Chapter Text
It was a cold day in Gotham. It had officially turned spring, but things were still dead. The ground wet and still half frozen, not unlike most days in Gotham, but still enough of an annoyance to make Floyd regret going out today. It just served to remind him how cold it was. The ‘First Day of Spring’ slapped on the bottom of the calendar was a steamy pile of crap. Floyd wasn’t convinced it still isn’t winter. However, Zoe had wanted to go out for new spring outfits, and with those eyes looking at him how could he say no.
Which brings them here. Walking the wet and crowded streets of Gotham and standing right in front of him is none other than the devil’s ex wife, Commander Amanda Waller. Standing in front of him casually as you like with her deep red satin lined suit. With an outfit like that, Floyd can only guess she’s not here on any order but her own.
One look at her, he already had an idea why she was here. He could feel the dread pool in his stomach.
Everyone had that sense of dread closing in lately.
Pressing in, getting closer. Such darkness. Cold sweat. Waking up. Heart pumping. Running. Zoe. Is she safe? Where am I? Where's...
she's safe home don't think about that
He shook his head, jolting himself out of that downward spiral. They're becoming increasingly common as of late.
The kaiju were a pain in the ass. Although he couldn’t speak for everyone else, but he noticed how much more frequently they were showing up now. After washing his hands of the Jaeger program, he was relieved, but had a bigger sense of doubt and apprehension. Constantly wondering how far the next kaiju will make it inland. That was why he left. The thought of Zoe alone with those piles of bullshit hulking around was enough to hand in his uniform, jaeger, and blowing that particular popsicle stand a goodbye kiss. He saw how many jaegers were losing, how many pilots were being killed.
“I don’t think so.” he said firmly. His hand gripping his daughter's hand tighter, bringing her closer to his side.
No, he couldn’t do this. He couldn’t leave. He didn’t want to either. She has to find someone else. She has to.
please find someone else there has to be someone else
“There is no one left, Floyd.” She always had a nasty talent for figuring out how his mind worked. That cut deep. He knew that there wasn’t many left, willing to die trying to hold those monsters back.
She noticed his hesitation, “The Jaeger Program has been cut and given once last chance, after that, the UN will be focusing all its efforts on that damned wall. We have our last group of volunteers coming to the Shatterdome in Hong Kong. We need you with us Floyd.”
“First off, only my friends call me Floyd. Second, you must have enough people left to pass through your high standards to make a team. I’m not going. I can’t leave her. I won’t and you can’t convince me otherwise.”
Although it didn’t show on her face, he picked up on a sense of...smugness? No. That glint in her eyes. She won. She can’t possibly believe that. What is that woman planning?
“She can come with if that’s what’s stopping you. I’m not going to stand here and argue my side. Well?” She stood there, patiently, hands clasped behind her back.
Damn it, she knew what to say. Still, it was a risk leaving her here. It was a risk having her come with. The thing now was...which was worse? Knowing she’d be alone if there was an attack or knowing she’d be closer to the danger. Damn it. She's won. There’s that nasty talent again. She’d be safer at Shatterdome. It was a fortress. Of sorts. Plenty of people to help her if she needed it. Maybe he could convince her to get some training.
Damn you, Waller.
Something must have shown on his face because the corners of her mouth give a slight upward twitch. Waller nods subtly, “Good. Follow me, we leave now. No need to pack, I’ve already had that done for you. Quickly now. A storm is rolling in.” She turns and he swears that her heels gave a quick snap on the pavement.
With that dismissal, he’s left slightly nonplussed. Of course she already had their things packed. She never did anything she didn’t think she’d win. However, with a sense of achievement, he looked at Zoe. She gave him a smile, it was reassuring. He gave her a smile in return. He squeezed her hand again and they followed the Commander. A smile on his face.
As they followed her to the helicopter, he couldn't help but laugh to himself. It took Waller all this time to really figure out why he quit and stayed away. Maybe she didn’t always know what went on in his mind.