Work Text:
The common room was always empty at this time of day. Everyone was busy doing their jobs, and Curly trusted Jimmy with keeping the auto pilot in check enough to give him time to grab food. They had another argument, it was all that they had as of late. Every time he opened his mouth around the man, all Jimmy had to say was criticisms. Sometimes he wonders if they’re still friends until Jimmy acts like nothing happened the next time he sees him.
That wasn’t even all. Heavy thoughts weigh his mind down. Anya had been on his mind all day. Jimmy too. Curly’s meal break was supposed to be that, a break, but the woes of being captain aren’t something he can seem to escape from for even a moment. It’s expected, it’s what he signed up for after all. One argument with Jimmy after the other, worrying about Anya, and telling Swansea off for threatening to “fire” Daisuke if he makes one more reference he doesn’t understand.
Speaking of.
“… and that’s when I- Curly are you even listening?”
When did Daisuke even get here? Had he been that zoned out, or did he just manifest him? Either way, he was standing leaned against the table where Curly sat.
“Ah! Sorry, sooo sorry. I meant captain! I’m not in trouble for uh… insubordination, right?” Daisuke sounded sincerely worried as he asked.
Curly sat up straight in his chair, leaning back from his meal as he blinked a few times. His lack of sleep was wearing him down and he had to try his best not to show it. Dissociating into a bowl of chicken noodle soup was not the model view of how a captain should act. What was Curly if not the captain.
“Daisuke, don’t Swansea and you have to fix a light fixture?” That’s where he could’ve sworn Daisuke was supposed to be.
“Well…” Daisuke trailed off for a moment, gaze averting to the wall. “I was, but I kept talking and asking questions and Swansea told me if I didn’t get out for the next twenty minutes he was gonna throw his shoe at me and he sounded kinda serious, so now i’m here!”
Daisuke looked back at Curly with a beaming grin, and Curly just sighed with a smile. He would have to talk to Swansea later about proper ways to channel his frustration. Another task to add to his sisyphean list. Pushing his half empty bowl away, he turned his full attention to the other.
Curly opened his mouth to speak, but before he could, Daisuke cut him off. “Are you gonna finish that, captain? I know I already took my meal, but honestly I’m still really hungry.”
Curly thought to himself for just a moment that Daisuke getting a second meal break was against company policy, but maybe for once today he could focus on something else. He pushed the bowl in his direction. “All yours, kid.”
Daisuke’s smile somehow widened as he took a seat next to Curly and began digging in. Maybe some company would be good for him right now. He needed something to focus on other than his duties. Lately that’s all he was.
Curly watched and waited for Daisuke to slow down in eating before striking up another conversation. “Are you not eating enough lately?” He couldn’t help but be concerned. It was in his nature, after all.
Daisuke stopped shoveling food into his mouth, swallowing his bite before speaking. “Huh? Oh, no I think I’m good! Y’know the portions here just kinda suck. No offense or anything!”
Curly’s head tilted inquisitively. “No offense…?”
“Yeah, ‘cause you’re the captain? I know you didn’t cook it but, like, you’re in charge and everything. I don’t wanna seem ungrateful.”
For the first time today, Curly laughed. A hearty laugh, tilting his head back and everything. Maybe talking to Daisuke was what he needed. He let out a breath and leaned forward once finished letting it out. “No offense taken. Between you and me, they don’t pay me enough to actually enjoy the food.”
Daisuke chuckled with him. “Wow! Y’know, I don’t even think I’m getting paid! I guess I’m an intern so the payment is, like, experience, right?”
Curly nodded. “Yeah. Sounds like something they would say.”
“I guess this isn’t the ‘real job’ my mom wanted me to get after all.”
“Wasn’t this your mother’s idea?” Curly was genuinely curious. He could admit he wasn’t the most involved in his crews’ personal affairs, but maybe asking some questions would save Swansea some stress in the future.
“Well… kinda yeah and no?” He poked around the remains in the bowl with his spoon, looking down into it. “She always complained I was really irresponsible, so she kept telling me i need to ‘ship up or shape out’, y’know? Typical parent stuff. I don’t think I’m doing that well though.”
Curly frowned at that. Reaching over, he rested a hand on the other’s back and gave it a small pat. “If it makes you feel any better, when Swansea isn’t complaining, he has told me he’s surprised you’ve made it this far.”
That wasn’t completely a lie. In his many complaints Swansea has mentioned being surprised Daisuke hasn’t completely electrocuted himself to death. Or that Daisuke can tell his ass from his mouth. Either way, what was a captain if he couldn’t raise his crews morale.
Daisuke looked up and Curly could swear he saw a genuine twinkle in the boy’s eyes. “Really?! He said that?!”
Curly couldn’t bring himself to say anything but agree.
“Of course. I’ve even been seeing the improvement. You’re definitely better than when you started. You remind me of a young me.”
Daisuke looked like he was going to explode from excitement, shaking in his seat. Curly moved his hand from the other’s back to the chair he was in. “You don’t know how much that means Cur- I mean, sir! Captain sir!”
“I’m sure your mom would be proud.”
The twinkle turned into a shine as Curly was sure Daisuke was tearing up. Maybe he struck a nerve. He didn’t know Daisuke’s relationship with his mom. About to apologize, he was once again cut off by the other as he smiled. “You’re really good at pep talks captain! I-I see how you got your job!”
Daisuke wiped his eyes and stood up. “I should really get back to utility. Swansea might get angry I was gone for so long so, see ya captain! And you should try getting more sleep, you look really bad!”
Before Curly could even think of a response, Daisuke was out of his sight, leaving Curly alone only to sigh. The kid wasn’t wrong.