You’re a little caught off guard but respond nonetheless, “Uh of course?” You mumble quietly back at Henry, “Right now?” You question for clarification.
“If that’s alright with you, I’ll be in my office so come in when you have the time.” Henry answers before turning around and walking away before you can even answer which just makes you more confused yet intrigued.
As Henry walks away, he passes by William who says something you can’t really make out as it’s a whisper but you do make out Henry’s sigh and a few words. The nickname Will for William getting your attention as you recall William seemingly to not really like that name your first day here…You guess your staring was obvious as Henry and William part ways with William heading in your direction which makes your pulse quicken at just the idea. You seriously feel like some high schooler with a crush half the time, it’s honestly embarrassing.
“Hello, birthday boy.” William simply greets, a teasing smirk on his face that is rather alluring to you in addition to his silky voice.
You give a little wave as you speak, “Hi William,” you reply, not really there mentally as you do a little bit pondering on what Henry wants to say and the nickname Will…
“Something on your mind, darling?” William asks as he seems to pick up that your mind is otherwise occupied.
“Ah, it’s nothing really serious, I think.” You mumble sheepishly as you try to brush it off since William was here.
William stares at you for a couple seconds with a look you don’t quite comprehend in the moment before he responds, “You sure? You can tell me if anything is on your mind,” he states out with a little tilt of his head.
“Mmm, I’m just curious. Sorry if it’s none of my business but I was fairly certain you didn’t like the nickname Will but Henry just called you it?” You mumble, hoping you don’t come off as rude for sort of eavesdropping.
William pauses for a second before letting out a light laugh, “Will is just a nickname between…friends.” William says with a little shrug while leaning against the nearby table in a casual manner.
“So I can call you Will?” You question, you genuinely don’t know where the two of you stand but you’ll settle for just about anything with this man…
William let’s out another chuckle, “Is that what we are? Friends?” He asks in a flirtatious tone as he leans in close to your face suddenly, you can’t help the blush that forms quickly.
You’re silent for a second to try and control your feelings, your blush completely betrays you though. “A…Are we not?” You mumble out with a bit of fidgeting going on in your hands.
That same handsome sounding chuckle emits from William’s lip at your question which you only makes you more embarrassed, “Mmm, if that’s what you want to call it, darling…” William finishes as he pulls away from your face much to your hormones disappointment, you don’t know if that was obvious as William only makes another comment, “Unless you want to be more?…” he teases which in all honesty is the more obvious thing.
“Is… Is that your way of asking me out?” You instinctively question as your face is burning up more by the second, you can’t take the whole ‘does he like me?’ situation at this point.
“Well, you weren’t going to do it.” William playfully answers with a smirk which doesn’t help your blushing but really helps you feel a big weight get lifted off your shoulders. You feel all fuzzy at the idea of going out, even once, with William and you can’t shake the feeling.
You see William about to say something else but his attention is swiped at the sound of slight arguing. You turn around, your eyes landing on William’s children who as per usual, they are arguing about something. Though Elizabeth seems to be getting really agitated by whatever Michael told her. You let out a small laugh at the sight as William let’s out a small groan of annoyance, “We’ll talk about this later, alright?” He says as he flashes you a small smile before heading off to defuse the situation between his kids.
You can’t help but stare at the childish scene unfolding in front of you yet your thoughts trace back to Henry, your curiosity coming back to you. Well, might as well get it over with? Hopefully, you aren’t getting fired. Knock on wood. With a bit of hesitation, your feet take you to Henry’s office where you slowly knock on the door as you feel rather awkward, it doesn’t help that you don’t talk to Henry much. Alas, you can’t really avoid it now, can you? Physically now, you knock on the wood belonging to the door of Henry’s office. You hear a little “Come in” from inside and you turn the metal handle as you push the door open, weirdly enough you feel a weird sense of safety as you enter the room. Very much contrasting your nerves from earlier which seem to mostly disappear as you see Henry at his desk, it’s fairly similar to William’s office.
The big difference is that Henry seems to have it more brighter in here unlike the darkness that cloaks William’s work and home office. Quickly you dismiss your thoughts as you recall that Henry had something to say so you look at him expectantly, unlike William, there is no extra seat. Your eyes follow as Henry gets up from his seat, your nerves rising again as he locks the door, confusing you more.
“Is something wrong…?” You quietly ask with a weird feeling of dread in you, you have a feeling your day is about to get ruined.
Henry turns back to you when he hears your voice, a sigh escapes him as he runs a hand through his bushy brown hair. You patiently await his answer as you find yourself tightly clenching your teeth, a slight unhealthy grinding as you try to ease yourself. Henry takes another few seconds before he speaks, those few seconds are filled with an uncomfortable aura. “Before I get to it, how has living here been for you?” Henry questions as he walks back to his desk, seeming to try and make small talk. Your anxiousness is probably visible or something…
“Um, other than what happened the other week, I’ve been enjoying it here. Somewhat.” You reply in a small voice, your curiosity peaking more and more by the second as you find yourself urgently wanting to know what Henry has to say.
“Well, that’s nice.” Henry comments as he stares at you briefly, his voice sounds fairly disinterested but you try to dismiss it. “Anyways, I want to discuss something with you. I’m not saying any of this with any type of resentment, I just want to look out for you. We don’t talk too much but I do care for you as one of my workers and hopefully friend, you know that right?” Henry specifies with a tone that only confuses you further, his words not helping in that regard.
“Where is this going?…” You mumble out, voicing your confusion somewhat as you hope for a more direct answer instead of Henry avoiding the question.
Henry lets out another sigh, “I know it’s none of my business but whatever is going on between you and William, I don’t think it’s a good idea.” Henry states out as his eyes glance away from you, you can’t help the slight irritation that fuels you quickly.
“What?”
“I promise I mean this with the best intentions, Y/N. You don’t know him as well as you might think you do, sometimes I don’t think I know him… I’ve had some serious wake up calls and I just hope you can wake up to them as well.” Henry mutters as he ponders for a second and really leaves you to your thoughts, he was probably waiting on a response that never came.
Even more confusion builds up in you because even if Henry says it’s with the best of intentions, you do feel a little upset by this. Maybe it’s because this is the first proper crush you had, you have no experience with guys and now you’re kind of being told to back off…? The non-exist love life of yours is offended, you finally have some remnant of courage with your sexuality and of course, someone has to try to take it away… Well, tell you to “wake up,” like what does that even mean? You’re thinking about this too much aren’t you? Probably.
Another sigh escapes Henry as he seems to have gathered his thoughts, “Look, I know this isn’t too easy to understand right now. I don’t want to ruin your day… more than I probably have, I’ll leave you alone.” Henry starts in an even and steady tone before continuing, “I know you just got back this week but I just feel it’d be better if you took some more time away, paid leave as before. Your choice.” He offers which while paid leave sounds really nice, you don’t know if you want it…
Alas, you do need an answer so you say a little, “…I’ll think about it.” Not quite sure if you really mean it but…
You take notice of Henry’s glance at you and take the cue to leave the heavily awkward aura of the room practically suffocating you. A big amount of relief fills you as you leave, it’s hellish hot right now and it’s the middle of winter which is weird. You can’t tell if you’re sick or if the situation just make you feel this way, regardless you try to push those feelings away before heading back to the main room. Almost instantly, your eyes land on that familiar lean frame belonging to William. Your eyes could stare at any of his features and find them interesting for hours without end, is that weird?
It’s like a wave passes over you as any discomfort created from your “talk” with Henry seems to pass as you walk over to William. The dark haired brunette takes quick notice of you and that same old smirk of his comes into view, you flash a smile at him while he ushers his children, well besides Michael, aside. Elizabeth happily walks away to one of the tables, oh Hannah’s table? Probably to make new friends like the sweet heart she is, oh speaking of sweet hearts…
“Mister?”
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