Work Text:
The office was boring on a Friday afternoon, Michael made sure to get all his work done early in the week so on Fridays he doesn’t have to stay late. However, that often led to him over doing it, leading him to have little to do at the end of the week. Sometimes he would try to leave early but he couldn’t do that too often unless he wanted a lecture from his boss telling him there’s always more work to do.
A knock on the door took him away from rereading the meeting brief for Monday that he knows he’ll have to look over again the morning of, while texting under the table. He was never really planning on memorising the brief before the weekend anyway. He’d probably get a call from Ashton Monday morning to meet up to figure it out pre-meeting anyway. Ashton was the head of a different sector while Michael was only acting head while his boss was off on leave but the two have been friends way before even joining the company so Ashton jumped to help Michael get a good grip of the extra responsibilities.
The extra work had taken a bit of a toll on him and he’s been more stressed than ever. More often than not he’s had to stay later at the office to finish work. After staying until nearly 9pm one Friday to get everything done he settled on just staying half an hour to an hour later at the start of the week so he isn’t as rushed on a Friday when he’d much rather get home and start the weekend.
The door swung open and in came Calum. Calum was the personal assistant of Ashton and Michael’s biggest problem at work. Michael couldn’t lie to himself, Calum was hot, it was just a fact, but he was also very annoying. “You come here often?” He smirked, leaning his hip against the wall.
Michael and Calum didn’t talk much before Michael stepped up and got his office as their paths just never crossed much outside exchanging pleasantries in the elevator. Since Michael was now in charge of his sector, he’s seen a lot more of Calum as he’s the one dropping off and picking up files for Ashton. The sector Ashton runs is double the size of Michael’s, so has a PA to help him run the place and as much as Michael would benefit from one, he didn’t necessarily need one.
“You’re in my office. Take a guess.” The blonde rolled his eyes at the interruption. He was really hoping the knock on the door was a member of his team that he could actually help, giving him some sort of work to occupy his time before he leaves for the day.
“Oh come on, have a bit fun, laugh a little.”
“I’m working, what do you want?” Calum didn’t need to know he was secretly texting Ashton about their weekend plan of a takeaway and movie marathon with Luke, the HR person at the office.
“Well since we’re being all business, I need the paper report for the meeting so Ashton can look over it or something. I don’t know what he does with it.” Calum replied, shrugging and making his way into one of the seats across Michael’s desk.
“Why can’t I just email it to him like every other person in the building?” Michael complains as his printer whirls awake and starts printing the first page.
“Something about eye strain, but I think he just gets off to staring at paper.”
“If he’s so worried about eye strain he should leave the office and go outside and start a goat yoga company or something.” Rolling his eyes he waited for the printer to quiet down.
“I’m sure he would but he’d miss the paper too much” Calum states with an overexaggerated pout once again poking fun at his boss.
The printer finally stopped and Michael gathered the papers to staple together to give to Caum to finally get him out of his office so he could continue the last hour in peace. Calum’s energy was distracting, he wasn’t necessarily saying anything but the way he was spinning in the office chair was slightly childish and no matter how much Michael would love to sit and do the same and just talk for the last hour, he had to be on top behaviour while his supervisor was gone. If he even wanted a chance of a promotion, he had to prove that he was hardworking and professional, which was a very hard thing to do when Calum was across his desk picking things up and asking questions.
“Wait! Don’t staple them, I’ll handle that.”
“What Ashton doesn’t like staples anymore?” Michael sighed as he handed over the loose bits of papers. He was really missing his desk on the floor where he could lean across as Sarah would show him pictures of her new cat.
“No, he just doesn’t like how you staple.” Calum grabbed the papers, winked and turned and left the room.
In any other circumstances Michael would have been flustered, possibly even left swooning, but right now as he had a meeting at the back of his mind and a handful of emails he had to reply to before the end of day, the last thing he needs is Calum doing whatever Calum does.
~~~
“Are you doing alright?” Ashton asked casually as he sat next to Michael on his sofa. It was Sunday night and their usual movie night between the three friends.
Michael hesitated, he sees Ashton nearly every day of the week and he’s updated Ashton on the little things everyday. Sunday’s were used to get drunk, watch movies and reminisce about college days. Not asking how each other were doing. “Yeah, I’m alright. How are you?”
“Oh I’m good. Calum mentioned you were more grumpy than usual on Friday, and was just wondering if something was bugging you or work was getting too much.”
Scoffing, Michael shook his head. “I’m fine, Calum just needs to mind his own business.”
“Do you not like Calum? You seem like you would get along, I always thought you guys could be friends.” Ashton frowned as if Michael had just personally offended him.
“He’s annoying.” Michael stated as a fact because it was, someone coming in to distract you from the important work you have to do, is annoying.
“Why? Because I get him to pick up work from you?” Clearly trying to bring the mood back up, Ashton gave him a dumb smile.
“No, he’s just distracting and cocky and shit.”
“Yeah, he’s nice and makes conversation, but he’s never come across cocky to me. I think you're being a bit too harsh.” Ashton said turning more serious and Michael can’t believe he’s not taking his side.
“I have work to do, I don’t need to be distracted by conversation. On Tuesday he had the nerve to ask me if I’m handling everything, like I don’t know what I’m doing.”
“Michael, I genuinely think he was just asking to be nice and not to be condescending.”
“Why is it any of his business though.”
“He was asking me where I was Monday morning and I was just telling him I was with you going over the meeting and helping with notes. He talked to Rachel a lot when she was here and he knows it’s a stressful job at the start.”
“You were gossiping about me. Really Ashton, I thought you were above that.”
“Michael-”
“Oh are we gossiping about how shit Michael is?” Luke appeared from the doorway, finally arriving fifteen minutes late.
“No, we're gossiping on how late and stupid you are.”
“Well maybe we should gossip on how bad a friend you are to not make your other friends aware of the closed road that leads to an extra 10 minute diversion.” Luke dropped all his shit by the door and flopped down on the sofa in between the two.
“Why is everyone ganging up on me today? I've had a shit day. Can you please just be nice to me.”
“Okay I’ll drop it, but seriously Mike, he means well and if there's an issue please come to me.” Michael knew that Ashton could sense that he didn’t want to talk about this infront of Luke. They both also didn’t want to send Luke into panic about any serious work issues on his day off. Knowing, as the HR person, he would inevitably have to deal with it on Monday.
~~~
A week goes by and not much has changed. Calum still comes down with files and reports from Ashton and still continues to try to distract him with pointless conversation and questions. If Calum was truly trying to help like Ashton keep insisting then he would just leave him alone. This week the conversations surrounding the seasonal work get together that was happening this week. It was put together by the heads of the company to give everyone a ‘party’ setting to talk about work and mingle with people from different sectors to help with the business relationships of everyone. What it actually used for is getting everyone drunk and starting rumours. Michael did find it fun though, and the free drinks offered just made it better.
When Friday afternoon finally came around, everyone was allowed to leave in the early afternoon to get ready and prepare for the party in the evening. Despite the work still left to do Michael took advantage of the excuse to leave early and packed up his stuff before heading up to Ashton’s office.
When he got there he noted that Calum’s desk was unoccupied with paper stacked in neat piles ready for the next time he’s in. Knocking lightly at the office door before heading in. Without Calum being there to inform him if Ashton was free, he just had to risk it.
Walking into the office, Michael could see Ashton packing up his laptop into his backpack along with a pile of papers. “Michael! I’m just packing up if you’re leaving?”
“Yeah, my whole team left, so no point in staying.”
“You can also have a day off, you know?”
“Yeah, when the work is done.”
“You need a rest and a party, so let’s get going.”
The two walk down to the parking together before splitting ways to their own cars and then their own houses. Ashton was clearly more excited for the party than Michael.
~~~
Michael arrived at the party with Luke and Ashton and immediately headed to the drinks table to avoid any work conversations that were happening at the start. He wasn’t prepared to talk about work right now.
He had attended the party before but before he was the leader of his group. He would normally piss about by the drinks table with Luke while Ashton went round and took part in business conversation. Now he had a responsibility to take part in those conversions and not get on the right side of tipsy and talking shit with the few coworkers he trusted. He needed a drink of courage before jumping right into it.
He had only managed to have two drinks before deciding to join Ashton in conversations, but before he could, a flurry of brown hair and eyes ended up in his path.
“Are you not joining in on the riveting business conversations?” Of course out of everyone, it was Calum.
Even with just two drinks in him Michael had gained the confidence to speak his mind. “Why do you always have to be so condescending? You’re honestly just so annoying.”
Hurt flashed across Calum’s face before a glare replaced it. “Condescending? I just asked you a question, you’re the one here acting as if he’s better than everyone else.”
“I don’t understand how Ashton puts up with you.” It was a low blow, Michael knew that, but he didn’t care at the moment. He was stressed enough being here, he didn’t also need Calum acting like he didn’t know what he was doing.
“Because I do anything he says, no questions. You try and find someone else that’s willing to refile everything in the order he likes, carries around stupid paperclips and unstaple a stack of files every morning. I knew that man’s coffee order on my second day and it is very complicated.” Michael couldn’t deny that, it took him years to remember the order and even still he makes mistakes. “I thought everyone was exaggerating when they said Ashton is impossible to work for as an assistant until I realised it was just because they were doing everything wrong, they didn’t learn the way he works, they didn’t know him. It’s very easy to jump to conclusions when you don’t know the person. Isn’t it Michael?” Calum gave a fake smile and walked off towards the door as Michael stood in shock.
The words tied knots in his stomach and the regret hit him like a ton of bricks, the weight of his own words finally settling in. He always thought Calum was annoying, but he never truly did anything wrong. He wasn’t rude or mean even after the cold shoulder Michael gave him time after time. He also knew Ashton and knew that he doesn’t even take the time to entertain someone he deemed rude. He knew all this but chose to ignore it and instead focused on staying annoyed.
For the rest of the night the regret plagued his mind as he tried to make conversation with his co-workers but he just couldn’t find the energy to properly engage. He ended up leaving the event an hour early with the excuse of an early rise the next morning.
~~~
For the whole weekend, Michael tried to think on how he could possibly make this up to Calum. He knew he had fucked up and a simple apology wouldn’t make up for his attitude for the past weeks, the vision of hurt that was on Calum’s face haunted his sleep that night and the following day.
When Sunday came around Michael was on a mission to get Ashton to spill the secrets on why Calum kept bugging him and more subtly how to get on Calum’s good side. He just wanted to know how to get rid of the guilt he was feeling, every time he remembered the interaction with Calum, which was every hour even during the night he would wake up with regret, he just wanted to make amends and apologies for his terrible mood and, quite frankly, embarrassing reaction.
“Why does he care though!” He was sitting opposite Ashton trying to get answers while Luke was away making popcorn, he knew the situation would just stress the HR person in him.
“‘Cause he wants you to continue the job. He wants you there and he’s trying to help you stay there, if he’s overstepping just tell him. Calum’s a really nice guy Michael, hell he’s put up with my specific ways of doing work for way longer than I thought he would, he told me himself he wants you to get the job.”
“I thought he liked Racheal?”
“Everybody ‘liked’ Racheal but she was a nightmare to work with and I’m pretty sure she’s the reason half the rumours at work started. Have you not noticed the whispering has at least halved since she left. Michael, people like you.” Michael went to interrupt but got cut off by Ashton talking again. “No, they do! And they want you to get the promotion because they think you’ll be a good boss, but you can’t be one if you’re gonna be all grumpy in your office.” Ashton sighed as he relaxed back in his seat and Michael could clearly see the worry etched on his face.
“How do you do it? You’re like the grumpiest supervisor in the building.” Michael joked feeling slightly lighter once Ashton also huffed out a small laugh. The tension in the room depleted just a little bit.
“I’m grumpy to higher ups and at the work, never to the people on my team and floor. They’re doing their best and working hard, it’s hardly ever their fault so don’t take your frustrations out on them.”
“I don’t or at least I try not to, it’s a small team so it’s easy to see when Mark is just watching videos and not working.”
“Mark’s different, complain about him all you want. We could be here until next week.”
“I just want it to work.” Michael sighed defeatedly as he sank back into the couch.
“It will, if you just ask for help."
“How do I ask for help when the guy I need help from, I basically shouted at.”
“Calum will come around, he’s rather good at the forgive and forget mindset, almost to a fault actually.”
“I don’t want him to just forgive and forget, I want him to know I really am sorry and that I’m not normally a total asshole.”
“Well, you’d have to stop being a total asshole normally to fix that one.” Ashton laughed as Michael flipped him off while chucking a pillow at him.
“Shut up.”
~~~
The Monday morning after the party should’ve been easy. There was no weekly meeting and Michael had already mentally planned his day out so he could leave on time. He also had the pen and a speech planned to apologise to Calum and a way to convince him that he truly will be better.
However, the chaos started as soon as he logged into his emails and saw a new email from Luke setting up a HR meeting that morning concerning a fight in the workplace. Once again cursing his actions, he got ready to leave. Of course Calum would go to HR, Michael has been a living nightmare for him the past few weeks. They’ll probably set up a way to exchange papers without having to see each other and Michael will have lost his chance to apologise.
When he walked into the room, Calum was already sitting across the desk from Luke with a free chair next to him.
“Hi Michael, please take a seat.” The seriousness and professionalism in Luke’s voice threw him off a little. He had only ever joked around with Luke at work, he was never on the opposite side of the table.
“Okay, so although I know the two of you, I do need to be professional when I receive a complaint.”
“A complaint?” The colour in Calum’s face drains as worry flashes across his eyes.
“An employee overheard, what they call a ‘heated conversation’, between the two of you during the seasonal get together and are concerned about the atmosphere in the workplace.”
Michael felt like he had been splashed by ice cold water, he was so stressed about getting the promotion and he could lose it due to a dumb fall out. He was already trying to resolve it himself, but now he has to go through HR.
Quickly thinking, wanting the worry off of Calum’s face and for things to be better he blurted out. “It was a joke!”
“A joke?” The confusion was clear on Luke’s face and the glance Calum sent Michael’s way mirrored that.
“Yeah, me and Michael were just talking and may have raised our voices a bit, but it was all in fun.”
“Okay… And this is the story you’re both going with?” He knew Luke knew it was a lie. After everything they talked about and whatever that complaint said, it was an obvious lie.
Michael and Calum share another glance nodding lighty before turning back to Luke.
“Yep, we’re both good, it was clearly just a misunderstanding and there’s not much need to talk about it.”
“Yeah, we’ll try to keep it more professional when around co-workers, but there’s no bad blood here.”
“Okay, well if there is anything else either of you want to talk about I’m always here.” He sent them both looks, almost urging them to say something more. Instead they both just stood up and started to leave.
“Thanks, Luke.”
When they got out into the corridor, Calum stopped Michael to talk before they got to the elevators.
“Listen, I don’t care if you don’t like me, but I really need this job. I don’t care about whatever you have against me, but I’m not going to let it get in between my job and income. I’m happy to play this off as a mistake but if you continue to talk down to me I can make your life a paperwork nightmare.” The thought of more paperwork already made Michael want to cry, but he really wanted to apologise anyway.
“No, wait! I was gonna apologise to you even before I realised about the HR meeting I had a speech.”
“You had a speech? This isn’t a great way to propose to someone.”
“I didn’t want to mess it up! And speeches aren’t just for proposals” Calum made a gesture for him to continue, so he took a deep breath and tried to remember everything he was going to say. “Calum, I just want to say I’m really sorry about what I said at the party. It’s not true and I don’t know why I said it. I was stressed with work and thought that you offering to help was condescending and I know now it wasn’t and I think it just all got to me and I unfairly blew up at you on Friday. I promise you I will be better and nicer and I am really sorry for what happened, I’ll make it up to you.”
Calum’s face was blank and Michael could feel the panic rise in his chest. He didn’t know if his apology made things worse and all Calum was giving him to go if was a couple slow blinks.
“Oh.”
“I’m not expecting you to forgive me right now, you don’t ever have to forgive me I won’t hold that against you. I just want you to know that I’ll be better and that I do respect the work that you do and I know I could never do it. You’re so smart and like really fucking organised and you don’t need me telling you this but I don’t know I’m rambling now, sorry.”
“Oh no, you don’t need to stop, the compliments were getting good. Any others you want to tell me.”
“I mean yeah, but if I tell you all of them now I’ll ruin my apology plan. I have to spread them out.”
“I’ll look forward to it. I need an ego boost some mornings.”
“I’ll be happy to supply that to you then.”
“Sweet, I’ll make sure to come down everyday to get my complement.” Calum winked as he hit the button for the elevator that quickly made its way up. “I’ll see you soon with some reports you’ll have to add to.”
Michael just nodded as he headed to the stairs, his office was only a floor down compared to Calum’s trek of four floors up. The whole walk Michael was cursing his past self and the bubbly feeling in his stomach caused by the sly smile and wink Calum gave him.
~~~
“Here’s the report you requested.”
“Thanks, Calum. You’re a lifesaver.” Michael was swamped with paperwork as company contracts were ending and starting and everything else that comes with the end of the financial year. He was so weighed down with work he had to ask Calum to retrieve more paperwork to try to figure out one table that’s created a halt in his work.
“Anything else you need? I know this time of year is busy with paperwork.” Calum asked, being the kind person he normally was and for once Michael finally saw that. Instead of seeing Calum as being condescending, he seemed like an angel coming in while Michael was in his time of need.
“Umm no, but would you mind helping with this spreadsheet table layout, I have the layout for the past reports but there’s more columns and I can’t find my notes and I really don’t want to interrupt Ashton.”
“Oh! Yeah, sure. Just let me see.” Calum made his way around the desk and leaned over his shoulder, he couldn’t help but blush at the closeness. Thinking back he had never been this close to Calum, the only time they had been close was when they were squashed shoulder to shoulder in the elevator. “Okay it looks fine, you just have to switch these two columns and add the rest to the end in the order that's on the report.” Calum pointed out everything as if his finger could copy and paste the paper onto the screen.
Michael nodded along fixing up his spreadsheet as Calum directed, relieved that the table finally started making more sense and more like the ones he remembers seeing at meetings. “Thank you, honestly I owe you my life. This spreadsheet has been haunting me.”
“You know Ashton wouldn’t be annoyed by you asking, yeah he’s busy but he would make time.”
“Yeah but no one knows spreadsheets like you. You basically look at these 24/7.”
“Oh! yeah I do work with them a lot I guess.”
“You’re like a spreadsheet master. You’re the best! I’d rather go to you than Ashton.”
Giggling, Calum just shook his head as he walked back over to the other side of the table. “Okay as the spreadsheet master is there anything else you need help with, Ashton has basically banned me from his office for the next hour as he tries to get one of the higher ups on the phone.” He winces recalling the harsh tone Ashton had when he informed him he needs no interruptions for the next hour as he hunted John down on the phone.
“He was complaining about John avoiding him earlier, I didn’t realise it was that bad.”
“I think he’s one step away from hiring a PI or breaking into the employee files and finding his address.”
“Can’t he just go down to his office?”
“He’s got his team on watchout, they let him know and he locks his office and they make up excuses that he’s in a meeting. Apparently anyway.” Calum winks
Calum acting normal and making jokes only added to the guilt that was sitting in Michaels stomach. It almost felt like it would be better if Calum had come into his office and treated him as coldly as he had been treating him for the past few weeks.
“Oh, before you leave,” Michael rummaged around his bag looking for his ‘I’m sorry gift’, “Ashton mentioned you lost your pen-”
“It got stolen by Joel, the bastard on floor two.”
“Okay Joel stole your pen, but I bought you a new one as a ‘I’m sorry gift’. I’m not trying to buy you over, just let you know I promise that I’ll try my hardest to be better. I will be better. I really am sorry Cal.”
“I appreciate it, Michael. And I know you will try.”
“I made sure it’s definitely the pens you like. Fine line one but not a ballpoint and I looked back on the reports and it looks like the same ink you used before.”
“Should I be concerned on why you know my favourite type of pen, that seems like an awfully specific thing to know.”
“I swear I’m not a creep watching your every move, I just asked Ashton and he said a bunch of shit that didn’t make much sense so I googled it a little and I think it was that one that I saw you use once.”
“That’s actually kinda sweet.”
“Is it?”
“Yeah, I really appreciate it, God knows what pen Ashton was gonna get me, so thank you. You’re making not forgiving you really hard right now.”
“Don’t forgive me now, I told you I’m not trying to buy your forgiveness.”
“Okay then, since I’m so good at my job, I’ll do what you say and not forgive you.”
“Thank you.”
“Never been thanked for not forgiving someone before, but you’re welcome. I’ll see you sometime soon when I’m inevitably asked to come back down for something.”
“See ya later, Cal.”
With that, his office door shut and Michael felt like he could breathe properly again since he set foot in the building. He knew what he was doing work-wise now and things seemed to be going on an upward trajectory with Calum.
~~~
The whole week went fine between Michael and Calum, everyday Calum would come down to his office sometimes with work, sometimes with a poor excuse of a question that was clearly made up just so he could have a 10 minute talk break before going back to work. And as promised Michael complimented Calum
“I know I said I wanted you and Calum to make up, but can you stop stealing him from me during work hours? On Thursday I sent him down with a report and he took half an hour to pick up a few bits of paper.”
“It’s not my fault! He asked me something and I had to answer. It was you telling me to stop ignoring him.”
“Staff stealing isn’t anything new but causes me an absolute pain in the ass so please don’t make me have to call a meeting in my office between you two, I literally wouldn’t be able to handle that. I would quit.”
“I’m not stealing anyone’s staff. We were just talking.”
“Talking?”
“Yeah, all business talk, nothing to worry about, nothing being stealed.”
“Stolen.”
“Whatever, it’s all business.”
“As long as you don’t cause me anymore issues in work
~~~
The weeks fly by now that Michael has Calum helping him when he gets stuck and actually looks forward to the distraction from work when Calum comes in telling him about Ashton’s plights with John. As promised, Michael makes sure to throw a few compliments at Calum everyday. It started with complimenting his work ethic and organisation, but slowly moved on further to his clothes or new shoes. It had escalated to the point where yesterday he called Calum’s giggle cute and didn’t think anything of it. He knew their interactions had moved past him trying to prove himself.
With time flying by he almost forgets he’s in a temporary position until he’s called up to his boss’s office one morning and offered the promotion of supervisor after all his hard work. Without hesitation he accepted it and went immediately to Ashton’s floor to tell him.
“Hey Michael, are you wanting to talk to Ashton?” Calum greeted him at the desk outside Ashton’s office with a wide smile that scrunched his cheeks up.
“Yeah, I just need to tell him something quick.” Michael beamed back not being able to conceal his happiness.
“He’s conducting an interview right now, but won’t be long, maybe another ten minutes. But you can tell me what’s got you all smiley.”
“I got the promotion!” Michael cheered but kept his volume low still keeping in mind he’s in the office.
Calum did not keep this in mind as he jumped up and yelled. “What? Oh my God! Michael, that's awesome. Congrats!”
Michael suddenly got bashful, he’s proud of himself and he was happy to tell people, but he didn’t think anyone would react as happy for him as Calum had. “Yeah, thank you. I know everyone was saying I would get it but I didn’t want to get my hopes up, but now that I have it, it’s such a relief.”
“No shit, you’ve been working for this for months. Nice to see you finally getting the right pay for it.”
“Yeah that’ll definitely be nice.”
“So how are you gonna celebrate with this new influx of cash?”
“Well, I was actually wondering if you maybe wanted to go and get a drink sometime.” Michael flushed as he tried to read Calum’s facial expression, he still had that cheeky grin and his eyes sparkling with glee. “Outside of work, I mean, so not just office coffee. Unless you wanna get coffee we could do that too.”
“How are you gonna be the big bad boss if you get flustered this easily. I haven’t even said yes yet.
“Will you say yes?”
“I might if you let me answer.”
“Sorry, the floor is yours.”
“Yes, I would love to get a drink. You got anything going on after work on Friday?”
“Nothing except a few drinks with a cute guy.”
“So you’re not free?”
“Shut up,” Michael watches as Ashton opens his office door letting out a nervous looking college kid, handing them off to Calum before gesturing for Michael to join him in the office. He turned to Calum before leaving “I’ll see you Friday then?”
“Yeah definitely.”
~~~
That Friday the two of them headed to a bar not far away from where either of them lived and spent the night giggling and drinking together. Michael couldn’t be happier and couldn’t comprehend how he ever thought Calum was annoying or even in the slightest bit condescending as he recalled stories of all the dumb shit he’s had to do to help people in the office.
Since the first Friday they went out it became another weekly occurrence. Sundays were for Luke and Ashton, and Fridays were for Calum. After the first month they moved away from going to the bar and done other activities like getting food and going to the movies and by the second month Michael asked if Calum would be his boyfriend.
~~~
“There’s no way you two are back in my office, I thought I told you to get along.” Luke huffed in frustration already getting his computer ready for the complaint he was anticipating.
“Yeah, about that.” Calum awkwardly scratched the back of his neck. “We have to disclose a relationship in the workplace or whatever you call it.”
Michael refused to make eye contact with Luke but he could see the shock in his face as he just stared at the pair not saying a word. “You two want to disclose a relationship?”
“Yep, that’s why we’re here.” Calum answered with a small smile.
“And you are the two in the relationship.”
“Yes.” Michael replied as Calum nodded his head.
“How? When? What?”
“I don’t think you can ask those questions, Luke.” Michael just rolled his eyes knowing the interrogation that was about to happen.
“Yeah, professionally, but as your friend I need to know.”
“Then I’ll tell you during friend time and not business time.”
“Seriously?”
“I take my new position very seriously, thank you very much.”
“Are you fucking with me?”
“What? No! We’re being serious.”
“So Ashton didn’t put you up to this?”
“No,” Michael replied, confused at the route this conversation had taken. “Why would he do that?”
“Shit. I owe him money now.”
“Unbelievable. You betted on us?”
“Not really! It was ages ago, Ashton said something like bet you a tenner that by the end of the year they’ll be together. I honestly thought he meant working together, because it was after I explained my fears of having to deal with an office divorce after our first meeting.”
“You told Ashton about that meeting? Are you allowed to talk to him about that?”
“What’s with you guys being so professional today? Live a little.”
“That’s my boss.” Calum stepped in looking a little worried at the fact that Luke was gossiping about him to the man that could so easily fire him. Michael shot him a reassuring look knowing that Ashton didn’t give a shit about half the drama or gossiping that happens at work.
“I didn’t say any names or specifics, he was able to guess who it was about himself. Your hatred for each other wasn’t very subtle. Which is also why I’m so surprised about this.” He gestured between the two of them, head tilted like if he could look closer he would make sense of it all.
“Classic enemies to lovers.” Michael shrugged and Luke huffed out a laugh as he focused back on his computer typing something that Michael could only guess was about the actual work they asked him to do.
“To be clear, you were never my enemy, I never once hated you.” Calum brushed the back of his hand against Michael’s before getting a proper hold on his hand entwining their fingers.
Michael winced at the reminder of his previous behaviour. “Enemies to lovers where the enemy part was one sided and unfounded and they regret it very much and are very sorry.”
“Ah yes, a classic.” Calum joked, smiling wide at Michael and squeezing his hand. A small reassuring gesture that had Michael relaxing more into his side.
“Well, good news, because you don’t work in the same department and no one is anyone's boss there’s no power dynamic so it should all be good.” Luke sat back from his computer, smiling at the two.
“Thanks Luke. Oh and if you go off and gossip about this to the rest of the office, I won’t hesitate to have a few conversations about your romantic endeavours.”
“You wouldn’t.” The smile fell off his face as it warped into a more panicked look.
“I will happily.”
“Okay, fine. I won’t say shit.”
“Cool, see you Sunday.” With that Michael pulled Calum out the office by his hand but quickly dropped it once they were back out in the corridor and could be seen by a passing coworker.
Walking down the corridor they kept a distance between them but they still bumped shoulders every now and then until they reached the elevator. “We still good for tonight?”
“Celebration for declaring our relationship in the workplace?”
“It is an occasion that calls for a celebration.”
Calum just laughs as he calls up the elevator. “I’ll pick you up at 6 then?”
“Sounds great. I’ve got you a present by the way.”
“Is it another pen?”
“This one is green and has a cute grip, you’ll love it.”
“If I keep loving all the pens you get me, how will I ever have a favourite again.”
“You’ll need to figure that one out ‘cause I’ll never stop buying you pens.”
“Why? You do know I’ve forgiven you.” Calum teased.
“Because you love pens and I love you.”
Calum gave him a small smile before getting into the empty elevator. “I love you too, I do also really love pens.”