Company Policy

Jon stamped his feet, shaking off snow as he walked up and rang the doorbell. A moment later, Tim opened the door, this year's host of the annual institute Christmas Party.

"Hey boss," Tim said wryly, "Come on in, you're the last one here."

"Yes, sorry about that," Jon said, ducking into the house, "Had some business to attend to beforehand. But I would never miss this."

"Can't," Tim commented, "Company policy."

Jon shrugged, "That too." He dropped off a small stack of gifts next to the tree, neatly wrapped and labeled. His hand brushed against one final gift and he held onto it as hung up his coat.

He carried the thin rectangular package under his arm as he drifted from the snacks table to the hot chocolate station. He made small talk with the others who were there when they approached but his gaze never paused for a moment, scanning the room. Looking for someone.

Finally, he cracked and broke off his conversation with Basira to ask, "Is Martin here yet?"

"Oh, of course," Basira said with a look that Jon couldn't quite read. Somewhere between irritation and amusement.

"I'm sorry, I just, uh. Had something to ask him."

Basira nodded, "Right, I think he's in the kitchen. He volunteered with catering."

"Thanks Basira," Jon said gratefully. He started to leave before pausing and turning back, "It's not that I don't want to talk to you, I just. This is important. And, I mean."

"It's fine, I wasn't going to ask," Basira said rolling her eyes. "Just go say what you need to."

"Right."

Jon hurried off in the direction of the kitchen, clutching the package to his chest and praying things went well. "Martin?" he called, poking his head through the doorway.

"Oh, hi Jon," Martin said, a little startled. He dried his hands off on a towel and made his way over. "I didn't realize you'd shown up. Sorry I wasn't out there with everyone else."

"No, no, it's fine." Jon said, relaxing slightly now that part one of his goal had been achieved, find Martin. "I've been looking for you. But I guess big crowds was never really your thing."

Martin shrugged, "I just think making hot chocolate is cozy. What did you need?"

Jon held out the gift with both hands, somewhat awkwardly, "I wanted to give you your present."

"Oh, well, you could have just left it under the tree with everyone else's," Martin said, taking it with a slight blush. He hesitated for a moment, his hand hovering over the wrapping, "Do I open it now?"

"Yes," Jon said quickly, "And I just wanted to make sure you liked it, that's all. I might be leaving early and I wasn't sure when we were actually opening the gifts."

Martin peeled back strips of tape carefully as Jon spoke, wary of tearing the wrapping paper. When at last the gift was exposed he let out a little noise of pleasant surprise. "A poetry book, Jon you shouldn't have."

"Well the gift giving is, company policy..." Jon mumbled, trying to act nonchalant about the situation.

"Yes but you actually put some thought into the gift. Normally everyone just gets me tea." Martin paused for a moment then added quickly, "Don't get me wrong I like tea, but that's a lot of tea to get all at once you know?"

"Which is fine because everyone kinda has that one person they're closer to so of course more effort is there. Well except for Elias but Elias is, Elias. But it's umm, nice. To get something other than tea." He trailed off awkwardly and smiled.