Chapter Text
It happened again. Given John had been doing well with the forced breaks Harold had been making him take; once he convinced Harold he didn’t need breaks anymore was, of course, when it happened again. This time nothing went south, no interruptions, when Jay was on the field but it still disturbed Harold.
“John, we need to talk about your schedule.” He finally said after the number’s case was done. “Without enough breaks Jay slips out into field work and neither of us want that.”
John seemed divided on the matter. On one half he agreed with Harold, he didn’t want Jay out on the field; for others sake and he guessed that went for himself too. However, he knew where Harold was going with this and didn’t want to be put on the bench.
Harold continued after a few moments, “I think every three days you have a day where you do nothing related to work or if you insist on working everyday then you can work half days with backup from our friends at the NYPD.”
John smoothed out his jacket as he thought before replying, “Every three days would be more effective I think.” He knew better than to try and dissuade Harold; if he had already thought it through enough to have options it was already going to happen. Very rarely did Harold go back on something he’d already put thought into.
Harold looked visibly relieved that John hadn’t put effort into countering him. As it wasn’t something he was taking lightly after, now twice, having Jay on the field. Harold didn’t know much about them still but they seemed to act much younger than John, somewhat suggesting that they may have split off at around the time of John’s childhood trauma.
John went over and laid on the couch, which surprised Harold, “Are you planning on staying?” A muffled, “I thought I might take a short nap,” is what Harold heard back. Then after a few more seconds John continued, “If that’s alright.”
“Yes, of course. Make yourself at home.” Harold said before going back to work on his computer.
John wasn’t down for long. Sitting up only around 20 minutes later. They looked over to Harold sort of dazed before Harold realized what happened. It seemed to him that John mistook the signs he was dissociating as signs he was tired, therefore he would try to sleep them away.
“Jay come here for a second, I wanted to show you something.” Harold said as he stood up to lead Jay into the library. A bit further into it Harold had set up a small bedroom, it had stayed untouched however. He thought Jay might enjoy it as it was fairly hidden. “You can stay here whenever you want. I’ll be out in the main room working most of the time if you ever need me.”
Besides the room, Harold had other things for Jay. Sitting on the bed was a small gift basket filled with items he had purchased to give Jay so they could have a few things of their own. It included a laptop, snacks, a small whale plush and some comfortable pajamas–as Jay’s counterpart seemed to not believe in them.
Jay replied quietly, “Thank you.” Truthfully Harold hadn’t been expecting a response but was pleased to get one nonetheless, “Of course, Jay.” He smiled then left them to their own devices.
—
John later emerged from the depths of the library a few hours later. “Harold. What on earth am I wearing?” Finch couldn’t stop himself from chuckling, “Bamboo pajamas that I gave Jay. Feel free to change now that you’re back.” He was secretly happy Jay had put them on immediately, he felt as if it was another sign of trust.
Finch changed the subject by saying, “I think the new work schedule will be beneficial and keep you safer. I think the main issue was that Jay didn’t have any safe places to switch in, therefore switching in any downtime or less stressful times during mission work.”
“Maybe.” John said with a slight smile, “Thanks Finch... For understanding.”
“Of course, Mr. Reese, always.”