#goulstrade

bonus

It wasn't unlike how Iris had told her Wagahai preferred to show affection, Gina reasoned: being able to feel at peace enough with someone to let your guard down completely, so that you may fully revel in their presence. Of course, the proper way to express that feeling in words was beyond her (and, evidently, Maria herself), but even though her vocabulary couldn't explain what wasn't a sentiment she'd ever truly felt before, she knew that it was a very warm, fuzzy feeling, if nothing else.

That said, it really wasn't so complicated; though both Inspector Lestrade and Doctor Gorey had scarce experience with such emotions (due to either emotional or physical isolation respectively), they both recognized the other's presence as something their heart reached out for. They were both desperate to achieve the sensation of placing all of their faith in another once again, although this time, it was not only to rely on the other— but to be relied on in the same way.

What they both longed for, unwittingly or otherwise, was something they found in each other: a strong bond of mutual trust.

As the dawning sun broke through the twilight, Gina watched blearily through the usually-drawn-shut curtains of the coroner office's window. Somewhere in that hazy level of consciousness between sleep and wake, only one thought occurred to her: the room itself felt much more comfortable than it ever had before.