Work Text:
Ronin and Strike walk side by side exiting The Ritz.
“Thank you Cormoran, that was… this has been.. probably my favorite birthday.”
He smiles down at her, happy to have been able to give her this happiness, silently giddy he’s the one to give her, her favorite birthday.
They each walk in companionable silence. No destination in either mind. Both not wanting the night to end, both not sure if they’d dare to be the one to suggest prolonging the evening.
Strike grabs his cigarettes and lights one up. He takes a strong drag, closes his eyes and blows it out away from her. He opens his eyes and takes a deep breath of clean air and reaches for her hand. She startles, just barely, but gives his hand a squeeze. He smirks, just slightly and takes another drag as they walk hand in hand and then tosses it to the ground.
He stops walking and turns to face her, still holding her hand. . “Robin, I just need to tell you… I need you to know.. I just want to say.” He sighs and looks at the ground. She stares at him. Her big blue eyes searching his face, he looks up and finds her eyes, takes a deep breath and starts, not breaking eye contact. “Robin” he breaths, “I know you don’t need anyone, but I don’t need anyone else.”
Her eyes widen, he wills himself not to look away. He’s going to own this, he thinks. He’s wasted too much time already keeping it in. She’s still staring. She opens her mouth. Closes it. Opens it again. “Cormoran” she whispers. She clears her throat. “What are you saying? You don’t need anyone else? For the agency? For..?” Her eyes desperately searching his.
He laughs a little. Grabs her other hand and Takes a step forward, He notices her hands are slightly shaking. “Fuck sake Robin. I’m not talking about the agency.” Their eyes still locked. She inhales sharply, she can smell the hint of lavender and his cigarette. She drops her eyes. She thinks about the word he used..need. He’s always deliberate with his choice of words. She then thinks of Matthew and how he had made her feel as though she must need him for anything and everything she wanted to do in life. How he Tried to keep her dependent, encumbered. She subtly shakes the thoughts away. She looks up to the sky, she thinks about this past year. How much she’s grown and enjoyed and thrived. She thinks about how the man standing in front of her makes her feel. Like an equal, a partner. She thinks about need. She takes a deep breath.
She stands up straighter. Finds his eyes. She was expecting to see panic, maybe even regret instead she sees adoration. She takes a step closer. “You know what. You’re right. I don’t need anyone. I don’t need you.” His grip on her hands falters slightly. She squeezes his hands and says “But I want you. I choose you Cormoran.” She takes a breath then says “But are you sure?”
His mouth turns to a shy smile. “I so confidently want you Robin, you are one of the few things I’m sure of.” She drops his hands and cups his face. His eyes close at the touch. He pulls her to him, hands on her hips and he opens his eyes and sees her eyes are glistening. She leans against him and kisses his lips. It’s a soft short kiss but both are left almost breathless. Foreheads touching, breathing the same breath. She smiles and says, “Fancy a nightcap at the Tottenham?” And turns abruptly and starts walking away. He’s standing there, as if frozen and sees her turn, smirk at him and say ”Are you coming?”. He smiles wide and slightly shakes his head, as he ambles to catch up to the woman who changed his life.