Archive of Our Own

'What the...'

Hayes didn't expect this when he entered the armory.

'Lieutenant?'

Malcolm almost hit his head on the weapons locker he was working on because the voice startled him. He made an angry sound and turned around.

'What?'

'I thought everyone left for shore leave.'

'Well, as you can see, I didn't.'

Malcolm turned back to his work and Major Hayes just stood there for a while, watching him.

'Was there something you wanted?'

'No, Sir. I was just wondering what you're doing here all alone.'

'I'm reorganizing the weapons locker.'

'Today?'

'Yes, today. Why not?'

'Well, everyone is taking a vacation.'

'Yes, everyone. Except me. And you. Why are you here by the way?'

'I took a walk around the ship. I didn't expect to meet anyone.'

Now Malcolm turned around, eyebrows raised.

'A walk? Around the ship?'

Hayes looked at his feet for a moment.

'I wanted to get some exercise.'

Malcolm raised both eyebrows even higher. He highly doubted that. If Hayes wanted exercise, he would be in the gym. Taking a walk was not exercise for someone like Hayes. But Malcolm didn't feel like discussing this. He turned back to the weapons locker and resumed his work.

But Hayes didn't leave. He kept standing there watching Malcolm work. Malcolm tried to ignore it, just concentrating on his task. But the presence in his back was too unnerving.

'Is there anything else I can do for you?'

His voice sounded annoyed now. Which he was.

'Why are you working here all alone during shore leave?'

'Why are you taking a walk through the ship all alone during shore leave?'

'You answer my question, and I'll answer yours.'

Malcolm sighed.

'I wanted to change the order of the weapons in the weapons locker. But my team doesn't like it. It is my decision but every time I start rearranging the locker, someone starts a discussion with me. So I decided to just do it while no one is here.'

Hayes stared at him and slowly blinked twice.

'That is why you're here?'

Malcolm nodded. Now it was Hayes turn to sigh.

'Your turn. Why are you here?'

'I didn't want to go on shore leave. But to be honest I didn't know what to do with myself. I didn't have anything to do and so I decided to take a walk to kill some time.'

Malcolm chuckled at that.

'So you were bored?'

'No! I... Yes, I was bored.'

Hayes was a little embarrassed about this. A MACO doesn't get bored. Malcolm chuckled again and turned once again back to his work.

'Why is this so important to you? The order in the locker I mean.'

'Because it is better this way. It is frustrating that my team can't see that. But they will see it. When they're back and see this, they will recognize how much better it is. It's going to be a revolution.'

Hayes didn't chuckle. That was not his style. But he grinned a little. He continued to watch what Malcolm was doing. Then he looked around the room and a slightly chaotic tool box caught his eye.

'You could also rearrange those tool boxes while you're at it.'

Malcolm looked at the box, made a slightly annoyed noise and shook his head.

'No. The box is fine.'

'It looks like everyone just throws stuff in there.'

'Yes. As I said, it's fine.'

Malcolm didn't want to tell Hayes that it was mostly him throwing stuff in there.

'You're the laziest revolutionary ever. And if you ever come into MACO territory and start rearranging stuff I will kick your ass.'

Malcolm couldn't help himself but laugh at that. He noticed something in Hayes' voice and the way he talked. He couldn't quite put a finger on it. But something was off. Hayes would never miss a 'sir'. Hayes would never say things like 'I will kick your ass.' His language was usually so clean he could work at a kindergarten. He was also not in the habit of taking a walk and stopping for some small talk.

'Why didn't you want to go on shore leave?'

The question took Hayes by surprise.

'Probably for the same reason as you.'

Malcolm raised an eyebrow.

'To rearrange a weapons locker?'

'No. Because you don't like to go on vacation.'

'That's not true. Usually I look forward to shore leave.'

Even though it sometimes goes wrong. A picture of him and Trip in underwear appeared in his head. He blushed a little and cleared his throat.

'So, again. Why didn't you want to go?'

'I prefer not to get too personal with my team. I bet they have various activities planned.'

'You could have just done something on your own.'

'True. But still. The place the Captain chose for this shore leave is not my cup of tea.'

'Beaches and good restaurants are not your cup of tea? You have a weird taste.'

'Maybe.'

'I actually would have liked to join the beach ball game your team has planned.'

Hayes made a noise. The thought of Reed spending time with his team didn't sit well with him. And somehow he had a hard time imagining him barefoot and maybe even shirtless on the beach. He would never show himself to his team like that. And why did Reed know about this game and he didn't?

Malcolm suddenly knew what was off with Hayes.

'Did you drink?'

'What do you mean? If I had a drink?'

'Yes. Did you have a drink? I have never before seen you so... relaxed.'

Hayes blushed. Malcolm couldn't believe it. He didn't think Hayes was capable of that.

'I had a drink, yes.'

'You had more than one.'

'Well, it is my day off, so.'

Now Malcolm grinned very broadly.

'Of course. I didn't say there is anything wrong with that.'

The last time Hayes experienced a flight reflex this strong was when he was seven years old and accidentally spilled chocolate milk all over himself in front of the neighborhood girls.

'Well, then I will leave you to your... revolution.'

With that Hayes turned around and left the armory. Malcolm watched as the door closed behind him. Then he took a deep breath and turned back to his work. What a strange man.