Chapter Text
The door swung open, and Kara looked up from her computer. “Oh, Gavin, you made it!” she squealed, standing up and running around her desk.
“Kara!” Gavin swept the smaller girl up into a hug and they laughed. “It’s so good to meet you! Joel told me all about you. Nice to have another tease in the office.”
“Oh please, I haven’t teased a human in ages and I don’t think you have either.” She smirked as he set her down and looked over his shoulder at Burnie walking into the office. “Unless you count my interview. Burnie couldn’t resist me.”
Burnie waggled his finger. “Be fair, Kara, you had all of us going. Even Joel was getting a little heated.”
Kara rolled her eyes. “Don’t exaggerate - a microwave couldn’t heat up that frigid idiot.”
Gavin laughed and looked around. “The office looks great, Burnie. Gonna be nice to have all this room.”
“What room? It’s all full. C’mon, I’ll show you around.” Burnie clapped a hand on Gavin’s shoulder and the two men walked upstairs to the bullpen.
Miles looked up from his computer and grinned. “Hey, Gavin’s here!” He stood up and walked over, reaching out his hand. “Great to finally meet the man behind the stories.”
“Nothing terrible, I hope.” Gavin reached out and shook his hand, staring at it. “Damn, you’re cold for a human. Everything alright?”
The rest of the people in the bullpen started laughing, and Miles shook his head. “Never met a vampire in camouflage, have you?”
“No way, camo vampires are an old wives’ tale.” Gavin’s eyes narrowed into slits.
Miles shrugged. “Fine, don’t believe me. I’ll just be over here, enjoying my immortality.” He winked and sat down, stretching his arms over his head before getting back to work.
Gavin peeked in at Joel and Matt, saying hi briefly before heading back downstairs with Burnie to the Achievement Hunter office. The younger man reached for the door handle but Burnie stopped him.
“Look, before you go in…” Burnie sighed. “I hate that I have to deal with this.”
“What’s wrong?” Gavin frowned.
The older man swallowed. “Michael… might be a little rude.”
“Yeah, I know, he does the Rage Quits. I don’t think it’s anything I can’t handle.” Gavin pushed by Burnie and opened the door.
“Gavin!” Burnie hissed, but it was too late.
“Hey guys!” Gavin crowed, and Geoff and Jack turned and grinned. They stood up and shook hands and laughed, telling him things like “good to see you in the States asshole” and “hope you’re ready to get your ass kicked in HORSE!”
They stood around, shooting the breeze for a moment, but then Gavin looked over to the corner where Michael’s desk was. The redhead was sitting glumly, editing his newest video.
Gavin walked over and squeezed his shoulder, thinking maybe he didn’t hear him come in because his headphones were on. “Hey Michael,” he said cheerfully.
Michael shrugged off his hand. “In a minute,” he said, not even looking at the vampire.
Jack and Geoff shot each other looks and sat down. Gavin didn’t move and just stared at the boy until finally he removed his headphones, swiveled in his chair, and stood up. “Gavin,” he said coldly, shaking his hand minimally before sitting back down and turning back to his screen.
Gavin scoffed. “Are you mental?”
Michael snorted. “I just don’t like vampires.”
“Don’t like—” Gavin’s jaw dropped. “You work in a company with four of them!”
“It’s five, actually, now that you’re here. Don’t remind me.” Michael picked up his headphones and resumed editing.
Gavin turned to Burnie, who was standing in the doorway and watched the whole thing go down. “What the fuck is this?” he mouthed, pointing over his shoulder.
Burnie motioned for him to come into the hallway, and they walked next door to the conference room. “Michael is from New Jersey, Gavin - I know that doesn’t mean shit to you because you’re British but in the US, being from the East Coast means ‘prejudice’. They never really let go of the fears and beliefs they brought over from England in the 1700’s.”
“Why’d you let Geoff hire him then?” Gavin sat down in a chair and watched Burnie shut the door, then sit across the table from him.
“Miscommunication. We thought he knew Joel was one and was cool with it, and he thought we were a human-only company. Wasn’t a good day in the office when he caught Joel having breakfast.” Burnie ran a hand through his curls. “He agreed to stay out of Joel’s way if we didn’t mark him.”
“Michael’s unmarked?!” Gavin whispered, leaning forward. “Doesn’t he know how dangerous that is?!”
“Said it was a risk worth taking. He’s been a good employee, I can’t legally terminate him on personal beliefs like that.” Burnie shrugged. “I’m sorry.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Gavin’s eyes were sad.
“I didn’t want to deter you from coming.” A tiny smile crossed Burnie’s face. “It’s good to have you back, Gavin.”
Gavin grinned. “Good to be back, Burns. You guys are my coven, after all. I’ll just stay out of Michael’s way and hopefully I can win him over with my natural charm.” He tugged at imaginary lapels and laughed.
“What charm? You didn’t have an ounce of charm until you were turned and even then, you’re a terrible tease.”
“Wot? No! You liar,” Gavin said, fake-frowning for a moment before breaking out into laughter. “You’re such an arsehole.”
“I missed you too, buddy.”