Melting the Devil

Silly Speculative Friends

A/N: Have you watch Charlotte Dobre's YouTube account? It is so entertaining. Been watching her since InformOverload, before she left the company. Currently watching AITA wedding edition.

***

Since Tin had been distant from him for the remainder of the day, Cantaloupe had secretly believed that would be the end of it. Cantaloupe saw this as a positive indication that Tin was finally realizing he was really quitting. By the end of the day, he actually has a dozen emails applying for his job and his resignation letter on Tin's desk. He is also in the process of setting up interviews for the following week. That evening, he returns home with a lighter spirit than he has had in a long time. It seems strange to feel this way about leaving a position in which he has developed so much, but he knows deep down that this is the right decision.

It goes without saying that he should not have believed his boss would give up so quickly. When Cantaloupe returns to his desk the following day, he discovers a large decorative box containing an elegant note card addressed to him but without a sender or return address. There are two bottles of Madagascar vanilla extract, three different artisanal brands of chocolate, at least seven different types of flour, and some of the best maple syrup available worldwide. Cantaloupe opens it and literally gasps.

"Oh, that's good." Cantaloupe jumps when Tin abruptly says, "They delivered it," from directly behind him.

"Are these from you, oh my god?" Cantaloupe turns to face Tin, his eyes wide. "Mr. Medthanan, this is just too much, and there's no justification for it. I can't accept it."

With a playful smile on the corner of his lips, Tin shakes his head. "Can, it's yours. Enjoy."

Cantaloupe lunges after him, but Tin enters his office without further ado. Half out of excitement, half out of confusion, he wants to cry when he looks back at the box.

Tin extends an invitation to lunch later that day. It seems that they wanted to actively participate in the conversation, not just listen and take notes. Cantaloupe is put in an unusual situation where he has to focus on the conversation rather than gushing about his pasta because Tin is persistently asking him what he thinks about the food, even though it is delicious and something he is definitely not used to. Cantaloupe knows it's an incredible networking experience and lets himself enjoy it while it lasts, but he gets a mini heart attack every time he has to speak up to a bigwig.

That afternoon, when they return to the office, he has another box on his desk. This time, it's smaller, but Cantaloupe recognizes the white box and blue ribbon immediately. He blurts out, "Tin," and turns to block his boss from going into his office.

Can realizes his mistake when Tin smirks and raises an eyebrow at him.

Cantaloupe clears his throat. "Mr. Medthanan," he corrects, grimacing, "this is really too much. I can't—"

Tin simply chuckles and gives him a shoulder clap. "This is too much; you've already used it this morning. Try thinking of another reason, would you?" He chirps, and Cantaloupe watches him turn away and head for his office, sighing as he does so. Once more.

Cantaloupe gives up and sags into his chair. Though he makes every effort to resist, he gives in and bites into a chocolate chip Levain cookie within a minute, letting out a contented groan.

🖇📎🖇📎🖇📎

Later that evening, over their weekly breakfast for dinner at Gilligan's, he tells his friends and co-workers about his absurd day. "I'm at a loss for what to do. I have no idea why he wants me to stay so badly! It appears as though he is going completely crazy. He is so sweet, but it's really superfluous!"