Work Text:
14th of February
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Deal sat in his cubicle, out on the office floor. Being at the very top of the cubicle arrangement, amidst all the dogs, Deal typed away at his computer. After his morning had been spent organizing transactions and receipts from previous buyers, he rubbed his eyes.
“Lilim aren’t supposed to feel exhaustion like normal humans, but…” he could tell he was fatigued from how long he’d been focusing all morning. Above all that, the only other humanoid in the building was around a corner and a hallway away, so he couldn’t chum with a fellow human.
Suddenly, one of the dogs rounded the opposite corner of Deal’s cubicle, speaking up, causing him to jump and startle him.
“Sorry Deal! I did not mean to scare you.” the corgi said.
“I-it's okay, I’ve just been really busy. What’s up?”
“Well- it’s not work related- not directly.” the corgi went on to say.
“I was walking past mom’s- Ms. Albert’s office, and she seemed upset.”
“Due to me being a dog- I cannot comprehend some human emotions. I think you should go talk to her.” the corgi ended off on.
“Oh…?” Deal pondered for a moment.
“What could she be mad about… Maybe her date fell through? She did talk about going out with a girl she’d been sweet on later this evening…”
Deal nodded; “I’ll go check on her then. Thanks for letting me know.”
“No problem!” The corgi replied cheerfully.
With the corgi running off, Deal pushed himself from behind his cubicle.
He'd wander around the corner and walking along row after row of other cubicles.
Opening the door from the office floor, to the connecting hallway leading towards Beatrice’s office.
Deal kept his hands tucked in his pockets, wondering why Beatrice was upset.
“...no- no it’s not…”
Deal began to hear shouting faintly.
The closer he’d get to Beatrice’s office, the louder it got.
“...then you can FUCK off. I knew you were gonna cancel anyway- you fucking bitch.” Deal now stood on the opposite side of her office’s door, listening.
He heard Beatrice let out a disgruntled shout, angrily slamming her phone down on her desk.
Internally; Deal felt sad for her.
“I want to go in and comfort her, but …”
He shook his head.
Deal then heard soft weeping from the other side, a sniffle to follow.
Closing his eyes, Deal wondered what he could do to help.
He was a male Lilim, so any intimacy of the romantic variety was a no-go.
Deal then opened his eyes, and quietly walked away from Beatrice’s office.
Making it back to the office, Deal grabbed a coat and told the next-in-charge-corgi that he was taking his lunch.
Just as Deal had left the office, Beatrice wandered from her own, heading towards the general floor with all of the cubicles. Wiping her face, in an attempt to compose herself, she sought comfort. Opening the door to the office floor, she wandered down the length of the cubicles, to find Deal wasn’t at his desk.
Wandering over to the next-in-charge-corgi’s desk, Beatrice piped up;
“Hey. Where’d Deal go?”
“Hi mom!- I mean- Ms. Albert.” the corgi replied.
“He went on his lunch- if my times are correct- he will be back in a half-hour.”
Betty shook her head, wearing her stress on her face.
“Great…”
“Can I help with something- Ms. Albert?” the corgi asked.
“N-no. I’ll go back to my office and figure it out on my own.”
Betty turned, wandering back to her office.
Downtown
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Keeping his hands tucked in his pocket after walking out of a shop, Deal tucked a purple, heart-shaped box under his arm. He’d keep his brisk pace as he’d walk the next few blocks back to the office, when a familiar face emerged from an alley. With curiosity killing her, she piped up.
“Hey! You’re the guy that likes dogs!”
Deal paused, turning, to see that Dorothy was speaking to him.
“Ah- you’re the girl who hates dogs.”
“Irony- right?” Dorothy jokingly replied.
“What’re you doing out and about?” Dorothy asked.
“Picking something up.”
The two chatted, continuing their walk through downtown.
“...sounds rough! I think you’re doing the right thing.” Dorothy affirmed to Deal.
“Thanks.” Deal replied.
“So- what kind of relationship are you guys in- if she’s your girlfriend and she got rejected by another girl? Is it poly- a big three-way- a-”
“We’re not- well…” Deal cut Dorothy off, and then lost confidence in his reply. “...We’re very close. She wouldn’t function normally without me.”
“Aw.” Dorothy repiled.
“Most of my friendships end up being more intimate than relationships. Which is bound to happen given what I do for a living. But I think it’s a great thing!” Dorothy replied cheerfully.
“Love is love- but having someone who gets you, who is willing to be there for you, help you figure things out, without demanding the added intimacy- is like- unconditional, real love.” Dorothy went on to add.
Deal was surprised by that, it gave him reassurance he’d been lacking in his gesture he was about to make.
Deal did something he didn’t often do;
He smiled.
Deal turned and nodded; “Thank you for your wisdom, Dorothy.”
“No problem. This is my corner where we gotta split, good luck!” Dorothy replied.
Going their ways, Deal made it back to the office.
Sitting down at his desk, he’d finish the day before going to see Beatrice.
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Spending the day ruminating on what Dorothy had told him, Deal adjusted his collar nervously. He’d be at Beatrice’s door, gripping the handle. Gulping, and knocking, Deal announced he’d be entering. Opening the door, he’d see a deflated, sad Beatrice, sitting at her desk with a bottle of vodka next to her computer. Deal shook his head.
“Drinking at work again?” he’d ask.
“Can it.” Beatrice replied immediately.
“What do you want?” she’d add, sounding aggravated.
Deal stepped forward, setting the heart-shaped box on her desk.
Beatrice glanced over, before sitting upright from slouching, now fully attentive.
She eyeballed the box.
Chuckling; “You know I don’t swing that way- right?” she said aloud.
Deal shook his head.
“I know.”
“I planned on getting it regardless. It’s your favorite, the peanut butter filled truffles from your favorite bakery.”
Beatrice wore a surprised look.
“Wh-why though…?” she muttered out.
Deal looked her in the eyes, as both their gazes met one another.
“Because- I…”
Deal paused, before exhaling and speaking up;
“I love our friendship. It means a lot to me. I can’t imagine a world where we aren’t together, supporting one another.”
“You complete me, Betty. A-and I wanted to reassure you of that.”
Beatrice was gobsmacked.
Getting up from her desk, Beatrice wandered around it. Unwrapping and opening the box to take a peek, she gently closed the lid, and turned to Deal.
Deal wore a gentle smile.
“Happy Valentines d-”
He was suddenly cut off- by a tight hug.
Beatrice gripped onto him like it was their last moment together.
Surprised, but easing into it, Deal returned the embrace, hugging her.
Beatrice sniffled.
“Thank you.” she muttered, whilst buried in his chest.
Deal lightly chuckled, keeping her held close.
They stood there, hugging one another for a while, while corgis tried to sneakily peer into the office from the outside.
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