#i proof read this like 50 times bc i haven't posted my writing in. a very long time and im Nervous hhh

[viktor-sinclaire]

WIP DAY because I’m low energy from overtime at work

I was tagged by my wonderful fiancé @derelictheretic !! 🥰💜 Thank you my love!! I am going to spoil you in this episode of WIP Day!!!! :3<

I encourage others to do this, too!! Consider this your invitation to tag me and let me see your WIPs 👀

Jaime being away from the office meant that Staci got more work done. It was less about them not being able to distract each other for once, and more about Staci's urge to get back home and check on Jaime.

Joey had teased him once about calling him on their lunch break, which caused Staci to get defensive. Joey hadn’t teased him about it since, the small outburst letting her know just how worried Staci had really been. It was a sensitive topic, and she respected that.

Everyone thought it was odd, but kind of sweet that Staci cared so much. It wasn’t like him, from their perspective, but no one knew him quite like Jaime did. None of them thought about it too deeply, and they didn’t think it meant anything more. They were best friends, that was all.

...Right?

It was one night in particular that had Staci reflecting more and more on this fact. And it was a fact.

He had come home a little later than planned, staying back to finish up some final reports to get Earl off his case. He wasn’t particularly quiet when he unlocked the door and stepped inside, but he immediately quietened at the sight he was greeted with.

Jaime was asleep on the couch, head barely resting on a pillow, and looking exhausted. Staci was careful when he closed and locked the door, putting down his bag and jacket to make his way over. Jaime was dead to the world, not reacting when Staci gently said his name and pushed back the hair from his face. Thinking on it, Staci decided it would be better to let him sleep. That was, after making him a more comfortable.

He only received a few sleepy mumbles at first, sitting him upright temporarily. He automatically started helping Jaime out of his clothes to change him into something better suited for sleeping than a borrowed button-up and jeans. Staci wasn’t bothered when the half asleep Jaime loosely gripped his shirt, waking just a fraction more to coherently mumble.

“...That you, Staci?”

“Yeah, it’s me.”

“Do you need me?” The sudden question made Staci freeze for a second. When he didn’t reply, Jaime’s eyes blinked open, his tired words explaining further. “I can wake up properly.” The clarification made Staci relax, not really sure why the question made him tense up in the first place.

“No, no. You can sleep more.” He finished changing Jaime’s clothes soon after, ignoring his hesitation, and went to grab the blanket for him. “You need the rest.” Jaime looked like he wanted to disagree, but the way his heavy eyes blinked made it clear he was on the verge of passing back out.

“Okay... thanks Stace...” The slurred words were accompanied with a deep sigh. The very fact Jaime hadn’t jolted awake or started to feel anxious and alert upon being woken was a testament to how close they were. Jaime always felt safe with Staci. Besides that; Staci wouldn’t ever do anything that might upset Jaime.

At least... not on purpose.

After a few moments, Staci tucked him back into his makeshift bed, wrapping his blanket in a very specific way so Jaime wouldn’t have to struggle with the peculiarities himself. The blanket was pulled right up over Jaime’s mouth and nose. The end was pulled to the side to keep his legs below the knee uncovered, which Jaime would always do to stop himself from overheating.

When he was in a proper bed, Jaime would sleep with his head completely under the covers. It was something he’d kept from his youth.

Staci wondered how many people knew these little odd facts about him, the ones he found himself drawn to every day. He wasn't betting on many at all. He might very well have been the only person, for some of them.

It made Staci tense up again, thinking of how well he knew Jaime, better than he knew himself. He’d know Jaime anywhere, by his looks, his voice, his touch, his scent, anything. Everything.