Page 18 of Under Construction

Less antagonistic, more... something else. Something that makes Dennis’s stomach lurch when their eyes meet across the site. God, the fucker gives him indigestion.

He still doesn’t trust the guy as far as he can throw him—which is, not very far, because Chris is a big dude—but at least they’re not biting each other’s heads off any more.

Speak of the devil.

Chris comes into view and stands by the entrance, clipboard propped against his hip as he gestures at something overhead. "No, that section there," he's saying to someone up onthe scaffold, using his pen to point. "Yeah, that's the one that needs the extra coat."

He stops, scribbles something down, then brings the pen to his mouth, chewing absently on the cap as he studies whatever's on the page, his forehead creased in concentration.

Dennis finds himself watching the scene, thrown by how...normalChris looks like this. Just doing his job without any of the usual posturing.

Before he knows it, he’s walking over and stopping next to Chris.

Chris doesn’t look up or acknowledge him. He’s frowning at his clipboard, completely absorbed in whatever calculations he’s checking.

Dennis clears his throat.

Nothing.

"The beams look good," he says finally.

Chris looks up from his clipboard. Blinks like he's not sure Dennis just spoke to him. "What?"

"The exposed beams." Dennis gestures at the ceiling. "They look good. Your team did well."

"Oh," Chris's dimples make a brief appearance, “right, right.” He tips his hard hat. "Um, thanks, I guess. We aim to please."

Chris caught off guard is…

Well, it’s a nicer Chris than whatever dickhole Dennis has been dealing with over the last however long. Dennis can afford to be a little friendlier today, he supposes. Just a smidge.

"When we're not sending inappropriate photos, you mean?"

He purses his lips, biting back a grin.

Too much?

"Never gonna let that go, are you?"

"Not a chance."

Chris laughs. Actually laughs. Not the mocking one Dennis is used to, but something real.

It changes his whole face. Makes him look younger, more carefree.

Better looking than ever.

Dennis’s stomach does a little flip which he interprets as: Danger.Danger!

It’s justbizarrethat Chris is not being an ass. Is there something wrong with him? Is he sick? Or is Dennis dying—is that why?

Dennis should probably keep his guard up. Chris being nice might mean he's planning something particularly obnoxious and Dennis doesn’t want to be disappointed when the other shoe drops.

"How's the kitten?" Dennis asks, changing the subject.

Apparently they also have conversations now. Like normal people. Dennis might as well appreciate the truce while he can.

"Good!” Chris’s clipboard drops to his side as his whole body turns to face Dennis. He grins, all chiseled jaw and pearly whites. “Shelter called yesterday. Some family with little kids is adopting her—already! Can you believe it?!"

---