Third Shift Society One Shots

Dancing For Real

ElliexIchabod Dating AU

Ellie and Ichabod had just come home from an incredibly exhausting job. A spirit that was stuck in the physical world because of unfinished business they never got around to when they were alive.

The two detectives worked for 30 hours straight to help the specter move on to the ether.

Ellie could barely keep her eyes open and Ichabod swayed as he walked, almost as if he had a few drinks, which would be impossible given his condition.

"I'm so tired I could eat a horse."

Ichabod glanced at her, confusion filling his mind.

"You're so tired you could eat a horse? What sense does that make?"

"Y'know, a horse, oh... I- uhm, I don't know. I guess that's exactly my point, I'm so tired I don't make sense?"

Ichabod laughed quietly.

"Well, I'm gonna go put on my pajamas." Ellie declared.

Ichabod nodded and put his briefcase and phone on the table.

Not even a minute after she left, Ellie came back in an oversized t-shirt and shorts acting as night clothes.

"Are you going to come with me to bed tonight or are you going to work on paperwork like you always do." Ellie asked, hoping his answer wouldn't be the latter.

"Even I can't stay awake much longer, so I'll be joining you."

Ellie gave him a sleepy smile.

"I'm so glad, it seems like you haven't slept in weeks." Ellie replied as she unbuttoned his vest and loosened his tie.

"I sleep, just not as much as you. Plus, when I come in to go to bed, you're already asleep and when I get up, it's an hour before you wake up."

"I know, but it'll be nice to know you're near me. I like that feeling." She whispered the last part as she leaned her head on his chest.

"Me too." He said back, taking her hand in his and resting his other hand on the small of her back.

Ellie followed his lead and entwined their fingers together and wrapped her free arm around his torso.

They swayed together in the moonlight. The only sound being their slow breaths, the sliding of shoes and slippers on the hard floor, and the beating of their hearts.

"Do you remember that night at the theatre in the costume closet? Where we danced for the first time?" Ellie spoke up.

"How could I forget?"

"Do you think this counts as 'dancing for real'?" She asked.

"Well, if I'm remembering correctly, the requirements of 'dancing for real' were one, not in a costume closet and two, not chasing ghosts. So I feel that it's safe to say that we are in fact, dancing for real." Ichabod replied.

Ellie hummed in response and returned her head to its previous place on his chest.

Ellie closed her eyes. The calm feeling of Ichabod's body pressed against hers, his strong embrace allowing her to fall asleep right there and no one would know the difference, perhaps not even him.

Ellie opened her eyes and looked up to see Ichabod staring down at her.

"You're beautiful, Ellie." He whispered, pushing a stray strand of hair behind her ear, he was actually able to do that since she had taken out her signature pigtails.

Ellie offered him a sleepy giggle.

"Thank you, and you're not a bad looking fellow if I do say so myself." She replied.

Ichabod leaned down slightly so he could hug her.

"I love you."

"I love you, too." Ellie said before she kissed his orange cheek.

They both straightened up and then leaned into each other's sides, like a half hug, and walked to their bedroom so they could finally catch up on sleep that was very much needed and earned.