Pack your bags, hiking boots, and corporate spirit! Your loving CEOs have decided to host a corporate retreat! Prepare yourselves for adventure, laughter, and fun! See below for details. We look forward to seeing you this weekend!
-Yours Truly,
Taron Cunningham
Subject:Re: Team bonding weekend!!!
Taron,
I’m sick. Can’t attend.
-Hugo Washburne
Subject:Re: Re: Team bonding weekend!!!
Team,
There have been inquiries about this weekend’s corporate retreat. Please note this retreat is mandatory for all selected staff. Important matters will be discussed, requiring full participation. Lodging and meals will be provided.
-Regards,
Ozen Hawksley, CEO
Wash groaned,banging his head on his desk a few times. He did not want to spend an entire weekend with Taron. He’d lose his mind within the first few hours.
He was still banging his head and wracking his brain for some sort of excuse when a familiar scent of vanilla and sugar teased his nose, and he heard Peri squeak in alarm and rush over. They’d been casually seeing each other for a week now, and Peri no longer felt the need to knock when entering his office. Wash would comment on it if he didn’t enjoy the fairy’s company as much as he did. He chose instead to keep his mouth shut and focus his energies on figuring out how to avoid this corporate retreat.
“Wash! What’s wrong?” Peri asked, wiggling into his lap to force him to sit up and stop hitting his head on his desk. Wash instead buried his face against Peri’s neck, breathing in his soothing scent. It was a good thing it was closing in on the end of the night, he didn't have to worry about people barging in uninvited. He wasn’t exactly hiding his connection with Peri, but he didn't like people in his business, and they were getting too nosy after Peri interjected himself into Wash’s space one too many times. Offices were gossip mills and his coworkers were all curious about his complete lack of reaction whenever Peri climbed on him like a little monkey to stop him from losing his temper.
Peri was not patient by nature, and when Wash didn’t immediately explain himself, he wriggled enough to sit sideways so he could see Wash’s computer without breaking the tight hold Wash had on him.
He was quiet for a moment, reading the whole email exchange. Wash knew he finished when he started to giggle, hugging Wash’s shoulders and petting his hair. “Did you seriously try to lie to get out of a corporate retreat?”
“It’s being hosted by Taron,” he complained. “I won’t last an entire weekend. I’ll go insane.”
Peri snorted, his tone holding just a hint of teasing as he cooed, “You poor thing. Forced to play with your friends. Must be rough.”
Wash growled, hugging Peri hard enough to make him squeak. The little fairy only giggled again when Wash released him, peppering his face with kisses to distract him. It almost worked, until Wash glanced back at his computer and that email thread was still up. He slumped a little harder.
“Help me. I need an excuse to miss it,” he complained.
Peri shook his head, the grin on his face saying he was enjoying Wash’s turmoil. Wash narrowed his eyes with a scowl.
“Fine. If I have to go, so do you. They said important matters will be discussed. I’ll bring you along to take notes or something.”
Why did he think that would make Peri change his mind and help him find an excuse to miss it? Peri didn’t avoid social events. He perked up and beamed, like the ball of sunshine he was, completely on board with Wash’s plan. “That sounds fun! Sure, I’ll go! Where is it? Is it in this realm? Oh! Should I bring snacks?”
Wash groaned, dropping his head back and slumping a little more in his seat. He just had to harbor an obsession with the most extroverted optimist in the realm. He couldn’t have met someone more like himself, who would avoid company events with him and spend the weekend curled up in bed.
“Aw. Poor baby. Forcing yourself to socialize all weekend must be tough, huh?” To no one’s surprise, because Peri didn’thave a sarcastic bone in his body, the little fairy actually sounded sincere, petting Wash’s hair and giving him an understanding smile when he finally opened his eyes to look at the man in his lap. “Don’t worry. I’ll be there to help.”
“Help how?” Wash growled. He found it hard to imagine someone could find any way to make this weekend tolerable.
Peri hummed, sliding off Wash’s lap to settle between his knees. “How about I distract you whenever you get too annoyed?” he offered coyly, his hands sliding up Wash’s thighs to tug on his belt.
Wash huffed, shifting to allow Peri better access. “You want to spend the whole weekend on your knees then?”
Peri snickered, not taking Wash’s warning as seriously as he should have. If Wash had to spend an entire weekend with Taron, he could almost guarantee he’d lose his temper at least once a day. The prankster didn't know when to stop sometimes.