Work Text:
The coffee machine wasn't working.
The fucking coffee machine wasn't working.
Trinity Santos was at her wits' end. After a long and grueling shift in the ER, she couldn't even go home. Everyone else had already clocked out, including her semi-casual on-and-off-again fling who just so happened to make plans for tonight. After she had told her that they'd maybe watch the fireworks tonight.
Maybe.
She couldn't believe Huckleberry was right. He had warned her that Garcia was keeping her at an arms length.
He didn't get it. He didn't know what she was like when they were together. The way Trinity could just tell she was being stared at from across the ER, how Yolanda's smile would light her whole face. How her down-turned eyes and coy smirk hid the thoughts Trinity could easily scratch off the surface. The playfulness of it all.
How she held her. Even loved her. Yolanda had said it once, a month ago. Dennis wouldn't hear the end of it from her. She wanted to prove him wrong. That there was something more to the sex.
'We're just keeping it casual, right?'
"God, fucking— dammit," Trinity almost slapped the machine as it sputtered again.
That wasn't even to mention the power outage or the water slide or the million other things that had happened in the midst of her being so incredibly behind on her charting.
She squeezed her palms into fists, the pressure causing them to shake. Her teeth clacked together in frustration.
A sharp breath escaped from her nose, and she pressed her knuckles into the crumb covered counter top.
"Fffffffuck," she sputtered, the weight of the day fallen heavily on her shoulders, head falling to rest against the cupboard.
"You don't seem excited for fireworks," a voice spoke.
Trinity grimaced, rolling her head towards the door. When she opened her eyes, Joy Kwon stood watching her, leaning against the doorway.
One of Huckleberry's kids for the day, although Joy seemed to have outgrown the guy pretty quickly.
"Yeah, well," Trinity pushed herself up again, mustering enough energy to take a few steps closer to Joy. She shrugged her shoulders, "I have charts to do, so—"
"No fireworks?" Joy's brows furrowed. Her mouth parted slightly, then closed again.
Trinity rolled her eyes, "Was that a problem? Or…?
Joy scoffed, "I was just saying, I don't know. I heard you mention it to Whitaker, before we went Stone Age."
Her mouth flattened into a thin line, "No, I—" She huffed. "Whatever. Yes, I was supposed to, but no, I'm not going."
"Because of the charts?"
"Because of the charts."
Joy wouldn't stop staring at her, studying her.
It was really pissing her off.
"I'd say take a picture, but I thought your brain came with one for free." She made her way to the door, "I'm out of—"
A sharp grip held her arm as she sped past, knocking her back into Joy.
"WHAT—"
"I'll stay with you."
Trinity froze. "Uh…."
Joy nodded slightly, a small smile overtaking her face. She tentatively squeezed her arm once, then let go, staying just as close to her as before.
'Nice to hear meeting people in real life still works.'
Trinity had noticed Joy glancing at her from the side of her eye. The way her eyebrows raised.
She narrowed her eyes, Huh.
"You don't have anything better to do?"
Joy shook her head.
"Not even Anthrocon?"
She snorted, "No, I don't think they're open this late. Food cart's still open though."
Trinity paused, thinking about what Garcia had told her. She found herself nodding, the agitation in her chest melting its sharp edges, forming a dull ache in her chest. Anticipation.
"Yeah, no. Your loss then. I guess no fireworks for either of us."
They smiled at each other.
The other woman lit up, and the thought passed Trinity about whether Dennis had made any late night plans or if he was waiting up for her.
"You're…," she stepped around Joy, a hint of a floral scent wafting as she passed her. It caused her to stumble a little
"Are you okay—?"
"Yeah— I'm just. Yeah," Trinity swallowed down her mortification, turning to walk backwards as she said, "Cool as a cucumber! Totally!" Fuck. "I'll see you in… yep."
Her face flushed, but she somehow didn't feel all too embarrassed. It was weird, sure, but this day had already been so strange. Hanging out with Joy Kwon seemed like a walk in the park compared to anything.
Trinity swept past patients and nurses, swinging the doors to the stairwell open.
She took out her phone as she sat on the stairs, instinctively checking her notifications. None from the woman she thought she wanted to see most. She bit her lip, thumbing through the contact until her finger hovered over the Blocked button.
It would only be for the night, she could just say that her phone died or whatever, but maybe this was what she needed. A bit of time away from whatever her and Yolanda were, and some time to meet new people. Off the apps. In person, even.
And maybe even someone else in the workplace.