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“Do we know where Mr Wing is?” Rosa asked, carefully straightening out the large stack of files in her hand. She had made it a habit of alphabetising them, a habit she caught from Artem. It was a game-changer, except for the fact that the files refused to straighten themselves out.
“Nope, no clue- oh, do you need help with those, Miss?” Marius asked, slotting next to the young attorney with open hands and his trademark cocky smirk. He nudged her shoulder and wiggled his eyebrows, purple eyes twinkling mischievously. Rosa playfully turned her back on him.
A scoff sounded from the corner of the room, a corner that mostly stayed quiet- spare for a few sharp remarks. Luke pushed off the wall he was leaned up against and walked to the table, hands splayed out on the sleek wood as he glared at Marius.
It seemed like Luke was in a bad mood, which was odd, because he was a morning person. Unlike their resident psychiatrist.
Rosa felt her shoulders slump. One day, the attorney pleaded. Just one day she would like to go home without a headache induced by adult men acting more childish than children.
Honestly, at times she thought of a career change. Maybe a daycare worker? Dealing with her colleagues made her realise she had a knack for looking after toddlers.
“You know, Marius, you could at least try to act like you care about him,” Luke snapped.
“Lukie-"
“Don’t call me that.”
“-As old as Artem is, he isn’t some old senile man. He’s pretty capable. Y’know…I even heard he’s got a sharp eye for shooting, so you better watch out Hot Shot,” Marius retorted, smirk unwavering. The irritated agent tutted.
Distracted by the tense interaction, Marius’ hands slipped over Rosa’s to grab the uneven stack from her. He grinned at her unimpressed expression and winked, shuffling the papers until they stood straight and flat in seconds.
"You're so dumb," Rosa muttered, snatching the papers from Marius' sleek hands.
"But you love m-"
“Artem is capable, it’s true," Vyn suddenly interjected. Marius glared at him. "However I do see Rosa’s point. Our Senior Attorney is never late. Especially for a meeting so pressing that it had to be held in the morning.”
Vyn had sat himself at the end of the briefing table with his signature fountain pen twirling in his hand as his eyes scanned through unedited files. This was normal Vyn behaviour. Yet, Rosa didn't miss how the fountain pen sounded like it was carving into the table. She prayed for it.
Rosa nervously laughed at the ice in Vyn's last few words. She wore she could see frost forming on the furniture around him. Luke and Marius visibly shivered.
"I-I'll go call him…outside," she announced, turning to exit the briefing room alone, leaving no opportunity for anyone to join her. Rosa tried her best to hide the smile fighting itself onto her face at Luke and Marius' horror- really, she did.
---
"He didn't answer."
"Maybe he got caught up with a client of his?" Luke offered reassuringly, instantly observing her unease. He jumped up from his chair and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.
Rosa met his concerned coral eyes, immediately consumed by their glittering warmth. She let out a breath that she had been holding, easing into his touch. Thank God for her Sherlock.
"Knowing how that guy drives, he's probably caught up with the police. Miss, you might need to defend him in court."
"Marius!"
"What? You've seen him drive too, Rosa! Tell Luke I'm being reasonable," Marius demanded, hands planted firmly on his hips. All eyes turned to her, even Vyn's.
He was being reasonable. Artem drove like a maniac, which was only sometimes, but Rosa wasn't going to admit that to an expectant Marius. She didn't want to give him that satisfaction he craved.
At her silence, Marius crossed his arms over his chest like the smartass he was. Chin jutted out, head slightly tipped upwards, he stared down at her through his curtain of lashes.
My God. Rosa pinched the bridge of her nose, until she ran a hand down her face. It was too early to be dealing with this all.
"You think he looks like a crazy driver - try being in a car with him," Rosa retorted, but instantly regretted it at the dangerous looks that crossed each of the boys' face. Christ. Rosa was seriously considering that career change.
"Joke! That was a joke guys," she rushed out desperately. A relieved sigh escaped her once she saw them relax. "…Anyways, speeding is a strict liability offence, Mr Von Hagen, so there will be no defending in court. Not that Artem is going to be fined anything anyway, right?"
"…Why am I being fined?"
A familiar velvety voice caught everyone off guard. Rosa whipped around so fast she felt her neck crack, but that was okay, Artem was here. And safe. And hopefully without a speeding ticket.
He stood in the doorway of the briefing room, his usual pin-striped navy suit immaculate - save for his loose tie. Artem’s eyes flickered between all of them until one of his eyebrows delicately rose in questioning.
"…Miss Attorney was just saying how much of a crazy driver you were," Marius informed. Rosa hit him.
"Was not!” She cleared her throat, “I-I mean… I wasn't. I said no such thing, Mr Wing."
"You did imply it, however," Luke said, straightening up beside her as his grip on her arm tightened slightly. His eyes swept over Artem's tall figure with narrowed eyes and knitted brows. Rosa realised he was his interrogative mode. She sighed. Things just kept getting worse.
"How about we all calm down, hm?" Vyn had kept silent this whole time, but finally, the man rose from his icy throne. The three taller men stiffened as Vyn walked towards them, running a slim finger along the edge of the briefing table. Like the conductor of an opera, Vyn's clear words expertly ended the clatter of words and accusations. Obedient silence descended upon them.
"Good. Now that we're all calm, I would like to ask you, Mr Wing, for your reasoning behind this morning meeting?" the silver-haired man asked with a tight smile.
Artem blinked. His azure eyes glanced down to the white bag that hung idly at his side. The others followed his gaze.
"I thought…it would be nice if I treated you all for your hard work," he murmured, readjusting his tie as a light blush tinted his cheeks, "I only have free time before work in the mornings, so to organise this I had to schedule an early meeting. My apologies, Vyn."
Silence.
Until a sniffle. Rosa’s eyes darted to Marius, where he stood wiping away non-existent tears from his amethyst eyes. Still sniffling, he dramatically threw his arms around the senior attorney. "Oh Mr Wing! I knew you had a heart!"
"...What's in the bag?" Vyn asked, thawing out. His tight smile eased.
Gently shrugging off Marius, Artem carefully brought the white bag to the table, pulling out a tray of four drinks.
"A black tea for Vyn, a flat white for Rosa, extra extra hot and no froth…"
The attorney parted her lips in surprise. Artem had only ever heard her coffee order once.
“Luke, I recall you liked protein shakes…so I bought you a banana protein shake. I hope that's okay?"
"Yeah...I do- that’s perfect," Luke agreed softly, eyes slightly wide.
"I'm glad. And Marius…I got you a hot chocolate." Rosa tried her best to stifle her laugh, earning a scowl from Marius. "I apologise…I wasn't sure what you would like, so I decided for the safer option. I also brought some homemade scones."
"You…You didn't have to do that, Mr Wing," Luke murmured, with a heart-fluttering smile.
"Yeah, what's the occasion, old man? You're not getting too soft are you?"
"Ignore Marius, Artem," Vyn said, but a tease lingered on his tone, "did you get yourself a drink?"
"How are we supposed to enjoy our drinks without you?" Rosa added.
"Ah. I suppose it must of slipped my mind," Artem admitted, averting his eyes to the ground.
Luke frowned, beginning to pat each of his pockets. A smile that rivalled the sun (Rosa really needed a pair of sunglasses for that) broke out across his face as he pulled out a bunch of notes and coins.
"I have some spare money, so let me buy you something," Luke offered.
"No, let me buy you something. I doubt a few coins could buy you something of quality." Luke glared at Marius' taunt.
Vyn tutted. "I have the most experience with beverages. Naturally, it should be me."
Rosa wiped a faux-tear from her eye. They were doing so well - her stupid male colleagues were actually talking and being nice to each other. That was probably a new record set on the 'time-without-going-for-each-other's-necks' challenge. What made it sadder was that she was proud of them.
"How about we just take turns shouting food for everyone?" Rosa suggested in defeat, failing to hide the fondness that warmed her insides more than her coffee did.
"I'm next then," Luke claimed, a proud grin on his face. It showcased his famous pearly white fang that Rosa loved.
Marius scoffed, condescendingly staring down at the change in Luke's hand. "Not with a lame five dollars you can't. You should let me."
"I'm not poor, Marius."
"Of course you're not. You're our hot shot NSB agent. We get it."
"I hate you. I hope you know that.”
Rosa hung her head in dismay, her last rays of hope evaporating. She brought her fingers to her temples, massaging them when she felt the pricks of an oncoming headache. It was only eight thirty in the morning
“Boys,” she warned. Luke and Marius froze. “How about I shout next time? Everyone agree? Awesome! That’s settled then. I’ll go buy Artem a drink and you can enjoy Artem’s scones. Deal?”
---
“Artem is definitely the mum friend,” Marius announced suddenly, mouth full with a scone.
“Don’t speak with a mouth full of food, Marius.”
“See! That’s what I mean!” The youngest exclaimed, smiling at Artem’s disgusted frown. “Plus, he brought us all this food. Don’t try to argue with me, I’m right.”
“Can’t argue with you this time, that is. Valid points have been made,” Rosa agreed, a giggle slipping past her lips when she found Artem’s confused expression. He looked like a lost puppy.
“I’m...physically incapable of being a mother.”
“It’s just a saying,” Luke quickly informed, a hand resting on Artem’s shoulder, “means you’re the responsible and caring friend.”
“What kind of friend am I, Lukie?” Marius piped up, adorning a toothy grin. He battered his eyelashes at Luke's blank expression.
A synchronised answer sounded from the three men, “a pain in the ass.”
“I actually asked Luke.”
Luke laughed softly, unable to suppress his smile. “You’re still our resident pain in the ass, Marius.”
Rosa felt herself shed a tear as her colleagues began bickering like siblings. It felt like the world was retuning to normal, and everything was flourishing around her. They were calling each other friends - and it was happening in real time. Not just in her dreams. Admittedly, it wasn’t going to last long, but it was a massive step for progress.
Rosa may have been going home with a headache, but at least her colleagues were one step closer to becoming friends.
Rosa smiled to herself as the boys lightheartedly tossed insults at each other, bright smiles gracing their normally stoic faces. Their laughs bounced off the glass walls of the briefing room, defrosting the previous chill in the air. She joined in occasionally, just to stir the pot.
Rosa felt at home - something she hadn't felt in a while. Not since her parents had busied themselves with work and Luke had disappeared off the face of the Earth for 8 years. But there he was, along with the others; Marius, Vyn and Artem.
All sitting together, eating breakfast together.
Together.
Like a family. Rosa giggled to herself quietly as she sipped her perfect coffee. Sure, her colleagues were idiots - but they were her idiots, and she loved them for it whether or not they felt the same. She really couldn't ask for more - except maybe, that they got along a bit better.
Actually, that might be a bit of a stretch, Rosa thought, watching with helpless exasperation as Marius threw a scone at Vyn's face. He would later claim that it was an accident. They all knew it wasn’t.