It was only a few weeks before a few local holidays got chunked together and the office just let them have the week off for it, but Paul wasn't worried about that. He was worried about you. Every day, you had been distant and gruff with people you were usually so warm and polite with, your usual awkward kindness— that Paul had to admit with your big innocent 'don't-yell-at-me-or-I'll-cry' eyes and the way you stuttered and just your overall attitude was much cuter than Paul's bumbling attempts at politeness that came off as uncomfortably awkward compared to your cuter mannerisms— but you were a shell. Paul gave his usual tight smile and wave, while you kept your head down nowadays and just worked without chat. It was starting to bum the whole office out. Even Ted, the insufferable prick, was getting a furrowed eyebrow when he received a stumbled 'sorry' instead of your usual blushing and flushed response to his slight flirting.

Another day, another shift of whatever Paul did at work anymore. At this point half his time was taken up with worry about you. How you had been going to the bathroom and coming back with red puffy eyes, gruffly brushing anyone off who asked about it. Not today though... today you didn't come back out, even after 15 minutes, so Paul got up with a sigh and went to go check on you.

'Hey... you- oh...'

He caught you crying, with you sniffling and quickly wiping your eyes while turning away, a lame 'something in my eyes' excuse falling from you.

'... c'mon... what's really up? You know I'm here for you. Listening ear, shoulder to cry on, supportive words, I'm here for you.'