Work Text:
It wasn’t the slamming of fists on a desk that pulled you out of your daze, you’d expect that from half of the detectives in here. It was the voice that the slamming was attached to. Hank Anderson was known to have his outbursts, often they were saved for his desk or the interrogation room, but they weren’t ever directed at the captain. And that’s exactly who was at the other end of Hanks fury.
“FOWLER, YOU KNOW THAT THESE CLAIMS ARE BULLSHIT. THEY’RE THE BEST HUMAN ASSET TO THIS CASE.” Hank slammed his fists on Captain Fowler’s desk for emphasis. At that exclamation, you snapped your head up and stared into the Captains office. There was no way he was getting angry on your behalf. Was he?
“Listen, Hank, I know that there’s no way that what Reed said was at all true, but if I don’t move them to another case, Gavin is gonna report all three of us to HR and I’m going to caught in a sea of paperwork.” Hank stood up and put a hand over his mouth, rubbing his fingers through his beard. He flicked his eyes over to you, catching you staring. You immediately looked down at your hands. He smiled and immediately went back on the defensive.
“So you’d rather lose one of the best detectives on a serious case than wade through some paperwork.” Hank pointed back at you when he said that and placed his hands on the edge of the Captains desk. Captain Fowler thought about what to say next.
“I’m sorry Hank, I know how valuable they are, but when a complaint is lodged against anyone in this department, no matter how good they are, I have to take the necessary steps. Next time, I’d recommend that you remember who it is that you’re speaking to. You’re dismissed.” Fowler had been at the other side of Hanks outbursts before, he was willing to give him some slack because of how far back the two went but that’s all he was willing to give. Hank burst his way out of the glass office, catching everyone’s attention in the process. He looked around, almost like a trapped animal.
“Shows over, get back to work fuckers.” Hank looked over at you, he was going to say something but decided against it. He opted for an apologetic look and beelined it for the door. You were going to stand up when-
“Detective!” Connor stood above you at your desk. “I was sorry to hear that Captain Fowler took you off the case. I hope he gives you something just as good to work on.” He had his signature half smile on his face. You made eye contact with Connor (not an easy feat for you) and gave a weak smile.
“Thanks Connor, I hope so too.” He noticed that you were upset, and thankfully he decided not to pry and instead walk back to his desk. You looked around the office, trying to find where Hank went but also trying to look busy until the day was over. Your new assignment didn’t start until tomorrow so boredom was the route for you this afternoon. Leaning back on your chair you thought about the case you were just booted from. I mean, you never really spoke up unless it was important, or to Hank. So it could be misconstrued as flirting, in a super vague sense, but no one else would have said anything. It dawned on you that only Gavin Reed would care about something so small. You gave the room another look around and accidentally made full eye contact with a smirking Mr. Reed. You visibly cringed and immediately looked down at your desk. From your peripheral you saw him turn up his nose and laugh to himself.
His official complaint lodged against the both of you was he caught you and Hank in the break room, exchanging pleasantries. It was worded more graphically thanks to Gavin, but that’s all you could conjure up in your mind. But you’d never go that far with a coworker in a place of business. You’d never go that far with a coworker. You liked Hank, but those thoughts never really crossed your mind when it came to him. Or anyone really. Besides the point. You saw Gavin getting up from his desk and walking towards yours.
‘Time to get the fuck out’ you thought to yourself. He could just follow you to the bathrooms and wait outside to say whatever cocky shit he wanted to when you got out, you did not want that. So you headed outside instead.
Hank was stood outside the Detroit Police Department with a cigarette between his pointer and middle finger. He was running a hand against his stubble. You froze up and muttered an apology for disturbing him. He flicked his eyes over to you quick and waved off your apology.
“I wanted to talk to you.” A feeling of dread washed over you at that statement. You slinked over to his side and leaned against the concrete wall. Looking everywhere except for at Hank.
At that moment, Reed pushed his way through the double doors and saw who you were keeping company. He froze when Hank glared his way. He was about to say something when Hank cut him off.
“I’d think long and hard about what you’re about to say Reed.” Hank flicked the glowing cherry of his cigarette to the ground and stomped out the light. Reed hesitated and went back inside with a huff, muttering something about Hank being old. “Good choice.” You giggled at that and Hank smiled at the sound.
“What did you want to talk about Lieutenant?” He raised his eyebrow at the formality and said;
“Just Hank outside of work.” You blushed at the nickname and the familiarity he was allowing between the two of you. “I just wanted to tell you how upsetting this is for me; your transfer I mean. We’re losing a true talent in that room because of some asshole.” He thinks you’re talented. That made you blush.
“Thank you Hank, I mean, I’m sorry that it’s happening, I mean. Blah, let me start over.” He chuckled at that. “I appreciate your care in this. It really means a lot.” He smiled at you and nodded.
“Well when bad things go wrong for people I care about, I take special care in trying to make it right.” You smiled and took in what he just said. That was sweet- WAIT. Did he just say he cared for you. He probably just meant it in a general sense, like he cares for his whole team. Yeah that’s probably what he meant.
“Did you mean-“ almost as if he predicted what you were going to say next he got real close and said,
“I meant what I said. You mean a lot to me and I’m going to make this right for you.” You stared into each other’s eyes. For the first time in your life, it didn’t feel like a challenge.
Hank raised his hand, close to your face, almost as if he wanted to touch you. But he stopped himself and pulled away first. Your heart was beating out of your chest at the interaction. You felt your face heat up and your legs start to get weak.
“Should we head back inside?” He waited for your response. ‘SAY SOMETHING YOU FOOL’ you thought to yourself.
“Uh, um yeah, yeah. Inside. Let’s go there. Perfect. Yes.” You babbled. Hank’s smile never left his face.