I slept extremely heavily from not getting any sleep the night before. My alarm went off, and I woke up grumpy, slapping the shit out of it until it shut up. Just a few days until my paycheck. I need new work clothes.

My mind mulled over last night while I trudged out of bed.

So I was right. Guilt. Sad. And though I didn't see anything to support it last night, touch starved.

I was sad that he thought of himself as nothing but an object. I still couldn't tell, though, if he was telling me how he felt because we were close, or just because he didn't care anymore. I was praying it wasn't the latter.

Getting ready for work was less hectic than it was last time. I did have to look for my things though. My work clothes and my purse were no where to be seen. Luckily though, it didn't take long to find them. I was about to just take my things and move on, but upon closer inspection, I saw a note with a chicken sticker sitting in the front breast pocket of my shirt.

"I washed these, so here you go!

P. S. You shouldn't be so forgetful.

P. P. S. You need to start locking your doors >:) "

I smiled at the sentiment and admired his hand writing. It was horribly messy. Basically chicken scratch. When it was close enough to my face, I picked up a bit cologne.

"Well well well, Mr. Sexy. We're doing notes now, huh?" I mumbled.

I got changed into my newly clean clothes and this time: didn't forget my sandwich on the way out.

When I stepped in the car, a putrid smell hit my nose. Before, my car smelled a little but not this bad. I looked around and found the source of the smell.

Ah shit. I left Hawks' jacket in the car. Wow, that felt like centuries ago...

The used-to-be red splotches were now a dark brown. I sighed and looked up a good dry cleaning place. Once I called, the speaker rang in the car. I grimaced and turned it down.

"Hello! Joe's cleaning service how can I help you?"

"Um... Hi I have a jacket that needs to be cleaned up a bit? How are you with burn marks?"

"Well ma'am, we can work with it. It will be patched up but we can do it."

"Regular holes and slashes?" I asked, turning to the road that Hawks agency was at.

"Should not be a problem, miss."

I bit my lip nervously. "And uh... Dried blood?"

She paused for a moment and I could practically hear the "oh shit" In her silence. "Yes, we can take care of blood."

I continued to schedule a time where I could drop off the jacket, and I was going to take it during my lunch. Pulling up to my parking spot, I opened my glove box and pulled out a plastic bag so I could tie up the thing. I shoved it under the seat and walked into work with all of my belongings.

When I walked into my little office, I saw Lucy stand in there. She gave me a friendly wave.

"Hi (y/n)! I just was wondering if you wanted to hang out a bit before work starts?"

I was caught off guard by Lucy. I wasn't expecting someone in my office.

"Uh... Sure. Let me put my stuff down", I said.

"They put a new coffee machine in the lounge so I'm really exited!"

"Oh, cool."

I wasn't trying to be a dick... But I just couldn't think of what to say. She led me down the hallway to a room with frosted glass. I opened it and walked in. There were a few cheap tables, a fridge, vending machines, and a couch or two. There was also a TV in the corner, playing 21 jump Street.

She ushered me in and we began talking about stuff. I say stuff because she was everywhere in her conversation. She was a very talkative.

"So work is fun and all, but the running around in heels kills me!"

I sipped my coffee, "And that why I only wear converse."

"I know, I love your look. You're so cute."

I squinted at my coffee. Cute? I couldn't tell if she meant it or if she wanted to step outside.

"Thanks."

"Well looks like it's time to start work! I'll be in my office if you need anything. It's always fun to have a friend in the office."

"Yes ma'am", I droned as a left the lounge.

I sat in my boring old office and thought deeper about Hawks. I pulled out a little notebook. Sometimes writing things down helps me think.

Hawks.

-tortured hero complex

-low self-esteem?

-lonely

-guilty (about what?)

-touch starved

I looked down at the pad examining my work.

I bit the tip of my pen and stared.

I honestly think he needs a hug. Someone there for him.

Ashlyn's voice rang through my head.

"Do you really think he'll go for you?"

And the answer was the same as before.

"No."

I got a call and jumped out of thought.

"Yes? Hello?"

"Can I get a file from the criminal files? should be under the name eyeless terror. To room j2?"

"On my way ma'am."

I searched, found, and brought the file to the room. A man with broad shoulders, a messy haircut, and an impressive height was sitting in his chair, leaned over his desk.

"Oh! Thanks," the man said.

"No problem," I was about to walk out when he called for me.

"Hey wait! I need your opinion on something."

I turned around, "Oh. Okay, on what?"

"Well", he gestured to a seat, "This one villain seemed to give Hawks a bit of trouble and I'm trying to link him to other crimes."

I scratched at the back of my neck. "I don't know if I'd be able to help you with that. I just transport files."

He hummed. "Hawks seems to be susceptible to fire. Maybe... "

He didn't finish his sentence or pay me any more mind. I walked out of his office and went back to mine. It seems as soon as I sat down, I got another call.

"Hello?"

"Ms. (Y/n), please come to my office."

It was Hawks.

"Oh... Okay. Do you need me to bring anything?"

"Nope! Just you."

I hurried myself up there and knocked on his office door.

"Come in", he said.

I opened the door and he looked up, smirking at me. "There she is. We need to talk, take a seat."

"What's this about?" I asked nervously.

"It's about your job. Don't worry, you still have it."

I sighed in relief.

"Remember how I said Gabriella was on our side? Well she suspects someone and you're going to be their assistant."

I scrunched my eyebrows together in confusion. "What?"

"She's been on this for a month before you. This folder", he slid a Manilla folder over, "contains information on the specific person you will be looking after. She suspects him of being the spy and you're going to see to it."

"Oh uh-"

"And I need this done in a timely manner, so pack your things and move into his office. You'll act as his assistant. Fill out the time sheet every hour, it's in the folder, and give it to me at the end of every day," he said authoritatively.

The business tone of his voice slightly shocked me. He's never talked to me like this. It's not necessarily bad, it's just new. He seemed really distant.

He was getting out of his chair and stood in front of me. "I'm going to go for my job now, and before you do yours, you have the day to look over the folder."

I wonder if it's because of out talks last night. Maybe he's regretting hiring me.

"Yes sir."

Just as I grabbed the door to let myself out, he said, "Sir?"

I turned around surprised. "Uh... Sorry I just-"

He laughed, "You don't need to call me sir, I'm still in my twenties. You think I look that old?"

"N-no! You look gorgeous-"

Oh my god shut the fuck up please.

He cocked an eyebrow still smirking.

I turned around and grabbed the handle again, this time not saying anything stupid, "Whatever..."

He chuckled and opened the door for me. I walked out, head down ears red. He walked the other way down the hallway.

Shuffling into my office, I opened the file and kicked the door shut behind me. I sat at my desk and pulled my small journal to take notes.

There was a small biography in the last few papers and I read over it, taking the basic information. I sipped my coffee and took notes. There was nothing else to do since I don't technically have my old job. I googled him and found nothing. I looked for him on all of the platforms I could, but nothing.

Uugghh, this is so boring. Since I finished my research and I can't do anything today, I guess I could go ho-

Shit! I need to get Hawks's jacket clean! I was supposed to leave like fifteen minutes ago!

I bolted out of my seat and snatched my purse. I was practically jogging out the door when I dropped my keys. When I leaned down to pick them up, I sprinted to my car.

Except I ran head first into someone. I slammed my head really hard on their chin so I was excessively rubbing the sore point of impact. When I opened my eyes, I was straddling a man. I was sitting on his stomach, groaning and rubbing my cheek. He had one hand in my hip. And the other was rubbing the back of his head.

He looked relatively young with green eyes and brown hair. He looked familiar. His deep, rumbling voice caught me off guard. "Oh! I am so sorry, are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm sorry about that. I wasn't looking where I was going. Ow...."

He moved my hand over and looked at my now red cheekbone.

"Ooh. That looks bad."

"I'm fine, how is your head?" I asked trying to get up, but my leg buckled and I fell on him again.

My face was turning red in embarrassment and he let out an 'Oof'.

After we got ourselves situated, I found that he was Mr. Ito.

"So, where are you hurrying off to?" he said with friendliness in his voice.

"Oh! That's right! I'm so so so sorry, but I'm late, so I have to go", I said, jogging away.

"No problem! Be safe!"

I hopped in my car and basically floored it. I did get there on time, though. I pulled the beaten up jacket out of the bag and walked in.

Much to my chagrin, it was an awkward transaction. She said I could come by anytime after five to come and get it but If I wasn't there to grab it in two days, they'd give it to Goodwill.

I went home, another uninteresting day at work.

I dropped myself on my bed and looked over at the Hawks poster hanging in my wall next to my bed. I was exhausted and I really wanted to sleep but I had to clean up a bit.

I got changed into my casual clothes and grabbed my phone. I started playing music from my 2000's throwback list and turned up my phone all the way.

I started singing "I- I love you like a love song baby!" And soon instead of cleaning, I was dancing around my house. I was jumping around and moving to the beat with my trusted dance partner, the broom.

I ended up cleaning nothing and getting halfway through my hour playlist when my alarm went off so I could pick up the jacket.

Now with a new pep in my step, I drove over.

"Wow! This is amazing! I'm going to be honest, I knew you'd clean it up good but it looks almost brand new."

The lady at the register gave me a kind smile and we made small talk for a bit. After I paid I hopped in my car. I was about to put it into drive when I looked over at the jacket.

I really want to put it on...

I looked around, deciding it was safe and wrapped it around me. flipping the collar up, I snuggled into it. It mostly smelled like detergent but it had a longer in sent of Hawks.

I smiled and sat there for a bit while I thought about him. I knew he knew about my crush on him but now, it's not the same as it was before. Before, I looked up to him like he was a god, blessings me with his presence. Now, it was different. Of course, I still looked up to him but he's more human now. He's less like an untouchable, devine being.

I put my car into drive and went back home. Pulling the jacket closer, I walked in. I still had to clean and I wasn't looking forward to it. Instead of doing what I was supposed to do, I took my uncomfortable pants off along with my bra, and got food from my fridge.