forty two

I walked down the busy road, Callie skipping along, her hand in mine. She hummed noisily, and I grinned.

I was taking her to nursery this morning instead of Jake, he had the day off and I wanted him to continue to lie in.

We approached the colourful building, Callie growing more excited, as we walked up the chalked path.

"Bye bye mommy" she beamed

"Can't I go in with you?" I smiled at her

"No. I'm big now"

"You are!" I kissed her cheek quickly before waving goodbye, watching in pride as she disappeared inside.

I turned on my heel, walking back home again. It was great that Callie loved nursery so much, and she was getting so much better at speaking it was crazy.

I found my mind wandering as I followed the rythm of my feet on the grey pavement. I was so lost in my thoughts, I didn't even notice when i took a wrong turn, onto a much busier road.

I grabbed my bearings, looking around before realising this route would only take a minute longer, so there was no point in going back to my usual route.

People were still partying through the morning, having been up all night, and I smiled to myself at the loud chatter and noise coming from most directions.

I heard a tounge whistle behind me and turned, curious. "Come and have a beer!" Was another shout, and I realised it was coming from a group of older men, extremely drunk.

I turned back, trying to spot who they were shouting too, when, "we're talking to you!" Another drunken shout. I realised I was the one being spoken to and turned hastily, walking at a steady pace. I groaned inwardly as two of the men ran up to me, falling into step either side of me.

"You not coming for a beer?" One sneered and I smiled at him politely

"No"

"Well why not?"

"Thanks for the offer but I'm not interested" I continued walking, getting slightly faster.

"Playing hard to get?" One slurred and I stopped, grimacing at him in disgust.

"The answer is no. No." I made my voice firm and the guy stepped back slightly. I inwardly cheered myself for standing my ground when I felt the second guy grab my ass from behind.

I turned pushing him back, and he stumbled, tripping over in his intoxicated state.

"SHE JUST PUSHED ME. If I did that to her yous would kill me" he shouted, barely getting the words out.

"Because you fucking touched me" I spat at him, and felt someone grab my arm, not as harsh.

I turned preparing to kick them where the sun don't shine, but to my shock it was a bartender from the nearest bar.

"Ma'am, please keep walking, we don't appreciate the issue you've caused here" he said quietly but sternly.

"Are you kidding me? They came after me and he literally touched me" I was almost shouting at the employee.

He sighed, "I would take it as a compliment, they obviously thought you were attractive, and I mean they aren't in a sober enough state to control themselves" he said and I literally felt my face burn in embarrassment and anger.

"A compliment? I-"

The employee spoke over me, "please leave before we escort you away" he said coldly

I opened my mouth to say something but nothing came out. I turned, starting to walk away and I heard the man on the floor mutter in my direction. "Slut"

I bit my lip hard as I could, stopping myself from lashing out as I walked away and back to ours.

I eventually turned into the apartment, anger still coursing through my veins.

Jake walked sleepily into the room, holding out his arms to me, smiling.

I couldn't smile back so instead just walked into his arms trying to calm down as I replayed the scenario in head.

"Um, y/n you're kind of shaking" Jake said nervously, taking my hand.

"I'm just really angry" I said quietly, ridding the aggression from my voice.

Jake pulled out of the embrace, looking more concerned now.

"What happened"

"Drunk old men. These guys catcalled then followed me, then one grabbed my ass and I pushed him away. He fell. Then a like bartender person told me to leave for causing an issue and that it was a compliment, and I was forced to leave while they called me a slut." I stayed matter of factly.

Jake's face went from confusion to worry to anger and back to confusion

"Um, wow okay..." he wrapped his head around everything i had just told him.

"How...? Um i mean how do you feel?" He swallowed

"Not great" I sighed

I was starting to feel emotion other than anger as my mind cleared, and I stepped back into Jake's arms, closing my eyes.

He instinctively tightened them around me.

And we stood in silence.

I felt him reach for his phone and watched as he opened the Uber app, setting the location as the precinct.

"Jake you don't have work today." I reminded him.

"Yeah I know, we're both going"

"Why though?"

"So we can report those guys"

I sighed, "there's no point Jake it's my word against theirs plus an employee. Anyways it's fine, worse happens."

"That doesn't make it okay."

"I know that, but it's pointless"

Jake couldn't seem to get his head around what I was saying.

"I still think we should report it" he muttered, cancelling the Uber.

"I know, but it will only make things worse"

"How? How will it make things worse?"

"Because, when they get out of it without any consequences it will make them want to do it again."

"Won't they anyway? Cmon y/n you've got to at least try."

I sat on the couch, not knowing what to do. I wanted to just forget about but I knew deep down Jake was right.

The anger was gone now, just replaced by a sad empty feeling. I felt my eyes, still watery, and I tried to blink back the tears.

I felt the couch sink next to me as Jake sat down.

He pulled me into his arms and I let myself calm down, my head resting on his chest, listening to his steady heartbeat.

"Y/n, Amy is good with these cases, It's worth a try" he said softly.

"Okay" I replied, "can we just stay here for a bit though"

He smiled warmly, "of course" we sat in a comforting silence, melting into each other.

I smiled to myself as I felt his fingers tugging on the end of my hair as he fiddled with it.

time skip to the precinct—————————

Jake squeezed my hand tightly as the elevator ascended to the 99's floor.

We walked into the bullpen and Charles ran up, hifiving Jake.

"Jake! You look snazzy" he said excitedly

Jake looked down at his outfit in confusion.

"I'm literally in the most casual clothes ever Charles"

"I know. You always look snazzy" Charles said defeatedly and walked away.

I laughed, Jake smiling knowingly.

Holt emerged from his office, "peralta. If I remember correctly it's your day off?"

"Yes Cap'n, I'm just with y/n"

We walked over to Amy's desk, sitting down as she smiled at us.

"So, what can I help with?" She asked

"Its not much, I just wanna report some guys

from earlier. Well it's a long story but," I explained to her what I had to Jake earlier as she listened, taking notes.

"I'll go down later, and get the security footage, there are cameras in the area and we'll go from there. Thanks for saying y/n, it should be seen as a bigger deal than it is"

I sighed in relief, smiling back at her. "Thanks Amy"

Me and Jake walked back out

"Bye LOSERS" he yelled behind us and I heard a collective groan as I smirked.