#Perplexity labs

[aiguide]

Perplexity Labs: The Ultimate Guide to AI-Powered Project Creation (2025 Review)

Perplexity Labs represents a revolutionary leap in AI-powered productivity tools, transforming how we approach complex research and content creation tasks. Launched in May 2025, this groundbreaking feature extends beyond traditional AI search capabilities to become your personal AI research team and content creation studio.

Unlike regular Perplexity AI that answers questions and provides research, Perplexity Labs actually creates complete projects for you. Think of it as having an entire team of analysts, designers, and developers working together to turn your ideas into finished products – all in about 10-30 minutes.

[hole4edwardnygma]

“Good luck babe is on the top 100 on piltover’s streaming charts.” Statistical error. Jayce Talis, a piltover resident who listens to it 1,000 times a week, is an outlier and should not have been counted

[waitineedaname]

[does something interesting in my petri dish when you're not looking]

[demigodofhoolemere]

Teen me watching Armed and Dangerous as it aired out of order before Brother Battle, seeing Adam mysteriously use an ability that had as yet never been unlocked

[lunieloon]

First pride in the PixelVilla. Perplex makes a coming out video because he's ace. Bro outed himself cus he has no idea what else Lukas meant by that.

[amtechhive]

Perplexity gains labs to make reports, spreadsheets, web apps and more

AI-Invented Search Equipment Perplexity Received today Perplexity Labs, a feature that provides a way to create reports, spreadsheets, web apps and dashboards, supported by “comprehensive research and analysis”. The company says that if the perplexity search is 24/7, the entire team is the same for help to help. Perplexity Labs can work for 10 minutes or more time, using the equipment for deep…

[thesmokinpossum]

As someone who spend a lot of time on history tumblr, it's always the craziest thing for me to be confronted with someone who is a true and sincere royalist like you genuinely believe in the divine right of kings in 2025? You unironically use terms like "usurper" and "rightful king"? And you mean it?? It's so foreign to me that I can't even get mad, I kinda just want to study those people in a laboratory

[queennightingale]

Dc x Dp Prompt

Is my classmate a secret love child of a rouge?!?!

Tim drake knew he was odd, with dark circles blacker than black holes, and skin as pale as Elsa’s, but some how this kid made him perplexed.

Danny Fenton was a genuine mystery. The first time he met the boy, was in the police department, asleep on one of the couches. He was waiting to be questioned about a mugging (because he was NOT a gothamite and actually went to the police about it) and fell asleep, and Tim was alarmed when he touched the boy’s paper- white skin and it was ICE COLD. Like- Tim probably would have been stuck to the ice if it was actually there, kind of cold. Yet, the boy was alive. His slow, too slow to be normal, breathing proved that.

Tim met him a second time in a college class, which they apparently shared? He was wide wake, with 3 cans of Red Bull and 2 cans of monster, and SOMEHOW Alive. How does someone genuinely do that? Then, he mentioned something about his parents during a group project.

“Yeah, my parents lab had ‘safety suggestions’ but they never followed them. Honestly it’s a miracle I’m still here.” He said. Then, as he thought no one was looking, but TIM WAS LOOKING, he accidentally froze his drink.

Tim froze up.

Mr Freeze has a son?!

___

Tim slammed the door open to the batcave, where the whole family was, and shouted “FREEZE HAS A KID?!?

(No, he doesn’t. Danny has NO CLUE what is happening, or why Tim Drake is so inquisitive, but he didn’t care. Gotham was full of weirdos, including himself. Tim is having a mental crisis that is not nessesary. Freeze is wondering why the hell the bats are talking about a kid. He doesn’t HAVE a kid. )

[op1umeyes]

Indisputably Difficult to Choose ✰ JayVik x Reader

✰. You’re Viktor and Jayce’s new roommate- a flirt and a damn good cook. Thankfully, you get along well with the two men! Maybe too well. Eventually, you can’t tell where the line between ‘just friends’ and ‘more than friends’ is.

✰. WC: 1.7k. Female reader. I have no idea if Vik is russian or Czech but most reddit posts say hes russian😭??? Friends to lovers trope. Miscommunication trope? Oh well! Sorry for any errors in the spanish or russian pet names- I definitely didn’t use google translate. . .

It wasn’t every day that you got roomed with both life-altering scientists. And yet, here you were, offering one of them a sly smile. “Hello.”

Jayce smiled right back at you easily and opened the door further. “Welcome home, stranger,” he greeted.

After adjusting the backpack hanging from your shoulders, you stepped into the room. “Good to see a handsome face whenever I arrive home,” you murmur absentmindedly as you examine the walls and floors. “Where’s my room?”

Jayce nodded towards the hallway. “Down there.”

Later that night you met Viktor. Tall, lean, devilishly handsome Viktor.

You were making yourself at home in the kitchen making pasta for dinner when he cleared his throat. Turning, you smiled at the man in front of you. “I hope you like tortellini, Viktor,” you said.

He hummed. “I’ll eat anything that isn’t cooked by Jayce.” Viktor hears an incredulous gasp from the other room and chuckles. “It smells good,” he says politely, stepping closer to the stove.

“I like to make a good impression.”

And by God, you do.

Almost two weeks later you finally find your rhythm. Wake up, get ready for class, go to class, go to the lab to help out the boys (because helping out world-changing scientists looks damn good on your resume), decide what to have for dinner, drag the boys home, go to sleep, repeat. A long and tiresome but rewarding list.

Five and a half months later and midterms were finally over! You were on break and had so much free time on your hands but didn’t feel like going in to work every day. So: you made your boredom the boys’ problem (though you knew they wouldn’t actually complain).

Today was one of the rare days you could convince Jayce and Viktor to stay home with you because there weren’t any classes and ‘why let your favorite roommate be all by her lonesome?’ It was easy to convince Jayce. When Jayce finally relented, the both of you turned to Viktor with hopeful smiles.

“As long as you make that beef stew for dinner,” Viktor finally grumbled. As he hobbled away dramatically, Jayce laughed as you whooped excitedly.

When you were done basking in glory, Jayce wrapped an arm around your shoulder. You would have bet your life savings that Jayce melted further into you when you wrapped your arm around his waist since you could not reach his shoulders. “Viktor wouldn’t actually say no to you anyway, doll,” Jayce said casually, flopping onto the couch and pull you with him.

Dynamics between the three of you were. . . perplexing. Viktor was a quietly independent person who bonded with you over food, riddles, and literature. When he had seen your Harlan Ellison novels, you swore you saw the metaphorical wall of defense behind his piercing amber eyes crumble. The first time Viktor sat on the counter and had an emotionally intelligent conversation with you (while you made chicken fajitas as per Jayce’s request) was the first time you heard Viktor truly laugh- a sound from deep in his throat that temporarily distracted you from the sizzling meat in front of you. After that, Viktor had warmed up to you enough to slide into the hug Jayce pulled you in when they returned from the lab.

Jayce had almost immediately clicked with you. His charmingly pathetic smile and himbo aura were captivating. Jayce had gasped allowed when you were still decorating your new room. “Oh my Jan- is that. . ?” He then started helping you tack up posters and other goodies you had to decorate your space while gushing about some of the bands, movies, and television programs you were interested. Jayce, you learned, had a soft spot for predicable romance and science fiction movies- though he often narrated errors in information while watching anything sci-fi. He was also very physically affectionate: pulling your legs into his lap during movie nights, gently moving you by the waist whenever he was in the kitchen, wrapping an arm around you while walking to the coffee shop, and an obscene amount of hugs. You thought it was a little odd at first, but he does it to Viktor too- and you couldn’t really judge because you flirted with them and called them nicknames. A lot. 

When dinner time finally rolled around, you had a pot of steaming vegetable stew on the stove. Three bowls and three spoon were all waiting to be used off to the side. Viktor had made a beeline to the kitchen the second ‘food’ left your mouth and by the time Jayce got up and you’d entered the kitchen, Viktor’s bowl had tears of broth rolling down the side as it pleaded for help. “Smells good, Солнышко,” he praised. 

“Thank you, darling scientist of mine,” you hummed, handing Jayce a bowl.

“Wha-“ Jayce spluttered behind you. “What about me? Have I not earned the title of your favorite darling scientist?”

Viktor snorted as he started the short trip to the dinner table.

You threw your head back in laughter, eyes closed. If you were watching the two bickering men boys, you would have seen Jayce’s mock hurt melt completely off his face as he watched you laugh happily before letting his eyes flicker over to Viktor; who was completely immersed with you (not the stew). You didn’t see Viktor looking up to Jayce with a certain look in his eyes and tilt his head all in the blink of an eye.

“I mean, Viktor did fix my console and the T.V. without me having to ask,” you say as your laughter fades. “I guess pretty boy over there has you beat.”

Jayce clicks his tongue, catching your eyes. “Then I’ll have to make it up to you, tu hermosa mujer,” he says with a low tone, the spark in his eyes that burns in his eyes when you usually flirt was absent. “Hm?”

You blink. Mouth open as your eyes frantically flicker between Jayce’s eyes and the unchanging smile on his face. “I- I guess so.”

Viktor coughs so loud you instinctively take a step back. “If you guys are continue kindling your blooming romance, I’d like to remind you that I am still here.”

You don’t look at Jayce as you blink out of the confused haze you found yourself in thirty seconds ago and start to the table. “Don’t be jealous, pretty boy,” you halfheartedly joke at Viktor.

“I’m not jealous,” Viktor says, watching you intently. “Because I know I could be better than Jayce at anything you wanted.”

“Is that right?”

Viktor raises and eyebrow at Jayce as he sits beside you in his normal spot. “Indisputably.”

“I don’t know what you guys are playing at,” you cut in finally, letting your spoon rest against the side of the half-finished soup. “But clearly there’s something I’m not understanding. This-“ you gesture from Jayce to you to Viktor “-is starting to confuse me. And I- I need you guys to figure it the fuck out because I can’t keep lov-“ you cut yourself off. Heaved a sigh before standing up and leaving with a mere ‘I need to think’.

“Y/n.” Jayce watches you grab your wallet and the coat nearest to the door- which happened to be Viktor’s- and ignore him. “Y/n, baby, please-“

You slam the door on the way out.

Viktor is standing up before Jayce can say anything. “Let’s go,” Viktor tells Jayce, shoving his arms into another one of his coats. “I don’t want her out during the dark.”

Jayce understands Viktor’s fear, knowing Viktor’s anxiety was multiplied tenfold by what he’d experienced and heard during his life in the Undercity. “Okay.”

Adrenaline and anxiety propelled Viktor forward into the night, rain soaking his useless coat. Jayce had your location pulled up on his cell and was confident that he and Viktor were close. “We’re almost there,” he told Viktor over the pattering rain.

“There! Is that-?”

“Y/n!” Jayce shouted, seeing the hooded figure halt for a second before you started walking faster.

“Куколка please wait,” Viktor called. “I cannot run after you- please just talk to us!”

You stopped. Turning, the pair could see your bloodshot eyes and wobbling lip.

“Oh, my Родная,” Viktor cooed, dropping his cane to wrap his arms around you and Jayce.

Jayce held you and Viktor upright, feeling his heart shatter when he felt you shaking in his arms- crying over something he did. “Y/n, mi amor, I’m so sorry,” he finally said. “We are sorry.”

Viktor leaned on Jayce as he went on. “Y/n, I think it’s safe to say that Jayce and I. . . our feelings for you, you see-“

“We’re in love with you,” Jayce blurts. “The cuddling, the cooking, the affection, the flirting-“

Viktor nods. “But we didn’t know how to tell you without making you choose because, quite honestly, I am scared that you’ll leave or- or, I don’t know. The point is: I didn’t want to complicate our relationship by telling you the way we feel for you.”

“My boys,” you murmur, your hand going up to cup each of their cheek. (Thank Janna that there were no passersby due to the rain.) “Would it be wrong to say that I don’t want to choose? Because. . . I don’t think I could choose.”

Jayce feels himself exhale. Viktor sags against him: the soul-crushing possibility of you leaving was out of the question. “Please come home, mujer preciosa,” Jayce pleads weakly, leaning into your palm. “We can make this up to you-“

“However you want,” Viktor adds quickly, sticking his bottom lip out with a shrug.

You laugh weakly and nod. “Yeah- yes. I’d love to go home. Hold on, pretty boy,” you say before bending down to retrieve Viktor’s cane.

“Is it too early to say I love you?” Viktor asks, pressing a kiss to your temple.

You chuckle and let yourself be sandwiched between the two men who you’d been enamored with for the past six months. “I already know you do, but it wouldn’t hurt to say,” you say.

“Well, we can say it as long as you want us to,” Jayce says, watching you with fond eyes.

[long-live-astronerd-ghost-king]

DPXDC prompt. Nanny Wilson

Little Danny is almost lost in the mall when his parents suddenly run too fast in an attempt to catch up a ghost that their equipment has detected. Young Fenton is not a crybaby at all, but being alone without daddy and mommy is a little scary, so he begins to whimper and run around, trying to find familiar features in the blurry figures around him. Finally, he bumps into the thigh with a gun. It doesn't look much like an ectoblast, but dad is always inventing something new, so Danny quickly hugs this leg as hard as he can and begs loudly.

Danny: Daddy! Don't leave me! Slade: What the hell… Boy, I'm not your dad.

Danny blinks a few times and realizes that this man really doesn't look like Jack.

Danny: Oh. I'm sowwy. Can you help me find my daddy?

Slade: What makes you think I'm going to do this?

Danny: You have a gun and dad has a gun, so you're good. Are you here to hunt too? Slade: Something like that...What's your father's name, kid?

Jack: Danny! There you are!

A huge figure in a hazmat suit rushes towards them and Danny notices that his new friend is hastily hiding the weapon. To cheer up the man who is obviously meeting Jack Fenton for the first time, Danny smiles broadly. Dad may look scary, but he doesn't steal other people's toys.

Jack: Oh, thanks for looking after him. Our goal turned out to be too fast and we didn't even notice when our boy started to fall behind. Slade: No problem, colleague. Maddie: ? Danny: Kind uncle is also a hunter. Maddie: Oh, that's great! Em, sorry, but is there any chance that you have a time to look after our boy for a few days? We'll pay you well. You see, he rarely trusts people so quickly, and we absolutely do not have time to look for a replacement for our old nanny, and we really need to complete the last project as soon as possible.

Looking at the giggling boy trying to see if there are any other interesting things on him, Wilson decides that this will not be a bad experience in case he decides to establish a relationship with his found daughter.

Slade: All right, I'll take your order.

~~~About ten years later~~~

Danny, who is much more familiar with death than in canon, after being freshly ghosted: Damn, nanny will be so mad at me.

~~~~~ Danny: Hey, Slade. Do you want me to show you something cool? Slade: Not now, kid, nanny is cleaning up. Danny: Yeah, about that. *makes a corpse go through the ground* Ta-da! Can we talk now? Slade at the first second: *Surprised Pikachu face*. Slade when he notices a strange glow around Danny, like from ectoplasm in the lab of the boy's parents: >:( … >:( … >:( Danny: S-stop it!

~~~~~ Slade: And take out the bloodstains from those shirts too, they're my favorites. Danny: Oh dude, have you heard that child labor is illegal? Slade: Whoever doesn't help uncle Slade doesn't get a new knife for Christmas. Danny: Pfff…Now I'm my own weapon, come up with something new or I'll find myself a cooler mentor. Slade: Jackanapes!

~~~~~

When Wilson stumbles upon a distraught runaway Robin, he sincerely tries to take care of him as well as he took care of Danny. Deathstroke is an experienced babysitter, so there shouldn't be any problems with vigilante child being around on his missions. All children love knives, workouts and guns, right? Plus, staying alone when they are upset, as Jazz says, is unhealthy.

~~~~A few days later~~~~

Dick's thoughts: He wants to make me his evil sidekick, oh no! Wilson's thoughts: What's wrong with this kid? Batman so fucked up? Wayne needs to be stripped of his parental rights. I'm calling Jazz.

~~~~~

Wilson, who does not understand that he has been hanging out with Fentons too long, looks with perplexity at Grayson, who's running away from flying pieces of Maddie's pizza, then shoots some pepperoni and sits down at the table. It's going to be a long way. Poor boy.

~~~~~

Meanwhile, Fenton family is visiting Masters for the first time. Vlad tries to flirt with Maddie and then pretends to be good-natured while getting to know Danny.

Danny: I know 54 ways to kill you with this fork. If I were you I think I'd watch my mouth. Jack: He's joking, V-man. Danny: I'm not. Jack: He's just like his babysitter. They have such an unusual sense of humor. I think our boy really likes you! Usually Danny is too shy to talk like this with strangers. Vlad: Babysitter? Maddie: Yes, Mr. Wilson helped us out a lot and often did not even take payment. He's an angel. Vlad: I think I've heard that name somewhere before... Jack: Ugh, I want to introduce you anyway! Danny: Me too. Jack: Great. What about Wednesday? Danny: Dad, uncle might be busy. Let me ask him when he has time to, um, pay your old friend a visit.

[militaryapple]

sfw drabble — a happy caleb, who can’t wait to see his wife walk down the isle. this is all he’s ever dreamed about since he was a boy, since he had first laid his eyes on you. the poor little girl in EVER’s lab institute. the little girl who cried for anyone, anything, the little girl he had made giggle by making her toys float to ease her pain.

it was almost scary for him, when he saw you he saw the little girl who looked at him with such perplexing eyes. who gladly took him in their family with open arms. the little girl who asked him to make dumplings or fried chicken. then, looking away, he saw you again.

this time he saw a teenage girl. one who went to his basketball practices and cheered extra loudly at games, a teenage girl who cried whenever she lost a volleyball game; holding him with sobbing eyes. a teenage girl who was anxious for him waiting for his acceptance letter, a teenage girl who gave him a kiss during his graduation and screamed when he walked across the stage.

his eyes burned, his chest heavy, looking away from you. then his gaze floating back to you.

and there you were.

a woman.

the woman who welcomed him back into her world after everything, a woman who sobbed whenever he had to leave for work, and texted him whenever she had the time. a woman who called him to make sure he knew she loved him, and reassured him throughout everything. a woman who devoted her time to both him and work — you grew into a beautiful butterfly.

oh how he loved you. while it hurt knowing that the moments you both shared are long in the past, he remembered that there still was a future, a future with both of you in it.

he watched as you walked down the isle, your makeup almost coming undone while you tried to keep it together, he knew you were going to cry eventually. he watched as he lifted the veil, you looked up at him with your big bright eyes like you have done many years before.

it was sad, yet happy. a day where his emotions were scattered. yet he knew for certain that he loved you, and that he would always love you, because he knew that he loved you, a little more than you could ever realize.

[cupidologys]

⸻ imprint.

pairing: grimmjow x reader

word count: 2.4k

synopsis: life becomes increasingly complicated after a seemingly one-night stand with grimmjow extends way past the one-night mark.

as it turns out, arrancars become very clingy, very fast.

Opening your eyes to an arrancar laid next to you in your bed was not your idea of a happy wake-up call. He was still asleep; his gentle snores break the silence as you spring up, scrambling to retrace last night’s memories. A soft groan leaves you as it all comes flooding back.

The break up. The violent sobbing. The tissues and excessive consumption of bottom shelf tequila. The violent puking. The rebound that was currently still in your bed.

Oh, you are so thoroughly, completely fucked.

You curse yourself. How could you be so stupid as to drunkenly hook up with—

Your thoughts stutter as your brain fully catches up to last night’s memories. You remember the screaming and anger when you found out about your ex’s infidelity, which led to a night of reckless abandonment at a nearby bar, which further led to your very worried friends picking you up and bringing you home. Grimmjow was there for reasons you can’t remember. What you can recall, definitively, is that you did not sleep with him. He had carried you up to your apartment, settled you in bed, and was about to leave when you dragged him into the sheets for cuddles, refusing to let go until he conceded.

Embarrassing? Yes. As bad as hooking up with him? Not by a long shot.

A shift in movement beside you jolts you out of your thoughts. Grimmjow mutters something, voice still groggy with sleep. You freeze and ignore him, pretending not to hear. You pray that he goes back to sleep. Your prayers go unheard.

“[Y/N]?”

Silence.

He blinks one strikingly blue eye open and settles it on you. With a roll of his neck, he stretches out—lazy and languid. You stare straight at your bedroom door, hoping to avoid eye contact—and his incredibly sculpted muscles.

Why the hell is he shirtless?!

“Good morning,” you say with as much casualness as you can muster. It isn’t a lot. Your words come out more strangled than you intended. You want to weep.

Grimmjow doesn’t seem to notice—or care. “Morning. You want coffee?”

“I…” you swallow, unsure of how to navigate this situation. You decide to blurt out the first thing that comes to mind. “I think you should go.”

Grimmjow opens his mouth to say something, but something in your expression stops him. He just gives you a slightly perplexed look before nodding slowly.

“You gonna be okay?”

“Why wouldn’t I be?”

“Are you serious?” He scoffs, unbelieving. “You realize the entire reason why I barely slept a wink last night was because you kept tossing, turning, and crying so hard I thought you’d shrivel up from dehydration?”

You feel your cheeks flame.

“You didn’t have to stay!”

Grimmjow moves closer to you, angling himself to face you directly. The proximity makes you dizzy among such tension.

“What was I supposed to do, sweetheart? Leave you to drown in your own tears? I’m not that cruel.”

You repeat yourself, quieter this time. “You still didn’t have to stay.”

“I chose to.”

He moves away, leaving you speechless and confused.

“Get dressed.”

“What?” You reply, still reeling from his words. “Why?”

“I’m taking you to breakfast.”

Dumbfounded, you can only manage another: “What?”

“Breakfast. To replenish all those fluids you lost.” Grimmjow swings his coat over his shoulders before tossing a hoodie on your head. “And to fuel up before killing that ex boyfriend of yours.”

He leaves the room before you can process his words. Once you do, you jump up from the bed with a wince—the hangover still piercing—and scramble after him in alarm.

“Grim! Don’t you fucking dare! Get back here, you overgrown lab rat!”

୨୧ · · ♡ · · ୨୧

“I need help.”

Ichigo barely looks up from the eggs benedict he’s scarfing down. If you didn’t know him any better, you’d be scared he’d choke.

“Wow. You must be desperate if you’re coming to me for relationship advice.”

“First of all, it's not a relationship. Second of all, I know enough embarrassing things about you to ruin the rest of your very long life if you ever decided to speak of this to someone else.”

He shoots you a sideways look. “Noted.”

You anxiously drum your fingers on the table. “It’s about Grimmjow.”

Ichigo wrinkles his nose. “What about him?”

“He’s been acting weird.”

The shinigami bites into a piece of bacon. You already regret bringing him to brunch to sort this out. Sadly, it was the only way to get him to bail on his college club meeting.

“Weird how?” He asks between chews.

You sigh. “I don’t even know. Ever since that night, something’s been different. He’s weirdly clingy—the other day, I was running errands and ended up with a six-foot-one tag-along for every single one. It made my bank visit and hair appointment interesting, to say the least. Does he have a crush on me now or something?”

“Oh that’s not new.”

You look at Ichigo in puzzlement. “What are you talking about?”

“The crush? That’s not new. Whatever this thing is, it’s worse,” he answers nonchalantly.

The news makes your head spin. Grimmjow has a crush on you? Why? How? Since when? Was it when he moved to the human world?

Ichigo’s voice pulls you from your spiral. “Have you watched any vampire or werewolf movies?”

You balk at the insinuation. “Are you saying he imprinted on me? Like some kind of giant freak baby duck?!”

“More like he’s simply gotten attached to you… maybe it’s some weird arrancar mating thing?” Ichigo offers.

You deflate. “That is so not better.”

He shrugs. “You’re the one that decided to get into bed with an arrancar.”

“We didn’t do anything!”

“...Would you want to?”

You open your mouth for a firm rejection, but for some reason the words lodge in your throat. Grimmjow is rough around the edges, without question. He’s stubborn, reckless, and a pain in your ass. Regardless, you’ve been privy to his genuinity firsthand. You can’t recall a single time he hadn’t been there for you when you needed him.

“I don’t know,” you sigh.

“You should figure that out then. It seems you both have some complicated feelings to sort out.”

୨୧ · · ♡ · · ୨୧

Your phone hasn’t stopped buzzing for the last twenty minutes. Your ex has found another number already—the last one was blocked only two days ago. You have half a mind to throw your phone into the pond in front of you. The koi fish probably wouldn’t be too happy about that, though—and neither would their owner. Out of respect for the wildlife—and Rukia—you settle for shutting the device off entirely. A temporary fix, yes, but at least you’ll have some peace and quiet for the rest of the night.

The party inside is in full swing—crowds of people mill around the house with drinks in hand and inhibitions loose. The music is so loud the bass shakes the foundations of the building; four stories of flashing lights, hazy vapours, and drunken stupors thrum a few hundred feet behind you. Rukia’s place is huge—perfect for a summer send off for a bunch of rowdy college students. You only hope Byakuya doesn’t find out about this one. The last time that happened… you cringe at the memory.

The garden is far enough from the main part of the house—mansion, more appropriately—that you only hear muffled beats of the blaring stereos and screaming students. A good thing too as you feel a headache coming on from the events of the night. You sit on a soft patch of grass a few metres from the edge of the water, watching as shining fish circle each other in colourful rhythms. The solo cup in your hand has long run dry. You prefer to stay sober from now on; you don’t need a repeat of what happened two months ago.

The moon is high against the dark canvas of the sky. It should be half past one by now. From your experience, the partygoers won’t filter out until hours later.

The sound of footsteps makes you turn. Grimmjow saunters towards you, a beer in hand. You aren’t sure how to act around him. You haven’t ever since you found out about his crush on you. You aren’t even sure you believe it to be true; it’s Grimmjow, for heaven’s sake. A crush? Romantic feelings? Such concepts don’t even exist in the lives of people like him.

Regardless, it’s been an awkward couple of weeks—for you, at least. It’s not easy trying to ignore an arrancar hellbent on pestering you every second of the day.

You’d be lying if you say you haven’t missed him though.

“Drink?” He holds out his bottle to you in offering.

You wince. “Better not. I have plans tomorrow morning.”

He takes a seat next to you in the grass. You shuffle over slightly, still wary of his closeness. The movement makes him frown, but surprisingly, he doesn’t comment on it.

“What plans?”

“I…” You hesitate. For reasons you don’t want to understand, it feels uncomfortable to tell him. “I have a date.”

Grimmjow’s beer bottle shatters in his hand, spraying him with alcohol. You jump up in alarm, panicking at the mess of glass and foaming liquid.

“Holy shit! Are you okay?! What the hell was that?!”

“I’m fine,” he grits out between clenched teeth.

You stare at him in bewilderment. The liquid drips down his forearm, pooling at his feet. Glass shards litter the grass around him as he wipes his hand on the front of his jeans.

“Let me see your hand.”

He pulls away from you as you try to take his hand in yours. “I said I’m fine.”

“Your hand, Grimmjow. Give it,” you insist.

He grumbles in annoyance but eventually relents. He was right—there’s no cut in sight. His skin is unbroken and… really, really warm. You yank your hand away, flustered at the heated contact.

“A date? Seriously?”

“Huh?” You look up, embarrassment forgotten. He’s looking straight ahead towards the pond and garden fixtures, avoiding direct eye contact with you.

He’s beautiful.

You startle yourself with that sudden thought. When did you start noticing the little things? Like the curve of his lips and the vibrance of his eyes. When did you start viewing him… differently? You ignore these dangerous thoughts—pushing them aside to maintain a semblance of control.

“What’s wrong with a date?”

He grunts in answer. He still hasn’t looked at you.

“It’s just this blind date thing I promised a friend I would try. It’s not like it’ll go anywhere,” you ramble. You’re not quite sure why you feel the need to explain yourself but you do it regardless. “Anyway, I’m still dealing with the break-up so it’s not like I have time or the mental capacity to actually date.”

“You still haven’t moved on?” He asks, disgust lacing his tone.

You shrug. From your asshole ex? Absolutely. From the emotional turmoil of the relationship’s aftermath? Not so much.

“I’m dealing with it.”

Grimmjow does not like that answer. “For fucks sake, [Y/N], how are you still hung up on him? How is he worth this? Any of this? That bastard hasn’t deserved you since the day he got you!”

Your jaw drops at his outburst.

“Why are you getting so worked up about this?”

“Because you’re being fucking stupid!” Grimmjow stands up and starts pacing. The unexpected argument sends you spiralling into a fit of anger matching his own.

“Excuse me?” You stand up too and narrow your eyes at the arrancar.

He whips around to you, all six-foot-one of him towering over your frame. The heat emanating off of him is palpable in the chilly night air. His gaze is sharp—cutting into your own with intense emotion.

“You’re stupid because you don’t realize you deserve better.”

“And what? Who the hell is better? You?” You’re pushing him for a reaction.

He gives it to you.

“Yes!”

The word makes you both freeze. Grimmjow looks shocked at his own response; his eyes are so wide you can see your own surprise reflected in their icy blue.

“So you do have feelings for me,” you whisper.

Grimmjow’s head drops, his gaze now boring into the ground. If you didn’t know any better, you’d think he was embarrassed.

“Was that not fucking obvious?” He grumbles.

“Apparently not to me.”

He rubs his neck and lets out a long breath. “Well…” His eyes focus on you. “Now you know.”

Your heart is beating so fast it feels like it’ll burst out of your chest.

“Are you gonna say anything?” Grimmjow asks uneasily. He fidgets with his hair, anxiously waiting for your reply.

“You’re one of my closest friends, Grim. I don’t like change. I’m not very good at it,” you note.

“But what if the change is good?”

You cough out a dry laugh. “Are you saying you’re good? You? Mr. Almighty Espada?”

“Depends who you ask.”

You pretend to think. “Hmm… how about Ichigo?”

“Who cares what that moron thinks.”

“Well, considering he’s my best friend—”

Grimmjow scowls. “Still not thrilled about that, by the way.”

You smile at his indignation.

“I’m not cancelling my date.”

“What?” Grimmjow’s face falls and you try not to giggle at how easily he resembles a kicked puppy.

“Tomorrow. 5pm. Pick me up then?”

It takes a second for him to register what you mean, but when he does, he smirks and throws an arm around you, pulling you in for a side-hug that nearly suffocates you. You don’t mind at all.

“Or we can just start the date now.”

You laugh. “Slow done, cowboy. I have to change my number first thing tomorrow morning. He hasn’t stopped blowing up my phone.”

Grimmjow growls. “You know, you shouldn’t have stopped me from killing him last time.”

“Sometimes, I don’t know if you’re joking.” You tilt your head in concern. “It’s worrying.”

He shoots you an irritated look. “Why would I be joking?”

You merely shake your head, looking at him in amusement. For the first time in a long while, you have a feeling that everything will work out just fine.

[aventurineswife]

Could I request Jing Yuan, Dan Heng, Aventurine and Ratio with a very generous and doting partner who makes them an abundance of gifts?

New weapons, a couple plushies, and many more

Gifts of the Heart

Tags: Jing Yuan x Reader, Dan Heng x Reader, Aventurine x Reader, Ratio x Reader, Fluff, Gifts, Tender Moments, Soft Romance, Lighthearted, Emotional Vulnerability, Comfort, Slice of Life, Found Family.

A/N: why was I listening to cure while writing this? 💀

Jing Yuan's office was a sanctuary of calm amidst the chaos of the Xianzhou Luofu. However, today it was anything but calm. Piled high on his usually immaculate desk were an assortment of meticulously crafted gifts: a new weapon stand made of polished silver, embroidered cushions for his chair, and a plush lion that looked suspiciously like Mimi.

You walked in with another package, your cheeks flushed with effort and excitement. "I thought you might like these," you said, setting down the final bundle—a lightweight, beautifully designed cape lined with reinforced threads, perfect for both combat and ceremony.

Jing Yuan leaned back in his chair, his eyes glimmering with amusement. “Dozing General or not, I fear I might soon become the spoiled General if this continues.”

You smiled, brushing off his teasing. “It’s not spoiling if you deserve it.”

He reached for the plush lion and held it up, a rare chuckle escaping his lips. “Even Mimi has a twin now. Truly, you leave no detail overlooked.” His tone softened, and he leaned closer, his expression uncharacteristically tender. “You’ve made my world a much brighter place. Thank you, truly.”

Dan Heng was used to silence. It was his comfort zone, a shield against the chaos of the universe. But lately, the quiet in the archives had been punctuated by the rustling of gift-wrapped packages.

At first, he had been perplexed. Who needed a custom-crafted spear attachment inlaid with celestial patterns? Or a weighted blanket embroidered with stars and constellations that mirrored his room’s nightlight setting? And the plushies—one resembled Cloud-Piercer, another was an adorable caricature of his own stoic self.

You stood behind him, watching as he carefully examined a new spear stand. “Do you like it?” you asked hesitantly.

Dan Heng turned, his expression unreadable but his eyes softer than usual. “You don’t have to go to such lengths for me.”

“I want to,” you said simply. “You deserve to feel cared for.”

He hesitated, then reached for the plush Cloud-Piercer and placed it on his desk. “Thank you. I… appreciate everything.” His voice was quiet, but the sincerity in it spoke volumes. For the first time in a long while, Dan Heng felt that his solitude wasn’t a burden he had to bear alone.

Aventurine’s office was a chaotic display of opulence and extravagance, but now it had taken on a more personal touch. Golden dice-shaped ornaments dangled from the corners, a new set of playing cards lay on his desk, and a plush peacock sat proudly atop his chair.

“Another gift?” he asked, his signature smile playing on his lips as you entered with a set of intricately designed cufflinks shaped like roulette wheels.

“Only the best for you,” you replied, setting the box down. “I noticed your old ones were scratched.”

Aventurine picked up one of the cufflinks, holding it up to the light. “These are exquisite. You truly outdo yourself every time.”

You shrugged, grinning. “I just want to see you happy.”

His expression flickered, the mask slipping for a brief moment as he regarded you with something raw and unspoken. “You know, most people give me things expecting something in return. But you… you just give.”

“That’s because I care about you,” you said gently. “No strings attached.”

Aventurine chuckled, sliding the cufflinks into place. “You’re a dangerous one, you know that? Making me feel things I thought I’d buried long ago.”

Ratio’s lab was a temple of precision and order. Each piece of equipment had its place, every book meticulously cataloged. And yet, amidst the sterility of science, there was now a peculiar warmth: a plush owl perched on his desk, custom bookmarks tucked into his volumes, and a set of tools engraved with his initials.

“Another package?” he asked, raising an eyebrow as you entered with a sleek case.

You opened it to reveal a new set of instruments, polished to perfection and designed with ergonomic grips. “I thought these might help with your work.”

He inspected them with a critical eye, his expression unreadable. Finally, he set them down and turned to you. “You have an uncanny ability to surprise me.”

“I just want to make your life a little easier,” you said, smiling. “You work so hard; you deserve it.”

Ratio’s gaze softened, the sharp edges of his intellect giving way to something more human. “It’s rare for someone to see beyond the intellect and treat me as a person. You’ve done more than that—you’ve made me feel valued in ways I didn’t think possible.”

He reached for the plush owl, holding it up as a small smile tugged at his lips. “Even this has its charm. Thank you, truly.”

[accioscarheadthings]

ULTRAMINE ~ CHAPTER 5

kenji sato x reader

summary: kenji finds a secret that you have been keeping from him and it's making him doubt everything about you

pairings: kenji sato x fem!student!reader

warning: angst, arguments, emi defending you, mention of violence, gore, blood, and death, onset of a panic attack

masterlist !

an undercover agent.

working for the kdf

kenji's mind was whirling as he glared at your watch with utmost loathing. he was up early that morning, not being able to sleep much with the information he had discovered.

"good morning," you walked into his lab in the basement.

the watch slipped his grasp and he accidently kicked it your way.

you turned towards it and your expression turned alarmed at once, "kenji... where did you find that?" you had an idea of what he might of seen if he had your watch.

kenji turned around to face you, his eyes blazing with anger as he strode towards you, "the kdf? seriously?"

"oh god, ken," you covered your face with your hands, "it's not what it looks like-"

"i can't believe I trusted you. all along, you were working against us. you're nothing but a traitor!"

you flinched at his words, hurt by the disappointment and betrayal in his voice. but despite the pain, you didn't know how to tell him the truth. so you steeled yourself for his barrage of accusations.

"you had me fooled all this time. it was all just a facade, wasn't it? you were leading me on, using me to get what you wanted,"

"please, let me explain," you tried to speak, your frustration rising, "allow me to explain. i need you to trust me, kenji," you picked up the watch and strapped it around your wrist.

"i can't. not anymore," he snapped in disdain, "I thought I wasn't good enough for you, when it was you who was wrong all along, "you know deep down that you're not good enough, don't you? that's why you're always trying so hard to prove yourself. you're just a poser, pretending to be something you're not,"

your shoulders sagged at his words and your expression cleared. you swore you heart your heart crack.

ah, he hit the home run.

emi stepped between you and kenji, crying out in perplexity. she had never seen you argue with each other, but now, she didn't like it one bit.

kenji stared up at her, "step aside, young lady! you're gonna be in big trouble!"

emi trilled in retaliation, glancing at you in confusion.

you wanted to defend yourself, to prove that he was wrong, but something didn't feel right.

you couldn't breathe.

a chill slithered down your sweaty back, bursting into a shiver throughout your body.

kenji yelled, losing all sense, "emi! you're taking her side but she's the bad guy! she will kill you!"

"that's enough, kenji!" professor sato thundered, having just entered the lab, and having heard enough.

you froze, all of it sinking it. the words ascended your throat to defend yourself, and when you opened your mouth, you could hardly breathe.

you clutched your chest, scurrying out of the lab, ignoring professor sato's calls.

emi hurried after you, sobbing, but the tube elevator had disappeared out of view. she slumped down in her place with a pout, ears drooping down.

you barged into your room, leaning on the edge of your bed, and slid down the floor.

the memories of your past come rushing back to you like a tidal wave.

flashes of your parents’ faces, their voices, and the sound of the door being broken down by armed guards fill your mind.

you were transported back to that terrifying day when your parents were arrested, your body trembling with fear and anger. You watched as the guards roughed up your parents, grabbing them without any consideration.

you feel the familiar pang of betrayal as you watch your parents being dragged into the van, their shouts of protest silenced by the KDF officers.

"no," you hit the side of your head repeatedly to knock off the images, "stop it!"

the scene changed, and you saw your parents being taken to a high-security facility. you watched as they were separated and taken to different rooms, their faces etched with worry and pain.

as you follow your parents, the memory begins to blur and shift. you can see your parents being subjected to intense questioning, their bodies bound to chairs as their minds are probed and invaded.

screams of pain echoed throughout the facility they tortured your parents to no end. blood oozing out of their skin where they had been beaten and battered up for information.

as you came out of the flashback, you were brought back to the present moment. the memories of your parents' arrest and torture came flooding back, and you felt yourself starting to spiral into yourself.

your breathing became shallow, your hands shaking, your mind racing with images of your parents in agony and drenched in blood.

your knees buckled, and you found yourself sinking to the ground. you could feel the onset of a panic attack, your body beginning to shake, chest tightening.

your watch beeped and your warbird suit encapsulated you, covering you from head to toe, metal plates shifting upwards over your body.

"no, not now," you screwed your eyes shut, reaching out to reality and attempting to steady your breathing.

snapping them open, your suit lit up and you began to gather yourself.

"her parents died that day," professor sato explained to kenji over the cries of emi, "they didn't make it through the interrogation. at first, y/n's father thought they were getting arrested for the identity of warbird, partner in crime of ultraman," he scoffed, "but they were wrong. it was for their involvement in kaiju studies. y/n's father knew where kaij island was. so they thought they could torture it out of him. it got so severe that they-" he paused, screwing his eyes shut in agony, "they tortured them to death," his voice shook.

kenji shut his eyes, his heart heavy with sorrow, regret, and guilt. The weight of his actions and the full extent of his guilt started to sink in, and he began to understand the gravity of his words.

"the kdf disposed of their bodies by faking a car accident. inconsiderate of the little girl that was orphaned," professor sato's heart ached at the memory, his eyes getting glassy.

"y/n got into the kdf under a fake name by using her skill and expertise to know why they were specifically after emi. and also to know if her parents were, by some miracle, still alive,"

"kenji, professor sato," mina interrupted, "dr. y/n is experiencing a panic attack. i suggest immediate assistance before her condition gets worse,"

kenji felt his heart drop, "where is she?" he spun around to face the ai, who was also worried for you.

"in the guest room, but kenji-"

he didn't let her finish. he rushed to the elevator, his brain screaming at him to get to you at once, "dad, watch emi, i'll go check in on y/n,"

once kenji skidded to a stop in front of your room, he found the door ajar. stepping in, he took in the bedroom's state of disarray.

several items were strewn across the room as though you had stumbled over them. the sheets on the bed were yanked off, leaving the mattress exposed.

but most of your things were gone, and so were you, leaving the balcony door open.

he sat alone in the empty room, consumed by a wave of guilt that seemed to crush him. he replayed the argument over and over in his mind, your broken expression, berating himself for the heated words he had spoken and the hurtful tone he had used.

he regretted allowing his emotions to boil over and push you away. the silence of the room was almost deafening, intensifying his sense of remorse and longing for your presence.

TAGLIST !

@earth-to-mee @sassy-cat-in-town @breaddippedinorangejuice @nuhteyam @gameboigyu @byunpum @jennypenny-19 @doublebunv @moonjellyfishie @m00nd0v3 @despacito-uwu16 @reivelmin @seyoran @warlike-morning @crimson-mage-02 @b3e-sat0 @miffysoo @t4naiis @lovingyeet  @imsimping4life @mmeerraa @btszn @jusmango-shak @yobriisstuff @goldenpoison @fruchtgeschmack @iateurdad16 @bandolls @lovingyee @reivelmin @f-ergj @arrozyfrijoles23 @aise-30 @simp-hub @armycaratlover

AUTHOR'S NOTE !

ahhh!! i'm sorry for the angst, my loves!

they will make it up to each other so, don't worry about it. even after i finish the series, i'll be writing drabbles because i can't get enough of kenji sato. if you guys have any requests, don't hesitate to send them.

also, do you guys want another smut chapter? i think it'll be an overkill. but if you guys want it, i'll make it work somehow;)

let me know below <33

[misctf]

Already in Costume

Happy start to October! Hoping to write a few stories to celebrate Halloween and spooky season. Enjoy!

“Bro, you’re seriously not going out tonight? It’s Halloween bro!”

Michael found it funny how offended his roommate sounds. Was it really so hard to believe that others might not want to dress up in stupid, slutty costumes and drink all night? He adjusts his glasses and looks over at his roommate.

“I much prefer to stay indoors.” He replies, “Besides, this lab report isn’t going to write itself.”

Joey looked perplexed, “Yeah, but...”

“And isn’t a bit too cold out for that.” He gestures at Joey’s getup, “I mean, what are you even supposed to be?” His nasally voice carries a condescending tone.

Joey looks down at himself. He’s topless, ensuring his muscles are on full display. Suspenders wrap around his broad shoulders, connecting to a pair of shorts that show off his bulge and bubble butt well. A pair of fake, thick rimmed glasses sit comfortably on his face.

“Dude, the alcohol will keep me warm.” He rubs the back of his head sheepishly, exposing his hairy pit, “And I’m a sexy nerd, dude! I mean, it’s obvious, right?”

Michael’s braying laughter fills the room. A sexy nerd? Really? For all intents and purposes, Michael knew what a nerd is. He prided himself on being one. Dressed in a pastel button down and high-waited khakis, thick-rimmed glasses, and hair neatly combed, Michael truly dressed and acted the part. Joey- not so much.

“A sexy nerd?” Michael laughs, “Oh Joey, that’s ridiculous.”

“But dude, this was your idea.”

Michael raises an eyebrow, “What?”

“Yeah, bro.” Joey smirks, “You’re the one who thought we’d look good like this.”

Michael chuckles, “You must be mistaken.” But he feels uneasy. Like something isn’t totally right, “I need to...” When he turns back to his computer, he doesn’t find his lab report. No, the college football game is on, “What?”

“What’s wrong, Mikey?” Joey is now uncomfortably close to Michael, standing over him with a shit-eating grin on his face.

“No-nothing.” His voice cracks and he tries to stand up, but Joey pushes him back into his chair, “What’re you...?”

“Don’t you remember how excited you were for this?” Joey asks, watching as Michael’s pants start to shorten, until settling about his knees, “People won’t stop staring, dude.” Michael watches as his shirt vanishes, exposing his slender figure.

“No... this isn’t...” Joey starts rubbing his thin chest, causing him to moan.

“Fuck, all those gym sessions really paid off, huh?” Joey whispers, feeling as his hand fills with Michael’s meaty pec muscles, “Fuck, and look at those.” Michael groans as his abs pop into existence, each perfectly sculpted.

“Joey... what’re you... oh god...” He moans as he feels his soft dick start to harden.

“Damn dude, fuck...” Joey whispers as he runs his hands along Michael’s growing arms. Perfectly toned biceps and triceps emerge form Michael’s once skinny arms, his shoulders rounding out with beautiful muscle, “God, you’re so fucking sexy.” Joey grinds up against Michael’s hardened cock, both of them moaning.

“Please... Joey... keep going...” Michael mumbles, lost in the moment. He can feel his ass fill out in his new shorts and watches as a pair of suspenders wraps around his broad shoulders, “Fuck...”

As the two continue to grind against one another, Michael’s glasses are knocked off. He gasps when he realizes he can see perfectly without them, but he’s distracted as Joey’s lips collide with his own. As the two kiss passionately, Michael’s thoughts are bombarded by new knowledge. Slow at first, but suddenly aggressive. Pushing out his nerdy interests.

“Wait, bro... no...” He breaks away from the kiss, his new dumb, yet sexy voice filling the air, “I’m not...”

But Joey’s lips collide with Michael’s again and the former nerd can barely think straight. He feels a calm wash over him as his stuck-up nature is replaced by that of a relaxed bro. He leans more into the kiss and more forcefully grinds up against Joey’s juicy ass. His interest in the hard sciences transitions to exercise science, while his passion for videogames becomes only focused on first-person shooters with his bros.

“What was that Mikey?” Joey breaks the kiss again and grins.

“I...I... fuck dude, keep going, please.” Mikey says, consumed in a horny lust.

“Fuck yeah, bro.” Joey grins, “But dude, we’re late to the party.”

Mikey whines, “Fuckin’ tease.” He curses.

“Don’t worry, dude.” Joey stands up, giving Mikey a nice view of his plump ass, “Patience is a virtue.”

Mikey smirked, and the two bros left for their night out. The cool air nice against their firm muscles, their egos satisfied by the lustful grins they got. But Mikey couldn’t care less. Instead, as he sipped on his beer, his only focus was on Joey’s firm ass. And the fun they were gonna have after their stupid night out.

[fourorchid]

“Obedient Thing”

— Chapter 1 —

Description: The monotony of your day to day life as a lab assistant is suddenly interrupted upon meeting Viktor, a researcher at the academy, who has a gaze that pulls you apart and knows exactly how to piece you back together. His voice, his actions—they’re dizzying, frustrating—but madly addictive. Curiosity and happenstance seem to render you incapable of avoiding him as you come to terms with the newfound feelings he’s unintentionally (or maybe intentionally) stirred within you.

Chapter Index:

Chapter 1 (here)

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

— Viktor x fem!Reader | ~2.1K —

Disclaimer: I wrote this on a whim as an introduction to a plot I came up with for a Viktor fic and I’d love to continue it if people are interested! I wouldn’t call myself a writer by any means and this is also my first attempt at writing something of this nature—but regardless, I hope you enjoy ~

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

The low-hanging glow of dusk casts soft shadows across the street as you walk towards the academy. You go over what Jayce had asked you to pick up from the lab—his two notebooks and the instrument filled with your latest experiment’s data.

“I’m sorry, I ran out of time and the numbers need to be recorded in the books before testing on Monday—would you mind grabbing them and doing it over the weekend?”

You recall Jayce’s voice asking sweetly over the phone—a voice you quickly realized is very hard to say “no” to. You told Jayce you were exhausted and would get it tomorrow but he insisted you retrieve them now. “Please, just to be safe,” he pleaded. Although you were unsure how Jayce managed to overlook this—and how his oversight landed on you to resolve—ultimately, you obliged.

So now you find yourself at your place of work, walking up the two flights of stairs that lead to the lab on what was supposed to be a relaxing Friday evening after a long week.

This was the life of an assistant—rather tedious, being at someone else’s beck and call, and more often than not you’re treated as an afterthought. But it was stable and predictable, so you deem the trade off fair.

Your heels click as you walk up to the familiar door. You plunge your key into the handle before realizing the latch was already unlocked. With a soft turn of the knob, you enter the lab. The sun has now nearly set providing little light from the window. Your eyes quickly move to a different source of light coming from the work bench deeper into the room. A lithe figure sat working, turning promptly at your entrance. His features were sharp, his gaze inspecting but not necessarily with judgement as he moves to face you.

“Hello—I’m sorry, I didn’t realize anyone was still here. I just need to grab something,” you explain politely.

“Of course,” He replies. His voice is deep with a subtle accent, his tone formal.

You move to Jayce’s desk and begin sifting through the piles of notes and research. After multiple minutes, you realize you cannot seem to find the notebooks he mentioned. Even with Jayce’s usual messiness, locating something was never this difficult. You let out a soft huff in confusion. The other man turns to look at you recognizing the sounds of frustration all too well.

“What is it that you are looking for?”

As he speaks, you are unsure whether he wants to be helpful or if he’s trying to figure you out—maybe both.

“Oh, um—Dr. Talis asked me to pick up a few notebooks—but I, uh, can’t seem to find them,” your tone is perplexed as you return to shuffling through his desk.

The man stands up from his spot, leaning on the cane in his hand. He takes a second to process before speaking again.

“One red and one blue?” He takes a guess referencing the exact notebooks you are looking for. “Yes, those are the ones—have you seen them?” you ask as you continue your futile search.

His footsteps on the floor are echoed by his cane as he walks a few paces closer.

“Jayce had them in his hand when he left earlier,” he replies, his tone matter-a-fact but also questioning.

You turn to look at the man, entirely lost. Something about Jayce’s request starts to feel…off.

“Really? That can’t be right,” you say, confusion settling on your face as you return your focus to the mess of papers and books on the desk. The man let out a deep exhale as he brought his hand up, pinching the bridge of his nose—seemingly having come to a realization.

“But it is,” He affirms with a soft sigh, dropping his arm back to his side.

“Maybe he forgot then,” you try to understand but something’s not adding up.

“I’m afraid he did not,” The man takes a few steps closer now standing behind you as he continues to clarify in a way that only leaves you with more questions. “He knows he didn’t leave them here.”

You turn, leaning your back against the rumpled desk to observe the man as he speaks in breadcrumbs. You feel like you’re missing the piece of the puzzle that completes the picture—and the man standing in front of you seems to have it.

“Are you saying he just sent me here to haze me?” You joke but your delivery remains reserved.

“No, no, Jayce is not cruel—just meddlesome,” the man cocks his head to the side, his expression curious as he scans your features.

“He wanted you to find something else—” the man connects the dots for you, his tone deep and a bit gravelly as he speaks, “—to find me.” He finishes, unamused with the prospect. Viktor recounts the subtle grin on Jayce’s face earlier as he had told him he would be working late through the evening, the man’s reaction suddenly making more sense now.

You are utterly lost. “Why?” You respond, unsure of what Jayce’s motive would be for sending you to the lab under false pretenses just to see this man that you don’t even know. “What would he be trying to accomplish in doing so?” you add skeptically.

“He is trying to play matchmaker, is what he’s doing.” The man answers simply. You don’t know how to respond. You chuckle nervously at the thought.

“I’m sorry—and why would he do that?” You pause before adding, “Did you know about this?” Your tone is a bit more standoffish and accusatory than you intended due to your revelation at being manipulated. At this point you just want an explanation, niceties be damned.

“No, I assure you, I had nothing to do with this—” the man gestures with his free hand between you and the notebook-less desk. “But he has mentioned you to me before on a few occasions—seems to think we would be ‘good together,’ so to speak.” The man in front of you is unfazed and straightforward as he explains, “And thinks he’s helping when he’s most certainly not.” He taps his cane against the floor softly as he readjusts his tall frame against it. His eyes slowly travel over you, taking in your appearance and your demeanor as he finishes speaking.

“I’m sorry—I’m not sure what to say,” you admit with a dry, halfhearted laugh at the absurdity of the situation. The man’s gaze makes you feel as though you’ve been placed under a microscope—exposed and waiting.

“It’s quite alright, really. You didn’t know, it’s Jayce who should apologize for such a ludicrous plan.” He breaks from surveying you, returning to look at your face as he responds casually.

There’s a beat of tense silence as you still are registering what this man in front of you has revealed. The conversation at hand is beyond small talk and you realize you still don’t know his name.

“I don’t even know your name,” you admit, still a bit miffed but your tone is weaker than before. An almost imperceptible smile makes its way across the man’s face as he seems to find your reaction intriguing.

“It’s Viktor,” his voice is deep and smooth as he answers. His eyes almost seem to glow in the dimly-lit lab; intimidating yet inviting at the same time. They narrow as he appraises you.

“How old are you, Miss y/n?” Viktor muses, his eyes never leaving yours as he awaits your response.

You know you aren’t obligated to stay and entertain this conversation—you could just excuse yourself politely now having cleared up the misunderstanding; but something about the man in front of you compels you to stay. You find it frustrating and a bit concerning but curiosity—as it often does—gets the best of you.

“24,” you reveal, a bit unsure where this new line of questioning is headed. A faint look of surprise flits over Viktor’s features as he hears your answer. “Why, how old are you?” You return the question.

“35.” he states simply.

“Oh, um—that’s a decent age difference,” you point out now more unnerved. “Why would Jayce try to set you and I up together if he knew that?”

Viktor seems to know the answer but isn’t sure how you will take it. He takes a few steps closer to you again, stopping just a couple feet from where you stand, his gaze fixed on you.

"It's because I prefer a certain...type." Viktor offers a vague explanation that leaves you on the edge.

“What? Younger?” You ask, slightly horrified by the notion. A small chuckle rumbles through Viktor’s chest as he clarifies. “No, not exactly,” he chooses his words more carefully as he continues, “It’s more about the kind of….personality I tend to go for.”

The room begins to feel warmer, you do your best to ignore the feeling. “Which is?” you try to get him to be more specific.

He looked you over slowly before deciding whether or not to tell you.

"Submissive."

He spoke the word carefully but with intent, clearly not wanting to make you uncomfortable but also testing the waters.

You swallow as the word reaches you—not exactly what you were expecting.

“Oh really?” you scoff softly, “Is that the impression I give off?” your tone becomes defiant. The corners of Viktor’s mouth turn up ever so slightly in an understated display of amusement.

Suddenly, he leans forward making up for the height difference between you two as he gently places his free hand under your chin, tilting your face up slightly so he could make eye contact as he speaks.

"Well, don't be so sure. I have a pretty good eye for these things." His voice is a coaxing and low rumble as he speaks.

You find yourself unsure of how to respond, clearly more affected by Viktor’s action than you expected as you feel heat crawl up your neck. His touch sends a shockwave through your body of…anxiety? excitement? frustration? desire? You can’t quite tell—all you know is that whatever it is has you unable to think straight. You avert your gaze for a moment of reprieve. Viktor gently pulls your chin up as he speaks firmly.

“Look at me.”

Despite your better judgement, you find yourself having a hard time disobeying. Before really registering it, you return your gaze to Viktor’s. You feel the same sensation as you did earlier; exposed and expectant as he studies you.

He smirked, noticing the change in your expression when you returned to look at to him. He held your chin for a few moments, his eyes locked on yours as he spoke again.

"There you go. That's better."

The low warmth of his voice as it vibrates from his chest with subtle praise causes your heart rate to jump. His gaze flicks down to your lips and back up to your eyes again, as if memorizing each feature individually.

Suddenly, you feel Viktor remove his hand from your chin. He takes a step back to allow you to regain your bearings. He observes you closely, taking note of your body language and flushed appearance. You feel your breathing has become a bit shallower now too. A hint of satisfaction washes over his features at what he’s managed to make of you from such a simple gesture.

"It's as I thought." He affirms, crossing his hands over the top of his cane. He let his eyes run over you again, studying the way your chest visibly rose and fell as you breathed.

All at once, the stretching walls and tall ceiling of the lab somehow manage to feel suffocatingly small. Your cheeks burn and you wish nothing more than to be able to come up with something clever to quip back, but the synapses in your brain have been short-circuited and rewired.

You let out a wavering breath as you finally find your ability to speak.

“Well, it’s getting late—I should be going.” Your voice is flat and sterile as you try to compensate for how affected you still feel. Viktor, seemingly having returned to his earlier demeanor as if none of that just happened, speaks nonchalantly but the look in his eyes betrays something more intense.

“Of course, of course,” he nods cordially, “I apologize for Jayce’s…antics.”

You nod, accepting Viktor’s apology on Jayce’s behalf—ugh, Jayce—you feel your jaw tighten as you make a mental note to confront him about this nonsense later. You turn your attention back to the man in front of you.

“Goodnight, Viktor,” you say, your voice taut as you move to leave the lab. You feel his eyes trace your movements as you walk out the door.

“Goodnight, y/n.” Viktor replies, his voice low as your name rolls off his tongue in an almost purr.

You swiftly close the door to the lab behind you. At the click of the latch, you let out a breath you didn’t realize you were holding.

As you walk back home, you are left with the sound of your tense breathing and a headache’s worth of thoughts swirling in your head. You can’t help but replay the interaction over and over again as you try to make sense of the feelings it had stirred within you.

A switch had been flipped—one that you didn’t quite understand, let alone know existed in yourself.

All you do know is who flipped it.

The man in the lab with a calculating gaze and a velvet-wrapped voice. The man who can see things others don’t, who has a penchant for pushing the envelope—whose name was Viktor.

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