#Salon Disposables

[watchanimeonlineforfree]

Explore Beauty Bazaar salon disposables collection. Stock up on essential single-use items for hygiene and convenience. Quality products for professional salon use.

[dizzytea]

the main resolutions i have for next year is, prioritising my mental and physical health and making my life easier in all the ways i can afford to do so, and feeling no guilt for either of those things. suffering isn't a virtue and i'm tired of feeling tired and beaten.

[creativeera]

Disposable Shower Caps Market Estimated to Witness High Growth fueled by Rising Hygiene awareness

The disposable shower caps market has been gaining traction over the past few years owing to increasing hygiene standards. Disposable shower caps provide a convenient and hygienic solution for protecting hair from water and other products while showering. Made using materials such as plastic, polyethylene or polyvinyl chloride, disposable shower caps are affordable, easy to use and disposable. The global disposable shower cap market provides benefits such as minimizes exposure to chemicals, preserving hairstyles and protecting hair from water.

The disposable shower caps market size is expected to reach US$ 716.7 Mn by 2031, from US$ 486.2 Mn in 2023,exhibitinga CAGR of 5.7% during the forecast period.

Key Takeaways Key players operating in the disposable shower caps are Tamarind Global, Cox & Kings, SOTC, Thomas Cook, Red Fox Hotel, Le Passage to India, Blank Canvas, Envent Worldwide, Orange County Resorts & Hotels, The Park Hotels, Radisson Hotel Group, Hyatt Hotels Corporation, Hilton, Kuoni India, ITDC, Ferns N Petals, Wedniksha, The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts, ITC Hotels, Marriott International. The rising demand from hotels, salons, hospitals and other commercial places is expected to create lucrative opportunities for manufacturers in the coming years. North America, Europe and Asia Pacific represent the largest and fastest growing regional markets for disposable shower caps driven by increasing spending capacity and hygiene standards. Market Drivers Growing cognizance regarding hygiene and sanitization is the key factor driving for Disposable Shower Caps Market Trends. The easy availability and affordability of these caps through multiple sales channels including retail stores, e-commerce portals and at commercial establishments is further supporting their adoption. Rapid growth of the travel & tourism industry and increasing salon services are also propelling the uptake of disposable shower caps.

PEST Analysis Political: Government regulations regarding materials used and waste disposal of disposable shower caps can impact the market. Stringent rules on plastic usage can challenge market growth. Economic: Rise in disposable incomes and high spending on personal hygiene and grooming products positively influence the demand. Fluctuations in raw material prices pose risks. Social: Growing travel and tourism sector coupled with increased focus on cleanliness and hygiene augment the market size. Changing lifestyles and preference for convenience boost usage. Technological: Advancements in material science help manufacturers develop innovative products with improved features. Use of app-based services for booking hotel rooms and related amenities gains traction. The Asia Pacific region accounts for the major share of the global disposable shower caps market in terms of value. Countries like China and India experiencing rise in tourist arrivals and growth of their hospitality industries contribute to increased demand. North America follows Asia Pacific due to high living standards and upgraded hygiene consciousness of consumers. The disposable shower caps market is growing rapidly in Central and South American countries on account of expanding tourism sector and investments in infrastructure development. Germany is the fastest growing regional market for disposable shower caps. Factors driving market growth include high disposable incomes, extensive travel and tourism industry, established healthcare infrastructure and growing hygiene awareness among population.

Get more insights on Disposable Shower Caps Market

Alice Mutum is a seasoned senior content editor at Coherent Market Insights, leveraging extensive expertise gained from her previous role as a content writer. With seven years in content development, Alice masterfully employs SEO best practices and cutting-edge digital marketing strategies to craft high-ranking, impactful content. As an editor, she meticulously ensures flawless grammar and punctuation, precise data accuracy, and perfect alignment with audience needs in every research report. Alice's dedication to excellence and her strategic approach to content make her an invaluable asset in the world of market insights.

(LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/alice-mutum-3b247b137 )

[ask-eric-the-disposable-demon]

“With your twitching nose

Bunny, Bunny, Bunny

You're so funny

From your head to your toes

Bunny, Bunny, Bunny

Your ears are funny

They're too big for you”

Hey! My ears are not too big!

[pushingthewave]

In this week's column, I recall my first visit to Paris in early 2000 and discuss modern farming at the Salon International de l’Agriculture.

[manohar-international08]

Spa Salon Nonwoven Disposable Products: The Essential Items for a Hygienic Spa Experience

Spa salons are all about relaxation, rejuvenation, and pampering. However, to ensure a safe and hygienic environment for both the clients and the spa staff, it is important to use disposable products. These products not only prevent the spread of germs and bacteria but also enhance the overall spa experience. Nonwoven disposable products are the preferred choice in many spas as they are cost-effective, convenient, and versatile.

In this blog, we will discuss the various nonwoven disposable products used in spa salons and why they are essential for a hygienic spa experience.

Nonwoven Disposable Face Masks

The use of face masks has become a necessity in the current scenario to prevent the spread of airborne illnesses. In spa salons, nonwoven disposable face masks are a must-have item. These masks are made of soft, breathable, and non-irritating materials that are comfortable to wear for extended periods. They are also designed to fit securely around the nose and mouth, ensuring maximum protection. The masks can be disposed of after a single use, thereby reducing the risk of contamination.

Nonwoven Disposable Robes and Gowns

Spa robes and gowns are typically worn by clients during their spa treatments. The use of nonwoven disposable robes and gowns is becoming increasingly popular in spa salons as they provide a hygienic alternative to traditional cotton robes. Nonwoven disposable robes are made from a soft and comfortable material that is lightweight and breathable. They are also easy to wear and remove, making them ideal for spa treatments. After a single use, the robes can be disposed of, reducing the risk of cross-contamination.

Nonwoven Disposable Headbands

Headbands are often used in spa salons to keep hair out of the face during facials, massages, and other treatments. Nonwoven disposable headbands are a cost-effective alternative to traditional cotton headbands that require frequent washing and drying. They are made from a soft, comfortable, and non-irritating material that is gentle on the skin. The headbands can be easily disposed of after a single use, reducing the risk of contamination.

Nonwoven Disposable Slippers

Slippers are often provided to clients in spa salons to keep their feet warm and comfortable during treatments. Nonwoven disposable slippers are an excellent alternative to traditional cotton slippers that require frequent washing and drying. They are made from a soft, comfortable, and non-irritating material that is gentle on the skin. The slippers can be easily disposed of after a single use, reducing the risk of contamination.

Nonwoven Disposable Bed Sheets and Pillowcases

Bed sheets and pillowcases are essential in spa salons for providing a comfortable and hygienic surface for clients during treatments. Nonwoven disposable bed sheets and pillowcases are a cost-effective alternative to traditional cotton bed linens that require frequent washing and drying. They are made from a soft, comfortable, and non-irritating material that is gentle on the skin. The bed sheets and pillowcases can be easily disposed of after a single use, reducing the risk of contamination.

In conclusion, spa salons are all about providing a relaxing, rejuvenating, and hygienic experience for clients. Nonwoven disposable products play a crucial role in achieving this goal. They are cost-effective, convenient, and versatile, making them

[koolades-world]

Powerful men

oh my god the fact that any of the brothers and datables could ruin the lives of anyone who wrongs you is so hot to me

the idea of the pure power and influence they hold used just used for little old me instead of something actually productive makes me weak in the knees

if you go down the list, each of them is terrifying in their own way and you have them wrapped around your finger

Lucifer is Diavolo’s right hand man and single handed manages so many things, including six of his brothers that are all very power demons

Mammon has influence over everything money

Levi is Hell’s Admiral

Satan was literally birthed from Lucifer’s rage and has connections in every part of the Devildom

Asmo is not only famous as the avatar of lust, but also online meaning he has a horde of crazy dedicated fans and man’s greater weakness at his disposal

Beel is a beefcake of a man and will eat anything without flinching, including almost you

Belphie rules the dreamworld and arguably had the least amount of restraint among his brothers

Diavolo is literally the next in like to be king and has an inconceivable amount of grim at the tips of his fingers

Barbatos can alter time, space, and any destiny at will with something as simple as a thought and hand movement

Solomon has 46(? don’t remember exactly how many) demons in a pact with him including Barbatos and Asmo and is a very powerful sorcerer

Simeon has the influence of an angel and the power of all that is heavenly on his side, as well as Lucifer

all it takes is for one of them to find out, then the fate of whoever wronged you has been sealed. I like to think it’s a collaborative effort

the demon that made fun of you in RAD mysteriously vanished, that thorn in your side at your part time job is suddenly much nicer, and that one rude hairstylist at your favorite salon is fired for some reason

it’s so insane how all of them are likely willing to go that far for a human that was chose at random for an exchange program that wasn’t meant to last more than a year

the writing potential is endless

[gremlingottoosilly]

Crybaby!reader constantly running to König for comfort, could have just felt emotional that day or someone yelled at them, they're going to König

Spending time with your protective, comforting boyfriend who wants nothing more but to make sure you're safe and comforted. You're such a crybaby all the time. It's almost embarrassing...but he will always make sure to comfort you, no matter if it's by the phone while he is deployed or in person, at home. Konig is such a good boyfriend who can handle your feelings well - despite himself being a bit inept about his own emotions. Konig who always has something to say to comfort you - he might not be good at being vocal about his feelings, but he tries his best and that's what matters, right? If he can't provide you with emotional support, he will buy you something nice and book you a visit to that fancy food place you like - or an appointment to a hair salon, or a new nail set, or literally whatever else you want because he will not have his pretty girlfriend cry. When consumerism can't save you from having a bad day, however... There is always an option of paying a visit to whatever sad fuck who did this to you - whoever was dumb enough to hurt you. There is always an option to make you a cup of hot chocolate, order delivery from your favorite restaurant, and then go for a short drive while you're munching on something and are too busy with your silly TV shows to notice that your boyfriend is gone, and his guns are gone too. There is always an option of paying a visit to your boss and explaining to him in normal, calm terms exactly how fucked up they are. If they are not doing anything to correct their behavior, Konig will be more than happy to dispose of them. If keeping you locked up in his house and making the environment as soft and comfortable for you is the only way...he will gladly do it.

[dmitriene]

THOUGHTS ABOUT SIMON GETTING HIS NIPPLES PIERCED BY YOU.

cw: fluff, comfort, little suggestive possibly, piercing, mild description of blood, possible lack of dialogues, hints of strangers to lovers, simon is a tease, may be ooc simon, bit of tension. pairing: simon ghost riley x piercer fem reader

✎ 𝘮𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘮𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘵. 𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴. 𝘢𝘰3. ˑ༄

the tart aroma of wood and coffee, the crackle of disposable gloves, things that routine of work in a tattoo and piercing parlor brings with itself, a designated place with large, wide, blacked out windows, located along the street, in general view, but without too much influx of visitors.

quiet and calm routine, filled with warm conversations with colleagues and people leaving and coming, someone to do something new, someone to redo something old, everyone in one way or another gathers in this small, but warm and bright place.

at least that's how it was, until a figure appeared in the parlor, casting a wide shadow in the room and causing all conversations and movements to lead to the halt.

a broad body to match the tall stature, prominent muscles tight but not completely under a black clothes and a balaclava that causes both misunderstanding and slight fear, black fabric with a skull pattern revealing only the dark beads of the eyes, which seizing the room with quick glance before going to the reception.

he looks like one of those men who come to the salon for a tattoo session, something memorable for them, the names of comrades, important names and numbers associated with the army, exactly, guys resembling him often serve in the army, but if they are usually bright and cheerful youngsters, then this one is a breath of darkness so thick, that you can't see anything behind.

— “not my business anyway, he's here likely to have a tattoo, and he's already have one„ you're comforting yourself in your head, after all, you're doing piercings, and he's obviously come to get another tattoo, maybe dilute the already existing sleeve of skulls, or something on the other arm, definitely not for you, so you keep yourself busy cleaning your workplace, ignoring the literal storm behind your back.

— “i'm here for a piercing appointment, nipples, called abou' a week ago„

and that's the tipping point when you can't ignore the elephant in the room, you jerk your head just as he turns around and shamelessly looks at you, from head to toe and back in a burning path that makes you shiver, squinting his bottomless eyes until small wrinkles form, while your colleague behind the wooden counter points at you, letting him know that you are indeed his master for today, and he came for you.

— “simon„ he introduced himself with a hoarse chuckle when you addressed him with unexpected respect, «sir» you called him, asking him to lift his shirt to expose his chest, to which he complied without further words, flexing his biceps with next movements.

simon leans back on a leather, hydraulic chair, spreading his muscular legs, as he lift his shirt, exposing the pale skin with a scattering of scars of all kinds, a picture that confirms your suspicions that he belongs to the army, but you dare not mutter, nor ask a single question, on the contrary of how you usually do, only preparing the needle and silently stand in front of him.

he doesn't twitch or hiss when the needle first pierces the sensitive buds, causing them to harden visibly, pale pink in contrast to the fair skin that lets out small drops of blood that you gently wipe as you touch the fresh piercings, and he doesn't even raise an eyebrow, but stares intently at your downcasted eyes.

the metal jewelry gleams slightly under the white light, playing against the background of his skin in a mixed way, he looks even more intimidating with them, but also adding a touch of something hot to his look, seductive, thoughts that you quickly brush away with a nervous flick of your tongue over your slightly parched lips.

— “that's, umh.. that's all, we're finished„ you let him know, trying to control the frown of your eyebrows, the strange struggle with your own emotions as he hides the fresh piercing behind the black fabric of his tight shirt and stands up, giving you a gentle nod and a seemingly unleavened squint.

he pays in front of the same counter that you can watch from your workplace, taking out the pre-rolled cash and giving it to your colleague, before leaving as unexpectedly as he came.

that's when you remember that you didn't give him your contact number.

of course, if something really happens to his piercing in the future, he can find your contact details through the number of parlor himself, but your feet carry you to the exit faster than rational thoughts, the cardboard card is tightly clenched in your hand as you unlock the heavy door, and practically slam into his back.

simon is just in time lighting the tip of his cigarette with a lighter, pursing his pale, thin lips into a line, showing the lower part of his face with a balaclava raised to his nose, turning at you with raised eyebrows, hiding the lighter in his pocket and exhaling a puff of smoke, tilting his head to the side questioningly, until you hand him an embarrassedly crumpled business card.

— “my.. my number.. if something would happen to the piercings, or if you'll have questions, you know..„

you hurriedly explain, as if making excuses, denying the strange attraction that pulls you to this stranger, and his lips part in a wide grin, showing a row of his light teeth and fangs, before he reaches out his broad hand and with a fleeting brush of his fingers against yours, takes the business card, hoarsely, amusingly adding — “of course, don'' worry, lass, i'll call you if something, eh?„

after which, he walks away, showing you his broad, gradually disappearing back, leaving you on the threshold of parlor with a strange, unsettling sensation at the bottom of your chest.

but he'll call you, for sure, maybe he'll have to take them off when he gets back to base for a mission, ask if you can check if the piercings are closed up, maybe he'll even lose the jewelry, but his legs will definitely lead him back to you, or he'll dare to do something more risky with his body, just to feel your warm hands all over his body and even between his legs.

[runningthroughthegarden]

jack champion bf headcanons pt3 <3

a/n: while i work on longer fics heres a short blurb :)

• loves to apply your lipgloss for you. his brows furrow as he concentrates, small strokes of lip gloss swiping across your lips

• always goes with you to the nail salon and gets excited to choose your color. gets super into it and cant pick between shades

• whenever he sees a photo booth, he 100% has to stop to take pictures with you. they start off cutesy, but definitely end up with his lips on yours, hands fully grabbing you closer. he keeps them in his wallet, car, phone case, absolutely every where

• love love loves to match, even if its just the same color. he gets dressed after you and pretends its a total coincidence

• physical touch is his love language, no matter how small it is. loves to link pinkies

• always posting insta stories about you. its always the cutest candid shots. puts your favorite song in the background

• gives you his sweater allllll the time. even if you arent cold he insists on you taking it. he mostly does it cause he loves seeing you in his clothes

• he is so sleepy. almost always ends up falling asleep on your shoulder

• hands every where. on your waist, on your lower back, on your thigh. he can’t get enough of it

• sharing headphones with you all the time. he made a specific playlist filled with both of your favorite songs

• carries around a disposable and takes the cutest pictures of you guys and all the dates youve gone on

• absolutely adores your family. he was super nervous to meet them at first but once he gets comfortable he loves them. hanging out with your siblings is so fun to him

• takes you to his movie premieres to show you off to the world. he also just loves seeing you dressed up

[transparentgentlemenmarker]

The Regent International apartment building in Hangzhou, China, has over 20,000 people living in it. The building has 36 to 39 floors. It has swimming pools, barber shops, nail salons, medium-sized supermarkets, and internet cafes.

L’immeuble Regent International à Hangzhou, Chine, abrite plus de 20 000 personnes. Il compte de 36 à 39 étages dispose de piscines, salons de coiffure, de manucure, de supermarchés de cybercafés

[sadhours]

simmer down - chapter two

billy hargrove x hagan!oc

read on ao3 • masterlist • prev chapter

requests are open!!

warning: 18+ minors dni, smut, tiddie fucking, p in v, oc x steve, slow burn

summary: Gina has it easy being Tommy’s little sister. A spot with the cool crowd. Invites to all the parties. Everything she could ever want. But it seems to be more a burden when the new guy from California shows up and becomes best friends with her brother. At least she has Steve, or does she?

word count: 10k

—

Gina wore the outfit Carol picked out. She paired it with the fancy cropped leather jacket her parents had bought her for Christmas. She’d painstakingly curled her chestnut hair with her butane powered curling iron. She had to wake a whole hour earlier to do so. It was a lot of work to go through for a boy, but Gina was determined to catch Billy’s attention. She even wore foundation makeup, which hid the majority of her freckles and she spent too long doing her winged eyeliner. She had to skip breakfast but she hoped it was a worthy sacrifice.

When she gets downstairs, she’s glad she catches her parents before they leave. She bounces on her tip toes and makes big doe eyes at her mother, “Can you schedule me an appointment at the salon? I need my hair permed again.”

Her mother smiles, “Of course, sweetie. You look pretty.”

“Thanks,” Gina beams.

Tommy snorts, shoveling a spoonful of his cereal into his mouth. “She’s trying to impress my new friend,” he says around the Wheaties.

“Shut up!” Gina groans and her mother gives her a knowing look.

“That kid with the Camaro?” their dad asks, “He seems like a good kid. Very respectful.”

“You two should ask him over for dinner. I’d like to get to know him,” their mom says, double checking her briefcase.

“He’s joining the basketball team,” Tommy adds, standing from the table to dispose of his bowl in the sink.

“What’s his name again?” their dad asks.

“Billy Hargrove,” Gina says with a dreamy smile and Tommy smacks the back of her head.

“Thomas Michael Hagan! Do not hit your sister,” their mother scolds.

Tommy mocks her, swinging his backpack over his shoulder as their little sister wanders into the kitchen. Gina double checks the small girls braids. She’d done them last night before bed and wants to make sure they’re not too messy from sleep.

“Invite that nice young man over for dinner,” their mom repeats, “I’ll make shepherds pie.”

“Yeah, I will, mom,” Tommy says exasperatedly and he ushers Gina out the door, tugging her by her backpack.

She climbs into the front seat and Tommy does the same in the drivers side, he turns the key in the ignition but before he shifts any gears, he turns to his sister and she meets his intense gaze. It’s a look he hasn’t given her before and if she’s honest, it scares her a bit.

“I told you he’s off-limits,” he tells her sternly.

Gina swallows the lump in her throat, “I’m… I know. I wasn’t wearing this to impress him.”

Her voice is shaky and she hopes Tommy can’t pick up on the obvious lie. She wonders if Carol talked to him last night. While she did consider Carol to be her best friend, she wouldn’t put it past her to tell Tommy their plan.

“Don’t fuck this up. I want to be his friend,” he continues, “I don’t have a guy friend to do cool stuff with anymore. Since the shit with Steve, I just hang out with you and Carol and no offense, you guys aren’t that fun.”

“You don’t think your girlfriend is fun?” Gina scoffs, crossing her arms over her chest.

Tommy groans, shoving the gear shift in reverse before looking behind him as he pulls out of the driveway. “I didn’t mean it like that. Don’t go telling her I said that,” he retorts. “I just mean, I get bored doing whatever the hell you two wanna do.”

Gina sighs, shaking her head, “I get it. I don’t like Billy, okay?”

“It’s not a matter of if you like him, just don’t try to sleep with him,” Tommy replies, turning on the stereo to cut their conversation short.

Gina doesn’t mind, though. Sometimes her and Tommy got along so well and then other times, she couldn’t stand to be in the same room as him. When they pick Carol up and Gina moves to the backseat, it’s like the conversation never even happened at all. Carol’s ranting about her parents the whole drive to school, not even sensing the tension between the Hagan siblings. As they pull into the parking lot, Gina sees Billy leaned against the side of his Camaro, talking to Tina. It makes her heart sink a bit but she remembers quickly that Tina doesn’t listen to the same music as him. Maybe it’s silly but she thinks it gives her an upper hand.

Gina doesn’t head over to Billy and Tina right away. Due to the conversation with her brother, she hangs back and pretends to be looking for something in her backpack. While she’s doing so, Steve pulls up and parks beside Tommy’s car. He’s alone and he looks forlorn, turning his car off and sinking into the seat. He closes his eyes and tilts his head back. She’s tempted to open the passenger door and sink in beside him, try her best to comfort him. However, she’s sure he’d tell her to get lost. Her eyes follow the curve of his nose down to his lips and she gets lost in memories of how it felt to kiss them. Then Steve lifts his head and opens his eyes, meeting her gaze.

Steve lifts his hand and waves, a small smile spreading across his lips. Gina’s sure she’s blushing as she waves back and pulls her backpack over her shoulders before turning to walk towards her group of friends. Tina’s excitedly talking to Carol and Tommy’s showing Billy a sports magazine. Gina’s fingers play with the strap of her backpack as she takes her place next to Carol, replaying the small moment she’d just had with Steve over and over in her head. She thinks it means something. An acknowledgment from him was all she’d been wanting for months now.

“What are you smiling about?” Billy asks as he kicks against her shoe, their eyes meeting.

“Nothing,” Gina replies, her smile not faltering.

Her stomach is full of butterflies, turning her head to watch as Steve walks towards the building. She suddenly can’t wait for study hall, the whole plot of impressing Billy with her outfit has fallen by the wayside. Steve’s name dangles on the tip of her tongue, those feelings of infatuation flooding back from such a minuscule interaction.

“Ya want a cigarette?” Billy offers and when she turns to look at him again she doesn’t miss the way his eyes travel down her body and back up.

“Sure,” she shrugs, taking the Marlboro perched between his fingers.

Billy leans forward to light it for her and Gina can feel everyone’s eyes on them. Especially the narrow ones of her brother and Tina. She sinks her shoulders a bit, turning away from Billy and instead involves herself in the conversation the girls are having. Carols worried about some test and Tina’s relating. Gina is suddenly reminded that next year she won’t have the security of her friend group. They’re all seniors. Come this June, they’ll be free of Hawkins High and onto whatever awaits them next. Tommy and Carol have plans to attend school out of state. Gina’s not too excited to assimilate into another group. She’s scared of being lonely.

——

Steve smiles up at Gina when she walks into study hall and takes her seat. Unintentionally, her effort in getting ready this morning has clearly caught his attention. She smiles back at him before opening up her backpack and pulling out her binder, shuffling through the pages to get started on her math homework. Steve’s eyes are burning holes into the side of her face. She’s happy about it but she still feels shy so she untucks her hair from behind her ear and lets it fall against her cheek. She wonders what this means. Perhaps Steve and Nancy are broken up now.

A note is tossed on her desk, coming from Steve’s direction. When she turns to look at him, he stretches his arms up and fakes a yawn, not looking nearly as inconspicuous as he’s trying to. Gina’s cheeks hurt from the smile spreading across her lips and she’s pretty sure she hasn’t stopped blushing since she walked in the classroom. Her fingers unfold the paper to see Steve’s messy handwriting scrawling out the simple message next to a smiley face:

Hi

Gina chews on the end of her pencil as she reads it, glancing up to see Steve tapping his fingers against the top of his desk. This is more than an acknowledgment, it’s a conversation. Tingles run up her legs, her heart beating a little faster as she reads it over again. Her pencil meets the paper, jotting down her reply.

Hey

She carefully folds it back up, darting her eyes to their teacher. He’s focused on whatever he’s working on at his desk. Since the coast is clear, she slides the note back to Steve before trying to get back to her homework but the numbers don’t hold her attention for long as she eagerly awaits his reply. Out of her peripheral, she sees Steve writing on the note before folding it back up and passing it to her.

How have you been? Missed you.

Gina’s heart about jumps out of her throat, her stomach flipping as she focuses on the last two words of his reply. Possibilities of the implications race through her mind. Did Steve miss her in the way she missed him? Was this friendly or romantic? She’s got to play it safe and assume it’s friendly so as to not embarrass herself. Gina writes back:

Bored. Missed you too.

Steve’s fingers brush hers as she passes him the paper back, their eyes meeting and Gina recognizes the glint in his brown ones. Steve is flirting. It’s very safe to assume Nancy is no longer his girlfriend, at least Gina thinks so. Unless her attempt to get Billy’s attention inadvertently caught Steve’s. Which was odd, Gina didn’t show up looking like a completely different person. Steve had seen her dolled up plenty of times before. Maybe Nancy and Jonathon really had something going on.

Steve tosses the note back, lounges back in his desk a bit and glances up at the clock.

Me too. We should get together soon. Do something fun.

Suppressing the excited giggles rising up her throat proves to be a difficult task as a few of them escape. Gina blushes an even deeper shade of red, quickly covering the note with her homework as their teacher snaps his head up to look at her. She quickly purses her lips and pretends to be mulling over her math problems, scribbling circles on the margins of the page.

“I don’t need to remind you all that study hall isn’t a free period,” the teacher announces, “Keep quiet and do your work.”

Gina couldn’t do her work even if she really, really wanted to. Steve’s at the forefront of her mind now. She imagines all the things they could do for fun, each scenario leads to a familiar excitement between her legs and she actually has to cross them for a bit of relief. After a few minutes have passed, Gina uncovers the note and writes in her best cursive:

Sure, I’d like that.

She meticulously folds it back up and slides it back on Steve’s desk. He quickly scrawls out his reply and hands it back over. Gina unfolds it slowly, checking to make sure the teacher hasn’t turned his attention back to her.

I’ll let you know when, babe.

Gina bites her lip to make sure no more excited sounds bubble out of her. After she’s folded the note back up, she tosses it into her backpack and spends the next excruciating twenty minutes daydreaming about the brunette boy next to her while failing at solving the rest of the problems on her worksheet. The bell rings finally, alerting the class that it’s lunch time and Gina starts putting her things away. Steve stands before her, puts his palm on her desk and smiles down at her. He looks so handsome in his jeans and pressed polo, the collar sticking up over his Member’s Only jacket.

“I’ll see you around, Gina,” he purrs and it takes everything in the freckled girl to not melt into a puddle on the seat.

Her voice is a dreamy whisper when she replies, “See you, Steve.”

His fingertips tap against her desk before he turns and walks out of the classroom, leaving her a little breathless and unbelievably elated. Steve Harrington wants to hang out with her again. It’s almost like she’s dreaming, she considers pinching herself to confirm she’s not. Gina’s practically dancing through the halls as she makes her way to her locker. She wonders if Steve will take her on a proper date this time. Every time they hung out before were under different implications, either Tommy was around or they were having sex. She hopes this time will be different.

By the time she makes it to the parking lot, everyone’s already gathered around Billy. Tina is curled into his side but Gina is quite literally so ecstatic that she can’t find it in herself to care. She’s getting Steve back, she’s so sure of it that the crush on Billy has slipped to the back of her mind. All she can think of is how soft Steve’s hair is, all the moles that scatter across his body and the way it felt when he kissed her. Steve, Steve, Steve. She’s basically chanting his name in her head. And the worst part is she couldn’t speak his name into existence around her friends. At least, not unless it was attached to an insult.

“Hey, Gina,” Billy greets in his low drawl, smirking lopsided. Just this morning that would’ve had her knees shaking but now, it reads as friendly.

“Hi, guys,” she chirps, “What’s up?”

“Billy joined the basketball team,” Tommy announces, beaming so bright it’s a little uncomfortable. Gina wonders why he’s so excited. Then she’s reminded about Carol’s comment about Tommy wanting Billy all to himself and Gina can’t bring herself to look at her brother.

“Very rad,” she muses, craning her head to look for the stupid boy she can’t get out of her head. She’s curious as to what Steve’s doing for lunch if he isn’t dating Nancy anymore. He never had trouble making friends but she doesn’t see him hang out with anyone besides Nancy these days. Aside from the group of middle schoolers he babysits.

They used to all sit in the cafeteria until Billy came around. The blonde doesn’t each lunch, ever. All he does is chain smoke during the hour. In fact, Gina realizes she’s never seen Billy eat but she knows he has to eat quite a bit for him to have muscles like he does. The new routine isn’t one she likes to much, she’s always starving when she gets home from school. Tommy is too. They started raiding the fridge and pantry as soon as they get through the door. However, Gina is pocketing the lunch money their parents give her and that’s been a nice bonus.

“Can’t wait to see him on the court,” Tommy continues, “He’s gonna devour Harrington.”

And there it is. Gina shouldn’t be shocked, Tommy can’t go an hour without shit talking his former best friend.

“Speaking of that,” Carol butts in, “Who’s all betting on him and Wheeler being over?”

“I have five on it,” Tommy snorts.

Tina giggles, “I’ll bet ten that they’ll get back together before the week is over.”

God, Gina hopes that isn’t the case. She also has some insight they don’t. Steve’s note is burning a hole in her backpack. She desperately wants to show it to someone, but it wouldn’t be received well. In fact, it’s guaranteed that Gina would be the only one to feel positive about it. And as much as she loves these assholes, that’s what they are— assholes. No doubt they’ll twist it and make Gina second guess Steve’s advances.

“Who fucking cares?” Billy seethes around his Marlboro, “Harrington’s love life is a bore. This place must fucking suck for each and every one of you to have such a vested interest in it.”

That’s one thing Gina’s noticed and liked about Billy; his disdain for gossip. Which is funny because that’s all her friends do. She’s guilty of it herself because well, the Californian is spot on. Hawkins is so dull that there’s not much else to talk about besides the people in it. The group kind of mumbles in agreement though it’s all a show for the new guy.

“And you know what I’ve noticed? Gina’s the only person who doesn’t talk about the guy,” he continues and all eyes fall on her.

Gina’s red cheeks are back, though in utter embarrassment. Thank god Billy can’t read minds because then he’d know that Steve is all she thinks about.

Tommy cackles, “That’s because she’s had a crush on him since she was like ten.”

“Shut up,” Gina fumes, smacking her brothers arm, “I do not.”

Billy’s eyebrows are raised as he looks at the small girl amused, “No shit?”

“I don’t not have a crush on Steve,” she defends herself and it’s true. It’s not a crush, she’s full blown in love with him.

“Tommy, you’re such an asshole,” Carol scolds, hooking her arm with Gina as she guides her away from the group but making sure to shove her shoulder against her boyfriends on the way.

Once they’re out of earshot, Carol continues, “Sometimes I have no idea why I love your brother. He’s the fucking worst.”

Gina swallows back the tears and hates herself for how easily it is to make her cry. She lets Carol drag her back to the cafeteria, they grab a small lunch each and Gina is eternally grateful she has Carol. They sit down at a table and Gina heaves a huge sigh.

“I hate him so much,” she complains, cracking open her Coke before shoving a straw into it. “That was so embarrassing.”

“I’m sorry,” Carol frowns, opening her pudding and shoveling a mouthful. “Tina’s really digging her claws into Billy anyways. Let them run their course and then make your move.”

Maybe the crush on Billy isn’t entirely dissolved, she was mortified with him finding out about her infatuation with Steve. Gina shakes her head, “I don’t want Billy.”

Carol rolls her eyes, “Oh, shut up. We all want him.”

Gina opens her bag of chips carefully and raises both her eyebrows at Carol, “Why don’t you dump Tommy and go for him then?”

The older girl heaves a sigh, resting her head on her hand as she looks at Gina, “Unfortunately, I love him.”

“Do you think you’ll marry Tommy?” she asks before munching on a handful of the Lay’s.

Carol giggles then, her face reddening at the thought and Gina’s happy for them. They really do love each other. It’s pretty gross.

“Hi,” the familiar voice catches Gina off guard, her and Carol look up to see Steve standing at the edge of the table, holding tightly onto his lunch tray.

A deep blush rises up Gina’s neck to her cheeks, staring up at big, dark eyes and a hesitant smile. Steve’s alone. It must feel awful given he’s walked up to Gina and well, Carol of all people. But he doesn’t glance to the redhead, keeps his eyes firm on Gina’s light brown ones. Of course, the older girl is shooting him daggers.

“What do you want, Harrington?” she seethes, mouth turned in disgust.

“Do you wanna join us?” Gina asks, voice sweet to offset Carol’s harsh tone.

“If that’s okay,” Steve replies, a little shy and still acting as if Carol isn’t there.

Gina nods, scooting further down the bench to accommodate the lanky brunette. Steve sits next to her, their thighs touching. The freckled girl sips her coke while she look’s curiously towards Carol. She seems amused and a little confused. She kicks Gina under the table and then stands.

“I’m gonna go find Tommy. See you after school?”

Gina nods, smiling wide, “Okay, sounds good.”

Once Carol stalks off, Steve heaves a sigh, “Well Carol still hates me.”

Gina giggles and offers, “I don’t.”

It almost looks like Steve is blushing, his cheeks swollen with the smile spread across his lips and he shakes his head. “For which I’m very grateful. I was kind of… a dickhead.”

Gina doesn’t want Steve to know how heartbroken she actually was from his departure. Always trying to be the cool girl, the one with no feelings and just a desire to have a good time. Something bred within her and Tommy, the biggest need to fit in and be liked. Their parents instilled in them how important it was to not stand out, do good in school, not catch too much attention.

“Yeah,” Gina breathes out, “I get it, though. I’m not mad at you.”

Steve smiles at her, offering the other cookie from his lunch while he bites down on one. Gina takes it with a grin, biting into the sweetness and holding her hand out to catch the crumbs falling from it. Steve looks at her with this intense, contended gaze. It makes her skin crawl in the best way, she likes his eyes on her. Gina likes attention, it’s a fault at most times. That’s why she has such a hard time saying no, always eager to please.

“How’s gymnastics?” Steve asks, suddenly.

Gina flushes, remembering how Steve used to go to all her meets and cheer her on. She always tried a little harder when he was there.

“Oh, I quit,” she says after swallowing the cookie, tucking her curly hair behind her ear.

“You did?” Steve’s eyes widen, in disbelief. Gina had been doing gymnastics since she was six years old. The Harrington’s paid for it until her parents could afford to. Barbara used to take her to the meets, Steve and Tommy in tow when her parents were too busy working. Gina was unbelievably competitive, she would cry if she came in second place. Gymnastics was her life for the longest time. She worked really hard to excel at it. When she wanted to quit, her parents were pissed.

She nods, reaching for her soda again, “I joined the cheerleading team. So I’ll be cheering you on during games.”

“You’ll be the best cheerleader with all that training,” Steve replies, stars in his eyes and it takes everything in Gina to not touch him. Her fingers tense, pressed firmly on her thigh.

“I’m a flyer,” she brags, “I’m not as tiny as Chrissy, but I can land just as good.”

“Probably better,” Steve compliments, “I remember going to all your meets. You always got first.”

“And when I didn’t, I’d throw a fit,” Gina reminisces, giggling in embarrassment.

Steve nods, chuckling with it, “You worked really hard.”

“So, maybe tomorrow we can hang out after school?” Gina offers, biting her lip.

“Yeah, my parents are in New York. For the month,” he explains, looking just a bit forlorn.

Steve used to brag about how he was always home alone, but Gina always figured he got lonely and that’s why he used to invite her, Tommy and Carol over everyday. She knew how reserved Nancy was, could only imagine that Steve spent more time alone than with her. For a good few months, Gina was over at the Harrington’s every day. She’d made out with Steve on practically every piece of furniture in his house and thinking about it now, she has to squeeze her thighs together. She recalls one time they’d made love on the piano displayed in the living room. It was a bit awkward, but nevertheless got her aroused to think of. She wonders if Nancy would let Steve take her anywhere or if she only let him have sex in bed. Gina wonders if her and Nancy are similar at all. She doubts it.

“Okay. I’ll come over after school,” Gina smiles, tucking her hair behind her ear.

“Cool,” Steve nods, stealing a chip from Gina. She wants to ask Steve about Nancy but she doesn’t.

-

“Is that boy coming over?” Gina’s mom asks after Tommy and Gina walk through the door.

“Yeah,” Tommy says, “He’s gotta watch his sister until his parents get home, then he’ll be over.”

Gina completely missed that conversation and within the excitement of Steve finally acknowledging her again, she forgot Billy was supposed to come over for dinner.

“I’m gonna do my homework,” she mumbles, rushing to her room and shutting the door behind her. She drops her backpack on her bed and fishes through it for the note from Steve. Gina’s fingertips smooth over it, the butterflies in her stomach swirling around fast. It’s a little pathetic on her part, how easily she’s back wrapped around his finger. She throws herself on her bed and lets out a fit of giggles, holding the note close to her chest. She reads their conversation over and over as she begins imagine what they’ll do tomorrow. The mention of his parents being out of town gives you a slight indication, but she wonders if Steve will be different, now. Maybe Nancy sparked something in him and now he’s romantic. Gina hopes he asks her to be his girlfriend and she knows how foolish that is, because him and Nancy just broke up. But maybe Steve missed her. Maybe he couldn’t stop thinking about her.

After an hour or so of daydreaming, she lifts herself from the bed and files through her records. She pulls out Fire of Unknown Origin by Blue Öyster Cult and puts it on the record player, dropping the needle down and turning the volume up. She opens her closet up, delicately picking out her outfit tomorrow and lying it out on the chair in the corner of her room. She picks a turquoise shirt with white stripes and a white tennis skirt while imagining how she’ll style her hair and makeup. However, a particular blonde crosses her mind and she turns her eyes back to her closet. Just because she’s got the promise of Steve doesn’t mean she can’t look cute for Billy. She can’t help but wanting to catch his attention.

Settling on a pair of comfy, cheer shorts and leaving her Metallica shirt on, Gina sits at her vanity and begins touching up her makeup. It wasn’t too bad, but it did need to be freshened up. After, she reaches for a scrunchie and ties her hair up in a messy ponytail, making sure to pull a few pieces out to frame her face. The goal is to look effortless while actually putting the effort it. Gina grabs her bottle of cherry almond scented lotion and rubs it into her legs and arms. She glances at her alarm clock. It’s almost five thirty. Billy should be over soon. She grabs a copy of Cosmo and travels to read it in the living room.

An article about how to get your man’s attention is particularly enthralling. Gina takes notes mentally. Be mysterious, make lots of eye contact and laugh at their jokes. She hums, thinking about how Steve often makes her laugh. He’s very funny.

When she’s about halfway through the magazine, the doorbell rings. She remains calm, doesn’t jolt up from the couch to answer it like she desperately wants to. Besides, she can hear her mom answer the door and greet Billy.

“Billy, right?”

“That’s right. Nice to see you, Mrs. Hagan.”

“Please, call me Kathryn. Come on in.”

“Thank you, Kathryn.”

Billy walks into the living room, peeks over the couch at Gina and drawls out, “Cosmo, huh? Anything juicy?”

“Hi, Billy,” she says without looking up. Mysterious.

“Tommy’s in his bedroom,” her mom tells him before trailing back in the kitchen. “Dinner will be done soon.”

Billy reaches forward and grabs onto Gina’s ankle, jostling her playfully and then winks as he descends down the hall. Her breath catches her throat, flipping into her back as she stares up at the ceiling. Tries to ignore the tingling feeling where his fingers just were, closes her eyes and pictures Steve’s face. It works okay until she hears her brother’s obnoxious laugh, muffled by walls but loud enough to hear in the living room. She opens her eyes again and sighs, sitting up and wandering into the kitchen.

“Do you need help?” she asks her mom.

“Sure, sweetie,” Kathryn smiles warmly, “You can go ahead and set the table.

Gina nods, walking over to the cabinet and carefully grabs six plates. She carries them to the table and places them in their designated spots, realizing the usually empty seat is right across from her. She’ll be staring at Billy for the duration of their meal. Awesome. She tears off six squares of paper towels and lays them out. Next, Gina collects the silverware and places a fork next to each plate. She retrieves two wine glasses, sets them in front of her parents plates before grabbing three glasses and then Bridgette’s special plastic cup with cartoon characters decorating it. She fills Bridgette’s cup with milk and then fills the other glasses with juice.

Just then her dad walks into the kitchen, kissing her cheek and then her mothers.

“How was school today, sweetheart?” he asks.

“It was good. I’m going to stay late tomorrow to work on a project for science class,” she explains, chewing on her lower lip while she hopes it doesn’t sound like she’s lying.

“Alight, honey,” her dad smiles and turns to his wife, “Smells good. Almost ready?”

“All done,” Kathryn nods, “Gina, go grab your brother and his friend.”

Gina waits until she turns away to scrunch her face up, unsure why she’s suddenly so nervous. Once she gets close to Tommy’s bedroom, she hikes her shorts up just a smidge. Her knuckles wrap against the door, her stomach fills with butterflies as she opens it up and peeks in to see Billy and Tommy lying very still on their backs on his bed.

“What are you guys doing?” she asks, tilting her head.

Billy has his hands on his chest and Tommy’s are in fists by his sides. It looks weird. Even weirder when Tommy sits up and Gina sees his cheeks are flushed, hiding his freckles.

“Nothing,” Tommy says, “What do you want?”

Gina glances at Billy, as he remains on his back. She almost wishes she hadn’t knocked and just barged in to see what they were doing.

“Dinner’s done,” she narrows her eyes at Tommy. She’ll be sure to ask him once Billy leaves.

“Okay,” Tommy says, “We’ll be right out.”

Gina opens the door wider and leans against the frame, “You guys look suspicious. What are you hiding?”

Tommy reaches for a pillow and chucks it at her, “Get out. We’ll be out soon.”

“If you guys have grass and you’re holding out, I’m gonna be pissed,” she whispers, picking the pillow up and throws it back at him before retreating back. She heads to her sisters room, smiling at the small girl as she rearranges her stuffed animals on her bed.

“Bridgette, it’s time to eat,” Gina smiles and the little brunette hops up to her feet.

She slaps Gina’s leg as she runs passed her, “Tag, you’re it!”

Gina goes to chase her but Billy’s exiting Tommy’s room and she almost collides into him. He grabs her wrist and hip to catch her, chuckling softly as their eyes meet.

“Careful,” he says lowly, “Ya almost took me out.”

“Yeah, well…” Gina taps his chest and runs passed him, calling back, “Tag! Billy’s it!”

Billy walks into the dining room casually, eyebrows raised as he watches Gina round the table and hide behind her younger sister, the both of them giggling. He pouts at them, “No fair. I didn’t even know we were playing tag.”

“That’s what makes it fun,” Gina grins, using Bridgette as a human shield.

“What’s fun?” Tommy asks when he finally makes an appearance.

Billy pats his shoulder, “Tag— and you’re it.”

Tommy just rolls his eyes before sitting in his seat, reaching for his glass of juice and taking a big gulp. Gina notices his cheeks aren’t as flushed but his lips look swollen. Her stomach turns suddenly, wondering if her suspicion are true. Maybe Carol was right all along. She quickly pushes the thoughts aside, feeling sick at the thought of her brother kissing Billy.

“Tommy doesn’t play tag,” Bridgette complains as she sits in her chair, pushing her hair out of her face. Gina walks behind her, pulling her hair up and ties with the the hair-tie from her wrist. Then she sits in her seat, watching as Billy sits across from her.

“Thanks for dinner, Kathryn,” Billy smiles, “I appreciate it. Bless my step moms heart but she’s not the best cook.”

“Oh, well you’re welcome to join us whenever you’d like,” Kathryn smiles at the blonde.

“My mommy’s the best at cooking,” Bridgette beams, “She makes me peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for school.”

“I bet,” Billy smiles, picking up his fork. “Do you guys say grace or?”

Their dad laughs, “Nope. We’re a godless house. Go ahead and dig in.”

“If you say grace, we can,” Kathryn says, always wanting her guests to feel at home.

“Oh, we do at my house but that’s my dad’s thing,” Billy explains, his cheeks a little pink suddenly. “I just didn’t want to be rude.”

The Hagan patriarchy chuckles again, “Rude? You’ve met my kids. Hard to surprise me anymore.”

“I’m not rude!” Bridgette whines.

“So, Gina,” Kathryn changes the subject, “Who are you working on this science project with?”

Gina swallows the lump in her throat. She was hoping they wouldn’t bring it up in front of her brother and Billy. Even though she was gonna repeat the same lie to them tomorrow. She shrugs, waving her hand, “Some kids from my class. We’re just gonna work in the library.”

“You’re gonna walk home then,” Tommy mumbles with his mouth full. His mom shoots him daggers across the table.

“The car came with the responsibility of driving your sister around, Tommy. You’ll pick her up,” their dad says, reaching for his glass of wine.

“I’ll get a ride from someone, it’s fine,” Gina insists, “I don’t know when we’ll be done anyways.”

“You know your curfew,” Kathryn says.

Gina nods, finally lifting her eyes to Billy and noticing he’s staring right at her. Her skin feels warm as she wills herself not to blush. His eyes are so intense but she likes them on her.

“Oh and I have cheer practice this week, but it’s the same time as basketball practice,” Gina adds, still looking up at Billy.

“I heard you joined the team, Billy. You play before?” their dad asks.

Billy turns to look at him, “Yeah. Back home, I played basketball and baseball.”

“We actually have a chance this year,” Tommy adds, beaming from ear to ear.

“You competitive, Billy?”

“Yeah, I don’t like to lose,” Billy says with a laugh.

“Gina’s like that. She was a gymnast for ten years,” Kathryn smiles at her daughter, “Placed at least second every meet, if she didn’t win.”

“Yeah,” Tommy snorts, “And she’d throw the biggest tantrum is she didn’t get first. Water works, stomping around, the whole nine yards.”

Gina rolls her eyes, “I did not.” She did.

“You were a gymnast?” Billy asks, an amused look on his face. “Why’d you stop?”

“I wanted to join cheer. The schedules conflicted,” she shrugs, “If I don’t like it, I’ll join gymnastics again.”

“Win any trophies?” he asks, and it feels like they’re the only two people at the table. Her heart flutters as she pushes her food around her plate with her fork.

“A couple,” she shrugs again.

“She has a whole bunch in her room!” Bridgette exclaims, bouncing in her seat.

Billy laughs, turning his attention to the younger girl, “Do you play any sports?”

“I’m in tumbling,” she says proudly, “That’s how Gina started. I’m gonna get a bunch of trophies like her.”

“Very cool,” Billy smiles at her.

“Do you have any trophies?” Bridgette asks.

“Mhm,” Billy hums as he chews his food, swallowing before answering her, “I have a couple for surfing.”

“Surfing?!” Bridgette squeals, eyes wide, “Like in the ocean?!”

“Yep,” Billy tells her, “I used to live right by the ocean.”

“I didn’t know you surfed,” Gina says, surprised.

Billy nods, “Can’t do it here. But yeah, I used to go out every morning at like four to surf before school and then during summers, couldn’t keep me away from the ocean. I started when I was eight years old.”

“The ocean scares me,” Kathryn admits, “So vast. So unexplored.”

Billy frowns, “Huh. Yeah, plus sharks and stuff. But in my experience sharks are pretty laid back.”

“You’ve seen a shark?” Bridgette gapes at the older boy.

Billy grins wide, “Yeah. I used to pet them.”

“And they don’t bite you?” she looks at him alarmed, almost like she can’t believe him.

“Nope. Well, not the ones I pet. But some of them bite,” he tells her. “I saw a lot of Leopard sharks. They’re harmless. But we had Great White sharks out there and those ones are mean. I didn’t see them often, though.”

“How do you not run away when you see them?” Bridgette wonders, her eyebrows knit together.

Billy tilts his head, “If you act calm, they don’t bother you. If I tried to get away really fast, they might come after me.”

“I’m not going to touch a shark,” she says, “I don’t want to get bit. Have you been stung by a jelly fish?”

Billy smiles at her. He’s got this sweet look on his face that makes Gina a little smitten, seeing this bad boy facade kind of fall while he talks to her baby sister is the cutest thing. She thinks Billy would be a good dad and then goes down this short spiral of daydreaming about having a baby with him. Clearly Tommy can read her face because her kicks her under the table.

“I have, actually. My friend had to pee on me,” Billy tells her while scrunching up his face.

“Ew! Why?”

“I don’t know. We heard you had to do that,” Billy says, “But I think it just made it worse.”

Bridgette giggles, “And it’s gross.”

“It was gross,” he agrees.

“I’ve never been to the ocean,” Gina admits.

Her mother sighs, “One day, you will. We’re due for a vacation soon. I’m thinking Disney world.”

Bridgette gets excited, starts begging her parents to go. Their dad sighs, “See what you’ve done, Kathryn.”

—

Gina’s cleaning up after dinner. Her parents are enjoying glasses of wine on the back patio and Bridgette is watching a movie in the living room. Billy wanders into the kitchen, leans against the counter.

“Need help?”

Gina smiles at him, “I’m just about done. I always have dish duty.”

“Me too, usually,” Billy admits, “Kind of weird not to.”

“Enjoy it while you can,” Gina tells him as she scrubs the last pan with the sudsy sponge.

“So, you’re pretty flexible, then?”

“Excuse me?” Gina turns to him as her face erupts in red.

“Well, being a gymnast and all… you’ve got to be flexible to do that,” Billy explains, smirking at the younger girl.

Gina gapes at him, his tone and eyes seem to indicate that he’s flirting yet she can’t bring herself to believe it to be true. So she doesn’t really know how to respond to him. If Tommy hadn’t told her to back off and if Billy wasn’t so goddamn handsome, she’d flirt back easily. But she just… can’t.

“Uh, yeah, I guess so. I was kind of gunning for the Olympics but well, I don’t know if I’m that good,” she explains a little sheepishly.

Billy bites his lip, nods at her slowly before he tells her, “You’ll have to show me sometime.”

Gina smiles awkwardly at him, “I think I’ll be doing some stuff for cheer. I’m a flyer, so they’re gonna be throwing me up in the air to do flips.”

“Guess I’ll see it then,” he muses, “Can I see your trophies?”

Her stomach flips, thinking about Billy being in her room.

“Uh, sure…” she sets down the last pan to dry and nods towards her room, “They’re just on a bookshelf in my room.”

She trails down the hallway until she gets to her bedroom, slowly opening the door and scanning her eyes across the room like it’s the first time she’s seeing it. Wonders what Billy will think of it. Her carpet is a dusty rose pink and her wallpaper is floral stripes, daisies and roses. She’s got a full size bed pushed up against the wall on the right side, a white frame with pink and white floral bedding. Her nightstand is white as well, has a pretty pink and blue dolphin lamp on it next to her alarm clock and the latest romance novel she’s picked up. Next to her nightstand is her matching vanity, where all her hair products, makeup and perfumes are displayed delicately. Her walls are decorated with posters, mostly bands she likes but a couple of framed prints her mother picked out as well. Across from her bed is her dresser, her record player on top of it and next to that is her bookshelf. The first two top shelves meticulously display her trophies, the middle one stores her books and the bottom two keep her records and cassettes.

“Interesting,” Billy says, sounding amused.

“What?” Gina asks, suddenly really nervous.

Billy shrugs, “It’s very pink. I thought it would be different.”

He’s thought about her room. Gina tries not to bounce on her feet in excitement.

“What did you think it’d be like?”

“Well, you listen to metal… so more… that,” he chuckles and Gina laughs with him.

“Oh… well, here’s my trophies,” she gestures to the bookshelf.

“I thought they said you threw fits if you got second,” Billy mumbles, fingertips grazing the pieces of plastic, “All of these are first place.”

“Well, I’m not gonna display that I lost,” she explains, her cheeks hearing up, “Those are in the garage.”

“Ha,” he scoffs as he squats down to look at her records, “but you’ll display this?” He pulls out an album, flipping it to show Gina. The Go-Go’s.

“I like that album,” she frowns, bending down next to him as he slides it back in.

“Don’t tell anyone,” Billy whispers, looking up at her with a glint in his eyes, “but I like it too.”

“You really do have good taste then,” she giggles.

Just then, her door swings open and Tommy bursts through.

“What’re you doing?” he asks, eyebrows furrowed.

“Billy wanted to see my trophies,” Gina explains, standing up as Billy does.

“Well, I better get back home,” he checks his watch, “Curfew.”

“I’ll walk you out,” Tommy insists.

“I’ll see you later,” Billy says on his way out, before Tommy follows him, he turns to Gina with narrowed eyes.

—

Steve’s house is quiet as the two of them walk in the door. He leads her up the stairs and to his very familiar bedroom. She drops her backpack on the floor and looks up at him, expectantly. Steve smiles, walks towards his bed and sits on it.

“Make yourself at home,” he says.

Gina smiles awkwardly back at him, walking towards the bed and sitting beside him. It’s kind of strange being so close to Steve again. Gina feels eager, has to keep her fingers busy fussing with her skirt so she doesn’t push him back down on the bed and straddle him.

“So,” Steve says, but doesn’t continue. Instead he just looks from Gina’s eyes to her lips.

“So,” she parrots.

Steve cracks a grin, moves his fingers forward and tucks Gina’s hair behind her ear. The shell of her ear tingles from the touch and she drops her eyes down to his lips. He bites his lower one, let’s his fingers ghost the supple skin of Gina’s cheeks.

“You’re so beautiful,” he whispers, still smiling at her.

“Steve,” she whines, raising her hands to cover her face.

He grips her wrists as he laughs, pulling her hands down, “I mean it. I’ve really missed you.”

“I’ve missed you, too,” she admits shyly, looking back up to meet his big brown eyes.

“You don’t hate me?”

“I could never hate you,” she promises, her heart skips a beat as he links their fingers together.

“Yeah?” Steve whispers, scooting closer to her. Gina nods at him.

Then Steve leans in, ghosting his lips over Gina’s. He seems like he’s hesitant, like he thinks she’ll push him away. So she lets go of his hands and grips onto his shirt, pulls him close so their lips finally collide. Steve’s hands shoot up to hold Gina’s face, he makes the softest little moan against her plush lips and she can’t help but squirm at it. His tongue grazes her lower lip, Gina parts her lips instantly to allow him entrance. Her thighs tingle as their tongues meet. Kissing Steve was always her favorite. She found no other boy could kiss like him. The way it made her head swim was addictive.

He lays her back on the bed, situating himself between her thighs as he deepens the kiss. It’s urgent, desperate. Gina clings on to his polo like she’s scared he’s gonna float away. His nose bumps against hers, causing them both to smile into the open mouthed kiss. He lowers his hand down and starts feeling Gina up through her bra and shirt, squeezing softly. She hooks her leg over his waist, pulling him even closer.

Usually, Gina would be content to lay here for hours just kissing Steve but it’s been so long since she’s had him and she’s pretty eager for more. She pulls his shirt over his head, breaking the kiss for just a second and then smoothing her hands over his chest. While they continue kissing, Steve kicks off his Nike’s and they land to his floor with a dull thud. Gina takes that as her cue and does the same, but hooking her leg back over him when she finishes. Steve pushes her shirt up, exposing her bra to him and he lowers his head to place delicate kisses over the curve of her breast. Gina gasps out, hooking her fingers in his soft hair. Steve sucks a pretty sizable bruise into her cleavage before pulling her bra cup down enough to get his lips around her hardened nipple. Gina’s particularly sensitive there and her back involuntarily arches at the feeling.

“A-ah, Steve!” she moans out, eyes fluttering shut.

He swirls his tongue around it before sucking it back between his lips. She pulls on his hair, rolling her hips up against him. He grinds back, giving the tiniest bit of friction with his jeans. Gina gasps out as Steve flicks his tongue against her nipple before he’s pulling away. He pulls her shirt over her head and she sits up a bit so he can unclasp her bra and pull it down her arms. He cups her breasts in his hands, pushing them together and then jiggling them as he gazes down with hungry eyes. Gina giggles, her cheeks flushed while he plays with her tits. He used to compliment them a lot, tell her they were the biggest he’d seen.

“Can I fuck your tits?” he asks, his eyes going dark as he glances back up at her.

Gina nods frantically. She’d let Steve do anything he wanted, “Please.”

He grins, pulling away to shove his pants and briefs down his legs. He straddles her middle, hand wrapped firmly around his long cock. He strokes himself a few times, squeezing his tip and then pressing his slit to her perked nipple. The coolness of his precum smearing against her sensitive bud makes Gina squirm.

“Fuck, that’s hot,” she mumbles, watching the action with her eyebrows knit together.

“Mhm,” he grins, rubbing the head of his cock against her nipple a couple of times.

Then he spits in his hand, spreads the saliva over his cock and lays it between Gina’s breasts. She props herself up on her elbows, watching as Steve pushes her tits together. He rolls his hips slowly, the head of his cock appearing from the top of her cleavage. Gina giggles before sticking out her tongue, his tip meeting it with each thrust. Steve groans lowly, his hips snapping a bit harder each time.

“Jesus, Gina,” he whines, “You’re so hot.”

Eventually, Steve gets fed up and scoots up. He rubs the head of his cock against Gina’s lips so she sticks her tongue out again. He slaps the tip against her tongue and she wraps her lips around it, looking up at him with wide eyes.

“Such a good girl,” he coos in a dreamy voice, pushing her hair back while he slowly thrusts into her mouth.

Gina hums around him, relaxing her throat to take his length. He’s always gentle though, doesn’t shove it too far down. Steve likes her to focus on his tip, while he squeezes the base.

“Gina,” he whines, his lips bitten pink and shiny with the way he keeps licking them.

She loves the view, staring up at him with adoration. She thinks Steve might be the prettiest boy she’s seen. Gina absolutely loves his floppy hair, his big brown eyes and the slight hook of his nose. The moles too. The two on his cheek and the two on his neck.

He pulls back, gasping as he does so. Gina licks her lips, looking up at him all doe-eyed and Steve curses, squeezing his dick.

“Gina— Christ,” he pants.

“Need you,” she begs, rolling her hips up.

Steve lowers himself to the ground, forcing Gina to sit up right to watch him. He pulls her leg warmers and socks off, grazes his fingers against her calves before pulling her closer to the edge of the bed. He reaches up, pulling her underwear down her legs. She goes to pull her skirt down but his hand stops her.

“Keep it on,” he insists, bunching it up above her waist before pressing kisses to her freckled thighs.

Her breath catches in her throat, watching him closely as he spreads her legs further apart. Steve lips dip down, pressing a kiss against her soaking cunt. She hisses when he slides his tongue up her slit. Steve’s the only one who’s ate her out. And he’s still the only person who has made her cum. He’s done it with his mouth a number of times, but his dick has been the only one big enough to reach her g-spot. So she was kind of spoiled with him being her first sexual partner. Everyone after had been incredibly disappointing, the only thing she gained from them was a quick confidence boost.

“Oh, Stevie,” she hums, knotting her fingers in his hair while he licks through her folds. “Feels so good.”

She can feel him hum against her, vibrating in the best way that has her back arching at the sensation. The feeling almost has her eyes close but she needs to watch him. He looks up at her while he does it, mouth pressed flush against her pussy and the sight is absolutely delicious. She wants to tell him how pretty he is but she thinks men don’t like being called that.

He swirls his tongue around her clit, raising his eyebrows as he does so. She whimpers for him, pushing his hair off his forehead. Her shoulders tense up, mouth hanging open while soft moans tumble out. It’s like time stops with Steve’s mouth on her. All the bad blood and history falling away. It’s like he never ditched her for Nancy in the first place. It’s like Steve loves her.

“Steve,” she preens, her thighs tightening around his head as she feels her orgasm creeping up on her. “Need you. Need you now.”

He pulls back, Gina scoots up the bed and spreads her legs for him. Steve positions himself between her thighs, kissing her deeply as he does so. God. She’s still in love with him. Gina loves him.

She clings onto him tightly, gasping into his mouth as he sheathes himself inside her. She can’t believe it’s finally happening. It’s been so long, months and months of waiting. He gets his cock about half the way inside her before he stills, the two of them panting into the kiss. Steve does that a lot, stops for seconds at a time. Gina thinks it’s because he’s trying not to cum and for some reason, that’s really sweet. All the boys after Steve didn’t care about her pleasure. She felt used afterwards. And even if Steve drives her home right after this, she’ll still be madly in love with him.

“Steve,” she moans against his mouth, wrapping her legs around his waist as she pulls him the rest of the way inside.

He makes a strangled noise, moving to shove his face against her neck. It’s a stretch she’s missed dearly. A stretch her fingers or the handle of her hairbrush couldn’t replicate. Not to mention, the breath on her neck. The weight of him on top of her. She’s not sure she can go any time without this again.

Gina has to roll her hips up because Steve’s still not moving, panting into her neck and grabbing onto her elbows.

“Slow down, baby,” he grits out, “You feel so good.”

The pet name makes her walls flutter, clenching tightly onto him. He chokes out a laugh, pulling his head back as he grabs onto her jaw. Steve turns her face and plants a big, fat kiss on her cheek. It makes Gina giggle, wrapping her arms around his shoulder and squeezing him. All the desperation inside her subsides and is taken over by a warm, heavy feeling of love for Steve. She realizes she wants to take this slow, wants to savor the moment. She pushes his hair back, gazing into his eyes. He smiles down at her, she returns it.

“Missed you,” she mumbles softly, “Missed this.”

“Me too,” he admits, cupping her chin and stroking his thumb against her lips.

“You’re pretty,” she finally says.

Steve scrunches his face up before he laughs softly, “You are.”

He rolls his hips against her slowly, his tip brushing against the sensitive, spongy part deep inside her. Gina gapes, eyebrows furrowing while she whines out softly. Steve builds a languid rhythm, petting Gina’s hair with every slow thrust. They keep the eye contact, lips parted as soft moans slip out. Even Steve’s voice is pretty, almost melodic. She thinks he’s a good singer, used to tell him all the time, though that seems inappropriate now. Gina recalls a time when they got into his parents records. Steve had put on a Three Dog Night album and sang to her, trying to be silly with a cigarette between his fingers. As funny as Steve was being, he sounded good.

Suddenly, he jerks his hips abruptly against hers. Hammering against her g-spot in a mind numbing fashion. Every damn thought in her head dissolves and that neediness takes over again. Gina writhes against him, scratching down his back while squeezing her eyes shut. He builds up a quick pace, makes Gina’s eyes roll back as he cries out. Steve drags his hand down her stomach, presses the pad of his thumb against her clit. The sensation makes Gina jump, grabbing onto Steve’s shoulders when he rubs firm circles against it.

“Stevie,” she cries, moving her fingers into his hair again.

Steve pistons his hips quicker, little grunts and pants falling beautifully from his lips as he brings Gina to completion. The orgasm is almost violent, makes her yell out as it seizes through her body. Steve makes the prettiest sound, a cross between a whine and moan. Once she’s recovered enough, she presses her palms against Steve’s cheeks, looking into his eyes while he pumps his hips into her.

“Oh, Steve,” she moans, feeling the tears collecting at the corners of her eyes, “Cum for me, baby.”

Steve grunts, his face contorting in pleasure, “Where?”

Gina sticks her tongue out, meeting his intense gaze.

“Fuck,” he whines, pulling up and quickly shuffling up to straddle her chest.

Gina wraps her lips around his tip, sinks down as much as she can and hollows out her cheeks. She looks up at him with glassy, wide eyes. The brunette whines repeatedly, emptying in her mouth with his fists gripping her hair.

“Gina!” he grits out, “Fuck, fuck…”

She continues sucking, milking every bit of cum out of him. Steve collapses down beside her, breathing heavily while Gina swallows his spunk down. She giggles, turning to cuddle up against her. He pants, holding her loosely as he comes down from his high.

“God damn,” he exhales after a minute, turning to the freckled girl.

“Mmm,” she hums, leaning close to peck his lips. After a beat she bites her lip, “I need a cigarette, I think.”

“Fuck, me too,” Steve chuckles, sitting up slowly. He stands, reaching for Gina’s hands and pulling her up with him. They silently dress and then Gina grabs her pack of cigarettes and follows Steve out to the backyard. They sit in lounge chairs and light a smoke each. Gina closes her eyes as she inhales, feels like her body is vibrating.

“So… how mad is Tommy?”

“At you?” Gina replies, turning to look at Steve, “I think… I think he just feels like you chose Nancy.”

He seems to visibly deflate at the girls name, which doesn’t make Gina feel all that great. But she’s just telling the truth. It was like ten years of friendship down the drain because some girl didn’t like Tommy. Carol told Gina that Steve said they were all assholes, but Steve was too and used to be worse than Tommy.

“Yeah, I kind of did,” he says after a beat. Gina doesn’t mention how he chose Nancy over her, too. Because her and Steve never solidified their relationship. They had to hide they were sleeping together and Gina was always too nervous to ask him what they were.

“He’s pretty mad,” she offers slowly, “But I think more than anything, he’s hurt. Don’t worry though, he’s found someone else to follow around.”

“Oh, yeah… Billy. God, that guy is such a dick. Like royally.”

Gina bites her lip, takes a deep inhale from the cigarette and feels the heavy smoke fill her lungs. She turns to Steve, “He’s nice to me.”

Steve scoffs then, “Gee, wonder why.”

“I don’t know,” Gina replies, “I haven’t really seen him be mean to anyone.”

“Oh, come on,” Steve raises his eyebrows, “You’re a pretty girl. Why else would he be nice to you?”

Gina sits up at that, tosses her cigarette to the ground before standing up, “I’m gonna go home.”

“Wait— Gina, I didn’t mean it like that,” Steve stands, following her into the house.

She ignores him, trudging back up the stairs to Steve’s room to retrieve her school bag. He doesn’t let up, footsteps right behind her. When Gina turns to exit the room, he grabs her wrists.

“I know guys like that,” he mumbles, “I used to be one. I’m sure he’s gonna try to get you in bed and I think you’re better than that.”

“I’m a big girl, Steve,” she narrows her eyes at him, “I only sleep with people I like.”

He sighs, pushes his fingers through his hair and nods. “I know… I really just don’t like that guy. I don’t really like that you’re hanging around him.”

Gina scoffs, exaggeratedly looks around his room, “Well I don’t see him here. I came here to spend time with a guy I like.”

“You like me?” Steve asks, his cheeks reddening slightly while his lips curl up.

Gina’s jaw drops, “Is that news to you?”

“Kinda,” Steve replies, chuckling softly.

He places his hands on her hips, leaning down to catch her lips in a soft kiss. As mad as she was two minutes ago, the second he touches her it all melts away. Her arms wrap around his shoulders, standing up on her tip toes to meet his mouth. Steve deepens it and Gina gives in, kisses him for a while before she’s pulling away.

“I really should get home, though,” she whispers.

Steve pouts, wrapping his arms around Gina and squeezing her, “You can’t stay for longer?”

Gina sighs, resting her head on his chest, “Yeah, I gotta get my homework done at some point.”

“I’ll drive ya,” Steve kisses the top of her head.

The ride home is like old times. Steve’s cracking jokes and turning Gina into a puddle of giggles. However the air in the car turns awkward instantly when they’re up the street from Gina’s house and Billy’s pretty Camaro is parked out front. Steve pulls over a block away, nods down the street and asks, “He come over a lot?”

Gina shrugs, “Sometimes.”

Billy’s only been in town a week and he’s been over three times, maybe that is a lot but Gina’s not sure. Steve sighs and puts his BMW in park, he turns to her.

“I’ll see you on Monday. Maybe you can come over again,” he tells her, looking a little deflated.

“I’d like that,” Gina smiles, leans over the center console and gives Steve a quick kiss. “Bye.”

She grabs her backpack and opens the door, walking the short block to her house. She turns to see Steve make a u-turn and head back towards Loch Nora. Inside, her house is quiet. She can see Tommy, Billy and Carol sitting out on the back patio. Her parents must be at Bridgette’s tumbling class. Gina sets her backpack in her room and wanders out back to meet the other teens. Tommy and Carol are messing around in the grass, so Gina walks up next to Billy. He reaches in the cooler and hands her a beer.

“Who is he?” he asks, taking a swig from his own can.

“What do you mean?” she asks, knitting her eyebrows together.

“I can always tell when a woman’s just had an orgasm,” Billy quips, smirking at the small freckled girl.

Gina’s cheeks heat up and she can feel her eyes water in embarrassment, so she quickly opens the can of Miller Light and takes a long drink of it. She swallows hard, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Sure ya do,” he chuckles, turning to her. “You’ve got all the markers. Messy hair, swollen lips, glassy eyes, you’re walking kinda funny. Plus you seem happier than usual. So who is he?”

Gina’s been caught. She didn’t know it could look so obvious. She smiles softly, thinking about the sex with Steve, “I’m not telling you.”

Billy frowns, “That embarrassing?”

Gina gapes, quite the opposite. She’d love to scream from the rooftop that she was just in bed with Steve Harrington. But Tommy might actually murder her.

“No,” she huffs, “No one would believe it anyways.”

Billy raises an eyebrow, looks her up and down before he laughs, “The King?”

“No!” she denies, her eyes widening, “Absolutely not.”

“That’s fucking funny. Tommy would kill you, huh?” Billy retorts, chewing on his bottom lip.

“It’s not Steve,” she presses, bringing her drink back up to her lips.

Billy sucks his teeth before reaching for his pack of Marlboros, “Don’t worry. Secrets safe with me, darlin’.”

[guanana]

wants n’ kneads (teaser) ♡ njm x reader 

— part of the neo therapy collection (18+)

teaser word count: 1.9k+

pairing: masseuse!jaemin x reader

genre: f x m, smut, crack

summary: the stress of the office has caught up to you once again. in fact, it came back so strong your back has given out ten times worse than before.

as if things couldn't get any worse, jeno’s out of town. with your trusty chiropractor missing in action, circumstance leads you to the front door of neo therapy’s late night masseuse.

jaemin's not the friendliest nor the most talkative, so your utter confusion makes complete sense when his fingers find themselves knuckle-deep in your pussy halfway through the massage.

teaser warnings/content: no smut but mc gets naked + the touching gets very suggestive, mean & cold jaemin, black hair nana superiority, features of characters/references to prior to this part, as always poor mc bites off more than she can chew </3

author’s note: back to the grind! our taglist is very much open, and it’d mean the world if you’d be interested in being tagged in this fic along with future installments by both monnie and i :)  those who have already joined will be tagged once the full fic is uploaded

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You’ve never been to a massage parlor before, much less a private practice in of itself. It’s jarring, the single spa table smack dab in the middle of the poorly lit room. Under a different circumstance, you’d laugh at the obvious similarity it has to Jeno’s ‘spinal stabilizer table,’ but you’re still a bit bitter at him for how he spoke to you during your call with him.

Everything else is barely illuminated by the two white candles that rest atop the decorative stands at either side of the bed. The source of the sound of flowing water can be appointed to the office-sized bamboo fountain, plopping up and down with each round. A wall-drilled shelf that carries a whole array of oils, perfume bottles, and house plants alike– Na Jaemin seems to be as put together as he looks. There’s even a well-loved money tree at the corner of the room.

God, this was so last minute. Looking down at your breasts, you had completely run out of the house with your blandest bra. But did that even matter? How much were you even supposed to take off when getting a massage? The guy didn’t even specify, and it’s not like you could ask him anyway– he was unapproachable as all hell, what with that stinky glare of his.

God, this was so last minute. Looking down at your breasts, you had completely run out of the house with your blandest bra. But did that even matter? How much were you even supposed to take off when getting a massage? The guy didn’t even specify, and it’s not like you could ask him anyway– he was unapproachable as all hell, what with that stinky glare of his.

God, this was so last minute. Looking down at your breasts, you had completely run out of the house with your blandest bra. But did that even matter? How much were you even supposed to take off when getting a massage? The guy didn’t even specify, and it’s not like you could ask him anyway– he was unapproachable as all hell, what with that stinky glare of his.

You decide to go with your gut and keep on your camisole that you’ve worn underneath, and shortly your pencil skirt follows with a flick of the buckle and an unzip. Stepping out from the fabric that’s pooled around your feet, you dispose of your signature heels right after. Catching a glimpse of yourself in the mirror, you feel just a bit self conscious. You aren’t naked, but you feel way too bare for someone you barely know. At least Yangyang had gone out of his way to make you feel welcome in his salon, no matter how overzealous or eager he was. 

Now you were really overthinking things. It’s just business, Jaemin is probably more than used to this by now. 

Tap, tap, tap. 

“Ready?” Jaemin calls from behind the oak wood door, and you’re now scrambling to sloppily fold your clothes and toss them onto the closest elevated surface. 

“Ah, yeah! Hold on just a second!” Flopping under the thin sheet that has been provided on top of the massage table, you topple over face down and dig your face into the hole that’s left for you to breathe out of. Shimmying and securing your bottom to make sure that your ass cheeks wouldn’t be outright in his face, you deem yourself as physically ready as you can for your massage. Mentally though? That was another story. “Okay! You can come in now!”

The screech of the door is blaring as it invades your ears, and the padding of footsteps has you biting your cheek in something akin to apprehension. You can’t see, but in seconds you can feel his presence next to you. He has an unwelcoming and cold aura that is tacit even without looking at him. 

You don’t know what you were expecting. A run down of what entails in this luxury package, maybe? But instead you feel a finger hook against the protective sheet that covers your body, pulling it down just past your shoulders. The unanticipated action makes you jolt slightly, especially when you feel the surface of his knuckle just barely caress the top of your spine.

“I thought you said that you were ready?” Is all he says, and the confusion has you pushing yourself up from the bed and twisting yourself to look at him.

That same bored expression is present on his face, and it kind of bothers you. “I… am?” 

He groans, glaring at you like you’ve failed to follow some basic instructions that even the most simple minded person could. The hand that was at your back earlier travels around your front where you’re bent to face him, and it’s now looping around the spaghetti strap of your undershirt. “You’re still wearing clothes.” He deadpans. Pulling the strap along with his knuckle, he carelessly lets it snap against your skin, causing you to recoil in shock. You’re spared not even a second when he grabs at the sheet to reveal yourself and your modesty to his gaze. “You did get the deluxe package, yes?”

The minimal source of light makes him appear all the more threatening, his eyes shadowed and voided under the black strands that fall just a little over his brows. Absurdly broad shoulders and a thick neck that support a strikingly gorgeous face, quirked to the side with lowered lids. You weren’t able to pinpoint it then, but you can now: Jaemin intimidates the fuck out of you.

“I did.” You confirm.

“Then take the rest of these off,” He huffs, discarding the sheet onto you once again, and you’re flailing against it when it catches against your limbs awkwardly. “You took so long I thought you’d be done by now, but you’ve already cut into five minutes of your session already.”

“Five?” You stammer, completely appalled by how ridiculously picky he’s being. “But you haven’t even started yet!”

“Time is money, and I don’t have a second to waste,” He retorts, tapping his foot impatiently with every beat of inaction you commit to. “Now if you don’t want to cut any further into either of our time and want me to get started, I suggest you do things properly.”

Now he’s just being an asshole. “Fine,” You say, crossing your arms under the hem of your undershirt before ripping it off and tossing it at his shoes pettishly. “Let’s just get this over with. I’d hate to waste your oh so precious time,” The action makes the skin of his cheek hollow, and he’s kicking the article of clothing to the side as if it’s tainted his precious YSL’s. You tut at his blatant rudeness. Pretentious prick. 

The intimidation is replaced with so much fury that you can’t stop yourself from keeping your mouth shut– “Even if I’m the only one who’s actually giving you business tonight. Your schedule was looking quite empty.”

“Excuse me?” He begs your pardon as you turn away from him, missing the way he licks his lips when you turn away to unclasp your bra. 

“Stole a look at your planner when you let me in,” You mutter as the beige piece falls steadily from your shoulders, covering your breasts with your forearm so you don’t flash him a nipple. “Looks like I was your only appointment this whole day? I’m guessing Jeno wanted me to come here to help you keep the lights on.”

“You’re awfully cheeky,” He growls, his growing irritation is more than apparent, and it brings you some satisfaction that you’re able to get a rise out of him. “Service providers like us have slow days, too. I have plenty of clients, so don’t act like a know-it-all.”

“With the ‘service’ you provide,” You say with air quotes, giving his stance a quick once over up and down. “It’s hard to imagine you get any customers at all. Not with this attitude, at least.” 

It seems that the cat’s gotten his tongue when he doesn’t respond, and you take great pride in your small victory. You allow a smirk to take over your features before you go to lay flat down onto the bed. “I don’t think I’ve done anything to warrant such behavior, but maybe that’s why you have three stars on Yelp.” But just as your nipples graze the cool black leather of the surface, a large hand grips at the nape of your neck to stop you. “Wha–”

“What’d I say about keeping conversation to a minimum?” He quirks a brow at you, the thumb of his hand digging deeply into the side of your neck, but instead of pain you feel an odd sense of relief when he draws rough circles into the spot. You involuntarily curl into the touch, a hitch of breath betraying your urge to bite at him. “See? All this talking has kept you from getting what you need.”

Dropping your head onto the cushion lazily, you let both of his hands travel down the expanse of your back. His touch is adhered by the clothed boundary, a benign yet teasing reminder of your blissful ignorance to what’s expected in a massage. Pressure is applied onto the tightest knots of your back, and as they unwind you find that Jaemin is assessing your reactions with every movement. A glide of the bottom of his palm here, a knead of the flat of his knuckles along your shoulder blade there. Lower and lower he travels, and your eyelashes fall over like a curtain coming to a close, sleep threatening to overtaking your senses–

“You forgot one more.” He lilts with a handful of your ass, giving an experimental squeeze that has you instinctively grabbing at his forearm. Your jaw drops at not only the audacity but the strained vein that trails up the bare skin, completely missing him rolling his sleeves on before getting to work on you. 

“What are you talking about?” You splutter, making eye contact where your bottom and his grasp meet, and you’d be a fool to deny that the contact has a bout of heat traveling from where it begins to your ears. 

Completely disregarding your pitiful state, that blank stare now morphed to an amused face that reeks of complacency. Jiggling and palming at the flesh as if to add onto your embarrassment, he answers as if it was clear as day. Sneaking around the white cloth that served to protect you, he tugs at the hem of your panties, specifically at the crotch.

“I told you to take the rest off,” He shakes his head, tugging upward so that it scrunches up against your folds. “You ordered the deluxe package, which requires you to be completely naked. I can’t work with this.”

“But I thought–”

“You want to feel better, right?” He croons, lips puckering into a pout as he watches you squirm against him. “Don’t you?” 

After the horrible week you’ve had, the shit that your supervisor put you through, and now the way Jeno treated you– Jaemin is right. You just want to drown out everything that’s happened and fall into utter relaxation. 

“Let me take these off?” He asks, tracing the curve of your cheek. When you give him a terse nod, you receive your very first smile from him. Though it’s a bit disingenuous, something in your gut telling you that he may or may not have your best intentions in mind. It somehow exhilarates you though, his unpredictability keeping you on your toes for what he’ll do next. 

“That was just a glimpse of the session,” His voice lulls you in like a pied piper when he slides the fabric down your legs, beckoning you to follow him into the deepest depths of pleasure. You grant him room to let it slide past your ankles, and you’re now laid completely bare for him to see. “I guess I can be generous and add an extra few minutes to your session.”

A pleased hum sounds behind you, and you peek over your shoulder to catch his bottom lip caught between his teeth, ogling your now visible folds. It’s as if he wishes to show you that luxury doesn’t need to stop at relief, that there’s something beyond the fixture. He was going to show you pure delight. 

“Let me show you why every second counts.”

[kerubimcrepin]

Liveblog 2: Still trying to finish episode 1.

Crocosec is a butcher, Tortue sells weapons next to him, and Kanigroo is a florist.

Julie's hair salon is right across from Kerubim's boutique.

INSTANT love. Their friendship is so important.

Is this a random observation of details, as is this blog's entire premise? No. But I am going to add this to the post nevertheless.

Solomonk, btw. The kanji here is "金", which means gold/metal in Japanese and Chinese.

Keke's yarn ball addiction that will be referenced in a future episode. Yet, he also knits using them, as shown in a few places in canon, so not all hope is lost. I am not screenshotting all of them.

I love these two so much... You can probably tell by my two 10k word fanfics that have tags like "fluff", "child neglect", "psychological horror", and "Joris should hunt Kerubim for sport (positive)"

You will notice that this is a theme with this series, but Joris grows to have a bit more mature of s view on Kerubim, realizing that his father is a very unreliable narrator, and a flawed person.

While Dofus Livre 1: Julith has some writing issues (Bakara should have been sadder and Khan should be on-screen less often), it wraps this arc neatly, by completely taking Kerubim off that pedestal in Joris's mind.

As well as destroying the notion of pedestals for Joris in general, ruining his life, and making him very disillusioned. But we'll talk about The Horrors when we get there.

There are other horrors to talk about, after all:

Simone is this close to calling the twelvian analogue of CPS. And she should have. I am going to hunt Kerubim Crepin for sport.

The stairs are a tripping hazard and there's a knife just randomly laying there. Very normal parenting.

Then there's the horrifying bookcase that is going to fall someday and kill everyone.

There's a lot to unpack here in general, but I demonstrated 3 ways I think Joris could accidentally kill himself in this household at the ripe age of 7. Especially the with murdershelf.

Btw have I said that he has lived in these conditions for his whole life. I think we don't talk about that enough. I will hunt Kerubim Crepin for sport.

He's literally so mean. This man has bewitched me soul and mind. If he said this to me, I would die on the spot from embarrassment.

The way he's trying not to die of laughter or make fun of this guy is actually insane.

There's not enough words in the english, french, or other languages to describe how shit of a parent Kerubim is btw. why the fuck is there meat there. Then there's the random fish skeleton. Then the random rotten apple and another piece of meat with an AXE in it. And using a monster as a disposal device.

I am going to hunt him for sport, have I mentioned that?

Here's a confirmation that even though it's never mentioned, Incarnam does exist in the TV series Dofus and Wakfu.

Kerubim's half of the sleeping room is notably more run down...

I will be real Kerubim's depression nest is actually so sad. Being mentally ill doesn't excuse bad parenting, but yeah. Just... a horrible familial situation all around.

Bonus Screenshots: Joris looking like a bug. + Simone's lesbian stare of hatred towards Bob from Bonta.

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