher had managed to pinpoint fully.
ice would rustle as a glass was prepared, offering her a non-alcoholic drink at first. " on the house, for the service you do," gallagher smiled warmly, settling before her with a small pink umbrella on it. " no poison in the first round, but i'll gladly stirr something up for you if you're in need of something stronger. say the word, and i'll do whatever it takes to serve the law."
he might have added a small wink at that.
how unbecoming of her to betray her own fatigue so openly in front of others. it was unsuitable for someone bearing the title of deputy chief, a position designed to be a shining example of model behavior by keeping up her steadfast tenacity and tenacious commitment to keep the public safe. part of her duty was to preserve the public’s faith in forces like her to uphold standards and their abilities to protect their community.
or perhaps she was overthinking a kind gesture that was meant to express gratitude for what she did for a living. it proved difficult to not fret whether heightened cortisol levels were manipulating her physical condition, so she tucked a few loosened strands of rosy tresses behind her ear, readjusting her glasses as she graciously accepted the beverage offered, smiling cordially at him.
the wink, of course, caught her off guard, and a hovered hand shielded the way her lips quirked in gentle amusement at the (intentional? unintentional?) pun, but her fuchsia hues betrayed her smile, softening usually controlled and steady features. she traced the rim of her glasses with a pointed gloved finger, plucking the umbrella out of the drink as though handling a delicate, newly bloomed flower, twisting the handle of the decorative parasol between her digits.
❛ i'm grateful for your recognition —— but no need to reward me for doing the right thing. i may take you up on your offer, though... if this drink keeps me in high spirits. ❜
yes, she genuinely thought that was clever. it was her turn to wink back, feeling rather… silly doing so, but given how often she pushed herself on the job, it couldn’t hurt to spare just a moment, before her mind inevitably returns to the always accumulating checklist of daily tasks that need to be completed tomorrow.
☆⋅⋆ ─ moomin joined the dogpile to request an ask from @avaere
