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You loved your uncle. He was always kind to you, always made you smile with his crass jokes. He even sneaked you cheesy hot dogs when your mother was attempting one of her extreme health kicks. You truly adored him. However, you also wanted to smack him aside the head regularly. This desire only compounded when you found yourself working in the same building as him. You were indebted to him for using his pull to get you straight in for an interview with the commissioner, side stepping the bulk of the normally lengthy hiring process, but hearing him be his obnoxious self on a regular basis was well…annoying sometimes.
Like today for example, you were trying your hardest to quickly collect files from various desks around the main floor of the precinct. You were already a little frustrated because it was supposedly policy that when someone was done using a case file, they were to return it themselves to the records annex, but you quickly found out that most employees did not do that. Plenty of them even had a bin on their desk that was for the files they didn’t feel like bringing back themselves. You didn’t know why it was deemed acceptable for those officers to simply ignore a policy that was set in place by their own boss, but you didn’t feel it was your place to complain yet. So instead you scurried around collecting files till your arms where so full you felt like you were about to topple over. The whole time you were struggling, most of the officers simply ignored you and all you could hear was your Uncle Harvey’s boisterous laughter dance through the air as he told a story about your dad and him going on some adventure when they were younger. You tried not to laugh sourly yourself as you noticed parts in his tale that were exaggerated to the point of fiction. And you definitely didn’t appreciate his off handed remarks about the ladies he uncounted on said journey.
As you made it across the precinct, passing your uncle and the officers he was chatting with, he did however smile warmly at you. “Doing ok Cupcake?” He asked loudly, earning a few snickers from the two other men he was standing with. You really wanted to slap him right then. So your dad always called you Cupcake, it was something silly from when you were a little girl that just stuck. You didn’t mind it in family situations, but it was embarrassing at work. Plus, you were especially not a fan of the way the way the other men reacted.
Shortly you responded with a quick ‘fine’, before continuing on your way to the annex. There you struggled with containing you tipping stack of files and opening the door. Exasperated, you were about to yell back for your uncle to help you out, when another hand slipped over the door knob to open the door for you.
You sighed in relief, about to thank whoever it was for adding a little hope into your day. Just as you started to look over to your help, your entire pile of files tipped over. It all crashed onto the ground just inside the doorway. Seeing the scattered papers and files all over in complete disarray made your brief optimism sink. The annoyed grimace returned to your face as you kneeled down to start picking up the mess. Whoever opened the door for you was completely forgotten as you grumble to yourself.
You were so immersed in your bitter mood you didn’t even notice the figure that knelt next you until they reached over to grab a dislocated photo that was in front of you to add it to a file they were putting back together. Your eyes followed the hand to its owner and let out a tiny smile at the sight of him. You had met Edward Nygma a couple times, but never really had a chance to talk to him. All you knew about him was what your uncle had to say. Some notes about Ed lacking a comprehension of personal space and his use of riddles. Lots and lots of riddles.
“Sorry” the apology slipped out of your mouth before you could even think about it, you felt guilty he was helping you. You didn’t want to put out a vibe as the new girl who needed constant help. You were striving to handle everything yourself without much aid.
“It’s my pleasure Miss Bullock. We all need an extra hand sometimes.” His voice was light, but still matter of fact, like what he said was simply common knowledge. Yes, it was obvious everyone needed help sometimes, but finding someone who actually cared enough to help was a completely different matter.
"I’m sure you have something better to do with your time. I don’t want to hold you up.“ You continued to apologize, you couldn’t help it. You started to think it wasn’t best for you to interact with anyone while in such a miserable mood.
Ed just smiled warmly at you, “I can’t think of anything better than spending some time with you. You always seem so…well…” As he paused you watched his face slip into a very thoughtful expression. He didn’t want to offend you with what he thought, but decided it was the only proper description. “Lonely” He finally said slowly without looking directly at you.
He was correct; this job was starting to be very draining and awful lonely. Almost everyone in the whole precinct ignored your very existence. The only people that acknowledged you on a regular basis was your uncle and his partner. However, they both treated you like a child. Plus, they were busy most of the time and rarely actually in the office to interact with at all. There were days that you wouldn’t talk to anyone at all other than the limited professional chatter that was required by someone requesting a file from you.
It didn’t make sense to you. You had visited the GCPD many times over your life; either stopping in to see your uncle with your dad or on a school trip. Since you were a preteen there were three different women who worked in the records annex. They all seemed to fit the same mold. Very pretty, bright eyes, and a flock of officers following her around in an attempt to woo her.
The first woman you met was Debbie. She was very sweet, a little air-headed, but definitely sweet. You were sure at that time, even your uncle was one of the flocking policemen hoping for a date. However, there was a fire at her parents’ house one holiday season and a couple of her family members had died due to it. She quickly quit her job and moved closer to her remaining family after that.
The next woman was Claudia. She was the reason that you told your uncle once you were interested in working at the station when you were seventeen. She was a classic example of a ‘sexy librarian’ type. She was tall, and well built; she had curves that you were so envious of. She was soft spoken, but still very outspoken. She didn’t take any crap from the officers who attempted to flirt with her. She simply thanked them for their attentions, told them she was very much not interested and then sauntered off, swaying her hips enough that they all knew exactly what they were missing out on. She was smart too. You came by a few times when you were applying for colleges just to have her read over your entrance essays. She was a writer and wrote some amazing crime thriller type short stories. Unfortunately, she did have some demons of her own, ones you never noticed when you were younger. You learned about a year ago she ultimately checked herself into a rehab facility after a personal struggle with some hidden vices.
You never actually met the most recent woman in your position, but you’d seen a couple pictures of her from the previous year’s police gala. Kristen was another, tall, pretty woman with big doe eyes. You had heard stories that unlike her predecessors, she was more responsive to the flirtatious attempts of her coworkers. She apparently even dated a few. Her leave from the job was the most mysterious by far. You didn’t ask about it, but you had heard rumors that spanned from her having a bad breakup with a coworker and needing to get away from the precinct, to her actually running off to elope with an ex. No matter what story you heard, it always seemed like the teller didn’t quite believe the story, leaving you intrigued, but no one to ask about it since you were the only records woman in the last ten years, that didn’t have the gaggle of men following you around.
You didn’t know if you should be more concerned that the position itself was cursed, seeing that none of your predecessors had what you believed to be a happy ending to the job. Of if you should be more insecure about yourself because no one wanted to flirt with you. Not that you actually wanted them too, but it would be nice to know that at least someone thought you were pretty like they thought all the others were.
"Miss Bullock?“ Ed’s voice brought you out of your thoughts and you quickly noticed he had most of the files back together and sitting on the ground in two separate piles.
"Oh, um…I think you’re right.” You said quietly. You picked up the last file open on the ground, adding it to one of the piles, standing up with one of the smaller piles in your hands as you walked over to your desk. He followed you, setting his pile next to the other.
You turn around, to finally thank him for everything when you practically pump into his chest. Your uncle was correct on the personal space notion. Seemingly unnerved by your approximately, he looked at you concerned, “Are you alright Miss Bullock?"
You lean back, half sitting on the corner of your desk. You shrugged, "I’m absolutely fine, this job just isn’t what I expected.” With him looking down at you with a general interest, you explained, “I know how beautiful the last few women were who had this position. And I know that they all were all very popular with the men here. I’ve seen how they all flocked to the annex for a chance at ogle at the file girl. I’ve heard stories about how the officers would fight over who gets to ask her to the policeman’s gala. I’m not saying that I want a flock of men flirting with me all the time. How exhausting that would be! Most of the men here are brutes that don’t interest me anyway, but I wouldn’t mind at least having them to talk to sometimes. I’m lucky if one person even says ‘hello’ to me all day. Everyone acts like I don’t exist. Am I really that disgusting that the even the obnoxious womanizers don’t want to talk to me?” By the end of your rant, your voice had grown a bit ragged and you were sure you were practically yelling at Ed. He didn’t seem to mind as he just watched you curiously.
Then a smile spread across his face. “You don’t know, do you?”
“Don’t know what?” You asked cautiously.
“There are plenty men here who would love to flirt with you. You are plenty beautiful, gorgeous even.” You felt yourself blush at his comment. “The only reason no one talks to you is because Detective Bullock had made quite a few threats towards everyone to stay away from you. He’s made it quite clear he’ll make it very unpleasant for anyone he finds making advances toward you.”
“He what!?” The anger exploded within you. You had spent weeks concerned you were hated and undeserving of any attention all because your uncle was forbidding others from talking to you. Unacceptable!
You stood up in a huff, pushing past Ed, marching back onto the main floor, straight up to your uncle who was now packing his belongings up at his desk. He looked up at you with glee. “Are you still coming to dinner with Scottie and me?” he asked innocently.
The following slap could be heard across the entire precinct. Your nostrils flared and your face flushed from anger as you glared at him. “What the hell is wrong with you!?” You roared, causing your uncle to shrink into his chair with a slight whimper.
“Now Cupcake, whats-“ He started to speak as he rubbed the quickly reddening mark across his cheek, but you wouldn’t allow it.
“Don’t you Cupcake me! I am an adult now and I can handle myself! I have spent weeks thinking that there was something wrong with me! That I was some repulsive toad! That I had done something to offend every single person in this entire building! Turns out I just have an unnecessarily protective asshole for an uncle who is threatening my coworkers to stay away from me!” You could tell every eye in the entire floor was watching you now.
His mouth made a little ‘o’ as he realized he was caught, “You weren’t supposed to know that.” He said sheepishly.
"Well I do.“ You said firmly, still breathing heavy.
"And I see ya aren’t too happy about it. Understandable.” He put his hands up in an apologetic way, “Ever consider I was just trying to help?”
"Yes, but that fact doesn’t make me feel any better. I’m allowed to know you care and still be mad at you.“ You held your tone, glaring.
"Ok, Ok, I’ll lay off. If you want to be hounded by these dogs, be my guest.” He suddenly spoke up, letting his last words be heard by all, “But I will end any of these sons of bitches who even think about hurting you."
"Fair enough,” The tiniest smile graced your face unintentionally and he relaxed as you did.
Standing up, your uncle laughed as if the whole situation didn’t just occur. “Dinner?” he asked again.
"Sure, I just need to finish packing up first.“
You hurried back to the annex to find Ed still in the door way, obviously in awe of the scene he just witnessed. You approached him and finally had your chance, "Thank you very much Ed. For everything” You beamed with a soft smile, you both were a little taken aback over how much happier, how much brighter you suddenly felt and acted. He quickly matched your smile and nodded slightly.
"You are very welcome. Promise not to be so lonely now?“
"Only if you come to visit me sometimes,” You touch his shoulder lightly as you walked past him to gather your belongings. Those blasted files will have to wait till tomorrow to be sorted.
As you walked back by Ed he was watching you in awe again. His mind was racing over a thousand different thoughts at once. He scooted out of the way enough for you to shut the annex door. You wished him a good evening, but he only looked at you stunned so you waved and continued back to your uncle who was now ready to go also. You both turned to leave when Ed’s voice caught you.
"I will!“ He called out enthusiastically.
Turning, you eye him very pleased. "Good."
"Good Night Ed!” Your uncle called out, in what you thought was a slightly aggressive tone, but you let it slide.
"G-good Night Harvey, uh, Detective Bullock.” He said before the scuttled off to the lab.