"Promises"

The gentle breeze is cool and light, beneath the cloudy midday sky. I stand still and in bitter silence - planting my hands into the pockets of my long grey coat.

It's been particularly warm in the crowded city of Richmond during the last few weeks, as it should be, amongst the renewed season of Summer.

But not today.

This afternoon has bestowed nothing but a cool chill to pass by every few minutes; sending the dark leaves of the lingering trees to wisp amongst one another occasionally.

Of all days, I needed this one to be merciful. To be surrounded by plenty of noise, or maybe even the vague chaos of solving an investigation at work today. Anything to keep my mind from what today actually is.

But around me, in the center of the graveyard, lurks mere silence.

My dry blue-green eyes observe the new gravestone before me, a moment. Seeing Callum's name engraved across it's slick surface causes my stomach to plummet.

Yet I force back the tears, the hurting. I mentally remind myself to be strong.

Almost everyone that's shown up within the past hour and a half has reassured me that it will get better - and I've been holding on tight onto the fact that it will.

But it's going to take time.

And in the midst of waiting, after one toxic encounter with Rio last week, I have finally found a place to dwell. To heal.

"Detective," Vince's deep voice is gentle behind me, before I turn around to see him walking over.

Afar and over his broad shoulders stand the visitors that have arrived at Cal's funeral today - some getting into their vehicles to leave after a while of staying, and some deciding to stay aside to reconnect with others.

Everyone is in something bright. Not a single inch of black showcases across the area we stand. It's the only thing I asked of everyone today.

My brother wouldn't of wanted it to be even more saddening, or gloomy. It feels right.

My blue-green irises land on Vince who stops by my side - in a white v-neck tee and dark jeans.

I feel my pink lips quirk up.

"The white suits you." I begin, failing at suppressing a smile.

I watch my partner purse his lips, a second, before peering his gaze down and allowing for a grin to suffice before he meets my eyes again.

"You too, C." He returns, briefly glancing across the silky white blouse beneath my warm coat.

I form a small, thankful smile while Vince stands close. His solid brown irises settle on my brother's gravestone, a moment.

There's a flash of sincerity and empathy to provoke like a flame across my partner's irises. I softly take in a breath, and break the awakening bitter silence before it can engulf the two of us.

"So you stayed," I state; my voice pinched with admiration as I look at him.

Vince's brown eyes avert onto me, before he seems to intently search my eyes a moment. Then he carries his gaze ahead, towards the endless skyline ahead of us.

"Of course I did." he remarks beside me, planting his hands into either pocket of his jeans.

Next to him I feel my lips twitch, before I gently release the vague breath I didn't realize I had been holding. I then follow his gaze ahead.

The afternoon sky begins peeking an outbreak of soft purple and blue. The clouds are delicately shifting into wisps.

In just a couple of hours the sky will welcome in shades of gentle pink - hence my absolute favorite canvas above to gaze upon.

The mere sight of it reminds me that it's just another day. But a difficult one to get by. And probably the hardest.

But tomorrow, tomorrow will only be more precious.

I've got to look forward to that. Step by step.

Day by day.

Mindlessly, my gaze drifts over to Vince once more, who stands tall next to my left side.

His brown eyes remain locked ahead, before I breathe the next words, that is.

"I'm glad you're here, Vince." I remark. It's soon when I note the unhesitant curve of his full lips. And it's not vague nor remote, but rather wide and toothy.

Vince's white teeth are bright between his full lips as his solid brown eyes find mine.

For a moment my investigation partner seems to examine my face, for a silent and still second. And when his quite charming smile withers, his gaze - sparking with something unrecognizable - softly penetrates my own.

I don't think I've ever realized just how deep of a chestnut brown his irises are.

Beside me, Vince then flicks his gaze unto the freshly cut grass below our standing frames, before speaking.

"C, do you remember when I talked to you about the loss of my father last year?" He questions - instantly bringing back the memory of the first time Vince let me see past the uptight and strict wall he holds up.

Vince has always been the kind of man to never let his emotions show.

One day at the Station last Spring I could just tell something was on Vince's mind. And after he somehow gathered the ease to tell me of all people working that day, on the day of his father's birthday as he lost him a year beforehand, we ended up talking all night.

For hours, even, just sitting in my office just coversating - and even ranting about the most random things to come to mind. He was open. And so was I.

I blink up to meet his gaze, finding his latched onto my own again. "Yeah," I respond quietly.

There's a slight furrow to occur upon Vince's brows; obtaining a portrayal of attentiveness as he looks at me.

"You told me I would never have to keep anything like that in, not from you." He says.

"You also said that it'll get a whole lot smoother. Better." Vince pauses a moment, and I see a small smile begin to then play about on his full lips.

"And it did. In fact the road turned out to be much more smoother than I had anticipated. And it's because of you. Seriously, you have no idea how much that talk helped me that night." A faint humorless chuckle escapes him.

"You were this bucket of light that every person in the Station could see. You still are, C." he tells me. I can see an all too familiar solemn infallibility start to settle within his promising gaze after a brief pause.

"I want you to know that you have me. Always. For any four-hour lasting conversation," a gentle laugh escapes from my lips in interjection - but in warm amusement as Vince smiles in turn. "For anything." he finishes.

Appreciation envelopes me, as I stand still.

And when either of our smiles eventually dissipate after a few seconds, I only feel a sudden warmth inside me.

It's anything but familiar, but I think I could get use to it.

Vince has made over half of the things crowding my mind today wash away - including the heartache I've been trying to replace with strength.

He even completely carried away the reminder of where we are just for a few minutes.

Before me, as Vince and I turn completely to face each other, he clears his throat.

"Look, tomorrow has always been uncertain. But you being alone in this is never going to happen." his infallible brown eyes remain attentive on mine.

"You can count on that." he concludes.

I part my pink lips for a soft intake of breath, sheltering in Vince's words.

And there's a grateful thump to start pumping within my chest, before I instinctively wrap my arms around Vince.

I don't think. I just do it.

He seems to hesitate or freeze for a passing moment, before his muscular arms return the comforting embrace.

There's warmth.

And it just feels... good.

Silence consumes the enclosed air between us.

I didn't know I needed this.

Remotely, Vince's gentle breath is cool near my neck when he speaks again.

"Can I ask you something?" he asks - his deep tone hinting mere curiosity.

Still in his strong and assuring hold, I sound a 'hm' against him.

Then, Vince continues.

"You've gotta have some anger for Peterson..." he trails - his voice low and careful as if the statement could cause damage - as I then feel my brows furrow in return.

"How do you release it?" he questions, curiously.

It's then when I don't hold back to allow my small grin to showcase; just as I think of how exactly I do release the anger.
And I then gently release Vince, looking up into his deep brown eyes as his arms revert to either side of him.

Vince glances at me with evident curiosity plastered, looking down into my glinting blue-green irises.

And my grin only remotely widens.

"I guess I'll have to show you." I answer - my tone laced with inevitable mischief.

---

Hello, darlings!! It's been so long! *sobs*

I MISSED YOU ALL! How are all of you?

I want to thank you immensely for sticking with me by any book of mine you may have read. I truly appreciate every single read, vote, and especially the lovely comments that I receive from you guys. You are surely loved!

Chapter 19 is UP!

xx