Chapter Text
His name was Clay Taken, which was quite ironic considering he was single. 'By choice', he would add if anybody asked. It sounded rather pathetic when he thought about it but after his last relationship, he didn't even want to add dating to the list of things he wanted to do.
He groaned as he coaxed Tommy into switching shirts with him, "Please, I'll give you my dessert for the whole month."
Tommy smirked, smacking a cocky hand on Clay's shoulder, "Make that two months and you've got yourself a deal, Mr Taken."
"Yeah, sure," Clay huffed as he tugged his shirt off, handing his over to Tommy before taking the teen's and quickly pulling it on, speedily buttoning it up before tying the red tie around his neck, "Thanks a bunch, Toms, I gotta get this to Mr I-Own-The-World, but I'll see ya later?"
Tommy nodded, "Course, man, see ya."
Clay quickly grabbed the coffee before briskly rushing to his Boss' office, he was already late as it is so he didn't really want to waste another second. George was a nightmare when you were tardy.
George Found was Clay's boss, as you could probably tell. He was rather short (in Clay's opinion) with fluffy brown hair, and rather painful skin, which often led to him being compared to a vampire - adding onto the fact he sucked the life out of you when you worked for him. But Clay appreciated his job more than anything in the world, it paid really well and all he did was stick around the annoying brit. It was easy.
"Oh, Clay!"
The blonde froze at the voice calling to him, he was only one door away from his office... George was going to kill him.
"Tell George that Phil needs him, yeah?"
Clay spun round, his eyes meeting crimson orbs, "Right, 'kay."
The pink-haired male snickered before slamming the door, allowing Clay to wonder why Phil wanted to speak to George. Phil was the CEO of the whole building, basically the God of the Editorial Building. George was nothing compared to Phil... wait, what did that make Clay?
The blonde continued his trek back to his main office, opening the door coolly before placing the coffee cup onto the desk. George stared up at him from his chair with malice, "You're late."
"Yeah, sorry, sir," Clay mumbles awkwardly as he stands by George's desk, "The line at the coffee shop was rather... impressive today. Speaking of which, Phil wants to speak to you, it didn't sound to important but to be fair, Techno isn't really a man of-"
"Yes, well, come on then," George shuffled onto his feet, leading Clay immediately out of the office and towards the elevator, "We can't keep the big boss waiting."
"What about your coffee?"
Stupid question. It was one of the things Clay was still yet to learn about the boy. George hated questions. Especially annoying ones that serve no purpose other than to fill silence.
"It's cold."
Clay rolled his eyes knowingly, of course it was.
Before they knew it, they eventually made it through the sick silence of the elevator and towards the office ahead of them.
"Oh, whilst I'm here, I need you to review some manuscripts this weekend," George stated, his eyes focused on the door down the hall. Clay grimaced.
"I uh, actually have a wedding to attend this weekend."
"Well, now you don't," George smirked as they got closer to the door behind them.
"Right, I'll cancel it later then." Clay hated George. He was really looking forward to meeting up with his childhood friend and catching up with everyone... but he also really needed this job so he supposed there wasn't much he could do.
With each step, came a new bound of nerves that ran through Clay. Maybe George would finally be fired? But then he would be fired too... Or maybe he'd get the promotion he'd dreamed of and then... and then he'd be able to publish whatever he wanted, like his books! He grinned at that thought but it was quickly dropped as George knocked on the door.
As they entered the room, it was clear something upsetting was about to occur. The tension was high as Clay sat down beside George on the stiff chairs. He couldn't stop glancing at Wilbur beside Phil - it was rare for him to even consider sitting down, the tall brunette was up and down like a basketball most days so it was weird that he was here. That's how Clay knew it was important.
His eyes quickly glanced over George, he looked so in his element, face stern with nonchalance, brows relaxed and hazel eyes trained onto Phil.
It was cool. If Clay didn't completely hate his boss, he might've found it almost endearing how endorsed in his work George got.
"George."
Clay could've sworn he almost saw the other jump. But he knew better than that. George was too collected for that. Instead, George hummed curiously, his hum was low, Clay had it practically memorized. George did it often to "conserve energy" or something - Clay knew that George really just didn't like talking to people that much.
"Your attorney called, your green card application has been denied unfortunately."
Wilbur was quick to add on, a hand reaching across the table to pull George's hand into his own, "I'm sorry, George."
"You will have to be fired."
George's hand quickly pulled away, the seat scooting a little at the sudden force. The silence that surrounded was intense as Clay's eyes widened, searching George quickly for a trace of emotion from the brunette. The other's lip was tight, hazel eyes glaring ahead at the locket on Phil's chest as if it was the locket's fault.
"I did try to call your attorney and get it resolved, George," Wilbur mumbled softly, the air suddenly changed as George leaned his head in his hands. It was one of the first times Clay had ever seen George so distraught. "She said you could reapply but the application would take months and within the time range you'd have to return to the UK."
George's head shot up, "I can go back after though?"
Phil cleared his throat, "Well, you can't be working here and doing all the paperwork for the application at the same time. It would make your work sloppy and rather displeasing. You won't be returning to the office... which brings me to another conclusion."
Both the higher up's eyes turned to Clay and the blonde gulped nervously.
This was it.