Donghae sighed. He wasn’t getting any work done at all, and he knew it was because of their fight still lingering in the back of his head. They hadn’t had much physical contact lately, and he was actually craving it now because of his monster headache. Of course he wouldn’t admit it, because what sort of chief inspector would he be if he couldn’t distinguish between his personal and work relationships with Hyukjae? If HQ heard of this, he would lose his position immediately, and then that would be the humiliation of the century.

Okay, maybe he was just overthinking again. He’d probably just get off with a warning or two and be transferred far, far away…

“Thump!”

The chief plonked the thick stack of papers down onto his desk and lightly massaged his temples with another loud sigh. He wasn’t going anywhere with this case either, not with Naeun still refusing to speak, Heechul forever disappearing from the station, Ryeowook constantly pranking the staff, and Hyukjae arguing with him every chance he got. Donghae groaned and slumped onto his desk. He couldn’t think anymore, and yet it felt like he was so close to cracking the case – when in actuality he’d been stagnant for a couple weeks, perhaps.

Gosh, why won’t this headache just go away and leave me alone?

Hyukjae.

Hyukjae.

Hyukjae.

“Hyukjae.”

Donghae realised they hadn’t had a proper conversation for weeks. Even if they made small talk or had some kind of interaction, it was always the elder who initiated it. Donghae never did anything for the other since the case started. It was always Hyukjae, giving him small touches and brief massages whenever he could, seeing that they had both been so busy, but then the chief realised he was longing for more than just those.

When was the last time they properly hugged? Kissed? Made love? Maybe months ago? . Did Hyukjae even think they were still together?

Of course they were still together. Donghae played with the ring on his finger and sighed.

Of course they were still together. The ring was a promise, and Hyukjae wouldn’t just easily throw away his second chance like that. It’s just that he should have known that Donghae was a busy man who did not have much time for romance. Maybe he should feel guilty about it too.

Or maybe he was just thinking too much. Donghae inhaled deeply and steadied himself, ignoring the dulling pain in his skull. He closed his eyes tightly and held himself against his desk, breathing heavily until he felt the dizziness pass. Slowly, the chief opened his eyes. He blinked once, twice, a framed picture of him and Hyukjae on their last holiday in Paris coming into sight, placed right in the corner of his desk. Donghae reached out and held the frame, a small smile tugging at his lips when he remembered how happy he had been to just be in his lover’s arms. That photo had been taken right after they kissed, which was why Donghae’s cheeks were flushing a deep pink in it. Hyukjae had this somewhat cheeky and victorious look in his eyes, and the chief couldn’t help chuckling at the memory.

The pain started to alleviate, and what was left was just a haunting numbness he could easily ignore. Donghae heaved a sigh of relief and placed the picture back into its corner. Of course, as cliché as it sounded, his fiancé always made him feel better, even if it was only mere thoughts of him. The chief inspector grabbed his blazer and left the office, determined to go and hunt down the real thing so that even the numbness would fade away. Donghae was sure of that.

“Chief? Where are you going?”

Donghae smiled at the clerk. “Going out for a breath of fresh air and some late lunch. Oh, and some Sprite and soy sauce,” he added with a chuckle, seeing Henry’s face turning green at the thought of what happened last time.

* * *

“Somehow, I knew I would find you here.”

Hyukjae’s eyes widened and he turned around, a small piece of lettuce leaf still attached to his lips. “D-Donghae?” Seeing the chief in his full uniform and blazer (which was usually only worn at formal and serious situations), Hyukjae gulped and stood up immediately to greet him formally. “I promise I was just about to return to the station!”

Donghae chuckled and slid into the seat opposite the surprised officer, gesturing at Sehun for his usual order. He proceeded to his blazer and then left it open like that. Hyukjae stared in surprise and sat down again, wiping at his mouth only to grimace in disgust when the lettuce leaf left a streak of mayonnaise on his cheek instead.

Before he could get a napkin, Donghae had already taken care of it. He swiped at the mayo on the elder’s face with his thumb and brought it to his lips to . Hyukjae couldn’t understand a thing. He’d walked out of the chief’s office and even slammed the door on him; shouldn’t Donghae be angrier than this? And yet here the younger was, wiping at his cheek without a care in the world as if they didn’t just have a little spat back at the office.

Either Donghae hit his head harder than Hyukjae thought, or Donghae was just trying to make him feel guiltier than he already was.

“Why do you look so scared?” Donghae pouted, when the elder flinched.

Hyukjae swore his eyes were almost popping out of his head. “Eh… m-maybe you hurt your head harder than I thought…” Hyukjae trailed off and focused back on his sandwich, mindful of the eyes the younger still bore into him. “Why did you come after me, though? I was just about to go back in a few minutes anyway.”

“I’m hungry,” the younger shrugged. Sehun brought over his sandwich just then and he happily dug into it. He noticed that Hyukjae was staring at him with doubtful eyes. “What? You can eat when you’re hungry but I can’t?” Donghae asked, taking a huge bite of his bread.

A soft smile crept on Hyukjae’s lips as he watched the younger attack his food hungrily. No wonder so many nerves were touched today. Everyone was just hungry, and that little fight between them earlier on was just the hunger doing its thing.

Heck, he didn’t even know why he got mad in the first place anymore, not with the sight of his lover happily munching away like a five year-old kid.

Donghae gently used his legs to hug the elder’s. “You’re staring again. Do I have mayonnaise on my face?”

Hyukjae grinned and shook his head. “No, I was just thinking about how lucky I am to be the one loving you.” That earned a chuckle and an eye roll from the chief, though Hyukjae didn’