epochem

[epochem]

Exception Part III

Pairing: Kendall Roy x Reader

It was already getting dark when you finished your last mail. Kendall was off to the gala. It got more and more quiet in the office. You loved this time of the day. The light changed and with it your whole mood. There was something superior to watch the changing scenery of the city from high above. You often stayed much later than needed, there was no one waiting for you anyway, just to take in this mood. It made you feel strangely alive.   What nobody knew, sometimes you took it one step further and borrowed something from Kendall’s office to get an even nicer view.  There was a terrace on top of the building. One needed a special access card to get up there. When you started the job one of your colleagues told you about it. Days later you overheard Kendall wondering “where the fucking terrace card” was - of course he had one, you thought to yourself. But you never noticed him making use of it.  One evening, you had just placed some documents on his desk, you saw the card laying there like a tease. Kendall was not in the office anymore. Actually the whole floor was nearly empty.  It felt like you did something incredibly forbidden when you took his card.  “Just one look. No one will notice” you promised yourself.  But once you had started, it became somewhat of a bad habit. The view was way too spectacular to enjoy it only once. You loved sitting there, directly under the night sky and feeling somewhat untouchable. And the more you thought about it you realized that it was never just about the view itself but about having your own secret. It felt somewhat powerful, like no one had control but yourself.  It kind of became your happy place and now being back in the office, you decided to make another visit to the top of the building. You deserved it after all. You grabbed your phone and headphones and entered his office. Second drawer on the left, the card was still there. You smiled and took it.  There were still some people in the office but no one seemed to notice you anyway. You were alone in the elevator up and when you stepped on the terrace it was as beautiful as ever. New York was laying beneath you and above you the sky turned into the darkest shade while welcoming the night. You took a deep breath, put your headphones on and took a seat.   Being above it all for a moment - what a relieve it was.  You let your mind wander.  “Was he ever able to enjoy moments like this” you thought to yourself. It’s strange to think that he had access to all of this and so much more but still he seemed like the most miserable, the most depressed person there ever was.  The sky turned even darker but the city itself was full of light. You had lost track of time but it got chilly up there. You should probably get back to the office, grab your things and make your way home.  While entering the hallway you noticed that your office was the only one with light on. You shut down your PC and entered Kendall’s office to return the card.  You had just opened the drawer of his desk when you heard something behind you.

“Wrong office huh?”

“Fuuuuuuuck. Fuck. Fuck.”

You turned around. It was Kendall. Leaning on the window. You couldn’t see his face. It was too dark. Then he moved towards you. He came very close. You were between him and his desk. He looked you straight in the eyes. You couldn’t breath. 

“Wrong office” he repeated. He was angry. No doubt about that. “What were you looking for huh? Who gave you the order? My dad? Some fucking journalist, who is it?” “Nothing. No. I’m looking for nothing. I actually wanted to return this” you hold the card up so he can see it.  He paused. Slightly surprised, he is looking at you again. “Were you up there?”

“Yes. I... I like the view. It’s nice, you know.” Your voice is shaky. You feel weak.  “Yeah I know the view. Nice indeed.” His face is directly in front of yours. You can feel his breath while you still barely breath. Kendall’s hand grabs your wrist. His grip is getting firmer while still looking at you. 

“It’s not your card is it?”

“No. Don’t have one. It’s... it’s yours.” 

“It’s mine.” He nods his head. “So you were kind of stealing were you?” You look at him. Is he teasing you? Is he really angry? Is there a slight smirk on his face?  Deep breath. You find your voice again. Louder than you actually wanted.

“It’s not stealing, Kendall. It’s borrowing. I was borrowing your fucking card ok?”

He let’s go of your wrist. His eyes still fixing you. He takes a few steps back. 

“Where is that attitude now coming from huh? What’s next? Is it also YOUR fucking office with me just serving in it?” 

This was going out of hand. He never talked to you like that and yes, you had never before talked with him the way you just did.

“Listen Kendall, I’m sorry. It was all a bit much for me. I overstepped the line. Yes, I took your card but I promise you I have always returned it. So it was never my intention to steal from you.”

“Always? So this is not the first time?” Shit. Now. It is out of hand.  “No. It’s not the first time... I sometimes go up there in the evening. It’s... I just really like it there. Helps me to calm my nerves I guess.” You finally find your breath again. “Kendall, I’m sorry. I will place the card right here, ok?” You put it on his desk. 

No response from him. He is still starring. You are not sure what to do. Waiting for him to do something?  Leaving the office and never coming back?

“Ok.” He finally moves. “How do you come home now or are you not going home?” “No. I guess I’m going home. I will order an Uber. It’s late.”  “The driver is still waiting. He can bring you home.”

“That’s not necessary. Really. You also need him right?” He is starring at you. “No need to worry about me. I will go down with you. Wanted to get out of here anyways.” You both leave the office together. Waiting for the elevator.  “I’m sorry Kendall. I am really sorry.”  “Stop it. It’s ok. We don’t need to talk about all this again. I’m tired. You are tired. We are both fucked up. Let’s leave it there.” The elevator finally arrives. You both get in. Silence. Awkward silence. You don’t know what to say. It’s a long way down.  Outside the car is already waiting. 

“You need to bring her home” Kendall says to the driver. 

“Thanks Kendall.” You say looking at him.  “Get in the car.” And just before moving away he grabs your wrist. So your facing him again. He leans forward, his mouth close to your ear. “And don’t forget whose fucking car it is. It’s MINE. My fucking car, bringing you home.” He let’s go of you without waiting for a response.  “See you tomorrow” and then he walks away. 

[epochem]

[epochem]

[epochem]

Exception Part II

Pairing: Kendall Roy x Reader Warnings: None

Despite the early hours the office was already as hectic as ever.

You just entered the hallway when you saw Gerri Kellmann running into one of the conference rooms, closing the glass door like it was made out of steal. Inside you saw the familiar faces of Frank Vernon and Roman Roy standing next to the wooden conference table, looking as concerned as ever. 

“Did that mean that Kendal was not in the office? He would be in there with them otherwise, right?”

Further down the hallway you finally reached your office. You noticed that the blinds of the room next to yours were completely shut down. The door was closed. 

You entered your office. A few new documents were placed on your desk, you had a quick look through them. Just the regular paperwork, mainly invoices. You would take care of them later. First you wanted to check your inbox to see if anything important came up. You had just started typing when Kendall passed you by on his way to his office. He had two options to enter, one was through the hallway, the other way was directly through your office - for whatever reason he chose the latter. 

“Morning. Finally back, huh?” and before you could even respond he had disappeared behind his closed office door.  

“Great start” you thought to yourself. At least he didn’t seem high for once; real improvement to the last few times you had seen him.

For the next few hours you did not hear or see Kendall which gave you time to tackle  all open assignments. It was nearly lunch time when he called you into his office.  When you entered, he was sitting at his desk. He seemed relaxed. No signs of the wrack he was just a few weeks ago. Whatever the family intervention had consisted of it seems like it had worked for him at leas for the moment. “I need the driver at 6 this evening for this gala thing and I will give you some files later for the presentation on Thursday. You have to turn it into something spectacular. Make something big. It’s like really important. So no fucking boring slides. Got it?” He looked at you. Was he still relaxed, it didn’t seem like it. But you could handle that. Whenever he wanted something he just threw some information at you and you had to turn it into something, that’s just how it worked and you got used to it.  

“Got you.” You turned around, making your way back to your desk. 

“So how was the holiday huh?” he stopped you.

You turned around again. Facing him. Sitting there. Leaning back in his chair, looking at you. There it was again. This look that he sometimes gave you.  You never really could put a finger on it.  He was sometimes in the mood for it. Was it flirting? Was it for making you unsure? For making fun of you?

He was confusing to you and you never knew how to react. It made you uncomfortable. For a second you nearly forgot that he indeed had asked you a question.

“Yeah the holiday... it was nice. Just a few days off. Nothing special but good. Thanks.” You hated yourself, you were nervous when you answered and you felt it in your whole body. It was so obvious. He must also notice it. He kept looking at you. You could see him smirking just a little. 

“Well than, welcome back I guess. Glad you had a great time” he said, still keeping the eye contact. 

You somehow managed a weak smile and thanked him again before turning around again and leaving his office. This time he didn’t stop you. Back at your desk you slumped into your chair. 

“That was fucking embarrassing.”

[epochem]

Exception Part I

Pairing: Kendall Roy x Reader

Warnings: Mentioning of drugs - nothing really yet ;)

First thing I’ve written in a while. I hope some enjoy reading it. English is not my first language so please bear with me. Not sure yet how long it will be but probably pretty smut soon. 

It was September. School had started again. And the pace of the city slowly went back to normal.  For you it was the first working day after your summer holiday.  The alarm woke you up at 6 AM.  “Let’s to this” you thought to yourself. “It’s going to be ok. He might not even be there”. You hadn’t seen your boss in over a month. The time before that - somewhat blurry. It escalated. Somehow. At some point.  He was doing more cocaine than ever before. Went out every night. You had to plan everything around his next escapade, just to make the next one possible.  And then he was gone. No one knew exactly what had happened.  Family intervention was all you heard. No further information. 

The following days at Waystar were nothing other than a shit show. Complete strangers invited you out for lunch in the hope to get some more information about the fallen son. Investigative journalists contacted the office non-stop until somehow they were stopped like it always stops thanks to money and legal threats. 

Then a deceptive calm returned. Most people had left the city over the summer anyway and you, for the first time since working for Kendall Roy, had somewhat of a free time. 

Finally you were able to take a few days off and leave the city which felt like the only possible way to survive the heat but also life itself. You knew yourself just too well, the last few months drained you. You were on the edge. Your sleep was fucked up again and you could literally feel the panic attacks creeping up.  Getting away from it all was really the only way to somehow stay sane at least that’s what you hoped. 

But right now, on this Monday in September, the lightness of summer was gone. You looked in your bathroom mirror and despite the sun-tanned skin you looked and felt like a ghost. And you hated yourself for already being fed up with everything before even entering the office building, before even knowing if he would show up. 

“Enough already. He is not going to destroy you. No one in this office will.” 

You took a deep breath before finishing your make up.  One last check in the mirror before leaving the apartment. Your are wearing a black blazer with your favorite belt on top, white linen trousers (summer relict) and some black heels. You were good to go. You snatched your favorite bag, threw your keys in and closed the door.

The blazing heat had disappeared. Gloomy sky greeted you outside on the street. It was still early morning and you decided to get off the subway a few blocks earlier to walk the rest of the way to the office. 

Moving closer and closer towards the building you noticed the changing dynamics around you. More and more people were on the streets, hectically making their way towards the towering glass facades. Sometimes it still seemed unreal to you that you were one of them, that nobody noticed you or thought it was strange that someone like you was here, living a normal life.  Grabbing a coffee, going into an office, sitting at a desk, writing mails, answering phone calls, eating lunch, working more, going home and so on.  There was a time in your past where this kind of life seemed like the most distant dream - it was a synonym for having your shit together, for not just breathing but also for living. After all. You made it happen.  You finally arrived and entered the building through the revolving door.  Your whole body was tense but you played it cool. 

“You’ve got this.”

[epochem]

La Gerbe, 1953, a ceramic mural, by Henri Matisse commissioned by Frances Lasker Brody for her house in LA