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He’s back, back and hovering even though he knows it drives you crazy. Quiet companionship is one thing, pacing and then looping around to peer over your shoulder at the screens before you is another.
The first time he’d been in your office it was mostly questions about the process, peppered lightly with observations and requests. Why did you use a dual monitor setup? Didn’t you miss sunlight, tucked away in a room without windows like you were? Why didn’t you sit in a more comfortable chair, perhaps something that swiveled like those that he figured were standard to most offices?
When he notices that your drink has gone cold he disappears, and you consider shutting and locking the door. Knowledge that he means well keeps you from following through. There’s nothing wrong with pursuing one’s curiosity. Nothing at all. And once he settles down, or is summoned elsewhere, you’ll be free to get back to work without further distraction.
He is a distraction, but a welcome one as he also serves as inspiration. When he does have the time, actually does manage to quiet himself enough to recline on the stuffed chair in your office, he proves to be a great resource. You’ve bounced ideas off him more than once.
Lost in thought, fingers hovering lightly on the keys of the keyboard, you give a slight start when his reflection appears in the doorway. He’s returned to you, a steaming mug in each hand. Evidently he’s planning to stay awhile. Perhaps to check your progress. Perhaps just to sprawl out in the chair and watch you work.
Though he uses the same equipment you do, the tea he brings you always tastes better. Rather than routing towards the chair after handing off the mug, he hovers. Another one of those days. Great.
He settles at the edge of your desk, not quite leaning on it but not fully standing either. A quick check nets you an answer you’ve barely started forming: he’s studying the bookshelves opposite. Perhaps trying to figure out which book to pluck from the shelf? It’s a wide selection from which to choose - your own series from which this latest project is being adapted, reference books, and so very many of those that you simply enjoy having close at hand.
“You’d tell me,” he mutters, only slightly inclining his head to catch your eye. It’s almost like he’s afraid to fully face you, “if I was annoying you, right?”
You have a few times before. It makes you frown lightly at him, turning further away from the job at hand. Once he got to know you he came to be able to easily pick up on your nonverbal cues well before you had to throw him out or shoo him away. Anyway, your annoyance those days usually stemmed from whatever else was going on in your life. The fault never purely resided with him.
He still keeps his body angled opposite, facing the room rather than you. “It’s ok that I come in here?”
“Yes.”
He nods, absorbing your answer and looking forward at the wall of books again before twisting to half-turn his body and tip forward so he can look at the screens before you, at the progress for the day. He’s always curious to know what comes next. If there will be any departures from the series, any changes. It makes you smile.
“Well,” he catches your eye and quickly straightens, a forgotten thought clearly reigning him in again. He lifts his mug in your direction, gracing you with one of his warmest smiles as he gets himself into motion, heading for the door once more.
Maybe he won’t be camping out today, after all. Was that all he wanted? To make sure that you were still ok with his periodic presence? Odd. Maybe someone had told him to leave you alone?
The question almost airs itself, but then gets stuck in the back of your mouth, a battle taking place between your lips and your brain. You can source out who warned him off without making him dwell on it further. Let the man have his peace. Let his focus wander on.
He pauses in the doorway, swallowing down the first sip you’ve seen him take of his tea. Surely it’s still to hot for that? Yours is, if the heat you feel on the outside of the mug is any indication.
Yes. There it is, the surprised blink down at the mug in his hands, and the wince as he licks his lips before looking at you again. “I’ll - uh. See you later. ” His eyes dance from you to your computer screens and back again, “I like the new shampoo, by the way.”