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Holt was enjoying a relaxing evening re-reading ‘The Brothers Karamazov’ by Fyodor Dostoyevsky, while Kevin graded some term papers.
Kevin glanced up, raising an eyebrow at Holt’s choice. “You are truly indulging tonight, Raymond.” He said.
“Indeed. I have found this past week at the 99th precinct extremely tiring.” Holt allowed a slight exhale of breath to indicate a sigh, closing his book slightly. “Peralta has especially been vexing me these past two days. He seems on edge, and has been pestering me for a sting assignment.”
“Interesting.” Kevin made a mark on one of the papers, “I suppose his boredom with his current workload is not alleviated by alternative opportunities to challenge himself?”
“Indeed, it has not.”
Holt resumed reading, giving Cheddar a few pets - as he was sitting daintily at his feet, front paws crossed over one another - and simply enjoying the quiet company of Kevin. It was silent sve for the flipping of their respective pages.
It was not rare to have a night where they were able to relax in one another's company, but Holt found pleasure in it each time. The quiet companionship of Kevin was one that Holt appreciated greatly.
The sound of the doorbell startled Holt, so much so that he looked up from his book midway through a sentence. It was far too late for this to be a social call, and, setting aside his book - after slipping in a bookmark, of course - he exchanged a look with Kevin, who had stopped grading his papers.
Standing, Holt walked to the door, looking through the eyehole to determine who was standing on their porch.
Despite the heavy shadows that concealed much of their visitor’s face, Holt immediately recognized him. It was none other than Detective Jacob Peralta.
The corner of Holt’s mouth turned down at that. While Jake had certainly been... inconvenient, this past week, it had given him some cause for concern, given the nervous nature he had seemed to display during that time. What's more, Peralta had no cause to visit him at this time unless something had arisen. Of course, Holt's home was always open to his team, should they need it. This likely meant that, whatever reason Peralta had for visiting, it would not be a pleasant one. The feeling of concern settled in Holt's mind as he evaluated the situation, deciding in that moment that, if he was going to successfully discern this situation, he needed to approach Jake with an air of calmness, as if he was used to his team dropping in, and as if nothing was wrong. Otherwise, Peralta may panic, and that would not bode well for him, given the situation at hand.
Holt turned to Kevin, who was half-standing, his papers forgotten, Cheddar getting up to his paws.
"Raymond?" Kevin asked, concern in his voice as he observed Holt's expression.
“It is Peralta.” Holt informed, “I believe there may be a cause for concern, and will thus let him into our home.”
“Very well.” Kevin nodded, gathering up his students' papers and putting them into a binder - no matter the situation, Kevin was always adamant about maintaining academic integrity, a quality that Holt found both admirable and attractive.
Holt was under no delusions as to Kevin’s feelings towards Peralta. In fact, Kevin had very helpfully laid out each of his issues with Peralta one by one, in a formatted powerpoint slide. Although, that had been some time ago, and Holt had noted some growing of warmth towards Peralta on Kevin’s part over the years.
Holt turned back to the door, opening it.
Peralta was standing in front of the door, but was half-turned towards the street. His posture, for all intents and purposes, looked as though he were about to take off in a dead sprint away from the house.
The sound of the door opening clearly startled him, however, as Peralta visibly jumped, shoulders tensing up as he turned around to face Holt.
Holt found himself staring at Peralta, at a loss for words.
His face showed signs of bruising on one side, and a red mark near his temple was dripping blood down the side of his face. It looked as though Peralta had tried to swipe it away, as smudges of brownish red flakes were smeared across his cheek.
His hands were jammed into his jacket pockets, and he gave a distinctly uncomfortable laugh.
“Heyyy, Captain!” Jake said after a few moments of silence. Holt reminded himself that he should not display such shock on his face, and closed his mouth slightly, successfully falling into his normal, at ease expression.
“Peralta. Please, come inside.” Holt stepped to the side, holding the door open.
“Oh, no, that’s- that’s alright.” Jake kept looking over his shoulder, feet pointed away from the door, as if still ready to take off. “I shouldn’t have come.”
Holt became very aware of the fact that, should he not get Jake inside quickly, he was likely to run off into the dark and not come to him for aid. He was simply not going to allow him to run off, then.
Glancing back into the house, Holt made eye contact with Cheddar.
“No, Cheddar enjoys guests.” Holt was aware of how deep of an affection Jake had for his dog - it was something he intended to use to his advantage now. “Please, come inside.”
Jake hesitated, but then, after a moment sighed, and said, “Yeah, yeah, sure.” He walked - no, he stumbled - inside the house, looking around with a sort of wary expression, like he was expecting someone to jump out from behind the couch.
“Please, take a seat.” Holt offered, gesturing to the couch and armchairs.
Jake shook his head. “No, it’s okay, I- my clothes are all dirty.”
Holt narrowed his eyes slightly. It was true, Jake was wearing much the same clothing he had been since that morning, despite it being nearly midnight now.
“Kevin, would you get Peralta some guest pajamas?” He asked, turning to his husband.
Kevin nodded, leaving through the doorway back further into the house. In the meantime Cheddar, understanding of course the delicate nature of the situation, walked up to Jake and sat down onto the floor, laying down and rolling to his side.
Jake glanced up at Holt, before seeming to work up the nerve to sit down onto the floor himself.
In the better lighting of the house, Holt could make out additional bruising at the very base of Jake’s neck on his back, the edge of it just barely visible from over the hem of his jacket.
Concealing his frown, Holt began to follow after Kevin, intending to return with the first-aid kit. However, the sound of Jake’s breathing seemed to alter slightly, and Holt turned back around to see that Jake had visibly tensed up even further, eyes fixed on him.
Upon making eye contact, however, Jake’s gaze quickly dropped to the floor, his hands motionless in Cheddar’s fur.
Holt evaluated the situation for a moment, before deciding that it seemed as though Peralta felt uneasy being alone, and would thus remain here as well.
So instead, Holt redirected himself, instead taking up a seat in one of the armchairs, at a respectable distance from Peralta, but not in the furthest chair from him. He was deliberating whether or not it would be beneficial to speak with Peralta at that particular moment, when Kevin returned, bearing both the pajamas as well as the first aid kiss.
Holt could shake his hand right now. Kevin was, as always, both insightful and thoughtful.
“You may change into these.” Kevin said, holding the pajamas out. “I believe Raymond would like to inspect your injuries as well.”
Jake shook his head. “I’m fine.” He said. His voice was unusually quiet, far more so than it would normally be, and he seemed unable or unwilling to look Kevin in the face.
“I believe that is something Raymond would like to verify for himself.” Kevin replied, voice much more kind than it would have normally been in interactions with Peralta - in fact, the weariness that he usually allowed into his tone was completely absent. Of course, this was not surprising to Holt, as he knew how perceptive Kevin was, and that they were both aware of how very on edge Peralta was at the moment.
As Peralta locked himself into the guest bathroom to change into the pajamas, Kevin turned to Holt.
“Raymond, I am concerned as to how on edge Peralta is at the moment.” He informed, “It appears that he has become injured, but his unwillingness to be treated raises my concern to a state of mild worry.”
“Indeed.” Holt nodded. “I will ensure he is physically well. Perhaps he will be willing to discuss matters once he is more relaxed.”
“I noted his fear as well,” Kevin raised an eyebrow, “Should I be concerned as to the situation leading to his injuries?”
“That is undetermined at this time.” Holt pursed his lips slightly, “However, this may correlate with his seeming to have issues this past week.”
They were unable to speak further on the subject, as Peralta re-emerged, now in the guest clothing. It appeared that he had washed the blood from his face, and it did make the cut look more minor. However, it did nothing to conceal the darkening patch of skin on his jaw, nor the stiffness in his shoulders, nor the tension throughout his entire body.
Peralta seemed unwilling to walk into the room, but did so anyway, his reluctant footsteps small, and still with that edge of wanting to flee.
However, Holt believed that the risk of him running was now decreased, as Peralta seemed the type to not want to run off in someone else’s clothing. Not impossible, but simply less likely.
“Peralta, if you would sit down, please, so that I may check your contusions.” Holt asked, lifting up the first-aid kit that Kevin had helpfully placed at the side table.
Jake shook his head quickly, “No, no, I’m - thank you, but I’m- but I’m fine, no.”
“I am concerned for your wellbeing.” Holt tried, but Jake just shook his head again.
Kevin spoke now. “I don’t enjoy having injured guests in my home. Please, it would be poor hospitality on our part if we didn’t lend you aid.”
Jake chewed on his lip, looking indecisive, before giving a wary, “Yeah, okay, just… go ahead.” He sat down - on the floor once more, Holt noted - and Holt gave Kevin an appreciative glance as he went over to Peralta, sitting down in front of him. Cheddar moved to Peralta’s side, so as to not get in the way.
Jake seemed to be looking anywhere except Holt’s face, which Holt did not take personally. Peralta, for all intents and purposes, seemed to be behaving in a way that, as Kevin had pointed out, indicated fear.
Whoever caused Jacob fear… Holt did his best to keep his expression neutral, not wanting to upset Peralta through a look of anger, but his emotions were quite tumultuous.
Holt opened the kit, Jake flinching at the loud plastic snap of the lid opening. He politely pretended not to notice Jake’s reaction, instead simply pulling out some bandaids and antibiotic ointment.
Kevin had left in the direction of their kitchen, presumably for an ice pack or two.
“Jacob,” Holt decided to go with a more informal address, in order to promote a feeling of comfort, “If I may ask, what brought you to my home?”
Jake shrugged, then winced. “Oh, you know, just in the area.”
“Hm.” Holt replied, carefully taping up the cut - upon inspection, it had required a butterfly bandage, instead of a normal bandaid one. “Were you injured in my neighborhood?”
“No,” Jake frowned, “Look, thanks for- for all of this, but I don’t… I’m fine, seriously.”
“I noticed your back was injured as well.” Holt replied instead, watching Jake’s expression.
It flashed with what looked to be shame
““Yeah, but it’s fine.” Jake said stubbornly, “I just hit a wall, is all.”
“You hit it, or someone hit you into it?” Holt asked.
Jake’s gaze dropped to the floor.
That was enough of an answer for Holt. However, given how Jake’s shoulders seemed unwilling to give up their tension, he decided a brief cessation in asking questions would be ideal.
Kevin returned with two ice packs, which Holt took gratefully.
“Peralta, if you could hold one of these to your face, I can place the other one on your back, where there is bruising.”
Jake grimaced as he took one of the packs. “I only need the one, it’s fine.”
“Jacob,” Holt began, reaching forward, but Jake visibly recoiled.
He stopped moving, instead placing his arm back at his side. He felt a flash of hurt, even though he was fully aware of the fact that Jake’s physical reactions had nothing to do with intention. He hoped that his expression reflected that. Jake, for his part, was staring, wide-eyed, at him, before shaking his head quickly, almost desperately.
“No, no, Holt, it’s not - it’s not you, I promise.” Jake sounded almost pleading, which made Holt feel vaguely uneasy. He was, of course, aware that the reaction was not about him, but Jake’s reaction to it suggested he expected Holt to be angry at him for it. “It’s just- you remind me a lot of him, and I mean you’re a Captain too, but it’s not- you don’t need to- it’s not you. And I shouldn’t have, I mean, there was no reason for me to do that, I don’t know why I did…”
Jake seemed so eager to explain himself to Holt, that he had seemingly been unaware of his disclosing of who it had been who had caused him injury. Holt’s eyes narrowed slightly, before he smoothed his expression into a kind one. There would, of course, be a time for anger later.
“Jacob, it is alright.” He said, “I understand the situation, and blame you for none of this.” Holt was, naturally, implying for none of it in total, and it seemed as though Jake both picked up on that, and had in fact been holding himself to blame at least partially for it, as his eyes seemed to mist slightly and he looked away.
There was silence, as Jake seemingly tried to hold back his tears. Holt did not speak, and instead tried to give Jake space to process his emotions himself. CHeddar was, of course, given many pets during this time, which he appreciated in his own way.
Finally, Jake spoke, voice somewhat choked up. “Thanks, Captain.”
“Of course.” Holt nodded.
Jake’s voice was shaky. “Please, though, I don’t- I don’t want you to think less of me, or… or tell anyone about this.”
“I will not think less of you for anything you may have gone through.” Holt said firmly, but kindly, “Additionally, should you wish this encounter to remain between us, I will not disclose it.”
“I- thank you.” Jake said, moving forward slightly as though wanting to hug Holt, and then thinking better of it and aborting the action. Holt was both relieved by it, as well as slightly disappointed. Not in the lack of a hug - that was much too personal - but more in that Jake did not feel comfortable in carrying through with his wants.
“I meant it. Now then,” He changed his tone to a more businesslike one, “Would you perhaps like to rest? You may use the guest bedroom, and can place the icepacks before sleep.”
“Um, are you sure?” Jake asked uneasily. ‘I wouldn’t want to be a bother or anything.”
“You’re welcome here.” Kevin said simply, standing beside Holt, who was still sitting on the floor - if it had been any other situation, Holt would never have done so - with a kind expression on his face. “Allow me to escort you to your room,” Kevin continued, “Raymond, if you would replace the first-aid kit?”
“Yes.” Holt nodded, standing up. Sure enough, as he moved at Kevin’s request, so too did Jake, standing up and, albeit hesitantly, obliged in following Kevin, ice packs in his hands. Cheddar trotted after them.
Holt admired the little group for a moment - those he cared about most all being in one setting - but that feeling of brief happiness was soon replaced as he noted the purpling marks along the top edge of Jake’s shirt. Thankfully, it seemed as though much of Jake’s tension had left, perhaps due to exhaustion, or perhaps their words of welcome.
Regardless, Holt was glad to see it, and busied himself with putting away the kit, being soon joined by Kevin once more, albeit without Cheddar.
“Cheddar is staying with our guest.” Kevin informed, “It does appear that Peralta is in greater need of his company than us tonight.”
“Yes.” Holt nodded, before sitting down in a chair heavily, Kevin joining him in the one next to it.
“So much for a relaxing night,” Kevin said after a moment, without resentment.
“I have a suspicion that Jacob’s father was the one who caused him injury.” Holt said, watching Kevin’s expression.
It fell slightly, not with surprise, but with disappointment.
“I had a suspicion that Peralta’s father was… lacking in certain qualities, but it is unfortunate that Jacob has had to experience such things.”
Holt nodded. “I am unsure of what steps to take. Jacob did not intend to tell me, I believe, but I cannot stand by idly.”
“Perhaps we can ensure that Jacob is not alone with his father, for the time being?”
“That is seemingly all we can do. I will not overstep his boundary of having this situation remain private. However, should we agree to give him additional support going forward, I would be highly receptive.” Holt offered.
Kevin gave approximately a 15 second consideration, before nodding in approval. “I concur, it seems that an increase in support for him would be best for his wellbeing, given this new information.” He sighed slightly, “I suppose we’ll have to buy more of those orange soda drinks.”
Holt grimaced. “I am doubtful we have to go that far.” He objected.
Kevin merely raised an eyebrow at him.
“Oh, very well. But it will be kept strictly in the guest’s fridge.”
“Obviously.”