Anonymous asked you: Can u write a juggey fic where there is a new kid at AH who is always flirting with lindsay and micheal gets really pissed about it...
Thank you for the prompt, Anonymous!
Wow you guys, itâs been awhile. Iâve spent all night going through my old fics (cringing a little) and got inspired to write. I picked through my inbox and found this little gem. Happy reading!
The One Where He Definitely Isnât Jealous
âLindsay? UmâŚ. Excuse me⌠Lindsay?âÂ
Distracted with listening to and editing the new video for that week sheâd been putting off, she hadnât even heard the new internâs slightly awkward attempt to get her attention.  "Um⌠Miss?"Â
Still, she showed no signs of hearing him and he swallowed nervously. Did he get the wrong name from Mr. Ramsey? It was then he realized she was wearing big green headphones that acted like a beacon, mocking his stupidity. Of course she couldnât hear him. It looked like she was focused intently on her computer screen.Â
He looked around helplessly for a moment, glancing around with what he was sure was a stupid look on his face, hoping someone would notice his distress and come to his rescue. No such luck. He stared at the back of her fiery red-haired head and steeled himself to do what no new employee should have to do: annoy his new co-worker in an effort to get her to acknowledge him. He took a deep breath in through his nose, exhaled through his mouth, and tapped her shoulder.
Lindsay felt someone touch her shoulder and she almost jumped out of her skin. Sheâd been so engrossed in her work, she didnât even realize someone was behind her. Normally sheâd be annoyed at someone interrupting her in the middle of a project, but sheâd been staring at her computer screen for what felt like forever. She needed a distraction. She turned around, swiveling around in her office chair and pulling off her headphones absentmindedly. She was halfway through a greeting and a smile when she realized she had no idea who this guy in front of her was. She stared at him for a moment before realizing he must be the new intern Geoff mentioned.Â
âGeez, you nearly scared me half to death.â She said, her tone light. "Youâre the new intern, right? Geoff said you were coming today."Â
He swallowed nervously. The nerves of the first day on the job werenât helping his speech, and the fact that this woman was so beautiful wasnât making his brain want to cooperate. He grasped at words, trying to jump start his brain again. "Oh- Um- Yeah⌠Mr. Ramsey said your name was Lindsay? He said that something came up and he had to go, so you were supposed to show me around instead.â He finally choked out, sticking out his hand for her to shake.Â
âDid he now?â Lindsay stood, and shook his hand. Her touch burned like fire through his hand and up his arm. She took a deep breath and let out a long-suffering sigh. âOkay. Iâm Lindsay, as you already know. Iâll show you around since âsomething came upâ with Geoff.â Her tone made him wonder just what kind of a man his new boss was. âWhatâs your name?â She smiled at him and for a moment he was blinded. She pulled her hand away and he missed her touch.Â
"Is it a hard one?â Lindsayâs eyes twinkled with laughter. She could tell his nerves were getting to him. She looked at him and saw herself on her first day, stuttering and stumbling through introductions. This new guy looked to be a few years younger than herself, probably fresh out of college. She remembered what it was like to be in his shoes and she decided sheâd make an extra effort to make him feel welcome.
He found his voice after a moment. âAlexander Chase. I go by Alexander at work. My friends call me Alex.â He wondered how this woman, who he had met not even five minutes ago, had managed to make him forget his own name.Â
She grinned. âOoh, Alexander Chase. Very action hero-esque. Really fits with the whole tattoo sleeve thing you got going there. Very intimidating.â
He smiled back. "Thatâs the dream. Shooting stuff, taking out bad guys, causing major property damage and never being held responsible for it⌠Alex Chase: The Movie. Coming to a theater near you.â For a moment he thought heâd rambled too much, had freaked her out with his poor social skills like he had with everyone else heâd met today, until she let out a good-natured laugh and made butterflies erupt in his stomach.
âYouâll fit in here just fine.â She turned around for a moment, quickly saving her work and turning off her monitor. âWell, let me show you around, Alexander.â She walked off without looking back and he found himself trailing after her like a lost puppy dog.Â
There were a few moments of expectant silence as they walked before she spoke again. âI like your glasses.â Lindsay said, slowing down after a few moments so they could walk side by side.Â
Alexâs little sister had picked the frames. Typical black hipster-style glasses. They were only temporary until the new pair he just ordered came in, and he personally didnât care for them, but if Lindsay liked themâŚ. Maybe they would grow on him. âThanks. My sister picked them out."Â
That started a long, lingering conversation that they kept up throughout the tour she took him on. Every now and then, sheâd introduce him to people, or tell him a funny story, or just crack a stupid joke and he found himself smiling and laughing the whole time. He was glad that heâd met her. The buildings seemed kind of spread out and he wondered if Geoff had never deflected his responsibility and made her babysit him, if he would have ever broken the ice with her. Knowing himself, he knew would have never had the courage to even speak to her. Just listening to her anecdotes as they walked kept him entranced. But, all good things must come to an end. Lindsay dropped him off at his desk at the opposite side of the offices and he found himself a bit saddened at the distance between him and the only friend heâd managed to make all day.Â
"This is your stop.â Lindsay said, gesturing to his new desk with a dramatic flourish. âBathrooms are the second door on the right. If you have any questions, you know where to find me.â For a split second she looked like she didnât want to leave and he wondered for a moment if she was feeling the same infatuation-at-first-sight he was experiencing. Then the moment passed and she smiled again, walking past him and touching his shoulder briefly as she walked out. âSee you around, Alexander."Â
"Just Alex is fine.â He said quietly.Â
She was already at the doorway. She turned and looked over her shoulder at him, a knowing smile on her face. âDoes that make us friends?"Â
He felt heat rush to his cheeks. "You could say that.â He muttered, watching her walk away in awe as he heard her light laugh float through the air.Â
Michael was getting pretty damn impatient. But then again, what else was new?
Heâd been waiting by the car for Lindsay for what had to be twenty minutes. Or thatâs what it felt like, and thatâs all that really mattered. His foot tapped against the pavement restlessly and he wondered if heâd have to go in there and drag her out. For the past two weeks, heâd found himself stranded at the fuckinâ drive-in, branded a fool, waiting for her every day after work and frankly he was starting to wonder whatâs been distracting her the last few weeks. He looked around the Rooster Teeth parking lot aimlessly and tried to restrain himself from kicking something.Â
He killed a few minutes like this, then decided it was time to find his wayward wife if he ever wanted to get home in time to make dinner before watching the new episode of Jeopardy. (So he liked that show. So what? It was something he and Lindsay watched together sometimes, making it a game of their own to see who could answer more questions right⌠and thoughts of her just made him restless again.)Â
He had just decided to go find her when he caught a flash of her bright red hair coming out of the building. Fucking finally. He was about to yell to her playfully about her keeping him waiting until he saw she wasnât alone. That shut him up.Â
Normally he didnât mind if Lindsay stayed behind to chat with their friends and co-workers. Hell, normally heâd walk up and join their conversation. But normally, she was talking to someone he recognized, and normally she didnât talk to (laugh with, smile at) attractive guys when he wasnât around. He watched as she walked with him briefly before saying her goodbyes, giving this fuckinâ stranger a hug before he split to jog over to his car. As Lindsay turned to walk away, this guy had the gall to glance back and watch her go. Michael recognized that look. It was the same look he had when heâd first started falling for Lindsay, that stupid grin and the flushed cheeks. Michael tried to get a grip on his irritation before his wife reached him, although his brain was whirring in a jealous flurry of activity.Â
She walked up to the driverâs side, completely oblivious, and got in without so much as a hug or kiss or a âHey honey, how was your day?â. He stared at her for a moment before she looked up from the radio she was adjusting, her look saying, you getting in or not? He took a second to collect himself before sliding into the passenger seat.Â
âWho was that?â Michael asked before they even pulled out of the parking lot. He fought to keep his tone neutral and indifferent.Â
Lindsay didnât pick up on his restrained emotions. âOh, thatâs Alex. He just started working here a few weeks ago. Figured Iâd make him feel welcome.â
A little too welcome, if Michael had anything to say about it. âOh yeah?â He said, keeping his tone aloof. âI donât think Iâve ever met him. Introduce us next time.â Michael wanted this motherfucker to know Lindsay was off the market. No take-backsies.Â
Lindsay, completely unaware of Michaelâs malicious thoughts, smiled happily. âAbsolutely. Iâm sure youâll like him, heâs a really nice guy.â
âOh, Iâm sure.â Michael crossed his arms and looked out the window. This Alex character needed to be reminded that nice guys finished last.
Alex knew that Lindsay was married, but he just couldnât help himself.Â
Walking into Rooster Teeth carrying two coffees made him feel a little bit idiotic until he saw someone at their desk, surrounded by three steaming cups and apparently not giving a shit who saw. Alex laughed quietly to himself as he passed the guyâs desk on the way to Lindsayâs.Â
Alex nodded to a few people as he passed. He was starting to find his place here, and for the first time in a long time he felt comfortable in a work environment. He knew a big part of that had to do with Lindsay. Just thinking about her made his cheeks flush. Alex wasnât stupid; he knew she was married, heâd noticed the ring on her hand his second day in the office and sheâd mentioned her husband enough times already that Alex could safely make a few assumptions about his personality. If her husband ever found out Alex left her coffee with a heart drawn on the cup, he probably wouldnât be too happy. But Alex trudged on, wondering if he should just throw the extra coffee away and just forget about his nice gesture. Alex figured that if all else failed, it might just seem like a funny/nice gesture from a grateful co-worker⌠he hoped. He finally reached her desk and he could feel himself losing his nerve.Â
Forget it, he thought. He couldnât do this. She was married, for Godâs sake. He turned around, resigned to go throw out her coffee or offer it to someone else when suddenly he came face to face with a man he didnât recognize but had definitely pissed off just by existing. Alex looked straight into his eyes and could tell this man already didnât like him. What could Alex have done to make someone hate him almost instantly?
Then, Lindsay popped up behind the pissed stranger, her seemingly ever-present smile lighting up her face. âAlex! This is my husband Michael. He works in Achievement Hunter, Iâm surprised you havenât met. Michael, this is my friend Alex. Heâs an intern here.â
Oh. Michael didnât offer his hand to shake and Alex internally let out a sigh of relief, because his hands were full with rejection coffee at the moment. Michael muttered something under his breath that sounded like, âhey,â but Alex was too shocked for a moment to speak.
Then shit just had to get worse. Lindsay looked at the coffees in his hands and innocently asked, âWho are those for?â
Fuck. Fuck him up, down, forwards, backwards, and sideways, because his wits seem to leave him in the very moment when he needed them most. He managed to choke out, âOne is yours.â And plaster on a nervous half-smile for her benefit.
While Lindsay looked surprised and happy, Michaelâs eyes narrowed at him suspiciously. He glanced down at the coffees, saw one with a heart drawn on it and the rage flared up in his chest. Alex saw the anger in Michaelâs eyes and felt gravity abandon him for a second before he pulled himself together under Michaelâs glare.Â
âSheâs already had coffee.â Michael practically spat. Even though the man stood a good six inches shorter than himself, Alex felt two feet tall when Michael stared him down.
âBut, Iâd be happy to take the one you so thoughtfully brought for me, Alex.â Lindsay said, smiling at him and discreetly nudging Michaelâs ribs in a manner that said, rude much? Michael pouted slightly while Lindsay held her hand out to take a coffee from Alex. In a panic, Alex handed her the one without the heart.Â
Good move, lover boy, Michael thought, glaring at him. Alex patted himself on the back for his quick thinking, otherwise he wouldâve been beaten to a pulp by Lindsayâs scary husband, no doubt. They both turned to leave, Lindsay innocently sipping her drink and Michael fuming, and Alex trying not to piss his pants.
Just as Alex let out a sigh of relief, Michael looked back and said, âBye, Alex.â The way he spit out his name like it disgusted him made Alexâs own irritation flare up. So much so that Alex felt the need to say something, anything, to not feel completely inferior.Â
âActually in a professional setting, I prefer Alexander.â So⌠not the most intimidating comeback, Alex thought. But nonetheless, Alex kept his tone firm. No way was he going to allow Michael to look down on him.Â
This further ignited the flame in Michaelâs soul. Michael had to make a conscious effort to articulate his words so he didnât slip into his New Jersey accent. âThat so? ⌠but Lindsay calls you Alex.â
Alex swallowed back his nervousness and fear, thinking carefully about his next words. He wanted to stand his ground, but he didnât have a death wish. âYeah, well, sheâs a friend of mine.â
âOh, thatâs right⌠A friend of yours.â Michael put so much emphasis on the word friend, it felt like he was slapping Alex in the face with it. Alexâs face burned with shame.Â
Lindsay sighed. Boys. She didnât quite understand the reason behind their little stand off, but she was already tired of it. âLetâs go, babe.â She grabbed Michaelâs hand with her free hand and started to lead them away, until Lindsay noticed the heart on Alexâs coffee cup and smiled. âHey Alex, looks like the barista had a little crush on you!â She giggled when she saw him blush and Alex felt a fist clench around his heart. Michael pulled her away without looking back.
Michael felt slightly smug as he walked away, leaving Alex in his wake with his stupid coffee with the stupid heart on it. Lindsay was his. Michael held her hand tighter and raised it to his lips, kissing her knuckles as they walked off. His lips touched the cool metal of her wedding band and he smiled. She leaned into his side as a soft blush dusted across her cheeks, and that was enough to soothe his jealous rage⌠for now.
Alex just watched them for a moment before storming off, throwing his coffee into the nearest trash can on his way out.Â
Michael and Lindsay lay intertwined on their couch that night, snuggled up under a blanket and flipping through their Netflix queue in content silence when Lindsayâs phone lit up and buzzed on the side table.Â
Lindsay leaned away and reached for her phone, seeing the name Alex Chase flash on her screen with a text that simply read, âHey :-)â
âWhoâs that?â Michael asked distractedly, one hand holding the remote while his other arm settled around Lindsay, his thumb absentmindedly rubbing circles into her side.Â
âAlex from work.â Lindsay said, slightly confused. Why would Alex text her this late?
Michael stiffened slightly and turned his attention completely to his wife. He held Lindsay a little closer and asked, âWhy does he even have your phone number?â
âI gave it to him in case he ever needed help with anything, or, like, wandered off somewhere in Austin and got lost. Heâs apparently not used to living in the city. He insisted on getting my number and I couldnât say no to his innocent little face.â Lindsay rambled, smiling slightly at the memory as she set her phone face down again on the side table and turned to her husband.
Michael stared at her. âYou seem to care an awful lot about him.â Michael let a little bit of venom drip into his voice unintentionally. âHave you complimented his tattoos yet?â
Lindsay gave him an incredulous look as the pieces finally came together in her head. Suddenly Michaelâs strange attitude towards their new coworker made complete sense. âYouâre not jealous of Alex, are you?â Michael looked away suddenly, a shameful blush crawling up his neck and appearing on his cheeks, and that was all the answer Lindsay needed. âHoney, I love you. I married you. Youâre stuck with me now.â
He looked back at her finally, a cautious look in his eyes and Lindsay internally rolled hers. She pressed her lips sweetly against his and pulled away just far enough that their foreheads were touching. Her nose trailed against his and he couldnât keep the smile off his face.Â
Leaning away a bit, Lindsay smiled her sunshine-y smile at him and Michael felt himself release a breath he hadnât known he'd been holding. âGood.â