Chapter Text
Chorus Apartment Complex was more like a hotel in appearance, though ran similarly to other apartment complexes. There was a guard at the door who made sure only residents and guests could get into the apartment. There was a large parking lot and the building itself was three stories high and well kept. While the building was well kept and in a nicer neighborhood, it was affordable and open to most people who needed a place to stay. The rules generally were that you must be respectful of noise pollution, staff, and other residents. All of which were broken on a lovely October afternoon.
"What do you mean there's been a mistake?" Carolina slammed her hands down on the poor man's desk. Doyle, the poor landlord of the apartment complex, shook slightly in fear of the tiny yet surprisingly strong and buff red head woman in front of him. "How the hell did you manage to give one apartment to two people?!"
"Well, the paperwork got mixed up and we keep copies for each apartment. Normally I'd call ahead of time but I didn't realize the issue until you arrived." He really just wanted this problem to be over with.
Carolina frowned. "Well is there another place he can stay?"
"Unfortunately all of the other apartments are rented out. There is one opening up in three months but that's it. I'd be willing to give you your money back but the man seemed to be fine with sharing the apartment..."
This seemed like the better issue, but she really didn't have a place to stay after giving her father the speech of a lifetime when she moved out that morning. There was no way the man would let her move back in, and even if she did she didn't want to go through that misery. It wouldn't be good for Wash either. She needed a place to stay so that when he was old enough he could move in with her and get out of that terrible situation. None of her college friend's spoke to her anymore and York... well she didn't want to ask him for any favors now.
"Fine. But as soon as that apartment is free you are fixing this." She glared at the man and stormed out of the office not seeing the man visible gulp.
---
Locus had arrived bright and early that morning and had taken the news of sharing an apartment with a stranger a lot better. By the time the apartment door opened he had already unpacked most of his things in the one bedroom and in the kitchen. Currently he was eating lunch by the small counter in the kitchen and looked up to see his new roommate struggling with several boxes. It seemed she tried to bring everything up at once.
"Need any help?" The girl nearly dropped the box labeled "Fragile: Kitchen". He got up and swept in to grab the box before it tipped over.
The red head looked around the box with a glare that could kill a thousand men. Locus merely ignored it. He could understand the frustration the girl must have been feeling. Not everyone is okay with sharing a one bedroom apartment with a complete stranger.
"So you're my new roommate. Mind getting your hands of my stuff." She snapped at him with a hostile tone.
THAT he didn't expect. He let go of the box, carefully making sure it wouldn't tip over as she marched into the apartment. He shut the door behind her. "Nice to meet you too..."
"If you're expecting some pleasant response you can shove it. I don't share pleasantries with someone who stole my apartment."
"Technically we both paid for it."
The girl ignored him. "And how the hell are we suppose to do this? I can see you already put all of your stuff in the bedroom. Where am I suppose to sleep? The bath tub? No way in hell."
Locus sighed and sat back down to eat lunch. He figured he'd let her rant for a bit. Maybe he could talk to her when she had a cooler head.
Except that never happened. She spend two hours yelling at him for taking up all the space in the cupboards, even though she had maybe five dishes that she actually owned. He offered to share his with her but was turned down and yelled at further. If she wasn't ranting about the kitchen space then she was being pissed off at having to use the pull out couch. He couldn't help that he didn't fit on it and needed the specialized mattress he bought for the bed frame in the bedroom. By the time she was done yelling he had a headache. He rubbed his temples and locked himself in his bedroom to avoid further confrontation. He didn't bother getting up when he heard the front door open and close, assuming she left to get more things for herself.
---
Carolina needed to run. Not only had she neglected to do that when she was gathering up her stuff that morning, but now she just needed to sweat her frustrations out. It wasn't too late out yet, the sun had only started to set, and while it was cold she was enjoying the run through the colorful neighborhood. The leaves had already started to change color and fall to litter the roads in orange and red. She hadn't been in this neighborhood before. It was nice, but her previous home was nicer. It's what happens when your father is a neuroscientist with his own laboratory. But she liked this neighborhood better. It was closer to where she worked and closer to the college Wash wanted to go too.
It would be perfect if she didn't have to live there with a complete stranger. The man irked her. He looked too professional, despite his messy man bun, and his strict face reminded her too much of the disapproving look her father gave her. Plus, the guy took the only place she could put a bed. It was like chivalry didn't exist anymore.
She made it two miles away form the apartment before she took a break. Looking around she spotted a pizzeria and the smell coming from their open door was enough to draw her into the little building. She got herself a few slices, with some guilt knowing that if anyone from her work saw her they would judge her immensely. She wasn't setting the best example as a trainer, but she didn't see anything wrong with indulging herself sometimes, especially after a little bit of stress. She took her carryout box and walked the rest of the way back to the apartment complex, greeting the guard politely, and took the elevator back to her floor.
---
Locus hadn't meant to fall asleep, but with a headache like the one he was having he couldn't help trying to sleep the pain away. Unfortunately, that was all ruined when the apartment door slammed open and his roommate returned loudly. He knew he should just stay in his room to avoid further conflict, but no progress would get done if he was hiding. Plus, he had a night shift in a few hours and would have to leave his room anyways. Slowly he willed himself to get out of bed and go into the living room where the girl was sitting on the couch watching a show he didn't recognize. There was a lot of violence though. She didn't look up him.
"I have to leave soon. I'll try not to wake you up when I return in the morning." He tried his best at a polite tone, despite the fact she wouldn't make eye contact with him.
"Don't care. I don't sleep well anyways. Just don't step on my stuff on the way out or in. And shower's mine at seven." She glared at the television.
"Fine." Locus sighed and went back to change into his scrubs. He walked out seeing her still in the same position as before. He decided it wasn't worth trying to talk to her. If she was going to be rude than why bother trying to be nice.
He left for his first job and returned early in the morning. The girl was still asleep and didn't wake up as he made breakfast then left for his second job.
When Carolina finally woke up she noticed the plate of food, still warm, on the counter. She glared at it, at first not trusting the food from a stranger but eventually giving in and eating what was left out for her. It didn't make up for the loss of her own private space, but she could get used to his cooking. Plus, at least one of them would be able to use the stove. A small grin formed on her face, as she ate in silence in her -their- apartment.