Rafael Barba Imagine (Extra 2)
“Rookie.” You groaned, sending a glare in Nick’s direction. He just smirked. “You know what, how about we settle this in a little one on one.” You were in one of the training rooms.
Liv thought it would be smart to brush up on your strengths since the annual physical was coming up. It was stressed that all officers were fit to perform adequately in the field. You had just finished a sparring session with Amanda, who proved to be a formidable opponent. Liv was even more of a challenge.
After about ten minutes with her you were fighting to hold your ground. When fifteen minutes passed you called it quits, declaring Liv the champion. She patted you, helping you to your feet after a not so graceful fall. Now you were challenging the guys. If you couldn’t earn respect through rank, you would do it through a little brute strength.
“I don’t want to hurt you (Y/N).” Carisi and Fin laughed at Nick’s statement.
“Maybe you’re just afraid to get your butt kicked. “ you taunted. You knew Nick, he’d never back down. Too much testosterone rolling around in his brain. “Alright then.” he shrugged off his hoodie, nothing but a white fitted vest underneath. He circled around with his fists raised and you did the same, sizing him up. Everyone else stepped back, giving you the space you needed to spar.
He was the first to make a move charging with a punch. You countered, sidestepping and spinning around, nudging him on the back roughly. He stumbled, catching himself at the last minute. Amanda giggled. “Seems she’s got you riled up Nicky.” He chuckled.
“Very funny Rollins. “ His eyes focused back on you. “Nice counter.” you didn’t pay mind to the compliment. He was just trying to throw you off your game. You’d been so immersed you didn’t see someone else walk into the room.
“Eyes up, mind focused.” Liv encouraged. You smiled. She always said then when you fought with her. It was a chant of sorts. Even on the job. You lost count of how many times that mental mantra got you out of sticky situations. You needed an effective way to take him down, but he was bigger and knowing Nick he’d brace himself, if for nothing more than his ego.
You grinned internally, an idea springing to mind. You moved in, faking a punch to his face, he blocked his jaw as anticipated, so you took the opportunity to strike him in the stomach. Twisting on your feet and planting a swift kick to his abdomen.
He staggered back in surprise, just about ready to fall. You turned again, this time dropping low and kicking his feet right from under him. He fell flat on his back, grunting on impact. Fin and Carisi were laughing loudly, they had been recording the entire thing.
Liv folded her arms, smiling at you and Amanda sent a thumbs up. It took you a while to realize that they weren’t the only ones there. Your cheeks colored instantly when you saw the suited attorney. His case was hanging from his hand, eyes glued to you. The way he was admiring you made your stomach do flips.
“Smile pretty boy.” Fin sang.
You wiped the sweat from your brow, moving over to him with a hand outstretched. He grinned, still a bit winded from the fall. He took your hand, when you tried to pull him up, he pulled you down into a bear hug.
“S-Stop!” you said between laughs when he wrapped his hand around your body tickling you. “That’ll teach you, no one kicks my butt.” he said playfully.
“O-Okay N-Nick stop I’ve had enough!!” you screamed through your wild fit of giggles. You had a feeling they got that on tape too.
“I believe she said that was enough.” Barba’s stern voice broke the sounds of laughter and Nick released you.
“Alright Counselor, we’re just having fun. No crime in that.” Nick spoke. When you caught your breath, you looked at Barba, really looked at him. He was almost leering at Nick. Your brows knitted in confusion. His green eyes focused back on you in something keen of possessiveness. Your heart leapt at the intensity of his stare.
He couldn’t have been...jealous? That was crazy. Everyone who worked in NYPD knew you and Nick were close, in the sibling sort of way. Nick was like your older brother, nothing more. You cleared your throat, trying to ease the now strained atmosphere.
“I-I’m going to hit the showers.” you muttered, rushing passed everyone. You didn’t even look at Barba, you were afraid he would see what his eyes did to you. When you left, Amanda and Liv exchanged a look, somehow putting the pieces together. They smiled at each other, both reaching a sort of realization.
~~~
“How the hell does this stuff pile up so quickly.” you stared at the documents, wishing that if you looked at them long enough they would disappear. Nick turned his chair in your direction with an understanding look. “Tell me about it.” He had a pile equally as high as yours. You snickered, pulling open your desk to get another pen.
Your eyes widened and you jumped out of your seat. Nick rushed to your side furiously. You clung unto him. “What is it!” he looked panicked. When he saw what you were so terrified of he blanked. “Are you serious, an insect.” he huffed out a laugh. You cringed.
“J-Just get it out!” you whined. He took up a napkin from your desk, grabbing the spider into the paper. He crumpled it up, tossing it into the trash. “Better?” he asked, amused. You nodded, a bit embarrassed that he was now aware of your fear of bugs. The both of you were oblivious to a pair of eyes that was practically glaring in your direction.
After the little inconvenience you went back to signing off documents. Amanda was smiling behind her paper, and Olivia walked passed, giving her a low five behind her back.
~~~
“Damn it why do they put the coffee so high up!” you were standing on your toes, yet you still couldn’t reach it. Some idiot decided to place it on the top shelf. “Need a hand?” someone called. Nick walked up behind you, plucking the glass bottle from it’s spot easily. You grinned. “Thanks Nick.” you turned, going to take it out of his hands.
He just raised it over your head. “Nu uh, maybe you should work on getting taller rookie.” he teased. You were still pressed to the counter, leaning on Nick’s chest to get the bottle. “Nick, do you really want me to floor you in the middle of this precinct.” He didn't take your threat seriously, still holding the coffee away from you.
“I hope I’m not interrupting anything.” A voice hissed. There was so much venom in those words and you leaned to the side, catching Barba standing in the doorway of the kitchen. Nick turned with a raised eyebrow, lost.
“Something you need counselor?” The tension that rose made you uncomfortable. Amanda was peaking from her seat, watching the scene unravel.
“No, just waiting for you both to stop flirting and do your jobs.” That made you angry. Nick stepped back with a laugh. “We weren’t flirting.” he didn’t sound embarrassed either, because you and Nick both knew what type of relationship you held. It was completely platonic, and it hurt you to think that Barba didn’t trust you to be alone with a guy. Especially Nick.
You didn’t even want coffee anymore. You stormed off, sending a pissed look at Barba.
~~
“Hey, you okay, you’ve been sulking since this morning.” Nick asked. He really was a darling, if only Barba could be so understanding. “I’m fine, I just had a bit of a spat with a guy.” you didn’t collaborate on which guy it was. Your relationship was still very much a secret. Luckily Nick didn’t push. “Well if he needs a stern talking to just let me know, then again I know you could handle yourself. “ you smiled.
“Thanks Nick.” He returned your smile as he started packing his things to turn in for the day. “See you tomorrow, I hope you work out your guy troubles.” you sighed. “Me too.” you replied as he walked off with a wave.
Your eyes moved back to the fairly smaller pile of paperwork on your desk. Even if you tried you wouldn’t be able to focus. Your phone vibrated on the desk. You looked over, your previous anger returning at the sender of the text.
“We need to talk.” it read. He had some nerve. When you got a hold of him you were going to give him an earful.
“Your place?” you texted back.
“Yes.” Was his only response. You didn’t answer after that, just shoved the phone into your coat pocket. Since clearly no work was going to be done now, you stacked the papers into a pile, leaving them for a later date. Grabbing your coat from the back of the chair you stood pulling it onto your body as you made your way out of the building. You were working up what you were going to say to Barba as you stepped into the elevator.
~~
Standing outside his apartment you knocked twice. He was at the door in ample time, opening it. You stepped in silently, and he closed the door, following you inside. He still had his suit on, and you noticed a glass with what you assumed was scotch on his table.
“So, care to tell me what that was about with you and Nick.” you scoffed. You couldn’t believe he was interrogating you.
“Are you really questioning me, am I a suspect in some crime sir.” you bit back. His lips were in a straight line, eyes flaring. “I think I’m allowed to be angry with the way you and Nick act around each other. I respected your need to keep us private, but touching him like that. If you’re tired of me just say so!” he was yelling now.
“Are you kidding! I only said we should stay private because I thought that’s what you wanted. Besides, Nick and I are friends, we don’t see each other that way!” you were fuming.
“Right, with what I saw in the training room and then today in the kitchen. If I didn’t know any better I’d say the both of you were sleeping together. “ His accusation made you stop short.
“Do you...really believe that?” That stung. Did he really think you were some cheap girl that sleeps with every guy in the precinct. Barba must have sensed how much his words hurt you, because a look of regret crossed his face. He looked down. “I-I didn’t mean that I just, I feel threatened, and I can’t tell you how much I want to hug you or kiss you and claim you as my own in front of everyone. Nick gets to touch you so freely and it irks me that you encourage it.”
Your eyes stayed glued to the ground for a while. “The reason I’m so fond of Nick is because I...h-he reminds me of someone I lost.” your throat tightened, unsure if you could continue talking.
Barba was struck with a sudden realization. He remembered what he said about you having a hard past, maybe this was linked to that. “M-My little brother h-he..I lost him when I was younger. Even though he was the younger one he always looked after me, he was practically the adult in my life. Nick he just..sometimes I swear I can see him in Nick. I told him that too and he just..he just smiled at me and told me if I was ever in need of someone, to call on him. He’d be the little brother I lost. “ tears streamed down your cheeks. It felt nice to finally tell someone.
“I had no idea..” you shook your head and Barba pulled you into his arms.
“I shouldn’t have jumped to conclusions. I know you’re not that type of person. I guess I just let my pride get the best of me.”
“Yeah you did.” you giggled, wiping at your eyes. Barba chuckled, running his hands down your back soothingly. You leaned back a little to look at Barba, without a word you leaned in, pressing your lips to his. He returned it, hand running up your back and into your hair. Your hands lifted, pushing the suit jacket off his shoulders. It fell at his feet and you started to back him up unto the couch. He fell back a bit surprised. You stood there, undoing the buttons of your blouse.
Barba took your hands to stop you. “(Y/N), you don’t have to..” you bit your lip. It felt like so long since you touched Barba, which in fact had only been a few hours. You needed this.
“W-We don’t have to do anything, I-I just..I really need to feel you right now..” you pleaded. How could he say no to that. When you got through all the buttons you shed the article of clothing. Standing in your bra and suit pants. You lowered unto the couch, knees on either side of his waist. You dainty fingers moved to his shoulder again, pushing the red suspenders off. When they were down, your attention shifted to his shirt. Barba didn’t say a word, just watched as you undressed him.
Finally free of the buttons, your hands slipped under, sighing at the warmth that emitted from his skin. He let out a pleased sound, hands skimming over your shoulder. You dove forward, kissing him passionately. Barba matched you, maybe craving this as much as you were. The skin on skin contact made it that more delicious. Your body rocked into him, hand grabbing at his short dark hair. Barba welcomed every movement, every kiss with just as much urgency. Who knew this was how the night would end.
~~~
When you walked into the precinct the next day, to say you were walking on air was an understatement. You and Barba didn’t even sleep together. After your very heated kiss, you just held each other until the morning. It was exactly what you needed.
“What’s got you all smiley?” Amanda pressed. She was spinning from side to side in her chair. You tried your best to wipe the swooning look off your face. Amanda was way to perceptive.
“Nothing.” you evaded. Nick was sitting there all smug. He was the only one who knew for certain you had a boyfriend. Your eyes shifted when Barba walked in not long after.
He had a similar look on his face. One of pure euphoria. Olivia stepped out of her office with her glasses on, briefing you on the new case. You tore your eyes away from Barba, trying to focus on the case. You were startled when Barba marched over in your direction.
As he got close you started to visibly panic. “C-Counselor is there something we can he-” his hand reached out, slipping a hand into your hair and pulling you forward. A squeak left you at the sudden move as Barba kissed you right there, in the middle of the precinct. It took you awhile, but you responded. Arms wrapping around his neck as you melted into him. A couple of whistles and a few cheers were heard in the background. Amanda and Liv high fived.
“I knew it!” you pulled back, gathering your thoughts. You turned at Amanda’s words.
“Y-You knew?”
“Well, I had a hunch. I’ve been trying all week to get Barba to come clean.”
“All week..” wait. “Y-You were the one that put the spider in my desk, and the coffee, I knew it usually wasn’t placed that high!” you accused. She smirked. This whole time she was trying to make Barba jealous. Barba laughed too.
“Well at least now they know who you belong to.” he growled into your ear.”
You swallowed. He finally released you, sending you a wink as he headed to his office. You just stood there flustered. You couldn’t believe that just happened.
Nick walked over nudging you. “I guess you worked out your guy problems.” you sighed, laughing under your breath.
“I guess I did.”