Work Text:
Titus knew it was his own fault. It was his fault for having two hard-headed men as his seconds. Technically, Luche was his second on paper, and Nyx was his third, but they usually worked so seamlessly together that it didn’t matter until today. Today, in a fit of rage, Luche had said the thing that Titus knew was going to be their downfall.
‘I am your boss, and I’m done asking!’
As soon as those words were yelled, Titus knew that the day was a wash. He looked at Axis, who sighed heavily like he was watching two of his kids fighting, not the two men between him and the captain in the chain of command.
“I’m going to cut our people loose?” Axis asked, walking away when the Captain nodded. It was lunchtime, so on the paperwork, he would list it as a PT day so that no one would see the fallout.
“Of course, Lt Commander Lazarus,” Nyx said sternly, turning back to his computer to work on the reports he was working on.
“No Nyx, fuck,” Luche said before being interrupted.
“Why don’t you take a walk, Lazerdus,” Titus said, nodding towards the door. “Maybe get some lunch? Arra is letting everyone go so we can get all the pre-deployment shit done.”
Luche nodded and headed to the door. Titus didn’t care what he was doing; he just wanted them separated for a few minutes. This was not the first time they had blown up at each other, but he was trying to avoid the explosion that happened last time. The Glaive was already over budget-wise, and he knew fixing their office would not be cheap. Nyx meanwhile kept typing seemingly ignoring Luche’s departure and Titus sitting next to his desk.
“Why are you two yelling?” Titus asked, deciding to get one side before Luche returned and he could get his side.
“Do you want the whole story or just the work stuff?” Nyx asked, turning to the Captain.
“I want to know whatever is affecting the situation at hand,” Titus said, mentally sighing and wishing for the millionth time that he had understood everyone’s positions in Galahdian politics before he had started having them in the Glaive.
“At the last Gathering, Luche’s Clan Head and I got into an argument in front of all the witnesses,” Nyx started. “He wanted to do something, and I thought it was a stupid idea, so I voiced those thoughts. It was a whole thing, and it ended up being called to a vote before all of the clan leaders. I won, so it’s been rough with the Lazarus clan lately. They feel I ‘insulted’ them, which is bullshit.”
“And the work thing?” Titus sighed and rubbed his temple. Normally, they could separate work from personal, so it was surprising that it had boiled over.
“We’re finalizing the teams for the upcoming deployment,” Nyx said with a shrug. “I don’t like where he wants to put two of my warpers. They’ll be wasted with the mage support team.”
“Don’t move,” Titus said, nodding and rubbing his eyes. “We’ll figure this shit out, and hopefully without bloodshed.”
Nyx nodded and returned to what he was working on on his computer. Passing by Axis on the way to his office, he waved at him to follow. Axis was as good a middle party as anyone.
Once they entered the office, Titus closed the door and offered Axis a glass of vodka.
“I assume you want to know what happened at the gathering?” Axis asked with a sigh. When Titus nodded, he continued. “The head of Clan Lazarus wanted to do something; Nyx was right it was a bad idea, but he could have worded it better.”
“I’m assuming there was a hint of mocking?” Titus asked, already knowing the answer.
“You know how Nyx gets when he knows he’s right,” Axis said with a shrug. “I agree with Luche on the warpers, though. Having strong fighters watching the mages' backs is a good idea.”
“Go home, Arra,” Titus said, rubbing his temple again. “I’ll deal with these two idiots and try to get them back on the same page.”
“Nyx needs to apologize to the head of clan Lazarus,” Axis said, standing. “He was right, but he did not need to push as hard as he did. Everyone knew he was correct, and no one was arguing.”
“I will do my best to get an apology out of him, but you know I stay out of Galahdian politics,” Titus said, wondering if he could have another glass of vodka. Axis nodded and headed out for the day.
About an hour later, Titus heard the elevator ding, so he minimized his spider solitaire game and poked his head out into the hall, waving at Luche to come into his office. Once Luche sat down, Titus started speaking.
“I’ve heard Ulric’s side and Arra’s middle of the road side; now I want to hear your side,” Titus said, waving at Luche.
“Nyx always thinks he is right,” Luche started before taking a deep breath. “This has nothing to do with Lt. Commander Ulric humiliating my entire clan at the last gathering. This has everything to do with the fact that I want those warpers watching the mages' backs.”
“And did you tell him that, or did you just start yelling?” Titus asked.
“I would have told him if he hadn’t started arguing with me as soon as I said what I wanted to do,” Luche said. Titus hated his job sometimes. He was a feared military commander and had to explain to two grown men why they weren’t allowed to fight like children.
“Come with me,” Titus said, standing up and heading to the office. After he entire the office he waved Luche to his chair. Once the man sat down, Titus started to speak.
“The warpers are staying there because Luche is right,” Titus started, holding up a hand. “The mages need their backs watched, and the warpers will be the best for that. Do we agree?”
“It makes sense,” Nyx said, nodding. “I hate the idea, but having them watching the mages' back makes sense. I should have let you explain. Sorry.”
“I apologize for yelling instead of starting with an explanation,” Luche said, looking like he swallowed a lemon. “Things have been tense.”
Titus looked at Nyx expectantly, and eventually, Nyx sighed heavily.
“I’ll apologize to Anders,” Nyx said. “I was having a shitty week, and I took it out on him.”
“Thank you,” Luche said, and the two men looked at their captain.
“Fuck off, go home,” Titus said. “I’m tired of dealing with all of you.”
Both men laughed and locked their computers, heading out the door and talking. From the sounds of it, they were planning on meeting up with some of the others for dinner. Perfect. Titus had more important things to do.
After all, he was halfway through a spider solitaire game.