Work Text:
Mirage was testing the salinity of the main tank when Detective Jazz walked into the new sitting room. The Enforcer looked unhappy, something that was out of character for him, and that made Mirage worry immediately.
“Is everything all right, Detective?”
“No. I mean, maybe?” Jazz sighed and sat down on one of the plush sofas without being invited. That notched Mirage’s worry up further, because the other mech had been very observant of the rules of hospitality in all their previous encounters. “One of the news outlets has started speculating that you’re just going to traffic them all over again with this setup.”
“I would sooner break out my own optics!” The Detective’s mood made sense now, as this sort of speculation could cause a judge to reverse their decision to allow the free Mer to live with him as they recovered.
“I know, and Judge Steelspark knows, but it’s still getting the wrong kind of attention.” Jazz sighed again. “One of the Mer saw the show and asked to be rehabilitated somewhere else, too.”
That stung a little, but Mirage understood. “All of my father’s former prisoners are free to go wherever they wish. I offered this home as a refuge because I can afford it, but none of them are required to take it.”
“And I think you wishing them well and letting them go off to wherever else will help them is going to help a lot with putting the speculation to rest. Problem is that we don’t exactly have a lot of resources and they may end up here out of necessity anyway.”
“And none of that is your problem, Jazz.” Mirage crossed the room and sat down next to the enforcer. The Detective gave him a wry smile. “It is not! You have discharged your responsibility. If this is anyone’s problem, it is now mine. And I will ensure that each Mer who was abused by my sire is supported and cared for until they can return home, whether they choose to do that here or in another facility.”
“And that’s good of ya. Real good.” Jazz sighed for a third time and then got up to pace the floor in front of the sofa. “I guess… I’m just invested in them. I want them to heal and go home as much as you do, and I want that to happen without a lot of gossip and rumors.”
“My family is to high profile for that to have ever happened, and you are well of aware of that.”
“A mech can dream.”
“Yes.”
“All right, I’ll try to stop worrying so much.” Jazz gave him a weak smile as he turned back toward Mirage. “The first group is moving in this week, right?”
“Yes, the most injured of the Mer are coming here tomorrow. Doctor Ratchet will be here to facilitate the transfer of care, and then the aquatic specialist I have hired will be on retainer for their care.”
“Heard some interesting rumors about him at the office, you sure you want him taking care of your new wards?”
“My background check indicated that the rumors of malpractice were just that. As far as my investigator could tell, Knockout was a victim of a rival who wanted to discredit him. And succeeded. I choose to trust him with this second chance, until he shows that keeping him on staff is unwise.”
“All right.” Jazz nodded. “What time are they coming? I think I’ll feel better if I see them get settled in person.”
“The tenth joor, and if you’re going to be here, I must insist that you bring something for our midday meal. I doubt anyone else will think of it until much later.”
“I’ll be here with brunch for all of us.” Jazz smiled again, and this time it finally felt real.