Work Text:
Beep beep.
“Found a wanted vehicle. Location, 2nd intersection, Folke Street. Black hatchback, license plate number B4-1376…”
They’ve gotten more confident ever since…
”…never mind, we can’t chase them - we’re using security cameras now that…we don’t have Flare with us anymore.”
90+ active members and 80 passive ones. We’re really outnumbered, but…
”Roger that.” Chris realized his voice sounded almost as tired as Chief’s. Almost. They both took it as roughly as they could’ve, unfortunately. “Man, you sound super tired these days.”
If Chris had strained his ears, he would’ve heard Chief sigh in silent confirmation. “I gotta do something with whoever’s still with us. Don’t worry about me and take care of yourself.”
He knows she’s right… and yet he was here because he refused to take a break after learning what happened to both of the people he looked up to.
Yeah. Riley too. He remembered the report clear as glass; there were many casualties, and Riley Brown was among those names. Names that some shouldn’t have been there if he had done something - been more useful —
“I’m thankful for you coming back to us even when you’re not in your best shape.”
…Right. He wasn’t alone. It was almost funny, he used to argue against Chief and if circumstances were different, maybe he would do it again. But now, Chief was the only reason he could keep it together.
She’s taking it as hard as you are, no way you can give up if she hasn’t… he pulled his hood down, running a hand through black hair that he probably needed to fix up soon, make himself look more presentable than the man who returned from a brief break.
“We still need to get revenge for Riley and Flare, don’t we?” He muttered into the ear piece, only being met with silence before Chief spoke again in a cold tone.
”Do me a favor, will you?” and the connection went offline. He wasn’t surprised, there was no way Chief of all people would cry, even if she was more vulnerable. He used to say that she was like a robot and treated everyone else around her the same as well. He said that to Riley.
Riley, who…he had always worried for, frankly. They had this knack for getting into trouble and doing things in a weird, unprofessional way. But at least they always tried. That was much more help than -
“…Phooey. Gotta get something to eat…” he mumbled, feeling the pit in his stomach he was hoping was just hunger and not his negativity. What was rule 1 again? “Every word defines your end?”
He dragged his feet to the kebab truck - he remembered having a conversation about them with Riley too. Maybe he should stop thinking about how it all went wrong before he throws up.
“Hello..?” He cleared his throat, looking at the man in a white apron. He didn’t look any better than he did.
The Kebab Guy looked at him absentmindedly, like he wasn’t really there talking to Chris at all, but something - someone? - else. “Ah, hello customer…”
”You look like you’re having a bad day today.” Chris inspected him; had the Kebab Guy gotten sufficient sleep, even? He was much less…energetic than usual. Even that charisma of his seemed watered down.
“…” Chris was about to ask if the man was okay before he continued speaking. “It is just…I cannot figure out.”
”About what?”
”Nothing important. Thing is, I thought I know how this world work, how people is like…I thought I understand and get the hang of it, but no. I do not think I did.” The Kebab Guy sounded almost angry at himself. Angry for being so wrong.
Chris could almost sympathize with that. He had been pretty wrong too. Yet he couldn’t get why someone like the Kebab Guy would feel so agitated by such a thing.
”…I don’t know.” …the Kebab Guy’s eyes were blue.