[ He’ll have to borrow Martin’s jumpers made out of boyfriend material, next time. Assuming there will be a next time. That this isn't a totally devastating mistake …which is an easy concern to spiral on, until he sees Jon approaching and his foot stops bouncing. A cautious smile lights up his face, which warms with the tentative excuses for being on time. ]
I’m just happy you made it… [ Said like a guy that can’t believe his dumb good luck. ] I er… intentionally left earlier than a sane person would, so I couldn’t talk myself out of believing you’d want to be stuck here.
[ He has to force himself to take a deep breath before he continues to spit out every insecure thought he has – it’d be an awful conversation for a first date. They at least didn’t need all the small talk, working with each other and all. ]
Didn’t sleep much, anyway. [ He grins, self-deprecation evident in his tone; but he remembers to reach for his own bag for the thermos. ] Tea? [ Yes, he’s noticed Jon’s poor abused bag. ]
[ Jon tried to leave earlier than he needed, until he got stymied by indecision. He would say that, probably, but he gets caught on the slip of self-deprecation. Look, listen, he knows that even if he didn’t directly cause it he certainly Did Not Help by being abrasive. It wasn’t even Martins fault that he got an un-asked for team member, that was down to Elias but he’s self-aware enough to know it wasn’t his best move to be mean to Martin about it. ] I’m not stuck here, Martin. I wouldn’t have agreed to come if I didn’t want to. [ Jon makes sure to say it softly, so it doesn’t sound like he’s being dismissive. ]
Tea would be lovely, I don’t think sleeping was on the cards for either of us this weekend. [ At least he got some reading time in. Even if he hated the book he’d picked up and it’s going straight to Oxfam once he’s finished. ]
I ah… Bought the book I was telling you about. You’ll have to excuse the tape on the spine, it’s rather old. [ Also! Leave his bag alone, it isn’t abused it’s just been with him since university because he takes care of his things (better than he does himself). The book he pulls out has also been with him since university, it has a neat “J. Sims” written on the inside of the cover and the spine has indeed been taped where it has started to peel. ]
[ Martin sincerely doesn’t know quite how to process Jon sounding so sincere. That isn’t a criticism; they wouldn’t have been texting at unholy hours if Jon was still antagonistic towards Martin’s existence. Admitting to lying on his CV had been a significant turning point in their working relationship. Their personal as well, obviously – but he still feels like he should pinch himself, just for good measure.
For his sake, he does not. He busies himself with pouring tea for them after giving Jon a shy grin. There’s a huffed “Alright, alright–I’ll relax”. Martin’s hand is surprisingly steady when he hands over a mug. Yes, he made it to Jon’s preference. ]
Oh, I knew I should have brought more but… that’s really sweet, Jon. [ and it doesn’t sound condescending. He takes a moment to get a good look at the man he cares so much about. How did he pull off the tired academic look so well? ] A lot of my favorites are old collections of poetry. [ There’s a moment where Jon can panic about Martin coming across the supplemental tapes, with the wry little grin Martin casts his way. ] I’m not sure if you’d be too partial toward them. So, you’ll just have to deal with my glowing company. [ But, he hasn’t. His eyes crinkle in amusement while he busies himself with a drink, and honestly – he isn’t so humble that he won’t enjoy his own skills in the tea department. He hums, reaching out an empty hand in Jon’s direction.
Is it for the book or his hand? Pop quiz. ]
I might’ve picked up The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo to busy myself while waiting. I think I’ll have to continue it when I’m not hyperventilating at the idea of being here. With you. [ Is he succeeding, anywhere, with being charming? If Jon isn’t death-gripping his bag, that’s a plus. ] It's a compliment. I promise!
[ Jon hasn’t had anyone say anything he’s done is sweet for… quite a long time actually, his eyebrow twitches as if he’s about to raise it and thinks better of doing so.
Poetry. Look he’s a massive snoop and he’s nosy and there was the whole panicked stalking thing, but once he realised it was just poetry he shut the tape off and put it back. Because he doesn’t listen to other people’s private tapes, Martin. Probably also shouldn’t have recorded his own mental breakdown but it’s done now and if Martin listened and really took it personally he wouldn’t be here. Unless the whole thing is a well played ruse to- Nope. He is absolutely not going to even think about it. ]
Poetry isn’t too bad, it’s never really been my thing but it has its merits. Some of the greatest stories humanity has to offer were told as poetry. [ He watches Martin sort drinks out like it’s genuinely really interesting, then takes the tea when it’s offered and gives Martin a hint of a smile. ] I studied a few at university. Largely Greek in origin. And thank you.
[ Jon very succinctly fails the pop quiz by staring at Martins offered hand for a moment longer than should reasonably be considered comfortable. He settles the internal bafflement about what Martin wants by placing his own next to it and hooking his pinkie over Martins. Is this what you wanted? is a little evident in the glance he gives. Well, this is certainly what he gets for asking a human disaster on a date. Jon might put a very competent show on at work but when it comes to making genuine human connection he tends to feel totally out of his depth. ]
I’ve never read it, what’s it about? [ The title probably gives it away but there has to be more than that. Murder mystery doesn’t seem like the type of book he’d expect Martin to choose, but you never know. ] If you can explain, past the hyperventilation, of course. [ He’s teasing, but he gets it, promise. ]
[ It was bad enough to have Tim sneak in and interrogate him over his workplace crush; Martin would simply cease to exist if either Tim or Jon had put two and two together with the poems being about Jon. He’ll probably have material for about a dozen after they part ways after the date – if they par-no, Martin, don’t get ahead of yourself.
Jon is a bit of an intense experience. The tenacity he approaches work is only mildly toned down outside of the office. His focus and curiosity directed toward Martin makes said man fight back the urge to squirm and blush as he recounts some of his uni days. Ultimately, he finds it endearing, putting in an honest effort to relate to his interests rather than write them off.
Martin only panics marginally when Jon stares at his hand, teeth digging into the meaty part of his cheek to hide the nervous apology for …what? Putting his hand out in shared space? They’re on a date, and this is absolutely silly… but then, they’re holding pinkies. Jon has no right to be this cute. Martin’s smile is both relieved and overwhelmingly fond. It’s a good start. ]
Oh. Well. [ He breaks Jon’s stare to fiddle with the book, brow furrowing as he tried to get his words about him. ] It’s more of a fictional memoir? This actress is getting older and wants to get her life story out there. [ He pauses, eyebrow raising skeptically. ] I haven’t gotten far into it, but I don’t think she uh. Lost them due to ‘mysterious causes’. Shame.
[ He likes mystery if there’s crimes of passion involved – because he’s a romantic. And a brat. His free hand goes to his chest and he turns in his seat a bit to face Jon better. ]
Does it look like I’m hyperventilating? Clearly, I’ve moved on to existential crisis. [ Which means that the careful way he advances their pinkies to join in unashamed palm-to-palm contact is very brave. His fingers fit nicely between Jon’s, and another twenty poems blossom in the back of his mind. ] …Is this alright?
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branchandroot
no subject
Date: 2025-07-05 02:43 pm (UTC)I’m just happy you made it… [ Said like a guy that can’t believe his dumb good luck. ] I er… intentionally left earlier than a sane person would, so I couldn’t talk myself out of believing you’d want to be stuck here.
[ He has to force himself to take a deep breath before he continues to spit out every insecure thought he has – it’d be an awful conversation for a first date. They at least didn’t need all the small talk, working with each other and all. ]
Didn’t sleep much, anyway. [ He grins, self-deprecation evident in his tone; but he remembers to reach for his own bag for the thermos. ] Tea? [ Yes, he’s noticed Jon’s poor abused bag. ]
no subject
Date: 2025-07-07 01:27 pm (UTC)Tea would be lovely, I don’t think sleeping was on the cards for either of us this weekend. [ At least he got some reading time in. Even if he hated the book he’d picked up and it’s going straight to Oxfam once he’s finished. ]
I ah… Bought the book I was telling you about. You’ll have to excuse the tape on the spine, it’s rather old. [ Also! Leave his bag alone, it isn’t abused it’s just been with him since university because he takes care of his things (better than he does himself). The book he pulls out has also been with him since university, it has a neat “J. Sims” written on the inside of the cover and the spine has indeed been taped where it has started to peel. ]
no subject
Date: 2025-07-09 09:36 am (UTC)For his sake, he does not. He busies himself with pouring tea for them after giving Jon a shy grin. There’s a huffed “Alright, alright–I’ll relax”. Martin’s hand is surprisingly steady when he hands over a mug. Yes, he made it to Jon’s preference. ]
Oh, I knew I should have brought more but… that’s really sweet, Jon. [ and it doesn’t sound condescending. He takes a moment to get a good look at the man he cares so much about. How did he pull off the tired academic look so well? ] A lot of my favorites are old collections of poetry. [ There’s a moment where Jon can panic about Martin coming across the supplemental tapes, with the wry little grin Martin casts his way. ] I’m not sure if you’d be too partial toward them. So, you’ll just have to deal with my glowing company. [ But, he hasn’t. His eyes crinkle in amusement while he busies himself with a drink, and honestly – he isn’t so humble that he won’t enjoy his own skills in the tea department. He hums, reaching out an empty hand in Jon’s direction.
Is it for the book or his hand? Pop quiz. ]
I might’ve picked up The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo to busy myself while waiting. I think I’ll have to continue it when I’m not hyperventilating at the idea of being here. With you. [ Is he succeeding, anywhere, with being charming? If Jon isn’t death-gripping his bag, that’s a plus. ] It's a compliment. I promise!
no subject
Date: 2025-07-12 09:16 pm (UTC)Poetry. Look he’s a massive snoop and he’s nosy and there was the whole panicked stalking thing, but once he realised it was just poetry he shut the tape off and put it back. Because he doesn’t listen to other people’s private tapes, Martin. Probably also shouldn’t have recorded his own mental breakdown but it’s done now and if Martin listened and really took it personally he wouldn’t be here. Unless the whole thing is a well played ruse to- Nope. He is absolutely not going to even think about it. ]
Poetry isn’t too bad, it’s never really been my thing but it has its merits. Some of the greatest stories humanity has to offer were told as poetry. [ He watches Martin sort drinks out like it’s genuinely really interesting, then takes the tea when it’s offered and gives Martin a hint of a smile. ] I studied a few at university. Largely Greek in origin. And thank you.
[ Jon very succinctly fails the pop quiz by staring at Martins offered hand for a moment longer than should reasonably be considered comfortable. He settles the internal bafflement about what Martin wants by placing his own next to it and hooking his pinkie over Martins. Is this what you wanted? is a little evident in the glance he gives. Well, this is certainly what he gets for asking a human disaster on a date. Jon might put a very competent show on at work but when it comes to making genuine human connection he tends to feel totally out of his depth. ]
I’ve never read it, what’s it about? [ The title probably gives it away but there has to be more than that. Murder mystery doesn’t seem like the type of book he’d expect Martin to choose, but you never know. ] If you can explain, past the hyperventilation, of course. [ He’s teasing, but he gets it, promise. ]
we ignore how long life kept me from these cuties
Date: 2025-08-30 05:26 pm (UTC)Jon is a bit of an intense experience. The tenacity he approaches work is only mildly toned down outside of the office. His focus and curiosity directed toward Martin makes said man fight back the urge to squirm and blush as he recounts some of his uni days. Ultimately, he finds it endearing, putting in an honest effort to relate to his interests rather than write them off.
Martin only panics marginally when Jon stares at his hand, teeth digging into the meaty part of his cheek to hide the nervous apology for …what? Putting his hand out in shared space? They’re on a date, and this is absolutely silly… but then, they’re holding pinkies. Jon has no right to be this cute. Martin’s smile is both relieved and overwhelmingly fond. It’s a good start. ]
Oh. Well. [ He breaks Jon’s stare to fiddle with the book, brow furrowing as he tried to get his words about him. ] It’s more of a fictional memoir? This actress is getting older and wants to get her life story out there. [ He pauses, eyebrow raising skeptically. ] I haven’t gotten far into it, but I don’t think she uh. Lost them due to ‘mysterious causes’. Shame.
[ He likes mystery if there’s crimes of passion involved – because he’s a romantic. And a brat. His free hand goes to his chest and he turns in his seat a bit to face Jon better. ]
Does it look like I’m hyperventilating? Clearly, I’ve moved on to existential crisis. [ Which means that the careful way he advances their pinkies to join in unashamed palm-to-palm contact is very brave. His fingers fit nicely between Jon’s, and another twenty poems blossom in the back of his mind. ] …Is this alright?