Office Tension

chapter 1

Link was mad at him. Again. Because he made an innuendo on ltat. Again.

"Do the show in bed, Rhett? Really?" Link's normally brilliant blue eyes flashed dark with disdain. "That's how we make the show homey? What does that even mean?"

Rhett held back an eye roll. "Oh, come on, man. You know our fans eat up that shit. And I like to tease." He gave a little smirk and leaned back against his desk and let out a low, rumbling "heh heh."

Link's eyes flashed at him again, even darker than before. "Yeah, well maybe I wish you'd quit fucking teasing me," and slammed the door as he left the office.

"Teasing me?" Rhett mumbled to himself, crossing his arms and furrowing his brow.

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Rhett spent the rest of the day thinking about what Link had said. Was it a Freudian slip? Did Link think he was trying to tease him, specifically? Was Rhett unconsciously trying to tease Link? Well, yes, of course he was, but just at the surface level that was funny. As mad as Link was, Rhett wondered if he had meant a deeper meaning.

Maybe Rhett couldn't blame Link for thinking that he was teasing him. Rhett is attracted to his coworker. And best friend... How could he not be? 35 years together, even as friends, and certain thoughts and feelings were going to happen. Didn't mean anything, not in the grand scheme of things. Hethought he had been able to keep his jokes light and devoid of any showing his secret feelings, but maybe he was only fooling himself.

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He had every right to be mad, Link told himself. In the last couple years especially, Rhett had gotten fast and loose with his on camera flirting and teasing. Not that Link had never reciprocated for the sake of humor, but sometimes Rhett just went to too far. And it pissed Link off.

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The following Monday Link appeared to be back to his normal, jovial self. Rhett was glad, but not overly surprised. Link tender to be quick to anger, but also let go of it just as quick.

Rhett looked at the schedule for the week. It was going to be gruesome. The channel was going dark for a couple weeks, but really what that was doing was giving them a chance to film a bunch for their summer session while they were on tour.

Link was already at the desk when Rhett slipped into his seat, ready to film. Link looked up from his phone and flashed Rhett a big, toothy grin. "Hey, man. How was your weekend?"

"Not too bad. Just spent some time with the boys," Rhett responded with a smile, referring to his sons.

Link looked like he was going to say something else, but then Stevie's voice came over the speakers calling for quiet.

After their intro and playback of the game of the day announcement, Rhett leaned forward to begin the segment, a twinkle kn hos eye. "Welcome back, mythical beasts! First off, I'd just like to say, we saw your comments but I couldn't quite convince Link here to film from bed." He smirked and looked over at Link playfully. He sat back in surprise, though, when he saw the look on Link's face. If looks could kill, he probably be dead.

"Really, Rhett? Fucking really?" Link was fuming. "That ltat hasn't even aired. What comments did you see? You know what, I don't need this today." Link got up and stormed off to their office.

Rhett sat their stunned for a moment, completely taken aback. Had he really made Link that thoroughly mad? He collected himself and made his way toward their office, steeling himself for the argument they were about to have.

As Rhett clicked the door quietly behind him, Link was pacing the office, stomping and mumbling to himself. Rhett couldn't quite make out what he was saying, though. "Link, I'm sorry. I didn't realize..."

Link charged towards Rhett, grabbing the taller man's shirt and shoving him against the door. Rhett's eyed widened in surprise. "What didn't you realize? How mad your teasing and flirting were making me? Even though I have fucking told you how many times now?" Link was on his tiptoes so he could be face to face with Rhett, their noses barely an inch apart. "You didn't realize," Link continued, droplets of spit leaving his mouth and landing on Rhett's lips.

"You didn't realize," Link began again, "what you have been doing to me for years? How angry all your gay shit makes me? I could just..." Link was shaking with anger and Rhett felt frozen in place, this being a side of Link he had never seen directed towards him. "Why I could just..."

And Link slammed his mouth angrily against Rhett's. The kiss, if you wanted to call it that, that Link was giving Rhett was not soft, was not loving, and definitely not what either of them was expecting. Link pulled back and looked at Rhett. "Fuck you." He whispered, shoving Rhett out of the way and leaving the office.