Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The heist was over.

Everyone said their goodbyes and went back home, except for Tommy, who went home earlier. Gordon could only imagine the terrifying outcome of Bubby and Coomer’s drive home, they actually insisted on driving Gordon back home in the car they stole but Gordon politely declined. He definitely didn’t trust either of them to get him home safely. He preferred to drive back alone and in the comfort of his orange cooper.

During the drive home, he couldn’t stop thinking about Benrey and the fact he was there with them. More importantly, alive. Didn’t they kill him? The passports or whatever, that should’ve killed him, right? Gordon decided to push those thoughts aside, it was fine, he actually had a good time.. in a way. Still, he couldn't shake the overwhelming anxiety coursing through his body. The feeling weighing him down the whole drive. 

Gordon made it home, which was surprising considering he felt like his brain was asleep for the whole ride. It was a miracle he didn't crash. He opened the door to be welcomed by his messy living room riddled with Joshua’s toys. Joshua is staying with his mother this month and the mess was from yesterday’s packing where he couldn’t choose which toys he wanted to bring with him. He misses him already. Gordon was exhausted but he knew he’d regret not having cleaned in the morning so he used what little energy he had left to clear the living room floor. When he was finished, he practically crawled half-way up the stairs with how much he was hunched over.

He stopped to look back one more time to see a vase knocked over. Thankfully, while the vase itself was unharmed, Gordon’s mood on the other hand was completely shattered. He stomps back down the stairs, quickly fixing the vase, and grumbles his way back up the stairs and into his room. He was out as soon as he hit the bed.

Chapter Text

The night was filled with nothing but the gentle rustling of leaves in the wind. That was until a knock came from the front door, slicing through Gordon’s snores. Gordon stayed asleep until the knocks became pounds and what sounded like faint yelling. Sitting up in a panic, Gordon quickly stumbled to grab his glasses from his nightstand. He glanced at the clock for a moment which read 1:35 AM, before he headed downstairs. Oh shit, was it the police? He wouldn’t be surprised, but of course, he wouldn’t want that to be the case. 

Gordon looked through the peephole only to be met with a giant eye staring back at him, evoking a startled gasp from within. “Let me in.” The eye said in a voice Gordon knew all too well. Gordon sighs, “No. Benrey, I’m not letting you in, go home…er..,” He reconsiders his words, Benrey probably doesn’t have a home, ”Go.. go to Tommy, or something!” Gordon told him through the door, refusing to open it. “His lame dad banned me, let me in. Let’s hang out.” Benrey was persistent. ”What about Coomer and Bubby? Go hang out with them.” Gordon presented his last solution. “Hmm. No.” Gordon had no choice; if he just walked away, Benrey would probably just keep knocking. 

Though, there was another thought keeping him from walking away. Benrey was at the heist today and didn’t cause any problems, not any problems that involved attempting to kill him and the science team, at least. He seemed okay. Would it really be so bad to let him at least stay the night? Gordon could always kick him out in the morning and beg Tommy’s dad to unban him so he leaves him alone.

Gordon thought hard about this, completely zoning out until Benrey’s loud repetition of Gordon’s name snapped him out of it. 

“..Okay.”

 Benrey stopped talking and after a notable pause dumbly responded,”Huh.” Gordon held back the urge to strangle him through the door and continued,"You can stay here. But just for tonight.” The door swung open, revealing to Benrey the disheveled, sweaty man before him. Eye bags and all. “Oh, cool.” He looked a bit surprised, but that reaction quickly dissipated as he invited himself in and began to look around. As if searching for something.

 Once he spotted the PlayStation, his objective was completed. He immediately grabbed the controller and got cozy on the couch, ”Let’s see what games you got on here.” Benrey turned on the PlayStation with ease and began sifting through the owner's games. Gordon shut the door and made his way over to Benrey, snatching the controller from his hands with an agitated glare,”Dude, don’t touch my shit.” “We can play together bro, you don’t need to be greedy.” Benrey antagonizes with a shit eating grin, Gordon tries to stand his ground but instantly gives up and lazily throws the controller onto Benrey's lap, ”Just don’t be loud.” He ignored any reaction Benrey was giving him and headed towards the stairs, only making it to one step before being interrupted. “Thank you.” followed by a sound that could only be Benrey cringing at his own words. Gordon hesitated before responding, “Oh..um, you're welcome.” Then continued up the stairs.  

He couldn't sleep. His mind was racing, he sat down on his bed, finally letting his thoughts from yesterday unravel. Benrey’s alive. Benrey’s here. He buries his head in his hands, then lays them out infront of him. His mind starts to wander as his eyes slowly travel from his fully intact left hand to his right, which was now just a scarred stump. A reminder. A reminder that only became more prevalent now that Benrey was back. He looked away before he spiraled any further. Gordon took some deep breaths. He was okay, everything would be fine, Benrey will be gone tomorrow.