Work Text:
"Middle of bumfuck nowhere?" Soha says incredulously. "A bit...typical for a meeting place ya?"
Adam lets out a too familiar, deep exhale at her comment — only gaining a wide grin on the detective's face — with Nate giving a strained smile at the profanity usage.
Felix can't help smiling still even after finishing his loud laughter, coughing in between words. "Oh, I'm adding that to my swearing list." He says, already making a mental note.
"Don't." Nate groans, a headache forming at how the event is unfolding.
Mason's lips form a smirk, an unlit cigarette balancing between them — amused, and finally showing a sign of focusing on their discussion unlike before. "Technically, it's not bumfuck nowhere. It's just deep in Wayhaven's very magical and mysterious forest."
Soha snorts, leaning forward from her seat. "Ah yes, the same forest that's magically infested with slobbering werewolves, surrounded with an unusually thick fog, and absent of any signs of a community."
Rebecca gives a pointed look at her daughter, cold eyes narrow in her direction since she first opened her mouth. The agent's presence itself simmers the carefree exchange slightly.
"Soha," Her tone sends chills down the detective's spine of memories every time she's caught misbehaving or in the act of one by the caretakers — she doesn't dare to look at her mother's face.
"Yes...Ummi?" Soha squeaks, genuine fear brewing within her.
"Behave."
She slumps on the large velvet armchair, the soft furniture almost swallowing her whole by her petite frame. "Yes, Ummi."
Felix purses his lips at the sight, holding back laughter with one hand as he doesn't trust himself to not accidentally snigger. Mason only gleams but says nothing more.
Rebecca takes a deep breath before continuing. "I expect the assignment would go smoothly as each of you have experienced this before."
"But as always, extra preparations and precautions are necessary still since unexpected possibilities could still occur." Rebecca rearranges the stack of papers on the coffee table, her eyes soft for a moment. "Also, do check if you're properly equipped. I would prefer your lives aren't at risk again."
Despite her mother not even glancing at her, Soha knows the last statement is directly stated for her. Her frown only deepens at that.
Rebecca stands, signalling the meeting has finished as she straightens the wrinkles of her attire.
"I'll have to leave," She checks her wristwatch with a frown of her own. "If there are any emergencies or changes, do contact me as soon as possible. Good day everyone and stay safe." She nods stiffly, her professional demeanour resurfacing before cantering to the single amber wood door.
"Ah! Before you go, Agent Nader–" Nate starts, the couch screeching as he rushes to meet her before the door closes.
Soha stares at the second-in-command and her mother — no longer sinking in the plush —, trying to decipher their conversation out of sheer boredom or bitterness.
"You know what I like about you Soha?"
Felix interrupts her focus, placing himself on the armrest beside her. Even without looking, Soha knows that he's grinning ear to ear. "You never learn from your mistakes. Because at this point, everyone else wouldn't get so smart with Agent Nader."
"Well, excuse me Mister Felix Hauville." She starts dramatically, placing a hand on her chest. "I do learn from my mistakes but my love for being a dumbass is too strong."
Felix laughs. "Damn, I should've volunteered to come. I would love to see how the agreement will end up with that rationale."
"I don't think Adam and Nate would approve of that idea." A voice says from behind them.
Soha glances upwards to see as a friendly-as-it-can-get face, Mason. Soha notes that his sleeves are folded until his elbow, showing freckled skin, and surprisingly, a low-short ponytail tied neatly as few strands have fallen on his face. The summer heat possibly affecting him more than predicted.
"You two would never finish or take hours to even finish one." He sneers.
Felix huffs. "Haters I tell you. At least it's done."
Soha raises a finger as a voting of support. "You got that right."
Before either of the two could add more to the conversation, Adam's stern tone cuts in from the other side of the table. "It's late, shouldn't you be going home by now?"
It's obvious the conversion wasn't overlooked by the commanding agent with the usual aggravated expression and the way he massages his temple.
With how the question is formatted, Soha couldn't help but tease the man for it. A small mischievous smile creeping on her lips. "Why? Eager to send me back to my bed and more?"
Adam almost splutters at the response, turning to the detective. "The reason for my question is because–"
"A good rest is beneficial for my health, yes, yes." She waves off, a part of her slightly disappointed that he has to justify.
Soha then checks the time on her phone before humming, placing it back. "I guess I should go home but I feel like the paperwork in the station will haunt me — or Captain Sung will since...Well, I haven't touched them in..." She tries to count the days she has left the stacks on her desk.
His embarrassment is quickly replaced with mild exasperation, prominent by the lines between his brows. "Yes, we clearly understand what you're referring to."
Soha smiles widely. "Thank you."
Adam visibly stiffens at the gentleness of her features.
"But," She pulls her sentence in a sing-song tone. "I hate to say it, Adam does have a point though. His reality check has me feeling I really should be doing something at least — such as finishing that junk at work."
She shrugs. "Gotta keep the badge somehow."
Soha then pushes herself off with difficulty at first — the centre of balance unproportioned from how low her seating is — before she seems herself again.
"I had fun though!" She says, already rushing towards the door passing Nate who long already finished talking with Rebecca and almost tripping on her own feet. "See you tomorrow!"
In the hallway, she continues to yell, earning another smile from Felix. "Also, don't follow me at work! I'm warning you!"
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Mason stares at the bright-coloured and all too familiar signage of a twenty-four-hour convenience store. Smoke escapes his lips, cigarette between his fingers, and confusion plastered on his face as he waits outside.
Never once has the detective set up a meeting place at a convenience store, especially this one. He didn't know it existed in Wayhaven before this and was momentarily a little curious as to why here out of all but decided against thinking too deeply of it.
He shortly scowls when sunlight directly reflects on his eye, caused by a passing car, drawing him back to wallow in his boiling hatred of the heaty season and how everything grows more uncomfortable with each minute.
Soha then comes out, familiar short auburn hair sticking at odd places with a large plum coloured sunglasses slowly slipping from her nose bridge.
She seems to struggle with carrying four items at once whilst trying to keep her change in her wallet — mumbling curses under her breath every time a coin falls onto the brick floor.
Mason drops the cigarette and scrunches the bud under his boot as she approaches. "Caffeine addiction?"
Mid-struggling, she looks him dead in the eye with four cans of coffee. "What gave you the idea?"
She then lets out a sigh, a rare occurrence, after shoving her wallet at the back of her pocket. "I don't trust myself to be awake through the whole thing, you know? I must have bean juice in my system."
"Sucks to be you," Mason snorts.
Soha huffs at the comment. "Wow, I'm drowning in sympathy right now."
The corner of his lips quirk. "The most you've gotten, sweetheart?"
In the middle of their banter, Mason catches sight of the sunglasses falling from her face and catches it before it breaks itself onto one of the cans or the floor.
"Ah, thanks," Soha mutters, surprisingly indifferent and more concentrated on opening one of the coffee cans now. "Can you place it back to my face, please? As sexy as the sun is flaunting her curves, I'd rather not go blind."
Mason inspects the accessory for a moment, oval in-shape that's stylised to a more sixties theme with its large rim and bulkiness.
'Horrendous.' He thinks.
He casually places it on his face.
"Hey–" Soha protests.
"I think I'll be keeping it for a bit." He smirks, tapping the white frame.
She seems genuinely bewildered by his action but doesn't seem to be against it despite the suddenness and casual thievery. "I– What? Okay, I guess?"
"I never pegged you to like these types of sunglasses though." She takes a small sip of her coffee, eyes scanning his additional look. It's a statement from his overall dark outfit.
Mason doesn't seem to mind, shrugging as he acknowledges. "I don't."
"Well, it looks good on you if you're wondering." She grins before taking another sip. "The locals are going to swoon."
Mason decidedly leans closer to the detective, daring to get close within her personal space. "Are you swooning for me, Soha?"
Soha lets out a loud snort, contained laughter at his flirtation. "Nice try dude but fuck no."
"I'm well aware." He chuckles softly. "You make it too easy for me to slip an innuendo in."
The same wide grin plastered on her face. "I'm nothing but an enabler for terrible humour."
"With that comes assumption number one," She begins. "You probably make "That's what she said," jokes too. It's a big maybe. In which, I'll be the most disappointed person in the whole world if you did."
The disgusted look he gives is full of intense hatred despite the comical sunglasses hiding his stormy eyes. Soha isn't able to tell if it's genuine or an exaggeration from how animatic his expression is but tries to hold back a burst of immediate laughter at the sight.
"I'll pretend you didn't think that low of me." He grouses.
She then lets out a loud laugh and a coughing apology in between, Mason only shaking his head in disapproval but says nothing more.
Soha jogs herself towards where her car is parked once they're close, eager to set her items down before propping herself on the silver bonnet. Physically relieved from her arms not freezing.
Mason decides to test the shades to see if it truly helps with the glaring daylight. Unlike some items he has owned that are more as decorations than anything useful. He glances upwards, and see the outline of the sun and concludes that the sunglasses are legitimate despite having the quality of a cheap toy store.
He's slightly surprised.
"Not hungry?" She asks while placing the cans onto the weathered metallic plate.
Mason makes himself comfortable next to her, leaning against the door of the vehicle. "I'm sure the public would love to see me drinking blood in public."
She chugs the coffee, tilting it upwards until the last drop before she answers. "You can just say it's pomegranate juice if you place it in a bottle. I'm sure they won't suspect anything by it."
Mason hums, taking a mental note.
"Coffee?" Soha holds up an unopened can.
"No." He doesn't bother glancing.
"Mosquito?"
He whips his head to her. "What?"
"Technically it's indirect blood-drinking." She shrugs.
Mason doesn't hide his revulsion despite the sunglasses covering half of his face.
"No?" Soha quirks her head in question. It's a genuine question from her.
"Okay then," She then slaps the mosquito dead on her arm. "But don't come to me when you're hungry later."
He almost scoffs at her words.
Mason decides on checking his phone in order to occupy himself from the momentary comforting silence. Revving cars, chatters, and chores heard from places even metres away. To only keep the device back in his back pocket when nothing of importance is in but spams from Felix.
A small group passes by greeting the detective with smiles when they're certain it's her. Soha at first not noticing — busying herself by cracking open the third coffee — brightens seeing friendly faces, earning a few easy smiles, unwarranted quips, and an expected wink from herself which results in a few fond sighs and eye rolls from most.
One then two glances their way towards Mason's direction in question and curiosity, wanting to converse with him. Unable to tell if the agent is completely ignoring them on purpose or not, they let him be, a knowing glance between the two on wanting to try again another time.
They wave their goodbyes after minutes has passed. The group parting ways to their initial locale while brimming with merriment.
"Ah, to be students again. I'm surprised they're all still here during the summer." Soha chuckles softly when they're no longer within eyesight, sipping more of the cold brew. "Can't say Wayhaven's the best place to get fried. Or become a recently boiled lobster."
"Like what you're becoming?" Mason japes.
She snickers. "Sun hates us both it seems."
And something goes unmistakable. Would have been hidden too well from how quick, the mere moments it resurfaces.
Workings of the mind isn't his forte, having to decipher the differences and emphasize the similarities. However, he knows one thing, nonverbal communication such as postures, and gestures are direct, don't lie, almost effortless for those who can understand its language.
Sadness, anxiousness.
By the single look catered where was once the group with the stuttering heart and uneven breathing, too sharp, too out of place.
"Felix was right for once." He almost scoffs at his own words. His old friend would have revelled for a week if he heard. "You're an idiot."
She doesn't even waver with the insult, chugging another can. "I get that a lot but what's the reason this time?"
"That you don't notice the obvious. Those kids care for you."
The unexpected consolation makes Soha choke on her coffee, wiping away the excess from her lips. "Come again?"
Mason raises a thick eyebrow. "I know you heard me."
"Still," She simpers. "I'd like a repeat."
Mason says nothing, his steady, challenging gaze is enough to stop her from the topic aversion with the way she couldn't meet his eye.
"Okay, okay." She bemoans, adding the next softly. "I do still want to hear that again though."
Soha regards in the direction they were, — her roguish nature simmers — soft wind blowing, heat waves visible by eye with wistful glazed eyes as she gives a small smile. She then looks down towards the empty can in her hand, recognisable logo and mascot printed on the item.
"I can't say that for sure when they've never said it themselves." She taps the empty can with her plastered finger, a soft rhythmic echo within the tin.
"But it's nice when it's confirmed by the specialist agent." She throws him her usual grin, this time slightly strained. "It's like a psychotherapist seal of approval."
She then nudges him. "A grumpy one that is."
Mason only grunts.
"Sometimes I wonder if I'm being too nosy? With all these checking out and wondering how they are. You know? That kind of stuff."
"I know I would think so as a kid, having the you-mind-your-business-I-mind-mine mentality and the classic 'I'm old enough Mum!'" Soha adds a soft chuckle after the voice impression.
"I don't know...I just–" She blows raspberries in frustration, melting against the shape of her car before sitting in a crouched position. She props her chin in between crossed arms. "I can't help it even with that. Those kids have too much burden on their shoulders and they don't know or have the proper outlet for it."
"I just hope being held by the station is the only terrible consequence they had to endure for those actions." She murmurs, quiet enough that if it were anyone else, they wouldn't be able to hear her.
Mason stares at her in thought.
Then he crouches next to her with a sharp sigh. Soha not wanting to make eye contact, feeling uncomfortable after voicing her worries, the rawness of carving to unravel the workings of her heart.
"Then I'm going to be an unofficial psychotherapist and say this: Your concern isn't misplaced." He starts.
"You want the best. You expect to become the best supporter for them. With that, you take into consideration of their feelings, their reactions, their comforts. A lot to just provide the best."
"But brats are brats, they will let you know if you've crossed the line and guess what? I sensed not a single annoyance or discomfort from your interaction with them."
He nudges her, a mirror of what she has done. "I repeat: they care for you, Soha."
She then grows quiet, reasonably so and Mason says nothing at it. Staying by her side until she does, recognising the pace of each heartbeat between both of them.
A small, hopeful but weak smile creeps onto her slips when minutes passed. "Mason?"
"You can keep the glasses without sucking up to me. You know that right?"
With that, Mason practically pushes her with his side, hard enough she yelps and falls bottom first on the concrete.
Soha chuckles. Unbothered and cheerfuller, glowing with her own light. "I can buy you a new one! I promise!"
He stands up. "You think you're so funny, Pennywise?"
She gives a sharp grin. "I ain't the jester from the piggy pen of a station for nothing bitch. The fool, the clown. God didn't make me red hair for anything, I'm born into this role."
"Auburn." Mason corrects her with a signature smirk.
"It's still technically red." Soha waggles her finger.
Mason gives an eye roll before offering a hand for her to stand. She grabs onto it immediately. Warm against the cold.
"Thank you though, Mason." She smiles softer this time. "For that."
Mason says nothing but a grunt. Him not meeting her eye doesn't go unmissed and Soha says nothing but gives the same hand he handed a squeeze.
"Come on, let's go seduce some werewolves." Soha changes the topic for both their sake. Letting go to check her non-existent wristwatch. "And stay in the car for the aircon. We've been roasted for far too long."
"The most sensible decision you've decided on since I've arrived." Mason's already halfway in the vehicle.
"Second most sensible." She chastises him before he slams the door. "Inhaling coffee is the first one."