Several days after Julian Moore's dramatic near-death experience, the investigation division finally returned to something resembling normalcy.Julian, freshly discharged from the hospital, stepped into the police department with a faint limp and a dramatic sigh.
"I survived three murder attempts," he muttered, "only to come back to paperwork."
Before anyone could respond, he froze.
Lilith was standing near the office entrance.She looked calm, composed, and painfully out of place in the chaos of the department.
Julian's expression stiffened.
At the same time, Sebastian Blackwell emerged from the hallway, files tucked under his arm. The moment his eyes landed on Lilith, his steps slowed.
"You're here early," Sebastian said evenly. "Are you reporting a theft?"
Lilith smiled faintly.
"No. I brought food for Julian."
Sebastian's gaze flicked to Julian.
"…You're close enough to bring him food?"
"I suppose so," Lilith replied. "Though perhaps he never mentioned me."
Julian shook his head subtly at Sebastian, a clear warning.
Sebastian ignored it.
"I've known him for seventeen years," he said calmly. "And I don't know you."
Lilith tilted her head.
"Then perhaps," she said softly, "there are things you don't know about your dearest friend."
Julian inhaled sharply.
"Seb," he muttered, "let's go."
He reached out, grabbed Sebastian's sleeve, and turned—
—and promptly slipped on the polished floor.
"Wait—"
Sebastian reacted instantly, catching him by the arm and pulling him back upright.
"I catch you, my dearest Julian."
The department went silent.
Julian stared at him.
"…What," he said quietly, "did you just say?"
Sebastian blinked, genuinely confused.
"What?"
They were standing far too close.
Too dramatic.
Too intimate.
Too unfortunate.
Julian's ears burned.
"Why," Julian asked through clenched teeth, "did you say it like that?"
"I reacted instinctively," Sebastian replied. "Efficiency matters in emergencies."
"This was not an emergency!"
At that exact moment-
"WELCOME BACK TO WORK, OFFICER JULIAN! HAPPY RECOVE—"
Wendy Fairchild stopped mid-step.
Her eyes widened.
Several officers nearby slowly turned their heads.
Someone coughed.
Someone else smirked.
Wendy covered her mouth.
"Oh," she said carefully. "…I see."
Julian felt his soul leave his body.
"This is not what it looks like," he said quickly.
Wendy tilted her head, smiling far too sweetly.
"Don't worry. I won't judge."
She took a step back.
"I'll just leave you two alone."
"HEY—STOP THAT!"
Sebastian finally released Julian and turned back to Lilith.
"You should leave," he said bluntly. "You're disturbing our time together."
Julian's eyes widened in pure horror.
"…Sebastian."
Lilith stared at him.Then she smiled a thin, unreadable curve of her lips.
"How happy you all look," she said quietly.
"I wonder what tomorrow will look like."She turned and walked away.
The whispers began immediately.
Julian dragged a hand down his face.
"I nearly died," he muttered. "And this is how my reputation ends."
Sebastian adjusted his coat, unfazed.
"You slipped."
"That doesn't justify my dearest Julian!"
Wendy clapped her hands once, delighted.
"Welcome back to work, Officer Julian," she said cheerfully.
"Please try not to fall—or be caught romantically—next time."
Julian groaned."I want to go back to the hospital."
Sebastian didn't respond.
His eyes lingered on the doorway Lilith had disappeared through.
For the first time that day—
The joke didn't quite land.