Work Text:
"Finally, I am so ready to go home and soak in a warm bath" D.S Maynard commented with a puff, running a hand through his hair, as he walked into the office. He and Hardy had just solved a massive case they had been on for over a month, it had sucked the soul out of both of them and Maynard could really use a good rest.
"Don't get your hopes up yet, still got stacks of paperwork to go through" D.S Miller teased as she left to go and get food.
"Ugh, don't remind me, Maynard groaned. He sat down at his desk, glancing at Hardy in his office. He was slumped over his desk, he had his glasses on and his suit was crumpled, top button undone and tie loose. Not to mention the messy hair, not that Maynard was complaining, messy hair looked good on him.
After an hour of endless paperwork, Maynard decided to stretch his legs and get a coffee from the shop around the corner.
"Hey, I'm gonna go get coffee from the place around the corner, any requests?" He asked as he stood up to put his coat on. They all gave him their orders and he decided to go ask Hardy aswell.
"Hey, boss, going to get coffee from the place around the corner, you want anything?" He asked as he leaned into the doorway, still gripping the handle of the door.
"Black is fine, and I've told you to drop the 'boss', just call me Hardy" He said, sounding like he was fed up.
"Right, gotcha...Hardy" Maynard said hesitantly, but then relaxed as he realised Hardy didn't even bat an eye. He nodded to himself as he left to get the coffees.
***
The walk to the coffee shop took around 5 minutes, Maynard was quite familiar with thr barista so he just slipped her a piece of paper with everyone's orders on it.
"So, how's it going with work?" The barista, Maria, asked. "I know you can't tell me about cases or anything but what's happening with you and Hardy" She added, teasing him a little bit.
"Nothing is happening with me and Hardy" Maynard replied, rolling his eyes, despite the little smile plastered on his face.
"And I'm saying it should be, why haven't you asked him out yet?" Maria asked
"I don't know, I mean..he doesn't even like me back so what's the point" Maynard replied, smile disappearing.
"Are you kidding? Of course he likes you back dumbass" Maria encouraged him, after all, she knew things he didn't, being a barista and all, she got all the towns gossip.
"I don't know, maybe I'll pluck up the courage to ask him out someday, but I don't know, I come with a lot of baggage you know?" Maynard says. "Thanks for the coffees" He adds as he collects his order and heads back to the office.
***
"Alright coffees for everyone, your names should be on them so come and get them" Maynard practically shouted as he walked into the office, taking his and Hardy's coffees out.
"Knock knock" He said as he walked into Hardy's office. "Sorry, no hands to knock with" He apologised, placing Hardy's coffee on his desk. "No need to apologise, thanks for the coffee" Hardy said, his mood seeming to have improved in 10 or so minutes Maynard had been gone.
"Hey, now that you're here, I have a question for you" Hardy mentioned. "Okay, hit me" Maynard replied, periodically sipping from his coffee, burning his tongue in the process.
"I was just wondering if you wanted to go to lunch with me?" Hard shot his shot. "Not now obviously, I just mean like at some point in the near future hopefully" He nervously added when Maynard stood still as a statue, like deer in headlights.
"Or...not, I mean you don't have to, I just thought that..well I mean... I don't know I just thought" Hardly trailed off, trying to explain.
"No it's not...I just...I can't" Maynard replied, his hands shaking, almost dropping the coffee he was holding.
"Oh, okay...well like I said you don't have to so..back to work then" Hardy said awkwardly moving papers around and avoiding Maynard's eyes.
Maynard opened his mouth to say something, but he decided against it, walking back to his desk.
Hardy sat at his desk wondering what he did wrong, he was sure Maynard was attracted to him, the glances, the pupil dilation, you can't fake that stuff. Maybe lunch wasn't the best thing to go with. Should he have suggested drinks? Thinking about it, Hardy had never actually seen Maynard eat anything in the 3 years they have been working together, and they spent almost all day together. It worried him a little.
***
"Maynard" Hardy shouted as everyone was leaving the office. Maynard knew what it was about so he said his goodbyes and walked to Hardy's office.
"I don't know what you want from me" Maynard said as he closed the door to Hardy's office.
"I want to know why you can't" Hardy said, taking his glasses off and rubbing at his face.
Maynard sighed, he really liked Hardy and he wanted to go on a date with him, just not lunch. He sat down in the chair opposite Hardy and decided he would explain, if he really wanted to date Hardy then he was going to find out anyway.
"Okay, I can't go on a lunch date with you because I struggle with food. I've always had issues with how my body looks and when I was younger I would starve myself so that I could be thinner and look more masculine. I thought it would help with the dysphoria, and it did. Then when I started testosterone and became more comfortable with myself, I was too deep in to stop." Maynard explained as Hardy sat patiently and listened to every word he said.
"Well thank you for telling me and we'll definitely be coming back to this and getting you help. But for now, how does a drink date sound?" Hardy asked.
"That I can do" Maynard said with a small smile.