Chapter Text
Carlton stared in the mirror, looking at himself in the reflection. Today was the day they’ve been waiting for. After spending months in prison for something he didn’t do, Carlton couldn’t wait for this to be over. Preston Drimmer tried to ruin his life. Shawn. Shawn Spencer, his boyfriend, helped Carlton from dying in prison at an old age. Who would’ve thought Spencer would be the one who solved the case… after everyone had given up on him, Shawn hadn’t.
He stuck through until the end. Hell, Shawn even almost died to keep Carlton out of jail. Carlton couldn’t have ever imagined this would be his life. After getting out of the hospital, Shawn helped him around the house; of course once he found a new place to live. His nights now consisted of movie nights with Guster in tow, waking up with Shawn cuddled in his arms, gruffly Henry Spencer giving him dad-talks usually ending in a subtle threat. O’Hara gleamed when Shawn and Carlton made it official at the station, knowingly smiling.
“Babe, are you okay? You’ve been staring at yourself in the mirror for a bit now.” Shawn’s voice pulled him out his thoughts.
Carlton turned around, kissing Shawn on the cheek, nodding. “Yeah, just thinking.”
Arms wrapped around his waist, pulling him against Shawn’s groin, lips grazed the skin on his neck. “Anything you want to share?”
Carlton turned around, kissing Shawn on the lips. “No. Just thinking about how lucky I am to have you.”
Shawn pulled Carlton into an embrace.” It’s my job.”
Carlton’s hands slid down his suit and sighed.”it’s trial day. what if.” Shawn quieted his what ifs. “Don’t worry, Carly. Drimmer will not win. You did it.”
Carlton shook his head. “No, no, you did it, not me. Drimmer kept my mouth shut. You were the one who stopped him.”
Shawn hated the defeat in his boyfriend’s eyes. “Stop that, right now. We solved the case together and Drimmer will be going down for this, Lassie.”
He wished Shawn’s words left him at ease but nothing stopped the anxiety simmer in his stomach. Preston Drimmer is a lowball scumbag. Everybody now knows that. Shawn never once gave up on Carlton. Carlton leaned into the comfort from his boyfriend and sighed. “I hope you are right about this.”
Shawn displayed a gleeful smirk, making Carlton reconsider whom he’s dating.
The sly smirk on Drimmer’s face made Carlton dig his fingers into the palm of his hands. The judge listened to the witness’s statements.
“I find Preston Drimmer guilty of all charges.”
Shawn and Carlton kissed in celebration. “We did it?”
Carlton nodded. “No you did it, Shawn. I couldn’t have done it without you.” They ignored Drimmer’s shouts of disgust and leaned into each other feeling gratitude. “Baby, you have been here with me every step of the way. I couldn’t ever repay you. Guster even told me about the reporters. You stood up for me against all odds.”
“I will always stand up for what’s worth it.”
“Are you saying what I think you are saying?”
Shawn grinned. “So I’ve been thinking how about we take the next step?”
“In life or of the day?” Carlton jokes.
Shawn shook his head laughing. “I’m serious, Carlton. I almost lost you. I know it’s sudden but we’ve known each other for a couple years.”
“Is this your way of saying you want to move in?”
Shawn smiled. “How about we start with a closet?”
The head detective gave a quizzical look. “Why not a drawer?”
“I have a lot more stuff than a drawer will suffice.”
“Whoa what?”
“You think I’m going to leave my collectible bowling balls alone in my shafty apartment.”
“You live at a laundromat, Shawn.”
“See that’s why I have to bring them.”
Carlton pulled him close, kissing him. “Fine, I have an extra closet. At this point you should just move in.”
“Hey lass?”
Carlton closed the closet after unpacking all Shawn’s stuff. “Yes, hun?”
“Can we get a cat?”
Carlton turned around, facing Shawn, little taken back by the sudden announcement. “What?”
“I’ve never had a pet. Henry always said I get to be responsible and make me build a doghouse.”
“Excuse me what?”
“So can we?”
“Shawn, I guess.”
Shawn cheered, jumping into Carlton’s arms who stumbled to catch him, caught off guard. “You’re the best Lassie!”
“Shawn?”
Shawn pulled back.” Yes Lassie-kins?”
“Move in.”
“What I just said it’s too soon.”
“Shawn, you want to share custody of a cat. I think we are already past too soon. So just move in already.”
“Really?”
Carlton pulled out a key from his bedside drawer. “I already made a copy when you kept sneaking in after I got out of the hospital. Just move in already for sweet lady justice.” Carlton grumbled, passing the house key over to his boyfriend who was speechless.
“Okay.” Shawn leaned forward kissing Carlton, pulling them onto the bed. “Hey Lassie?”
“Yes, hun?”
“Can we name the cat Lassie Jr?” Carlton turns over and sighs. “Carly? C’mon Son it would be cute. Lassie, meet Lassie Jr, I think it sounds endearing.” Carlton ignored his boyfriend for much needed sleep. “Lass? Carly? Wakey, so what about Carly?”
“Shawn, for the sweet lady Justice, I need to sleep. I will think about it.”
“Dolphin?”
“Pineapple?”
“Hawk?”
“Carlton, I know you are ignoring me.”
“That’s the point of ignoring somebody.”
“Fine I’ll name it pornopic.”
“No! Absolutely not, Shawn. Do you hate our child?”
Shawn grinned. “Did you just call our future cat a child?”
“Shawn, I’m too exhausted to be thinking about potential or hypothetical names. And what the hell name is Hawk?”
“Fine I’m going to call Gus.”
“You do that so I can sleep.”