#practicing my introduction for my job interviews

[stew-chan]

hi my name is stewchan I'm transgender my hobbies are injecting estrogen using the bathroom and winning first place in all sports nice to meet you all

[sweetsaladpainterranch]

An Indecent Proposal

***

You had shown up to the Hazbin Hotel as a party of two, having been 2 months pregnant when you were killed. You resembled most of your human features except for a pair of tall velvet ears and a small tail that has a mind of its own. You were a deer demon which made you constantly cautious about everything and anyone that happened to cross your path. Especially so now as you knew that both the freakin Princess of Hell and The Radio Demon resided at this hotel, but you had seen the tv interview a few weeks before and it made you think that maybe she was different. Having only been in Hell about a month beforehand, your constant nausea had kept you from even attempting to brave the outside of the tiny box apartment you lucked into.

Thus, here you were, knocking on the giant ornate front door and listening to the incoming stampede, you nearly backtracked down the entrance steps. However, before you could decide to bolt, a blonde whirlwind swept you inside and into the bright lobby harboring a circle of demons already. Once the introductions had been made, you took off the large overcoat you had been wearing and were met by shocked expressions.

"Oh", you tried to explain, "yeah, apparently when you're pregnant in Hell you get terrible cold flashes. Ironic right?" Also, you needed to conceal your condition from any freak who might see you as a two-for-one meal.

The only response you received was the continued open-mouthed and wide-eyed looks from your new house (hotel?) mates until Charlie finally piped up.

"It's already so late. Why don't we take care of the tour and paperwork tomorrow so if you follow-"

"How in the underworld did a sinner get pregnant??!", Angel practically knocked Charlie over as he burst towards you in a frenzy of questions about your pregnancy and recent death. It was pretty obvious after your fall into Hell that reproducing only worked for Hellborn kind. (Usually).

You sat heavily on one of the lobby couches and rubbed your aching, swollen feet as you began your backstory.

Your previous life wasn't as exciting as being a slick thief or an edgy serial killer but you enjoyed your job as a maid for a beautiful estate in the countryside of Savannah, Georgia. At least until you caught the eye of the mansion's owner and were immediately (threatened) convinced to become his side chick for the next few months while the lady of the house was away in Atlanta. As if that wasn't enough of a stereotype, a maid doing her flipping boss, you were soon knocked up and surprise surprise no one was particularly excited.

"You naughty pixie!", Angel interrupted, "My kind of girl." He smiled widely at you with a wink but Vaggie slapped him on the back of the head and encouraged you to continue.

You explained that your boss was highly expectant of abortion, but you were not going to give up the only piece of blood-related family you'd ever known. However, when you said as much as your boss' wife strode into the conversation and (guilted) invited you on a walk through the nearby willow grove. Oh boy...you had a terrible feeling but it was the 21st century, so the worst that was coming was a few insults about your promiscuity and being fired.

Turns out your gut was on point. Not even a mile into the woods you heard a pistol's slide snap back and you only had time to catch the sneer on that bitch's face before you took off. But you were never good with coordination so you fell almost immediately. Dammit! Luckily, the rich mess also had on incredibly inappropriate heels for hiking through the countryside. Which came in handy when she stood over you and began to, honest to Lucifer, monologue and you took the chance to kick her right in the old southern starfish. She fell and tripped herself, right over the side of the tall hill she had lured you to. What wasn't so lucky was that she still had that fucking gun, which decided to go off right when she whacked her head on a tree. You were shot through the heart (yes like the stupid song) and spent your last moments clutching your belly and sobbing how sorry you were that you couldn't protect your baby.

***

The room was silent for a long moment as the gang mirrored each other's teary gazes and only then did you notice a slight and growing, static feeling in the air. After a while, Charlie spoke through her sniffles, "YOU POOR THING!! Vaggie Quick!" (Sob Sob) "We gotta give her the most comfy room we have!" Nodding, Vaggie scrambled for your suitcase and Husk for your bag while everyone else practically tried to crowd-surf you up the stairs while continuing to cry and whimper soothing affirmations.

However, the sudden elevation and excitement triggered your nausea, which forced you to begin looking around for a bathroom while gently prying the guiding hands off of you. God, can someone turn down that radio? The static is becoming irritating. They didn't seem to catch your ears pin back in discomfort or the flush traveling up your neck and you began to fold in on yourself reflexively as the urge to puke became overwhelming.

Fuck! You're about to vomit in front of strangers. How embarrassing.

But before your knees hit the tile of the lobby, you were swallowed by darkness(?) and found yourself in a large, red bathroom on a very plush bathmat. And then the nausea demanded your attention once more and you fully lost your stomach contents into the, blessedly, close toilet. After a moment you needed time to catch your breath and collect yourself before figuring out just where the Hell you were. Suddenly a large hand landed on your back and very gently smoothed out the wrinkles in your sweater as static once again tickled your senses.

Your protective deer instincts kicked in immediately and you tried to spring to your feet but, instead, wobbled over and nearly face-planted into the sink.

"Easy there, darling.", a static yet gentle, male voice cautioned as you were steadied against its owner and took notice of an earthy scent wafting from him.

You jerked your head up as your ears pinned back on instinct and nearly fainted on the spot at the realization that you were so close to the one and only Radio Demon. Oh fuck oh fuck oh fuck!

He was wearing a wide smile and a red suit (almost as sharp as his smile) that matched the red of his hair and watchful eyes. The same large hand rose to try and cup your cheek but froze when you let out a small panicked bleat. He seemed to take a hint and stepped away from you before pointing towards the open door behind you, which you backed your way towards.

You were nearly out when you felt the familiar cramping sensation within your stomach and lost your footing once again. And just like the last time, the red demon caught you easily and the princess carried you out into what looked like a large study. More of his earthy musk caught your attention as he carefully placed you onto a plush chair in front of the fireplace. Relaxation began to take the place of the fear you felt in the wake of his smell and the warm seat. "Who are you?", you finally asked.

He smiled a bit more naturally and answered as he took the chair next to yours, "Alastor, my dear! It's quite a pleasure to meet a fellow deer demon and a lovely doe at that!".

He offered you a cup of tea, "To settle your stomach, darling.", and you wondered if this was really the big bad Radio Demon. He chuckled at the blush crossing your face and continued, "Forgive my sudden actions but I felt that you were becoming a bit overwhelmed by my compatriots and brought you somewhere quieter."

He gestured around the homey room with pride, "I don't usually allow others here but I have a special place in my heart for a doe in distress." He placed a hand on your knees and you leaned further forward to capture more of his relaxing scent. If you could make a candle out of it you definitely would. His eyebrow arched upward knowingly at your small smile to yourself and he withdrew his hand.

"I quite enjoy your scent as well, dear. Though I wonder if it'll change once you have your fawn."

The mention of your baby sobered you up from the haze, "Why? I've never been so relaxed by anyone's smell before. Yours is almost like taking a sleeping pill and I don't understand why I'm suddenly so affected by yours."

Alastor chuckled a bit before answering, "It's pure instinct, my dear. There aren't many deer demons in Hell so I'm not surprised if I'm probably the first you've come across. As an expecting doe, your body and mind crave a male for both protection and to relieve certain complications during pregnancy.", his voice dipped into a low volume at his last remark, "I'm also assuming that you came here to seek refuge for a safe birth,.but I wouldn't be shocked if your instincts told you to come find me as well."

"I- wait what?? No, I saw Charlie's commercial and thought it'd be safe here."

"Safe?", Alastor laughed darkly, "Everyone knows that this is my territory and my presence alone nearly made you faint. Yet you say you came here, to the very home of the Radio Demon, because you thought it'd be safe?"

"Well, I had heard that you'd be here but-", you stuttered to a halt in your thoughts as another wave of irritating cramps crept through your abdomen. You wished he would lean closer so his scent could relax you again.

"Not to worry, my darling. I surmise that the doe within you drove you to seek out a strong buck to finally relax enough to begin nesting in safety. The protective environment of the hotel is merely an additional bonus." He laughed again as he took your hand in his and you could once again bathe in the smell of fresh nature.

You sat back once the cramps, which were suddenly coming on in closer increments, began to subside and you thought about his theory. You had only possessed animalistic qualities for a few months but you were certain that you weren't under such strong inner control from them. Another cramp spread over your stomach and you let out a frustrated huff that received an amused chuckle from Alastor.

"Do you know why I'm having these weird cramps?", you asked dryly because his smug face said he was waiting for you to ask.

"Indeed I do!", he smiled, "You see now that you have found a buck, your body can begin to calm down and focus on the child instead of stressing about its environment." He placed a hand on his puffed-out chest like a knight in shining armor.

"Okay and?"

"A deer's gestational period is only about 7 months, which means that your body needs to expand more rapidly than a human's would. So, those small pains are simply your womb growing but they will even put as long as you are around me."

"How do you know this? There are not exactly any OBGYN offices down here." You should know since you had hoofed it all over Pentagram City to check in on your baby.

"I've been around deer since my early days above ground, though you are certainly the first pregnant sinner demon I've ever encountered. Very unusual."

"So I've gathered.", you answer. Still holding your lower stomach, which was just big enough to make your pregnancy known. "You said that a male deer could help with complications during pregnancy? Does that include these growing pains because they're getting worse."

Alastor once again withdrew himself slightly from you with a static-filled, heavy sigh and looked towards the green flames of the fireplace. His grin tightened and his grip on the chair's armrests made the wood groan as he seemed to need a moment to collect his thoughts.

You waited as your anxiety began to grow once more, which seemed to draw his attention because he turned to you with a soft gaze. "Yes, I can help with them.", he said slowly as if this conversation pained him, "but in a natural sort of way. Not with pills or any useless confection like that." He had gotten up pace in front of the fire while he continued, "Even without that coat, I could smell a mate-less, pregnant female immediately and I'm sure you could notice me as well because cervids can connect more easily through the senses."

He swallowed loudly, clearly uncomfortable.

"Alastor?", you asked hesitantly, "What are you trying to say?" He stopped in front of you suddenly and stared straight into your face, "Just like a relaxing hormone is released within a doe when she smells a strong buck; another stronger hormone is released when the male gives her an orgasm."

The room went silent and you were suddenly aware of a dull ache within your body that has been growing since you met Alastor. You were pretty sure that your whole face was as red as a cherry tomato and you looked away. Neither of you spoke for a while and you both looked away from each other in the uncomfortable silence. Until another more harsh cramp racked through you and you let out a small sigh at the discomfort which made Alastor step towards you with a clear of his throat.

"Listen dear, I have no plans of forcing myself onto you but unless you leave my vicinity, your body will continue to react to my presence here as it acclimates itself.", he knelt in front of you and moved your face to look at him, "If I'm honest, I'm not usually willing with such things but it seems that I cannot escape the reaction my body is having to yours either." Your breath caught in your chest and your blush was now definitely spreading down your body. His touch was nearly electric and his voice was so soothing that you couldn't believe you were ever afraid of this man.

But you needed clarification, "What exactly are you offering?"

"I heard your story downstairs from the shadows and I promise to find that bastard and make him a guest on my radio show. Though, I know of an influential man taking advantage of a young woman and, then, casting her away when the consequences come calling." Alastor spoke with such intensity that you were taken aback and wondered who important to him was done as you had been. "I can also respect the strength of a mother who fought for her child till her last breath despite the odds.", he genuinely smiled again as he seemed lost in thought for a moment.

***

Alastor hadn't lied when he said that he had smelled you as soon as you entered the hotel and he was almost pulled towards your sweet, airy scent. As he listened to your pitiful story from his shadow behind your chair, he quickly noticed that you also expelled a flowery yet slightly acidic smell as well. His entire body tensed with a flair of static as his instincts told him that was an unborn fawn he was smelling. He immediately sent his shadow to retrieve you once he saw that you were overwhelmed by the excitement of the others.

You were so small, your belly barely showing, as you tried (and failed) to get away from him in your panic. When you let out such an adorable little bleat of fear, he thought he'd propose there and then. Propose?! The thought nearly knocked him off his feet as he poured you a cup of tea as an excuse to sit down. Well, he supposed that it was a reasonable reaction since he didn't perceive another's scent marking on you and you're body was clearly tightly stressed from the lack of a mate's aid.

And fuck, your sweetly acidic aroma was beginning to become overwhelming as his throat started to tighten and a weight settled on his lower abdomen. He doesn't remember the last time he had gotten so worked up over a female. How long has it been since he's seen a doe demon in Hell? Maybe 2 decades? The cramps would only increase and become more aggressive if something wasn't done. He remembered, from his life, pregnant does roaming that starved to death because their mates had been killed and they couldn't fend for themselves during their growing pains.

And you reminded him so much of his dear mother. She, too, had been caught in the web of a rich pervert and left to fend for herself and her unborn son, but she also resolved to make it on her own. With her own truly humbling strength and determination that he saw echos of in your eyes.

Yes, you were lovely and he wasn't going to let you face this alone, though he was sure you could. And it wouldn't be so bad to have a woman's touch around his life.

***

"Alastor?", you called his name again and his ears perked up before his eyes returned to yours.

He took in a long breathe and began, "I'm trying to make a proposal, darling. Become my mate and in turn, I will see to it that you and your fawn have everything that you could ever want.", he materialized a black ring with a beautiful red stone laid within it and red antlers sprouted over the ring's circumference.

You were absolutely dumbfounded. You had just met this man, yet he wanted to be mates like that? "W-what?! What are you saying, Alastor? You would mate with an already pregnant woman and raise another man's baby? Why?!" You couldn't get your mind wrapped around the proposal at all. That's just not what your experience with men lined up with, no.

Alastor still had on his bright smile and continued to hold out his ring that would seal the deal, "My dear, you have no idea how you have affected me in just the small amount of time you've been here. You are strong and magnificent.", he cupped your face with his free hand, "and I will admit that I don't usually find myself having such feelings for anyone but it would be the mistake of both my lifetimes if I did not see that you are both mine."

***

I had the idea of how a pregnant doe would respond to Alastor a while ago and wanted to feel it out so when better to do that than when stuck in bed, sick from covid lol

I'm on pretty heavy cold medicine so if it doesn't read well we can blame the meds lol 😆

[spitdrunken]

i keep thinking about essentially being like. velvette's 'charity case' model and how your relationship develops from there.

notes: fem!reader, velvette calls you ugly LMAO, beyond that... no warnings, really. surprisingly the most healthy vee relationship ive written yet!

velvette's typical models all look similar, reminiscent of the modeling industry back when you were alive. tall, skinny and, more important than anything else, human-looking. most of them could pass for humans in a costume.

you… do not. you just didn't get quite that lucky with your demon form! really, you can say that the vast majority of people drew the short end of the stick, at least by the kind of standards that people like velvette set. maybe you're a bat, with a snout you've deemed as pig-like taking up most of your face. or a sheep, your single-slitted, dead eyes making even you uncomfortable. perhaps you're more formed after an object than what you would consider a person, or plant-like in nature! in any regards, due to the way lucifer chose to have you reborn you firmly do not fall within hell's beauty standards.

all of that means you were absolutely not expecting to be accepted when you went ahead and applied to a job with someone as famous and perfectionistic as velvette. it had started as a joke, really. you'd posted a purposefully horrible picture of yourself on vitter, with a stupid caption like; "do u think that :skull::heart: would kill me for submitting to open casting looking like this lmaooooo" (you have to use emojis to talk about the vees, as the socials owned by them are notorious for taking anything remotely negative down.)

and unexpectedly, your post randomly did some pretty big numbers, with people egging you on and some practically begging to tell you what kind of insults she would sling at your head. you saw some people copying your original as well.

so you're like! whatever!!! you don't think that you'd even get through the application process, much less velvette herself. nothing will end up happening, so, who cares? but then, somehow, despite everyone and their mom wanting to model for velvette, you get… through? and you even get an interview scheduled with velvette herself?

she takes one look at you as you walk in, and just goes: oh my god. this really is grim. and you're hardly seated, before she continues. look, i don't have the time for niceties, and introductions are entirely unnecessary. i'm sure you already know this, but you're not here because of your looks.

yeah. you figured that. …i guessed so. but i'm still sitting here. so, why?

instead of getting a real answer, you're shuffled off into a shoot, different outfits flashing on top of your body, faster than you blink, velvette's face settled into a scowl, till it suddenly lights up. it doesn't go… super well, you've never really done this and, if you had, velvette's attitude surely wouldn't help. you never really get clarity as to why you're being hired, when a contract is shoved in front of you.

(the reality of the situation is that velvette had seen you trending, not trending-trending, but still a noticable. she realised the demand for someone like you, a 'relatable' every-demon being thrust into this new world, and documenting it online. her company can claim they accept 'all kinds of demons', and some poor suckers will feel less excluded when looking at her fashion, buying it more quickly. win-win-win!)

she tells you to you're face that you're the ultimate challenge. if she can fix someone like you up to in a half-decent model, it just shows that she really is a fucking goddess. maybe you're not as pretty or as used to everything as the rest of the models, but that doesn't mean you don't put in any effort now that you're there. the other girls won't associate with you whatsoever, but you do listen in on their conversations, pretending to mess around on your phone, coming to know the kind of make-up velvette likes. you tirelessly browse online, mostly on vikvok and vitter, figuring out the current trends. and after a while, velvette takes a look at an outfit you picked, and actually says…

this is pretty decent. it won't look good on you, but i can use this. maybe, somewhere along the way, you become more of an assistant or outfit suggestor for velvette, only occasionally stopping in for shoots. velvette never accepted anyone in a similar position to you, even though vox tried her to get an assistant for ages, and she wouldn't have accepted you either if you'd obviously being vying for the position. but you weren't, and your position just kind of naturally developed that way.

your shtick as a 'charity case' has somewhat been abandoned, though velvette still dumps clothes in your arms sometimes and tells you to try them on. maybe you're one of the few people who gets her to laugh, and the only one who she freely bitches to about all of her models. (she does this to vox and valentino too, but it's not the same. they don't care as much, nor do they really know who she's talking about.) she lets you sort through some of the open casting applications and help pick out the theme for a shoot.

of course, absolutely everything you do has to go through velvette first, and she still criticizes you aplenty, but you can't help but feel she has grown… fond of you, in a sense? sometimes, you swear you see her wearing outfits you'd picked out for another model… and while she shittalks everything that moves, you just happened to listen in on her giving a model a tonguelashing for talking bad about you. either way, you've certainly come to like her a lot more. you're now even mutuals on vitter and vikvok! much to the delight of the tiny following you'd grown on there. she even posted a picture of the two of you on there! …that means you've really made it.

maybe at some point, when her company has hit a new milestone and, in a rare slip-up (or perhaps valentino gave her a super strong drink on purpose, thinking its funny) she gets pretty drunk. you end up sitting opposite of each other in a bar, with her having decided on the spot to put some make-up on you, leaning in close to check her work, fingers gliding slowly over your skin. a situation that feels entirely too intimate for this setting, not helped by the half-lidded look in your eyes. …i have changed my mind. she mumbles, slurring her words are little. you can look pretty, after all.

you sputter out a oh really, and you only realised that now?! in order to break the heaviness of the air, the unspoken tension that makes your heart skip a beat, and velvette laughs.

(maybe there's hope for the two of you yet.)

[benevadeca]

Getting into SVSSS in an 'only cares abt OG!SJ' way and it's getting to the point of madness where i concoct a defense attorney AU where the primary plot is them getting SJ's help to fight the court case of the millenia: Tianlang Jun VS The (cultivation) World

half wanting to abide by this tumblr post's thesis on detectives / half want to do a vague bg of them being in a small sect and being disillusioned by the handling of things wuxia defected cop detective style / half want to just have the punchline be that it's JJ Falcon from Aviary Attorney who isekai-ed into human fantasy china and has no idea what's going on.

Anyway rogue cultivator obv bc it gives them the jurisdiction to be the wuxia equiv of a random detective that pops out of the woodwork / the desperation to need jobs to survive that preferably do not make them (but in practical reality often do) risk their life / enrichment of landing in any random fuckass town and going y'all got a mystery in here?

Introduction is case fic #1 researching a human trafficking case that ends up involving a demonic cultivator and demon children also being victims. Either falling into the orbit of SJ who is on the same case and they work together on it time-is-of-the-essence-style OR colliding at the climax of it and getting in his way bleeding heart 'the demon isn't involved and is actually a kid also' and he reluctantly is like ok fine whatever as long as it doesn't become my problem.

And after he's like well that was an insufferable idiot i just met. Good thing they're so stupid they'll get themself killed sooner or later and never bother me again

(time skip)

bothers him again

arc: TLJ vs the (cultivation) world. somehow falls into investigating that old shit show and is like hmmmmm.

needs support from someone from a major non-HH sect who could be sympathetic to demons/reasonable/could be convinced releasing the demon lord and acquitting him of his crimes is the rational thing to do instead of waiting for him to break out

SJ isn't rly any of those things but he is A. a life-long "the worst thing that could happen will happen" fatalizer and minimizing TLJ's anger at CQ's involvement in his imprisonment is important and it's the perfect role to ALSO throw the rest of the sects under the bus about it if need be // B. being involved if this whole thing is a lesson in futility that he can cut off at the root if it seems dangerous to CQ // C. genuine nosy bitch interest in what this insane and yet highly thoughtful guy who believes in 'due process' and 'innocent until proven guilty' and 'restorative justice' and whatever is interesting and his life as peak lord (CEO of children he hates with co-workers he hates) is sucky enough he's like OK fine i could use the intellectual stimulation.

OC attempting to find someone who checks all the above boxes and doing BG research and SJ is the most reasonable CQ person of power actually bc of the brothel allegations. BC tbh most big-sect cultivators are pretty high and mighty and aren't even willing to really engage with the 'lesser' of society / basic deduction of just being willing to go to the WRP and be like hi quarstion abt peak lord shen. is he like, chill? oh you respect the privacy of your patrons and seem actually weirdly protective? ok i can work with this.

Actively accosts him there and is like hi i'm a fan of your work in [specialty field he's probably written an academic article in] and wanted your assistance with [mid-tier case vaguely related that i can use as a recruitment interview], minor mini case where they talk around each other death note style but more in a SJ usual paranoia around strangers / OC autistically make him think in death note circles.

Simple case that unintentionally unlocks a deeper conspiracy that takes longer and they have to actually lock in abt it and SJ slightly like a millimeter lets his guard down by the end in a 'well they're competent and almost fine ig' way until OC drops the hi i commissioned you here under false pretenses and he's like fuck this guy actually.

OC pitches to SJ and he's like no. Before being like actually red flags this person isn't chill and somehow hasn't gotten shanked in an alley yet from chronic naivety and if this becomes a Thing he has to deal with later he's setting something on fire.

SJ has (reluctantly) joined your party!

SJ: OK what is your plan to investigate this

OC: well i figured since your sect helped in the initial subjugation they'd know about the wards on the mt. can you get me in to talk to him?

SJ:

SJ somehow reluctantly gets swayed into the first plan of attack being to actually talk to TLJ. by breaking into a heavily fortified magic prison. they have some 'isnt this illegal aren't you a law guy' 'well im on the side of the people mainly' and in the process SJ gains very very reluctant tangible respect instead of just being baffled at the audacity of every prior thing he's bore witness to them doing.

Filler abt SJ doing his own bg research on the subjugation since he wasn't directly involved like YQY was. Insert maybe vague worldbuilding on the cultivation vs mortal vs demon world divide // the beginning of the domino chain effect of finding out abt Xuan Su occurs. But in a 'i have a job RN and i don't have time for mulling over my trauma codependent childhood traitor' kind of way.

Scouting TLJ's prison and coming across ZZL, vague buddy cop bonding and worldview. Immovable Object "suffering is inevitable and unavoidable and character building bc if it wasn't i couldn't rationalize my trauma" SJ vs "human actors can consciously choose mercy and compassion towards others and a society build on inequality and vengeance is cringe actually" unstoppable force of the themes and plot OC. SJ stop being politically apathetic fail class traitor and start becoming a medieval class warfare advocate. ZZL is also here and mostly just confused.

Cross examination of ZZL > meeting TLJ > initial comedy of any TLJ interaction and disbelief at what's happening > Cross examination of TLJ > comparing the public narrative VS TLJ's account

But anyway OFC it's early enough that LBH's adoptive mom lives/at least gets help for her preventable medical issues. Maybe SJ has a POV moment that showcases his character growth in a 'i want to absolutely punt this kid out a window and yet im too busy having a crisis abt the tangible positive effect i'm learning i can have on the world.' and does not in fact punt a child. #Growth

Crux of the mystery ofc is: what happened to Su Xiyan / what were the HH palace master's motivations and what was he trying to accomplish if TLJ can be trusted. Splitting the team to look into rumors on both. Also eventually finding LBH but IDK where exactly that fits into the investigative portion.

Also somewhere during this SJ also making a cover story abt why he's been going out so much and hanging out with this rogue cultivator. IDK maybe they did some whistleblower shit or wrote a legal manifesto that was highly censored and is being hunted by mortal governments for their 'the mandate of heaven can come fight me if it's so real' claims and SJ is like this is the fool i'm giving asylum to/faking the identity of bc they're vaguely competent. Except only YQY is given that first bit of information and neglected shelter dog just sighs and lets it happen but no one else knows abt that so this random stranger is just highly suspicious and the inevitable unfounded and unreasonable rumor mill does what it does. Actual rumor content does not matter it's whatever is funniest.

Part of this backstory also means they're wasting time mystery side-questing it up scooby doo mystery incorporated style. This small town TLJ told us he frequented that we went to get character witness accounts about is suffering from a paranormal drought while the magistrate of the larger trading town nearby has a luxurious garden estate unaffected by it! this borderlands outpost has been experiencing increased and out-of-season raids on their farmland by wildlife and the black market has an influx of rare and unusual products from the demon realm? etc.

Eventually finding concrete evidence that puts the palace master's claims from 'reasonable doubt' to 'actively contradicted by the facts' area and they finally provide their investigation evidence presentation to YQY and manhandle him into PR lying to the rest of the peak lords that this was a totally secret investigation he assigned to SJ and uhhh this other guy. And that it was totally fully sanctioned by him and we need a united front against the other sects right guys? Right guys?? to the variable reaction of the rest of the PLs. and if it's airplane!SQH then he's also here having a minor panic attack like WHY ARE WE CHANGING GENRE INTO ACE ATTORNEY. this is a work founded on plot holes and easily resolvable misunderstandings! a world founded on biases, hearsay, and self-righteous cult-like divisiveness!! people aren't supposed to second guess their preconceptions!!

Confrontation w HH and the actual legal court of battle climax.

Xuan Su is not resolved within the mainline but maybe a sequel of OC being like a transient but now official assistant CQ calls on for legal bullshit. Scene in my mind of them giving a mock (inaccurate bc it's my own knowledge) psychology character assessment workshop and SJ is not there so they're like OK an easy one let's start with something simple and work up. Tell me 3 tangible facts you know about your fellow PL SQQ and from those define in 3 traits his character. and everyone realizes they don't know fuck all abt jackshit actually and the group has a collective through-clenched-teeth Hmmmm moment.

Additional story sequel of OC like hey SJ someone told me to look into this old case and find someone maybe you can help? I'm working with some really old, subjective, assumptive information that contradicts itself and SJ is like sure what is it and it's Qui Haitang asking them to track down the slave that killed her family and SJ has a full trauma moment until the OC is like well f to the girl and im ofc sympathetic but first slavery should be illegal and while this girl deserves closure i don't wanna ruin some guys life abt it even if he is guilty and also kind of based for a teenager to do what is being claimed they did and SJ is like what and OC is like what.

[mermaidgirl30]

✨Just Breathe: The Dinosaur Diaries✨

✨Part 1: Introductions✨

Series Masterlist

A/N: One of my favorite things is writing about the first time Joel and reader meet, so this is how their story starts off 💚

Chapter Summary: It’s your first day at Sauros Corporation as a research assistant, but what you don’t know is you’ll be working under one of the hottest paleontologists that you’ve ever laid eyes on. Can you keep your wits about yourself, or will you fall fast for your smooth talking boss?

Pairing: paleontologist! Joel x fem researcher! reader

Word Count: 3k

Rating: 18+

Chapter Tags: Reader starts her first day as a research assistant, feelings, Joel being a casual flirt, Joel in a lab coat and glasses, mentions of Jurassic Park, allusions to smut, eventual smut, Joel is so broad, Jurassic Park au, science terminology I had to look up

Dividers by @saradika-graphics

Your palms sweat as you enter the intimidating glass building of Sauros Corporation. One of the biggest, most well known science businesses that specializes in paleontology. What you got your master’s in. You strive to continue on to get your PhD, but first you need to get a little work experience. So that’s why you’re here in this massive corporation that might just eat you alive. 

   Your black heels click against the polished white tile as fluorescent lights reflect off the cascading glass windows. You pull at your pressed pink dress and flex your fingers around the soft cotton as nerves rush down your body. Today was the most important day of your life. A gateway to your future, your dream job that you’ve wanted for your entire life. This was it. It was finally here. 

   When you walk up to the pearlescent marble front counter, a bubbly blonde girl smiles and stands from her office chair. “Hi there. How can I help you?”

   You show her your work ID badge that you had gotten in orientation and respond, “This is my first day here. I’m here for…”

   Her eyes brighten the moment she sees your name on the shiny badge. “Oh! You’re the new research assistant. Doctor Miller has been so eager to meet you! Your interviewer, Kylie, couldn’t stop talking about you to him. He’s already spoken so highly of you. He looked at your resume and everything,” she gushes as she comes around the bright desk and smoothes her pencil skirt down. 

   “He’s talked about me? Who is Doctor Miller?” you ask as you knit your eyebrows together and step back as she passes in front of you. You knew of Doctor Kepler, who you thought you’d be working under. But Doctor Miller? You never heard of him before, at least you don’t think.

   “He’s who you’ll be working under,” she smiles warmly as she nods her head and signals for you to follow behind as her blonde hair bounces down her shoulders. “He’s our best scientist in the department, I’m sure you’ll love him.”

   “How long has he been working here?” you ask as you pass through the lavish halls that are covered in glass framed pictures of dinosaur bones and biology cells. 

   “Over five years, he’s the best of the best. If you want to be a great scientist then he’s the perfect one to practice under. And you’re so lucky,” she beams as she looks back at you with big crimson lips.

   “Why’s that?” you laugh as the click of heels echo down the lit up halls.

   “Because,” she stops before entering the pad locked doors where only authorized personnel can get through, “he’s ridiculously good looking, but don’t tell him I said that.” She winks at you before turning to the glowing padlock.

   Just what were you getting yourself into? Doctor Miller? Was he really all she talked him up to be? And was he really impressed by your resume and talks of your interview? Guess you’d find out. 

   She scans her badge and with a click of the door, they part open as she pushes herself through the strong metal doors. Your eyes scan over the expansive lab as your breath hitches in your throat. The lab is absolutely enormous. Colorful test tubes fill various racks on the metal shelves along the cream colored walls. Microscopes line the tables that fill the center of the room. Petri dishes with different organisms in them sit in glass refrigerators, sturdy dinosaur bones sit displayed in glass cases, and expensive scientific materials cover the room. It’s all intimidating as you step through your new work space. 

   “Right over here,” she smiles as she leads you to the middle of the room where two men stand around a fluorescence microscope. 

   Your eyes peel over the tall man that adjusts the lense while he talks confidently to his coworker. You listen as his deep voice carries through the room. “There we go. Think I got it just right this time. The edges are perfect, can actually see the cementum where those tiny black dots are. Fascinatin’,” he says in awe as he adjusts the microscope lense again to get a better look. 

   You study the man in front of you, watching the way his broad shoulders shift everytime he moves his arms. The white lab coat seems to cling to large muscles. He’s so very large and tall, very tall. Standing just above six feet. And his hands. Big, thick hands of a paleontologist for sure. 

   Just when you start to get lost in his words, the girl who had brought you back into the room interrupts their conversation. She clears her voice and steps forward as platinum blonde hair swishes behind her shoulders. “Doctor Miller? Sorry to interrupt, but there’s someone here to meet you.”

   He turns quickly and adjusts his thick, rimmed glasses against his curved nose and smiles gently. You suck in a breath when you see his face, his smile, his eyes. He’s so gorgeous that you think you might fall over and knock a bunch of expensive lab equipment over. 

   He has the most beautiful chocolate brown eyes that you’ve ever seen before. His hair is tousled, curls spilling onto his forehead, dark brown with strings of grey twisting around each strand. His facial hair looks soft to the touch, salt-and-pepper scruff patching along his sharp jawline. And his smile. God, his smile. It’s so gentle and bright that it lights a fire inside your core. And he’s so broad. Strong muscles pulling against the white lab coat that clings to tanned skin. He’s the hottest scientist you’ve ever seen in your life, and you’re working under him?!

   “Oh, you must be my new research assistant, yeah?” he asks as he smiles gently and says your name, pushing himself off the metal table as he starts making his way over to you. You feel like you’re about to topple over at any moment. 

   “That’s me,” you say shyly as you push a lock of hair behind your ear, a nervous habit you wish you wouldn’t do. 

   “Well, so nice to meet you,” he drawls, a Southern accent that rings through your ears like a sweet melody that was made just for you. He sticks his arm out and opens his palm for you to take. You automatically reach out to shake his hand, your own hand shaking as you’re completely intimidated by the hot scientist that stands in front of you. 

   When he clasps his fingers over yours and squeezes, you gulp as you look up into beautiful honey glazed eyes. Eyes that you could wade in and get lost in. His hands are so big, calloused fingers grazing against yours as you feel nerves pulling at every fiber in your body. He probably does a lot with those hands. Hands of an experienced, successful, gorgeous paleontologist. 

   “It’s nice to meet you, too, Doctor Miller,” you say in a daze.

   “Jus’ Joel is fine. You don’t have to call me Doctor Miller, unless you want to,” he mutters softly. 

   “Oh okay, Joel…” you answer barely above a whisper, your palm sweating from how close he is. 

   He lets his hand linger in yours for a few seconds too long, and you swear he’s staring deep into your eyes as you see the glint of a sparkle flash in the flecks of light brown. When he releases his grip, he runs a hand slowly through his tousled, thick curls and just for that moment you wonder what it’d be like to be underneath his large body, running your own fingers through messy, soft curls…

   “I took a look at your resume the other day. I was quite impressed by what I saw.”

   Your eyes go a little wide at what he just said. “Impressed? Of me?” you ask, floored by the obvious compliment. He was impressed with you? 

   “Mhm,” he smiles as he pulls at the sleeves of his pristine lab coat, “straight A student, top of your class? And you went to the dig site in Montana to do some research last summer? Very impressive.” 

   He stares at you a moment with one eyebrow cocked up, his eyes flicking over your figure as you swear he checks you out. Your cheeks burn red as he looks so intently at you, and it’s in that moment that you don’t know how you’ll ever work with this man. He’s so distracting, all you want to do is get lost in those syrupy brown eyes. 

   “I umm... I’m not that impressive,” you say shyly as you look nervously up at him. 

   “Oh, but you are. M’sorry if you were lookin’ forward to workin’ with Doctor Kepler, but I kinda convinced him to let me take you under my wing instead. Yours was the most impressive resume of them all, and trust me when I say I read them all.”

   “Oh.” Your eyes widen and every bone in your body stiffens as you take in what he just said. He thinks you’re smart? He wanted you to work under him. Oh, fuck. “No, I… I’m sure I’ll enjoy you just as much as I would him.” Your cheeks glow red as you turn your head when you hear him chuckling under his breath. Did you really just say that out loud? Christ. 

   “C’mere. Wanna show you somethin’.” He nods his head as a tousled curl bounces against the side of his forehead, and you follow him over to the table that has the microscope all set up with a tiny fossil underneath. 

   “Go ahead,” he says with a nod to his head, asking you to look through the ocular lense. 

   You nervously walk up and dip your head down as you close one eye and focus intently on the fossil that sits beneath the lense. You take in the yellow tint of the amber, examine each particle that makes up the masterpiece of what sits beneath you, study exactly what you think it is. 

   Joel’s honeydew voice comes out deep and raspy as it stirs you to jump in your skin. “Let me pick your brain a minute. I wanna know if you can figure out what fossil that right there is,” he says as he comes to stand right beside you. 

   His hand presses against the base of the microscope, and you feel his warm breath run down the side of your neck. You can feel his body heat reverberate against yours as you start to breathe faster. Your mind is a blur as his body weight shifts against the counter, his lab coat brushing against the side of your arm as you hold tight to the tube of the microscope. It’s so hard to focus on what’s in front of you when his large, all consuming presence is right next to you. He’s not even touching you, and you’re already all worked up, and you know your thighs are sticky from sweat. What the hell is wrong with you?

   “Hmm, let me think a minute,” you say as you try to depict what sits in front of you. You squint your eye as you try to register what sits underneath the glow of the fossil. There’s a small beak-like impression as you assess dark lines that almost looks like a hummingbird.

   “It almost looks like… wait, maybe if I can get a closer look I can see,” you murmur as you continue to assess the shiny fossil. 

   “Here, let me jus’ fix this.” His large hand comes to sit on your shoulder as he pushes you carefully away from the eyepiece. His patchy scruff brushes against the side of your cheek, and you gasp at how close he is to you. You feel tension in your shoulders as you watch him adjust the dials to the right on the lense as he carefully looks through with one eye closed. 

   You watch him with bated breath, your eyes lock on his broad figure, thick fingers brushing against the crevice of the lense. You wonder what it’d feel like to be pinned underneath those strong arms, his thick fingers exploring every inch of your sweltering skin as he consumes you with the entirety of his mouth. 

   Fuck. This man is your boss, you can’t be having wet fantasies about him. He’s off limits, it can’t happen. You need to be professional, but why is it so hard to clear your clouded mind? He’s good looking, smart, nice. That does not give you the right to fantasize about him. Get a fucking grip on yourself for Christ’s sake. Enough. 

   “Ahh there we go. Go on now, take another peek.” He places his hand gently over the small of your back and pushes you forward as your breath hitches at the hand that burns through your dress and goes straight down to your skin that’s tingling from him. 

   You shake your head and get yourself composed as you lower your head and focus back on the fossil that’s waiting for you to examine. Your eyes widen as you see so much more clearly, the bright light shining straight through the yellow glow of the fossil as you can see exactly what’s in front of you now. 

   You gasp as you realize what it is. “No way! Is that an Oculudentavis? The smallest dinosaur to ever walk the planet?” You hear him chuckle and look up to see him smiling down at you. 

   “Very good,” he smiles as he gives you another once over glance, making your heart thump loudly in your chest as his honey eyes slip over you. “Now, how did you know that?” he asks curiously as he ticks his jaw and cocks an eyebrow up.

   “I read a lot,” you shrug as you bite your lower lip. His eyes drop down to your glossy lips, and it makes you burn with need. Focus. 

   “Yeah, I’m sure ya do,” he chuckles as he leans against the table and crosses his arms over his broad chest. 

   “How old is this fossil?” you ask wondrously as your eyes flick back to the ancient fossil. 

   “Over fifty million years old,” he replies as his eyes weigh carefully on you. “Y’know, it’s not really a bird like everyone suspected it to be. It’s actually a genus of a lizard.”

   “Fascinating,” you say dreamily as you lean up against the table and bump the side of your hip as your eyes train solely on him. 

   “It came from the domain Eukaryota, and the phylum it belongs to is Chordata. Funny how the Latin words revolve around a bird when really it’s a reptile. Some scientists even argue whether it was really a dinosaur or just a large lizard. But if you wanna hear my voice on the matter, I say it was a dinosaur.” He winks at you, and you feel your cheeks flush crimson again as you slip another lock of hair behind your ear and clear your throat before you decide to be a complete puddle on the floor. 

   “Think you’re right, Doctor Miller,” you respond shakily. 

   “Jus’ Joel, darlin’.”

   Darlin’? Christ, a pet name? Or maybe it was just his Southern hospitality. But whatever it was made you weak at the knees. 

   “Joel…” you repeat, letting the name slip against your tongue as you swallow all feelings of want and desire down your throat. You are not falling for your boss. 

   “Attagirl,” he smirks. 

   Fuck. 

   “So, you want to be a real paleontologist?” he asks as his eyes flicker down to yours.

   “Mhm,” you nod as you shift your weight in your heels.

   “So tell me, how do you feel about real dinosaurs?” he asks as he shifts his weight to stand in front of you, his arms still crossed tight against the fabric of the button-up green flannel underneath his lab coat. 

   “Real dinosaurs?” you question as you knit your eyebrows together and try to decipher his question. 

   “That’s right. Real dinosaurs.” He smirks and the glisten in his chocolate coated eyes are pressing into yours like he knows something you don’t, and he’s chuckling about it in front of your face. 

   “Ummm I mean, I’m in the field trying to study them. I’d say I love them?” Your answer is hesitant as you still question him. What does he mean real dinosaurs?

   “Well, guess it’s your lucky day cause your first assignment is about Stegosauruses.”

   Your eyes shift to his as yours widen just a smidge. “What’s the assignment about?” 

   “Guess you’ll find out when we get there,” he chuckles as he adjusts his glasses and moves just enough to brush his arm against yours. You step out of the danger zone and pull yourself together instead of staring down into forearms that are filled with thick, twisting veins against tanned skin. 

   “Get where?” you ask carefully as you slide your tongue against the bottom of your teeth. 

   “To Jurassic Park. Home of the dinosaurs. Real dinosaurs,” he smirks as you see trouble brewing in those dark eyes of his. He’s going to get you into trouble with those honey eyes and sly smirk, you just know it. 

   “Real dinosaurs? But they’re… they’re extinct,” you whisper as you raise your eyebrows in question.

   “Not at Jurassic Park they’re not,” he teases as he crosses his arms again. You just stare speechless at him as you get the feeling this man would never lie to you. 

   “So, how ‘bout it? My new research partner wanna go on a little adventure with me? Promise I’ll make it worth your while,” he smirks as you taste trouble on just his words alone.

   And that’s where the adventure started, right there in his gigantic lab. Right when you saw those gorgeous brown eyes. You knew. This is where it’d all begin. 

Tags: @amyispxnk @sawymredfox @burntheedges @mountainsandmayhem @littlevenicebitch69 @vivian-pascal @pedrostories @survivingandenduring @msjarvis @syd-djarin @mothandpidgeon @eugenedream @cozylittlepigeon @marvlstark @rav3n-pascal22

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Wanbelyn

introduction pt. i | pt. ii | pt. iii

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ch. vi - fire ?

neurosurgeon!hongjoong × reader

buy me coffee ?

tw : medical emergency

where love and peace is held, i never expected for this to happen. i planned and i planned, i expected, and i hoped, but it was never you. you held what i wanted hostage to make room for you, the thing that i needed but has no means of acceptance. deny me, live your best life.

It had been a while since you stepped into a hospital in the hopes of getting a job. Last time you did, you were younger and more naïve, unaware of what the job entails. Unaware of what was waiting for you.

The thought of working as a nurse kind of made your palms sweaty and knees knock slightly. You suddenly wanted to run but you had already told the HR that you were there and Yeonjun had spent a good amount of time prepping you. Not to mention Wooyoung who gave you the opportunity itself. You can't disappoint them and you can't disappoint yourself. You kept repeating the words your dad told you after that morning's call, "Calm down, take a deep breath, hold until 3, then bust a move."

He's dorky but you love him.

So in your attempt to distract yourself from your nerves, you began looking around the hospital, taking note of the things around you and naming them. It was then that a noise caught your attention from the end of the hall, causing you to immediately snap your head towards the direction. You couldn't see it clearly but you saw an abandoned cart rattling and shaking slightly before a tiny figure emerged, going on his tippy toes trying to get something from the top. It worried you to see a kid rummaging through carts like that as in hospitals, there's a chance that the cart could be filled with medical equipment that children shouldn't play with. You would've attended to the boy and brought him back to his parents but you were about to get called in for the interview any time and frankly, you learn to leave things that are not your responsibility alone. As hard as it was. So you looked back to your lap and took a scan through your resume, recalling the things Wooyoung wanted you to mention and the way you should explain things.

As you were deep in your own head, practising answers to potential questions, you heard clattering sounds from the direction where you saw the boy and soon you saw him on his back on the floor. Your eyes squinted in hopes of getting a better view of what was going on, both curious and worried, so you let your legs move on their own, walking closer to the figure only to hear strangled noises coming from the boy who was slowly turning blue.

"Oh my God," you whispered, body freezing in shock. No matter how much you were trained to face emergencies, the sight of the boy convulsing on the floor with his lips turning blue was scary enough to render you useless. Your hands shook and flashes of memories passed in your head, the figure of the boy who was in front of you mixed together with flashes of another child who was lying on his bed with blaring alarms from machines flooding your mind, almost suffocating you as well.

"No, no," You whimpered, bottom lip trembling as your eyes swam with tears, "Not again."

The boy lay not far from you, face red and lips turning blue in a position that made his choking even worse. You knew you had to help, you knew that at that moment, there was no one else but you who could help him and you needed to act fast.

With a bit of struggle, you managed to get your frozen body moving again slowly, step by step. You fell to his side and saw that the boy was clutching an empty jello container. You immediately put the information in your head, slightly relieved that it was a rather softer food instead of literally anything that wasn't food or worse, something sharp.

Though you were practically trembling in a mixture of fear and PTSD, you braced yourself, you grabbed the boy and dragged him to your lap, placing his chest on your thigh as you made sure his mouth was opened. As you manhandled the boy, you could feel how rigid his body was and it did not make you any more relieved/ Heck, it reminded you how you had to move fast or else it was another kid's life in your hands.

For a moment, you hesitated, you didn't want to do something you felt you were not ready for yet. But what were you supposed to do? So after successfully pushing the thought aside, you began striking the boy's back hard, right between his shoulder blades. The first hit made you stiffen, afraid that you might have done more harm than good and slightly hoping that it was all it took. But alas, the boy's face was turning purple and when you saw his eyes rolling back, something took over your whole body, something that was a mixture of determination and fear. You can not lose this boy, not when you can do something about it, you decided. So you sent blow after blow, one by one, and with each one delivered, you felt your mental state slipping slightly to the point that it seemed like you were not in control of your body anymore. You were fully aware that you had been trying to get the boy to cough up the jello he choked on, but you had absolutely no idea how to stop.

You swore you processed what went on, you swore you finally heard the boy's clear, loud cries from his lung that was no longer congested. You realized that you managed to save the boy but your hand wouldn't stop hitting him until you were yanked away and thrown to the other side. With your body slumping, you slowly regained consciousness of what was going on. Your cognition came back like a wave of cold water crashing onto your body. You hadn't had time to fully comprehend at what point of time you were at when you were yanked up to your feet.

"What did you think you were doing!?" you recognized her as the HR personnel who was supposed to interview you. "What?" you gasped out, a little delirious from your dissociated state but she didn't care, "Why were you hitting that boy!?" she yelled out, surprising you. At the mention of the boy, however, your eyes darted around until you fell to his crying figure. He was being held by a nurse who was glaring at you as we wailed loudly, so loud that it caught the attention of the people who were slowly gathering around. It didn't occur to you earlier at all but once reality crashed down on you, you recognized the boy as Kijoong, the boy Wooyoung brought to Yeonjun's cafe a couple days back.

Just as you felt relieve, the HR personnel snapped her fingers in front of your line of sight. "Well?" She asked, seeking an explanation out of you. Dread crawled to your chest and the look of absolute distaste and Kijoong's wails only made you feel worse, it struck a deep sense of fear in you. "I-I was, I saw him there all alone a-and I noticed he was taking, I think it was jellos? He got up and a-and got like a jello from the unattended cart so-," "So you punished- no, ASSAULTED a child you don't know because he was being juvenile?" She snapped, voice loud as she stressed the word 'assaulted'. Your eyes widened and you shook your head quickly and you moved to take a step back only to fail. That moment you realized that you were being held by a security guard who was rather bulky, unable to escape even if it was just to create some distance. "No! I-I, look, I was-" the words were at the tip of your tongue but your brain was muddled, your cognition was not working correctly and maybe it was because you had had what could only be practically described as an out of body experience, but it was also due to the situation you were put in. Who would be able to stay calm in that situation?

Though she could've waited for you to explain, she simply rolled her eyes and told the security guard to escort you out the hospital after making sure that security has your picture and profile.

"P-profile? Wha- Excuse me?" Things weren't making sense and the people who were there did not provide clarity. The HR personnel paused momentarily in front of you, letting out one sharp exhale, "I'm afraid we can't process you in our hospital, Ms. (y/l/n). The behaviour you had just shown in this very unnecessary situation tells a lot about your personality and I do believe with absolute certainty that you would not fit in with this hospital. Frankly, I do not think you are fit to work in this profession whatsoever. The interview is off, you are no longer permitted back into this hospital, effective immediately," she then turned sharply just as you saw Kijoong being put on a gurney and getting strolled out.

"Wait!" You called out, what for? You weren't sure. It didn't matter anyway because just as Kijoong's voice grew further as he got wheeled away, you were dragged with such force by the security, past the group of people who were glaring, leering, and whispering at your expense.

Honestly, you didn't even care about the interview or the job opportunity, you just wanted to make sure that the kid was okay. Sure, his voice was loud and clear, but you wished there was a way for you to be absolutely sure.

One thing is for sure though, you may have lost an opportunity, but you had potentially saved a life.

network :

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taglist :

@yunho-mp3 @strawberry-yeo @luvt0kki @allisonleannn @dinossaurz @khjcs @blackb3ll @aloverga @at1nys-blog @itsbeeble @senpai-of-doom @axo-l0tl @green-thots @intancollins @galaxypox @babyhailey819 @maddiebabyxoxo @alyssajavenss @mirror-juliet @gxlden-bxbyy @charreddonuts @dreamlesswonder86 @mayonnaisehoeshit @kodzukein @teenyfinds @dear-dreamie @mitchloveswriting @soobiverse @satsuri3su @phenomenalgirl9 @guess-monst3r

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[alwaysonthemend]

Falling, fallen | JTK

Author's Note: Hey guys! I’m so sorry it’s been so long since I’ve posted. I have a full time job and I’m in school so sometimes I get a little behind. I hope the length of this one makes up for the wait. The next thing I post will be the next chapter of Light My Love. Thank you to all of you who have reached out about that fic and I’m so sorry it's taking so long. As usual, this is unbeta'd so sorry for any mistakes.

Summary: You’re the best damn manager that Greta Van Fleet has ever had. You’re always on top of things, you never miss a beat, and shows run smoother than they ever have before. In fact, everything would be perfect if one of the band members hadn't decided to hate you for no reason. Jacob Kiszka despises you. And no matter how hard you try to be nice to him, he’s always just dismissive and rude. After countless little instances of Jake being an asshole to you, you decide that it might be time for a career change. Little do you know, your choice might lead to some unforeseen consequences. 

Content Warnings: Fem!reader, arguing, swearing, p in v sex, unprotected sex, fingering, oral (f. receiving) oral (f. receiving) 18+ MINORS DNI

Word Count: 10573

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Being Greta Van Fleet’s manager is both the worst job you’d ever had and the best one. On the one hand, the boys are the most chaotic and hard to manage group of people you’d ever met. They were perpetually late to everything – becoming so frequent it was almost as if they were trying to not be on time. They rarely listen when someone else tries to tell them anything, preferring instead to always do things their way (no matter how many times it backfires on them). And each member was so incredibly particular about how they liked things – and were similar to frustrated little kids when things don’t work out. To put it simply: they’re exhausting. 

But at the same time, they were all some of the kindest people you’ve ever met. They took you in; Josh immediately doing his damn best to make you feel included, Danny always there to give you comforting words of encouragement, and Sammy always making you laugh when you’re feeling stressed or overwhelmed. They’re practically saints; and despite being so hard-headed, they do their best to not make your job more difficult than it already is. Just last week Josh had comforted you for almost an hour after you had accidentally overbooked a weekend of interviewers, scheduling two within the same time slot. He’d reminded you that being human meant making mistakes and that it’s totally okay to make them. And he’d also made sure to mention that you’re damn good at your job and one little mistake didn’t change that. You’d been able to fix the overbooking pretty easily and you both had laughed at your panic after the fact. 

In fact, every single person you’d interact with that is a part of the Greta Van Fleet team treats you like you’re family – well, everyone except one. Jake. Jacob Kiszka had avoided you like the plague after your very first meeting. He’d walked into the conference room clad in a black shirt unbuttoned down to his stomach and a pair of white slacks with silver necklaces falling to rest on his tanned chest.. Dark sunglasses were covering his eyes (despite not needing them inside). He’d walked in with an air of complete and utter control, and you’d immediately bristled as he took a seat. After the introductions had been made and all the paperwork and business discussed, you’d approached him to try and introduce yourself personally. You’d managed to meet all of the other members right off the bat and you wanted to extend the same to him – despite how uncomfortable he made you feel. 

“Hi!” You’d stuck your hand out to him. “I’m y/n. I’m really looking forward to working with you!” You had plastered your most welcoming smile you could muster as you waited for his response. He looked you up and down before taking your hand in his. His fingers had been warm and you could feel the callouses on them as he shook your hand. 

“I know. They introduced you earlier. And you know who I am.” His words held no malice in them, nor anger or frustration. The only emotion he’d met you with was the absence of any at all. Indifference, complete and utter indifference. He dropped your hand and left the room without another word, and without so much as a glance back in your direction. You’d just stood there, jaw hanging open as you watched his retreating form. 

“Sorry about him.” Josh had said, coming to stand beside you. “He isn’t the best at meeting new people or small talk.” 

“No kidding.” You huffed, eyes still trained on the door he’d just left. 

“Give him time.” Josh squeezed your shoulder and gave you a smile. “He’ll come around.”

But he hadn’t. In fact, it seemed that Jake’s dislike for you only intensified as time went on – despite your best efforts to become at least slightly friendly with him. It seemed like the closer you got with the other bandmates, the colder he grew towards you. It frustrated you beyond measure. Everyone liked you. You pride yourself on being able to find common ground with just about anyone, and you ‘d be lying if you said that you weren’t damn good at getting people to like you – no matter who they are. But Jake remained untouchable. He was the only one that you knew practically nothing about. 

It didn’t take long after that first meeting for you to become very close with Josh. It was almost unbelievable to you that they’re twins. They’re so completely unalike. Sure, their mannerisms were strikingly similar and their facial expressions were one and the same – but beyond appearances, their personalities were like night and day. 

“Josh?” You had asked, about a month into working with them. 

“What’s up, y/n?” He’d replied cheerfully, glancing up from his notebook to look at you. 

“Why does Jake hate me?” You asked, dramatically falling into the chair across from him. “No matter what I do, he won’t give me anything. Not even his damn facial expression will change. I don’t get it.” You closed your eyes and laid your head back in defeat. 

Josh chuckled at your theatrics. 

“He doesn’t hate you. He’s just…” He trailed off, lightly tapping his chin with his forefinger. “I actually have no fucking clue.”

You groaned and rose from your place across from him and took a seat on the arm of Josh’s chair. 

“I hate it. Everyone likes me.”

“Look, y/n. Jake is just… Jake. I don’t know what else to tell you.”

You paused for a minute, watching as Josh absentmindedly doodled. 

“I’m gonna make him like me if it’s the last thing I do.” You declared suddenly, filled with a new sense of determination. 

“Oh, God. Here we go.” Josh sighed, placing his pencil down. “Why can’t you just let it go?” 

“Because everyone likes me. And I’ll be damned if I let Jacob Kiszka be the one to ruin my track record.” 

Josh just shook his head at you. 

Step one of your plan was to go out of your way to be nice to Jake, even when he would inevitably try to dismiss you. You’d seen him interact with his brothers and Danny and so you knew that he could be sweet. You just had to figure out why he wouldn’t act like that around you. 

Your first opportunity arose one morning about a week after your conversation with Josh. You had awoken early – far earlier than you alarm, and so you had some time to yourself before you had to start rounding up the boys from their separate hotel rooms. You’d gone down to the lobby to treat yourself to a quiet breakfast, away from the craziness that promised to fill the rest of your day. The boys had a show tonight and you had to deal with hotel checkout since they were flying out that very same night to a different city. You entered the breakfast area to see Jake sitting alone in the far corner, nursing a cup of coffee. He glanced up at you as you entered and you waved happily at him before making your way over to his table. 

“Morning, Jake!” You said as cheerily. “Do you mind if I sit here with you?” 

He glanced at you over his sunglasses, assessing your smiling face as you waited for his response. 

“If you’d like.” He said simply, looking back down at his phone. You frowned at his lack of interest but brushed it off and took a seat. 

“Did you sleep well?” You asked, giving him the most genuine smile you could. 

“Yes.” He answered, short and curt. You waited for him to say more – he didn’t. 

“Are you excited for the show tonight? I know I am.”

He sighed and looked up from his phone again at you. He looked annoyed, but you tried to not let your disappointed show on your face at his clear disinterest in talking to you.

“Mm hm.” 

The table fell into awkward silence. You couldn’t think of anything else to add. As you sat there, racking your brains for something else to say to try and get a conversation going, Jake rose from his seat abruptly. 

“I’m going back to my room.”

“Oh!” You said, taken aback. “Okay. I’ll see later!” But he was already walking away, again refusing to spare you even a passing glance backwards.

“Fuck.” You said to yourself, grimacing. That hadn’t worked at all. 

You kept trying as the weeks went by, trying everything you could think of to get him to stop acting like he hated you. You tried bringing him coffee to his hotel room, ordering his favorite foods for meetings, you’d tried asking him about his guitar, or what his favorite city to visit was. You had tried everything and were quickly running out of ideas. Everything you did was met with stony indifference and clipped responses. 

Things didn’t start to escalate until after you approached him after a show one night to congratulate him on a wonderful performance. 

“You did awesome out there, Jake! Like always!” You said as he walked into the greenroom, sweaty and chest heaving with the exertion of the night. Your eyes couldn’t help but to stare as a drop of sweat rolled down his throat and dripped down onto his chest. 

“Thanks.” He started to walk away but you called out to him. 

“Wait!” 

He turned to you sharply at your raised voice. You hadn’t meant to call out that loudly but you weren’t backing down now. 

“Why are you such an asshole to me?” You asked, sudden confidence flowing through you. You watched as his nostrils flared and he opened his mouth to say something before suddenly closing it again. He took a deep breath. 

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, y/n.” He said, voice calm and cold. 

“Bull shit.”

“Goodnight, y/n.” He said, turning his back to you and walking away. You stood there for a long moment, rage flowing through you.

“So,” Josh said loudly, startling you from your anger fueled reverie. “Operation Make Jake Not Hate You doesn’t seem to be going very well, huh?” He looked smug. He too was sweaty from the show and you could feel the warmth of him radiating from his skin in waves. 

“Oh shut the fuck up, Joshua. I fucking give up.” You threw your hands up angrily in defeat. “If he’s so determined to hate me so much for no fucking reason, fine! I hate him too!” 

And with that, you stormed off, blood pressure only rising more as you heard Josh laughing loudly at you as you stomped away. 

True to your word, Operation Make Jake Like You turned into you just trying to ignore him back. You still managed to maintain professionalism, managing his needs and making sure things were done correctly for him – but other than that, you tried to remain friendly with him without pushing for anything more. Instead, you took to hanging out with the other guys in between shows and during the day. And you started spending more and more time with Josh. The two of you had a lot in common, sharing many of the same favorite songs and artists and you both loved to laugh. Josh was so easy to be around and he quickly became your closest friend amongst the boys. You spent lots of time together when your schedules allowed for it, and your little obsession with Jake finally stopped consuming your every thought. He still gave you a cold shoulder, but you tried to stop letting it bother you. It still stung, everytime he dismissed you, but you grew used to it.

Life moved on and your job quickly became a whole lot smoother than it had been at the start. You knew the ins and outs of handling the boys and it took a lot to throw you off now. Things were running smoothly and efficiently – better than they ever had before with other management. Danny had told you as such one night, as you all had been relaxing at a small little downtown bar. You all had a free night and everyone wanted to take advantage of it. 

“I’ve gotta say y/n, I think you’re the best manager we’ve ever had.” Danny said, catching the attention of everyone else. 

“I absolutely, wholeheartedly agree, Danny.” Josh said, giving you a grin. 

“A toast?” Sammy asked, raising his glass to the middle of the table.

“Abso-fucking-lutely.” Josh confirmed as he and Danny raised their glasses as well. 

“To the best damn manager we’ve ever had!” Josh yelled and the three of them clinked their glasses with yours. 

You laughed and blushed, touched by their kindness. 

“Isn’t that right, Jake?” Josh asked, turning towards his twin who had remained completely silent. 

“Oh yes. The best.” He said, his usual indifference melting away into plain bitchiness. 

Danny, Sam, and Josh stared at him, all taken aback by the sarcasm dripping from his words. 

“You know, if you have such a problem with me, why don’t you just come out and say it to my face, Jacob.” You said darkly, venom lacing your own words. 

“Hey, look guys. Why don’t we just-”

“Shut up, Sam.” Jake said, slamming his glass down. “Maybe I do have a fucking problem with you.” 

“Oh yeah? What’s the fucking problem, then?” You spat, rising from your seat to glare at him. 

“Y/n…” Josh hedged, sensing the impending blow out that had been months in the making. 

“Tell me what the problem is, Jake? I have been nothing but nice to you since the day we met. What could I have possibly done to make you hate me so much?”

Jake rose from his seat too, slamming his palms down on the table. Your raised voices were drawing looks from everyone else at the bar.

“My problem, y/n,” He said, and he spat your name out like it tasted terrible, “is that you’re fucking annoying. You won’t leave me the fuck alone. I’m so sorry that I don’t fall for your obnoxious need to always try and be fucking sunshine and rainbows all the god damned time. You can’t stand that I just don’t like you.” He said the last part slowly and cruelly, eyes blazing from across the table. 

“And I’m sorry that you’re so fucking miserable that you can’t stand it when the people around you aren’t!” You shouted, and Danny rose from his seat to put a placating hand on your shoulder. You jerked out of his grip angrily. “You are such a dick, Jake! All I’ve ever tried to be with you is nice. But you dismiss me like I’m a child! I’m sick of it!”

“Alright, enough!” Josh shouted, rising from his own seat. “Both of you, that’s enough!” 

Embarrassment over your outburst flooded you suddenly, making your cheeks grow warm. Jake seemed to also have the decency to at least look embarrassed himself. 

“I’m going to my room.” Jake said, voice cold and very clearly still angry. “Don’t fucking wait up.” And with that, he stormed away. 

You collapsed back into your seat and put your head in your hands, a headache slowly beginning to form behind your eyes. 

“Hey,” Danny said, placing his hand back on your shoulder, “just ignore him, y/n. He’s not worth it.”

“I just don’t get what I did to make him hate me!” You cried, hating the way your eyes were filling with tears. 

“You didn’t do anything. He’s just Jake.” Josh said softly, before taking a sip of his drink to calm his nerves. He hated seeing the two of you fight: his twin and his best friend. He hated it so much. 

“He’s just an asshole, nothing else to it. He likes being grumpy. I honestly think he gets off on it sometimes.” Sam said, and his statement made you laugh quietly despite yourself. 

“Thanks, guys.” You said, taking a large gulp of your bourbon. 

The conversation moved on and you allowed yourself to forget your argument with Jake, doing your very best to shove your hurt down into the deepest recesses of your brain. You weren’t going to let him ruin your night any more than he already had. 

Once you all had finished eating and goodbyes were said, you slowly trudged your way to your hotel room, wishing suddenly that you were back home in your own bed. You loved traveling all around with them, but the night's events were making you yearn to be home. You got ready for bed as quickly as you could, hoping to try and get some good sleep since the boys would be performing tomorrow – show days are always exhaustingly chaotic. 

But no matter how long you lay there, sleep continued to evade you. Your thoughts were swirling with Jake’s words, and you couldn’t get his angry face out of your head. Him calling you annoying had hurt – more than you would ever admit out loud. Normally, you’d usually be able to ignore someone else’s jabs at you; but for some reason, Jake’s dislike of you made your chest ache. Well… you knew why it bothered you so much – and you hated yourself for it. 

Despite the months of clipped words and cold glares, you’d unfortunately found yourself with a crush. More than a crush, if you were being completely honest with yourself. He was attractive of course, but you had also watched him interact with everyone else enough to see that he was actually a really nice guy. He was sweet and thoughtful, always going out of his way to make sure others felt comfortable. He was always humble, no matter how many sold out arenas he played in – and he would still blush when fans came up to him in public. You had fallen for the version of Jake that he never let you get to experience. And that’s what hurt you the most: the fact that he wasn’t really an asshole – he just truly didn’t like you. You were embarrassed for not realizing it sooner. All these months you had spent trying to get to know him and talk to him, you’d just been making yourself look like a fool. An annoying fool, apparently. You vowed to yourself, laying there that night, that you’d do your very best to stay out of his way. No more attempts at conversations, no more smiles or waves when he entered the room. Hell, you’d even try to start sitting out the aftershow outings with the boys. You’d continue being the best damn manager they’d had, but you’d keep your distance. 

The following day was filled with rushing around as you made sure everything was ready for the show. You were at the arena all day, checking with sound and the tech people, so it had been easy to keep your distance. By the time the show started, you were exhausted but proud with how smoothly things had gone. You watched them play from off the side of the stage, tucked into the shadows. Josh’s vocals were incredible – as always, and he’d sent you several smiles and winks as the show progressed. Sam and Danny were flawless, of course. They were the backbone of the band and they never failed to deliver. Jake was utterly transfixing on stage. It was hard to look away from him as he played, but you did your best to put your focus elsewhere. 

Everything was going great until the third to last song of the set when you noticed Jake frantically gesturing to one of the backstage workers. You squint your eyes to try and see what was wrong. He was gesturing wildly in a manner that’s so reminiscent of Josh that you almost smile. The rest of the boys are sending concerned glances back at him. He’s not playing the guitar. Sam starts a bass solo to try and cover for Jake, but you can tell that they’re growing more concerned. Finally, another tech person runs over to the back corner of the stage where Jake is with another one of his guitars in hand, He quickly swaps it out before running back to his place on stage. Sam finishes his solo – met with thousands of screams from the audience, and you think that it’s safe to assume that few of them noticed whatever just happened. The tech guy walks past you swiftly and you see the cause of Jake’s anger: a string had snapped on his number one guitar – on stage no less. You turned your eyes back to Jake to see him playing again, and this time you could see the anger oozing from him. His playing had turned downright nasty as he vented his frustration out through his music. You looked away, unable to watch his sinful movements. 

The rest of the show went great, and they closed it out to the screams of their fans as they walked off stage to go change. There was no doubt in your mind that they’d be going to a bar – Jake would probably insist. You went about finishing up all you had to for the night, and you made sure to go and find the worker who had brought Jake his other guitar so you could thank him for his swiftness. He’d given you a huge smile, shocked that you’d sought him out. 

“Hey, y/n!” You heard Danny call, just as you were beginning to gather up your things to leave. He had changed into a pair of black skinny jeans and a sleeveless band tee. “We're gonna go out for drinks. Coming with?”

You shook your head and gave him a sad smile. 

“Not tonight, Danny. I’m going to head back to my room.”

“Why? You always come with us.” He gave you a pout, and you wanted so badly to cave and go with them. But no. You’d made a promise to yourself. 

“Jake had a bad night tonight, Danny. I could practically see how mad he was up there. He deserves to go unwind. Me being there isn’t going to help that.” 

Danny sighed. 

“Y/n… come on.” 

“It’s true!” You insisted, slinging your bag over your shoulder. “He hates me. He thinks I’m annoying. And I have been annoying. I’ve been trying to force him to like me without thinking about how it must have been making him feel.  My job is to make your lives easy, not to make them more difficult.”

“I really don’t think you make his life more difficult, y/n. You haven’t done anything wrong.” Danny said, and the sympathy in his voice made you want to cry. You could feel your eyes welling with tears for the second night in a row. 

“Thank you, Danny. But I’ve made my decision… And I think it’s the right one.” You sniffed and swiped a hand under your eyes in an attempt to hide your tears from him. “You guys have fun.” 

You walked away quickly, leaving Danny to watch you go with sad eyes. 

The next few shows went about the same (though thankfully without any guitar mishaps for Jake). The boys would go out to celebrate, and you would politely decline to go with them. You’d asked Danny to keep your earlier conversation to himself, and he’d begrudgingly agreed to do so. 

“You can’t just shut yourself away because you think his opinion about you is the end all be all.” He’d said, eyes once again filled with sorrow for you. 

“It’s okay, Danny. Really. I was becoming too unprofessional with you guys, anyway.”

“That’s ridiculous, and you know it.” 

“Can we please just drop it.” 

And Danny did. The tour continued on, and you slowly distanced yourself from the boys. You kept things running smoothly from afar, and you did your best to stay away – no matter how much you missed them. 

Josh had grown increasingly more concerned for you, begging you to tell him what had changed. You’d just shake your head, telling him that you were just too tired or had work you needed to catch up on. It only took him a month to call your bluff though. 

“This is all about Jake, isn’t it?” 

The two of you were sitting in your hotel room after he’d insisted he follow you up to “catch up.” You’d allowed it, as you’d been missing hanging out with him terribly. 

“What’s about Jake?” You asked, trying to keep your voice as innocent as possible. 

He rolled his eyes. 

“You suddenly avoiding hanging out with all of us. It’s because of what Jake said that night, right?” 

You sighed. There was no way you could lie to him. He knew you too well and you were tired of putting on a brave face. You let your shoulders slump and your face fall. 

“I just wish I knew what I did wrong.” You said quietly, voice wavering as you fought back tears. You were so tired of crying over Jake Kiszka. 

“Hey, hey.” Josh walked quickly over to sit next to you on the bed. “Y/n, come on. Don’t cry.” 

Your face crumpled as the hurt that you’d been hiding for weeks finally bubbled to the surface, spilling over your cheeks. 

“I’m sorry.” You said through your tears, feeling stupid for crying like this to him. He was your best friend, sure. But he was still your boss at the end of the day. This was so unprofessional of you. 

“Don’t apologize, okay?” He wrapped an arm around your shoulders and you buried your face in his chest. He was warm and smelled good, and all you could think about was how much you wished you’d fallen for him instead of Jake. “Why are you letting him get to you so much, sweetheart? Normally, you’d kick someone’s ass for talking to you like he did.” 

You just shook your head, shame filling you as you thought about your stupid feelings. 

“It’s just different with him, Josh. I can’t help it.” You took a steadying breath, trying to get yourself back under control. You sat up from him and ran a hand through your hair. It was silent for a long moment. 

“Oh.” Josh said, a sudden sadness coming over his face. “Damn it, Jake.” He sighed, pinning you with sad, sympathetic eyes. 

“What?” You asked, confusion written clearly across your face. 

“All that time you spent obsessing over trying to get him to open up to you, the way you made it your mission to become his friend… I can’t believe I didn’t realize before.” 

Your heart was pounding with dread. There’s no way he’d just figured it out, right? There’s no way you’d been that obvious. 

“What are you talking about?”

He was looking at you like you were a tragedy. You hated it. 

“You like him, don’t you? Like, as in more than a friend?”

You turned away, face burning with shame. Josh reached out and turned your head back to face him. A fresh wave of tears leaked from your eyes. 

“I can’t help it. I tried to make it stop. But I just can’t help it.” You cried, and a loud sob worked its way through your chest. You were shaking. 

“We can’t help who we fall for.” He said quietly. “I’m sorry, y/n. I don’t know what to tell you.” 

“There’s nothing to say, Josh.” You muttered, wiping your eyes with the back of your hand. “I’ve been thinking,” you hedged, suddenly afraid to tell him what you’d been planning for after the tour, “after this last leg of the tour, I’ll probably ask my boss to have someone else transferred to you guys to take my place. I don’t think me staying is a good idea.” 

“Y/n, no!” Josh exclaimed, and the sudden rise in volume made you startle slightly. “The rest of us love you! You’re our friend!” he cried, gripping your shoulders tightly. “And you really are the best manager we’ve had. Things have been going so amazing since you joined us!” 

“Josh, I’m sorry but I just can’t do this. Jake’s unhappy, I’m unhappy. It’s best if I leave.” 

“You’ve been thinking about this for a while, then?” He asked, voice falling quiet again. 

“I have.”

“There’s nothing I can say to change your mind.” It’s not a question. He knows there isn’t. 

“No. There’s not. I’m sorry.” 

He sighed, and for a moment you’re afraid that he’s angry with you. But then he reaches over and pulls you into a tight hug. 

“I understand, y/n. It’s okay.” 

You could sob at the feeling of relief that washes over you. 

“But you have to stay in contact with the rest of us. You have to.” He said, pulling away from you and pinning you with a serious look. “Promise me.”

You giggled. 

“I promise.”

Time seemed to fly by as the end of the tour drew nearer, and before you knew it, there was only one show left. Emotions were high in the greenroom backstage as they all prepared to go out one last time, and there was a lingering sadness in the air as you had let Danny and Sam know that you wouldn’t be coming back for the next tour. They’d both been crestfallen at your choice, but hadn’t pushed you to give a reason why. Deep down, you were pretty sure that they already knew. 

“Good luck guys. You’re gonna kill it, like always.” 

“Thanks, y/n.” Sam said, wrapping his long arms around you tightly. You gave him a squeeze before letting go. 

“It’s all for you tonight, y/n! Thank you for everything.” Danny said, also coming up to give you a hug. You smiled and buried your face in his shoulder, breathing in his scent. 

“Thank you, Danny.” You said quietly as he pulled away. 

Josh came up next. He stared at you for a long moment, a sad smiling gracing his lips. He finally hugged you too. 

“You deserve to be happy.” He whispered in your ear, just loud enough for you to hear. 

“Thank you.” You said, “For everything.” He gave you a grin. 

“Well, boys,” He said, turning to the guys, “We ready?” They all nodded in excitement and you watched them go with a proud smile. Your smile quickly dropped though as you realized that Jake was still standing there. You looked at him, confusion and trepidation clear on your face. 

“Good luck, Jake.” You said quietly, dropping your eyes to look at your feet. You couldn't bear to look at him.

“Y/n,” he said, taking a step towards you. 

“Two minutes!” You heard someone call. You didn’t say anything as you waited for him to finish. 

“Could we… talk? After the show tonight?” He asked, and his voice was the softest you’d ever heard it directed to you. 

“Um. Sure?” 

He nodded his head curtly. 

“Good. Perfect.” He walked towards where the rest of his bandmates had gone, stopping momentarily to look back at you. “Thanks.” 

It felt like your entire nervous system was on fire. Jake’s words had been so unlike him – soft, unsure. You felt like your head was in a washing machine, spinning around in all directions with no end in sight. You knew he probably felt guilty. Despite not liking you, you know that he’s a nice enough person to feel bad for being the reason that you’re leaving – any decent person would. And you know that Jake is far more than just decent. You just wish that things had been different. 

You stayed in the green room, doing your best to distract yourself with your phone. You scrolled through every social media feed you had and still time seemed to drag on. You got up and wandered around aimlessly, cleaning things that weren’t your job to clean and tidying things that weren’t untidy to begin with. You tried humming to yourself and singing songs, but your stomach was in complete knots. By the time the show was finished, you were already exhausted. 

It wasn’t long before Jake entered, and you rose from where you had collapsed onto the sofa. 

“Hi.” You said, taking him in. He was sweaty – his usually soft hair was damp and messy. He’d changed from his stage outfit into a pair of dark jeans and a cream colored button down (with his signature look of only having two buttons actually done up). His silver coin necklaces rested against his tan chest. 

“Hey.” His voice had that softness to it still – completely unlike the Jake that you had come to know. “Can we go somewhere? To talk? Preferably somewhere where the others won’t barge in on us.”

“There’s a work room down the hall that no one’s using. I ate lunch there earlier.” 

He nodded, turning towards the door. You followed swiftly, your purse clutched tightly in your hand. You passed the other guys as you made your way towards the spare room and your cheeks flamed as you and Jake walked by them. You ignored their questioning eyes as they watched you and Jake, no doubt shocked to see the two of you walking together. Your eyes met Josh’s briefly as you left, and your cheeks flamed an even darker shade of crimson as he gave you a knowing smirk. 

You pointed towards the door of the spare room and Jake nodded, walking up to it and pushing it open. Sure enough, it was completely empty. The sign on the door said “Staff Only,” and you had only stumbled across it because you had wanted to eat somewhere where the others couldn’t bother you. You had needed some time to just exist by yourself, and the spacious room had been perfect. 

Now, standing there with Jake, it felt suffocating. You felt like you couldn’t breathe. His presence was overwhelming. You could smell him from where you stood – a blend of his natural musk and a hint of vanilla. You wanted to cry. 

“You’re probably wondering why I asked you to talk to me…” Jake finally hedged, breaking the silence that has descended over the two of you. 

You scoffed. 

“Yeah. I’m shocked, honestly.” Your words came out sharp and you winced slightly. You weren’t trying to start another fight with him. But he’d hurt you. Badly. 

“Yeah.” He sighed and looked down at his feet. “The guys said that you aren’t coming back for next tour.” 

“I’m not. I don’t really feel all that welcome here anymore.” You bit out, and Jake was the one to wince this time. The anger from that night at the bar was suddenly coming back, and you wanted so badly to slap the shit out of him. “I’m sure you were happy to hear the news.”

Jake looked away. 

“Not really.” 

“You don’t have to lie. I know you fucking hate me.” You huffed and took a seat on the sofa that was shoved into the corner. 

“I don’t hate you.” He sounded defeated, and there was a small, mean little part of you that was delighted to hear that tone from him. Like he was finally feeling how he had made you feel for all that time. 

“Could have fooled me.” 

He sighed again, and suddenly he looked so much older than he had a moment ago. His shoulders were slumped and you almost wanted to reach out and comfort him. But you didn’t. You crossed your arms and stared at him expectantly. 

He seemed to sense that you weren’t going to say anything else. 

“Can I sit?” He gestured at the empty spot next to you. 

“Sure.” 

He took a seat. You could feel the warmth radiating off him. It was silent for a long moment. You, unwilling to say anything else and Jake unable to find the words. 

“Well?” You asked, pinning him with an impatient glare. “I’m here. If there’s actually a point to this conversation please say it so I can leave.” You know you’re being unfair. He’s clearly working up to trying to apologize but you can’t find it in yourself to care. You’ve spent so long letting him make you feel like you’re less than, and for once you finally have the upper hand. 

“I’m sorry.”

That stops your thoughts in their tracks. You’d expected him to beat around the bush, to give an excuse, to say you’re overreacting. A straight up, no nonsense apology had been the last thing you were expecting. 

“What?” You couldn’t help but to ask, incredulity evident in your tone. 

“I’m sorry for being such a dick.” You stare at him – searching for any traces of a lie. You find none. There’s only a sad truthfulness reflected in his brown eyes. “You haven’t done anything to deserve how I’ve treated you. I’m sorry. I don’t have an excuse.”

You let his words sit heavy between the two of you for a moment. You’re at a loss. He doesn’t have an excuse, and you have no idea what to say back to him. 

“Thank you.” You finally breathe out, voice quiet and unsure. 

“You don’t have to leave.” He says, voice equally reserved in the odd tension. “I’m sorry I made you feel like that’s the best choice. You’re a good manager. It’ll be hard for us to find a good enough replacement.” He looks down at his hands. He’s fiddling with them, picking at the skin of his thumbs the way he often does when he’s lost in thought. You’d watched him do it on numerous occasions.

“I don’t really know what to say to you, Jake. You really hurt me. I…” You stop yourself, unwilling to let him see how deeply his words and actions had cut you; unwilling to show him how weak he had made you. 

“You don’t have to say anything. You don’t owe me anything. But I do want to ask you to stay.” 

Rage fills you suddenly, so sudden and sharp that your vision seems blurry as your blood pressure rises at his words. 

“How fucking dare you.” You seethe, teeth clenched as you think about all that he’s done. “I tried so hard to be nice to you. I wanted your approval so fucking badly. I let you make a fool out of me. How fucking dare you to ask me to stay now?” Your voice got louder and louder as you spoke, and Jake’s eyes widened at your sudden change in demeanor. “Fuck you, Jake Kiskza. That’s all I have to say.” You rose suddenly with the intent to get the hell out of there when he too rose to his feet. 

“That’s not fucking fair, y/n!” He yelled, hands clenched at his sides. “I’m trying to apologize, here. You don’t have to throw it right back in my fucking face!” 

“Hurts doesn’t it. Trying to be nice, only for the person to throw it back in your face?” 

Jake rolls his eyes and scoffs. 

“I’m getting the fuck out of here. Jesus Christ.” You cry, turning back towards the door. 

“Yeah. Go cry to Josh, like you always do.” 

His words feel like a bucket of ice water has been dumped on you.

“What?” You ask lowly, turning back around to look at him. He’s got his shoulders pushed back, defiance glittering in his eyes. 

“I said, go cry to Josh. Just like you always do.” 

“What in the ever living fuck,” you growl, stepping back towards him so that your chests are flush, “is that supposed to mean.” 

He looks down at you and you can practically see the anger radiating off him. 

“It means that I’m tired of watching you following him around like a kicked puppy. He’s not interested by the way, in case you were wondering.” A smug smirk paints its way across his lips and you want so badly to slap it off him again. 

“What on Earth makes you think I want anything like that with Josh?”

“Oh please,” he rolls his eyes, “I’m not fucking blind. You want him – you’re always hanging out with him, hugging him, touching him. It’s pathetic.” 

“And so what if I do want him?” You ask, blood practically boiling. “Why do you fucking care what I do with someone else?”

“I don’t. I don’t give a flying fuck what you do, y/n!” He shouts. The two of you stare at each other, both of your chests heaving as you practically square the other up. His face is twisted in anger – but there’s something else there, hidden in his eyes. It’s not anger. 

Holy shit. 

“Are you fucking jealous?” Your voice is high and shaky, and you watch as his eyebrows shoot to his hairline at your question. 

“Are you insane? I’m not jealous. Jesus, what the fuck?” 

There’s a defensiveness in his tone now, and he’s suddenly looking anywhere on your face but your eyes. 

“You are. You’re jealous. Jealous because you think I want Josh.” You don’t pose it a question because you know. You can see it all over his face. He’s been jealous this whole time. Sure, maybe your first meeting had just been a result of his poor small talk skills… but everything else? Pure jealousy. 

“Fuck you.” He spits, but he knows he’s been caught. 

“You are a fucking idiot, Jake. Holy shit. I don’t want Josh, dumbass! I wanted you!”

His jaw drops and he stares. There’s a part of you that’s embarrassed for admitting it out loud, but the panic that flashes across his face is worth it. 

“What?”

“You heard me. I never wanted Josh, Jacob. I wanted you. But you were so much of a dick that I gave up.”

“Wanted?” His voice is suddenly small, empty of the anger that had filled it just moments before. 

“I don’t know.” You answer, and it’s the truth. After everything, you’re not sure the two of you could ever form a normal friendship – let alone anything more. 

“Fuck.” He breathes out, before sitting heavily back down on the sofa. You sit back down next to him, the fight drained from you at your confession. Neither of you know what to say. 

“I thought you and Josh slept with each other… or were going to. This whole time.” 

You don’t say anything. There’s nothing left to say, really. 

“I wish you had just asked. Instead of assuming.”

“Me too.” He turns to you, and his eyes look so sad it makes your chest ache. You don’t want to look at him when he looks like that. 

“Would you still?” 

You look at him confused. 

“Want me?” He clarifies. “If things were different.” 

You take a moment to answer. At this point, there’s nothing left to lose. 

“I think I’ll always want you, Jake. No matter how much I try not to.” 

“Can we…” He stops, takes a breath. You can practically see the gears turning as he tries to work out what to say. "Can we try?" 

You stare at him, afraid you're reading into his words wrong. 

"Try what?"

"Try again?" His words are small, quiet. He's not looking at you anymore and you suddenly wish you hadn't been so angry with him. "We can go slow. Like we're starting over." 

You ponder his words for a long moment. There's so many thoughts running through your mind and you can barely grab hold of any of them. 

“I don’t know, Jake. You really hurt me.” 

He hung his head, his dark hair framing his face. Even now, you can’t help but to admire him. 

“I’m so fucking sorry.” He says, before finally bringing his eyes to yours. There are tears there, and your heart aches at the sight. “I was jealous. I really thought you were interested in Josh.” 

“Why didn’t you just ask me? Instead of assuming and then treating me so horribly?”

“Because… because I can’t compete with someone like Josh, anyway. Didn’t think there was a point.” He shifts where he’s seated next to you and turns his eyes down to the floor. You don’t say anything, afraid to scare him back behind his walls. “We may be twins, but he’s got all the charm.” 

“Jake,” you say quietly, “look at me.” 

He does, slowly turning his brown eyes to you. 

“This isn’t a competition. I only ever wanted you.” You tell him, and he can see that there’s no lie in your words. “And even if it was a competition, I still would have chosen you, Jake.”

“So I’m just a fucking idiot, then.” He says, and this time the anger in his voice is directed at himself. 

You giggle. 

“A little bit, ya. But I still want you, Jake. Despite trying so hard not to.” 

“Let me show you I can be different. Please. Let me make it up to you.” He pleads, but you already know that you’d have let him do anything he wanted. Despite everything, you’d still fallen for him. And now here you are, with the chance to finally have him after months of thinking it was impossible. 

“Okay.” You breathe out. “Okay, Jake.”

Faster than you can blink, his lips are on yours – soft and warm. You gasp, and Jake takes the opportunity to slide his tongue between your lips. His hands grip your shoulders tightly – like if he lets go you’ll run away. You bring your hands up to cup his cheeks as you kiss him back. The kiss is desperate, needy. All those months of want finally spilling over into this moment. You whimper quietly into his mouth and he pulls away. His eyes are blown wide with need and there’s an almost feral look to his face – his eyes are practically devouring you. 

“I’m not making love to you for the first time on a shitty break room couch.” He says breathlessly and you quirk your eyebrow at his choice of words. He flushes but you let it slide, instead rising to your feet. 

“Hotel?” You extend your hand to him and he laces his fingers with yours, allowing you to pull him to his feet. 

“Yep. Yeah. Just quickly.” He shifts on his feet and you laugh as you realize that he’s painfully hard and trying to figure out how to walk normally. 

Hands still clasped together, the two of you practically sprint towards the back exit of the venue. It’s mostly empty now, with everyone else having cleared out as soon as possible after the show ended. The two of you make it all the way to the back foyer without anyone seeing you. 

But in your haste to get out, you almost don’t see Sam and Danny standing there gawking as they watch you drag Jake towards the door. 

You stop short upon seeing them, causing Jake to bump into you from behind. You both look like deer caught in headlights or like little kids who have just been caught with their hand in the cookie jar. 

“Um.” You say eloquently and Jake snickers from behind you. 

“Alright, you boys ready to g-” Josh turns a corner, and stops in his tracks too. You watch as his eyes sweep from yours and Jake’s flushed faces to your hands that are still interlocked. 

“Howdy, guys,” Jake finally pipes up from behind you. “Fancy seeing you all here.” 

They all nod to the two of you, and each of their faces are filled with complete shock. You’re so embarrassed you wish the floor would swallow you whole. 

“We’re um… heading out.” Jake says and you want to facepalm at his lack of imagination in coming up with some sort of excuse. 

“And I’m sure it’s totally not what it looks like, right?” Josh asks with a shit eating grin and a raised eyebrow. 

“What exactly does it look like, Joshua?” Jake snaps, eyes blazing at his twin. 

“Oh nothing.” He shrugs, lifting his hands up in defense. “Right?” He turns to look at Danny and Sam who are still standing there with their mouths open. 

It’s Danny that manages to fix his face first. 

“Oh, yeah. Doesn’t look like anything to me.” He says with a smile, and you can practically see the teasing that he’s going to give you after this.

“Yeah, it doesn’t look like you’re going to have sex at all.” Sam says, the little brother shittiness finally coming out. 

“Oh fuck off, all of you. We’re leaving.” You start to walk again, yanking Jake’s hand so he follows you. 

“You guys have fun not fucking each other!” Josh calls as you and Jake step out onto the street. Jake just shoots him the bird the two of you take off, giggling like kids. 

The hotel you’re staying at isn’t far, just over a block away from the venue. But it feels like it takes ten years for you to make it to the lobby, and Jake doesn’t once let go of your hand. 

The walk to the elevator is silent, and your mind is working a mile a minute. Your heart is racing and you feel like you’re in a dream. Out of the corner of your eye, Jake stares resolutely ahead, watching as the little screen above the elevator doors counts each floor. 

Finally, they open on your floor and you pull Jake towards your room. 

“Hold on… key card.” You say, extracting your hand from Jake’s to reach into your purse. You swipe the key card and open the door, hesitating only a moment before stepping over the threshold. The reality of what you came here for sets in suddenly, and you stand frozen in the middle of the room as you watch Jake shut the door behind him. 

“You okay?” He asks, walking towards where you’re standing, stopping just close enough that if you wanted, you could reach out and touch him.

“I don’t know.” Your admission is quiet, spoken to the floor and not really to him. You don’t know how to feel. 

“I’m sorry.” He repeats, his own voice soft. “We don’t… we don’t have to do anything, y/n. I wasn’t expecting,” he waves his hands between the two of you vaguely, “this. Like at all.” 

“Me neither. I don’t- I don’t know how to feel, Jake.” 

He sighs and wrings his hands together. You stare at them, remembering that you now know what they feel like in your hand. Calloused, rough – but still gentle somehow. 

“I’ve really fucked things up, haven’t I?” Jake asks. You don’t answer. 

“I never meant for things to get as far as they did.” He continues, walking over to sit heavily onto your bed. “I was jealous and I acted like an asshole to you.” 

“Yeah, you did. But I was annoying, too. I should have just left you alone.” You say softly. “I shouldn’t have tried so hard.” 

Jake shakes his head at you slowly, his soft hair – finally dry, swishes across his shoulders. 

“You weren’t annoying. You were just being nice. You have nothing to apologize for. Come sit?”

You comply, sitting down next to him – making sure to leave some space between the two of you. 

“You know, I heard you talking to Danny that night after my guitar string snapped.” 

You turn to him sharply, brain racing trying to remember if you had said anything embarrassing. 

“You stayed in that night because I’d had a bad night and you thought you would make it worse…” 

You nod. 

“You were so angry. I didn’t want to cause another fight.” 

“I did get angrier, though. I was angry at myself for making you think that I hated you. But I didn’t know how to fix it.” He looks away and you take the opportunity to watch him. There was only one lamp on, and it cast shadows across his jaw. “Let me fix it. Please.”

You sit there for a long moment and just think. You let yourself feel the hurt and the anger. You think about every rude word or dismissive glare. You think about that night at the bar when you screamed at each other. You think of earlier in that break room. You think about all of it before finally turning to him. 

“There’s nothing to fix, Jake. I forgive you.”

His eyes widen comically at you and his jaw drops open. 

“What?” 

“I forgive you.” You say simply, shrugging your shoulders. “I fell for you a long time ago, Jake. And those feelings aren’t going to go away – believe me, I’ve tried.” 

He huffs a laugh. 

“But I’m tired of this animosity between us.” You continue, pinning his gaze under your own. “I just want to be with you. No more arguing, no trying to make up for what’s already happened. Let’s just… be.” 

“I don’t deserve you.” He admits, lacing his fingers with yours. 

“Yes, you do. So let’s let it go.”

“Okay.” 

You squeeze his hand in yours. He squeezes back. 

“Now would you please kiss me already.” 

Finally, a real smile spreads across Jake’s lips and his eyes sparkle at you. 

“Of course.” 

His lips crash into yours for the second time and it’s even better than the first. There’s no uncertainty now. It’s just you and him. You lean back, grasping his shoulders to follow you down. He pulls away slightly as your weight settles and he smiles. 

“Eager?”

You don’t glorify his question with a response – instead sealing your lips over his again. He groans into your mouth as you hook your legs around his waist, bringing your core flush against his hardening cock. 

Jake sits up and you scoot further into the middle of the bed, sitting up for a moment to rid yourself of your shirt. Jake does the same, unbuttoning his top with shaky fingers and tossing it to the floor. He taps your hips, signaling for you to lift them up. He slides your pants off you and you kick them off. Jake follows suit, leaving the two of you in nothing but your undergarments. 

Jake looks down at you and you watch as his eyes rake over your form, pupils blown wide. 

“Look at you.” He whispers and your core pulses at the sound of his voice – husky and low, laced with desire. 

He’s a sight to behold all on his own and you allow yourself to stare – taking in every bit of skin that you’re finally getting to see. 

“Look at you.” You say and he smiles down at you, eyes growing softer for a moment. 

“Don’t do that.” You whisper, grasping his shoulders to pull him down to you. His face is inches above your own and you can feel his heavy breaths against your face. “Don’t feel guilty. Just be here. With me.” 

He nods and attaches his lips to your neck, leaving a trail of hot kisses down your throat. He sucks and licks as he goes, causing the wetness in your panties to grow even more. You slide your palms up his strong back, feeling the muscles ripple underneath your fingertips. His cock is hard where you can feel it against you, and you press your hips up into him slowly. He moans loudly against the hollow of your throat. 

“Fuck, y/n.” 

He reaches beneath you and unhooks your bra, allowing your breasts to spill out for him to admire. He bites your nipple, rolling the sensitive bud between his teeth and you whine, lacing your fingers in his hair and tugging. 

“Jake.” You moan, rolling your hips up to meet his – desperate for any bit of friction. Jake senses your need and dips his fingers into your panties and slides his finger between your folds, relishing in the wetness that’s gathered there. 

“So wet for me, pretty girl.” He says, before bringing his finger to his lips to suck your juices off his fingers. “Tastes so fucking sweet.” 

“Stop teasing me, Jake.” You whine, pawing at his cock where it tents his boxers. You slip your fingers beneath the waistband and pull them down and Jake lifts his hips so you can slide them all the way off. Jake yanks your panties down as well and you hiss as the cold air of the hotel room hits your hot center. Your pussy throbs and you press your thighs together. 

“Don’t.” Jake says, and he presses your knees back apart. He gives you one last devilish grin before diving into your folds, lapping at the wetness and circling your clit with his tongue. 

“Oh fuck!” You cry as you throw your head back in pleasure. He swirls your swollen clit with the tip of his tongue before attaching his lips to suckle at it mercilessly. You moan loudly, and you’d probably feel sorry for whoever was in the room next to yours if you weren’t so focused on the intense pleasure coursing through your body. 

“You taste so good, angel. Can’t believe I let my own jealousy keep me from tasting you sooner.” 

You whine as he pushes one finger inside of you, curling it inside of you in the most delicious way. The coil in your belly begins to tighten, and you know it won’t be long before it snaps. 

“Fuck, right there. Jesus.” You moan as he adds another finger and Jake chuckles. The vibration against your clit makes you jump, so he presses his forearm across your hips – effectively keeping you in place. “Jake I’m gonna cum.” You warn and he only picks up the pace of his fingers, fucking into you relentlessly as he continues lapping at your clit. 

“Give it to me, sweet girl.” He says against your core and that’s all it takes. Your orgasm rips through you and you whine his name as he laps up your release. He pulls his fingers from you and licks them, groaning as he tastes you. 

“Fuck, y/n. You look divine, all spread out for me like this.” 

“Only for you.” You say, still trying to get your breathing under control. You sit up and stare at him. His cock is rock hard and weeping, standing at full attention. Your mouth waters at the sight of him. 

“Lemme taste you, Jake.” You say as you reach your hand towards his length. He grabs your wrist in his hand, stopping you.

“As much as I’d love for you to, I’m not gonna last if you do that. Next time.” He promises, releasing your wrist. “But tonight I wanna cum in this pretty pussy.” He glances around suddenly, eyes searching for something. 

“What?” You ask, rising to lean on your elbows. 

“You don’t happen to have any condoms around here, do you?” 

“I’m clean. And I’m on birth control.” 

He pins you with a heated stare. 

“Are you sure?” 

“Very. Want you to fill me up, Jake.” 

He groans at your words and brings his hand up to pump his cock. His chest is flushed and sweat is gathering at his temples. 

“Fucking hell. Okay.” 

You spread your legs and Jake glides the head of his cock through your folds, gathering the wetness before slowly sliding into you. You both moan at the feeling of him sinking into your pussy. He bottoms out and pauses, giving you time to adjust to the stretch of him.

“Jesus, you’re so fucking tight." He growls, brows pinched together as he tries to hold back from moving. 

“Do it, Jakey. Give it to me. Move.” You whine, pushing your hips into his. He complies, pulling out of you almost completely before slamming back into you. He sets a hard pace – the force of each thrust pushing you upwards, making your tits bounce as he rails into you. His eyes are transfixed on them as they bounce up and down, and you rake your nails down his back. You wrap your legs around him and press your heels into his ass, drawing him in closer. 

“Fuck, you feel so good.” He groans.

“God, Jake. Right there.” You cry, clenching your eyes closed. “Harder! Fuck!” 

Jake grabs your calf tightly with his right hand, throwing it over his shoulder. He then plants his forearms on either side of you, caging you in with his body. The new angle allows him to hit even deeper, the tip of his cock hitting that special place inside of you with each thrust. You wail as he pistons his hips into yours and little breathy moans fall from his plump lips. His eyes screw shut and his hair is damp as he fucks you better than anyone ever has. You clench around him and he groans loudly, sweat dripping down his chest as he opens his eyes to watch your face as the pleasure takes you over. 

“You look so fucking gorgeous, baby.” He says, thrusts growing more desperate as his own release quickly begins to approach. He slides one hand between the two of you, circling your clit in time with his thrusts. 

“Jacob!” You scream, as your second climax washes over you, sending white hot pleasure coursing throughout your entire body. It seems to keep going forever, and your legs shake and your body twitches as he keeps fucking you through it. 

“Fuck, say that again.” He says through clenched teeth, thrusts growing erratic and sloppy. 

“Jacob.” You say, and this time it comes out as a needy whine.

“Fuck, fuck. Shit!” He growls as his mouth drops open. His own orgasm finally arrives and you feel his cock twitch inside of you as he paints your walls with his release. He thrusts into you deeply once, twice, three more times before collapsing onto you. 

“Jesus.” You say, closing your eyes as you fight to get your heart rate back down to a reasonable pace. 

“Yeah.” He pulls his cock from you and your pussy clenches at the loss of him. “Hold on.” He reaches down towards the foot of the bed where his boxers lay. He cleans you both up before throwing them down onto the floor. He reaches across to the nightstand and flicks the light off. 

He collapses onto his back and you roll onto your side to face him. The two of you stare at each other in the dark. 

“Do you believe me now when I say all is forgiven?” You ask him, smiling as you take in his fucked out expression. 

“Yeah, I guess.” He says, smiling back at you. “I’m still gonna keep telling you though – I’m so fucking sorry.” 

You reach up and cup his face between your palms, bringing him close to you so you can press your lips to his in a sweet kiss. 

“And I’ll keep telling you that it’s okay.” You say against his plush lips. “I’ll always choose you.” 

He searches your face before pressing a kiss to your forehead. 

“Thank you.” 

He pulls you in tight to his chest, and you can feel his steady heartbeat as you nuzzle into his skin. You toss one leg over him, pulling him even tighter against you. 

“Does this mean you’ll come back for the next tour?” He asks, face buried in your hair. 

You giggle.

“Abso-fucking-lutely.” 

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

Taglist:

@sacredthethreadgvf

[mando-fando]

Blue Sky Thinking

Idek I have CEO Miguel brain rot (esp bc I started my new corporate girlie job two weeks ago!)

So here’s this!!

Pairing: CEO Miguel O’Hara x Corporate!Female Reader

Words: 1.6k

Warning: CORPORATE AMERICA

You’d been a CXO at Alchemax for two weeks now. You’d done some consulting work beforehand, and when the job opened up, an old mentor gave you a call to set up the interview.

“Alchemax needs a strong Chief Experience Officer,” she said over the phone. “Their products are good, but their image is…lacking. With no help from the CEO.” She added.

Oh yes, the CEO whom you haven’t even met yet, Miguel O’Hara. He had no interest in partaking in the several interviews you had for this position, and he was out of town for your first full week.

What a nice way to welcome a colleague, you thought.

Regardless, everyone else was competent and friendly, and you already had big ideas for the next few months.

The elevator doors opened and you began walking towards your office. Your heels click-clacked on the marble as you made your way down the hall.

You stepped into your office and began powering up your computer. You had a meeting this morning with the fellow chiefs of staff, and you wanted to go over your notes one last time before delivering your presentation.

“Good morning!” A chipper voice drew your attention from your screen. You looked up and saw your assistant Jeanine.

“Good morning Jeanine,” you smiled at her.

“Are you excited for your meeting? Nervous?” She grinned.

“A bit of both,” you leaned back in your seat, “but mostly excited. We have unlimited potential, and I intend to tap into that!”

“Let me get you a coffee,” she said with a wink.

You turned back to your computer and began rehearsing your presentation. It had taken you the entire weekend to gather all the data and put the slideshow together. You spent hours practicing, and you could probably deliver every word in your sleep.

“Here you go,” Jeanine returned with your coffee, exactly the way you liked it.

“Thank you.” You stood up and gathered your things and headed to the board room. “Wish me luck!” You called over your shoulder.

20 minutes later, a small bead of sweat ran down your back as you stared at your fellow chiefs of staff. Only one was missing: the CEO.

You’d been waiting anxiously for him to show up, silently cursing him for delaying something you’d worked so hard on.

“I think we’ll go ahead and start without him,” the CFO said.

You nodded. “Alright, let’s get started.” You turned towards the projector. “Firstly, I wanted to th-“

The conference room door opened, interrupting your introduction.

He’d finally decided to show up, the minute you began talking.

Although you’d seen photos of Miguel, they did him no justice. He was tall, taller than any of the other men sitting in the boardroom by almost a foot. He filled out the expensive Armani suit in a way you’d never seen before, and his hair was perfectly groomed.

His face was gorgeous, but it took you a moment to realize that his breathtaking eyes were gazing at you with an unimpressed look.

“I don’t think we’ve had the chance to-“ you stuck your hand out to shake, but he interrupted you for the second time that morning.

“I’m well aware of who you are. I’m also well aware of the fact that you hijacked this meeting to go over your silly ideas rather than going over the financials for Q3. Hi This,” he gestured to the presentation on the board, “can be sent out as an email. We have real work to do.” He said dismissively.

Frustration flooded your chest. You’d worked all freaking weekend on this presentation! Who was he to tell you it wasn’t ‘real work?!’

“Excuse me?!” You said with a raised brow. It had come out of your mouth before you realized it.

The other chiefs of staff looked up at you with wide eyes. You had heard that Miguel wasn’t one to take any kind of back talk.

A look of surprise flashed across his face before a stern expression replaced it.

“What did-“ he began.

“No.” You said firmly, taking a step towards him. “Myself and my colleagues had decided to change the theme of this meeting, so we can discuss some changes that need to happen this quarter to ensure client satisfaction. I’m not hijacking anything.” You spoke in a calm and eloquent manner as you felt every set of eyes in the room trained on you.

“Client satisfaction is not more important than the quarterly financials.” He challenged.

“Yes, it is.” You stated factually. “Since you stepped into your position, it’s gone down drastically. There have even been whispers amongst the board blaming you for the decrease.” You crossed your arms and looked at him.

Miguel blinked at you. You could tell he hadn’t been challenged this way in quite some time.

“This is a discussion we’ll be having in my office.” He said flatly before turning around to walk out.

“I’ll see if Jeanine can squeeze you into my calendar,” you clipped.

He turned back to you for a moment with a deathly glare before leaving the room.

“Apologies for the interruption, everyone,” you turned back to your colleagues and began delivering your presentation again.

After the meeting was over, the gravity of your interaction with Miguel began setting in. Your second week at the job, and you’d all but made enemies with the CEO.

You sat in your office and ruminated over the encounter. Emails began flooding your inbox as your colleagues began looping other employees into the process of implementing your ideas.

You scrolled through them mindlessly when a message came through from Miguel’s secretary.

Please meet Mr. O’Hara in his office at your earliest convenience.

You rolled your eyes and stood from your desk. Your office was on the opposite end of the hall from his own. You trekked down the long corridor towards his secretary’s desk.

“Is he available?” You asked flippantly.

“Yes, go in.” She said dismissively without making eye contact. She was just as rude as her boss.

You walked into the office and found him sitting at his desk with a pair of glasses sitting on the end of his nose, looking intently at his computer screen.

You waited for him to acknowledge your presence for a moment as you closed the door behind you.

You waited at least 2 minutes. He still hadn’t said a thing to you.

“You know what? I’ll come back later.” You turned towards the door.

“Sit down,” he said, still not looking up from his screen.

“I was under the impression that this was urgent,” you said, still standing with a hand on the doorknob.

He sighed and looked over at you as he took off his glasses.

“You’re mouthy for a new hire.”

“Did you call me over here to insult me?” You scoffed.

“That wasn’t an insult. Sit.” He gestured to the chair on the opposite side of his desk. You finally sat across from him.

“Then what is it, if it’s not an insult? A compliment?”

“I suppose. You’re new to this position. You’re young, too. Standing up to me, especially in a room full of other people is not something most people would do.” He said.

“So you’re commending me for undermining your authority in front of our peers?” You questioned skeptically.

For some reason, that made him chuckle. The sound reverberated through your ears, and a slight blush tinted your cheeks. The animosity you had towards him seemed to vanish.

“How did your presentation go? I heard that you have ‘big plans.’” Miguel leaned back in his seat and crossed his arms with a smile.

“It couldn’t have gone better,” the excitement in your tone was obvious. “And I do have big plans. I’d like to get our stock back up to its former glory, and maybe get the board to stop churning the rumor mill about our chiefs of staff. It freaks out the shareholders,” you said casually.

“Rumor mill?” Miguel questioned.

“Oh don’t play dumb,” you smiled. “They say you’ve been genetically experimented on.”

He laughed. His eyes lit up and his white teeth glimmered as he bared them. “And I take it you don’t believe the ridiculous rumors?”

“Of course not,” Your shoulders relaxed a bit. Whatever tension there was between the two of you had melted.

“Well, that’s good to know,” he sat back up in his chair and looked back towards his computer.

“Look, I’m going to be transparent with you about something: I’m not super personable. But my job isn’t to be personable. It’s to strategize and manage our operations. I’m good at what I do, but the board always loves the ones who they can show off at their fundraisers and shit like that.” He looked you in the eyes as he said it. You could swear that his eyes had a touch of red in them, but told yourself it was a trick of the light.

“I understand,” you nodded. “I am personable. I actually really enjoy those events. I’d also like to make a better name for CXOs since the position is becoming more popular, so I don’t mind the attention,” you smiled.

“Well, it’s settled then.” He stood up and you followed suit. “You’ll take care of our horrendous client satisfaction, and go wherever those assholes on the board need you to go.”

“Sounds like a plan,” you stuck a hand out to shake. He met your grasp and you almost gasped at the size of his hands.

“Glad we ended things on a better note than we started them on,” he winked. Your heart fluttered.

“Me too.”

[digitaldoeslmk]

woe, idle hcs be upon you:

Mei has hyperpigmentation/melasma, and due to her rough and tumble disposition, she's covered in pockmarks from bruises, scrapes and the occasional acne;

Mei also has little budding horns on her head, she just covers them with her pigtails so they don't snag or catch into stuff;

she has several social media accts, her largest ones are her speedrunning stream channel and her bike racing and modding blog;

she finds dragon tattoos funny cus "lmao that looks like my great-cousin before he hit his growth spurt bahahaha!";

MK is nonbinary masc trans; he got blockers prior to his teens, but he stopped T only a year before the events of the series;

He has a small cloud handpoke tattoo on his ankle, he did it himself on a whim and its shaky and wonky but he treasures it a lot;

He has several piercing scars on his ears and nose, and on his eyebrows. He tried to make them last, but the moment he loses piercings like you wouldn't believe. He eventually stopped when one got torn during martial arts practice;

Hai'er isn't too bothered by pronouns, but he prefers masc adjectives;

He often wears traditional clothes, but he prioritizes practicality overall, especially qhen he's at his workshop;

He's incredibly strict when it comes to safety gear and measures. If you won't respect his labs and workshops for the SAW traps that they are, then be gone;

Pigsy used to ride bikes, he was big on wheels until he sold his pride and joy to get the remaining money he needed to open the noodle shop;

Pigsy and Sandy met on the bike "gang" scene, though it was less a gang and more several younger folk who enjoyed riding and causing the occasional trouble, but not real gang-related crimes;

And the two met Tang when he walked in on them doing a small fundraiser for the shop;

he became a regular on Pigsy's food stand and even rambled about his food to his colleagues;

Tang and Pigsy are in a steady relationship together, and they are both legal guardians of MK;

The monkeys at FFM call MK either "little sage" or "prince", much to his bashfulness. it's cute when the cubs do it though;

after MK had a proper introduction to the folks of the mountain, he's constantly invited to take part in their life. festivals, holidays, birthday parties, he always get invited to come over and join them for it;

before the novelty of the Monkie Kid went away, Pigsy had to install some safety measures on the noodles delivery app, cus people kept ordering noodles only to see MK and ask for signatures and such;

Mei is a restaurant's worst nightmare because she's So Picky when it comes to seafood;

'Mei' and 'MK' are nicknames they both got in the martial arts academy, their names are still Long Xiaojiao and Qi Xiaotian;

Sandy used to do boat transportation, but he retired to do engineering work instead. he got a degree thanks to Tang's encouragement and support;

Mei is on prep school for electrical engineering college; her parents wanted something more law-oriented but this was their compromise, since Mei didn't want to do college At All;

Tang is an academics jack-of-all-trades; he messed up his tenure so now he does academic book revisions, translations and editorials. Hes also affiliated with a number of libraries, and manages read-alongs, study groups and other events. On occasion he gets advisory jobs on documentaries and such, and he's even been asked on a few interviews;

He gets supremely insufferable about his curriculum if you get him talking about it;

He's got a near flawless memory of every book he's read, able to quote exact lines and identify the chapter and pages from them;

Tang speaks a number of languages, and sometimes takes students from fellow teachers who might need some private lessons to catch up;

His tenure was put on pause so he could help Pigsy with raising baby MK, and he doesn't regret his choice one moment;

[kaylinalexanderbooks]

OC questionnaire

Thanks to @illarian-rambling here, @saltysupercomputer here, @the-golden-comet here and here, @drchenquill here, @cwritesfiction here,

@elsie-writes here, and @mk-writes-stuff here!

I've actually been tagged in this a lot more (I love you guys and I love this game but oh my God), but I'll put those in a different post otherwise it would be twice as long. Let's cap it off at eight like I did last time.

Rules: answer the given questions in the POV of an OC!

Past questionnaires:

Round one masterpost

Round two Tyler, Gwen, Liam, Noelle, Akash, Robbie, Sam, Ewan

Keep reading for Jazlyn, Carla, Wade, Rose, Maddie, Xitlali, Jedi, and Lexi!

#1- Jazlyn

What is one job you'd never take, no matter how good the pay is?

“Ughhh anything that involves sitting at a desk all day! Something with so much structure and rules it drives me insane. I have to be active, y'know? Something challenging. If I had a job that was too easy, I'd just about die.”

Did you have a favorite childhood toy?

“Aw, now you're having me remember my Monster High collection. I thought I was so edgy, too. I was too young when they first came out, but when I was... I dunno, seven-ish I found the web series and became obsessed.”

Would you rather be too hot or too cold?

“Too hot. I can keep myself warm, but then my powers are weakened when I do that. Hot I can handle with no side effects.”

Other Jazlyn: questionnaire one, interview

#2- Carla

Do you like caffinated beverages? If so, which ones?

“Oh, Alium has multiple caffeinated beverages that I love! I am quite fond of many kinds of tea, like chammomint or lemonder. Tyler recently introduced me to a Ceteri energy beverage called Red Bull. It was certainly interesting, and unlike anything we have here.”

What is a piece of media that you hold very dear and/or that is very important to you?

“Oh, that's easy, The Storm Riders! It's my favorite book of all time. It got me through the times George was gone to work.”

Do you hold grudges? How long?

“I try not to remain in the past. I try to look forward. It's hard sometimes... I don't know how long I hold grudges... I'm not even sure if I have a 'grudge' against those who caused me pain, and I... I don't know. Sorry if this was a rambling answer.”

Other Carla: OC in three, two truths and a lie, bingo, questionnaire one

#3- Wade

Are you a dog person or a cat person?

“Dog person. I have a lovely girl named K'Ehleyr. She is the sweetest thing you'll ever see. Wanna see some pictures?? I have so many pictures, come look. Here she is with me. Here she is with Teo. Here she is with me and Teo. Here she is with Parker...”

How far do you think you can throw a hand-sized rock?

“Further than most. I play football, which isn't the same thing, but I'm in decent shape and have a good throwing arm. I've chucked some of Gabriel's rocks before, so I have practice. Am curious to see the results, though.”

Who is the one person who you can trust to keep a secret?

“I could trust both Teo and Parker. Some may not understand the latter, but he's actually very respectful of others' secrets even if he doesn't understand them.”

Other Wade: two truths and a lie, interview, questionnaire one, kiss Picrew

#4- Rose

Are you an extrovert or an introvert?

“Introvert. But if Lexi isn't there, I seem to do the group introductions.”

As a gift, do you prefer flowers or jewelry?

“Jewelry. I can pair them with clothes, and I like doing that.”

If you could swich life with someone, who and why?

“... I wanted to switch lives with Lexi for a while. It seemed like she had everything. Now I'm unsure.”

Other Rose: questionnaire one, OC in three

#5- Maddie

Is life going the way that you hoped it would?

“Hm. I'm not sure. I don't think ahead often to hope for things. I guess life is fine. I like my powers, I like being in the robotics club. Yeah, it's good.”

What is in your pocket right now? Why?

“Wilfredo. Kelsey made him for me.”

If you could relive a single minute of your past, what minute would you pick?

“I dunno. Hm. Maybe... The trip to Six Flags was fun.”

Other Maddie: OC in three, OC in fifteen, two truths and a lie, questionnaire one, bingo, Picrew, interview, bag, origin

#6- Xitlali

What type of music do you like to listen to?

“Nothing you'd be familiar with. I listen exclusively to Alii music, especially stuff by Inutilia artists that advocate for our rights. Cheung An's stuff is really good.”

What's an unpopular opinion you have?

“*scoffs* That Inutilia should have rights is one that shouldn't be unpopular but apparently is. But even amongst people like me, here's a hard pill to swallow: Atsila McLain SUCKED. You think she actually legitimately cared about us? She had no idea what we went through, what we STILL go through. Raissa Kamanzi may have ruined our reputation, but Atsila McLain just made it easier for bigots to hate us. McLain did nothing to help us. She had no reform ideas. She was a power-hungry bitch, and the amount of Inutilia that fell for her lies is disgusting.”

What are your thoughts on cheese?

“Cowyote cheese is overrated. Llamybara cheese is underrated. I'd argue more about it, but that last question pissed me off, so I don't feel like it.”

Other Xitlali: questionnaire one

#7- Jedi

What’s the worst insult you’ve ever been given?

“I do not wish to repeat it, but it is the slur targeting Inutilia such as myself.”

How would you react if someone catcalled you?

“Forgive me if I do not understand the term - it is not something we have in Alium - but if I am correct in its definition, I do not know how I would react. It has not happened to me, although I suppose I would not like it. I frankly do not understand why it happens in the first place.”

If you suddenly appeared in an unknown city, what would you do/look for first?

“I would first try to figure out where I am. A quick study of the architecture may tell me exactly where I am. However, I am sure I could ask someone. Unlike in Ceteri, here it is normal to randomly appear in an unknown city due to teleportation. So no one would question why I am asking. I believe I would like to look around and observe, but if I tire, I would locate a library. I do love spending time there.”

Other Jedi: OC in three, questionnaire one, Picrew, smash or pass (acearo version)

#8- Lexi

What is your favorite dessert?

“Oh, this is so hard! I dunno, cake? That might be too generic, but I love cake! All kinds of cake! I'm not picky at all about that. Maybe it's my love of parties and I just associate cake with that. But come on, why do we only have to have cake at parties!”

Would you rather take a vacation in a hot climate or a cold climate?

“Ugh, both sound awful depending on how hot and how cold. I guess I'm more used to a warm, humid climate. So let's go with that.”

Do you exercise? What does your regime look like?

“Well, I do training like everyone else in the Aequales. I do ride my bike, does that count? I like going on my bike through the neighborhood. It's nice being outside and I get to see a lot of my classmates!”

Other Lexi: OC in three, OC in fifteen, interview, Picrew, two truths and a lie, questionnaire one, bag, origin, bingo

Woo! Let's tag @sarahlizziewrites @reininginthefirewriting @cherrybombfangirlwrites @mysticstarlightduck @chauceryfairytales

+ ANYONE ELSE

Your questions: 1) What is your stance on lying? 2) Do you enjoy people watching? 3) What is the best decision you ever made?

TSP intro

TSP tag list (ask to be +/-): @thepeculiarbird @illarian-rambling @televisionjester @finchwrites

@nebula--nix @literarynecromancy @honeybewrites @the-golden-comet

[otrtbs]

hi!!

thank you so much for everything that you’ve contributed to this fandom, seriously, your time has been invaluable. people treat fanfic authors like a writing machine, but no, this is just your hobby!!

i was wanting to ask about your writing process:

1. when writing, do you usually write most/all of your fic before starting to post it?

2. how much do you outline before starting to write?

3. how do you keep up with what seems to be a semi regular posting schedule (as in like, staying committed to a fic and actually completing it lol)

sorry if you’ve already answered any of these before :)

hey hey heyo!!! this is so sweet!!

it honestly depends! with ahb!, i had a very good direction and plan on where i was taking the fic so i knew each chapter before i sat down to write it! but winterlude was more free-form. i was like, i want these 15 things to happen over 4 chapters lets make it work! and then with the dinner fic, that's one that i am writing out in its entirety before i post it. because there's a lot of details and web-weaving that go into it, and if i drop a thread somewhere it'll make the whole tory unravel, so it has to be complete before anyone else sees it. so it really depends on the vibe/intricacy of the fic!!

most of the time i'll try to outline a solid timeline with beginning and then major points to the end in chronological order. (so with art heist imagine like: 1. james introduction. 2. job interview/acquisition 3. assembling the heist team 4. meeting the team 5. new hampshire training 6. practice heist 7. heist 8. art swaps (berlin/amsterdam/portofino/copenhagen) 9. regulus death 10. grieving 11. healing 12. ending) <- and then i would go in and fill in things like,,, how does a jegulus relationship develop amidst all of this? and then you get sub-plot points like the museum date, the drowning degas, the auction house date, etc. until you get a pretty good fleshed-out idea! and then as i write and have even more ideas, i can plop them down somewhere on the timeline (amsterdam coffeeshop meeting/last supper group dinner/ etc) . and before writing each chapter,,, i sort of break chapters down into mini-stories with their own beginnings, middle, ends. just to make sure something is happening in each chapter, and it has structure.

this is putting so much faith in me hahah!! my posting schedule ranges from twice in one week to once in 4-6 months. and sometimes i just delete works if im not feeling them anymore ah! but!! i will say, the biggest way i stay committed to completing a story is having an ending in mind that i'm excited to execute or get to!! like something on the horizon at the end of the story normally motivates me to write enough to get to that point. but it's also just okay to stop writing a certain story if you're feeling uninspired!! sometimes, when i'm feeling burnt-out with one story and i'm not motivated to finish it, i'll just leave it alone and go work on something i'm actually interested in for a while until i feel the interest spark up again!! (hence...months between uploads sometimes) 😋

[johnyqt]

Week 1: Introduction to Software Design and Engineering

January 13-17, 2025

This week marked the start of our Software Design and Engineering course. Our first session was on Monday, where our instructor introduced the course, outlining expectations and objectives for the semester. Afterward, we were divided into teams, and I chose to collaborate with my former classmates. Our first task was to brainstorm project ideas that leverage technology to solve real-world problems while also having business potential.

Exploring Project Ideas

One of our initial ideas was an Order Queueing Web App for internet cafes. We recognized a common issue—gamers often need to pause their game to place food orders, which can be disruptive for them and inefficient for the staff. Our proposed solution was a web app that allows customers to browse the menu and place orders directly from their gaming stations, with real-time notifications sent to the cashier to ensure a seamless experience.

We also considered a Job Hunting Website, but we soon realized that its broad scope would be difficult to manage within our timeframe. After further discussion, we pivoted to a more practical option: a Smart Inventory Management System for Small Businesses. This system would enable businesses to monitor inventory in real time, receive alerts for low stock, generate sales analytics, and automate reports—effectively addressing common challenges like overstocking, shortages, and inefficient tracking.

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

To better understand user needs, we conducted interviews with potential users. We visited Virtual Grounds, an internet cafe, to observe how customers and staff handled food orders. Additionally, we stopped by Minute Burger, a burger shop, to learn about inventory management challenges. These interviews provided us with valuable insights and helped refine our proposed solutions.

During class, we presented both project ideas. After discussing their feasibility and impact, we officially decided to move forward with the Smart Inventory Management System as our final project. It stood out as a more practical and scalable solution, with a clear market need and strong alignment with our course objectives.

With the first week behind us, we’re eager to dive into the planning and development phase. Excited for what’s next!

[nxtclues]

HR Interview Questions for Fresher: What to Expect and How to Answer

Introduction Starting your professional journey can be both exciting and nerve-wracking, especially when preparing for your first job interview. HR interviews are crucial as they assess not just your technical skills but also your personality, confidence, and cultural fit. This article outlines common HR interview questions for fresher and provides tips on how to answer them effectively. At Nxtclue, we help you prepare with confidence and clarity.

1. Tell me about yourself.

Why it’s asked: This question helps the interviewer get an overview of who you are.

How to Answer:

Provide a brief background about your education and any relevant achievements.

Highlight key skills, internships, or projects you’ve worked on.

Keep it short, positive, and to the point.

Sample Answer: “Hello, I’m [Your Name]. I recently graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in [Your Field] from [Your College]. During my studies, I completed an internship at XYZ Company, where I worked on [mention briefly]. I’m passionate about [mention interest relevant to the job] and have developed skills like [list relevant skills]. I’m eager to apply my knowledge and grow within your organization.”

2. Why do you want to work for our company?

Why it’s asked: To assess whether you’ve researched the company and are genuinely interested.

How to Answer:

Mention something specific about the company, such as its values, reputation, or projects.

Explain how your skills and goals align with the company’s mission.

Sample Answer: “I admire [Company Name]’s commitment to innovation and its strong presence in the industry. I believe that working here would allow me to learn and contribute to meaningful projects while developing my skills in [relevant field]. At Nxtclue, I hope to build a strong foundation in my career.”

3. What are your strengths and weaknesses?

Why it’s asked: To evaluate self-awareness and honesty.

How to Answer:

For strengths: Mention 2-3 strengths relevant to the job, with examples.

For weaknesses: Be honest but show that you’re improving. Avoid mentioning something critical to the role.

Sample Answer: “One of my strengths is time management. During my college years, I balanced academics and extracurricular activities effectively. I’m also a quick learner and adapt well to new environments. As for weaknesses, I sometimes focus too much on details, but I’ve been working on prioritizing tasks to meet deadlines efficiently.”

4. Where do you see yourself in five years?

Why it’s asked: To understand your career goals and ambition.

How to Answer:

Show that you’re committed to growth within the company.

Talk about learning, contributing, and taking on more responsibilities.

Sample Answer: “In five years, I see myself growing into a role where I can lead a team or handle more complex projects. I’m committed to building my skills and contributing to the success of Nxtclue.”

5. Why should we hire you?

Why it’s asked: To gauge your confidence and suitability for the role.

How to Answer:

Highlight your skills, enthusiasm, and eagerness to learn.

Align your qualities with the company’s needs.

Sample Answer: “You should hire me because I have the skills and enthusiasm to learn quickly and contribute effectively to your team. My internship and academic projects have prepared me with a strong foundation, and I’m passionate about bringing value to Nxtclue.”

6. Do you have any questions for us?

Why it’s asked: To see if you’re genuinely interested and engaged.

How to Answer: Prepare 1-2 thoughtful questions about the company, team, or role. Avoid asking about salary or perks immediately.

Sample Questions to Ask:

“What does a typical day look like for someone in this role?”

“How does Nxtclue support learning and professional growth?”

Additional Tips to Ace Your HR Interview

Be Professional: Dress appropriately and maintain good body language.

Practice: Rehearse your answers but avoid sounding robotic.

Be Honest: If you don’t know something, admit it gracefully.

Research the Company: Understanding its values and recent projects will help you connect your answers to the company’s needs.

Stay Calm and Confident: Take a deep breath, smile, and speak clearly.

Conclusion Preparing for HR interviews is all about understanding common questions and structuring your answers thoughtfully. Fresher’s who align their skills, passion, and enthusiasm with the company’s goals stand out as strong candidates. At Nxtclue, we believe that preparation and confidence are key to acing any interview. Remember, practice makes perfect, and a confident, positive approach will take you a long way.

[pariskylar]

The Interview

Monday: August 2, 2021

in 2, 3 …hold… out 2,3. in 2, 3 …hold… out 2,3.

she was practicing her breathing techniques in the car. today was one of the most exciting and nerve wrecking days of her life. she was sat outside of thee Harlan Thombey's mansion, waiting for an interview.

she was interviewing for an assistant editor position. a job she dedicated four-and-a-half years of her life studying for. a literal dream opportunity, to be able to work under her idol.

as exciting as that thought was the possibility of rejection triggered her anxiety. which sent her on a spiral, in turn triggering her imposter syndrome. usually those thoughts would consume her, but last night she had an emergency session with her therapist.

just take a few deep breaths. in 2, 3 …hold… out 2,3.

the instruction rang in her head.

and remember, you're Jazlyn, fucking, Reed. you worked your tail off for this. you got this.

she continued her breathing techniques until being scared half to death by her 8:15 alarm. that was the sign for her to actually go into the home.

grabbing the phone she silenced it tossing it into the cup holder. pulling down her visor she checked her hair and makeup. rolling her eyes at the flyaway she reached into the glove box pulling out the spare brush, laying them down.

semi-satisfied at her appearance she grabbed her old messenger bag, leaving the car.

hi, nice to meet you. i'm Jazlyn Reed. i graduated summa cum laude from MIT-no.

hello, my name is Jazlyn Reed, nice to meet you. i graduated from MIT, summa cum laude.

she practiced her introduction making her way up the step.

remember, you're Jazlyn, fucking, Reed. you worked your tail off for this. you got this. she repeated the advice before knocking on the door.

after a full minute the door opened revealing a middle aged white woman with brown hair and brown eyes.

“yes?” she asked.

“um, hi, i'm Jazlyn Reed. i’m here for the 8:30 interview with Mr. Thrombey” her palms began to sweat.

“oh, yes. come in” she stepped aside letting her in “you can sit in the foyer and i’ll tell Harlan you’re here”

she nodded, taking a seat in one of the chairs, crossing one leg over the other.

nice to meet you my name is Jazlyn Reed. i graduated summa cum laude from MIT where i worked as writer and editor on The Tech. as she began to practice her introduction again her leg began to shake.

ok ok ok, calm down she closed her eyes working on her breathing techniques, again.

remember, you're Jazlyn, fucking, Reed. you worked your tail off for this. you got this. she chanted in her head beginning to calm down.

“Ms.Reed” the voice pulled her out the oasis she was creating in her head “Mrs.Drysdale will see you now.”

she nodded standing with her bag following the lady to the in home office. she bid adieu before pushing the already cracked door further open.

in the office sat a white older woman with white hair and blue eyes behind the desk reading over papers. the same face you'd see on any for sale sign in any major city of Massachusetts, Linda Drysdale.

in the corner of the room sat a cute brown skinned woman next to the iconic Harlan Thrombey. she could credit this man for a lot of things in her life.

her love for reading, her love for writing and the reason she double majored in Creative Writing and Publishing. she stayed up countless nights trying to finish his books and hopefully solve the mystery of Whodunit. if there was a book released by this man she would be sure to get it one way or another.

she stood there in awe, staring at him.

“Jasmine Reed?” Linda asked, pulling her from her trance like state.

“um, yes. hi, i’m Jazlyn Reed,” she walked further into the room “nice to meet you.” she stuck her hand out.

“i’m Linda Drysdale.” she accepted. “and this is my dad Harlan Thrombey-"

no shit!

"and his nurse Marta.”

Jazlyn smiled over at them.

“please have a seat.” Linda waved to the seat in front of her “so, Jasmine, tell us about yourself.”

“i graduated summa cum laude from MIT last spring with a 4.8 GPA. my junior and senior year i was head writer and editor for The Tech. i interned with Candlewick Press and externed with the Beacon Press." reaching in her bag she pulled out a folder, containing her resume and excerpts, handing it over to Linda. "during both i assisted multiple editors and written and edited pieces of my own."

while Linda looked over her resume, she mentally praised herself for that introduction. it was smooth and well articulated.

"impressive" she nodded "first question,"

the interview went on as usual—strengths, weaknesses, the greatest accomplishments. she was knocking it out the park when Linda tossed a curve ball passing the questions over to Harlan.

“dad, any questions?” all the attention turned to Mr. Thrombey

he sat quietly for a few breaths before asking the most odd question.

“why are you shaking?"

"excuse me?" she asked, genuinely confused.

"you haven’t stopped bouncing your leg since you’ve sat down.”

she looked down and realized she was, indeed, bouncing her leg. she hadn't noticed that at all.

“oh, i’m sorry.” she immediately stopped, crossing her legs.

“why?” he asked pointed.

she went to answer, but he was sat there staring. it felt like being scowled down on by a hawk, it was a bit unnerving.

“why am i sorry?” she felt her leg beginning to shake again, as she grew more nervous than before.

he continued to sit and stare. he stared at her for an unsettling amount of time. it began to psych her out, her mind began to race with everything she’s said during the interview. what she was once praising herself for she began to doubt.

“you’re quite dull, aren’t you?” he stated, earnestly.

that hit her like a ton of bricks. the person she aspire to be thinks she's dull.

“i-i” she turned to Linda not sure what to say.

“please ignore that.” she waved him off "it was nice talking to you. we will call you." she stood up extending her hand.

that’s it? she blinked twice before standing up, accepting her hand and making a quick exit out the house. she went out to her car, deflated and hurt.

the man she grew up idolizing called her dull. dull?

he didn't read her resume yet alone any of her excerpts but him calling her dull hurt like crazy. she dedicated her entire life to literature, wanting to make people feel the way he did with his writing. with a single word she began reconsidering everything, and the old feelings of imposter syndrome washed over her.

she had worked so long and so hard, with years of therapy, to get over those feelings. then with one word a man she just met sent her spiraling.

she hopped in the car and slammed the door behind her. with jittery hands, she set her phone in the phone holder and connected it to the charger. opening the FaceTime app she started her group call.

“hey, love.” Tia was the first to answer, the camera was facing the ceiling and she heard the clinking of dishes.

“hi.” she replied putting on her seatbelt and started the car.

“how was the interview?”

“oh my gosh!” she let out a shaky breath before shifting her gears.

“what happened?” Tia asked setting up the phone.

“hihi” Ash answered the call from Kiara's closet.

they returned the greetings.

“how was the interview?”

“she was finna tell me about it.” Tia cracked an egg and began whisking.

she pulled off and began explaining the entire interview to them, even the off the wall shit Harlan said. for some reason they found it entertaining.

Tia tried stifling a laugh while Ashley full on cackled.

"what?" she asked pulling up to a stop light.

“that’s such a weird thing to say to somebody you just met.” Ash laughed more, taking a hanger from the closet rod.

"yeah." she sighed beginning to think how she could start again.

should i look for another job in the same field? should i go back to school and study something different? am i going to be stuck at CVS my whole life?

T looked at her disconsolate friend and could see her having an internal crisis.

"hey, don't let some old white man cause you to spiral." she spoke first.

"yeah." Ash joined in "he called you boring? so what? is it kinda funny? yes. but he doesn't know you. you've worked too hard to regress."

"thanks." she gave them a small smile pulling up to work.

“hey, y’all. my bad i was rehearsing.” Zariana finally answered with sweat dripping down her face.

she earned a chorus of replies

“how was the interview?” she asked taking a swig from the water bottle.

“i have to tell you later, i just pulled up to work.” Jazlyn cut off the car.

“yeah and i gotta serve breakfast.” Tiana slid three plates on a serving platter.

“i have to take Kiara her fits for the day.” Ashley held up the outfits.

“dang! love y'all. see y'all later, i guess.” she blew them all a kiss

when the call ended she reached into the back grabbing her red collard shirt. leaving the car she walked into CVS ready for a long and draining shift.

"hey, Jaz, i need you to show this customer where the eye drops are." Drew, her supervisor, ordered as soon as she stepped inside.

i just got here

"it's on aisle 5." she said trying to walk past them.

"she can't find them" he put his arm out in front of her.

she rolled her eyes, vexed already, "ok, i need to clock in then i'll help her."

"just show her on your way."

today is gonna be a long ass day.

and it was. after 12 hours of getting yelled at by customers, berated by her supervisor, and a serious back ache she was relieved to finally go home.

back home she flopped on the couch next to Tia, tired.

“long day?” Tia asked pouring her a glass of wine.

“too long.” Jaz handed her the pint of Ben and Jerry’s

‘what’s the sitch, Wade?’ Kim Possible played on the TV.

scooted closer to Tia resting her head on her shoulder.

“fall asleep watching K.P with me?” Tia asked.

“yeah, but i need to take my makeup off first.” she said eyes still glued to the t.v.

thirty minutes and two glasses of wine later they were both knocked out on the couch.

- - - -

"KILL YOURSELF!"

"FUCK YOU!"

she was scared awake by arguing. she rolled out of bed—grabbing her phone—and rushed down to the living room. in the center of the room stood Tia and Shawn yelling at each other at full volume.

she sighed to herself and walked towards the kitchen.

"how bout you stop bein a bum and get a job!" Tia yelled

"how bout you get a life and stop worrying bout what me and Jaz got going on?" Shawn shouted back.

Jazlyn grabbed a naked juice from the fridge and sat at the table waiting for the arguing to stop.

"i have a life. i also have a career, a car and a place of my own. what do you have? no money, a dorm on campus and a school shuttle bus."

"i'm a med school student."

"on your eighth year."

"seventh." he corrected

"ouuu, seventh." she mocked him.

they began yelling at and over each other, it was barely audible. Tia and Shawn hated each other's guts. they couldn't be in the same room without arguing. she used to try and play peacemaker between the two but it was useless. she knew eventually one of them would piss the other off enough that they'd leave.

she pulled out her phone checking the notifications she got while asleep

core four 👯‍♀️👯‍♀️:

Ash 👒: is it weird to share panties with ur gf

core four 👯‍♀️👯‍♀️:

Zari 🪐: bro wtf

core four 👯‍♀️👯‍♀️:

Tia 🫧: i'm blockin u

Shawn: otw, in the Uber

before she could get further down Shawn screamed in frustration, stomping up stairs

"y'all done?" she locked the phone

"you need to get your friend." he slammed a door.

"no, she need to dump your sorry ass!" Tia yelled up at him. "i have to go, love you" she placed a kiss on her forehead.

she went over and flopped down on the couch, finally getting a moment of silence with herself. unlocking the phone she checked her email, hoping for some type of update on her interview. she had been waiting for two weeks.

she couldn't take another shift at CVS. her body hurts from working 12 hour shift and the feeling of another psychotic break was brewing. she had been averaging four hours of sleep a night and it began to affect her.

the mailbox was full of spam, promotional emails and her bank telling her she had payed her bills. tossing the phone to the side she laid back trying to take a nap, but couldn't. this was her first day off in months, and her mind wouldn't let her relax—she had to stay busy.

standing up she paced the townhouse trying to find something to busy herself. she landed in front of the refrigerator. five minutes later the fridge was empty and she had on rubber gloves scrubbing it until it looked brand new.

finishing the fridge she realized how nasty the floors were. filling a bucket with cleaning solution and water, she grabbed her scrub brush getting to work. while on her hands and knees her phone rang.

"hello?" she answered, wiping the sweat from her forehead.

“Jasmine Reed?” the familiar voice asked

finally!

“yes, this is she.” she tried keeping her cool

“this is Linda Drysdale, i interviewed you two weeks ago”

"Linda? hi."

"hi, i was calling because you stood out to me when we talked. and if you are still interested, we'd love for you to work for my dad."

are you insane

"yes, i'm still interested."

"are you able to start Monday?"

"yes."

"ok. well i'll send over the contract. see you Monday"

"thank you." she hung up

"YES! YES! YES!" she hopped up, jumping in a circle.

she opened the group chat and shot the message

BITCH I CAN FINALLY QUIT

[limalatina]

T A S K # 0 1 - INTRODUCTION.

Alright uni gang, I'm gonna need y'all to listen up and take notes. Auntie Snix has some words of wisdom for all you loners and rejects out there who need my help fitting in while also uniquely standing out. If my 22 years on this planet have learned me anything, it's that you're never too much of a bad bitch to learn some new tricks. So pop a squat, get your popcorn ready, and pay attention because I'm only going to say this once. And trust me, these are invaluable life lessons that will stick with you throughout your extended time here at wmu.

𝐒𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐚'𝐬 𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐠𝐮𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐩𝐨𝐩 𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐞𝐥𝐬𝐞'𝐬 𝐛𝐮𝐥𝐥𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐭 :

𝟏. Your college years are the time to be selfish. Now you may be thinking, "Santana, you've always been self-centered." While there may be some validity to that, college is an excuse to not feel guilty about it. Step outside your comfort zone, act on your own desires. Just don't get arrested for public intoxication. 𝟐. Never show up early or empty-handed to a party. The goal is to appear cool and indifferent, not make yourself look desperate. Frat parties aren't really my scene, but they typically have the best alcohol if you're looking to drink away your problems. 𝟑. Real Housewives is priceless entertainment. If you haven't watched it yet, you need to start. They show reruns on Bravo. If you have watched it and it wasn't your cup of tea, I'm sorry to inform you but you have terrible taste. I bet your favorite show is Breaking Bad or Grey's Anatomy. How unoriginal. 𝟒. Dress hot for a job interview. Practical? No. Effective? Hell yes, unless you're Rachel Berry. It's a miracle how far thigh high boots and a tight-fitted camisole will get you in the bartending biz. 𝟓. Crocs with socks should be a federal offense. If you own a pair, please burn them. Sincerely, everyone. 𝟔. Online shopping is both addictive and cathartic. Just ask my mom. After she found out about my dad's affair, she started buying up those 5,000 piece jigsaw puzzles that take weeks to complete. Not to mention she put all of the funds on his credit cards. That's the kind of petty behavior I admire. 𝟕. Street food in Lima, Ohio is not the same as it is in Miami. I need a lot of spice in my life. If I'm not legitimately delirious and sweating from the heat on my plate, I don't want it. Lima's version of that is buffalo chicken wings smothered in Taco Bell diablo sauce. Check, please. 𝟖. SZA's comeback was the highlight of the 2022. Five years between albums is wild that I have to admit my girl had me stressing for a minute, but her new music delivered. Shoutout to Kehlani for also releasing another banger. 𝟗. Relationships ain't shit, delete your dating apps. If I wanted to be cheated on, I would've set the bar higher and aimed for someone rich like those gold diggers on Real Housewives do. At least then I wouldn't have to foot the bill at the end of the night. 𝟏𝟎. Guys lie to you but girls will destroy your psyche. Not all girls, obviously. Just the evil ones I'm attracted to and date. Consider this my vow to stay single forever.

That's all for now, kiddos. I hope you weren't expecting some profound insight into societal norms or anything like that. It's too early in the morning and I haven't had my daily dose of caffeine yet. I'm just here to keep it real. If you're in the market for any more helpful tips or tricks, hit me up on my socials. And if I have you blocked, best believe it's for a good reason and I would appreciate it if you never contacted me again. Deuces.

[kashish-arora20]

How to Crack Digital Marketing job

Introduction

Digital marketing is the best career opportunity. You recently completed your graduation and are starting your career in digital marketing. First, understand what digital marketing is. What is your current role and how do you navigate the job. Here I guide you to help you to crack a digital marketing job You find the jobs easily on LinkedIn. 

Digital Marketing Overview

Digital Marketing promotes products and services through digital methods, for example, SEO, social media marketing, content writing, ads, email marketing, etc. It is important to know the marketing strategies.

Important Skills

Knowledge skill: gaining practical knowledge in SEO (search engine optimization), writing blogs, and content marketing. WordPress, SMM (social media marketing), Google Ads, etc. 

Creative skill - you must have knowledge of creative skills in graphic design for example Canva, photoshop, and Abode like. 

Tools - must have knowledge of AI tools for example ChatGPT and other tools.

Social media profile 

Profile. It is important to have a social media profile and be active on it, for example, on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, etc.…

Stay updated

 Stay Updated on new marketing trends tools and creative learning.

Keys areas knowledge and skills which require maximum focus"

SEO (search engine optimization) is the process of optimizing a website or webpage to increase the quality and quantity of its traffic from a search engine organic result.

SMM (Social Media Marketing) is the process of making a network and sharing information about the companies. it is also a digital marketing and e-marketing

Content Writing is the process of writing content example blogs and others.

Email Marketing is the process of direct digital marketing sending emails to other people regarding brands and services.

Video marketing is the process of digital marketing advertising method to promote any brands or services digitally method

For digital marketing success, it is important to do marketing research and identify your brand strategies.

crack digital marketing job

For jobs, you must have good communication skills. and marketing knowledge. and practical experience in all digital marketing strategies.

learn how to use AI tools and other tools example Google Analytics and many more tools

first, you complete your course and internship program and gain knowledge and experience. and more learning on social media platforms. join digital marketing groups on LinkedIn.

For job interview

Before you apply for a job, you must have a good-quality resume. and after you prepare for the interview 

for the interview be ready for sample digital marketing questions 

for example,

what is digital marketing? and how it is work

what is SEO?

what do you mean by advertising? and how it is help?

what is PPC?

Focus on the main points

cracking a digital marketing job. You must have a combination of knowledge and skill. For example, Creative skills, technical skills, practical knowledge, and experience. Gaining knowledge in marketing, being active on social media, joining a digital marketing group, and search jobs on LinkedIn.

you must have the best learning skills.

you have skills and knowledge. you crack a job easily

to do best practices

strengthen your creativity

focus on your goal

don't give up

good communication

Networking

Make a strong network with other people on social media Example for LinkedIn. You find jobs on LinkedIn anytime and crack the interview.

to crack the job always keep the latest updates and remain active on social media platforms.

And use your internship experience for cracking the job

Conclusion

you must your main focus is on marketing strategies, brand building, learning skills communicating yourself and stay updated latest trend

If you are serious about my article, DM me for more details.