Side By Side

Part Two

The rather loud knock echoed through the rather large office; Handsome Jack's face strained from staring at the holographic copies of his real paperwork. He only wanted to make sure everything is in order; he may be the CEO of the Hyperion Corporation but he does enjoy having things in order. As a soft sigh passed his lips, he saved his work and close it all down. The blueish light disappeared and the room seemed dark for a brief moment until his eyes adjusted to the newer lighting of his office. He allowed himself to relax back into his chair as he checked the time on his wristwatch. He scrunched up his nose whilst rubbing his eyes as he bellowed out to answer the knock.

"Yeah, who the hell is it? More importantly -" Jack paused a moment to reach under his desk to grab the bag of food that was his lunch. "-why are ya buggin' on break?!"

Rhys flinched at the sharp tone of Jack's voice that could be heard through the thick metal door. 'Maybe I should just come back. Wait...he already knows some one is out here. He'll be more pissed knowing someone knocked but didn't answer' Rhys thought to himself. He shook his head trying to shake the doubted thoughts out and took a deep breath to try to calm his nerves.

"J-jack." Rhys stammered the name. He swallowed hard and spoke more clearly. "It's uh...it's Rhys. I was wondering, if you weren't busy, if we could have lunch together and talk." Rhys paused for a moment but quickly added. "I didnt mean business talk. I meant...just in general. "

Jack's face lit up when he heard the younger male's voice as a small grin formed on his lips. He stared at the large door as he spoke once more. "Rhysie, my man, come on in!" A warm feeling began to rise inside his chest as he breathed deeply. He would deny it if asked but he enjoyed the kid's company. He enjoys the passion Rhys has when he talks about the things he's interested in. He enjoys how his ECHO lights up when he talks about his friends. It seems as if every time this kid speaks, it's filled with life. Well, until he stumbles over his own words. Even then, Jack finds it amusing.

A smile stayed on Rhys's face as he stepped forward when the two large doors separated to allow an entrance into the office. Taking a rather tight grip onto his lunch bag, he began to enter the room as the doors closed behind him. He tried to refrain himself from staring at the older male; however, his attempts failed. As he inched closer, each step echoed throughout the office, he began to study the facial features of his boss as if there was going to be a test about it. Rhys was curious of what Jack was hiding under that mask of his. He never took it off and he never talks about it. Maybe one day Jack will end up showing Rhys one day.

Rhys stood next to a leather chair that sat in front of Jack's desk as he spoke in a rather calm tone. "I can come back another time, if you want."

Jack looked calmly at the slightly taller male as he spoke. "No, it's fine. You actually came in on a good day, just gotta keep an intimidating profile, ya know?" He joked, smiling warmly at the other. Jack noticed a faint glow that emanated from Rhys's ECHO eye, he was curious on what he was thinking but decided not to ask. He motioned his hand towards the chair Rhys stood next to and spoke once more. "Go ahead, kiddo- er..Rhys, you can sit. Ain't nothin' stopping ya." Jack then reached over to open his lunch bag.

Rhys eased himself on the rather comfortable chair, though it made a weird squeak as he put more weight on it. Rhys's face turned bright red in embarrassment. "It was the chair, I swear."

Jack tried not to laugh at such an innocent comment and waved a hand. "Ah, it's fine. It happens with everybody that sits there. It's funny as hell." He paused for a moment to pull out the sandwich that he had made for his lunch. His eyes then gazed back up to Rhys. "So, how's it going? Assquez been keepin' ya busy?"

Rhys then relaxed into the comfort of the chair as an uncontrolled relieved sigh passed his lips. He placed his lunch bag onto his lap and pulled out an egg sandwich that his friend, Vaughn, had made him that morning. He glanced up for a moment and made awkward eye contact with his boss so he quickly averted his eyes back down to his sandwich.

"You know he has been. I have to work over-time again, tonight. I may not be able to go home. Even if I do, it may not be for long." Rhys's smile faded as he spoke. He took a rather small bite out of his sandwich, not daring to look up at his boss.

Jack shook his head as a quiet sigh passed his lips, setting the sandwich back down. 'Of course wallethead would do something like this. He is a self-made man, I'll give him that, if you don't count the hair implants.' Jack thought to himself. Jack combed his fingers through his thick hair and spoke in a calming tone. "Listen, Rhys, you may be the luckiest man in the world right now."

Rhys had taken another bite of his sandwich and the look of pure bliss washed over him. "Lucky? Hell yeah! This is the best sandwich I had in months. I'd consider that lucky." Rhys spoke in a bit of a joking tone, though he wasn't joking about the sandwich. "I should get Vaughn to start making me breakfast or something." Rhys spoke more to himself.

Jack raised a brow at such a random remark. "That's not what I meant, kiddo." A soft, scolding frown rested on his lips for a moment. "You can be a dits sometimes, ya know."

Rhys looked to his boss, his cheeks puffed out slightly from him having a mouthful of his lunch. "Er, sorry." Rhys swallowed his food which caused him to cough slightly. "It was just a really good sandwich. " He added. " Anyway, how am I lucky? I already have you as a boss. " His voice filled with sincerity as his cheeks turned a faint pink colour. He didn't mean for it to sound as 'flirtatious' as it did; however, it was already too late to take it back.

Jack's faint scold turned into a smile. "Well" Jack started as he took in a rather large breath. "as your boss and your friend-" He started, his smile turning into a devilish smirk. "That's the luck, Rhysie. Just say the words and I can get him outa your hair. Hell, I don't even have to kill him to do it. I can up your game and make your the bigger man."