Chapter Text
Jake’s new partner is strange. Smartest guy he’s ever met, but that’s about the only positive. He hardly speaks to anyone, and when he does, it’s not exactly pleasant. Jake has tried to invite him out after work three times, but he’s always ‘busy’… won’t ever say with what. Not that it matters, but it’d be nice to get an explanation.
It’s been two weeks since they were put together. Already a week longer than the last five poor souls to be paired with Matt Axel. It should feel like an accomplishment, but every day feels like the first.
He doesn’t turn around when Jake opens the door, probably can’t hear him over whatever it is he’s working on. It’s a bike, a fast one from the looks of it, not normally something Matt would be involved in building… If Transportation thinks they can offload their projects to Weapons Development just because Matt works fast, they’ve got another thing coming. He’s already overworked.
Jake watches him for a while, not wanting to interrupt. He always looks so relaxed when he’s working… never any other time. Their eyes meet every few minutes. Matt knows he’s in the room, but, as always, refuses to acknowledge it.
Eventually, Jake turns his attention to the files on his own desk. Might as well do his job while he’s here. Flipping through them, he feels some sort of heaviness creep up into his chest. It’s hopelessness. He’s stuck. Where or on what, he’s not sure, but that’s the feeling. No doubt about it.
He hears Matt’s chair roll next to his. He doesn’t bother moving. They do this nearly every day, silently watching each other work. It’s respect. That’s what Jake keeps telling himself, at least. But today, unlike every other day, Matt asks a question.
”Do you… have a reason for being here?”
Maybe this is why no one lasts a month in here. Jake’s heard all the rumors. This guy’s vindictive. He’ll poke little holes in your self-esteem until you just can’t take it anymore. This must be how it starts. If that’s the case, it won’t work. Jake may not be as smart as Matt, but he’s stubborn enough to make up the distance. He wants Matt to work with him, and he’ll get just that.
”I have just as much reason to be in here as you. Don’t be rude.”
Matt laughs nervously, looking absolutely mortified. ”No, no, sorry, I… meant in general. Why’d you join?”
This might be the worst attempt at small talk Jake’s ever heard, but it’s almost cute. If they were both ten years younger, maybe he’d be more persistent when inviting Matt out after work.
”To help people.” An easy answer to an easy question. That’s why everyone is here, or at least it should be.
Matt says nothing for far too long. There’s a look in his eyes that Jake hopes isn’t disappointment. It couldn’t be. He gave the right answer; the only answer. It must be something else.
”And have you?”
That should be another easy question. The simple answer is yes. Jake’s helped plenty of people… after they got hurt in the first place. He’s reactive, and he’s too late more times than not. He isn’t doing nearly enough. Does Matt know that? Could he know that? The Matt from the rumors could, he’s good at reading people, but the Matt right in front of him?
”Not enough.”
Surprisingly, Matt smiles. There’s no judgment, no smart comments, just relief. It spreads to Jake for a moment. He feels lighter, like he might be able to move.
”Are you doing anything tonight?” Matt’s voice still comes out nervous, but not to the same extent. ”I think I’ll take you up on that offer from last week.”
“My place or yours?”
Matt hums as he thinks it over. ”Both bad options, but I know yours is quieter.”
Jake’s house is quiet, too quiet sometimes, but how would he know that? Maybe his place is unusually loud. Does he have children? He hasn’t mentioned any, but that doesn’t mean much with him.
”And how’s that?”
”You live alone, you visit your mother on Fridays, and you go for drinks with your brother on Wednesday nights. You don’t do much else aside from that.”
Thor’s blood… what doesn’t he know?
”You stalk everyone, or am I special?”
”That’s just what I’ve overheard around the precinct. I’d have no reason to stalk someone so boring.”
Jake huffs, looking away and writing his address on a loose scrap of paper. Matt grabs it from him and examines it closely, like he can’t make sense of it. It’s the handwriting, probably. Jake’s never had good handwriting.
“This is Downtown.” He finally says.
”Is that a problem?”
There are plenty of people who avoid Downtown completely. Morons, all of them, but they keep the rent cheap. Matt didn’t seem like the type though.
”Not at all. I just wouldn’t have expected that. Surely you could afford to live up here.”
Jake tries to picture it, a shiny Uptown apartment. They offered one to him when he signed on, and a few times since, but he’s always said no. It’s too sterile up here. Bright white tile, too many windows… A glorified showroom, that’s all it is. The people don’t make it any better. Self-absorption is a virtue here, it seems.
”Not sure why anyone would want to.”
Matt laughs, openly this time. It’s such a strange sound coming from him, but not a bad one by any means. It’s warm like an old fireplace, and this room is so shocking cold. There are lines on his face that weren’t visible before. Jake wonders who else has seen them.
“Fair enough. I have a few things to take care of after work, so don’t expect me until six.”
Jake shakes his head, feeling a smile of his own start to creep onto his face. “I’m just glad you’re showing up at all.”