Bennett/Melanie, Rated T
It turned out that working with the person you were… sleeping with? In a casual, undefined relationship with? after you’d fought (or maybe, in some way, broken up-the lines between them had always been too blurred to make such distinctions) over something so big that you could barely speak to them was awkward-to say the least. And sometimes, it was downright infuriating.
Javi had stormed out, taking Miles with him as he swore under his breath. Now Melanie and Bennett were staring at each other. Every little disagreement became an actual argument these days. The look Bennett was giving her was both weary and defeated.
“Mel,” he sighed, sounding resigned, “It’s an unreasonably reckless plan.”
“That’s never stopped you from supporting them before,” she pointed out, hating how sullen she sounded.
Bennett shook his head and sat back down, glancing back up at her before he continued in a gentler tone, “Mel… this isn’t personal.”
Melanie deflated a little at the statement, but was still unwilling to back down, “Then support me. Because otherwise, it sure as hell feels personal.”
He nodded, swallowing, “I didn’t mean to hurt you. You have to know that.”
“I do,” she sounded exhausted, “You put the train first. But that doesn’t mean that I have to forgive you for making that decision without me.”
“I know,” he replied quietly.
There was a long, awkward silence after that. Bennett wasn’t sure how she’d react to yet another apology, and Melanie was too stubborn to admit that all the fight had left her by that point.
“I know you think this is stupid,” she broke the silence, quickly holding up a hand to stop his inevitable protest, “But Ben, it’s also our best option. You of all people should understand that. I just need you to be on my side, okay? Because it really feels like you aren’t these days, and I don’t think we can keep working together if every time a disagreement comes up, Javi has to take Miles elsewhere so he doesn’t have to hear it.”
“Of course I’m on your side,” he sounded hurt now, “I am always on your side, Mel. I should have consulted you. But you were the one who taught me that the train comes first.”
“I never wanted anything else,” she laughed bitterly, “It was the only way to keep all of us alive.”
“Until it involved Wilford,” he stated the obvious.
Melanie nodded now, “Until it involved him.”
“Yeah,” Bennett sighed, “So. If you think that we’re done yelling at each other, we should probably find Javi and beg his forgiveness before we sort this out.”
“You’re right,” she mumbled, burying her head in her hands, “God. That was highly unprofessional.”
“Never stopped you before,” he pointed out, but his tone was more teasing than hers had been earlier.
She removed her hands and smirked at him, “But at least we had fun those other times.”
“Touché,” he conceded, “I’ll go find Javi.”
“Sure,” she agreed.
“You have the train,” he told her.
Melanie nodded again, “I have the train.”