Log: Matt and Warren

[x-daredevil.livejournal.com]

A long overdue change in Matt and Warren's relationship



January went too fast. February was flying by. And still he had put off this meeting. Well no more.

Out with the old, in with the new. A time to be proactive, and make changes. Live a little. No apologies.

So why did Warren feel a bit like crap? It'd been over a year since he had invited Matt into his office, invited him into his life really, and started down an interesting path. Now that the special project was completed, and the HR anti-discriminatory policy iron-clad, Warren couldn't put it off anymore.

He had to fire Matt. And he had to do it in a way that would stick.

Which was why, late in the afternoon, he was sitting in his office, gazing out of the window. This wasn't the first time he'd fired someone. Far from it But it was the first time he'd fired a friend. There was no template for this, nothing he could rely on for this. He'd just wing it.

Jolene let Matt into Warren's office like she always did, with a practically audible huff and sneer. A year and she didn't didn't care for him. Well, whatever. "You wanted to see me?" Matt asked. He had no idea what this was about, but getting called to Warren's office was so common by now that his coworkers barely twittered about it anymore. At first they'd been all gossipy. Now it was just A Thing That Happened.

"I'm nodding at you," Warren said facetiously. "And now I'm directing you to a seat. This could take some time." Or maybe not. He didn't turn from the window, and instead continued to contemplate the artistic nature of the clouds. Or something equally poetic. After a moment, when he thought the shuffling sounds had abated and Matt was seated, Warren spoke again. "Matt, why did you decide to work for Worthington Industries?"

Matt paused, not expecting that question. Taking a seat, he thought about his answer, "To gain experience," he said finally. He'd had a couple internships during law school, including one at Worthington Industries that had led to him getting a job here, "I wanted to have the opportunity to try my hand at different types of law," He'd been hired straight from graduation, before he had passed the bar even.

"But you excelled at your criminal internship. I mean, looking over your file, it's clear that those references are what got you this one. Corporate law can't possibly be your passion." Warren turned around and faced Matt. "Or is it?"

Breathing out through his nose, Matt reluctantly shook his head, "I was told I'd be in the defense department," he explained, "then I was put in corporate," and he had said something, but they had said there were no openings in defense and he would get the next one. Having Worthington Industries on his resume won over being in the department he wanted, "Eventually, my friend and I want to open our own practice. We need experience and start up capital," which...was slow going.

"Well," Warren said slowly, "you now have the experience you wanted." Reaching on his desk, he grabbed a slim file. Tapping it on his fingers for a few minutes, he sighed and handed it over to Matt. "And now you have the capital. I'm sorry, Matt. We're going to have to let you go."

Matt's mouth opened and closed a few times, nothing coming out. He probably looked like a fish and could hear his uncle saying to stop looking like a guppy. Lawyers did not look like fish. "Why?" he finally asked, "My last review was good, there's been no complaints about the quality of my work, I've gone above and beyond!" There was gossip about him and Warren, but letting him go would only fuel that, not reduce it!

There was a script Warren usually followed but Matt was a friend. The truth would probably be best. "Do you want the official reason, or the real reason?"

Taking a deep breath, Matt pulled his glasses off, rubbing the bridge of his nose, "Because I am destined for bigger and better things?" he guessed feebly. If Warren was his friend, he would be getting him shitfaced. Of course, that would look terrible to other employees. Not that Matt cared all that much.

Warren gave a wry smile. "Exactly. You are wasting your time here, Matt. Yes, you do great, and I am thankful for the time and the enegry you put into my special project, but at the end of the day, your heart isn't here. Everytime we go out, you manage to bring up your eventual practice. I don't know how many times I've had to sit and listen and you always refuse my money. So. I'm firing you, giving you a generous severance of one year's pay and a glowing recommendation. I'd even give you a rent-controlled lease if you'd take it, but you probably wouldn't." He cleared his throat. "Officially, we're downsizing anyways. People are being given the option of relocating to another position or severance. I decided not to give you that option though, since you'd probably be moved into something even more tedious and away from your real passion." Even though Matt couldn't see him, Warren looked directly at him. "Take the severance. Do something. Consider this the proverbial kick in the ass you need to actually do something." A pause. "Plus, if I'm no longer your boss, we can drink more often. Even at lunch."

Day drinking was a bonus, though not one worth losing his job over. Sighing, Matt sat quietly for a minute, "I wouldn't," he agreed, fiddling with the papers in the folder. "Fine," he stood, unfolding his cane as he did so, "but you will regret this. My firm is going to be the best damn avocados."

"Again with the avocados," Warren grumbled. "Are you ever going to explain this to me?"

"And ruin the joke?" Matt asked with a smirk. "Nah."

"Good thing it's almost quitting time, and I probably owe you several drinks," Warren responded. "So how about tonight's on me? I'll even help you with your resume."

"I need to clear my desk," Matt replied, not quite answering him. "And...tomorrow night, maybe. I have things to do tonight." He was going to put on his suit and heaven help anyone who does something they shouldn't tonight in Hell's Kitchen. The Devil needed his due.

Warren nodded. That made sense, and to be honest, he was probably the last person Matt wanted to see right now... "We okay?," Warren asked finally, a little hesitantly.

"Yeah, man," Matt replied, offering him a smile, "We're cool. Just....need to blow off some steam." The Avenging Angel did not need to assist.

Warren continued to nod. "Cool." There wasn't much else to say. "Well just, text me when you're free."

"Sure," Matt agreed, heading to the elevator, "Hasta la bye bye, Jolene," he called, tipping his cane towards her. She was probably loving this.