Your Tax Dollars At Work

[plate_builder]

WHO: Reeve Tuesti, Open
WHERE: Temba
WHAT: Road Work
WHEN: All of April
WARNINGS: N/A

For those who hate the noise of roadwork, well, they will have Reeve's pity and apology later. For now there is work to be done. And the form of that work involves a very large machine that makes a bit too much noise and hot scents. There is nothing to be done for that part.

Though anyone who wants to complain can probably talk to the man and cat standing beside it, wearing hard hats (where did Reeve get one in Mini's size), discussing plans and a map.

Or perhaps one might find them when the machine is still and quieter, where Reeve stands securely on the edge of one of the holes in the road, lowering a rope into it at a slow pace. Clearly he's intent on the work, playing out the line with a constant level of caution.

And then there's the end of the day, as the sun is growing low, and Reeve is shutting down the machine while going about and checking material levels in it. Behind it a new stretch of road cures. Every now and then Reeve looks over toward it with clear pride. Another sign of Temba being restored to something like order. It's what he's here for.

Comments

[mrsklover]

Okay, this sucks. The noise is bad enough but the real crime is far more egregious. It's still early in the morning and Richie is still waking up, but he has a job to do. He comes walking over with a coffee in hand and a grumpy look on his face.

"Alright, we're having our first fight," he announces, handing the mug over to Reeve. "Where the fuck is my hard hat?"

[plate_builder]

"We are?" Reeve says as he takes the mug, looking shocked and confused. But the question earns a bright laugh. Okay, that one is fair.

"I had not expected you out so bright and early for this. I got one for York in case he wants to help, but I don't think it would fit your head..."

[mrsklover]

"Our son got one and I didn't? Damn, I am just left out of this family. Mini, did you know I was forgotten? Abandoned? And now here with no protection for my fragile head?"

Richie smirks and leans in to stop the teasing and to press a kiss to Reeve's cheek. "I promised you coffee. I deliver coffee."

[plate_builder]

Reeve has to bite his lip to keep from chuckling. Now that they're exploring a new facet of their relationship, the 'our' before son was more giddymaking.

"It's in tha supply room," Mini says with a sigh. Because clearly he's not as amused by their jokes because there is work to be done. And he's willing to be focused now that the idiots have solved their idiocy.

Or maybe he's just rebelling over how distracted and pleased Reeve is.

"You do," Reeve responds fondly, ignoring Mini altogether. "I fear I must insist on heard hats and visibility vests when in a construction area. There are fines, Richie."

[mrsklover]

"Oh no... How on Earth am I going to pay?" Richie grins wickedly and wraps his arms around Reeve's waist to pull him in closer. He affects a Voice that's half bad Southern Belle and half Transatlantic as he continues.

"I don't have any money, sir. But I'm just sure we can come to some sort of arrangement..."

He gives Reeve a wink, amused for as long as this lasts before Mini or Reeve kick him out.

[plate_builder]

Southern Belle really is the strangest accent Reeve's ever heard, so definitely continue with that.

"Arrangement, was it? I admit I am fond of negotiating..."

So he could be talked into it.

[mrsklover]

Ohoho... Reeve is full of surprises.

Richie lowers his voice and nuzzles in closer to Reeve's ear. "What are we talkin' about here, sweetheart? What's the going rate for OSHA complaints in Temba? Hmm? I have a feeling that if you're fond of negotiating, I am gonna be real fond of racking up those fines."

[plate_builder]

"What's OSHA?"

Fines can definitely be applied in the most amusing ways. Reeve hasn't really gotten into the... more free side of potential of course. But it's possible to do in the future.

[mrsklover]

"Earth thing. Office for Stopping Hilarious Accidents. Or, something like that. They keep workers safe back home. Lob fines if you break the rules. Not important."

Richie kisses the side of Reeve's jaw, an arm looping around his waist.

"What is important is how on Earth I am gonna make up for the lack of helmet and vest... Maybe we should talk about it someplace quiet..." There is no chance of Reeve leaving work right now, but Richie can be a tempter.

[plate_builder]

No, that's important. Reeve looks like he's in awe.

"You mean there is a whole division dedicated to worker safety and they can penalize those companies that break regulations?"

Nope, he's excited about this. Richie has lost the flirtation in the need for questions.

"Could you tell me more about this?"

[mrsklover]

"Wha..." Richie blinks, confused how he got here. Is he being cock-blocked by OSHA on another fucking planet? No fucking way...

"Uh. I mean. Yeah. They...monitor if people get hurt, I guess. Because of negligent companies or policies? And yeah, give out fines. They also have like guidelines that people need to follow to not get hurt in the first place."

Richie squints his eyes a little. "I feel like telling you this was a mistake for me..."

[plate_builder]

He really is. It was his own fault too.

"Are the fines substantive enough to encourage employers to actually invest in safety for their employees?"

It's really an important question.

[mrsklover]

"Depends on the company? If they just want to pay it and still be shitty, some can?"

Richie suppresses a groan and moves back to allow the investigation to continue. He knows who he's dating.

"People always want the fees higher and the punishment steeper. It's sort of a constant balance."

[plate_builder]

Balance? It should err to the side of employees.

"So you're saying it may have been messed up and it is abused?"

Now he sounds disappointed.

[mrsklover]

"We're only humans. And America loves to pretend corporations love us and would never, ever hurt us." Richie hates to hear Reeve disappointed but at the same time doesn't want to lie.

"I am sure it will get better though. Sometime."

Munson fall asleep on you?

[plate_builder]

"Corporations do not love you and will hurt you," Reeve sighs. At least he's back on topic and focusing on his coffee he supposes.

"I have no faith in that."

LOL must have! Tired boy

[mrsklover]

"Yeah, that is pretty much what half of the country has realized and the other half should probably learn soon."

Richie tilts his head. "Are you gonna start an OSHA here now? To protect people working?"

[plate_builder]

"Hardly seems necessary," Reeve says as he gets through his coffee. "And if your world is like mine, it will take a lot for people to know it."

[mrsklover]

"Yeah... And I mean, no corporations that are going for profit even if they grease the machine wheels with blood..." Richie plays with the bottom of the bright vest and uses it to tug Reeve closer.

"Any more questions about government organizations? Because I was trying to flirt, before..."

[plate_builder]

"You were?" Reeve asks, smiling as he's tugged a little closer. "I didn't notice."

[mrsklover]

"OUCH! You didn't notice? Way to hurt a guy's ego... Seriously." Richie lets Reeve go and puts on a long, grieved sigh.

"I guess I have to go lick my wounds --and nothing else-- somewhere. Alas."

[plate_builder]

"If I wasn't working, I might help you. Lick your wounds," Reeve laughs. "For now, maybe you should go back to bed. And check under it. For your hard hat."

Of course he got Richie one.

[mrsklover]

Richie smiles big and wide. "You spoil me..." He gives Reeve a short kiss.

"Okay. Let me go and get that. Aaaand maybe take a nap. But I'll be back with more coffee and a hard hat soon." He kisses the center of Reeve's forehead. "Keep saving the world, sweetheart."

[plate_builder]

"Take the time you need to rest," Reeve corrects him. He'd rather the man have his energy later. "And It's not the world. Just roads."

[mrsklover]

"I feel like we're having some weird role reversal here, babe." He pinches Reeve on the rear and shoots him a wink.

"And don't cut yourself short. You're a superhero. See you in a bit!"