There was a slight, but noticeable, sheen of water in Evelyn's eyes. It made her appear as if she were silently begging. Simon took note of this, pulling most of the paperwork his way.
He did not doubt how she felt, no matter how hard she tried to hide it. Simon didn't say anything for a while, almost as if he was choosing his response to her.
(I need her to be functional. If she falls apart, so does the team.)
After heavy consideration, this is what he came up with. He distracted himself with the papers for a while before finally responding.
"We should probably hurry up with these, then."
It was a yes, it wasn't a no — it was something in between. Simon had no way of telling how she truly felt; he just assumed that she needed someone to rely on for the time being.
Evelyn smiled brightly as both of them filled out the papers. Once again, the room began to reek of ink. Simon carefully worked on the report of their expedition, and Evelyn worked on the request for Alina's team.
Although Simon wanted to help her with the work, seeing her in this state, he couldn't. The work was far above his rank, so he didn't have the authority to touch it.
Still, all of this was to keep her mentally stable. If not for this, Simon would've written his report and left for the day without writing everyone else's.
However, the peaceful silence between them soon became awkward. It was clear Evelyn was attempting to speak, but her words never left her lips.
She spent the first ten minutes opening and closing her mouth, hesitating around each syllable.
"Si, why did you join the bureau?"
"...My dad."
"Right." Evelyn pursed her lips.
The answer was obvious: the Crest family had a great deal in the creation of the bureau in the first place. Evelyn was beet-red with embarrassment at asking such a stupid question.
Simon gazed at her through the corner of his eyes, seeing this. But he needed her to feel comfortable with everything she may ask.
"What about you? Why'd you join?"
"Me? No, it's a bit silly, you'd probably laugh." She said with restrained laughter behind her voice.
Although it was clear the giggle was forced. Simon could tell, but he smiled to make her happy. He didn't say anything else; if she didn't want to tell him, it was out of his control. Not that he wanted to hear much of it anyway.
"I've been friends with Alina for a very long time. So when I found out she was joining, I decided to follow. Mainly because she wouldn't build a snowman with me."
Simon didn't say anything, just nodding his head.
(I can't say anything about that. My reason is quite childish in introspection. A singular person — human at that, destroying an entire dimension. God, that sounds delusional.)
Evelyn noticed he didn't laugh, but still held his serious expression. It was as if her eyes were shining while watching him scratch the pen across the paper, his handwriting like a formal font.
"People join for worse reasons. I had someone tell me they joined for free food once."
Again, she laughed too loudly at his words. Only after did she sigh, placing a hand on her chin. Her eyes moved from her paper, to Simon's, and finally to him.
The silence had returned for but a moment, although not as heavy. Even still, Simon noticed the slight tremble in her hands as she wrote, and the burden of pain in her chest.
How could she not sorrow, when she was supposed to be responsible for everyone in the team? Evelyn had soon finished her paper, and Simon followed.
Midnight was approaching, and the streets around them became softly quiet. It was an odd sight, seeing the busy streets of New York dwindle to a few measly people returning home.
"Si, are you hungry?"
Like usual, Simon's response did not come out immediately. He had to be careful about what he said. In all honesty, he knew Naomi had most likely prepared a meal for him already.
It would be rude to turn Naomi down — but it would be wrong to turn down Evelyn. So, he went with the choice that best suited his needs for the moment.
"Yeah." He kept his response short.
Through trial and error, the two had arrived at some diner near Heaven. The place was quiet, lights flickered, making the place dim. From what Evelyn had told Simon about the place, it was family-owned.
She came here occasionally. Although they were known for their coffee, she preferred the food. Both of them had already ordered their food, roasted chicken for Evelyn and a medium-well steak for Simon.
As the food rolled onto their table, Simon noticed it was the same meal she had gotten him after their first escape.
(She really can't cook.)
Both of them ate in hearty bites, not having eaten anything since morning. They were like greedy animals, although Simon was the more reserved between the two.
"Si, you don't go out much, do you?" Evelyn asked with her mouth full.
"I don't. I like to stay inside if possible."
"Maybe next time—ah. Nevermind."
(Next time?... As long as it's for her sake.)
A small grimace painted his face, but he quickly hid it. The two of them didn't speak for the rest of the meal, the same oppressive air filling the room.
After Simon had paid for their meal, Evelyn spoke again.
As they walked outside, the frost of the air clung to their skin. It was autumn now, and the greenery around them had shifted colors. Autumn leaves flew past, brown shapes skittering by their feet with each breeze
"Si, why did you stay?"
Simon looked into her eyes, seeing the need for honesty. If there was anything he could do for her, this was the one thing. He froze for half a second, considering his options.
Only after a few seconds did he look up at the starless sky. The buildings around them were lit up, blocking the beautiful sight.
"I can't stand seeing my captain like this."
(At least, that was my first thought.)
"Gloomy. Lost. Trapped by grief, by him. So I stood and listened anyway."
(Not for her sake, but for my own. It was just convenient is all.)
"You're a horrible liar."
"I'm not lying. Even if I were, lies don't exist — they're just truths with rebranding."
(I just needed you to be functional. Don't take my words personally.)