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Eight years.
Francis had spent the last eight damned years of his life on nothing. All those theories, all those resources, all those sleepless nights - a complete waste. He had finally made it out of the office where he’d had to endure the punishment of the disciplinary committee, all while having to stay silent and composed. There was nothing he could say or do to defend himself anyway.
If ARDA had cared enough about his machine, he wouldn’t have had to forge data in the first place.
What can a scientist do without research funds?
Nothing.
And, ironically, that’s all he was left with... nothing.
“A glorified intern - what a title...” Francis muttered to himself, on the way back to his desk. He had to clear it out by the end of the day as he was reassigned to another lab which meant another desk. And he was so close to the breakthrough - he could practically taste it, but ARDA just couldn’t see the bigger picture. ‘What a joke...’ the man thought to himself, shaking his head.
As the scientist approached his desk, he froze in place and his blood ran cold. Just around the corner, Tobias was enthusiastically chatting with a couple of co-workers, seemingly waiting for his return. He could clearly see him hovering over his desk, not quite leaning against it. It wasn’t a rare sight for the maintenance manager to be there, but after the whole ordeal, Francis had completely forgotten about him.
How was he supposed to face the man in front of him?
Tobias had been his number one supporter from the start. Not just in this, but from the very beginning - he was the one who had believed in the scientist even when the scientist didn’t believe in himself. The older was always encouraging him, taking care of him when Francis wouldn’t and making him smile with his stupid grin. The manager was the first one every time to curiously ask and talk in awe about his theories.
No. He couldn’t tell him...
He was already a disappointment and an embarrassment to himself; there’s no way that he could say it.
“Francis!”
But he was never the lucky one...
The scientist had to physically suppress the urge to flee after jumping from his name being called. “There you are. I thought you might be in the lab so I didn’t want to disturb you...” Tobias grinned. “Did I startle you? You look a bit pale...?” the older asked, tilting his own head to the side to get a better look at him. “I-I’m fine.” Francis stammered, face slightly flushed. “I’m actually a bit busy now... Is this urgent?”
The manager looked a bit stunned when the younger suddenly rushed past him and to his desk, leaving him behind. “Oh... no, uh, sorry. Just wanted to chat y’know, but I’ll uh... I’ll leave you to it. W-We can talk when you’re more free.” for a moment, the scientist feels relief as he prepares to start packing his things as soon as the other leaves. Unexpectedly, he feels a hand on his shoulder.
“Are you sure you’re fine?” Tobias practically whispers in his ear, concern lacing his every word. “O-Of course.” a nervous chuckle. “I’ll catch you later.” the man lingers for a second longer after that, hand still gently resting on his shoulder. “Alright then.” he squeezes it and finally heads off. Francis releases a sigh as soon as the older’s no longer in the office and quickly starts boxing the few personal stuff he had.
***
Later on, Tobias had appeared in the office again as he said he would.
“Francis?” the younger startled, eyes darting up to him. “We need to talk.”
At that, the scientist practically fled the scene “Excuse me, I need to go to the toilet.” leaving the older standing at his empty desk.
Francis wasn’t ready to explain anything yet. He needed to come up with a reason why he wouldn’t be there anymore and frankly, he still couldn’t face that serious look that the maintenance manager had on his face. What could be so serious that Tobias wouldn’t stop bringing it up? He locked himself in one of the stalls in the men’s bathroom, hoping the other would just come back again later.
‘Alright Francis...’ he thought to himself, feeling his heart beat through his chest. ‘You’re smart, just think of something.’ The scientist didn’t want to lie to the man, but what other option was there? Could he really tell Tobias the truth? What would he think of him after that? “I’m so stupid...” he muttered, burying his face in his hands. To his surprise, there was a sudden knock on his stall.
“France, you in there?”
Silence.
“Uhm... no?”
“Can you come out, please?”
Great.
Shamefully, the said man opens the door and steps out right in front of Tobias who was sporting a worried expression. They stood in silence for a couple awkward moments with the younger’s gaze fixed to the ground, unable to face him. “There’s... something I have to tell you.” he starts quietly waiting for a reaction, but doesn’t get it. The scientist closes his eyes for a moment, taking in a deep breath to compose himself.
“ARDA demoted me.”
...
No reaction.
...
Was he supposed to continue?
“I forged data to get more funding for the Bassilizer and they found out. B-But I just needed more to prove that my theory was correct. I was going to remove the data after, I promise.”
“I know.”
“But I was going to keep it a secret from you! They forced me to change labs and-”
“Francis, I know...” Tobias chuckles.
He pauses. “What do you mean you kno-”
The scientist’s head shots up.
“Wait, YOU KNOW!?”
“I was passing by the room where the committee was being held; had to check the water damage in the room next to it and I heard... everything.” there’s a sympathetic smile on the other’s expression. “I wanted to give you some time, but...” Tobias stops mid sentence to hug the younger, enveloping his arms around him and pulling him closer to his chest. “Francis, I’m so sorry...” he gently whispers.
The scientist stood frozen for a moment before reciprocating.
“I-I’m sorry, I’m just so ashamed a-and embarrassed. I-I didn’t want to tell you.”
“But you did. Even though I knew, you did tell me.”
“I-I wouldn’t be able to face you otherwise.”
“You know that this doesn’t change anything, right? I still support you. I understand why you did it.”
“I know, but I still feel so-”
Francis suppresses the urge to start crying. “-humiliated.”
“You’re still a scientist, France. Sure you’ve got a lot less clearance now, but that doesn’t change the fact that you’re still you. I understand how you feel - you’ll be back to normal in a few days. And don’t worry about any gossip, it’ll blow away just as fast.”
The said man doesn’t reply.
“And if there’s anyone bothering you, just say the word... I will personally take care of it.” seeing the serious look on Tobias’ face almost makes him laugh. He looked weird without his usual grin.
“Please don’t get in trouble because of me...” the younger begs. “But thank you... I-I feel better now.”
The manager’s face twists into that signature grin. “You know I’m always here for you no matter what.” he gently takes Francis’ hand into his own, caressing it with his thumb.
The other flushes. “I-I appreciate t-that.” he stammers, willing the ground to swallow him. “W-We should go before...”
The unsaid words hang in the air for a moment then Tobias nods, letting go of his hand. “Maybe we could go out for drinks... a-after you’re done with work... y’know to, uh, get your mind off things...”
Was he also blushing or did Francis need his glasses?
“S-Sure... sounds good!” the older grins even brighter in return and the scientist feels like he could faint at any moment with his heart hammering in his chest. “I’ll see you then.”