Fic: Never Can Say Goodbye, part 2 (Generator Rex, Noex)
Title: Never Can Say Goodbye, Part 2
Fandom: Generator Rex
Rating: PG-13, swearing
Warnings/Promises: None.
Words: 1,700
Summary: Noah reunites with Rex.
Author's Note: Part one here
Noah continued to thumb his key card as he alleviated the tightening in his chest. Six had let him pass. He was going to see Rex. His nerves were at an all-time high. He exhaled heavily and forced himself to take slow, even breaths until he felt better.
Too soon a chime dinged, the elevator hummed to a stop and its doors slide open, revealing the longest hallway Noah had ever been in. He stepped out and started the long trek down. The Rec Room was a misnomer as it was made up of many rooms that took up the entire floor. It had to if be in order to cater to all the various needs of the massive staff of Providence HQ. Each room was encased glass; glass doors, glass walls partitioned each room from its neighbors. And not just any glass, soundproof glass. So there was transparency but there was also decorum of privacy that was no different than being in a public library or mall. In the room nearest Noah a national football game was playing. Across from that room was a karaoke machine on standby. Room after room Noah went before he came to the very last room. It was dressed up like a common room with a three part sectional couch centered and a massive plasma screen TV.
Noah smiled. It was Rex's favorite place to chill outside his own room. And it was a good sign that Six had been right about Noah still being a part of the team, because without Noah's intervention Rex wouldn't even have admittance to this place. It was at his urging that White allowed Rex access to the Rec Room. Before Noah became involved Rex was pretty much left in isolation. Noah had argued and pleaded with White Knight that if he wanted Rex to play by the rules he must be allowed a way to let off some steam that wasn't work related. Finally, White had relented, but not without warning Noah that he better see some results from him or he would revoke Rex's pass. It was nice to know White hadn't kept his promise when things turned pear shaped.
Making as little noise as possible, Noah pushed open the door, and entered the room. He waited a moment; just taking in the sight of his returned friend. He looked good; older, and more experienced. Noah itched to know what had happened to him during his time away. Whatever had happened had certainly changed him; matured him, somehow. Noah cleared his throat once he realized he was staring.
Rex turned away from the telenovela at the sound. What happened next would become something Noah would never forget. Rex's eyes widened comically and nearly fell as he hopped over the couch.
"Noah!" he shouted enthusiastically and reached out as if to hug him only to restrain himself for a fist-bump. "Hey Noe, I don't know you were stopping by."
"Well," Noah started half wishing Rex had hugged him, and half relieved, he hadn't. "I heard you were back at HQ and I wanted to welcome you - back." He had almost said home, but he wasn't sure if Rex thought of Providence as home, not after the stunt White had pulled.
"I had to catch up on my stories," Rex cocked a grin and gestured to the TV.
Noah chuckled. He didn't mean to, but Rex always knew how to make him laugh. "I'm serious. For a while there I didn't think you would come back."
Rex's smile dimmed. "That makes two of us."
"So what happened?"
Noah regretted the words as soon as Rex's grin disappeared. "I saw - so many things. Not all of them good." He said and sank back down on his favorite part of the couch. There was heaviness in his voice the made Noah's heart ache.
"You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to." He said gently, joining Rex.
Rex shook his head. "No, it's all right. I want to tell you."
And that's how Noah learned about the other methods people all over the world were proposing to handle the EVO crisis. The ones that don't involve out right extinction made his stomach turn at the idea what they wanted do to EVOs. "That's insane and so, so wrong."
"That's what I thought."
"I can't believe there are people who are willing to go so far."
"You can't?"
"No, and I've been around crazy rampaging EVOs, but to just get rid of something just because you don't like… it is inhumane. I am glad you got out of there before it was too late."
A grin spread over Rex's face at Noah's words. "You wanna grab some grub?" he asked, changing the subject. Noah decided not to fight him on it. He didn't feel like dwelling on the horrors Rex had seen on his trek across the world. Plus he was hungry. Only one problem.
"I'm broke."
"But I thought-" Rex paused though he didn't have to say the rest. They both knew what he was referring to.
When Noah worked for Providence he was being paid, and paid well, since he qualified for the high hazard pay that went along with being friends with Rex. Once the truth had come out Noah knew one of the stipulations of remaining Rex's friend was to return the money. Funnily enough he felt happier when the transfer went through, now Noah matched his bank account, light but guilt free.
"You gave it back?"
"Every penny."
Rx made a face. "Are you stupid?"
That was not quite the response Noah was expecting. "Er, I don't think so."
"Dude, you needed that money for school! I know how important school is to you. I can't believe you blew it. Now you are going to have to work even harder to make up the difference. And that means less time for us to hang out."
"I know, but I couldn't keep it."
"Why not? I would have."
"No, you wouldn't," Noah appreciated Rex's attempt to cheer him up. Rex's apparent greed was really his roundabout way of saying he was totally okay with Noah keeping the money.
"True," Rex shrugged. "But I don't want to go to college."
"Yeah, well neither am I if I don't find a job soon." Noah chuckled sourly, then visible perked up when he realized how bitter he sounded. "Not that I regret giving the money. I don't. Honestly, I don't."
"Uh-huh," Rex smirked at him, but the façade didn't last long. Noah could see a question forming as well as Rex's hesitancy to ask it.
"What is it?" Noah gently prodded.
"I've been back for a while. Is the reason why you haven't come to see me because you were looking for work?"
Noah winced and rubbed the back of his neck in agitation. They knew they would get to this part eventually. "Yeah, sorta. Actually, I've been working on improving my jump shot so I could go after a basketball scholarship."
Just as he could see Rex wasn't holding back Rex could tell when Noah was doing the same. "And?"
It was Noah's turn to hesitate. "And I wasn't entirely sure you wanted to see me anymore." Noah said in a rush, hoping Rex couldn't quite distinguish the words. However, he had no such luck.
"Well, at least we have discussed that." Rex pointed out. Thankfully he seemed just as uncomfortable talking about it as Noah was.
Noah hummed his agreement, not trusting his mouth from inserting his foot again.
"But that doesn't change the fact that I am still hungry. So it'll be my treat."
"And by that you mean the free food served at the Mess Hall?"
"Ah, you know me too well, Nixon."
Noah didn't know how to respond to that so he didn't, choosing instead to make the long trek back to the elevators to the Mess Hall with Rex.
Everyone they came across on the way to the Mess Hall greeted Noah as if nothing had changed. Noah could only come to the conclusion that his betrayal and Rex's unscheduled leave of absence wasn't common knowledge. Though he felt a bit dishonest about the whole thing he didn't feel any obligation to enlighten everyone to the truth either. Once they had gone through the line and loaded up on chicken and rice casserole and garlic bread-sticks, tonight's dinner, they returned to the Rec Room and watched a local basketball game. After the meal Noah had to go. "My homework isn't going to do itself. Andi f it did I am sure it would do a terrible job," he joked.
Rex surprised him with a brief hug when they reached Noah's Jeep giving him a friendly warning that Noah had better visit again soon if he knew what was good for him.
"Yeah, yeah, I promise. Though you know you are always welcomed to stop by my house." Noah grinned at the way Rex blushed as he stammered through his promise to take him up on his offer. "Good, my mom's been itching to finally meet you."
Noah returned home feeling better than he had in a long time. He still had his problems, but having been able to get confirmation that he and Rex were friends again…well he was more than relieved, he was happy.
Just as he pulled into the driveway Noah received two new emails. One was from his bank informing him of a substantial deposit and the other was from a private Providence account.
Don't spend it all in one place, or do. It's your money.
VI
Fandom: Generator Rex
Rating: PG-13, swearing
Warnings/Promises: None.
Words: 1,700
Summary: Noah reunites with Rex.
Author's Note: Part one here
Noah continued to thumb his key card as he alleviated the tightening in his chest. Six had let him pass. He was going to see Rex. His nerves were at an all-time high. He exhaled heavily and forced himself to take slow, even breaths until he felt better.
Too soon a chime dinged, the elevator hummed to a stop and its doors slide open, revealing the longest hallway Noah had ever been in. He stepped out and started the long trek down. The Rec Room was a misnomer as it was made up of many rooms that took up the entire floor. It had to if be in order to cater to all the various needs of the massive staff of Providence HQ. Each room was encased glass; glass doors, glass walls partitioned each room from its neighbors. And not just any glass, soundproof glass. So there was transparency but there was also decorum of privacy that was no different than being in a public library or mall. In the room nearest Noah a national football game was playing. Across from that room was a karaoke machine on standby. Room after room Noah went before he came to the very last room. It was dressed up like a common room with a three part sectional couch centered and a massive plasma screen TV.
Noah smiled. It was Rex's favorite place to chill outside his own room. And it was a good sign that Six had been right about Noah still being a part of the team, because without Noah's intervention Rex wouldn't even have admittance to this place. It was at his urging that White allowed Rex access to the Rec Room. Before Noah became involved Rex was pretty much left in isolation. Noah had argued and pleaded with White Knight that if he wanted Rex to play by the rules he must be allowed a way to let off some steam that wasn't work related. Finally, White had relented, but not without warning Noah that he better see some results from him or he would revoke Rex's pass. It was nice to know White hadn't kept his promise when things turned pear shaped.
Making as little noise as possible, Noah pushed open the door, and entered the room. He waited a moment; just taking in the sight of his returned friend. He looked good; older, and more experienced. Noah itched to know what had happened to him during his time away. Whatever had happened had certainly changed him; matured him, somehow. Noah cleared his throat once he realized he was staring.
Rex turned away from the telenovela at the sound. What happened next would become something Noah would never forget. Rex's eyes widened comically and nearly fell as he hopped over the couch.
"Noah!" he shouted enthusiastically and reached out as if to hug him only to restrain himself for a fist-bump. "Hey Noe, I don't know you were stopping by."
"Well," Noah started half wishing Rex had hugged him, and half relieved, he hadn't. "I heard you were back at HQ and I wanted to welcome you - back." He had almost said home, but he wasn't sure if Rex thought of Providence as home, not after the stunt White had pulled.
"I had to catch up on my stories," Rex cocked a grin and gestured to the TV.
Noah chuckled. He didn't mean to, but Rex always knew how to make him laugh. "I'm serious. For a while there I didn't think you would come back."
Rex's smile dimmed. "That makes two of us."
"So what happened?"
Noah regretted the words as soon as Rex's grin disappeared. "I saw - so many things. Not all of them good." He said and sank back down on his favorite part of the couch. There was heaviness in his voice the made Noah's heart ache.
"You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to." He said gently, joining Rex.
Rex shook his head. "No, it's all right. I want to tell you."
And that's how Noah learned about the other methods people all over the world were proposing to handle the EVO crisis. The ones that don't involve out right extinction made his stomach turn at the idea what they wanted do to EVOs. "That's insane and so, so wrong."
"That's what I thought."
"I can't believe there are people who are willing to go so far."
"You can't?"
"No, and I've been around crazy rampaging EVOs, but to just get rid of something just because you don't like… it is inhumane. I am glad you got out of there before it was too late."
A grin spread over Rex's face at Noah's words. "You wanna grab some grub?" he asked, changing the subject. Noah decided not to fight him on it. He didn't feel like dwelling on the horrors Rex had seen on his trek across the world. Plus he was hungry. Only one problem.
"I'm broke."
"But I thought-" Rex paused though he didn't have to say the rest. They both knew what he was referring to.
When Noah worked for Providence he was being paid, and paid well, since he qualified for the high hazard pay that went along with being friends with Rex. Once the truth had come out Noah knew one of the stipulations of remaining Rex's friend was to return the money. Funnily enough he felt happier when the transfer went through, now Noah matched his bank account, light but guilt free.
"You gave it back?"
"Every penny."
Rx made a face. "Are you stupid?"
That was not quite the response Noah was expecting. "Er, I don't think so."
"Dude, you needed that money for school! I know how important school is to you. I can't believe you blew it. Now you are going to have to work even harder to make up the difference. And that means less time for us to hang out."
"I know, but I couldn't keep it."
"Why not? I would have."
"No, you wouldn't," Noah appreciated Rex's attempt to cheer him up. Rex's apparent greed was really his roundabout way of saying he was totally okay with Noah keeping the money.
"True," Rex shrugged. "But I don't want to go to college."
"Yeah, well neither am I if I don't find a job soon." Noah chuckled sourly, then visible perked up when he realized how bitter he sounded. "Not that I regret giving the money. I don't. Honestly, I don't."
"Uh-huh," Rex smirked at him, but the façade didn't last long. Noah could see a question forming as well as Rex's hesitancy to ask it.
"What is it?" Noah gently prodded.
"I've been back for a while. Is the reason why you haven't come to see me because you were looking for work?"
Noah winced and rubbed the back of his neck in agitation. They knew they would get to this part eventually. "Yeah, sorta. Actually, I've been working on improving my jump shot so I could go after a basketball scholarship."
Just as he could see Rex wasn't holding back Rex could tell when Noah was doing the same. "And?"
It was Noah's turn to hesitate. "And I wasn't entirely sure you wanted to see me anymore." Noah said in a rush, hoping Rex couldn't quite distinguish the words. However, he had no such luck.
"Well, at least we have discussed that." Rex pointed out. Thankfully he seemed just as uncomfortable talking about it as Noah was.
Noah hummed his agreement, not trusting his mouth from inserting his foot again.
"But that doesn't change the fact that I am still hungry. So it'll be my treat."
"And by that you mean the free food served at the Mess Hall?"
"Ah, you know me too well, Nixon."
Noah didn't know how to respond to that so he didn't, choosing instead to make the long trek back to the elevators to the Mess Hall with Rex.
Everyone they came across on the way to the Mess Hall greeted Noah as if nothing had changed. Noah could only come to the conclusion that his betrayal and Rex's unscheduled leave of absence wasn't common knowledge. Though he felt a bit dishonest about the whole thing he didn't feel any obligation to enlighten everyone to the truth either. Once they had gone through the line and loaded up on chicken and rice casserole and garlic bread-sticks, tonight's dinner, they returned to the Rec Room and watched a local basketball game. After the meal Noah had to go. "My homework isn't going to do itself. Andi f it did I am sure it would do a terrible job," he joked.
Rex surprised him with a brief hug when they reached Noah's Jeep giving him a friendly warning that Noah had better visit again soon if he knew what was good for him.
"Yeah, yeah, I promise. Though you know you are always welcomed to stop by my house." Noah grinned at the way Rex blushed as he stammered through his promise to take him up on his offer. "Good, my mom's been itching to finally meet you."
Noah returned home feeling better than he had in a long time. He still had his problems, but having been able to get confirmation that he and Rex were friends again…well he was more than relieved, he was happy.
Just as he pulled into the driveway Noah received two new emails. One was from his bank informing him of a substantial deposit and the other was from a private Providence account.
Don't spend it all in one place, or do. It's your money.
VI