step by step
An NCIS fic collection
by mew-tsubaki
- ^-^3
imagine: miscellany 2—colors (this post on the sideblog: 686271450171228160/ parknight-imagines-miscellany-2-colors)
tags: pre-Parknight, mutual pining
- ^-^3
Alden Parker is not just a monochromatic man. If he could live his world in black and white, then life would be simpler. And he prefers simpler. His ex, his family, his past—all of that is too complicated. Too colorful.
Parker is done with colorful.
…or so he thought, before getting involved with the agency with the infamous orange interior. But that's the extent of it. That's all the color, the liveliness he's willing to let into his life. Besides, federal agencies should keep things strictly business. NCIS might have its orange walls and serve the Navy (ah, the irony), but that's as colorful as it gets…as colorful as Parker will allow.
But there's too much he never planned for, like switching agencies when the D.C. leaves switch colors. And gaining a legend's team—Parker has his qualms both about filling someone else's shoes and working as part of a team.
No one asks him to fill Gibbs' shoes, though. The weeks easily turn into months and Knight, McGee, and Torres accept Parker, make it a bit more palatable, this whole "teamwork" concept Vance especially insists on.
Each of them gets along with Parker in their own way, though Parker supposes it's most comfortable to be around Knight. McGee and Torres have years of history, but Knight and Parker are the proverbial new kids at school. She can empathize with his situation, and that's a big plus.
…and yet Jess Knight is also far more a vibrant personality than Parker expected.
It's more than the pops of color she wears to the office (although he'd be lying if he said her orange knit top didn't put him in mind of the office itself). But Knight—she's so much the opposite of reserved, as one expects a federal agent to be. She's a draw-first, ask-questions-second type of person, which is a bit of a double-edged sword for them. And sometimes she sticks her foot in her mouth in interviews, when other times she makes an instant though painful connection with victims and those left behind…she's not perfect at communication, same as Parker, but damn if the woman doesn't give up.
The thought of her doggedness makes him chuckle as he reminisces of their stroll to one particular interview—him, an indeterminate streak of silver, and Knight beside him in deep, sympathetic blue, coaxing him to open up to her. He's stubborn, too, of course, but it's hard to resist every last nudge from Knight to get closer to him…to the point that, if he must, he'll seek Knight and only Knight out. It's not so bad, sharing parts of himself with her.
Besides, seeking Knight out has become second nature for Parker—but, no, he thinks, it's not because he does it so often, it's… Ah, of course. That red top she wears. Burgundy? Crimson? The color's like a beacon, drawing his eyes right to her in the bullpen. (And such a lively color, too—have the apples of her cheeks always popped like that when she grins as his eyes alight on her?)
Yet the chance to chat is ruined when work comes calling (quite literally), and the team grabs their gear to head out. But the bright splash of aqua that is the wristband of Knight's watch snags Parker's attention when she slides into the passenger seat of his car right before they head out. …ah. One chance ruined; another is created.
Parker might be more comfortable wearing his shades of gray, and he still sees the merits of a clear-cut, black-and-white world.
But if he is allowed to enjoy the vibrancy that is Knight, then he is ready to embrace a colorful life once more.
- ^-^3
This was me riffing on their respective wardrobes (differently from my Ellick take in "Sartorially Suited," tho), because Parker seems to wear only grays or black and white while Knight has a set but more colorful palette…one that hopefully could rub off on him someday soon! (Outside of outfits for undercover work. Those don't count!)
-mew! :P