Work Text:
Alan sort of knew where it all began.
It was those Star Wars episodes where he and Rowan had a massive disagreement. Sure, Alan could admit his reaction had been... a bit excessive (they even had to call in the corporate psychologist, which says a lot). It took Alan a few days and dozens of forum pages on SW debates to realize—he and Rowan weren’t that bad off. Like that guy who found out three months into his marriage that his wife liked Revenge of the Sith—that was a real tragedy.
Alan had even planned to apologize, but didn’t get the chance—Rowan acted like nothing ever happened, as if it wasn’t a big deal, so Alan decided to do the same.
Biggest. Mistake. Ever.
Looking back, Alan could only describe it as Rowan’s descent to the Dark Side. Holding a grudge, plotting quiet revenge, subtle at first, but growing bolder. And he played the role of an arrogant, petty manager so well—bossing everyone around like he fed off the power. Alan knew it was just an act. They used to be friends. Close enough that Alan still had a spare key to Rowan’s apartment somewhere. At first, he tolerated it out of guilt. Then… maybe he just got used to it. But even he had limits.
The kisses were the last straw.
Alan didn’t understand why it bothered him so much—but it did. A lot. He started working three times as hard, and all Rowan said was, “Good job, Alan.” Meanwhile, he kissed Adam just for putting products on the shelf correctly. And then—Rowan kissed a customer. That’s when Alan snapped.
“Why?!” Alan demanded—slightly hysterical—storming into the manager’s office.
“Why what?” Rowan looked at him, genuinely confused.
“Don’t play dumb!” Alan threw his arms up. “Okay, fine, Adam’s cute like a labrador puppy, but the customer? What did he do to deserve it?”
“What did he do to deserve what?” Rowan asked again, swiveling in his chair as Alan stepped closer.
“I swear I’m gonna punch you,” Alan hissed. “Why the hell are you kissing everyone but me?! I’ve closed more sales this week than I usually do in three months, the store is sparkling, customers are leaving glowing reviews—and all I get is ‘Good job, Alan.’ Meanwhile, some random guy buys a flash drive and gets a kiss. What the hell is wrong with you, Rowan?!”
Maybe Alan should’ve asked that question to himself first—but why analyze your own thoughts, feelings, and issues when you can just blame someone else? Besides, Rowan really was the one going around kissing everyone. Except Alan. Damn it.
“You really didn’t read your contract, huh?” Rowan snorted.
“What..?” Alan blinked. “What’s that got to do with anything?”
Rowan smirked, opened a drawer, and pulled out a folder. For a second, Alan thought personal records should really be stored in a safe, but whatever—he had more pressing concerns.
“Here,” Rowan said, waving Alan’s contract at him. “Section 6.1.3. You signed it. No complaints.”
Completely baffled, Alan took the paper and flipped to the mentioned clause.
“‘Employee agrees that they will not receive any kisses,’” Alan read aloud. “What?.. Excuse me?!”
“If you don’t read the paperwork, that’s on you,” Rowan said with a shrug. “Wanna keep reading?”
“Real contracts don’t include this crap,” Alan muttered. “They’re about salary and job duties and stuff…”
“I’ll need it back by end of the day,” Rowan said, flapping a hand. “Now shoo.”
Alan nodded blankly and walked out, still gripping the cursed contract.
That stupid clause!
…Wait. What if Rowan wanted to kiss him, but couldn’t because the contract said so? Legal documents go both ways, right? Was this even legal? What about Adam’s and Ellie’s contracts? And what exactly did his say?
There were still a few hours left in the shift. Alan spent them studying the contract and seriously doubting its legitimacy because—really? Pick up keys? No questions allowed? Episode I is the best movie?! He really needed to start reading what he signed. Rowan could’ve added a clause about voluntary servitude and Alan would've probably signed it without blinking. Somehow, that thought didn’t even bother him—but the kiss clause? That one? That was infuriating.
“Alan, you coming?” Adam called out.
“Where?” Alan looked around, disoriented.
“Uh… home? Shift’s over.” Adam pointed at the door.
“Oh. Right! Nah, I need to talk to Rowan real quick, work stuff.” Alan waved the documents and smiled nervously.
“Okay,” Adam shrugged and waved goodbye.
Alan nodded, glanced around the now-empty store, and headed to Rowan’s office with full intent to seriously confront him.
“This clause is legally dubious at best,” he announced as he stepped in.
“It's airtight,” Rowan replied, leaning back in his chair. “What’s your problem?”
“Everything?!” Alan said, almost laughing. “Pick up your keys? No questions? I’m trash and Phantom Menace is the best movie? What even is this?”
“Which part are you specifically upset about?” Rowan leaned forward. “Because earlier, your complaints were very specific.”
“I…” Alan hesitated, nervously rolling the contract into a tube. “I just don’t get why me. Why is that clause in my contract?”
“Do you want me to kiss you?” Rowan asked softly, circling the desk.
“It’s just—everyone else can, and I can’t? That’s not fair,” Alan mumbled, looking away.
“So you do want me to kiss you?” Rowan asked again, now standing very close.
“I…” Alan met his eyes. “Yeah. That’d be nice.”
“Alright,” Rowan nodded, and leaned in.
Alan barely realized what was happening before he felt a brief kiss on his cheek—Rowan immediately pulled back, leaning on the desk, watching him with that unreadable look.
“More,” Alan blurted before he could even process it.
Rowan leaned in again—another kiss on the cheek, slower this time. Then he pulled away. That same dark, unreadable stare.
“More,” Alan repeated.
This time it landed closer to the corner of his lips. Rowan’s gaze turned sharper.
“More,” Alan breathed.
A kiss on the chin. Rowan’s breath on his lips. Eye to eye.
“More,” Alan whispered.
He’d never thought about kissing Rowan before (lie). He’d never thought about surrendering the moment things began (lie again). Rowan wasn’t gentle—he didn’t ask twice. Once he got consent, he took. He kissed deep, demanding, pulling Alan in by the waist until they were pressed tight—breathless. It was almost rough, almost too much—but not quite, and that’s why Alan didn’t stop him. He kissed back, shamelessly, and enjoyed every second.
“What about the contract?” Alan finally managed to ask between kisses.
“Workday’s over,” Rowan smirked.
“You manipulative bastard,” Alan whispered in awe.
“And you’re way too easy to rile up,” Rowan grinned.
“Was that your plan all along?” Alan narrowed his eyes.
“Nope. Just wanted to piss you off,” Rowan said with a shrug. “Took a different turn. Not complaining.”
“Neither am I,” Alan chuckled. “But we are talking about the rest of the contract later.”
“Oh, definitely,” Rowan said, tugging Alan closer by the shirt. “During work hours.”
Alan gladly leaned in. Maybe storming into your boss’s office wasn’t such a bad idea after all.