Love, in Progress

A big softie wrapped in a trench coat

Ricky got up quickly, and followed the Detective. It was only once they had both reached the outside of the house that Ricky caught up. "You didn't say goodbye" Ricky said impatiently.
"Yes I did." Tinsley said, not slowing down. "You didn't say goodbye, to me."  Ricky said, finally getting just far enough ahead of the detective to stop him in his tracks. The shorter man gently slipped his arms around the taller man's chest neck- not to be overly romantic, but more as a subtle gesture to tell the Detective to stay.

"I didn't have to say goodbye to you, because I knew you'd follow me anyway", Tinsley said placing his hands into his pockets, "And because you were being a brat." he finished with a shrug. "Wow you really do know how to make a guy feel special." Ricky quipped sarcastically, getting onto tiptoes so he could look the Detective in the eye. He moved his hands to the back of Tinsley's neck and gave it a gentle squeeze, "I'm glad you came here CC." Ricky smiled, but it wasn't a snarky or mischievous smile, it seemed.. genuine, and Tinsley could see that. "I can't say that I had a good time, but I did enjoy the company." Tinsley said with a sigh, lazily drawing the smaller man closer to him.

Ricky's heart fluttered slightly, he didn't know that the detective was quite so sentimental- sure he had guessed that under all of those layers of mystery, CC Tinsley was probably just a big softie wrapped in a trench coat, but he had never expected for the Detective to show it to him, of all people.

A moment passed, the two men just stood there, in the dark, holding each other. Ricky shivered, he hadn't brought his coat with him as he left.
"We should probably get going then, I do have work tomorrow." Tinsley lied, hoping to get Ricky into the car to stop the smaller, jacket-less, man from getting frostbite.
"Yes, I suppose you're right." Ricky agreed, climbing into the driver's seat.

The drive back to CC's apartment was quiet and uneventful- but not uncomfortable like the initial journey had been. When Tinsley got out of the car, Ricky walked him to to the front door.

"Well, goodnight Tinman" Ricky said, turning away to walk down the drive. Tinsley paused for a second.
"Ricky wait- do you want to come in for a drink?" Tinsley called down the drive.
"Really? I thought you said you had work tomorrow?" Ricky turned around the face Tinsley, a smirk on his face.
"Uh yeah.. but I don't have to be in until the afternoon... and I've got tea" Tinsley said, looking down at his shifting feet.

Tinsley didn't lift his head as he heard Ricky approach, instead waiting until the man was right infront of him. "Yeah, I'd like that" Ricky said softly, looking up at the Detective.

Ricky sat at the table in Tinsley's kitchen, watching him make a cup of tea for the two men. Ricky noticed all of the little mannerisms that Tinsley used while whizzing about the kitchen: the way he opened cupboards with his right hand but closed cupboards with his left hip, the multitude of colourful mismatched mugs, and the way he hummed along to a little tune as he waited for the kettle to boil.

Ricky was snapped out of his thoughts by the feeling of something brushing up against his ankle. He looked down and saw a fluffy orange cat looking up at him with curiosity. "Oh that's just Obi, you can pet him if you want" Tinsley encouraged. Ricky wasn't usually a big cat person, but he happily scooped up the little cat and placed him in his lap, petting his head softly. The cat settled down and purred in content.

Soon enough, a mug was placed infront of Ricky, who nodded in appreciation. Tinsley pulled up the seat next to him and took a sip of the warm tea. Nothing was said for a few minutes, the two men happy enough to sit in silence.

Ricky set his mug down, "Thanks, I needed that" he murmured, watching as Obi stretched and jumped down from his lap, headed towards the cat flap and left. "No problem", Tinsley replied, "Do you want to come through to the living room?"
"Sure" Ricky replied, following Tinsley into the next room.

Decorated with a sofa, a fireplace, a small coffee table, and a bookcase: the room was cosy. Ricky sat down on the sofa, tucking his legs under him- sure it wasn't all that polite, but he doubted Tinsley would mind. "You've got a nice place here Tin Tin" he commented.
"Mmm I like it, its quiet" Tinsley said, matches in hand as he tried to light the fireplace. "Don't you ever get lonely, being here all by yourself?" Ricky asked patiently.
"It's okay, I've got Obi to keep me company- oh there we go" Tinsley replied, fire finally catching as he placed another log on.

Tinsley sat down on the sofa next to Ricky, leaving a gentlemanly and respectful space between them- which was immediately closed by Ricky, who wriggled up close to Tinsley. Tinsley felt his face go a little warm.
"Is this okay, CC?"
"Uh yeah, yeah" Tinsley said, trying to come off as passive and unaffected by the smaller man who was cuddled up to him.
"Nice" Ricky said softly, closing his eyes and resting his head on Tinsley's shoulder.

Tinsley looked down fondly at the devil of a man that was Ricky Goldsworth. He felt his heart rate slow to a comfortable pace as he listened to Ricky breathing softly.
"Ricky?" he asked quietly.
"Mmm?" The smaller man mumbled sleepily.
"You asked me what my name was a couple of weeks ago.."
"S'pose I did?"
Tinsley paused momentarily, before continuing, sure of his decision.
"Charles. Charles Cecil Tinsley" he said quietly. Ricky looked up into his eyes,"Charlie", he tested with a sleepy smile,"It suits you."