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“We’ve all said it, you know. You should have gotten it, not Jon. Hey, you know, we could really use you in research. Be, uh, nice to have someone like you there to liven the place up, you know?”
Martin heard the voice of someone he’d rather have forgotten worked in the institute. He poked his head into the bullpen and saw David, from Research, leaning against Sasha’s desk while she was on the phone. Martin knew that was the only reason she hadn’t already yelled at him or shoved him away. He knew she’d been trying to get ahold of her contact for weeks, at this point, and was not about to let David, of all people, ruin that.
David continued on as though she’d agreed with him, “Besides, we both know everyone always hated him, the bastard. Always was too high and mighty to bother with us lesser folk. Really terrible that you’re stuck under that–,”
“–David! Nice to see you, man! Thanks for the notes, they’ll help a ton. Here, let me walk you out.” Martin forced a bright smile onto his face and reached out an arm to grasp the shorter man’s shoulders tightly, pulling him slightly
“Oh, I– I think I’ve got it–,”
“Nah, I insist. I’m heading up that way anyways.” Martin grinned widely, showing just a bit more teeth than he would normally.
David looked at him in a bit of confusion, but acquiesced, smiling down at Sasha, who was mostly just glaring up at him through her ‘customer service’ smile. David winked at her as Martin pulled him away towards the elevator.
“So, uh, you think Sasha might wanna move up to Research? I mean, Jon’s a dick, everyone hates him. I’m surprised she hasn’t tried to switch departments yet.” David laughed once, patting Martin on the back, “You know, I could put in a good word for you, maybe get you out from under that annoying prick, yeah?”
Martin chuckled a bit and planted one hand on David’s shoulder, gripping him firmly. “You know, not everyone actually thinks the same way you do, David. We actually like Jon, he’s our friend, and I don’t really appreciate people insulting my friends. Understand?”
David laughed, “You serious? We talking about the same Jon?”
Martin smiled, and moved closer, ignoring the ding of the elevator beside them, “We are. Jon is a great friend, and a wonderful person. He cares about the people he is responsible for, and he cares for the people he isn’t. And,” Martin leaned forward, showing his teeth, “he doesn’t flirt with people that have made it clear they aren’t interested.”
David laughed nervously, “Look, man, I don’t…Sasha and I always got along great, okay?”
“Guess you don’t anymore. Now, I really think you should leave before I show you exactly what my brother taught me growing up.”
David looked at him, confused, “Your brother?”
“Oh, yeah, you might know him, from the statements? I always called him Gerry growing up.” Martin’s grin grew, “You’re smart, supposedly. Did you ever wonder what the ‘K’ stood for in my name?”
David looked at him for a moment before his eyes widened and he stumbled backwards, whispering, ‘Keay??’ incredulously.
Martin winked, in an exaggerated mimicry of David’s own wink just moments before. David turned to the side and pushed past Jon, who was standing in front of the open elevator doors, watching Martin.
Martin smiled genially at Jon as David clicked the button on the inside of the elevator, eagerly watching the doors close between them. Jon tilted his head, staring hard at Martin.
Martin cleared his throat, “Uhm. Hey, Jon. Glad you’re back. I was…about to make some tea. Do you…want some?”
Jon watched him unblinking for a moment longer before a small smile crept onto his mouth, “...I think I would…I would love some tea, Martin. Thank you.”
Martin felt his face heat up immediately at the soft, earnest tone of voice Jon had used. “O-oh! Great. Um. Okay, then, I’ll just–. Yeah.” He turned away quickly and moved to the breakroom, shoulders up around his ears and grinning widely.