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mariposapascal · 1 year

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second chances (j.p.) part one

a/n: this may not be legally accurate but I wrote it as best as i could to what I remembered/knew lol

summary: after standing you up at a restaurant when he got what he needed, javier seeks a second chance from you not only to get more access to your files but for a real date.

word count: 3.8k

pairing: javier peña x latina/spanish speaking!reader

warnings: sort of fluff?, second chance, javier was kind of a jerk, apologetic javier!,

You're rummaging through the stack of files on your desk when you hear it. You don't even remember what you were looking for when you heard it. Too caught up in 'is this real?' and 'how long do I have to ignore it for it to go away?'. But yes it's real and it was not planning on going away until you gave it a second chance.

"Hey, you got a sec?"

You sighed and refused to turn around, there was no need. You know who it is. But because you know who it is, you know they won't go away until you give them an ounce of your attention. So you gave in and turned, facing the intruder of your time. Javier Peña. You put a hand on your hip and leaned the other on the desk. Peña has easily the largest ego in the DEA and now clearly the most audacity out of all of them.

"As you can see I'm a little busy."

You motion toward your desk, which was incredibly unorganized and piled on. Though not so much that you wouldn't be able to give him a few minutes of your day. Javier looked around the two of you and sees how everyone in your department is in their own little personal bubble. Some are walking around not even looking up from files in their hands, others are talking and the rest are hard at work doing whatever else they do in your area of the building. Truthfully he knew you worked in financial operations but he didn't entirely know what you did past the fact that he needed you a few weeks ago. Hence the attitude you gave him. Needed. Past tense. He used you already.

"I just wanted to talk to you about something," Javier left a gap between his plump lips, swallowing in nervousness. As large as his ego was, it was for good reason. He was great with women, smooth and talented. But he never had to apologize to one in front of her whole department, regardless of whether or not they were paying attention. To be fair, he probably owed a few women apologies but you were the only one he cared enough about to patch things up with. And not just because he needed you again. He watched your eyebrows furrow and your chest rise up and down in annoyance. It only made him feel worse to know how much it may have affected you. He felt sorry but not because of what he did, it was that he did it to you. If seducing you for information and standing you up at dinner taught him anything, it was that he really liked you. The few times he'd hung out with you were in a group setting at a random bar but he thought you were funny and different. He knew that from the moment he saw you but typical Javier fashion, he was going to stay away from you until he needed to.

"Peña, I have a deadline," that's true. You check your watch. You do have a deadline... But it's next week and the paperwork you were going through was stressful but you could easily knock it out by the end of the week. "Say it now or forever hold your peace."

Javier smiles and decides peace it is. Maybe he shouldn't stress you out. Maybe he'd ask one of the others in your department or... maybe he'd wait until your next bathroom break to look at your work. What you won't know won't hurt you, right? He would never say it out loud but he was scared of admitting he was wrong anyway. It wasn't very often he did so and not knowing how you'd respond taunted him. Would you finally tell him you never wanted to see him again and confirm that he was an asshole? Or would you be merciful and give him a second chance?

"Maybe later, then. When you're free," he lies. He begins walking in the opposite direction while you turn back around to stand in front of your desk.

You let out a low scoff, "Yeah, alright."

Javier turns back around, though now further away. Maybe he wasn't one to turn down a challenge? After all, he really did need your help and maybe an apology was what you needed to get over what he'd done. But he acted without thinking, walking closer to you while he spoke.

"I'm sorry, okay? Is that what you wanted to hear? I'm sorry that I have a job to do and I used you but you can't tell me you wouldn't do the same to get the information I got."

You scoff again, annoyed with multiple things in his little outburst and turning to face him again. The fact that a few of those in your department had looked up and might've stopped working hadn't gone unnoticed by Javier. It actually only fueled his nerves. Scared of the outcome from his short outburst.

"Y'know, you are such an asshole. You're so arrogant that you genuinely believe everything you do has justification. If you don't want to be held accountable for the things you do, maybe it's a sign you should fucking change. Did you ever think that maybe you could've just asked me? Did you ever think that you don't have to step on everybody to get on you want? That maybe some people are wiling to help you if you just ask?"

Javier stayed silent for a moment, thinking about what you were saying. He really was pushing past the cloud of embarrassment and anger that flooded his mind to understand what you meant. Maybe to you it'd sound dumb but he had thought of it and deliberately decided not to. You gave his heart a little tug just by making eye contact and the way he saw it, he only had things to lose by being with you. Or anybody for that matter. But clearly he wouldn't have to do anything along those lines just for your help, you were willing to do it anyway.

"So, no. I don't want your apologies. I want you to change and not for me but for yourself," you cross your arms over your chest and finally notice your department staring at the two of you. Of course, some of them knew what had happened between you and Javier and the others didn't but were probably going to get filled in sometime that day. You whisper, "You can go now."

You grab one of the files and a pen from your desk almost too aggressively. You had work to do but you needed to cool off but that could be done at the coffee shop across the street. Away from Javier. Just like him, there were a few things you were not willing to say out loud to him or anybody, really. One of them being how much he really hurt you over how much it angered you and the other being how much it meant to you that he'd come to apologize.

You walk away from him and up the small steps to get to the exit. Javier doesn't even pretend to not watch you leave. He hesitates in following you then grabs the other two files from your desk and another pen then walks after you. Those could've been the ones he needed but there was something he had to do first. You're further ahead but his limbs are much longer. He catches up to you when you're watching for cars to cross the street.

Javier says your name, sounding almost demanding when he trails behind you crossing the street. Luckily, there weren't very many people in the café. Unfortunately for you, there was only one you wanted to get rid of and he was following you to the register.

"Listen, I don't do apologies very often-"

"You don't say?"

"Lo regular?" the cashier asks. You give him a nod and a smile. It wasn't very rare for you to cross the street and have a quick breakfast when work drained you, they knew your regular order by now. Pan dulce with a nice hot chocolate. This just happened to be the first time you weren't alone. Javier's arm extends across your body and towards the cashier, holding cash.

"Yo lo mismo, por favor."

You rolled your eyes and smiled at the cashier, he'll have the same. The cashier glances at you, probably wondering who the hell this guy was but he did as he was told. Though mostly because you were caught off guard, you let Javier pay for it. After all the restaurant he'd requested you meet at was expensive and even if he stood you up, you were hungry that night. He owed you for at the very least the heartache. He follows you to a table tucked away in the corner that was right alongside the glass that overlooked the street.

"What do you want, Javier? You already apologized. You've cleared your conscience," you sit down and set the one file you brought in front of you. You had planned on doing office work at the café but with Javier there, there was no way you were going to be able to think about anything besides the fact that he was there. Trying to talk to you, of all things. Javier sits in the chair across from you as you eye the files he sets ahead of him. He didn't have those before, did he?

"I know but regardless of how it came out, I really am sorry. I know I should've just asked but-"

"See? You think everything you do has some sort of justification instead of just accepting that sometimes you have other options and other people have to suffer for your mistakes."

Javier sighs, "I hope you realize how difficult this is for me to even be here. I mean what more do you want me to do? Get on my knees and beg for forgiveness?"

You lean back in your chair and cross your arms, smiling at his exaggeration. You imagined him kneeling on the ground, hurting both of his 40-something year old knees and his hand held together in a prayer pose. The other guests in the café staring at him in disgust of the sticky floor.

"Y'know, that would definitely help."

He scoffs, he knows you're joking but he has a feeling that might just be what it takes. Though he knows forgiving him doesn't mean you'll ever forget being stood up and then ignored for a month. Unless hearing "oh shit," whispered by someone with his exact stature and wardrobe hiding behind Steve Murphy counted as acknowledged. He'd have to do something to make up for what did, he knew that. The cashier calls your name and you grab the two orders, setting down his cup and pan de dulce in front of him.

"I heard you're leaving us."

Javier looks up at you while you take the lid off the disposable cup. "What?"

"Hugo said you're going home. Is that permanently? Is that why you wanted to talk to me? You wanted to clear your conscience?"

"Why, you gonna miss me?" He grins, taking a bite of the bread in front of him that reminded him of home.

"Not necessarily. I just wanna know your motive," you take a drink and hum, basking in the chocolate-y flavor. Javier's gaze softened. Motive. Was that the right word for apologizing then trying again for more information? "I sure enough won't miss the guy who stood me up only to find out he also has slept with several women in my department."

"How do you know about that?" Javier asks, his smile dropping. Until he realized how dumb of a question, you all worked together. "If it makes you feel better, I wasn't using them in the way I was with you."

"Women talk, Peña. Especially the kind that work together... and no it doesn't, actually," you let out something mixed between a scoff and a laugh. "That just means I was the only one dumb enough to get nothing out of it."

He knew another string of apologies would do nothing. You'd made up your mind already. But he could really use the information the lied within one of the folders on the table. Using it without you hating him forever was the real challenge. Javier settled for staying quiet and let you enjoy your version of breakfast. He took a bite of the bread and a sip of the hot chocolate, they went well together. Maybe he'd start coming here for lunch.

The two of you stayed in silence while you finished your bread. You had started working on the pages while finishing off the rest of your warm drink. Javier watched your furrowed eyebrows form and your lips move around while you mumbled to yourself seemingly incoherently. Confusion filled his eyes when he opened one of the ones he'd brought with him. A thin stack of invoices from the last two weeks. He made eye contact with you when he looked up at your eyes, telling himself he'd figure out what you did eventually.

"You know that's classified, right?" you try to hold back a smile and hold your hand out. You've always had a soft spot for him, even before he left you stranded. When you'd smile at each other in the bars with all your co-workers between you. Before you'd ever said a word to each other and only shared knowing glances. "Give me that."

Javier uncharacteristically folds it back up and sets it in your palm. Giving it back to you, he didn't need that one anyway. He watches as you open it then set it to the side. You leave both open alongside each other to look at them side by side, making random markings.

"That one too."

You point to the other one in front of him but he doesn't give it back. He opens it and leaves it there. More invoices but for the date he needed, last Thursday someone used a card at another coffee shop across town. They don't know who it was but they knew it was who was leaking information to one of the Cali members. It had a badge number alongside it. How they got that information was beyond what his mind could comprehend at the moment. Maybe one of the cashier's had it out for him. Maybe someone recognized him. Or maybe even the Cali were playing him. He didn't know or care, all he wanted to do was burn it before you could get your hands back on it.

"I'm gonna go see my family when I go home."

Javier was distracting you. You look up at him with your lips pressed in a thin line, he was way passed feeling like he wanted to explain himself. He was so close and maybe he'd just worry about the repercussions later.

"For Christmas," he adds. The door of the café creaks open and you glance at it, noticing how he hadn't stopped looking at you in hopes that you'd say something. "Or something like that."

You hesitate, "I know why you're really going Javier, you don't have to lie to me."

The truth was he was leaving because sooner or later he was going to get caught and frankly, he'd rather deal with it later. That sounded like a problem for another version of himself. One that was calmer and less... regretful of other aspects of his life. Or better yet one that got the job done and made the lives of the others working there after his permanent departure easier. You were only partly messing with him earlier about wanting to have a clear conscience but it was true. Part of him just didn't want to think he could be coming home to you hating him, even if you hadn't known each other that well just yet. The other, more understanding and less career more-empathetic-driven part of him said he liked you and wanted him to beg you for a second chance if he had to.

"What do you mean?" he hoped you had it all wrong or that you were joking, but you weren't.

"I know why you wanted those locked-up files from me. I went through them and I didn't know it then but now I do... I know the DEA didn't have any need for them. Just you. When I heard that all your tips were getting busted by the Cali it just clicked. I guess that's why you've been so secretive."

Javier only stared at you, straightening his posture, "If you knew, why didn't you say anything?"

"Despite what you did, I know your heart was in the right place. Of course, y'know, I may not like the way you go about things... but I don't think you're a bad person, Javier... And more importantly, around here snitches really do end up in ditches."

It's true. Though that wasn't why he mimicked the smile on your face. You never call him Javier, just Peña. Not even when you'd accepted his invitation for dinner that night. He wondered if your respect for him had been restored. He hoped.

"Well, you were right earlier... I-"

"Sorry, what was that?" you smile. Your heart softened for him for some reason and you were sure it had something to do with why so many women at the office fawned over him. His face. His body. His charisma as a whole. "I didn't hear you."

Javier chuckles, "I said you were right."

"Oh, okay, just checking."

"To be honest, I don't know if I'm gonna come back, it's up to... whoever on.. whatever board and I don't want to leave things on a bad note with you. I really am sorry."

Maybe he wouldn't have to get his hands on them after all or maybe you would just keep them in your back pocket for the next time he pissed you off. But no, he really should stop and trust someone other than Murphy every once in a while. A woman perhaps. You've always been awkward with apologies and Javier seemed to have been staring straight into your soul. He wanted to know how badly he messed up and looked for any hints of just how much redeemability he had left in your eyes. He looked for forgiveness over preservation. Unfortunately for him, he got nothing but a blank, unknowing stare.

"I was thinking..."

"Ah, it's been a while, right?"

"I was thinking I could take you out for real this time. I'll even pick you up so you don't have to wait for me there."

He rushed out his words while you stayed silent. The two of you stared at each other in silence while the bell on the door started ringing. More and more people filled the small cafe.

"I'm not going to do anything with those files, Javier."

"No?" he didn't care anymore. He just wanted your answer.

"Nope."

"Okay... I'll take that as a yes, is that your final answer?" Javier gave you a hopeful smile and spoke quickly, hoping to get it over with before you processed it.

"Hey, woah," you laugh. "Slow down there, cowboy I haven't even thought about the question yet. What did you ask me, again?"

"Do you want to-"

You pretend to remember his question, though you never forgot it. You placed a hand on your forehead.

"Oh, right. Do I want to go out with you again? Hm. That's a really good question, Javi."

The nickname slipped and it was too late to take it back so you went along with it. He looked too knowing of your answer, he already knew what it was but he needed you to say it out loud.

"I don't know... Maybe I should consult with someone... Sabrina, maybe? What do you think she'd say? I mean you did call her back, right? She's only got a good memory of you?"

Javier, in fact, did not call her back. He never calls any of them back. Sabrina was the last girl Javier took on a date and then slept with before he asked you out. He knew that you knew that. By the time you get back to your office, everybody else will probably know that too. Before you can drag your teasing some more, one of the people that walked in was one of your male co-workers. One of those who likes to tease you for giving Javier a chance, to begin with. One of those who never have to worry about being susceptible to Javier's charm. You didn't want them to see you fall for his tricks with a smile again if he ended up no-showing again.

"Fine. I've dragged this out long enough. I will go out with you. On one condition."

"Sure," Javier's relief wasn't subtle, though he wasn't trying to be.

"Leave right now."

You point at the man at the register, the one who was looking around the cafe while waiting for the cashier to get back. You hoped Javier would leave before he saw you.

"Oh," Javier leaned towards you on his elbows then turned to see that man. He thought about kissing you now that he was so close but he decided not to. He'll wait until it was the right moment. "Yeah, I'll go. I'll just, uh... I'll plan something for when I get back and I'll find you somewhere."

"Okay," Javier stands up and takes his halfway-done hot chocolate, holding the last file in his hand. He holds it out to you, "You might want this."

You shake your head and push it back to him, peering at him through curled lashes.

"No, keep it," you smile at him. Was trusting him really so bad? "Seriously, I have no use for it and to be honest, I don't agree with your methods but I know you're a good person... And you mean well. And I like that about you."

Javier smiles and tucks the file under his arm, hoping that when he walks back into the office nobody notices it. 'I like that about you' sounded more like a cover-up to him. Like you liked him but wouldn't say it out loud.

"I like you too," he says and starts walking away. He's never said that to a woman, right? Not that you knew of at least. It had to count for something and it definitely felt like it did.

You watched him walk away and only hoped he was done lying. After all, he'd gotten what he wanted. If he came back it was because he really wanted that second chance. You just hoped it was real this time and it wasn't a ploy.

#javier peña #javier peña x reader #javier peña fluff #narcos

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