Chapter Text
It had been some time since you began working for Shadow Company. You weren't really the soldier type, so you settled for working in the administrative office at headquarters. A pretty simple job with repetitive tasks, often involving running around to get various signatures on important paperwork, but you were usually home by 6 and got to brag about having a security clearance to your family and friends. On nights when the boss stayed late, locked in his office where you'd sometimes hear the sounds of heated phone calls through the door, you dutifully remained in the administrative suite to do last minute favors for him and, of course, get the handsome overtime pay.
Occasionally you would find takeout meals left on your desk by your boss when you had to leave the office to complete a task, or a drink from the vending machine that you hadn't asked anyone for. At first, you couldn't figure out which of the admin employees was leaving them for you. There were never any notes on these items and nobody had said anything to you. It would've been nice to pay them back or return the favor, but things kept randomly showing up and you were left to look around the room to figure out who had decided to be so generous.
When the job became busier and you were finding yourself receiving a dozen extra hours of overtime each week, it was finally clear that the Commander was your secret treat delivery guy. He was a relatively pleasant person and always said "please" and "thank you" when he asked you for something, and he wasn't bad looking, either. The increase in attention from the boss wasn't unwelcome, but you had a strict no dating of coworkers policy, and that definitely included your direct superior.
Months went on like this where the two of you would share meals or get coffee together on those late nights, just trying to be the best administrative assistant Commander Graves could have. The paycheck was simply too alluring to look for other jobs, and you'd had your eye on a new car for some time now.
"What do you like to do for fun?" This was the first time your conversations had ever deviated from normal work-related talk, and you were taken aback when he asked.
"I'm sorry?"
"Well, seems like you're here all the time and I feel kinda bad for keeping you late so often. What do you do when you're not here?" Graves was known to be compassionate and encouraging to his people, so it wasn't exactly a surprise when he started taking an interest in your personal life.
"Oh, I don't mind being here a little late. Keeps the bills paid and then some, you know? Anyway, I'm kind of a homebody. I'll go home and bake something or play with my pets or just sit down with a glass of wine and relax. Nothing too crazy or reckless."
"You're always welcome to come out with us some time. Bars serve wine, too." You'd swear at this point that Graves was sneakily asking you out, but he did specify that there would be multiple people from Shadow Company there. You decided that it didn't mean it would be a date and was therefore acceptable in your eyes.
You nodded at Graves and finished looking over the files he had asked you to put together for him. "Um, sure. It might be nice to get a change of pace once in a while. I won't make any guarantees, but you might see me around the next time an invitation goes out." That was good enough for Graves.
About two months later when the latest big mission had been completed, all the paperwork signed and filed, and reports submitted, you got a notification about a celebratory night of drinks. The group who invited you had lovingly referred to you as "That Lady From The Office," but you quickly informed them that you had a real name and were more than just the CEO's assistant.
Since this huge mission had finally been taken care of, your work hours had returned to the good old 9 to 5 and you were free to go home to freshen up and unwind for a few hours. Before heading out to the address specified in the text, you decided to eat at home to avoid drinking on an empty stomach, and told yourself you had a one drink limit no matter what.
You had expected this place to be more of a sports bar type of vibe, but the Shadows insisted that this establishment wasn't sleazy or douchey because it had Tavern in the name and was, in fact, a classy joint. Fair enough, you supposed. Stepping up to talk to the bartender, you handed him your ID before ordering a nice riesling. Better to go with what you know.
"Are you with this group?" He asked as he handed you your glass and cocktail napkin.
"Yeah, I work with them. They're an... interesting crew."
"Forgive me for saying this, but, uh, you don't really seem like the kind of person to go out into a gunfight like some of these big boys."
You laugh at his confusion and set the record straight for him. "Oh, I'm not. I'm just a pencil pusher. I even have my own custom stamp set, if you can believe that."
The bartender chuckles and leans over the bar so he doesn't have to shout. "You know what? This is on the house. Your money's no good here tonight."
"You don't have to do that, really. It's just one glass and I don't mind paying for it."
"It's no trouble. I'm Jesse, by the way." You take his outstretched hand and get a firm handshake in return. He's the confident type.
"Nice to meet you."
You may be here with people from work, but the bartender doesn't count as a coworker and is therefore free game to hang out with. In between serving Shadow members and the other patrons, Jesse comes back every few minutes and learns a new piece of information about you. Not enough to put the whole puzzle together, but you might as well loosen up a bit. It's hard to keep up the conversation while he's busy working, but he's a nice guy and you certainly don't mind having someone to talk to. It goes on like this for the next hour until the stool to your right is suddenly occupied by a new arrival.
"The usual, please." Graves has finally shown his face and he's chosen the open stool next to you when there are plenty of other available seats in the bar. The bartender pours a glass of whiskey and then returns to his conversation with you while Graves sits there pensively, and it makes you wonder what he has on his mind.
A new group of Shadows soon arrive and they greet the Commander before taking Jesse's attention from you, freeing you up for Graves to talk to. You're not really sure what to say to him, too used to work environment formalities to make a decent attempt. Instead, you wait for him to speak first.
"Finally came out with us and got that glass of wine."
"Yeah, and it's a good one at that." There's a murkiness in the air and you suddenly feel like this might be approaching something resembling a date. Sure, you came here separately and are surrounded by who knows how many people from your job, but these two bar stools suddenly feel private and secluded.
You have to think back and wonder if you're misreading the signals and making something out of nothing. Graves has been exceptionally kind to you lately, and the frequency of which he buys you food and treats seems a bit excessive. Perhaps he does have feelings for you, but it's not worth exploring. There's no way you could go out with your boss without it blowing up in someone's face. A man as busy as he is probably doesn't have time for that, anyway.
"Bartender seems to have taken a liking to you." You decide to play coy and get more information from his reactions.
Tucking your hair behind your ear, you play the game with him. "Oh, I guess. He just started talking to me and I didn't want to be rude since I'm sitting right in front of him while he works, you know?"
"He's a nice guy, from what I can tell." There's a question hidden in there. Graves is trying to gauge your interest in the bartender, either due to jealousy or just simply looking out for you. While the latter is kind of him, you certainly don't need his help.
"Uh, whatever gets me a free drink. He said this was on the house tonight," you tell Graves, pointing at your almost empty glass. He nods and sips his drink before getting up from the stool, seemingly pleased that you aren't truly interested in Jesse.
You swivel your stool to subtly inspect the scene that has been behind you the whole time and find that Graves has joined a group near the pool table. You recognize them as his squad leaders; the never ending revolving door of people that filter in and out of his office all day when they're on base. They all watch and cheer for one of the newer recruits who's doing surprisingly well, calling and sinking a few shots in succession. Careful not to linger too long, your eyes find their way back to Graves every so often, and you find that you're not the only one with a staring problem tonight.
Starting to think that maybe you're heading into choppy waters, you slide the empty wine glass back across the bar without saying goodbye to Jesse and head outside. Going straight home doesn't feel right, so you lean against the side of the building and watch the lights of passing cars dance across the damp pavement. It had rained earlier this afternoon and the humidity still hangs in the air. If you were a smoker, this would've been the perfect time for a cigarette. To occupy your hands, you check to see if you have any new messages or emails, but no dice. Of course there's a dry spell when you need something to distract your whirling mind.
Noise bubbles out from the front door as it swings open and shut, and a pair of boots clomp their way closer to you, stopping a few feet away.
"Needed some fresh air?" Of course Graves has found himself outside alone with you. He must have just noticed that you were gone.
"Yeah. Got a little overheated inside." It's not the truth, but your flushed cheeks would have given you away otherwise. You anxiously tap your fingers together, trying to figure out if you should cut your losses and leave.
Graves shoves his hands in his pockets and leans into the wall. "It was nice to see you out and about somewhere other than work. You look nice, if it's not too much to say." Oh. Maybe you were right about Graves being interested.
"Thanks." What next? Your mind is suddenly blank and you can't think of anything else to say other than offering a simple gratitude for the compliment.
Graves laughs at the uncomfortable silence while you stare at the ground. "You gonna come back inside and stick around with us for a while? Things are heating up at the pool table."
"I'm not sure. I was thinking of heading home soon, actually."
"Now, that would be a shame."
"Would it?" You look up at Graves and search his eyes for anything else. He's so effortlessly casual and relaxed. It makes you look like a total amateur.
"I feel like I've barely gotten a chance to hang out with you, just you and me."
"We hang out all the time at work." Graves gets closer until your shoulders are just barely touching as you lean against the bricks. You swallow hard and your heart starts beating a little too fast for your comfort. Graves can probably hear it thumping away in your chest, giving away all your secrets.
"We don't have to hang out just at work, though. I'd love to have another drink with you if you're up for it." He looks at you expectantly, hoping you'll say yes and go back inside with him. That's when you know you have no choice but to disappoint him, and even more so yourself.
"Maybe another time."
Those words are all it takes for him to understand. He tells you goodnight, and you find yourself sitting in your car alone, looking over at the empty seat beside you. Maybe another time you'll find him there.