#Automatic Passenger Counting and Information System

[derraceserrano]

"An old woman will arrive at the station at 2:47 AM, she will not have enough money to pay the fare, let her in anyway. She will then board an unscheduled train at 3:00 AM. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO TURN HER AWAY UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES." The paper said. I found it while going through the drawers of the old filing cabinet, just sitting on top of some folders. It was written in shaky handwriting, addressed to the worker of the ticket booth, dated for today. Tonight. I looked at my watch, it was 2:40 AM.

7 minutes, I had 7 minutes. I grabbed the paper and walked a few steps back to the front of the booth and looked out the window. The platform was empty, spare the homeless man who camped out with his dog and his guitar, every night it rained. We were told to kick him out if he stayed for longer than an hour and didn’t buy a ticket, but none of us ever listened to that. We’d bring him food, blankets, dog treats, and whatever we had spare. He was a sweetheart, really, nicest guy you’d ever meet. I looked at the clock hanging above the tracks. 2:41 AM.

5 minutes. I moved the mouse and jolted the old computer out of its sleep and tapped the old ticket printer until I heard its fan start to whirl. Was I supposed to give her a ticket, even if she couldn’t pay? Would the system let me, or would I have to cover the rest of the fare myself? An unscheduled train? Is that even safe? There is a scheduled train for 3 AM, from here to just a few towns over. Could the paper be referring to that one? I looked at the clock in the bottom corner of the computer. It said 2:42 AM.

2 minutes. What was I talking about? This paper couldn’t mean anything. A prank from one of my co workers, it had to be. I should’ve text them. We had a group chat for stuff like that after all, strange happenings and whatnot. Working the night shift at a train station wasn’t for the faint of heart. Who was I kidding, my heart was the faintest out of everyone I knew. I picked up my phone. 2:47 AM. What?

I looked up, and she stood there. An old woman, a shawl wrapped around her shoulders and shadowing her face. I stared at her. “Young man?” she asked, her voice rough but delicate.

“Oh, um. I’m sorry, how can I help you?” I replied, putting on my best retail worker smile.

“I need a ticket, please,” she said, dropping a few dollars and coins into the little divot under the divider.

I took the money and began counting it. “You’re um…” No, I thought. I can’t turn her away. I opened the register and placed the money inside. I went to type the information on the computer, but when I moved the mouse it wouldn’t turn on. The printer whirred and out came a ticket. I stared at it. 

“Young man, are you feeling alright?” the woman asked. I whipped my head up and looked at her. I grabbed the ticket off the printer and slid it into the divot. In a blink it was gone and she was walking away.

She sat on the bench next to the one the man usually slept on. Next to was a strong word, the benches were all 12 feet apart, giving room for crowds. I heard a rumbling, a growling, and tried to look closer. The man’s dog, Jonny, was standing now, staring at her, growling. The old woman didn’t acknowledge him. She didn’t acknowledge anything. She sat, staring at the tracks, waiting. I looked at the clock above her, 2:59 AM.

A train pulled up to the platform, blowing its horn and waking the old man. He looked at the growling dog and pulled him close, petting his head. The woman made no move to get up as a few drunken stragglers stumbled off and up the stairs, throwing a few dollars at the man as they passed. As the train began to pull away, the woman stood. 

No horns, no sounds of the train coming at all, but a second train crashes into the back of the first. It crushed the first 2 cars it hit, smashing into the third, sending passengers clawing at the automatic doors and screaming. The crushed cars were on fire, and it was spreading fast. The passengers flooded from the remaining cars, bloodied and terrified. The old man stood and grabbed his dog, joining the swarm that ran up the stairs. Sirens blared throughout the subway, and I stood there, shocked. EMTs, plaicemen, firemen, flooded into the station, yelling orders to one another. The woman looked back at me for a final time, gave me a small smile, and stepped into the flames.

3:01 AM. It was all gone.

An old woman will arrive at the station at 2:47 AM, she will not have enough money to pay the fare, let her in anyway. She will then board an unscheduled train at 3:00 AM. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO TURN HER AWAY UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.

[globalresearchinsights]

Railway Telematics Market Sees Strong Growth With Deployment of Cloud-Based Data Analytics Platforms

Market Overview

The Railway Telematics Market is evolving rapidly as digitalization becomes central to modern rail infrastructure. With global railway networks expanding and modernizing, the integration of telematics systems is transforming how railways operate—improving efficiency, safety, and customer experience. Telematics in the railway industry involves the use of GPS, GSM, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and satellite communication technologies to collect, transmit, and analyze data related to train operations, fleet condition, passenger information, and logistics. In 2024, the market is seeing increasing adoption across freight and passenger trains, driven by the need for smarter fleet management, predictive maintenance, and enhanced security.

Railway telematics finds key applications in fleet management, automatic passenger counting, remote diagnostics, and predictive maintenance. These systems are enabling rail operators and logistics service providers to optimize operations, reduce downtimes, and increase return on assets through real-time data insights.

Click to Request a Sample of this Report for Additional Market Insights: https://www.globalinsightservices.com/request-sample/?id=GIS21096 

Market Dynamics

The growth of the railway telematics market is strongly driven by rising investments in smart transportation infrastructure and a growing demand for efficient freight operations. The increasing reliance on logistics and intermodal transport has made real-time tracking and asset management essential. Technologies like GPS and satellite communication are playing a crucial role in route optimization and fleet visibility.

Furthermore, the growing emphasis on safety and surveillance in public transport is encouraging rail operators to implement advanced telematics solutions. Communication devices, sensors, processors, and display units are now integrated into modern trains to monitor system health, detect anomalies, and prevent breakdowns.

However, challenges such as high installation costs—especially in retrofit scenarios—can hinder market growth, particularly in regions with aging rail infrastructure. Interoperability between systems, data privacy concerns, and the need for standardization across international rail networks are also pressing issues that companies and governments must address.

Key Players Analysis

The railway telematics market features a competitive landscape, with both global conglomerates and niche solution providers contributing to innovation. Leading players are actively focusing on offering customized solutions, combining onboard and remote telematics technologies, and strengthening services such as consulting, integration, deployment, and support.

Major companies are investing in R&D to develop advanced components like high-performance sensors, real-time communication devices, and intelligent data processors. These efforts aim to improve reliability, lower maintenance costs, and extend the life cycle of railway assets. Strategic collaborations with government bodies and logistics firms are also driving market penetration.

Regional Analysis

Europe currently dominates the railway telematics market, fueled by robust rail infrastructure, proactive government initiatives, and widespread adoption of digital technologies in transportation. Countries such as Germany, France, and the UK have led the charge in integrating telematics for both passenger and freight trains.

North America follows closely, with a rising focus on smart freight operations, especially in the U.S. and Canada. Investments in predictive maintenance and fleet optimization are propelling demand in this region. The Asia-Pacific region is emerging as a fast-growing market due to rapid urbanization, infrastructure development, and increasing adoption of high-speed trains in countries like China, India, and Japan.

Meanwhile, Latin America and the Middle East & Africa regions are witnessing gradual uptake, supported by government efforts to modernize aging railway systems and improve operational efficiency.

Recent News & Developments

Recent developments in the railway telematics market highlight the trend toward integrated, cloud-based telematics platforms. Companies are launching end-to-end telematics solutions that support both new installations and retrofitting of legacy systems. In addition, AI-powered predictive maintenance systems and IoT-enabled sensors are being adopted at scale to reduce unexpected breakdowns and optimize scheduling.

Strategic partnerships are also being forged between technology vendors and railway authorities to pilot smart train initiatives. There's a visible push toward enhancing security and surveillance capabilities on trains through real-time video analytics and remote monitoring systems.

Browse Full Report @ https://www.globalinsightservices.com/reports/railway-telematics-market/ 

Scope of the Report

This report provides a comprehensive assessment of the Railway Telematics Market through 2034, covering various market segments including type, product, services, technology, component, application, end-user, solution, and installation type. Key areas of analysis include fleet management, predictive maintenance, onboard vs. remote telematics, consulting services, and technology adoption.

The report also offers forecasts and trends based on regional performance and competitive dynamics. It aims to equip stakeholders—rail operators, logistics service providers, and technology developers—with actionable insights to harness the transformative power of telematics in the railway ecosystem.

As the railway industry embraces the digital age, telematics stands at the forefront of smarter, safer, and more sustainable train operations worldwide.

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[samholic]

Building Safer Roads with Automatic Traffic Counting and Classification

In every city, road safety remains one of the most pressing and persistent challenges. With rising traffic volumes, diverse vehicle types, and unpredictable road behavior, ensuring the safety of all road users—drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, and public transport passengers—requires more than just traffic signs and speed limits.

Today, cities are turning to smart technology to make roads safer. At the forefront of this innovation is Automatic Traffic Counting and Classification (ATCC)—a system that offers real-time, accurate insights into traffic flow and vehicle types, enabling data-backed safety interventions that save lives.

Understanding ATCC in the Context of Safety

Automatic Traffic Counting and Classification systems work by detecting, tracking, and classifying vehicles based on their size and type—such as two-wheelers, passenger cars, trucks, and buses—using a mix of sensors, radars, and video analytics. These systems run continuously, providing city authorities with precise data on where, when, and what types of vehicles are moving across the urban landscape.

When it comes to road safety, this kind of information is powerful. Instead of guessing where accidents might happen, traffic authorities can rely on ATCC data to pinpoint high-risk zones, understand unsafe driving behavior patterns, and deploy targeted interventions.

Identifying High-Risk Zones Before Crashes Happen

Traditionally, accident-prone areas are identified after crashes have occurred, often through police reports and public complaints. This reactive approach delays life-saving improvements.

With Automatic Traffic Counting and Classification, cities can take a proactive stance. By analyzing traffic flow, speed variations, and vehicle types across intersections and highways, ATCC systems can highlight zones where risky driving behaviors are more frequent—such as frequent lane changing, speeding by heavy vehicles, or mixed traffic conflicts.

These insights allow authorities to implement early safety measures, like installing speed bumps, redesigning intersections, or adding pedestrian signals before serious accidents occur.

Managing Speed with Real-Time Data

Speeding is a leading cause of road fatalities. However, blanket speed limits often fail to account for road-specific risk factors like vehicle type, lane width, pedestrian presence, or time of day.

ATCC helps solve this by providing real-time vehicle classification along with speed data. Authorities can identify if heavy trucks are exceeding safe limits on narrow city roads or if two-wheelers are racing during off-peak hours. This data supports the dynamic adjustment of speed limits and enforcement efforts tailored to specific conditions—making roads safer for everyone.

Improving Pedestrian and Cyclist Safety

In most cities, pedestrians and cyclists are the most vulnerable road users. Unfortunately, they’re often overlooked in traffic design due to a lack of data.

Advanced Automatic Traffic Counting and Classification systems can identify non-motorized traffic such as bicycles and even detect pedestrian movement in crosswalk zones. When this data is combined with traffic volume and vehicle classification, it offers a complete picture of road usage.

With this insight, planners can add bike lanes, pedestrian crossings, refuge islands, or signalized intersections in the right places—effectively reducing pedestrian and cyclist injuries.

Enabling Smarter Enforcement and Regulation

Enforcement is a crucial part of road safety, but deploying traffic police or surveillance equipment everywhere is neither feasible nor cost-effective.

That’s where ATCC helps. By identifying zones with high volumes of speeding, improper vehicle movement, or red-light violations (when combined with video systems), traffic enforcement can become targeted. Cameras and officers can be deployed precisely where needed—leading to better compliance with fewer resources.

In addition, Automatic Traffic Counting and Classification systems can be integrated with digital signage to provide speed warnings or real-time alerts to drivers in sensitive areas such as school zones, construction sites, or accident-prone curves.

Safety-Driven Infrastructure Design

Building safer roads starts with better design—and better design starts with accurate data. ATCC systems provide the information planners need to understand how infrastructure is being used, whether it’s a residential street or a national highway.

For instance:

If ATCC detects frequent heavy truck traffic in an area not designed for it, the road surface may need reinforcement.

If two-wheeler traffic dominates a narrow lane with high accident rates, a divider or lane expansion might be justified.

If school zones see increased morning congestion, authorities can schedule temporary traffic diversions or increase crossings.

Rather than relying on assumptions, cities can use Automatic Traffic Counting and Classification to design infrastructure that supports actual traffic patterns safely.

Real-Life Example: Targeted Road Safety Using ATCC

A mid-sized city in Southeast Asia installed ATCC systems at 50 intersections. Within months, data revealed a troubling pattern: buses and trucks were frequently speeding in areas with high pedestrian activity. Authorities used this insight to redesign road signage, install bus-priority lanes, and implement AI-based signal timing.

In less than six months, pedestrian injuries decreased by 30%, and average vehicle speed dropped to within legal limits. This real-world success shows how ATCC isn't just theoretical—it’s a proven solution to urban safety concerns.

The Future: AI-Enhanced ATCC for Predictive Safety

The next generation of Automatic Traffic Counting and Classification systems will integrate machine learning to predict safety risks before they arise. By analyzing historical patterns, weather conditions, and event schedules, these systems will be able to warn traffic control centers of expected congestion or risky driving zones in advance.

This predictive capability will transform road safety from reactive to preventive—reducing accidents, saving lives, and creating more resilient cities.

Conclusion: A Safer Journey Begins with Smarter Technology

Road safety is not just about enforcement or infrastructure—it's about knowledge. With Automatic Traffic Counting and Classification, cities gain the visibility they need to act swiftly, wisely, and effectively.

From identifying high-risk zones to enabling smarter enforcement and designing safer streets, ATCC systems are essential tools for every smart city aiming to protect its citizens.

The future of traffic safety is real-time, data-driven, and proactive—and it starts with Automatic Traffic Counting and Classification.

[afrestudios]

Simplifying Train Travel: Fastest Way to Book Tatkal Tickets Today

Rushing Against Time? Tatkal Booking is the Answer Every minute counts when planning last-minute travel in India, especially with the ever-busy railway network. For many passengers, securing a ticket in time is a race against the clock. This is where the tatkal railway ticket booking scheme becomes a game-changer. Designed for urgent travel needs, tatkal services allow passengers to book confirmed tickets just a day before the journey. The demand, however, is incredibly high, and only the quickest and most informed succeed. In this article, the focus is on the growing significance of smart, faster ticketing solutions and how they are changing the travel experience. The discussion will particularly highlight how effective tools, timing, and smart services like Afre Studios can make the process less stressful.

What is Tatkal and Why is it Important? Tatkal is a special ticketing scheme introduced by Indian Railways to accommodate travelers with sudden plans. It opens one day before the train’s departure, and the available tickets usually get booked within minutes. Over the years, the competition to book these tickets has become more intense. Many now opt for the faster and slightly costlier premium tatkal booking option, which offers better chances of confirmation due to a dynamically priced quota system. This version is ideal for those willing to pay a little more for guaranteed seats. Whether it's business trips, family emergencies, or spontaneous plans, tatkal ensures flexibility in an otherwise rigid railway booking system.

Understanding the Challenges in Tatkal Ticketing Despite its benefits, tatkal booking comes with its fair share of challenges. The limited number of seats, high internet traffic during booking hours, and the strict booking rules often lead to frustration. Moreover, bookings can only be made online or at designated counters, and users need to act within seconds to succeed. Speed, precision, and reliable tools are crucial to secure a tatkal train ticket successfully. Many travelers are turning to automation services and browser extensions that autofill forms to beat the clock. These tools are especially useful during peak travel seasons when the chances of getting a confirmed tatkal ticket drop significantly.

The Role of Technology in Smarter Booking Technology plays an essential role in transforming the tatkal experience. By integrating faster payment gateways, autofill tools, and optimized browsing platforms, the booking time can be drastically reduced. Innovations such as AI-enabled alerts for ticket availability and predictive seat allocation are becoming more common. Services like Afre Studios are stepping into the spotlight by offering solutions that assist in faster and more efficient booking processes. These solutions do not book tickets automatically but streamline the process in compliance with IRCTC regulations, making it easier for users to act swiftly. The integration of such smart platforms can make the process smoother and improve success rates for last-minute travelers.

Why Quick Access Matters in Tatkal Ticket Booking In a system where seconds decide success, efficiency matters. The current scenario of tatkal ticket booking has evolved beyond manual input and trial-and-error attempts. Knowing the exact time to start booking, having pre-filled forms, and using multiple devices have become common strategies. More importantly, platforms that offer intuitive design, fast processing, and intelligent updates give users a real advantage. The need for real-time information and seamless access has never been more urgent. With tools that enhance speed and accuracy, travelers can shift from uncertain to confident booking experiences, all within a very short time frame.

Conclusion: Making Every Second Count with Smart Tatkal Solutions Tatkal ticketing, whether standard or premium, is now an essential part of Indian railway travel. The combination of limited availability and high demand makes it challenging, but not impossible. The key lies in smart preparation, the use of technology, and reliable services like Afre Studios, which simplify the process without breaching any rules. With options like premium tatkal booking for those in urgent need, and faster interfaces making it easier to secure a tatkal railway ticket, travel can become less stressful and more predictable.

[taxidispatchsoftware]

Taxi Dispatch Software: How Digital Technology Is Changing the Taxi World

The moment I switched from paper ride tickets to taxi dispatch software, it felt like I had jumped forward in time. As a taxi driver managing a small fleet, I knew efficiency was key, but I never expected technology to have such a big impact on how I ran my business.

In this article, I’ll take you through my experience with dispatch software. From my initial doubts to the benefits it brought to my planning, drivers, and customers. If you run a taxi company, you know every minute counts. But how do you make the most of those minutes? That’s where the journey with modern taxi dispatch software begins.

What Is Taxi Dispatch Software and Why Do You Need It?

Taxi dispatch software is an automated system that schedules rides, assigns drivers, and keeps customers informed in real-time. Instead of answering phone calls and manually managing schedules, everything happens through one centralized digital platform.

My old system worked fine — until I started to grow. With five drivers, it turned into chaos: double bookings, confusion about pickup points, and unhappy customers. That’s when I discovered software could help bring back structure and calm.

How Does It Work in Practice?

When I switched to taxi dispatch software, I gained access to a dashboard where I could see where my drivers were in real-time. The software automatically matched the nearest driver to a customer, optimized routes, and sent notifications to passengers.

A customer would book a ride through the app — I’d get a notification immediately, so would the driver, and the customer could see exactly when the taxi would arrive. No more phone calls. No more confusion. Just a smooth experience for everyone involved.

Calculations: What Does It Deliver?

You might be wondering: what does it cost, and what do you get in return? Here’s how I evaluated it myself:

Time savings: Automation saved me an average of 2 hours a day on planning.

Cost savings: Fewer misunderstandings meant fewer missed rides.

More rides: Customers received quicker service, which led to more bookings.

Customer satisfaction: My Google reviews rose from an average of 3.8 to 4.6 stars.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is taxi dispatch software hard to install?

Not at all. Most solutions like Codico.io offer installation support and are fully cloud-based. You can get started in a single day.

What if my drivers aren’t tech-savvy?

I had the same thought, but the interface is so intuitive that even my oldest driver uses it without any problems.

Do I need to invest in expensive hardware?

No. Everything works via smartphones or tablets. If you already have a working phone, you're good to go.

Is it suitable for small businesses?

Absolutely. I started with just three vehicles, and the software easily scaled as I grew.

Reflection: What Did It Teach Me?

What surprised me the most was how much peace of mind it brought. I could finally focus on improving service instead of constantly putting out fires. The system gave me insights into who was driving the most, where the majority of requests came from, and how I could optimize my pricing.

The switch wasn’t just a business decision — it was a personal one. Less stress, more clarity, and ultimately: more profit.

Conclusion: Taxi Dispatch Software Is Not a Luxury, But a Necessity

In a time when customers expect everything to be fast, clear, and reliable, taxi dispatch software is an essential component. It makes your business more efficient, more customer-focused, and ready for the future.

My advice? Start small, but think big. Whether you’re just getting started or have been active for years — the right system can transform your taxi business. And believe me: you’ll never want to go back to the old way.

[jamieleicurt]

Real-Time Data Processing in DMS: How AI and Car DVRs Improve Driver Performance and Safety

The transportation sector is undergoing a significant transformation, driven by advancements in technology aimed at enhancing safety and efficiency. Among the most notable innovations is the Driver Monitoring System (DMS), a tool designed to observe and analyze driver behavior in real time. When paired with car Digital Video Recorders (DVRs), DMS leverages artificial intelligence (AI) to detect risky behaviors and provide actionable insights to improve driver performance. This article delves into the technical mechanisms behind real-time data processing in DMS and explores how these systems make driving safer and more efficient.

The Car DVR 4CH HDD/SSDS with ADAS DMS Model No E5H4H-AI-1

The Evolution of Driver Monitoring Systems

Driver Monitoring Systems are at the forefront of modern vehicle safety. These systems use a combination of cameras, sensors, and AI algorithms to observe drivers’ actions and physiological states, such as their level of attentiveness, signs of drowsiness, or unsafe practices like aggressive driving. By integrating with car DVRs, DMS gathers comprehensive data, allowing it to analyze driver behavior in context.

In practice, DMS captures various aspects of driver performance. For instance, it tracks eye movements and head positions to determine attentiveness and monitors facial expressions for signs of fatigue. This constant vigilance ensures that potential issues are detected early, reducing the likelihood of accidents. The integration of car DVRs enriches the system, enabling it to correlate driver behavior with external factors like road conditions and traffic patterns.

Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence forms the core of DMS, enabling these systems to interpret complex data in real-time. AI-powered DMS uses machine learning (ML) algorithms and computer vision technology to make sense of multiple data streams. Video footage, telemetry data, and environmental inputs are processed simultaneously to create a comprehensive picture of the driver’s condition and behavior.

Real-time analysis is a critical component of DMS functionality. AI models are trained to detect patterns that suggest unsafe behavior, such as prolonged periods of distraction, frequent yawning, or erratic driving movements. These patterns are flagged immediately, triggering corrective measures like visual alerts on the dashboard or audible warnings. In some advanced systems, the AI can even coordinate with the vehicle's autonomous functions to initiate actions like braking or lane correction.

The Mobile DVR 4/8 CH HDD Model No C8FH8

Car DVRs

Car DVRs serve as a primary source of data and play a vital role in the effectiveness of DMS. These devices record high-resolution video and telemetry information throughout the driving process. The combination of DVR footage and AI processing creates a more robust monitoring system capable of providing nuanced insights.

One of the main advantages of DVRs is their ability to provide continuous monitoring. Every action taken by the driver, along with the surrounding environment, is recorded and stored. This is particularly useful for post-incident analysis, driver training, and legal documentation. Modern DVRs equipped with wide-angle lenses and high-resolution capabilities ensure that no detail is missed, whether it’s the driver’s facial expressions or external road conditions. Additionally, multi-angle coverage from these DVRs allows the system to cross-reference driver behavior with situational context, offering a complete picture of driving events.

The Mobile DVR with Automatic Passenger Counting System ( APC ) Model No C8FH8-1

Real-Time Data Processing

Real-time data processing technologies enable the integration of DMS, AI, and car DVRs. These systems analyze incoming data in milliseconds, enabling instant feedback and corrective actions. Edge computing is often employed to process data directly within the vehicle, reducing latency and ensuring immediate responses.

Machine learning models trained on extensive datasets enable these systems to recognize dangerous behaviors and environmental hazards accurately. Advanced video analytics tools enhance this capability by extracting actionable insights from DVR footage. For example, facial recognition technology identifies the driver and assesses their state of alertness, while motion detection tools analyze body movements to detect signs of fatigue or distraction. Sensor fusion, which combines data from multiple sources like cameras, accelerometers, and radar systems, further enhances the system’s ability to provide a comprehensive analysis.

Safety and Performance Benefits

The use of real-time data processing in DMS delivers numerous benefits that enhance both driver safety and performance. One of the most significant advantages is the ability to prevent accidents. By detecting risky behaviors like distraction or drowsiness and issuing timely alerts, DMS allows drivers to correct their actions before situations escalate. For instance, a driver who looks away from the road for too long may receive a warning to refocus their attention.

Another key benefit is the promotion of proactive safety measures. DMS systems often work in conjunction with Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), enabling actions like automatic braking or lane correction when immediate intervention is required. This collaboration between systems creates a multi-layered safety net for drivers and passengers alike.

In addition to preventing accidents, DMS fosters long-term improvements in driving habits. Fleet managers, for example, can use recorded data to identify areas where drivers need further training. The system also enhances post-incident analysis by providing objective evidence through DVR footage, which is invaluable for insurance claims and legal disputes.

The Mobile DVR 8CH 1080P AHD HDD/SSD Model No C8FH8-AI-2

Challenges and Opportunities

While the benefits of real-time data processing in DMS are clear, there are challenges that need to be addressed for widespread adoption. Privacy concerns are among the most pressing issues, as continuous monitoring raises questions about how data is stored and used. Secure storage solutions and anonymization techniques are essential to mitigate these concerns.

Despite these challenges, the future of DMS is promising. Ongoing research and development efforts aim to refine these systems, making them more accessible, reliable, and user-friendly. Advances in AI and edge computing are expected to play a significant role in overcoming current limitations.

The Mobile DVR with ADAS & DMS Systems 8CH 1080P Model No: E5H8H-AI-1

MacFaith E-Technology Co., Ltd is redefining road safety with advanced vehicle BlackBox DVR systems integrated with cutting-edge AI technologies like Driver Monitoring Systems (DMS) and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). Their innovative vehicle surveillance solutions analyze real-time data to detect risky behaviors, ensuring a safer and smarter driving experience. Whether you need surveillance for passenger buses, taxicabs, or commercial fleets, their mobile DVR and camera systems offer protection against theft, fraud, and accidents. Designed to enhance operational efficiency and driver awareness, MacFaith's customizable car video surveillance systems cater to diverse vehicle types and global customer needs.

Contact them to discover how their mobile DVRs for vehicles can transform your driving experience.

About the Author

Alexis Techwell is a technology enthusiast and writer specializing in automotive innovations, with a passion for exploring how AI transforms road safety and driver experience.

[orbitalinstallationtechnologies]

How Orbital Installs Help Fleets With Automatic Passenger Counters?

In today’s fast-paced transportation environment, precision and data-driven insights have become essential to fleet success. One technology rapidly gaining traction is Automatic Passenger Counters, electronic systems designed to track and record the number of passengers boarding and exiting a vehicle in real-time. Far from a niche luxury, these counters are transforming how transit agencies, event shuttles, and private fleet operators manage daily operations. By providing accurate, real-time data, businesses can streamline routes, optimize schedules, and elevate the passenger experience. At Orbital Installs, we specialize in Counter Installation for a range of fleets, delivering robust solutions that seamlessly integrate into your existing infrastructure. Read on to learn how these systems revolutionize fleet management, reduce operational overhead, and provide a clear roadmap to improved services.

The Importance of Automatic Passenger Counters 

Modern fleets are more reliant on data than ever. Traditional manual counting methods can be error-prone, time-consuming, and require additional labor costs. Automatic Passenger Counters leverage technologies like sensors, infrared beams, or even advanced AI cameras to capture boarding and alighting information with high accuracy. This data is invaluable for:

Route Optimization: Identify under- or over-utilized routes and adjust frequency accordingly.

Budget Allocation: Make informed decisions on resource distribution and staff scheduling.

Compliance & Reporting: Provide documented data for government funding, compliance checks, or internal audits.

Enhanced Customer Experience: Monitor passenger loads to anticipate and manage peak times.

By replacing guesswork with real-time metrics, Passenger Tracking fosters an environment of data-driven improvements. Orbital Installs ensures each system is precisely installed, so you enjoy error-free data collection from day one.

Operational Benefits: More Than Just Counting

Some might see passenger counting as a narrow function. However, the real power lies in how this data integrates with route planning, ticketing, and broader fleet management. By merging passenger data with vehicle location and driver behavior analytics, managers gain a 360-degree view of daily operations. For instance, if a particular route sees consistently low occupancy, resources can be reassigned to more profitable lines. Meanwhile, high-occupancy routes can be served by additional vehicles or staff to boost customer satisfaction.

Over time, robust passenger analytics can also inform marketing promotions, including offering discounts on underused routes or adding premium services for popular lines. Our Automatic Passenger Counter Installation packages ensure each sensor is accurately mounted and integrated with your telematics, enabling an immediate, streamlined data flow to your dispatch or analytics portal.

Core Features of Modern Passenger Counting Systems 

Real-Time Tracking: Harness advanced sensors to capture boarding events in real time.

Adaptive Sensing: Certain systems calibrate themselves to varying light conditions, bus layouts, or seasonal apparel for consistently accurate counts.

Integration: Combine passenger data with GPS or route software, enabling deeper insights.

Data Storage & Reporting: Automatic or scheduled uploads to cloud-based dashboards or local servers.

Scalability: Systems can be expanded to accommodate more vehicles or integrated with additional modules like seat occupancy or fare collection.

At Orbital Installs, each Passenger Tracking Installation is carefully planned, ensuring sensors are placed optimally for minimal interference and maximum accuracy. We test each device and train relevant personnel on reading and interpreting the data.

Orbital Installs’ Approach to Automatic Passenger Counter Installation

As specialists in vehicle communication and telematics, Orbital Installs employs a proven methodology for Automatic Passenger Counter Installation:

Assessment: We begin by reviewing your fleet size, vehicle models, route complexities, and data requirements. This info guides our sensor and device recommendations.

Scheduling: Large fleets require strategic rollouts to minimize downtime. We plan the installation phases so your vehicles remain available as much as possible.

Installation & Calibration: Our technicians secure each sensor along doorways, calibrating them to filter out double-counting or environmental noise.

Integration: Passenger data merges with existing route management or dispatch systems, ensuring a single, consolidated platform.

Testing & Training: We confirm accurate data capture and train your staff on daily usage and troubleshooting.

Our commitment extends beyond installation, offering ongoing maintenance and updates to keep your passenger counters at peak performance.

Enhancing Vehicle Communication & Data Ecosystems

At Orbital Installs, we see passenger counters as one piece of a broader puzzle. Modern fleets also rely on telematics solutions, two-way radio systems, and advanced route optimization software. By weaving passenger data into your overarching vehicle communication strategy, you elevate the efficiency and decision-making potential. For example, real-time passenger loads can be relayed to dispatch teams via two-way radio, enabling them to route spare vehicles or staff effectively. This synergy between hardware components fosters a unified digital ecosystem, aligning with your daily or long-term operational goals. With each device properly installed and integrated, your fleet transitions from manual guesswork to data-driven intelligence—a hallmark of forward-thinking organizations in the mobility sector.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Why do I need Automatic Passenger Counters when I can have staff count manually?A: Manual counting is prone to human error, becomes costly over time, and isn’t always feasible during peak hours. Automatic Passenger Counters deliver accurate, real-time data with minimal effort.

Q2: How accurate are these sensors in high-traffic conditions?A: Modern sensors are highly accurate—some boasting over 95% accuracy. Our thorough Automatic Passenger Tracking Installation process ensures your device is calibrated for your specific environment.

Q3: Will integrating passenger counters disrupt existing telematics or communication systems?A: Our technicians design integrations that complement, not disrupt, your current systems. Proper installation ensures data from counters flows seamlessly into your dispatch or analytics platform.

Q4: Does Orbital Installs handle ongoing maintenance and updates?A: Yes! We provide post-installation support, including periodic firmware updates, recalibrations, or expansions if you add more vehicles.

Q5: Can passenger data integrate with route optimization software?A: Absolutely. Our approach merges these metrics with route management, enabling dynamic scheduling and resource allocation based on real-time passenger loads.

Real-World Impact: Turning Data into Decisions

What does your fleet gain from implementing calamp or other advanced passenger counters? In short, better data transforms your daily operations. You can:

Optimize Fleet Size: Knowing exactly how many riders occupy each vehicle helps you deploy resources where they’re most needed.

Enhance Rider Experiences: Reducing overcrowding or ensuring peak-hour coverage fosters loyalty.

Improve Profitability: Detailed usage statistics guide marketing efforts and strategic route expansions.

Justify Funding: Government or private stakeholders often require passenger stats to substantiate grants and budgets.

These improvements aren’t theoretical, they translate into actual savings, improved satisfaction, and a stronger reputation. Orbital Installs ensures each system reliably captures data with minimal downtime or staff overhead.

Why Orbital Installs?

Orbital Installs stands out due to its:

Expert Team: Each technician is well-versed in advanced fleet hardware—from passenger counters to telematics.

Comprehensive Solutions: We integrate passenger counters into your existing systems, bridging two-way radio comms, route optimization, and more.

Quality Assurance: We meticulously test each sensor post-installation, verifying consistent accuracy and stable data transmission.

Scalable Deployments: Whether you run a handful of vehicles or a large-scale transit fleet, we design solutions that adapt to your growth.

Combining specialized knowledge, rigorous processes, and customer-focused values, we’re the prime choice for Automatic Passenger Counter Installation.

Conclusion

Data is king in modern fleet operations. Embracing, Passenger Counters goes well beyond counting heads—it ushers in precise analytics, route optimization, and heightened passenger experiences. Yet these benefits only materialize when devices are expertly installed, calibrated, and integrated. Orbital Installs offers a holistic approach that streamlines your adoption, from planning to deployment and beyond. Our seasoned technicians handle complexities like sensor positioning, software configuration, and end-to-end testing, all to transform your raw passenger data into powerful operational insights. If your goal is to enhance efficiency, reduce guesswork, and better serve your passengers, we invite you to reach out. Let Orbital Installs demonstrate how an Automatic Passenger Tracking Installation can significantly elevate your fleet’s capabilities and bottom line.

To Contact Us - https://orbitalinstalls.com/contact-us/ 

[transportaionsoftware]

What role does real-time data sharing play in enhancing coordination between transportation operators and city planners?

In today’s rapidly evolving urban landscapes, the need for efficient and effective transportation systems is more critical than ever. Real-time data sharing has emerged as a pivotal element in enhancing coordination between transportation operators and city planners. This collaboration is essential for creating seamless and responsive public transportation networks. Moreover, advanced ride scheduling software, such as QRyde, plays a significant role in supporting real-time incident management and response. This article explores these themes, focusing on the integration of paratransit software, micro-transit software, and paratransit scheduling software to improve public transportation and NEMT fleet management.

The Importance of Real-Time Data Sharing

Real-time data sharing is a game-changer for urban mobility. It allows for the instantaneous exchange of information between various stakeholders, including transportation operators, city planners, and emergency responders. This data can include traffic conditions, vehicle locations, passenger counts, and more. The integration of real-time data enables these parties to make informed decisions that enhance the efficiency and reliability of public transportation systems.

Enhancing Coordination Between Operators and Planners

One of the primary benefits of real-time data sharing is the improved coordination between transportation operators and city planners. Operators can provide planners with up-to-the-minute information on route performance, vehicle availability, and service disruptions. This data allows planners to adjust routes and schedules dynamically, ensuring optimal service coverage and reducing wait times for passengers.

For instance, QRyde’s paratransit software offers real-time tracking and data analytics capabilities. This enables transportation operators to monitor vehicle locations and passenger pick-up times accurately. City planners can use this data to identify areas with high demand and allocate resources more effectively.

Supporting Emergency Response

In emergencies, the ability to share real-time data is crucial. It allows transportation operators to coordinate with emergency responders and ensure that vehicles are rerouted or deployed to assist in crisis situations. Ride scheduling software can play a vital role in this context by providing real-time updates and facilitating communication between different agencies.

QRyde’s ride scheduling software includes features specifically designed for emergency response. For example, the software can automatically reroute vehicles to avoid accident sites or areas affected by natural disasters. Additionally, it can provide real-time updates to passengers, keeping them informed about delays or changes in service.

Role of Ride Scheduling Software in Incident Management

Ride scheduling software is essential for managing incidents effectively. It provides a centralized platform where operators can monitor all aspects of their fleet and make real-time adjustments as needed. This capability is particularly important for paratransit and NEMT services, where timely and reliable transportation is crucial for passengers who may have medical or mobility needs.

Real-Time Incident Management

Real-time incident management involves detecting, assessing, and responding to incidents as they occur. Ride scheduling software like QRyde’s enables operators to monitor their fleet in real time and receive alerts about potential issues. This could include vehicle breakdowns, traffic congestion, or passenger emergencies.

By using advanced algorithms, the software can suggest alternative routes or dispatch additional vehicles to ensure that service disruptions are minimized. This real-time adaptability is essential for maintaining the reliability of public transportation systems.

Enhancing Passenger Experience

Another significant benefit of ride scheduling software is its ability to enhance the passenger experience. Passengers can receive real-time updates on their rides, including estimated arrival times and notifications about delays. This transparency helps to build trust and confidence in the transportation system.

QRyde’s microtransit software offers a user-friendly interface that allows passengers to book rides, track their vehicles, and receive real-time updates. This level of service is particularly important for NEMT passengers who may need to plan their medical appointments around their transportation schedules.

Integrating Paratransit and Micro-Transit Solutions

Integrating paratransit and micro-transit solutions is key to creating a flexible and responsive transportation network. These services cater to different segments of the population and can complement traditional public transportation systems. By leveraging advanced software solutions, operators can ensure that these services are seamlessly integrated and managed.

Paratransit Software

Paratransit software is designed to manage transportation services for individuals with disabilities or special needs. It includes features such as automated scheduling, real-time tracking, and reporting capabilities. QRyde’s paratransit software provides a comprehensive solution that helps operators manage their fleets efficiently and comply with regulatory requirements.

Micro-Transit Software

Micro-transit software, on the other hand, focuses on providing on-demand transportation services. This includes ride-hailing and carpooling options that offer greater flexibility and convenience for passengers. QRyde’s micro-transit software includes dynamic routing and pricing features that optimize service delivery and reduce operational costs.

Integration with Public Transportation

Integrating paratransit and micro-transit services with existing public transportation software systems can significantly enhance overall mobility. Real-time data sharing plays a crucial role in this integration by enabling seamless communication between different services. For example, a passenger can book a micro-transit ride to a transit hub and then transfer to a fixed-route service, all coordinated through a single platform.

Data-Driven Decision Making

One of the most significant advantages of real-time data sharing is its ability to support data-driven decision making. By collecting and analyzing data on ridership, traffic patterns, and service performance, transportation operators and city planners can make informed decisions that improve service quality and efficiency.

Analytics and Reporting

QRyde’s paratransit scheduling software includes advanced analytics and reporting features that provide insights into various aspects of service delivery. Operators can generate reports on vehicle utilization, passenger wait times, and route performance. This data can be used to identify areas for improvement and implement changes that enhance service delivery.

Predictive Analytics

Predictive analytics is another powerful tool that can be leveraged through real-time data sharing. By analyzing historical data and identifying trends, operators can predict future demand and adjust their services accordingly. This proactive approach helps to ensure that resources are allocated efficiently and that passengers receive reliable and timely transportation.

Conclusion

In conclusion, real-time data sharing is a critical component in enhancing coordination between transportation operators and city planners. It enables more efficient and responsive public transportation systems, improves incident management, and enhances the passenger experience. Advanced ride scheduling software, such as QRyde, plays a vital role in supporting these capabilities. By integrating paratransit software, micro-transit software, and paratransit scheduling software, transportation operators can create a flexible and responsive network that meets the diverse needs of their passengers. Embracing these technologies and leveraging real-time data will be essential for the future of urban mobility.

[carbuyersinfo]

Mastering the Road: A Closer Look at the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross SEL's Performance

In the world of SUVs, finding a vehicle that seamlessly combines style, functionality, and performance can be a challenging task. However, the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross SEL stands out as a shining example of automotive excellence, offering drivers an unparalleled driving experience that's both exhilarating and refined. From its sleek design to its powerful performance capabilities, there's no denying that the Eclipse Cross SEL is a force to be reckoned with on the road. Let's take a closer look at what makes this SUV a true master of the road.

Dynamic Design

The first thing that captures your attention about the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross SEL is its dynamic design. From its sleek profile to its bold front grille, every aspect of this vehicle exudes confidence and sophistication. The SEL trim takes it a step further with premium features like LED headlights and a panoramic sunroof, elevating both style and comfort to new heights. Whether you're cruising through the city streets or embarking on a weekend adventure, the Eclipse Cross SEL is sure to turn heads wherever you go.

Powerful Performance

Under the hood, the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross SEL boasts a powerful turbocharged engine that delivers impressive performance on every journey. With ample power and torque at your disposal, acceleration is smooth and responsive, making passing slower vehicles a breeze. Whether you're merging onto the highway or navigating winding mountain roads, the Eclipse Cross SEL handles with precision and agility, providing a driving experience that's as exhilarating as it is enjoyable.

Efficient Fuel Economy

Despite its powerful performance capabilities, the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross SEL doesn't sacrifice fuel efficiency. Thanks to advanced engineering and innovative technologies, this SUV delivers excellent fuel economy, helping you save money at the pump without compromising performance. Whether you're commuting to work or embarking on a road trip, the Eclipse Cross SEL offers impressive efficiency that makes every mile count.

Intelligent All-Wheel Control

To tackle challenging road conditions with confidence, the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross SEL comes equipped with intelligent all-wheel control (AWC) system. This advanced system continuously monitors driving conditions and automatically adjusts power distribution to the wheels for optimal traction and stability. Whether you're driving in rain, snow, or rough terrain, the Eclipse Cross SEL provides a sure-footed performance that inspires confidence and peace of mind.

Advanced Safety Features

Safety is a top priority in the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross SEL, which is why it's loaded with advanced safety features designed to protect you and your passengers on every journey. From forward collision mitigation to blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert, this SUV offers a comprehensive suite of safety technologies that provide peace of mind and confidence behind the wheel. With its robust safety features, the Eclipse Cross SEL ensures that you arrive at your destination safely, no matter where the road takes you.

Luxurious Interior

Step inside the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross SEL, and you'll discover a luxurious interior that's designed to pamper you with comfort and convenience. From heated leather seats to dual-zone automatic climate control, every detail is meticulously crafted to enhance your driving experience and make every journey a pleasure. With ample space for passengers and cargo alike, the Eclipse Cross SEL is perfect for both daily commutes and long road trips, ensuring that you arrive at your destination feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.

State-of-the-Art Technology

The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross SEL is packed with state-of-the-art technology features that keep you connected, entertained, and informed on the go. With its intuitive touchscreen infotainment system, smartphone integration, and available premium sound system, this SUV offers a seamless driving experience that's as enjoyable as it is convenient. Whether you're streaming music, accessing navigation, or making hands-free calls, the Eclipse Cross SEL puts everything you need right at your fingertips, so you can stay focused on the road ahead.

Exceptional Value

Despite its premium features and impressive performance capabilities, the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross SEL remains remarkably affordable, offering exceptional value for drivers who demand the best without breaking the bank. With its competitive pricing and low cost of ownership, this SUV delivers a winning combination of style, performance, and affordability that's hard to beat in its class. Whether you're a seasoned SUV enthusiast or a first-time buyer, the Eclipse Cross SEL offers everything you need and more, making it the perfect choice for mastering the road ahead.

In conclusion, the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross SEL is a true masterpiece of automotive engineering, offering drivers an unparalleled driving experience that's both exhilarating and refined. With its dynamic design, powerful performance, advanced safety features, and luxurious amenities, this SUV is designed to master the road with confidence and style. Whether you're cruising through the city streets or embarking on an epic adventure, the Eclipse Cross SEL delivers a driving experience that's as exhilarating as it is unforgettable.

[news-24]

Global Automatic Passenger Counting and Information System Market Worth USD 20.7 Billion by 2027

In general, APCS - Automatic Passenger Counting System is a mobile-based and hardware application system that records passenger count who boards and departs at every stop. 

The automatic passenger counting and information system effectively replaced the schedule checkers used previously to collect ridership information manually. On the other hand, this system refers to the electronic information system that provides real-time passenger details. 

The technical innovations in this transit system can offer useful insights into statistics like off-peak and peak hours, real-time passenger count, route analytics, and the total number of passengers per stop. 

Get a Free Sample Copy Of the Research Report: https://www.vynzresearch.com/semiconductor-electronics/automatic-passenger-counting-and-information-system-market/request-sample

It also lets passengers plan their route and track the vehicle in real-time without any issues. Light rails, buses, subways, trains, and ferry boats have this automatic passenger counting and information system. 

Industry Trends:

The coronavirus outbreak has reduced the automatic passenger counting and information system market due to the lockdown restrictions. However, the industry is expected to maintain the pre-pandemic position due to the serious vaccination programs worldwide. Currently, this system is playing a major role in many fields.

Market Segmentation:

Insight by Type:

• Passenger Information Systems

• Automatic Passenger Counting Systems

The automatic passenger counting and information system can dominate the market since it gives information about passengers to the bus transit operations. Hence it can be effectively useful in scheduling the route and time of their vehicles without any delay. 

This increasing competition among bus operations may lead to the growth in service offerings and enhance the customer base, leading to increased deployment of APCS in buses. Therefore, vehicle transportation will have proper management during the COVID-19 crisis due to the real-time information offered to bus operators.

Insight by Application:

• Trains and Trams

• Buses

• Ferries

The bus segment contributes more to the automatic passenger counting and information system market. It is mainly since buses are the primary mode of transportation across the globe. The rising number of businesses in increased adoption and developing countries of advanced technologies will enhance the segment growth to the next level. 

Insight by Technology:

• Stereoscopic Vision

• Time of Flight

• Infrared

The stereoscopic vision segment is expected to have more CAGR in the automatic passenger counting and information system market since it offers accurate information about more traffic data and detects the passenger movement direction. 

Bus drivers can accurately know the passenger count at each stop or each trip based on stereoscopic vision technology. The computerized passenger counting system is effectively useful for comparing the total number of passengers based on the tickets issues. Therefore it will help the bus operations to generate more income. 

Insight by Type

• Mobile Applications

• Infotainment Systems

• Announcement

• Display Systems

• Emergency Communication Systems

A display system can dominate the automatic passenger counting and information system market since it provides digital systems to show the passenger's real-time information. 

Station platforms, ticket halls, interchange corridors, entrances and other areas can be equipped with a display information system to offer passengers relevant information on train or metro destinations and timings. 

It can enable the customer to get real-time information in traveling and at the station through disruptive technologies. Those technologies are big data, IoT, artificial intelligence, cloud, automation, and machine learning.

Insight by Application:  

• Roadways

• Railways

• Airways

The railway's segment contributes more market share in the automatic passenger counting and information system market. Due to the mounting placement of rapid urbanization, metro rail proposals, modernization, and expansion of rail networks in growing economies will improve the segment growth. 

This system can offer information based on train arrival, departure, delays, platforms, cancellations, timings, and much more to offer passengers a better experience. 

Geographic Overview:

• Europe

• North America

• Asia Pacific (APAC)

• Other countries

North America can dominate the automatic passenger counting and information system market since it provides digital systems to show the passenger's real-time information. They can easily adapt to the rising demand and technology from the transportation and automotive industry. 

In addition, North America is the top contributor to the automatic passenger counting and information system market due to the upgradation of existing transit structures. After that, it will install new systems for future transit infrastructure projects.

Source: VynZ Research

[blurredcolour]

Extrication in G Major | Part Two

Extrication in G Major Masterlist

Summary: While trying to convince yourself that you had made the right decision leaving the party without Jake’s contact information, the man himself unexpectedly shows up after one of your performances.

Pairing: Jake “Hangman” Seresin x Female Cellist Reader

Warnings: Language, Jake Continues to be a Stubborn Flirt, Mention of Sound of Gunshots, Alcohol Consumption, Reader Cannot Play Pool, Reader Panic Attack

Credit: Renée Rodenkirchen

Word Count: 4669

Your traitorous heart was more than a little disappointed at your successful getaway last Friday evening. No matter how many times you tried to remind it that you had come to this city on the sea, baked dry by the scorching heat, as far south as one could go without being in another country, to extricate yourself from other human beings – your traitorous heart wanted nothing more than to drown itself in Lieutenant Commander Jake Seresin’s jade green eyes. Those eyes glittering with the triumph of hearing you use his first name after a very determined and successful twenty-four-hour mission.

Preparations for the concert series the following weekend had helped distract you, occupying your mind during the day and using enough of your energy to allow you fall asleep quickly. It was in the wee hours of the morning, the thinking hours between three and dawn, that if you had the misfortune of regaining consciousness then all manner of thoughts would flood your mind. And somehow Jake had invited himself into the privacy of these pre-dawn ponderances.

It turned out it was an equally good thing you did not have his number.

As you were bidding one of your section mates farewell after the Sunday matinee, you were of a mind to treat yourself to a dinner out. Nothing extravagant, but a step above cup noodles to celebrate your first pay cheque and the successful completion of your first concert series with your new symphony. You would have missed him, dressed in a cobalt blue suit with matching tie, just a hint of weekend scruff on his face, if he had not called your name as you made your way down the steps outside the stage door. Your head snapped in his direction, and you paused, motionless on the stairs for a moment as you took in the bouquet of spring flowers he carried. He closed the distance between you with a few easy strides.

“Lieutenant Commander…” You started automatically and immediately regretted it with the way his grin faltered. “…Jake!” You finished quickly. “I…”

His grin recovered, taking on its usual air of self-assured confidence. “For you.” He held out the flowers. “Trade you for the cello?”

You looked to the bouquet and swallowed before nodding slowly, your traitorous heart fluttering beneath your ribs as you shrugged the straps from your shoulders and took the bouquet to cradle it in your arms.

“They’re beautiful, thank you very much.” You blinked rapidly at some unexpected moisture along your waterline – you honestly could not recall the last time someone had been waiting for you with flowers after a performance.

“Not as beautiful as you…or that concert…” He nodded, easily shouldering your cello and you looked to him quickly, somehow finding the idea of him buying a ticket and sitting through the concert unexpected. “My first symphony, yes.” He smirked. “It was very educational. Now, have you eaten?”

You shook your head; both at his ability to see right through you and in response to his question.

“Perfect, join me for dinner?” He offered his hand and you glanced at it, the logical part of your brain insisting that you refuse while your musculoskeletal system was already setting your hand in his. “Lovely.”

He led you over to a pick-up truck neatly parked in the attendees’ lot and set your cello on the backseat with care, buckling it in. It was at that moment you were fully convinced the man was trying to seduce you. Opening the passenger door, he gripped your hips, giving you a boost into the seat. You barely contained your gasp at the strength you felt in his arms as you landed softly in the front seat. Swallowing thickly, you swung your legs into the cab and buckled your seatbelt as he closed the door and came around to slide into the driver’s seat.

“So…name the cuisine, I’ll know the place.” He looked to you as he turned the key, the engine roaring to life powerfully.

Chewing on your lip a moment, you decided to name what you had been searching for on your phone, even if it wasn’t particularly fashionable any longer.

“Sushi?” You ventured, a touch of hesitation in your voice to give him the option to object but he nodded firmly before pulling out, easily manoeuvring the oversized vehicle through the city before pulling into a strip mall.

Your eyes darted between the Planned Parenthood and the 7-Eleven before landing on him dubiously.

“Best in town.” He assured you, helping you and the cello out of his truck, leading you into the unassuming restaurant.

The host was only mildly confused by the instrument slung over Jake’s shoulder but made no further comment as they led you to a table with a bench seating along the wall. Jake tucked the cello in the corner, resting it against a wall of decorative wood slats, before looking to you for your seating preference. You quickly slid onto the bench beside your instrument, and he slid into the wooden chair across from you as the host handed out the menus.

Making a combination of selections together, you settled back to sip on your green tea as Jake ordered, glancing around the packed restaurant.

“It’s busy for a Sunday…” You remarked once the server left, feeling as though the pair of you were overly formal with you in a performance dress and him in his suit.

“I wasn’t lying, it really is the best in town. Just like you’re the best cellist in that orchestra.” He grinned at you proudly.

You coughed a little as the sharp inhale his statement caused drove some of the hot tea down your windpipe. You shook your head firmly.

“Definitely not…” You croaked and cleared your throat again. “I’m just a substitute for a 4th chair, Jake…” you took a sip of cool water to calm your spasming muscles.

“We both know I’m not an expert here, darlin’, but I couldn’t take my eyes off you. That definitely speaks to your talent.” He insisted and you looked up in relief as your miso soup arrived, giving you something to divert your attention to instead of those intense jade eyes that were so determined to end your life with their adoration.

Not long after, a tray of immaculately prepared nigiri and maki arrived, making your eyes widen in awe.

“The presentation is so lovely, it’s almost a shame to eat it…” You murmured, wiping your fingers on the hot towel provided.

“Almost.” Jake smirked, doing to same and selecting one of the nigiri you had chosen, lifting it with his fingers in the traditional style. “Soy sauce, or no?” He asked your preference, following your instruction, before holding it to your lips.

You stared at his expectant face, stunned momentarily before reaching to take the piece from him. He shook his head and shifted it closer to your lips. You looked to him, skeptically raising an eyebrow, but the look on his face and the way it filled your lower abdomen with molten metal thoroughly convinced you that you would not win a battle of wills against him.

You parted your lips and accepted the bite-sized bed of rice with its perfectly prepared topping on your tongue, eyes closing involuntarily at the immaculate flavour.

“That’s right.” Jake breathed, making your eyes fly open as he sounded a lot closer than he ought to be.

You busied yourself with prepping a piece for him, chewing and swallowing as you motioned to the soy sauce dish with your eyebrows raised in silent question. He nodded with a smirk, watching you swipe the fish through the dark liquid before extending it towards his waiting lips.

He leaned forward, playfully bypassing the piece of nigiri to snag your pinkie finger between his gleaming white teeth.

"E…easy, flyboy, my hands are my livelihood." You protested weakly; voice notably thick.

He released the digit, pressing his lips to the pad of your finger apologetically before accepting the bite happily. He nodded enthusiastically as he chewed, insisting on hand feeding you the rest of the meal and only accepting the same in return.

After countless nibbles and nips to your fingertips, you unwrapped one of the toothpicks that arrived with the bill and carefully set it between his teeth.

“There, hopefully that will satisfy your oral fixation for a time.” You huffed, feigning exasperation.

He grinned at you as he paid, clenching the mint-flavoured piece of wood between his sharp teeth before manipulating it around his mouth with his tongue as he waited for you to finish the last of your tea. You gripped onto the ceramic mug, and the last of your sanity, tightly – you could not help but watch the dexterity of that slick, pink muscle inside his mouth and wonder what else it might be good at.

Jake insisted on driving you home that evening, despite your best efforts to assure him that ride sharing was convenient and affordable.

“I’m right here, right now, and free.” He cast you a cheeky grin and input your address into the map on his phone. You did not miss the slight raise of his eyebrow, but thankfully he was enough of a gentleman not to comment.

He undeniably sat up straighter the further he drove into your neighbourhood. His free hand – that for most of the drive had casually dangled from the armrest between you – rose to grip the steering wheel properly as the directions guided him to turn into the parking lot of your building. He pulled up to the door, putting the truck in park, and looked to you slowly.

“Darlin’…I’m going to need you to text me twice a day.” He said firmly, expression taking on an edge of seriousness you had never before witnessed from him.

“It’s not that bad Jake.” You protested, pulling on the handle, opening the door a crack just as the distant yet unmistakable sound of a few errant gunshots filled the air.

He raised his eyebrows pointedly as you instinctively pulled the door shut and you sighed heavily. You fished out your phone and opened a new contact, looking to him expectantly. He easily rattled off the ten digits from memory and you save them to your phone before sending him a message.

I’m alive.

He glanced at his phone on the dash and nodded.

“Thank you. I’ll walk you up.” Turning off the car, Jake grabbed his phone and your cello before following you up the stairs and down the breezeway to your apartment. He looked over the half wall down to where his truck was parked, tsking his tongue against his teeth. “Not even a secure entry?” He huffed a little as you unlocked your door and turned to him, reaching for your instrument with one hand, the somewhat stressed bouquet of flowers clasped in the other.

“Saving up for something better, this is not permanent.” You muttered and he set the straps in your hand carefully.

“You take care of yourself alright?” He frowned a little and you bit your lip, wishing his concern didn’t making your stomach flutter that way.

You slid the straps of your cello case onto your shoulder and reached up to tap his nose, smiling bravely.

“I’m much safer in here than the rims on your pretty truck down there…night Jake.”

He smirked a little and chased your finger with a few snaps of his teeth, toothpick having vanished somewhere along the way.

“Night, darlin’…I mean it though, two texts…morning and night, or I’m breaking down this door.”

“Understood, Lieutenant Commander.” You smirked and stepped back, letting the door close on his all-too-pretty face before you went and did something ill-advised like haul him in for a kiss. You pressed your forehead against the wooden door smoothed by numerous coats of paint, forcing your lungs to fully inflate with a deep, slow breath. The stretch was almost painful and reminded you that you hadn’t been breathing properly around him.

The cello was tucked away into its box in the back of the closet, and you found an empty plastic pitcher to set the bouquet in. Cutting off the ends and setting the flowers in water perked up the stressed blooms and brought an amount of cheer to your bland apartment. As you were settling into bed later that evening, you looked to your phone as it chimed – something that felt incredibly rare as of late.

You’ll be happy to know the truck is fine. Good night.

You laughed softly to yourself before replying,

Oh thank god...Thanks again for dinner, Jake. Sleep well

Despite his request for two daily messages, the actual number the pair of you exchanged far exceeded that. You had given him a direct method of communicating with you and he was prolific – photos, memes, stream of consciousness messages as he wound down in the evenings. Through your photo replies, it became increasingly apparent that aside from rehearsals, performances, and the occasional trip to the coffee shop near the rehearsal studio, you really did not get out much.

His campaign to convince you to join him and his friends for drinks at their favourite bar lasted precisely six days and four hours. He had a rational reply for each of your objections; not knowing anyone – “the point is to make friends, darlin’!”, the money – “my idea, my treat”, the access –“your Uber driver Jake will arrive in thirty minutes”, and finally the safety of your cello –“my place is right by the bar, it’ll be safe there you have my word.” Once each of your excuses was easily brushed aside, you were left with no other choice but to agree.

In fact, you found yourself looking forward to an evening out, stopping by the mall on your way home from rehearsal and picking up a new dress in a colour other than black. It felt like an extravagance, making a purchase purely for yourself, even if it was a mass-produced piece of a fast fashion. You felt on trend for the first time in a long time. The cut flattered your body and showed off your usually hidden legs, the shade highlighted your skin tone, giving you a much-needed boost of confidence.

Jake’s reaction when you answered his knock that night, the way his eyes raked up and down your body and his tongue darted out to wet his lips, convinced you that it was the best forty dollars you had ever spent. You took advantage of his distraction to indulge yourself in a little visual appreciation of his khakis – he’d been wearing them when you’d first met but you’d been a somewhat preoccupied by being annoyed with him at the time.

“All set?” He asked and you looked to his eyes quickly, nodding as you grabbed your cello and purse.

He quickly took over your instrument, waiting as you locked up before leading you down to his truck, once again boosting you inside. You watched with interest as he drove across the Coronado bridge, not an area of the city you’d had the opportunity to visit previously, swallowing as he pulled up to a row of Spanish style homes.

“I’ll just tuck this inside, ok?” He reached back, patting your cello and you nodded, trusting him enough to retrieve it from the backseat and take it into his house.

You weren’t entirely sure, but you thought you could glimpse the blue waters of San Diego Bay through the windows, which would set the value of this property in the millions. Your tongue stuck to the roof of your mouth, and you had to put in a concerted effort to dislodge it, trying not to look frantic as he easily strode back to the vehicle.

“I’ll show you around another time, darlin’, the squad is eager to meet you…” He pulled out, pointing the truck towards the Naval Station as his free hand came to rest on the bare skin your knee, the warmth of his palm causing a bloom of goosebumps across your flesh.

Inhale. Exhale. Unclench your fingers on the door handle. You look insane.

“What horrible stories have you been telling them about me, Jake?” You smirked, pleased that your voice sounded almost normal to your ears.

“Nothing horrible at all, Javy can confirm, he’ll be there.” He insisted defensively.

It took you a moment before you remembered properly.

“Oh! Lieutenant Machado! I do know someone else here…” You smiled warmly as Jake pulled into the parking lot.

“What does that make me, darlin’?” He pressed a hand to his chest, looking all too wounded.

“Thanks for the ride, Jake. I’ll be sure to give you five stars on the app.” You grinned teasingly and hopped out of the truck, hearing him growl playfully as he followed after you.

The wall of humanity crammed into the small space on the other side of the door nearly stopped you in your tracks. You were thankful as Jake’s warm hand came to rest on your lower back, gently guiding you around the thick of it to front of the building where the roof sloped down towards a row of windows overlooking the beach and ocean beyond. A pool table centred the space and a smaller group of people, dressed in khakis just like Jake, were congregated there.

What followed was a series of introductions, each of them clearly preferring to go by their call signs. You bit your lip after shaking each of their hands and gestured around the group, trying to ensure you got it right.

“Rooster, Phoenix, Bob, Coyote,” Javy fairly beamed when you got his call sign right, “Payback and Fanboy?” You repeated hopefully and breathed a sigh of relief when they happily confirmed you got it right.

“So, Hangman said you’re from Boston…sure don’t sound like it…” Rooster smirked and took a sip of his beer.

You swallowed and tilted your head.

“Cuz I don’ muhdah mah vowls?” You asked in an exaggeration of a Bostonian accent.

You felt Jake squeeze you hip as everyone laughed and looked to him.

“I’ll go grab you a drink, what would you like?” He asked and you smiled warmly, placing your order.

You chatted warmly with Phoenix, Payback and Fanboy, Bob standing in your conversation circle listening quietly as Rooster and Coyote resumed their pool game. Jake returned with drinks, and you settled onto the tall, blue leather chairs that filled the space. While the conversation was remarkably similar to that among any group of work friends, the most striking thing about them was how competitive they all were.

No twenty minutes after your arrival and Fanboy had arranged a pool tournament. You were filled with trepidation, honestly not remembering the last time you had played pool, but decided to honour the intention of the evening and stood when you were called up to play against Phoenix. You stood patiently as Jake sized up a few cues against your shoulder before setting one in your hand.

“This is the right one.” He nodded definitively.

“Thanks Jake. Promise not to hate me after she destroys me?” You smirked.

“Not possible, darlin’.” He smirked back.

“The hating, or the destroying?” You laughed.

“Definitely gotta be the hating.” Phoenix grinned darkly at you from across the table you and felt more than a little intimidated.

Winning the coin toss, you eyed the neatly arranged triangle of colourful balls on the felt in front of you, keenly aware of many eyes observing and judging you. Taking a deep sip of liquid courage, you set the cue ball down and took your shot, unfortunately not sinking a single ball. There were a few murmurs of consolation, but they were quickly silenced when Phoenix proceeded to sink a solid-coloured ball – thus claiming that as her set – shortly followed by another three before finally missing a shot making it your turn again.

Gnawing on your lip, you studied the placement of the cue ball in relation to any possible shots with stripes, feeling the front of Jake’s shirt brush your elbow. You looked to him as he parted his lips, hoping he was about to offer some sort of advice when Fanboy suddenly shouted across the room –

“Ah, ah, ah! No helping! Solo tournament only!”

Trying not to look crestfallen you pressed a hand to Jake’s chest, trying not to focus on how firm it felt beneath your palm.

“It’s ok, I knew what I was getting into.” You patted the fabric of his shirt gently and turned back to the table before making you choice, leaning in to make your shot.

You could feel the hem of your dress sliding up the backs of your thighs as you bent at the waist and stretched forward, but you were confident that your butt remained covered, so you were unconcerned. Taking the shot, you surprised yourself as the striped three-ball actually sank into the pocket, straightening with a gasp. You turned to smile at Jake only to find him not where you left him. He stepped up behind you and squeezed your shoulders proudly before pressing his lips together and letting you choose your next shot, fairly vibrating with the desire to guide you.

You moved around to the other side of the table, having to stretch a little more, but with a pony wall right behind you it was unlikely anyone would see very much. Pulling back your cue, you were surprised when it collided with an unexpected obstacle and looked over your shoulder to see that Jake was once again occupying the space behind you. Unable to stop your arm in time, your cue slid forward to barely tap the ball, sending it spinning ineffectively across the felt and wasting your shot.

“Jake…?” You tilted your head as you came to stand beside him as Phoenix stalked around the table, hunting her next shot.

“Sorry darlin’…. just…got worried about your dress there…” He muttered, fingers skating along the hem of your dress, faintly brushing the bare skin of your legs at the same time.

You looked down, furrowing your brows in thought as you followed the movement before your eyes widened in comprehension.

“Oh I…” You swallowed thickly as your heart clenched and you nudged him with your shoulder in gratitude. “Thanks…”

After Phoenix sank another two, it was once again your turn. Unfortunately, you sank the cue ball and immediately lost the game, fully eliminating yourself from the tournament.

“Well, if I’d know that was all it took, I would have done that on my first shot!” You laughed self deprecatingly and happily hung up your cue for the evening.

Settling in to watch Fanboy and Bob play the next game, Jake took the chair next to you, his hand landing on your knee for the second time that evening.

“I can teach you, if you’d like darlin’…not sure if you want to callous those precious hands of yours but…”

You smiled warmly and finished your drink, shaking your head.

“I’d really like that…thank you…This music geek could use a little schooling in what to do at a bar.” You smirked and licked your lips as you felt his fingers press into your skin a little.

“You want another one?” He gestured to your empty drink.

“Maybe in a bit? I have pool to watch.”

“Well, save your attention for the really good players.” He winked cockily and you rolled your eyes but found yourself unable to look away as he started his game against Payback.

The positions he put his body into and the way those khakis hugged his muscles as he effortlessly sank shot after shot was definitely having an effect on you. As he handily won the game, you stood to fetch a round, thankful when Bob offered to help you as nearly everyone took you up on your offer. Upon your return, you narrowed your eyes playfully to find Jake in your seat, with no other vacant options.

“You stole my spot.” You took a sip, leaning against the wall beside him instead.

“Plenty of room, darlin’” He smirked, patting his firm thigh and you scoffed.

But after a few minutes of standing, you found yourself emboldened just enough by your liquor intake to stick out your chin stubbornly and shift to perch on his knees. You had barely glimpsed the widening of his eyes before your back was turned to him, but it had been worth it. Taking another sip, you turned you attention back to the pool table, clenching your thighs as you felt yourself gradually sliding off his knees. It had been fun while it lasted, you supposed.

His tanned forearm snaked around the front of your hips and pulled you fully into his lap, your back pressing against his chest, pulling a soft gasp from you.

“Couldn’t have you fallin’ onto the floor there, darlin’” He drawled into your ear, chin coming to rest on your shoulder, and you barely contained your shudder, nodding haltingly.

Doing your best to focus on the game unfolding before you, and not the way his scent filled your nostrils, you were grateful when he started to point out useful tips based on the shots Coyote was taking. His arm remained wrapped around your hips and your free hand naturally came to rest on his wrist as you relaxed against him.

One-by-one the rest of the squad was eliminated until the final round came down to Rooster versus Hangman. You slid off Jake’s lap carefully to visit the washroom before the game began, feeling comfortably buzzed and more than a little enamoured with the handsome aviator. You were just making were way back through the still-crowded bar when your eyes fell onto a pile of cash on the pool table, Jake grinning cockily as he added several bills from his own wallet.

“Yeah, I’ll take that bet!” He laughed and you felt the blood draining from your extremities, the temperature of the room seeming to drop by at least ten degrees.

Frantically, you tried to grasp onto thought and reason, but they had already abandoned you to terror and confusion. Acrid sweat prickled in your armpits, and you dug out your phone with shaking hands, the overwhelming urge to flee pulsing through every nerve-ending in your body, driving you to summon an escape. Your breaths had devolved to ragged gasps, and the dopamine rush when your ride share app confirmed a driver was four minutes out had a multicoloured aura dancing at the edge of your vision.

You turned, without looking up, towards the general direction where you knew the door to be, your shoulder colliding with something solid. Jerking your head up, eyes wild with a flood of fresh panic, you saw a startled Rooster making his way back to the table from the washroom.

“Hey, sorry there…you ok…?” His tone changed and slowed as he took in your face.

“Sorry, reallynotfeelingwellcanyoutelltheothersIgottago…” You exhaled in a rush and darted through the crowd without waiting for a reply, leaping into the waiting car and pressing back into the seat to try and restore measured breaths.

The pressure in your chest slowly eased the further you got from the bar, enough sense returning that you recognized the need to text Jake directly. You pulled out your phone and frowned to see two missed calls from him.

I’m so sorry, I’m really not feeling well. I had to bail. Good luck on your last game!

K.

The single letter reply glared up at you, your lower lip wobbling as your vision blurred. You could not help but feel like you deserved this for daring to allow yourself to let Jake…to let his friends…into your life. Broken people like you with baggage like yours didn’t belong in places like that with people like them. You climbed out of the car at your crappy apartment block in your dodgy neighbourhood. This was where you belonged, and you really needed to remember that.

Read Part Three

Extrication in G Major Masterlist

[dragonmuse]

@trippyvulcan @bonsaibovine and two anons have asked for Pickle at the stakeout and who am I to argue?

"How do you spell 'mountain?" Pickle asked.

Izzy glanced in the rearview mirror. She was sitting in a way she tartly informed him was now called 'criss-cross applesauce' in the backseat with her little lapdesk pulled close. It was purple (never pink, she only liked purple) and there was a star pattern on the soft bottom. She had a few colored pencils in one hand, writing carefully with the other.

"M," Read said patiently, waiting for her to form the entire letter before offering the next.

Jim, in the passenger seat, hds unwavering focus on their target until Read says , 'I'

"A," Jim said absently.

"Really?" Read frowned.

"Yeah, A then I" Jim nods. "Pretty sure."

Pickle caught Izzy's eye in the mirror, apparently waiting for a deciding vote.

"Jim's right."

"Okay," she went on writing.

"I blame the public school system," Read muttered. "And spellcheck."

"Blame it on the rain," Jim shrugged. "Who cares? You're not getting graded on...what are you actually doing, P?"

"They show us a picture and we have to write three sentences about it," she sighed like the weight of the world is on her shoulders. "It's dumb."

"Homework is the worst," Read said sympathetically. "I gotta write a ten page paper when I get home."

"Ten?" Pickle asked, appalled. "How many sentences is that? A hundred?"

"At least," Read agreed.

"Did you do something wrong?"

"Nope. College classes are just like that sometimes."

"What do you have to write about?"

"Uh," Read, who was currently taking a truly disturbing class in child abuse that had resulted in several late night conversations where she and Izzy did not make eye contact and occasionally drank heavily, fumbled. "Boring adult stuff."

"Okay," Pickle accepted that. "Can I have a snack?"

"You already had one," Izzy reminded her. "Your mother will shatter my eardrums if I ruin your dinner."

"Again," Jim mumbled, lips twitching.

"I gotta pee," she announced another minute later.

Everyone groaned.

"I got it," Read decided. "There's a convenience store with one a block back, I'll get a bottle of water. Anyone else?"

"Yeah, thanks," Izzy nodded.

"I'm good," Jim shrugged.

It was definitely not stealth for Pickle to tumble out of the car, drop half her pencils in the process, pick them up with much carrying on while Read tried to make sure she wasn't hit by oncoming traffic. Then again, who would think that such a scene would come from a car doing surveillance? It probably worked out.

"She's bored," Jim observed.

"Yeah, yeah, I know," he sighed. "But we're all being paid to be here."

"Don't understand why. Standard point and click."

"I don't argue with fat wallets."

So of course five minutes later, a guy in just his underwear and carrying a very large gun tapped on their window.

"Your turn," Jim groaned.

"Nope, I got the fucker with the automatic last month."

"He wasn't even holding it right!"

"Still counts," he said smugly.

"Fine!"

Jim slammed the door open, jamming the gun into the guys chest then burst outward to land a punch into his nose. Doubled over, they went to work and Izzy waited for them to quit playing with their food before getting out.

He approached the guy, standing over him with a shake of the head,

"Your wife just wanted to know who you were fucking, dumbass."

"I know!" The guy groaned, curling in around his many aches. Jim was breaking down the gun, pocketing the bullets. "She'll leave me if she finds out!"

"Yeah, sounds like a you problem."

"Uncle Izzy?" Pickle asked from behind him. Shit. "Does that guy need help?"

Jim shot him a wide-eyed look. Izzy, who would never be a strategist, but was maybe a little more creative these days, kept his voice level.

"Nope. He just got a little confused. He's gonna get up and go back home now. Right?" Izzy gave the guy his best dead-eyed stare and reached into his jacket.

"Yeah! Yep. Going!" The guy stumbled to his feet and rabbited off, giving the neighborhood a long eyeful of too much skin. "Sorry to bother you!"

Izzy dropped his hand away. He had a knife on him, but it was in his boot. Waist sheaths were a nightmare if you were going to be sitting for any length of time. Idiot.

"Why was he in his underwear?" Pickle asked.

"Poor planning," Jim said gravely.

They both turned to look at her. Pickle was wearing her favorite shirt with some cartoon dog with a truly upsetting proportion of eyes to face, purple leggings and shoes that despite being almost brand new, looked like they'd been attacked by bears. Her expression was so Delly-like, all judgement and thunder that Izzy felt a little haunted.

"I think you guys beat him up," she decided, crossing her arms over his chest.

"Well-" Izzy started.

"And I missed it!" She stomped one foot. "No fair!"

Read caught up with them, holding a collection of water bottles and, unmistakably, Pickle's favorite potato chips. Goddamnit. Now he didn't even have anything to bribe her with.

"It wasn't a very good beating," Jim offered. "He kind of just fell over. Pretty boring."

"I never get to see anything cool," she fumed onward.

"Good news is, we get to go back to the office."

"Can I cut up old paper?" She asked, narrowing her eyes.

"Yeah, sure," Izzy said readily. Pickle had really taken to shredding documents. Did a decent job too.

"Do I have to finish my homework?"

Silence. Read and Jim were having a conversation of facial expressions that Izzy was ignoring so he wouldn't have to murder them both at a later time.

"How about you get as much done in the car as you can?"

"...deal," she capitulated.

"And you're telling Delly you fed her chips," Izzy hissed at Read.

"That's cool, she likes me better than you anyway," Read said breezily.

Which was probably true considering Read would occasionally babysit for date nights, something Izzy rarely consented to do since they coincided with his own date nights. Lucius liked Pickle in theory, but was charmingly terrified of small children that were left in his care for any length of time. He was better with teenagers.

Fuck, Pickle at fifteen would be a horror show. World enough and time for that. Maybe Izzy would die before it happened, that was a cheering thought.

"Hey, boss," Jim said halfway back to the agency. "Do we have to go out again tomorrow? We didn't actually get the shot."

"....shit. I'll call her, let her know what happened. See how she wants to play it," he blew out a breath. "What a stupid piece of shit."

"Don't say stupid," Pickle scolded from the backseat.

"Yeah, boss," Jim cackled.

"What should I say instead?" He asked, resigned.

"Silly," Pickle informed him.

Jim and Read were both looking at him expectantly.

"No."

"Aw, c'mon," Read pleaded. "Just once."

"It's only appropriate to model good behavior," Jim said flatly, in the way they did when they were borrowing Stede-talk. He fucking hated Stede's bullshit, but it was somehow even worse when filtered through Jim's irony.

"I will stop here, kick you out and make you walk back."

"Pickle would get tired," Read frowned.

"Pickle can stay," he snorted. "She's doing her fucking job. You're being pains in the ass because you can be."

"Yeah!" Pickle grinned. "Wait, what's my job?"

"Being 8," he told her. "Your job responsibilities are finishing the damn homework sheet, cutting up pieces of paper and causing aneurysms. You get compensated in juice boxes and potato chips."

"Cool," she decided and started writing again.

"I think she should renegotiate," Read suggested.

"If you three unionize against me, I'm retiring. You can run the place."

"But the accounting software hates us," Jim wrinkled their nose.

"It's not doing errors at you if you keep feeding the wrong data in."

"You always say that," Jim grumbled.

"Always fucking true."

Back at the office, everyone dispersed to their separate corners. Pickle got the client chair, a massive pair of scissors and a stack of confidential papers to shred.

Read was clearly working on her paper, but since her hours were exceedingly random at this point between classwork and her second job, Izzy left her to it. Jim was transcribing, headphones in and tapping away.

All in all, it felt like an industrious workplace, even if it was partially fictional.

"Hey, what's the word when you're like...careful, but in a bad way?" Read asked. "My brain is mush today."

"Over cautious," Jim suggested.

Read shook her head.

"Paranoid," Izzy provided.

"Oh thank fuck, yes that's it."

"Can I have a juice box?" Pickle asked, coming perilously close to her fingers. She'd never done it yet though, so he left her to it and fished a juice box out from the mini fridge.

He had to duck under the lemon tree to get it and when he turned around to hand it to her, he spotted.

"Holy shit," he leaned in to make sure he wasn't imagiing it, but htere it was. "Jim!"

"What?"

"Your s-" he caught himself and then resignedly plowed on. "Your silly fucking lemon tree finally made a lemon."

"No way!" Jim got to their feet and rushed over. Pickle weaseled in between their legs and Read was practically pressed to his back.

He pointed up to the higher leaves where there was perfectly beautiful yellow fruit.

"I guess it just needed some time," Read whispered like the words might scare the fruit away.

"What do you do with it?" Pickle asked, craning her head up. "Lemonade needs more lemons, right?"

"We still got sugar packets from the last coffee run?" Jim was already turning looking for them. Read fished a few out from the box on top of the mini fridge.

Which was how Delly came to pick up Pickle and found three grown people and her daughter, all sucking on lemon slices coated in sugar.

"You know what?" Delly decided. "I don't even want to know."

"It's really good!" Pickle bounced to her feet, gathering her things. "And I learned how to spell 'mountain'."

"That's great," Delly smiled at her, then darted an acessing look to her brother. Izzy shrugged, and picked up his remaining slice. "Want one?"

"...yes," she took it from him with a sigh. "It smells great in here actually."

The lemon tree produced a great many more lemons from there on out, but it was the first one that stayed with Izzy the most. Sour as anything, sweetened by scrounged sugar packets and the company he had learned to keep.

[millllenniawrites]

warmth (Poe Dameron x Reader)

words: 5.6k yes it is the longest thing on this blog shush

summary: The Resistance’s victory celebration quickly turns sour when their trusted Commander, Poe Dameron, recognizes a toxin in the air. This favourite doctor is the only one he trusts with the information he has. You’re the only one you trust to look after him.

warnings: smut (this is 18+ people); afab!reader; porn with plot; sex pollen so that automatically makes it dubcon; doctor!reader; swearing, drugs, dirty talk, Poe Dameron is so whiny when he’s horny holy fuck; bondage; oral (f receiving); unprotected sex (wrap it up folks); pet names (good girl, honey, sweetheart, baby); this relies on Poe’s spice runner past (the one I use in Helix, not the gross canon one) but it’s not directly dealt with and it’s super vague 

a/n: I was trying to find a place to feature Kade Sol who is my baby sunshine light of my life from the Helix series and I snuck him in here! also this was a worldbuilding writing exercise that somehow turned into the filthiest smut I’ve ever written so there’s that 

__

As the last First Order ship disappeared from the sky, a victory cry sounded through the Resistance fighters. Poe Dameron landed on the tarmac of Cida’s Travel Station, popping the hood of his X-Wing. He grinned, watching the rest of Black and Blue squadron land around him, all hopping out of their ships and rejoicing on the deck.

They didn’t lose anyone in the air today. That alone was cause for celebration.

It had been three weeks of trying to break the First Order’s blockade on the Cida system. King Caran had graciously accepted the help of the Resistance, backed by the New Republic’s ships, and allowed them to set up a temporary base on Cida Prime. In exchange for liberating their system, His Majesty had granted the Resistance usage of their hyperspace lanes, which would cut the transport time from the Hosnian system to D’Qar in half. An easy trade, if anyone had bothered to ask Poe.

Which no one did, these days. But he was doing his best. 

Kade, his captain, shook him from his thoughts as he called from the ground, “The King is asking for you, Dameron.”

He dropped out of his ship, quickly hugging Kade, grateful as always to have his best friend by his side, before jogging into the command centre of the makeshift air base, where King Caran and Admiral Ackbar were waiting.

“Commander Dameron,” the King’s booming voice sounded through the small room as Poe entered.

Poe bowed low, nearly folding himself completely in half. “Your Majesty.” 

A pair of Cidan guards’ in navy uniforms flanked him as he trailed behind the King and Ackbar. Poe found himself tuning out the negotiations, agreeing with Ackbar on instinct as the two men spoke. They took more twists and turns than Poe could count. He began marking various basins, leaking different coloured smoke as landmarks, in case he needed to find his way out. 

Not that he thought the King wasn’t deserving of their trust. This was a war. He just wasn’t going to risk it. 

As they entered what appeared to be the King’s office, Poe felt almost out of place. Like he was floating, a gentle burning feeling in his gut the only thing grounding him. 

In a turn of events Poe was not expecting, he found himself missing you.

He loved Kade. Of course, he loved Kade. His second. His partner in crime. But the flight home was sure to be a boring one without you.

It wasn’t tradition, necessarily. But each time the two of you had taken a mission together, it had been a resounding success. And on your way home, he’d celebrated between your legs. 

And you’d taken care of him after, like the good girl he knew you were. 

The burning moved lower, a sweet smell settling in his nose. One Poe recognized, from a time before the New Republic Navy. 

Fuck.

Voice panicked, “King Caran,” Poe stood, realizing he had interrupted the King. Breathing heavily, he scanned the room, eyes locking on a small stone in the corner. It sat on a warming plate, small tendrils of yellow smoke disappearing into the air.

Caran laughed, following Poe’s gaze. “You know your therapies, my boy.” The man seemed… pleased. Proud. “A gift, from us to you.”

“With all due respect, your Majesty,” Poe coughed, a phantom of the sensation he had only felt once before aching deep in his lungs. “Most organisms outside of the Cidan’s can’t handle Stiima the way your graciousness can.”

“My apologies, my friend. We thought that it would help to calm things. For negotiations, of course.” Caran met Ackbar’s eyes, anxiety evident. “Please understand it is simply the way we celebrate such a great success as we have seen today.”

“I understand, your Majesty.” Ackbar side-eyed Poe, concern evident. “Are you alright, Commander?” 

The ringing in Poe’s ears drowned out the last of their conversation. The next thing he knew, he was back on the tarmac, shouting, “Kade. Get everyone in the air. Now.”

He beelined for his shuttle, locking himself in the cockpit. Hand clenching as he felt himself relax into the passenger seat, the pain of his nails digging into his palm grounding him. 

“Poe, you good?” Kade banged on the door.

He didn’t answer, focusing on the 

Kade finally got the door open. “Poe, what the fuck?” 

“Fly.” Poe said through gritted teeth. “I need you to fly.” 

So Kade did. 

They didn’t dock to the main carrier, flying above it. They would wait until it jumped to hyperspace before they followed. 

Poe watched as fighter after fighter flew into the large ship. Ears filled with cotton, he barely heard Ackbar’s order over the comms for anyone in a shuttle to stay away from the ship.

Code Orange.

Quarantine protocol.

Poe couldn’t stop his mind from going back to you. The last time you were on mission together. The way your mouth felt.

Your eyes. 

The innocent way you would smile, naked and spread out under him… 

“Poe?” Kade asked, sitting forward in his seat. “Are you alright?” 

Poe hit a comm button on his dash, connecting him directly to command. 

“Commander Dameron, are you alright?” A young man’s voice came through his headset. 

“I need you to connect me to med.” 

“Is someone—” 

“Connect me to med, officer. I need to speak with the doctor.” 

*

You opened the hull door of Poe Dameron’s shuttle, a small case of bacta and other various medications tucked under your arm. Coughing into your mask as you entered the dark ship, you quickly located the panel to seal the door behind you, saluting the mech on the ground that would lock you in after the door eased shut.

The convoy had landed hours ago. The medic team had been slowly working through shuttles, administering antidotes to those that could take them.  

It wasn’t poison. You’d ruled that out early. But the obvious effects of dehydration were evident. Poe seemed to know what it was, from the way he sounded in the recording Ackbar had passed off to med, but no one else was familiar with the symptoms everyone seemed to be presenting. 

Looking around, you stayed still for a moment, letting your eyes adjust to the dark. You had been in his shuttle before; you knew you were in the cargo bay, and if you followed the wall to your right, you would find the ladder that would lead you to the cockpit. Your mission. The plan. Assessing Poe and Captain Kade Sol’s symptoms. 

But if you went to the left and pushed the thin black curtain aside, you would find the small closet that served as his bed on long missions.

Your bed, when you joined him. 

It was hard not to smile, remembering the long nights in hyperspace with the famous Commander. The way his curls tangled around your fingers. How his stubble felt against the inside of your thighs…

Taking a deep breath to steady yourself, you shook your head with a small embarrassed laugh and began to work your way to the ladder.

Even with the grey cloth pulled tight across your mouth and nose, you could still smell the musk of the air, heavy in your lungs. It wasn’t unpleasant, but it had a true weight to it, like slightly overripe fruit or warm spices, much worse than the three shuttles you had cleared before this. The rungs of the ladder were warm like the air, slick with moisture, a telltale sign that Poe and Kade had done as asked. There had been no air circulating in the ship since they landed. If any of the airborne toxins had gotten into the ship, it wouldn’t have had the chance to escape outside. 

You smiled as your hands brushed their oxygen canisters, hearing the slow leak of fluid. Always thorough, Dameron…

Your hands grazed the small railing that guarded the catwalk to the cockpit as you made your way down to the sealed door.

“Commander Dameron? Captain Sol?” you called, hoping they could hear you through the dense metal. “It’s Doctor--”

The hiss of the door caused you to jump and you stepped back, taking in the form of the Captain. The large man nearly filled the doorway, dark clothes making it difficult to see him in the blackness of the ship. “I know who you are. Command came through a little while ago.” His voice as gruff as always, but he said it with a smile. “I’ve had no symptoms, but I figure you still need to check me out?”

“Yes, Captain.” You nod, “If you wouldn’t mind going back into the cockpit for me…”

He grumbled something you couldn’t make out but did what you asked, sitting in the only passenger seat in the small room, empty save for them.

“Where’s Commander Dameron?” you asked as you knelt in beside Kade, fingers on his wrist.

You ran through the basics of your training as he talked. 

“Poe didn’t get so lucky. Got hit worse than most people, from what we’ve heard. He was in the King’s office. Said something about a… diffuser?” When you nodded, he seemed to relax. “That’s why he made the call. Asked me to lock him up until a medic got here. He was specifically asking for you, so I guess we got lucky.”

You were grateful for the dark, hiding the way you flushed. “Guess so.” Unable to hide the warmth in your voice, you gave Kade a small smile. “There isn’t a brig on this ship. Where—"

“His quarters. Stun cuffs magnetized to the wall.” He seemed almost embarrassed, ducking his head. “I’m not sure what’s wrong with him, exactly. Just that he hasn’t really stopped making noise since about twenty minutes after we landed.”

You hesitated. Generally careful about the information you give out to patients, you weren’t sure it would be appropriate to explain, but Kade and Poe were a package deal. Rarely did you see one without the other. They’d been joined at the hip since long before they had defected to the Resistance together.

“It’s a potent aphrodisiac.” You murmured, standing behind him and tilting his head to check for discolouration on his neck, “Most people got hit with… well, let’s call it Level 1 symptoms. Loose tongue. Unable to really control what they’re saying, or at least not thinking it through. Level 2 are action: making choices you wouldn’t ordinarily make. The… aphrodisiac part. If you get to level two, we’ve found they wear off in about three hours. No antidote needed. Just fluids and rest, after it all. But you’ve been in here almost a whole day…” and Poe’s condition hadn’t improved.

“Which means what? He’s at level 3?”

There wasn’t a level 3. 

Coming around in front of Kade, you nodded slowly. “Was he complaining of… pain?” you flinched as you said the word, knowing the man had no idea what you were truly asking.

“Right before he asked me to gag him. He had moments he was lucid… basically told me to leave him locked up, no matter what he said.” 

There was only one other person that had said the drug hurt, and she had been fine for a few hours now. 

Kade chewed idly on his bottom lip, seemingly lost in thought. “Not easy being locked in while your best friend is raving like a madman.”

“The gag was a good call. He’ll thank you once he’s back to himself.” You tried for another smile. “You seem okay. Vitals are normal. Rosa is just outside. I’ll let her know that she can open the door. She’ll give you a mask and escort you to showers, and then back to your quarters. They’ll send a medical droid to check you out fully before you’re allowed to intermix with the base. Just in case.”

“Thank you, doc.” Kade stood, heading out the door to the rest of the shuttle. “Poe is—”

“I know.” You nodded, not really thinking through your words. “Closet. Curtain.”

Kade paused, turning to look at you for a moment. His eyebrow twitched, just slightly, before he dropped down the ladder. You appreciated that he hadn’t said anything, having a sneaking suspicion that he didn’t know you only off your medical reputation.

Your excursions with Poe were a relative secret, not wanting command to restrict you going on missions together because of your… you weren’t really sure what to call it. Enough people had stories about him that you knew you weren’t exclusive, but being with him was different. It had always been different. 

Though you supposed all the people he took to bed could say the same thing. 

You pushed the heavy curtain aside.

He was laid back on his cot, only one of his boots on. Poe struggled against his cuffs, attached to the wall above his head, and whined through the gag in his mouth. The bed squeaked and shook. It was a significantly less pleasant sound when you were standing there, not on top of him…

You shook your head quickly, a reminder that you were working, before you knelt on the ground next to Poe’s head. His eyes widened as he focused on you. Reaching for the fabric cutting into his cheeks, your fingertips grazed his jaw. “I’m gonna remove this, okay?” you murmured before eased the gag out of his mouth, letting the loop of dark cloth hanging around his neck.

“Sweetheart…” he whined the moment his mouth was free to move, his voice cracking around the dryness of his throat. You set your med case on the floor and opened it quickly, digging through bandages and bacta patches before finding what you needed. You lifted a small canteen to his lips, letting the water trickle into his mouth. He coughed, spluttering a little before he was tilting his head away, gasping, “Please, sweetheart. I need…”

You shushed him gently, swiping a cloth over his lips. Trying to distract him, you softened your voice, “You got everyone out before it could get bad, Poe. Everyone else is safe.” 

He turned his head to look up at the ceiling, seeming to relax a little. Your eyes found his throat. Watching him breathe, swallow, reminded you of the way his skin tasted… 

Fuck. 

You coughed again into your mask, murmuring, “I’ll be right back.” and ignoring the way Poe whined as you let the curtain fall behind you. 

Once you were a few steps away from him, you could breathe a little easier. The air was hot, fucking scalding through your mask, and you tilted your head back a bit to force yourself to breathe deeply. Slowly. Calmingly. 

You reached up, touching the pad of the in-ear to firmly press it into your head, “Rosa? You copy?” 

The woman’s high voice came through, louder than before. Her voice seemed to be directed straight into your skull. “Everything alright in there, doc?” 

“Everything’s fine. Commander Dameron has symptoms we haven’t seen before and I think I’m contaminated. It’s not bad. I can work through it. But I’m going to take my comm out just in case.” You really didn’t need command hearing your unfiltered thoughts.

She grumbled, “Maker. You sure you’re alright?” You swore you could almost see the way her eyebrows furrowed. 

“Yeah, Rosa. I’m good. Level 1 or less. Just make sure those doors stay locked until we come off it. Don’t open them for anyone. Even the General.” 

She turned on the link long enough that you heard her laugh before she said, “Sounds good. If we need you, we’ll come through the cockpit.” A brief pause, “Stay safe, doc.” 

“You too, Rosa.” 

Pulling the plastic out of your ear, you double checked that you had it turned it off before returning to Poe’s side. 

He relaxed the moment you were back in view, hips stilling on the bed. You tried not to stare at the obvious tent in his pants. 

His eyes seemed to focus better than before, saying quietly, “I heard you. Talking to Rosa. You shouldn’t have touched me.” 

He was right. It was probably your proximity to him that did it. But you had to do your job. That was your only priority, of course. Of course…

“Like I’ve ever been good at keeping my hands to myself with you around.” You froze as the words slipped past your lips, unable to stop them. 

He didn’t seem bothered by the sudden accidental honesty, but his eyes glazed over again, trailing over you. “I miss your hands…” he groaned, biting his lip and sending a wave of heat through you. 

“Careful, or I’m gonna put that gag back in.” Voice sounding forced even to your own ears, you sat down on the floor, your back resting against the bed. 

He mumbled something you couldn’t quite understand, until he repeated himself. “Take yours off. The… the mask. If you’ve got it…” 

He was right. If you’d already been exposed, there wasn’t any point in keeping it on. It was hot. There was no one in there but you. You weren’t hurting anyone. You could take the mask off. It would be fine. You—

“Sweetheart…” Poe groaned, rattling the cuffs. 

You ripped the mask off your face, tossing it near your medical kit. 

“G-good. Can you… can you please take my arms down, honey?” he tugged at the cuffs again. If you had turned to look at him, you would have seen the desperation you knew was painted across his features. “It hurts.”  

His whine sent a pang of guilt through you. “Why did you know what the drug was?” you asked, hoping it would distract him.

“It’s used in party drugs. The way it burns… it’s not like anything else I’ve ever—” He shifted, trying to get more comfortable, despite the way his pants were twisted around his legs from hours of struggling. The fabric stuck against him and pulled, and he moaned, guttural and sweet and chipping away at the wall of self-control you had haphazardly built against him. 

“Poe,” Meant to be chastising, the word landed somewhere in the realm of yearning and breathless. 

“Anything, sweetheart. Please.” Rolling his head back and forth on the bedroll under his head, he sounded close to tears as he whined, “I think my dick is going to fall off if you don’t touch it.”

You couldn’t help but laugh, helping to break the cloud of arousal circling your head. “I don’t think that’s a medically sound diagnosis, Commander.” 

“Say that again…” he breathed. 

“Medically—”

“No.” 

Your sharp intake of breath was the only sound in the shuttle. 

“Commander?” 

He tilted his head back, groaning, “You say my title and I can’t stop thinking about being inside you.” 

“It’s just the drugs.” 

“You know it’s not just the drugs.” You could have sworn it was a growl with the way the low sound of his voice tore through you. “I need you to touch me, honey.” 

“Will you stop talking if I do?” 

“Come lay with me and give me one hand back. Then I’ll stop talking.” 

Negotiating meant he was lucid, if only partially. 

“I thought you said it makes it worse if I touch you.” You squeezed your eyes shut, like that could block out the image that his soft gasps conjured in your mind. 

“It’ll get worse before it gets better.” 

“Always got a fucking answer for everything…” You grumbled, but it worked. Carefully, you eased yourself up off the floor and onto his small cot and leaned over him. One ring of the cuffs released with the click of a few buttons. 

After freeing the gag from around his neck and tossing it to the floor, Poe’s free hand immediately reached for you, gripping your thigh. Even though the thick fabric of your pants, you could feel how warm he was. “Sweetheart…” 

“You said you’d stop talking.” 

“Lay down. Lay down and I’ll stop talking.” 

You had agreed to it. And when his fingers dug into your thigh and the wave of relief washed over you at his touch, you weren’t about to argue. 

So you laid down, back to him, letting his free hand roam up and down your side. Under your shirt. Down under the top of your pants that he didn’t bother to undo. There wasn’t any focus to his movements. Where he touched you, you relaxed, and as his touch moved on, your skin burned. 

You didn’t notice the high-pitched whine leaving your parted lips until Poe’s hand came to rest on your throat. 

“Does it hurt?” He traced from your jaw to your collarbone, over and over, putting just enough pressure on your neck that you were gasping. 

“N-no… Are you…? Does it hurt for you?” 

“This is better. You being close makes it better.” 

“It’s just warm.” That was the only way to describe it. It was like he had set you on fire. Everywhere he had touched ached. 

He groaned, breath hot against your ear as he rutted his hips against you. “Let me help, sweetheart…” No amount of squirming was going to make the heat go away and you couldn’t figure out how he could be so slow about all of this. “I can make you feel good. I can make it go away. Please…” His fingers trailed across the exposed skin of your stomach, soothing the burning feeling that wracked your body. 

You gripped his wrist, bringing his hand up under the hem of your shirt, needing his cooling touch. Arching your back, your ass grazed him and you groaned together.  

“Please sweetheart.” he begged, voice low and sending vibrations through your back where he pressed against you. “Let my other hand down. I promise I’ll make it worth it.” He rattled the cuff still glued to the wall for good measure. 

He didn’t have to ask you twice. Rolling over, you shoved him onto his back and swung a leg over his hips. Grinding down as you reached over him, you released his hands, leaving the cuffs on the wall, up and out of the way. He was quick to flip you onto your back, hand cradling the back of your head as his lips met your neck. 

“Pretty girl…” Poe murmured as his hand tangled in your hair, wrenching your head back to expose your neck. “Such a pretty girl for me… so fucking sweet…” 

“Poe… Poe, please.” The whine left you before you could fully decide what you were begging for. Just more. More of him. His hands on your body. His lips on your skin. 

The heaviness of the air weighed you to the cot, your knees down to the thin mattress as he slotted himself between your legs – still fully clothed – and you fell apart in his arms. Gasping into his mouth, body convulsing, you could barely move with the way he was positioned above you. You couldn’t open your eyes. You could barely breathe with the way every small movement sent searing heat straight to your core. 

“Fuck.” His dark eyes focused on your heaving chest. “Do that again.” 

He fought with the ties on your pants, tearing the sides as he forced them down your legs, taking your underwear with them.

 It was all you could do to keep from screaming as he sunk two fingers into you. 

Each movement of his fingers battled the heat coursing through you and let you come back to yourself, if only for a moment. His other hand splayed out on your stomach to keep you still. He pushed your shirt up and you ripped it over your head. 

Your head spun as you realized he was still completely clothed. 

Leaning down, he sunk his teeth into the inside of your thigh. Where you expected pain, pleasure ran down your legs. Following his trail of bite marks with soft kisses, up closer to where you needed him, he blew softly on your folds and you cried out, bucking off the cot. 

You could hear the squeaking of the bed as you squirmed. Each laboured breath Poe took as he nestled himself between your trembling legs. The rasp in his voice as he murmured, “...wettest fucking cunt I’ve ever seen...” before he lowered his face to meet the apex of your thighs. 

His mouth on you didn’t offer the relief you were so desperately searching for. It somehow made it worse, every swipe of his tongue followed by a trail of fire. 

You pushed at his head but he barely responded. “Poe… Poe please… I need your cock…” 

He hummed lightly against you, his tongue working you slowly, like you weren’t threatening to burn up underneath him. 

Finally, you grabbed onto a handful of his curls and pulled. 

He only looked up in mild annoyance. Gripping your wrist tight, he forced your hand to the cot. “I’ve got you. I’ll take care of you.” Though the words were soft, his tone was gruff. 

Poe slowed his soft circles on your clit and you whined again, pushing up into his mouth. “Stay still.” He mumbled against you. 

Each of his motions were so methodical, you could have sworn you were the only one dealing with symptoms. Until he glanced up at you with his almost-black eyes. 

You stopped breathing.

You weren’t afraid. You could never be afraid of Poe. But you’d never seen him so unhinged. Like he was going to jump, and you were coming with him. 

He snatched up both your wrists, leaning over you. Tipping your head back, you tried to kiss him but he moved further, up above your head. 

In one quick motion, he locked both your hands in the cuffs on the wall. 

“I need it. Please. I need--” He didn’t finish the sentence, hooking his hands under your knees and spreading you out for him. His tongue found your clit again and you couldn’t hear your own scream over the rush of blood in your head. 

He’d always been accommodating. He took constructive criticism well and was determined to get you off, no matter what he had to relearn, when the two of you had fucked before. 

Now, he took each of those little pieces and, like he’d been given the code to your body, he took you apart. 

Every stroke of his tongue would have seemed planned if not for the way he moaned into your skin, the way he grinded his hips into the cot beneath him. You gave up fighting against the cuffs, instead focusing on rolling your hips against his face. 

He held still, letting you move the way you wanted. Letting you use his tongue. Guiding your hips. It wasn’t until he set you down and you opened your eyes that you realized that he was dripping with you.

His chin glistened as he sat up and yanked his shirt over his head. His eyes didn't leave yours as he undid his pants, shucking them off and tossing them somewhere with his shirt. You didn't care. You didn’t care where his clothes were or where yours had disappeared to. 

“My-- the cuffs. Poe, I need to touch you…” 

Your hands were in his hair the moment he released you, pulling his mouth to yours. He tasted of you, and the heaviness in the air, and the familiarity of him that you’d grown so intoxicated by. 

Ordinarily, he’d tease you. Just like this, your legs spread for him. He’d drag the head of his cock over you until you stopped threatening him, until you melted and became putty in his hands and your begging became wordless. 

But he didn’t have the patience. You could see it in his face. He angled his hips, sliding into you slowly. 

With this, there was relief. But it came as quick as it went and you were again whining under him, your cunt clenched tight around him. 

He pushed deeper, his face tucked into your neck. “Relax, baby. Relax. You’re so-- so fucking…”

You didn’t know how he was going so slow. You didn’t know how he managed to stop, only halfway inside you. 

All you knew was that you needed him. 

You pulled his hips into yours. After two orgasms, there was no resistance. He bottomed out, gasping into your mouth. “Pretty girl…” 

“Fu… Fuck me. Poe please please fuck me--” You pulled at his shoulders, his hair, grinding up into him as much as you could with him fully on top of you. “It hurts. Please…” 

Whatever well of self control he’d been drawing from seemed to have dried up. Snapping his hips into yours, he kissed you. 

His tongue dominated your mouth, not giving you space to breathe. Or think. Or do anything other than take what he was giving you. Your nails dug into his upper arms, leaving little crescent moons behind. His soft gasps of encouragement had you writhing beneath him. 

“Perfect little… You take me so well, honey. Like you were fucking made for me…” 

His words alone threatened to take you over the edge. 

The burning came to a throbbing head in your core and you arched up into him, trying to pull him closer. Deeper. Anything to quell the fire inside you. 

“Poe… Commander… P-please let me cum…” You weren’t in control of your words anymore. You weren’t in control of anything. “I need you.” 

You wrapped your legs more tightly around him and his hips stuttered but he wasn’t stopping. Not for fucking anything.

“Let me feel you, pretty girl.” He growled against your neck. 

And you unraveled. 

The relief washed over you in waves as you lay beneath him. Between each peak, you could hear your own panting, feel the way your body fluttered around him. 

You floated in the bliss.

Vaguely, you felt yourself roll over. Something cold dug into your side, but you couldn’t figure out how to move. Or figure out how to want to. 

Your chest was still heaving as he traced along your ribs. A warm body came flush with your back. Fire trailed his dancing fingers. 

“Sweetheart…” A soft moan at your ear. Breath, warm on your neck, sending a ripple through you. He pressed his hips forward, his hard cock sliding against your ass. “I need more. Please?” 

You shifted your aching hips back towards him. “Please.” 

*

You weren’t sure how long passed before you returned to normal – sated and thoroughly exhausted, but normal. Your skin no longer burned at the gentlest of touches. You could stand to look at him, to draw over the planes of his chest as he laid beside you without feeling the unyielding need for his cock inside you. 

Your fingertips traced gently over the straining cords of muscle in his neck and he shuddered. 

“You bit me.” He finally whispered. 

You dissolved into a fit of giggles, curled up against his side. His arm wrapped around you, pulling you onto his chest. 

“I’m sorry.” You laughed against his neck, kissing over the hickies you’d left behind. 

“Don’t be. It was hot.” 

“Where’d I bite you?” You propped yourself up on an elbow, looking down at him. 

He tapped his upper arm, right underneath a series of bite marks. Ducking your head, you kissed over them, murmuring soft ‘I’m sorry’s between pecks. 

“It’s okay. Really.” He tapped under your chin and you met his gaze. “Was that okay? We’ve never used cuffs or anything before and I’m really sorry--” 

You kissed him to cut him off. “I’m okay. I trust you. You know that, right?” 

He didn’t answer. Instead, he rolled on top of you, an intensity in his eyes that would have scared you if you didn’t know him. 

“I’m glad it was you.” Forehead pressed to yours, you shuddered as his soft breaths fanned across your lips. “I was hoping it would be you.” 

Your breath caught. Gently, you brushed away the curls that fell in his face, tilting your face up and bringing your lips to his again. 

He mumbled between kisses, “Can I take you for dinner?” You were too stunned to say anything, letting him kiss your bottom lip gently. He lingered at the corners of your mouth, leaving light kisses behind. “Hm? Will you let me take you out, sweetheart?” 

“On a date?” 

“If you don’t want it to be a date, it can just be a thank-you dinner--” 

“It can be a date. Can it be a date?” 

Giggling against your mouth, he said, “It can. I’d like it to be.” 

“We should probably get out of this shuttle first.” 

“Maybe put some clothes on before that?” 

“Maybe.” Your nose brushed his. “Maybe I’d like to kiss you first.” 

“Maybe I’ll let you.”