The last time she was here, things were much different, and while the memories are vague because of the influence alcohol had had back then, they still come back to her as she enters the building… As she goes up the elevator… As she knocks on the door…

She had had so many doubts back then, she had thought she had made a foolish mistake that was definitely regretted in the morning...

But, now? Does she doubt?

”Hey.”

It’s with a slight smirk that she greets him when he opens the door for her, because there’s no way she could ever match his excitement. Not outwardly, at least, since a smirk is much more than what she’d give just about anyone else.

”How’s it going?”

URIAH BLACK

☉

It’s almost funny how easily things can change, but in this case, that isn’t really a bad thing at all.

The kiss is returned, and she looks at him then, her eyebrows raising just so slightly at his next words.

”You’re tired already?”

She’s teasing him, but as per usual, her words are dry, and it’s all too quickly that they’re dismissed as she steps into the apartment. He’s right: it looks different. Much different from when she helped him look through all the mess after losing Kachow’s pokéball, and definitely much different from when they had returned hours later after going to the bar…

”Damn, I almost didn’t think you had it in you.”

Once again, she smirks.

”It looks nice.”

URIAH BLACK

☉

Of course he’s tired after having just started a new job. Even if the military may have been rougher on him (which is in part Sol’s own fault), that doesn’t change the fact that learning so many new things and getting used to them is exhausting – not to mention the arduous training itself. It makes her worry about him, but Sol being Sol, she won’t say this.

Instead, she’ll tease him as she usually does, because that’s just the way she prefers things to be.

”Throw pillows? Really? I barely even have those at my own place. I’m surprised Kachow hasn’t destroyed them.”

She could go to the couch, but she chooses to follow him into the kitchen, watching him from near the doorway.

”Need help with anything?”

URIAH BLACK

☉

”I can’t believe you’ve been lying to my sweet Kachow.”

My.

Favouritism at its finest.

She’s joking, of course. Although the thought that Kachow might stop his antics because of the mention of her name is as adorable as it is endearing, and it makes her happy.

Just like she’s happy watching him cook; layer after layer of ingredients being placed in the baking dish.

”Lasagna, huh? Are you hoping I’ll say it’s good just because it’s one of my favourites?”

She’d probably love it regardless, and he’s probably only making it just because he knows she likes the dish, but the teasing is still inevitable regardless.

”Cool. Beer?”

Sol doesn’t drink soda often, and she takes the guess before she even heads to the fridge and opens it.

URIAH BLACK

☉

”So thoughtful. If so, then it better be the best lasagna I’ve ever had, or I’ll be sad.”

She won’t, not really, but it wouldn’t be Sol if she didn’t put unnecessary pressure on him just to mess with him, would it? The truth is that she’s excited about him cooking for her, and that’s exactly why she’s in the kitchen, watching him put together the lasagna layer by layer.

”Are you just doing bolognese and cheese, or adding anything else?”

Two bottles of beer are retrieved from the fridge, Sol then opening them before offering one to Uri once the lasagna is in the oven.

"So, how's work been, Officer Black?"

Inevitably, she smirks at that.

URIAH BLACK

☉

Does Uri deserve to stress over something as simple as making her dinner for the first time? No, not at all, but what else can be expected when it’s Sol that he’s dealing with?

At the end of the day, it’s unlikely she would ever dislike anything he makes, and he should realize as much by the way she smiles faintly at his description of their meal.

”Parmesan white sauce sounds pretty good. Now I’m really getting hungry.”

A sip is taken from her beer in order to wash away the feeling while they wait, her gaze then meeting his.

”Codes aren’t that bad, you got this.”

She could offer to help.

Maybe she will, later.

Although her idea of help would probably turn out to be more distracting than anything…

”My favourite officer? Hmm... It’s definitely less fun when I can’t torment you every day.”

Of course she won’t tell him how much she actually does miss seeing him every day or just having him there. That wouldn't be good, since it would just make him feel bad about leaving.

URIAH BLACK

☉

”Oh yeah? And how do you plan to make it fly by?”

She knows it will fly by no matter what they do, but of course she’ll always find ways to pressure him for the sole sake of teasing him. Even if his next words make her smirk once again, raising an eyebrow at them.

After another sip, the beer bottle is set down on the counter, and reaching for him, her hands gently cup his cheeks. She holds his gaze, still smirking yet never looking away.

”Ten sixty-nine.”

Can’t waste the chance to test all his studying, right?

Totally a real police radio code, by the way.

Maybe he’s right: she does have a lot of tormenting to make up for, so why not get started now?

URIAH BLACK

☉