The Accidental Detective: Finding Her Boss

Chapter 38

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Zayden walked into the temporary office given to Doug after hearing a 'come in' from inside the room.

"you don't have to do this."

Doug, who was tying the laces of the black heavy-duty boots on his feet, looked up.

"Aw do you care about me, Zay?" He smirked after he stood back up to his full height.

Zayden scoffed, "no, I just think you're acting stupid and irrational."

"And you'd be just as stupid and irrational if you go instead of me, either way, someone has to do it," he dusted his shoulder, "and I already called dibs."

Zayden eyed Doug's 'gangsta' outfit from head to toe.

The black boots were paired with black cargo pants and a...thick belt with silver spikes? Anyways, he wore a oversized black shirt that was tucked on one side to show off his "fancy" belt, a silver chain was around his neck matching the silver rings on his fingers, his blonde hair was tied in a low man bun to make space for the black bandana he tied around his head.

"You like?"

Zayden raised an eyebrow, "you look like you just walked out of an early 2000's rock band."

"It's the eye makeup, it's a bit much isn't it?" Doug sighed, slouching his shoulders.

"You have makeup on?" Zayden squinted at the FBI, noticing- for the first time- that he did in fact have dark eyeliner around his eyes, dark eyeshadow on his eyelids and some foundation that was a shade lighter than his usual tan skin tone.

"Yeah man, gotta stay in character," Doug nodded, proud of his work, and you know what? Zayden couldn't even be mad.

He'd give him an A for effort.

Even though he would never admit it to his face, he admired the FBI's confidence, as silly and weird as he was, whatever he had going on worked out for him.

"I guess it works for you," he scratched an eyebrow, "look, it's not too late to back out. You proved your point, okay? You're feeling guilty and think risking your life for her would make it right. I don't blame you, and I'm sure she doesn't blame you either, so don't...do this."

Doug rolled his shoulders and tilted his neck from side to side. "Nah, I need to do this, I want to. Plus, you and Loriatte deserve a shot at your love story, and you both need to be alive for that. If there's anyone here who should risk their lives so that could happen, it would be me," he grinned.

Zayden didn't like how he worded that, something about it didn't sit right with him.

The way he spoke about himself, like he was some disposal character whose only goal was to sacrifice himself so the "main characters" could have their plot play out.

Doug, as annoying as he was, was more than that. To Loriatte, Zenith, and as much as he hated to admit it, Zayden as well.

He was their friend who was just as important as any of them, and it was unfair that he felt like he needed to be the one to risk their life because he thought he was the least deserving to survive.

He kind of loved the boy, but he would NEVER tell him that to his face, so he would hate to see him lose his life as much as he hates hearing him speak so low of himself.

Zayden poked the inside of his cheek with his tongue, slowly nodding as if he was taking his words into consideration.

"Huh, I see. I hope you can forgive me for this."