✧ your honour, they slay ✧

Kirby’s head snapped up the second her name was called, already moving before she’d properly processed the words. Eager was an understatement. If Rebekah asked her to walk straight into traffic, she’d probably at least check both ways first and then consider it. She grabbed the camera quickly, trying to look far less enthusiastic than she felt, and started down the slope after her with careful steps that were nowhere near as graceful as Bekah’s. “Yeah, alright, bossy,” she called back, tone sharp enough to pass as annoyed, though the grin tugging at her mouth ruined the effect entirely. “Try not to break your neck before I get there. I’d hate the paperwork.” She reached the bottom and steadied herself near the rocks, glancing from the dummy to Rebekah crouched beside it. For a second, she forgot entirely what they were meant to be doing. Then she cleared her throat and lifted the camera. “The exam cheater?” Kirby echoed, brows lifting as she looked at her. “Bit dramatic, that. A blast from the past, for sure.” She crouched beside her, shoulder knocking lightly into Rebekah’s. “My mates said that you cheated. I just agreed because I didn't know better." She glanced sideways at her, lips twitching. “Besides,” she added, voice lower now, “you were always annoyingly smart back then." Kirby lifted the camera, pretending to inspect the frame while hiding the grin on her face. Her eyes dragged over Rebekah for a beat again before she added, quieter and far too amused, “Now, you’re just annoying." Kirby started counting on her fingers, voice dripping with playful mockery. “Annoyingly loud. Annoyingly smart. Annoyingly hot.” She paused, eyes flicking over Rebekah with zero shame. “Annoyingly bossy too.”

rebekah made her way down the hill, a smug smile tugging at her lips. if she was honest, the fact that kirby had followed the moment she'd called was giving her far too much satisfaction. “ha ha,” she replied dryly at the paperwork comment. “i'm not about to break my neck out here.” she glanced over at her before crouching beside the training dummy, her attention shifting to the rocks scattered around it. “i can forgive,” she said, inspecting the ground carefully, “but i don't forget.” she didn't look at kirby as she spoke, but it was obvious she wasn't talking about the scene anymore. when kirby fired back with another annoyingly smart remark, rebekah felt the corners of her mouth twitch despite herself. she shot her a sideways glance. “oh, shut up, colby,” she rolled her eyes. “just take the damn photo.” straightening up, she moved behind kirby before crouching again to get a better look around the rocks. “and for the record,” she added, “you're the bossy one. you're the one who always has to be in control.” she slowly circled the area, studying the scene as she spoke. then she glanced back over her shoulder, one eyebrow raised. “am i wrong?”

He leaned back slightly in his seat, burger halfway lifted, eyes fixed on her in that quiet, affectionate way he always seemed to fall into without meaning to. The teasing didn’t even land as an attack to him, it just felt like her, like home. When she accused him of the show, his grin widened. “Oh no,” he murmured, soft and mock-dramatic. “Not consequences from you. Anything but that.” His smile softened when she corrected herself, shove you with love, and there was something unmistakably fond in the way he looked at her then, like he’d been collecting moments like that for years without ever admitting it. “Good,” Monroe said gently, almost under his breath. “Because I prefer it that way.” He glanced down at his burger for half a second, like he needed something to do with his hands before he looked at her again properly. When he did, it was quieter, less teasing, more honest. At her simp comment, he didn’t even deny it. Just smiled, slow and a little helpless. “Guilty,” Monroe admitted softly. “But I think I’ve been worse since you agreed to date me. Bit inconsiderate of you, really.” The warmth on her face made his expression soften even more, like he couldn’t help reacting to her reactions. Then she said it, you’re my happy ending too, and for a moment he just looked at her. Not teasing, not joking. Just completely still, like that sentence had landed somewhere important and stayed there. Monroe exhaled quietly, smile turning smaller, more real. “Yeah?” he said softly. “Good. Because I was kind of hoping I wasn’t just some douchebag side character in your life's plot." At the idea of the dramatic car makeout, his brows lifted. “Against the car?” he repeated, leaning back again like he was considering the logistics. “We’re really going full cinematic today, aren’t we?” He glanced at her burger, then back at her, eyes bright. “Though I feel like you’re forgetting an important detail,” Monroe added, tilting his head. “The makeout is gonna taste like burger grease and chilli sauce.” His smile widened, softer but unmistakably teasing now. “I’m gonna make your lips tingle,” he said, like it was a completely reasonable promise, eyes bright with affection. “And when I drop you home,” he added, voice dropping just a fraction, still warm but steadier now, “and your lips are still tingling from chilli sauce and bad decisions,” A small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. “You’re gonna think of me all night long."

whenever lottie thought about the future, she always saw herself there with monroe by her side. she could picture him staying up late waiting for her to get home, bringing her dinner, reminding her to take breaks whenever she disappeared too deeply into a case. she'd probably be so caught up in lawyer mode that she'd forget to eat—or even drink water—unless he was there to pull her out of it. she wanted her hopelessly devoted boyfriend beside her. she wanted everything with monroe. if she was being completely honest, she could even picture them growing old together, maybe one day talking about having a child if that was something they both wanted, even though she'd never dared say those thoughts out loud. “no, you can't be a side character,” she scoffed. “i wouldn't want to kiss a side character like that.” she smiled teasingly. “this is a best-friends-to-lovers story, don't worry.” she leaned over to steal a playful kiss from his lips. when he repeated what she'd said about wanting to kiss against the car, she smiled to herself. “a girl can dream about having a cinematic kiss, can't she?” she asked. at his comment that their kiss would probably taste exactly like the food they'd just eaten, she burst into laughter. “you're lucky this is my favourite food,” she pointed out. “and i don't care if my lips are tingling.” to prove it, she leaned in and gave him another quick kiss. when he made his final remark, her smile softened. “it's adorable that you think i wasn't going to spend the whole night thinking about you anyway,” she teased. then she settled back into her seat with a content sigh, turning to look at him again. “what does your happy ending look like?” she asked quietly. after a beat, a grin tugged at her lips. “are we living at your parents' house... or mine?” she joked.

Monroe watched her reaction closely, the warmth in her expression settling somewhere deep in his chest. Seeing that look on Lottie’s face, soft, glowing, a little amazed, made him feel strangely proud of himself, like he’d done something right without even trying that hard. “Hey, don’t blame the office,” he said, raising a brow at her with a crooked grin. “They’re just passionate viewers. Probably very invested in the athleticism in the show and the development of the characters.” His eyes flicked over her face when she asked whether she’d enjoy the sex or the hockey more, and a slow, amused smirk spread across his lips. “Oh, the sex parts. No question,” Monroe said easily, completely certain. “You’d pretend you were there for the hockey plot, but the second someone gets pushed up against a wall you’d suddenly be very attentive.” He nudged her knee lightly with his. “Not that I’m judging. Sex can be hot if it's done right." At her question about the prize, Monroe tilted his head as if he were seriously considering it, even though the answer had clearly already formed in his mind. “Your prize?” he repeated thoughtfully. “Happy ending, for sure." A beat passed. “Plus,” he added casually, his voice dipping just slightly, “whatever else you manage to negotiate out of me while I’m busy making you relaxed and cooperative.” Her blush didn’t escape him, and when she called him a loser for choosing her, Monroe just laughed quietly against her hand when she cupped his face. “Yeah,” he murmured, eyes warm and amused. “Terrible decision. I wake up every day and regret it deeply.” His hand briefly covered hers before she pulled back, though he didn’t miss the quick kiss she stole. When she warned him about distracting her from the food, Monroe raised both hands in mock surrender. “I’m innocent here,” he said, watching her take a huge bite of the burger with clear amusement. “You’re the one initiating kiss based distractions before taking a bite." When she gave him that playful look and threatened consequences, Monroe leaned a little closer again, clearly unfazed. “Consequences, huh?” he said, voice low but teasing, his eyes flicking briefly to her lips before returning to her eyes. “That sounds serious.” He tapped the bag lightly. “But go on, eat. Build your strength.” A faint grin tugged at the corner of his mouth. “Wouldn’t want you getting weak before you start punishing me.” Monroe finally gave in to the food sitting between them, reaching into the bag and pulling out his burger. He unwrapped it halfway, taking a solid bite like someone who’d definitely been hungrier than he’d admitted. For a second his attention stayed on chewing, eyes dropping to the wrapper in his hands. Then he glanced over at Lottie again. And just like that, his focus shifted completely. A slow smile spread across his face, soft but a little incredulous, like he’d just remembered something good all over again. He leaned back slightly in his seat, still holding the burger in one hand as he looked at her. “Shit,” Monroe muttered under his breath, shaking his head lightly. His eyes stayed on her, warm and a little helpless. “Every time I look at you,” he said, voice easy but sincere, “I just fall even harder.”

she was so relieved that her relationship with monroe hadn’t changed at its core. they were still the same people they had been as best friends, playful and careless around each other in the easiest way possible. she had been terrified things would change between them, and she was glad they hadn’t — if anything, everything had only gotten better. “happy ending? i can work with that,” she smiled, “and i’ll try to push you into giving me a massage later.” she winked at him playfully. as she pulled away and grabbed her burger, she knew she was the one distracting him, but she wasn’t about to admit guilt. after swallowing her bite, she pointed at him accusingly. “you’re not innocent after admitting you watched a whole show because the main characters kept pinning each other against walls,” she teased, eyebrows raised. “the consequences are going to be serious.” she tried to keep a straight face, but the smile tugging at her lips ruined it immediately. “and i don’t push you,” she corrected softly, her brown eyes locked on his, “i shove you with love.” she noticed how he focused on his burger for a second, trying not to look at her too much, and it gave her a moment to really look at him instead. he was the most perfect man she had ever met, inside and out. she genuinely didn’t think she could ever love anyone more than him. so when he looked back at her and admitted he fell harder every time he saw her, her heart skipped painfully in the best way. she had found the right person. “you’re such a simp,” she said softly, warmth all over her face, “but i get it. it happens to me too.” she sighed quietly, glancing away before meeting his eyes again. “you’re my happy ending too, you know that?” she murmured. she took another bite of her burger before smiling again. “if we finish these, we can totally have a dramatic makeout session against the car,” she mused. “city lights behind us, full lonely night vibes from la la land.” she laughed softly, shaking her head at herself.

Kirby stood near the edge with her hands resting on her hips, eyes following the dummy as it tipped and crashed down onto the rocks below. The sound echoed up the cliff for a moment before fading into the wind. For a second she just stared down there, processing it. Then the corner of her mouth lifted. She tried not to look too pleased with herself, but the little spark of satisfaction in her chest was hard to ignore. The angle had worked almost exactly how she’d pictured it in her head. “Yeah,” she said, nodding once as Lottie spoke. “That’s what I was thinking.” Her gaze flicked briefly toward Rebekah and the camera before returning to the edge. Kirby crouched slightly, glancing down again as if mentally replaying the fall from start to finish. Her foot shifted on the rocks next to her, which she took a video of on her phone too. “The footing up here’s uneven,” she added, gesturing loosely toward the ground near the edge with her hand. “Loose gravel, slight slope. Someone drunk or off-balance doesn’t even have to be that close before they lose it.” She straightened again, brushing her hands together lightly. When Rebekah mentioned that drunk people lose their balance, Kirby gave a small shrug, but there was a faint, satisfied glint in her eyes. “Exactly. It’s not some complicated physics puzzle,” she said. “It’s gravity and bad footing.” There was a pause as she looked back down the cliff one more time, clearly pleased the reconstruction had actually backed up Bekah's theory. “Yeah,” Kirby said after a moment, her tone easy. She rocked back on her heels before settling flat again. “Or what else do we need to test? Another thing we could look at,” she said after a beat, gesturing with a small tilt of her chin toward the ground near the edge, “is the approach path.” She stepped a little closer, careful with her footing, scanning the dirt and scattered gravel. “If he stumbled from back from somewhere up here,” she continued, pointing vaguely toward the rough trail leading up to the cliff, “there’d probably be some kind of disturbance. Scuff marks, displaced rocks, something that shows someone lost their balance before the edge or even blood on the rock at the bottom."

rebekah felt weirdly satisfied that the idea had actually worked. accidents happened all the time, and maybe this one hadn’t been an accident, but they could absolutely make a jury believe it could’ve been. she walked past kirby, looking down the hill, her eyes locking onto the dummy. “i’ll check for blood,” she announced before carefully starting her way down the slope, trying not to slip on the loose dirt beneath her shoes. a smirk tugged at her lips. “kirby, get the camera,” she called out, maybe a little too casually, maybe also testing if the blonde would follow her down there so they could talk without lottie hovering nearby. she crouched beside the rocks, carefully moving the dummy out of the way without touching anything important. “who would’ve thought the exam cheater would end up solving crimes,” she muttered under her breath, shaking her head slightly. she’d never cheated once in her life and somehow still ended up with everything falling apart, but standing there now, she knew she’d chosen the right path after all. she dropped the dummy onto the ground beside her and exhaled softly. “alright,” she murmured, eyes scanning the rocks carefully, “let’s see what we’ve got.”

When Lottie nearly slid, Kirby’s attention flicked to her instantly, instinctive, assessing risk. We need to film a possible slip from up there. Kirby nodded once. “No push,” she agreed. “If there’s momentum already, a hand wouldn’t even leave a clear pattern.” She stepped back up the incline, setting the dummy down near the crest. She adjusted its stance carefully, feet angled slightly uneven, one heel less stable in the sand. She crouched, pressing the dummy’s weight subtly forward so its center of gravity tipped just enough toward the slope. “Most people lean downhill when they lose footing,” she murmured, almost to herself. “They try to correct.” She moved behind it, but not close enough to look like a shove. Instead, she placed her palm flat between its shoulder blades. A nudge. The kind you’d give someone when passing in a hallway. The kind that wouldn’t register as aggression. "Someone hit record." She leaned her body weight forward, controlled, measured, applying steady human pressure rather than a sharp thrust. Enough. The sand shifted first. Then the dummy’s leading foot slid. Its balance overcorrected exactly like she predicted, tipping, twisting, and gravity took it. The body tumbled down the slope, gravel scattering, shoulder catching once before the head struck the jagged rock with a hollow crack. Kirby watched the trajectory the entire way down. When it settled, she tilted her head slightly, studying the final position. “That’s believable,” she said calmly. Then she glanced back at Rebekah, not dark, not disturbed. “Your rocks theory works, Bekah."

it still felt strange to rebekah how kirby seemed to have set their hostility aside, how now she actually listened — really saw her — and even if rebekah hated admitting it, there was something reassuring about that shift. when kirby told her to record, she grabbed the camera without hesitation, focusing carefully as the dummy was pushed and tumbled down onto the rocks. she let out a slow breath, confident she had captured the fall clearly. “drunk people lose their balance. it happens,” she said simply, nodding to herself as she stopped the recording. walking a little closer to the edge, she glanced down again, already thinking ahead. “they’ll try to pick it apart, but we have to test every angle.” then she turned toward lottie, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “are we done here?” she asked, her tone practical but tired, like she was already ready to move on to the next step.

When she said she didn’t want him building immunity to her, he smiled slowly. “I don’t think that’s possible,” he said, voice warm and easy. “Pretty sure I’m biologically incapable of being immune to you. I think it's my genes or something." At her refusal to “advertise” him at work, he leaned back into his seat. “Okay, first of all, I respect the brand protection,” he said. “Very smart. Very strategic. But I’m not worried about anyone at your firm.” His eyes narrowed playfully. “I’m taken. Very publicly, very happily taken.” When she questioned whether eye-fucking was real, he stared at her for a second, then nodded seriously. “That is absolutely a thing." At the mention of the heated rivalry, he scoffed lightly. “It’s not just a hockey show,” he corrected, mock offense in his tone. “It’s about tension. Competition. Slow burn. Sex. The hockey is just the filler parts in between. I think you'd enjoy it." When she called him dramatic over trust issues, he pressed a hand to his chest. Her shirtless massage comment made him laugh under his breath. He dragged a hand along his jaw thoughtfully. “I would absolutely bring essential oils,” he said. “Very professional. Very focused.” His voice dipped slightly. “But if your coworkers are booking appointments too, my rates are going up. I only have two hands." When she leaned in to take the chip, complaining about his hands being dirty, he smirked. He held the chip steady as she caught it between her teeth, watching her chew like she wasn’t fully aware how distracting she looked. When she said she loved his hands anyway, something in him softened, the teasing easing into something quieter. He flexed his fingers slightly near her knee. “I love your hands too,” he said more sincerely. “The way you grab my hoodie when you’re cold. The way you tap my arm when you’re thinking. The way you hold onto me when you’re half asleep without even thinking about it." At her scrunched nose and question about sounding corny, he leaned closer, brushing his thumb lightly under her chin. “And if you’re corny, then I’m worse. So you’re safe.” A small grin pulled at his mouth. He leaned over without warning, and pressed a kiss to her cheek. Not quick. Not casual. The kind that lingered just enough to make a point. He pulled back only slightly, close enough that his breath still brushed her skin. “Ugh,” he muttered, shaking his head like she’d personally inconvenienced him. “You’re my favourite person in the world. It’s so annoying.” There was zero irritation in his tone, just warmth wrapped in mock complaint.

hearing that their relationship meant just as much to him as it did to her made lottie feel warm all over, deeply loved in a way she had once been too scared to hope for; he wasn’t hiding her, he was proud to claim her in public, and after years of wondering whether she should confess her feelings, she was grateful they could finally share their love openly. “oh, so it’s smut with a little bit of hockey? now i get why everyone at the office keeps mentioning it — dirty people,” she joked with a playful smirk, raising her brows. “do you think i’d enjoy the sex or the hockey parts more?” she teased, laughing when he started talking about bringing essential oils and turning massages into a full experience. “you’re insane… and what exactly is my prize?” she added lightly, as if she’d ever have to pay for anything he offered. the way monroe noticed every small movement she made still amazed her — not because it was strange, but because it meant those details mattered to him — and when he leaned closer, calling himself even cornier than her, she chuckled softly. a blush spread across her cheeks when he kissed her, making her feel all giddy inside. “loser, you could’ve chosen anyone and you picked me — joke’s on you,” she murmured fondly before cupping his face and then laughing, pulling back. “stop distracting me from the food, i’m starving,” she warned, only to steal a quick kiss from his lips before reaching into the bag for a burger. taking a big bite, she shot him a playful look. “seriously, cooper — keep distracting me and you’ll have to deal with the consequences.” she joked.

Outside, she moved with more care than usual, not rushing up the hill, testing the ground with each step. When she caught up closer to the top, she paused near Lottie, eyes scanning. “Okay,” Kirby murmured, thoughtful. “So if this is the zone, then sightlines matter. Anyone coming in from the tree line would’ve been half-blind until they hit the clearing.” She glanced back at Rebekah then, checking in. “You see anything off?” she asked, not testing, not challenging. Genuinely asking.

lottie wandered around the area, eyes scanning every detail, the faded strips of police tape still fluttering weakly in the breeze as a reminder that this had once been sealed off as a crime scene; when she noticed the rocks rebekah had pointed out, she nodded thoughtfully. “yeah, anyone tripping could definitely smash their head on those,” she said, already stepping carefully down the slope, her boots shifting dangerously over loose gravel as she nearly slid. steadying herself, she glanced back up at the others. “we need to film a possible slip from up there—natural fall, no obvious push. if the dummy’s head connects with that rock at the right angle…” she gestured toward the jagged edge. “then we’ve got it, girls.”

When she admitted she liked the effect she had on him, his expression softened for half a second before the charm slid right back into place. “Good,” he said easily. “Because I don’t plan on building an immunity to you. Kinda defeats the fun.” His knee nudged hers again, not an accident this time. At the reputation comment, Monroe scoffed theatrically. “Charming?” he repeated. “Wow. That’s it? You’re really underselling me.” He shook his head, amused. “And for the record, if they’re not listening to you, that’s on them. I’d listen. Religiously.” His tone dropped just enough to make it land. "Eye-fucking though? Are you teaching heated rivalry in the classroom?" When she described exploiting the ‘owing me big time’ moment, Monroe let out a slow whistle. “See, this is why I have trust issues,” he said, laughing. “You don’t just cash favors, you invest them.” He glanced her up and down. “Shirtless massage while you work, though? That’s less exploitation and more community service. I don't know I think I'd be pretty down for that if I'm being honest with you." Her ultimatum made him pause, hand still in the bag. He looked at her, deliberately unbothered, then smirked. “You drive a hard bargain,” he said. Slowly, he pulled his hand out, with a single chip between his fingers. Instead of handing it over, he brought it to her lips, hovering there. “But if I’m feeding you,” he added, voice low and teasing, “you don’t get to complain about my filthy hands.” Monroe’s smirk slowed into something more deliberate. He gently brushed the chip against her lips, teasing, unhurried. His eyes never left hers as he murmured, “Beautiful, manly, strong hands, is more like it” like he was testing the words for effect. Then, softer, but no less confident. “...hands that worship you.”

they were meant to be together—anyone with eyes could see it, and they both felt it in that quiet, certain way that didn’t need proving. “i don’t want you building immunity to me,” lottie pointed out, lifting her brows at monroe with a playful smile. “that completely defeats the purpose of being your girlfriend.” she scoffed lightly at her own thought. “and i absolutely cannot oversell you at work. what if someone at my firm decides you’re their best option and tries to pursue you? not happening. i refuse to advertise you.” when she mentioned eye-fucking, she paused at his reaction. “wait, that is a thing, right? i didn’t just invent it?” she narrowed her eyes suspiciously before waving it off. “also, i keep hearing about this heated rivalry and i truly don’t get the obsession. it’s a hockey show, isn’t it?” she admitted she hadn’t watched it—between work and letting monroe pick what they streamed, she was permanently behind. “trust issues? you’re so dramatic,” she rolled her eyes, though her smile gave her away. when he reacted to her making him pay, she laughed. “you’re welcome to come to my office and give me a shirtless massage anytime,” she teased. “my coworkers would lose their minds and immediately book appointments.” she tilted her head. “are you bringing essential oils? because you’d make a very hot masseur, just saying.” her attention dropped to his hand in the chip bag, watching curiously as he pulled one out and hovered it near her lips. “i’m going to complain because your hands are probably dirty,” she warned, leaning closer anyway. “but i’m starving, so i’ll eat it.” she caught the chip between her teeth as he described her hands, chewing slowly. “and yours are definitely dirty,” she teased. then softer, more sincere: “but i like your hands anyway. that’s how much i love you.” she scrunched her nose slightly. “do i always sound this corny?”

“You read people well—that’s not something they teach in class.” A small, encouraging smile flickered across her face. “Most law students struggle with theory-to-practice. You don’t.” She leaned back slightly, thoughtful. “If you’re the one asking the questions, people will talk. My role is just to make sure we document it, make the opposite argument cleanly and follow up where it counts.” No pressure. No ego. Just belief. Her gaze held Rebekah’s for a beat longer than necessary, grounded and certain. “You can do this,” Kirby repeated quietly. “And you won’t be doing it alone.” Kirby shifted closer without making a big deal of it, fingers settling naturally on Rebekah’s shoulders as if they’d always belonged there. Her touch was firm and grounding, thumbs pressing slow, reassuring circles into the tension she could feel coiled beneath the fabric. “That’s my girl.” The words weren’t loud or showy—just certain. Proud.

lottie didn’t say a word while the girls talked; she just drove. she knew that if she opened her mouth she’d ruin something fragile, something still forming between them, so she kept her focus on the road, only glancing at them from time to time out of pure curiosity. whatever was happening back there was interesting enough that she already knew monroe was going to hear every detail the moment she got home. “okay,” she finally said, breaking the silence as she pulled over and cut the engine, “didn’t want to ruin the moment, but we’re here.” she unbuckled her seatbelt and glanced back at them. “i’ll take the camera. one of you grab the dummy from the trunk, and try not to eat dirt on the way up,” she added dryly. “it’s not a long walk, but the ground’s basically all soil, and that hill is not forgiving.” lottie was already out of the car by the time she finished speaking. she popped the trunk, grabbed what she needed, and started up the path with quick, determined steps. the incline wasn’t steep, but it was uneven, patches of loose dirt shifting under her boots. she didn’t slow down. when she reached the top, she stopped and took a moment to scan the area. the place was quiet, open, the kind of spot that felt heavier once you knew what had happened there. lottie’s gaze moved over the ground, the surrounding trees, the way the light fell across the clearing, mentally mapping angles and distances. this was it—the zone where everything had gone down. she adjusted the camera strap on her shoulder, inhaled once, steady and focused, already switching into work mode as she waited for the others to catch up.

Monroe laughed easily, the sound warm and unguarded, like it always was with her. He caught her wrist gently when she pulled her hand away, eyes bright with mischief. “Oh, don’t start something you can’t finish,” he teased. “You bite me, I definitely bite back.” He flashed her a grin. “And yeah— I'm too easy to disarm. Guilty. I folded the second you show up.” He bumped his knee with against hers. “And for the record, I can’t get enough of you either. Never have." When she admitted she talked about him to her students, Monroe’s brows lifted, clearly delighted. “Do I get a good reputation, at least?” he joked. “Please tell me I’m charming and devastatingly handsome in all of those stories.” He laughed again. “I don’t mind being your favourite topic. I’ll wear it proudly.” Her words—I do love you—landed with the same sweetness they always did, but deeper now. Monroe’s teasing smile softened into something sincere. “I know,” he said gently. “And I love you too.” Then, back to playful in a heartbeat: “But owing you big time? Dangerous territory. You’d absolutely exploit that.” When she held the chip between her lips, Monroe didn’t hesitate. “You never look stupid,” he said, leaning in. “But I will take the chip.” He bit down gently, careful not to rush it, close enough that his smile brushed hers. “Best of both worlds,” he murmured once he pulled back. “Food and you? Yeah. I win.” Monroe didn’t even hesitate. He leaned in and pressed a quick, playful peck to Lottie’s lips—soft, affectionate, the kind that came with a smile already waiting on his mouth when he pulled back. “Couldn’t resist,” he murmured, eyes bright with mischief. Then, without breaking eye contact, his hand dipped straight into the paper bag resting between her legs. He grabbed another chip, popped it into his mouth immediately, and crunched down with exaggerated satisfaction. A smug little smirk tugged at his lips as he chewed. His hand then went back into the bag again, only this time, he left it in there, just because. He leaned back in his seat, clearly pleased with himself. “Now can you concentrate on anything but my hand?"

“oh, i can definitely finish,” she warned him, teasing, “and i will bite you right back—i’ll bite you more, that’s it, i win, period.” she smirked, then burst out laughing at how ridiculous her own words sounded. at his comment, and when his knee bumped against hers, she took a deep breath, a content smile tugging at the corners of her lips. “i like knowing that’s the reaction you have when i show up,” she nodded. “i hope you never do,” she added softly, looking at monroe again. he was her kryptonite too; he could disarm her with just a look, and she was done for. “i don’t know if you deserve a good reputation,” she teased, “but i’m pretty sure i’ve told them you’re charming—though they probably don’t even listen to me. all they care about is teasing each other and eye-fucking while they think i’m not looking.” lottie chuckled. “i could tell them anything about you and they wouldn’t care,” she laughed. she opened the bag as he spoke. “i would totally exploit an ‘owing me big time’ moment, for sure,” she nodded. “i can already see it—you giving me a massage while i work, full spa style, maybe even shirtless.” she teased, the words tumbling out so fast it sounded like she’d imagined it more than once before. “just be careful about owing me big time,” she winked playfully, “as you can tell, i already have it all planned.” when he took the chip from her lips, she smiled. “of course you couldn’t,” she said softly. there was something intimate about the way he didn’t break eye contact as his hand dipped back into the bag and he chewed another chip, that smirk on his lips making her smile—until his hand went back into the bag and stayed there. “i can’t concentrate because you’re probably touching all the chips with your filthy hands,” she laughed. “you’re not going to turn me on by sticking your hand into a greasy bag,” she added, chuckling. “take it out, or feed me a chip—those are your options.”

Monroe lived for moments like this—Lottie laughing so hard she couldn’t breathe, teasing him like she was born to do it, acting like his melodrama was an award-winning performance. He tried to look offended when she claimed she’d 'share his secrets with the world,' but Monroe couldn’t hide the grin tugging at his mouth. She always saw right through him. And he loved that. When she slapped her hand over his mouth to shut down his flirting, Monroe’s eyes lit up with that boyish spark he only ever showed her. He laughed against her palm, then nipped at the air playfully like he might bite her fingers just to be annoying. “You would disarm me with a smile,” he muttered, shaking his head with exaggerated defeat. “And it works every damn time. I can't get enough of you." He glanced over at her, eyes warm, amused, a little smug in that soft Monroe way, and murmured: “I think you’d get me off the hook because you love me.” He said it like he knew it was true, like he knew he could nudge her with the words and get that exact reaction he wanted out of her. His shoulder brushed hers. There was something ridiculously sweet in the way he said it—playful, teasing, but also this gentle thread of vulnerability woven through it. Like he wasn’t just flirting… he was letting her see the part of him that honestly believed she’d always choose him. Hearing “that’s why I love you” hit him the same way every time—like something warm and steady was being poured straight into his bones. When she pressed a kiss to his cheek, Monroe leaned into it, eyes falling half shut. In that moment, he wasn’t the flirty idiot or the dramatic clown—he was just the boy who adored her more than he could ever explain. “Lottie and Monroe forever and always,” he murmured back, nudging her nose with his in a tiny, affectionate brush that felt like a promise he’d never break. When she pulled back and whined about being hungry, he let out a soft laugh and kissed the side of her head. “Okay, okay—parking now,” he said, turning into the lot. “But only because I love you. And because you get scary when you’re hungry.” He shot her a sideways grin as he pulled into a space, his voice warm and teasing all at once. “C’mon, let's feed the gremlin before she starts threatening me again.” Monroe parked the car and unbuckled, glancing over at Lottie with that familiar spark in his eyes. He looked at her… then the food, and then back and forth again. A slow, mischievous grin spread across his face as he tapped his fingers against the steering wheel. “What to eat first?” he wondered aloud, eyes flicking between her and the food like he genuinely couldn’t decide which was the bigger temptation.

being with monroe had always been the easiest thing in the world. when she didn't want to see anyone, she called him; when she wanted to be around people, she called him then, too. he was always on her mind in a way no one else had ever been, and in a way no one ever would be. with him, they didn't have to pretend; they could just be the kids they used to be, joking around and being themselves. as he laughed against her hand, she pulled it away playfully. "hey, don't try to bite me, i'll bite you back," she laughed, her smile mirroring his. "you're too easy to disarm," she teased, "but i’m glad i’m your kryptonite. i can't get enough of you either." she nodded to herself. "i’m pretty sure the two girls i’m mentoring know everything about you by now. i bet i’m so annoying about it," she chuckled. telling him she loved him wasn't a secret—she’d said it back when they were just friends—but now the word meant something deeper. "i do love you. and i’d totally get you off the hook, but you’d owe me big time," she joked, shaking her head. she knew she'd do anything for him; no matter what happened, she’d be there. the softness in the air was her favorite part. the way those promises left monroe’s lips like honey as he nudged her nose with his made butterflies rise in her stomach. "forever," she whispered back, before breaking the moment with her usual childishness. "i’m glad i’m scary, it’s how i get the bigger portions," she laughed, opening the paper bag and digging inside. "i don't threaten you... okay, maybe i do, but the law is on my side," she teased. she was about to ask him something, but the way he was looking at her made her nervous in the best way. she bit her lower lip and leaned closer. "don't you know humans are friends, not food?" she asked, quoting finding nemo. she pressed a peck against his lips before pulling away to find the chips inside the bag. "i choose food, though," she joked. she held a chip between her lips and looked at him. "i look stupid, so just take the chip like we're doing the lady and the tramp thing," she joked. "you can have the best of both worlds."

Kirby leaned back slightly, tapping her fingers against the seat as she outlined her idea, eyes locked on Lottie in the rearview mirror. “Look,” she began, calm and measured, “Rebekah knows how to read people. She knows exactly when someone’s about to fold, when they’re holding back. And she can make them think they’re in control the whole time.” Her lips curved into a faint, knowing smirk. “That’s why her flirting works. It’s not stupid—it’s methodical. People let their guard down when they’re distracted, when someone’s charming them without them realising it. Rebekah does that naturally. She can get the answers we need without ever looking like she’s asking for them.” Kirby’s eyes narrowed slightly, analytical. “We don’t need her being overt. Just… subtle smiles, teasing questions, light touches—enough to make our target feel like they want to spill everything.” She tapped her chin. “If anyone can get the girlfriend to admit what really happened, it’s Rebekah. She’s precise, patient, and she can turn someone’s own curiosity and attraction against them to get the truth.” Kirby let that sit for a moment, her gaze thoughtful in the mirror. “Flirt smart. Keep it professional enough to be believable. And the second she gets the information, we move. That’s how you win this.”

lottie smiled at both girl's words. "as you wish girls, honestly, that's the best plan we have other than the recordings, i'm down"

Kirby slid into the back seat, letting Bekah take the front, and gave a quiet, thoughtful nod as she listened to Lottie lay out the case details. She tapped a finger against her leg, eyes narrowing slightly in concentration. “I think I’ve got an idea,” she said, leaning forward just enough to be heard without crowding the front seats. “What if we request a simulation of the scene with motion sensors? We could show how easy it would’ve been for the victim to trip without anyone touching them. Pair that with expert testimony like you said, and it could really strengthen the reasonable doubt argument.” She glanced at Lottie, hoping her suggestion landed well, and gave a small, earnest smile. Kirby leaned back in her seat, catching her reflection in the rearview mirror. She tilted her head slightly, letting a small, smug smile tug at her lips, and arched an eyebrow just enough to catch Bekah’s attention from the back. Her posture was casual, but her expression radiated quiet confidence—pretty, composed, and daringly smug. “Beat that answer,” her eyes seemed to say, and she gave Bekah a fleeting, playful look, as if silently challenging her while staying perfectly in control. "That could work, right?"

lottie drove with her eyes on the road, glancing at kirby in the backseat every now and then as she spoke, nodding thoughtfully while processing everything the blonde was telling her. “that is a good idea, kirby,” she murmured, brows knitting as she thought it through. “i’ll request that, but… less technologically, i was thinking we could throw a dummy and see how it would’ve happened, so we have a physical demonstration too.” she had spent all night turning this case over in her mind, even torturing monroe with theories, determined to try everything she could. she’d been so deep in thought she barely registered the girls talking until rebekah’s question hit her. “yeah, could work,” she muttered absently before sighing. “they were drunk, and the only one who seemed to have something to say was our client’s girlfriend. apparently our client and the victim were fighting before everything went downhill.”

Monroe leaned back in his seat, letting out a dramatic, exaggerated gasp that made Lottie raise an eyebrow. “Wait—hold up,” he said, clutching his chest like she’d just dealt him a mortal wound. “You—YOU—are going to spill all my secrets?” His voice was mock-horrified, but the grin tugging at his lips betrayed him. “After everything, all the years of training you, of giving you little hints… and now you’re just going to throw it all out there? The betrayal!” He leaned closer, his smirk widening, eyes glinting with that flirty, dangerous charm he knew worked on her. “I’m going to have to be on my absolute best behavior now… or maybe the absolute worst.” He let his voice drop a little, warm and intimate, the tease wrapped around every word. “Honestly, I should be mad, but I can’t stop laughing. You know, most people try to scare me off or beg for mercy… and you? You just smirk and threaten me. Bold strategy,” Monroe’s smirk widened, eyes glinting with mischief as he leaned closer, his voice dropping to a low, teasing drawl. “I’ll treat you better then right. I’ll treat you how you should be treated. Give you the world if I could.” He let the words hang in the air for a beat, watching her reaction with playful intent, his thumb brushing lightly over her hand. "Besides, if a cop caught me revving, I got a lawyer to get me off the hook,” he said, letting the amusement linger in his tone. His eyes flicked to her, mischievous and teasing. “We’re the dream team, Lots,” he said, his voice low and teasing, letting the flirtation hang in the air. “Nobody else stands a chance when we’re together.”

lottie raised her hands in the air at his dramatic words, closing her eyes like she was accepting an award. “you gave me all that information, i have to share it with the world,” she laughed, catching how he tried to look horrified even though he was clearly smiling. “the betrayal,” she echoed, nodding hard as she giggled. when he leaned closer and their teasing shifted into something undeniably flirty, she slapped her hand over his mouth. “don’t be your absolute worst — drive, idiot,” she chuckled, moving her hand away with a shake of her head. “i would never beg for anything from you, what the hell,” she added, tossing her hair and smirking. “i can disarm you with a threat and a smile; that’s way better than begging.” that was her favorite version of them — carefree, laughing at nothing, letting the world disappear until there was only monroe. “so you think i’d get you off the hook just because i’m a lawyer?” she clapped once, grinning. “please, i’d just flirt our way out… or tell them you were speeding because you had diarrhea and needed to get home before you exploded.” she laughed at her own joke, then softened when he spoke again, her chest warming. “that’s why i love you,” she murmured, leaning in to kiss his cheek. “lottie and monroe forever, right?” she smiled, brushing her nose against him once before pulling back. “now park, please — i’m starving,” she added in a childish whine.

Kirby’s smirk only widened at Rebekah’s little speech. “Disgusting? Beks, if I thought you were disgusting, I wouldn’t be standing this close—” his thumb lingered against her jaw just a fraction too long before she pulled back, deliberately slow, like she knew exactly what that touch did to her. “Privacy’s not about avoiding you. It’s about making sure when I do touch you, it’s because I want to, not because you wrangled me into it with one of your little games. I don't like you sleeping around for information, yeah sure, I'll admit that, but that's because I know you're smarter than to stoop down to that level." When she tried to downplay her “advantage,” Kirby let out a low chuckle. “You can make us win? Cute. You’re good, Bekah, but don’t kid yourself—when we win, it's a team thing and because I’m better.” Her tone was half-teasing, half-serrated with arrogance, the kind of delivery that blurred insult and compliment until they tangled together. Her gaze followed her toward the door, sharp and amused. “Careful, though… if you keep walking away like that, I might start thinking you actually enjoy chasing my attention.” She let her go, of course, but not without that lingering grin—like she knew she’d feel it between her shoulder blades all the way to the lift. Kirby pushed herself off Lottie’s desk with a lazy grace, sauntering after Bekah like she had all the time in the world. Her voice followed, smooth but edged with that teasing bite. “Lottie’s counting on us, Bekah."

"you girls took ages, i hope my table looks as tidy when i come back," she said, giving them both a pointed look before starting the engine. "i trust you, but it’s terrifying to think what you two get up to when no one’s supervising." her tone softened just a little as she pulled onto the road. "anyway, does either of you remember davis v. brown?" she asked, glancing between them. "the prosecution argued second-degree murder, but the defense built reasonable doubt by introducing the possibility of an accidental fall—remember? they used the victim’s unstable gait, alcohol in the bloodstream, and the uneven flooring as part of their reconstruction." she tapped her fingers on the steering wheel, thinking aloud. "that’s what we need—reasonable doubt. if we can show there’s even a plausible chance the victim tripped instead of being pushed, the jury can’t convict beyond a reasonable doubt". we’ll need expert testimony—maybe a forensic pathologist to challenge the angle of impact, and a reconstruction specialist to demonstrate how the fall could’ve happened." she looked at them both again".

Monroe only laughed low in his chest, the sound warm but edged with mischief, like he’d already called her bluff. His hand stayed exactly where it was, thumb still drawing those lazy circles that had her fighting to sound composed. “Three stars?” he murmured against her jaw, the words brushing her skin as much as his lips did. “Lottie, you’re already handing them out like candy, and I haven’t even started trying.” He leaned back just enough to catch her eyes, one brow arched like he had her right where he wanted. When she tried to set the boundary—now stop touching me like that—Monroe’s grin deepened. “Funny,” he said softly, fingers deliberately stilling but not pulling away, “because every time you tell me not yet, you sound like you’re hoping I don’t listen.” He let the silence stretch, controlling the rhythm, keeping her suspended between anticipation and protest. He finally lifted both palms in mock-defense, a grin tugging at his lips. “Alright, alright, fine —three stars and I’ll keep my hands to myself,” he teased, voice dripping with disbelief. “But don’t go acting like I’m the problem here. You’re the one melting because of me." He leaned back in his seat, laughter still in his chest, shaking his head like she was the one being ridiculous. But his eyes never left her, playful and knowing, the kind of look that said he’d just taken a step back only to make her miss it. “You’re lucky I’m such a gentleman,” Monroe added, tone mock-serious, but the smirk gave him away. The light shifted from amber to green, and Monroe dropped his hand to the wheel, pressing down on the accelerator with a deliberate growl of the engine. The car roared forward, a deep, throaty sound that filled the air like a challenge, like he’d just staked his claim on more than the road. “See?” he shot her a sideways glance, lips curling into a smirk. “I can behave. Mostly.”

his hand was still on her thigh, thumb tracing slow circles against her skin, and she could feel her head spinning because of it. there was no way she could stay composed—not when he was doing that. she went completely speechless when monroe called her out for giving him stars without even trying, and she hated how easily he managed to win again. her heart was racing, her thoughts a blur, the only things grounding her being his hand and his voice. “i’m way too good to you,” she muttered, shrugging lightly. “maybe those are pity stars.” lottie tried to fight back, sticking her tongue out at him, but it only took one word from him to make her blush. he knew her too well, and he was right—she didn’t want him to stop touching her. when he finally pulled his hand away, she crossed her arms over her chest, trying to mask how much she missed it already. “four stars,” she whispered under her breath, glancing out the window before meeting his gaze again, a playful smile curving her lips. she knew that look—he wanted her to cave, to ask for more—but she wasn’t going to give him that satisfaction. “who doesn’t love a gentleman,” she teased, rolling her eyes. as the car roared forward, her hand reached for the handle above her head. “if a cop hears that noise, you’re getting fined,” she said, her lawyer instincts kicking in, laughter trailing after her words. “and i’m not paying for it.” she shook her head, chuckling. “you never learned how to behave. i’ve known you since you were a kid, monroe. save the charm for someone else—I know all your deepest secrets.” her smirk widened, eyes glinting. “so maybe you should treat me right, before i start sharing them.”

He watched her grin, the way her eyes sparkled when she tried not to show how much she was enjoying the back-and-forth, and felt a thrill run through him. Monroe leaned in just enough, letting his presence press close, fingers brushing against her knee in a subtle claim of territory. When she leaned in, whispering her “winner, loser” declaration, Monroe’s grin sharpened, his competitive streak flaring. “Oh, I see how it is,” he said, voice just above a whisper, leaning closer so their faces were inches apart. “Trying to get under my skin, claiming the win before the game’s even over? Bold move, Lottie. But you’re forgetting…” His hand tightened slightly on her knee, and she shivered under the pressure. “I don’t lose.” Monroe loved this—the push and pull, the teasing, the little battles that left them both reeling. He watched her fold her arms over her chest, sly smile still in place, and laughed softly. “Two stars, huh?” he murmured, leaning in again, daring her, competitive fire in his eyes. “I’ll take that… and I’ll get the rest of the rating later.” His voice dropped even lower, almost a growl, and the smirk never left his face—he was in this game to win, and he had every intention of making her cave. His hand slid up subtly, fingers brushing her knee, then inching higher, thumb tracing slow, deliberate circles against her inner thigh. He let out a low, teasing chuckle, watching the way her breath hitched, subtle but betraying her composure. “Three stars,” he murmured, voice husky and just above a whisper, “will be the easy part. It’s the other two stars I need to worry about getting… although,” he added, smirk widening, “I know I’ll get them. Won’t stop until I do.” The car rolled to a stop at another red light, and Monroe didn’t even bother keeping his hand to himself. He let his thumb linger against Lottie’s inner thigh for a moment longer before shifting his focus, leaning just enough to brush his lips along her jawline. He kissed her there once, twice, slow and deliberate, feeling the heat rise between them as she shivered under his touch. Then, with a subtle but teasing bite, he nipped at the skin along her jaw, low and hot enough to make her catch her breath. “Is this improving my score yet?"

being around monroe was always so easy, she didn’t have to be anyone else, just herself, and he seemed to love her no matter what. the way he squeezed her knee made lottie’s breath hitch, he was winning, even if she wasn’t going to admit it. “we’ll see about that, cooper, i never lose either,” she pointed out, raising her eyebrows at him. they loved that bickering, it had always been their thing. she loved his competitive side, it was always fun. lottie went silent for a second, listening to him rant about how he was going to get those three stars later, but it wasn’t that she had nothing to say—she did, but the way his fingers inched higher and his thumb traced circles on her inner thigh was distracting enough, and his husky voice wasn’t helping either. just for that, he was getting another star. and he didn’t even seem like he wanted to stop, determined to get a better score. “we’ll see if you can get it,” she mused, trying to ignore his hand on hers, but then at another red light, he leaned in, lips brushing along her jawline, and she closed her eyes, taking in every sensation. her hand instantly found his cheek as he kissed her jaw, and he was driving her insane, but then that nip made her breath catch. “not yet,” she lied. “okay, three stars, now stop touching me like that.”