Chapter Text
Jane yawned as she entered the dimly lit precinct. It was nearing five in the morning, and she had been awake for the better part of forty-eight hours. She was desperate to return to her apartment and crawl into her warm bed, with a bad movie playing in the background. A solid three days off awaited her, though she had little actually planned. Most times she simply vegetated in her small apartment to regain energy, which would promptly be spent on the next assignment.
She suppressed another yawn as she scanned her ID, the singular clerk at the desk giving her a tired wave as she entered. She just needed to file the report and slip out, it shouldn’t take more than ten minutes, especially since no one was here this early to pester her.
Printing the report was a simple task, a quick button press on a terminal and a brief few seconds of waiting. Report in hand, she made her way upstairs to file it. Scanning and filing was the annoying part. The scanner was a devilish machine that often failed to scan documents properly, leading to repeated attempts. Jane prayed it would co-operate this time.
Upon reaching the second floor, she immediately noticed light emanating from Captain Zhu Yuan’s office. Curious. She was usually very exact with her clock in and clock out times. She spared a glance as she strolled by; the captain was sitting at her desk, a mug of steaming coffee next to her. She was resting her head on her hand, a pen clutched between two fingers, a small stack of papers resting in front of her.
Ah, she was finishing up her own reports from the recent bust. Jane had been sent to recon a small gang that had been growing in notoriety, and Zhu Yuan had used the intel provided to shut them down at their dockside HQ. All very quick and clean, though still exhausting.
Under normal circumstances, Jane would have relished the opportunity to flirt with and tease the captain. She was such an adorable dork. But fatigue was in charge, and it demanded sleep.
She continued down the hall, before a voice rang out just behind her.
“Jane? Is that you?"
Dammit. Oh well. “Yes, Captain.” She replied.
“Is that your report from the op?”
“It is.”
“Good, just go ahead and give it to me and I’ll…” Zhu Yuan sighed. “I’ll make sure it’s filed with the others.”
Jane walked back to the office, peering in at the tired-looking captain. “Are you sure? I don’t mind just filing it myself.”
Zhu Yuan waved a hand. “It’s fine. I prefer having all the paperwork in one place anyway.”
“Alright then.” Jane sauntered over to Zhu Yuan’s desk, noting how the captain’s eyes glanced at Jane’s legs before quickly flicking away. Such a cutie. “Here.” She handed the document over.
“Ah, thank you.” Zhu Yuan immediately placed it in a binder at her side, which was full of similar papers. She took care to place Jane’s report in a specific place within the binder, likely fulfilling some organizational scheme.
Jane cocked her head to the side. “Have you been here all night?” She asked.
Zhu Yuan turned to face the thiren, her eyes flicking to Jane’s chest for the briefest moment before meeting Jane’s eyes. “Uh, no, no. I just woke up at like 3:30 and couldn’t sleep so I came in early to get the paperwork done before it got busy.”
Saw that, captain. Jane thought, suppressing a smile. The captain really was the cutest of disasters. She was always talking about how she didn’t need a boyfriend and that her job satisfied her. Jane had no doubt that it was true, though she also caught how Zhu Yuan’s eyes were drawn to other women.
Its not that you don’t need a boyfriend, dear captain. It’s that a girlfriend would be a much better fit. I wonder if she even knows.
“I see. Not sleeping well. I can relate.” As if on cue, another yawn burst from Jane’s mouth. She shook her head as the yawn tapered off, as if trying to shake off the fatigue. Jane’s ears twitched as she re-oriented herself, her tail flicking idly. “Ah, I should head out.”
Zhu Yuan frowned. “You don’t need to push yourself so much, Jane.”
Jane smiled down at the captain. “Oh, captain, are you worried about me?”
“Of course I am!”
“Huh?” The captain’s earnest reply had caught Jane off guard. Her ears twitched.
“You’re always so tired. Pulling all nighters, barely stopping from one assignment to the next…” Zhu Yuan’s frown deepened. “Nearly collapsing on Sixth Street.”
Jane gasped. Had the manager told Zhu Yuan about that? Jane tried to interject. “Captain, I’m fine, it was just a bad-”
“No, Jane! You’re running yourself ragged! It…” Zhu Yuan paused, a light pink dusting her cheeks. “Just take care of yourself, okay? Please?”
Jane blinked. It was very normal for Zhu Yuan to be concerned about the well-being of her team, but the intensity of her concern for Jane was somewhat unusual.
Zhu Yuan took a breath, steadying herself for a moment. “Sorry, I just…It just worries me is all. Especially after I heard about the way you passed out.”
“Did the manager tell you?” Jane couldn’t decide if she felt betrayed or cared for. The former stung, the latter was unfamiliar.
“She called me the night it happened, just to keep me informed. I nearly drove down there, but she said you were safe so…” Zhu Yuan trailed off. Her earlier intensity had faded somewhat, almost as if she had realized how aggressive her tone had been. “Again, sorry. I just don’t like knowing you’re breaking yourself down for us.”
Jane’s tail swayed in agitation, a mix of emotions warring for control in her head. Surprise and anger on one side, affection and gratitude on the other. As far as she was concerned, her health was her business. That said, Belle’s efforts to help her that night had been greatly appreciated, and she had genuinely felt cared for.
She took a breath to reset, no need to be angry, the captain and Belle were just worried. “I’m fine, Zhu Yuan. I have the next few days off to rest, so no need to worry. Okay?”
Zhu Yuan’s worried look lessened somewhat. “Okay. You can call me if you need anything.”
“Of course.”
Zhu Yuan’s expression shifted, shame crossing her face. “I…I’m sorry if I’m being a little much. I just want to make sure that…you’re okay.”
Jane smiled. “It’s alright, I’m just not used to being cared for like this.”
There was a beat of silence. The two looked at each other for a moment. Zhu Yuan’s face, already tinged pink, flushed further and she quickly looked away, pretending to busy herself with some of the documents in front of her. Jane felt a surge of emotion hit her like a train. She had always found the captain very pretty, but never felt what she would call real attraction. Now though, a wave a desire overcame her. She found herself looking at the captain closely; the way her hair framed her face, her lightly chapped lips, the bright red of her eyes. A vision came to Jane suddenly; of Jane climbing over the desk to straddle Zhu Yuan, lips meeting lips, hands roaming over…
Jane quickly turned around, her own blush reddening her cheeks. “I…I should head out.”
“Y-yeah, of course. Sorry to keep you.”
“It’s alright.” She glanced back at the captain. “Good to see you, captain.”
“You too.”
Jane walked toward the doorway, hearing Zhu Yuan draw a shaky breath behind her. She put one hand on the doorframe as she made to leave, turning back to face the captain. She really was pretty, and she cared. Jane felt another wave of affectionate desire.
Where on earth is this coming from? Jane thought, though she knew full well. She was a damn sucker for genuine people. Zhu Yuan was about as genuine as they came. A woman like that deserved to be held, to be treasured, she deserved…
Jane closed the door. She was still in the office. Zhu Yuan looked up, a confused expression on her face. “Jane? You, uh, you okay?”
A sharp spike of panic ran through Jane’s chest. She had closed them in the office without really thinking, and now it was too late to back out. “Y-yeah, just thought we could chat for a bit?”
Smooth.
“Oh! Uhh…sure!” Zhu Yuan stuttered. If her face turned any redder she’d burst into flames.
Well, I guess it’s time to commit.
Jane tried to settle her nerves as she approached, doing her best to move in her standard saunter. Zhu Yuan’s eyes remained locked on Jane as she walked back towards the desk, flicking to her legs, her waist, her chest, and back to her eyes. Jane suppressed a shudder as Zhu Yuan looked her over.
Normally, she didn’t mind the captain’s flustered glances, but now she felt very self-conscious as Zhu Yuan’s eyes roamed over her. “You’re staring, Captain.” Jane tried to keep her tone even, but failed to hide a bit of a waver to her voice.
“S-sorry!” Zhu Yuan looked away, covering her face with her hands.
Jane shuffled awkwardly. “It’s fine.” She paused. “I don’t actually mind.”
“W-what?” Zhu Yuan turned back to face her.
“I’ve…” Jane took a breath. “I’ve seen you looking at me before…”
Zhu Yuan blanched, hands flying to her face. “Ooooohhhhhh. I’m sorry, I don’t mean to stare. You’re just…I just…”
Jane’s tail swished anxiously, waiting for Zhu Yuan to finish her thought. “Breathe, captain.” She urged.
Zhu Yuan finally peeked through her hands, before whispering. “You’re just really pretty…”
Oh. Oh no.
Zhu Yuan was so cute, so adorably awkward and kind. Jane wanted nothing more than to wrap her in her arms and keep her close, and to kiss her.
No. No. Nononononono. Control yourself.
Jane looked away, covering her mouth with one hand, her own flush covering her face. “Ah, really? Well, thank you.” Her tail wrapped around her leg self-consciously. “How long have you thought that?”
Great, now her mouth was moving faster than her brain.
Zhu Yuan looked down in thought, “Uhm, since we wrapped up the Mountain Lion bust.”
“Yeah?” Jane took a step toward the desk, now nearly touching the desk with her thighs. Maybe the fatigue was eroding her better logic.
Zhu Yuan looked at up her, seeming entranced for a brief moment, before resetting herself and scooting back slightly. “J-Jane? I-I-I…I…” Zhu Yuan stuttered and trailed off.
“Hey now, breathe. We’re just talking.”
Zhu Yuan gulped, “Y-yeah. I know, I just…I’m…I’m a little overwhelmed.”
Jane snapped back to reality for a moment. “Ah, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to press.” She felt a spark of shame in her gut as Zhu Yuan shook off her nerves.
“It’s okay. It’s okay.” Zhu Yuan met her eyes again. “I..I…” She glanced at the closed office door, “I’m still kinda coming to terms with a few things.” She continued softly, looking away toward the window.
Jane’s brows raised. “Yeah?” She said quietly. “Started questioning recently?”
Zhu Yuan shifted anxiously. “Y-yeah. I just realized I never…I’ve never really been attracted to any guys at all. Having a boyfriend always seemed like an obligation. Not something I actually wanted.”
“And then?” Jane asked.
Zhu Yuan blushed. “And then…you.”
Oh. Oh. OH.
Jane felt herself blush hard, one hand flew to her mouth and she stepped back. She turned away as a embarrassment and giddy happiness flooded into her chest.
“Ohhhhhh.” Zhu Yuan groaned behind her. “I’m so sorry. I’m so weird.”
“No! No! You’re not weird. Never say you’re weird. I said I didn’t mind it, right?”
Jane turned back to face the captain, who once again had her face in her hands.
“Zhu Yuan.” Jane said. Zhu Yuan peeked at the thiren through her fingers. Jane continued, “Would you…like to try kissing a girl?”
“Huh? H-HUH!?” Zhu Yuan bolted to her feet, shock and embarrassment coloring her features. “Y-you mean…do you mean.” Zhu Yuan was bright red, her hands raised.
Jane was faring little better, her own blush was only getting worse and she struggled to maintain eye contact. She took a breath. “I mean, would you like to kiss me? Just to see how it feels?” Jane could not believe what she was saying.
“I…” Zhu Yuan hesitated. She swallowed. “Okay.”
“What?” Jane couldn’t hold back her surprise. “Are you sure?”
Zhu Yuan nodded, “Y-yeah. I’m sure. It’s just a kiss, right?”
Jane flushed, ignoring the sting that came from Zhu Yuan’s comment. “Yeah, just a kiss. Nothing big.”
Zhu Yuan steadily came out from behind the desk, placing herself in front of Jane with her back to the wall.
Jane stepped up to Zhu Yuan before leaning in, placing her lips mere centimeters from the captain’s. There was a beat of hesitation. Zhu Yuan held her breath. Jane bit her lip lightly.
Slowly, gently, Jane pressed her lips to the captain’s. Zhu Yuan’s lips were soft, ever so slightly chapped, there was a faint taste of coffee. Jane pulled back, gauging Zhu Yuan’s reaction. The captain was flushed, breathing heavy, her eyes half-lidded. Jane felt a hand brush against her waist. She leaned in again, now taking the captain’s neck with one hand, and kissed her a little more firmly. A small whimper left Zhu Yuan’s throat. Jane felt the officer nervously grab her waist and pull gently.
This was beyond foolish. There was every reason not to do this. They were coworkers, Zhu Yuan was technically her boss, and they were in the damn precinct. It was early, but a skeleton crew was still in place, and who knew who else could pop in early.
Even as the warnings ran through Jane’s head, she pressed further, kissing Zhu Yuan again and again. The captain’s grip got firmer as they continued, her hands pulling Jane flush against her body.
Jane kept her hand on the back of the Zhu Yuan’s neck, as the other grabbed the front of her jacket. She felt the captain step back, though neither pulled away. The captain hit the wall, the impact causing them to pause, and finally break.
Jane looked over Zhu Yuan’s face, searching for any signs of regret or hesitancy and finding none. “Zhu Yuan…are you-…”
Jane gasped as the captain pulled at her waist, “M-more?” The word was equal parts plea and request.
Jane cupped Zhu Yuan’s face in her hands. Her skin was starting to feel hot, her clothes were too tight. “Okay. Tell me to stop and I will.”
Zhu Yuan nodded, then moaned softly as Jane kissed her again, now much more intensely. She ran her tongue over Zhu Yuan’s lips, pressing the officer hard against the wall when she accepted.
Zhu Yuan’s hands ran from her waist and up her sides, traveling across her exposed midriff and under her jacket. Jane sighed at the touch, now fully lost in their makeout session. One of Zhu Yuan’s hands gripped the back of the thiren’s neck, as the other rested on the small of her back.
The kissing only intensified further. Hand roamed, fingers grasped, lips melted together, soft sighs turned into light moans.
Eventually, the need for air forced them apart, gasping. Jane looked over the captain, her face was flushed, hair messy, Jane’s lipstick smeared over her face.
Oh no, she’s even prettier like this.
Jane felt a pang of anxiety as her brain reset. This had gone way farther than either had intended. “Are you okay?” She asked.
Zhu Yuan blinked, gathering herself before looking away, tears forming at the corner of her eyes.
Jane was mortified. She had gone too far, pressed too hard. This was her fault. “Hey, hey! I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I wasn’t trying to-” She halted as Zhu Yuan waved a hand.
The officer sniffled, tears now streaming down her face. “N-no. It was incredible. It felt so good. I just…I just have to process that.” She heaved a sob. “How do I tell anyone this? Qingyi? Seth? My parents?”
“Oh. Oh, baby.” Jane sighed, pulling Zhu Yuan in for a hug. “Oh, you’re okay. You’re okay.”
Jane held the captain as she wept, Zhu Yuan’s face buried in her shoulder, her entire body heaving with each choking sob. Jane rubbed her back gently, tail coiling around Zhu Yuan’s leg to give a comforting squeeze. “You’re okay.” She whispered between the captain’s sobs, Zhu Yuan gripping tighter when she did.
After some time, sobs slowly dwindled into sniffles and hiccups, but Zhu Yuan didn’t move yet.
Jane spoke first, “You don’t have to tell anybody until you’re ready. It’s no one’s business but yours.”
Zhu Yuan sniffed, “But, my parents, they want…they want me to…”
Jane hugged Zhu Yuan tightly, “It’s about you, not them.” She sighed, “As for Seth and Qingyi, they’ll be more than supportive. In fact, I’m sure Qingyi clocked you long ago.”
Zhu Yuan laughed weakly, “Probably.” She finally released herself from Jane, wiping her face. “Oh gods.”
“Sometimes you need to think about what you want, captain.”
Zhu Yuan met Jane’s eyes. The thiren blushed and rolled her eyes with a laugh. “Kiss a few more girls before you land on me, alright.”
Zhu Yuan smiled meekly.
Jane stepped back to give her some space, looping her thumbs into her jacket loops as she did so. “Maybe you take the day off with me, you need some time.”
Zhu Yuan turned back to the stack of papers. “I have to…I have to finish that.”
Jane could have rolled her eyes. Fresh off an earth-shattering realization and she still prioritized her work over her own sanity.
“Fine.” She said. “I’ll stay with you until you finish up and then you are taking the day off.”
Zhu Yuan looked at her as if she was prepared to argue but, instead she simply nodded and said “Yeah, okay.” She held her arms self-consciously, “I…I’m not sure how to relax after this.”
“We go get noodles for lunch, rent a movie, pick up some junk snacks and then we rot in my apartment.” Jane smiled, “Perhaps we can get Seth and Qingyi to stop by too.”
Zhu Yuan nodded, “O-okay. Yeah, that sounds good.”