PlagueDogtker

“Thank you, Donald.” Cecil said absently, eyes returning to the screen in front of him. His fingers hovered over the keyboard. Not typing.

Director Stedman. Cecil frowned as he chased the words around in his head. The title was a respectful formality that Donald hadn't slipped up on even once. It was professional. Polite. The way he was meant to be addressed.

Cecil, in return, hadn’t been as cordial. “Donald” was all he ever really called his right hand. The first time he had used “Donald” had been an intentional act of over-familiarity. Something unprofessional he should have been confronted over. Not an outright insult, but something a less generous man wouldn't have been so inclined to let lie. 

But, Donald wasn’t a less generous man. In truth, he might have been the most generous man Cecil had ever met.

Donald never flinched at Cecil's pushing and prodding. Even in those first weeks. Those first few days. Any little tests or jibes thrown Donald’s way just seemed to roll off him like water. Any questions Cecil had were answered quickly and sincerely. In no time at all, Cecil found himself easing up. He started to actually know Donald. Dare he say like Donald.

That fake familiarity had started to feel real and, by that point, Donald had more than earned Cecil’s respect.

 “Would you prefer if I called you Ferguson?” Cecil brought his full attention to the man before him, though he kept his tone carefully neutral.

Donald took a moment to respond, seeming a little caught off guard. “No, sir. Donald is just fine.” He paused again. “Unless you would prefer Ferguson?”

“No.” Cecil replied flippantly. “I think I’ll stick with Donald.”

Donald stood steady. And quiet. As though he was trying to figure out Cecil's train of thought.

“Should I call you something other than Stedman?”

Should he? It was a personal line Cecil wasn’t sure he wanted to do away with quite yet. A risk of rejection he might not be able to take.

“Cecil.” He decided not to overthink it. “Wouldn't be right for only one of us to be on a first-name basis.” 

“Great.” Cecil fought a smile off his own face. Turning away from Donald and back to his work. “Now get out of my office.” Cecil waved Donald away.

“I suppose it wouldn’t.” An honest smile spread across Donald’s face. “Cecil.”

“I’ll be around if you need anything else, sir.”

“I know you will, Donald.”