#◇ threads: lily & harvey 003 ◇

[dxrknessexplored]

Lily easily spent far more time with Harvey than anyone else. She had a few friends, mainly from the university. But there wasn't a huge social life, something that had never bothered her much before. She had always been fine being on her own, her travling attested to such things. A few flings in terms of relationships but nothing long-term. And certainly nothing that came close to the level of comfort that she had with the man beside her. The sense of safety she had when she was with him had never been experienced before and after the past few days, it was fully welcomed without too much investigation, without wondering if she was pushing too far into territory that he wouldn't want.

Taking the worn leather, she grabbed his card practically without looking. The options seemed nearly unlimited and Lily found herself actually unsure what she wanted.

"Junkiest junk food. Got it." The words were laughed out, the sound light as she spotted what to get him before deciding that she might as well go for the same. That was easiest enough and hopefully an order that couldn't be messed up. "Please. How many times do I have to tell you. You aren't old." She rolled her eyes, this time looking up from the phone. The look surely lost its effectiveness thanks for the bruising there.

"And I won't hear another word about it. Food should be here in about thirty minutes and as far as a movie goes, pick what you want. How's that for a choice?" Phone set down, her head took up its residence once more against his shoulder. Her arm followed suit around his waist after a moment.

God he hated how right she felt curled into his side like that. He pressed her closer, gentle reassuring pressure to let her know she was safe, he was here.

He had a habit of falling for women who were far too good for him and way too out of his league. Which Lily was, she was gorgeous, she gave as good as she got when it came to the banter and she was smart, too smart, far too smart for the likes of him and yet here she was curled up into his side. Here she seemed to be a lot, which was surely a good sign right?

Even if they were just friends, even if she found someone right for her, he'd still be here until she didn't need him. He cared about her too much.

"Fries it is. I want whatever the filthiest thing is on the menu and I'll give you my card." He said digging around in his back pocket for his wallet before handing it over to her. He was tempted to put something monstery on, it would ensure she was glued to his side all night. She'd been through too much recently though. "Ladies choice on a movie, you wanna watch some soppy romance I'm all here for it. If not I'll pick something old, like me, black and white probably. A detective movie or something." Harvey chuckled.

[dxrknessexploredarchived]

Well, that was better restraint than she had expected out of the man, but the anger that was underlying it all was just what had been anticipated. There wasn't anything that could really be done about it now. Even if he would feel that he could. A second of pause, it was all the time she dedicated to the thought of brushing it off. Lily knew he would be more hurt by not telling him anything than simply withholding it for a few days.

"I'm okay, Harv." That was the best place to start. Reassurance wouldn't soothe that rage, but at least she had said it. Sore, sorry, and a little jumpy. But overall, okay. It could have been a lot worse. A hell of a lot worse. "Two nights ago, I got caught up in a mess just off campus as I was trying to come home. Two guys were trying to corral a woman into a car. They caught sight of me, so there wasn't much else I could do besides try to help. I had already dialed 911 when they came after me. They had masks on, and it was too dark to get many details. They knocked me around a bit but left me when the sirens came."

She tried to give him another smile, even as it caused the bruising on the side of her face to throb.

Harvey knocks on Lil's door holding up two coffees and a brown bag. "How do you feel about bear claws?" He grins at her. (from lixnhearted)

@lixnhearted

Hearing the knock on her door, Lily had to take a moment to calm her racing heart. She wasn't expecting anyone, but after the last few days, that hadn't meant anything. Part of her had debated not opening it, pretending she wasn't home. Hiding would solve nothing. So, steeling herself, she had cracked it open.

Seeing Harvey standing there, grinning and holding onto some sweets for them, she wasn't sure she felt more relieved or nervous. If there was one person in all of Gotham that she felt safe with, it was one Harvey Bullock. At the same time, she didn't want to ruin that smile, and she knew that once he caught sight of the other side of her face, the smile would be gone. Still, worrying him by trying to shove him off wouldn't do any good. Her gut twisted at the thought of making him think she didn't want him around. He was too good a friend.

A small smile given, she finally opened the door all the way. The right side of her face was entirely black and blue, stitches crisscrossing skin below her eye, which remained red from the busted vessels.

"I won't turn down a sweet treat. Come on in, Harvey." Even if she was worried about his reaction, the relief of his presence overrode everything else. She had wanted to do nothing but call in the last two days but she knew he had been busy with work and her concerns were trivial at best.

[dxrknessexplored]

"It's a lot of fish and things like root vegetables, and curries. Coconut features a lot," she offered with a small smile before laughing. "Yeah, I can't exactly say that I have seen a local restaurant featuring Fijian cuisine around here. Probably not all that common. But maybe there's also a certain fondness for the food because I enjoyed my time there so much."

Lily watched as he rummaged through the bags before groaning. That was a signal for her to get back up. She did so slowly but managed and meandered to the kitchen to grab some proper silverware before he had an aneurysm. It was thoroughly amusing, not that she was about to tell him that as she came back, handing him over a fork and taking her seat once more.

"Good thing I come prepared then." She set aside everything that they wouldn't need before opening up the containers and handing him his. To state that it was a pile of junk food that went beyond other junk food was probably an understatement. This had everything, and the kitchen sink piled onto it. "You know the decent ones aren't that bad. Not great by any means, but not terrible. We could get you one of those little kits, has a straw and all the utensils with it, to carry around." It was a light tease, the smile on her face saying so as she grabbed her food.

"No, I didn't get the chance," she offered in return before finding herself laughing softly as he went straight to asking about food. Maybe she could plan some trip, even if it was just in the states. Take him on some tasting tour thing. It would be something he would enjoy and appreciate. The desire to just make the man happy grew stronger by the day and couldn't be denied. As much as Lily tried to push it off. A mental note made to look into what they could do and to pester Jim into telling her how much time he had saved up that he could take off. She didn't want it to be one of those rushed things. "I'm not sure I could pick just one favorite. If you need an answer, I was fond of Romanian and Fijian cuisine. Unique flavors that I didn't exactly get elsewhere."

"Hmm, tough choices there." She pretended to think about it for a few seconds before reaching for the container. Lord, that felt like a lot of food in one container. They hadn't been kidding when they had said it was massively loaded. "Gonna have to say cuddle. Though I take no responsibility if I fall asleep."

Lily hadn't put thought into grabbing the beer when she had. Harvey spent time at her place, dinners a couple nights a week most weeks, so it was just natural to have things that he enjoyed around. Opening the soda first, she cocked her head.

"They give us some silverware or do I need to venture back and get some. Not sure this is gonna be all that easy to eat..."

[dxrknessexplored]

The warmth of his body seeped slowly into hers, leaving that additional sense of comfort as they all but glued themselves into the couch. The bear claw was delicious, and the sweetness was just what she needed. Along with the closenrsd of the man beside her. More than she realized. Even if she hadn't wanted to admit it. A small laugh came from her at the mention of being unsure how to set up speed dial. Really, she shouldn't be laughing since she wouldn't be able to help. She was decent with the machine she knew but her phone? It was lucky to see use beyond what was strictly needed.

She pulled her legs up, allowing her to press just that much further under his arm, plastered to his side. A place that she didn't want to leave any time soon. The fry place sounded good, and Lily hummed as she sipped her coffee.

"The fry place. That sounds good. And probably easy to eat, so why don't we go with that." An easy choice. As far as the movie. "You choose what you want to put on, and I'm happy to watch whatever." Of course she said that, but she was a little jumpy with the monster movies, something he knew, and she thought he secretly enjoyed. She reached for her phone on the table to figure out the number of the place that they would be ordering from.

Harvey settled in, wrapping an arm around her and pressing her further into his side, whatever she wanted or needed he was here for her. Besides he might not admit it right now but he loved the feeling of her pressed against him, he wished it was in more ways than it was but honestly he'd take the hugs, this on the couch any day over anything more if it meant ruining what they had.

"Oh there's more than plenty, I got a few of my favourite places on speed dial." Harvey said before chuckling. "I'm joking, I'm not one hundred percent sure how to set up speed dial on this thing."

"Right, then we definitely need pizza for takeout, easy to pull apart too. Maybe hotdogs or burgers and fries though? I'd have to cut that up for you though. Or, Oh shit, Lil there's this place opened up not far from here and all it does is fries, all the toppings you could ever want on them. That's an option too, I was gunna take you anyway." Harvey admitted. "I'll watch whatever your feeling, though I could really go for a schlocky b-movie right now, like that weird one about the shark and the octopus."

[dxrknessexplored]

"No, I didn't get the chance," she offered in return before finding herself laughing softly as he went straight to asking about food. Maybe she could plan some trip, even if it was just in the states. Take him on some tasting tour thing. It would be something he would enjoy and appreciate. The desire to just make the man happy grew stronger by the day and couldn't be denied. As much as Lily tried to push it off. A mental note made to look into what they could do and to pester Jim into telling her how much time he had saved up that he could take off. She didn't want it to be one of those rushed things. "I'm not sure I could pick just one favorite. If you need an answer, I was fond of Romanian and Fijian cuisine. Unique flavors that I didn't exactly get elsewhere."

"Hmm, tough choices there." She pretended to think about it for a few seconds before reaching for the container. Lord, that felt like a lot of food in one container. They hadn't been kidding when they had said it was massively loaded. "Gonna have to say cuddle. Though I take no responsibility if I fall asleep."

Lily hadn't put thought into grabbing the beer when she had. Harvey spent time at her place, dinners a couple nights a week most weeks, so it was just natural to have things that he enjoyed around. Opening the soda first, she cocked her head.

"They give us some silverware or do I need to venture back and get some. Not sure this is gonna be all that easy to eat..."

"Yeah, though I didn't spend a lot of time there. Had about two days to explore as I was on my way through to the rest of Europe. I was busy planning on where I was heading and what I was doing. It was nice, but I appreciated other places more, I guess." She laughed a bit. "Though, most movies about any places are like that. Name a movie that seems actually accurate about New York City or LA." They had a way of glamorize weird aspects about places that were never entirely accurate.

"Because they are supposed to, it's a romcom after all." She fell silent and was content to just cuddle and watch the movie. All until the knock came, and she was forced to move. Which happened slowly and reluctantly. But it happened since the food was important. Watching as he inhaled from the bag, Lily couldn't help but smile.

"Is that so?" He would eat himself into a food coma if he attempted to down both of those meals. "Guess i'll just have to starve for the evening then, while you get to enjoy your meal." Carefully, she pushed up to get them both some drinks. She had stashed a few cans of his favorite beer somewhere in the back of her fridge while she opted for some soda. Returning with the beverages in hand, Lily reclaimed her spot on the couch.

[dxrknessexplored]

"Yeah, though I didn't spend a lot of time there. Had about two days to explore as I was on my way through to the rest of Europe. I was busy planning on where I was heading and what I was doing. It was nice, but I appreciated other places more, I guess." She laughed a bit. "Though, most movies about any places are like that. Name a movie that seems actually accurate about New York City or LA." They had a way of glamorize weird aspects about places that were never entirely accurate.

"Because they are supposed to, it's a romcom after all." She fell silent and was content to just cuddle and watch the movie. All until the knock came, and she was forced to move. Which happened slowly and reluctantly. But it happened since the food was important. Watching as he inhaled from the bag, Lily couldn't help but smile.

"Is that so?" He would eat himself into a food coma if he attempted to down both of those meals. "Guess i'll just have to starve for the evening then, while you get to enjoy your meal." Carefully, she pushed up to get them both some drinks. She had stashed a few cans of his favorite beer somewhere in the back of her fridge while she opted for some soda. Returning with the beverages in hand, Lily reclaimed her spot on the couch.

"Oh, please," she retored, glossing right over his playfully concerned comment about the food. Another time, in different circumstances, she may have considered getting him something odd to try but not when he was here, willing to spend time with her. Banter was one thing. That was an entirely different thing. "You keep up with Gordon. Hardly something that a dog destined for a scrap heap would be able to do. Besides, age just means some additional wisdom."

The gentle squeeze had her closing her eyes, Lily thankful that he couldn't see her face from where she was resting against him. If she wasn't careful, though, she could end up falling asleep just like that. Eyes pried open, she watched as he flicked through the choices that they had. Some days, it was far easier to pick a movie between them. Other times, it could take longer than it took to watch some of the movies. Not that she minded in the least.

"Seems like you got your mind made up." Moving seemed criminal at this point, and for a moment, Lily wondered just how they could get the food into the apartment without either of them leaving their spots. Unfortunately, it was highly unrealistic, and she knew that Harvey would probably be the one shifting to get up once it did arrive. "Hm, Britain isn't all it's cracked up to be. But the movies always seem to think it is glorious."

The five minutes of whatever was on beforehand were boring, but it wasn't like they had to sit through any extended period of time. Besides, Lily was happy to soak up every ounce of affection and comfort that she could. It was nice, hardly words that she could speak aloud.

[dxrknessexplored]

"Oh, please," she retored, glossing right over his playfully concerned comment about the food. Another time, in different circumstances, she may have considered getting him something odd to try but not when he was here, willing to spend time with her. Banter was one thing. That was an entirely different thing. "You keep up with Gordon. Hardly something that a dog destined for a scrap heap would be able to do. Besides, age just means some additional wisdom."

The gentle squeeze had her closing her eyes, Lily thankful that he couldn't see her face from where she was resting against him. If she wasn't careful, though, she could end up falling asleep just like that. Eyes pried open, she watched as he flicked through the choices that they had. Some days, it was far easier to pick a movie between them. Other times, it could take longer than it took to watch some of the movies. Not that she minded in the least.

"Seems like you got your mind made up." Moving seemed criminal at this point, and for a moment, Lily wondered just how they could get the food into the apartment without either of them leaving their spots. Unfortunately, it was highly unrealistic, and she knew that Harvey would probably be the one shifting to get up once it did arrive. "Hm, Britain isn't all it's cracked up to be. But the movies always seem to think it is glorious."

The five minutes of whatever was on beforehand were boring, but it wasn't like they had to sit through any extended period of time. Besides, Lily was happy to soak up every ounce of affection and comfort that she could. It was nice, hardly words that she could speak aloud.

Lily easily spent far more time with Harvey than anyone else. She had a few friends, mainly from the university. But there wasn't a huge social life, something that had never bothered her much before. She had always been fine being on her own, her travling attested to such things. A few flings in terms of relationships but nothing long-term. And certainly nothing that came close to the level of comfort that she had with the man beside her. The sense of safety she had when she was with him had never been experienced before and after the past few days, it was fully welcomed without too much investigation, without wondering if she was pushing too far into territory that he wouldn't want.

Taking the worn leather, she grabbed his card practically without looking. The options seemed nearly unlimited and Lily found herself actually unsure what she wanted.

"Junkiest junk food. Got it." The words were laughed out, the sound light as she spotted what to get him before deciding that she might as well go for the same. That was easiest enough and hopefully an order that couldn't be messed up. "Please. How many times do I have to tell you. You aren't old." She rolled her eyes, this time looking up from the phone. The look surely lost its effectiveness thanks for the bruising there.

"And I won't hear another word about it. Food should be here in about thirty minutes and as far as a movie goes, pick what you want. How's that for a choice?" Phone set down, her head took up its residence once more against his shoulder. Her arm followed suit around his waist after a moment.

[dxrknessexploredarchived]

"By the time I realized I was seen, it was just quicker to punch the three numbers in." He was right though, and her first instinct had been to call him. But it had been far quicker to press the emergency call button on her phone than anything else. The response had been pretty quick, and once it had been done, she felt like she would be bothering him if she had said anything. It was an odd feeling that she didn't quite know what to do with. But he often had enough on his plate, and Lily had felt there wasn't anything else to be done about it.

There was no point in arguing with him now, so instead, she did as she was told and found herself sinking down into the couch, leaving space for him if he wanted it or the cushy old recliner that he had more or less taken over.

"Some bruised ribs and some scraps beyond what you see. Nothing that won't heal with a little time. I've got another four days off of work before I need to head back so I have just been taking it easy." She reached for the coffee that was hers, taking a sip and relishing in the fact that it was perfect. Harvey rarely ever got it wrong.

Harvey & Lily | Continued from here x

Well, that was better restraint than she had expected out of the man, but the anger that was underlying it all was just what had been anticipated. There wasn't anything that could really be done about it now. Even if he would feel that he could. A second of pause, it was all the time she dedicated to the thought of brushing it off. Lily knew he would be more hurt by not telling him anything than simply withholding it for a few days. "I'm okay, Harv." That was the best place to start. Reassurance wouldn't soothe that rage, but at least she had said it. Sore, sorry, and a little jumpy. But overall, okay. It could have been a lot worse. A hell of a lot worse. "Two nights ago, I got caught up in a mess just off campus as I was trying to come home. Two guys were trying to corral a woman into a car. They caught sight of me, so there wasn't much else I could do besides try to help. I had already dialed 911 when they came after me. They had masks on, and it was too dark to get many details. They knocked me around a bit but left me when the sirens came." She tried to give him another smile, even as it caused the bruising on the side of her face to throb.

"Two nights ago! Lil, you should have called me. You should have called me straight away, never mind 911. I could have had half the GCPD down there and those bastards would be in a cell now." Harvey ground out, trying to temper his reaction because he knew it wouldn't help the situation.

He would find them though, oh he'd find them, he had enough tendrils and connection still in the darker side of Gotham that he would be able too. He was trying to good, and for the most part he was, in a city like Gotham though good didn't always mean morally right and sometimes having connections with criminals really helped.

"How bad are the injuries, what can't I see?" Harvey said looking her over. "Also sit down, I'm gunna get us some plates, I feel like I might need to cut that bear claw into smaller chunks for you." He said giving her a lopsided smile.

[dxrknessexploredarchived]

She relaxed a bit more as he partook, drinking his coffee and going after the bear claw with the same enthusiasm that she had come to expect from the man. Another chunk was carefully popped into her mouth, mindful of the way that chewing tugged and was still a bit of a hassle. After a second, with little hesitation, she shifted and pressed into his side. A barely audible sigh, one that came from the feeling of a weight lifted, escaped her.

"I'm sure there is plenty that we can order in," Lily offered softly. There was a brief moment where she debated protesting once more, reminding him that he didn't need to be taking that sort of time off for her. But it hit her that perhaps it would be good with how crazy everything had been. She wouldn't let him just take care of her, but it was a good enough excuse to give him a break. Lily was entirely worried about him running himself into the ground with the way that Gordon was constantly running, Harvey not far behind.

"All right, Harvey." An easy agreement, no protest or arguement. "Think I could use some shitty movies anyway. It's no fun watching them all by myself." A light tease, her head resting against his shoulder carefully after a moment.

"I know," she offered softly before taking another drink of her coffee to make it a little easier to swallow down the words that wanted to come but shouldn't and couldn't. "You've been so busy, and really, I'm okay. A little sore and sorry, but it wasn't like I was bedridden." The underlying I didn't want to bother you was obvious. It hadn't escaped her notice that things had been a little more crazy and certainly far more stressful for him as of late.

Watching him move about her place with ease created some sort of feeling that once again she didn't want to examine. All that she knew in that moment was having him close would help soothe some of those frayed nerves that were still lingering heavily. She could say she was okay all she wanted, but Lily was jumpy and unconsciously still a little paranoid. So, instead, Lily patted the spot next to her, indicating she wanted him close.

"Come on," she offered before noticing that he hadn't gotten his sweet on a plate either. That she didn't comment on and instead reached for a piece of the pastry. "Thank you, for the coffee and the sweets."

[dxrknessexploredarchived]

"I know," she offered softly before taking another drink of her coffee to make it a little easier to swallow down the words that wanted to come but shouldn't and couldn't. "You've been so busy, and really, I'm okay. A little sore and sorry, but it wasn't like I was bedridden." The underlying I didn't want to bother you was obvious. It hadn't escaped her notice that things had been a little more crazy and certainly far more stressful for him as of late.

Watching him move about her place with ease created some sort of feeling that once again she didn't want to examine. All that she knew in that moment was having him close would help soothe some of those frayed nerves that were still lingering heavily. She could say she was okay all she wanted, but Lily was jumpy and unconsciously still a little paranoid. So, instead, Lily patted the spot next to her, indicating she wanted him close.

"Come on," she offered before noticing that he hadn't gotten his sweet on a plate either. That she didn't comment on and instead reached for a piece of the pastry. "Thank you, for the coffee and the sweets."

"By the time I realized I was seen, it was just quicker to punch the three numbers in." He was right though, and her first instinct had been to call him. But it had been far quicker to press the emergency call button on her phone than anything else. The response had been pretty quick, and once it had been done, she felt like she would be bothering him if she had said anything. It was an odd feeling that she didn't quite know what to do with. But he often had enough on his plate, and Lily had felt there wasn't anything else to be done about it.

There was no point in arguing with him now, so instead, she did as she was told and found herself sinking down into the couch, leaving space for him if he wanted it or the cushy old recliner that he had more or less taken over.

"Some bruised ribs and some scraps beyond what you see. Nothing that won't heal with a little time. I've got another four days off of work before I need to head back so I have just been taking it easy." She reached for the coffee that was hers, taking a sip and relishing in the fact that it was perfect. Harvey rarely ever got it wrong.