Work Text:
Prologue- 16th December
"Kensington!"
The familiar voice took Conor from his spaced out mindset, looking up from his desk to see Sean Flanagan leaning on the door frame. The sight of the one good friend he had made out of university was one he was grateful for after a hard day's work. It made him almost thankful for that random colleague who on their first day into this new environment took it upon himself to one up anything Conor told him. Despite all of it being essentially bullshit, if it hadn't been for that particularly arrogant dogsbody, the consequent slagging between him and Sean about said colleague may never have happened. Looking at that permanent snarky, charming glint in Sean's expression made him instantly relax- he was in good company.
"Still up for pints tonight?"
"Oh shit! Sorry just- Aidan was able to get an earlier train up and we were gonna go for dinner... I can cancel, it's okay." Conor said, hurriedly getting up from his desk to approach him.
"No no, don't be stupid- go on your date, of course!" Sean said quickly- a little too quickly.
"You sure?" Conor asked, concerned.
"Yeah, obviously!"
By Sean's tone and words, he sounded perfectly fine; but there was something behind his eyes that made Conor not believe him. He leaned on the doorframe, studying him:
"Your face is like you're having flashbacks to ‘Nam- what's up?"
Sean sighed, dropping the façade- "Rachel asked me out today."
Conor's eyes widened "Uh oh, really? How many times is that now?"
"Third time hinted at, first time actually saying the words" Sean said begrudgingly.
"Fuck, and you told her no? How did she take it?"
"Well you know, it isn't rejection unless you both suffer for it" Sean said with a pained smile, shrugging it away "So you and the posh boy are getting serious, huh?"
"Well kind of…" Conor felt himself blush a little- he didn't really talk to anyone about his love life apart from Sean, and even then it felt a little odd. "It's only been a couple months, long distance and all, but I’m gonna ask him about meeting the family tonight. Might be a little soon but he seemed really keen before, wanted to go to the Christmas market at home with me and all that-"
"Aww. A moment while I vomit." Sean quipped, tongue firmly placed in his cheek.
"Anyway..." Conor continued, promptly ignoring Sean's teasing "Thanks for understanding- you still gonna go to the pub?"
"Nah it's cool, might just head home. But if you see Rachel, can you-?"
"It's all good, I've got you covered."
"Cheers."
They both smiled in acknowledgment at each other- Sean's brow furrowing as he examined something above him. Confused, Conor followed Sean's gaze up to the top of the door frame where some disorganized Christmas decorations had been hastily hung up. Nestled in between the garish tinsel was the smallest sprig of mistletoe. Almost comically, their eyes met at the same time as they looked back at each other.
"Hey, don't even think about it." Sean said, backing up slightly.
"What are you talking about? The cleaners decorated the..." Conor gestured to the tinsel and noticed the smirk slowly appearing on Sean's face, realizing what he meant "Oh come on! You know that's not what I was doing!"
"I could see it in your eyes-"
"You saw nothing because there was nothing!" Conor said defensively, his face flushing again.
"Now I'm flattered, but you have a boyfriend." Sean said cheekily, relishing in the frustration Conor was exerting.
"Yes exactly, which is why I wasn't thinking that!"
"Mm hm, okay tell that to your face" Sean grinned, walking away before Conor could say anymore.
"Ah, fuck off Flango" Conor hissed. He didn’t really mean it maliciously, but anything to suppress the sound of Flanagan's self-satisfied giggle echoing down the hallway.