𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐍𝐀𝐆𝐄━━━━Five Hargreeves

3

❝ The bet ❞

That old son of a bitch really did become employee of the month.

Alex generally considered himself a peaceful and calm person (if you ignore the blood splattered all over his clothes and the various weapons he always had hidden away) but Five was starting to piss him off.

Or Five was at least grabbing his attention.

Pissing him off was far from it, mainly because the two had barely interacted. It was barely four months after Five had joined and for some reason his stupid face on the stupid employee of the month wall bothered Alex.

He had tried to make himself believe he didn't give a shit about being the best, what mattered was that he did good work, killed the people he had to and finished as many cases as he could.

He did six assignments.

Five Hargreeves, that little shit, managed seven.

"You'll get it next month" Herb patted his shoulder, "I know you will"

"I don't want next month" Alexander frowned like a child, "Who the hell does he think he is? Just because he survived for thirty seven years in a desolate world on cockroaches all alone, he thinks he can barge in here and take my stuff?"

"It's an employee of the month wall" Herb said, "Your face is literally plastered more than a thousand times, I don't think it's a big deal if he got it once"

"It's the principle, Herb" Alex insisted, "He's up to no good. I'm fucking telling you, there's something up with that bastard"

"I'd appreciate it if you didn't call him a bastard"

"Right yes, your weird crush, I forgot"

"It's not a crush" Herb looked taken aback, "I'm simply—"

"Herb, we've had this conversation a million times, you are in love with Five Hargreeves, accept it"

"Just... just be nice to him, he's not that bad of a guy— look here he comes"

Five walked past the wall like he didn't even see his portrait on it. Alex rolled his eyes so far back he could probably see his brain. Five had been here less than four months and managed to take away everything Alex held dear.

All Gertie from analysis wanted to talk about was Five's accuracy with a shotgun, and Richie from the ISB would not shut up about the way Five had taken out two targets in one bullet. Show off.

Alexander was supposed to be the best, Alex was supposed to be the ruthless one. Did fifteen years of loyalty mean nothing to the Commission? Were they willing to throw all that away for four months with the new guy?

"Five!" Herb greeted, though he was trying to keep his voice calm, Alex could tell. "Congratulations on employee of the month, your portrait's been hung up"

"I don't interest myself in futile matters like these" Five paused, turning to see Herb and a very angry looking Alex glaring at him. He glanced at the wall once and shrugged before walking away, "Approach me about my work, or don't approach me at all"

"Pretentious asshole" Alex mumbled.

"I heard that, Alexander," Five said over his shoulder.

The thing is, they'd gotten along fairly well on Five's first day. But now that he was slowly taking away everything from him, Alex had no nice words for the man. He supposed if he had to pick out a moment their little friendly rivalry started, it would be that moment.