For @choicesmonthlychallenge ’s Flufftober Challege!
Pairing: Gabriel “Gabe” Ricci x Quinn Michaels
Summary: Love letters may not always be a full page, or multiple at that. They may not be sent in the mail or dropped off with flowers. The dictionary defines it as: (n) a letter or note written by someone to their sweetheart or lover
Warnings: none that I can think of. let me know if any apply.
A/N: I had too many ideas. Like, way too many. So I went ahead and decided to make this into a series of ficlets, with each one representing a different week. There should be about 5 parts, so the next one will be uploaded tomorrow :)
I really needed more LoA fics, so I decided to made them myself. I hope you enjoy it! Wrote it and just uploaded it, so if there are any errors, please let me know. And if you have any suggestions, constructive criticism is welcomed :D
"Sometimes I hate being on a salary," Aislinn sighed, rubbing her eyes. Next to her, Beau's head slowly sank onto his hand as he lazily stared at the documents in front of him.
"For real. We would make so much more sometimes if we got paid hourly." Gigi replied before chugging down yet another coffee.
Everyone was looking for the clause in a retainer agreement with one of the firm's long-time clients. Mr. Williams had tried to buy a stake in a private business without consulting the firm, and well, it didn't go as planned.
"The annoying thing is that we can't just look it up with command F. Do you know what I could be doing right now?" Martin muttered. Quinn glanced at her phone and winced when she saw how late it had gotten. Maybe we should go get drinks. Or at least something to eat, she thought to herself.
"Don't you mean Control F?" Beau asked Marcus. The glare he got in return was enough of an answer.
Before Quinn could suggest taking a break, a notification popped up on her phone.
There is something at the reception desk that should help you out.
It was a text from Gabe to their personal conversation. After glancing around at her co-workers, she quietly stood up and made her way out of the library.
"Please bring me more coffee!" Gigi called out after her.
Before Quinn reached the reception desk, the smell of Chinese food hit her nose. She noticed some notes attached to one of the brown paper bags.
'Don't stay up too late. All of you need to be sharp tomorrow,' said the first one. Quinn grabbed the second note underneath it and let out a snort.
‘P.S. not that you've ever let a late night stop you’ ;)
She stared at the note for a second more, letting a smile grow on her face before taking out her phone to send a quick message back.
Of course, you would know all about my late nights, hu?
She quickly stuffed it back into her pocket along with the note and took the bags back to the library.
"Sustenance. Courtesy of one Gabe Ricci."
Everyone at the table popped their head up as she entered.
"Oh, hell yes!" Beau exclaimed, reaching for the new fuel source.
Everyone dug into the food, feeling energized for the first time that night. The only sounds for a good while were those of food being scooped up. At least until Martin let out a moan.
Quinn looked at Aislinn, Gigi, and Beau before they all started laughing.
"Looks like I'm not the only one eternally grateful for Gabe," Gigi said between laughs.
Martin's face turned a darker shade of red while he mumbled, "I just haven't eaten all day."
As everyone continued the search, Quinn felt a vibration from her phone.
"I have no idea what you're referring to, Quinn."
Gabe walked into the building with a pep in his step. Winning an unwinnable case gives one that right, after all. Coffee in one hand and his phone in the other, Gabe made his way into one of the building's elevators.
"Hold the elevator!" he heard someone yell as he pressed the button to their floor. A shoe found its way between the doors just in time, and Beau sighed in relief as the doors opened back up. Very familiar laughter followed behind him. One that spread warmth all over his body.
"Hey, Gabe! Heard you won in court today." Beau congratulated as he stepped in.
"Of course he did. It's Gabe", Quinn replied, throwing a wink his way. He accepted the pride he felt at that moment. Quinn walked past Beau towards the back of the elevator, standing next to Gabe. As she stared at her phone in one hand, her other hand slowly reached over and grazed his fingers. Smiling to himself, he grabbed her hand and gave it a quick squeeze. When the numbers on the elevator moved closer to the 45th floor, he reluctantly dropped her hand. These were the small moments he enjoyed but also left him feeling pained. Deep down, he knew he would have loved celebrating his win by kissing her the minute he saw her, but that wasn't allowed. Not with a secret relationship.
Once the elevator arrived on their floor, Quinn and Beau got off, immediately talking business.
"You know, this was a genius idea," Beau told Quinn as he handed her a tablet.
"Don't sound so surprised, Beau," she replied, laughing. Gabe stared at her retreating back for another second before turning and heading to his office.
Towards the end of the day, Raul knocked on his door with a package in hand.
"Hey Gabe, this was dropped off for you just now."
Gabe waved him in, not looking up from the papers on his desk. He gave him a thanks as the box was set on his desk. As soon as the doors closed behind him, however, Gabe reached for the package. He opened the brown box and noticed a note card on the top.
I shouldn't be surprised that you were able to win an unwinnable case, but I am still in awe every time you showcase your brilliance. And no, this isn't to boost your ego (Manhattan is NOT big enough for that), but just to say congrats! xx - Q
Gabe stared at the note for what seemed like an eternity. Of course, it wasn't unusual for clients to send him gifts in gratitude. But it was the first time in a long time that someone who meant a lot to him had done so.
He opened the gift-wrapped package to reveal a black box with a familiar label. The hand-pressed gold foil was one he could recognize almost anywhere. Nestled inside was a heavy glass bottle containing his favorite bourbon. One that was hard to find today with the shortage of the spicy drink. And with that shortage came price surges. He turned the bottle in his hand, realizing that Quinn must have spent a long time looking for it. And even more money than that.
He remembered how much he made as a Junior Partner. Gabe didn't care if she spent $10 on a gift or thousands. But the fact that she went out of her way to get him something that he loved, something that only those paying attention would know, made it worth a lot more to him.
Walking over to his drink cart, Gabe placed the bottle in the middle, where it clearly belonged.
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a/n: there really is a bourbon shortage. and it really sucks :(
