Chapter Text
Carlton was nervous. To the naked eye, he looked fine, almost bored. But Shawn knew better. Years of staring at the man had given him a sixth sense about all this, and he knew that Carlton was worried.
The detective was standing almost at attention. His looked straight ahead, has he even blinked? and his arms were hanging limply by his side. His hands were sweaty, or at least the left one was. Shawn knew this for a fact because he was holding said left hand in his own.
Shawn didn’t think there was any need to worry. The chief was a smart lady. She knew they made a great team, and she wasn’t going to put the lives of Santa Barbarian’s in jeopardy just because her head detective was dating the psychic consultant.
Shawn wasn't nervous. But he was annoyed. This wasn’t how he wanted to tell the chief about their relationship. His idea included balloons and a singing gorilla, but he was quickly shot down.
So instead, they were standing in front of her desk and filling out paperwork.
The Chief looked up at them, a sly smile on her face.
“Thank you for telling me. While the two of you do work together quite closely, I cannot see any conflict arising from this. As long as you’re both adults about it, and tell me if this…” she waved a hand in their direction, “starts interfering with your work, or vice versa.”
Carlton let out a huge sigh of relief. “Thank you chief.”
“And I’m sure your co-workers will also keep me in the loop.” She directed that last part to the closed window, behind which two figures obviously stood. The two figures, Gus and Juliet he assumed, scampered away.
“On a personal level…” the chief leaned back in her seat. “It’s about damn time.”
“Ch-chief?” Carlton sputtered.
“Oh come on. Like you two haven’t been dancing around each other for years now. Glad to see it finally put to bed.”
Shawn chuckled.
“I’m guessing.” The chief continued. “It was this whole comments thing that tipped you over the edge?”
Now it was Shawn’s turn to sputter. “You knew about that?”
The chief raised an eyebrow. “You really think something like that could go on under my nose and I wouldn’t know anything about it?”
“Did you know it was Shawn this whole time?” Carlton asked.
The chief shrugged. “Of course.”
Carlton’s jaw dropped.
“Carlton.” The chief admonished, sitting up right in her chair. “’Richard Vernon’ is the name of the principal in The Breakfast Club. Did you not think to do even a cursory internet search of the name?”
Shawn tried to keep his laughter to himself, but it was hard. His whole plan hinged on Carlton not researching the name ‘Vernon’. It could have failed spectacularly if he had.
He grabbed Carlton by the elbow and slowly pulled him towards the door. “I think our time is up.”
The chief smirked. “Yes, let’s get back to work, shall we?”
“Uh, I, um…” Carlton sputtered as he let himself be led away.
“Come on, detective, I’ll let you buy me a pineapple smoothie.”