The Only Exception.
pairing ∶ adam karadec x fem!reader.
synopsis ∶ with sharp suits and keener instincts at work, gothic rituals, and emotional armor at home, a brilliant detective maintained a carefully curated distance from the major crimes and the LAPD. she is effective, unreadable, and silently essential. Adam has watched her from the edges for years; what starts with small gestures becomes something harder to ignore.
warnings ∶ slow burn romance, friends to lovers, emotional vulnerability, bisexual female character, gothic and emo aesthetic ﹙mentioned﹚, workplace setting ᐟ romance, found family, touch-starved characters, alcohol use, romantic tension, protective Adam Karadec, soft but intense intimacy. no use of y/n. edited in the slightest.
When I was younger, I saw My daddy cry, and curse at the wind He broke his own heart and I watched As he tried to reassemble it And my momma swore that she would Never let herself forget And that was the day that I promised I'd never sing of love if it does not exist
Los Angeles was particularly peaceful at that time of year, which even has a funny taste in the mouth when considering that the City of Angels never goes quiet or gives a breather.
This was one of the reasons why you and the major crimes team were commanded by the lieutenant to share some beers and old stories, probably already heard and very fondly remembered that night. The thing is, since your first day, none of your fellow employees really knew your style, not that you didn’t explicitly demonstrate your preference for dark clothes and a variety of accessories... Between the practical clothes of the team and the colorful wardrobe of the recently hired consultant, your clothes seemed a little more customized besides the corporate goth style. All that and the tattoo that ornamented your spine. Identity is about who you are and how you choose to show yourself to the world, both privately and publicly, outside of what the LAPD considers to be one of the top agents in the last five years. Would it really be a good decision to portray yourself in this way? To choose once and for all to show your teammates who you authentically are?
In an attempt to brighten your psychological state, you decided to put on some CDs, emo songs that surrounded the apartment like a mantra. The upbeat melody swirled through your senses until your hair was styled, parted, and pinned in the middle; the dagger-shaped hair clip added an essential charm, highlighting the freshly touched-up color. Makeup was the key point; what else to expect on a Friday night? Digging through drawers of endless products, your skin would be what you normally used: foundation, concealer, and natural contouring, while blush and highlighter added more definition. For your eyes, the chosen eyeshadow brought a special enhancement to the color of your irises, along with black eyeliner and pencil shading. You only needed a few makeup adjustments when the doorbell rang. At first, it seemed like just part of the song, but even so, you got up, heading to the kitchen to get a glass of water while singing.
Then, the knocks on the door startled you, stepping behind the refined wood and looking through the peephole to check who it was before sliding open the door.
“Karadec.” your voice came out surprised, and he greeted you with a nod while making efforts not to take his eyes off yours. Truth be told, Adam had been quietly determined to get to know you better for years. Beyond the cordiality and friendliness at work, he knew that somewhere you were hiding something that no one would be able to contain. Even so, he agreed that some people enjoyed, or simply required, separating work and personal life. Disappointed with some attempts to make small talk, he kept it in the spectrum of mere mutual respect, even though you occasionally went out to get lunch or for ice cream together after a case. It was always a moment of meditation and understanding. So, he ended up gathering a mental list of everything you had mentioned or seemed to like, which would help him at least put some of the pieces of the puzzle together. “I... I presumed we were going to meet at the bar. What are you doing here?” fair question. He didn’t even know either. Providing him space to enter, you were so wrapped up in your own atmosphere that you forgot you were only wearing a cropped top and lace panties. Adam had noticed this, which made him stop in his tracks at the door and stare at the floor. He respected your space, and it wouldn’t be any different just because you were outside the police office. “Um... I remembered you telling me your car was in the repair shop, and since you didn’t pick up my calls nor receive my messages, I decided to come check if you were okay and if you could use a ride.” The information made sense in your head for the moment, considering that what was driving some insecurity was the fact that Karadec had always stared you in the eyes, from the very first instance. Why would that have changed now? Was it the music or the makeup? With a sigh, you walked back to him, holding one of his hands. “You came here to check on me, and you can’t look me in the face?” he glanced to the side, searching for paintings on the walls or any cracks in the dark ceiling. What he found was an apartment designed to house a gothic queen, he thought. A vampire. A countess, someone whose beauty transcended her pure essence. “As long as I truly appreciate that you feel comfortable with me, I don’t know if you’ve noticed... You’re close to being naked. That’s all.”
Your thin eyebrows furrowed and cheeks flushed with realization, which made you run to the bedroom to finally change clothes. Adam chuckled, taking half-steps to where the music was coming from, lowering the volume of the player a little before sitting on the sofa and waiting for you. It was almost comical how some pieces fit together; the endless CDs and books on the shelves surrounding the room were a reflection of your intellectual personality, yet a little cheeky and reserved. Some artificial plants formed illuminated silhouettes by the dim lights and candles; the detective let his curiosity guide him as the portraits on the wall revealed some people from your past, some he even recognized from photos posted on social media, and finally, the smile you kept in a locket, your mother’s smile.
“Okay, I believe I’m ready. What do you think?” you said, stopping at the door to finish putting on your bat earrings, twirling around to show off the outfit you’d chosen at the last minute. The detective’s eyes fixed on the chosen color palette, on how everything seemed to resonate with your smile, even the shine of the silver accessories. “You’re definitely going to turn heads with this look. I love it,” he declared, smiling as he offered you his arm. “Shall we, madam?” “We shall.”
But darling, you are the only exception
On Monday, you felt the need to dress up even more for work. This was partly due to the fact that everyone on the team seemed to love and approve of your style, but also because you knew Adam had been staring at you all night, becoming more clingy, always guiding you by the waist or arm, being receptive to your conversations, or ordering another drink before yours was even finished. Morgan's observation that Adam had a particular fondness for fictional vampires may have seemed absurd to you; however, upon an in-depth examination of your wardrobe, it was amusing to deduce that you may also have a fondness for grumpy, gentlemanly detectives. Your last experience wasn’t something you were proud of. You fell in love with an older woman who worked as a teacher at the police academy and started dating her before you realized you had just destroyed a home. However, the general put you in a tough spot and threatened to kill you if you didn’t transfer to a different precinct. The disapproval you received from your brother at the time was something you thought about a lot; besides, he was the only person you still had left. No matter how complicated life got, he was always there. Through fights, disagreements, disgust or pride, joy, and moments of despair and relief. It was a relationship where lessons were key.
On the way to the police station, you went to the central café, picking up two orders before finally parking at the station and marching towards the table of the particular person you had been hoping to see since Saturday morning, when you woke up hungover and he called to check if everything was fine. Just as you reached your destination, Daphne and Morgan caught your attention with whistles and a round of applause; your outfit had really stood out that morning.
“There’s our beautiful lady vampire!” the consultant flattered you with a positive comment and a broad smile.
Adam stood resting on the edge of his desk, canvassing the scene before him. The three smiling women suggested that it would probably be a good day, as everyone seemed to be in a good mood. As for you... Literally took all the oxygen he had and held it back, along with that shimmer in your eyes, as you walked towards him. Karadec was surprised when one of the packages was handed to him. You didn’t pay much attention to his reaction as you sat in his chair and took a sip of coffee, leaning back and pulling up your feet to rest them on the table, next to the thigh of the man who watched you with a huge question mark on his forehead.
With a slight nod, Karadec decided to simply accept his fate and opened the package, finding an espresso and the containers of his favorite dessert: apple fritters. He wasn’t the only one keeping notes. “How are you today?” You simply shrug, laughing a little. “Please, don't make me think about my life.” he appeared to laugh too but didn’t buy that weak smile of yours.
That moment was cut short when Selina drew the attention of all the agents to a new case; another week was getting started, and this time, everything would be quite different.
From that moment on, you seemed more open to bonding. It wasn’t just Adam you were generous enough to bring small gifts to. You may have occasionally babysat little Chloe when Morgan and Adam went out to work their brilliant minds’ abilities. Your job was to examine evidence and data, and you were outstanding at it, even if it was just an excuse to avoid going out so much. Oz and Daphne presented themselves as an elderly married couple of nearly one hundred years; it was funny to see them walking on glass when in reality they were committed to the same passion.
It was comforting to have the sensation of something so lovely surrounding that structure, which did appear to be laden with prejudice and cruelty.
When the two work-partners showed up at your office door, Chloe was lying down in your warm embrace while you read something on the computer. The toddler girl’s face was on your chest like a koala, a fluffy cloth preventing her drool from touching your silky shirt. The blonde prevented Karadec from entering completely, gesturing for him to be silent while your perceptions hadn’t yet detected them. Morgan scanned Adam’s face as he watched the unfolding scene; you’d obviously been in that position for a while and would kill every person who tried to take the little one from your lap, even if she were awake.
“You should propose to her before I do.” the baby’s mother whispered, jokingly, but tempted to cry at the thought that for once in her life she wouldn’t really have to feel concerned about Chloe’s safety or whether her children would be loved by people she considered family. Her friends, who would be more family than those who left her behind, something she had in common with you. She could easily identify that pattern of protection and loving attention from several miles away.
Your focus was shifted to the two individuals waiting in the doorway, and you simply pointed out that they might enter. “I helped prevent a murder today!” you told them, setting a couple of papers in the middle of the table to sign before the workday ended. “Really? How exactly do you do that?” Adam observed, sitting down in one of the leather chairs while Morgan positioned herself at your desk and stretched out her arms, ready to take Chloe from you. “Self-control. Oz had attempted to steal this lovely, petite creature from me.” Morgan hesitated to do what she had previously intended, but you only maintained a serious expression for a few seconds before laughing and handing the baby to the blonde.
Karadec couldn’t contain a broad grin at seeing you so open to the possible outcomes of friendship such as this; his chest vibrated, and he barely caught sight when Morgan said goodbye to him, leaving the two of you alone in the room where you were doing your investigative alchemy. Your fingers snapped in front of him.
“Hey. You seemed lost there for a minute, huh?” your eyes searched his, focused on something you couldn’t quite put your finger on yet. He ran a gentle stroke through his beard, closing his eyes for a moment. “Long day... And it’s refreshing to come here and see you being so affectionate and protective with a child.” he confessed, not believing what he had indicated. Your eyebrows lifted, still digesting his words. “What does that mean?” you picked yourself up, crossing the room and standing behind the chair where Adam was reclining, gently pressing your hands on his shoulders, offering a still, calm, exploratory massage with your fingertips. Clearly, he was tired and needed to allow his mind to rest. “You can talk to me, Karadec.”
The man remained so still throughout the massage that he turned out to be purring beneath the skillful fingers that somehow reassured him that he could feel calm again. When his eyes popped open, he held your hand and placed a kiss on your palm, searching for your face and smiling with genuine gratitude.
“You made me realize something. Thank you for that,” he confessed, and you sat beside him, still holding his gaze as if breaking it would shatter a spell. “Oh, and you’d definitely stay away from Morgan; she threatened to put a ring on your finger when we came in here.” You chuckled and shook your head. “She can try. Despite the fact that I also enjoy women, my personality type is entirely different from Gillory's.” with your admission, Karadec understood your frustrations and anxieties, which had previously caused you to distance yourself from other peopl⁹e's opinions. “Must be the baby.” he thought aloud, standing up and bidding you farewell with a kiss on the top of your head.
Maybe I know somewhere Deep in my soul, that love never lasts And we've got to find other ways To make it alone or keep a straight face And I've always lived like this Keeping a comfortable distance And up until now, I had sworn to myself That I'm content with loneliness Because none of it was ever worth the risk
Morgan observed an unusual occurrence the morning you and Karadec failed to exchange greetings. Karadec was preoccupied with his work and did not use his lunch break as an opportunity to observe your smile, as he always did. In contrast, you elected to assume responsibility for a case with Oz that necessitated spending the entire day conducting investigations, recording alibis, and locating suspects. At the end of the workday, Morgan got on the elevator last, so you and Adam got in at the same time.
His smile didn’t even reach his eyes; your stomach tightened at that. It was as if, from one particular moment to the next, your sense that everything could possibly ever be in harmony had been distorted by something you probably did. Since there was still one floor of the parking garage to go, you decided to talk.
“Hey, I—I know you’re not the homophobic type, so I am confident that my bisexuality did not cause you to abruptly distance yourself from me today. So please, tell me what you need or what I did wrong, so I can fix it or listen to you.” Adam realized your words sounded heavier, more emotional than usual, and certainly replete with uncertainty. He didn't have time to speak before you practically ran towards your car.
Your apartment was freezing; the moment you locked the door, your senses were triggered by the icy airflow from the window you had not remembered to close that morning. Taking off your shoes, pants, and jacket, you tied your hair back and walked towards the kitchen to start making dinner. The soundtrack for the evening was going to be something extremely dramatic by the band Paramore, and your voice made everything more enjoyable. Now was your moment to disconnect and let go of any feelings that had left you forgotten. Perhaps returning to being a “lonely vampire,” as Daphne described it? Take on another unit to work in and avoid Karadec and his friends altogether? This was a challenging concept, particularly in light of the previous days' exchanges and affection, which were intended to foster enduring friendships.
What you didn’t know was that Adam was on his way to your house with an apology and answers with your favorite flowers. His brain had short-circuited the previous night; aware he would never have that with anyone else. Even when he tried to marry the supposed love of his life, he would never find someone like you. Someone he had always admired, whose every step he paid attention to since the first glance. Your smile always made him because it wasn’t like any others. Despite the quiet spirit, you were similar to an avalanche, inebriating and bringing even more chuckles. You brightened practically every place you passed by, and for five years, Karadec had been trying to name the feeling that was growing slowly in his chest. Watching you expose yourself to have friendships, letting him enter your life equally, all that time was worth the wait. Because witnessing you in that room, working and holding with such care a child you have no responsibility for, made him understand.
Not focusing on belonging to someone, but about setting aside his own personal preferences to please others... You proved to him that affection is linked to letting the other person spring up in your presence and on their own. It's understanding that sometimes what one might need is a moment of calm and someone to be there watching you blossom, not cutting off the roots of a beautiful flower.
Well, you are the only exception
The notes, ice cream, coffee, the silence, the comforting partnership... All of that led to the confirmation he needed, and inevitably, he remembered the night you two showed up at the bar together, well, just a few minutes before that.
Adam wasn’t blind; he often caught himself admiring your body from across the room. Considering the more formal clothes you wore, the dark colors sculpted your figure sensually to his eyes, accepting that you might not even notice. So, seeing you come through the door in just panties and a thin blouse made him lose his mind; his heart raced violently. A crush of many years in that situation would certainly shatter his heart, and it didn’t stop there.
He took you to the bar and made sure not to leave your side, paying attention to your words, laughing at your jokes, and guiding you tenderly through the night, then making sure you got home safely.
Your fragrant scent hung around in his car, something noticed the very next morning; that perfume smelled of red flowers yet still had a distinctive impact. His lunch order was similar to yours, and in the mornings, he started ordering two coffees while you brought the donuts and apple fritters. You had become essential in his life, and for these reasons, the night before, Adam dreamed of something that his respect and moral code didn’t align with, given its utter hypocrisy.
He could say and guarantee that the other night he didn’t look directly at your body, not even at the low-cut blouse you chose to wear, and yet, his brain made him dream of an entirely libidinous situation with you. Where your bodies danced in perfect rhythm, where your eyes darkened with passion and your chest tightened, melting into love. Adam woke up sweating, frustrated that something like that had crossed his mind, because it was you, because of his respect, because he had enjoyed it so much, and because he had craved it so profoundly. Karadec wasn’t sure if you wanted the same, if you felt the same affection for him as you did for Lev, or not. Somehow, he was searching for answers, too.
As soon as he rang the doorbell, his hands sweated with anticipation; diverse feelings raced through his head, including the notion that he didn’t want to lose you and he would let that passion fade if that meant he got to keep you in his life. All of that melted away when you appeared. Clean face, loose hair, and low light made your features even more captivating.
I've got a tight grip on reality But I can't let go of what's in front of me here I know you're leaving in the morning when you wake up Leave me with some kind of proof it's not a dream, oh
“May I come in?” he handed you the flowers and waited for you to let him in. As soon as he entered your apartment, his nervous hands found the pants pocket. You placed the bouquet in one of the empty vases next to the front door, observing that the flowers weren't cut. It was something you truly cherished about the detective: how he always listened to everything and always paid attention, and you didn't need to say anything twice for him to understand. “I had a dream we fucked,” he admitted. Your facial response was one of surprise before you burst into laughter, having to sit on the sofa to catch your breath. Adam sat down beside you. “You know that flowers are usually for before or after romantic activities, right?” your words were pure teasing, although you found the underlying purpose of apologizing charming. Adam seemed unusually nervous. “Relax, Adam... It was just a dream.” He scratched the back of his neck, taking a deep breath. “Huh. Yeah... I wouldn’t fuck you.” definitely not the first time he could possibly sleep with you. Adam Karadec was a lover at heart; he would cherish every part of your body, from the gentle curve of your ear to the hollow of your foot, if he could. He noticed a certain hesitation in your eyes. As if two cautious wolves were on the hunt.
You are the only exception
“You wouldn't?” it was your turn to finally make a point about something you both have been thinking about for a long time. That's when you moved toward the older man and raised your hand to his freshly shaved beard, caressing it while focusing into his eyes in a way Adam swore he had never witnessed before—a look filled with hunger and desire. “I mean, unless you want to—” he began, but you were already a step ahead, pressing your lips to his in a steamy kiss. Adam smiled mid-kiss; it was everything he had ever wanted, everything he had hoped for, and everything you could never have imagined experiencing with just one kiss. Your limits were removed, your walls completely destroyed, and finally, Miss Vampire would no longer sleep alone in that eternity.
And I'm on my way to believing Oh, and I'm on my way to believing
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