Wouldn't It Be Nice

-

The rookie's at the sink again. Must be his fourth shift this week, Switch observes. Strangely enough, he always waits until Trinity has had her dinner before he gets to scrubbing. Every, single time.

The obviousness of it all makes Switch grin. There aren't many things that can make Switch grin, so Apoc notices. He would, anyway. Apoc notices everything about Switch, from the slight quirk of her upper lip, to how she ducks her head a second later to hide it. Hell, even the grease that smears all over her fingers as she wipes her hand on a dirty rag - even the things that aren't conventionally beautiful, he notices. And adores. One can tell from the way he rests the palm of his hand on the small of her back, gently asking for permission to keep it there.

You're smiling.

Switch is anything but conventional.

What's so funny?

She is. A swift jerk of the head indicates their commanding officer's graceful exit. The door groans shut behind her. Switch's smirk grows. Apoc laughs to himself.

he exclaims softly, watching Neo out of the corner of his eye. The other man goes on with his scrubbing, just out of earshot for a whispered exchange. Does she know? About him, I mean.

That question could have implied several things all at once.

She always does. The perfect answer.

So he's smitten, you think?

It swings both ways, is what I think. And with a wink she must have picked up from Cypher, though possibly a touch more wicked, Switch sidles up to the counter. Apoc watches her weight shift to her left foot as she stops just inches away from their newest crew member and reaches to toss the washcloth into the sink.

Do you mind my throwing this in to rinse? Her tone makes it clear he hasn't got a say in the matter.

With a distracted, Huh? Yeah, Neo earns himself a look. Not quite ice, but sharp.

Yeah, you mind?

Oh shit, no, wait... I meant... Apoc can see Switch's shoulders go slack with amusement as Neo stumbles over his words in an effort to redeem himself. This isn't kindergarten, boy-o, and my girl doesn't place nice.

Just then, the intercom crackles to life: Switch? Trinity wants you up here to run a couple of simulations before we call it quits for today. Switch is gone in five minutes, leaving Apoc with a suddenly shy Neo who is failing miserably at pretending he hadn't glanced up at the mention of the second name amidst a sea of static.

Apoc shakes his head, and moves to take a dripping tray from Neo's soft hands.

Life's a game of tag in the dark, but not everyone runs blind.

Neo, not knowing what to make of Apoc's line, merely nods.

Here. I'll dry.

... thanks.

-

A/N: Even as the song has absolutely no connection with the fanfic, I thought it would make a nice title. So credit goes to the Beach Boys.