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avis-writeshq · 1 year ago

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hi ! love ur fics <3

can i request reader as being a massive flirt publicly towards spencer but when its Intimate and Private, reader is suddenly Stunned and Speechless and Blushing and spencer kinda gets the confidence to Do Stuff

im sorry if that was the stupidest described ask ever achh but lov u !

pairing: s9!spencer reid x bau!fem!reader genre: established relationship, bombshell-ish(?) reader, fluff warnings: 16+ for kind of suggestive? he’s so in love UGH a/n: thank you for requesting !! wc: 1.22k

Spencer thinks that you are the most beautiful person in the world. He thinks that you’re glowing every time you walk into the room– no matter how upset or disgruntled you may be– and as cliche as it may seem, he’s certain that swarms butterflies fill his stomach and cloud his mind. In fact, he thinks that you have always had that effect on him, ever since he’s met you. You’re touchy, and despite Spencer’s general aversion to physical touch, he finds that he doesn’t mind your germs much.

Very often he finds himself at your mercy, with the way your fingers brush against his face as if it’s nothing, as if that movement alone was something that you do with everyone (you’ve only ever done it with him). There are other instances where you’ve been very blatant in your attraction towards him, so much so that he ends up with his cheeks hot more often than not. A part of him is grateful that though you work in the FBI, it isn’t his division. He doubts he’d be able to see the end of it.

“Spencer,” you gush, curling your fingers into the ends of his hair. Or rather, lack of hair. “You got a haircut. You’re supposed to consult me first, you know.”

He laughs, looking up at you as you stand over him while he sits at his desk. “Is that what a good boyfriend is supposed to do?”

“Yes.” You speak with mock indignation, properly running your fingers through his hair from his fringe to the back of his head. “It’s so short.”

“Do you hate it?” There’s a momentary pang of unease that strikes at his heart. “Maybe I should have consulted you.”

“No, baby, it looks really good.” You smile at him, pressing a kiss to his hairline. “You’re warm. Do you have a fever?”

Of course I’m warm, Spencer wants to say while you continue to dote on him, your hands travelling to his collar next and brushing against his throat. You’re touching me in the middle of the bullpen.

He opts to not say anything when he sees your knowing smile. You’re doing this on purpose. He clicks his tongue, squeezing at your waist lightly as you lean over him to kiss his forehead. He’ll let you win this battle; he’s going to get you back.

***

He doesn’t really know how to get you back. There are a few harmless things he’d thought of doing: sneaking into your department and hiding your mug on the top shelf (he fears that you’d ask someone, a taller more handsome someone, to rescue it for you), not wearing the tie you picked out for him that morning (he can already envision your disappointed frown and his chest aches at the imaginary you getting upset because of him), and putting toothpaste in your Oreos (he doesn’t want to die).

All of these ideas go down the drain and he ends up not getting back at you for days. It doesn’t help that he’s been gone for a case while you’ve been stuck at home. It isn’t all bad, and a part of him wishes that he can hold himself to the same level of confidence as Derek when Penelope calls him with flirtatious motives. You do virtually the same thing.

Your words are honey as you shower him with compliments, ending him with a simple “Hey, gorgeous.”

It is enough to make his heart leap to his throat and his cheeks to warm to a pretty pink. There’s not much overlap between the Human Resources Branch and the BAU, especially considering that you assist more on the training and hiring side of things, so there aren’t many opportunities for you to fluster him when he’s out of the office. He finds that you always make an excuse.

“Hi,” he responds softly, avoiding the teasing gazes of Emily and Derek. “Is… are you okay?”

“Do I need to not be okay to talk to my lovely boyfriend?”

You’re teasing him, poking fun at the way he so easily surrenders to you. He resists the urge to run out the room.

“Stop,” he warns half-heartedly. He says your name quietly, tapping his fingers at the edge of the table. “Is there something you needed?”

He can practically hear you smile as you respond, the sound of your mouse clicking in the background. “Oh, yeah. My computer says that my storage is full. What do I do?”

“Your storage is full,” he repeats, smiling. “That’s why you called me?”

“It’s lunchtime in Santa Monica, right?”

He relents, cheeks hurting from how hot and stretched out they are. “Yes.”

“Then it shouldn’t be a problem.”

He puffs out a breath of air, running his fingers through his hair. “You’re ridiculous.”

“You’re lovely.” He can imagine you batting your eyes, your smile saccharine. “Don’t you wish that you were here, gorgeous?”

He’s definitely going to get you back.

***

Spencer goes to your apartment once the case ends, his eyes dreary with sleep and the horrors that he saw only a few hours prior. Your apartment key hangs next to his on his keychain– a limited edition Tardis charm that you got him for his birthday. He huffs out a breath, unlocking your door and stepping inside. He’s met with you dancing around in your kitchen, headphones on whilst holding a wooden spoon. A part of him is concerned with how easily he could slip into your home without being notice, but the other part can’t help but smile at how carefree you look, and he leans against the wall to stare.

He doesn’t get the opportunity to stare for long. It’s comical, the way you jump upon seeing him, eyes wide as you rip your headphones off.

“You’re back! You scared me.” A smile stretches across your lips while you press your palm to your chest whilst taking steps towards him. “Don’t do that ever again.”

Spencer laughs, toeing his shoes off and resting his hands on your waist. His head dips down to meet your gaze, peering up at you with a soft smile. “You look beautiful.”

Your cheeks glow warm and you break eye contact. “Yeah?”

“Mm.” He hooks his pointer finger under your chin, pressing a soft kiss to your lips. “I missed you.”

He notes the way you don’t respond, in some sort of daze while your lips part in both surprise and flusteredness. He understands your sentiments– it isn’t often that he initiates affection.

“Did you miss me, too?” Spencer asks softly, his lips brushing against the shell of your ear as he speaks.

“Of course I did,” you croak out, heat building in your head.

Spencer chuckles, a smug smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. He’s doing this on purpose, flustering you to the point of no return. He kisses you again, one hand holding the base of your head while the other squeezes at the flesh of your waist. It’s dizzying, the taste of coffee on his tongue and the feel of his fingers in your hair.

“Hey, gorgeous,” he murmurs once he’s pulled away. His thumb rubs a line from the back of your ear to where your jawline starts, and he can’t help but chuckle. “Where did that confidence go, hm?”

reblogs are always appreciated!

#spencer reid x reader #spencer reid #criminal minds x reader #criminal minds #matthew gray gubler #matthew gray gubler x reader #spencer reid fluff #spencer reid x reader fluff #criminal minds fluff #criminal minds x reader fluff #matthew gray gubler fluff #matthew gray gubler x reader fluff #mgg #mgg x reader #mgg x reader fluff #mgg fluff

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remae-freyae · 26 days ago

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"Title: The Executive Distraction" (Fanon/All 4 Boys)

she walked in, handed over a report, didn’t even look at them…

and somehow became the most important topic on the executive agenda 💼👀

---

The boardroom at Stellar Apex Corp was more warzone than workspace.

“I’m telling you, launching the neuro-link tech before Q3 is reckless,” Sylus growled, arms crossed and suit immaculate, tension radiating off him like a dark cloud.

Across from him, Xavier leaned back in his chair, perfectly unfazed. “Oh please. We both know you just want more time to polish your broody aesthetic for the PR shoot.”

Sylus narrowed his eyes. “Unlike you, I don’t need eyeliner to have depth.”

“Boys,” Zayne cut in smoothly, twirling a pen between his fingers. “You’re both pretty. Can we move on to the actual point? Our market share’s about to plummet if we don’t pick a direction.”

Rafayel looked up from where he was sketching something—was that a flower crown?—in the margins of his tablet. “What if we added a virtual garden feature in the next deep-space sim expansion? It’d calm users down. Especially after listening to these two scream at each other.”

“I don’t scream,” Sylus and Xavier snapped in unison.

A silence stretched—interrupted only by Zayne’s smirk and Rafayel’s gentle humming.

Then, without knocking, the door creaked open.

In walked Y/N, plain clipboard in hand, her eyes calm and her footsteps measured. She didn’t flinch at the tension in the room. Didn’t pause. Didn’t swoon. Just calmly walked to the head of the table, where Zayne sat, and dropped a crisp folder in front of him.

“Report from Mr. Neechan. He said it’s urgent,” she said, deadpanned.

Four pairs of eyes locked on her.

Her tone was professional. Not flirty. Not breathless. Not... interested.

And somehow— that was the most interesting thing of all.

“Thanks,” Zayne offered, lifting the folder. “What’s your name?”

She was already halfway to the door. “Y/N.” And she left.

The room fell silent.

Sylus blinked first. “Who was that?”

Xavier sat up straighter. “She didn’t even look at us.”

Rafayel gave a dreamy smile. “I liked her energy. Very grounded. A touch of melancholy. Like a sunrise in winter.”

Zayne adjusted his collar, watching the door as it clicked shut. “Does Neechan need her down there?”

Sylus stood. “I’m going to check on the fifth floor. For no reason.”

Xavier rose too. “No, I’ll check. You’ll scare her.”

Zayne sighed, already pulling up the assistant registry. “Let’s all calm down. We can’t all go down there.”

Rafayel, smiling serenely, murmured, “So we’re agreed then. The next company initiative is… finding excuses to summon her?”

“Executive-level project,” Sylus muttered.

“I’ll draft the memo,” Xavier added.

Zayne grinned. “She won’t know what hit her.”

They all turned toward the now-empty doorway. Business plans forgotten.

The war was about to begin—just not the one they’d scheduled on the agenda.

---

Let me know if you want to read the same thing.. but a spicier or more chaotic version xD because I can definitely deliver. XD;

#love and deepspace sylus #love and deepspace xavier #love and deepspace zayne #zayne love and deepspace #sylus x reader #xavier love and deepspace #sylus love and deepspace #writeblr #writing inspiration #writblr #writerblr #writing prompts #dialogue prompts #mine #prompt list #prompt themes #imagine

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jymwahuwu · 2 years ago

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Jing Yuan is the kind who likes to customize you and him in the game world, and arranges you to marry him… 🫣💕

CW: yandere, non-con (in game), harassment, customizing your avatar without your consent and doing lewd things, forced marriage

Every era has some retro trends. The so-called trend is the waves on the beach, changing but repeating.

General Jing Yuan needs to pay attention to the business trends in Xianzhou, and found that many adults in Xianzhou have bought a game console. It was an electronic pet game console that was popular in various galaxies hundreds of years ago, and it has been packaged by capital and sold in a new form now. The game company uses new technology and beautiful pixel art compared to previous consoles, and targets adults. Virtual pets are fully customizable, and players can feed, care for, and even talk to them (of course, no voice, just text and options, but pets respond based on player-customizable personalities and stats). The selling point of this console is porn, with the ability to choose the level of sexual encounters and orgasms of pets in the simulated universe (lots of free and randomized sex events).

Jing Yuan immediately ordered his assistant to buy one. It was an exquisite game console with the cartoon designs of fluffy kittens and birds that the general wanted. He couldn't wait to customize… you, using technology to customize a virtual pet in the game that is exactly like you in reality. You stand on the grass in pixel art style, looking at him with a pout. He customizes your character and stats, and starts the game. He's obsessed with your little pixel figure sleeping and being fed by him in the game world. You are really adorable when you sleep in the clouds. Your little pixel avatar eating your favorite food at the restaurant. It's just that he can't accept you being groped by tentacles and other mysterious alien species in the virtual universe.

So, he customized a small avatar of Jing Yuan and lived in your home. The General watches with satisfaction as your virtual pixel avatar gets fucked by tiny Jing Yuan, rocking your waist back and forth and sobbing, with white seeds all over your face and private parts. You look exhausted and have a lot of orgasms… <3 Begging little Jing Yuan to stop doing this. In the restaurant, your avatar also can't enjoy the food because his avatar keeps groping you under the table. You even had a little wedding in the game! Your avatar keeps pleading with text messages not to get married, but gets rejected. How can you be so cute… <3

One night, you received a mysterious game video from a general who harassed you. You click and watch in bewilderment to see a tiny avatar very similar to you being fingered and nipple stimulated, and the one doing it is an avatar similar to Jing Yuan!! They are doing lewd things with the cutest art. You are flustered and crying, how can that person do such a thing in the game world without your consent. Jing Yuan even sent this for you to watch…?

"hey baby, they work so hard. let's get married as early as possible just like them<3"

#yandere honkai star rail #yandere jing yuan #yandere hsr x reader #yandere jing yuan x reader #honkai star rail x reader #honkai star rail x you

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couldawouldashoulda50 · 10 months ago

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Never Been Kissed - Part Two - Matthew Knies

This is Part Two of my Never Been Kissed mini-series for the amazing @cellythefloshie's birthday BINGO, featuring Matthew Knies. My 5 tropes (Virginity, Age Gap, Secret Lovers, Meet Cute, Pining) are spread across the 3 parts.

In case you missed it, here is the Link to Part One

Warnings/Notes - swearing, not quite smut but more than fluff? Just a bit of time spent on Matthew and Lana taking the next step (p and v exploration)

18+ only please.

Word count - 6.4k

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"Ok, you need to start talking… I'm dying here—tell me everything," Jason said as he handed Lana her martini on the rocks.

Lana chuckled slightly as she took a sip, savoring the taste on her tongue. It was another gorgeous evening in Toronto and the three relaxed on the terrace, enjoying the breeze off of Lake Ontario. Her brother's building had the most stunning southern view of the city, and she never tired of how the CN Tower looked at dusk. The sky boasted an ombré effect from blue to pink, and a string of small clouds rolled in, eventually engulfing the round observation deck at the top of the tower.

Lana explained meeting Matthew, who he was, and how for weeks, they had developed something—a connection—or whatever one would call it. She listed off the myriad of conversation topics and how, despite their different upbringings, they shared many similar views and ways of thinking. She spoke of his thoughtfulness; how each time they met, Matthew greeted her with a cappuccino and her favorite cold-pressed juice (even though he thought beets were gross). The way she caught him looking at her with his distinct green eyes and a gaze so hypnotic, she had to avert her eyes to try and remain grounded.

Andrew and Jason held hands as they listened to Lana describe her confusion with the onslaught of what she was beginning to feel. They both knew she had never experienced love or being in love, or even having so much as a high-school crush. The vitriol their mother spewed was simply too hard for Lana to comprehend from a young age, but now, meeting Matthew had resuscitated a part of her that had withered a long time ago.

Andrew sat down next to his sister as they began to eat their tantalizing dinner of barbecued black tiger shrimp, mixed green salad, and red potatoes.

"Okay, so… you've rhymed off the positives—what are your concerns? And don't think about it… just say it. I don't want you to sanitize what really is worrying you."

Mid-chew, she rolled her eyes at the amazing taste of the food. "His age. He's just 21. I'm more or less 11 years older - I mean, I know it's not totally unheard of but it's still a bit of an age gap."

"Keep going," Andrew prodded further.

"Well, again, I'm 32 and he's a young NHL'er. Do you know that virtually every time we passed a younger woman, Matthew made their heads spin… they completely melted at the sight of him. My assistant was one of them." Lana's eyes cast down to her plate and she shook her head. "This is the first man I have ever felt this way about, and he's barely an adult himself. I don't even know if he feels any of this or not but even if there is something there, how could I measure up to a stacked 20-year-old? I'm in a whole other decade than anyone in his social circle. And… I've been around these guys long enough to know there's no shortage of women that are at their disposal."

Jason and Andrew nodded in agreement.

Lana's eyes felt the pin prick of tears, and she blinked them away before they fell.

"And then there's that whole other issue." Setting her fork down, she looked at her brother with a pained expression. "Once more… I know how these guys operate—Matthew's very attractive… I'm sure he had his university experience with God knows how many girls. And then there's me. Never kissed anyone before, never been touched—never even…"

She put her face in her hands as she exhaled heavily. "Goddammit, it's getting harder all the time to even admit to myself that I'm still a virgin. How do I even begin to explain this to him or anyone else?"

"Lana, stop. Just stop now. You're getting upset, so let's just take this one step at a time. He's asked you out for dinner to say thank you. So go out to dinner with him and let him say what he wants to say." Andrew spoke softly as he continued. "You've had meals with him already, so don't put pressure on this. I realize this is new territory for you, but don't get ahead of yourself. Jesus, I'm just happy you admitted to liking someone. Hell just fucking froze over." Andrew flashed a crooked smile at his sister.

Jason interjected as Lana swatted Andrew lightly with her napkin. "Why not do something else? Dinner, schminner—we've got fantastic seats to the Jays game this Sunday. If you ask him and he's available, they're yours. It's a 1:30 start, so just go, grab an overpriced hot dog and a beer. Relax and have fun. You'll know more once the game's over than you did before."

"But—I thought… that was our Sunday thing…," Andrew said, his dark brown eyes full of disappointment as he turned towards his partner.

Jason draped his arm around Andrew's shoulder. "I was going to surprise you, but I've figured out something better—I'll tell you later."

Andrew smiled at his partner, and then turned to Lana and nudged her arm. "Do it—message him now just to get it over with and let's see what he says."

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When Matthew first read Lana's message, a wide smile spread across his face, and nervous excitement fluttered in his stomach. The prospect of spending an entire afternoon with Lana, relaxing and savoring the last days of summer, made him wish he could fast-forward through the hours and days until he saw her again.

As it went, the preceding days before their date flew by quickly. The pair fell into a comfortable routine of text messages throughout the day and longer phone calls in the evening. Matthew had even floated the idea of a "pre-date" dinner, but he discovered Lana was virtually Wonder Woman, juggling the many responsibilities and demands that pulled her in all directions day after day.

Sunday arrived, and Matthew had insisted on picking Lana up at her place. Her condo-townhouse was uniquely surrounded by expansive parks, forests, and ravines alongside tourist spots such as Casa Loma and the Royal Ontario Museum.

Matthew had hoped that Lana would invite him inside, but as he pulled alongside the curb, she emerged promptly, waved, and turned to ensure her front door was locked. Matthew bit his lip when he couldn't help noticing how fucking amazingly sexy she looked in a simple pair of jeans.

His stomach was aflutter as she slid in next to him wearing a José Bautista baseball jersey and a baseball cap. Her long blonde hair was tied in a ponytail, reaching midway down her back.

Lana suddenly felt a little paranoid being decked out like a super fan versus Matthew's simple t-shirt and shorts. "Is this too much? I hope I'm not going to embarrass you," she laughed.

Matthew blushed. "God no—no… you look—just… wow… can't even think of the words…" He inwardly groaned. At times, he felt so immature compared to her effortlessly elegant demeanor.

Feeling his cheeks burning, he quickly changed subjects. "Oh, traffic was crazy coming up here, so what's the best way of getting down to the Rogers Centre? I'm not familiar with this area of the city at all."

"Hmmm, well… we have time… if you don't mind a little walk, we could just catch the subway. I'm planning on indulging with a couple of totally overpriced coolers at the game," Lana smiled. "I'm not sure if you can with your training, but could I twist your arm to have a beer or two with me?"

Matthew chuckled while giving a resounding "yes" to Lana's suggestion.

As they walked, Lana gave Matthew insights into the surrounding districts and popular neighborhoods. While still maintaining a level of privacy and confidentiality, she spoke of the residences of both past and present athletes and other prominent people whom her firm helped get situated in the city.

"Just a few streets over, that's where William's place is," Lana pointed to the east and then smiled. "Well, you likely know that already."

Matthew wasn't prepared to feel the sudden twist and lurch of his stomach hearing her mention his teammate and friend, Willy Nylander.

With ticks of what he could only decipher as pangs of jealousy, Matthew's thoughts bounced furiously inside his head. He knew he had no right to feel jealous or even a little bit possessive towards Lana, but god, he liked her so much. He wondered if she and Willy had spent extensive periods of time alone together as he had done with Lana while searching for a place. Matthew had seen first-hand how easy it was for Willy to attract women, and he wondered if they had a tryst or two—or even more. God knows she was hot enough to entice any man, athlete or otherwise.

Suddenly, the stark realization that he knew nothing about her personal life cast the harsh sting of doubt deep within him.

"Oh, you know Willy? Really good guy," Matthew said more blandly than he intended to.

"Not well, but yes, I met William years ago… he wasn't much more than a rookie when he and his roommate were looking for places to rent. His roommate's girlfriend was known for her modeling mostly, but she also worked for us as a sales rep at the time."

Matthew nodded his head, feeling a sense of relief that he at least didn't have to worry about any former escapades with his teammate.

However, between the walk, the subway ride, two drinks, and now two foot-long hot dogs at the game, Matthew still had a million questions floating around in his mind about her personal life. He couldn't put his finger on whether her reserved responses stemmed from being humble or modest, or if she was being completely evasive when he asked her a couple of basic questions about herself.

By the bottom of the third inning, with his second beer kicking in, Matthew finally mustered the courage to ask Lana more intimate questions about her personal life. Though he worried his questions might dampen the fun they were having, he couldn't resist—he was utterly smitten with this woman and needed to know more.

Taking another sip of his overpriced beer, Matthew, alongside some liquid courage, dove into the line of questioning. "I've got to know—why aren't you with anyone? No boyfriend, husband, wife, or even a girlfriend? I’m assuming you’re not with anyone, since you’re on a date with me."

Lana raised an eyebrow, followed by a smirk. Needless to say her two vodka coolers had loosened her up somewhat. “I didn’t know this was a date. I suppose I’ll have to break the news to my husband and my boyfriend once I get home.”

She glanced over at how Matthew both laughed and pouted at her poking fun at his question.

"Shit… I'm sorry. I blame the coolers if I'm being an asshole." Lana took a small bite of her hot dog and tried to tread lightly as she continued. "I am absolutely unattached. No husband, no boyfriend, wife or otherwise."

Matthew shook his head in disbelief. “Yeah, but how is that remotely possible? Like, I’m sorry - you’re really fucking awesome, and women like you rarely single. I’m surprised I guess - just trying to get my head wrapped around how this can be?”

Lana looked straight ahead as she thought of how to begin her explanation. "Dealing with people on a business level is something I do well—with both men and women. But on a personal level, I've always been a bit… I don't know—cagey around men."

From her peripheral vision, she could see and feel Matthew's gaze as he listened intently.

Tilting the cooler can to her mouth, she took a healthy sip before continuing. "It's terrible to say that more often than not, even from a young age, most men tend to ogle me like an object as opposed to a functioning human being. Or even a woman with some level of intelligence. So where it started as an awkwardness around men in general, I suppose I just continued to keep men at arm's length. That's mainly why I'm single, I guess. I have never actually dated anyone…ever."

Matthew's eyes grew wide, and he unintentionally expelled a short breath from the surprise of Lana's admission.

He turned back to look at the game but he could not care less about what was happening on the field. He could not think of one word to say.

The once easy and comfortable atmosphere the two had shared all day seemed to disappear within seconds.

Even as the crowd erupted in cheers for the Jays' popular right fielder hitting a line-drive double to the left field corner, Lana and Matthew were surrounded in a deafening silence, and were virtually oblivious to the excitement around them.

Based on his initial reaction, Lana began to write Matthew off in her mind as being yet another man who could not accept her for what she was.

In an attempt to break the tension, Lana was the first to speak. "Sorry, I really didn't mean to drag you down with all of that. I just wanted to answer your questions honestly." She pursed her lips together as she searched Matthew's expression. "If you'd rather end the date early, I understand."

“No, god…no. I don’t…unless you do?”

Lana glanced down, a faint smile playing on her lips that she tried, unsuccessfully, to hide as she shook her head.

The two remained at the game until the bottom of the eighth inning when they decided the Jays would win by a mile, barring any catastrophes in the final inning.

As they walked back to her place from the subway, their conversation still flowed easily, yet it was apparent that something between her and Matthew had shifted. With a heavier heart than usual, Lana put to rest thoughts of ever seeing him again.

Which is why Matthew seemed a bit confused and disappointed when Lana thanked him for coming, wished him well for the season, said goodbye and turned on her heel to start walking up her front steps.

“Lana? Wait…what’s - what’s happening?”

She stopped on the top step and turned around to face Matthew. She could see his Adam's apple bobbing in his throat again. She had noticed it when they first met and on a number of occasions when they spent time together. She started to wonder if that was a sign of him being nervous.

With an air of uncertainty, Lana responded. “I assumed - well, that we were sort of….done…here. I felt like I more or less killed the vibe earlier.”

Matthew looked down at the sidewalk for a moment and then returned his gaze to Lana. “Well, no…it wasn’t you. I feel like shit because maybe I kept pressing you to answer. I do feel bad…it really is none of my business.”

Although he spoke the truth, he secretly wanted to push her for more information. He wanted to know everything. He just hoped she would let her guard down enough to let him gently prod her. He desperately didn’t want to their date to end so abruptly because now, he was more enthralled with her than ever.

Lana’s expression was soft as she recognized the tension in Matthew’s stance, his hands jammed into his pockets and his brows furrowed. “Would you like to come in for awhile? Order some dinner maybe?”

Cooley, Matthew nodded and tried to stifle a smile. He climbed the steps and joined her on the stoop. He stood close behind her as she unlocked the door, and her heart raced as he followed her inside.

Matthew’s jaw dropped from the moment he stepped through the frosted glass front door. The flawless interior design embodied Lana perfectly. Elegant, stunning, sophisticated, and inviting.

Lana walked Matthew throughout her home, smiling and often giggling at his reactions in each room as they entered. They decided to order a less-than- nutritious dinner, and ventured up to her rooftop terrace to enjoy the warm evening as they ate.

Calculating risk and probability had worked in her career and in her very few blind dates prior to meeting Matthew. Lana realized she had to shelve the mathematical formula and let her emotional intuition take the reins. After all, she had misjudged him. The labels she realized she had given herself mattered little to him.

Dusk settled over the city, and a cool evening breeze swept in as the two spoke about family, exchanged stories from their respective alma maters, and shared snippets of how they pictured their individual futures.

Matthew ever so subtly guided the conversation back towards Lana, but this time, he held her hand as she spoke of her upbringing, brief bits and pieces of her parents, her school years, and her mentor. Lana sipped her wine and allowed the little buzz she had to further fuel her openness with Matthew.

The nighttime temperature dropped rapidly, so the pair headed indoors and continued their conversation in the living room, settling on her plush grey sofa.

When she finally broached the subject of her complete inexperience with a man, Matthew simply could not process what he was hearing, and he went back for some clarification.

"So, wait—what do you mean? Like…you've never been kissed? Or ever had - "

Lana's face was flushed as she shook her head. "Nope. Never been kissed. There's even a movie with the same title with Drew Barrymore. I cringe every time it's listed as 'Recommended for you' on Netflix. Same with 'The 40-Year-Old Virgin'—I'm not 40, but I still avoid that movie like the plague. It’s too bad because I love Steve Carrell."

She chuckled at her self-deprecation and turned to Matthew, expecting at least a small grin.

But he wasn't smiling. Matthew's intense eyes were fixed on Lana's face. The distinct and sexy shape of his mouth was slightly open, and his lips were colored the most delicious shade of pink.

Matthew leaned towards her. The very second she felt his mouth on hers, she was sure she could live happily in that moment for the rest of her days. But when his hand gently cupped her face at her jawline, joining their mouths softly and passionately, that’s when Lana started to feel the effects between her legs.

There was heat. There was wetness spawned from urges that had long been keeping her awake at night, and her not knowing how to relieve any of it.

It was surprising to Lana how quickly her mouth learned to move so beautifully in sync with Matthew’s. He leaned her back onto the pillow against the arm of the sofa, and as he shifted to kneel between her legs, it was the first time Lana had ever seen an erection on a man. Matthew’s shorts were fully tented and Lana swallowed hard at the sight of it.

Stretching out on the length of the sofa, Matthew gently positioned himself between her legs. She expelled a small gasp as Matthew’s concealed member pressed against her clothed pussy. Matthew traced her neck with soft kisses, moving slightly up to her ear which elicited more soft moans.

Matthew spoke softly by her ear. “I never ever want to push you further than what you’re comfortable with. Promise me you’ll tell me if you want me to stop.”

Lana responded just above a whisper as she kissed his temple. “I promise - I promise I will.”

Matthew moaned against her skin in response.

Lana was reeling from all of the exquisite firsts she was experiencing. The sensations from each kiss which made her feel like she could drift away only became deeper when he lightly stroked his tongue against hers. The feel of his tongue sparked a fervor for him that she could have never anticipated, even in her wildest imagination. She lightly gripped his hair at the scalp which only excited Matthew more.

“Is it ok if we go to my bedroom? Give us both some more room?” Lana said breathlessly. She could feel the puffiness of her lips and grazed her fingers over them as she looked up at Matthew.

Matthew’s eyes were like a rare colour of green glass, and had always cast a sort of spell on Lana since they first met. But now - now, she knew what it meant to touch and taste him. To feel his broad and strong frame between her legs. Whether their connection progressed further that evening or not, Lana knew that the long wait for a man's touch through adolescence into adulthood was well worth it.

She loved how swollen and pillowy Matthew’s upper lip looked, which formed into a borderline cocky smirk as he studied her face. Lana rolled her eyes a little at how he suddenly looked like a frat-boy ready to score. Chuckling at him, she pulled his mouth onto hers for another deep and passionate kiss.

They held hands as Lana led Matthew upstairs into her stylish master bedroom, trying to appear less nervous than she actually was. She watched Matthew look around at the furnishings and décor and look back at her, visibly impressed by it all. But she could also sense a mix of nervous anticipation as he slowly brought their bodies together.

Lana's breath trembled slightly, looking up at his face as she felt Matthew's hands glide down the length of her spine and land on her ass. "I'm not sure if I should wait to ask—there's no pressure…we don't have to go any further but will you stay—sleep here with me tonight?"

Leaning his forehead against hers, Matthew drew her body into his. "Of course. I would love to stay with you. Anywhere. Anytime."

Lana rose on the tips of her toes to kiss Matthew again. Just like that, he had made her feel so comfortable and secure enough to initiate touch, kiss, and openly want him. It was baffling and exhilarating to her at the same time.

After freshening up in separate bathrooms, Matthew returned to the bedroom first. He stripped down to his boxer briefs and slipped between the sheets. The comfort of Lana's bed made him groan as the mattress soothed his aching muscles from his daily workouts. As he settled in bed, he gazed in awe at the expansive city view through the windows which were tinted for privacy from the outside.

Lana emerged from her ensuite bathroom feeling timid and unsure. She had no idea what to do or what to say, or even what to wear. Was she supposed to walk towards the bed acting sexy and confident?

The only thing she knew was that she felt neither confident nor sexy in her plain white tank top and shorts.

Watching her slide in next to him—her eyes wide and cheeks flushed with shyness—his heart swelled with admiration for Lana. He would do anything to make her feel at ease.

She lay on her side, her long, honey-blonde hair sprawled across the pillowcase as her eyes scanned Matthew's muscular frame. She hesitated touching his skin at first, but she figured they had come this far….

Lana stared with wonderment at Matthew’s conditioned body, allowing her hand to lightly travel from his collarbone, down between his pects and across the ridges of his abdominal muscles.

Lana’s hand stopped moving just around bellybutton as she tried not to gawk at his erection. She looked back up at Matthew’s face, his expression filled with adoration as she explored his body.

Matthew gently pulled her tightly against his body, his desire for her apparent. He leaned her onto her back and his lips kissed a path down towards her taut nipple showing through the thin cotton fabric of her tank top. The very second his tongue connected with the tip of her nipple, Lana’s back arched wanting everything Matthew was offering. His hand was quick to slide her top up, uncovering her full, round breasts.

Lana whisper-moaned how incredible Matthew felt as his tongue lapped, flicked, and stroked each peak while his hand cupped underneath her breast. Lana recognized that her body had long been sending her signals, virtually pleading for a man's touch. Now she was experiencing what it truly felt like to be intimate with someone she really liked, and she was not at all prepared for how badly she wanted to feel him inside of her.

She wanted to tell Matthew she was ready for more but she wasn't sure what to say or how to say it.

Tracing the contours of his broad shoulders, she threaded her fingers through his sun-kissed brown hair. She bit her lip, mesmerized, as Matthew alternated between kissing and sucking her breasts.

"Matthew — my god, you feel so amazing…" Lana said softly. When Matthew raised his head, his hair tousled and eyes heavy with lust, she smiled and stroked the small scars along his jawline. "I'm not sure what the right words are… but if you could — I mean, only if you want to… I'm ready for you tonight… I want to experience everything with you…"

Matthew brought his face closer to hers. "Only if you're positive. Even if you change your mind — if it's too much, I promise, I won't go any further." He kissed her gingerly, showing his complete devotion to her.

Lana nodded and smiled. “I’m sure.” Butterflies flitted in her stomach as Matthew’s tongue touched hers in a deep kiss.

Matthew suddenly groaned and pulled away slightly. The look of dismay on his face was concerning as he hung his head.

“I know it’s a long shot to ask…but you wouldn’t happen to have condoms lying around somewhere? I don’t tend to carry them with me…” Matthew said apologetically.

Lana's eyes grew wide with the realization that she had not even thought about protection, and if she and Matthew were going to continue these types of activities in the future, she needed an appointment with her doctor quickly.

"Should I run out now—grab some maybe?" he asked.

She looked at Matthew's handsome face and shook her head with a sweet smile that held a hint of regret. "No…..maybe we should forgo that for tonight.” She focused on the same scars on his jawline and kissed each one softly. “I've waited this long for sex… I can wait a little longer."

Lana seemed a little more confident and comfortable as she made an unexpected and rather seductive move by sliding her body on top of Matthew's and straddling his hips. She watched as his mouth first fell open, followed by a firm bite to his bottom lip at the sight of her before him. Her hair was mussed, her tank was stretched and barely covering her voluptuous breasts, and her toned thighs, which were now spread apart, showed the wet mark in her shorts from her seeping arousal.

She trailed her fingernails lightly across his chest. “If it's okay with you, can we see what other things might give us a bit of pleasure?”

Matthew was speechless—he could only nod and grin as he ran his hands up and down the sides of her legs.

Lana could feel his erection, still concealed by his underwear. If she listened solely to her bodily instincts, Matthew's cock would be inside her right now. Both wanting and not wanting to give in, she lightly slid her panty-clad pussy against his hard shaft. When Matthew moaned and gripped onto her hips and told her to keep going, she repeated it until she was masterfully grinding against his growing cock.

Her mind was a whirlwind, full of needs and sensations that she had never felt before. To say this moment was one of the most exhilarating of her life would not have been a stretch.

She leaned over and brought her mouth onto Matthew's, as his hands roamed and caressed every accessible inch of Lana's soft skin. She gazed at Matthew as he murmured sweet encouragements against her lips. She could feel a blissful pressure in her core as she squeezed her tight pussy walls as he gripped her ass, pressing his cock firmly against her sheathed folds.

“Come - lie here on your back,” Matthew gently directed.

Lana and Matthew worked in tandem to remove her shorts and top. The soft glow from the bedside lamp perfectly illuminated Lana's athletic, toned body. Though initially feeling timid and exposed, Lana was quickly put at ease by Matthew's gentle affection.

Lana couldn't take her eyes off his face as he lay on one side of her, running his fingers along her abdomen. When he asked if he could keep going, she nodded emphatically, giving him permission to explore her aching pussy.

With his finger at the top of her slit, Matthew asked if Lana had ever touched herself.

Her breath hitched as she said "No." Her eyes remained fixed on Matthew as he kissed her, ensuring she was comfortable before he wet his thumb in his mouth and began to slowly rub small circles just above her clitoris.

As if with a mind of its own, Lana's hand grasped Matthew's forearm as he continued to gently massage the delicate, sensitive areas within her warm, wet folds. Short, erotic-sounding breaths escaped her parted lips as her eyes closed and her head pressed into the plush king-size pillow.

Lana began to moan Matthew's name while her hips moved almost in tandem with Matthew's circular strokes. She opened her eyes and they met his, so mesmerizing and entrancing.

Lana’s hand loosened from Matthew’s forearm, travelling up along the showy vein along his bicep eventually snaking along the base of his neck. She pulled his mouth onto hers - her kiss laced with a fire and hunger for him that she unconsciously yearned for.

Lana cried out as her body suddenly shuddered and spasmed when Matthew continued stroking the inner lips of her pussy, while lightly touching the nub of her clitoris.

She wasn’t sure if the surge of intense warmth from her core was an orgasm, but whatever it was felt absolutely exhilarating as gripped and pulled Matthew into her panting and breathless body.

Lana's body twitched as she laid her head back on the pillow. She and Matthew shared a look of pure contentment, until Lana's hand grazed against the prominent wet spot on his briefs. Her eyes trailed down to his cock, which stretched the light cotton material that concealed it.

Lana’s doe-eyes trailed back to Matthew’s face, unsure of how to give Matthew the same kind of release he just gave her. She continued to look at him as she ran her hand up his rigid shaft. “Does it hurt when I touch it?”

“No - it feels really good….you can keep touching it.”

Lana adjusted her body, laying on her side and guiding Matthew onto his back. “Can I take off your underwear?” she asked in a sweet and suggestive manner.

Matthew moaned softly. “Mmmm….yes - please…take them off.” He lifted his hips as she gently tugged the briefs down his thighs, exposing a very generous and thick cock. Lana couldn’t help but to stare at it as it lay stiff in the middle of his pelvis.

“Can you show me how - maybe how to stroke you to make you cum?”.

Lana was eager to learn and Matthew was more than willing to show her how he liked being touched.

But what surprised Lana more was the intense urge she had to put his cock in mouth.

Jesus - one step at a time Lana….even though it does looks fucking yummy she thought.

With a few tips and pointers from Matthew, Lana began to stroke Matthew's cock, from the tip of the head down to his balls. She propped up onto her elbow and found herself to be a fast learner under Matthew's guidance. She studied his expressions—what movements made him squirm and moan, what made him flex his feet back and forth, and what made him groan and call her name. She never let his sensitive flesh get dry—she was salivating so much at the idea of one day sucking his cock that she would continuously moisten her fingers before massaging the glistening head and his girth. When Matthew's hips began to rise and his breathing became erratic, Matthew gripped the sheet and gasped for Lana to keep going, just a little faster. The erupting cum shot from his pulsating cock was Lana's reward—it was as perfect for a night of firsts as she could have ever hoped for.

Still looking a bit dazed, yet extremely satisfied, he turned his body towards Lana, resting his lips against her neck while his hand glided up from the back of her knee and up her thigh.

His breath was warm against the soft skin of her throat as he murmured how good she was. And something about being a really good student.

After tidying up with gentle, affectionate gestures, Lana and Matthew settled into bed. Initially drowsy, Lana's senses awakened as lamps were switched off and the glimmer from the city lights was softened through the dark solar shades. She yearned to savor this final "first" with Matthew—the experience of falling asleep and waking up beside someone she truly cared for. She smiled to herself when she heard his breathing pattern slow and even out, and then gingerly moved into her favorite sleeping position. Matthew awoke for a brief second, pulled her in close next to him, and drifted off to sleep once more. Lana's eyes grew heavy once she had calmed the thoughts that danced in her head, and fell asleep with hints of a smile remaining on her face.

As it always did during the work week, Lana's alarm sounded at precisely 5:25 am, and her window shades, set on an automatic timer, retreated into their housing. Typically, she'd be heading to the bathroom at 5:30 sharp, ready to tackle her standard exercise regimen. However, with Matthew's body still spooning hers, her traditional morning routine could take a backseat—just for one day.

Rubbing the tiredness from her eyes, she reached for her phone while Matthew’s arms tightened around her, silently pleading that she stay close to him. Setting her phone back down, Matthew kissed her exposed shoulder and groaned contentedly as he drifted back to sleep.

Lana lay awake, gazing into the darkness of the early morning hours. She found this time of year to be bittersweet with the days becoming shorter and the leaves beginning to change. After her traditional September vacation, when she rid herself from the hustle and bustle of her career and the city, she would return clear headed but yearning for a change. A change which she could never quite put her finger on.

Lying with Matthew that morning, she realized the change she had longed for and her desire to invest time in someone worthwhile were deeply intertwined. She would never dream of putting pressure on this new found whatever this is, but fuck if she wasn’t going to enjoy the moment to its fullest.

At 6:25 AM, another alarm sounded before Lana could silence it. Matthew stirred, whispering a husky "Good morning" in her ear.

Lana smiled and said the same to him while stroking his forearm. She softly said she needed to get ready for work and began to shift to leave Matthew's side. He pulled her back towards him in protest, opening up one eye as he moaned a long, drawn-out "Noooo….can’t you call in sick or something? Look at the clouds - it’s going to be a shit day outside….better off staying here…."

Lana playfully feigned exasperation, giggling as he nuzzled the back of her neck, while his free hand roamed up her thigh, circled around her torso before his palm rested under her breast, giving the soft roundness a gentle squeeze.

Lana savored Matthew’s early morning advances and thought perhaps she could call in sick, or at least cut her day short. “Do you have somewhere you need to be today?” she asked mid-squeal as he hands continued to wander over her skin.

“Supposed to be doing my lift training today at 9:30, but I can see about postponing it for another day - if you can stay in bed with me, that is.”

Lana shifted her body enough so she could turn to look back at Matthew. She enjoyed the feeling of being wanted but their respective careers still needed tending to. “How about this - I go to the office while you train. I’ll ask Ainsley to shift some calls around and we can come back here for lunch…something like that?”

“Mmmmm….something like that….”

Lana’s eyes grew wide and she bit her lip with the feeling of Matthew’s growing hard-on poking against her ass cheek.

You better pick up some condoms while you’re out Lana mused.

#cellysbingo2024 #matthew x lana #matthew knies imagine #matthew knies #nhl fanfiction #hockey romance #nhl imagine #hockey smut

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thatonecatcat · 1 year ago

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“Thats not good!”

BERET (my hilda virtual assistant au) is taking over my brain.. more than moonstone somehow

heres some headcannons for yall hehe

-i like to imagine that in this au the other viruses BERET fights are like her, just human like and the way she fights them is verbally like she just scolds them to get out the computer

-shes so powerful that if she wants to, she can shut down the computer permanently

-guess which character i took inspiration from for her outfit.. who knows.. it could be anyone..

-BERET doesent stand for anything since i cant think of something thats starts with the letter b that would fit

-shes kinda like a vocaloid of sorts? sounds like one ig

-she only exists once in someones computer, she knows about humans but doesent care about being one

-frida david and louise chat with her about sparrow scout stuff, shes an honorary member and helps out with their projects

-trevor tries to download BERET on his own device to troll her but BERET just deleted all the programming on his phone immediately afterwards BAHAHA

-BERET swore to stay in a window tab at all times unless totally necessary after david realized that she can control the video games they play (shes really good at them and it ruins the fun)

-also when i mean powerful i SAY powerful, she can alter the code of everything and control the keyboard so that it types by itself like she can control every device just from her window tab herself

-also about the window tab i keep talking about, when you download BERET theres a tab that spawns on the screen that you cant remove, its basically BERETS house where she hangs out (its just a box with fluffy clouds, like those sleeping quarters in a space station)

#hilda the series #hilda netflix #hilda #hilda the show #hilda (hilda)#hilda fanart #frida hilda #hilda frida #david hilda #hilda david #louise hilda #hilda louise #hilda au

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bakawitch · 1 year ago

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You've heard of AI-tem but how about AI-kura? XD

Let's say that Kaiba ends up gathering all the items and not just the Puzzle pieces in DSOD and locks them away in a safe guarded by a super computer. But oh no! The Ring was accidentally left too close to the mainframe! Which provides a perfect opportunity for the final remnants of Bakura to jump into the KC servers. He sort of just aimlessly exists around the code for a while, hardly conscious of his own existence, before latching onto a piece of code that he really likes. This just so happens to be the program for an AI assistant that KC is developing for the public (sort of like Alexa but with a screen and an avatar so that people can put a face to the voice). Now that he has access to the cloud, he's busy being a manace and causing minor baby singularities for KC to clean up. He doesn't really remember much, so he doesn't really have anything better to do.

One day, while hopping from device to device, he suddenly recognises Ryou, who just got himself a virtual assistant. He's not fully sure where he knows him from, but from that point on he begins to hyperfixate on Ryou and he mostly stays in his device, letting the program do the things that he usually does. He slips a lot in his presentation, and Ryou accidentally discovers that AI-kura is self-aware, and suddenly, it starts to click for him that the reason AI-kura's model looks so familiar is because it just looks like a slightly altered tkb.

Ryou is fascinated by it, and AI-kura is going mad with 'affection' for Ryou, if you can call it that. He starts hijacking his phone and messages, often cancells appointments for him so they can spend more time together and does other messed up lovesick ai things. Dunno where things would go from here though lol

AI-kura perceives his 'feelings' as true love, and Ryou is just studying him out of curiosity. They're both obsessed with each other but in different ways XD

#yugioh #yugioh dm #ygo dm #yugioh au #bakura #thief king bakura #ryou bakura #yami bakura #tendershipping #gemshipping #baka stuff

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driftward · 9 months ago

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Title: FFXIV Write 2024 - 22. On Cloud Nine Characters: Zoissette Vauban Rating: Teen Summary: Zoissette 'Riot' Vauban might actually hate it here Notes: Cyberpunk AU, an Aetherwave story

"We should burn it all down," growled Yoho, as they left the elevator, finally getting clear of the Everkeep Arcology.

They had spent the day on Cloud Nine. On a literal Cloud Nine.

That was the name, anyroad, for Everkeep Arcology's entertainment district. The Arcology was a self-contained city within a city, and Cloud Nine in turn was a self-contained amusement park of sorts for the people who lived there. It was a grandiose spectacle, taking up what would have been ten by ten city blocks at street level.

It was a wonder.

They were arguably here for a meet, to drop off their ill gotten goods with the client who had contracted them. Riot had met with Mr. Johnson, and handed off the stolen data. He had been an interesting man. Most Mr. Johnson types were reserved, stern, severe sorts, but he was almost a jester, exuberant, joyful. She had given him the data and the codes to decrypt it. He had given her the team's payout, doubled it, and as an extended bonus, a set of full independent day passes to stay on Cloud Nine. He'd babbled and wandered off, and shortly after, she had handed out the passes and told the team to stay connected over the BAT-TAC-NET and otherwise enjoy their day.

And it was a good day, really. The work they had gotten paid for was exactly the kind of work Riot preferred, work where the megacorporations stole from each other and poked each other in the eye. The kind of work which would cause shareholder distress, but not result in a hab block's worth of wage slaves to suddenly scramble for new employment opportunities. Clean work, bloodless this time.

Also not the kind of work that wound up with her chest being made concave again. That was nice.

The team had wandered off, not a one of them ever having been immersed in such an interesting take on luxury. Cloud Nine was a rich person's playground, to be sure, but it felt warm and real and welcoming, tasteful, happy, fun. It was a place of joy, a place where nobody had to worry about anything. There were kiosks where one could indulge in almost any pleasure they might imagine. Places for people to go and do things that met almost any interest they might have. The place was full of people, busy but not crowded, noisy but not loud.

Nyx had been the first one to vanish, and her BAT-TAC-NET icon flashed to overwatch. Riot was not surprised at this. The little entity would be happiest just observing, and she was not sure there was any earthly need it desired that would be met by this sort of place anyroad.

Digit was next, wandering off, periodically expression amazement at the network architecture of the place, talking in excited rapid tones. He couldn't crack the security here, of course, but he didn't need to. The local security seemed to not mind the light amount of electronic support the team needed, and so Digit diligently kept the team in contact with one another and helped keep an eye on the digital landscape.

However, he was in wonderland. The host here was beyond ultraviolet rating, apparently. It boasted a more real than real virtual reality environment, apparently, but did not have the earmarks of better-than-life signal boosting. Good enough to live a comfortable and long virtual life in, not so good that it would have fried someone's synapses to uselessness. And then he found the virtual assistants, virtual pets, system agents, and eventually Riot just killed his feed to only respond to an override from him. She did not mind his excitement, just decided to leave him to it.

Valentine nudged Riot, and shared his augmented reality feed with her. She looked over. "Complimentary escorts... and complimentary services," she said. "Anyone you recognize?"

"No, and that's weird, don't you rather think?" he said, closing up the feed again. "I'm going to go take a look around, see if I can't get some commcodes. Maybe if I'm nice to the right worker they'll let me into the worker crawlspaces."

Riot had been trying to find those herself. Place like this, it should have an entire second traversal space, for any workers to come and go nearly invisibly. Underground walkways, hidden doors. "Keep me posted, stay out of trouble. This is not a run." He nodded, and vanished into the crowd.

This place was too nice for Yoho. She was doing her usual shtick, hamming it up, schmoozing, being everyone's friend. Just being larger than life. It didn't take too long before she was raiding kiosks for all she could gather, talking to every one they passed that might have been a worker instead of a guest - and Riot did have to admit, it could be hard to tell, some people seeming to melt from one role to the next effortlessly - and eventually, she too wandered off.

I want to punch someone in the face, Yoho said over comms not so much later.

I've been invited to punch someone in the face, came across even later, her voice slightly awed even as it was incredulous. Riot checked in on her feed, and saw that Yoho was signing up for a go in the combat arena.

Of course the place had a combat arena.

Solitaire had been guarded since they entered, but Riot had caught her looking upwards and wide-eyed. When they had each began to wander the space freely, she had expressed how astounded she was at the rich aetherscape that the place apparently held. Spirits existed here, freely, and were mingling in their own way among the population. And then she had gotten lost upon finding out that the library covered the latest in aetherological research matters, and was free for her perusal for as long as she wished. Well, free was perhaps the wrong word. Gratis, was perhaps more accurate. Well, the team was not paying for it, and Solitaire had been left, contented pored through tomes that were very possibly impossible to find elsewhere.

Riot just moved on. Moved through the space. She kept her big grin on her face, because she was still a big warborg, and while she may have had an all day pass, she was not eager to too quickly give someone a reason to kick her out for being made of metal in public. However, most people here just seemed to give her a curious glance over before moving on. A few asked for a picture with her, but were gracious when she demurred.

She figure out why fast enough. She was far from the only warborg here. The others were subtle. Well, not really subtle. They were part of the decor, part of the functionality, interacting cheerfully with everyone around them. Their armor was painted and formed to look intimidating, but in an entertainment kind of way. They looked like knights, or like samurai, or one even looked like a futuristic sort of space infantry combatant.

Riot stared at that one for a long time. He looked up, and waved jauntily at her. She felt her grin become a bit more rictus, but she wiggled her fingers back at him, trying to at least seem friendly, and then moved on.

She walked close to the combat arena area, wondering how Yoho was getting on, and starting to feel a bit like she herself wanted to punch someone. She did not find Yoho, but she did find an impossibly large enclosure where warforms were being pitted against each other. She had not seen one since near the end of the war, and here were several, apparently, for entertainment. She thought they were mostly myths to most people. Hybrid chimerised animals that had been heavily augmented. Bioware, cybernetics, magically trained, magically enhanced with special made foci, even boasting robust augmented reality interlinks which had been custom programmed to help them be more lethal. She watched for a bit, as the crowd around chattered and pointed and excitedly babbled. A quick look at the augmented reality feed, and she could see various statistics on them.

The might creatures crashed together, firing soft rounds that nevertheless cracked with power, one of them beginning to warm up a powerful elemental blast. Arms waved and people were obviously into it, but there was none of the loud raucous uncontrolled jubilant cheering she would have expected.

She moved on.

She found herself moving away. Trying to find an away. Still grinning at everyone she passed, still giving nods to people who acknowledged her, still keeping her hands in her pockets and her shoulder slightly hunched. Hiding was out of the question, but she could minimize how much she stood out.

Not enough, apparently. A man fell in step beside her. "Well, hello," he said.

"Hi." Keep it short. Do not engage. Do not be rude, hope he will get bored and wander off soon enough.

"How are you enjoying your time here so far?"

She grinned a little bigger. Too big, she knew, it would be off-putting, but not in any way that would escalate. In fact hopefully it would de-escalate this guy into going elsewhere.

"Great place. Lots to do."

"And yet, you have done none of it."

"You watching me?" That came off sharper than intended.

"Of course. We try to make sure all our guests and workers are looked after adequately. Not so much as to spy, of course, privacy must be respected, but it is my duty to try to check in from time to time."

They had finally reached somewhere Riot wanted to be. The outer edge of Cloud Nine. While it was lit on the inside by an artificial sun floating across its ceiling as part of its artificial sky, it nevertheless also had windows to outside along its edges. There were few people here. There was not much of interest to see outside, after all. All the interesting things were in.

She stopped here, and looked the man over. This was the most alone she had managed to get since arriving, and it was practically just him and her, and well, he did not seem to be wanting to go away anytime soon.

There was something off, and Riot could not quite put her finger on it. She looked the man over, up and down, reassessing him. Pleasantly attractive enough, she guessed, in a borderline androgynous kind of way. Exquisitely tailored suit, which did not mean much in this place. In fact, if it was not for his proximity and the fact that she had been talking to him, she was not sure he would stand out at all. He had the kind of face that would get lost in a crowd.

His readings were not unusual in any way. Nothing that would stand out. Thermographic signature, ultrasound profile, radar return. Riot had all the usual human senses, and many extra senses beyond that, all refined, all enhanced or augmented in some manner, and none of them indicated anything at all was wrong.

Almost on instinct, she punched him, and only barely for a split second regretted not warning the team she was about to do something that would get them all in trouble.

But trouble would not be coming. Her analysis software finally flashed an alarm in her vision, as deception warfare protocols flagged him as false and highlighted him. Confidence factors as to what he was exactly dropped to low double digit percentages, and her BAT-TAC-NET software began to run combat solutions against him.

She frowned. Her fist was halfway through his form, and the oddest voxel static fizzing around where her forearm intersected his chest.

He laughed, a noise that was hollow, somehow.

"Few that see past the illusion," he said. "I knew you were special."

Riot just looked between his face and the hole she had punched through in him, and cleared her throat, pulling her arm back. He reformed, and her systems continued to flag him as false, even as confidence parameters shifted back to where they were before, uncertain. She killed the BAT-TAC-NET simulation, no point to even thinking about getting in a fight here. He would not be unflagged, not until she cleared it, but to her senses, he once again seemed fully human.

"If you say so," she said. She waved her hand in the air as though she had actually hit something, as though to shake it off.

"I do," he said. "I know a little of your work history. An obsolete retired military prosthetic soldier, and not that long ago you went up against one that was state of the art, with full powered armor support, and you won."

Riot's smile faltered, and came down a bit. But she saw no real point to trying to deny or redirect about the matter.

"I walked away," she said. "And got my chest caved in for the effort."

"And quite the remarkable crew you have assembled and managed to run. For years, no less. Hard work, hard life. Not often grey operatives last so long."

"Is that what this is, then? Job interview? I knew there was no way we would have been invited to a place like this just for a payout. Or is this a trap?"

Gods, she hoped it wasn't a trap, but he laughed again, that hollow noise once more.

"No trap. Just curious. I must admit, I did want to see you up close."

"Right," she said. "So. You must be the Engineered Sophant, then."

The man bowed. "You may call me Mirage, if you like."

"Cute."

He smiled. She still couldn't tell what it was that had put her off in the first place. It was not as though he was uncanny or anything like that.

And in fact, until she put her fist through him, he seemed very real. Now that she had taken it back out, the illusion had returned. Her smile finally fell off.

She was so tired.

"Well, Riot. I would like to ask again. What do you think of this place?"

"You more or less built it, right? Whole thing. First building designed from the ground up by the first intelligence that was also designed from the ground up."

"You know my propaganda well enough."

Riot looked back into Cloud Nine. They were high up, relative to most of the place. She could see the roller coaster going through its loops. She could look down, and in her vision, highlight where the library was, with Solitaire. She could still tell sort of where the combat area was. It was a land of food and drink a plenty, no charge for anything, because just by being here you had earned it. A place where warborgs were a curiosity, not a threat. There was mingling, dating areas, magic demonstrations, augmented reality attractions and fun for everyone.

It was a gigantic playground, for people who had never had to care about anything, ever.

"I hate it."

The man made a thoughtful noise.

"Interesting, interesting. I tried to make a place that would have at least something to appeal to everyone. I have found achieving that objective so very difficult. Something I should change, perhaps? Or do you just want to destroy it all in some kind of impulse of disgust?"

She was so, so tired. Of everything.

Riot turned, looked out the window, scanning, until she found the section of the city that she wanted. She pointed to it.

"That right there is a z-sector," she said. "One of the poorest areas of this city. Let us say I directed water from this party. Food. Supplies. How much would this party be diminished to provide good food, clean water, reasonable shelter, security, to those people? For a day? A week? A month, a year, a decade?"

The man shrugged. "I would not need to divert it from the party at all," he said. "Everkeep is more than Cloud Nine. I could diminish current operations in no way the people here would perceive or care about and provide what you are asking after."

Riot nodded, and let her hand drop. "And it would not change a damned thing," she said.

"It would change it for those people."

"But not the overall system. I would do it, I would improve those people's lives. But I also know it would not change the system that allowed you to be built, allowed this place to be built, allowed any of this, allowed that. There would still be places just like that, all around the world. And places like this, still built on their backs."

She turned, and gestured back inward, at the amusement park, the kiosks, the restaurants, the entire epitome of the edifice of capitalism.

"I do not want to destroy this. It is just a symptom, and I do not begrudge the people here for who they are and what they have. I bet even those who think about what it took, they do not understand it in any real way. This is their life. This is what they know. This is all they have known, and if I tried to tell them otherwise, it just would not make sense to them. But sure, destroy it. Let us say I do. Bring back a force that you could not stop. Roll in, and destroy everything."

She gestured out the window. "That would still exist. It wouldn't change anything.

"So no. I do not want to destroy this place. I just want it to stop existing at the expense of those people, out there. Of everyone. I do n'o hate your little world you have made here. I hate what it takes to make it happen. I hate that I do not know how to change that. But I do not want to destroy anything."

She stuck her hands in her pockets, and frowned.

"Well, okay. That battle coliseum with the warforms, I would destroy that."

"Your friend Yoho participates in blood sport, does she not? I don't see the difference between one arena and the other."

"She gets a choice in the matter, unlike those creatures."

"Does she? Do any of you have a choice? Does not seem like much of one, if it is between shelter and sustenance."

Riot looked over at him, and he shrugged at her.

"Right. You're only the second engineered sophant I've ever encountered," she said. "I suppose we must seem closer to animals than to thinking beings to you. "

"And the first one you have ever encountered is so much smaller. They have managed to disappear off my security mapping, though. Well done to them."

Riot glanced at the BAT-TAC-NET readout in her vision. It happened so often, that she had not even noticed that Nyx had vanished off it again, her entry in the squad list showing an empty icon with an err:disconnect message.

She smiled a little bit at that. A comm call might get Nyx back, but better to leave it.

"I'm not going to help you with that."

"Was worth the attempt. You are very clever, Miss Riot."

"Right," she said. She shook her head. "But yeah. Klynt could choose to go without either if she wanted."

"To intentionally choose suffering." The man looked over at Riot. "Like you do every day."

Riot slowly turned to look at him.

"I choose survival every day," she said.

"The imperative of all life," the man responded. "And you are miserable for it. Your stress markers are obvious. You get shot at to make enough money for shelter. You eat bland food to sustain that obsolete body. And I do not think a well adjusted person would go around grinning all the time, trying to cover up what they are with such a paltry mask."

"Is this some stupid serial? The 'artificial intelligence' that uses some bizarre straw logic with shit axioms to make an argument for the protagonist to tear down in the third act?"

"And what argument would you make for your existence?"

"I would not. But here I am. And I choose to live. Sure, it is shit sometimes, I will grant you that. All life is suffering, etcetera, acceptance mantra. Maybe tomorrow will be better. Maybe it will be worse. Maybe I step outside your beautiful gilded cage here and get run over by a tank and that is my end, spare parts and a grease stain."

Riot turned, and strode right at the man, not breaking pace. He did not bother to get out of the way as she walked right through him.

"But I choose to live anyroad. That choice is my prerogative as a human."

She turned, facing him again.

"I am leaving," she said. "Find a more interesting philosophical thread for your next conversation partner."

She stuck her hands in her pockets, and strode away.

Fascinating, thought Mirage in thoughts levinic.

Riot called the team up. Gathered them together.

And now they were here on the street again, outside the elevator, the impressive edifice of the Arcology sloping up away and behind them, Yoho's invective following them out.

She was not the only one. They all had noticed Riot's demeanor in the elevator on the way down. Yoho now had a hand gently on her shoulder. Solitaire was on the other side, one hand lightly touching an arm. Nyx had moved to stand in front, between her and the world, Digit next to them, hands up, obviously busy, scanning for threats in VR. And Valentine was at her back.

All had moved around her. To protect her. And had waited until they were free and outside of the building to speak.

"Not often you're not wearing your face, friend," said Valentine, his voice cautious.

Yoho lifted her hand to clap it down again. "We got your back," she said, and then the team spread out a little.

Just as Riot had showed them, once. Close enough to support one another. Able to block for any other. Not so close that a single attack was like to take them all out.

A team. A brotherhood.

Riot raised her hand in the air, bringing up accounts in her augmented reality display, and disbursed their payout. Digit whistled low as the numbers came down.

"Double payout," he said. Then he turned slightly to look up at Riot. "We in the clear, then?"

"Yeah. We're clear," she said. "Let's get out of here."

The team nodded, and coordinated over the BAT-TAC-NET channels, moving as a coordinated team until they were back in their vehicles and on their way out. Solitaire gave her one last look and a pat before leaving, and eventually, Yoho and Riot were in the oversized van that Riot preferred to drive.

It swayed back and forth, as the two heavies climbed aboard, and the engine started, heading out.

"Anything you wanna talk about?" asked Yoho.

Riot didn't take her eyes off the road.

"...want to go help the Antecedent?" she asked.

"Yo-ho, yo-ho, my big strong arms for a bottle of rum," sang Yoho.

Riot smiled thinly. "Let's go help some people," she said.

Yoho nodded, looking out the window. After a moment, she turned her head to look over at Riot. "That place sucked," she said. "Best I'm going to eat for the next forever, though."

Riot smiled a bit, and laughed. "Yeah, right?"

"How you holding up? You almost never drop face."

The van bounced around for a little bit, as Riot thought.

It was just a Mirage.

But what mattered, what really mattered, was that her team had seen through it, and they had her back, and now they were safe.

And paid. That was important.

Yet another successful mission.

She smiled. A real one, and looked over at Yoho.

"Forget the Arco," she said. "I'm doing great."

Yoho crowed, and broke into full a belted shanty, as they drove down towards the z-sector, where the Antecedent's mission was and a night of decent useful work was waiting for them.

#ffxivwrite2024 #final fantasy xiv #zoissette vauban #on cloud nine #202409-24 #biot writes #aetherwave

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