Vacation from He**

Time Off

"I'll work double over time, no triple over time for an entire month. As long as I can have this time off."

Knock set the paperwork before his manager. He'd been at the company for six months. It had taken him three months to get used to the idea he didn't work with Korn and Cho any more.

He no longer had them to save him from his failures or to rejoice in his accomplishments. By the fourth month he'd found his rhythm. He didn't arrive to work late, made new friends in his coworkers and learned to enjoy his job.

In those six months he and Korn had grown closer by being apart. No longer sharing every minute of every day strengthened their bond.

Korn was the one who suggested a vacation. One night after making love, as Knock's head rested on Korn's chest listening to his heart pound against his ear, Korn simply said, let's go to the beach. The next day they started planning. Searching for locations, deals and time.

Time. The one complication in the entire plan. Figuring out when they could both could take time from work.

Knock's manager glanced at the paper. "Denied," he said, as he threw the request on the table.

"Denied?"

"Denied."

"Why?"

"Tor is already taking time off then. I can't have you both gone at the same time."

"You don't need us both here."

"Are you trying to say you're unnecessary?"

Knock's broad shoulders lifted and fell as he let out a lengthy sigh. He picked the paper up off the desk.

"No sir."

"Good. You can take the week after him."

"Thank you, sir."

"I thought you'd be happier to get your vacation approved."

"I am, sir." Knock's thoughts were already on the phone call that now awaited him. He had to warn Korn before he requested his time off. All the work he and Korn had put into planning wasted in a second. "Thank you, sir." Knock bowed as he left the room.

"So, did he approve it?" Tor asked as he stepped out of their manager's office.

"You bastard. You know he didn't." Tor grinned at him. "But he approved the week after."

"See it's not all bad."

"Yes, it is. Because if Korn already asked for his time off, then we'll have conflicting weeks."

"Then you better call him right now." Knock glanced down the hall full of offices with coworkers working diligently behind closed doors. "Don't worry, I'll make sure no one catches you on a personal call. Consider it payback for taking the vacation days you wanted."

Knock walked down the hallway to a small alcove. Korn answered him on the second ring.

"I was just going to call you," Korn said.

"Don't tell me. You got your vacation approved."

"No, the opposite. They turned me down. We have a big production run that week. I can't take that time off. They offered the next week."

"Really?"

"I thought you'd be disappointed."

"I was calling you to tell you the same thing. Someone else has already booked the week we wanted. They offered me the next week."

"Hey Knock," Tor called out. Knock peaked around the wall to see Tor jogging down the hallway toward him. "I talked to the manager. I agreed to switch weeks. You don't have to change your plans now."

Knock smacked his head into the wall. "Fuck."