Work Text:
It had been a rather generic day in the office, nothing interesting or special had happened. Time was ticking by slowly, way too slow for John’s liking. He sat at his desk feeling a bit bored. Staring at his computer, his mind wondered and he began pondering over his sergeant, again. Ben had come into the office in a foul mood and wouldn’t let up as to why. Barnaby had tried to ask but was met with grumbles and huffs. He decided to just leave it be but as the day wore on, he noticed Ben get more and more agitated and distracted from work.
John glanced over his shoulder to find Ben’s chair empty. When did he leave the office? Barnaby furrowed his brows. Getting up, he stretched and scratched the back of his head; he was going to go find where his sergeant had got to hoping he wouldn’t get his head bitten off. He walked around the station but there was no sign of the man. It wasn’t home time yet so Ben shouldn’t have gone home. Exiting the station, Barnaby wondered around the building. He could faintly make out someone speaking in… Welsh? He had only heard Ben say a hand full of words in Welsh so this was a guess. He quietly approached, not getting too close to be spotted. It was Ben, talking on the phone, looking a mix of angry and upset. Barnaby listened, not that he had a clue as to what was being said.
“Na, byddaf ddim yn dod nol” (No I won’t be coming back)
“Dydw i ddim eisiau, gad mi i fod” (I don’t want to, leave me alone)
“Nid oedd erioed yn poeni amdanaf, bastard ffiaidd” (He never cared about me, abusive bastard [Translation may be incorrect])
Bastard was one word Barnaby did understand, he wondered who Ben was referring to as that.
“Gallaf ddweud beth bynag rwyf eisiau nawr, mae e wedi marw” (I can say what I like now, he’s dead)
“Don’t call me again” Ben angrily said in a thick Welsh accent and hung up the phone. He muttered bitch as he walked in the direction of the station entrance.
Barnaby had managed to remain hidden. Worry grew in him; at that moment in time, he wished he knew or at least understood Welsh. He took a minute to breath and then headed back to the office where Ben had made his way back to as well. Ben was tense, arms on the desk with fists clenched. Barnaby sat down but kept his eyes locked onto Ben who’s breathing was increasing. Ben had unclenched his fists and was now grabbing onto his hair. He flinched as John placed his hand on his shoulder.
“Jones? Are you alright.” Barnaby’s voice was soft and quiet, filled with concern.
Ben took a jagged breath and let go of his hair “I’m fine, sir.”
Barnaby frowned “You don’t really look it, Jones. Would you want to come round to mine tonight and we can talk in a more private space?” he offered hoping Ben would say yes, he didn’t want to be forceful.
Ben thought for a minute and slowly nodded his head in response. Barnaby internally relaxed and patted Ben on the shoulder before turning round to his desk to give Ben some space.
Time ticked on, slower than ever for John. He just wanted the working day to end so he could find out what was bothering Ben. Barnaby breathed a sigh of relief when home time finally came around. He and Ben went to their respective cars and drove to Barnaby’s residence; Sarah had some teachers meeting tonight so she wouldn’t be home for another couple of hours, plenty of time for John to gently interrogate Ben.
Sykes greeted the pair as they stepped through the door, wanting to be fed mainly. After Sykes’ bowl was filled and he was enjoying his meal, John turned his attention to his sergeant who was slouched on the sofa looking down. John went to sit next to him and looked at his face, he could see his eyes were watery, tears threatening to spill which concerned him greatly as Ben rarely cried.
“Will you tell me what’s going on, Jones?” Barnaby started.
“… my dad died” Ben admitted in almost a whisper.
Barnaby was stunned “Why didn’t you say. You can have time off and…”
“I don’t need time off, I’m glad he’s dead” Ben cut his boss off.
Barnaby, now more stunned, chose his next word carefully “Did you not have a good relationship?”
Ben let out a huff “To put it simply, he as an abusive bastard.”
John cocked his head, thinking back to the phone conversation he heard. He swallowed and looked directly into Ben’s eyes “Did he…” Barnaby couldn’t find the right words, worried about the response he would get.
“It was mostly verbal and emotional with the occasional physical outburst.” Ben lowered his head; he didn’t want John to look at him.
John placed his hand on Ben’s shoulder, he remained quiet.
“He wasn’t happy that I joined the force, he wasn’t happy with any decision I made in life. He was never proud of me.” Ben let the tears fall and let out a sob.
Without thinking, John pulled him into a hug and just held him while he cried. They stayed like that for a while before Ben pulled away to wipe his eyes.
“My mum wants me to go to his funeral in Cardiff. I don’t want to.” Ben sniffled.
“That’s understandable. If you don’t want to go, don’t. She can’t make you.” Barnaby rubbed Ben’s back.
All Ben could do was nod in agreement. He was exhausted. John suggested a takeaway and a film which Ben didn’t protest to.
“Jones.” Barnaby quietly said, not taking his eyes away from the TV.
Ben hummed in response, looking over to his boss.
“I’m proud of you” John said with a smile on his face.
Ben smiled and said thanks in an almost inaudible whisper.
A couple of hours later, Sarah returned to find her husband and his sergeant asleep on the sofa with the credits of a film rolling. She smiled sweetly at the scene and sneakily took a picture, you know, for the family album.