Short Stories: The Office Gossips About the Detective's Relationship with the Inspector [Kyle version]

You let out a tired sigh, glancing at the clock. It's barely past 9 AM, and you're already knee-deep in paperwork, thanks to the federal arrival.

As you wait for the administrative office to hand over the necessary paperwork, you once again review the report you need to hand over to Kyle later.

Just as you start to lose yourself in the task, hushed whispers from the other side of the office partition distract you again.

"You won't believe what I just found out..."

You internally groan, trying to keep your focus on the task at hand.

The employee you're waiting for promised to return soon, and those two specialists who arrived shortly afterward seem oblivious to your presence, absorbed in their conversation.

Or, rather, gossiping.

"Oh, no, don't start with that. What is it this time?" another one asks.

"Seems like Inspector Moreno and our detective are in a relationship!"

You freeze.

The other specialist scoffs. "Are you kidding? Inspector Moreno is too uptight, and the detective is currently head-deep in murder cases. No way they're a thing."

"People have seen him give the detective a ride home from work sometimes. And there's talk about them being alone in his office late at night very often," they add, lowering their voice as if sharing some forbidden secret.

"It could just be work stuff, you know? Maybe they're discussing case details or something."

"The detective even calls him by his first name! I mean, the detective is beneath him in rank, and none of us would dare do that, but the detective does."

You frown, feeling the urge to intervene, but as you rise from your seat to put an end to this, you notice someone standing behind you. Turning your head, your gaze locks with Kyle's icy blue eyes that burn you from within.

"Imagine the workplace dynamics with those two. I mean, Inspector Moreno is—"

"I'm what?" Kyle's voice cuts sharply through the air, his gaze shifting from you to them.

"Inspector Moreno! Detective…" the specialist stumbles over their words as they finally notice you.

"I see you've got nothing better to do, Specialist. I can easily fix that," Kyle says, his tone dripping with venomous disdain. The specialist shifts uncomfortably, and after a few seconds of heavy silence, Kyle hisses, "Get to work. Now."

Both specialists nod, returning to their desks. Kyle's gaze lingers on them before he turns to face you.

"Ky—" you start, but he shoots you a glare, clearly uncomfortable. Feeling taken aback by his reaction, you do your best to remain calm as you say, "Here's the report you needed to sign."

He frowns but takes the report from your hand. Your fingers accidentally brush against each other; the mere contact sends a jolt of electricity coursing through your veins.

Kyle parts his lips to speak, but when the employee you've been waiting for finally arrives, the sound of her voice makes you pull away from each other.

"Detective, here are all the papers," she says, moving closer to you. You offer her a small nod, relieved by the interruption.

Turning back to Kyle, you hesitate. "I—"

"You can drop off the rest this evening," he interjects, his discomfort evident as he shrugs and walks away, leaving you standing there.

Kyle's discomfort always leaves a bitter taste lingering on your tongue, a familiar sensation that stirs unease within you.

The idea of him being so uncomfortable with the thought of you two being together feels like thousands of tiny needles stabbing your heart.

 'But the detective even calls him by his first name!'

You scowl, gripping the papers tighter than intended, turning around to head back to your office. 

If Kyle is feeling so uneasy, perhaps it's best to stick to formality to avoid further rumors like this.

For the sake of both of you.

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.

.

In the evening, almost at the end of your shift, you make your way to Kyle's office, feeling like you can't delay this meeting any longer.

As you reach his office, you notice that his door is slightly ajar. You knock, but there's no response, so you cautiously push the door open, finding the office empty.

Maybe it's for the best, you think to yourself as you approach his desk. Just as you're about to place the clipboard with the report down, the door behind you creaks open.

Turning your head, you notice Kyle pausing in the doorway upon seeing you.

"Inspector Moreno, I brought the report you requested," you say, placing the clipboard on his desk.

For a moment, he remains silent, closing the door behind him. "What did you just call me?" he finally asks, heading to his desk past you.

His office is small, with just enough space to maneuver comfortably, yet as he passes by, your bodies almost brush against each other, sending a pleasant shiver down your spine at the phantom contact.

You, attempting to maintain a neutral tone, repeat, "Inspector Moreno."

He frowns, dropping the clipboard onto the table. "Is something the matter?"

You tilt your head slightly, puzzled. "What do you mean?"

You expect him to immediately start checking the report you brought, but he doesn't, keeping his gaze on you.

"You addressed me using my rank."

"Yes. And…?"

His frown deepens, and you notice a tinge of red creeping up his ears. "I—You used to address me by my first name."

For a moment, his strange tone makes you pause.

"People... talk," you finally manage to say, your voice hoarse.

"And?" he asks, and you sigh, leaning slightly in as you place your palms on the tabletop; your gazes lock.

"Those rumors..." you start, feeling a pang of uncertainty and hurt at the idea that Kyle might not dislike the rumor itself but rather its implications. "I don't want you to feel uncomfortable."

His gaze flickers to your lips, making you hold your breath as you feel it once more: the imagined touch of his gaze and the shiver that becomes real because of it.

"You think I'm uncomfortable because of the rumors?" he finally asks in a low, subdued tone, his gaze returning to yours, causing your pulse to quicken.

"Not because of the gossip itself, but because of... the reasons behind it," you reply softly, watching as he presses his lips together tightly.

"If that were the case, I wouldn't..." He trails off, averting his gaze once more as his hand burrows into his disheveled hair.

You immediately sense the thick and lingering tension between you, igniting a suppressed longing for closeness.

Pushing away the heat that spreads through your body, you continue, "Your reaction made it clear that you were uncomfortable. Perhaps it's best to maintain a formal distance… Inspector."

A wrinkle of a frown appears on his forehead as Kyle turns to you. "Formalities aren't necessary. I already told you that," he says irritably, but the glint in his eyes stirs something within you—something annoying and desirable at the same time, encouraging you to finally... give in.

"I know. Nonetheless, I still believe maintaining a formal approach is best, Inspector," you say calmly, but your senses burn your chest as you add, "Unless... your desire for me to address you by your first name is the actual reason."

He remains silent, still holding your gaze, and you hum softly, because you want him to lean closer, you want him to say it, you want… him.

As you hold his gaze in silence, you see in it a reflection of your feelings—interest, attraction, and something deeper, something that should have happened a long time ago.

Deliberately slowly, you reach out and lightly touch his shoulder, feeling the initial tension in his muscles give way to relaxation under your touch.

Meeting his intense gaze once more, you sense the heat between you, suddenly grateful for the support of the tabletop against your palm.

His breaths become soft and ragged, and yet, he makes no attempt to push you away. A heat rises to your face, but you lower your gaze, guiding your touch further.

Slowly, your fingertips trail down, sensing the smooth fabric of his shirt and the heat of his chest beneath as you descend further. You feel the firmness of his pectoral muscles, and the frantic rhythm of his heartbeat, revealing his true reaction to your touch.

But you crave more.

With some hesitation, you continue downward, trailing your fingertips over his stomach muscles and even further, until you feel the buckle of his belt.

"Name..." he exhales sharply, causing you to pause, raising your eyes to meet his. You hold your breath as you recognize the raw hunger flickering in his gaze.

Your heart races, and instinctively, your hand begins to retreat, but before you can pull away, he grabs you by the collar of your shirt, pulling you closer.

"Kyle..." you whisper breathlessly, the sound of his name hanging between you, his other hand finding the nape of your neck, his warm breath tantalizingly close to your lips before—

*KNOCK-KNOCK*

The sudden sound makes you both pause.

You inhale sharply, feeling disappointment spread as Kyle pulls away. The handle jolts, and you instinctively take a step back from his desk.

"Inspector Moreno, I—Oh," the same specialist who had been gossiping about you two earlier stammers, freezing in the doorway. "I—"

"I don't remember letting you in, Specialist," Kyle hisses, his gaze turning sharp and cold.

"I—" they stammer, shifting their gaze between you and Kyle. "I'll come back later."

"No need, we're done," you interject, turning to Kyle. Despite your words, his intense gaze tells you that this is far from over, sending a pleasant shiver down your spine.

Suppressing the urge to reignite what had begun moments ago, you simply nod farewell. "Specialist." You return your attention to Kyle, finding his sharp gaze still fixed on you. "Good night… Kyle."

You turn away without waiting for his response and exit his office.

As you close the door behind you, you take a deep breath, sensing the lingering intensity of Kyle's gaze still searing into your back, leaving its mark on your soul.

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Later, as two specialists head home…

"I saw how they looked at each other! Told you they're dating!"

"Oh, shut up, not this again."