Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Gordon never really made friends at Black Mesa. Simply colleagues and coworkers, until his department received a new security guard.

"Calhoun. Barney Calhoun."
He firmly and rather professionally introduced himself to the science team.
-
Gordon usually never goes out of his way to "chit chat" with others, primarily due to the fact he finds speaking to be semi-difficult. He thought nothing much about the new guard, they have a pretty regular rotation of them going through his section. Going on with his day, he sat down at his desk and began the tedious task of reading and answering emails from any other personnel. Meaningless things like lunch invites or the occasional email about company-wide events.
While mindlessly scrolling he heard the opening of his office door, glancing over his chunky monitor to see who had stopped by.
It was the security guard, a bit puzzled as to why he came in since Gordon didn't recall asking for any assistance from the guards.
"Sorry, I hope I'm not interrupting."
Gordon shook his head, his curly ginger ponytail swaying along.
"I have just been stopping to folks to personally introduce myself." He took off his Black Mesa issues helmet, to seem a lil less than "just another security guard’
Gordon taking the hint shot up out of his chair and shook the man's hand.
"I am Barney Calhoun, and you are?"
Gordon pointed at his Black Mesa-issued ID card.
He was waiting on the awkwardness to hit this new guy that he was basically speaking to a wall. Gordon is semi-mute.
Instead, Calhoun smiled and shook Freeman's hand
"Nice to meet you, Mister Freeman. I hope I can be of good service to your team."
Letting go of Freeman's hand, Barney buckled the helmet back on.
"I am off to do my rounds, if you need anything let me know."
Gordon nodded, very delighted with this first encounter. As Barney approached the door he paused, turning back towards Gordon.
"By the way, I like the ponytail. It's a nice look."
And then off he went.
What a wonderful fella! Gordon thought. No one on the science team liked his ponytail! always calling it a rat tail and saying he looked like a "hippie" with it. Freeman was glad to find a guy who finally gets it!

Chapter Text

After a long morning of answering emails and pretending to be busy in front of his superiors.
It wasn’t his fault that he always got the boring assignments! Kleiner said it would take time before he got assigned to the “”real”” stuff since he has only been at the facility for a year.
So today Gordon had to organize the office supply closet. Fun.

After hours of sorting paper clips by size and paper by color (white.). He had decided it was about time for his lunch break! Gordon had packed his own lunch, excited to eat something else than his usual vending machine slop he galloped to the break room.

Usually his coworkers piled into the actual cafeteria but Gordon preferred to eat in the smaller room in the back of his sector. A small room with a microwave, two vending machines and a table with 2 chairs (you know the one.). Usually nobody would want to be in such an isolated place but Gordon found it peaceful! But as he stepped into the room he noticed someone sitting in one of the two chairs. It was that security guard, Barney.

Gordon felt a little annoyed. He preferred to eat his lunch alone but couldn’t possibly ask him to leave. He would just have to eat in his office . Gordon put in his lunch into the microwave and stood waiting for his meal to reach an enjoyable temperature and slink back to his office. Although while staring off aimlessly he noticed Barney holding something.

A Gameboy advance !!!

Holy smokes! Gordon remembered how he used to have a Gameboy color back at MIT, playing it after every exam and in between classes but foolishly gave it away before coming to Black Mesa. Looking closer he was playing Pokémon, specifically Pokémon gold and silver. Gordon had a special fondness for Pokémon, the strategic nature of the game.
Feeling Gordon’s eyes burning into the back of his head, Barney finally turned his head to acknowledge Gordon.

“Shoot. I didn’t hear you come in, Doctor Freeman. Good morning.”

Gordon gave a sheepish wave. Still very much fixated on the game. Barney noticed this and scoot his chair over, offering Gordon to sit beside him. He sat down beside him with no hesitation. Barney continued onward with his game, and Gordon delightfully joined the adventure. Completely fixated on the game, Gordon didn’t even hear the ding from the microwave.

Barney noticing his eyes glazed over on the game, decided to throw him a bone.

“Y’know. I’ve been really stuck on this one gym. I just can’t seem to beat it! You think you could help me, Doctor?” Barney said, gesturing the device to Gordon.

Gordon was so delighted! He nodded and happily took it. Looking through he noticed Barney was trying to beat a fire gym with no water Pokémon!
Barney had switched his team with some lower level Pokémon he kept in the system.
Calhoun watched as Gordon went through hunting for a water type.
He couldn’t help but smirk. Seeing a big brained man in his mid 20s completely dork out for a video game was kinda cute..

After a bit Gordon had done it! Barney gave an over-exaggerated reaction, cheering and clapping.
“You are my damn hero, Doctor Freeman!”
Gordon smiled a bit red in the face and gave back the handheld to Barney.
Barney patting Gordon on the back looked over at his watch.

“Ah shoot. I need to get back to my rounds. Thanks again, Doctor Freeman.” He quickly put the Gameboy Advance in one of the many large pockets on his vest. Gordon waved goodbye to him, checking his own watch to see he only had about 5 minutes left of his own break.

Gordon had to quickly take his half-cold, half scorching-hot meal to his office to eat. Although his lunch was utterly ruined, he enjoyed his time spent with Calhoun.

Gordon’s next assignment of the day was to help the mailroom sort through all the mail and which department it went to. Fun. After another several hours of pointless task considering his degree. He returned to his office to pack up for the day. As he entered the room Gordon noticed a note on his desk. It was from Mister Calhoun!

“Thank you for the help, Gordon. If I ever have another problem, I’ll know which scientist to go to. -Calhoun. P.S I have this old Gameboy color that had been collecting dust in my locker, thought you could make better use of it.”
Gordon audible gasped. A gameboy color !!! And in the same color he use to have !!! He would cherish it forever.

Barney Calhoun. What a super nice guy! Gordon thought.