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"What the fuck do you want! I'm in the middle of something very important!"
Marcus jumps a little at the greeting, involuntarily drawing his clipboard up in defense. "I'm here to check up on the progress of your new project, Mr..." a cursory glance at his file, "Baxter?"
"Oh yeah," the other demon huffs, his fin-like ears flaring. He picks the flask up off the lab bench before him, completely dismissive. "You're Vox's latest bitch boy."
Marcus frowns and wrinkles his nose. Having read the file, he knows that Baxter is rather introverted and antisocial, preferring to focus entirely on his work. Also scrawled in the file were further notes made by Marcus's predecessors, such as "gremlin", "sperg lord" and "neurotic mess".
"I gotta say though, I think you've lasted the longest," continues Baxter, as he places the flask atop the burner and carefully squeezes the contents of a pipette into it. "You've been here for what, three, four years? He's a real prick to work for."
"Mm. Takes one to know one, as they say." If Marcus has been trying to emulate Mr. Vox's dry tone, that's his own business.
Baxter cackles. "Oh doll, you've got it bad, don't you?" He turns to face Marcus with an expression of snide pity, his glowing esca bobbing over his head. "I could tell you why that red jacket is such a vital part of your uniform, but it'd break your sad little heart."
Note: "flaming asshole"
Marcus's lip curls, baring his teeth, but he doesn't take the bait. He knows Mr. Vox has Mr. Valentino and Ms. Velvette. He even knows why Mr. Vox is so adamant about the red jacket as part of his uniform. He knows he's not important in the grand scheme of things, but he's come to realize that none of this bothers him too deeply.
"Working for Mr. Vox has been a great opportunity," says Marcus simply, and means it. "And... being with him makes me feel special, even if I'm not all he has." He leans forward, perhaps the tiniest bit smug. "How about you, Baxter? Do you have someone to hold you close and make you feel special?"
Baxter's eyes are big and hurt behind his goggles, and Marcus immediately feels like he's the asshole.
"I don't need anyone," hisses Baxter. "I'm more than happy on my own, fuck you very much."
He tries to turn back to the lab bench, then squawks when Marcus impulsively closes the distance between them and takes hold of his gloved hand.
"Don't touch me!"
"Are you? Are you really happy on your own?"
"Let go of me, fuckface..!"
It's times like this that Marcus is glad that HR really doesn't have much of a presence in Hell because this probably would have gotten him fired anywhere else while alive.
Still, for all of the bellowing, Baxter doesn't make any attempt to fight or pull away, even when Marcus pulls him into a cautious hug. Instead he quiets, rests his forehead against Marcus's chest.
"Please let me apologize if I offended you. If you like I can treat you to dinner. I know a few places that aren't too crowded or loud."
"You're just fucking wasting your time," Baxter mutters. "I mean, you're obviously into men."
"Oh. Sorry, are you not?"
A non-committal shrug. "I prefer girls, but guys are all right." He hesitates and says finally, as if that explains everything, "But most guys that like guys, don't like me."
Note: "delusional freak"
Remembering that, as well as a few other clearer notes regarding the subject, Marcus immediately catches on.
"Well, they're idiots," Marcus says firmly. Curled finger under Baxter's chin, he tilts his face up. "They don't know a good looking man when they see one."
"Oh, give it a rest." Baxter makes a face, but the sourness doesn't reach his eyes. "I'm too nerdy to be 'good looking'."
Marcus laughs. "Not sure if you noticed, but I'm pretty nerdy myself. Mr. Vox doesn't seem to mind."
"Ugh. I'm not looking to fuck Vox."
"That's okay. I will so you won't have to."
At that, Baxter cackles again. "You're an idiot."
"But is it a date?"
"...Fine. You'll probably regret it later, but yeah."
"Good." Marcus leans in to kiss Baxter lightly, then pulls back, freeing him from the embrace. "Can I come grab you at 7:30?"
"Whatever, yeah. But weren't you here to 'check my progress' or some shit? The fuck are you going to tell Vox?"
"Easy enough. Put together a report of any supplies you might need and I'll make sure it gets processed."
"Ah, you're going to half-ass your way out of this. Vox is going to beat your ass if he finds out."
"I can only hope."
"UGH. Alright, get the fuck out and let me get back to work, pervert."
Snickering, Marcus headed to the door, looking back before exiting. "Remember, 7:30!"