A Step into Warmth
A/N: This was written for a Secret Lawyer Exchange event that @nxxevents put on. My prompt was for a yume ship fic featuring their character, Valentine, and Vyn for @one-wing / @rhapsodoss on tumblr. This was an interesting challenge for a variety of reasons. I wanted to make sure I took my time with this work. In the end, I think I did alright. :)
No summary for this one, to keep the piece a surprise.
Word Count: 2.9k words
The holidays are supposed to be a season of warmth. Long sleeved cardigans. Warm drinks. Streets awash in red, green, and gold decorations. But it's not just visual warmth, but also emotional warmth. People spend time with their precious loved ones, curled up together on a settee.
But despite the warmth of the holiday season, life goes on. The pressure and strain of the holiday season coupled with the stresses of everyday life stretches people to their absolute limits.
Vyn knows.
The psychiatrist propped his elbows up on the edge of the table, interlocked his fingers together, and gently rested his head on his hands. The dark computer screen reflected back his appearance. At first glance, nothing seemed to be wrong. His white hair pristine and perfectly styled. His face, unblemished. But upon closer inspection, there were the beginnings of dark circles underneath his eyes, and his golden eyes held traces of exhaustion in them. His glasses were folded nearby, an arm's length away.
Vyn stared quietly at his reflection. He took in the lines and the apparent exhaustion written on his face.
"If I appear before him now, he'll worry for me," Vyn stated. The clinical nature of his statement contrasted with the self-mockery in his eyes, as if criticizing himself.
His eyes drifted over to the wristwatch he wore. His gaze fixated on the consistent ticking of the hand.
Tick, Tick, Tick.
Every second that passed was a second he would never get back. The sound of the wristwatch, which normally disappeared under the cacophony of sounds in real life, seemed to echo in the empty office.
After a moment, Vyn started to get ready to leave for the night. After he organized the notes he had taken from tonight's session, he tidied up the flurry of papers and books on his desk into neat piles. He hung his doctor's coat on the coat rack near the office door. He changed from his office attire into something more casual - a black turtleneck sweater. He took out a white cardigan from his oxford leather bag, and placed it over his sweater.
A glance outside the windows of the Giannovyn Mental Health Research Center, showed a full moon alone in the sky. His patient's appointment already went longer than he expected, so he was already leaving the office later than usual. He took out his phone from his bag, turned it on, and frowned.
No missed calls. No texts. Valentine must still be at Themis, thought Vyn.
He slipped the phone back into his bag. He sighed.
The holidays weren't only busy for him, as patients often tried to schedule their appointments with him before they left for their holiday gatherings or winter vacations, but he knew that Valentine was also busy. Themis Law Firm often saw an increase in the number of cases during the holiday season. During a conversation a while ago, Valentine lightheartedly joked that was always the Law Firm's gift every year: more cases.
Even though Stellian winters weren't as cold as the ones he had back in Svart, he was grateful he had put on his cardigan before he left the medical center. Walking back to his residence underneath the streetlights, Vyn's thoughts drifted to what Valentine must be doing now. He imagined Valentine reading case files, papers spread out over the desk, coffee cup gone cold, bag left untouched underneath the desk.
As Vyn's mind continued to drift, one thought settled into his head. A smile tugged at the corner of his lips. There was a twinkle in his eye. A warmth spread through his chest as the thought continued to run through his mind. He couldn't wait to get home. He knew exactly what he wanted to do.
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About an hour later, Vyn made his way towards Themis Law Firm, holding a light green, unassuming bag in his hands. He approached the glass doors of the law office and saw a security guard at the front. At the security guard's questions, he told them that he was here for someone from Themis. The guard allowed him in, and he headed up to the law offices.
When the doors opened, Valentine didn't acknowledge him. Instead, Valentine's gaze was focused elsewhere, on the office computer.
Upon seeing Valentine's laser focused gaze, Vyn quietly maneuvered himself to the employee break room. He took out two circular containers from the light green bag in his hands and placed them in the fridge.
Vyn placed the light green bag on a seat in the break room - a seat where he could see Valentine's desk from the open doorway. Vyn grabbed a disposable cup from the pantry area, filled it with hot water, and took a seat. He took out a tea bag from the pocket of the light green bag and placed it into the cup, gently dipping the tea bag into the water until it slowly floated to the bottom.
Vyn absentmindedly bobbed the tea bag into the hot water as he gazed at Valentine, and then at the night sky through the pantry windows. Whisps of white steam from the cup contrasted against the Stellis night sky. His eyes flitted back towards Valentine, whose dark clothes seemed to blend into the darkness of the night. Despite the fact he could physically see Valentine working, he knew Valentine's mind was far away from the present moment, probably lost in legal codices.
Vyn took a tentative sip of tea. The mint tea tasted lighter and a bit more bitter than he would have liked, but perhaps letting the tea steep for a bit longer could deepen the taste. As for the bitterness though, he figured a bit of honey or a small amount of sugar could ease some of it. While the pantry didn't carry too many items for tea drinkers, he figured that the law firm would likely have at least a sweetener of some sort.
He had been in enough NXX meetings with Artem to know about the other's penchant for coffee. Unlike when he brews tea at home, the hot water containers here couldn't be as precise as his methods. The water dispensers here built for scalding hot coffee, not tea, which was unfortunate.
After letting the tea steep for a bit longer and putting a bit of sugar in it, when Vyn tried the tea next, it was palatable. It was drinkable, but far below the standard he preferred. At the very least, Themis's A/C units made the hot drink more appealing, which is why he continued to drink the tea, despite the taste.
When Valentine leaned back into their seat and their shoulders relaxed, that's when Vyn made his move. He made a hot water cup and walked it over to Valentine. He placed the cup in front of a very startled Valentine, and gave Valentine a smile.
"You must be cold."
"Vyn?!" Valentine's expression was one of shock. "What are you doing here? I thought you would be at home, since it's late."
Vyn sighed and took out his phone. "I did not hear from you, so I had a suspicion you were still working. It looks like, I was right."
Valentine's eyes slid away from Vyn's, much like how a child refuses to meet the eyes of a parent when they've done something wrong. Vyn shook his head. His expression softened. So did his voice.
"You've been looking at files since lunchtime?"
Valentine nodded and gestured to the paperwork piled on the table. "It's this case I was assigned. It's not exactly tricky per say, but opposing counsel in this case has a tendency to wait until the last minute to turn in the required court ordered paperwork."
"I see." Vyn took a seat from the neighboring desk, moved it next to Valentine's, and sat down. "Is it Baldr again?"
"No, not Baldr. Different law firm." Valentine signed. "If it was Baldr, I could handle it. Then I wouldn't be here this late."
"Speaking of being late, you didn't answer my question, Vyn." Valentine raised an eyebrow. "Why are you here?"
"I-"
Their conversation stopped when a loud growl erupted from Valentine's stomach. In the quiet office, it seemed to echo. They looked at each other with wide eyes, shocked. Mortified, Valentine looked away, face flushed red. One hand gripped the arm of the chair.
Vyn gestured to the employee break room. A helpless smile on his face, and a twinkle in his eye. "I promise to answer your questions, but how about we eat dinner first?"
"Dinner? But everything's busy or closed-"
"I know." Vyn sighed and got up from his seat. He slowly walked away towards the break room. "Since you haven't eaten yet, perhaps I can interest you in a break. But if you would prefer to stay at your desk, then-"
"Wait, Vyn!" Valentine's eyes widened. He put away the papers down and scrambled to catch up to Vyn. "I'm coming, I'm coming!"
Vyn gave a wry smile as Valentine fell into lockstep at his side. The excited shine in Valentine's eyes was so bright, it was as bright as the firm's fluorescent lights.
"So," asked Valentine, "What's for dinner?"
"Something I hope you'll enjoy."
"If it's something you cooked, then I definitely will."
Under the glow of the fluorescent lights, Vyn took out the boxes from the icebox and placed them in the microwave. In a few minutes, two steaming circular lunchboxes were laid on the table in front of them. Vyn took a seat behind one of the lunchboxes and gestured to the seat in front of him, urging the other to sit down.
The smell of vegetables and garlic wafted through the air. Vyn couldn't help but smile at Valentine's astonished reaction. Valentine's smile mirrored Vyn's own, and a warm feeling spread through Vyn's chest.
Valentine looked down at the lunchbox in front of him. Using a fork, he lifted the grilled and sliced chicken breast to reveal a bed of intricate sliced vegetables covered in a tomato sauce. He took a slice of chicken and some vegetables below it onto his fork and then into his mouth.
"Oh! This is delicious!"
"I'm glad. I made it myself. When I volunteered at Stellis Elementary for their psychology salon this year, one of the students mentioned Ratatouille. The movie - not the dish. After I finished the salon, the student made me pinkie promise them to bring some next time."
Valentine laughed. "If you didn't tell me that, I wouldn't have known it's your first time. It's very good."
Vyn gave a helpless smile. "It's far from the movie version, but it's perfect for cold nights."
Vyn took a bite from his lunchbox, and continued. "Do you remember when I told you about that colleague who left a basket of vegetables in the faculty room with the sign 'Take me'?"
Valentine nodded. "Did you ever figure out who left it?"
"I have a suspicion, but unfortunately, since that day, they have been out on leave, so I couldn't confirm it. I'm fairly certain though."
"I see. At least people leave more healthy things in your break room. My co-workers keep coming back from their trips with sweets - candy, chips, and chocolate. The three C's." Valentine laughed. "Good for a quick burst of energy, but it's not the same as actual food."
About an hour into their conversation, both of their lunchboxes were empty.
Valentine leans back in his seat, with a content smile on his face. "Thanks for dinner, Vyn."
"You're welcome." Vyn stacks both lunchboxes in his hands and goes to wash the containers in the break room sink. He will re-wash them again once he's home for peace of mind, and to make sure that they're ready should he decide to bring Valentine food again.
Vyn's hands automatically start to turn on the faucet and rinse out both containers, while Valentine sits quietly behind him. Even though Valentine is out of eyesight, he hears Valentine's long sigh in the quiet office.
"I really wish I didn't have to go back to work," Valentine murmured.
Just as Valentine finished saying those words, the whole office is plunged into darkness. All of the office's fluorescent lights turn off from the main office area to the break room. The only lights on the office floor now are from the red emergency lights littered on the floor and the moonlight streaming in from the break room windows.
"Oh, no no no."
"Val-"
Vyn looked over his shoulder and saw Valentine nervously talking on the phone. Vyn could see the nervousness and panic on Valentine's face. However, he could only vaguely make out snippets of the one-sided conversation.
"⌠Yes, I'll come in early tomorrow to finish it." Valentine nodded. "If the power outage affected the office, then I don't think my place has power either."
Vyn washed the containers and his hands. Just in time too, as he hears Valentine finishing up his conversation.
"No, no, it's fine, Celestine. I'll head home - it's about time for a break anyway. Bye." Valentine quickly hung up the phone, and his shoulder dropped.
"Everything alright?"
Valentine nodded and shook his head. "Yeah. I called Celestine to let her know what happened, and that I'll be heading home for the night since I can't work with the outage."
The brief stressed look on Valentine's face did not escape Vyn's gaze. The way that Valentine's light-hearted tone tried to mask disappointment, did not escape Vyn's ear either. Vyn couldn't stand seeing Valentine so distraught.
Vyn calmly stepped towards Valentine. His steps are quiet. His eyes never leaving Valentine's silhouette. Then, he spoke, keeping his tone even and nonchalant.
"If you need somewhere to stay and work for the night, you can stay with me."
Valentine's eyes widened. His jaw dropped. "Wait, I can't do that to you-"
Vyn jumps in, smoothly interrupting Valentine's train of thought. The last thing he wants is for Valentine to misunderstand the intentions behind his offer.
"-If you do not want to, that's fine. But do not misunderstand. I am not doing this out of pity." Vyn pauses for a moment before continuing, "Rather, I am offering since this case of yours seems to be something that needs to be finished sooner, rather than later. Furthermore, I can drop you off tomorrow morning as well. I have some errands to run in the Waterfront area in the morning."
Valentine bit down on his lip, carefully considering Vyn's offer. Vyn stands quietly, waiting for Valentine's response.
Valentine's gratitude was evident in his voice. "If you don't mind having me, then I'll take you up on that offer, Vyn. Just let me know what I can do to repay you."
Vyn smiled. "Once this case is done, we can talk about it. For now, pack the case materials you need. I'll finish up here."
Even though Vyn was packing up the containers and what he had brought, he was only half paying attention to his actions. Instead, his mind focused on the way Valentine looked at him tonight. The way Valentine's eyes seemed to twinkle was something he hadn't seen before. In fact, had Vyn not decided to come to Themis Law Firm on a whim, he wouldn't have seen Valentine at all.
Imagining the warmth and adoration in Valentine's eyes and Valentine's smile from a little while ago caused a warm feeling started to spread through Vyn's chest. For a brief moment, Vyn tentatively touched his chest, and felt his steady heartbeat quicken. Just as suddenly, he quickly composed himself and resumed gathering everything together, as if what happened in the previous moment never existed.
Once he finished putting everything away, Vyn peered out from the break room towards the darkened law office desks. He saw Valentine continue to shuffle through folders and books. Everything was stacked into various piles, and his eyes fell on the open cardboard box stacked on the office chair Valentine sat in when he arrived. Vyn figured that box was what Valentine was going to take - it was probably filled with mounds of paperwork and files.
While Vyn waited for Valentine to finish, he looked around the now empty and dark break room. Despite the fact that the A/C for the office was cut, it seemed even colder now. The sudden power outage interrupted what was a pleasant conversation between them, much to Vyn's disappointment. As tempting as it was to linger in disappointment, his mind turned instead to Valentine's offer of repayment.
Perhaps it was too early to consider thinking about Valentine's offer, but Vyn's mind couldn't help but drift into the sea of speculation - about what could happen if tonight doesn't go well, but also crucially, what would happen if it does. Vyn knew that if tonight went well, then perhaps, he could extend an open invitation to Valentine to spend time together after the holidays.
Perhaps an invitation to the latest movie making the rounds or a tea party in the garden, Vyn mused.
By the time Valentine was ready to leave, Vyn's mind was set. From what he observed of Valentine's reactions and their conversations, Valentine was beginning to see him as someone to rely on. He could work with that.
Even though the warmth of Christmas would likely need to take a backseat until Valentine's case was finally over, for now, Vyn would treasure tonight. Though unexpected, the power outage was a blessing in disguise - a way for him to do something nice for Valentine and to get closer to him.
Perhaps tonight could be the start of something more.
