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dreamesamu · 11 months ago

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THE THINGS HE TAKES FOR GRANTED

in which he takes a moment to justify himself after never noticing your little crush for him

starring. akaashi keiji x fem!reader

genre(s): angst to fluff, (super, like-) long scenario

warning(s): none, i think so? except for clueless keiji and not proof-reading

author’s note: akaashi is just a major green flag in this (every haikyu!! boy is 😭) i feel too bad to write them red-flag-y.

choose your character: m. atsumu | k. akaashi

you’ve known akaashi for quite some time, starting from your last year of fukurodani academy and then serendipity brought you both ended up being each other’s classmate at a same college/university. bokuto kotaro was your best friend, the little owl introduced his favorite setter to you and the friendship of three gradually become established, and as if it can not be any more inevitably, you eventually developed a secret admiration for the pretty setter when you three have been closed enough. however, graduating separated ways, kotaro pursued his journey to become professional in volleyball while keiji, once said to you he wanted a place in the literature department.

truth be told, even if you promised each other you would still keep in touch and plan every weekend friend group meeting online or offline, you’ve never expect you would share every class in higher education life with your crush, the akaashi keiji. the great thing is you both are paired up for an presentation assignment in the major you and him pursue, you do have plenty of time to stay close and grab his attention from making gestures that he usually failed to realizes.

here you are again, happily humming your favourite song while carrying a box wrapped with a small detailed towel, some big rolls of assignment paper stuck underneath your arm as you make your way back to where you both planned to finish the project - the library.

“keiji, i’m back!” you set your things respectively on the table, and akaashi nods with a smile on his face in acknowledgement.

“oookay, so here’s your today’s snack, I hope you’ll like it” you grin, tapping on the box before pushing it to his side as he receives it and casually opens it while speaking.

“hmm? are those sketches of our poster? you can always edit them on the computer, why the effort?” he chuckled softly before completely unwrapping the bento box.

“I’m not good at designing and stuff. I may draw as I like and you’ll be the one to edit it on the computer.” you puff your cheek out, hands resting on hips as you watch his reaction to your delicately decorated sweets in the box made for him.

“this looks amazing.” he smiles upon seeing the pastries you made, decorated beautifully with different kinds of fruit as each pastry has different flavours, you probably did not stay up so late last night just to make all kinds of flavours for him to show how much you like him. yeah, probably not.

"oh, it's nothing, I just hope it doesn't taste bad" you chuckle nervously while scratching the back of your neck, letting his praise send you up to cloud nine.

your actions falter when you see akaashi put back the box's cap on, set it aside as he leans over to reach the posters you drew.

"now then, can we start working on the project?" he spreads out the piece of paper, glancing at you as you stand there awkwardly, prefer him taking a bite to look through all of your efforts than just shrugging it off and go straight to the main part of your study session.

"what...? oh- um..." you trail off, a bit embarrassed. "wouldn't you like to try one out? it won't hurt to just have a taste of it..."

"maybe later, y/n. we have other things need to be done right now." he merely states, eyes study the poster in front of him, unknowingly sinking your heart.

"yes, right." you shift slightly, taking the sit by the opposite of him, trying to catch up with him on the progress.

you let your mind wanders off how many times you've lost count already while akaashi quietly focused on scribbling something in his notebook, every thoughts you have are always about keiji, your feelings and the stare you give him thinking it's discreet. what's stopping him from trying my tarts out? and how does he feel being around me? or is that his way of rejecting something without making that person feel bad? flooded your mind.

"y/n?" you realize his faint voice ringing somewhere "y/n..." the voice becomes clearer. "earth to y/n, you're staring." awh, snap. right.

you blink, startled before clearing your throat, mumbling a small apology as you try to get yourself busy with the work underneath you once again.

but akaashi just chuckles, his voice calm and reassuring.

"hey, you seem off today. it's lunch break, please make yourself comfortable." you fumble at his words, it's noon already? as he collects his books and tidy it up at one corner of the table before speaking again.

"yuri satsuki is inviting me to have lunch with her. would you like to also join? i think she wouldn't mind." he kindly offers, probably not knowing the words struck you shocked.

you know satsuki-senpai, she's a year older than you and has been a social butterfly ever since you set foot in student life. she is a nice person, you conceived, but not until you found out that she has a huge crush on your akaashi keiji, her behaviour in your eyes became somewhat annoying. in return, she did realize she had a rival to win over him, you acknowledge that through the smug look she gave every time akaashi was around her instead of you, that is how the tension gradually builds up between you and your pain-in-the-ass rival.

and now she's even invited keiji for lunch? you feel an uncomfortable twist in your belly, screaming that if you do not take further actions, you lose akaashi to her. but his way of discarding your hard work, also known as an attempt to get his attention earlier discourages you hastily. this comes to a realization: ever since he start hanging out with satsuki-senpai, he has never touched one of your cooks once.

"no, i'm fine staying here. you go" you force a smile waving him goodbye. he hesitates upon seeing the downward trend of your mood as well as the strange attitude every time he brings up yuri.

"what are you waiting for?" you scoff, trying your best to make it sound not so bitterly. he nods quietly before ruffles your hair, thoughtfully remind you to get something to eat before start working again, and he'll be back with you soon.

you groan for the nth time in thirty minutes since his last leave, deciding not to eat anything at all after you laugh bitterly to yourself seeing the bento box laid cold by his stuffs which corrects your thoughts that he is not going to appreciate what you did for him.

the chair scraped the floor when you stand up, attempting to compose yourself when you feel your brain need a break from overthinking such situations.

on the way out of the library, your eyes meet yuri satsuki's, assuming that keiji is just somewhere around here as his lunch break partner is the person you least excited to bump into.

"well, well. isn't that the girl whose best friend choose to hang out with me instead of her?"

excuse me?

"don't get too ahead of yourself, satsuki-senpai. just a friendly reminder" your tone evidently irritated as you flash her an unamused smile, trying to avoid her as soon as possible.

but the radio scene of her voice replayed all over your head, your mind goes muddy despite the fresh air you're trying to take in, you let out a shaky breath, tears brimming out.

maybe, he doesn't quite noticed the things I did for him after all...

---

"you're back. where were you?" akaashi worried tone surprises you after a quite fine time of trying to find you because your study desk in the library was empty.

"i was... out for fresh air. why?" your voice is off and he noticed that. he always knew when something is bothering you, and right now he definitely know that something is wrong.

"after i finished my lunch i got yours, 'cause i know when i'm back you would still hadn't eaten anything." his brows slightly furrow seeing your avoiding attitude.

"thanks, keiji." you said briefly, take the package from his hand and sit down on your seat, never forget to notice the pastry box still intact.

your strange attitude didn't just stop there, it confuses akaashi for a more couple of days of your avoidance, he dislike the way you put a small distance between you both in study sessions, you flinch and tense around him more often, your answers and conversations are brief and sometimes awkward as you seem to be more preoccupied and attentive rather than to communicate with him.

"good morning, y/n." he smiles, your state has been bothering him for days as he is paying attention to your fade grin and a small "hey" as a greet back.

then he fumbles. something is missing...

oh. but then, realization sets in him quite quickly: you didn't bring any homemade sweets today.

"y/n..." he hesitates, meeting your eyes as you lift your head up from the notebook you're scribbling on. "does your home perhaps... out of ingredients or something?"

you are stunned for a moment, knowing exactly what he was trying to imply, scared to look at him directly in the eye as you shift your gaze elsewhere, pretending to have forgotten.

"oh... you mean the pastries... I forgot to do it. I was busy yesterday"

lies. he see through it, you know that, but you can't just blurt it all out that you're heartbreaking because of his indirect rejection that never says he doesn't like you, but makes you feel like it did.

"hey... i know something is wrong, can you tell me what it is?"

there it is - the worried look on such handsome face that never fails to make your heart flutter. but you know, that is just his nature of being an attentive and thoughtful person, not just for only you, but for everyone in his orbit.

so his question remained unanswered.

akaashi has been extremely distracted due to the sudden lack of your affection on him. it's just doesn't feel the same. even if he refuses it but deep down, he misses your midday snacks, your bubbly laugh around him and that flushed cheeks you wear every time he caught you staring. it has been a whole week since, and the fact that you didn't join the friend group video call with bokuto last sunday was his last straw.

he misses you, dearly. and if he doesn't do anything now before your project is finished, he might find it difficult to approach you even when you are his best friend.

and then, on an another lovely morning in the college's campus, an emotion he thinks he's aware of stirring in his stomach at the scene of you handing out a bento box wrapped with the same detailed towel, a small smile tugs at the corner of your lips as the other boy laughs lightly, scratches his neck, sending regards with a polite bow before making his way back in the classroom, akaashi doesn't like what his eyes have witnessed, so when he met yours, the bitterful look sends shivers down your spine.

you turn away, begin to walk, you do not want to deal with your bothered heart right now, not if it has anything to do with him, with that thought, you choose to neglect it because it is just your one-sided feelings for him.

but you hear footsteps behind, next is a small "wait" escaped from his lips when he managed to catch up and hold gently on your arm. that stopped you midtrack.

"please. can we talk?" he pleads.

---

you find yourself trapped by his presence in a corner of the school's library. there's no point in avoiding now.

"i'm sorry." he states. "i like you, i should've known."

your eyes widen. why- all of a sudden?

akaashi glances at you, softly sighs before bring your hand up to his face and kiss your knuckles gently.

"i understand now, i was clueless, you have the very right to be mad at me." each sentences he speaks crack your heart, but at the same time, they give you hope.

you neither know how to react, nor what to say, you just stand there, completely speechless, it encourages him to continue his speech of pursuing you.

"the last time i went to have lunch with satsuki, she confessed to me." he stopped, watching your expression. "but i turned her down, then, she got angry and started to brag about you. i did not like what she said, so i got quite defensive and... that was when i realised."

"i didn't know when it started. i just knew that i didn't feel very comfortable seeing you bringing your pastries that was meant for me to someone else, and more it's because i didn't appreciate it."

he squeezes your hand, afraid if not, you'll slip from his grip and become somebody else's apple. he certainly dislikes the thought.

"i want your pastries back, i love them as much as i love you. please let me correct such a terrible mistake."

---

"yes, hello. i've received the box, thank you, my love."

akaashi spins his office chair slightly, softly speaking to the phone stuck between his cheek and shoulder with a smile while unwrapping a huge warm box of freshly baked tarts.

"keiji, bad news, i'm out of powdered sugar after that batch." your voice echoed on output, he chuckles.

"are you free after work? we can visit the supermarket to purchase some. i'll drive, consider this a date with me, 'mkay?"

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loaksky · 1 year ago

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no thoughts other than professor!abby / coworker!abby and the holiday stocking ! this is like 80 percent backstory bc who am i to not blabber about my new favorite trope...full length fic abt them in the works oops! not proofread + no warnings other than language!

tlou masterlist | main masterlist

⋆.ೃ࿔ first let’s set the scene by establishing that abby’s probably a tenure-track professor in a hyper specific literature study or maybe cross-teaches a course or two in the women and gender studies department. you’re a new educator probably teaching english 101?

⋆.ೃ࿔ abby first sees you at the faculty meeting for her department during the late summer and is immediately enamored.

⋆.ೃ࿔ by some stroke of luck, she finds that she’s been assigned to your neighboring office and her final lecture is held in the hall across from yours.

⋆.ೃ࿔ abby’s usually pretty good about the timing of her lectures and she ends up finishing 10-15 minutes early every session. so sometimes she hears the tail end of your lessons and can’t help but think you’re so fucking brilliant.

⋆.ೃ࿔ the students are taken by you too, usually not paying any mind to professors that teach lower level classes, but you’re animated and hands-on, and abby realizes that maybe she should take a page from your book.

⋆.ೃ࿔ literally can’t work up the courage to say anything to you first and is so surprised when she’s having an internal warfare one day while she’s locking up the lecture hall and you slink past her.

⋆.ೃ࿔ ��have a good weekend dr. anderson!”

⋆.ೃ࿔ nearly short circuits because how in the fuck do you know her name? (hint hint: you haven’t been able to get a grip after seeing her in the same faculty meeting she’d basically fallen head over heels for you at).

⋆.ೃ࿔ for the life of her, can’t get her shit together over the weekend. is so scatterbrained because the hot new professor knows her name?? practically spirals because that means that she’s been perceived and she has no idea if it’s a good or bad thing because what do you think of her ???

⋆.ೃ࿔ runs into you bright and early monday morning as she’s about to duck into her office and she wants to make a beeline for the safety of her ergonomic chair, but you look a little frazzled and she’s speaking before she can stop herself.

⋆.ೃ࿔ “everything alright?” she asks as you miss the slot for the keyhole a few times and blow out a shaky sigh.

⋆.ೃ࿔ notices you’re carrying a fuckton of things and is wordlessly grabbing your stack of folders and taking your heavy knapsack from you as you finally get the key in the keyhole.

⋆.ೃ࿔ “thank you so much,” you say, voice thick with unshed tears. “i just, fuck, shit, sorry, that wasn’t professional—”

⋆.ೃ࿔ and she could melt because you’re so cute.

⋆.ೃ࿔ “i don’t think i saved the form for midterm grades on my laptop and the battery just crapped out on me, and i’m pretty sure i just missed the deadline and—”

⋆.ೃ࿔ “hey, breathe, breathe,” abby says gently, hands involuntarily smoothing over your shoulders. “you’re okay, it’s okay. shit happens.”

⋆.ೃ࿔ “god, i’m such a idiot.” you scrub your hands down your face. “the upper level professors were right, i do suck—”

⋆.ೃ࿔ “whoa, whoa,” abby calls out sternly, expression horrified. “who said that?”

⋆.ೃ࿔ “it’s not important,” you whisper, blowing out another breath and squeezing your eyes shut as you shake your hands to try to calm yourself. “they’re not wrong.”

⋆.ೃ࿔ “who.” and abby is no longer asking, arms bulging in her oxford shirt as she crosses her arms over her chest and stares down at you.

⋆.ೃ࿔ “dr. paige and mr. ruiz,” you say quietly, fidgeting under such a steely gaze.

⋆.ೃ࿔ abby just makes a noise in her throat, uncrosses her arms and tilts her head towards your desktop computer.

⋆.ೃ࿔ “if you were working on the submission form on your faculty account, it automatically syncs to the cloud both on and offline,” she says. “there’s usually a grace period until the final scheduled lecture for the day which is in...” she glances at her wrist watch, “in about an hour.”

⋆.ೃ࿔ you’re rounding your desk, practically throwing yourself in your chair as you boot up the computer and log into your faculty portal. your cheeks are flushed warm and eyes wide as your gaze flits across the screen.

⋆.ೃ࿔ you deflate in relief after a few clicks to find that professor anderson’s absolutely correct, and there’s the form in all it’s glory, cursor blinking and ready to be completed and submitted.

⋆.ೃ࿔ “holy shit, thank you so much,” you whisper.

⋆.ೃ࿔ when you look up, she’s already stormed halfway out of your office.

⋆.ೃ࿔ “dr. paige and i would just like to extend a sincere apology for our words regarding your tenure here,” mr. ruiz says after they corner you in the staffroom a few mornings later.

⋆.ೃ࿔ your eyebrows are knitting together momentarily before it dawns on you like a splash of cold water.

⋆.ೃ࿔ it explains why professor anderson had been in such a hurry to leave your office after assisting you a few mornings ago.

⋆.ೃ࿔ “s’okay,” you shrug.

⋆.ೃ࿔ “it’s really not,” dr. paige says. “it was immature and uncalled for to make such comments, and such shouldn’t be taken lightly.”

⋆.ೃ࿔ a sudden movement outside of the window catches your eye, and you’re grinning when you see the familiar flash of dirty blonde.

⋆.ೃ࿔ “really, it’s no hard feelings,” you assure them. “now if you’ll excuse me.”

⋆.ೃ࿔ you’re breaking away from them to duck out of the staffroom and surprise surprise, abigail anderson is standing a few metres from the door, arms crossed over her chest.

⋆.ೃ࿔ “are you eavesdropping dr. anderson?” you tease.

⋆.ೃ࿔ she doesn’t even bother to hide it, answering with a firm and resounding, “yes.”

⋆.ೃ࿔ that earns a full-bellied laugh out of you and she realizes that she’s so fucking whipped.

⋆.ೃ࿔ “you’re a wonderful professor,” abby assures you. “your students love you and you’ve already accomplished such great things in the department.”

⋆.ೃ࿔ you can’t help but flush and an awkward but cute silence dawns the two of you after you murmur a quiet “thank you”

⋆.ೃ࿔ “where’s your next session?” dr. anderson breaks the ice. “i’ll walk you.”

⋆.ೃ࿔ the two of you end up getting a lot closer over the rest of the semester and abby starts to get a little frustrated with herself for waiting for so long to actually talk to you.

⋆.ೃ࿔ because you’re practically perfect; so sweet, insanely intelligent, and it’s just the icing on top that you’re probably one of the prettiest girls she’s ever seen and you’ve got an equally pretty ass to match (abby is an ass girl IDC !)

⋆.ೃ࿔ heart is in shambles because you’ve learned how she likes her coffee and frequently bring her one first thing before your string of lectures start.

⋆.ೃ࿔ also, more often than not, the two of you are spending lunch hours together whether you’re grabbing a quick bite from one of the dining halls, splurging a little to eat lunch at an actual establishment, or killing time at the nearby bookstore a few blocks from the campus center.

⋆.ೃ࿔ long story short, you and abby have been spending so much time together and she knows she really likes you, but she can’t find it in herself to say anything because she doesn’t wanna scare you off with such a strong bout of emotions.

⋆.ೃ࿔ but literally everyone sees it! and it’s not necessarily that you’re oblivious, but abby’s accomplished, a really well-loved professor by both the department and her students, and even if there isn’t a ring on her finger, you’re convinced that abby’s got to have someone special in her life...it’s literally you.

⋆.ೃ࿔ even the students see it! dr. anderson’s been lagging recently during her last time slot and it doesn’t take long for a few students who love her especially so to see the way it takes her a little while longer to pack up and how she lingers out in the hall as your class ends!

⋆.ೃ࿔ “have a good weekend dr. anderson!” her last two students chime as they part ways with her. one of them glances over his shoulder and sees you filing out with a group of students from the adjacent classroom. “good luck.”

⋆.ೃ࿔ and abby’s beet fucking red when you finally lock up and ask her what that was about.

⋆.ೃ࿔ fast forward to now, it’s the final week before students are set to go home for the holidays and she’s a little down in the dumps because not only will she not get to see you for almost a month, but she’s usually alone this time of year and it’s agonizing to think that maybe you’ll be going home to someone else.

⋆.ೃ࿔ unbeknownst to her, you’ve been really nervous because maybe you’d overheard her talking to an adjunct professor, owen, about how she’d never gotten a personalized stocking made for her in response to seeing the one hanging on his shelf that his wife and kid had made for him this year, and perhaps you’d watched a couple youtube videos on stocking decorating and went out to buy the supplies right after.

⋆.ೃ࿔ admittedly, the last few days, the two of you are distant, her because she’s sad, and you because you’re probably spending every waking moment trying to think of ways to make the stocking perfect and you’re so in your head that you don’t even notice her change in demeanor.

⋆.ೃ࿔ and you try to make it perfect, really want abby to love her gift, so you fiddle around with it until the last possible moment.

⋆.ೃ࿔ you’re also nervous as fuck as you peer over your shoulder thursday afternoon, hoping dr. anderson doesn’t catch you in the act of staging her gift because frankly you’re too shy to give it to her.

⋆.ೃ࿔ even though you and dr. anderson are on great terms, she’s still so intimidating and you don’t trust yourself to make an ass of yourself, so you relay your message through a pretty piece of cardstock and tuck it into the bag before you’re scurrying off for the end of the semester.

⋆.ೃ࿔ finally, it’s the final day that campus will be open and abby’s trudging up to her office, only really intending to gather the last of what she’ll need since the buildings will be locked throughout the duration of holiday break, but she’s stopped dead in her tracks when she sees the sizable gift bag hanging on her doorknob.

⋆.ೃ࿔ “what that—”

⋆.ೃ࿔ she’s carefully moving around the tissue paper and her heart catches in her throat when she sees a blue stocking bulging with different treats and even a book! with her name carefully stitched on the band.

⋆.ೃ࿔ her first knee jerk reaction is that maybe owen pitied her and made her one, but a matching blue envelope catches her eye and she’s fishing it out of the bag.

⋆.ೃ࿔ recognizes your handwriting from the whiteboards when she’s stealing peeks into your classroom.

⋆.ೃ࿔ cheeks are flaming and stomach is tying in knots as she reads your note.

⋆.ೃ࿔ Firstly, I’m really disappointed I couldn’t deliver this to you in person, but my flight leaves for home on Friday... :( Nonetheless, you’ve been such a wonderful office neighbor and even more wonderful colleague. I truly can’t string together an adequate way to express how grateful I am to work alongside someone as kind and thoughtful as you, Dr. Anderson. You’ve quickly become such a dear friend and I hope you have a wonderful holiday! See you next year! ˆ<3

⋆.ೃ࿔ the fucking heart...the fucking heart!!! literally it’s all abby can fixate on before she realizes that there’s an ass of things tucked in the stocking and not only did you take the time to handstitch onto the fabric, but you took the time to gather things she didn’t even realize you knew she liked.

⋆.ೃ࿔ is unlocking her office so that she can pour the contents of the stocking onto her desk and she nearly dissipates into a pile of goo right then and there because there’s a few packs of her favorite gum (wintergreen), a set of her absolute favorite ballpoint pens (because gel pens are too runny for her liking), a giftcard to her usual coffee shop (“since I won’t be there to bring you your order” according to the note scrawled on the holder), a thick pair of argyle socks in her favorite colorway, and finally, there’s an annotated version of this is how you lose the time war.

⋆.ೃ࿔ and it has to mean something; your book choice and how you raved about it weeks prior during an excursion with abby to the public library, and you’d pulled the copy off the shelf and asked her if she’d read it.

⋆.ೃ࿔ “no,” she answered simply. “never caught my eye.”

⋆.ೃ࿔ “you should read it,” you’d said quietly. “their love was beautiful.”

⋆.ೃ࿔ and she’d never admit it, but she’d checked it out the following morning and blew through the book so fast, heart pounding in her chest as she realized that it was about two women in love. and, god, this has to mean something, she’d continue to agonize, even until this current moment.

⋆.ೃ࿔ and here an annotated version sits, your thoughts and inner feelings inking the pages. it makrs abby bubble with equal parts hope and sadness. sadness because it seems like way too long until she’ll see you again, and hope because maybe this means something more for the two of you in the future.

⋆.ೃ࿔ who knows, really. but abby’s certain that this holiday will feel a little less lonelier with her heart a lot more fuller.

#abby anderson x reader #abby anderson #abby anderson fic #abby anderson tlou2 #abby anderson drabble

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jcmarchi · 2 years ago

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The ultimate guide to the CCSP certification - CyberTalk

New Post has been published on https://thedigitalinsider.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-the-ccsp-certification-cybertalk/

The ultimate guide to the CCSP certification - CyberTalk

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

Become a stronger cloud security leader. The CCSP (Certified Cloud Security Professional) certification is perceived as the gold standard in cloud security. The CCSP cert is so highly valued that it has been ranked among the top preferred credentials for security experts.

This certification shows that an individual has the knowledge required to understand vulnerabilities, compliance needs, regulatory requirements and more associated with cloud-based platforms. The CCSP effectively prepares individuals to competently build, manage and govern a cloud security architecture.

In this guide, get everything that you need to know about obtaining the CCSP certification. Discover how the CCSP can be a part of your certification journey, position you as a distinguished cyber security professional in the field, and pave the way for future possibilities.

In this guide:

What is the CCSP?

What are the prerequisites for the CCSP?

What does the CCSP cover?

Key exam information

How should you prepare?

Further recommendations?

Is the CCSP the right choice?

CCSP vs. CISSP

What is the CCSP?

Developed by ISC2 in collaboration with the Cloud Security Alliance (CSA), the CCSP certification validates the knowledge and skills required to design, manage and secure cloud environments. It’s intended for professionals who regularly work with cloud technology. The CCSP helps ensure that professionals have the knowledge to expertly address challenges associated with cloud security.

The CCSP exam is in compliance with the requirements of the ANSI/ISO/IEC Standard 17024.

What are the prerequisites for the CCSP?

Individuals who are considering the CCSP should have a minimum of five years of cumulative, paid work experience in information technology. Ideally, three of those years should have been in information security, and one year should have been spent in one or more of the six CCSP domains. Candidates can substitute a year of work experience with a relevant four-year degree or another approved credential.

What does the CCSP cover?

The CCSP preparation materials and exam covers six domains. Each domain addresses a foundational element of cloud security. The breakdown is as follows:

Cloud concepts, architecture and design (17%).

Cloud data security (20%).

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Cloud security operations (16%).

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The content within the exam was last refreshed in August of 2022, meaning that it remains relevant and aligned with current technologies.

Key exam information

Duration of exam 3-4 hours Number of items on exam 150 Exam format Multiple choice Passing grade 700 out of 1,000 points Exam language availability English, German, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Spanish

How should you prepare for the CCSP?

Due to the breadth of information covered on the CCSP exam, in order to receive a passing score, preparation is critical. Applied study, in-person bootcamps and online practice exams can help.

Do you have any further recommendations?

Dedicate time to studying everyday. Although 20 minutes can sound limited, even a small amount of study time can add up when studying consistently.

As you prepare for the CCSP, register for the exam. That way, you have a date to work your way towards. Select a date that is realistic for you.

Is the CCSP the right choice?

For someone who’s new to cyber security and just starting out in a career, the CCSP might be something to aim for after earning more beginner-friendly credentials.

For someone who’s been in the field for at least three years, and works with the cloud, the CCSP might be worth moving towards on a more immediate timeline.

Also, consider how you want to spend your career. Roles listed on LinkedIn that require or request a CCSP include: Product security engineer, cyber security solutions architect, application security architect, cloud security engineer, information security auditor, compliance technology specialist and information security manager.

CCSP vs. CISSP

If you’ve been in the security industry for several years, you might find yourself deciding between the CCSP (Certified Cloud Security Professional) and the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) certifications, both of which are offered by ISC2.

It’s worth noting that the CCSP requires five years of work experience, while the CISSP doubles that requirement, demanding 10 years of cumulative experience. Depending on where you are in your career, this could be a limiting factor.

The CCSP addresses cloud security in a very focused way, while the CISSP has a broader scope, encompassing an array of cyber security topics, potentially making it more attractive for those who are interested in a more diverse range of roles.

You may want to consider pursuing the CCSP in the short term, while working towards the CISSP in the long-term.

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strategiadvizo · 1 year ago

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Elevating Employability: Short-Term Course Suggestions for College Students

Empower your future with our latest blog on short-term courses for college students! 🚀 Enhance your employability and unlock new opportunities. Dive in to discover courses that fit your passion and career goals. #EmpowermentThroughEducation #SkillUp

“विद्या ददाति विनयं, विनयाद् याति पात्रता��्।” “Education bestows humility, humility leads to worthiness.” In a world that’s constantly evolving, the importance of education—especially for students from lesser-known colleges in India—cannot be overstated. Education not only paves the way for personal growth but also significantly boosts employability in today’s competitive job market. Here are…

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#Career Advancement #College Students #Data Analytics Introduction #Digital Marketing Training #Education Empowerment #Employability Enhancement #Financial Literacy #Foreign Language Learning #Graphic Design Basics #Lifelong Learning #Payroll Management Digital Transformation HR Technology Compliance and Regulation Financial Management Cloud Computing Employee Empowerment #Professional Growth #Short-term Courses #Skill Development #Soft Skills Improvement #Web Development Skills

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mazikeenhyde · 10 months ago

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Less than a Minute - Part 3

WARNING –

A Poly!Judgment-Day fanfiction containing themes and mentions of DEPRESSION, SUICIDAL THOUGHTS, LONLINESS, PANIC ATTACKS, SOME SMUT, ANGST, SADNESS, ALCOHOL etc

Overall, I’m just trying to make you all cry… again >.<

READER X JUDGMENT DAY – POLY – Rhea, Damien, Finn, Dominik x READER- Written in first person (Reader Female) Italic font – flashback, speech or memories

Less than a minute – Part 3

The silence in the air was deafening, the early morning hours of pre-dawn had bought calm to the city. The streetlamps had almost all gone out, leaving the roads lit only by clouded starlight.

By the time Finn and Damien had returned to the Hotel car park the rain had eased off, now nothing more than a gentle patter on the streets remained.

Pulling the car in and shutting off the engine Damien took a deep breath; he looked over to Finn whose demeanour resembled nothing like his normal self, now only a broken and tired Prince was left. Offering only a half smile, Damien ran his hand around the back of Finns head and down his cheek.

“Rhea will find her. I promise” Damien’s voice was low; the hurt was there but still he composed himself enough to offer support.

Finn took a deep breath, sighing he fell back into the chair unbuckling his seatbelt.

“I never should of left” Finn paused closing his eyes for a moment, “I should have stayed behind”. Finn’s voice was quieter than a church mouse now.

“Prince, look at me” Damien said turning Finn’s face to meet his. “You know this isn’t your fault. It isn’t anyone’s fault… Y/N would never of let you miss RAW. These things they just (*sharp inhale*) it takes time for someone to reach a point that they can’t find a way out. It doesn’t mean she won’t come back; she knows she is loved. Right now, Y/N is lost, and we just have to find a way to reach her.”

Tearing up Finn opened the car door and stepped out taking in a deep breath of the cold night air as he stretched out his arms above his head before letting them swing back down to his sides. Damien followed out quickly behind and met Finn around the other side of the car. Holding out his hand Damien gestured for Finn to take his.

Damien pulled Finn towards him as they began to walk back towards the hotel, his arm wrapped tightly around Finn’s waist.

“I hope Dom’s doing okay” Finn said as they hurried inside and out of the storm residue.

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

“Mr Martinez, Mr Balor!” The hotel receptionist lept to her feet in a shocked daze as the two men closed the entrance door behind them.

“I’m so sorry you just missed them, but if you hurry, they…”

“Sorry love, missed who?!” Finn interrupted her, letting go of Damien’s hand and rushing toward the desk. “Two girls? Was it our girls?!” He asked.

The receptionist looked at them blankly for a moment, “did you…did you not get the message left for you?” Her face full of panic and her words falling out at such a speed it all became a jumble of confusing jargon.

“I’m so, I’m so sorry I, I thought someone had, someone had spoken to you, you see my manager said to me, he said he tried to call and, he called and...”

Damien stepped up towards Finn slamming his hands on the desk to silence the woman.

“MISSED. WHO.!?” He demanded.

The receptionist took a breath to compose herself followed by a deep gulp, sensing the urgency of the two men in front of her she feared pissing them off any further.

“The ambulance.” She spoke softly, trying her best to remain professional, though her voice still shakey.

“Your, your friend, the one who was upstairs, a Mr. Mysterio?” she looked down to check the booking information on the computer screen. “The maids were umm, they were called to do a, a welfare check. You see we’d had a, a noise complaint and…” Finn cut her off holding up his hand as his head fell and hung down low, he clung to the edge of the reception desk for stability, feeling his legs go numb.

You could have cut the silence with a knife, the air became impossible to breath at this point as both men stood in silence, unable to comprehend the situation they found themselves in.

“Where?...” Damien said, sharp, straight and to the point.

Following one last sharp swallow she checked her note pad and looked up.

“They were taking him to Bernstein University General, it’s just a few blocks d…” But before she could finish, they bolted out the door.

Falling back into her chair the receptionist lent down to the mini fridge under the desk and bought a miniature vodka bottle out, necking the shot in one.

“God I hate the night shift.” She stated to herself.

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

Rhea stood looking up at the two large doors before her. Every inch of her was frozen, soaked through to the bone from the rain. Make up half run down her cheeks, her skin was cold to the touch, her heart racing as it pounded heavily through her chest. Her whole body trembled as the light drizzle fell through the breeze, ever reminding her of the low temperature.

But she was numb to it all. She couldn't feel any of it, not a thing. She could not feel the cold freezing her fingertips, she could not feel the pain in her chest from running for so long. She felt nothing in that moment...

Because there she was.

There, she was.

‘Oh Bunny...’ Rhea spoke softly, her voice breaking…cracking even as it drowned in the sadness of it all.

There on the steps of the City’s Library Y/N lay, curled up into a ball, barley dressed for such poor weather and out like a light. Y/N body trembled as well, matching Rhea’s shivers in unison. Her lips tinged a soft baby pink and blue. Her conscious having clearly tapped out from the cold weather and exhaustion.

Approaching her gently Rhea sat down next to Y/N and pulled her into her lap. Rhea clung onto Y/N so tightly as her breathing choked and she began to cry, unable to stop the heartbreak from pouring out of her soul as she quickly realised her jacket was back in the car. Trying to offer any warmth through soaked hugs she held onto her little love, ignoring the fact she herself was also close to being frozen through.

“Trust you Bunny...” Rhea half laughed, trying to hide her broken heart as she sniffed up the rain droplets running down her nose. “You said it so many times, so many times. And we heard you… but we didn’t listen” She readjusted herself having Y/N now in a full cuddled embrace, protecting the pair of them from the persistent showers from above.

“When we are at our saddest, when we are closest to tears, to that heartbreak.” Rhea paused to kiss Y/N head and catch her tear fuelled breath. “It would take less than a few words, less than a hug or someone asking if you are okay…. it would take less than a minute to fall apart.” Rhea couldn’t hold it in anymore, tears cascading down her face.

“So, you should always go somewhere no one can reach you, no one can ask you how you are doing, and no one can ever pry. The rules of the library are a matter-of-fact aye... you clever little brat.” Rhea clung on tight to Y/N unable to stop herself crying.

“I made you a promise Bunny, do you remember?” She asked looking down at Y/N face that was laced in rain droplets and goosebumps. Planting a gentle kiss on her lips Rhea stroked her cheek watching closely as Y/N chest rose and fell with each sleepy breath.

“I said I would never leave you” kissing Y/N forehead she held her close to her chest as the final streetlamp above flickered out revealing the soaked stars in the sky.

“I’m here Bunny, I’ve got you. See? It’s just us, just us and the stars. We have all the time in the world” Rhea gently rocked Y/N in her arms as she looked up to the full moon.

“I Love You, Y/N. For Now, For Forever, For Always. And For Every Minute.”

To be continued...

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mountainsandmayhem · 8 days ago

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Maid Discreetly - Chapter 5

Tommy Miller x Female OC (18+ only)

Story Summary: After what he did to your best friend, fuck Joel Miller and the horse he rode in on! But a twist of fate has you falling for his brother, who is also your dad’s friend. Oh, and did you mention that you hate him? Can love really conquer all, or should you just settle for kinky hot sex with an older man? Chapter Summary: Mother Nature has other plans for you first client onboard, but it can't really be that bad being "stuck" with Tommy Miller. AN: Trigger warnings are underneath the cut in small red letters to avoid spoilers. Please remember to follow @mountainsandmayhem-updates for all future chapters. Divders by @saradika-graphics. As always thank you to @lotusbxtch and @for-a-longlongtime for helping me expand on my ideas and add all my punctuation xo. And, thank you to this anon who reminded me that I had dates on chapters still. Thanks to them, you're getting 2 chapters in one day. WC: 4.2k

Story Masterlist || My Masterlist || Joel and Kim

TW: rained in trope, flirting, mutual pining, thunder/lightening and rain. Really nothing to be aware of, they're just dumb and falling in love - let them be!!!!

You

Your drive out to Tommy’s is uneventful; singing along to nineties Shania Twain kept you occupied during your trek. Due to the timing of your drive, more people were coming into Austin than going out. Summer is in full bloom now as July starts to turn into August. At this point in the year, the rolling hills around the highway are covered by full green trees. Eventually, the foliage opens up to reveal the popular lake communities about 30 minutes outside of downtown.

Even though dark clouds have started to crowd the skies, the AC in your custom cherry red Jeep isn’t doing much to stifle the heat. This morning, you debated if you should take your Bentley or not, but with the chance of rain for the first time in months, and driving outside of the city, the Jeep seemed safer; plus, you know the moment it starts to rain, everyone will have forgotten how to drive.

Soon you see the sign you’ve been looking for - “Rancher’s Cove: Next Right”. Tommy’s new home is built in the latest development near Lake Travis. You turn off the paved highway onto a poorly packed gravel road. You thank your earlier self for settling on taking the Jeep as dust blows up around you and rocks crunch under your oversized tires as you bump along the road. Tall coniferous trees line the path, blocking the heat of the sun and casting you in shadows. After following a bend, the trees open wide, revealing a man-made lake and one single log cabin at the furthest end. You and Tommy are completely secluded here; no other homes have even started construction.

You did a bit of research on the area, so you’re prepared with both flats and heels. Mentally, you decide the flats are best; you’ll change into the company-issued white Keds when you get into his house. You kept it professional today, wearing black wide legged slacks and a red short sleeve bodysuit with a matching thin red belt. Your laptop is tucked into your computer bag on the passenger seat.

You follow the gravel ring road around the lake, and as you pull up to the impressive home, you notice Tommy sitting on the porch with a guitar, looking effortlessly handsome in dark jeans, a fitted white t-shirt and well-worn work boots. His sleeves clings deliciously to his biceps, and as his strong hands pluck at the strings, the sinew and tattoos that line his arm dance.

Well, fuck, you quip internally. You haven’t even put your Jeep in park yet and you’ve already had an inappropriate thought about your dad’s friend. As you step out of the vehicle, he rests the guitar against the house, pushing back his cheekbone-length hair as he stands and heads over to you.

“You made it!” His voice is friendly, like you’ve known each other for years and he’s been sitting there waiting anxiously for you.

“Am I late?” you ask, slightly panicked, glancing at the Tiffany watch your mom and dad gave you as a graduation gift. You don’t wear it often, only as your good luck charm. The black leather band connects to a round face that’s surrounded by small diamonds. The twelve is denoted by a delicate heart made from a ruby, and white diamonds of different shapes make up the rest of the numbers.

9:57

“No,” he says, stopping at the bottom of his porch steps, “not at all.”

As you open the passenger door to grab the Louis Vuitton bag that holds your laptop, you remember what he said outside your dad’s home office almost a month ago. He doesn’t feel like he fits into the excessive wealth that you’re surrounded by. Shame licks at the base of your spine for showing up in a custom-painted Jeep and a watch that probably costs more than people make in a year. You always knew that you came from money, but you’ve never realized how excessive it was until meeting Tommy. He reaches out to grab the bag from you, a gesture of chivalry, but it feels wrong to hand it to him.

“I got it. Thanks, though.” He smiles and then gestures towards the porch. “This home is absolutely beautiful, Tommy.”

He smiles sheepishly. “It’s kind of excessive.”

“No, it’s stunning.” The gravel crunches under your flats as you walk alongside him towards the porch. “I can’t wait to see the inside.”

“After you, then,” he says before you ascend the stairs.

You stop when you reach the two large wooden front doors, each with a colourful glass mosaic inlay. Tommy opens one and you hold in a gasp as he leads you into the open concept foyer. Straight ahead are large floor-to-ceiling windows that are easily twenty feet tall. The man-made lake sparkles in the small glimpses of sun through the clouds. A wooden dining room table sits just before the windows, the kitchen to the right; stainless steel appliances that blend seamlessly into the wooden walls and cabinetry. His countertops are made of dark chestnut brown granite swirled with silver. To the left of the table is a massive eggshell sectional couch facing a fireplace embedded with rock, a large flat screen tv mounted above it.

Your eyes travel up the tall rock chimney to a catwalk style hallway up in the wooden beams of the space. You follow the hallway to a staircase to your right. Your eyes travel to the opposite side of the house again; it’s so beautiful and there’s so much to see that you almost feel almost overstimulated by it. Two frosted mosaic glass doors on your left close in one of the only rooms on this floor. The floors are all wood, matching the walls of the log cabin. Plush, off white area rugs are thoughtfully placed under the dining room table and tv area, making the spaces feel cozy and homey.

“Tommy,” you whisper, following him towards the dining room table. “This is - I mean, wow. I’m speechless.”

One of his hands moves from his hip to cup the back of his neck, rubbing at it sheepishly, but there’s a hint of pride in his voice when he responds. “Thank you. It’s taken me a long time.”

“You built this?” you gape, dumbfounded, forcing yourself to focus on him and not look around again.

He chuckles at your response. “Yeah, it’s kind of my job, remember?”

“Right, duh,” you backpedal and then cringe. Smooth. “So, I guess we should get started. Would you mind giving me a tour of the areas you’d like us to handle? I’ll take some notes and then we can discuss further and get the contract together.”

“Sure, let me put your stuff down and we can walk around.” He holds his hand out again for your bag. As you let it slide down your arm, your Keds that were hooked onto your fingers hit the hardwood with a soft thud in front of his dining room table.

“Shit. I’m supposed to - Oh my God, I just swore. I’m so sorry,” you stutter, passing your bag to him then scooping up the shoes and scrambling back towards the door.

“It’s really okay,” Tommy says. “The shoes, I mean; the swearing was unacceptable.” You spin to apologize again, a horrified look across your face, to see him laughing.

“That’s not funny, Tommy,” you say with a slight pout. “I want to do this properly, like we didn’t know one another.”

His thumb and forefinger smooth his moustache. “Well, I certainly hope you wouldn’t drive out to the middle of nowhere to meet a strange man.”

You slip your flats off at the front door and then pull your Keds on. You smirk as you tease, “How long do you have to know someone before they aren’t classified as a stranger? Because one could argue that that is exactly what I’m doing right now.”

Tommy’s hands land dramatically on his chest. “You wound me, sweetheart.”

You both let out a laugh and once your shoes are on, he saunters towards the kitchen. You grab your notepad and pen from the side of your bag before meeting him there.

“Mister Miller, is it?” you joke, putting on an air of professionality. “If you wouldn’t mind, please elaborate on what we at Maid Discreetly can do for you.”

“You’re an idiot,” he laughs, his voice playful. Preston called you that exact name multiple times, but it never made your heart skip like it did just now.

“Huh, that’s probably going to cost you extra,” you quip. The two of you laugh again and it all feels so normal, like you’ve been joking together for years. “Ok, seriously. Talk to me about what you’re looking for.”

“Me, seriously? You’re the one swearing.” You shoot him a facetious glare before he continues. “I plan to be out here fairly often. I have an apartment in downtown Austin, but I think I’ll be out here four or five nights each week, so maybe someone can come out once a week and split the tasks up?” You can feel him watching you as you make notes.

“What kind of tasks are you looking for?” you ask, tucking your long hair behind your ear then pushing the curled ends over your shoulder. There’s a brief flick of his golden honey eyes to the side of your newly exposed throat and then back to your face before he starts to talk again. You wonder if he knows the effect that simple shift of his eyes has on women.

“I’m a pretty tidy guy, but someone who could deep clean the kitchen, dust, and vacuum the main floor every week would be ideal.” You follow him as he walks past the dining table and into the living room. “Maybe they could also do baseboards and at least change over or start laundry? Is that too much for someone?”

“No,” you smile, following him towards the living area. “That’s pretty standard.”

He nods. “I have everything they’d need here, or they can bring their own supplies.”

It might be a small thing to some, but Tommy saying ‘they’ when talking about his future maid instead of ‘her’ or ‘she’ is so refreshing and beautiful. There is a good mix of men and women that work as cleaners, but more often than not, people assume it’s all women.

“Usually each cleaner is equipped with whatever they’ll need, but if you’d prefer, they can use your things.” You say, fluffing the throw pillows on his couch. When you catch him eyeing you you shrug, “Habit.”

“Let's go upstairs,” Tommy says with a laugh, avoiding your eyes this time, almost as if it’s too personal or intimate to look at you when talking about showing you his bedroom. He comes to an abrupt halt when he faces the windows, and you almost run right into the back of him. “Shit, it’s getting really dark out there.”

You take a few steps around him, getting as close as you can to the window and look up at the sky. Dark grey clouds now completely crowd the sun; it looks like the floodgates could open at any minute. “Good thing I drove my Jeep.”

“I don’t know,” he starts, and you become very aware of how closely he’s standing behind you. “It doesn't look like it’s going to be ‘a little rain’ like they predicted.” His voice is thick with worry. “Maybe you should go, try to beat the storm.”

You want to tell him that you didn’t drive all the way out here to not get the sale and let your dad down, but instead you play it cool.

“I’ve driven in a rainstorm before, Tommy. Let's get the tour done and we can discuss pricing another time. We can do that part virtually or whatever is easiest for you. I’ll be fine.” As those last three words leave your lips, you turn to face him; just as your back is to the window the room lights up before a loud crack of thunder rattles the house. You let out a squeal of shock, jumping closer to Tommy - you’re almost pressed against him. Your heartbeat races and adrenaline courses through your veins, then you laugh at yourself.

“I’ll be fine,” Tommy mocks in a high-pitched voice, joining in your laughter but not stepping away.

“It startled me,” you joke, pushing at Tommy’s chest.

“Real tough girl, hey?” He says, raising an eyebrow when your shove does nothing.

You scoff, “Relax, old man. I could take you in a fight.”

Tommy

He chuckles, shaking his head as he turns and starts to walk towards the stairs. The words come out before he can stop them. “Good thing I’m about to show you my bedroom then.”

Fuck.

Before he can apologize, or dig himself a large hole, or wander right into the man-made lake outside, you speak up. Your voice is full of sarcasm as you say, “Ah, so saying ‘shit’ is not okay, but being a dirtbag is. Noted.”

“That was inappropriate. I’m sorry,” he says, not looking back as you follow him up the first few stairs because he can’t stop the ear to ear smile that’s plastered itself across his face. Your wit and banter never ceases to keep him on his toes.

“I have so many things I could say back,” you reply, “but I am clearly the mature one here, so let's just move on.” You’re both silent as you climb the stairs and when you get to the top, it’s raining so hard that you almost can’t see the lake he’s still contemplating jumping into.

“Whoa, it’s really coming down all of a sudden,” he says. When he looks in your direction, your bottom lip has disappeared between your teeth as you stare out the window at the large puddles forming along the gravel roads.

You nod. “Yeah, well, let’s make this quick, I guess.”

He leads you across the catwalk. “There’s two bedrooms with an adjoining bathroom on the other side, but since they’re empty, someone can go in there once a month.” He glances back at you, but you seem slightly distracted and he hopes it’s not from his ill-timed joke. Once you both make it across the catwalk, you stop outside the master bedroom. He slides open one of the two barn doors and you both step into the seating area of the bedroom, his bedroom. Two oversized leather chairs - perfect for reading or drinking his morning coffee - sit in the middle, a wooden arch behind them opens to the bedroom. Straight ahead is a king size bed; to the untrained eye, the frame is beautiful and ornate, but it’s full of spots for him to restrain whoever he decides to bring here. The entry to his large bathroom and the walk-in closet are to the left. Inside his closet is a spiral staircase leading down to his office on the main floor. He doesn’t plan to show you that since he won’t need cleaners there.

The far right wall of the bedroom has big windows, just like the main floor. Rain bounces off the glass loudly and he watches as you wander towards the window to look out. Even though he built this house for himself, he went into autopilot mode while designing it. It’s meant to be lived in by a husband and wife and their two kids. That was never something he saw for himself, but seeing you in his bedroom has what could be flashing before his eyes. You shake him out of it when you finally speak.

“Is that a bathtub?” you ask, looking down at what he knows is a small outdoor sauna and bathing area. The trees surrounding the walkway and tub are tall enough that the only way for someone to see it is through the windows in his bedroom or the stairwell from the office to the closet.

“I figured it was a nice touch,” he says nonchalantly, coming to stand beside you.

“This house is spectacular, Tommy,” you breathe, glancing up at him. “Truly. I keep looking around and I can’t believe that you built all this. You’re incredibly talented.”

He feels the pink rise in his cheeks. He knows he’s done a good job when the homes he’s built sell for seven or eight figures; the men on the job site don’t praise him like you have. He runs a finger across one of his eyebrows as he responds. “I had help.”

“Oh, well then I’m less impressed,” you respond with your signature wit and sarcasm, one corner of your mouth lifting enticingly. “Let’s recap and talk about pricing. Hopefully the rain slows down and then I can be out of your hair.”

The two of you head back towards the kitchen, sitting side by side at the island to go over your notes and come up with pricing. The conversation is strictly business, but whenever you look down at your laptop, his eyes immediately go to your lips. He remembers the way you looked at him in your parents’ pantry, so sad and full of self doubt; that’s not the woman he sees now. This version of you is confident and knowledgeable. He hopes that maybe he said something to help you, although you don’t seem like the type of girl who needs help with anything.

You jump again when another loud crack of thunder sounds. He keeps his comments to himself this time, too enthralled by watching you talk to interrupt you. He knew when you stepped out of that Jeep today that it didn’t matter how much you asked for. He might not be as well-off as your family or Joel, but he’s fortunate enough that he doesn’t have to think about money. He was signing this contract either way. You type in the final details and tell him that you’ll send it to him to sign in the next few days.

“It’s still really coming down,” he notes as you slip your feet into your flats. “Maybe you should just wait it out a bit longer. I can make coffee or something.” The meeting overall was fairly quick, only about an hour and a half, but it’s been pouring down sheets of rain the entire time.

“I think it’s slowed down a bit. I’ll be fine, Tommy,” you say, smiling up at him as you slip on your flats. “Thank you for your concern, but you really don’t need to be.”

Always the gentleman, he opens the front door for you, revealing conditions that are so much worse than he expected. There’s no more gravel driveway, no more road leading to the other side of the man-made lake, nothing to get you safely from his home at the end of Rancher’s Cove to the properly paved highway. No, it's all just a muddy, slippery disaster.

“You’re staying here,” Tommy says and starts to close the door. You put your hand out and then step onto the porch.

“It’ll be fine, Tommy,” you repeat, an edge of annoyed determination in your voice. Your arm waves in the direction of your vehicle. “I have a Jeep, this is literally what they do.”

“There’s no road!” he exclaims, following you out on the porch. He grabs your wrist and you turn to look at him. “It’s literally a swamp out here. I half expect Shrek to show up and yell at us.”

He watches you roll your eyes and his grip tightens on the delicate skin of your wrist. He can feel your quickening rising pulse along his thumb. Is his touch the reason for your increased heart rate?

“That’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard,” your voice is flat and determined as you continue, “Look, it’s not that far, the highway is, like, right there. The rain isn’t letting up. I can’t get stuck here.”

You twist free from his grasp, then remove your watch and put it in a zipper pocket of your bag. He watches as you hug your laptop tight to your body before you take off running towards your Jeep. By some miracle, you don’t slip in the thick mud that's become the ground. Tommy knows this isn’t a good idea and thanks his lucky stars that the tractor he used to haul all his building materials around is still here; his vintage mustang that’s parked in the garage certainly isn’t making it out of here when he inevitably needs to rescue you. Your headlights kick on as you start the engine and he leans against the railing with his arms crossed.

Stubborn little thing, he thinks to himself as the red Jeep backs up through the muck to turn around. He can see that when it comes to you, he’s going to have to make it your idea to do what he wants. He hasn’t had a challenge in a sub in a long time; maybe that could be you.

As you pull forward, the muck takes you, sliding your car towards what used to be his grass and is now his very own mini bayou. You hop out, mud splashing up your pants, and look around the Jeep. Within seconds of being out in the rain that you proclaimed was slowing down you’re drenched from head to toe, clothes sticking to your body and your waterlogged dark hair dripping.

“Get back inside, sweetheart,” Tommy calls over the sound of the rain splashing. He knows by the defiant stiffening of your spine that you heard him, but you jump back into the Jeep and start to rock it back and forth in hopes of getting yourself out of the rut. Mud and his newly laid sod spit up behind your rear tires. Tommy shakes his head as he heads back inside, grabbing a few large bath sheets from the closet in his office; fluffy white towels meant for the sauna that will now be ruined from all the mud you’ve collected.

After a few minutes of trying to get unstuck, you only manage to dig yourself deeper into the hole. There was no leaving today, he knew it and you probably knew it too. Be that as it may, you just proved to him that you don’t like being told you can’t do something, and fuck do you look cute all flustered as you try to prove yourself. Finally, you swing the driver's door open. The bottom of your black pants are caked in mud, he can tell your shoes are ruined, and the curve hugging red t-shirt is even tighter. As you hop out of the vehicle his eyes are drawn to the way your nipples have pebbled in the cold rain.

Don’t look at her nipples.

“Come here, I got your bag,” he yells and you run back to the covered porch. He holds the towel out for you, wrapping you tightly, your intoxicating blend of pear and mint now mixed with the scent of fresh rain, and god damn does he want to kiss you and then punish you for being so fucking stubborn. His eyes run over your face and body, making sure that you’re ok.

“I’m fine, Tommy,” you say, pulling the towel tighter as you start to shiver.

As he reaches inside to grab an umbrella, he says, “Interesting that the safety of your designer bag and watch come before your actual safety, sweetheart.”

He jogs to your Jeep while popping open the umbrella. Just as he’s about to open the door the beep of the door's locking sounds. The sweetest sarcasm floats across the yard to his ears, “Sorry? What was that?”

He spins, trying not to lose his footing in the mud, and looks at you. You’re shivering, yet smiling deviously, holding the key fob that must have been in your pocket. “Open the door or you’ll be sorry.”

“I’m already drenched and covered in mud, that’s not a threat.” You laugh.

He tries to use his best dom voice, not that he thinks it’ll work on you. “I’m not playing around here, sweetheart.”

You roll your eyes, “Big tough guy like you can’t handle a little rain?”

“Open the doors or I will make you pay.”

You roll your eyes at him again and his palms tingle with the urge to spank you.

“Now, sweetheart,” he says with a growl.

He’s not sure if it's from the chill in the air, but your cheeks pink a little at his words before the doors open. He keeps your luxury laptop bag under the umbrella as he walks back to the porch. As he ascends the stairs, you smile at him cheekily and it takes everything inside of him not to pick you up and drop you in the mud. Instead, he does the gentlemanly thing and after putting your bag inside, he uses the other towel to remove as much mud from your pants as possible on the porch. Once he’s satisfied, he toes off his boots then pulls you inside. He kneels in front of you to help you out of your ruined shoes. Your bare toes are like ice in his hands and he tracks the small shivers racking your body.

Your teeth chatter as you say, “Just let me warm up and then we can pull me out with that tractor.”

He stands, hands running up and down your arms over the towel. He has to play this carefully while still being firm with what's going to happen today. He lowers his voice to a calm baritone that always works with his brattier subs. “I fear that you aren’t going anywhere tonight. I will lend you some clothes. Go to the master bath, please.”

He feels you deflate under his palms, your voice coming out in stubborn determination. “I can do it, Tommy.”

He smiles at you softly, stepping beside you and placing a hand on your lower back, gently guiding you towards the stairs. “I never said you couldn’t, sweetheart. But it’s too dangerous. So, for me, please just stay here tonight. By morning, the storm will have passed and we can get you unstuck. Okay?”

He follows you up the stairs and towards his bathroom, watching as you pull the soaked towel tighter around your chilled body. “Okay.”

He bites down on his tongue to stop the instinctual ‘good girl’ that wants to escape his lips and then says, “Thank you. I appreciate you doing this for me.”

You pause in the sitting room of his bedroom. “Sh-Shouldn’t I use the other bathroom?” Your voice is low, wavering slightly. Tommy gets the feeling that you aren’t accustomed to someone taking care of you.

“If you want to. I don’t have any toiletries over there, but if you want to use that side I can bring them. The shower is bigger here though.”

“We..I’m - Tommy, I don’t…” Your eyes shoot to his, panic clear across your face as you sputter. He realizes in that moment what he just insinuated and pulls his hand away from your back, raising them up.

“No, that’s not what I mean. I’ll change in the other room while you shower and then I’ll be downstairs whenever you’re done. I just meant that it’s a nicer shower - it has a steam function.”

Crimson stains your cheeks and you nod, he takes it as his cue to go start the shower so it can warm up for you. He can feel you watching him from the archway. You seem almost unsure of what to do next, and for someone so self assured and unafraid, it’s an interesting juxtaposition to the girl he knows. He slides open his dresser drawer and pulls out a pair of black sweatpants, followed by a white t-shirt. He glances your direction and gives you a small and reassuring smile. His eyes fall to your bare toes, the nails painted white for summer, the skin red from how cold they are. He opens another drawer and takes out a pair of socks then wanders to his closet to grab a zip up black hoodie.

He takes the clothes and puts them on the bathroom counter; when he comes back out into the room you’ve stepped past the threshold of the arch. Something has shifted between the two of you; the air in the room feels thicker. He clears his throat gently before he speaks.

“Take your time. Why don’t you toss that towel and your clothes out here and I’ll wash them for you? You, umm, you can pick different things if you want.”

“No, that’s ok. Thank you, Tommy.” Your voice is shy and uncertain and he misses that snarky smart ass from earlier.

“You look freezing. Go warm up. And seriously, take all the time you need.”

Thank you everyone who's gone on this little journey with me. I know that we don't write for the notes, but it would really mean the world to me if you reblogged. Tommy Miller, or at least my version of him, is severely under loved lol.

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edenesth · 2 years ago

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Pride and Prejudice

Pairing: superior!Hongjoong x fem!reader

AU: office au

Word Count: 3.5k

Summary: Kim Hongjoong, the intimidating superior with an unreasonable prejudice against you, holds a grudge that seems endless. What happens when your paths collide in an unexpectedly heartwarming late-night encounter in the office?

ATEEZ Masterlist

Kim Hongjoong.

That was a name that sent shivers down most employees' spines.

In the bustling world of corporate offices, he was known as the intimidating superior that everyone dreaded.

From the moment you set foot in the company, you felt the weight of his prejudice against you. He had a stereotype against pretty girls, believing that you had only secured your position due to what he dubbed as "pretty privilege."

Despite his initial disdain for you, you had been determined to prove your worth. Days turned into weeks, and your hard work began to speak for itself. Your colleagues recognised your dedication and praised your quality of work.

But Hongjoong's pride remained an impenetrable barrier, preventing him from acknowledging your skills and contributions. Because of that, he's been out to get you for as long as you can remember.

Little did you know, things were about to change real soon.

One evening, after the office had emptied out, you found yourself still at your desk, engrossed in a challenging project.

It was then that Hongjoong, against his usual routine, returned to the office for some last-minute work. Surprised to see you there, he observed you from a distance.

He watched as you tirelessly poured over spreadsheets, crafted reports, and revised presentations. It was clear that your commitment went beyond any perceived privilege. Slowly, a realisation dawned upon him, shattering the preconceived notions that had clouded his judgement.

Too immersed in your work to notice him, you typed away, the soft glow of your computer screen casting a dim light on your face.

Hongjoong couldn't help but feel a growing sense of guilt.

He noticed the countless cups of coffee scattered across your desk, each one bearing the telltale signs of late nights and long hours. There was also a half-finished packet of cream crackers, a meagre attempt at sustenance in the midst of your dedication.

His initial irritation at finding you still at the office slowly gave way to concern. It was well past dinner time, and he wondered if you'd even had a proper meal that day. Clearing his throat, he approached your desk, his footsteps light but purposeful.

"You're still here?" He asked in a voice that was almost a whisper, the surprise of your presence evident in his tone.

Your head snapped up at his unexpected appearance, and you shot up from your seat, a reflexive gesture of politeness ingrained in you, "Yes, Mr. Kim," You replied with a polite bow, "Just finishing up some work. What are you doing here?"

He hesitated for a moment, his eyes flicking to the scattered coffee cups and the packet of crackers before meeting your gaze, "I had something I forgot to finish earlier," He confessed, his voice carrying a newfound vulnerability, "So, I came back to the office to settle it."

You nodded slowly, understanding the pressures of your demanding workplace all too well. Returning to your work, you couldn't help but notice the genuine concern in his expression. It was a stark contrast to the disdain and prejudice you had once faced from him.

Then, in a moment that would forever change your professional relationship, he spoke up once more, his words laced with an unexpected humility.

"I didn't realise how hard you work."

Surprised by his admission and the softness in his voice, you looked up again, a flicker of hope in your eyes. With a faint but sincere smile, you replied, "I've been trying to show you all along."

It was a turning point, a moment when the barriers between you and your superior began to crumble, replaced by a newfound understanding.

The awkward silence that hung in the air between you and Hongjoong felt palpable, a reminder of the distance that had separated you for so long. You decided to break the tension by resuming your work, murmuring, "I'll get back to this then."

He simply nodded in response, his eyes fixed on his own office room, but he didn't leave. Instead, he stood there, silently wrestling with his thoughts. He desperately wanted to ask if you had eaten, knowing full well that the late hour meant that a proper meal was long overdue.

However, his pride, which had been a formidable barrier between you two, still held sway over him.

Inwardly frustrated with himself, he cursed under his breath and forced himself to remember why he had returned to the office in the first place. With a reluctant sigh, he reminded himself of the unfinished work waiting for him in his office. Pushing past his internal turmoil, he turned on his heel and headed toward his workspace, determined to distract himself with the tasks at hand.

As he retreated to his office, the lingering sense of guilt and a newfound respect for your dedication continued to gnaw at him.

It was a moment of reckoning, and he wondered if breaking down the remaining walls of pride and prejudice was the path he needed to take to foster a more harmonious working relationship with you.

Hours passed, and the office had grown eerily quiet as midnight approached.

Hongjoong, convinced that you would have left by now, finally decided to call it a night. He stretched, shut down his computer, and began packing his things. But as he made his way towards the exit, he glanced over at your desk and was surprised to find you still there, diligently working away.

His surprise grew when he saw you reach for another packet of crackers, your stomach protesting loudly with a growl. The sight of your dedication and the audibility of your hunger pangs finally broke through the last remnants of his pride and hesitation.

He couldn't let you continue like this.

In a bold move that shocked both you and himself, he approached your desk and swiftly snatched the packet of crackers from your hands, "That's it," He declared, determination in his voice, "I'm taking you to have a proper meal."

You gasped, your wide eyes locked onto his, completely taken aback by his sudden change in demeanour. Without giving you a choice, he tugged you up from your chair, and you reached for your handbag, thinking you might need to pay for your own meal.

Shock and disbelief coursed through your veins as you followed him towards the 24-hour convenience store just downstairs from the office. He surprised you once again.

"Go on, pick whatever you want to eat. It's on me."

The realisation that your once-intimidating superior was genuinely concerned about your well-being left you in a state of utter astonishment.

You carefully selected a light meal, trying to be polite since Hongjoong was footing the bill. But he sighed in frustration when he noticed your restraint, and he swiftly grabbed a few more side dishes, silencing your protests with a stern glare.

Once he had paid, you found yourselves settled at a table and chairs in a quiet corner of the store.

You began, "Thank you for the meal, Mr. Kim."

He nodded in acknowledgement but seemed lost in thought. After a moment of contemplation, he finally spoke up, his cheeks turning a faint shade of red, "Just Hongjoong."

You froze, your actions of opening the food package momentarily halted, "What?" You asked, surprised by his request.

He cleared his throat, still blushing but determined, "I said, just call me Hongjoong. We're not at work now, you don't have to be so formal."

A smile tugged at the corners of your lips as you noticed how cute he looked, flustered by the change in dynamics. You nodded, genuinely touched by his gesture, "Okay. Thank you for the meal, Hongjoong. I really appreciate it."

For some inexplicable reason, he felt his heart warm at hearing you say his name for the first time.

As you both shared the meal, he discovered a side of you he had been quick to overlook. He realised just how wrong he had been to judge you based on a shallow stereotype. It became evident that there was so much more to you than just your good looks, and he couldn't help but curse himself for his past behaviour.

He had needlessly made your life difficult from the moment you joined the company, and he felt a growing sense of remorse.

After the meal, you thanked him once more and wished him a safe trip home, intending to return to the office to finish your work. But his unease intensified as he watched you walk back toward the darkened office alone. He couldn't bear the thought of something happening to you after he had left, and he knew he would never forgive himself.

In an unexpected move, he followed you back to the office, stopping the elevator doors from closing and forcing his way in. You gasped in surprise, staring at him with wide eyes.

He cleared his throat, trying to appear nonchalant despite the racing of his heart, "What kind of a terrible boss would I be to let you work alone so late?" He stammered, "I... I'll help you. That way, you'll finish faster, and we can both go home."

Your heart skipped a beat at his thoughtfulness, a gesture you had never expected from the intimidating Kim Hongjoong.

With a grateful smile, you nodded, realising that beneath the stern exterior you had initially encountered, there was a caring and compassionate side to him that you were only just beginning to discover, "Thank you, Hongjoong. This means a lot to me."

From that day forward, the dynamic between you and Hongjoong shifted dramatically.

The next morning at work, an unexpected sight left all of your colleagues in shock. Hongjoong appeared next to your desk, holding a cup of your favourite coffee and a pack of sandwiches that he had clearly taken notice of you enjoying frequently.

His voice was unusually gentle as he greeted you, saying, "Good morning. Here, don't skip breakfast again."

Your heart fluttered with surprise and gratitude as you stammered out a thank you, bowing slightly, "Morning, Mr. Kim! Gosh, you really didn't have to. But thank you so much."

You could see him trying his hardest to maintain his composure in front of your curious colleagues, who were all gawking at the unexpected display of kindness. With a quick nod, he turned and hurried into his office, his cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

Once he was gone, your colleagues flocked around your desk, eager to hear the story behind this sudden change in Hongjoong's behaviour. They bombarded you with questions, excited to unravel the mystery of why your intimidating superior was now going out of his way to be nice to you.

The office buzzed with curiosity and anticipation, as the dynamics within the workplace continued to shift in surprising and heartwarming ways.

Unbeknownst to you, Hongjoong had been discreetly observing you from the glass window of his office.

A smile spread across his face as he watched you finally enjoy the coffee and sandwich he had gotten for you. It was a simple gesture, but it held a deeper significance for both of you.

In the days that followed, everyone at work noticed the remarkable change in his behaviour toward you. He openly acknowledged your skills and contributions, and the two of you began to develop a professional respect for each other.

Your colleagues teased you relentlessly, speculating that there might be something more to his newfound kindness. They playfully suggested that Kim Hongjoong might have developed feelings for you.

But you would have none of it.

You firmly told them off each time they made such ridiculous claims, asserting that his change in behaviour was simply a result of him realising he had been wrong in his initial judgement of you. While the teasing continued, you remained steadfast in your belief that his actions were motivated by respect rather than romantic interest.

The office atmosphere had shifted from one of tension and prejudice to one of teamwork and support, thanks to the unlikely friendship that had blossomed between you and your superior.

Little did you know that your colleagues' playful theories about Hongjoong's feelings were not as far-fetched as you believed.

Frustration began to creep into his actions as he yearned for you to grasp the deeper meaning behind his gestures. He had become more attentive, consistently leaving breakfast at your desk and offering assistance with your workload, even when you hadn't requested it. These efforts were his way of expressing feelings he had only recently come to understand.

He was left bewildered by the evolution of his emotions.

He couldn't pinpoint when it had started, but his newfound respect and admiration for you had gradually transformed into something more profound and romantic.

As he continued to go out of his way to be a part of your life, he wished for the day when you might see beyond the professional facade and realise that his actions were driven by deeper feelings he was struggling to contain.

But Hongjoong had reached a breaking point.

That's it, I guess I'll just have to be more direct.

He couldn't continue to hide his feelings and yearnings any longer; he needed to be more forward about his intentions. The internal struggle was taking its toll, and he was determined to let you know how he truly felt.

On a day like any other, as he got you breakfast, you thanked him once more for the meal.

Gathering his courage, he decided to seize the moment, even if it meant doing so in front of all your colleagues. He cleared his throat and, with an air of determination, he spoke, "You can thank me by going to dinner with me."

A collective gasp rippled through the office as everyone realised that Hongjoong was finally making a move.

You, stunned by his unexpected proposition, gulped and blinked up at him, your heart pounding loudly in your chest. With a shaky voice, you croaked, "A-are you asking me out on a date?"

He nodded, taking a bold step closer to you.

He knew he was being unprofessional, and normally, he would care deeply about that, but his feelings for you had grown too strong to suppress any longer. At this moment, all that mattered was hearing your response, and he couldn't wait to hear you say yes.

As much as you longed to say yes, you couldn't ignore the weight of potential consequences.

The risk of having an office romance with your superior loomed large in your mind, and you feared the impact it might have on both your personal and professional life. You were torn between your heart's desires and the practicality of the situation.

However, your colleagues, growing impatient with your silence, began chanting insistently, "Say yes! Say yes! Say yes!"

Their encouragement, combined with Hongjoong's pleading gaze, melted your heart. You knew that your happiness in the present moment mattered more than any potential complications, so you finally nodded and said, "Yes."

The office erupted into joyful cheers as his face broke into a radiant smile. He couldn't contain his excitement as he gently took your hand and pressed a tender kiss onto your knuckles.

"Great," He said, his voice filled with genuine happiness, "I'll catch you after work, then."

With a newfound sense of hope and anticipation, you felt that this unexpected turn of events might just be the beginning of something wonderful between you and Hongjoong.

Your first date with him had gone exceptionally well, and as you spent more time together, your connection deepened.

After a few more memorable dates, he finally gathered the courage to ask you to be his girlfriend. You couldn't help but voice your concerns about how the relationship might impact your work dynamics.

He listened attentively and reassured you that he understood your concerns completely. He promised to do his utmost to keep things professional and not let your relationship interfere with your work. Trusting his sincerity and the strength of your connection, you took a leap of faith and agreed to be his.

From that point onward, everyone at work began to playfully thank you for transforming Hongjoong from an intimidating figure into a gentle and approachable one.

It was evident that he had become more friendly and open with all the employees, and the atmosphere in the office began to relax. The newfound harmony made everyone happier to work together, as the once-tense environment transformed into a more welcoming and pleasant one.

His transformation from a scary boss to a sweet and caring boyfriend was nothing short of remarkable. He made every effort to ensure that you felt loved and cherished in every aspect of your relationship.

Each morning, he would pick you up from your home with a warm smile and drive you to work, turning your daily commute into a shared adventure.

In his office, you would both enjoy breakfast together, savouring these precious moments before the workday began. As he walked you to your desk, he would often steal a quick, affectionate kiss when he thought no one was watching, leaving a subtle yet sweet reminder of his feelings.

Throughout the day, he would make sure that you never skipped a meal, even if it meant reminding you to take a break. Whenever the weather turned chilly, he'd drape his blazer over your shoulders, ensuring you stayed warm and comfortable.

One of the most significant changes was his commitment to ensuring you didn't stay late at work anymore. He would whisk you away for dinner, treating you to delicious meals before taking you home. And on nights when he was too tired to go home, he'd sometimes stay at your place.

Hongjoong's sweetness as a boyfriend was a stark contrast to the intimidating figure you had first met.

He had evolved into a caring and attentive partner, demonstrating his love not just in words but also through his thoughtful actions, it made your life more meaningful with each passing day.

"Thank you, Mr. Park. I look forward to our collaboration."

As you shook hands with the client, a polite smile on your face, Hongjoong felt a twinge of frustration. He was so close to winning over Park Seonghwa for the latest project.

Fine, you win this round.

A year had passed since you started dating, and your professional paths had taken an unexpected turn. You had been promoted to his level and were now working in a different division, putting you in direct competition with him at work.

He remembered the days when he used to be your intimidating boss, and the thought of you becoming his professional rival both intrigued and challenged him.

While he couldn't deny his pride in seeing your career flourish, the competitive spirit within him burned brightly, as he prepared himself for the battles that lay ahead in your evolving relationship, both in and out of the office.

That evening as you both settled down in the home you now shared, a mischievous grin spread across your face.

You watched with amusement as Hongjoong grumbled and struggled to remove his tie. He wore a look of mock envy as he tried to get rid of the professional attire that now seemed like a burden.

Unable to contain your laughter at his sulking, you approached him, gently helping him remove the tie, "I'm sorry for stealing your client, Joong. I thought you'd be proud of me." You teased, your eyes sparkling with amusement.

He blinked in surprise before a soft smile spread across his face, and he wrapped his arms around your waist, pulling you closer.

"I'm just playing with you, silly." He said, his voice filled with affection.

"You didn't steal Seonghwa from me. You won him over fair and square with your skills. And I am incredibly proud of you, my love. You continue to prove me wrong about my past stereotypes every day, and I love you so much for it."

Your boyfriend's sweet words had a way of melting your heart, and in that moment, you couldn't resist the overwhelming rush of affection you felt for him, "I love you too, Joong." His arms around your waist made you feel safe and loved, and you leaned in, pressing a soft, tender kiss to his lips.

His lips met yours with a gentle warmth, and the kiss deepened, filled with all the love and passion that had grown between you over the past year. Your arms wound around his neck, pulling him closer as the world faded away, leaving just the two of you lost in the sweetness of the moment.

Time seemed to stand still as you relished the connection, your hearts beating in sync.

If someone had told you a year and a half ago that you and Kim Hongjoong would eventually fall in love, you wouldn't have believed them. But as you held each other in that moment, you couldn't help but marvel at how far you had both come since those days.

And you wouldn't have it any other way.

Lord, this turned out so much longer than I'd planned.

No regrets though, I realised I had to write this after seeing all the recent photos of Hongjoong in Paris. The sight of this man in suits just does things to me. Like, just imagine having him as your boss.🧎🏻‍♀️

This is personally one of my favourites. Hope y'all liked it too! Thank you for reading and as always, do share your thoughts with me! <3

Tag list: @aurasblue @marievllr-abg @itsvxlentine @minghaoslatina

#edenesth #ateez #ateez fanfic #ateez fanfiction #kim hongjoong #ateez hongjoong #office au #hongjoong x reader #hongjoong x you #ateez fic #hongjoong oneshot #ateez oneshot

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tortillamastersblog · 1 year ago

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♕ No Matter What - Part 11 | Lena Luthor ♕

Pairing: Lena Luthor x reader

Warnings: none

Previous Part | Next Part | Masterlist

________________________________________________

Surprising Lena with breakfast was definitely a success. Her eyes lit up when she saw the bagels I got and we ate together at the kitchen island.

She told me about her work plans for the day, but I only listened half heartedly because I kept thinking about last night’s realization.

I think I’m falling in love with you. . .

That thought crosses my mind every time her soft eyes meet mine.

The reminder that’s she’s still my boss however is still present and I’m torn between acting on my feelings and staying professional. Well, partly professionally because we have crossed a line already by cuddling on the couch and sleeping in the same bed.

The rain is currently pelting down outside, the clouds dark and angry-looking, while Lena is typing away at her laptop at the kitchen island.

I’m on the couch, working on my own laptop, but I’m distracted. I keep glancing at Lena and the sharp line of her jaw as she works it, squinting at her screen.

Usually I’d go for a run to work off all this nervous energy, but the weather is too bad and I don’t want to leave Lena alone.

I shift on the couch, feeling restless and try to focus on the task at hand for over half an hour before it just gets too much.

I shut my laptop and place it on the coffee table, getting up and pacing.

I don’t get to do it for long though because Lena soon turns around with a raised eyebrow. “What are you doing?”

I stop and stare at her wide eyed. I knew she was still there, but I was too occupied with my own thoughts to even consider the possibility of her calling me out on my weird behavior.

“I— Uhm— I’m antsy,” I reply awkwardly before adding, “I usually go for a run when I’m felling like this, but. . . you know.” I gesture to my left where rain is streaming down the outside of the windows.

Lena’s eyebrows knit together and she suggests, “You could go to the gym.”

I shake my head and sigh. “No, I don’t want to leave you alone. I mean I could— You know what, never mind.”

“No, come on what is it? What were you going to say?” she questions and it makes my stomach flutter when I think of what I was going to say.

“I was just— I have a pull up bar for my doorframe and there is this one calisthenics workout I’ve been wanting to try, but I don’t want to disturb you while you’re working,” I admit, scratching my neck nervously.

Lena’s ears turn pink and she bites the inside of her cheek. “You mean you want to workout in the living room?” she asks and I nod.

“But, like I said, you’re busy and—“

“No! I-I mean, I don’t mind,” she corrects and now her cheeks are pink as well as she squares some papers in a folder on the island. “I can just put in some headphones.”

I gape at her, but quickly school my features not to show my surprise. “O-Okay.”

Lena smiles bashfully and turns back to her computer while I go to my bedroom to change into a pair of shorts and a black, long-sleeved compression shirt.

I don’t want to wear a regular shirt because I have this unexplainable fear that it will snag on the pull up bar and cause me to either fall or accidentally hang myself.

I grab my bluetooth headphones and connect them to my phone and take the pull up bar from behind the door to install it on the doorframe.

It’s up in a matter of seconds and when I glance in the direction of the kitchen I find Lena with her back turned in my direction, her headphones plugged into her laptop.

I turn on some music and get started with the workout.

In a matter of minutes, I’m panting and sweating and I wipe the sweat off my forehead as I take a short break, leaning against the doorframe.

The workout is harder than expected and is really kicking my ass, but it has managed to take my mind off Lena and my feelings for her which was the ultimate goal.

However, as I’m taking a break I notice how tense Lena is. She still has her back turned to me and her headphones are still in her ear, but her shoulders are rigid and her ears are a fiery red.

I frown and wonder what’s gotten under her skin, but quickly push those thoughts to the back of my mind as I feel recovered enough to continue the workout.

I do pull ups until my muscles are sore before doing some toes to bar. Then I drop to the floor and to push ups before collapsing with a groan. I do that four more times until I can barely move.

I take out my earphones and pause my music, dragging my hands down my sweaty face. I’m thirsty and in desperate need of a shower, so I make my way to the kitchen and grab a bottle of water from the fridge.

Lena is still working but as I take a sip of water I hear a quiet gasp behind me. I turn and catch her eyes rake up and down my body. She’s shamelessly staring but when our eyes meet she quickly looks back at her laptop.

I smile to myself and take another sip of water. “I’m going to shower real quick. Is there anything you need from me right now?“

Lena gulps and keeps her eyes trained on the screen in front of her. “No, I’m alright. Thank you,” she croaks out.

I nod in acknowledgment even though she’s not looking at me and make my way to the bedroom. I grab a change of clothes, some sweatpants and a shirt, before going into the bathroom.

I shower, enjoying the way the hot water makes my muscles relax, and get dressed fairly quickly. My stomach rumbles and I check my phone for the time, realizing that it’s almost time for dinner.

When I return to the main living area, Lena’s no longer at the kitchen island. She’s standing on tip-toes in front of the open fridge.

“Whatcha doin’?” I ask, coming up behind her and looking in the fridge as well.

She looks over her shoulder and smiles nervously when she notices our proximity. “I was thinking we could cook something, but you really don’t have a lot to work with.”

I grimace and mumble, “Yeah, sorry about that,” as she closes the fridge again. “There’s a convenience store right around the corner though. If you want I can head out and get some stuff. What were you thinking of making?”

Lena turns around, trapping herself between me and the fridge. There’s barely any space left between us and when she looks up to meet my eyes I feel my heart racing in my chest.

Her pupils are blown and her lips part ever so slightly, letting out a puff of air that I feel on my chin. “I was thinking of cacio e pepe and some chocolate soufflé for desert.”

I swallow harshly, but not because of the food she just mentioned. “I— That sounds delicious. . .”

Lena hums and her eyes flicker between my own before darting to my lips. I’m frozen to the spot, almost suffocating on the tension between us as she slowly places her hands on my chest. “Mhmm. . . We’ll need eggs, Parmesan cheese, dark chocolate, flour and sugar.”

“I should probably write that down,” I joke quietly without actually making a move to do grab a pen and paper.

Lena huffs in mild amusement, but her eyes stay focused on my own. She lets her hands travel from my chest, over my shoulder and onto my biceps, squeezing softly. “Can I ask you something?”

Mouth dry, I find myself nodding dumbly. My skin tingles where she’s touching me and I can feel the warmth of her hand through my shirt.

“Why don’t you kiss me?” she whispers.

My eyes widen and my jaw drops at her forwardness. “I—I don’t— I didn’t think you— Huh?”

She falters slightly and averts her eyes. “I’m sorry, Y/N. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable. I— Shit. Forget what I just said.”

“No!” I blurt out when she goes to slip away. My hands land on her waist and she gasps, her eyes darting back up. “It’s just— You’re my boss, Lena. I can’t—“

“Then you’re fired.”

My eyebrows shoot up and my grip on her waist tightens involuntarily. “I—What?”

Lena cups my neck and runs her thumbs over my jaw. She studies me intently for a reaction before repeating herself. “You’re fired. I don’t want you to be my bodyguard anymore. I like you and I want you to be just you, and I really want to kiss you.”

That last part comes out in a whisper and my heart feels like it’s about to explode in my chest. “But you can’t fire me. . .”

Oh my God, what is wrong with you, Y/N! Why would you say that?!

“I can resign though,” I amend quickly, mentally patting myself on the back when the coroners of Lena’s lips twitch upward.

“You’d do that?” she asks, insecurity flitting across her face.

I nod adamantly and pull her closer, one of my hands landing on her lower back while the other stays on her waist. We’re now chest to chest and I can feel every contour of her body against mine.

I lean down to make up for the height difference until my nose is barely brushing against hers. “I also really want to kiss you,” I confess in a whisper.

It makes Lena gasp and within the next second, she pulls me into a kiss by the back of my neck. My eyes fly shut and I sink into it as my heart flips in my chest.

Her lips are warm and soft and when she moves them against mine for the first time, I feel my knees weaken.

She pulls me closer, swiping her tongue over my bottom lip and I grant her access with a breathy moan. Her fingers thread through my damp hair at the back of my neck and I push her against the fridge, making her gasp.

My hands roam her back and waist and when I nip at her bottom lip, she digs her nails into my scalp.

It’s messy and we’re soon both panting against each other’s lips.

When the need for air however becomes too much, Lena places a hand on my chest and pushes me back gently.

Her breaths hit my lips and I want to lean back in, but I know I have to let her catch her breath first. She might be sporty, going to spin and yoga classes every now and then, but she doesn’t have the stamina a service in the army will grant you.

I rub my thumbs over her ribs and rest my forehead against hers, allowing myself to fully enjoy the closeness for the first time.

“That was. . .” Lena trails off and huffs a breath of laughter against my face.

I chuckle and finish her though. “Amazing.”

“Yeah,” she whispers and when she opens her eyes they’re glittering with happiness.

I brush the tip of my nose against hers which makes her laugh softly, a sound that is quickly becoming one of my favorites.

One of her hands slides onto my cheek and she traces the corner of my lips with her thumb. Her touch tickles and I turn my head to press a kiss to the pad of her thumb.

She watches with adoring eyes, smiling, and I can’t help but lean forward again to peck her lips a couple of times.

“So, what now?” I ask, but before Lena can answer, my stomach grumbles.

“Dinner?” she suggests playfully and I shake my head with a smile.

“No, I mean about us,” I say, moving back a bit without taking my hands off her waist.

Lena takes a deep breath and places her hands on my chest right as my stomach makes itself known again. “Let’s talk about it over dinner.”

I drop my chin to my chest with an embarrassed smile. “Okay. I’ll head to the convenience store then.“

Lena laughs and extricates herself from my embrace. “Yeah, you do that while I go take a shower. Then we can cook together once you’re back.”

I grab a pen and paper and jot down everything Lena said we will need.

Then I slip on my shoes and throw on a jacket. It’s still pouring outside, so I pull the hood over my head.

Just as I’m about to slip out though, Lena hurries out of the bedroom. “Oh good, you’re still here. Could you also get some pasta? There’s barely any left in your pantry.”

“Sure.” I pat down my pockets to make sure I have my wallet on me. That is when a thought strikes me. “Hey, Lena. Can I ask you something?”

Lena, having already made her way back to the bedroom, turns in the doorway and nods for me to go on.

“Why now?” I ask. “Why did you tell me about your feelings now? Why did you kiss me now?”

Lena’s ears turn bright red and she frowns, embarrassed. “No reason.”

“Riiight.” I smirk and rest a hand on my hip.

She huffs. “It’s just-“ she vaguely gestures at me “you know. . . All those pull ups and push ups—“

I laugh before she can finish her sentence and open the door wider. “Wow. Who would have thought? Lena Luthor is a secret horn-dog.”

“Hey!” she exclaims and I laugh even more. When I notice the mortified look on her face though, I smile reassuringly.

“I’m just kidding,” I say. “Now go shower, I’ll be back in a couple of minutes.”

________________________________________________

Yay! They finally kissed. I hope you guys liked it. Spoiler alert: The next part will be somewhat angsty, so get ready for that I guess. . .

Tag list: @nerethos @orange15quote @nuianced-tck-enby @autorasexy @unexpected-character

#x reader #fluff #dcu #dc universe #lena luthor #lena luthor x reader #supergirl cw

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justheretodump · 8 months ago

Text

this is going to be dc x danny phantom x miraculous ladybug x spiderman

pt 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

for those who aren't familiar with every show, here's a lore explanation

---

when marinette had reached out to cat blanc, her heart bled with conflict. she had been wrong to give adrien the gift, wrong to use her powers for selfish reasons. regret coursed through her veins, sadness clouded her face with tears, and hatred brewed at the man gabriel agreste chose to be. her last visage was that of cat blanc kneeling in pain and her heart hurt for him.

---

peter parker had not survived his encounter with the vulture on the beach. he had enough time to tie the man up but amongst the scattered debris and plane cargo on the sand, he had slowly fallen to one knee, and then the other, before slumping forward with a last breath.

his only thought was that may parker would have dinner alone, and what kind of nephew was he to miss family dinner?

---

red robin did not trust many people. his family and his titans, undoubtedly. in a professional capacity, a few of the justice leaguers and close colleagues like gordon. outside of that, he tended to tread with caution. like every robin before and after, it was hard to refuse batman's particular brand of paranoia. dick had always stood out by sometimes (the key being sometimes) refusing bruce's hardheaded wariness. jason had the emotional intelligence of a pumpkin, though he would cooperate with "untrustwrothy allies" just to spite bruce. it fell on to tim, then, to be a carbon copy of his mentor. c'est la vie, and all that.

when batman received a call from constantine asking for technological help, red robin eyed the comm warily. justice league dark needed every member available due to the recent ghost cases and the australian running off had been bad timing.

"batman," the man's voice was serious and fast-paced in the echo of the cave, "jazz called from illinois, the call cut out, bad signal or something. she was panicking. i need you to try and trace it."

batman hadn't needed to say anything, red robin had already begun to search for all state phone towers emitting a weird signal.

"springfield isn't turning up anything."

"no, no," constantine denied bruskly, "she mentioned another place, amity park. i don't know where the fuck that is, she's never talked about it."

oracle, from her corner of the computer wall, piped in, "jazz fenton was transferred to springfield's house for wandering girls when her family passed away in a house fire in amity park."

"why would she visit her family house after all this time?" batman mused.

"well," barbara continued, "says here the house was passed to her name when she came of age. maybe she finally wanted to check on it."

"she wouldn't just leave," constantine pressed, "she was obsessed with the ghost cases we've got going on."

red robin stopped his typing to read the silenced comm link blaring at the edge of the screen. "batman, we've got zatanna online."

"oracle, patch her through."

while zatanna spoke to oracle through her headset, red robin frowned at the messages on the terminal. signals across the town were poor, barely enough to reach springfield. anything further than that was a miracle connection. citizens would have to direct all communication to springfield before accessing the wider world. red robin tried pingponging the signal to other stronger towers but they were incompatible. his frown deepened. what obscure provider did they contract for the town?

"batman," oracle called, voice steely, "we've got news about arabia.

the pit disappeared."

---

"superman," spoke red robin's voice through his earpiece. clark winced. sudden calls with no warning were the bats' specialty, no matter how disliked it was.

"hello to you too."

"busy in metropolis?"

clark stared from his place in the sky at the traffic jam on the expressway. he shrugged, "no, not really."

"great, i'm sending you coordinates to jazz fenton, she works with the jld. 45 minutes ago her call to constantine cut off. it's the first time she's talked to him in two weeks, gone missing somewhere in illinois."

clark darted through the air, red robin's no-nonsense voice cluing him in on the severity of the situation. he didn't know jazz fenton nor constantine very well, but a fellow hero in need of help was always an important matter.

he zoned in on the blinking dot of his wrist watch - a justice league perk from the bat himself.

"any idea what i'm going to get?"

"not really," red robin drawled, "all we know is she sounded like she was in a panic. the location isn't hers, it's her phone signal before it cut off."

"alright, be there in 5."

---

tucker foley blew a bubble with his gum, letting it pop in boredom as he walked down the sidewalk. it was a sunny weekend afternoon, and the record store had sold out of chappell roan albums already. probably paulina again. he couldn't be too mad, it was probably the lesbian gods favoring an actual lesbian.

the town was a bit more busy than usual. it was thanksgiving week and all the out of state family members were passing by to reunite.

nobody in the hustle of the square really stood out; there went the baxters arguing about how many potatotes were needed for dinner, and mr. lancer with his new partner (a boston dentist, mrs. babette had whispered over the grocery aisle last week).

pulling out his phone, he dialed sam. they were meeting later tonight, but tucker felt it was important to pass on that the dentist was wearing gothic clothing.

just as sam muttered a clipped "what do you want?" from the receiver, two very strange things happened before tucker foley.

one, a weird object whizzed through the air, too fast for the naked eye to fully figure out. tucker thought it was superman, which would've been pretty cool, but it was probably a fighter jet from the nearby base. they'd never taken their jets out before, but what did tucker know about military operations?

secondly, and perhaps the most important one, was a flash of ginger hair out of the corner of his eye. he turned to look, and the figure hurrying down the street made his breath catch. distant memories of a boy's laughter rang in his head as he watched jazz fenton, older and looking harried, basically speedwalk with her phone in hand.

he choked as he swallowed his gum.

"sam," he whispered, the girl replying with a worried "tucker?"

"sam, i think i just saw jasmine fenton."

#dc x dp #dc x dp crossover #dp x dc #dp x dc crossover #miraculous ladybug au #peter parker in gotham #batman #dc #danny phantom

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