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“I have heard “baby shark” on repeat all day.. i’m gonna cry if i have to hear it again.”

nira glanced up, an amused grin on her face, “listen, it’s a very popular song.” she tilted her head in curiosity, “why have had to listen to it all day, though?” 

“ah,” dante acknowledges, tilting his head to observe nira and her body language for a few long seconds. “still some lingering feelings?” he questions, taking a wild shot in the dark and even despite his resting bitch face, there’s no judgement or expectation for her to answer in his tone. “i’d trash it ; fuck the bastards. go in there and completely throw them under the bus.” sarcasm oozes from him and he cannot help the slight cheeky curl upward of one side of his lips. that, however, quickly falls back natural at her inquiry. “it’s definitely top secret fbi stuff. sorry, but you’re not qualified to know this information.” dante teases rather lightheartedly, offering nira a rather forceful grin. “but honestly, we just have a really big case going on at the moment.”

“aw, that’s kinda gay, nira,” lani smirked, nudging her playfully. she didn’t really have too many friends either. most of them she had either slept with or didn’t have time for, something she’d also gladly admit out loud. kat was maybe the only person that lani still made a point of keeping around often enough. “which is taller than me, so,” she shrugged. her heart sank at the word affair, but she had to keep her cool. she told nira everything – for the most part – but she couldn’t tell her that. she was embarrassed and terrified that she’d look at her differently. she went all this time without giving it away, “yeah, i don’t think they’d want that getting out. would probably hinder her election pretty hardcore.” the thought that she was just another affair in the long list of politician’s scandals had her stomach in knots. “everyone has secrets, not just people in government.” she would know.

nira rolled her eyes, a fond smile on her lips, “maybe a little.” she lifted an eyebrow then, “i’ll still bet that you could beat her in a physical fight. dunk on her or whatever the kids say?” she shrugged. she understood why nalani had the job she did, she probably wouldn't have passed up on the opportunity either, if she was being honest. but she knew the job could probably be brutal. though, hers could too. she nodded in agreement as the other woman continued, “that’s true. it’s all about that campaign.” at the mention of secrets, she swallowed. she told lani nearly everything, but there were just some things she wasn't ready to touch. there was one thing she needed to talk to her about, though, “speaking of secrets. i have to tell you something... i did something stupid.” a sharp intake of breath, here goes nothing. 

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aubree: happy for you?

aubree: gee, thanks

aubree: like i barely interacted with her when she came up to me in my ENTIRE LIFE and then at my prom and threw a drink at me

aubree: so everyone can hop off because i didn't start anything

nira: i'm not saying you started it, but please don't fight with her again

nira: almost anyone in ashcroft i will got to trial for you

lani: why worried?? i'm fine

lani: i'm definitely counting down to my eventual death

lani: oh, okay, that's why you're worried about me

lani: i swear i'm joking

nira: are you really?

nira: yeah, exactly

nira: the amount you talk about death- your own death specifically- is a tad worrisome

“no, you’re not allowed to leave me here,” she shook her head. her tone was more demanding than a joke. “you’re one of like 3 people i actually spend time with outside of work, and i haven’t had anyone put up with me as often as you do out of desire instead of necessity so yeah, no thanks, you’re stuck here,” she shrugged. “height means nothing. i’ll never be as tall as she is.. i don’t know. i was thinking of something clever and lost it. whatever. i really only have to be around zeke anyway,” she looked down as she said his name, hoping that was all she would have to talk about him. “people that make employees sign ndas are so looked down on now, though. it’s like they’re evidence of shadiness. they’d have to hide those papers more than they’d have to hide anything worth having someone sign one. and what skeletons are you talking about?”

nira chuckled, “i think you’re the only reason i have left to stick around most of the time. you and dante.” oliver sometimes, but he was sam’s friend first, obviously. and she worried about the kids (and sam), but that wasn’t necessarily her place now- it couldn't be. she shook her head, amused, “she does have tall energy- i think she thinks she’s over six foot.” she took a long drink of her coffee, shrugging, “yeah, but it’s typical in politics i feel like- nothing can get out. they don’t want a secret child or a sex tape or an affair getting exposed.” she crossed her legs, “oh, nothing specific, but they have to have secrets, right? i've never met an honest politician.” she paused, “actually, people in general usually aren't that honest, but that’s a philosophical conversation for another time.” 

lani: i can feel your judgement from here?

lani: i am a very reasonable human being please

lani: try me

nira: i'm not judging, nalani, i'm worried about you

nira: even when you're high?

nira: i just don't think people are actively counting down toward your eventual death??

charlie chuckled at that statement, cause it couldn’t be more true “high school really sucks.. that’s why i can’t wait to graduate— be an adult” the word was scary but he was trying to slowly but surely convince himself that he was ready to be on his own, to make his own decisions and live his life freely— but fear is inevitable “travel wise, i’m not really sure yet. college wise… i also have no idea” it was embarrassing that he still have no idea what he wanted to do with his life— he wasn’t really passionate about much, the only thing he cared about are his friends and family.. maybe he’d end up being a social worker? helping people out. “going international would be cool, i just haven’t looked into it… any recommendations?”

“being an adult can also really suck, but it’s definitely better than high school.” nira joked, a fond smile on her face. she had felt the same way when she had graduated high school- but, in reality, he wasn't at all prepared for what her life was going to be. it was a learning curve for sure. she chuckled, “you don't have to know- you’ll figure it out.” charlie was a good kid, she knew he’d find his way. he’d been through so much, he deserved a break, some time to figure it all out, “i have some family in mumbai if you’re interested. it’s an incredible city, i could tell you all the best spots.” 

lani: h.....hey nira

lani: do you ever think about how when people ask how old you are

lani: they’re actually asking how close you are to death?

nira: that's not

nira: lani, how high are you right now?

aubree: you're valid

aubree: lit, thank you

aubree: i won't?? i have enough stress in my life right now i don't want to deal with that too

nira: i am, especially considering i did several years of school to be

nira: that makes two of us

nira: don't stress yourself out and don't stress me out

“what is life without a little bit of trouble?” generally diego tried to avoid it but that didn’t mean he couldn’t use it for friendly flirting. “you probably had a terrible teacher,” he sentenced without missing a beat. nira was one of those women you knew were way more intelligent than you by just looking at them. and, in his opinion, lawyers were some of the most creative creatures in this world. they made a living out of manipulating reality to favor them. “nah, i want them as far away from me as possible. not sure if the quickest way to achieve that is behave or misbehave.”

aubree: you say that like i don't have video proof of her punching me in the face???

aubree: whatever it's not worth my time

aubree: i wasn't actually considering it but it'd be nice to know if i could threaten her with that the next time she tries to throw hands

nira: you say that like i don't have years of experience in a courtroom and know exactly what i'm talking about???

nira: defamation would be a possibility for future reference

nira: but please don't sue anyone anytime soon

“That’s one way to put it. Sure.” Gabriel snorted and shook his head. “If someone starts somethin’, I just gotta let ‘em know they’re messin’ with the wrong guy. I ain’t aimin’ to finish anyone. Just do honest work an’ be left alone.” His whole life he’d had to fight tooth and nail for an ounce of peace, and he’d continue to fight for as long as he needed to. Gabriel smirked, knowing he wasn’t at all being smooth right now. “I could be sober, yeah. Anyway, I should go. I’d hate t’keep ya’ from whatever important business you got goin’ on,” he mused.

Nira nodded once, a quiet laugh escaping her lips, “That’s fair. Being left alone is fair. Especially if it keeps you out of trouble.” She gave him a grin, pulling a second card and a pen out of her purse and scribbling on the back, “Well then, here. if You’re sober and need ‘anything else.’” She held the card out to Gabriel, tilting her head slightly, “I’m sure you too have some very important business to get back to. So, I’ll leave you to it.” 

aubree: maturity?? i don't know her

aubree: i figured trying to sue someone who's friends with all my friends isn't a way to keep friends

aubree: also... is that possible?? just for like future reference

nira: clearly

nira: yeah, i would recommend not suing her

nira: especially because you would lose

nira: and, also, i wouldn't be able to represent you

nira: conflict of interest

nira: it depends on what you were suing for

she has to bite the insides of her cheeks to keep a smirk from spreading across her features then, her own memory drifting to the first meeting they had. she’s always been rather direct when it came to people she liked. she had her rules about not dating married people, or someone that had feelings for someone else. when she felt something for someone else, albeit attraction or something more, sam didn’t usually hesitate to reach out and just go for it. it’s why she hadn’t hesitated to ask nira out for a drink once they were done working together. it’s also the reason why she isn’t really friends with any of her exes; there’d never really been a friendship to start with. nira was different from all her other exes, though. she’d pictured a whole future for them once, hadn’t even been scared about committing to one person for the rest of her life because she though nira had been the right one. she doesn’t want to even think about her fears now about a future with anyone because now it includes kids, responsibility, and a lack of adventure. nothing that she’d planned for. “sure, to everyone else. once i knew what you were like while being unprofessional though, i’d have to disagree.”

her name comes out as an unconvincing warning and for a moment sam merely stares, wondering what they’re doing and how far nira is willing to entertain this. it’s dangerous waters for them, going down this road and ignoring all there is to unpack between them, but ignoring her problems has always been something sam does well. it’s why her grin only widens when nira rises to the challenge, compliments her in ways that leave her cheeks flush and have an uncomfortable warmth spreading across her skin. “i love it when you talk dirty to me.” she teases idly, rising from her spot in the cheer opposite nira before wandering over to her office door, flipping the lock like she has far too many times before. when she returns to her desk, she doesn’t take her seat back and instead rounds it so she’s on the same side as nira, leaning back against the desk and crossing her legs at the ankles. it’s a bad idea, she knows as much, but she hasn’t done anything this reckless in months upon months and it leaves her heart pounding in her chest. “but, i know you can do better than that.”

nira can’t help the gentle laugh that passes her lips, quirking an eyebrow, she jokes, “you did seem to prefer my more unprofessional side.” nira had been hesitant to go out with sam at first- she had always tried her best not to mix business and pleasure. but sam was different. it felt different with her. she had thrown professionalism out the window almost completely when it came to her and she had never once regretted it. so, when she watches sam get up and lock the door, her eyes widen a fraction, but she shouldn't be entirely surprised. it feels like a familiar dance. though, usually, nira would already have her jacket off, skirt hiked halfway up her thighs. she knows that this probably shouldn't be happening, but, again, this is sam. the rules aren't the same.