Chapter Text
“You need a vacation, Counselor.”
Carmen let Carisi into the ADA’s office and slid the door behind him closed. Rafael barely glanced up from the ever-increasing pile of paperwork on his desk to greet him. “I’d love one, but you and I both know your Sergeant would call me back to work before I even left the city,” Rafael said, still not looking at Carisi.
“No rest for the wicked, am I right?” Carisi said as he sat down across from Rafael. He finally looked up from his desk and narrowed his eyes at Carisi. Eventually a small smile settled on his lips and he leaned back, crossing his arms over his chest.
“What can I do for you, Detective?”
“I just wanted to see how you were holding up after the Rudnick trial,” Carisi answered.
Rafael was taken aback. He knit his eyebrows and said “We won. He pled guilty and got a life sentence. What’s there to lose sleep over?”
“Well, you know, he was the M.E. and all so that’s gotta be a major headache, right? I mean, reopening all those cases and all the appeals that’ll be coming, not to mention the press has got to be all over—”
Rafael held up a hand and squeezed his eyes shut. “Yeah, I get it, Carisi. It’s been, uh, well. It hasn’t been fun, but,” he looked up at Carisi, “But we did the right thing. That’s what important.”
Carisi held Rafael’s gaze for a moment longer, then looked down at his lap and smiled. “Yeah. That’s what important.”
Rafael leaned back in his chair and studied the young man sitting across from him. Well, younger. Carisi wasn’t exactly green, and he certainly wasn’t as clueless as everyone made him out to be. He was intuitive, and caring in his own way. His hair had its usual greasy sheen but it was starting to curl at the ends, and Rafael noted the hints of gray that graced the sides of his head. Carisi had on his usual work ensemble, but Rafael was surprised to see a vest underneath his suit jacket. Rafael made note of that, too. Carisi’s tie hung loosely around his neck and the top buttons of shirt were undone, like he had just gotten off work. Carisi looked—well, Carisi looked good. And Rafael couldn’t help noticing that.
Rafael, on the other hand, wasn’t so sure he could say the same about himself. Carisi was right, the fallout from the Rudnick trial had been a disaster. Just that day he’d fielded no less than five calls from defense attorneys looking to reopen their cases, several calls from the DA and the mayor, and he was dodging the press at every turn. What was that song? Blood in the water. Rafael hadn’t even realized it was late until Carisi came in. At some point during the day he’d lost his jacket, then his vest, then the tie. He knew he had bags under his eyes, because he’d barely slept since Olivia told him Rudnick was a suspect. His hair was disheveled, and he hadn’t had the time to touch up his own grays. He was also sporting a serious five o’clock shadow.
All in all, he looked like a mess, and felt even worse.
At some point during his musing, Rafael noticed Carisi looking back at him in the same studied way. He had an open, hungry look on his face; one that Rafael knew was mirrored on his own. Huh. What’s that about? He made a split-second decision.
“It’s late. Have you eaten yet?” Rafael asked as he stood to get his jacket and vest back on.
Carisi looked surprised, but smiled. “Yeah. No! I mean, no, I haven’t eaten. Yeah, I’d like to get some dinner. With you. If that’s what you’re offering.”
Rafael lifted an eyebrow and worked the buttons of his vest closed. “There’s a bar around the corner. And before you say anything, yes, they do serve food.”
“So, how’s your sister doing?”
Rafael steered them over to a quiet booth in the corner after they’d ordered their drinks and food at the bar. Carisi took off his jacket and placed on seat next to him. Rafael followed suit.
“Bella? ‘Bout to pop. Excited as hell, too,” Carisi looked pleased. “She said if it’s a boy, they’ll him after me.”
“Sonny, Jr.?”
Carisi laughed. “No, no. Dominick. Probably call him ‘Trey’ or something. My pop is Dominick Sr., I’m Junior, so.” Just then, the waitress arrived with their drinks. Scotch for Rafael, a beer for Carisi.
“Dominick?” Rafael rolled the name over his tongue. He liked the way it sounded. “That’s a good Italian name.”
“You know, Counselor, most people call me Sonny.” Carisi took a long sip of his beer and held Rafael’s eye. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. Rafael let himself track the movement for a second before taking a swig of his own drink.
“Well, Detective, most people call me Rafael,” Rafael said, and took another sip of his scotch. God help me.
Carisi laughed at that, too. “We both know that’s not true, Barba. I don’t think anyone’s called you Rafael since you were in diapers.”
“Not true! I think a teacher in high school tried once.”
“I’m sure that didn’t last long, huh?”
“No. No, but you can.” Rafael smiled. “Call me Rafael, that is.”
“Then you can call me Sonny,” Carisi–Sonny–replied. He brought the beer bottle up to his lips. “Rafael.”
Hearing Sonny say his name like that, with that look in his eyes, it sent a thrill down his spine. This is not a good idea, Rafael.
Their food arrived then, sparing Rafael the need to respond. Sonny ate about as gracefully as one could have expected and Rafael watched him while he picked at his salad. He used the time to study the detective a little closer. They weren’t sitting far from each other, and Rafael could smell his cologne. Sonny had long since shaved his mustache but now there was a hint of stubble on his jaw. Rafael took another bite of his salad. Sonny scarfed down his burger and fries like he hadn’t eaten in days. It was almost charming. Almost. Rafael refilled his scotch and Sonny got another beer. They sat in a friendly silence until –
“So, the Rudnick case…”
“Ah, and there’s that headache I’ve been avoiding,” Rafael groaned.
“No, just hear me out, alright? You know I’ve been going to law school at night—"
“I am all too aware of that—”
“—and I’ve been thinking, y’know, maybe I could help out? Just looking over paperwork or-or maybe reinterviewing witnesses, or something? It’d be a good way to get some experience, and you’d get some help too, so I figured, y’know…” Carisi trailed off, waiting for Rafael’s answer.
So that’s what this was about. He just wanted a line on his resume. You’re a fool, Rafi, if you thought he’d—
“That’s what we have paralegals for, Carisi. And I’m sure Liv needs all the help she can get right now.”
“Oh, yeah, I just thought—”
Rafael cut him off. “It’s fine. Thank you for offering, but my office will manage just fine. We’ve certainly dealt with worse.” He drained the rest of drink. His phone buzzed in his pocket. He barely glanced at it before he said “Speaking of which, it’s probably time I go. I have court at 8 tomorrow.”
He started to gather his things, and Carisi followed suit. “I’ll pick up the tab, don’t worry about it,” Carisi said, and started towards the bar. Rafael grabbed his arm to stop him.
“No, it’s fine. Let me.” Rafael kept his hand on Carisi’s arm. His sleeves were rolled up to the elbow, and Carisi looked down where his forearm met Rafael’s hand. Rafael instantly let go and Carisi murmured a “Yeah, yeah, go ahead.”
Rafael went off to pay the bill, and when he turned to leave, he found the detective waiting for him at the door.
“I had a good time tonight, Rafael.” Carisi looked like he meant it.
Rafael looked at his phone, and then at Carisi. “Yeah, me too.”
Carisi perked up, just a bit. “Maybe you’ll let me pay for dinner next time?”
Next time. Next time, I won’t let myself be fooled by bedroom eyes and sly smiles. Rafael laughed just a little.
“Maybe. Good night, Detective.”