AN: This started as just a vague idea I had and then it ran away with me. Posted in 2 parts, as that's how I wrote it. Part one was supposed to be stand-alone and never continued. Then, I got some inspiration and kept it going.
That damn smile got him every time.
Sindre heard his boss tell him that he was sending him on a business trip accompanied by the one and only irritating Matthias. Before he could protest, Matthias' face split into an excited grin and everything in the room disappeared, his boss' voice turning to white noise.
His heart hammered up into his throat as he stared at that smile. The joy was infectious and he felt his own lips twist into a shape that one might mistake for happiness. That damn smile made his heart stutter and skip, his legs threatened to turn to jelly, and his palms start to sweat. That damn smile had the power to make Sindre (momentarily) forget why he was pissed off at Matthias (like that one time when Matthias had broken his favourite mug with the Norwegian flag on it. And then he replaced it with a Danish one). But not this time – this was too important. He blinked several times and pulled himself together.
"Sir," he cleared his throat. His boss, hand clapped on Matthias' shoulder, turned to face him. "You can't send me on an assignment with Andersen."
"Oh? Why not?"
"Sir, pardon me, but he's an idiot." The smile bled away from Matthias' face and Sindre tried not to notice the guilt-inducing look of betrayal and sadness that replaced it.
"Aw, don't say that Nor," Matthias whined, using that ridiculous nickname he had given Sindre the moment he found out that he was Norwegian. Sindre scowled.
"I appreciate your bluntness, Hansen," Sindre felt his stomach drop to his shoes as his boss continued to talk, giving him a look that very clearly said he was not to object with the next words out of his mouth, "but you were new in this company once, too. You do good work, and Andersen here has excellent drive. You could both learn something from each other. Now, if you visit Laura on your way out, she will give you your travel and accommodation details."
Dammit.
Sindre turned on his heel and exited the office. He heard Matthias thank their boss before hurrying after him.
"Laura," Sindre said coolly, approaching the receptionist's desk, ignoring Matthias as he caught up and stood unnecessarily close to him. He could practically feel the Dane breathing on his neck. "You have some information for me – us?" He could feel Matthias bouncing on the balls of his feet, practically oozing with barely contained excitement; he knew if he were to turn and look over his shoulder, the blonde would be sporting a large, dopey grin. Sindre resisted the urge.
"Yeah!" She smiled and held out a large brown envelope. "There's an itinerary for the conference and a list of important clients that you should attempt to network with. You will also find your plane tickets and hotel reservation details. I've already ordered a car to pick you up from the airport upon your arrival."
Sindre accepted the envelope, nodded in thanks, and continued walking to his own office, Matthias shuffling loudly behind him.
"Hey," he called, "hey, Nor, slow down." Sindre did not. He continued down the hall at a brisk pace and finally reached his door, wrenching it open. "Wait up – Sindre!"
"What?" He spat, whirling around and making sure his face stayed neutral, or at the very least looked as angry as he was trying to feel. Spending three days with Matthias was not exactly how he had envisioned his weekend. It was hard enough working in the same building with his silly crush, now he was expected to travel with him? Likely share accommodation? Attend a conference together where he wouldn't know anybody else and would be therefore forced to converse with Matthias, possibly eat meals with Matthias, and then potentially attend after parties and a cab ride back to the hotel with Matthias? His palms were slick with sweat at the very thought, his heart threatening to jump out of his throat.
"Do you really feel that way about me?" Matthais started to play with the hem of his shirt, hesitating just outside of the threshold of Sindre's office, uneasy to barge inside like he normally would.
"No. Yes." You drive me crazy. Matthias' face screwed up into something resembling a kicked puppy and Sindre sighed heavily, rubbing his temples. "I just don't think this trip is good idea."
"Oh! I think it's going to be loads of fun!" The frown disappeared in a blink and was replaced by that damn smile. Sindre froze, drawn in by the happiness and he felt his resolve falter. "I think it's a great idea to spend some time together away from the office," Sindre's heart nearly stopped and he broke out in a cold sweat. That sounded a little too… personal for it to be strictly business "- and I can finally see the great Hansen at work and in his element! They say you're a god when it comes to networking and wooing clients, Nor." There it was. Sindre released the breath he had unknowingly been holding and ran a hand through his hair.
"We'll see." He gave Matthias a look, hoping to convey that he was tired and he had work to do in preparation for their upcoming weekend. Happily, Matthias seemed to catch the hint, and he cheerfully bid him goodbye with the promise to see him very soon.