Notes: I have had this story in my head for a while but only recently got the courage to write it down. I'm sorry if it's not as good as the others, but I hope you like it anyway.
By the way, ShadeReilly, WolfSkullMask, if you happen to see this just know the original symbolism behind your headcanon Moxxie's last name is still there but not in the way you expect
"-you asshole! You motherfucker!" Phoenix screamed as they laid into the target. With each swift smack of the pipe, the target grew more and more afraid. Courtney knew she should intervene so they wouldn't actually kill him, but she didn't. Her form was fascinating to watch. (In the most unromantic way possible. Yech.) Don't get her wrong, his hits were sloppy and not enough to do much damage right away. But the rage reminded Courtney of their mother. While not genetically related to Anais, their desire to maim but not kill was still there. Eventually the target caved in. Sputtering a half-assed apology just to end his suffering. Phoenix gave a thumbs up to the client who had been watching from the one way mirror amphitheater the whole time. Unchaining the man from his hair escorting him to the exit still brandishing the pipe as a warning.
That's why they were the best at Revenge Inc. They always got results.
Technically Courtney did not work for Revenge Inc, personally. But was a liaison for their investor, Mortual Farms to make sure everything was running smoothly. So it was her job to review all of the workers and their performances. But she always paid closer attention to Phoenix.
Upon first glance she looked the most like his father. Bearing Esau's nose, eye color, forehead and jawline. But spotted their biological mother's eye shape, wavy hair, and chin.
It was so frustrating she couldn't even tell them she was related to them. Not without putting their entire family in danger.
But right now, she was most concerned about how personal the attack seemed.
Courtney went downstairs to go talk to them "You okay? You seemed genuinely angry?"
"Hm? Oh yeah it's fine. I've just been stressed from my internship lately. My boss has been riding me so hard with the paperwork and the training…" Phoenix said, wiping the blood splatter off with their sleeve.
"Then why don't you quit? And work here, instead?"
"Because if I do, I'll just be the one who always runs when things get hard. I can't be that imp forever. Also I can't work here. If I do, I'll let my anger consume me, again. This is my escape. If I let my escape become my reality, I'll drown in it. Besides, I actually like being a therapist. Mostly. And, Evelyn Hellebore is the most prominent figure in psychology. Working with her will set me on the right path to being a successful psychologist."
Courtney was silent for a moment. She knew in her gut that the dynamic Phoenix has with her boss was unhealthy and he was too blind to see that. But she also knew that if she pushed too far then they might pull away and Courtney knew from experience that was the last thing she needed.
So she opted for the next best thing: passive support.
"Well, I think, you have to trust your own judgment and know when to hold 'em and know when to phone 'em. And I do know, from what you've told me about your family, that they wouldn't judge you if you did decide to cut and run."
"Yeah, but I will. And you know as well as I, that there's not a lot of opportunity in Hell for demons like us. This is my one shot to make something of myself and to truly make a difference."
"I won't argue with you anymore, but I will say this: you have a lot more wiggle room than you think."
Courtney walked away, leaving Phoenix to think about what she said. But also to go finish the paperwork she had been putting off down at the office in Los Santinos.
On the way to the parking lot she pulled out her phone and scrolled through Voxbook, until she got to Moxxie's profile picture.
She was using the company's account rather than her personal one. She wasn't allowed to post anything after she called out Asmodeus and Fizzeroli's stunt at Ozzie's some time back before the video was deleted.
After that she had been put on probation but was still allowed access since she would have to post important updates when no one else could.
Besides, she wanted him to know he was still loved even after their grandparents cut him off.
Besides, she couldn't let him know she was keeping tabs on him unless he wanted Crimson to make good on his threat.
She scrolled through pictures of him with his wife, of his apparently idiotic boss, and pictures of food with a sad small smile on her face. She clicked on his latest post and typed some hearts on a picture of some dish.
Courtney hoped Moxxie didn't suspect anything for his own sake, but at the same time she hoped he did. If only so she didn't think she turned his back on it.
End notes: Thank you for suffering through this!
Make sure to leave a comment letting me know what you think and what I can do better. Kudos never hurt either
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