Things better left unsaid
Before I start I wanted to apologize if they sound too ooc, it was my very first DX fanfic, I did it /for/ Christmas, got frustrated, gave up, but hhh it’s here for anyone who‘s interested :|
As usual there’s a pic at the end, bc I can’t write without drawing, so
I also apologize for the lack of digital content lately, I’m moving so I don’t actually have a desk to place my tablet rn etc etc have fun
It was Christmas Eve at Sarif Industries and, as usual, the employees were split into two groups, the ones who would take the Christmas break and the ones who would wait a little bit further and go for the New Year’s break. The Christmas group would have to work on the New Year’s Eve, and vice-versa.
Jensen had actually no preferences, but since last year he took the Christmas break to spend the night with Megan, this year he just wasn’t in the mood, at all, not after what happened to him, to Megan. But he also didn’t want to spend his Christmas Eve alone in his apartment, bringing back memories of moments that would never return.
Just as last year, Sarif would leave a gift on the desk of each employee. A thin ornate box, covered in a cliché, red and green, paper. Just a small memento, probably another desk gadget, like a classy pen with Adam’s name carved on it, or something like that.
Even so, that wasn’t the only gift Adam got from his boss. Sarif himself showed up at Jensen’s office earlier the day and gave him a nice and old whiskey, that rather felt like an apology. He patted Jensen on the shoulder, with his usual nod followed by ‘son’, and left.
And still, those weren’t the only gifts he have received either. There were greeting cards, more boxes, some smaller and some larger... He felt like people actually enjoyed his presence, maybe they even liked it, or maybe he just took a lot of butts out of the line, and that — somehow — was his payment. He smirked shortly at the thought.
He felt like stretching a little, since he finally managed to clean his inbox. Jensen got up, only to notice that his limbs didn’t crack as they usually did back then, heh, having no bones and actual joints made things... boring. He remembered Megan rolling her eyes whenever he would start cracking his knuckles, ‘Jesus, Adam, that will pay off later, you know, right?’, how he wished she was right.
Two hours passed, and Jensen noticed a notification pop-up on his computer screen. ‘You have 1 new message(s)’, it said. The subject said ‘Merry Christmas’, he gave it a click.
I wish you all a wonderful Christmas, it is always a pleasure to work with you.
Merry Christmas everyone.
Frank Pritchard, Sarif Industries Chief of Cyber-Security’
Oh. Jensen rapidly checked the digital clock, it marked five, six, minutes past midnight, officially Christmas. And Pritchard? Late. Five minutes late. Adam smirked quickly. The all mighty Pritchard didn’t seem to be that perfect, and now Jensen had an excuse to strike back the colleague’s incessant bickering. ‘Oh, really, Pritchard? At least I know how to program a message to be sent in the right time, and I didn’t have to spend my life in front of a computer screen to learn that. I’m talking about your late Christmas message, what a shame coming from our remarkable tech.’
It was all about bickering and he knew that, he refused to act like that in front of a kid, but not in front of Pritchard.
someone’s late for the party|
He typed and sent it without thinking twice, relaxing on his chair. That made him realize that not only he stayed for the Christmas Eve, but also did the tech. Jensen actually didn’t think of the colleague as a Christmas person, left alone a religious one, Pritchard was probably sending those due to the circumstances, it was Christmas and... he didn’t want to sound insensitive, although the tech’s e-mails always spread that same rough atmosphere.
That made Jensen realize that eight minutes have passed and, for his surprise, the tech was still silent, Pritchard usually answers his e-mails very quickly, paranoia? Probably.
‘K, you know what? It was pretty much boring at his office right now, just staring at an empty screen under half-lights... Maybe he could use some fresh air, go to the bar downstairs, see if he could use a drink or two. It was Christmas for fuck’s sake.
Jensen then took the stairs, reaching for the first floor, the chitchat coming from the hall was a lot louder there. Apparently he wasn’t the only one with a break desire after all.
He finally made to the bar close to the helipad, it was crowded with people. Such dedicated employees you have there, Sarif. ‘Merry Christmas’ he heard here and there, he’d wave and nod in response. Fuck. He forgot to bring some credit chip with him, the bar was cool and all that but still he had to pay to drink.
And back up to his office he went. He soon grabbed two credit chips he found there, he couldn’t actually remember the amount of credit he had left inside those. He also took the time to check his e-mails. Still no sign of the tech.
Just after leaving his office, his eyes stopped on Sarif’s whiskey. He let out a sigh at the unexpected thought, grabbing that damn bottle. It was supposed to be mine, he thought to himself, closing the door behind his back.
Just a level below, Adam wandered through the corridor, till his gaze stopped over the words ‘Tech Lab’. He sighed impatiently, again.
Reaching the lab entry, he immediately spotted a head followed by a ponytail. Pritchard seemed focused, way too focused to notice his presence. The tech’s fingers moved rapidly over the keyboard, while the coffee mugs surrounding him made Adam lose count of them, twice.
It was... interesting to watch. Pritchard’s gaze was serious, and his fingers moved almost silently. It almost didn’t look like the tech had in fact such a stubborn personality. The scene was... peaceful. Adam watched Pritchard working for whole five-ish minutes.
He then approached with the bottle and glasses in hands, placing it in front of Pritchard’s chest. The tech jumped slightly from the chair. ‘Christ, Jensen, I’m working if you haven’t noticed.’
‘Yeah, Merry Christmas to you too.’, he pushed a chair he found next to the tech’s electric bike.
‘Spare me the sentimentalism, Jensen.’, Pritchard stretched his arms in front of the computer. ‘Also, thanks for reminding me not to ever bring a spare chair to my lab again, people seem to have the tendency of sitting on it simply because— it’s there.’
‘It’s a chair, Francis, that’s what people do.’, Jensen noticed the tech’s gaze wander from the whiskey bottle to his own eyes. ‘Oh and no need to quote Hamlet or god-knows-what you read just because I brought a whiskey with me.’
‘Only because it further proves that you have no knowledge in English literature?’, he crossed his legs, turning on his chair, facing Jensen. ‘Interesting how we always try to avoid our weaknesses.’
‘Interesting how inclusive you are tonight, Francis, talking about yourself as well.’
The tech got serious, folding his arms. ‘What do you want, Jensen?’, Adam smirked at his little victory.
‘I couldn’t help but notice the lack of Christmas gifts you got.’
‘Is that it? Well, excuse me if I’m not over 50% augmented and look edgy enough to get people’s attention.’
‘Easy, Francis.’, Jensen took the bottle in hands, pouring the liquid inside the glasses he brought with himself. He wasn’t actually looking for trouble right now.
‘I’m working right now, Jensen...’, Pritchard muttered while Adam took his hand in his, placing a glass in it.
‘Nah. Right now you’re drinking with me.’, he clinked the glasses, slowly taking a sip from his own right after that. ‘Merry Christmas.’
‘Mm— this one is...’ Pritchard mumbled, tasting the drink, lips moist. ‘... strong.’
‘Yeah, I know. Sarif never fails. Here.’ he once again took Pritchard’s hand, taking it away from the tech’s mouth. ‘You’re drinking way too fast. It’s whiskey, Pritchard, not a beer.’ He then took his own glass in one of his aug hands. ‘Smell it...’ he did so, eyes fixed on Pritchard’s ‘then take a sip,’ again he followed his own instructions. It took five seconds, he swallowed it ‘only then you swallow it.’
‘Oh, I hate what he’s turning you into.’ Pritchard looked away, rolling the glass with his hand.
‘Now what are you talking about?’ Adam put down his own whiskey.
‘Sarif. He’s teaching you everything. He’s turning you into a perfect copy of him, or at least he’s very close to.’
‘Spare me from your superstitions, Pritchard.’ He rolled his eyes.
‘You’re right... You’re right.’ the tech mumbled closing his eyes, bringing his glass to his mouth, tasting the whiskey silently. ‘Merry Christmas, Jensen.’ He whispered.
They drank in silence from then on, apart from their knees that now were awkwardly touching each other. Jensen would still avoid Pritchard’s gaze after what the tech said about him and Sarif. Ironic how Pritchard managed to fuck up the mood so easily, even when he tried his best to keep it cool between them.
Jensen couldn’t help but notice the colleague soften on his chair. The alcohol seemed to be spreading quickly. He jumped slightly after noticing the tech’s hand over his. His fingers were warm, carefully exploring the textures of his augmented hand.
‘I apologize for earlier. Some things are better left unsaid.’ the tech recomposed himself, taking his hand away from Adam’s, just to be stopped halfway.
‘Go on, it feels... nice.’
Pritchard was way too waisted to care. He kept stroking Adam’s hand, while his own would shake in some sort of anxiety. He was curious to see how far could this take him, but was also afraid of what Jensen would think of him.
In silence they stood. Adam would intertwine their fingers, feeling the warmth of Pritchard’s palm against his. Knees still against each other, feverish.
The tech once again pulled his own hand away, heart rushing, cheeks burning. His head was spinning when cold augmented hands pulled him closer, and lips were pressed together.
Pritchard fought for full five seconds, just to give in at the warmth of Jensen’s tongue. Desperate, he would allow himself to explore Jensen’s mouth, the scent of alcohol taking over him.
They would run out of breath too quickly, since their movements were completely out of sync, but neither of them cared to move away, breathing against each other’s skins, mouths agape, they would exchange kisses until their heartbeats were calm again.
‘I-I don’t know what just happened. I-I have work to do, Jensen, please.’ he looked away, pulling some of the bangs behind his ears, recomposing himself.
‘You’re drunk, Pritchard.’ Adam stood up. ‘But fine,’ he sighed ‘I’ll leave you to it.’ Adam couldn’t deny he wasn’t somehow affected by the whiskey as well, maybe not as much as his colleague, but still. He placed the chair back from where he took it, and headed to the door. ‘You sure you’re ok?’
‘I’m fine, Jensen, now just leave me, wouldn’t you?’ he would look anywhere but at Adam.
Jensen, however, approached him once more, the tech shaking on his chair, eyes wide open as Jensen came closer. ‘Forgot the bottle.’ He whispered against Pritchard’s ear, placing a teasing kiss on his neck, followed by a bite.
‘Jensen!’ Pritchard pushed him away, pulling the turtleneck higher.
‘Fuck... You’re too loud...’ he complained, one of the hands over his ear, taking the bottle and glasses away.
‘Christ’s sake...’ Pritchard muttered at last, head resting in one of his hands, while the other stroke the sloppy piece of skin.
