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Life had been busy. It was always busy but since his folks decided to go on a second honeymoon it was even more hectic. To make matters even worse the nightmares were back. Honestly they never really left him but for a while Quinn had been able to get a few full nights a week without a nightmare interrupting, now he was lucky if he had one full night. It came hand in hand with his new promotion as it were, he was a Knight. A person of strength, speed, magic, and responsibilities… who deliberately took a life to save another. He had blood on his hands and that was what was keeping him up at night. Before it had been the fights, it had been the monsters, it had been the things that went bump in the night, and now it was himself that was doing it. It was who he had become, who this war had made him into. It wasn’t a person he particularly liked so rather then face it like a healthy human Quinn focused on work. And boy was there work.
He was still technically the head honcho of the South Korea gig but since his folks went away for a much needed extended vacation, they were doing several months tour of the world basically, Quinn had stepped in as a defacto VP of the company and had the headache to prove it. The amount of paperwork he had to deal with was only tempered with the number of meetings he was meant to go too. Only his friends and coworkers kept him on any type of schedule and helped safeguard his health… if not his sanity.
“Mr. Kim is here for your meeting sir,” A quiet voice broke Quinn’s current thought. His secretary was politely reminding him that Seung was coming to drag him out of his hole for some air and food. He wouldn’t know what day it was without her, she technically came with the temporary office upgrade but he was hoping he could steal her when his father was back and Quinn went back to being a lowly peon.
“Thanks Ms. Karen, let him in then you head off for lunch too. Pretty sure Seung can keep me from doing anything stupid.”
“Certainly sir. I’ll redirect any calls to the office secretarial pool, if anything pressing comes up they will let you know.” Quinn knew that that was polite speak of ‘they won't call you unless s**t hits the fan and even then they will hesitate to do so.’ With a chuckle he waved the older woman out and waited for his friend to come in. It was tempting to toss a ball of paper at him but Quinn decided that was childish, even if it would have been fun.
He was still technically the head honcho of the South Korea gig but since his folks went away for a much needed extended vacation, they were doing several months tour of the world basically, Quinn had stepped in as a defacto VP of the company and had the headache to prove it. The amount of paperwork he had to deal with was only tempered with the number of meetings he was meant to go too. Only his friends and coworkers kept him on any type of schedule and helped safeguard his health… if not his sanity.
“Mr. Kim is here for your meeting sir,” A quiet voice broke Quinn’s current thought. His secretary was politely reminding him that Seung was coming to drag him out of his hole for some air and food. He wouldn’t know what day it was without her, she technically came with the temporary office upgrade but he was hoping he could steal her when his father was back and Quinn went back to being a lowly peon.
“Thanks Ms. Karen, let him in then you head off for lunch too. Pretty sure Seung can keep me from doing anything stupid.”
“Certainly sir. I’ll redirect any calls to the office secretarial pool, if anything pressing comes up they will let you know.” Quinn knew that that was polite speak of ‘they won't call you unless s**t hits the fan and even then they will hesitate to do so.’ With a chuckle he waved the older woman out and waited for his friend to come in. It was tempting to toss a ball of paper at him but Quinn decided that was childish, even if it would have been fun.
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Out of politeness, for his friends position more than Quinn himself, Seung had waited patiently to be let into the others office. He had no reason to figure he’d be denied by Quinn, even if the other was busy he’d be allowed to sit in his office as he worked, but Seung knew Quinn wasn’t busy….or at least he shouldn’t be busy right now. The other had lunch scheduled in right now, or he should anyway, and Seung intended to ensure the other ate like a normal person.
When he was motioned to head in he did just that, opening the door and stepping inside. The others promotion, temporary as it may be, meant he had been promoted as well on a temporary basis. Quinn couldn’t handle the South Korea branch while running everything so he had left it in Seung’s capable hands to deal with.
It really wasn’t that hard to settle into things, even though it did mean more work, he just managed his time a bit better and was even more glad that he lived with family who he could lean on a bit if he needed to. Being a parent while also handling this new work was a bit trying at first but he adjusted, rather well in his opinion.
“Quinn. Time to get food, you’ve been busy for hours and need to eat.” He needed to eat as well, though he didn’t say that, he figured Quinn knew this fact.
“Anything in mind or should I find us a place on the way down to the first floor?” While taking the elevator down he could always call a place, if Quinn wanted, and get them a table. Seung just didn’t know if Quinn had booked something or if he wanted something in particular.
When he was motioned to head in he did just that, opening the door and stepping inside. The others promotion, temporary as it may be, meant he had been promoted as well on a temporary basis. Quinn couldn’t handle the South Korea branch while running everything so he had left it in Seung’s capable hands to deal with.
It really wasn’t that hard to settle into things, even though it did mean more work, he just managed his time a bit better and was even more glad that he lived with family who he could lean on a bit if he needed to. Being a parent while also handling this new work was a bit trying at first but he adjusted, rather well in his opinion.
“Quinn. Time to get food, you’ve been busy for hours and need to eat.” He needed to eat as well, though he didn’t say that, he figured Quinn knew this fact.
“Anything in mind or should I find us a place on the way down to the first floor?” While taking the elevator down he could always call a place, if Quinn wanted, and get them a table. Seung just didn’t know if Quinn had booked something or if he wanted something in particular.
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“I know, I know,” Quinn glanced up at his friend as he entered and shoved the last of his work away. “I swear this s**t breeds when I’m away. There is always more by the time I get back,” He cracked the joke half heartedly since it was sadly rather true. He wasn’t entirely sure when the last time he had a paper free desk was. If it wasn’t written reports then it was emails or phone calls. Work didn’t end even if he had to stop for his own sanity, or was forced to when people like Seung or Ms. Karen made him, much to his annoyance. Sometimes he just wanted to escape to his wonder for a week or a month or even maybe a year just to be free of the endless paper mountant. How the hell did his dad handle all this? And Quinn wasn’t even doing as much as his dad normally did, he was just shouldering part of it. With a mental shake the young man pulled himself out of the mental train of thought he had briefly traveled on and grabbed his jacket. A quick check proved that his keys, wallet, and phone were all present. “Nothing in particular really,” Quinn replied even as they left the office, the door closing behind them with a quiet snick.
“We’ve got about two hours or so before my next meeting but I didn’t know how packed your day was.” He didn’t elaborate, there was no need. They both knew that Seung was helming their budding interests in a country a half a world away. He was just as busy as Quinn was if not more so since the time difference made things so much harder. “So where ever you want to go in the time you’ve got,” He shrugged and punched the button for the elevator. The ride down wouldn’t necessarily be quick, especially if they had to stop several times, but it would give them to figure out where and what to eat. “If it's really got to be fast there is the office cafetera though I can’t think that Ms. Karen would appreciate me staying in the building. I think they sicked her on me more as a nursemaid than a secretary sometimes.” His smile and light tone erased any harsh connotations of his statement. The older woman was worth her weight in gold and everyone knew it.
“We’ve got about two hours or so before my next meeting but I didn’t know how packed your day was.” He didn’t elaborate, there was no need. They both knew that Seung was helming their budding interests in a country a half a world away. He was just as busy as Quinn was if not more so since the time difference made things so much harder. “So where ever you want to go in the time you’ve got,” He shrugged and punched the button for the elevator. The ride down wouldn’t necessarily be quick, especially if they had to stop several times, but it would give them to figure out where and what to eat. “If it's really got to be fast there is the office cafetera though I can’t think that Ms. Karen would appreciate me staying in the building. I think they sicked her on me more as a nursemaid than a secretary sometimes.” His smile and light tone erased any harsh connotations of his statement. The older woman was worth her weight in gold and everyone knew it.
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“Work will pile up when you don’t let others take over while away...or when you don’t have people who can do it.” The dark eyed male answered with a smile, something slightly mischievous. “You should train someone to do what you do...who can do these things when you are away.” Since a good part of the time that Quinn wasn’t around neither was he, so he couldn’t manage it for Quinn. “If you have a pile now I can help later. I don’t have a lot of my own work left.” Thankfully, he didn’t like to leave with stuff on his desk but he would - he had to. He knew he couldn’t over work himself, he’d learned that a while back, he didn’t want Terry turning up to drag him back home. He rather liked being in his husbands good graces.
“I don’t have much left aside from some more paperwork. I have a meeting over the internet once I get home.” Due to the fourteen hour time difference between here and Korea. It meant that meetings, almost always done over the internet, were done while he was at home. It was the one part of his job which he had to bring home with him, there was no way he would have people in the office in Korea later than need be just to talk. Papers and e-mails got handled during the day, it sort of in a way made things easier for him. “Mmmm….something light for lunch I think. Nothing too heavy when we still have more to do.”
Smiling to his friend Seung leaned back against the brushed silver wall of the elevator, casual and at ease, he tipped his head back a bit and let his eyes drift closed in thought. “I have a while. I just have papers and e-mails. Those can all wait as long as I want them to really. I handled the important things first.” Anything time sensitive got priority with him...everything else, if it didn’t have as much importance, waited at the back of the line.
“So I have time. We can use the two hours well and spend it eating good food and relaxing as we do so.” The only thing was...what sort of food and where.
“I don’t have much left aside from some more paperwork. I have a meeting over the internet once I get home.” Due to the fourteen hour time difference between here and Korea. It meant that meetings, almost always done over the internet, were done while he was at home. It was the one part of his job which he had to bring home with him, there was no way he would have people in the office in Korea later than need be just to talk. Papers and e-mails got handled during the day, it sort of in a way made things easier for him. “Mmmm….something light for lunch I think. Nothing too heavy when we still have more to do.”
Smiling to his friend Seung leaned back against the brushed silver wall of the elevator, casual and at ease, he tipped his head back a bit and let his eyes drift closed in thought. “I have a while. I just have papers and e-mails. Those can all wait as long as I want them to really. I handled the important things first.” Anything time sensitive got priority with him...everything else, if it didn’t have as much importance, waited at the back of the line.
“So I have time. We can use the two hours well and spend it eating good food and relaxing as we do so.” The only thing was...what sort of food and where.
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“Dude,” Quinn snickered even as the elevator doors closed, “I am that person. I’m the person they used to fill in when people went on vacation. Finding someone to do that for me would be literally finding my replacement for them.” He was mostly joking. A lot of the stuff he felt with he could delegate out but he was still trying to figure out the whole company, learn every facet of the thing so that ment having his eyes on damn near everything even if it was just a report that explained what had happened and why.
The elevator descended and Quinn watched as floor indicator slowly decreases. “Alright. Let’s just poke around then, if I go back before I’m meant to they might kick me back out.” He glanced over at his friend, smirking slightly at the sight of him ‘napping’ against the side of the elevator. “Terry keeping you up at night? Or is it the kids? How are the squirts anyway?” It was hard to even think about how Seung was married let alone having kids. Man, the time was passing way too quickly. The silver doors slid open quietly, releasing the duo into the posh lobby of the building but they hadn’t gotten more than a half a dozen steps before Quinn’s phone chirped softly… his personal phone. He had one that was exclusively for work and one for friends and family. Some had one number, others had the second one, few had both. Seung had both actually, as did the person who’s caller ID just said ‘Rick’. A chill raced up his spine even as he answered the phone, Rick wasn’t someone he would ignore.
The resulting conversation was concise and short. It boiled down to the two of them, Quinn and Seung, both getting back on the elevator and riding it up to the very top of the building where the big offices were. Rick Price, the CFO of the company and Quinn’s dad’s best friend, had basically summoned them. “Sorry man, looks like lunch might be shorter than we expected.” Quinn did his best to joke the uneasy feeling away but he couldn’t shake the dread that was settling around his shoulders. Rick never called him to just chat, let alone summoning him to his office like a child being ordered to come to the principal's office. Something was up and it wouldn’t be anything that he would like.
The elevator descended and Quinn watched as floor indicator slowly decreases. “Alright. Let’s just poke around then, if I go back before I’m meant to they might kick me back out.” He glanced over at his friend, smirking slightly at the sight of him ‘napping’ against the side of the elevator. “Terry keeping you up at night? Or is it the kids? How are the squirts anyway?” It was hard to even think about how Seung was married let alone having kids. Man, the time was passing way too quickly. The silver doors slid open quietly, releasing the duo into the posh lobby of the building but they hadn’t gotten more than a half a dozen steps before Quinn’s phone chirped softly… his personal phone. He had one that was exclusively for work and one for friends and family. Some had one number, others had the second one, few had both. Seung had both actually, as did the person who’s caller ID just said ‘Rick’. A chill raced up his spine even as he answered the phone, Rick wasn’t someone he would ignore.
The resulting conversation was concise and short. It boiled down to the two of them, Quinn and Seung, both getting back on the elevator and riding it up to the very top of the building where the big offices were. Rick Price, the CFO of the company and Quinn’s dad’s best friend, had basically summoned them. “Sorry man, looks like lunch might be shorter than we expected.” Quinn did his best to joke the uneasy feeling away but he couldn’t shake the dread that was settling around his shoulders. Rick never called him to just chat, let alone summoning him to his office like a child being ordered to come to the principal's office. Something was up and it wouldn’t be anything that he would like.
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“I’m aware of that but you could use some help. Part of leading, like you’re doing now, means also learning to give out assignments when needed...so no one is overwhelmed.” Something he knew a lot about, though not as much as Quinn it seemed. The other overworked, and overwhelmed, himself more than anyone he knew - himself included. “You need time to do things, social things, or just for yourself. Think of your wonder as well.” Or perhaps dating...really there were things he could spend some free time on - should spend his time on in fact.
“Both. The twins are doing well though still figuring out things, differences, the language is still a big hurdle we’re working on.” Though they were making progress. It wasn’t so easy to learn a whole new language where some sounds existed which didn’t in your normal language. “I’m not upset with the lost sleep, it’s worth it.” Shrugging a bit as he followed the other off the elevator. It was well worth it, so was the time he spent powered up at night. He had his priorities and he kept them in order, at least he tried to most of the time.
Stopping when Quinn’s phone chirped, figuring out it was the personal number, he watched the other speaking into the phone. When the call was done they were heading back to the elevator rather than out the front doors of the lobby. “Understood. Do you want me to come in or should I order food for delivery to your office?” He could, and would, order something and have someone at the lobby bring it up for them to eat. It wouldn’t be the first time they’d eaten in an office while talking. It had happened a few times and now might be another such time.
“Both. The twins are doing well though still figuring out things, differences, the language is still a big hurdle we’re working on.” Though they were making progress. It wasn’t so easy to learn a whole new language where some sounds existed which didn’t in your normal language. “I’m not upset with the lost sleep, it’s worth it.” Shrugging a bit as he followed the other off the elevator. It was well worth it, so was the time he spent powered up at night. He had his priorities and he kept them in order, at least he tried to most of the time.
Stopping when Quinn’s phone chirped, figuring out it was the personal number, he watched the other speaking into the phone. When the call was done they were heading back to the elevator rather than out the front doors of the lobby. “Understood. Do you want me to come in or should I order food for delivery to your office?” He could, and would, order something and have someone at the lobby bring it up for them to eat. It wouldn’t be the first time they’d eaten in an office while talking. It had happened a few times and now might be another such time.
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“No,” Quinn tried to suppress the apprehension that was building in him but it just got worse as they once more waited for the elevator. “He said he wanted to see us both. Maybe we can get something after.” It was a faint hope but one that he would cling to like there was no tomorrow because if Rick really did keep them for the two hours that he had for his lunch break then s**t really had hit the fan. It was not anything he was looking forward too. The ride up was silent except for the soft chime of the floors slowly increasing, his heart rate felt like it was rising just as the elevator was. Damn it, what exactly happened?
Quinn’s internal question never had the chance to be mulled over because once more the silver doors opened quietly and the duo stepped off into the spacious area that housed only a few rooms. The CEO’s office dominated the space with the CFO’s being a close second. It was the latter’s office door that stood open, a gruff looking man standing there waiting for them. “Uncle Rick what's going on?” Quinn didn’t even realized he had slipped and called the older man uncle. He was a honorary member of his family but Quinn did his best to keep ‘family’ from the work place, it was hard enough to shake the feeling that others believed he had his position just because of his name referring to Rick as ‘uncle’ would just make it worse.
“Sit down Quinn.” Rick gestured them inside then closed the door. The large space seemed rather ominously quiet and Quinn definitely felt it.
“Why?” He stood a bit defensively in front of the other’s desk, his green gaze pinned to the other. The order irked him but the uncertainty of the whole situation put him on edge. He had no intention of sitting down until he knew what was going on.
“Sit. Down!” At the barked order Quinn instinctively sat, gaping a bit at the other male. “Damn it boy.” Rick cursed softly before anxiously running his hand through what was left of his thinning hair. “I just got a call from Colorado Police…” He paused and took a breath, “Your folks were in an accident. They are in stable but critical condition. They were driving and-”
Quinn didn’t hear anything beyond accident. It was as if his brain shut down. All function failed him and he couldn’t do more then stare at the man in front of him. There had been a accident. His parents. Accident. His mother, his father… Accident! “I need to go! Now!” He cut off the explanation that Rick was still giving as he jumped up, his eyes a bit wild and unfocused. He didn’t get a step from the seat before Rick snapped at him to once more sit down.
“If you don’t sit your a** down right now I’ll have Seung tie you down.”
Quinn’s internal question never had the chance to be mulled over because once more the silver doors opened quietly and the duo stepped off into the spacious area that housed only a few rooms. The CEO’s office dominated the space with the CFO’s being a close second. It was the latter’s office door that stood open, a gruff looking man standing there waiting for them. “Uncle Rick what's going on?” Quinn didn’t even realized he had slipped and called the older man uncle. He was a honorary member of his family but Quinn did his best to keep ‘family’ from the work place, it was hard enough to shake the feeling that others believed he had his position just because of his name referring to Rick as ‘uncle’ would just make it worse.
“Sit down Quinn.” Rick gestured them inside then closed the door. The large space seemed rather ominously quiet and Quinn definitely felt it.
“Why?” He stood a bit defensively in front of the other’s desk, his green gaze pinned to the other. The order irked him but the uncertainty of the whole situation put him on edge. He had no intention of sitting down until he knew what was going on.
“Sit. Down!” At the barked order Quinn instinctively sat, gaping a bit at the other male. “Damn it boy.” Rick cursed softly before anxiously running his hand through what was left of his thinning hair. “I just got a call from Colorado Police…” He paused and took a breath, “Your folks were in an accident. They are in stable but critical condition. They were driving and-”
Quinn didn’t hear anything beyond accident. It was as if his brain shut down. All function failed him and he couldn’t do more then stare at the man in front of him. There had been a accident. His parents. Accident. His mother, his father… Accident! “I need to go! Now!” He cut off the explanation that Rick was still giving as he jumped up, his eyes a bit wild and unfocused. He didn’t get a step from the seat before Rick snapped at him to once more sit down.
“If you don’t sit your a** down right now I’ll have Seung tie you down.”
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Both of them? So maybe something business related, but that didn’t sound right, it didn’t make much sense though. Seung didn’t know the man very well, having not needed to interact with him much, but he knew the serious implications of needing to meet the man now, especially when Quinn was supposed to be on a break to go eat and such.
“Alright…” It didn’t sit well with him that they were both being called up, not at all. So he pulled out his phone and sent a text to Terry letting him know that it might be a late night, just incase. He didn’t want to not warn his husband, and leave him to handle the kids with his two cousins.
“I would hope he doesn’t keep us that long...but if something needs us both in his office….” Trailing off, he didn’t need to say more. This was likely to keep them longer than either of their breaks, he was certain of that.
The silent walk from the elevator to the office, past the older man, was all rather ominous in feeling like a storm rolling in and watching it. You could almost see the storm rolling in but while you couldn’t see it you could certainly feel it in the office as he sat, waiting for Quinn to sit. Normally he would have teased his friend, and boss, just a bit over sitting down as he had but this wasn’t a time to laugh and he knew it - felt it. Waiting to find out what happened Seung didn’t have to wait long. Rick dropped the news on them and he was up and moving to grasp his friends shirt and pull him back.
“You need to sit and find out what we can. You won’t be of help running off like this. You need to be calm enough to make decisions and hear what doctors, and nurses, have to say. You aren’t - not right now.” And no doubt Quinn would make himself into an absolute wreck by the time he arrived in Colorado. He’d be no use to his parents other than some pacing about nervous wreck of a son.
Perhaps it was because they weren't his parents, no matter how close he’d become to them over time, but it allowed him some detachment from this so he could keep a clear enough head. He’d also been in a similar situation before...and that one had been closer to home than this one was.
“Alright…” It didn’t sit well with him that they were both being called up, not at all. So he pulled out his phone and sent a text to Terry letting him know that it might be a late night, just incase. He didn’t want to not warn his husband, and leave him to handle the kids with his two cousins.
“I would hope he doesn’t keep us that long...but if something needs us both in his office….” Trailing off, he didn’t need to say more. This was likely to keep them longer than either of their breaks, he was certain of that.
The silent walk from the elevator to the office, past the older man, was all rather ominous in feeling like a storm rolling in and watching it. You could almost see the storm rolling in but while you couldn’t see it you could certainly feel it in the office as he sat, waiting for Quinn to sit. Normally he would have teased his friend, and boss, just a bit over sitting down as he had but this wasn’t a time to laugh and he knew it - felt it. Waiting to find out what happened Seung didn’t have to wait long. Rick dropped the news on them and he was up and moving to grasp his friends shirt and pull him back.
“You need to sit and find out what we can. You won’t be of help running off like this. You need to be calm enough to make decisions and hear what doctors, and nurses, have to say. You aren’t - not right now.” And no doubt Quinn would make himself into an absolute wreck by the time he arrived in Colorado. He’d be no use to his parents other than some pacing about nervous wreck of a son.
Perhaps it was because they weren't his parents, no matter how close he’d become to them over time, but it allowed him some detachment from this so he could keep a clear enough head. He’d also been in a similar situation before...and that one had been closer to home than this one was.
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Rick nodded at the young man who was holding his nephew back, honestly that was one of the reasons he had wanted Seung here as well. “Seung is right. Sit down boy, this is a lot more complicated than you think.” Sighing again the larger man sat on the edge of his desk and for the first time in a long time he felt his age.
As much as Quinn wanted to shake his friend off and go running out of the room he knew Seung had a point. It hurt to admit it and it went against every fiber of his being. He wanted to jump into his car and fly to his parents side. He couldn’t sit though, he just wouldn’t be able to. “Then explain it.” So I can leave. The second part wasn’t spoken but it was clear that’s what he ment.
“I’ve already called for the plane to be prepared. That will take a bit so we have the time.” He gestured Seung towards the other seat. There was no point in both of the boys standing there like they were ready for a brawl. “Your father is the face of the company, always has been. Do you have any idea what will happen when word of this leaks?” He didn’t pause long enough for Quinn or Seung to answer, “the stock will crash and there will be mass panic. We need to contain this so here is the plan.” Rick went on to explain that Quinn and Rick’s assistant would be flying to Colorado for ‘work’ and when they let the public know about the accident they would also be announcing Quinn’s taking his place as CEO. “That should at least prevent a nose dive at the market. It will still be affected but it shouldn’t be unmanageable.”
Rick looked a bit harried and annoyed but Quinn looked honestly green. He knew it would happen someday, prayed it never would most of the time, but to know that before the year was out? It terrified him. The fear warred with the worry over his folks and he kind of tuned out again. With yet another sigh Rick looked over at Seung and for the first time spoke directly to the young man.
“Sadly you are in the middle of this. I won’t ask you to go with my idiot nephew to Colorado but I would appreciate it if you could get him safely on the plane. I’ll cover any meetings either of you that you can’t rearrange. He will need to pack and drop his monster cat off at the manor, they will be able to take care of her there.” He paused for a moment before asking, “am I missing anything?”
As much as Quinn wanted to shake his friend off and go running out of the room he knew Seung had a point. It hurt to admit it and it went against every fiber of his being. He wanted to jump into his car and fly to his parents side. He couldn’t sit though, he just wouldn’t be able to. “Then explain it.” So I can leave. The second part wasn’t spoken but it was clear that’s what he ment.
“I’ve already called for the plane to be prepared. That will take a bit so we have the time.” He gestured Seung towards the other seat. There was no point in both of the boys standing there like they were ready for a brawl. “Your father is the face of the company, always has been. Do you have any idea what will happen when word of this leaks?” He didn’t pause long enough for Quinn or Seung to answer, “the stock will crash and there will be mass panic. We need to contain this so here is the plan.” Rick went on to explain that Quinn and Rick’s assistant would be flying to Colorado for ‘work’ and when they let the public know about the accident they would also be announcing Quinn’s taking his place as CEO. “That should at least prevent a nose dive at the market. It will still be affected but it shouldn’t be unmanageable.”
Rick looked a bit harried and annoyed but Quinn looked honestly green. He knew it would happen someday, prayed it never would most of the time, but to know that before the year was out? It terrified him. The fear warred with the worry over his folks and he kind of tuned out again. With yet another sigh Rick looked over at Seung and for the first time spoke directly to the young man.
“Sadly you are in the middle of this. I won’t ask you to go with my idiot nephew to Colorado but I would appreciate it if you could get him safely on the plane. I’ll cover any meetings either of you that you can’t rearrange. He will need to pack and drop his monster cat off at the manor, they will be able to take care of her there.” He paused for a moment before asking, “am I missing anything?”
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“He will...but you aren’t leaving yet. You need food if your going to run into this, you’ll forget between now and then if someone doesn’t get you to eat now.” And he was all but ready to pull out his phone and call for food, though he sort of hoped the others uncle had food on the way already. If Quinn got away from them he’d forget to eat, no doubt about it, and he’d wind up even more useless due to his own health and pushing himself too much.
“That’ll work….also wouldn’t also announce me as taking up the Korean end of things fully help as well? I don’t, on paper or to the public, run that branch. If it gets out that I’m heading it...it might help. It’ll seem like he’s starting off by delegating and assigning things to people...that there is some change in things. Rather than just putting him in charge.” Shrugging a bit he smiled up at the others uncle, having retaken his seat at some point.
“I’m fine with being in the middle of this, I’d be surprised if I wasn’t. I’ll help with what i can here once he’s on the plane to help his parents. I’ll inform the secretary, his personal one, and have her help me in managing the paperwork left on his desk and we’ll get through it. I’ll let the Korea branch, when it’s daytime there, know what’s going on and handle anything on that end as well. I think we can make the shift nicely, at least on the outside, and that’s what counts.” Shrugging his shoulders a bit as he spoke. What mattered most was what the public, especially shareholders, saw and heard. They had to watch everything...and they would.
“I’ll get the cat on the way back from the airport. Food for Quinn...then airport...then the cat. I’ll come back and handle things then with you and his secretary. I’ll call Korea tonight. Does that cover everything and work?”
“That’ll work….also wouldn’t also announce me as taking up the Korean end of things fully help as well? I don’t, on paper or to the public, run that branch. If it gets out that I’m heading it...it might help. It’ll seem like he’s starting off by delegating and assigning things to people...that there is some change in things. Rather than just putting him in charge.” Shrugging a bit he smiled up at the others uncle, having retaken his seat at some point.
“I’m fine with being in the middle of this, I’d be surprised if I wasn’t. I’ll help with what i can here once he’s on the plane to help his parents. I’ll inform the secretary, his personal one, and have her help me in managing the paperwork left on his desk and we’ll get through it. I’ll let the Korea branch, when it’s daytime there, know what’s going on and handle anything on that end as well. I think we can make the shift nicely, at least on the outside, and that’s what counts.” Shrugging his shoulders a bit as he spoke. What mattered most was what the public, especially shareholders, saw and heard. They had to watch everything...and they would.
“I’ll get the cat on the way back from the airport. Food for Quinn...then airport...then the cat. I’ll come back and handle things then with you and his secretary. I’ll call Korea tonight. Does that cover everything and work?”
Rick winced, he had forgotten the time himself and the knowledge that he likely interrupted the duo’s lunch plans. “I can call the plane and let them know to set up some food but it wouldn’t hurt for you guys to grab something fast on the way there as well.” The call had really thrown him off, first it was because his friend was in grave condition but then the business side of his mind kicked in and everything went to hell in a handbasket. “I would rather you not tell the Korea branch just yet, we won't make the announcement until we know what exactly is going on out in Colorado but you do have a point. When we announce Quinn it wouldn’t be a bad idea to also announce other promotions and general restructuring. I guess I’ll have to find people to step into the duties that he had been working on.” Rick frowned at his nephew, who had been sitting there basically watching the conversation bounce back and forth between the other two males, “I was under the impression that you had basically stepped down from Korea and was delegating a lot of the stuff that landed on your desk to the appropriate departments.”
Quinn had been watching the conversation like a spectator at a tennis match, it was almost as if he didn’t realize that they were talking about his life. They didn’t need his input anyway, not with the way Rick and Seung were handling everything but he did break free of his rather detached feelings long enough to shrug at the scowling face of his uncle. “I did, some.” He mostly just wanted to leave. He wanted to go already. “If you two are done I think it’s time to go.” He started to move but settled back in place when Rick directed a glare his way.
“The plane won't leave without you. And if you have a mountain of paperwork waiting for you then you have definitely not been following orders so no, I’m not happy with you right now boy.” That was something they would have to handle later. That and his workload, the people taking his place, the PR for the whole fiasco… Rick’s work was never ending. Turning back to Seung he nodded, “That and clothes. I think that covers everything, the rest we will figure out later. You two should head out, the plane will be ready in about two hours.”
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“He did but it wasn’t official that things were more or less in my hands...and that is a better idea. We’ll go with your plan on how and when to release information Rick.” Nodding his head to punctuate his words, to confirm them. The best option, as he’d said, was to make other changes and not just Quinn taking over and a known friend, and associate, of his to take over a branch as well. It would seem very bad for them, at least some people might find it a bad sign as well as favoritism.
“I’ll help, if you’d like, to find people we can suggest for upward movement as well? A little less work for you Rick...so you can focus on your friend as well?” He offered gently. Quinn’s father was after all his friend, a very close and long time friend, and he wanted to help lighten the mans load if he could. Anything to allow Quinn and rick to focus on themselves, their emotions, and their friend/father. Seung knew the man, well, but he wasn’t as close as the other two males in the room with him.
“Can I have someone get his clothing ready so we can just drop by and pick up luggage? That was we can cut time there which will allow for picking up food for Quinn to eat on the way?” Wanting to cut corners where he could in order to allow for Quinn’s health, normal bodily needs, to be tended to first. He needed food, would need it more once he arrived in Colorado, so he was hoping to get food into the other as soon as he could. “I’ll have his secretary call the plane and let them know to have food on standby for the flight. We’ll get something on the way...I’ll have my own secretary handle that call...and if you can arrange for clothing pick up at Quinn’s place.”
“I’ll help, if you’d like, to find people we can suggest for upward movement as well? A little less work for you Rick...so you can focus on your friend as well?” He offered gently. Quinn’s father was after all his friend, a very close and long time friend, and he wanted to help lighten the mans load if he could. Anything to allow Quinn and rick to focus on themselves, their emotions, and their friend/father. Seung knew the man, well, but he wasn’t as close as the other two males in the room with him.
“Can I have someone get his clothing ready so we can just drop by and pick up luggage? That was we can cut time there which will allow for picking up food for Quinn to eat on the way?” Wanting to cut corners where he could in order to allow for Quinn’s health, normal bodily needs, to be tended to first. He needed food, would need it more once he arrived in Colorado, so he was hoping to get food into the other as soon as he could. “I’ll have his secretary call the plane and let them know to have food on standby for the flight. We’ll get something on the way...I’ll have my own secretary handle that call...and if you can arrange for clothing pick up at Quinn’s place.”
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As much as Quinn wanted to lash out at the two, mostly by commenting on how his life was being planned around him with him standing right there, he kept his mouth shut. He knew that a lot of it was coming from the worry over his parents and the need to get moving already. It didn’t matter that he logically knew that the plane would be the fastest way and that took time to get ready, his body practically screamed at him to start running if that's what it took. Power up and run the whole way, damn the consequences. He might have been antsy but he wasn’t stupid so rather than follow his base instincts he began to pace. He stalked over to the large windows behind Rick’s desk and just paced. He kept from the door because he almost half expected Seung or Rick or them both would tackle his a** to the carpet before he even reached it.
Rick just watched his nephew, suppressing the urge to sigh yet again, he understood where the boy was coming from. He wanted to go racing halfway across the country too but he knew better. He would do his friend more good by staying here and helping the company weather the storm that was brewing. Rather than focusing on the boy currently stressing out behind him he focused on Seung. “The help would be appreciated. Picking up the clothes on the run should be fine I’ve just have to figure out who could put together a go bag for him… and how they will get in.” He didn’t get to muse on the subject any further because Quinn spoke up at that point.
“My landlady can let someone in, just pick someone already. If we have to eat first before I get on the damn plane then lets go.” He practically growled at the duo. Standing around here didn’t get anything done, damn it.
“Arthur James Quinton! I will not tolerate that tone from you! Not now, not ever!” Rick snapped back. His tone carried so much more weight behind it. Much more menacing then the duo had probably heard in their everyday lives. He might look his age but he could still smack the boy down a peg or two if there was a need.
Quinn knew the moment he said it he crossed a line, Rick was right. It was wrong of him… still didn’t mean the feeling behind it wasn’t there though. “I’m sorry. That was uncalled for but can we please just go already? My landlady has my apartment keys, lets just call her then get someone over there to toss a bag together while Seung and I eat,” choke down food, he silently amended as he tried to look contrite but firm in his desire to get out of that office.
It hadn’t been the best of the apologies but Rick understood. He wanted to leave too but sadly someone had to man the fort. Unable to do anything but sigh the older male seemed to sink in on himself for a moment, “Fine. Go. I’ll deal with it. Get out before you decide that it will be faster if you flap your arms and fly there yourself.” He waved in the direction of the door before taking a bracing breath, straightening up, and grabbing the phone. He picked it up and started to dial only to glance at the two boys, “Well? What are you waiting for. Go!” He didn’t even watch to see if they left before he finished pushing the buttons. “Franklin? Yeah, I need you to do me a favor.”
Quinn didn’t need anymore urging. Snagging Seung’s arm on the way out he hustled them out of the office and practically willed the elevator to appear. “Come on, comeon, comeoncomeon…” Maybe running really would be faster?
Rick just watched his nephew, suppressing the urge to sigh yet again, he understood where the boy was coming from. He wanted to go racing halfway across the country too but he knew better. He would do his friend more good by staying here and helping the company weather the storm that was brewing. Rather than focusing on the boy currently stressing out behind him he focused on Seung. “The help would be appreciated. Picking up the clothes on the run should be fine I’ve just have to figure out who could put together a go bag for him… and how they will get in.” He didn’t get to muse on the subject any further because Quinn spoke up at that point.
“My landlady can let someone in, just pick someone already. If we have to eat first before I get on the damn plane then lets go.” He practically growled at the duo. Standing around here didn’t get anything done, damn it.
“Arthur James Quinton! I will not tolerate that tone from you! Not now, not ever!” Rick snapped back. His tone carried so much more weight behind it. Much more menacing then the duo had probably heard in their everyday lives. He might look his age but he could still smack the boy down a peg or two if there was a need.
Quinn knew the moment he said it he crossed a line, Rick was right. It was wrong of him… still didn’t mean the feeling behind it wasn’t there though. “I’m sorry. That was uncalled for but can we please just go already? My landlady has my apartment keys, lets just call her then get someone over there to toss a bag together while Seung and I eat,” choke down food, he silently amended as he tried to look contrite but firm in his desire to get out of that office.
It hadn’t been the best of the apologies but Rick understood. He wanted to leave too but sadly someone had to man the fort. Unable to do anything but sigh the older male seemed to sink in on himself for a moment, “Fine. Go. I’ll deal with it. Get out before you decide that it will be faster if you flap your arms and fly there yourself.” He waved in the direction of the door before taking a bracing breath, straightening up, and grabbing the phone. He picked it up and started to dial only to glance at the two boys, “Well? What are you waiting for. Go!” He didn’t even watch to see if they left before he finished pushing the buttons. “Franklin? Yeah, I need you to do me a favor.”
Quinn didn’t need anymore urging. Snagging Seung’s arm on the way out he hustled them out of the office and practically willed the elevator to appear. “Come on, comeon, comeoncomeon…” Maybe running really would be faster?
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“That will work.” Having the landlady let someone in, someone who could toss clothing into a bag, that would be perfect and he was glad to hear some sense from his friend. He knew the other was stressed and he understood it, more than most knew, but he knew that things had to get done and be tended to. There may not be a solid order in which it all needed to get done, though there was some order, but it was needed. Some order inside all the chaos sort to speak...a balance.
“Things will work out you know. Just a small storm to get through…” He spoke as he let himself be tugged along. He was still shocked over Rick and the tone he’d taken with Quinn but he did understand, it was just unexpected given how the man normally was with them both.
“I’ll handle things while you are gone...we will make the transition as smooth as we can for you...and help in it all. Don’t worry about the company once you get there. We have it all here.” Quinn had taken in Seung to work with him...trusted him and his idea to branch out to Korea. He had taken a risk and Seung was hoping he could more than pay his friend back and help him out and do his best right now - he needed to.
“I’ll call for food….and I’m driving.” He didn’t trust the other to drive right now, who would? Seung also had more than enough ability behind the wheel of a car, including getting through traffic in a way which scared his own husband. There was a reason Terry didn’t like Seung driving back in Korea, he reverted back to driving as he had to there.
Pulling out his phone, as they waited in the elevator, he dialed up one of the closer restaurants and went to placing an order for Quinn for curbside pick up. He’d bother with a meal for himself later - once everything was done. Once things settled, a bit, and Quinn was off and his cat was tended to than he would call Terry and he would eat. Maybe he’d take some work home and finish it at home after a family meal….
Once the food order was placed he hung up his phone and moved on to calling his own secretary. That conversation was rather quick, with him not giving her much information, he simply made sure she would arrange for food on Quinn’s plane ride to Colorado - he had some business to take care of there. There would be enough food and drink for the flight there she assured him, which was good. He just had to hope that someone on the plane would make sure Quinn ate..and rested perhaps, though he doubted the other capable of resting at all.
Once he hung up, just as the doors were opening again, he turned to his friend. “Rest on the plane. I have been in similar shoes to yours now...very similar but not the same. Rest is needed - for a clear head.” Speaking as he hurried through the lobby and nodded once to those around them as he made sure to keep a brisk pace towards where Quinn’s car was, as he didn’t have his own and had, today, opted for public transportation.
“Things will work out you know. Just a small storm to get through…” He spoke as he let himself be tugged along. He was still shocked over Rick and the tone he’d taken with Quinn but he did understand, it was just unexpected given how the man normally was with them both.
“I’ll handle things while you are gone...we will make the transition as smooth as we can for you...and help in it all. Don’t worry about the company once you get there. We have it all here.” Quinn had taken in Seung to work with him...trusted him and his idea to branch out to Korea. He had taken a risk and Seung was hoping he could more than pay his friend back and help him out and do his best right now - he needed to.
“I’ll call for food….and I’m driving.” He didn’t trust the other to drive right now, who would? Seung also had more than enough ability behind the wheel of a car, including getting through traffic in a way which scared his own husband. There was a reason Terry didn’t like Seung driving back in Korea, he reverted back to driving as he had to there.
Pulling out his phone, as they waited in the elevator, he dialed up one of the closer restaurants and went to placing an order for Quinn for curbside pick up. He’d bother with a meal for himself later - once everything was done. Once things settled, a bit, and Quinn was off and his cat was tended to than he would call Terry and he would eat. Maybe he’d take some work home and finish it at home after a family meal….
Once the food order was placed he hung up his phone and moved on to calling his own secretary. That conversation was rather quick, with him not giving her much information, he simply made sure she would arrange for food on Quinn’s plane ride to Colorado - he had some business to take care of there. There would be enough food and drink for the flight there she assured him, which was good. He just had to hope that someone on the plane would make sure Quinn ate..and rested perhaps, though he doubted the other capable of resting at all.
Once he hung up, just as the doors were opening again, he turned to his friend. “Rest on the plane. I have been in similar shoes to yours now...very similar but not the same. Rest is needed - for a clear head.” Speaking as he hurried through the lobby and nodded once to those around them as he made sure to keep a brisk pace towards where Quinn’s car was, as he didn’t have his own and had, today, opted for public transportation.
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Quinn really appreciated Seung, he was like a brother to him but right then Quinn didn’t give a royal damn what he was saying. Seung could be telling him the secrets of the universe and he would never have even realized it, green eyes were trained on the slowly decreasing elevator numbers. The only thing that kept him from pacing was the rather irrational idea that if he looked away from the floor numbers they would stop moving… that or someone else would get on. He needed to leave. He had to get there, now and slowing the elevator even by one floor was too much.
The only thing that had him glance away for a split second was when Seung announced that he would be driving. Quinn nearly argued against such a move, he had been in the car a time or two with Seung behind the wheel, but instead just grunted, tossed the keys to Seung, and returned to his elevator number vigil. Between the two of them Quinn might get them where they are going a little faster but Seung would get them there safer… without really losing any speed. The fellow knight was a bit batty on the road, the ‘Oh s**t’ handle was definitely needed, and no sane adult would want to share a highway let alone a car with him, except right now. Right now Quinn knew Seung would be the fastest driver around. Quinn would have just been reckless.
And then they were there, the Lobby. Quinn tensed, ready to go racing out of the elevator as soon as the doors opened, only to be brought up short by Seung yet again. The other male didn’t hold him back, didn’t physically delay him at all but he did offer a piece of advice. He suggested Quinn rest as best he could on the plane, he would need a clear head. Then, just as much as he needed now. “I’ll try,” Quinn gave a quick nod then strode out of the elevator. He was moving quickly but not racing like he really wanted too. There might be questions asked but at least he wouldn’t be drawing speculation by running.
Dear god the flight was going to be a nightmare. As the duo strode towards Quinn’s car the young man in question silently wondered if it would have been faster to snag a negaverser and make them teleport him to Colorado… and if such large distances were even possible. It had be faster than a plane.
The only thing that had him glance away for a split second was when Seung announced that he would be driving. Quinn nearly argued against such a move, he had been in the car a time or two with Seung behind the wheel, but instead just grunted, tossed the keys to Seung, and returned to his elevator number vigil. Between the two of them Quinn might get them where they are going a little faster but Seung would get them there safer… without really losing any speed. The fellow knight was a bit batty on the road, the ‘Oh s**t’ handle was definitely needed, and no sane adult would want to share a highway let alone a car with him, except right now. Right now Quinn knew Seung would be the fastest driver around. Quinn would have just been reckless.
And then they were there, the Lobby. Quinn tensed, ready to go racing out of the elevator as soon as the doors opened, only to be brought up short by Seung yet again. The other male didn’t hold him back, didn’t physically delay him at all but he did offer a piece of advice. He suggested Quinn rest as best he could on the plane, he would need a clear head. Then, just as much as he needed now. “I’ll try,” Quinn gave a quick nod then strode out of the elevator. He was moving quickly but not racing like he really wanted too. There might be questions asked but at least he wouldn’t be drawing speculation by running.
Dear god the flight was going to be a nightmare. As the duo strode towards Quinn’s car the young man in question silently wondered if it would have been faster to snag a negaverser and make them teleport him to Colorado… and if such large distances were even possible. It had be faster than a plane.
