Breakdown One Shots

Sea Life Are Better Than People

(James works with the sharks; Harvey is the next tank over and works with dolphins. The two never seem to get along. Of course, that is until a few of their coworkers at the aquarium decide it's time for that to change.)

"You literally cannot make me" James says with a yawn before removing his chainmail gloves.

"C'mon it won't kill you to go play with the dolphins for a little while? Dolphins aren't that bad" Arthur pleads as he slowly leads him from the shark tanks to the staff area.

James casts him a look, Arthur already knew what it meant.

"You're right. It's not the dolphins' fault that their handler is an ass." James sighs overdramatically. "Sadly, it can't be helped."

Arthur rolled his eyes as the two push open the doors to the men's locker room. James goes straight to his locker and begins pulling out clothes and tossing his gloves into a bag to wash later.

He brushes his hands through his wet black hair, brushing it into stringy strands going in every direction. Arthur goes to his locker as well, grabbing a few things as the boys head towards the showers.

"Would you feel better if I went with you? I'm not exactly a dolphin guy, but I can work my way around?"

James shook his head. He knew there was no way out of it; not if Steven had gotten himself involved. From the sound of things, not only was Steven involved, but he had instigated the switch.

"No. It's fine. If I am forced to suffer and be patronized at the hands of that raging moron than I will do it with dignity."

Arthur let out a loud, curt laugh as the men rounded the corner.

"Overdramatic much?"

James looked up and flushed a brilliant red. Harvey stood in front of them, leaning on the wall in the way someone does when they are listening to people talk about them. He smiled, arms folded and a towel loosely wrapped around his hips. James swallowed the color.

"Possibly."

Arthur watched the silence awkwardly overtake James. Harvey looked smug. After the pause ended, Harvey laughed suddenly and firmly squeezed James' shoulder in the way that everyone was well aware he hated.

"I suppose I'll still see you later then?"

James didn't answer, he just looked away and let Harvey leave without a word.
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It had been two days. Two packed work days, followed by grueling nights of learning about the dolphins from Harvey. If he got a dollar for every patronizing remark or every time he had to remind Harvey that he worked with sea animals too, he'd probably be able to retire. Not that he wanted to.

Thankfully, today was Saturday. He was excited not to deal with people, just him and his sharks. Well, until tonight. On the bright side it was his turn to screw with Harvey.

As everyone started to lock up and leave, James contemplated taking a second shower. Instead, he stayed, deciding that Delilah would be the softest shark to handle Harvey. Not to mention she was a sassy little devil and could sense James' bad mood from a mile away.

James had gotten distracted, talking to seemingly no one about being pissed off. The water irritated a few of his scars and he took off one of his gloves to scratch at it a bit. He was leaning on the side wall, the glove on the floor beside him and Delilah making her laps. The shark rose to the top and pushed her head against him.

Without returning the glove, he pet her with his ungloved hand, the sandpaper and glass leaving marks on his skin, but he ignored it.

"Thank you dear. I appreciate it" he laughed. "You're right, I should try to be nicer to Harvey. It's just that every time I see him I just wanna-"