Workplace

by Aditu 

Martin and Patrick had been working together for several years now. Martin had never had so much fun at work and he had never left the house in the morning this happy. The work in itself was the same as always: planning his project, coordinating between different groups involved, writing papers, preparing presentations and conferences and so on.

But with Patrick by his side it was easier. With Patrick by his side it made the work less boring, almost exciting. Technically Patrick was his superior, but he never behaved like it. He asked Martin for advice and they made difficult decision together. Martin had responsibility here.

Every morning Martin would be the first at work. He'd clear some of the e-mails and start the day. Prepare things that Patrick had to sign or see.

As soon as Patrick arrived, in suit pants and shirt, during winter with long sleeves and a tie, in summer with short sleeves but still very proper and his short, dark hair perfectly styled, they'd go and get a coffee. Martin was sure he never walked as slowly as when he went to the breakroom together with Patrick. They talked about shit on the way, about the previous afternoon and evening, about what they had done during the few hours they had been apart.

Getting a coffee together took them almost twenty minutes like that. And it was fun. They laughed and joked, greeted colleges and couldn't be bothered by anything.

If one of them had a problem at home, a more serious issue, they'd sit together in one of their offices and close the door to chat some more in private. No one ever questioned it because they were working on the same project so them spending time together in the same office wasn't unusual at all.

About a year ago Patrick had been the first to hear about Martin having decided to separate from his girlfriend. He hadn't been happy anymore in the relationship. He'd tried, of course he had, but in the end they had both realized it didn't make sense to stay together any longer. Martin had been sad, they had been together for more than ten years. But that was life.

He still didn't know why he had told Patrick first, and not his friends outside of work. But it had felt right and Patrick had been able to cheer him up. He had been compassionate but he had also tried to take his mind of the matter. He had been a good friend during that time.

Everything was fine, but Martin thought it was time to change something at work. He had been stuck on the same position for too long now and though working with Patrick was amazing, he wanted to do something different. Maybe in a better payed position. Since it was an important decision, he talked with Patrick about it first.

"Of course you should do something that helps you on in your career!" Patrick smiled. He smiled often, was always cheerful. That was definitely something Martin liked about him. He himself was too broody at times and having Patrick around brightened his days, no matter how he felt.

He took a relieved breath. He hadn't been sure Patrick would react positively. That he did so convinced him it was a good idea to look for a change, for a better position at work. Until know he had been uneasy about it.

"I can see how it can get boring to do the same all the time." Martin had been on this position before Patrick came. He had been doing the same work for much longer now.

But: "No, it isn't like that. I'm not bored." Not with Patrick around. Never! "I just, I feel like I can do more, like I haven't reached the end of my career."

"I know you can. I've always been happy to have you and that is the reason I know that you can achieve anything you want in this company." He was still smiling, his hands cupping a cup of coffee. It was his own cup, which he had brought from home. Martin knew that his wife Janine had given it to him once, a present for work so he'd think of her. Martin had never met Patrick's wife, he just knew her from pictures, or when she called during work. She was beautiful and seemed to be a good person.