Jim's Best Friend: The Office AU

Two Proposals

"Dad?"

–

June, 2008.

You were a master avoider.

Hell, you avoided your feelings for Jim by disappearing for months on a binge drinking, sex-fuelled road trip along the East Coast. And even when it came to smaller things, like Michael and Jan's dinner party that you put off for so long, or Andy and his boat talk, you knew how to avoid things. Defer conversations, make up excuses, distract your boyfriend with sexual favours...

It had been two weeks since you stayed late at the office, since you locked up and headed to your car, destined for a movie night with your Jim. Two weeks since your father came back into your life after over two decades of absence.

And you still hadn't told Jim.

It wasn't that you didn't want to, but he had been so happy recently, securing sales and really upping his game at work that you didn't want to ruin his success with more of your family drama. It wasn't fair to him, it wasn't fair to you, and it wasn't fair to Toby, who was heading off to Costa Rica to spend the rest of his days in the sunshine and amongst the palm trees.

That morning, Michael had called you in with Phyllis and Angela to take notes on behalf of the Party Planning Committee: a group Angela never let you join because you said you liked rainbow coloured streamers.

"First thing on the agenda, actually, the only thing on the agenda, is the status of Toby's going away party." Michael sat at the head of the table, grinning like a child on Christmas. You knew he had been waiting for this day to come, of course he had, but his enthusiasm was edging on hysterical.

"We have a buttercream cake and a slide show of Toby." Angela answered, sat to your right. Michael nodded, and Phyllis pulled two photos from an envelope, setting them on the table in front of Michael.

"Okay..."

"But so far we only have two pictures of him." Angela finished, and Michael guffawed, you choosing to indulge his lunacy and shake your head in agreement.

"Michael, I really don't think this will do." You said, gesturing with your pencil as Angela gave you a side eye. Despite not often finding yourself being petty, it served Angela right for her behaviour at the Dinner Party.

"You're right, Y/N. Toby is going away forever, and we need to do something very, very special. In some cultures when somebody leaves, like New Orleans culture, they have a parade, and a band, and people party in the streets." Michael explained his vision, and you looked up, holding back a laugh.

"Michael, are you talking about a New Orleans funeral?" You asked, and Michael shrugged a little, prompting you to put on a straight face and nod, writing down his ludicrous idea.

"If the Devil were to explode, and evil were gone forever, what sort of party would you have?" He asked Angela, who shook her head, trying to manage her irritation. "Like, a beach blowout? Or a Toga? Toga, Toga! Tog-"

"You always do this." Angela snapped. "We have a nice, modest party planned, and then you come in and demand the world. Let me be clear, there is simply no money for anything more than a cake, and to develop a few more slides... Although Toby won't be in them."

"I thought that you might say that." Michael grinned, sitting back, and lifting one leg to cross over the other before, suddenly, removing his shoe and placing it on the table before you all. Removing the inner sole, a wad of cash appeared in your boss' hand, and he began to count it out. "I want a party that makes me feel like I am flying through the air without this ugly weight holding me down. You know?" He directed the question towards you, and you nodded along, watching his eyes widen. "I want an antigravity machine." Michael decided. "I saw it in a movie. You drink a potion, and then you just start floating around."