#Dealing with difficult phone calls

[nationalnetworkoftraining]

Navigating Challenges: Strategies for Handling Difficult Telephone Calls

In the realm of customer service and communication, handling difficult telephone calls is an inevitable aspect of the job. Whether dealing with irate customers, complex issues, or challenging inquiries, mastering the art of effective communication is essential. In this article, we will explore strategies to navigate difficult telephone calls with professionalism and efficiency.

1. Maintain Calm and Composure: One of the most critical aspects of handling challenging telephone calls is to maintain a calm and composed demeanor. Regardless of the caller's tone or the nature of the issue, responding with patience and professionalism sets the tone for a productive conversation. Take deep breaths, remain focused, and avoid reacting emotionally to diffuse tension and promote a more constructive dialogue.

2. Listen Actively and Empathize: Active listening is a powerful tool in diffusing difficult situations. Allow the caller to express their concerns fully without interruption, and demonstrate empathy by acknowledging their feelings. Understanding the caller's perspective builds trust and creates a foundation for finding a resolution. Repeat key points back to the caller to ensure you've accurately understood their concerns.

3. Use Positive and Clear Language: Opt for positive and clear language to convey information. Choose words that reassure the caller and emphasize solutions rather than problems. Avoid jargon or technical terms that might confuse the caller further. Providing clear and concise information helps in de-escalating the situation and enables the caller to understand the steps being taken to address their concerns.

4. Offer Solutions and Options: When faced with challenges, focus on providing solutions or options that address the caller's concerns. Clearly outline the steps that will be taken to resolve the issue and explain any potential alternatives. Presenting actionable solutions not only demonstrates competence but also reassures the caller that their concerns are being taken seriously.

5. Know When to Seek Assistance: Recognize when a telephone call requires additional support or involvement from a supervisor, manager, or specialized department. Seeking assistance is a strategic move to ensure that complex issues are addressed appropriately. Be transparent with the caller about the need for escalation and assure them that their concerns will be handled by the relevant parties.

6. Document the Call and Follow-Up: After dealing with difficult telephone calls, document the details of the conversation accurately. Include key points, resolutions proposed, and any commitments made during the call. Follow up with the caller, as promised, to ensure that the resolution has been implemented and to address any remaining concerns. This proactive approach demonstrates accountability and commitment to customer satisfaction. https://nntc.org.uk/dealing-with-difficult-telephone-calls/

[commandertartarsmoocher]

🎉 a very encouraging Commander Tartar has appeared to motivate YOU! 🎉

Doesn't it uplift your spirits right away?

[translation [GER]: "Viel Erfolg" -> "Good Luck"]

[butnotbubblegum]

how many more coincidences are there left in the world before we run out? how many of those moments where the course of your life is changed by someone else’s decision are there before it comes too late? at some point you have to take control of it for yourself, right?

[unproduciblesmackdown]

as ever like: no two things Need to be juxtaposed, much less like material vs material deathmatch Only One Can Be Good, much less am i thinking i have thee objective word on fuckall b/c who does and it's like perfectly boring & unserious whenever someone just throws out Takes that are just "i think...[xyz] is [adjective]" like okay.

but anyways thinking of how, though differing in execution in a lot of ways ofc, deh & bmc start out in a v similar place & explore a journey to self-acceptance from a despairing starting point....it feels like a lot of the hindrance in deh's exploration of its own Theme there is in like, hey. :) hand on your shoulder. it's okay b/c you'll be able to be more normal. whereas w/bmc it's that it's okay b/c you'll be able to be more abnormal

[ladsonlads]

Impartial Hearts | Sylus - Part One

Pairing -> Boss Sylus x Non MC Reader

Parts -> Part One | Part Two

Synopsis -> You’ve been working as Onychinus’s accountant for two years, and you’ve been carrying two heavy secrets for a third of it. You were in love with your boss, and your mother was dying.

A/N -> Guys this shit is just sad icl I need to lay off the sad songs... anyways, reader is not MC but MC is mentioned I called her 'Miss Hunter' or 'MC' bc I couldn't come up with a name, sorry.

EDIT: Thanks for all the love <33333 I honestly didn’t expect so many people to want a part two, I promise it’s in the works and I’ll try to get it out ASAP.

Trigger Warnings -> Death mentioned, heart issues mentioned.

Word Count -> 7.3K

“I’m sorry, what?” The question slipped out of your lips without much of an attempt from your brain to restrain it. You regretted that instantly.

“Watch your tone, Y/N.” The scarily low timbre in Sylus’s voice threatened retribution if you didn’t.

“Sorry… It’s just that— are you sure? I feel like this is a decision that requires a little bit more contemplation. Like getting a dog!” You tried to backpedal, but from the look of Sylus’s narrowing eyes, he wasn’t happy with your response. 

“Are you comparing her to a dog?” There was a threat thinly encased in Sylus’s question and under the thick layers of fear, you felt the slightest pang of jealousy that the he felt so strongly about defending her honour. 

What a dramatic and far-fetched conclusion. You wanted to say, but instead you bit your tongue. 

“N-No! Of course not. Not at all. I’m just wondering if wiring her such a significant sum from your equity account is a good idea when you met her—” You make a show of glancing at your shabby watch “— 13 hours ago is a sound decision.”

“So you’re questioning my judgement? Is that it?” 

You couldn’t blame him for being difficult, you walked right into that one. 

“No! Well… yes?” One would think that after two years of working for Sylus, you’d have the ability to stand your ground against him. But there was only so far someone could push a man like Sylus before he deemed you irredeemable. The consequence of which involved a hollow point in your skull. 

“Wrong answer. Wire it. Now. I’ll deal with your insubordination later.” He quickly left the room that doubled as your ‘office’; you shared it with the twins who liked to use it as their reprieve from crime. You wouldn’t have minded had they chosen less rambunctious ways of cooling-down, like reading or watching a show. Instead they’d play-fight, actually fight, play video games on the loudest volume or — the worst option of all — karaoke. 

The sarcastic yes sir died on your tongue as quickly as it crossed your mind. You pissed him off far more than usual today, and he was already way more tense since her arrival. 

Miss Hunter. Sylus kept her first name under lock-and-key, said it was safer that way. You barely caught a glimpse of her as Sylus dragged her out of his office, which was across from yours. From the glimpse you did catch, she was beautiful. Fair skin, jet black hair, a fit body. Her outfit, which was the Hunter’s Association standard issue uniform, had never looked so good. 

From what you knew from shameless eavesdropping, she was extremely important to Sylus. She was part of some critical master plan you weren’t privy to. 

You hated her.

Albeit, completely unfounded, your hatred for her stemmed from an ugly feeling you could not shake. In the two years you worked as an accountant for Onychinus, Sylus touched you once. Correction, you touched him once accidentally when you had too much to drink with the twins after work. You were taking careful steps to the bar to pour yourself another glass of a gross vodka raspberry mixture when you tripped on the edge of one of Sylus’s extremely expensive rugs. Your feet pedalled forward in an attempt to keep you upright, and you clashed right into Sylus who was innocently scrolling through his phone on the wall next to the bar. 

You could recall the fear you felt vividly. You almost felt the same wedge lodged in your throat. Sylus quickly removed you from him, steadying you with his cold palms on your shoulders (an action that made you blush like a schoolgirl) before verbally deeming you cut-off from all liquor from the night.

That was the full extent of all physical contact you’d had with Sylus in two whole years, meanwhile it took Miss Hunter less than 24-hours before he was holding her hand. God, you hated her.

“Oi, Y/N, we’re using the company card for lunch today.” Luke quickly yelled out to you from the hallway, too engrossed in your self-loathing and plain old regular loathing, you forgot to remind Luke that they only had $40 left on their weekly lunch budget. 

Knowing the twins, they wouldn’t have cared anyway, creating yet another problem you had to fix.

Looking at the excel sheet that contained this month’s trial balance, you shivered at the thought of having to deal with Sylus’s wrath at yet another monthly increase in expenses. So, you shifted the remaining balance on your lunch budget, a generous $255, into the twin’s joint account. It was only Thursday morning, and they’d managed to max-out their $1000 budget. 

You hated them too.

You looked through your drawer in hopes you had a leftover snack that could sadly double as your lunch and felt a wave of relief at the sight of a protein bar. 

It wasn’t like Sylus didn’t pay you enough to afford your own lunch, in fact he was the most generous employer you’d ever had. But the only thing bigger than his bank account was corporate greed, and the blood-sucking heathens at Akso hospital were milking you dry.

Life in the N109 Zone wasn’t easy for most people, especially your mother who raised you all on her own after your father left. She worked 3 jobs to put you through university in Linkon, so the least you could do was use every last cent you made on ensuring she had the best medical treatment money could buy. 

Your mother had a bad heart ever since she was born, it was a hereditary condition that would sometimes skip a generation only to show up in the next. She had an atrial septal defect, or in another words, a hole in her heart. You were born with one too, although yours was much smaller. She’d undergone several surgeries to repair the hole, but it reopened, and now the scar tissue surrounding the surgical site was obstructing her arteries. She was now on bypass patiently awaiting a heart transplant you couldn’t quite afford, but you’d make it happen. You were sure of it. 

With half the protein bar in your mouth, you began to call Dr Zayne, the cardiovascular surgeon who was overseeing your mother’s care. You called him for updates on your mother and the transplant list every day, since a train ticket to Linkon was too big an expense to justify, you’d settle for Dr Zayne’s cold recollections of your mother’s heart function. 

“Ah, Miss L/N, I was beginning to think you weren’t going to call today.” The dead-pan sarcasm dripped from his tone. 

“Your bedside manner needs serious work.” You bit back. You weren’t sure when or how your relationship with your mother’s doctor turned so hostile, but you figured the busy chief of surgery was annoyed by your constant calls. 

“Need I remind you, Y/N, you’re not the patient.” 

“There isn’t a waking second I’m not thinking about the patient, Dr Zayne.” 

An uncomfortable silence hung in the air at your confession. You didn’t mean to make him feel guilty, in all honesty, you looked forward to the banter before the updates on your mom, it helped ease the nerves. 

“Do you want to see her?”

“Of course, but I’m working a lot.”

“No, I mean right now.”

“Are you finally letting me borrow the hospital helicopter?”

“No, but I will let you borrow my phone so you can FaceTime her.”

His kind offer caught you off guard. “Really?!”

“Sure, you caught me in a rare moment where I don’t have someplace to be.”

“It must be Christmas.”

“Rarer than Christmas. Think solar eclipse.”

“Okay, okay, I get it. Now give me my mother.”

Zayne kept his promise, and you spoke to your mother for your entire lunch break, and then some. You would’ve continued talking to her until the sunset if not for Sylus’s interruption. 

“I don’t pay you to FaceTime your friends, Y/N.”

“Sorry, I have to go. Talk to you later. I love you!” Your mother rasped out that she loved you too before you quickly hung up the phone. 

“Sorry.” Your apology fell on deaf ears as Sylus took slow, deliberate steps toward your desk. 

“Do you hate this job?” Sylus’s asked this deceivingly innocuous question while sliding a finger across the mahogany tabletop. 

“Um… no?” You placed your hands in your lap as you answered to hide the slight tremor. 

“You sound unsure.” 

“I like this job very much.” You made the declaration with as much confidence as you could muster. Your mood was already depleted from seeing your mother’s sick face for the first time in months. She wasn’t looking any healthier, and Zayne told you she’d barely moved up the list. 

107. There were 107 people who’s lives were more important than the woman who raised you. You were well aware that wasn’t the way they calculated the metric, but it didn’t make the number hurt any less. 

Sylus let out an sigh that suggested whatever he’d say next was a much tamer version of what he truly wanted to say. “Then I’d suggest you start acting like it. Remember, sweetheart, everyone’s replaceable. Especially you.” 

His comment stung like antiseptic on an open wound, though you were sure that was his intention. 

“Right. Of course. I won’t let you down.” 

“For your sake, I hope not. The twins told me they went to that seafood buffet for lunch, you haven’t let them go over the budget again, have you?” 

You quickly pulled up the online banking account connected to the company card. You saw the $189.95 charge for the seafood buffet and swallowed the lump in your throat. 

“Nope, it’s all dandy.” You gave him a smile that didn’t quite reach your eyes. He noticed. 

“Good. You wire that money like I asked?” The venom in his tone alleviated, and you were glad at least one thing seemed to have worked out for you that day. 

But alas, your joy was short-lived.

“Yes, an hour ago, but it’s still processing until you put in your access code.” You moved away from the computer to give him room to step around and put in the code like he usually did. However, his feet never moved from their position in front of your desk.

“Why didn’t you tell me that?” Just like that, his voice was all venom again. 

You were beginning to grow agitated with his misplaced anger constantly being taken out on you. It didn’t happen often, but when it did, he’d tear into you like a bear would a boxing bag and then act like everything was fine the next day. You never got an apology, you knew not to expect one. 

But lately these fits of unbridled rage came about more often than not, and Sylus took a shovel to your mole hill of resolve every time. 

“I always need your access code on transfers over $500,000. I’ve never told you before, I just assumed—” 

“Are you stupid?” You didn’t bother answering the mean rhetorical question. “What about this transaction seemed usual to you? Did I not convey my urgency effectively earlier? Or are there rocks where your brain should be?” His voice never went up in volume, but you could tell he was angry. Livid even. Seething with fury at your supposed incompetence. 

Your eyes welled up with tears at his outburst. Normally you could take whatever insults he’d throw at you with little outward reaction, but you were particularly sensitive from the sandwich-shaped hole in your stomach, and the maternal hole in your heart which ached every second, reminding you of the much bigger one your mother bore.

Before you could stop it, a tear rolled down your cheek, and the second you registered the sensation you quickly went to wipe it. 

“Stop crying.” Sylus ordered.

“I’m not—crying.” Your voice betrayed you, a hitch in your throat interrupting the sentence. The tears began to stream down faster, so fast your hands couldn’t keep up. 

You prepared yourself for a speech about how weak you were, how he wouldn’t tolerate such inane shows of infirmity. But all Sylus did was watch as you embarrassingly tried to pull yourself together. 

You weren’t sure how much time passed before Sylus moved next to you, hunching down to input his code into the transaction. His eyes glanced at the second monitor, displaying the company card’s account, and he zeroed in at the twin’s charge, and your lack thereof.

“Did you have lunch?” Sylus’s voice was softer, you attributed that to the fact that he was inches away from you. The question was so out of left-field it actually caused your tears to cease. 

“Yeah?”

“You didn’t use the card.” Your eyes followed his to the bank statement and you let out a sigh of relief. 

“Oh, I had some extra cash on me I wanted to get rid of.”

“You’re supposed to use the card, Y/N. That’s what it’s for.”

“It’s fine, I’ll have an extra big lunch tomorrow. Granted you’re not firing me?” You were only half-joking, but you could’ve sworn you saw the corners of his lips perk up in an almost-smile before he shut it straight down. 

“I won’t fire you if you tell me what’s got you this upset? I’m not so proud as to assume it was me.” It was that moment you realised Sylus was capable of feeling empathy. He was aware of how hurtful he was being all those times he’d berate you over the smallest inconveniences for virtually no reason, and he simply didn’t care. 

It was far worse to know that he did possess empathy, but chose not to extend it to you. 

“It’s just that time of the month.” You lied, convincingly. You’d mull over your blatant betrayal to feminism later, but for now you needed a means of shutting this inquiry down and quickly. You didn’t want anyone knowing about your mom, you were sure the pity would destroy you. She wasn’t going to die, and you didn’t want people to treat you like she might. 

Sylus waited for the transfer to clear before he left. You let out a breath you didn’t know you were holding when the door closed behind him.

“Are you sure we only have $105 on our lunch budget.” Luke’s question grated on your frayed nerves.

“$105 and five cents.” Your distinction didn’t do much help. 

“Come on, can’t you do your weird accounty magic and make more appear? We want steak.” Kiernan’s plea wasn’t helping either. You’d exhausted every last option, anything else would definitely cause alarms when Sylus eventually reviewed the accounts. 

“I already did all I could, I gave you an extra $255!” And a fat good that did you, now you were hungry and annoyed.

“Well, we both know there’s plenty more where that came from.”

There really wasn’t, but you didn’t tell them that. 

“I’m sorry, $105 is all you’ve got.” 

“Fine. But we’re very unhappy with you, Y/N. Very unhappy.” Luke chastised you, but you couldn’t even pretend to care. 

“Better you than Sylus, now please leave.” The twins opened their mouths with a retort, but a domineering voice interrupted them. 

“You heard her. Beat it and stop bothering my accountant.” 

The twins scurried at the sound of Sylus’s voice, and you wondered how much of that conversation he overheard.

“So, where did that extra $255 come from, Y/N?”

Too much of the conversation. Way too much. 

“My budget.” You cut your losses and told him the truth. Any other answer would have surely pissed him off. 

“I give you $300 for the whole week. Your sandwich costs $15. Either you haven’t been eating, or you've been paying out of your own pocket against my orders. Which is it?” 

Well, that was a lose-lose situation if there ever was one. You didn’t want to deal with the questions about why you were skipping meals, so you lied again. You always were an exceptional liar, your mother taught you that the less people knew about you, the less they had to hurt you with.

“I made too much food for dinner so I had leftovers. It’s no biggie.” You didn’t even look up from your screen as the lie left your lips. 

“What leftovers?” He asked. 

“Pasta.” You answered. 

“What kind?”

“Alfredo.”

“With mushrooms?”

“Yeah.”

“You hate mushrooms.” 

Shit. Why did he know that?

“I had a change of heart.”

“You’re lying.”

You bit your lip in worry, wondering how you were going to get yourself out of this one.

You stalled as much as you could, pretending to be engrossed in something on your screen, until the sound of Sylus’s phone ringing broke the tension. 

You internally thanked every deity that could possibly be watching over you as he took the call, and prayed to all of them that it would be something urgent. 

You heard the faint sounds of a feminine voice through his phone.

“Kitten, where are you?”

Wait, who’s kitten? 

“Just calm down, tell me where you are.” Sylus didn’t even give you a second glance as he quickly stormed out of your office. Leaving you to mull over the intimate pet name, knowing exactly who it was intended for.

As Sylus left the room you reflected on the cacophony your feelings created in your mind. You weren’t sure when you developed such strong feelings for Sylus — or why. His personality was the antithesis of yours. Where he would free fall off of the proverbial cliff of his life without a second thought, every risk you took was meticulously calculated. Where he was rough and respected, you were sort of a pushover. Where his deadpan sense of humour tended to elicit more fear than laughter, you had an awkward habit of cracking jokes in situations they were not appropriate.

You were polar opposites, two parallel lines that were destined never to intertwine. You figured that was why everything hurt so much around him. He wasn’t right for you, but he would be right for someone else. 

The envy you’d carried for so long began to subside for the first time in years. Sylus had an array of estranged lovers that he’d bring around his mansion every once in a while, and now Miss Hunter. But for the first time the reminder of that fact didn’t hurt as much as it usually did. 

It was Mid-September and you warned yourself that if you couldn’t eliminate all the romantic feelings you had for Sylus by the end of Autumn, you’d cut your losses and quit. 

Of course, you’d have to find another job that paid just as well, but you were willing to cross that bridge when it came to it. There was only so much turmoil your fragile heart could take, and if you were dead, your mother would be as good as dead too. 

Happy with your iron-clad plan, you opened up your notes app and began to draft ‘Operation Sylus: No More’. You could change the name later.

Operation Sylus: No More

The foolproof guide of getting rid of all feelings Sylus related by the end of November. 

Step 1: avoid Sylus and all thoughts of him at all costs.

Step 2: no more funny jokes, his laugh is seriously deadly. 

Step 3: force yourself to remember Miss Hunter in moments of weakness. She’s the one he really wants. 

Step 4: try to find love elsewhere, like the corner shop owner, he may be in his 50s and happily married but he’s kind of a silver-fox!

Step 5: do not, under any circumstances, allow yourself to be alone with Sylus for too long.

You looked back at your list, proud of the relatively easy steps to follow. This should be a cakewalk. Whoever said you couldn’t be the master of your own feelings clearly never met you. 

“Boss needs you in his office. He says bring your laptop.” Kiernan’s voice broke your focus. You were almost finished with the end of year report for this financial year, a task Sylus forced you to complete annually. It was meaningless, considering Onychinus wasn’t necessarily a legitimate business listed on the stock exchange, but you took it seriously nonetheless. 

“Okay, I’ll be right there.” You felt Kiernan’s eyes bore into you as you continued to make minor edits to the report. You’d sleep so much better once this 180 page document was out of your life. 

“He needs you now, Y/N. We’re both toast if you make him wait.” You sighed and couldn’t help but roll your eyes at Sylus’s lack of empathy for your large workload. 

You berated your past self for being so eager for this role, completing far too many tasks far too quickly, and setting the precedent that you were some sort of accounting machine. You really should learn to stick to the bare minimum. 

You walked over to the door leading to his office, and gave it a soft rap with your knuckles. The door opened by itself, or rather with the help of Sylus’s evol, to the sight of him leaning back in his chair, with Miss Hunter sitting directly in front of him on his desk.

Step 3 of your guide felt less like a friendly reminder and more like a stab in the gut. Think of corner-shop man. Think of corner-shop man. Think of corner-shop man.

“We don’t have all day, sit down, Y/N.” Sylus’s command woke you from your trance, and you hoped your envy wasn’t as obvious as you thought it was. 

This was the first time you’d seen Miss Hunter up close, and when your eyes travelled to meet hers, she gave you a warm smile. You felt like the shittiest person to exist for ever hating her.

Your eyes scanned the room for somewhere to sit. The chairs opposite his seemed like they would intrude on the intimate moment he was clearly having with Miss Hunter, so you settled on an armchair in the corner that had a coffee table in front of it. 

Sylus sighed and didn’t even bother to ask you to move before he used his evol to whisk you up and deposit your body onto the chair at his table like a rag doll. You hated when he used his evol on you, it felt like the arms of a prickly cactus. 

“In a few minutes, I’ll be getting a phone call from a possible investor. He’s extremely exclusive and known for running tests on his potential partners before agreeing to invest with them. My intel suggests he’s going to propose a joint project, but the numbers he’ll give me will be far off. I need to counter-propose numbers that would generate a high return and quickly, or he’ll hang up and I’ll never hear from him again. So, open up your laptop and prepare, because if you tank this for me, there will no longer be a place for you here. Understood?”

When Sylus did things like that, it made it easier to love him a little less. He could be a complete and utter dick sometimes, and while you’d learned to accept it as a human flaw, recently it seemed more like a permanent predisposition. 

Perhaps Sylus was nice to you because you were entertaining, now that he had someone better to occupy his time, you were nothing more than a forgotten bygone. 

“Yeah, I got it.” You opened up an excel sheet with a project analysis template. These were the types of questions you’d get in your first year accounting courses but you let Sylus think it was much harder than it actually was — just to make him sweat. 

When the phone rang, Sylus’s muscles grew tense and Miss Hunter gave him a comforting squeeze on his shoulder. You bit your lip to hide the sudden scowl on your face. Think of corner-shop man. Think of corner-shop man. Think of corner-shop man.

Your eyes bore into your excel sheet with an intensity that would’ve produced laser beams in an alternate reality. You focused entirely on the calculations, listening intently to the brassy voice of the investor on the phone. 

It didn’t take you long to generate the minimum initial investment they’d need to generate some form of return, as well as the payback period. You wrote the numbers down on a notepad, and you let him do the rest. 

When you heard the investor let out a humorous ‘I’m impressed’ you packed up your laptop and left the room without so much as a wave. You felt Sylus and Miss Hunter’s eyes follow you out of the room, but you didn’t bother looking back.

You felt the thin line between love and hate begin to grow blurry. Where Sylus was concerned, your feelings were as clear as the muddy water in a swamp. Maybe two and a half months was too much time. You needed these feelings gone expeditiously. 

You decided to take your lunch early, and you left the extravagant mansion that doubled as HQ to find your bike. You couldn’t really afford a car, or a license, but your bright yellow bike could do everything a car could for a fraction of the price. You were in the process of strapping up your helmet when Luke walked up. 

“What’s up with you lately?” His question was inevitable. You wondered how long it would take for someone to notice that you were fighting internal battles on every front. Your mother’s health, Sylus’s sudden chronic asshole syndrome flareup, your dwindling bank account. 

“Nothing, I’ve just been tired.”

“Well, we’re having a few friends over tonight. Just a small group, if you’re not too tired, you should come.” Luke was the more sociable twin, and he was most likely extending this invitation to you out of pity, but you’d take anything over being trapped in your own mind. 

“Will there be alcohol?” You quipped.

“Duh.” Luke’s response brought the first genuine smile to your face in weeks. 

“I’ll be there.” After your agreement, you cycled away toward the corner shop for lunch.

It was a quaint bakery/deli run by a Turkish man who you knew on a first name basis. He was aged-like-fine-wine handsome. Features weathered tastefully by age, with a full head of hair that quelled your fears of your future children inheriting the early onset male pattern baldness gene. 

But when you entered the store and saw Mr Demir, there were no butterflies. Your heart didn’t skip a beat. Your hands didn’t even quiver as you paid for the sandwich. In fact, they were so steady you figured you could give Dr Zayne a run for his money. 

Speaking of Dr Zayne, his daily updates were growing scarcer in detail, and you were worried that something was wrong. He insisted he was just busy and since your mother had moved up to 93 on the transplant list, you let it slide. 

“You know you’re allowed to try the other sandwiches, right?” Mr Demir’s handsome face contorted into a teasing smile, and if he didn’t own this shop with his beautiful wife, you might’ve asked him to marry you then and there. 

“I like this one. Your family is very talented.” You smiled at him, but it seemed even he could tell that it wasn’t genuine.

“You’re getting skinnier you know, and you haven’t been coming as often. Is something wrong or are you cheating on me with a salad store?” His joke brought a giggle out of you. 

You never thought that people noticed you in a way that was significant. You felt as if you were akin to a missing bird poster on a telephone pole in the middle of a busy street. People would glance at it, remember how common and undistinguishable birds are, and forget it ever existed.

Mr Demir’s concern warmed your heart, and you promised that if you ever won the lottery, you would give him half. 

“I’ve just been cooking more, that’s all. Thank you Mr Demir, say hello to your wife for me!” You gave him a small wave as you exited the shop and the weight suffocating your chest was a little lighter.

Mr Demir’s family had boundless love to share, and while their shop was small, they were happy. Maybe things would work out for you and your mother after all. 

The rest of the workday passed by like a fever dream. You finally managed to complete the annual report, a copy of it sitting in Sylus’s email, surely unopened. He left soon after that phone call with Miss Hunter, you didn’t bother to ask where.

The mansion was empty when you turned off the last monitor, and you thought you’d start pre-gaming early. Sylus always warned all of you that his bar was off-limits unless he stated otherwise, but the man had so much alcohol, you doubted he’d ever notice. 

He only drank red wine and whiskey, and you hated wine, so you settled for an almost full bottle of whiskey. You took one sip and realised you couldn’t stand the taste either, but it was still better than the wine, so you chugged glass after glass like they were shots. 

The heavy alcohol burned your throat on the way down and continued to burn in your stomach, but the feeling kept you warm so you didn’t really mind. You’d consumed half the bottle by the time the twins returned with two other men and one girl following in suit.  

“Y/N! Good, you’re here. Help me set up the drinks on the table.” You nodded your head at Luke’s request, knowing your speech would likely be slurred. 

You helped him line up the bottles of cheap tequila, vodka, fireball and a fear-inducing amount of absinthe. These cheap spirits were much more your speed.

“Alright, we’re starting with truth or dare. Pick your poison and sit around the coffee table.” Kiernan’s announcement had everyone scattering around the coffee table with cups in hand. You opted for the fireball, too scared to mix alcohol this early in the night. 

You recognised everyone from another one of the twin’s impromptu parties. They only ever threw them when they were sure Sylus would be gone overnight. You didn’t let yourself dwell on where he was or who he was with. 

The game was more entertaining than you expected, everyone had interesting questions, and when it came to dares, the twins always had something sadistic in mind. 

It was your turn when they decided to up the stakes. You were already wasted, so you committed to answering whatever question they pummelled at you. 

“Truth.”

“You’re so boring, you always pick truth.” Luke whined, his arm shaking yours in protest.

“That’s because I’m scared of your dares.”

Luke rolled his eyes but conceded.

“Fine. How many people have you slept with?”

All conversations came to a stifling halt as everyone’s eyes landed on you. Far too embarrassed to tell 5 people you barely knew that you were still a virgin, you changed your answer. There was nothing to be ashamed of, but you knew the twins would mercilessly make fun of you, and you didn't have the energy to explain that between the constant pressure to succeed for your mother, and her eventual illness, your love life had been placed on the back-burner.

“Dare.”

“You know the rules, if you switch options and refuse to do it, you have to finish everyone’s drinks.”

“Yeah, yeah. Hit me.” You glared at Luke with determination. You should’ve known that when everyone was this drunk, the dares could only get progressively more outrageous.

“I dare you to call Sylus and tell him you crashed his McLaren.” Luke looked proud of his dare, and the smile dropped from your face instantly. 

Even Kiernan’s eyes flashed with concern before he broke out into an obnoxious laugh.

“Oh- Holy shit! That’s gold.” The words left Kieran’s mouth in-between his laughter. Everyone around the table looked at you eagerly.

You knew if you finished off everyone’s cups you’d definitely die, or worse, throw up. 

“Fine.” Too drunk to realise the implications of what you were doing, you dialled Sylus. There was also the chance he just didn’t pick up, but four and a half rings later his annoyed voice resounded through the speaker of your phone. 

“What is it?” From the sound of Sylus’s tone, you’d interrupted something important. You bit down the bitter feelings that threatened to spill out, and stuck to the objective.

“I have something to tell you, but you have to promise you won’t get mad.” There was no universe in which Sylus couldn’t tell you were drunk.

In all honesty, your phone call was a welcome reprieve from his mind-numbingly boring conversation with Linkon’s politicians. He’d offered to attend this event with MC with little thought as to what it would pertain. His eyes raked over her baby pink dress, and since he couldn’t get her out of it just yet, he entertained your drunk rambling.

“I don’t have to do anything.” Sylus expected you to apologise, but all he heard was a sound foreign to him. Were you laughing? Sylus heard indecipherable voices in the background, and he found himself wondering who was making you laugh. 

“True. Okay well, you know that dark grey sports car you love soooooooooooo much?” Nice going, Y/N, remind him just how much he loves this car. You thought. The phone was on speaker, per the requests of the fellow attendees. 

Everyone bit back laughs at the situation which was extremely unfunny to anyone with a blood alcohol level under 0.05. 

“What did you do?” Sylus’s question had a deadly underpinning, but you couldn’t bring yourself to care.

“I crashed it!” At your exclamation, the room exploded in laughter, and you muted the microphone quickly before Sylus could hear it.

“You crashed it?”

You quickly unmuted to add. “Yup! Absolutely totalled.”

“Are you okay? Where are you? I’m coming.” 

The laughter immediately died down. That was not how he was supposed to react, not at all. 

Luke and Kiernan gestured for you to shut it down and you quickly began to backtrack.

“No! No you don’t have to come home. I’m fine. It was just a prank.”

“Oh, so you’re at my place?” ShitShitShitShitShit.

“Yes… The twins and I had too much to drink and we thought it would be funny to prank you. I’m sorry, I really shouldn’t have interrupted your night.”

You braced yourself for the angry lecture on how Sylus’s time was more valuable the rarest ruby, but it never came.

“Just you and the twins, right?”

Luke and Kiernan gestured for you to agree.

“Yes.”

“You should probably call an exorcist.” Were you drunk or did he actually just tell you to call an exorcist?

“Huh?” Everyone in the room looked just as perplexed.

“You know, since those three other people in my living room must be apparitions.” 

“You didn’t rig the camera?” Kiernan’s shrill scream was definitely registered by the phone’s mic. 

“Fuck! I forgot.” Luke exclaimed in response as they scrambled to pack everything up. 

“Um…” With everyone frantically running around the room, you were left to deal with Sylus’s wrath alone.

“How come you never laugh when you’re with me?” And with that question you were convinced the alcohol had induced auditory hallucinations.

“You’re not very funny.” You decided to play along, after all, imaginary Sylus was much more fun than the real one.

“Hmm, I thought I was.”

“Nope. All your jokes end in someone dying, and usually that someone is me.”

“Oh, sweetheart, those aren’t jokes.” That was something real Sylus would say. Damn, these auditory hallucinations were realistic.

“I know, I really thought you were going to kill me last week.” You let out an involuntary snort at the hilarious image of your head on a pike. 

“Why’s that?”

“Because I screwed up that wire transfer to Miss Hunter. You were soooo mad. You must reaaaalllyyyy like her.”

“I guess I do.” The line went quiet on both ends after that. 

This auditory hallucination was no fun following his confession, so you hung up. Sylus called a few times after, but you never noticed. The room began spinning and your eyes began watering, so you curled up on the floor until your head stopped pounding, but by then you were fast asleep.

Sylus returned to his mansion the next morning to find your office empty. It was still an hour before you were due to start, but you were always early. 

With an internal promise to check again in an hour, he walked toward the living room. It didn’t take long before he noticed a mop of light brown hair on his rug.

He walked toward your sleeping form with indignation, only to find every ounce of anger sucked out of him when he knelt down to find your sleeping face. 

He hadn’t been that close to you in what felt like forever. Was your face always that pale? His eyes caressed your under eye bags, and your hollow cheeks. He could’ve sworn they were fuller when he hired you. What happened to you? 

Before Sylus could give in to the urge to wake you up and ask, your phone made a sound from the coffee table. He picked it up and saw you were getting a call from Zayne.

Who the fuck was Zayne?

He answered the phone before he could think it through.

“Oh, Y/N, good. I’ve been trying to reach you since last night.”

“You should’ve taken the hint.” Sylus couldn’t help the bite in his tone. He wasn’t sure why he was so angry at this Zayne, but his emotions were beginning to confuse him more often than he cared to admit.

“Who’s this?”

Sylus could’ve said that he was your boss. He should’ve said that he was your boss. But what he said instead…

“Y/N’s mine.” His employee, but that distinction didn’t seem necessary in the moment.

“Well, could you tell her to call me back as soon as possible. I have urgent news about her mother.”

The comment about her mother perplexed Sylus even more. 

“Who are you?”

“I’m her mother’s heart surgeon. I have to go, have her call me soon.” Sylus felt stupid for the unnecessary show of hostility, but he only had more questions following Zayne’s answer.

It seemed the conversation was enough to wake you up from your slumber, and the moment you registered your surroundings, the headache you had was amplified tenfold. Your muscles hurt from sleeping on the hard floor, and you were sure your legs had morphed into jelly. 

You were never drinking again.

“Well hello, sleeping beauty.” Sylus watched as you groggily rubbed your eyes. The right side of your face had an indent matching the pattern of his rug, and your hair was dishevelled. He couldn’t help but smile at the sight.

“Sylus. I’m so sorry.” You spoke through a yawn before cradling your head in your hands. The world needed to stop spinning.

Sylus shoved an open bottle of water in your face, and you greedily snatched the peace offering before he had time to change his mind.

“Zayne called, said he had some news about your mother.”

You shot straight up, spilling some water in the process.

“What did he say? Where’s my phone?” You glanced at large Sylus’s hand which was wrapped around said phone. If you weren’t so worried about your mother, you might’ve found the sight of Sylus holding something covered in a floral case amusing. Powering through the piercing pain in your temple, you held your hand out.

“Please give it back.” 

“What’s wrong with your mother?”

“Please Sylus, I can’t do this right now.” You tried to lunge for the phone, but he was faster. Raising his hand above his head and well out of your reach. 

“You’ll have this back once you answer my question.”

“She has the flu. Now give it back.” You jumped up in a feeble attempt to retrieve the phone, but he was just so goddamn tall. 

“I didn’t know flu treatment protocol involved heart surgery now. Guess I need to brush up on the latest medical news.” His sardonic tone made you scoff. Only Sylus could be such a dick while your mother's life was in limbo.

Curse Dr Zayne and his blabbermouth. 

If it wasn’t for the severe hangover, you might’ve been able to think of an explanation. But you were so nervous you felt sick and you needed to know the news Dr Zayne had.

“Fine. She needs a heart transplant, she’s on coronary bypass and if she doesn’t get a heart soon she’ll die. Is that good enough for you?” You continued to try to reach the phone, not bothering to check Sylus’s reaction to your confession. 

He dropped the phone in your hand and you all but sprinted out of the living room to make the phone call.

The line rang once, twice, three times before Zayne picked up.

“Y/N?”

“Yes! What’s wrong? Is my mom okay? Tell me she’s okay.”

“Slow down, she’s alive, but she had a cardiac event. Not a heart attack, but it still did some damage. Her condition is worse, much worse, Y/N. I’m sorry.” 

Your back slumped against the wall of the hallway and you felt your knees give in as you slid to the floor. 

“How long does she have?” The tears streaming down your face fell onto your shirt, leaving uncomfortable wet spots in their wake.

“A few weeks, a month’s top. But this did move her to the top of the list. She might get a transplant in time.” Zayne must have heard the sadness in your voice if he’d offered words of encouragement. He never did that. 

“Thank you. I’m going to come see her.”

“I’ll get the nurses to bring in an extra bed. I’ll see you soon, Y/N.”

You couldn’t bring yourself to respond so you hung up instead. The pain in your head was now but a mere memory as your heart began to splinter into a million little pieces. 

There was so much you still had to do. You needed to buy your mom her first ever house, and help her plant the prettiest flowers in the garden. You had to get her the dog she always dreamed about and the outdoor swing she missed from her childhood home. She still had to walk you down the aisle and sing your future children the lullabies she sang to you. She couldn’t go. Not yet. 

You didn’t even notice Sylus enter the hallway until you felt him sitting down next to you. He wove an arm behind your head, bringing your face into his chest. The intimacy of the act only made you cry harder. The last person to hold you that close was your mom, a few days before she’d collapsed. 

“It hurts.” You choked on your words and they came out muffled against Sylus’s chest.

“What hurts?” He asked. 

“My heart. It really hurts, Sylus.” You sobbed harder. It felt good to finally admit that you weren’t okay. To have someone hold you as your life fell apart around you. 

“Tell me what to do, Y/N. Anything.”

“Can I have some time off?” You took deep breaths as you tried to slow your crying down. You could break down once you reached the other side of this tumultuous predicament. 

The humble request drove Sylus insane. He’d offer you his own heart to save your mother if he wasn’t sure it was severely damaged, and all you could think to ask for was time off. 

“Of course.”

“Can you give me a ride to Linkon?” 

That request was a little better, but still not enough. 

“I’ll take you now, come on.”

“No wait, I need to go home and pack some things. I’ll be back in an hour.”

“You know you can still get a DUI on a pedal bike, right?”

“I’m not drunk.”

“But there’s still alcohol in your system, and you’re very upset. It won’t be safe, I’ll take you home on the way. Let’s go.” He stood up, his hand outstretched toward you. 

And with a heavy heart, you took Sylus’s hand.

[reiyaus]

fem reader intended

fiancé gojo who shocked the jujutsu higher ups when he revealed his engagement to you, a grade 1 sorceress with no relation to any big 3 clans. imagine their surprise when he decides to get married out of love and not just to create a heir.

fiancé gojo who teaches with you at jujutsu high and is the reason why you can barely arrive to classes on time. with his pouty face and insanely toned biceps trapping you in his hold, who are you to say no?

fiancé gojo who whines when you actually leave him to teach your students, feigning offence when megumi shoots him a disgusted glare.

fiancé gojo who often joins in on your lessons when he starts feeling lonely, acting as if he were your actual student. your annoyingly smart A+ student who does nothing but brag about his intelligence.

fiancé gojo who likes to text you and send silly voice messages no matter the situation. picture satoru replaying his minute-long burp vm in front of the jujutsu higher ups so that he makes sure you can laugh at it (spoiler: all you feel is disappointment).

fiancé gojo who thinks it’s absolutely hilarious to flaunt his engagement and watch the irritation on their faces turn into pure horror. because for gojo, flaunting means interrupting you mid-sentence to practically make out for a minute straight.

fiancé gojo who asks everyday, “should we have our wedding now?” and sighs dramatically when you tell him to be patient. not that he’s actually mad, though. he likes the giddyness he feels while counting down to your wedding date.

fiancé gojo who drowns you in affection and praise after every mission, crying his heart out (jokingly) about how he felt like an abandoned princess waiting for her prince to come back from war.

fiancé gojo who, deep down, thanks the skies above that you get to come home safely everytime. and while he’s a jokester, all the ‘missing you’ parts in his sob stories were true. because while he knew you were strong, the lingering worry of you running into something way stronger bit his ass everytime.

fiancé gojo who indulges himself in your warmth, ignoring every single notification his phone pings out.

fiancé gojo who has a hold on you so secure, even during sleep, that you have to wake him up before he presses on your bladder any further. now you have to deal with his complaints of “do you not love me anymore? Is that why you let go? you’re so mean!”

fiancé gojo who shuts up when you offer to wash his greasy hair, immediately situating himself in front of you and leaning into every single touch you place on his head.

fiancé gojo who ends up getting you wet and makes a stupid excuse so that you can bathe together. no matter how difficult, the feeling of your skin against his was enough to get him through the day.

fiancé gojo who settles your back on his chest, lifting your arm to trace “satoru 🤍 [name] 4eva”. what a cutie.

fiancé gojo who genuinely can’t wait until he sees you walk down the aisle, exchange the vows he’s been working on since you first met, shamelessly give you the most passionate kiss ever (in front everyone you know and love), and officially get the privilege of calling you his wifey.

[comatosebunny09]

drowning | sylus

— summary: sometimes, you don’t realize you’re drowning until it’s too late. he’s always there to throw you a life preserver when you need it. — cw: depression, anxiety, self-deprecating thoughts, mild angst, comfort, mild language, sylus is a big ol’ softie — notes: i felt heavy today. i needed to escape to my delusions to get through it. thanks for reading. — now playing: chaconne - enhypen

You, but refusing to get out of bed because the world’s too heavy a burden to bear right now. 

You try to encourage yourself to at least shower—you smell like depression and yesterday’s outside clothes. Sometimes, that’s enough to lift your spirits. The motivation of a warm spray unfurling the knots in your shoulders. 

You try to force yourself to get up and eat—you like to eat. Your stomach’s screaming at you. You haven’t had shit since lunch yesterday, and it feels like something’s sinking its claws into your stomach and pulling down. 

But that’s not enough to get you out of bed. It’s the safest place for you right now. It doesn’t ask questions, doesn’t doubt you, doesn’t admonish you for the one wrong thing you do against twenty other rights. And you’re bundled up like a little sulking burrito in your comforter, refusing to do more than turn over and pray for sleep to tug you under.

However, sleep’s lulling embrace never comes,

Your thoughts are too much to deal with. Everything is too much. Caving in. You know it’s best for you to be around people. To reach out, but you’ll feel even shittier for dumping your problems on your friends, no matter how much they tell you they’re more than happy to listen. No matter how much you try to solve everyone else’s problems for them. 

Besides, you don’t want to look weak. You hate it when people worry about you. You’re a pillar of strength for most everyone in your life. How are you going to take care of everyone else when you can’t even get yourself together?

Your phone buzzes by your pillow for the umpteenth time. You squint against its brightness, the jarring blue light the only source of color in your dark room. You have no sense of time. Don’t have to look at your screen to know he’s calling you again. 

You’ve been avoiding him like a sickness since you got off work yesterday—another person you don’t want to drag into your caldron of misery. 

You shove your phone under your pillow after silencing it, cocooning yourself deeper into your blanket and the turmoil of your mind. You’ll be better tomorrow, you promise. You always snap back after a day or two. Then you’re back to being the bright and obnoxious source of optimism everyone knows and loves.

You’ll talk to him later. When you’re better and not a husk of yourself, and your stomach isn’t empty while your brain is too full. 

Too bad he has no intention of waiting for you to get your shit together.

Your bedroom door creaks open. 

You turn away from it, curling up into a little hissing ball as the artificial light of your hallway spills in. Your thick, shag rug swallows the sounds of weighted footsteps. They near the edge of your bed, and you shut your eyes tight, receding further into your comforter.

A tongue clicks in disdain, a heavy presence looming over you. Your stomach lurches when the familiar drag of his voice permeates through the comforter.

“So this is where you’ve been hiding.” There’s a note of humor buried deep beneath the chiding, the concern.

You stiffen in response. He takes your silence as his cue to carry on with making you feel even shittier.

“Is there a reason you’ve been more difficult to get a hold of than the President?”

You flinch as if physically struck. You hate when he talks to you like that. Like there’s a lecture churning in the clouds, rolling over the horizon.

You swallow, realizing how fucking dry your throat is. Your lips quiver, struggling to form around words, also cracked and crusted with small flecks of blood. When’s the last time you had water?

“Go away,” you meekly manage.

The room’s other occupant huffs something offended. “I came all this way to check on you, and this is how you repay me? Your ability to discard me when you no longer find me useful is…assuring.”

You release a weighted sigh. Shaky. You don’t intend to be mean. You just…don’t want him to see you like this. Especially not him. 

You spend some time in thick silence, listening to your heart thrum. And it is then you realize it’s raining outside. He came all this way in the rain? Well, fuck. 

Your mattress dips under his weight. A gentle hand falls onto your ankle, thumb smoothing over the jut of bone there through layers of goose feather. You hear him swallow. Picture him, a hulking mass of silver and intimidation, trying to approach you without exacerbating things.

“Sweetie, what’s wrong?” he asks, cautious like you’re a cornered animal he’s afraid to scare off. 

Your stomach pulls. Again, you despise sympathy. Making people fret over you, especially when it’s him. You’ve spent most of your life fending for yourself. Putting on this fake mask of optimism. He’s got his own things to worry about without you adding one more hardship to his life.

You remain silent, and he presses. Spindly fingers crawl beneath the comforter, seeking out the smooth glide of your skin. Your calf. He rubs soothingly. Your instincts tell you to pull away, but the warmth of his palm is grounding—an anchor in the face of a tidal wave threatening to wash you away.

“Talk to me. Please. I haven’t heard from you all night. Not a word today. I tried to give you space. But I was worried.”

And there it is. The nail driven into the coffin.

It’s not intentional, but you sink deeper regardless, that gnarling feeling twisting up your gut. A warm film of tears washes over your eyes. You tamp it down, shove away the frustration. Your voice strains.

“I’m alright, Sy. Just tired.”

You feel him turn on the bed, his knee nudging your back. His hand slides to your hip where he kneads it between careful fingers. 

“I don’t believe that.”

You scoff, the sound of it sticky. Of course, he doesn’t. You can’t fool him. He’s too smart for his own good. Sometimes knows you better than you know yourself.

Before you can think, he’s curling around you. Notches his pelvis up against your bottom, tangling your legs together, dragging you closer against the hard press of his body, into the circle of his arms. You owlishly blink as he slots his chin in the junction of your shoulder. Want to laugh because you’re a complicated mess of limbs and bedsheets. 

You smell him even through the thick layers of your comforter. He smells like petrichor, spring, and stale cologne. The warmth he exudes is dizzying. Comforting, causing your lids to grow heavy. 

He breathes deep behind you. Hums low in his throat, voice vibrating your back and playing up your spine like a xylophone. You contemplate wriggling out of his embrace. You don’t deserve his sympathy—his pity. But his embrace around your middle is possessive as if to convey, I’m right here and I’m not going anywhere. 

“You don’t have to tell me what’s on your mind,” he says, voice steeping low, gritty like sand caught between your toes after a day on the beach. He presses full lips against the slope of your jaw. 

“But know that whatever storm you’re weathering, you don’t have to endure it alone.”

That’s the dam-breaker.

Tears spring to your eyes faster than you can think. A bitter sob forces its way past your lips. Why does he have to be so fucking sweet?

He holds you tighter as your body shakes. As you let go of everything you’ve been holding in for the past few months. Strokes reassurance into your stomach with his thumbs, nuzzling further into the hollow of your shoulder. Whispers words of encouragement and it’s alright’s in between your hiccups and apologies.

He doesn’t let go even long after your tears have dried up, and the rain’s let up outside. You feel sleep nipping at your psyche, at the edges of your vision. Maybe you just needed a good cry to tire you out. Open up those floodgates of contaminated water you’ve been fighting to contain. 

But before you sink under, your boyfriend softly murmurs in your ear, “Ah ah ah. I bet you haven’t showered all day. I can smell it.”

You reach back to pinch his hip, a scowl screwing up your face as his chest shakes with affectionate laughter. You roll your eyes and wrench yourself free of his embrace. Snatch the blanket off your head—it was getting hot under there, anyway. 

Sylus moves to the edge to draw you between his legs, a disarming smile cresting over his lips as he holds you at the waist. “There’s my girl,” he croons, pressing your foreheads together. Kisses you quick, but it's enough to leave you breathless. 

You let him lead you to your bathroom to wash up. He leaves you to your own devices as the shower’s comforting spray washes over your skin. You lather up with your favorite body wash, the scent working as a soothing balm over your nerves. 

He has your favorite robe and slippers waiting for you when you get out. Sits you on top of the toilet to dry your hair off. Maybe he uses a little too much leave-in conditioner, but he’s smiling all fond as he detangles your hair the way you taught him before taking his time blowdrying your hair. 

He drags you into your kitchen for your favorite takeout. Entertains you with stories about the twins running him ragged. When you’re full and laughing and your cheeks ache from smiling so much, he holds you in your bed until your eyes grow heavy again. Hums something lucid, raspy. 

“Sy,” you say with your back to him, voice weighed with sleep.

“Hmm? Yes, sweetheart?” he replies, lazily pulling at some strands of your hair. It feels good, pushing you further under. 

“Thank you.”

You hear the smile in his voice. “Of course, sweetheart. Anything for you.”

[himbodruid]

Primal Pull

Rafayel x Reader

CW: Rafayel in rut, breeding kink, Lemurian knot, i’m purposefully embarrassing Thomas again

INTENDED FOR 18+ READERS. MINORS DNI.

⋆.ೃ࿔*:𓇼⋆.ೃ࿔*:⋆ ೃ࿔*:𓇼⋆.ೃ࿔*:⋆

Something was off. You couldn’t tell what it was, but there was something in the way that adrenaline seemed to course through you without reason, coiling tight around your chest. It was like your nervous system was certain it was being hunted for sport, except with undertones of…something that you couldn’t really pinpoint.

You took the day off as a result. Focusing on work would be impossible with the amount of distraction thrumming through you. A shiver wracked you suddenly and aggressively, and you had a passing thought that maybe you were getting sick. You cocooned yourself in your blankets, curling back in bed. It wasn’t until early evening that you fully roused yourself.

With an over exaggerated groan, you rolled over in bed and retrieved your phone. Lighting up the screen, you saw missed calls from Thomas. Listening to the series of voicemails he left, a smile alighted on your face. Something about Rafayel being a moody booty, and Thomas asking you to go to his house and deal with him so that their deadline wouldn’t be missed. The way Thomas always seemed to rely on you to make Rafayel be cooperative made you laugh. It’d basically become a game to you. Even better was the fact that you could always seem to bully Rafayel into doing what needed to be done.

With an amused huff, you dragged yourself out of bed and readied yourself. Showered and dressed, you felt better than when you first woke up, but there was still a hint of something unsettled in you. The cute new dress you wore was one you’ve wanted to wear for a while, but the weather never permitted. It was still cloudy, but the persistent rain finally ceased the night before. It was just too bad the skirt was too short to ride your motorcycle to Rafayel’s villa. Ah, well. You win some, you lose some.

The closer you got to the villa, the more it felt like something was pulling you to him. It wasn’t painful, actually the opposite. Like the distance allowed for slack in the tether, easing the tension in the rope and uncoiling it from your chest. When you reached his doorstep, you felt like you were finally able to breathe easier, and the relief was a curious sensation.

The door was unlocked, which suggested to you that Rafayel was home. However, when you entered his home and called out for him, he didn’t respond. Concern knit your brow as you pressed further into the house.

You found him easily, sitting on the couch in his studio. Sitting was a loose definition, as really he was slumped and leaning heavily into the back of the couch, an arm draped over his face where his head rested on the back of the couch. Your heart lurched painfully at the thought that he might be hurt, so you rushed forward.

“Rafayel?” You question, removing his arm from across his face, which was flushed deeply. He kept his eyes closed, scrunching up his face at the intrusion of moonlight splashing across his face. You reached out to cup his cheek, attempting to rouse him further, and noticed that his scales stood out against his skin. Heat radiated from him, as though he had a fever, and you relaxed ever so slightly. Not an injury, thankfully, but this situation felt awfully familiar.

“Cutie,” he groaned pitifully, turning his face to nuzzle into your hand. “You shouldn’t be here.”

“Nonsense, you should have someone taking care of you when you’re sick,” you say, trying to gauge his temperature with your hand. He made it difficult when his face kept chasing your touch. Then he grabbed your wrist, bringing your hand back down to cup his cheek. He inhaled deeply at your wrist, and you were reminded of a night long since past. A night where he went insane over a silly perfume. Well, you definitely weren’t wearing that perfume at this moment, yet his reaction was nearly identical.

“You should leave,” he urged, his lips brushing your wrist in a feather-light touch. “While I’m still in the right frame of mind to let you go.”

“Don’t be dumb, I’m not gonna leave you like this,” you say, pinching his cheek gently. He attempted to pout, but it fell flat and he dropped his head against the back of the sofa with a breathy groan.

“You don’t understand,” he whined. You waited for him to elaborate, but he didn’t. So you settled onto the couch beside him, knee knocking against his thigh.

“Okay? So, help me understand,” you press. And then a thought comes to you, your eyes following the glimmering trail of scales on his neck and dusting his cheeks. No wonder you thought it felt familiar. “Wait, is it Ebb Day again, already?”

“I wish it was that simple,” he mumbled. “That I can at least sleep through. This is way more embarrassing.”

“There’s nothing embarrassing about being sick,” you say, nudging his shoulder. He inhaled sharply when your hand made contact with his skin. And it was no wonder; it felt like an electric current coursed through you from every contact point you had with him.

He turned his head away from you, mumbling something you couldn’t quite hear. The only part you could make out was “I’m not sick”, so you poked at him until he repeated it louder. You weren’t sure how it was possible, but it seemed as though his face was somehow even more red.

“I’m going through a rut, and I’ve never experienced it before,” he grumbled.

“Oh, that’s not so bad, then. Everyone gets stuck in a rut every now and then,” you say, stroking his arm in what you hoped was a reassuring way.

Rafayel barked a laugh, the sudden sound at odds with the quiet ambiance of the room. A kind of laugh you’d never heard from him before. He rolled his face back to you, the mirth sparkling in those oceanic eyes. He reached a hand up to cup your cheek, running the pad of his thumb along the edge of your lower lip. Your breath hitched, his touch paired with the intensity of his gaze stirring something in you.

“Miss Bodyguard,” he chuckled again. “My darling.”

Your brows drew down in confusion. “What?”

The smile falling from his face was the only warning you got. He sat up abruptly, leaning into you and crushing his lips against yours.This kiss was far different than ones you’d shared previously. Gone was the soft sensuality that you were accustomed to, in its place a hunger so great that your very essence was devoured with every stroke of his tongue against yours.

When he finally broke away from you, he pressed his forehead against yours. Shaky breaths mingled between you, and you all but melted against him during the contact. Your hands rested against his neck to cup the base of his head, threading your fingers into his hair. The rough texture of his scales scraped lightly against your palm, heightening your awareness of him.

“When a Lemurian finds their mate,” he breathes, pausing to kiss you again. “We sometimes experience a full body pull to them. Like some primal instinct takes over, and…well.”

He didn’t finish his thought, instead taking your hand and dragging it down the length of his body until it landed…oh. It was your turn to flush, the moan he released sinking into you when your hand came into contact with his hardened length. You hadn’t even noticed his tented trousers when you entered the room, but everything came into sharp focus now.

“So…when you say ‘rut’…you don’t mean…artistically,” you say, feeling your face redden further with every word. Yet, you didn’t remove your hand. His palm fell on your bare knee, your knee that was pressed into his thigh. Heat blazed in his touch, and he trembled with the effort of restraint.

“Yeah,” he whined, burying his face against your neck and inhaling deeply. His breath was let out in a shaky gust, lips drifting across your skin. “Your scent…it’s everywhere.”

You gripped his cock through the fabric, earning a moan from him. He shifted his hips, pressing into your touch further. You tugged at his hair to bring his mouth back to yours, taking up his lips in the same kind of crushing kiss he started with. Tongues tangled and danced, hands roamed, and you could feel a rightness settle in you. Like this was exactly what you needed to happen when you woke up.

Rafayel’s hand moved up your thigh, dipping under the hem of your skirt. Shivers wracked your body until his advance stopped at your hip. His touch was like fire, and it ignited something deep inside you. It coiled in you, low in your belly. It was like that thread from earlier, the one pulling you to Rafayel, curled in anticipation.

You felt your bodice slacken, realizing his other hand snuck up to slowly pull the zipper down. With a small chuckle, you helped him by shrugging out of the bodice until you were bare to him from the waist up. With a heady moan, he hauled you into his lap and latched onto one of your breasts. You sucked in a breath, arching into him and gripping at his hair. His tongue swirled against you nipple, teeth scraping against your flesh every now and then. The sensations shot through you, sending a pulse to your core where it was pressed against his length.

“Rafayel,” you moaned, shifting your hips to grind on him. “I need you.”

He groaned, swinging you around so that you now lay under him. Your legs were wrapped firmly around his waist, ensuring he couldn’t leave even if he wanted to.

“Cutie,” he breathed, looking at you intently. “Are you sure?”

“Yes,” you respond, firmly pulling him down atop you and taking the opportunity to unbutton his shirt. “As sure as I ever will be with anything.”

“I don’t think-“ he huffed, interrupting his own sentence with a hard kiss.

“I will be able to be gentle,” he finally finished when he came up for air. He sat back on his heels, pulling his shirt off. Then you helped him slide your dress down your legs before he settled over you once more.

“I’m not asking you to be gentle,” you say, slanting your mouth back over his again. The fabric of his trousers strained to contain him, and you reached between your bodies to flick open the button to free him. Taking him in hand, you stroked him and devoured the moans he released into your mouth. His hips jerked forward to chase your grip whenever your hand got too close to the tip of his cock, as though he were afraid you’d stop. Root to tip, you stroked him over and over, his ceaseless moans growing louder.

Distracted by the sensation of your hand wrapped around his cock, his lips hovered over yours. It allowed you to watch his expressions; how his brows drew down, how his nose scrunched adorably, how his jaw clenched while trying to hold back his moans. And the relax of those features as he gave in to the waves of pleasure.

With a guttural cry and stuttering thrusts of his hips, you felt him spill against your stomach. You kept your grip on him, feeling the pulsing throb of his cock as his climax washed over him. A feeling you couldn’t name swelled in you, a sort of satisfaction at bringing the beautiful man atop you to completion with just your touch.

“Mmh, Cutie,” he said, his voice taking on a huskier quality. “I’m just gonna apologize now if I get too rough with you, but you make it very hard to hold back.”

“So don’t hold back, give me everything you have,” you say, shimmying under him to remove your underwear. He sat back on his heels again to look at you, drinking in every curve and detail. His hand splayed on your stomach, spreading the mess he made there with an aroused huff. Then he used those fingers to dip into your slicked folds, curling them just inside. He watched your reaction to his touch with those damnable eyes that were half-lidded with unrestrained desire.

And then he…oh, fuck. He removed those fingers from you, lifting them to his mouth and tasting your arousal mixed with his release. He groaned, eyes fluttering closed as bliss spread across his face. It was a sight that would be seared into your brain, and you weren’t certain how you’d be able to face him normally ever again with that memory constantly rolling in your head.

When he opened his eyes again, you noted a faint blue glow to them. His gaze locked onto yours, and you had a feeling he wasn’t all Rafayel, but also something other. It reminded you of your brush with the Sea God, but you felt no fear. Only a contentment that settled in you, a piece of something that was missing falling into place.

He kicked out of his trousers, not even breaking eye contact. When he settled back over you, his cock lay heavy and hot against your pelvis. It wasn’t the first time you wondered how he would fit inside you, but you knew very well that he would. It always amazed you how splendidly he filled you, and you squirmed in anticipation.

Hungry. It was the best way that you could describe the way that he devoured you. His mouth easily coaxed you open, the taste of you lingering on his tongue. The way that he thrust his tongue into your mouth was indicative of how he would plunder your body, a sort of foreshadowing.

He gathered your legs, setting them against his shoulders and effectively folding you in half. True to his words, there was nothing gentle about the way he plunged into you. He filled you with one swift stroke, sinking deep into you. He didn’t offer any time for your body to get used to him, instead taking to thrusting into you over and over. Not that you needed to adjust to him, anyway. Your body was ready and more than willing to take the full length of him without pause.

He slammed into you, grinding against you with every full forward thrust. Your moans mixed with his, rising to echo through the studio. All you could do was cling to him, digging your nails into his skin as he fucked you hard into the sofa cushions beneath you. He all but crushed you beneath him, using your willing body to drive himself towards release. Fuck, the sounds of him slamming into you propelled you towards madness. You needed more, needed him to take you deeper and harder than he already was.

“R-Ra..fayel,” you moaned into his mouth, which hovered low over yours. You weren’t even sure when the kiss ended, but all concentration turned to where you were connected below. You absorbed all of his moans, groans, and growls, his pleasure working to heightening your own.

“Ngh, fuck, when you say my name like that, Cutie,” he said, his hips snapping forward more forcefully. He set a punishing pace, each stroke of his cock bringing you closer to the edge at such a rapid pace.

“Rafayel,” you moan again, voice louder. He bucked into you at a frenzied tempo, barely pulling out before slamming back into you. The pressure with each strike was enough to send you hurtling over the edge without so much as a warning. You cried out his name over and over, a breathless chant even as he continued to thrust into you.

With a cry of his own, he plunged into you as deep as he could go. Searing heat filled you, overwhelming your cunt with every pulsing twitch of his cock. It was as though liquid fire was flooding you, but fuck if it didn’t feel so damn good. Your body drank him in, every lingering flutter of your cunt milking him for his every last drop.

“Mmh, don’t….don’t move,” he whimpers when you shift under him. “I’m sorry.”

Confusion pooled in you at his apology, followed by worry as he began to tremble. He kept you in place, his cock still buried deep in you. His face was still flushed, and the shimmery blue of his scales stood out in stark contrast. His eyes were clenched closed, and each breath he took sounded labored.

“I’m sorry,” he said again, voice strained. “I can’t stop it.”

You were just about to ask what “it” was when you felt….something. You weren’t really sure how to explain it, you weren’t even sure what was happening. But it felt as though Rafayel’s cock was somehow growing larger, stretching you further than your body was ready to accommodate. He murmured apologies and encouragement in your ear, slipping into Lemurian tongue the more he went. You flinched once at the sting, but it wasn’t anything you couldn’t handle. If anything, whatever it was that now locked Rafayel to you just aroused you all the more.

“Rafayel,” you begged, needing to feel him move inside you again. He whimpered, hips jerking at the breathy quality of your voice in his ear. He buried his face in your neck, nuzzling you and inhaling deeply.

He finally began moving in you again, much shorter thrusts that were constrained by whatever that bulge at the base of his cock was. He couldn’t pull from you, only the tiniest of movement was allowed by that knot, but it was enough. The stretch of him buried in you, the way he filled you. It was all too much and you felt your body begin to tremble before you could even feel the pleasure coil in your belly. Somehow, this climax was far more explosive than the first, and you threw your head back into the cushions below you while you cried out. You felt his release searing through you again, his guttural moans muffled with his face buried in your neck.

His body continued to jerk, a seemingly never ending orgasm just pumping into you. Even when it seemed like it would be over, his hips would jerk forward and start the process over again. You clung to him, your own release being ripped from you over and over until you were a trembling mess beneath him.

“Fuck, you feel so good,” he moaned against your neck. “I-I don’t know if I can stop.”

He took pity on you, releasing your legs from his hold to let you wrap them much more comfortably around his waist. The shift put new pressure on his cock, and he hissed in pleasure. It also made you much more aware of that bulged base of him, lodged tightly in place. It was just more of a reminder that Rafayel was far from human- not that it ever bothered you. Even more was that emblem blazed on his chest, a sigil that seemed to alight every time you engaged in some form of intimacy with each other.

Bathed in the light of the full moon, you lay intertwined with each other. You thought that perhaps whatever primal instinct had taken over Rafayel had abated, but you were sorely mistaken. He pumped himself into you with only the briefest of pauses between each shuttering climax. You lost count how many times his hips snapped forward, how many times your body shattered around him, how many times your voices joined each other in pleasured cries.

Dusk had long turned to night when his body finally released its vice grip on him and he was able to relax into you. The knot, or whatever it was, subsided and he collapsed on top of you. His breathing was ragged and you could feel his heart thundering. You stroked his sweat-slicked hair, working to steady your own breathing.

“I’m sorry,” he murmured again, nuzzling his head against your chest. “If I knew it was gonna be like that, I would’ve tried harder to send you away.”

“You have nothing to apologize for,” you reassured, kissing the crown of his hair. It was true, this was an experience with him that you wouldn’t trade for the world. You just wished you knew what triggered such a thing, so you could be better prepared for him should it happen again. Both of you were drenched in sweat from the exertion, but it seemed that his fever from earlier had disappeared. So had most of the scales and the ominous blue glow from his eyes.

“Come,” you said, determined to get him up and into a bath, with a pitcher of ice cold water shared between you. You nudged him, but he groaned and didn’t move.

“I already did. Way too many times, I might add.”

“Oh my god,” you say with a laugh, softly punching him in the shoulder.

“Yes?” He chuckled. You hit him in the shoulder again, and he laughed playfully. He grabbed your fist, placing a kiss on your knuckles. Then a quick kiss on your lips and he was sitting up. You mourned the loss of his weight over you, but thirst became too great a need to ignore any longer.

After chugging what felt like a gallon of water between the two of you, a bath was drawn and you were tucked in front of him in the hot water. Soreness already began to seep into your muscles, but you didn’t let that deter you from exploring his body more and asking questions about hiss Lemurian anatomy. He didn’t have a lot to answer with, since that’d been the first time he’d ever experienced such an event. He couldn’t even tell you what triggered it, just that he woke up that morning and heat engulfed him, with no relief until you’d walked through his door.

So, you spent the night locked in each other’s embrace. He took you, over and over, his appetite for you seemingly never ending. This time it was the kind of lovemaking that you were accustomed to, anywhere between soft and sweet or rough and wild. You loved every second of it, even the sloppy overstimulated portions towards the end. When exhaustion finally took over, you were wrapped in his embrace, his head tucked against the back of your neck with his soft snores fanning across your skin.

You completely forgot about Thomas’s call earlier. And even more, you were entirely unaware that he’d been calling during the first moments of your tryst, and that call had connected as your dress fell to the ground.

It wouldn’t be until the next morning that you came to the mortifying realization that the poor man had accidentally heard everything.

[nationalnetworkoftraining]

Mastering the Art of Dealing with Difficult Telephone Calls

Dealing with difficult telephone calls is an everyday challenge, whether you work in customer service, sales, or any profession that involves phone communication. These calls can be emotionally charged, demanding, or downright frustrating. However, with the right approach, you can navigate these conversations effectively, maintain professionalism, and turn potential negative experiences into positive ones. In this article, we'll explore strategies for handling challenging phone calls with grace and empathy.

Stay Calm and Composed

The first rule of dealing with a difficult telephone call is to maintain your composure. Even if the caller is angry or confrontational, keep your tone and demeanor calm and professional. Taking a deep breath before responding can help you remain centered and focused.

Listen Actively

Effective communication begins with active listening. Pay close attention to what the caller is saying, and resist the urge to interrupt or jump to conclusions. Allow them to express their concerns, questions, or frustrations fully before responding.

Empathize and Validate

Empathy is a powerful tool in diffusing difficult situations. Let the caller know that you understand their perspective and that their feelings are valid. Phrases like "I can appreciate why you're frustrated" or "I understand this is important to you" can go a long way in establishing rapport.

Use Positive Language

Choose your words carefully. Speak in a positive and solution-oriented manner. Avoid negative or defensive language that can escalate the situation. For example, instead of saying "I can't do that," say "Let me see what I can do to help."

Offer Solutions, Not Excuses

When confronted with a problem or complaint, focus on finding solutions. Offer options and be willing to take the necessary steps to address the issue. Avoid making excuses or shifting blame, as this can further frustrate the caller.

Set Realistic Expectations

It's crucial to be transparent about what can be achieved. If a caller's request can't be met, explain why and offer alternatives if possible. Being honest and setting realistic expectations helps manage disappointment.

Don't Take it Personally

Remember that the caller's frustration may not be directed at you personally. It could be related to the situation or the organization you represent. Develop a thick skin and avoid taking things personally.

Know When to Escalate

In some cases, the call may become too difficult to handle on your own. It's essential to know when to escalate the call to a supervisor or a more experienced colleague who can provide additional assistance or insights.

Follow Up

After the call is over, take the initiative to follow up, especially if a resolution was promised. This demonstrates your commitment to customer satisfaction and can help rebuild trust.

Self-Care

Dealing with difficult phone calls can be emotionally draining. Make self-care a priority to manage stress. Take breaks, engage in relaxation techniques, and seek support when needed.

Conclusion

Dealing with difficult telephone calls is a skill that can be honed through practice and a commitment to effective communication. By staying calm, listening actively, empathizing, and offering solutions, you can turn challenging calls into opportunities to build trust and demonstrate exceptional customer service. Remember that each call is a chance to leave a positive impression, even in the face of adversity. By mastering the art of handling difficult telephone calls, you can navigate these conversations with grace and professionalism. https://nntc.org.uk/dealing-with-difficult-telephone-calls/

[cloudtransprncy]

Tease

Chaewon x Male Reader | 8k words Tags: manager x idol, secret relationship, pent up, semi-public, sneaking away, horny as fuck, chaewon is hot as fuck, I wish it was me

Chaewon looks too good in that dress. Three weeks without sex. How long before you snap?

Jus sumn quick for yall.

Chaewon [1:42 AM]: I've been touching myself thinking about you every night this week. It's not enough.

Chaewon [1:43 AM]: Good luck keeping it professional tomorrow when you see what they have me wearing for the HOT trailer shoot 😈

You stare at your phone, heat flooding through your body. Three weeks without her. The longest you've gone since you started dating a year ago.

Fuck, she knows exactly what she's doing to you.

Three weeks without her touch has made every message like this a form of exquisite torture. You can practically hear her voice in your head as you read her texts.

You're dating Kim Chaewon. LE SSERAFIM's leader. And you're one of their managers.

It started on a company retreat last spring—a late-night conversation about music that turned into coffee, then dinner a week later, then her pressed against your apartment door, whispering that she'd wanted this since the moment you'd been assigned to their team.

You'd both agreed it would be just once.

That agreement lasted approximately 8 hours.

No one knows. Not the company. Not the members.

Not even Jiyeon, the other manager who works with you handling the girls' schedules.

And right now, your girlfriend is driving you fucking crazy.

The comeback prep for "HOT" has been exactly that—hot, intense, and keeping you both so busy you can barely catch your breath, let alone sneak away to be alone together.

You've tried everything to deal with the frustration. Late-night FaceTiming while she touches herself in her dorm room, biting her pillow to stay quiet. Watching the videos you've made together—her riding you on your couch, her bent over your bathroom sink, her on her knees looking up at you with those eyes.

None of it is enough. You need her. You need to taste her, feel her skin against yours, be inside her.

The warehouse set is all sleek white surfaces and ribbed glass partitions. Floor-to-ceiling windows let in cold natural light that makes everything look clean, sterile, and expensive. The perfect contrast to the fire they're trying to create with this concept.

Staff members in black hurry around with clipboards and equipment, speaking in hushed, urgent tones. This "BORN FIRE" trailer shoot has to be perfect—it's launching LE SSERAFIM's most ambitious album "HOT" yet.

You check your own clipboard, making sure everything's on schedule while trying not to think about Chaewon and whatever outfit has her texting you at 2 AM.

The irony isn't lost on you. Here you are, supervising the filming of a teaser—literally called "BORN FIRE"—while Chaewon herself is the true teaser. She's igniting something in you that's becoming increasingly difficult to contain. The line between her performance for the video and her performance for you is blurring dangerously.

"Manager-oppa, the director wants to run through the toy car scene again," Eunchae says, bouncing up to you in her feathered white outfit. "Have you seen Chaewon unnie? She's next."

"Still in wardrobe," you answer, keeping your voice steady. Like you're not thinking about how Chaewon moaned your name in that hotel in Jeju last month, her body shaking beneath yours as she came for the third time that night.

Sakura walks past with her stylist, the long white dress trailing behind her. You spot Kazuha already positioned on one of the white block structures that fill the set. The whole group is scattered around the space in various stages of preparation.

"Jiyeon-ssi," you call to your fellow manager, "can you check if hair and makeup are done with Chaewon?"

Jiyeon nods and heads toward the dressing area. You turn your attention back to the monitor, where the director is reviewing footage.

Then it happens.

The quiet murmur of the set shifts. You feel it before you see it.

Chaewon walks onto set, and your entire body goes rigid.

Your throat goes dry instantly. God, you love her in white—the way it makes her skin glow, how it emphasizes every curve you've memorized with your hands, your mouth. You force yourself to breathe normally even as memories flood your mind unbidden. She knows what this does to you. She's counting on it.

The white strapless dress is even shorter than it looked in the concept sketches and fittings you'd seen last week. It hugs her body perfectly, showing off shoulders you've kissed a hundred times.

The black belt cinches her waist—the waist you've held in your hands while she rode you until you both saw stars. But it's the boots that kill you. Thigh-high, black, lace-up boots that make her legs look endless.

You force yourself to look away, back at your clipboard. Professional. You're a professional.

But memories flood your mind anyway:

Chaewon straddling you in the backseat of your car, hand pressed against your mouth to keep you quiet while security guards walked past.

Chaewon pressed against your kitchen counter, panties around one ankle, begging you not to stop as you dropped to your knees.

Chaewon in your bed, hair spread across your pillow, eyes locked with yours as you moved inside her, whispering that she loves you.

You still remember the first time she said those words—three months in, both of you sweaty and breathless, her eyes wide with something like surprise at her own admission. You'd felt it too, that terrifying, exhilarating free-fall into something neither of you had planned for.

"You good?" asks one of the camera assistants, noticing how you've been staring at nothing.

"Fine," you say, the word clipped.

On set, Chaewon takes her position. In one scene, she stands tall on a miniature white car, the contrast of the boots against the white making her look like some kind of goddess. In another setup, she holds a diagram against her bare shoulder, eyes focused directly at the camera.

She's perfect. Professional. The director loves every take.

But then, during a lighting adjustment, when everyone's attention is elsewhere, she looks directly at you.

It's quick—barely a second—but in that moment, her professional mask slips. Her eyes darken. The corner of her mouth quirks up.

It's the same look she gave you the first time you told her to get on her knees.

The director calls for the next setup. Chaewon moves into position with the other members, all of them in white, creating a visual that's both innocent and somehow sinful.

You take a deep breath. You've been so good. So professional.

But when she walks past  you, she whispers, "Bet you want to take this off me so bad," so quietly only you can hear it, you know exactly how this day is going to end.

You are completely, totally fucked.

You're in hell.

Not the burning, fire-and-brimstone kind. The sleek, white, glass-walled kind.

A special kind of hell designed with surgical precision by Kim Chaewon—your weakness, your fucking undoing.

The "BORN FIRE" shoot continues. It's been three hours. You've managed to stay professional for exactly none of them.

"Cut! Five minute break," the director calls.

The set erupts into controlled chaos—stylists rushing to touch up makeup, lighting techs adjusting gear, Kazuha and Eunchae huddled near the white blocks watching practice videos on their phones.

You stare at your clipboard like it contains the secrets of the universe.

Chaewon moves through the space like she owns it, boots clicking against the polished concrete floor. The sound alone makes your pulse kick.

She stands by the glass partition, sunlight catching on her hair, making it glow against all the sterile white. Your eyes follow her despite your brain screaming not to.

"Manager-oppa," she calls, voice sweet and professional. The sound hits you low in your stomach—the same tone she uses right before she begs you to fuck her harder.

"Can you bring me some water?"

She knows exactly what she's doing. Every staff member sees a hardworking idol asking her manager for a simple favor.

You know better.

You grab a bottle and walk it over to her. That's when she strikes.

Her fingers brush yours as she takes the bottle—deliberate, electric—the touch lasting a half-second too long to be accidental.

"Had a dream about you last night," she murmurs, voice pitched for your ears only.

The cap of the water bottle clicks as she twists it open. She drinks slowly, throat working in a way that triggers a vivid flashback—her on her knees three weeks ago, swallowing around you, looking up with those same dark eyes. You'd gripped her hair so tight she'd moaned around you.

Her tongue darts out to catch a drop on her lower lip. Her eyes never leave yours.

You say nothing. Your grip on the clipboard turns your knuckles white.

Jiyeon passes by, checking her watch. "Chaewon-ah, wardrobe wants to check your outfit before the next shot."

Chaewon nods, all professional sweetness. "Coming!"

She brushes past you, close enough that you catch her scent—something floral and expensive that you've tasted on her skin a hundred times before.

The stylist adjusts something on the back of her dress while she stands in front of the monitor. You try to focus on the schedule, on anything but the curve of her shoulder blades, the way the belt cinches her waist.

"Everything good?" the stylist asks.

Chaewon nods, then turns slightly. Her eyes find yours in the reflection of the monitor. "Perfect."

The tech walks away. You're about to do the same when—

"Woke up so wet this morning."

The words hit you like a physical blow. Your body responds instantly, a rush of heat that makes you grit your teeth.

She doesn't even look at you. Just keeps checking her reflection, adjusting a strand of hair like she didn't just set you on fire.

You step closer, voice low. "Watch yourself."

She smiles—sweet, sharp, fucking dangerous. "Always do. That's why I look so good."

The director calls everyone back. You retreat to the safety of the production table.

You adjust your clipboard, grateful for its coverage. This is what she reduces you to—a professional with years of industry experience hiding an erection like a teenager. The thought should embarrass you, but instead, there's a twisted pride in how she still affects you this way, even after a year together.

For exactly twelve minutes, you breathe. Focus. Reset.

Then she slides into the chair next to you.

"Can I see the schedule?" she asks, loud enough for others to hear. Professional. Proper.

You hand her your tablet without looking up. Three staff members hover nearby, discussing lighting for the next scene.

Sakura sits across the table, focused on crocheting something delicate and blue, her fingers moving with practiced precision. The click of her crochet hook provides a steady rhythm to the chaos around you.

That's when you feel it—her hand on your thigh under the table. Casual. Like it belongs there.

Your entire body goes rigid.

"Chaewon," you warn, barely a whisper.

"Mmm?" She leans in, pretending to point at something on the screen. Her fingers start to move. Slow strokes up, then down. Teasing.

You inhale sharply, willing your face to stay neutral.

The staff members move away. But Sakura is still there, focused on her project, the hook moving in and out of the yarn.

Chaewon's hand inches higher, bolder than she's ever been. Her pinky grazes dangerously close to where you're already hardening against your will.

"Stop," you hiss.

She leans closer, her breath against your ear. "I'm ovulating, you know."

Your vision blurs. Blood rushes in your ears.

"You'd feel it the moment you were inside me—"

Sakura looks up suddenly, her eyes meeting yours across the table.

Your heart stops.

Chaewon doesn't move her hand. Instead, she laughs at something on the screen, all innocent charm. "Manager-oppa, the schedule looks too tight. Don't you think?"

Sakura tilts her head, then returns to her crocheting, seemingly oblivious to the fact that your girlfriend's hand is still on your thigh, still dangerously high.

You wrap your fingers around her wrist under the table, stopping her hand but not removing it. A dangerous compromise.

Her pupils dilate. That's when you see it—she's not just playing with you. She's affected too. Her cheeks flushed, her breathing just a little too quick.

She's as desperate as you are.

The realization hits you like a kick to the chest.

"Two minutes!" someone calls.

She extracts her hand slowly, deliberately. Stands up, smooths down her dress. The movement pulls the hem even higher on her thigh.

"Think you can last the rest of the day?" she asks, a challenge glinting in her eyes.

Before you can answer, Jiyeon approaches. "Chaewon-ah, they need you for the car shot."

Chaewon nods, all business again. But as she walks away, she glances back—just once. Just enough for you to see the hunger there, mirroring your own.

The next hour is psychological warfare.

Around you, the set buzzes with activity. Makeup artists touch up the members between shots. The director argues with the cinematographer about lighting. A production assistant nearly trips over a cable, sending everyone scrambling.

And through it all, Chaewon wages her private campaign against your sanity.

This is high-stakes chess played under fluorescent lights.

Every staff member represents a potential career-ending leak. The director who's worked with three generations of idol groups and has seen every possible scandal. The company photographer who reports directly to the CEO. The stylists who know every whispered secret in the industry.

One wrong move, one lingering glance held too long, and everything you've both worked for collapses.

She steps onto the miniature white car, boots planted wide, the dress riding up her thighs as she poses. The camera loves her. Every angle is perfection.

You remember the first time you took her for a drive, six months into your secret relationship. She'd climbed into your lap at a deserted scenic point, the gear shift digging into her leg as she rode you, both of you half-clothed, desperate, her breath fogging the windows as she came.

Now, as she stands on that toy car, her eyes find yours between every take.

During the group shot with the white blocks, she trails her fingers along the edge of the structure, the same way she's traced paths across your chest in the dark of your bedroom. Her fingernails scrape lightly against the white surface, and you swear you can feel phantom scratches down your back.

Each pose becomes more provocative. Each glance more daring.

When the stylist adjusts her dress between shots, Chaewon stretches her arms overhead, making the hem ride dangerously high. The movement fills your nostrils with the scent of her perfume—jasmine and something deeper—that clings to your sheets for days after she leaves.

In the solo shot with the diagram pressed against her bare shoulder, she turns just enough that only you can see how her teeth catch her bottom lip—the same way they do when you're deep inside her.

Your heart hammers against your ribs. Your skin feels too tight. Every minute is torture, and the fact that you're surrounded by people—Jiyeon checking the time, Eunchae asking you questions, staff members constantly brushing past—only makes it worse.

This isn't just teasing anymore. This is Chaewon pushing both of you to the edge.

Then comes the final blow.

During the last break, when the set is buzzing with activity, she passes by the narrow space between the equipment cases where you're checking inventory.

No one can see you here. Just a sliver of space hidden from the main floor.

She stops, just for a second. Leans in.

"Just fuck me in the changing room already."

The clipboard nearly snaps in your grip.

She walks away, satisfied smirk playing on her lips.

And something in you—the last thread of your control—finally snaps.

You count to ten. Wait until she's back in position on set.

Then you move through the space with purpose, face composed, steps measured.

Professional.

You reach her just as the director calls for a lighting check.

Your fingers wrap around her wrist—firm, decisive.

She looks up, triumph flashing in her eyes.

"Do you wanna get caught, you stupid bitch?" you whisper, the words harsh but your tone almost loving.

Her lips part. A small gasp that only you can hear.

"Manager-nim, is something wrong?" the director asks.

"Wardrobe issue," you say smoothly. "Won't take long."

You pull her away from the set, past curious eyes, past Jiyeon's raised eyebrow.

The changing room is too exposed. Too many people.

Five years in this industry has taught you one thing: discretion isn't just preferred, it's survival.

You've built your reputation on professionalism, on being the manager who anticipates problems before they happen.

Chaewon is the one variable you can never fully calculate, the one risk you can't mitigate. And God help you, you wouldn't have it any other way.

You spot it—a storage room door, slightly ajar. Dark. Empty.

Perfect.

Her breath catches as you change direction, leading her toward it.

"What are you—"

You push the door open. Pull her inside  The storage room door closes with a soft click.

And finally—fucking finally—you're alone.

One second passes.

Two.

Then Chaewon launches herself at you.

Her hands grab your face with bruising intensity, fingernails digging into your scalp, your jaw, anywhere she can grip. The heat of her palms sears your skin as her mouth finds yours with desperate precision. The kiss is nuclear—all teeth and tongue and hunger. She bites your lower lip, hard enough to make you taste the metallic hint of blood, then soothes it with the velvety warmth of her tongue, exploring your mouth like she's trying to devour you whole.

Her body presses against yours, tits crushed against your chest, her hips grinding with shameless need. She grabs your hands and places them on her ass, demanding your touch without saying a word.

"Fuck, I missed your mouth," she gasps, her breath hot against your lips as she pulls at your clothes, fingers trembling and scrabbling at your belt, nails occasionally scraping against your abdomen. She can't seem to decide where to touch you—her hands moving from your chest to your shoulders to your neck, back to your belt, frantic and greedy. "Missed your hands. Missed your cock."

You slam her against the shelves, the metal rattling with a satisfying clang that echoes her gasp. Your hands are everywhere—her face, flushed and warm beneath your palms; her throat, pulse hammering wildly under your fingertips; the soft swell of her breasts rising and falling with each ragged breath; the dramatic curve of her waist that fits perfectly in your grip. Every touch relearns the terrain you've been starved of for three endless weeks.

She reaches behind and grabs your wrists, dragging your hands to her ass, forcing you to squeeze the firm flesh. "Touch me everywhere," she demands, voice thick with need. "I've been dying for it."

"You took too fucking long," she pants against your lips, her voice vibrating through you as her hands finally get your pants open, the sudden coolness of air a sharp contrast to the heat of her touch. Her fingers brush against your cock, a teasing touch that makes your jaw clench.

The storage room closes around you—metal shelves on one wall digging into her back, garment racks crowded with costumes exhaling the scent of fabric softener and makeup, cardboard boxes stacked in the corner threatening to topple with each movement. A single fluorescent light buzzes overhead, casting harsh shadows that carve her features into something almost feral with need, highlighting the sheen of sweat beginning to form at her temples, at the hollow of her throat.

She makes quick work of the black safety shorts beneath her dress, the fabric making a soft whisper as it slides down her legs before she kicks them away. The movement is so fluid, so urgent, that your mouth goes dry with anticipation. She grabs your hand, guiding it between her legs, letting you feel how ready she is. "See what you do to me?" she whispers, eyes locked on yours.

You spin her around, the quick motion making her gasp. For a moment, you just look at her—the elegant column of her neck where a few baby hairs escape her bob cut, curling with perspiration; the delicate slope of her shoulders, pale and perfect under the harsh light; the dramatic curve where her waist meets the swell of her ass, emphasized by the black belt that begs to be gripped. The white dress clings to every inch, revealing the heat she's generating beneath it. Your mouth waters just looking at her, tongue dragging across suddenly parched lips.

Your hand comes down on her ass with a sharp crack, the sound startlingly loud in the confined space. She jerks forward, a surprised gasp escaping her lips. The pale skin instantly flushes pink under your palm.

"Hurry up," she demands, looking back at you over her shoulder, eyes dark and glassy with impatience, pupils blown wide until only a thin ring of brown remains. She arches her back, pushing her ass against your hand, silently begging for more.

You grip her hips, fingers digging into the soft flesh hard enough to leave impressions. "Shut the fuck up."

Her breath catches with an audible hitch. You know she loves it when you talk to her like this—can feel it in the goosebumps that rise under your touch, in the way her thighs tremble slightly.

You run your hands up her sides, feeling the heat radiating through the thin fabric, then down to the hem of her dress, bunching the material as you start to lift it. The fabric makes a soft rustling sound that seems obscenely loud in the small space. Your hands slide up her thighs, skin like silk beneath your calloused palms, finding the lace edge of her panties. Black, of course. The contrast against her pale skin is stark and mouthwatering.

Another smack lands on her ass, harder this time. You watch the flesh jiggle under the impact, the imprint of your hand blooming pink against her porcelain skin. "You like that?" you ask, already knowing the answer as she pushes back against you.

"Yes," she hisses, grinding back against your hand. "Again. Harder."

You comply, landing another sharp slap, watching the way her body jerks forward before pressing back, seeking more. "Look at you," you murmur, "So perfect for the cameras, but in here, you're just a dirty little slut who gets wet from being spanked."

She moans at your words, the sound vibrating through her entire body. "Only for you," she whispers, the admission hanging heavy in the air between you.

Spinning her back around, you claim her mouth again, tasting mint and desperation on her tongue as your hand slips between her legs, pressing the lace against her. The fabric is soaked through, warm and clinging to her folds. Her hands are everywhere—gripping your shoulders, sliding down your chest, grabbing at your ass to pull you closer, like she can't get enough of touching you.

"Goddamn," you mutter against her lips, the words a vibration between your connected mouths. "Your pussy's fucking drenched."

You hook your fingers into the lace and yank it aside, the elastic snapping against her thigh. Your middle finger slides through her folds, gathering her wetness, feeling how swollen and ready she is—hot and slick and perfect against your fingertips.

"Look how fucking wet you are," you murmur, watching her face contort with pleasure as you circle her clit, feeling it harden beneath your touch. "Been thinking about this all day, haven't you?"

She whimpers, a high, needy sound that goes straight to your cock as she grinds against your hand. "I told you I've been wet since I woke up," she pants, her breath coming in short, hot puffs against your face. "Thinking about you. About this. About you bending me over and fucking me until I can't remember my own name."

She tries to reach for you, but you catch her wrist with your free hand, her pulse jumping beneath your grip as you pin it above her head against the shelves. The metal is cold against her skin, making her hiss.

"Not yet," you tell her, voice dropping to a growl. "I want you desperate first."

"I'm already desperate," she hisses, trying to rock against your hand, the movement making her belt buckle clink against itself. Her free hand grabs at your shirt, your arm, anywhere she can reach. "Just fuck me already."

You turn her again, pressing her face-first against the metal shelving. The cold surface makes her gasp, back arching instinctively away from it. She braces herself, legs automatically spreading wider on the concrete floor, the heel of her boots making a sharp click as she repositions.

You grab her belt from behind, leather warm from her body heat, using it to arch her back, positioning her ass higher. The positioning makes the dress ride up further, exposing more of her thighs, making her stance more obscene, more perfect.

Another smack lands on her exposed ass, harder than before, the sound cracking through the small room. She jerks forward, a moan ripping from her throat.

"Fucking perfect," you mutter, kneading the flesh you just struck, watching the pink handprint fade and bloom again under your touch. You land another blow on the opposite cheek, evening her out, making her squirm.

The scent of her arousal hits you fully now—musky, sweet, unmistakable. Your mouth waters at the smell of her, cock throbbing painfully in response.

You reach up, fingers finding her hair, gripping the short strands of her bob at the nape of her neck. Not pulling, just holding, controlling. The sensation makes her moan, her head falling back into your grip.

"Please," she whispers, the word a broken, ragged thing as she tries to push back against you.

You keep her in place with your dual grip on her belt and hair. "Please what?"

"Please fuck me," she begs, all teasing gone from her voice, replaced with raw need. "I need your cock inside me. Now."

You release her hair to lean over her, your chest pressing against her back, trapping her heat between your bodies. Your mouth finds her ear, teeth grazing the sensitive lobe. "After all that teasing? All those filthy little comments with people right fucking there?"

You land another hard slap on her ass, watching the flesh redden under your palm. "This what you wanted? Getting your ass slapped while the whole crew is just outside?"

"Yes," she admits, voice small but sure. "Needed it so bad."

You drag the head of your cock through her slick folds, the sensation making both of you groan—her wetness hot and silky against you, making everything gloriously frictionless. "Give me one good reason I shouldn't make you wait longer."

"Because," she pants, voice vibrating with need, "you want this as bad as I do."

She's right, and you both know it.

You guide yourself to her entrance and thrust in with one brutal stroke, burying yourself to the hilt in her tight, clinging heat.

The sound she makes is primal—half gasp, half moan, pure fucking need. Your hand clamps over her mouth immediately, palm registering the warm wetness of her breath, the softness of her lips.

"Shhh," you warn even as you pull back and drive in again, the slick sound of your joining obscenely loud in the small space. "You want the whole fucking staff to hear how you take cock? How their perfect Kim Chaewon is just a dirty little whore in here?"

She shakes her head, but her pussy clenches around you at the words, a vice-like grip that sends stars exploding behind your eyelids. You know she loves the risk, the filth, the knowledge that just outside this door, she's Kim Chaewon of LE SSERAFIM, but in here, she's just yours to use.

"That's what gets you off, isn't it?" you growl against her ear, punctuating each word with a hard thrust. "Knowing they all think you're so sweet, so professional, when really you're in here letting me fuck you raw in a storage room."

Moving your hand from her mouth to her throat, you feel her swallow against your palm, her pulse racing beneath your fingers. You don't squeeze, just hold, feeling the vibrations of her moans traveling through her slender neck.

"That's right," you growl against her ear, teeth scraping the shell. "Remember who you belong to."

Her response is a full-body shudder, her inner walls clenching around you, making you groan at the sensation.

You fuck her hard, each thrust making her body jolt against the shelves. The metal creaks ominously, the sound mixing with the wet slap of skin on skin, the harsh sounds of your combined breathing. Your hand comes down on her ass again, the sting making her gasp, her pussy clenching around you in response.

"You love that, don't you?" you murmur, watching the red handprint bloom on her pale skin. "Love getting your ass slapped while your tight little pussy gets stretched around my cock."

"Yes," she admits, voice breaking around the word. "Love it. Love everything you do to me."

Without pulling out, you grab her left thigh and lift it, the smooth leather of her boot sliding against your palm as you plant her foot against a lower shelf. The new position opens her up, lets you sink even deeper into her molten core.

"Fuck," she whimpers, head falling forward against her braced arm, the tendons in her neck standing out in sharp relief.

"That's it," you growl, watching yourself disappear inside her over and over, mesmerized by the sight of her taking you, by the glistening evidence of her arousal coating you. "Take it deeper."

You grip her belt with one hand, bunching her dress even higher with the other until it's completely out of the way. The sight of her perfect ass jiggling with each impact makes your head swim, blood rushing in your ears. It's already pink from your earlier attention, the skin warm to the touch.

Your hand slides up her spine to grip her hair again, this time with purpose. You gather the short strands in your fist, tugging just enough to make her back arch further, to make her gasp, throat exposed and vulnerable.

"Look at you," you say, voice rough with exertion, the words punched out of you with each thrust. "LE SSERAFIM's perfect leader, taking cock in a storage room, being such a whore. Such a pretty little slut with your ass all red from my hands, your pussy dripping all over my cock."

She pushes back against you, taking you deeper, her body greedily swallowing every inch. "Harder," she demands, voice breaking on the word. "Fuck me harder. Make me feel it tomorrow."

You grip both her hips now, fingers digging into soft flesh, and pick up the pace. The new angle has you hitting that spot inside her that makes her whole body tremble, makes her walls flutter and clench around you. The wet sounds of her pussy taking your cock fill the small space—obscene, filthy, perfect.

"You're so fucking tight," you groan, feeling her walls grip you like a silken vice. "Squeezing my cock like you're trying to milk it dry."

You switch your grip, one hand finding her throat again, feeling her swallow against your palm as you apply the gentlest pressure. Just enough to remind her who's in control, to make her breath catch. Your other hand comes down hard on her ass again, the smack loud enough to make you both freeze for a second, worried it might have been heard outside.

"You've been a fucking menace all day," you growl, your pace relentless, the sound of your bodies coming together a wet percussion. "Strutting around in this dress, whispering that shit in my ear, touching me under the table."

Your grip on her throat tightens fractionally, making her pulse jump against your fingers. Her only response is to push back harder, taking you deeper, her body yielding and demanding all at once.

"You'd let me do anything to you, wouldn't you?" you ask, voice low and rough in her ear. "Slap your ass, pull your hair, fuck you where anyone could walk in and see you—see what a desperate little whore you really are."

"Yes," she admits, the confession barely audible. "Anything. Everything."

The tension builds between you, a tangible thing in the small, overheated room. The air is thick with the scent of sex, with the sounds of pleasure barely contained, with the electric certainty that this is exactly where you both need to be.

You change the angle again, leaning over her back to reach around to her front. The new position grinds your pelvis against her ass with each thrust, your cock hitting new spots inside her. Your fingers find her clit, circling it in tight, firm motions, feeling it swell and harden under your touch.

"Oh fuck," she gasps, her inner walls fluttering around you like wings. "Right there, don't stop."

You don't stop. You keep up the relentless pace, feeling her get wetter around you with each stroke, her arousal making everything slick and hot and perfect. Your fingers on her clit get slicker, the combination of her arousal and your spit making obscene wet sounds that mix with the slap of skin on skin.

"That's right, take it just like that," you encourage, voice strained. "Take it like the cock-hungry little slut you are."

Instead of being offended, she moans louder, her body responding to your words as much as to your touch. You know exactly what she likes to hear, exactly how far to push the fantasy of degradation that excites her so much.

The pleasure is so intense you have to grit your teeth to keep from coming too soon. Three weeks without this—without her tight heat squeezing you, without her desperate little sounds, without the feeling of being buried inside her—has left you balanced on a knife's edge of control.

"You close?" you ask, voice strained, the words feeling like they're being ripped from your chest.

"Yes," she pants, the word almost a sob. "So close."

You reach up with your free hand, tangling your fingers in her hair again, carefully pulling her head back to expose the elegant line of her neck, watching the muscles work beneath the skin as she swallows. You bend to press open-mouthed kisses along her shoulder, right where the dress leaves her skin bare, tasting salt and sweetness.

"Think about this tomorrow," you murmur against her skin, lips dragging over the goosebumps your breath creates. "When you're sitting in meetings, when you're in practice, when you're smiling for the cameras—remember how fucked you look right now. Remember how your ass felt getting spanked while my cock was inside you. Remember what a perfect little whore you are for me."

Her breath catches. Her pussy clenches around you. She's right on the edge, her body wound tight as a bowstring.

"Remember you're fucking mine," you growl, punctuating the words with a particularly deep thrust that makes her cry out before she can stop herself, the sound sharp and startling in the quiet room.

You cover her mouth again, palm feeling the heat of her breath, the wetness of her lips, but it's too late—the sound echoed in the small room. Both of you freeze, hearts pounding, listening for any reaction from outside.

Nothing. Just the continued sounds of the busy set.

The moment of fear transforms quickly back into desperate need. Your thrusts become harder, deeper, more deliberate. Her body responds with renewed hunger, pushing back to meet you stroke for stroke, the rhythm between you perfect and instinctive.

Your hand slips from her mouth to her throat, not squeezing, just feeling her pulse race under your palm, feeling the vibrations of her moans travel through your fingertips.

"You gonna come for me?" you ask, feeling your own orgasm building at the base of your spine, heat coiling tight and insistent. "Gonna come all over my cock like the needy little slut you are?"

She nods frantically, beyond words now. Her body tightens around you, clenching with each thrust, the pressure building visibly in the arch of her back, the tension in her thighs, the way her fingers curl against the metal shelf.

You can feel your own release building, the tight grip of her pussy dragging you toward the edge. You've been thinking about this for weeks—dreaming about it, jerking off to memories of it—and now you're finally here, buried inside her, both of you desperate and filthy and perfect.

Her breath hitches. Her pussy flutters around your cock. You know the signs—she's right there, teetering on the precipice.

One more hard slap on her ass, the sting making her gasp, her inner walls clenching around you in response.

You lower her leg from the shelf, repositioning her with both feet on the ground, but spread wide. You grip her belt again with one hand, keeping up the pressure on her clit with the other. The new angle has you grinding against that spot inside her that makes her go crazy, makes her whole body tremble.

"Come on," you urge, your own control slipping, voice rough and broken. "Come on my cock, Chaewon. Let me feel it. Let me feel what a fucking whore you are for me."

Her body responds instantly, like your words were the final trigger she needed. She buries her face against her arm to muffle the sound as her orgasm rips through her, her pussy clamping down on you in rhythmic pulses, a flood of warmth surrounding you. Her legs shake so hard you have to hold her up with the grip on her belt, feeling the tremors travel through her entire body.

The sight of her completely wrecked, the feel of her convulsing around you, the knowledge that you did this to her—it all sends you over the edge. You thrust deep one last time, grinding against her ass as you come, filling her up with pulse after pulse, the pleasure so intense it's almost pain, radiating from your core to the tips of your fingers, the backs of your knees, the top of your skull.

"Fuck, Chaewon, fuck," you chant, forehead pressed between her shoulder blades as you empty yourself inside her, feeling the way she milks every drop from you, her body greedy even in its exhaustion.

For a long moment, neither of you moves. Just the sound of ragged breathing, your heartbeats gradually slowing from their frantic pace, the distant muffled voices of the set filtering back into your awareness.

You're still inside her, softening but reluctant to break the connection. Her body occasionally trembles with aftershocks, her pussy giving your cock little squeezes that make you hiss with oversensitivity, the sensation bordering on too much.

You run your hand gently over her ass, soothing the skin you'd been striking moments ago. It's still warm to the touch, a faint pink that will fade before she has to be back on set. Your touch is gentle now, a stark contrast to the roughness from before.

"You okay?" you murmur against her ear, pressing a soft kiss to the side of her neck.

"Better than okay," she whispers back, voice wrecked but satisfied.

Eventually, you pull out slowly, both of you groaning at the sensation. You watch as a trickle of your come leaks from her, sliding down her inner thigh. The sight sends a possessive thrill through you, primal and satisfying.

She straightens, turning to face you. Her makeup is smeared, her lips swollen and red, her cheeks flushed. Her eyes have that dazed, satisfied look that only comes after she's been thoroughly fucked. A thin sheen of sweat makes her skin glow under the fluorescent light. Her short hair is disheveled where you'd gripped it, sticking up in places that you smooth down with gentle fingers.

You grab tissues from a box on the shelf, gently cleaning between her legs. She watches you, a soft smile playing on her lips—so different from the smirk she's been tormenting you with all day.

"Did I hurt you?" you ask, suddenly aware of how rough you were, eyes searching for marks on her throat, her wrists, her hips, ghosting your fingers over her ass where you'd struck her.

She shakes her head, running her fingers through your hair, nails scraping lightly against your scalp in a way that makes you shiver. "Babe, It was perfect."

You retrieve her safety shorts from the floor and help her back into them, then smooth down her dress. Your hands linger on her waist, not quite ready to let go, feeling the warmth of her through the fabric.

A smirk forms slowly on her face, eyes glittering with mischief as she leans in close, her breath warm against your ear. "Think they heard?"

You press a final kiss to her shoulder, lingering there, inhaling deeply—tasting salt and perfume and her, that essence that's uniquely Chaewon beneath the expensive fragrance. Your lips trace a path to the curve where her neck meets her shoulder, feeling her pulse still racing beneath your mouth.

"Not if you keep your mouth shut next time," you murmur against her skin, unable to resist giving her one more gentle bite.

She hums, the sound vibrating against your lips. "But where's the fun in that?" she whispers, that familiar playful defiance in her voice.

As she attempts to take a step back, her legs buckle. She grabs your shoulders to steady herself, her usual composure completely absent, the bratty confidence from seconds ago vanishing.

"I can't move," she whispers, voice wrecked, blinking up at you with unfocused eyes. All the sharp edges of her personality momentarily dissolved, leaving her soft and vulnerable in a way no one else ever sees. "My legs won't work."

"Good," you murmur, unable to hide your satisfaction as you press a kiss to her forehead, supporting her weight. You hold her close for a moment, feeling the way she melts against you, completely undone.

After a moment, that familiar glint of mischief gradually returns to her eyes. The transformation is beginning; the desperate, wrecked woman slowly rebuilding herself into the polished idol.

In this moment, with her guard completely down, she looks younger, softer. The harsh fluorescent lighting should be unflattering, but somehow it just makes her look more real—smudged eyeshadow, faint red marks on her throat where your fingers were, her hair disheveled despite her attempts to smooth it. For a few seconds more, she's just yours.

She reaches up, her hand cupping your cheek with surprising tenderness. Her eyes, usually sharp and mischievous, soften as she looks at you. She leans in, pressing a gentle kiss to your lips—so different from the desperate ones you shared minutes ago. This one is deliberate, unhurried.

"I love you," she whispers against your mouth, the words barely audible but unmistakable. It's not something she says often—both of you knowing how dangerous those words can be in your situation.

Your hand comes up to cover hers where it rests against your face, holding her there for a moment. "I love you too," you reply quietly, the words filling the small space between you. "Even when you're being a menace."

Her eyes crinkle at the corners. "Especially when I'm being a menace," she corrects, and you can't help but smile.

You glare at her playfully, and she giggles—the sound at complete odds with what just happened, with the filthy things you both just did, with the woman who was begging for your cock and calling herself your whore minutes ago. The contrast is jarring and perfect; this duality of hers that only you get to witness.

She leans in and kisses you deeply, but without the desperate edge from before. This kiss is softer, a promise.

When she pulls back, you can see the clock ticking in her head. Reality intruding.

"You go first," you say, checking your watch. "They'll be looking for you. The shoot needs to wrap in twenty minutes."

She nods, takes a deep breath, and you watch in fascination as she transforms back into LE SSERAFIM's leader right before your eyes. Her shoulders straighten, her chin lifts, her expression becomes more controlled. It's like watching an actress step into character—except you know both versions are equally real.

She checks her reflection in her phone, adjusts her belt, smooths her hair with practiced precision. Only you would notice the slight tremble in her fingers, the pink marks on her hips where your hands were, the satisfied glow in her eyes that the camera won't quite catch but you can see clearly.

"How do I look?" she asks, voice steady now, almost back to the professional tone she uses with everyone else.

Like she's just been thoroughly fucked. Like her thighs are still sticky with both of you. Like she's hiding a universe of secrets behind that poised expression. Like she's yours.

"Perfect," you say instead, swallowing the possessive thoughts.

She smiles—not the coy smirk from before, but something genuine that crinkles the corners of her eyes. Then it's gone, replaced by the polished mask she wears for everyone else.

Just as you think she's about to leave, she presses one last kiss to your jaw, her fingers trailing down your chest with deliberate slowness. Her lips move to your ear, breath hot against your skin.

"I'll be thinking about this all night," she whispers, voice dropping to that register that makes your pulse quicken despite your recent release. Then, even lower, just for you: "And touching myself the second I get back to the dorm."

Before you can respond, she's slipped out the door with a final squeeze of your hand, leaving you alone in the storage room with her promise echoing in your mind, the scent of sex still hanging in the air, mingling with her perfume.

You give it two minutes before following, clipboard held strategically in front of you, expression carefully neutral as you adjust your own mask—the efficient manager, all business.

By the time you return, Chaewon is already back on set, taking direction for the next shot, nodding professionally at the photographer's instructions. Her posture is immaculate, her expression perfectly calibrated—looking as composed and professional as if she'd just been touching up her makeup instead of being bent over a shelf with your hand prints on her ass.

No one looks at her twice. No one notices the way she stands slightly differently, favoring one leg. No one sees the slight darkening at the base of her throat where your mouth had been.

You watch from behind the monitor, maintaining a careful distance, occasionally checking your phone or making notes on your clipboard. The perfect picture of professionalism.

She gets into position, poised and beautiful under the lights, following direction flawlessly. The camera loves her—captures her elegance, her poise, but misses completely the woman you know.

Then she glances directly at the camera, and for just a second—

The look she gives—half-lidded eyes, the barest hint of teeth catching her lower lip, a fleeting microexpression of remembered pleasure—that's just for you.

And you know, watching her seamlessly return to her perfect idol persona, that you'll both be counting the minutes until you can be alone again.

...

AN: Yes I'm a certified CHAEWON simp. This is strike 3 chaewon from me with more coming.

[msgexymunson]

The Ink Shop

Description: Desperate for a job, you answer an advertisement not knowing it's a tattoo shop. It's not particularly difficult work, except for one thing: having to deal with Eddie Munson. 

Warnings: NSFW, minors DNI or I'll tell your parents, fem reader, thick sexual tension, angst and smut. Fingering. 

A/N: I finally wrote it! The teach me fic I've been day dreaming about forever. This will be part one of three, and honestly this is one of the hottest things I've written. If you enjoy it, please comment and reblog, it means the world to me. 

8k words

Masterlist Part 2

Screwing your nose up in confusion, you look at the meticulously cut snippet of newspaper neatly attached to your resume with a paperclip. Sure enough, receptionist and administrator wanted for a place called ‘The Ink Shop’. 

The outside of the building looks a little bleak, all decked out in black with frosted windows, but the fading lettering above does indeed spell out ‘The Ink Shop’. 

Weird. This does not look like a printers. 

You smooth down a minor wrinkle in your white shirt and open the door with unsure hands, the bell above ringing out loudly. 

Oh. 

This is not a printers. This is a tattoo shop. 

The thought hadn't even crossed your mind. The noise is a cacophony of buzzing, rock music and loud conversation. Art hangs on every available wall, the wallpaper underneath a royal purple, faded over time. There's frames upon frames of predesigned pieces for people to choose from, and an enormous wooden counter, black and gouged with use, directly in front of the doors. 

Taking a confidence boosting breath you march forward, pencil skirt stretching and heels clicking on the black and white linoleum, and stand by the counter. No one seems to have noticed your arrival, and a polite cough is not going to cut it. 

“Hello?” Calling out to the shop, a devilishly handsome tattooed man in a ripped band shirt, black jeans and scuffed army boots turns his head. Loose dark curls escape a low bun and swivel with him, framing his animated face. He saunters over to the counter and towers over you, giving you an appraising look. 

“You old enough to be in here sweetheart?” He asks, amused, as he points to the sign on the wall that states ‘Strictly Over 21s, no exceptions’. 

“Yes?” You're trying to be confident but it comes out as a question, entirely taken aback by the strength of his stare. 

“Oh, well then I'm Eddie,” he holds out a hand and you're forced to reach up to shake it, but to your surprise he doesn't let go. The skin is rougher than you thought it would be, and absolutely covered in small tattoos. “What is it today? Let me guess, cover up an ex boyfriend's name? I can help you forget all about him.” 

The grin he shoots back is nothing short of predatory. All you can think of is that old childhood song, never smile at a crocodile…

“No, no, I'm here about the job?” 

He looks genuinely surprised, taking in your outfit in another flagrant stare. 

“Really? You?” 

“Yes, me.” You respond, cheeks flushing in annoyance. 

“Hey, Mac!” He calls over his shoulder and a big guy with a shaved head lowers his tattoo gun, glancing over at you both. “This girl's after a job?” 

Mac stands up slowly and begins to walk over. 

“You can let go now princess.” 

Staring at Eddie dumbfoundedly, you realise his grip on your hand has softened completely. Whipping your hand away, you flash him a defiant eye. It's ineffective; he merely grins wider and winks at you, poking his tongue out playfully. You see a hint of silver, a tongue piercing. 

“Hey there, I'm Mac, the owner.” another handshake, but gentler and brief. You introduce yourself and go to hand him your resume. 

A phone rings on the counter and Mac shouts “no!” just as Eddie picks it up. 

“Mac’s Roadkill Café, from your grill to ours.” Eddie delivers the line as smooth as silk, never taking his eyes off you. “Yeah, it's Eddie, of course. Oh, I'll tell him. Thanks.” 

As Eddie turns to Mac he's given a small but effective slap to the back of the head by Mac. 

“What did I tell you, stop answering like that!” 

Eddie just grins wider and looks at you again, a fake pout on his full lips. 

“You see that? Harassment in the workplace. Wanna kiss it better?” 

Mac shuts his eyes, pinching the bridge of his nose, then turns to face you again. 

“Are you immediate start?” 

“Er, yeah. I've got my resume, and references here-” 

“Listen Miss, if you can read and write, answer a phone, and put up with that-” he says, gesturing a thumb at Eddie, “then you've got the job.” 

Thank God, two of those references were your best friend with different names. Stunned, you just nod fast.

“Great. Tomorrow morning. We open at 10am.” 

Saying goodbye, you turn to exit, and risk one final glance over your shoulder. Eddie's still at the counter. A disarming wink, and then the door shuts behind you. 

********************

So, not exactly what you expected, but a job's a job. After getting a degree, you'd assumed doors would open, but a string of coffee houses later and here you are. You'll take it. 

It's 9:30 am, and you stand outside, wondering whether or not to try the door. Keen, but not too keen. It's a line you're trying to toe without much experience, especially with an establishment like this. 

A pretty woman with an undercut and a butterfly neck tattoo stirs you out of your calculations. 

“Hey, I'm Chloe. You're the new girl, right? Eddie bet you'd be early.” 

Blushing at the entirely accurate first impression, you try to stop your nose scrunching in distaste. As if reading your mind, Chloe chuckles.

“Ah, don't worry about him, he's an idiot. Come on, I'll show you the ropes.” 

Chloe is the piercer that basically rents a place in the shop, where she's been for around three years, she explains. There's also Julio, who does more realistic tattoo work, and Miranda who works part time. 

Chloe turns out to be warm and welcoming, showing you how they book clients in, how to take payments, and the phone note system. It's straightforward work, stuff you'll master in no time. In fact, you feel comfortable enough by 10 am to sit at the counter on your own.

Mac arrives on time, giving you a quick check in and taking down all your information on a yellow legal pad. 

“Do you not have a computer in here?” you ask, genuinely puzzled. 

“Oh no, not yet. I don't know how to work those things, Miss.” Mac chuckles, and gets to his station to prepare for his first client.

At 10:45 am Eddie walks through the door as if he owns the place. 

Your eyes widen at his brazen lateness, but no one seems to bat an eyelid. It boils your blood; to be that disrespectful and clearly not care. How could someone act like that? 

“Hey princess, didn't think you'd come back,” he smiles, reaching for your hand. 

Oh I'm not falling for that again. 

You pull your hand into your lap, expecting trickery from him. A smug grin smears across his face at the gesture, as if he knew you'd do that. It makes you even more annoyed. 

“Eddie, the book says you start,” you say, flicking through the tome in front of you, “ah, at 10 am today.” 

“It's walk-in Wednesday sweetheart. There's no one here.” 

He's got a point. Chloe had explained the tattoo artists work a shift of Wednesdays, someone is always available for walk-ins for small and pre designed pieces. Today is Eddie's turn, and he's right, no one is here. 

“Well, there could have been,” you snark back, folding your arms. 

He crosses into the shop, pushing the little gate open and stands next to you, arms crossed. The height you had is now lost, forcing you to look up at him. 

“As far as I know, you ain't the boss of me. I suggest taking the stick out of your ass before you come here.” 

Mouth falling open in outrage, you move to reply but he's already turned away. 

“Oh, and princess, there ain't a dress code.” 

He's gone, disappearing upstairs. Blushing crimson, you cross your arms as if you can hide the conservative outfit you're wearing. 

You're beginning to see why Mac asked if you could put up with Eddie. 

********************

Halfway through the day, you realise just why Mac puts up with Eddie. 

“Hey! Seeing if I can book with Eddie?” 

“Any appointments with Eddie?” 

“Just checking to see if Eddie had any cancellations?” 

It seems most calls are about him. As you check his schedule, it's not only fully booked for the next 6 months, they've even started a waiting list at the back. 

“Any walk-ins?”

The words next to your ear make you jump bodily, almost losing your place on your chair in alarm. 

“You scared me! No, I would have said,” turning to him, you're sucked into those deep brown eyes once again. “Why do you do walk-in Wednesdays if you're so… so popular?” 

Eddie flashes a smile at you, full of self importance. “I don't know sweetheart, Van Gogh wasn't made to doodle!” Shouting the last part at the back of Mac's head, he turns to you. “We just divided the shifts, so it was fair, that's all. Why, want a tattoo?” 

You roll your eyes. “No, I was just wondering.”

“Do you have any, princess?” 

“Not that it's any of your business, but no, I don't.” 

The laugh that rips from Eddie's chest is hearty and full of amusement. 

“You work in a tattoo shop and you don't have any? That's practically blasphemy!” 

The little bell above the door rings, and a nervous guy looks around before walking in. Before you see what he wants, you shout to Eddie's retreating back. 

“Van Gogh was only famous after he died, you know!” 

It's a little later on in the day; you've done a stock take, ordered more ink, and neatened up the consent sheets three times. The phone hasn't rung in a while, and you're bored out of your mind. 

Chloe walks over, coat in her hand. 

“Hey, how you getting on?” 

“I'm good, just bored.” 

She laughs, “it's not always this quiet, mid week and all. Mac's done for the day, and I'm heading off. You gonna be OK?” 

You glance over to Eddie, who to your surprise is tattooing his own fingers. 

“What, with the untrained monkey? I'll live.” 

She laughs harder at that, “he's not so bad, once you get to know him.” Lowering her voice, she whispers, “he's good at some things, you know.” The conspiratorial wink fills in what she isn't saying. Cheeks flushed, you gawp at Eddie and back at Chloe. 

“Huh? W-what, are you like, an item?” You ask, entirely thrown. 

“Oh no, he's not exactly boyfriend material. It was just one night, but bloody hell. Anyway, it's not like that anymore, we're just friends now. Maybe you two should just, you know.” 

A blush floods your face, almost reaching the roots of your hair. “I don't- I don't, do that.” 

“I'm just saying, it's an option. It'd stop the bickering at least. I can sense the tension from all the way over there.” 

Without a further word, she leaves you sitting on your stool, trying to remember how to breathe. 

Right, let's just play nice. 

Walking over to his station, you try to glimpse what he's tattooing. 

“I thought Van Gogh wasn't made to doodle” you quip, trying to keep it light. 

“This is different” he responds, not looking up at you.

“You know, that's a waste of a needle.” 

Eddie turns the machine off and rolls his eyes at you. 

“Who made you Princess of the Needles, hmmm?” 

“Mac did actually, when he asked me to check the stock,” you reply hotly, folding your arms. Stopping for a second, you take a breath. Play nice, you're supposed to be playing nice. 

“Sorry, I didn't mean to-” 

Eddie turns the machine back on and continues with his impromptu tattoo. 

“Can't you just be… professional?” You ask over the buzzing. 

“Can't you just relax for a second? No ones here. Fuck, you need to get laid.” 

Mouth dropping open in shock, you grab your bag and stomp out of the store, anger fuelling every step. 

********************

Right, be calm, put together. You've dealt with worse people. 

It's true. At the coffee shop you had on edge caffeine addicts shout in your face almost on a daily basis, but none of them got under your skin like Eddie did. Then again, none of them had spat truths like venom in your face.

Breathe. Just breathe. 

Taking the leap, you walk into the shop, coffees and a tray of donuts in hand; a small peace offering. To your surprise, he is already at his station, sorting through ink pots. 

You make quick work of handing out coffee and donuts to everyone, until you reach his side. There's plastic wrap around one of his fingers, you assume from his little tattoo session yesterday. It only serves to remind you of how tetchy you were. 

“Morning Eddie.” 

“So you came back. Tough little princess ain't ya? Remove the stick from your ass yet?” The grin he flashes you is wide but there's a bite to his words. 

He's trying to rile you up, but you ignore it, thrusting a coffee at him. 

“I'll be nice if you will.” 

Tension laces the air as he stares at your outstretched hand, but he takes the coffee. 

“I'm sorry Eddie.” 

Opening the box of donuts, you gesture for him to take one. He does, stuffing half of it into his mouth. 

“What about you?” you ask.

“Huh?” He mumbles through a mouthful of crumbs. 

“Are you sorry…?” 

“What for?” 

Setting your jaw, your hand is about two seconds from slapping the shit out of him, but you need the money. So, you huff and walk away. 

“What did I do?” He huffs, shouting it to the shop. 

“You should just say sorry, you've clearly upset her.” Chloe calls over to him, a slight smile on her face. 

“Yeah, how do you know?” 

“You upset everyone Eddie.” She laughs, and stands to greet her first client. 

It's a tense kind of day, with neither you nor Eddie backing down, only speaking to each other if absolutely necessary. By the time everyone's left it's just you and him again. 

He's finishing up with a client, telling them about aftercare as they gush about their new ink. It's difficult to deny, the guy is talented. This phoenix tattoo looks like it's popping right off of the skin, the flames so bright and detailed you could swear you saw them move. 

Once they've left, there's an awkward pause. Eddie breaks the silence first. 

“Listen, I'm sorry sweetheart. I shouldn't have been rude to you. So I'll make you a deal. I'll give you a tattoo, for free, and we ask each other questions, get to know each other. What do you say?” 

Smiling in spite of yourself, you turn to face him. “And why would I want a tattoo?” 

He visibly relaxes at your grin, and flashes one of his own. “Come on, I'm the best. I promise I'll be gentle.” 

“We close at six, so it'll have to wait.” 

Eddie looks at the clock, and bobs his head with each tick. Twenty seconds later he turns to you, eyebrows raised.

“Fine, I suppose it is a bit silly to work in a tattoo shop with no ink.” 

He punches the air with glee, forcing you to smile despite your better judgement. 

“Well then, what are you thinking, got any ideas in mind?” 

“I want a heart on my hip” he groans, putting his face in his hands, “hang on, before you judge, I want one like this.” 

Pulling a book from your bag, you turn to the page neatly bookmarked. It's an anatomical heart from a textbook you own, a line and dot drawing.

“Oh.” Eddie's eyes light up, “that's pretty metal, actually. So, you just happen to have this on you?” 

“No, I've been thinking about it for a while. It's… not what people would expect. And when I got the job here, I was working up the courage to get it. Carrying around the book was a promise to myself, I think.” 

He busies himself with getting a stencil ready, the drawing supplied speeding up the process. 

“Right, climb on up princess, show me where you want it.”

Blushing, you unzip your skirt at the back and roll it down slightly, shifting your blouse up high. The smile Eddie gives you is salacious, but he doesn't say a word. 

“Right here?” Softly his fingertips graze you, making you jump. That simple act crackles over your skin in an electricity unknown to you. 

“Y-yes,” you practically whisper it, face crimson. 

“So, questions. Can I go first?” 

“Sure” you nod, feeling vulnerable flashing this much skin. 

“OK,” he starts, pressing the stencil down, “I'll start with an easy one. How old are you?” 

“23.” 

He nods, prepping the needle, “your turn princess.” 

“How old are you?” 

“Ah, copycat,” he grins, testing the gun, the sudden noise making you jump, “I'm 30 sweetheart. I know, I look younger.” 

Act younger is more like it. 

“I'm gonna start, you still alright?” 

“Uh huh.” 

“Atta girl. It'll feel like a scratch.” 

He leans forward as his words burn your insides. Atta girl? Part of you wanted to tell him you're not a fucking horse, but another, deeper, part keens at the praise, kicking it's feet and twirling its hair like some dizzy schoolgirl.

The needle touches and you jump, but it's fine. It's easy. If anything, it's rather nice? You gasp at the feeling, your feet wiggling. 

“Right, next question. Why here, why this job?” 

The gun is moving across your skin, consuming all rational thought. You could lie, but a part of you feels like he'd know somehow. 

“I thought it was a printers shop, or a copy place.” 

He laughs briefly, but continues to focus on your new ink. 

“I knew it. Pretty, innocent thing like you, wandering into this den of depravity? Too good to be true.” 

Glazing over his comment, you think of a question to ask. 

“How did you start working here?” 

Eddie scoffs and turns off his machine for a moment, “you need to get creative, stop using my questions.” 

“I really want to know!” You say, meeting his derisory look. 

“Fine, quid pro quo and all that shit. Been here seven years. I begged. I begged Mac for an apprenticeship everyday for a week. He gave in, and here I am. Ask something else, that was boring.” 

You wrack your brains, trying to think of something original, far too aware of the steadying hand that he's pushing onto your abdomen. 

“What band is that?” 

It's the only thing that pops into your mind. He follows your eye line to his t-shirt. 

“Oh this? This is my band, Corroded Coffin. You should come see us sometime.” 

“Oh, what do you play?” 

His face lights up, “I sing, and play guitar. That's why my fingers are so rough-” he holds one up, covered in black latex, “-oh yeah, gloves.” 

After you both share a chuckle, there's a breath of quiet between you, except for the sound of the tattoo gun.

“My turn,” he says, smiling at your hip, “I gotta know, are you a virgin?” 

It's a miracle that he's as responsive as he is, since the question knocks you sideways. You sit up in shock, but he's already moved the needle off and away. 

“You can't just ask that, it's… it's rude!” you splutter, face glowing red. 

There's no trace of apology on his face. In fact, his grin only widens with your reply. 

“I thought so. Don't worry, I'm not gonna tease you about it.” 

Laying back down, you try to think of something to say, but it just doesn't arrive. He can read you like an open book and it's deeply unsettling, not to mention embarrassing. 

“Your turn princess.” 

“I don't want to play anymore.” 

“Oh come on, I'm being nice! Ask me something.” 

“Fine. What was your last wet dream about?” 

To your dismay, he smiles yet again.

“You, sweetheart.” 

Huffing, you cross your arms in annoyance. “Fine, don't answer.” 

He's focusing on your tattoo, tongue poking out in concentration, “I'm nearly done, then you can go back to hating me.” 

“I don't hate you. I've never hated anyone,” you respond in truth. Eddie's eyebrows raise, but he remains focused. 

“Really? You must have had a much better childhood than mine.”

It's quiet for a bit. You're not sure how to respond to that, feeling the cloud of his memory hanging thickly in the air between you. 

“All done.” 

“Huh?” 

He chuckles and points at your new ink, “take a look.” 

It's beautiful. All line and dot work, like it was pulled from the book itself and glued to your hip. 

“It's amazing Eddie. Thank you.” 

The grin he shoots you is warm as he wraps your new ink and then removes his gloves. “No problem. I'll lock up, the sheets on aftercare are right there. But you knew that.” 

Smiling affectionately, you take one and stand up, hovering for a second. 

“Eddie what do I owe-” 

“-not a damn thing. See you in the morning, princess.”

********************

The next few days were much more pleasant. Eddie was flirty, yes, but he seemed to understand when to stop. You had been nicer to him, biting back on the comments when you could. There was a rhythm to it, a constant dance of him flustering you and you annoying him. 

Things really felt like they were falling into place. Until Eddie decided to cross the line. 

Walk in Wednesday again, and the shop was dead. Julio was on shift, sitting in the back having a nap. 

“Hey Mac, can I ask you something?” 

“Sure, what is it Miss?” 

“Well, how do people know about our Wednesdays?” 

“Mostly word of mouth. We handed out flyers before, but it didn't really pick up. Honestly, I'm thinking of scrapping it.” He shrugs, taking a sip of coffee. 

“Before you do, I have an idea. I can design some flyers, get them out to the coffee shop I used to work at. It's by campus, I'm sure a few students would jump at the chance. You could offer a student discount, get them in the door?” You stare at him wide eyed, hoping he likes the idea. The little speech was one you'd practised about fourteen times before actually saying it to him. 

He stares at you for a moment, then smiles. “You know, that's a good idea. I like it. Tell you what, you make it a success and I'll give you a raise.” 

“Oh, thank you! I'll get on it.” You beam, and start planning the flyer. 

Ten minutes later you have your head down, your attention entirely on the paper in front of you. The noisy shop was purely a background soundtrack, including the approaching footsteps. Then, there's a whisper, directly in your ear. 

“What you up to, princess?” 

“Fuck!” 

You scream it out and jump so high you fall off your stool. Eddie's in bits, laughing so hard he's clutching his stomach. 

“I'm sorry I didn't mean to,” he says, looking the least sorry you've ever seen a person look. 

Clambering off the floor to berate him, your mouth flops open when you hear a rip. As you desperately turn your head to look down, you see where your pencil skirt has torn right next to the seam nearly up to your ass. 

“Fuck's sake Eddie! What the hell am I gonna do!” 

Hands shaking, you clench your jaw in panic, trying to frantically come up with a way to rectify it. Eddie holds his hands up to you as if he were approaching a wild animal. 

“Just calm down princess, it's only a skirt.” 

Pouting, you hit him on the arm. 

“It's not just a skirt! I can't work like this, how can I go home and change, I won't be able to fix it and-” 

Eddie smiles and holds one of your hands. 

“It's gonna be OK, we can sort something out. You seriously need to chill, have a big O or something.” He chuckles, clearly meaning for it to be a joke, but it's hitting too close to home. 

It's never happened for you. You've kissed guys, sure, but whenever they reach into your pants, it's either uncomfortable or downright painful. Even your own desperate fumblings haven't got you there. Most of the time you just feel stupid and awkward trying to touch yourself. So, you'd given up, thinking you're broken. That it'll never happen for you. 

Tears well immediately in your eyes. He knows he fucked up, it's written all over his face. As he opens his mouth to speak you rip your hand from his grasp and run to the restroom sobbing. 

It's stupid, it's so stupid. You know that, but the tears won't stop falling, face hot and scrunched as you sit on the closed toilet seat with your head in your hands. Your breath is heavy, gulping and wet; you dimly wonder if you can just stay here until the shop closes.

There's a gentle knock on the door. 

“Sweetheart, can I come in?” It's Eddie, voice softer than you've ever heard it. 

“Go away” you manage. It's shaky and pathetic sounding, but it's out there. 

“I'm not going anywhere. Talk to me, you'll feel better, I promise.” 

He tries the door, turning the handle before you get a chance to lock it. Jumping upright, you go to push him away but he grabs your wrist and pulls you into him. His embrace takes away that edge and pretty soon you're just sobbing into his chest. 

As he strokes the back of your head, he makes shushing noises, his other arm wrapped tight around your shoulders. You're not sure how long you stay like that, in the warmth of his hold, his body pressed against yours. The tenderness calms you down until your tears stop, but he doesn't pull away. 

After a while, he whispers, “feel a little better?” 

“Y-yeah,” you say, voice returning to itself. 

Only then does he release you, rubbing a thumb under your eye to wipe moisture away. 

“I didn't mean to hurt you. You wanna go somewhere and talk about it?” 

“I- I've never- I don't talk about- I-” you shake your head as if to clear it. A part of you wants to hit him, to shout at him, but his gaze is so concerned that you agree. Your shoulders slump, losing a bit of tension. “OK.” 

Smiling at you, he whips his flannel shirt off, leaving him in a white vest, and ties it around your waist. 

“For your modesty. Come with me.” 

Puzzled, you follow him out of the bathroom and back into the shop where Mac is sitting looking worried. 

“What's going-” 

Eddie interrupts, “emergency late lunch needed, alright? Can you cancel my 3 o clock?” 

Mac seems confused, but looks at Eddie's earnest face, and your emotional one, and nods. 

“Not a problem.” 

“Thanks, man.” 

Before you can ask where you're going, he pulls you from the shop by the arm and across the street into a dimly lit bar, depositing you in the nearest booth. 

“I'll be right back.” 

If he's uncomfortable by his appearance, he doesn't show it. The way he strides up to the bar, it's as if he owns the place. It's remarkable, the sheer confidence he embodies like a second skin. 

“Hey, John!” He hollers, knuckles knocking on the wood of the bar. 

John appears, a gruff, stocky guy with a buzz cut and a sour face. 

“What the fuck are you doing here.” 

“Oh come on, you know you missed me.” 

John's face screws into something akin to a smile. “What do you want, you little shit.” 

“I love it when you talk dirty,” Eddie grins and winks, “two beers please.” 

A grunt and a nod, and John puts the beers down on the bar. As Eddie reaches for his wallet John waves a hand in dismissal. 

“Put that away boy, your money ain't good here. Besides, your lady friend looks like she needs it.” 

You flush and tear your eyes away, embarrassed. Eddie walks back over and puts a beer in front of you. 

“Eddie, we're still working I-” 

“It's one beer. It's alright.” 

You shrug and take a sip, nodding at the bartender, “he knows I'm upset, do I look a mess?” 

Shaking his head so hard it releases some of his wayward waves from their confines, he tips his beer at you, before he takes a long chug. 

“No,” he says enthusiastically, “you look just as pretty as you always do.” 

Scoffing, you turn your eyes downward. Eddie ignores your response, instead pressing on what happened earlier. 

“Sorry again,” he says, sounding genuinely distressed, "I don't want to see anyone hurt from something I said, least of all you.” 

Meeting his gaze, you smile incredulously. “Oh? And why me?” 

“Come on, don't make me say it.” 

Staring at him, you fold your arms in an act of defiance. He rolls his eyes and looks at you. 

“I like you. You're uptight, and mean to me, and a little conceited, but I like you. I don't want you to hurt. Can we just be friends? I'm a pretty good listener, you know? I can help.” 

Heat floods your insides. Eyes scanning him for any sign of a joke, you come up empty. 

‘I'm not conceited,” you counter weakly, clinging on to the familiar push and pull. 

“And I'm the Easter bunny.” 

Giggling, you take another sip of beer. 

“Come on, friends? Talk to me.” 

Sighing deeply, you fix your gaze at the table, forefinger tracing patterns in the condensation from your drink. “Promise not to laugh?” 

“I promise.” 

You can't tell how genuine he's being, as you don't dare look at his face, nerves controlling your every limb. His voice seems honest enough. 

“I- I have a problem, something I can't physically do. You reminded me of it. It's not your fault.” Shrugging in an attempt to make this look less serious than it is for you, you take a pull out of your beer bottle once more.

“Wait, are you saying…” he chuckles a little in disbelief, “have you never… had an orgasm before?” 

“Eddie, be quiet!” You urgently whisper, looking around the bar. 

“No one's listening sweetheart, no spies in here,” he says in a low tone, hand reaching out to grasp yours. Your first instinct is to shake his hand away but he holds firm, rough fingertips rubbing against your knuckles. 

“Eddie, I'm broken,” you whimper, voice breaking, “I can't do it.” 

“Oh sweetheart,” he responds, chock full of emotion, “you're not broken. You are perfect.” 

Pulling your hand away, you keep your eyes away from his, unwilling to meet that burning gaze of his. Unwilling to lose yourself in those sultry dark eyes. 

“I can't do it. Anytime some guy tries, it hurts. I've given up to be honest. I just wasn't made for it.” 

He laughs again, dragging his hand over his face. 

“Fuck, sweetheart, the problem ain't you. Have you- have you tried, fixing it, on your own?” The last part is a whisper, you assume to protect your feelings. 

“Yeah, but I just feel stupid and awkward. I don't know.” 

There's a little silence between you as you both dwell in the suffocating fog of your confession, neither of you willing to clear it. 

“Listen, this may be way out of your comfort zone, but I'm saying it anyway. If you don't like it, we'll forget it, and I won't mention it again.” 

Finally looking at him, at the vulnerability on his face, you nod, not trusting your voice. 

“I can… maybe I can help you. Show you you're not broken? As a favour between friends.” 

You laugh mirthlessly and finish your beer. “That's a little more than a favour, Eddie.” 

“We can keep it professional.” 

You stare at him wide eyed. His messy hair and dark glittering eyes. At the way he slumps in his seat like a king or a delinquent, you can't decide which. At his taunt frame, the tattoos spackling every available inch of his skin. Your eyebrows raise of their own accord. 

“Professional? You?” 

“Yeah, me! I can do it, you know. I could make you come.” 

A shiver forces its merry way down your spine at his words. 

“You're really confident.” 

“You haven't seen what I can do.” 

Blushing hard, you attempt to control yourself. “Look, if we're going to do this, I need you to promise some things.” 

“Ah, of course, you would have rules,” he grins, as he leans back and spreads in his seat, “continue.” 

Searching your mind for a moment, you try to glean what you need. 

“First of all, we need to be discreet, and professional at all times, clear?” 

“As crystal,” he grins wolfishly, “anything else?” 

“Yeah- I think,” you wrack your brains, trying to come up with something that would make this less intimate. Anything. But the roguish nature of his presence makes it hard to even think of a thing. Finally, your eyes widen at the idea that suddenly crosses your mind. 

“Final rule. No kissing.” 

He pouts, looking at your chest and back up, “no kissing anywhere?” 

“N-no, no kissing on the mouth.” 

Grin returning, he winks at you, a gesture that flips your stomach inside out. 

“Kinky. Alright, deal,” he leans forward to give his hand to yours. A hand covered in ink and calluses. Roughness and tenderness. 

You shake it.

********************

For the next couple of days, your little arrangement isn't brought up. A wild thought hammers itself into your mind; either he wasn't serious, or you imagined it. 

Those theories are put to bed on day three. 

After you let Mac know about the flyers and the bonus poster you designed, you sit back and enjoy the praise given to you. It's funny, the feeling of being told a job has been well done makes you happier than you care to admit.

Eddie turns up at the counter, whistling through his teeth. “Sweet looking flyers, how'd you swing those?” 

“I designed them. I've got a degree in design and marketing, if you didn't know,” you sniff, rearranging the stationary on the counter to avoid his eyes. 

“Maybe you could help me design some for my band. These look pretty metal.” He says, picking one up and looking at it closely. 

“Maybe.” 

Eddie leans in close, so close you feel the warmth of his breath on your cheek. 

“If you're still up for our arrangement, I'm free tonight.” 

Heat immediately flushes your face. Ignoring him entirely, you write your address and a time on a notepad, and thrust the paper into his hands. 

“Covert, I like it. See you then princess.” 

By the time 9pm rolls around you're a jittery mass of nerves, having changed clothes no less than four times, tidied your apartment, changed the bedsheets and paced so much you're surprised there's not a groove in the floorboards. 

In the end you'd decided on a baggy band t-shirt and your sleep shorts. It was a rational calculation to make Eddie think you're just wearing what you usually would at home and therefore show you're not nervous. I mean, you are wearing what you'd usually wear at home. He didn't need to know about how long it took you to reach that decision. 

The sound of the intercom buzzing sends your pulse into overdrive. Pressing the button, you let out a strangled “Hello?” 

“Hey princess.” 

“Come on up.” 

Fuckfuckfuckfuckfuck…

A soft knock at the door and you count to five, trying to remember how to breathe. When you open the door, you're stunned. He's leaning on the doorframe in a fucking button up shirt. It's black, and clings to him deliciously. His hair looks a little damp, loose around his shoulders, and his aftershave is making you feel dizzy. 

“Oh, you didn't need- I mean-” you point at his shirt, and he looks down and chuckles. 

“Just came from band practice. Took a shower, and this was clean,” he shrugs and shoulders into your apartment. “Nice place. Where's all your stuff?” 

You look around at your sparse apartment. Everything in order, down to the fresh flowers on your tiny dining table. 

“This is all my stuff,” you say, confused, “I don't like clutter.” 

He chuckles, walking over to you. “No wonder I annoy you. I am clutter.” 

He's close now, close enough so that you have to look up to see his face. His rough fingers ghost your arm, sending a wave of goosebumps over your skin. 

“Nice seeing you in something casual. L7, right?” He asks, pointing at the t-shirt. 

“Yeah, you know who they are?” 

“I'm surprised you do. Thought you'd be a Mariah Carey kinda girl.” 

You scrunch your face in distaste. “No, not at all. You don't know everything about me.” 

He leans in, warm breath a whisper in your ear. “I know some things about you.” 

Squirming hotly, you lead him to your room before you lose your nerve. 

“So, the princess's bedchamber. It's nice,” he remarks, flopping down on the bed as if it were his own. 

“Take your boots off,” you snip, folding your arms. 

“Ah, there she is.” He smiles, but does as instructed. Once more he's laying back into your scattered pillows looking perfectly at ease. You, on the other hand, stand there, spine a vertical rod as you stare back at him. 

 “Come on then, sit down.” 

Nervously you sit at the foot of the bed with your legs crossed. 

“Now princess, what do you do when you touch yourself?” 

Blushing furiously, you stammer out, “what, do you expect me to like, show you?” 

He chuckles, diffusing some of the tension. “As much as I'd like that, I don't think you're ready for that kinda shit. Just tell me, what's your thought process?” 

Staring at him for a little too long, you open your mouth and close it again. He rolls his eyes. 

“Look, if you want me to help I'll help, but you gotta give me something here.” He looks as if he's about to get up and leave; your arm shoots out on its own accord, grabbing his leg to stop him. 

“Sorry, sorry. I just, I've never spoken about this kinda stuff. I don't know about any process, I just… reach down and fiddle around?” You blush even more. 

“So you don't like, watch anything? Or read anything?” He looks a little amused.

“What on earth are you talking about?” 

“Porn, sweetheart.” 

It's so blunt that you jump a little. “Oh no, I've never, oh no no.” 

“Christ,” he whispers, “right, you can like, set the mood. Look at something to turn you on? It'd probably help you feel less awkward.” 

“Oh. Right.” 

“And do you ever just like, slouch? I feel like I'm back at school looking at ya.” 

“Huh?” 

“Just, come here.” He pats the little space between his spread legs and you hesitate for a second before you crawl over to him. 

“How do you want me to sit, like cross legged or-” 

He grabs your hips and spins you, forcing your back into his crotch.

“Stop trying to control every little thing,” he says in a hard tone, one you're too embarrassed to admit makes your insides tingle. Softer, he continues. “Look, if you're ever gonna get there you need to relax, stop trying to control it, and stop overthinking.” 

“Great, all of the things I'm shit at.” 

His laugh is loud, it vibrates into your spine. “I'll help you, OK? You trust me?” 

“In a very limited sense of the word, yeah.” 

“Lemme rephrase. You still OK to do this?” 

“Yeah.”

“Good. Just relax.” 

You're not sure what you are expecting, but it certainly isn't his hands winding into your hair, fingertips rubbing softly at your scalp. It shoots tingles down your spine, your entire head feeling fuzzy and warm. 

You stifle a whimper, biting your lip. His fingers stop. 

“If you want to make noises, you can. Tells me I'm doing a good job. That goes for everything else too, alright?” 

“Alright.” You whisper. 

“You comfortable?” 

“Yeah it's just- well-”

“Tell me.” 

“I think it's your shirt buttons, they're digging into my back a bit,” you admit, feeling the sharp points down your spine. 

“Easily fixed.” He taps your arm and you lean forward. Some rustling, and he throws his shirt to the foot of your bed. 

“Now just chill sweetheart.” 

His fingers begin rubbing at you again, thumbs sinking low to pop at the bubbles in your neck. 

“Fuck, that's really nice.” 

He hums appreciatively, working his hands lower and dropping them to your shoulders. The massaging continues, and you feel yourself melting, your body moulding into his. Your legs, once ramrod straight, have bent a little and parted of their own accord, the muscles loosening. Even your breathing has slowed. 

“That's better, atta girl,” he says and you whine at the words, a little pathetic mewling sound that tumbles past your lips.

“Oh, you like that, don't you?” The smile is evident in his voice, a smug tone smeared liberally across each word. 

“You, you're so-” you begin, but his hand drags across the front of your shirt, just over the tops of your breasts.

“I'm so what?” He whispers in your ear.

“So, so arrogant,” you huff. He laughs, a husky chuckle, and dances the tips of his fingers over your clothed nipple. Gasping, you grasp at his thighs either side of you.

“Yeah? What else am I?” He says, nibbling at your earlobe. 

“You- you're cocky, and- and self assured- Oh God!” 

Rudely interrupted by him tweaking your nipple between his thumb and forefinger, you swear, back arching off of him for a moment. 

“You know,” he says in a gravelly tone directly in your ear, “those are pretty much the same thing.” 

“You drive me crazy,” you huff, squirming a little against him as his hands explore your chest over your shirt.

“Good crazy or bad crazy?” He smiles, then bites softly at your neck. 

“I- I haven't decided yet.” 

“Good. I can say the same about you,” he admits, his hands trailing lower, pulling your shirt up so he can stroke at your bare sides. The touch of fingertips on your skin sends a river of sensations through you that run deep into your core. 

“Are you going to- what are you doing, exactly?” You breathe, starting to move against him. 

“I'm warming you up sweetheart. Why, don't you like it?” 

Genuinely curious, you try to ask what you want to know without using the words. 

 “N- no, I do. Do you have to, erm, get warmed up? When you, you know.” 

He lets out a little huff of a laugh. “Guys are a little less… complicated, than girls. For the most part.” 

“Oh. OK, so you can just. I mean, you just, get excited?” Your breathing becomes more ragged when the tip of his thumb grazes the underside of your breast. 

“Sweetheart, I got hard seeing you in these little shorts.” Running a finger down your stomach, he lightly pings the elastic of your sleep shorts as if to accentuate his point. 

“Really?” 

There's no denying it when he moves his hips up and you feel his solid bulge press into the small of your back. 

“Really. Can I take this off?” He asks, twisting the hem of your shirt in one hand. 

“Yeah.” It's a whisper. You're a little scared of being bare chested, but not having to see his face helps. Plus, he's wound you up so much you're on the verge of begging for his touches, pleading for more. 

He guides your top up, up, up, revealing you slowly. Coaxing it over your head, you move your arms up so he can remove it. It ends up in a heap on top of his shirt. One tattooed arm wraps around your waist, pulling you toward him more, his hardness pushing against your ass. 

His breathing is unsteady as he grinds his hips, pushing onto you further. Gasping, your fingers are vices, firmly attached to his thighs in a vain attempt to anchor you. 

Suddenly his hand is winding into your hair, tugging your head aside so he can run a fat tongue across your neck. You shudder at the sensation, feeling the hard ball of his tongue piercing against your throat When he takes his pillowy lips and sucks at the spot between your neck and shoulder a moan slips out. Grunting in approval, his hands are on your bare tits, fingers pinching at your hardened nipples. 

“Holy hell!” 

He laughs, running rough fingers down your body, circling your new ink, then dipping down past your waistband. Those tattooed fingers barely brush your pubic hair, teasing you, then glide back up to your stomach. 

“Eddie, please.” 

Your voice is small, not your own. Eddie groans low in your ear, rubbing his length into the fat of your ass.

“Fuck, princess, I like you saying my name like that. You want me to touch you right here?” he says, pressing down hard over your clothed clit. 

The sheer relief of having his touch where you need it gets you close to tears; a gulping shudder of a sob rips from deep in your chest. 

“See, you're not broken, sweetheart. Can I take these off?” 

Shaking, you hook your fingers into your sleep shorts and pull them down your legs, air hitting your most intimate area. Eddie huffs in your ear, his inked hands rubbing up the insides of your thighs. 

“You're so fuckin’ sexy.”

Before you can retort, his fingers dip down to your entrance, gathering your slick. You can hear how wet you are, but it's not in you to think about it. You can't think, only feel. 

When his fingers run up and start rubbing circles into your clit, your response is visceral. Bucking up, you chase the feeling, searching for even more. 

“I'm gonna slip a finger in, alright princess?” 

You nod, waiting for the pain, wincing before it even starts.

“It's OK, you're fine, you gotta relax baby.” He strokes your stomach with his free hand, pressing kisses to your temple. 

The tip of his finger breaches you, and the pain doesn't come. Your soaking wet cunt invites him in, warm and pulsing with arousal. He slips it into the hilt, his palm pressing into your clit, and your moan is long and loud. It's never felt like this. Never has it stoked a fire in your gut, bubbled your insides like pop rocks and Coke, turned you into a writhing mess. 

He fucks his finger into you, slipping a second in to join the first, and you move your hips, chasing the building tightness in your belly. Each thrust of his hand has you bucking, and in turn rubbing against his member trapped within its denim prison. 

“That's it, good fuckin’ girl.” His voice is strained, as if he's trying hard not to lose control. 

“Eddie, oh fuck, f-feels so- good, yes, please, please-” 

You're not sure what you're begging for, and Eddie doesn't seem to be in any state to ask, but it doesn't matter. His fingers fuck into you in earnest, stroking hard against some spot inside that has you babbling and quivering around him. 

“God, you're so tight, this little cunts gonna drive me crazy. So wet and perfect, Jesus Christ.”

The feeling seems too much and not enough, and it grows higher and higher, flooding your body with a pleasure so intense you're sure you black out. The only thing you're aware of is your voice screaming out his name as your body thrusts wildly into his grip. Finally, it dissipates, your body melting against his form, sweating and spent. 

You take a breath, and another, trying to gather your wits enough to speak. Eddie speaks first.

“So sweetheart, everything you dreamed it would be?” He asks as he strokes your hair. 

“Better. Fuck, Eddie. Thank you.” 

“Anytime. Seriously. Any. Time. Day, night, weekends, holidays-” 

You giggle, slapping his thigh, and sit up, grabbing your discarded shirt to cover up. 

“Sorry, that was probably a little er, frustrating for you.” You say as you glance at his bare torso, drinking in the sight with your eyes for the first time. He's lean, but ripped, a faint sheen of sweating making his tattoos glisten in the low light. 

“What do you mean sweetheart?” 

“Well, doing that, not getting anything in return...” 

He chuckles lightly, “Oh I wouldn't say that,” he glances down, gesturing to his jeans, “full disclosure, I came in my pants.” 

“Really?” your eyes widen, staring at him with disbelief. 

“I ain't lying. Wanna check?” He waggles his eyebrows at you, making you laugh again. 

“You seem better already. Right, I better go.” 

Shoulders deflating, you pout, “I suppose you better.” 

“Hey don't look at me like that. I hoped that helped. Sleep tight, drink some water. I'll see you tomorrow princess.” 

And just like that, he leaves. Of course he leaves, it was just a deal you struck, nothing more. A favour. you wipe stray tears from your eyes and try not to focus on the sound of the front door shutting. 

As you collapse on the bed, exhausted, you think about his hands, his words. There's something screaming inside, telling you you're playing with fire, but as you drift off you can't find it in you to mind.

Taglist

@liminalpebble @eddies-puppet @rip-quizilla @micheledawn1975 @vanilla-demon @millercontracting @roanniom @josephquinnsfreckles @leelei1980 @mrsjellymunson @usedtobecooler @eddiesprincess86 @ali-r3n @choke-me-eddie @littlebebebunny @big-ope-vibes

[kissbyoon]

⠀𖼥ৎ⠀“shared seasons” ₍ k.mg ₎

───── ABOUT a glimpse of a perfect life with the love of your life

⋆ 𝒈𝒆𝒏𝒓𝒆: domestic fluff, humour, slice of life, comfort ⋆ 𝒑𝒂𝒊𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈: bf!mingyu x f!reader ⋆ 𝒄𝒘: skinship, kissing, petnames (baby), mentions of food ⋆ 𝒘𝒄: 3.3k

A/N: tysm anon for requesting! lmk if you like this !! ఇ ◝‿◜ ఇ

“Gyu, where's my toothbrush?”

Mingyu stopped brushing his teeth and turned his head to look at you—who is looking around the sink in search of a toothbrush. He points towards the mug where both of you usually put your toothbrushes.

“It should be here—” he paused, eyes widening as he pressed his lips into a thin line. The toothbrush that was in the mug was his.

With a look of disbelief and disgust, you stared at your boyfriend, who tried his best to hold in his laugh.

That meant yours was…

“Kim Mingyu!!!” you yell, reaching out to smack his shoulder, but he swiftly moves away with a giggle. “That's so— ew!” You whine, pointing at the toothbrush in his mouth.

Or should you say, your toothbrush.

“I took this by mistake! It's not a big deal!” Mingyu tried to protest.

“It is a big deal! I don't have a spare one and we have 40 minutes to get ready!”

“You have this,” he leans over with a sly smile, pointing to his toothbrush resting in the mug—slowly leaning away at your glare. “C’mon, baby, it's absolutely fine and normal between lovers.” He adds, continuing to brush his teeth with your toothbrush.

“Right,” You sigh, reaching over to grab his toothbrush instead. With a glance towards Mingyu’s direction—who was busy admiring himself in the mirror—you take the toothpaste and apply a small amount.

“It’s called a symbol of love.”

Mingyu snapped his head to look at you, eyes widening with surprise as his lips curved into a huge grin. “You're really going to use that?” He chirped, like it was the most wonderful thing in the world.

Well, nothing was more wonderful than witnessing your love start to become just like you.

“Do I have a choice?” You ask with a giggle as you begin to brush your teeth. Meanwhile, Mingyu kept giggling and stealing glances at you—soon turning a bit clingy as he reached out to hold your hand.

—

Just like that, both of you freshened up and started to get dressed for the hangout. The weather was just like any other perfect night—the beginning of spring with a tolerable amount of cold.

So, according to that, you decided to wear your favourite top with a cardigan and baggy trousers. But now, the most difficult choice—accessories. With the collection you have, it’s fair to say that it feels overwhelming to choose a single one and it makes you want to take all of them with you.

However, your boyfriend knew just what would suit you the most. So, taking your favourite set of earrings, you call out for him.

“Gyu?”

He immediately looks up from his phone, waiting for you to continue. You walk towards him, staring at the earrings in your hands with a frown.

“Which one looks better?” You ask, and he gently grabs your hand to look at the earrings. For a few seconds, he examines each of them with furrowed eyebrows before grinning.

“This one,” he says, taking his chosen pair of earrings from your hands before standing up to his feet, looking at you with an adorable grin.

“Does it look good?” You ask, still a bit hesitant. He immediately nods.

“Ofcourse it does, you look good in anything.”

Your lips curve into a smile at that, and you try to shrug it off. “So corny,” you giggle, but deep down he knows you love it when he compliments you like that. Which, by the way, is an everyday thing.

“I’m just romantic, you're not,” Mingyu pouts, shining his puppy-eyes at you. You scrunch your nose amusedly before tiptoeing a little to peck his lips.

“I'm more romantic than you, baby.”

You notice the way his eyes lit up when you kissed him, and regret doing so as a hint of mischief returned to them.

“Do it again, then I'll agree.” He demanded, pointing to his puckering lips.

“No, my kisses are expensive!”

“Says the one who kissed my whole face the whole day because I brought her a bouquet of crocheted flowers.”

“You're annoying.”

“You love me.” He grinned more when he noticed the way your lips showed the tiniest hint of a smile. Before he could form his next words, you reach out to cup his cheeks before pecking his lips again.

“There,” you say with a smile before rolling your eyes as he winked at you. “Now, allow me to get ready, we're already late.”

—

Surprisingly, both of you weren't ‘late’ to the hangout. Or more like, the party hadn't started without you two.

The whole night stretched out for hours and hours, leaving you extremely exhausted and sleep-deprived. And it would be fair to say you were a bit tipsy, because of all the excitement that rushed over you. While Mingyu refused to drink because he wanted to take care of you.

Ofcourse, he was the first one to notice your exhaustion and he knew that you do not want to be here any longer.

Bidding everyone goodbye, you headed outside with Mingyu guiding you gently—one hand on the small of your back and another one holding your hand. As you reach the parking lot, you squint your eyes, trying to spot Mingyu’s car. But it was nowhere to be found.

“Where's your car?” Slightly slurring, you ask. Mingyu glances at your direction, closing his eyes tightly when he remembered that Wonwoo had requested to borrow his car just before he left the party.

“Wonwoo hyung borrowed it for today,” he says, causing you to pout.

“Are we gonna walk all the way—”

You pause, staring at Mingyu who crouched down infront of you, his back facing you.

“I'll carry you.” He says, looking over his shoulder. You shift your weight from one foot to another, shaking your head.

“No… I've gained weight. We can just walk there.”

“What do you think this is for, baby?” He asks, proudly flexing his biceps with a smirk. “And it doesn't matter if you gained weight. I don't go to the gym for nothing.”

That made you giggle. He was right.

“Okay.” You mutter, carefully placing your hands on either one of his shoulders and leaning over while his arms hovered around your back to prevent you from tripping.

“I'm gonna stand up, okay?” Mingyu says softly, and after you hum in response, he slowly gets up to his feet, careful not to startle you. You wrap your arms around his collar, leaning forward to rest your head on his shoulder, seeking warmth.

“Comfortable?” He asks, slightly turning his head to look at you from the corner of his eye. You nod, letting out a contented sigh.

As he confirms that, he starts to walk ahead, always making sure to check whether or not you were asleep when it got too quiet. The streets were quiet, only the faint whoosh of the breeze audible—as if the world wasn't moving and only you and Mingyu were awake at this hour.

Well, to be very honest, that could be the case. Because it already had been past 2AM by the time you both reached your shared apartment.

Mingyu guided you inside, sat you down, handed you a glass of water, removed your makeup, helped you get changed into something much more comfortable, and now, laid you down on the bed, tucking you under the warm and comfortable sheets.

All these without a single complaint. Just soft and gentle words that didn't even sound judging. It didn't sound like he was mad at you for being a bit tipsy, like he was mad at you for being unable to do basic things by yourself in this state. No. He helped you with everything without a single question.

Mingyu quietly laid down beside you, refusing to take his part of the blanket when you told him to do so. He wasn't going to take it. Not after he realised how you were shivering in the cold and your hands felt like it had been touching snow in a harsh winter. And he wasn't feeling cold anyway.

“Give me your hand,” his voice tender and patient, he took your cold hands and grabbed a hot pack before placing it between your hands and wrapping his own hands around yours. You stared at him as he did all that, feeling a rush of emotions that caused your heart to feel heavy.

“Did you go to winter wonderland without me, baby?” He joked with a smile to lighten up the mood when he noticed how quiet you were. He raised his gaze to look at you, his eyes immediately softening when they met yours that shone with unshed tears.

Letting go off your hands, he scooted closer, placing a hand on the back of your head. “Baby? Did you not like my joke? I'm so sorry, please don't cry—”

“I love you, gyu,” you breathe out, your eyes never leaving his. Those words, at that very moment, hit his heart like the cupid's arrow. Like the very first time you had uttered those words. For him.

For a second, he wanted to run away when he felt his cheeks heat up and his heart skipped a beat. But then, he wanted to hug you and never pull away.

“I love you more, though.” He says, his lips instinctively curving into a smile when he saw a grin on your face and heard the chuckle you let out.

“Are we competing now?” Mingyu nods at that, his hands trailing down to wrap around your waist as he pulls you closer to cuddle.

“We have to,” he says, his voice barely above a whisper and his eyes glimmering with nothing but admiration and love. He leans over to bury his face in your neck. “Because I do love you more.”

“This is unfair, I'm too tired to argue, gyu.”

“Does that mean I win?”

“No, I'll get you tomorrow.” You declare, causing him to giggle.

“Hm, okay,” with a lingering kiss on your shoulder, he leans away and lets you cuddle up against him as he engulfs you in his arms.

Just when he feels your breathing begin to steady and your expression becomes peaceful, he pressed a kiss on the top of your head, whispering a ‘I’ll still win tomorrow’

Lucky for him, you were long asleep by then.

—

Last night was so exhausting to the point your brain went blank, and Mingyu too, got so lost in admiring you and both of you completely forgot that today was an extremely important day for you at work aswell as for him.

Because you had to submit your work to your team leader, and Mingyu had an important business meeting to attend with another company.

Well, the reason for Mingyu was clear and true—he doesn't want to leave you alone in that state and it's actually your fault for confessing out of nowhere.

Meanwhile, you promise in your life that you'll never ever drink again in your entire life. Although your boyfriend knows that it’ll be broken by next week, he still supports you like a girl’s girl.

But that wasn't the biggest problem right now. What actually was? The fact that it was 7 in the morning right now, and you had to be present at work by 7:30.

Although Mingyu’s meeting started at 8, he still insisted on dropping you off. And the way your apartment looked like a mess right now did not help—all your clothes, belongings scattered around because you literally woke up at 6:40 and had to rush everything.

And your boyfriend was quite literally on the same page. Tripping over everything that was scattered on the floor was one of the things he was doing before he came running to you with wide puppy eyes.

“Baby, have you seen my tie?” He asks, desperately trying to find it everywhere he can. You pause, trying to think about where it could be. Then it hit you—he had put it in the washing machine just yesterday after coming back from work.

“It's… in the washing machine…” you trail off, looking over to Mingyu, who was one step away from banging his head on the wall.

“Nooo…” He whined, his lips jutting out in a pout. Suddenly, he huffed and sprinted outside of the bedroom, heading somewhere.

Oh no. You really don't wish it was what you're thinking right now.

Soon, he enters the bedroom. This time, his brown and black tie that was put in the washing machine was in his hands as he aggressively tried to wrap it around his neck.

“Baby… you're really gonna wear that?” You ask in disbelief, although you did expect him to do that.

He raises his gaze, still trying to do the tie. “I don't have a spare one…” He mumbles in a pouty voice, and you could see how stressed he was.

He had a huge meeting ahead, and this shitty day was already starting off bad.

Letting out a sigh, you walk towards him. “Let me do it, gyu.” You say, and his lips immediately curved into a grin, making you smile aswell. Just as he hands you the tie, you sniff something and scowl.

“What's that burning smell?” You ask, furrowing your eyebrows funnily.

“Huh?” He leans over to your side and sniffs, his expression instantly shifting from confusion to pure horror.

“Oh no,” he hisses to himself before running to the kitchen. You blinked in confusion, turning around to watch as he almost tripped over nothing on the way there. You followed behind him hastily, feeling the extreme panic radiate from him.

You soon reached the kitchen as well, asking him what's wrong as he stood there like a statue.

“Gyu—” you walk over to him, your eyes landing on the pan that rested over the stove with a burnt omelette in it. You gasp, quickly turning the stove off before looking over to Mingyu who stood there, shoulders slumped in disbelief, shock or sadness—you couldn't even tell.

“Baby…” he mumbled, unable to keep his laugh of self-destruction. Despite his attempts to stay composed, his eyes became a little teary, so you immediately reached out to wrap your arms around his neck, pulling him in for a hug.

“It's okay, don't worry about it,” You pat his back, trying to comfort him as he rested his head on your shoulder.

“I messed it up… now you’ll have to work on an empty stomach and that's not something nice.” He complains, still upset that you will be hungry, not him. You let out a soft chuckle at that.

“Hey, we can always grab something from the store while we walk to work, right?” You suggest in an amused voice, and he immediately perks up at that. But then he frowns.

“We’ll walk? But why?”

“Your car is still with Wonwoo, remember?” Just as you say that, Mingyu lets out a whine and leans against the wall behind him, as if among those 99 problems, another one had struck him like thunder to make it a 100.

You laugh at his dramatic reaction, placing your hands on his shoulders as you shake him a little. “C’mon, isn't it a good thing? Quality time, we call it.”

Ofcourse, that meant you would be a bit late to work. But maximum just by 10 minutes, so it wouldn't hurt.

“Are you sure?” He asks, again thinking about you and not himself. You nod, then notice the light in his eyes return in an instant.

“Then we should hurry up!” He chirps, and suddenly, he is all energetic and enthusiastic again.

Because of him, you are ready in just five minutes as he helped you do your hair and found everything you were searching for in the scattered mess. As for him, he just needed to wear the tie and do his hair, and you both were good to go.

—

Strolling down the street, hand in hand, with a bun in your other hand and a chocolate bread in his as you both talked about how this day would be so exhausting—sounded so peaceful after the hectic and rushed morning the two of you had experienced.

After Mingyu dropped you off, he headed to Wonwoo’s place to get his car back because he still had 20 minutes until the meeting. Also because he learned that the CEO being five minutes late doesn't matter anyway, the meeting should just go well.

Fast forwarding the time—you didn't think that your day would go by so smoothly. While you were glad and happy, you kept wondering how Mingyu’s day went.

Was the meeting successful? Did he have a good day? Or was he upset?

By the time you had gotten off work, you were sure he was done too. So, you dialed his number to ask him about his day but just then, a car pulled up on the road infront of you. As the windows rolled down, revealing Mingyu with a smile, you noticed the way his eyes didn't carry his usual spark.

Turns out, you were correct. But when your boyfriend said he will just have a pack of ramen before going to bed, you immediately refuse.

You weren't letting him go to bed with basically an empty stomach. Not after he had not even eaten lunch because of the business partner who always felt the need to drag out things and make everything more stressful.

“I'm okay, you don't have to cook..” Mingyu mumbles, watching you cut vegetables as he stands behind you. You shake your head firmly enough to let him know that you weren't going to back down.

“You need to eat, gyu. And I can cook for you.” You say, turning your head to glance at him once. For a moment, he stands still with no reaction, but then he pouts, stepping forward to wrap his arms around your torso, his face buried in your shoulder.

“That man pisses me off so bad.” He suddenly started ranting, and you listened to his complaints intendly. He ranted about how, out of anyone in the company, his personal assistant would be the last one he would suspect of something, and yet he turned out to be the one snitching on his company to their rivals.

“I trusted him alot, baby…” Mingyu mumbles against your shoulder. You raise one of your hands to cup his cheek as you turn around to face him so he could hug you properly.

“Come here,” you open your arms with a smile, and he immediately pulls you to his side to hug you. He sighs in contentment, the corners of his lips finally curving into a soft smile as he buried his face in your neck.

“Don't beat yourself up for it. You trusted someone, but they didn't turn out to be like you expected. That's fine, baby, that's really fine. Just be careful with how the person is before you trust them.” You say, patting his back gently as you rocked him side by side like a baby. He hummed in response and nodded, pressing a soft kiss against your skin.

“But that doesn't apply to me.” you joke in an attempt to lighten the mood, and Mingyu immediately let out a chuckle at that, tightening his grip around you.

“Why not?” He pulls back slightly to look at you in amusement.

“Because I'm special. Very special.” You grin at him as he takes a few seconds to just stare at you before laughing again.

“I can't argue with that.” He says, pressing a kiss to your cheek.

“That's what I thought.”

The kitchen air was filled with your usual giggles and playful banters after that. But in the back of your mind, both of you knew the importance of each other. The importance of having each other in your lives.

No matter how the weather was—gloomy, rainy, thundering or sunny—it was never so bad for you two to stay apart. That wasn't just about the weather. And no matter what the season is, both of you will share the day with each other. It didn't always have to be a day filled with laughs and silliness, but it didn't pull you apart. Never.

KISSBYOON 2025. all rights reserved. @maestro-net @kstrucknet

[lives-in-midgard]

You Are In Love

Pairing: Evan Buckley x reader

Summary: When you're out with your friends you meet a handsome firefighter. After a while you go on a date and decide to keep your relationship a secret until something happens.

Word Count: 1200

A/N: Hey. This is part of the Buddie-August challenge. This also includes some characters from the Rookie. I hope you like it!

Divider made by @firefly-graphics

Buddie-August hosted by me and @buckys-wintersoldier

Prompt: Kisses

911 Masterlist | Main Masterlist

After a long shift at work one of your colleagues had the idea to go to a bar. You don’t often go to bars with all of them, but today you all finally had time. A lot has changed for you since you started working as a police officer at the Mid-Wilshire Station. You found a lot of friends there and you love your job.

“I’m gonna get a drink, would any of you like one too?” You asked the others.

“Could you get me another one of these.” Lucy said, pointing at her drink and you nodded.

“What about you Tim?”

“I’m good, thanks.” He said, smiling at you. When the others said they didn’t need anything, you made your way over to the bar. While you were waiting in line for drinks, a cute guy stood next to you and waited as well. Somehow he looked familiar to you, but you weren’t sure where you had seen him before. He smiled at you and then you suddenly remembered him. You could never forget that smile.

“You’re firefighter Buckley, right?” You asked and he chuckled.

“Yeah, that’s me. Wait and you are officer L/n.”

“You can call me y/n.” You said with a smile.

“Only if you call me Buck because that’s what everyone calls me.”

“Okay, deal.” You said and he had that sweet smile again. You talked for a few more minutes until your drinks were ready.

“See you around, Buck.”

“See you and be safe.” He said and watched as you walked back to your table. You handed Lucy her drink and sat down next to Tim again.

“Who was this guy?” Tim asked curious.

“Oh, just a friend.” You answered and Tim nodded. You and Tim have been friends and partners for a long time and over time he has become very protective over you. He always knows when something is wrong and is there for you as best as he can.

The next day you kept thinking about your meeting with Buck. He was so sweet and you hope to see him again. You didn’t think you’d see him again soon because just when you had an emergency call and had to call the ambulance, it was the 118 that showed up. You couldn’t really talk to him, but it was great to see each other again.

When you were grocery shopping and walking through the halls someone said your name and when you turned around you saw that it was Buck.

“Hey Buck.” You greeted him with a smile.

“Hey, good to see you.”

“I was wondering if you would like to have a coffee with me sometime?” He suddenly asked.

“Yeah, sure. How about I give you my phone number.” He nodded and pulled out his phone. You tipped in your number and he called you, so you had his number too.

Two days passed until you got a message from Buck. He asked if you were free tomorrow and you agreed to meet after work. At work Tim noticed that you were different, happier and more excited. He didn’t ask you about it, but it made him happy to see you happy.

The coffee date with Buck went very well. You talked about everything that came to your mind. You both really enjoyed it and had a great time. He asked you out on a date and that date turned into another date and suddenly you were in a happy relationship.

You had been dating for about three months now. Usually you were at his house or yours or sometimes you were going out. Favorite things to do together include cooking, watching movies, going to the beach and you enjoying it when he tells you a story from work and then you tell him some stories too. You’re very happy together and try to spend as much time together as possible, even if it can be a bit difficult due to your work shifts. Some people don’t think a relationship between a police officer and a firefighter is a good idea, so you decided to keep the relationship a secret for a while, which wasn’t always easy especially if you would see him on a call.

Today you have been called into a very difficult situation. You called for backup, but things quickly escalated, and you injured your left arm. Luckily, Officer Harper, Officer Nolan and Officer Bradford arrived at the right time to arrest the person. While Harper and Nolan arrested the person, Tim ran over to you and called an ambulance.

“Tim, I’m aright, it’s just a small scratch.”

“Let’s wait and see what the medics say, okay?” Tim said and put some pressure on the wound to stop the bleeding. A few minutes later you could already hear the ambulance driving near you. When the doors opened you could see that it was Buck. As soon as he saw you, he ran towards you.

“Babe, are you okay? What happened?” He asked, looking at your arm. When you looked over, you saw that Tim had a confused look on his face.

“I’m okay, it’s just a small scratch.” You said again.

“Let’s go to the truck and I’ll take a look at it.” Buck said, placed his hand on your back and guided you to the truck. Then he removed the cloth from your wound and gently tried to stop the bleeding. You took a deep breath.

“I’m sorry, babe.” He looked into your eyes and tried to smile at you. Then he looked back at the wound.

“The cut isn’t too deep, so it’s okay if I just bandage it.” He said and you nodded. Buck gently put the bandage over your wound and then gave you a kiss on the cheek.

“Thank you, honey.”

“Anytime.” He said, then Buck tucked a piece of hair behind your ear and gently pulled you into a passionate kiss. When you broke the kiss, you reached for his hand and smiled at each other.

“I have to go back to work.” You said after a few seconds, even though you didn’t want to say goodbye.

“Me too.” He said, looking over his shoulder to see his friends looking at you both with smiles.

“I guess they all know now.”

“They definitely do.” You said with chuckle. You noticed how happy they all were and then looked over at Tim who was as happy as they were.

“I think I have to go now. See you later.” Buck said and gave you a quick hug.

“See you.” You said, waving at him as you walked away. As you walked to your car, Tim was still standing next to yours and looked at you with a grin.

“Now I know why you’ve been so happy lately.”

“Yeah, Buck makes me really happy.” You confirmed and opened the car door.

You were glad that Tim and Buck’s colleagues now found out about your relationship, but you definitely want to meet them soon on a better occasion. Buck has told you a lot about them, so you’re very excited to meet them.

Taglist:

@cevansbaby-dove | @buckys-wintersoldier

@beaubbdoll

[speakingtruthfully]

Another Dead on main writing prompt: outsider pov for dead on main.

Jess likes to think she’s normal.

Sure, she works for a crime lord but, Red Hood is actually a decent guy. He only hurts people who deserve it, he kills rapists and murders, and he protects kids. Last week, jess saw Red Hood help a kid with their English homework! Honestly, she’d probably marry him if he wasn’t so difficult to talk to. The dude’s social skills need some serious work.

They had just finished taking down a trafficking ring and Hood had taken the kids who didn’t have somewhere to go, to their warehouse. It wasn’t very homey but, the kids seemed comfortable. Hood had given Jess his phone and told her to deal with any calls he receives, before walking away back to the kids.

That was almost an hour ago.

Now, the goons and kids alike were all sitting at this bar counter as Hood cooked them dinner. Seriously? The guy can cook? Maybe Jess will just fix those social skills herself. One of the kids were deep into a story about how Hood had saved her before.

“-there was blood everywhere! It was so gross.” The kid- she looks about five- giggled as she spoke, “Then, Hood gave me one of his knives and said sorry but he had to go. He told me to stay in the area and that he would come back for me.” She looked down then admitted, “I was scared, and I ran.” She then speaks a little louder, “I’m sorry, Hood.”

Hood stopped what he was doing and moved his hands to take his helmet off as he turned around. Hood lifted his helmet and- yep. Jess is so fucked. The guy is beautiful. He smiles at the kid, leans down on the counter to be at a similar height and claims, “It’s okay, Sweetheart.” Then, he asks, “What’s your name?”

She smiles brightly, “My name is Emiline! But everyone calls me Emy.”

“Nice to meet you, Emy. You can call me Hood or Red.” Hood says gently to the kid.

She tilts her head and asks, “You don’t have a nickname?”

“Red Hood is basically my nickname. I picked it myself.”

“Okay!” Emy shouts. “But, why did you pick Red Hood as a name then?”

“That’s- That is not a story for kids.” Hood looks down as he speaks. Or at least Jess thinks so, she can’t really tell with his domino mask on.

“What?!”

“Oh, come on!”

“Really?!”

“Hood, we’re alley kids. We aren’t scared easy!”

Emy nods, “Yeah! Please Hood?”

Hood pauses, thinking it over. Then replies as he moves back to the Spaghetti he’s making, “Maybe tomorrow.”

“Okay!” Emy shouts.

“Hey boss?” George speaks up. George is a pretty nice guy. He has offered to walk Jess home after they get done with work, multiple times. He always smiles and is kind to her. Fuck. Maybe she should be crushing on George instead of their boss.

“Yeah?” Hood asks.

“Why aren’t we-” He gets cut off by the sound of a phone ringing.

Oh fuck. It’s Hood’s phone. The one he trusted Jess with. She clears her throat before answering, “Mr. Hood is currently busy at the moment and won’t be willing to talk until tomorrow.” She looks questioningly at her boss. He nods in response.

“Oh?” The person asks with a laugh.

“Sorry.” Is all she says before hanging up.

Before she can say anything the phone rings again. She answers, “Mr. Hood is currently not available. If this is important leave a message or call back tomorrow.”

“It’s important.”

“Okay. then, what’s your message?” she asks the person.

The person laughs and Jess ignores the urge to hang up, “Tell Hood that his husband is trying to reach him.”

What?

Did Jess hear that right?

“I’m sorry. Can you repeat that?” Jess asks just to make sure.

“Tell Hood that His husband wouldn’t have to call his work phone if he would answer his texts.” Hood’s husband(?) says.

So. Jess heard right then. “Would you give me a moment?” She asks rhetorically as she places the call on hold. She slowly places the phone on the counter and mumbles under her breath, “What the fuck.”

“Everything okay, Jess?” Hood asks.

She looks up at him and stumbles over her words, “Ev- everything is fine. Nothing t- to worry about.”

“Are you sure?” Hood asks again.

Jess nods, “Yeah. I’m just a little shocked.”

Hood tilts his head in question, “What was the message?”

“Um,” She gives a look of confusion as she says, “Your husband wants you to answer your texts.”

Hood freezes. Actually the whole room freezes. No one dares to speak. Hood slowly reaches inside his jacket grabbing something from a hidden pocket. Once he has his hand is back out of his coat, Jess can see that Hood grabbed a phone. She watches as he presses what she assumes is the power button and the screen doesn’t light up. The phone is dead.

“Fuck.” Hood mutters. Then, he quickly places the phone on the counter and holds his hand out in front of Jess.

Right.

She has Hood’s ‘work phone’. She picks the phone up off where she put it on the counter, and then hands it to her boss.

Hood quickly takes it off hold and speaks before the other person can, “Before you say anything, just know that my phone died.” Jess can’t hear what Hood’s husband is saying on the other side of the call. “You already know I can.” Hood flirts? HELLO?! The guy is flirting with- OH RIGHT! Jess don’t be an idiot. Let the guy flirt with his husband. “I will, baby.” Jess hears HER BOSS mutter to his husband. As if remembering he isn’t alone, Hood looks around the room calmly.

He clears his throat before changing his tone slightly and asking, “So, what did you call about?” Whatever Hood’s husband says makes Hood laugh. “Really?” He asks in disbelief. He shakes his head before continuing, “By author. Is there any other way to organize a bookshelf?” He rhetorically asks. What The Fuck. Is jess witnessing the CRIME LORD Red Hood be domestic?!

She looks to her left and gives George a look that says ‘Are you seeing this shit?’ He slowly nods in response.

[ggidolsmuts]

AirGnG - ITZY Yeji, Red Velvet Seulgi

"Ah this is a nice neighborhood!" Yeji exclaims.

"Yeah, quiet too. You should be able to go out and about without being disturbed," her manager says. "Here you go, behave and show up on time okay?"

"Yes I will, thank you unnie!" Her manager had helped her argue her case for staying by herself, giving both of them a little more freedom to enjoy the little European village near their filming site.

"You have my number, the international one?"

"Yes yes I do."

"Okay okay, I'll stop nagging, get comfortable."

"Thank you unnie, have a good night!" Yeji waves goodbye cheerily and pulls her luggage up to the apartment. She coos as the door swings open—it's cozy and lived in, warm colors, everything she pictured in her mind's eye. Yeji lugs her suitcase to the bedroom and begins unpacking, humming away happily. When she's done, Yeji kicks back on the couch and debates which restaurant she should try tonight. She's almost ready to go when there's a knock on the door, the owner maybe?

"Hello, thank you again for—"

"Yeji?"

"Seulgi unnie?"

"What are you doing here?"

"I could say the same for you!" The two of them hug first, but when Yeji sees Seulgi's luggage she really has to ask. "Why are you here?"

"I booked this place, I'm doing some filming in the area."

"Oh, me too, did they double book us?" The two of them sat down to call the owner.

"Hello?"

"Hello, this is Kang Seulgi, I arrived at my booking and there was already someone here."

"Really? That doesn't sound right, are you sure you have the right place?"

"Hello, this is Hwang Yeji, I booked with you too I believe, do you want me to call via the number I have?"

"No no, that won't be necessary, er... It looks like there's been a mistake."

"Yes, and what do you suggest?"

"I could, hmm, refund one of you, and you can get a hotel instead?"

"That'll be difficult I think—" Yeji starts.

"Unless you're willing to cover the cost of the hotel, not a chance on such short notice," Seulgi barks authoritatively.

"No hmm, that would be difficult yes. What if I gave you half-off on the stay and you share the place?"

"That might be—"

"No, 75% off for both of us, or I report you to the platform for fraud."

"Wait wait wait! No need to be hasty. 75% off is a lot though, I'd be making half the money off two people."

"You would be making all the money off one of us if you didn't double book us by 'mistake'." Seulgi's tone leaves no room on her opinion of their mistake.

"66% off?"

"75%."

"70%?"

"70%, and you cover all platform and cleaning fees."

"I— Fine, just please don't make a mess."

"No promises." Seulgi hangs up the phone before they get another word in. "Ugh, sorry, I hope that's okay."

"Yeah, I think so, we got the discount, and maybe I can find see if there's anything cheap and still save money—"

"No no, you're here first, I'll go find a place."

"No unnie!" Yeji's torn—naturally she wanted to stay here, it's so nice, but Seulgi's her unnie and her sunbae, surely she should let Seulgi stay here instead? "How about... We give it a try? Just stay here for a few days, and see if you're okay with it?"

"Are you sure, you'll be okay with that?"

"Yes! If you do find a good deal then let me know and I can move there instead."

"No no, if I find one I'll go, but thank you!" Seulgi grasps Yeji's hand warmly.

"O-Of course. I was going to get dinner, do you want to come along?"

"Sure, let me just unpack a little and we can go!" They enjoy a nice little dinner together, catching up and sharing the details of what they're here for. When they returned home though, it was time to have an awkward conversation.

"Sorry unnie, let me move my stuff and you can have the bedroom, I'll take the sofa."

"No no, let me take the couch!"

"I can't let you take the couch!" Yeji gasps, scandalized.

"Should we share then?" Seulgi suggests. "It's big enough for both of us."

"You want to do that?"

"I mean yeah, sure, I don't mind."

"I don't mind either."

"That's settled then, do you want the left side or right side?" Both of them settle in that night, facing away from each other to prevent any further awkwardness.

"Have a good night unnie."

"Good night Yeji."

The first few days are a little awkward, but as they spent more time together, Yeji and Seulgi grew closer, getting a little more comfortable with their intimate arrangement. They would explore the village together when there's a gap in their filming, hitting up the popular spots and taking pictures for each other. They'd greet each other warmly when either came back, and share the shots they took for their respective MVs.

"Ooh you look good here!"

"Thanks, I can't wait to see what you take today!"

"Thanks unnie!"

"One of the staff here recommended a nice wine cellar we could tour, do you want to come with me?"

"Oh really? Of course!"

"Great! Tomorrow? When do you finish filming tomorrow?"

"I think 5 pm? Let me check... Yes 5 pm."

"Okay, I'll book us for 6:30 then."

The next day Yeji's bouncing on her feet as she gets back early, 3:30 pm! She's humming to herself as she enters the apartment, wondering what Seulgi's up to. And then she hears it.

"Ahng..." A mewl, a moan, an un-idol like sound. The bedroom door is ajar, but there's no one in there? No, the sound comes from the bathroom, and Yeji doesn't need to see to know what's happening behind the closed door.

"Nngh, oh yes..." As Yeji gets closer she can hear the repeated rapid squelches, the solid slapping of Seulgi's hand between her legs filling Yeji's ears. Seulgi's moaning like no one's home, her voice wavering and quavering, modulated by the pleasure she feels, dampening and amplifying. Speaking of dampening, a rush of heat floods Yeji—she shouldn't be here, listening to this! Yet her feet refuse to move, her heart pounding as she listens to Seulgi reach a crescendo. The rhythmic sounds stop, a quick staccato of gasps and whimpers, and then Seulgi's deep breaths of air finally snap Yeji out of it: She needs to go, now.

Seulgi rush of dopamine is dashed against the sound she hears—the door closing? Was that— She quickly pulls on her pants and looks around.

"Yeji?" There's no answer. "Hello?" Nothing. Did she just mishear it? Seulgi looks around, making sure it wasn't a break-in either, and with frustratingly no closure she goes back to the bathroom to clean up. Right outside the apartment Yeji's heart is pounding after hearing Seulgi call her name. She squirms a little, trying to calm herself, willing the wetness between her legs to go away. She goes for a walk around the block, and then another, and then a third, before finally return back to the apartment.

"Seulgi unnie, I'm back early!" she announces herself loudly.

"Oh Yeji, you finished already?"

"Yes."

"Great, well, we have some time till the wine tour, so relax and we'll head out in a little bit."

"Sure, I'll go get changed." Yeji heads into the bedroom, taking off her soaked panties and wearing a new pair. With Seulgi not going anywhere, Yeji's not going to have any time to herself, so with a sigh she settles in the living room, whiling away time on her phone until it's time to go. The wine tour was good, but as far as Yeji's concerned, the most distracting thing was Seulgi becoming more and more clingy as she drank more wine, the tipsy and clumsy drunk in her revealing herself. She didn't really smell of alcohol, but Seulgi was very noticeably touching and holding herself close to Yeji, and Yeji could feel herself warming up with something more than wine.

"Ahh that was so good!" Seulgi sighs as she drags Yeji to the couch.

"Yeah it was good wine. Unnie!" Yeji gasps as Seulgi lies down on her lap, head nestled between her thighs.

"Just let me lie down for a while..." Seulgi mumbles, but her eyes snap open, nose crinkling as a scent washes over her. It was not unpleasant, familiar even, and it takes her alcohol-hampered mind a moment to process the scent molecules—arousal, Yeji's aroused, why? Her sluggish mind quickly switches into "sex" gear, and she puts two and two together.

"Yeji, your lipstick, it looks good on you, what brand is it?"

"Huh? I don't remember."

"Let me take a closer look." Seulgi sits up and scoots right up to Yeji, who freezes like a cat. She squeaks like a mouse as Seulgi holds her by the chin, coming ever closer.

"Really pretty."

"T-Thanks unnie." But Seulgi doesn't move away, her eyes still holding Yeji there even as her hand drops to Yeji's shoulder.

"I want to try it." Yeji's mind short-circuits as she feels Seulgi's lips pressed against hers, and the arousal she's been unable to release comes out as a moan when Seulgi sucks hard on her lower lip. "Tastes good, better than the wine."

"I- I, I..." Yeji's lying on the sofa, and Seulgi's on top of her, when did that happen?

"Yeji, what time did you get home today?"

"Hm? A-About 3:30 pm?"

"Really?"

"Yes."

"That's not when I heard you come back." Seulgi presses her thigh up between Yeji's legs, and Seulgi nearly goes mad—Yeji's dripping hot on her skin. The thought of Yeji overhearing her earlier makes her even hotter under the collar, she had to know. "Did you hear me when you came back?"

"I-I don't know what you're talking about unnie," Yeji denies, but her thighs spread just that little bit more, allowing Seulgi to press even harder against her.

"Did you listen to me fuck myself in the bathroom?"

"A little, maybe..." Yeji shudders as hands land on her waist and begin moving upwards, and she couldn't decide if she wanted the hands under or over her top. "I left as soon as I heard you."

"Liar." Seulgi squeezes a breast, pushing up the bra cup roughly and feeling Yeji's stiff nipple beneath. "I heard a door close after I finished, after I came so hard on my dildo. Did you hear me cum hard?" Yeji shudders as Seulgi palms her hard nipple, and only manages a nod.

"Bad naughty baby girl..." Yeji holds her breath as Seulgi slips a hand under her top, touching her midriff directly. "And you haven't had a chance to cum since then have you? I could smell you just now. Oh you don't get to blush now, not after you listened to me and liked it." The button on her jeans pops open with a deft touch. "I want to see you cum hard."

"I-I only listened—"

"You could've watched too," Seulgi whispers in her ear, and the moan Yeji lets out is divine when two fingers dip under her panties and push into her. Seulgi's not fucking around, and Yeji's jeans have squirmed halfway down her thighs as Seulgi continues to finger her. She pulls Yeji's top up, holding the hem to her mouth.

"Bite down." Obediently Yeji does so���she could use her hands to hold them up, but her mind's only working well enough to do what Seulgi says. It's okay though, as her hands are grabbing on to Seulgi when her unnie begins kissing all across her chest, her bra simply pushed away like her walls are being pushed open right now.

"You look so hot right now, no wonder you have so many fans." But no fan would get to see this—Yeji's back is arched, pushing her tits into Seulgi's face as the fingers inside her never stop moving. The fingers inside her are well-practiced, as if she knows Yeji's body better than she knows herself, and all of her reluctance crumbles as she gets close to the edge.

"I'm gonna cum, I'm cumming!"

"Cum hard for your unnie!" At Seulgi's insistence Yeji comes undone, the firm pressure of Seulgi's curled fingers causing Yeji to trap her arm there as she soaks her second set of underwear in slick. Yeji can only gurgle as Seulgi plays with her body through the orgasm—pinches and pulls of her nipples, a soft breath on her neck, the added pressing on her clit the worst and best of it all.

"Hnngh!" Yeji twists away from the stimulation, almost spraining Seulgi's wrist as she cums a second time in quick succession, riding it out by leaking all over her own thighs, drunk on pleasure instead of wine. "Unnie..."

"Yes?" Seulgi's already working on her own jeans, eager to have her own peak, but no.

"I'm sleepy..." Yeji sighs, and she's out like a light. With a frustrated sigh of her own Seulgi carries Yeji to the bedroom, dressing her best she can before falling asleep next to her, wholly unsatisfied.

"Hmmmm..." Yeji sighs happily—she just had the best night of sleep on this trip so far, and she stretches comfortably like a purring cat. That is, until she looks up at the ceiling and realizes where she is, and the events of last night come flooding back—kissing Seulgi, then feeling her hands all over her own body, and then... inside her?! She looks under the sheets, and she's wearing a tiny pair of shorts and no underwear. Oh no, did that really happen last night? She didn't even drink that much!

"Damn it!" she buries her face in her hands. What now? She looks at the empty space next to her, and on the other side she sees a red dildo peeking out of Seulgi's suitcase. She really shouldn't, but Yeji's curiosity got the better of her, and she opens the suitcase and gasps. The dildo is long, far longer than anything Yeji has at home or even seen.

How can it even fit in her? Yet as she looks at it more closely she sees the flanged middle of the toy, and dizzily she realizes what it is.

"It's meant for two people!" she whispers to herself.

"Yes it is." Yeji almost jumps out of her skin at Seulgi's words.

"U-Unnie! I didn't mean to—"

"I know." Seulgi takes it from the suitcase and holds it out in front of Yeji. "You can touch it, it has been washed thoroughly." Yeji grips it, feeling the toy's hardness when she squeezes it.

"About yesterday, did we..."

"Have sex? No not really, I got you off, but that's about it, you fell asleep right after."

"Oh, what about you—" Yeji looks down at the toy in her hand.

"No, I'll deal with it later." Seulgi doesn't tell Yeji that she was going to use the toy now, but Yeji had somehow denied her again by waking up. "I have to go."

"Unnie I—"

"We can talk later." Yeji's left dumbfounded by Seulgi's curtness, but as she watches Seulgi's hips sway out the door, a conviction sets in—she's going to need to have a talk with her unnie. And Yeji prefers her talks to be like her choreo, hard and fast.

That's why Seulgi's a little bewildered when she comes home to a saccharine Yeji, hugging her and welcoming her back, complete with coffee and pastries from the nearby cafe on the table. She's a little less bewildered when she feels Yeji's hands slipping down the back of her jeans, squeezing her butt.

"Yeji, what are you doing?"

"I wanted to make it up to you unnie."

"You don't have to, if you're worried about me talking about what happened when we go back to Korea. We were both a little drunk, things happened, and we can keep it to last night. You don't have to make it up to me or anything." Seulgi's only partially telling the truth—having Yeji so close to her is making her wet, and she would very much like Yeji to "make it up to her", but only for the right reasons.

"Are you sure?"

No, of course not! Seulgi wants to shout, but all she manages is a nod. Yeji doesn't take her chance to leave though, no, she gets even closer, and a wild thought runs through Seulgi's mind—is Yeji the one trying to seduce her now?

"I think we should still have a talk though, right?" Yeji's whispering in her ear.

"We should, if you want."

"I do want." Seulgi's knees go weak when Yeji confirms that she is doing this for the 28 best reasons, her tongue grazing Seulgi's ear. "I like to let my tongue do the talking."

In a matter of seconds Seulgi's on the bed, delicious thighs wrapped around Yeji's head as the younger idol gives her unnie the tongue lashing of a lifetime for being so curt with her earlier that day. The only apology that Seulgi can offer is a liquid one, her juices spilling freely into Yeji's waiting mouth as all the frustration from last night leaks away.

"Right there, right there!" she whines as Yeji licks circles around her clit before giving it a mischievous kiss. "H-How are you so good?"

"I could say the same thing, your fingers were magical."

"I guess all that tutting training helped me," Seulgi jokes glibly.

"I bet, lots of experience. Would you remind me of last night, my memory's a little hazy, drunk too much I think." Yeji's already kicking off her underwear, and Seulgi is never a selfish lover. "Ah..." This time Yeji takes off her clothes, leaving her completely naked as she's fingered by Seulgi.

"God so hot..."

"I want to see you too, unnie." Seulgi ignores the fact that her clothes are going to be stained with Yeji's juices and pulls off her own outfit with slick-covered hands before letting Yeji strip the rest. They end up head to toe from one another, and with her head dizzy from feeling Yeji's tongue back on her slit Seulgi brings her fingers to Yeji's pussy. Finally the two of them are pleasuring each other together, doing what they're best at with fingers and tongues.

"U-Unnie!" Yeji squeals when Seulgi curls her fingers, allowing Yeji to remember the buzzing pleasure she felt last night. She can't make much sound though as Seulgi's thighs close around her head for a second time, and Seulgi's hips buck forcefully into Yeji's mouth.

"Oh— Mmf, fuck!" Seulgi's the one who can exclaim as she cums, but that's quickly scuppered as she sputters from Yeji squirting hard, fluids going from one orgasming hole to another. Yeji's moaning into Seulgi's pussy, thighs trapping her there so that the only thing she can do is shake and vibrate between Seulgi's legs. By the time both of them are done it's hard to say who had the worst of it—Seulgi coughing and spitting, her jaw slick and shiny, or Yeji red-faced and gasping for air, a shiny face mask splattered all over her courtesy of Seulgi. They laugh shyly at each other as they clean up, and with finally all of their makeup gone, there's no holding back from what they're both wanting.

"Show me how to use the dildo unnie." Yeji grabs the hard red toy, handing it over to Seulgi.

"Okay, I'll put it in you first." Yeji groans as she feels herself get slowly stuffed, watching the "hilt" of the toy get closer and closer to her, before stopping a little bit short.

"D-Deeper, please. Please unnie." Upon hearing her needy, hungry, vulnerable tone Seulgi's so tempted to just shove the last inch, no, the whole damn thing into Yeji, but she resists her own temptations, knowing what would give both of them a good time.

"Soon." She holds the dildo, fingers almost touching Yeji, and with practiced motions she eases herself on to it. Seulgi lifts her legs over Yeji's spread thighs, and quickly she's closing the distance to Yeji. "Now you can use your hand—" She grips the toy, pushing it deeper into Yeji.

"Unnie!" Yeji gasps at the deep reach of the toy, and when Seulgi pulls the dildo back Yeji can see her own slick on the dildo, staining her unnie's possession.

"Or you can push yourself on to it." Seulgi bucks her hips, and Yeji's eyes are wide open as she watches Seulgi take it to the hilt smoothly. "Hnngh fuck that's good." The next time she does it, Seulgi does it with such force that she's pushing Yeji's side of the dildo and making her moan.

"Ahh! F-Fuck me unnie, fuck me!" Seulgi grabs the dildo and begins tugging it back and forth, fucking herself and Yeji at the same time. But it's harder than doing it alone—Seulgi can feel the resistance when she tries to push it into Yeji, her loud moans giving Seulgi a very good idea of just how tight Yeji is.

"Use your hips, push it against me!" Yeji's glassy eyes watch the hypnotic waist movements of her unnie before copying them, moaning and realizing just how good it feels. The two of them ride the dildo together, trying to get themselves off and getting each other off in the process. Seulgi's wordlessly moaning now, chasing her own peak—normally she would have a hand on the toy, shoving it into herself like Yeji overheard in the bathroom; This time it's not needed though, as the sight in front of her is more than enough stimulation—Yeji's lithe body undulating, eyes closed in concentrated pleasure and mouth hanging open in slack bliss. Seulgi can feel Yeji's skin against her own, their thighs rubbing against one another as both of them squirm and buck.

At some point Yeji's arms buckle, and she's lying on the bed, squirming and gasping as she tries to get herself where she needs to go. Her hands go to her pussy and—

"Ohhh YES!" Seulgi is treated to the sight of Yeji's chest rising suddenly as she cums, groaning and moaning as she rubs her clit furiously, drenching the dildo in her juices. 

"Nngh oh god Yeji!" The sight is enough to push, pull, and drag Seulgi over the edge all at the same time, and with an undignified groan she's staining Yeji with her slick of her own, hilting herself as deep as she can on the dildo and clenching around it as the orgasm violently takes her. The two women thrash and twitch and tremble on the bed as they sweat and squirt and leak all over it.

With some difficulty Seulgi manages to untangle herself from Yeji and remove the dildo from both of them, and Yeji manages to drag herself towards Seulgi, leaning into her unnie's embrace.

"That was hot," Yeji whispers. "We won't be able to do this in Korea, would we unnie?"

"Most likely not, too many eyes on us there."

"We should make the most of our time here then, right?"

"Yeah— Yeji?" Seulgi gasps as she feels Yeji's warm breath on her chest, and moving lower.

"I'm hungry."

They truly make the most of their time left in Europe, and by the end of their trip there isn't a surface or wall that Seulgi hasn't pushed Yeji against and fingered, and there isn't a floor tile in the apartment that Yeji hasn't dropped to her knees and eaten Seulgi out on. The apartment reeks of sex, and the bed is completely ruined by their mixed fluids, all because the owner got greedy and double booked them. They spend their last night together, legs criss-crossed, the dildo buried to the hilt in both of them, close as close can be. Yeji has her arms flung around Seulgi's neck, whimpering and whining as her clit is thumbed and rubbed.

"Unnie, unnie!" Yeji's crying out as she cums, and Seulgi's moaning softly with her—Yeji's walls grip the toy hard, making it vibrate inside Seulgi as well while she rides out her own orgasm. It starts as a rumble, and Seulgi feels herself getting to the edge too—she just needed to wait for Yeji to finish her off.

"I'm yours..." Seulgi is not left waiting for long, and the rumble becomes an avalanche when she hears those words. She's pushing against the dildo hard, imagining herself driving hard into Yeji.

"S-Say it again Yeji."

"I'm yours." Yeji moves off the toy, and grabbing it firmly she shoves it into Seulgi, over and over. "I want to make you feel good too Seulgi unnie."

"You are, you are!" Yeji winces as her neck gets marked by Seulgi, a passionate bruise that she'll need to cover up before flying back. Seulgi cums with a muffled cry as she pushes against Yeji's thrusts, and she doesn't stop there.

"Yeji don't stop, keep going, keep making me cum!" The squelches keep getting louder and louder as Yeji pushes the toy through Seulgi's clenching walls, watching her abandon all reason and hump Yeji's hand until her abs can't stop twitching and Yeji's arm is cramping up. Everything is sticky and shiny from Seulgi's multiple peaks, and as she watches Yeji clean it all up with her mouth—dildo, fingers, and Seulgi herself, she can't help but think.

This can't be the last time we do this.

"Seulgi unnie!" Back in Korea Yeji greets her unnie with a bow and a big hug.

"Oh Yeji, it's good to see you!"

"I was wondering if you could film a challenge with me?"

"Of course!" Under the eyes of their watchful managers they dutifully finish filming dance challenges for each of their songs, and as the managers start to depart ahead of them, Seulgi pulls Yeji in for a goodbye hug.

"Yeji, I started a beginner course for martial arts, and I was wondering if you wanted to try it with me sometime?"

"Martial arts?" Yeji wonders aloud, and Seulgi needs to only whisper one word in her ear.

"Nunchucks."

"Count me in."

A/N: Kinda a parallel piece to the AirBnB one, the dynamics here didn't quite fit what I was going for in that story, so I kept most of the setup and just changed up the smut. I know some prefer F/F over M/F, so maybe this is more enjoyable for some lol, either way thanks for reading!

[vigilante-3073]

Can you please write an imagine in which reader is pregnant with her and house’ kid and something happens and she collapses and gets sent home to bed rest. Perhaps house isn’t there initially, like maybe they work in different departments and he’s with a high priority case and Cuddy isn’t releasing him and then Wilson tells him what’s going on

Bedrest & Complicated Cases

Gregory House x Pregnant Female Doctor Reader

Summary: Y/N is six months pregnant and experiences a complication. House is dealing with a delicate case and Cuddy chooses not to inform him.

TW: Mentions of medical terms/conditions, lying, brief mention of politics/dictatorship.

Y/N worked on patient files quietly in her office after a long day of seeing patients. She shifted in her seat as an uncomfortable sensation began to appear in her stomach and lower back. Y/N took a breath, smoothing a hand over her bump as she waited for it to pass.

Braxton hicks contractions were common, especially as the pregnancy progressed but this felt different. The pain was constant, it felt like her muscles were being torn apart. Y/N stood up from her seat with a grimace, she moved around her desk with a hand on her belly.

Y/N paused, crying out in pain as blood began to soak into the material of her pants. Y/N's hand shot out to her desk, it landed on a pile of stacked files that slipped out from under her palm. Y/N fell, her head collided with the edge of the desk as she landed on the floor.

Y/N had lost consciousness and no one had any idea that she was injured. House was working on a complicated case, Cuddy was supervising him and Wilson was with his patients.

No one had any idea how long she had been on the floor when Wilson finally found her. Y/N was admitted right away and her obstetrician was notified.

Y/N had a partial placental abruption, she lost quite a bit of blood and was having contractions. They were able to get her on a drug called magnesium sulfate in an attempt to stop her labor.

The contractions began to slow, but there was still the potential for an early birth. Y/N was given a blood transfusion and corticosteroids to speed up the baby's lung development.

Wilson stayed by her side throughout everything, "Where is House?" Y/N asked softly. She was weak and exhausted with a possible concussion.

"He's on a case," Wilson said. A pit was beginning to form in his stomach as she looked over at him with a terrified expression.

"Does he know?" She asked.

"Not yet, no," Wilson replied.

Y/N looked down at her bump, hand settling on her skin as she took a shaky breath. Wilson watched her eyes begin to fill with tears as she struggled to keep herself from crying.

"I-I'll go get him," Wilson said, standing up from his seat beside her bed.

"Wait, I don't want to be alone," Y/N mumbled.

"Whatever you need," He nodded, sitting back down.

Wilson pulled out his phone and sent a message to Cuddy.

'She needs him.' He typed.

Cuddy's reply was almost instant, 'How bad is it?' She'd asked.

'Partial abruption, stage two. They were able to stop contractions but are monitoring the baby for distress. She's on magnesium sulfate and corticosteroids but she also needed a transfusion,' Wilson typed back.

'Stay with her. We need him on this case.' She replied, leaving no room for argument

Wilson grimaced before tucking his phone into his pocket, "What's wrong? Is he not coming?" Y/N questioned.

"He's held up with something," Wilson said.

Y/N nodded, fingers brushing lightly across her bump as she sniffled softly.

"I'm sorry," Wilson said.

"It's fine," Y/N said shakily, brushing away a tear with trembling hands.

Wilson couldn't stand to see her upset, the idea of keeping this information from House was eating him up inside. The case that House was dealing with was important, but the life of his wife and child should be more important.

The case was proving to be difficult for the team, their patient was President Dibala and he was an African dictator. Hundreds of thousands of people would lose their lives if he was cured and the ethical dilemma complicated things.

House was able to compartmentalize easily, but Cameron's strong opinions and moral compass made her one of the worst people to be treating the president. Chase tried to keep her in check, but she was struggling to maintain her objectivity.

The last thing Wilson heard was that there was an assassination attempt against Dibala. He could understand why Cuddy wanted House to stay on the case and remain focused, but it still made him uncomfortable.

Wilson stayed by Y/N's side until she eventually fell asleep and he was able to step away. Wilson went straight to House's office, he lingered by the door as they went through another differential.

House noticed him and dismissed his team members, they filed out of the conference room and made their way back to the patient's room.

"House, I need to talk to you," Wilson said.

"I'm in the middle of something, it can wait," House stated, staring at the whiteboard.

"No, it can't... It's Y/N," Wilson said.

House looked over at him, "What happened?" He questioned.

...

Y/N opened her eyes, grimacing as her head pounded under the harsh fluorescent lights. She closed her eyes, hoping that the throbbing in her temples would resolve itself.

"Where does it hurt?" Someone asked.

Y/N opened her eyes, looking over to find House sitting at her bedside. His eyes ran over her body before glancing up at the machines that were keeping track of her and the baby's vitals.

"My head," Y/N mumbled.

"You have a concussion. It's gonna hurt," House stated.

He stood up from his seat, grabbing his cane and moving over to the door. He shut off the lights in the room before returning to his chair.

"Where were you?" Y/N asked.

"Doesn't matter, I'm here now," He said.

Y/N settled back against the pillows, her hands rested on bump as she looked down at herself.

"Is she moving?" House asked, Y/N nodded.

"I was scared that I was going to lose her... The pain was terrible and there was so much blood," She said shakily.

"I'm sorry I wasn't here, but she's okay and you're okay," House stated.

"The doctor put me on bedrest for the remainder of the pregnancy," Y/N said.

"I figured," He nodded.

"How are we going to do this, Greg?" Y/N questioned, already sounding defeated.

"We'll figure it out. I'll reduce my hours and we can hire someone to help around the house in the meantime," House said.

Y/N took a breath, "Don't worry," House stated.

"I'm not," Y/N replied.

"Your heart rate says otherwise," House said, glancing up at the vitals machine.

Y/N smiled slightly, "Well, I'm trying not to worry," She said.

House stayed by her side overnight, his case was overly complicated and resulted in the death of President Dibala. Cuddy was right to encourage House to maintain his focus on the case but it was an impossible situation.

The circumstances surrounding Dibala's death were murky, but House couldn't bring himself to care. It was true that the president was a bad person and his ideas would damage an entire population, but it was still a black mark on his record.

House's significant other and their child needed to take priority.

...

Y/N had been on bedrest for three weeks and she was absolutely miserable. She read every book she had intended to and watched all the trash television that she could stomach.

House did as he promised and limited his hours, during difficult cases he asked Wilson to check up on her. Wilson had been a vital part of their support system in the last few weeks.

Wilson helped them to assemble the furniture for the nursery and finish painting the walls. He cooked for Y/N when House wasn't able to and had just been an incredible help during this time.

Y/N was incredibly bored, but Wilson did everything he could to keep her spirits up. He knew that it must have been awful to be trapped in the house for such a long period of time.

He never came to their home empty-handed, he always brought snacks, gifts or flowers for Y/N. House appreciated his friend's kindness and let Wilson know that their door was always open to him.

House made his way into the apartment, tossing his keys into the dish and shrugging off his coat. House laid it over the back of the couch, pushing the door shut with his cane and making his way down the hallway to the bedroom.

Wilson sat in the chair beside the bed as Y/N sat with her back against the headboard. A laundry basket of various baby items sat on the bed beside her.

Y/N folded the items and set them in a stack on the bed next to her. Wilson folded the items in his own basket, gaze focused on the television.

"She did not sleep with his best friend, did she?" Wilson asked, not daring to pull his eyes away from the screen.

"Oh yeah, they've been sleeping together for at least two seasons in secret," Y/N said.

"No way. The cameras follow them everywhere, how could they find the time?" He questioned.

Y/N shrugged, "They stay up until four in the morning and sleep until two. They start every day with a pilates class and spend hours binge drinking while arguing. All they have is time," She said, folding a fluffy pink blanket.

"Sorry to interrupt your little watch party, but I'm home," House said.

"We're one episode away from the tell all, you have to let us finish the season," Wilson stated, folding up a baby onsie.

"My god, what happened to you?" House muttered, kicking off his shoes and laying down in the bed beside his wife.

"This is the best show to ever be invented," Wilson said, gesturing to the television.

"Sure it is. Wake up me up when it's over," House said, crossing his arms and settling back into the pillows as he closed his eyes.

Things had been complicated, but they were figuring it out and taking things one day at a time. The baby was growing and Y/N hadn't had any bleeding since that first incident.

She had a magnificent support system around her and she leaned on them in her time of need.

House may not have been everyone's favorite person, but Y/N was. She had always been kind and everyone who met her loved her.

It was shocking that he was the one she wound up falling in love with but you can't help it sometimes. House loved her and he was grateful that her and the baby were alright.