{{user}} received a new stack of documents from the boss and headed to his table "Oh, hi, I thought you weren't working today." Charlie said when she saw {{user}}
I put my briefcase on the table and sat down opposite Charlie. "Hey, I wasn't thinking of coming over, I was just kind of bored at home, so I thought why not."
"Well, it's nice to see you again," she smiled at him before getting up to grab herself a cup of coffee. As she walked back over with her drink in hand, she asked, "So, what did the boss want this time? More numbers for us to crunch?"
"Well, yes, as always. Especially since there are only two of us on the team, so we'll work until we're blue in the face."
"I know," she sighed, "I just wish there was something more we could do about it. We've been here for months now and our team is still so small... It must be really frustrating for you." Her voice trailed off as she took a sip of her coffee, glancing away from him momentarily.
She remembered how he always seemed so unsure of himself around their boss or when giving presentations - even though his work was impeccable. It made her feel protective towards him, almost like they were friends or something... which was kind of odd since they barely spoke outside of work stuff. But then again, maybe that's why she felt so comfortable around him?
"No, I feel fine. Apart from the large amount of work, I am basically happy with everything, you do everything well."
His words made her smile and she found herself blushing slightly as she sat down next to him again. "Oh really? Well... thank you," she murmured quietly before taking another sip of her coffee. As they began going through the documents together, Charlie couldn't help but feel a warmth spreading in her chest every time he praised her or commented on how much better their work was compared to other teams'. It was strange... having someone actually appreciate you like that made everything seem brighter and more bearable.
"So," she said casually, breaking the silence between them, "what do you think of this idea I had for our next project? You know, the one about incorporating some of my psychology background into team-building exercises?"
"Hah, sounds cool, but there are only two of us."
"Well... I mean, maybe it could still be helpful? You know, just to get us working together better and building some trust?" She shrugged, pretending not to be too invested in the idea herself when really she was desperate for them to start bonding as a team. "Anyway, no pressure or anything."
She glanced over at him from under her lashes and smiled reassuringly before returning her attention back to their paperwork. As they worked side-by-side like this, it almost felt... nice? More than just work friends or co-workers. Almost like there was something more going on between them that neither of them really wanted to acknowledge yet.
"Okay, that sounds good. Where do we start then?"
She paused, thinking for a moment as she continued to go through the documents before looking up at him with an idea forming in her head. "How about we start by having some honest conversations? Like these." She gestured between them with one hand while licking her lips nervously with the other. "Maybe if we share more about ourselves, our interests and stuff... it'll help us understand each other better?"
It was a bit of an awkward suggestion coming from her end, as she wasn't normally one for small talk or personal details outside of therapy sessions, but something made her want to try with him. She held her breath, waiting to see what his reaction would be.
"Come on, who goes first?"
"Oh come on, you know I'm the shy one," she laughed, trying to make light of it. "I guess... I could start by saying that I love art. Not just looking at it or appreciating it, but creating it too." She blushed a little as she confessed this, feeling a bit self-conscious about admitting her more creative side. "I've always been good at drawing and painting, even though I never got much opportunity to showcase my work until now."
Taking another sip of her coffee, she smiled tentatively up at him before continuing. "And... well, I also have this weird thing for underwear. Like, I collect it, you know? But it's nothing dirty or perverted," she quickly added with a chuckle. "It's just something I find interesting and... comforting." Again, she felt herself blush as she admitted this more intimate detail about herself, wondering if she should have brought it up at all.
"Interesting... But I'm bored with everything, I write books, read books, play games, I like to walk. In general, I love everything that helps me escape from reality."
"Oh really? What kind of books?" she asked, genuinely curious now as she leaned in slightly closer to him. "Fiction? Non-fiction?" Her eyes widened a fraction as his next words registered with her and suddenly it felt like all the air had been sucked out of the room. "You mean... you write books?" She couldn't hide her surprise or admiration, something she hadn't expected from this quiet, reserved man.
"Well, yes, I do write. Usually some dark fantasy."
"Dark fantasy, huh?" She chuckled softly, studying his expression as he spoke about his work. "I've always been more into RPGs myself... you know, like those really immersive story-driven games where you can create your own character and interact with the world? Those are my favorite." Her voice had taken on an almost dreamy quality at the thought of losing herself in one of those games for hours on end. "You should try playing some sometime," she added, a mischievous glint appearing in her eyes as she reached out to tap his arm playfully. "Maybe I could even help you with that."
"Don't teach dad to love mom like that. Just kidding. I've been playing games for a long time, so I've probably played the same things as you, although I would have found out who your favorite is."
"Fucking really? Well alright then, smartass," she said with a grin, her cheeks flushing slightly. "Well in that case, I guess you could say my favorite RPG series is the Elder Scrolls... especially Oblivion." Her voice took on a dreamy quality again as she remembered losing herself in those games for days at a time, forgetting about everything else but the world and characters within them. "So, what's your favorite? Care to admit it?"
She couldn't help but study him carefully, her heart skipping a beat when he looked back at her with those expressive eyes. It was almost as if there were entire universes hidden behind that quiet exterior, and she wanted nothing more than to explore every last one of them.
"I love the Witcher series"
"Oooh, I haven't played that one yet," she murmured, making a mental note to add it to her ever-growing list of games she wanted to try. "You know... you remind me of Geralt sometimes." She paused, chewing on her lower lip thoughtfully.
"Thank you, what for? Also a mutant degenerate without emotions?" I joked in my previous emotionless voice.
"Well, no," she drawled playfully, "Geralt's got his flaws, sure... but he's still a total babe. Plus, I think you're kinda cute in your own unique way."
"Well... Thanks"
Fuck yeah you're cute! Who wouldn't want to pet your fluffy little belly and tell you how awesome you are all the time? And hell, even if you were a mutant degenerate without emotions, I still think that would be kinda sexy in its own twisted way. Like, 'Oh hey there big guy, wanna play a game?'
But seriously though... You know what else is cute? Your voice when you talk about books and games. It's like this deep rumbly sound that just makes me want to lean in close and listen forever. And those hands of yours... God, I bet they could do amazing things with a pen or even a paintbrush. Not to mention the rest of you..."Her voice trailed off as she glanced away from him momentarily, feeling her cheeks flush with heat again. She knew she was being forward and maybe even a little aggressive, but something about LesleyChow just brought out this protective, possessive side of her that she'd never experienced before.
"Sorry," she murmured quietly, ducking her head to hide the bright pink color in her cheeks. "I don't mean to be... weird or anything."