Work Text:
“What’s the point of saving an employee’s life if you’re just gonna watch them die the very next day?”
“What’s the point of delaying the inevitable...”
“Those who work here have no future.”
..
You recall those very words that were directed towards the manager, from Netzach, during one of their meetings. Were you supposed to hear that? Probably not. But you just happened to walk by at the time.
You weren’t anyone special here. Kind of like how life was in the backstreets before you were hired. You knew long before about the atrocities that occurred in this facility daily. Since your very first day.
You too, were one of the many people of this facility that still had morality and good humanity. To watch people die on a regular basis, obviously shouldn’t be the norm.
Oh but… you’re afraid that you’ve started becoming numb to this effect. Was this how Netzach had felt for some time?
Poor Netzach.
You weren’t sure why, but you were fascinated by him. Could you even call it fascination? Perhaps fondness? Either way, you thought the green haired guy was pretty neat.
Despite your coworkers distaste for his laziness and pessimism, you saw him in a better light. He was honest. A sadly… honest guy.
It pained you to see your Sephirah constantly being ridiculed despite the suffering he endured.
Those days where you would stop by his office to report a few findings and instead find him slumped onto his desk, clearly drunk.
Those days where he would purposely skip out on meetings to get high on enkaphalin.
Those days where he messed up his commands and sentences towards you and your coworkers, clearly not in the right headspace.
It all pained you so very much.
So what did you do?
…
You had a meeting about what you thought about him. You explained everything since the first time you heard him say those words to the manager.
The confused and somewhat intrigued Sephirah sat at his desk, surprisingly sober enough to hear what you had to say.
“Okay… what are you trying to prove? Why do you waste time reminding me of my suffering?” He suddenly asks, slightly irritated.
“Because I care… I’m concerned for you.”
“Yea… I don’t do friends here at work…”
“I know that, Netzach sir. It’s because you’re afraid of losing them.”
“You’re really prying, huh?”
“But sir-”
⚠️ ALERT ALERT ALERT ALERT ⚠️
FIRST TRUMPET
⚠️ ALERT ALERT ALERT ALERT ⚠️
You groan, as this is the worst moment for this to happen. You sigh, getting up from your chair and readying your ‘sword sharpened with tears.’
“I’m not done trying.” You spoke before rushing out of his office.
———
And you weren’t done at all.
At mornings, afternoons, evenings, and nights, you greeted him at every chance. Almost as a way of saying ‘hey I’m still alive!’
You offered plenty of times to help with his workload, to which he surprisingly replied that he had it himself. But you weren’t aware that the reason was simply because he didn’t want to be ridiculed by Yesod for ‘dumping his duties on a feeble worker.’
You even invited him to the cafeteria a few times, to which he declined saying, “it’s not like I’m gonna taste the shit anyway.” Ouch.
But all of your efforts weren’t for naught. He probably thinks you don’t notice, but you’ve slowly seen him grow less guarded. Less unenthusiastic when you grace him with your presence again. Less dismissiveness.
So you weren’t that surprised when he had called you into his office so suddenly.
“Yes you called, Netzach sir?” You began, curious as to what he could want with you.
“I’m going to be blunt. I think it’s best you move to a different department.”
…
“Wait, what?! But sir I am fine where I am. I’ve had no trouble or conflict here.” You nearly flung the chair you were sitting in, earning a slightly concerned expression from the green haired fiend.
“I know that already. You’ve had no trouble since working in this department. But that’s not why I suggest you move.” He responds.
“Then… why?”
He doesn’t respond immediately but you can see it very well in his expression.
Something was off about him.
He seemed more pessimistic than usual. Coincidentally, he’s been acting this way since the incident in the ‘Training Team.’
You heard that a few middle layer departments and two top departments worked diligently to suppress the core of the Sephirah of the ‘Training Team.’
You had no idea what spurred on these incidents, but they usually came out successful.
“Is this… because of the Sephirah of the ‘Training Team?’” You attempted.
Netzach doesn’t reply again, not even looking you directly in the eye this time, his hands stuffed his pockets as he’s miserably slumped in his chair.
“I’m… tired…” He mutters ever so slightly.
“Huh? What’d you say?”
“Please, just this once. Take my advice.”
“You know very well sir that I can’t accept a proposal like this.” You protested.
“I know. That’s the thing about you. Stubborn… but not in the bad way.” He lets out a dry laugh, standing up from his chair and heading for the exit.
He stops before the door.
“Don’t regret your decision.”
Then he leaves.
———
You had wondered what he even meant by “Don’t regret your decision,” but today… you had a feeling where that might’ve come from.
…
“ATTENTION!!! ATTENTION!!! WOULD THE FOLLOWING DEPARTMENTS PLEASE AID IN THE SUPPRESSION OF THE ‘SAFETY TEAM’ SEPHIRAH!!”
…
You had no time to comprehend when he had the time to… turn into whatever you’re witnessing right now.
The lights were ringing in the hallways, employees from multiple departments were barking out orders, and an unfamiliar, yet heartbreaking tune reverberated throughout the facility.
Why’d he do it?
You tried your best… right? You greeted him at every time of day, you offered to spend time with him, you offered to help him with his work, you were even successful in breaking down a few of those barriers of his.
So why did he do it?
Tears failed to keep themself concealed as you had no choice but to fight and help alongside the suppression.
You worked tirelessly, constantly questioning if the matter was your fault. But you kept your focus, following anything that speed up the suppression.
It wasn’t until hours later, after a mass of celebrations and the disappearance of the hallway lights, that you collapsed to the floor in relief.
———
“Come in.” The familiar lazy tone rang.
You stepped inside his office to see that everything was the same, including him. That same horribly tied tie, the hardly buttoned shirt, and that tired look.
“You miss me?” He joked.
“Netzach…”
“Hey, no need to be all serious. Yea… I totally failed on that enkaphalin thing. But oh well, I’m here now.” He rambled, acting as if his suppression was no big deal.
“You asshole…”
“Woah… what’s got you all fiesty?”
“You can belittle the situation all you want, but my tears were very real!” You clenched your fists.
“Tears? You uh… cried?” He proceeds to sigh a long sigh, rubbing his temple. “I’m okay, alright? I… am grateful at least, that someone cared this much.” He sit up a little straighter, his tired look lightening up a bit.
He stares at you a bit longer before getting up. He stands right next you silently for a bit, before speaking.
“I used to dread working here everyday, hate the deaths of employees, loathe my very existence. Well, I still do feel that way about those things, but point is…”
He hesitates before putting his hand on your head, and awkwardly ruffling your hair.
You look up in shock and confusion. He looks down with a smirk.
“You’re different. You make things a little better around here.”
You felt a burning sensation creep up your face.
Was Netzach’s office always this hot?
———