imagines

homewrecker | jim halpert, the office

 figuring out ur sexuality is so hard :(( - implied female reader

     The first thing you'd expect when working in an office probably would be a quiet, warm environment, everyone hard at work at their desks, making successful sales calls or calculating this year's budget cuts.

     But of course, working at the Dunder Mifflin office in Scranton meant there was never a moment of peace, and today was in fact proving that, as you and the rest of your coworkers were currently in the middle of one of the many downfalls of Ryan and Kelly.

     No one was sure how it started initially - somehow Kelly had gotten the idea that Ryan was cheating on her, which turned int Ryan saying she can't expect him to stay committed to something, which turned into Ryan accusing Kelly of cheating.

     It was amusing, to say the least, and listening to Jim and Pam's commentary behind you was easily adding to the fun. That was, until Ryan told Kelly she was being too clingy.

     "At least I'm not a homewrecker like [Y/N]!" As soon as the words left Kelly's mouth, all eyes were on you, but you were just as confused as your coworkers.

     "What are you talking about?" You didn't bother to hide the shock and slight anger that was slowly building, and by the way Kelly instantly began getting defensive everyone could tell.

     "Oh please, everyone can tell that you're always flirting with Jim even though he's been dating Pam for months now! At least I'm not like that, Ryan! At least I'm not a whore!" That caught everyone's attention, and judging by the look on his face, it was the first Jim was hearing of it as well.

     From behind you, Pam was trying to diffuse the situation - "Hey, Kelly, maybe we should just drop it-"

     "But you're the one that's so worried about it Pam! I mean why would you complain to me about it so many times if all of a sudden it isn't a big deal?"

     Before anyone could even say anything, Michael finally decided he wanted to know what was going on and slowly emerged from his office.

     "What's not a big deal?" He asked, glancing around at everyone, clasping his hands together in response to the awkward silence.

     And of course, it was Kelly who broke it - "[Y/N] is trying to sleep with Jim."

     As soon as Michael comprehended what Kelly said, he slowly turned to look at you, mouth agape . Furrowing your eyebrows, you mirrored his expression and turned to look at Pam, then Jim. Standing quickly, you took a deep, shaky breath before making a beeline for the door.

     "Unbelievable." You whispered as you passed Pam's desk, not daring to make any more eye contact than needed.

     As you descended the stairs, you found it hard to wrap your head around how Pam had come to the conclusion you were trying to sleep with her boyfriend, someone you had been friends with since you were kids almost, but you guessed that after everything they've been through together you understood.

     But how it had to become known to the entire office? That one was harder to conclude.

     By the time you made it outside, you had started sobbing, and barely made it to the back of the building before your knees gave out. It wasn't like you were purposely trying to set yourself up for this — Jim was your best friend too, and being Pam's boyfriend shouldn't change that.

     Of course, the more that you thought about it the more it made sense — whenever Jim wasn't at reception, pranking Dwight, or actually doing his job, he was usually bothering you (which wasn't hard, since you sat right next to him). And because his many visits with Pam eventually led to them getting together, you kind of understood how your camaraderie would look from an outsider's perspective. You just wished Kelly wasn't so cutthroat and that Michael knew how to stay out of things.

     There was absolutely no way that you would ever date Jim, even if you were the last two people on Earth and it was up to you to repopulate. Part if it was due to the fact that you'd known him for so long, and the rest was do to the fact that he was a guy — something you had absolutely no interest in.

     You had been meaning to come out to Jim and Pam (and the rest of the office, inevitably), but after seeing what that did for Oscar you changed your mind, and it seemed that was finally coming back to bite you.

     It felt like you had been outside for hours, but only 10 minutes had gone by before you heard footsteps approaching, and quickly reached up to wipe your tears.

     "Hey, [Y/N]?" It was Jim, but you weren't sure at this point if that was a good thing or a bad one.

     Sniffing, you waved, knowing if you said anything you'd probably start crying again. "I, uh, talked to Pam. It's all just kind of a big misunderstanding."

     "I figured. I kinda get it, I just uh... wish she would have come to me about it instead of everyone else."

     Jim nodded, coming to sit next to you as a way of comfort. "And for the record, I never was flirting with you. That's kinda gross, no offence."

     "Wow, harsh! But I guess none taken." He chuckled, and though it was just a joke and didn't mean anything, you suddenly felt the need to tell him everything.

     "I mean it's got nothing to do with you personally!! You're a great friend and person in general and you're definitely not unattractive and Pam is so so lucky to have you and I—."

     Jim was quick to stop your rambling, gently grabbing your upper arms and turning you towards him "Hey! Hey, you don't have to explain anything to me, it's okay, I know you and I trust you. You're one of my best friends, [Y/N]."

     Taking a deep breath, you gave him a pointed look, the tears burning your eyes making him look wobbly and blurry. "I have to tell you something that I've never told anyone before and I need you to promise me you won't tell anyone else, not even Pam. Right away, anyways."

     "[Y/N], you're kinda starting to scare me." He was chuckling, but you could tell that you were actually starting to worry him.

     With another deep breath, you looked down, trying to hide the tears that were falling. You knew if you said it, that would make it real. "[Y/N]?"

     "I um.... I'm a lesbian."

     The silence that followed instantly threw you off, but as you watched Jim's face change in reaction, you knew that it wasn't at all a big deal to him.

     "Okay. Would you be mad if I said I've kinda always known?" You shook your head, letting out a surprised chuckle.

     "Of course I would! That would have saved me years of worry dude! Wait, for how long?"

     Jim shook his head, his stupid little smile growing wider by the minute. "Like, since 10th grade? You're literally so obvious when you're checking people out. Especially when it comes to AP Biology teachers."

     You rolled your eyes, happy the warmth in your cheeks was from an embarrassment you could handle. "I mean, could you blame me?"

     Jim just laughed — it was nice to be able to laugh about the things you were freaking out over only moments ago, and you only hoped that Pam would be as understanding and would hopefully never consider you a homewrecker again.

     "I'm glad you told me. I know it's not easy, and I mean after what happened to Oscar I get why you didn't say anything. And so will Pam, when you're ready to tell her."

     You nodded, reaching up to wipe the few stray tears that remained. You both stood, Jim pulling you into his arms for a proper hug, one that told you he was serious when he said it would all be okay. 

     And everything was. When you worked up the courage to tell everyone it was went better than you thought - it was the next day that Pam confronted you privately in the lunchroom, apologizing profusely and prompting a discussion about how if you were to do any 'homewrecking' it wouldn't be on Jim's behalf, it would be hers. Of course you were joking - and you were glad that she laughed, glad that she understood, and glad that Jim had finally gotten the girl he deserved. It was a home you couldn't wreck even if you wanted to. :)

(the way that I am unable to properly end these?? makes sense that conclusions were never mny strong suit in school lmao)