From Mine to Ours

42: Past Meets Present.

A/N: 'm fully aware I know nothing about how reports are dealt with in the police force- I'm absolutely clueless when it comes to that sort of stuff, so I just worked it into the story as best I could to avoid as many plot holes as I could! <3

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Convincing my protective boyfriends to let me do this was a mission in itself. It took some begging, pouting and cuddling, but we got there eventually.

Of course, they agreed with only one condition. We go together. Which means they'll be seeing the very apartment I used to live in with my ex. Not only that, but it's the very first place, beside my college dorm, that I got myself when I moved out for the first time from home.

It honestly is a huge part of me. A part of my past, at least. Not to mention the person still living in said apartment. And they get to meet that part of me today.

"Ready to go, Love?"

I nod, shrugging on my jacket. I was debating if I should text Tyler that we'll be coming. Not out of politeness, but because it would be best if we could have this conversation with only him. I also can't risk either of them seeing me text Tyler, that could ruin things faster than I could blink, so we're trusting the universe on this one. Also... I blocked him a while ago, it would feel weird unblocking him again.

"Are you really sure you want to do this?" Julian walks in, helping me zip up my jacket.

"You know this might be the one chance we have to finally get some information worthwhile..." I spin around, pulling my scarf off the hook. "If we play this right, we might even be able to finish this once and for all,"

Julian blinks once, twice and purses his lips while tugging the scarf out of my hands to help wrap it securely around my neck. Making sure there's no way any wind can get through, because my neck gets cold way too easily, he places a small kiss to my forehead, the corner of my eye and my lips. "I know,"

For the first time since starting the investigation, I actually feel hope that this will come to a close. I miss not having to constantly look over my shoulder all the time, holding myself back from social interactions with my friends, visiting the café, my interviews with strangers, being able to regularly comment back on my posts... I want to go back to that and soon.

We already had to deal with it during summer, I won't be doing it again during the winter Holidays which are going to be coming up before we even know it.

We need to get this behind us. And I know exactly how we're going to do that. At least, I hope I do.

It'd be a lie to say I don't feel anything standing outside of my ex-apartment's door. Memories permanently live here and it's where this portion of my life began really. I can't just shrug a shoulder at it and I also can't expect to avoid hitting a wall of nostalgia.

But we have a task at hand. It's lunch time, so we can only hope that at least Charlie isn't here. Tyler and Lucas, I can handle, but I know next to nothing about their third party.

Two hands rest on either of my shoulders, a larger one gently rubbing back and forth on my lower back.

And I knock my usual three knocks.

"Coming!" Tyler.

There's a prolonged pause. I know it doesn't take that long to get to the door and open it, I heard someone approach the door I think. I know he can see us through the peep hole. He better open this door.

"Tyler, open the door,"

"I- I can't..." his voice is muffled, hesitant.

"If you don't open this door right now, Tyler," I sigh, rubbing a palm along my forehead.