keep your blood in your head and your feet on the ground (closed, one-shot, timed to monday evening)

TRIGGER WARNINGS: graphic physical violence and hate speech (including derogatory slurs) both inflicted upon a gay character.


“I’m sorry it’s gotten so bad, kid. I had no idea.”

It had taken weeks to get Tom on the phone long enough to have a proper conversation, as he’s been off deep sea fishing in Mexico, and Davin is so grateful to finally be able to talk to the owner of the shop about things. He’s been dreading coming to work lately, and he just wants to get rid of the two assholes making his life a living hell. Thankfully, Tom seems to be in agreement.

“They’ve just worked for ya forever,” Davin explains. He’s holed up in his office at the shop, and he can hear Mel and Hank’s loud, annoying laughter filtering through his door. Everyone else has gone home for the night. “I didn’t want t’do anythin’ without consultin’ ya.”

“Davin, I put you in charge for a reason, didn’t I? Hell, I’m practically retired,” Tom tells him, and Davin bites his lip against a small swell of gratitude. “It’s gonna be yours one day, isn’t it? You’re keeping that place afloat, kid. It’s thriving under your leadership, and if you want to get rid of two assholes I hired way back before I found a goddamn prodigy like you, be my guest. I trust you. And I’ll be back soon. I’m bringing you a shot glass with naked ladies on it. They didn’t have one with naked guys.”

Davin is overwhelmed from all the nice things Tom says. No one has ever really believed in him like Tom has, and he can’t help but to laugh about the thing with the shot glass. Not long after Davin started working at the shop one of the guys saw him out on a date and brought the gossip back like a seventh grade girl, effectively outing him. It’s not like Davin was in the closet, hadn’t been since high school, but he felt no need to advertise it at work. Tom had seemed put off by it just like the rest of them and that broke Davin’s heart, but it wasn’t long before Tom started to open up his mind and accept Davin for who he was and change his whole attitude about homosexuality. He’s not going to go marching with PFLAG or anything, but he no longer sees it like it’s something terrible.

“Thanks, Tom.” Davin says tiredly. It’s like a weight has been lifted, and now all he has to do is actually fire them. “I appreciate it.”

“No problem, kid. Just be careful, alright? Mel’s meaner than a junkyard dog and Hank ain’t much better,” Tom tells him, like Davin was unaware. “They’re not gonna take it well.”

“I got it. See ya soon, old man.” Davin hangs up the phone and takes a deep breath, scrubbing his hands over his face as he stands up. He’s got everything ready, like their last paychecks and termination notices, and now he just has to call them in and do it. He takes a step away from his desk and bites his lip, going back to turn on his webcam and turn it to face the rest of the room with the computer monitor still off. He’s a little nervous, but he’s not going to back down. He’s also not going to let them get away with any bullshit.

Part of him thinks that he should wait for Tom to get back, or maybe have Jason around just in case, but he’s just so tired. He wants it over with. He leans out of his office and searches around until he spots them over by a Lexus with fender damage. Davin can pop that dent out of place with his magic tomorrow no problem, and then it just needs a new paint job. “Mel, Hank, can ya come in here? I need t’speak with ya.”

“Oh, sounds like we’re in trouble with her majesty,” Mel says to Hank, who snorts unattractively. Davin rolls his eyes. “Coming, princess.”

Davin goes back into his office and leans against his desk, waiting for them to amble in. When they do, he takes a deep breath and picks up two envelopes, handing one to each of them. “I’m letting ya both go. Here’s your final paychecks.”

There, like a Band-Aid. If only it were that simple.

( cut for length and content. trigger warnings apply within. )