Work Text:
Christmas was always Jon's least favorite time of year. The loud music and flashing lights was his worst nightmare, and the annual Christmas party didn't help with his hatred.
In fact he usually skipped it, except for this year, when his assistants had practically begged him to come (with threats of violence). It was his first year as head archivist and they thought he needed to socialize more.
He spent the entire party lurking in a corner, drinking whatever was at the bar. Tim had come over, 5 more drinks ahead of Jon and pulled him into a small group at the center of the room.
Tim and Sasha were dancing, arms linked together and jumping to the beat of the music. Jon stood there, arms shoved deep in his pockets, Martin mimicked this position.
"Lighten up boss!" Tim shouted over the music. Jon smiled and tried his best to sway without getting closer to anyone. The pained grin stayed on his face as he tried to seem like he was enjoying himself. He was not
After the song ended, a slow song started and he ran. He ran to the bar and watched as the couples and friends joined together and swayed to the beat. He grimaced as he downed 2 more shots of whatever was available.
He didn't notice when Martin appeared at his side. Jon looked over at him when he felt the heat on his face, Martin was watching at the scene in front of them. He took another shot as he stared at Martin.
He'd always liked Martin, even with his annoying habits. Jon found them endearing, but he'd masked it with anger and disapproval. He'd been in relationships before and he'd learned that feelings made things complicated, so he hid them.
So it came to no surprise when his face heated up when Martin looked at him. It was the alcohol he'd argue, but he knew that wasn't true. He saw Martin's lips move but he didn't hear the words that they produced.
"What?" Jon asked, leaning closer to Martin. He was close enough to see every freckle and childhood scar, that image wouldn't leave his mind for years to come.
"Should we dance?" Martin repeated. Jon stayed still watching the dancing lights behind Martin, his lips moved before his brain caught up.
"Yes!" Shit, Jon made a mistake. He was walking back to his friends, arm linked in Martin's. He paused and felt Martin's arms go around his waist. They moved slightly, the awkwardness could be felt from Tim and Sasha who just gave each other a knowing smile, then Sasha dropped her head in what seemed like defeat.
Jon would ask about that later, but right now his entire body was on fire, radiating from every point of contact with Martin. After Sasha looked up and put her forehead on Tim's, Jon's body worked against his mind as he moved forward to do the same with Martin.
Why was his body rebelling! He shouldn't be here right now, he should be home far away from Martin, ignoring his silly feelings! He couldn't pretend as if he didn't enjoy the contact. He closed his eyes and felt the swaying that Martin forced on him.
Being this close to someone was new, especially with Martin. He couldn't return after this, how could he explain this without using the "I was drunk" excuse. He wanted to bury his head in the sand and forget what he was doing.
Then he felt eyes on him. The hairs on the back of his neck stood on end, and a shiver went down Jon's spine. Someone was watching and he knew it.
His eyes shot open intending to catch Martin staring, but his eyes were closed. Jon relaxed slightly and closed his eyes again. Maybe he was just paranoid, so he fell back into the movement, then he felt the eyes again.
He couldn't do this, not with someone watching. He couldn't explain any of this and it definitely wasn't the 'proper workplace etiquette' Elias preached about. So he did what he did best, he ran.
"Excuse me" Jon muttered and headed straight back downstairs. Into the dusty basement and behind the safety of his office door. He sighed heavily and put his head in his hands.
He stayed there, in the silence trying to make himself disappear. He couldn't pretend he didn't enjoy it, of course he did. No one knew about his stupid crush on Martin, but his red blushing face was enough to give it away to anyone who even glanced in their direction.
He shook his head and fought against the butterflies in his stomach. That was inappropriate and not good for the team, he had a reputation to uphold. If he knew anything it was the one rule, don't date your coworkers.
All of those thoughts went out the window when Martin knocked.
"Jon, are you in there?" Martin asked through the door.
"Yes!" Jon answered quickly. He opened the door as Martin was still knocking. Staring at him made Jon's face flush once again. Every doubt he had when he saw Martin's stupid smiling face.
"Are you alright? You just left and I was worried about you." Martin dipped his head and took a step back, giving Jon personal space.
"I'm quite alright Martin. At least I am now that you're here." Jon mentally slapped himself. Really? A half assed pick up line? Great job Jonathan, might as well go throw yourself away in the dumpster out back.
"Oh-" Martin smiled and his pale face quickly turned to a deep shade of red.
"Come in here, we should talk." Jon said with his best authoritative voice. Martin of course followed what he said and entered.
Jon shut the door and leaned against it. Arms crossed and head hung in shame.
"What do you want to talk about?" Martin tilted his head. God he looked so cute, Jon could just- no, let's not go down that road
"I'm sorry about earlier, I shouldn't have gotten that close, and I definitely shouldn't have ran away." Jon stumbled over his apology, words spilling out of his mouth before he could process what was happening. He would regret all of this tomorrow he was sure of it.
"You don't need to apologize Jon-" Martin Started but Jon cut him off.
"I apologize if I made you uncomfortable. I understand if you hate me after this, I probably deserve it." Jon was still talking, not realizing Martin had moved closer to him.
"Jon."
"You can just leave and forget I said anything. Just go back to work like nothing happened-" more words spilled out, he was looking at his feet.
"Jon!" Martin said again, this time a little louder but Jon ignored it.
"It wasn't my intention, I was just caught up-"
"JON!" Martin yelled and reached forward, grabbing Jon's face and forcing it upwards so they were eye to eye.
"Breathe Jon, I wasn't uncomfortable. I quite enjoyed it actually." Martin smiled down at him.
"Why? You should have been uncomfortable, I'm me and you're you." Jon sputtered, his mind was focused on the hands still on his face.
"Jon, listen to me, I do not care. End of story. Statement ends." Martin said with a stern face, still holding Jon's face. He held it carefully and lightly brushed his cheeks which made Jon even more flustered.
"You're lying. It was completely unprofessional of me and I should probably just leave-" Jon turned around as if to open the door.
"Jon shut up."
"Excuse me?" He turned his head to face Martin again.
"Just shut up and kiss me." Martin said with a confidence Jon had never heard from him. It was definitely the alcohol speaking.
Jon didn't hesitate to push forward. Their faces crashed together and they both reached for each other's backs. Their lips moved quickly and Jon's heart threatened to collapse.
This was definitely unprofessional but he didn't care, all he cared about was the lips that moved across his.
"MARTIN?" Tim yelled from the hallway, voice slurred slightly.
They separated and whispered "shit".
Martin brushed his shirt and opened the door, Jon stayed hidden behind the solid wood. Face still red and hair an absolute disaster, just like Jon.
"I'm right here!" Martin yelled as he shut the door, leaving Jon to collect himself. He's definitely sober now. He could still hear the words coming from the hallway.
"There you are! Did you go after Jonnnn" Tim ribbed him as he slung an arm over his shoulder.
"What? No, no! I just came down here for some… fresh air…" Martin said, Jon internally cringed at this. The Archives were anything but fresh air, good job Martin.
"Are you sure..?" Tim poked further, he knew exactly what was happening but just needed evidence. Jon wished he could just hide forever, but something about Martin made him rethink that decision.
"Yes!" Martin responded a little too quickly, Jon knew he couldn't hide, he was going to collapse.
"If you say so Marto! But I'm just going to check in his office, for no reason." Jon saw the handle wiggle under the pressure of Tim's weight. He had to move before that door swung open and hit him directly in the face.
"I wouldn't, you know how Jon likes his privacy!" Martin argued.
"Shhh he'll never know! Unless…" With that Tim swung the door open, revealing the nervous wreck that was Jon, leaning against his desk with his arms folded in faux confidence.
"Hello boss" Tim smiled as Martin blushed deeply behind him.
"Tim" Jon couldn't hide the quiver in his voice, yep he was never living this down.
"So, you two then?" Tim's eyes shifted between Martin and Jon. Both looked at their feet, guilt written all over their faces.
"Tim it's not-" Jon argued but their fate was sealed.
"I get it, it's cool! I'm just going to leave you two alone-" Tim put his hands up and backed away. He smiled and winked at Martin before disappearing up the stairs.
"Sasha, you owe me 5 quid!" Tim yelled before he was drowned out in sputtering laughter that came from Martin.
Jon pinched the bridge of his nose and laughed. Yep he was doomed.
Martin joined him leaning on the desk and slipped his hand into Jon's.
"We're never living this down are we?" Jon muttered under his breath.
"Not until we die." Martin laughed. They calmed down and a silence fell over them.
"Did you mean what you said?" Jon broke the tension with words that cut like knives.
"Which part?"
"That you enjoyed it." Jon's face dropped as he looked at their joined hands. He was stupid to think he didn't but what if?
"I meant every word Jonathan Sims, especially those words." Martin reassured him.
"We should probably head home- I think there's been enough excitement for tonight. Plus I'd rather avoid any more of Tim's questions." Jon said, almost ignoring Martin's admission. His face was bright red and smiling contently as he spoke.
Martin just nodded and led them up the stairs, hands still joined. They somehow slipped unnoticed around the room. Tim was off gossiping with Sasha in a corner, hands waving wildly in the air, he always did have a flair for the dramatic.
They exited and were greeted with the cold December air. The cold clung to them and Jon shivered, the cold ran through him.
Martin just laughed and took off his coat putting it over Jon's shoulders. Jon immediately warmed up and he couldn't tell if it was from the coat or the blush that crept up his neck.
"Won't you be cold?" He looked up and met Martin's cold blue eyes.
"I'll be alright. You can just return it tomorrow." Martin shrugged and put his hands in his pockets.
"Alright then… I'll see you tomorrow." Jon waved awkwardly but didn't move.
"I'll see tomorrow."
Jon took a deep breath then reached up and kissed Martin quickly before turning around and walking away.
Martin smiled and touched his lips before doing the same. They both laid in bed that night thinking about what happened. Both fell asleep with a soft smile on their faces, thinking that one day they'd be in the same bed, with matching smiles.
Maybe Christmas wasn't so bad after all.