Chapter Text
The silence of the office was broken by tapping on the keyboard keys. Somewhere in the corner, an annoying fly was heard, which was soon killed. Adam solemnly threw up his hands, Alan clapped a small victory over the annoying insect. They laughed and plunged back into their work. The mood today was unexpectedly upbeat. Their boss behaved very unusually today. Not in the unusual way that it usually happens. His behavior was really strange. And if you specify, you can even say cute.
— Don't you think Rowan is weird today? — Alan began, turning to Adam.
— Yes, it's impossible not to notice, — Adam was distracted from the report. — Today he helped me put the goods on the shelves. Imagine, he just took them and put them on the shelves, never even shouted that I was doing something wrong. I felt that he was really helping me, and not "teaching me how to do it right, because I'm a talentless piece of shit."
Alan nodded in agreement and added:
— He bought me lunch today.
— He did?
— Yeah, have you ever seen Rowan buy us food? Unbelievable!
— Don't you think it has something to do with his bump on his head?
— Yes, it is likely that this is the reason…
They fell silent, thinking about today. Although strange behavior was new to them, they couldn't lie that they actually liked it.
Adam was more excited than he had ever been. Even on the first working day, there was not so much excitement and motivation that he could do everything, that he would cope with everything. And the number of compliments in his manager was so much that Adam himself had already begun to believe in his «unearthly beauty» and that he was the owner of «the coolest watch in the world»
What was there to talk about when Rowan became a great conversationalist for Adam. Rowan really listened to his adventures in the game, was interested in his achievements and the quests that Adam still had to go through.
At first, Adam was cautious and tried not to talk about many things, because he expected another trick from his boss. It was too typical for Rowan to end the conversation with a joke, ridiculing, humiliating Adam… But the more he talked, the more Rowan immersed himself in his story and even asked questions. Without sarcasm, with obvious interest.
And Adam relaxed. He had never even talked so pleasantly to Alan. He had never been interested in any outside stories about fantasy worlds, but Rowan seemed to be immersed in his story more than Adam himself. Adam was pleased with such attention, he felt inspired all day. He wanted to work more and please his «new» boss.
While Adam completely succumbed to Rowan's influence, as it was a novelty for him, Alan is suspicious of the new behavior of their manager. It could be said that it was hurting him a lot. Alan missed this very care from Rowan, which he had shown once so long ago that Alan had already forgotten that Rowan could be like that. But he also understood that this behavior would not last long. Soon everything will return to normal, where Rowan is a stupid boss with stupid requirements and conditions in the contract.
No matter how Alan tried to remind himself every time that Rowan can't just change like that, he still made Alan blush more than once a day. Unexpected compliments about his new hairstyle, praise about his «sad beautiful eyes», his laughter, which Rowan had not heard for so long. Alan was lost by his words and didn't know how to answer.
Rowan was so sweet, awkward, shy, saying compliments. Looked anywhere but at him. When they did meet each other's eyes, Alan's insides turned over. He couldn't stand all the tenderness that was splashing in his eyes. As a result, Alan walked all day with reddened ears.
— Alan, is something wrong? — Rowan asked when Alan cursed loudly after serving one customer. Not that he was a scum, it was an ordinary scoundrel who was slurping too loudly while chewing gum.
— No, I just didn't have breakfast today. Therefore, I am hungry and even the most insignificant trifles begin to annoy me.
Rowan stared at his employee in surprise:
— Why didn't you say so right away? Let's go eat if you're hungry.
— Rowan, there's still an hour before lunch, and there's still work to do. I'll be patient for a bit, — Rowan interrupted him, holding out his hand in front of him.
— No, Alan. Are you my boss or am I yours? Come on, I'll buy you lunch.
Alan tried to reason with Rowan, refused lunch, said he could pay for himself if anything. And he hasn't said that about the disrupted schedule yet. If something happens, the same Rowan who treated him a minute ago can mark their adventures as truancy. But all the arguments slipped past Rowan's ears. Alan seemed to be talking to a young man, in whom a rebellious spirit was raging. With such an impatient, sensual and vulnerable. With a young man who thought that the whole world would fall under him, let him just wait.
Alan looked at Rowan's charming side with a smile. Slowly, he began to surrender to his feelings, which as he thought, had long been forgotten and would not be remembered again. Alan has a lot of weaknesses, but it turns out there was another one.
Rowan asked Ellie to replace Alan at the checkout for a while and dragged him from PlayTech to a shop nearby. He intertwined their fingers together and walked contentedly, while Alan could not find a place for himself, only stared in surprise at the top of the head next to him. Alan tried with all his might to stop himself, to say that he shouldn't experience what he feels now. They used to be friends. And even then, Alan was a little interested in Rowan as a love interest. But at some point they began to move away from each other. Alan eventually tried to forget his infatuation, justifying it with the stupid interest of a teenager who didn't understand what it meant to truly love.
Rowan has changed over time. He began to turn into a typical boss, who sometimes had tender feelings. For example, when he babysits Adam, playing along with his imagination about the Tooth Fairy. Or when he was taking care of Ellie, wondering about her well-being, when she «accidentally» broke a cup. But he treats Alan as shit as he could. And Alan couldn't understand what he was guilty of. Could their Star Wars argument have gone that far? Or did Rowan just feel power over his old friend and began to rise above him?
Alan's attempts to somehow talk to Rowan always failed because Rowan sent him away or started mocking him for being too sensitive.
The feelings gradually faded away, and Rowan was reviving them right now, as if this was a new attempt from a series of bullying. Why is he so kind? Why is he so caring? This is the behavior that Alan dreamed of a few years ago, but not now, when he has already resigned himself and forgotten about their good time together.
— What do you want, Alan? — Rowan stopped at a convenience store. He still didn't let go of his hand, Alan himself freed himself from his grip and began to look around the food, since Rowan himself kindly offered.
— I'd like chicken and caesar salad, — he looked questioningly at Rowan, learning his reaction, doubting the reality of his intentions. Seeing no resistance, only interested nods, Alan continued. — And a medium cappuccino. Please…
Rowan nodded and handed Alan's order to the cashier, adding his own.
While waiting for the finished order, they stood awkwardly side by side. Rowan kept looking around and trying to casually touch Alan's hand. Alan, of course, noticed this attempt, but didn't give in, dodging every now and then. He coughed artificially, covering his mouth with his hand. Also smoothed the T-shirt from creases and small specks. Or even crossed his arms. Rowan looked upset.
Alan swore to himself. In this «appearance» Rowan was such an open book that Alan felt uncomfortable from such an easy reading of his feelings, which were accompanied by constant changes on his face. It was as if he had got into Rowan's soul, although rather Rowan himself allowed him to do it. Damn it, Alan was really in love with Rowan. Again.
When the order was brought to them, they went back to PlayTech.
— Thanks, Rowan, — Alan began awkwardly when they were already inside the building. He went to the warehouse, where there was a kitchenette for employees.
— Where are you going? — Rowan stopped him when Alan went in the opposite direction from his direction. — Won't you have lunch with me in the office? — Alan couldn't refuse him. Not this Rowan. Not such a request. He had become too weak in front of him. What kind of magic possessed him? It was as if the White Shirt had taken control of him again.
— Em.. Okay, let's go, — Alan decided to enjoy a pleasant illusion, where he has fun and cute time together with good old Rowan. Even though he was deceiving himself, he was so happy.
When they had lunch in the office, the atmosphere was as if they were not sitting at work eating lunch at an uneaten time, but simply gathered for a joint overnight stay, ate various junk food and enjoyed each other's company. A very cozy silence enveloped the office, they sat opposite, sometimes glancing at each other.
When they were done, Alan started picking up the remaining trash. He was very pleased with the time spent, even if just a little bit, they just sat together like that.
—Thanks again, Rowan. I didn't even think that food could be so delicious, ahaha.
Rowan raised his hands in the air, waving off the thanks, but at the same time smiling modestly. It's like he's the most humble and selfless person in the world.
— Nothing is a pity for a valuable employee.
Alan returned to work with pleasant feelings, apologizing to Ellie. She just said that everything was fine and now she went to lunch herself, because it was time. Alan was getting to work. They brought the equipment for repair, he was just finishing messing with it.
***
When Alan and Adam shared the strange behavior of their boss, the mentioned one appeared next to them with a noble beaming smile.
— Guys, I wanted to say that I'm very pleased with you. You're such good fellows and so valuable to the company. Without you, this store wouldn't exist, there wouldn't be many satisfied customers. You're cool, guys, — there was sincerity and some kind of relief in his words? As if he had been preparing and rehearsing for a very long time to say this.
— Th.. Thank you, Rowan, — Adam stammered as he thanked her.
— You know what. There is almost no work left for today… I'm letting you go home.
— What? Seriously, can we just go home? — Alan jumped up on the spot. Hearing this from Rowan is really exciting!
— Yes, yes. You did a good job. You can rest, — Rowan waved them goodbye and turned back to his office. Just as Alan and Adam were happily bustling around, getting ready to go home, a thud and Rowan's cry were heard from behind. He immediately called the departing workers.
— And where are you going? — asked, holding the sore spot with his hand.
— Em... To home? You said it yourself…
— Oh, did I tell you to go home or prove your worthlessness? Quickly, fuck, back to the place. You can't go home.
Alan shrugged and looked at Adam, he knew that this would happen. They sighed and reluctantly returned to their workplace. Rowan didn't let up.
— How angry I am. I'm so fucking angry! What are you, agrh. Infuriate me, infuriate me, — Rowan was beginning to choke with anger. — How I want to hit you. But I can't. Rowan, these are your employees, just employees, you can't beat them, — he tried to calm himself and even out his breathing. Before disappearing into his office, he glared at his employees.
The impressions of the day evaporated too quickly. Adam was almost crying, trying to calm the trembling from the screams. Alan lost all inspiration to work. Rather, he was covered with resentment. Now he had to face reality and accept the non-existence of good old Rowan.
They thought that everything was fine and the day would continue as usual, but the manager suddenly called Alan to his office. Or rather, he shouted that he, motherfucker, immediately went to his office.
Adam, still reeling from the previous screams, shuddered again. He looked sympathetically after Alan, who was slowly trudging along, and was glad that he was not in his place. Alan was already thinking about all the options: salary cuts, demands to reimburse the lunch he bought, but with percent. Because it definitely couldn't have been the keys that fell on the floor.
Rowan sat in his boss's chair and rubbed his temples with his palms. He looked a little exhausted, but the anger doesn't seem to have completely gone away yet. When Alan crossed the threshold of the office, Rowan hit the table with all his might and instantly got to his employee, literally slamming him into the wall.
— You! You're pissing me off! Bitch, how you infuriate me, — he roughly poked Alan's shoulder with his finger, circled around him all red with anger, clenching and unclenching his fist. Alan froze warily, ready to defend himself at any moment, even though he knew that Rowan would never stoop to physical violence.
Rowan stopped, writhing and squinting. It all looked like an absurd comedy, where a man was struggling with inner demons in front of Alan.
— I'm so angry! So angry because of you! Why are you so fucking cute! — he reached out his hands to his head and ruffled Alan's hair as much as it was possible to ruffle it. The disheveled Alan couldn't move from his place, only dazedly clapping his lips with a folded duck because of the squeezing of his cheeks. Rowan sucked in a breath through his teeth and finally let go, finally realizing what he had done.
— Can you leave? — Rowan exhaled and pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to come to his senses. He sat down at his desk and stared at the fading monitor screen with unreadable eyes.
Alan didn't leave. Today was so crazy that he himself was drawn to desperate actions. For example, try to get Rowan to talk.
— What's the matter with you? — Alan himself didn't expect such a strong anger in his voice. — How many times have I tried to reach you just to talk? You were running away all the time, Rowan. And now, when I tried so hard to forget all the feelings I had for you, this fucking day comes and ruins all my work! You won't become shit or something if you talk about what's in your head!
He didn't want to scream, he knew that Rowan had anger control problems, that he had some complexes, which made him always seem so lonely. But his asshole behavior always reminded those around him that he should not be pitied.
— What the fuck are you talking about, Alan?
— I should ask you that, Rowan, — he mimicked, highlighting his name with the same intonation. — What was that just now?
— Nothing, just get off already at last.
— Great, now you're sending me away. Maybe it's time to stop being a dumb asshole just because you can't figure yourself out? With that, he left, slamming the door so hard that it almost shattered into pieces.