Work Text:
Avery has never been as discreet as they clearly think they are. The saying “wearing your heart on your sleeve” had to have been written with them in mind, for how obvious their emotions are at any given point. It is one of the things their coworkers love about them - for as bad as Avery is at hiding their feelings, they always seem to be in tune with the others’ emotions. Unfortunately for them, it never has translated to romance.
Perhaps it’s willful ignorance, that they believe Finley was the first to notice or bring it up, but all of them knew, almost from the start. It’s hard to miss Avery’s staring at the third floor apartment any time they get lost in thought, or the way they seem to watch Graves’ every move when he comes around. Avery always insisted they were suspicious of Graves - perhaps rightfully so - but Finley always pointed out the best romances always started on a rough footing. (Reese pretends to be offended, but he can’t disagree.)
Of course whether or not Graves would give in had been up for debate, but they were all prepared for the day when Avery would come down from that third floor apartment to make it to their shift. The fact that they were in their pajamas that morning was just icing on the proverbial cake, and a detail Mason took great joy in revealing. They were even prepared for the pining, the long stares, the dropping every other order.
What they hadn’t prepared for was the sudden meeting dragging them all together, revealing magic and curses and all sorts of other wild revelations that take some of them by surprise. They aren’t prepared for the finality of Graves’ words, nor the heaviness that lingers behind him as he struggles up the stairs. (Finley, as always, tries to keep their spirits light as much as she can, and they in turn pretend not to notice when Avery slips back up to Graves’ apartment, as if they hadn’t all figured out he was hurt.)
They sure as hell aren’t prepared when Avery does possibly the most Avery thing of all, though in hindsight, they should have been.
“I challenged Nacht.”
The collective, silent ripple of ‘Oh god they’re THAT kind of couple’ somehow manages to escape Avery’s notice. Though it is perhaps thanks, in part, to Reese’s loud shock disguising it immediately.
“UM? YOU CAN’T JUST DO THAT?”
And yet they did. And Graves will do something equally stupid if he finds out. (He was stupid enough to get hurt the first time, he would do it again for Avery.) Again, it’s by sheer luck that Avery doesn’t seem to see the quiet glances, the quick understanding between the rest of them of no matter what, one thing must happen - Graves can NOT find out. Not before they try. It’s probably a stupid plan - it’s DEFINITELY a stupid plan - but it’s the best they’ve got. (If you cannot beat them, join them, or so they say.)
It’s a team effort to keep Avery busy, to manage to time their questions for the exact moments Avery’s gaze drifts towards the third floor. Avery never seems to catch on that they’ve already demonstrated some of these abilities an hour or two before, or that they most definitely should’ve known the answer to the question they just asked. Another stroke of luck, or maybe an ill omen of Avery’s focus. It feels safer to assume luck. Avery comes through when it counts.
Avery doesn’t seem to realize it, but they have a confidence about them that seems to say “I know we’ll get through, but don’t ask me how.” They roll with the punches in a way that is distinctly them , until you cannot help but go along. They’re not a strategist, and as the day wears on that fact is glaringly obvious. They have ideas, sure, but these ideas were never meant to be thought out like this. They’re quick on their feet, and it’s all the rest of them can do to hope it’s enough to try and roll along with them when the time comes.
It’s so easy as the sun sets, their plan in action, to believe for a moment that it’s going to work out. That this witch who beat Graves, whom Avery described as a “newbie hunter” with derision in their voice, could maybe fall victim to their trap. That the gloves would work when touching the source directly, rather than the remnants of a spell. That maybe teamwork and brute strength could win the day.
It was a good idea that they’d all agreed on the backup plan beforehand. There’s nothing that could’ve been done for Hayes and Finely, but Mason and Landry hold up surprisingly well in their part. They’re still no match for Nacht as he picks them off one by one. Taking him down is only partly the point as they make as much noise as possible in their efforts. Reese catches the slightest glimpse of graying black hair and a vague silhouette in the apartment window before his turn, and it’s all he can do not to frown. He won’t ruin it all now. He can only put his hope in his idiot mentor and his equally idiot new apprentice as he dives forward towards Nacht.
—---
In retrospect, he should have known something was up when Avery doesn’t come to check on him every hour. Avery is extremely aware of everyone’s suffering, and has never been good at leaving any of them alone when they think they can help. Least of all him, if the past few days are anything to go by.
And yet, Graves finds himself foolish enough to believe that maybe Reese had talked some sense into them, that the others were going to go on about their learning and be fine, because someone must have some self-preservation in the cafe. After all, they are going against a formidable foe. He of course forgets to take into account Avery being…. Avery.
He wakes to yelling, followed by the chilling, familiar sound of metal against pavement. The fevered burn of a barely contained rust magic fades into the background as he’s up on his feet. The briefest glance out the window - dear god, it’s just Reese and Avery now - is all he needs to see before he’s peeling out the back door, statue in hand. He silently as he can to avoid undoing all their hard work. (He’s not sure if he’ll be reprimanding or applauding all of them later when they make it through this.)
He catches sight of them as Nacht hoists Avery up by the throat. The momentary relief that Nacht hasn’t yet succeeded gives way to fury that he’s even tried it at all. That his employees - apprentices, coven, family - lay strewn about the ground, cased in rust. No more. It’s the final push he needs to move forward, bringing the statue hoisted high above his head down.
—---
Graves never ends up reprimanding them much after all’s said and done, though whether or not that has anything to do with the…. Passionate… gesture from Avery (did they forget the cafe has a glass wall or windows, or did they just not care is the question) or just sheer relief that they are all alive is difficult to tell. Probably both.
He tells them they were foolish while trying to hide a fond smile, but that’s about it. He’s not wrong, but maybe they all are. They’ll keep the PDA teasing to a minimum as a return favor, but just for tonight. The next time they will not be so lucky.
The meal they all share is simple, but every last one of them savors each bite. Everything else, everything difficult that remains to be handled, will be a problem for tomorrow.