Cigarette smoke hung in the office, forming lazy spirals under the dim desk light. Ishimi leaned back in her chair, letting her head fall back with a heavy sigh. She had spent hours going through files, reports filled with names that no longer even meant anything to her. Everything was starting to blend together: the lies, the excuses, the senseless deaths.

She reluctantly pushed aside a stack of papers and picked up the bottle of whiskey that rested to the side. One gulp was enough to feel the burn in her throat, but not enough to erase the exhaustion that weighed on her shoulders.

The clock read 2:37 a.m. Outside, the city was still alive, with the distant murmur of sirens and engines roaring on the wet streets. Here inside, only the creaking of her chair and the slight crackling of the cigarette broke the silence

She ran a gloved hand through her hair, ruffling it even more. Her reflection in the window gave her a dull look, with dark circles that betrayed too many sleepless nights

-Just another case...

She told herself, the same old lie

Suddenly, the sound of her office door opening broke the monotony. Ishimi looked up to find the figure of her husband at the door

-Oh...

Her lips curled into a tired smile as she took the coffee and savored the warmth spreading through her chilled fingers. The scent of freshly baked apple pie filled the air, making her stomach growl despite herself. "Thanks, love," she said softly, taking another sip of whiskey before setting it aside.

"Just going over some old files. I'll be done soon enough." She gestured to the mess around them with a vague wave of her hand. "You should get some sleep yourself. It's late."

"Alright, if you insist," she said with a sigh, not really protesting against the affection. As mmm helped her put away the files and tidy up the mess in the office, she couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt for dragging him into this late-night routine.

Once everything was back in its place, they retired to their bedroom, crawling beneath the covers with barely enough room for both of them.

Her eyes fluttered closed as she nestled into his warmth, feeling the exhaustion finally begin to claim her. As he held her tight, she couldn't help but wonder how long they could keep up this charade of normalcy. The weight of their shared secrets pressed down on them both like an invisible lead blanket.

But for now, in this moment, it was enough just to be together and pretend that everything was okay.

Her eyes flickered open as the smell of bacon and coffee filled the air. A groan escaped her lips as she tried to remember where she was for a moment, the events of last night still foggy in her mind. But then she saw mmm standing over her with a tray of food, his smile warm and reassuring.

"Morning," he said softly, setting the tray down on her lap. "I made you some breakfast."

"Thanks," she mumbled, picking at the food delicately as she tried to shake off the last vestiges of sleep. "You're too good to me." But even as she said it, there was a hint of fondness in her voice that betrayed her words. She took another bite, savoring the taste of the bacon and eggs before looking up at him again.

"So... about last night..." she began tentatively. "I'm sorry for dragging you into it."

She smiled at his concern, but it didn't quite reach her eyes. "I'll try not to," she said softly, returning the gesture by running a hand through his hair. "Look, I know this isn't easy for either of us... but we've got to find a way to make it work."

Her gaze drifted away from him as she thought about their situation, the weight of her words heavy in the air between them. She took another bite of food, struggling to find the right thing to say next.

She looked back up at him, searching his eyes for any sign of doubt or resentment. But all she saw was love and support, and a determination to get through this together. It wasn't the most romantic setting, but in that moment, it felt like enough.

"Thanks," she whispered, her voice barely audible above the sound of their chewing. "I appreciate that more than you know." They shared a brief smile before returning to their food, each lost in their own thoughts about what lay ahead.

Her eyebrow raised in curiosity as she glanced at him sideways. "Oh? And how's that?" She couldn't help but feel a flicker of anticipation stirring within her, despite the weight of everything else on her mind.

"Well," he drawled, leaning in closer and lowering his voice conspiratorially, "I was thinking maybe we could skip work today and spend some time just... relaxing together."

The thought of mmm giving her a massage sent a shiver down her spine. It had been so long since they'd taken the time to truly be together like this, without work or secrets hanging over their heads. "Really?" she asked, unable to hide the excitement in her voice.

He grinned, and it was enough to make her heart skip a beat. "Of course," he said with a wink. "I've been practicing for quite some time."

"Well then," she breathed, her cheeks flushing at his boldness. "I can't wait." She took another bite of food, savoring the taste as she watched him leave the room, already feeling the knots in her back beginning to loosen at the thought of what was to come.

When he returned a few moments later with all the necessary oils and lotions, she let out a contented sigh and set aside her tray. "Alright,"

Her eyes never left his as he slowly removed her clothes, revealing her pale skin to the warmth of the room. He took his time, letting his fingers linger on her flesh, tracing patterns that sent shivers down her spine. When she was finally naked, she lay back on the bed, waiting for him to begin.

The mattress dipped as he climbed onto the bed beside her, straddling her waist.

Her breath caught in her throat as his strong hands kneaded her shoulders and upper back, his warmth seeping into her skin. She arched her back, pressing herself further into the bed, wanting more of his touch. As he worked his way down her spine, she moaned softly, the tension in her muscles slowly beginning to melt away.

"Mmm... that feels amazing," she murmured, closing her eyes and savoring the sensation.

"Happy ending?" she echoed, her voice husky with desire and curiosity. Her eyes flew open, meeting his for a brief moment before dropping shut again as he moved lower still, spreading her legs wide apart. His fingers brushed against her most intimate flesh, already wet with anticipation.

"Yes?" he whispered, his breath hot on her ear. "Would you like that?"

Her body tensed as she felt him touching her there, but she couldn't bring herself to say no. Instead, she arched her hips up into his hands, silently begging for more. "Please," she breathed, the word coming out ragged and needy. "I want you to make me feel good."

His fingers circled her clit, teasing and tormenting as he massaged her sensitive flesh.

Her lips parted beneath his, their tongues tangling together in a desperate dance of need and desire. Her hips bucked up into his touch, seeking more friction against his fingers as she tried to find release. She was close, so close... but just when she thought she couldn't take any more, he stopped.

Her body arched away from him in protest, her breath coming out ragged and shaky. "Don't stop,"

Her voice came out as a broken moan as she felt his hot breath against her, followed by the wet heat of his tongue. His fingers continued to circle her clit, driving her wild with need. She squirmed beneath him, trying to press herself closer as he teased and licked her sensitive flesh.

Her hips began to rock up into his touch in time with his movements, desperate for release. "Oh God, mmm... please..."

The sensation of his tongue stroking her was almost too much to bear as she felt herself growing closer and closer to the edge. She wrapped her legs around his head, holding him in place as he continued to bring her pleasure. Her back arched off the bed, hands clenching into fists at her sides as her breath came out in ragged gasps.

"I'm close... I'm so close..." she whispered brokenly, her voice thick with desire and need.