#kafka trap

[rustyteacupspire]

Textbook Kafka trap.

The trap lies in the binary framing, commonly seen in tumblr propaganda:

If you agree with the statement, you align with the speaker's moral stance, reinforcing their narrative.

If you disagree, question, or even hesitate (e.g., by asking for clarification or expressing a nuanced view), you risk being labeled as one of the "horrible people," as the statement suggests that only bad people would oppose it.

This structure discourages open debate because any response other than full agreement can be interpreted as evidence of moral failing. For example, someone might agree that kids deserve respect but want to discuss what "respect" means in practice, since discipline is a necessary part of raising children into functional adults. The Kafka trap here would cast their questioning as proof of being a "horrible person," shutting down discussion.

kids deserve so much more respect and it turns out that saying that is a great way to locate the horrible people in any community <3

[unsolicited-opinions]

Jewish advocacy, the Kafka trap, and Hasbara

Here's the problem:

When we speak, we're accused of propaganda.

When we mourn, we're accused of manipulation.

When we stay silent, we're called complicit.

When we ask questions, we're told we are gaslighting.

When we cite facts, we're told to stop 'doing hasbara.' .

This isn't hyperbole. This is the experience many Jews have today when we speak. Especially if we're defending ourselves. Especially if we're defending Israel's right to exist.

The structure of the trap is pretty familiar to Jews. Every word of defense becomes proof of guilt and even silence gets read as a confession.

It's a Kafka trap.

In a Kafka trap, denial of an accusation is taken as proof of the accusation.

Try to explain? That's exactly what a liar would do!

Don't respond? You must have something to hide!

It's a classic cult maneuver and a common abusive relationship tactic. And now, apparently, it's a feature of daily discourse for most Jews I know on North America.

The Kafka trap doesn't try to prove you're wrong. It starts from the assumption that you're guilty and frames your every move from that assumption.

When it comes to Jews in progressive political spaces, the trap has a favorite word: hasbara.

In Hebrew, hasbara simply means "explanation."

For decades, it referred to Israel’s public diplomacy efforts. These were mostly bureaucratic, sometimes tone-deaf, sometimes deeply flawed, but not some sinister conspiracy. Just a country making its case on the world stage, like every other country does.

The Western Left, as they have so many times, decided to make up it's own definition of our Hebrew word.

Today, the Western far Left uses "hasbara" as a smear. It's used to dismiss anything a Jew says in defense of Israel (or even in defense of themselves) as coordinated propaganda. It doesn't matter if it’s true. It doesn’t matter if it's personal. It doesn’t even matter if it's painful. If it threatens the dominant narrative, it gets rebranded as hasbara, which means it can be ignored or actively condemned as deceptive. (Those tricky, sneaky lying, Jews.)

The word doesn't describe what is being said,it just signals who is saying it...and what they are presumed to be.

It has become shorthand for:

This Jew is lying

This Jew is manipulating

This Jew is not grieving, they're performing

This Jew is not arguing, they're strategizing

This Jew is not human

It's a rhetorical equivalent of "shut up, Jew."

Anything you say is treated as propaganda.

Accurately describe the contents of the Hamas charter? You're fearmongering, you islamophobe.

Quote UN resolutions that contradict "apartheid" claims? You're cherry-picking.

Say anything after October 7? You're using Jewish trauma to justify genocide.

If you stay silent, it’s complicity.

Didn't post a ceasefire square? Complicit.

Not visibly protesting Israel on campus? Proof of indifference.

Grieving your murdered relatives quietly? Suspicious.

And if you cry out in pain or fear, it's performance.

Jewish emotion is rarely granted full humanity anymore. We're accused of centering ourselves, derailing, or manipulating.

Jewish fear? Privilege.

Jewish mourning? PR.

Jewish trauma? Hasbara again.

Mentioning Hamas's use of human shields? Justifying war crimes.

Referring to international law? Legalese in defense of apartheid.

Saying Israel is not a settler colony? Whitewashing colonial violence.

Providing context? Genocide denial.

Every possible Jewish expression, whether fact, feeling, silence, or sorrow...is preemptively framed as evidence of guilt.

This isn't just disagreement, this is dehumanization.

The redefinition of "hasbara" as "Jewish propaganda" discredits Jewish identity itself.

Once the label is applied, it doesn't matter what you say or why you say it. Your words are stripped of intent and interpreted only through suspicion. Your grief is strategic. Your arguments are scripted. Your voice is foreign.

You're not a person anymore. You're a function.

A symbol. A proxy. A problem.

This is why the the derisive, disparaging use of "hasbara" hits so hard. It doesn't critique messaging or truth, it refuses to believe you're a real person.

None of this is new.

The same tropes keep resurfacing over the centuries.

The cunning Jew

The manipulative Jew

The powerful Jew behind the curtain

The emotional Jew as threat and a deceptive performance

But there's uodated phrasing for modern libels.

Instead of saying "you control the media," it's "your narrative is hegemonic."

Instead of 'international Jewish conspiracy," it's "coordinated hasbara machine."

Instead of "your tears are fake," it’s "you’re weaponizing trauma."

Same ideas, different words.

You're not heard. You're categorically denied your humanity. You're denied debate, your complexity is flattened, you're denied participation in the discourse. All you get is accusation.

So maybe you withdraw, self-censor, or collapse into shame. Maybe you internalize the message that your speech is poison, and your pain is violence.

You are only allowed to speak if your pain is politically useful to someone else.

When Jewish speech is pre-framed as aggression, when Jewish grief is mistranslated as manipulation, and when every defense is re-coded as offense...what remains?

If everything a Jew says is dismissed as "hasbara," if our facts are propaganda, if our mourning is performative, and if our silence is complicity...what the fuck do you want from us?

What would we have to do to earn the right to speak, to grieve, to disagree, to survive?

What would it take to be believed when we say we're in pain?

And what does it say about you, that you disbelieve in advance?

[bluevelvetea]

thirst trap pt. 1 (pt. 2)

[nice-ghosty]

It woke me up for a cup of milk and the wifi password

[battleonthebigbridge]

SHE IS EVERYTHING

[bxd-kxrma]

“You’d think being a stellaron you’d want to stay away from a group called ‘Stellaron Hunters’ but I guess it’s hard to stay away from attractive people.”

[light-wrath-paradise]

Bruh I hate dysmorphia and general body image issues. Can't exactly shave my stupidass body with closed eyes. But I can't look at it. For "I don't like that thing." reasons. But not shaving makes me like it even less. This is a circle. As you can probably imagine.

[sunder-the-gold]

This borders on denying the existence of the Kafka Trap, but not really. Or at least not entirely.

"Kafka Trap" is the fallacy of casting someone's attempt at self-defense as an admission of guilt, which is like a police officer violently ambushing someone without cause and then arresting them for resisting arrest.

There's little or no tension between the Kafka Trap and the "what an odd thing to say" meme.

The behavior that elicits an honest "what an odd thing to say" reaction isn't a reaction to an attack, like someone trying to resist an ambush. Instead, the meme-provoking behavior is a pre-emptive defense against nothing.

The behavior so notable because it's so hard (if not impossible) to imagine any sincere reason for it.

But the "kicked dog will holler" meme does have tension with the Kafka Trap.

One of the dangers is the fallacy of Excluding The Middle. Such as the middle between "participates in the thing" and "sympathizes with people who do". Or the middle of differing degrees of "sympathy".

Participating <- Celebrating <- Allowing <- Ignoring -> Tolerating -> Condemning -> Attacking

How sympathetic is the position of "I don't agree with what you said, but I die for your right to say it"?

Scenario: The Town of Salem, after the Witch Trials

One woman gossips to another about a third woman uncharacteristically spotted outside of her home one night.

The second woman is like, 'oh not this shit again'. She doesn't even wait to see if the first woman suggests that the third woman was sneaking off to 'the devil's sabbath', she just snaps that maybe sometimes women have perfectly good and innocent reasons to be outside of their homes at night and maybe it's none of your business.

The second woman IS a kicked dog, but what kicked her wasn't the accusation. It was the fear of what would FOLLOW the accusation.

A kicked dog will holler, but a dog that's been kicked once will thenceforth fear anything that LOOKS LIKE A KICK.

tbt to the time me and my friend were explaining "a hit dog will holler" and that "what an odd thing to say" meme to another friend. and another person sitting at the lunch table got weirdly offended and defensive of that behavior... much like a certain animal after being hit.

[masonpowellposts]

The Invention of the Internet.

Have just spent hours in loops that turn around and back on themselves, I have come to the conclusion:

THE INTERNET WAS INVENTED BY FRANZ KAFKA

[bebe-benzenheimer]

"Just say you hate female characters and go" ok then, I hate female characters :)

[ddarker-dreams]

blade literally pouting until you come back and kafka immediately assigns you the job of cheering him up

"..."

"...?"

"..."

upon returning from your latest job, blade instantly took to acting as your second shadow. this, in and of itself, isn't unusual. you stopped questioning this habit long ago, as it clearly pleases him. what you do find unusual is the unnerving stare he's currently directing your way.

"... is something wrong?"

after a second that seemingly lasted forever, he shakes his head.

"hm," you hum, placing a finger to your cheek in thought. "this isn't fair, y'know. your poker face is so convincing that i almost believed you."

he crosses his arms over his chest. "what would you have me say?"

"plenty of things!" you exclaim, to which he grimaces, realizing his mistake a moment too late. "that you think i'm just the cutest thing ever, how much you've missed me, all your thoughts, feelings, deepest, darkest desires— mmf!"

blade's gloved hand covers your mouth, putting a premature end to your tirade.

"are you finished?" he deadpans.

you nod.

he considers you at length before releasing you, muttering under his breath about you being a 'lousy liar.' you notice how his gaze lingers on your lips. a brief flicker dances within his eyes, hinting at the fervor he constantly battles to contain.

suddenly, it dawns on you.

"oh!"

you close the distance with an apologetic smile. "i did forget something important, didn't i?"

standing on your tiptoes, you steady yourself by wrapping your arms behind his neck. out of habit, his hands find your hips, securing you further. your lips almost connect — before mischief gets the better of you. you change your destination to his cheek, planting a chaste kiss there.

he blinks, slowly processing what's just occurred.

you prepare for a swift escape.

blade, however, foresees your intentions, and tightens his grip. effectively trapped, you squirm in place, chuckling nervously to dispel the building tension.

“close, but not quite,” he scolds. then, he lowers his voice to a whisper. “try again.”

[mechazushi]

Guys, what happened? I think I blacked out for a second...

*looks behind me at my sketch book*

Oh Fuck.

@sanjipussyindulgence I'm sure you probably wanted Jayce more, but I was possessed sooo.... here.

@kafkahibinomybeloved Back on my White Haired Kafka agenda! Now with extra sluttyness!

@iceclew Just making sure you're seeing the current bullshit that I'm on.

MEN!

you have to wear this and nothing else

[akutasoda]

in the morning light [part 2]

[part 1 here!]

synopsis - what it's like sharing a bed with them

includes - dr. ratio, ruan mei, argenti, kafka, blade, luocha, jing yuan, jiaoqiu

warnings - gn!reader, fluff, slight angst, i still have no clue what im doing, might be ooc, wc - 1.2k

a/n: absolutely blown away at how many people enjoyed the first part, so uhh here you go? maybe a genshin ver in the future if i get round to it and if people want it?

dr ratio ★↷

↪an absolute stickler for a proper routine, and an advanced one at that - he has high standards to uphold and never misses a step before bed and in the morning. he wouldn't mind of you did yours alongside him but he probably won't notice you for long. a major part is obviously his baths, he would not go a day without one.

↪sometimes he can join you in bed quite late, he either has students work to mark or simply cannot put his own work down. even when he joins you he probably falls asleep after you as he likes to indulge in late night reading.

↪a sort of mix between comfy and basic when it comes to his actual bed, it's simplistic yet extremely comfortable - in the morning it's pretty difficult to leave with how cozy it can be.

↪doesn't really move alot in his sleep, the occasional shuffle but not much. he isn't exactly a cuddler but if you want to he doesn't mind at all. however because he doesn't move much, if you two fall asleep cuddling then he needs to wake up first - which is normal - otherwise you're trapped in his embrace.

↪most mornings he does wake up super early and leaves quite early as well - he always gives you a kiss on your forehead before he leaves. on the rare days he has off, he stays in bed with you until you wake up and whenever your ready, he gets ready alongside you.

ruan mei ★↷

↪she is an extreme night owl. her lab work often keeps her very busy and if she starts a train of thought then she can't rest until she's seen it out to the fullest. most nights she does encourage you to not wait up for her for this very reason - ruan mei greatly appreciates if you do however.

↪her routine is either short or rather extensive, it just depends on how much time she has. morning routines are much longer more consistently as she tends to wake up rather early.

↪usually her bed is rather basic but you seemed to have contaminated it with what you prefer but she doesn't mind in the slightest. if you like her cat cake creations then she may have gifted you a few custom ones to keep you company.

↪surprisingly can be quite the fidgeter in her sleep, not drastic movements but she's just used to being busy. again, not exactly a cuddler but isn't against it if you wish as she knows she isn't around much so would indulge you.

↪most days when you wake up she isn't there but there's always a small note from her to you that is extremely heartfelt.

argenti ★↷

↪the most extravagant routine you've ever seen, the knight of beauty very clearly has a great routine for both mornings and nights. enjoys when you do yours alongside him and will always find time to do so.

↪he still looks pristine in the morning when he first wakes up, it's hard to believe he just woke up. although it may be helped by the fact that he has the most elegant bed that is very hard to leave in the morning.

↪not much of a mover but he can adjust quite a bit sometimes in his sleep. and if you're okay with it, he wants nothing more than to hold you in his embrace for the entire night. argenti is somewhat of a light sleeper however, so if you move alot then he easily wakes up but doesn't mind.

↪sometimes he has to leave early, sometimes he doesn't. it depends on whether or not he has a duty to fulfill but does get up early nonetheless. most days he'd let you sleep but if you need to get up he always wakes you with a kiss and a compliment.

kafka ★↷

↪being a stellaron hunter doesn't always allow for a proper nights rest but most times it does. however kafka cares quite a bit about such things and so when she can, she'll take the opportunity for a good night's sleep.

↪she's used to sleeping in bare minimum conditions but if she could choose, kafka would prefer more comfortable arrangements. so she's very accommodating to what you'd prefer to have your shared bed like.

↪enjoys taking time with a night time routine but sometimes she can't but isn't that fussed so long as she gets the bare minimum done. she would love if you joined her but again wouldn't mind if you're not that keen on such extensive routines.

↪she can be rather clingy - on purpose. kafka loves nothing more than relaxing with you in her arms and won't let up until she's content. the only time she needs to wake up is when she's executing one of elio's scripts so good luck escaping her grasp otherwise.

blade ★↷

↪again, being a stellaron hunter doesn't always allow for a proper nights rest but most times it does. although blade doesn't exactly have the greatest sense of having a good night's sleep.

↪absolute bare minimum for a routine, he doesn't exactly see why it should be anything more but fortunately kafka's influence has caused him to have some care. you're almost jealous that he can do bare minimum and still look like he does.

↪also goes for bare minimum when it comes to sleeping arrangements, he doesn't care what his bed's like. so he doesn't exactly care what you'd prefer as he would just go along with it.

↪when he does sleep, he sleeps like the dead. he barely moves to the point that sometimes you're convinced he's not even there, the only indicator that he's actually alive is the occasional twitch in his hands.

↪unfortunately, he can be prone to his mara-struck condition flaring up in his sleep which may take some getting used to seeing but he takes it upon himself to sleep elsewhere id he knows it is likely to happen to avoid scaring you.

↪prefers to have his own side of the bed and isn't a cuddler. after a very long while, he might indulge you if you are a cuddler but not always. he's also an extremely light sleeper that wakes up super early.

luocha ★↷

↪as a travelling merchant, he doesn't tend to stay in one place for long, so you would most likely travel with him. due to this, he isn't exactly fussed with where he sleeps and is used to bare minimum. he wouldn't mind in the slightest of you decide to change a few things however.

↪nightly and morning routines are important to him. he needs to maintain appearances and so can have rather extensive routines that he wouldn't mind you joining him with.

↪another light sleeper and sometimes you forget he's there because he barely moves. he's perfectly fine with cuddling and fine with not, although sometimes he does prefer his space.

↪never really has anywhere to go in a rush unless he knows he has people to meet or things to do, but he still wakes up early. however he normally would wait for you to wake up as he likes to start his day with you.

jing yuan ★↷

↪the dozing general has that title for a reason. despite the fact that he practically is on the verge of falling asleep most of the time during the day, he sleeps alot. it can be under any condition at any time but he does have a tendency to indulge in comfort.

↪has an extremely comfortable bed that is normally also occupied by mimi and so it can get very warm, very quickly which is a pain in the summer. this isn't really helped by the fact that he is extremely clingy, like to the max.

↪he always states that he sleeps better when his body is entangled with yours and knowing you're safe there with him, but he will respect if you aren't that much of a cuddler.

↪unfortunately he moves around a lot and because he's clung to you, you move with him. sometimes you two end up upside down at the foot of the bed and it baffles you that he can move that much. he is also an extremely heavy sleeper in your shared bed so good luck escaping him - when he's dozing at work he is a light sleeper however.

↪most days he does have to drag himself out of bed to work but aeons save you if he has a rare dayoff. you're never leaving if he doesn't let you as he forces you to let him indulge in your presence while he gets a lie-in. if you have somewhere to be he reluctantly lets you go but very stubbornly.

��the worst bed hair you've ever seen, he always looks like he's been through it and spends ages sorting his hair. this paired with his actual morning routine means he takes ages getting ready. his night time routine is shorter as he knows it's rendered useless overnight.

jiaoqiu ★↷

↪he cares about his appearance as he does have quite the reputation to uphold and so his routines are always important and extensive - especially when managing his tail and ears to ensure that they aren't messy.

↪also goes all out for his bed, he knows what helps get a better night's sleep and he prefers to get the best sleep he can. so he might be a bit hesitant to let you change most of it but he's willing to compromise.

↪the absolute worst when it comes to sleeping, he's annoying, he knows it, and takes it in pride. has to be cuddled up to you and he wraps his tail over you to ensure that you don't go anywhere unless you have to. he barely moves but his tail is the menace mainly - it flicks and moves around alot and often ends up in your face.

↪normally wakes up relatively early and will wake you up if you need to. mentioned this before but, he will wake you up earlier if you braid his usual braid as he enjoys having you do so - he has absolutely no remorse for doing so. although if he has time, he will make breakfast for the two of you.

taglist - @little-miss-chaoss, @frankiesteinn

[damnelves]

FATHERS AND THEIR CHILDREN (STRANGERS UNDER THE SAME ROOF).

East, West by Salman Rushdie / Woodtangle by Mary Ruefle / Dearest Father, a letter by Franz Kafka / This Dusk In A Mouth Full Of Prayer by Michael Wasson / Succession / Interview With The Vampire / Gangs of New York (2002), dir. by Martin Scorsese / An Oresteia by Anne Carson / The Cruel Prince by Holly Black / 6 ways to draw a circle by tumblr user filmnoirsbian / Origin Story by Desireé Dallagiacomo / Come the Slumberless To the Land of Nod by Traci Brimhal / Abraham and Isaac before the Sacrifice by Jan Victors (oil on canvas) / The Sacrifice of Isaac by Philippe de Champaigne (oil on canvas) / Supernatural, Season 1 Epside 22 'Devil's Trap' / Ruby by Cynthia Bond / Erou by Maya Phillips / Interview With The Vampire / Cut by Catherine Lacey / Succession / Frankenstein by Mary Shelley / The Last Days of Judas Iscariot by Stephen Adly Guirgis / Mindhunter / tumblr tags by @buckybucananbarnes / Saturn Devouring His Son by Francisco Goya (mixed media mural) / Saturn Devouring His Son by Peter Paul Rubens (oil on canvas) / Mother - John Lennon / Succession / Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz / forgiving our fathers by dick lourie

[discoknack]

ohh tag games!

Same! YAY!

Umm who else plays games...? @difty-dift @bestbuybathroom @huffy-1337 @jamismejamiam

last fictional character in ur camera roll just adopted u

(Yes I did do this only because I want him to adopt me. Fuck off)

tags: @cryptidwithaninternetconnection @reggie-the-inferi @gingerbreadeel24 @pickupstyx

and whoever the fuck sees this

[killergee]

Part 3! Sorry for the late update, but here's the last part, my friends. I had no idea what to do, so I fell into a good old trope. Slight nsfw, but it’s mainly just Hoshina and his dirty mind, hehe. Oh, and some kissing.

Summary: Angry, frustrated, jealous, and trapped in an elevator. Who will crack first?

P1 P2 P3

Tagslist: @surprisemodafakas @yrxhyes @voidsatoru @vash-yuu @er0ssu @rosesandquartzz

---------------------------

Hoshina knew he was the only one at fault for testing his own patience, but God was he so sure he was going to explode if things continued like this.

He wanted you to be the one to take the final step and cross the distance. He wanted to see you want him like you said you did so many months ago. To see that passion for him once again.

That didn’t mean he waited around for you to confess, though. No, he didn’t hold back when it came to you.

If anything, he became greedy when it came to you.

Hoshina didn't know how he survived before, now knowing what your touch felt like. It felt like fire on his skin. One that left a burning desire that he only knew to quell by grasping at you for more. Yet, even then, it wasn't enough. You always left him wanting more. You left him clinging to what was left of his sensibilities to not take you there and then. Hoshina thinks he must be a masochist because of how he kept pushing for more, knowing you'll reject him or that he'll have to stop himself before he goes too far and ruins everything.

Yet, when you did accept his affections, the feeling was unparalleled. When you did reciprocate, it made him feel butterflies in his stomach. It made him feel a different type of warmth, a different sense of fulfillment. One that told him it was worth it to keep trying.

So, he gave in to his desires again and again and again. As long as he doesn't straight-up confess, he still has a shot at making you take action. Right?

Hoshina groans as he finishes another one of his reports. Mina has been working him to the bone lately. Taking him out of sessions to work on mission plans, interrupting him mid lunch to accompany her to meetings, even going as far as interrupting his midnight training sessions with you to ask for his opinion on the production of a new weapon. Hoshina swears he’s barely seen you for the last two weeks because of this. To say he was a bit annoyed would be an understatement. Especially since because of his busy nature, Mina delegated his tasks to you to handle. Tasks that included working with his unit.

Now, this normally wouldn’t be a problem if Kafka hadn’t taken such a liking to you. Hoshina should’ve known Kafka would like you after he overheard your conversation with him the first time. While trapped in his office, it takes all his efforts to not jump out the window and tell Kafka to take a step back from you. He didn’t know if it was the exhaustion, stress, or withdrawal from your presence, but he felt absurdly angry at seeing you being so friendly with Kafka. Hell, even seeing you laughing with his unit left a bitter taste in his mouth.

While you and his unit seemed to be getting closer, you and Hoshina haven’t made any progress at all since that night. Hoshina felt frustrated on so many different levels and mixed with the pressure to not disappoint his superior, Hoshina was so wired he could barely sit still. He nearly snapped his pen in half just thinking about it.

He either needed to train or fuck this out of his system.

He couldn’t concentrate on anything. The words on the paper in front of him were starting to blur, and he was seconds away from writing “because this is stupid” as his rationale for rejecting proposals.

Looking up at the clock and seeing the hand tick closer to 2am, he groans into his hands and decides that the responsible choice would be to go to sleep and pray that tomorrow never came.

Putting on his jacket, he barely gives his desk a second glance as he leaves to lock the office door. Once in the elevator, he pushes the button to the fourth floor and immediately slumps against the railing on the wall of the elevator. With his hundredth sigh of the day, he tries to think on the brighter side. Since no one would be up at this god forsaken hour, he didn’t need to wait for the elevator to open on every floor.

When the elevator stops, Hoshina rolls his eyes at his luck. Looking up at the ceiling and exhaling, he doesn’t bother to acknowledge the person entering the elevator.

It wasn’t until he heard the familiar click of your tongue does he snap his head down to see you standing beside him.

There you were.

Standing with your arms crossed and staring at the doors of the elevator as if they’ve wronged you. The object of his affections and his frustrations. The person he was craving most at the moment.

Seeing you in the flesh again, skin pink probably from showering, shirt unbuttoned a little too low combined with the scent of your faded shampoo wafting through the elevator…

Fuck it, the training room will have to do, Hoshina decides, quickly leaning forward to press the button to the second floor. He can feel the weird look you’re giving him, but he decides for both of your sakes he’s going to keep looking at the doors. God, he couldn’t believe your presence alone was doing it for him. He needed out now.

But, unfortunately for him, the world continued to ignore his wishes. With a slight tremble, the elevator slows in its tracks until it abruptly stops. Not being able to believe his luck, it wasn’t until the lights began to dim that he lets out a curse.

“Are you fucking kidding me?” he hears you say as you immediately dig into your pocket to get your phone. Pressing the help button on the elevator, he waits for you to finish your call with security. With the way you were scowling, he knew the news couldn’t be good. With it also being so late, he doubts anyone would come rescue you guys any time soon.

“Yea sure, we can have super suits and high-tech weapons, but god forbid we have a working elevator” you mumble sarcastically after hanging up the phone. Barely looking at him, you announce, “they said they’ll have it fixed within an hour.”

“That’s fucking great,” Hoshina groans, massaging his temples with one hand as he curses whatever god fucking with him right now. Finally turning to look at you, he notices how far you were from him. You were practically squishing yourself into the corner of the elevator to distance yourself. With the night taking away his patience, he comments without any restraint. "Now what’s got ya so pissed off?”

You turn to glare at him. “Excuse me?”

“I said what’s got ya so mad ya can’t even stand to be in the same space as me,” Hoshina scoffs, adding fuel to the flames. “Scared I got cooties? A little too late for that, I’m sure.”

“You’re unbelievable.” You hiss, anger rolling off you. The piercing glare you sent his way satisfied him in a twisted way he couldn’t understand. He’ll blame the adrenaline and the frustration.

“What are you even doing here so late? Ah, sneaking out from the Captain’s room, I’m sure." You spit venomously, mocking his phrasing. "Wasn’t satisfied enough, so you’re coming to me?”

“Now what the hell are ya going on about?”

Your eyes narrow a fraction more. “Oh sorry, Vice-Captain. Did I hit a nerve? Sad that the Captain didn’t like you enough to let you stay the night?”

“You’re being ridiculous, you’re lucky no one else is here to hear you say that. If ya weren’t you, I’d have you punished for talking about Min- Captain Ashiro like that.” Shit, he was losing his grip.

You let out a hollow chuckle devoid of any humour. “No, no, you don’t need to correct yourself like that in front of me, Vice-Captain. I won’t tell anyone,” you say, drawing out the syllables of his title.

“Don’t call me that, y/n,” he growls. “Nothing is going on betwe-”

“You think I’m fucking stupid? Everything you’ve done to me. The late night training sessions, 'working' together on reports, having lunch together, everything that we’ve done together you’re now off doing it with her.” You continue, your voice getting more heated with every word. “Her interrupting us again and again, you think I can’t take a fucking hint? I know my place now, so you don’t need to worry about anything.”  

“Y/n, it’s nothing like that. If I had a choice, I wouldn’t b-”

His explanation falls on deaf ears as you continue your angry rant. “You know what? Kafka was right.”

Heart stopping, the flash of heat Hoshina felt throughout his body broke the dam holding the last bits of his sanity. “What’s Kafka got to do with anything?”

“Kafka noticed how you two were always together for the last couple of weeks. I told him it was nothing, but I guess I owe him an apology. I’d hate to see the look on his face when I tell him.”

“Ya seriously trusting Kafka over me?”

“I mean, why not? He’s trustworthy, he’s kind, he’s reliable-”

Hoshina lets out a hostile scoff, “Oh, and I’m not?”

“He’s never touched me and then gone off and-”

“He’s never what?” Hoshina pushes off the wall, making his way into your corner. “He better not touch you the way I do. And even if he did," his eyes gleam in a dangerous manner, "he'll never be able to make you feel the way I make you feel.”

Hoshina's tone is strong and sure. “Stop talking about that damn brat and listen. Nothing is going on between me and the Captain. I do not like her like that and I can promise you I never will.”

The sincerity in his eyes makes you hesitate. But you need his words. You need solid proof that he feels the same need for you that you do for him—so you push on anyway. “How can I be sure? How can I trust you?”

Not one to backdown, you meet him in the middle before he could completely corner you. With your finger to his chest, Hoshina takes a step back. His attempt to put space between you doesn't deter you as you push forward. In fact, it emboldens you to press on until his back hits the wall and your as nose to nose as you possibly can with your height difference.

Hoshina couldn’t think straight. The only thing he hears from you is jealousy, and it's going straight down to his dick. The feel of your body on his, the heat of the argument, the intensity of your glare, he was about to snap. "Please don't do that," Hoshina hisses.

“Where’s all the heat from before? Answer my question."

"Y/n." 

The sternness of his voice makes you falter. 

His hands raise slightly in a sign of surrender. "Don't touch me if you're not willing to take responsibility for your actions." He says in a teasing voice, but even you could hear the strain in them. 

“What are you talking about.”

“If ya touch me now, I can’t promise ya that I’ll be a gentleman about it.” As if warning you about what's to come, Hoshina brings his hands down onto your hips, pulling you close until your hips press against his. His actions evoke a different kind of heat than your argument.

“How could I ever want anyone else when you’re the only one who’s always on my mind. You think everything I’ve done to ya up to this point was casual? That I was only teasing ya for fun?”

“Ya want proof? Fine.” He brings your hand to rest over his chest, his heart beating wildly at your touch. To lay it all down on the table, to bare his soul to you, he'll do it all if it means even the slightest chance you'll accept him.

"Tell me to stop and I will. Tell me to move away, to not touch you, to not love you, and I will never bother you again." He grits through his teeth. "God, tell me now so I can stop myself before it's too late." Maybe it already was, but he won't tell you that. 

At your silence, his heart plummets. Hoshina lets go of your hand. “Sorry-”

"Kiss me, asshole." 

"I- what?"

"Fine, I'll do it myself." You grab the back of his head and pull him towards you, lips crashing into his in a passionate fury.

After a beat, Hoshina hungrily returns your passion. His hands back onto your body with a fervor. The kiss was heated. It tasted like frustration, anger, jealousy and want. It was exhilarating and intoxicating and Hoshina didn’t want it to end.

Breaking the kiss for air, the intensity of your gaze sends a delightful shiver up his spine. "You drive me insane, you know that? Getting off on teasing me and then trynna back away when you finally got the chance to do something, to do anything. Do I need to spell it out for you? I want you. I want you all for myself." you say, grabbing a handful of his hair with a strength that was bordering the line between painful and amazing. 

"Take responsibility? Talk about your fucking self. You've ruined me for anyone else. Do something about it."

“Yes ma’am.” Without hesitation, Hoshina dives back in for a kiss, and all that could be felt was lips on lips and the sting of teeth.

Hands grasping at every inch of your skin, he turns you and pushes you against the wall of the elevator. Lips moving from yours to your neck, his hand hungrily tugs at the top of your shirt. Unable to control his strength, the button pops, but your gasp is replaced by a moan as he bites into the expanse of your neck.

Motivated by the sounds you make, Hoshina snakes his arm behind your back—pressing your body against his in an almost suffocating manner. Blinded by his eagerness, he didn’t notice the lights turning back on and the elevator running again. It's not until the doors ding open, and you push him away does he finally come back to his senses.

Moving away from him, you use your hand to clasp at the top of your shirt—trying to replicate the security of the button he ripped off. You have half the mind to yell at him, but the smugness in his smile makes you bite the inside of your cheek. Satisfaction reeked from his body, and his cat-like eyes raking over yours made your knees weak.

The next time the doors open, he takes your hand in his and leads you out. "This isn't my floor," you say face flushed as you knew where he was heading.

"Yep, it's mine," he replies with uncontainable excitement.

He turns his head to glance back at you. “If I knew all it took for ya to confess was to trap ya in an elevator with me, I would’ve done this much sooner.” Hoshina says with a cheeky grin, hand gripping yours in a way that said you weren’t leaving him any time soon.

You roll your eyes, but you continue to follow him anyways. A small smile tugs at your lips.

“You’re unbelievable.”