https://www.tumblr.com/levaagrace/765322183535902720/im-bored-send-me-the-title-of-one-of-these-wips More snippets! @petrichorandarson asked for more Cicada Days!

seemed like a good idea at the time

There is no reason for Jon to feel trapped or cornered when Tim knocks to be let into his office. The somewhat disjointed tune of ‘shave and a haircut’ is enough to spike his adrenaline, however.

“Come in,” Jon calls in response and the door opens without hesitation.

“You got a minute?” Tim asks even as he closes the door behind him, taking a seat at Jon’s desk.

“I suppose I do.”

“Good,” Tim flashes a quick smile. “Have we done something wrong?”

“I-what?”

“I think you’ve spoken to us maybe twice in as many weeks and there haven’t been any requests for us to do follow-ups or research on any of the statements,” Tim says, crossing his arms. “Hell, I don’t think you’ve even checked on our other tasks either. You’ve gone from kind of overbearing to fully hands off practically overnight and-”

“You-you’re asking for… more work?” Jon interrupts.

“I’m asking for feedback and structure, mate,” Tim says. “We’re kind of floundering here.”

“The archives are looking more and more organized and presentable day-by-day, Tim,” Jon says. “You are all doing excellent work in what I need you all to be doing. I do not think any of you need my help with putting statements and their corroborating material where they are supposed to go in the stacks.” Jon’s tone is light, but he doesn’t smile. “Everything else, right now, is unnecessary.”

“Sure, but-”

“Genuinely, Tim, it is fine. This place is not going to be in order any time soon and none of you three need to burn out before then,” Jon says. “Now, if that’s all, we need to get back to work.”

“Jon, this is coming from me as your friend and not your coworker, it feels like you’re kind of checking out and I’m a bit worried.” The words are delivered with the intensity and concern that Jon didn’t expect from anyone, let alone Tim. The expression on Tim’s face only highlights this fact.

There is only one thing Jon can think to say, the only thing he knows will get him to leave.

“We are not nor have we ever been friends, Tim. I am your boss.”

Tim stares at him, wide-eyed and jaw slack.

“Please leave.”

It takes a moment for the shock to wear off and then, like the clouds parting, the anger Jon was so used to breaks through Tim’s expression. He leaves without another word or a second glance and the relief of it, of no longer having to worry about the relationship he and Tim had, is enough to get him to smile. It doesn’t last long, however, as he gets back to the tasks at hand.