Martin stills, the tea not quite making it to his lips as he pieces together what John is implying. The look he's giving makes it fairly clear, but Martin is so certain he must be misunderstanding, surely not, and he doesn't want to assume anything lest he look... overeager, or even downright pathetic. Maybe it's a joke. It doesn't seem like a joke, or like something John would joke about, but...

But John doesn't clarify, and after a moment he sets his cup back down on the desk.

"S-sorry," he says, his smile small and nervous, "are you... promoting me?"