Growl || Reed900 ✔️

18

"Detective? I informed Captain Fowler about the poisonous gas," Conan said, standing a bit close to my desk.

"Okay," I respond, not looking away from my game of Piano Tiles on my phone.

My feet are propped up on the desk and I'm trying to seem as cool as possible but on the inside, I'm freaking out. My anxiety is through the roof and I can feel a string of dread in my stomach.

"Are you feeling alright, Gavin? You seem stressed and you still look a bit sick although there isn't anymore of the gas in your system."

"I'm fine, tin can," I say softly.

"Gavin," he mutters with a doubting voice. "Don't lie to me."

"Chris fucking saw you and I walk of the bathroom together. I know he knows something's up and now I don't know what to fucking do," I whisper, squeezing my phone tightly in my hand.

"I could speak to him if you'd like," Conan offers.

"No!" I shout, catching the attention of only a couple officers before repeating myself, "no. It's fine."

He gives me a blank stare, his LED yellow as he thinks, "are you sure? I'm sure he'd understand."

"Don't you understand what-" I bite my tongue quickly, a sharp pain going through it, keeping myself from finishing the harsh sentence. "It's fine, I promise."

I take a deep breath and set my phone on my desk before getting on my computer, scrolling through different files.

"He already doesn't like me. Why try to explain myself to him?" I mumble, only talking loud enough for Conan to hear.

"He doesn't seem very hostile towards you. Are you sure he doesn't or are you just assuming?" He questions, sitting back down at his own desk.

"Tina can barely stand me. I know Chris doesn't like me. No one does besides you but you're insane and not human."

"You and Hank seem to have a friendly relationship. I can tell he likes you."

"Would you just-" I get cut off by my phone vibrating loudly against my desk.

My eyes widen when I see the name that pops up and my hand shoots out to grab it. I stand and quickly exit the building from the back.

"H-Hello?" I say, something rising in my throat that's either bile or sobs.

"Hey baby," says the woman's voice and I start spitting out words.

"Is h-he okay?" I question, concerned for my brother's health.

"He's doing better. He misses you. When are you coming to visit? He needs you," my mother speaks, sadness threaded into her voice.

"I-I don't know. Work has been hectic a-and-"

"Gavin. Stop making excuses. You haven't talked to us in months."

"I-I know but-"

"But nothing. We need you here. It's been rough and I've been trying to contact you. Why haven't you answered?"

"...you know why," I hesitantly spoke.

"Gav, it's been years. I know it's hard. It was hard for me when your father died but you have to move on. He wouldn't have wanted you to mourn him forever. He would want you to live your life."

"I know-"

"You say you know but you don't show it. Come on, Gavin. Smile for once. Please, honey. We all miss you."

•How was this?•