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imaginewarehouse · 3 years

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Various Males x Fem!ExModel!Reader || Oneshot

Plot: You, a retired model get hired at Cloud 9 and, not-at-all-surprisingly, you get harassed by every allegeable (According to them) bachelor in the place- but god fucking damnit! You’re just here to get a paycheck??!

“You can’t knock ‘em out, you cant walk away,

Try desperately to think about the politest way to say,

“Just get out of my face,”, “Just leave me alone,”

“And no you cant have my number,”,

“Why?”

“Cuz I lost my phone.”

(Inspired by Lily Allen’s Knock ‘Em Out)

Includes (In order of appearance after the introduction bit): Sal Kazlauskas, Garret McNeil, Tate Staskiewicz, Isaac (And I think my favouritism here definitely bleeds through*Cough*), Elias Greene, Cory, Jonah Simms, and Marcus White.

Warnings: Sal, harassment (They leave after you say no though. Just to be sure)

🔆 🔆 🔆

“And uh, yeah one last thing before we all hop off to work! We have a new Cloud 9 family member. Y/N! Would you like to stand up?” Glenn, the lovely man who took your interview a week ago and then went out of his way today to look for you out front in the morning to show you around quickly and guide you through clocking in, finds you in the crowd of workers and gestures for you to stand.

Oh, uh- uhh, okay! Up we get, then, you think as you stand up like he said and take a look around at all the judging eyes, which normally wouldn’t phase you but here is a lot scarier than what you’re used to. This an entirely different environment to getting up at a modelling gig- you know nothing about working this kind of job! You’ve never done it, so, you’re afraid they’ll judge you right off the bat and make it difficult for you to ask questions. And you can’t keep bothering Glenn- he has more important things to do.

Oh god, you hear whispering. You peer around. Where is that coming from?-

“This is Y/N L/N! She’ll be working with Go back’s today,” Right, Go Back’s Easy enough; Glenn explained them earlier before the meeting started. “So if you see her in your area- be sure to say hello and see if she needs some help, K? Good. We’re jazzed to have you with us Y/N.”

“Thank you!” You quip quickly, then sit down and focus on Glenn again, hoping dearly at the same time that attention disperses from you immediately.

Glenn smiles, glancing down at his clipboard for any last-minute messages. “Okay! I think that’s it, so- “

The whispering from before suddenly cuts off. “Uh yeah, question?” Glenn stops short when a man in the back kind of rudely cuts him off, but sighs out a ‘Yes, Marcus?’ as the woman beside him - Dina, - rolls her eyes severely. Oh, you let a tiny ghost of a smirk slip over your lips. That’s kind of a reaction, isn’t it? “Yo- new girl.” What- me- w h y- You immediately get awkward again and twist around in your chair, but don’t really know who to look at. Luckily the tall brunette in the warehouse uniform is pointing, so you figure it out pretty quick that that’s who you’re looking for, and calm down. Mostly.

Yeah? You raise one eyebrow. “Hi?”

He grins back to the right and the left of him, to his equally pleased buddies and pals, before raising a Vogue magazine- and it’s the issue on which you scored the front page. Jeez, that was months ago! “Is this you?”

A chorus of ‘Ohhhhh’ and general excitement travels around the room and for the first time ever, you’re half ashamed to admit that yes that is you. In your usual circle this is something to be proud of… but you get that it isn’t really like that, in non-modelling circles. In fact, it could be something to be embarrassed about.

Especially seeing that oh dude and his gang of Michael Myers fashion wannabes look like a hungry, dim-witted, wolves rather than plainly interested about your modelling career.

But, still, you smile politely and nod. Hopefully it’ll be forgotten before the afternoon, at least. “Yeah, that’s me.”

“Nice.”

Hmm… you really, really hope that it’s forgotten soon, at least, as you turn back around to face the front again as Glenn sends everyone off to work. Because if not, then these boys are going to learn the hard way that models take self-defence classes religiously.

Or at least you are going to have a very uncomfortable day, which is just great. You groan inwardly at the thought, as you gather up your coffee from the table beside you and drop it in the trash can on the way out.

You’re just doing your own thing and someone

Comes out of the blue,

They’re like,

“Alright”

But he’s saying

“Yeah can I take your digits?”

And you’re like, “No, not in a million years, you’re nasty.

Please leave me alone.”

There’s already so many Go Back’s! You think excitedly, as you get to work looking for where things should be. You’re glad to have something to do- at your first job with Chuck E Cheese, before you got into the modelling thing, you were basically useless the first day because you weren’t allowed to grill yet, you didn’t know how to assemble, and they didn’t want you out on the floor for the birthday party that was happening, in fear that you would mess up royally. So you just sat around trying not bother anyone, and that felt terrible. So, wandering the aisles of Cloud 9 with a full shopping trolley searching for products and neatening things up? Sounds like a good deal to you. Yes please.

“Uhh, hi.”

You practically jump entirely out of your skin, hearing the voice right beside you and whip your head around to see a balding guy in a blue Cloud 9 jacket. Is this man licking his fingers!?

“Uh,” You step back with your brightest, most polite smile, picking something up from the Go Back’s cart and rounding it to put it between you and the man, before acting like you’re stupid enough to be putting barbecue sauce in the Barbie section, and then… “Oh, oops! Silly me!” You flash the guy a nervous look. “I’m still working things out… “

Well? Better to look like an absolute idiot, then be standing within grabbing radius of the creepy man licking his fingers that you’re all alone in the middle of an empty aisle with. “Um… so, what’s up? Did someone send you to find me, or… am I doing something wrong? You know better than me, after all!”

“No… “His gaze licks up your form and if it weren’t for all your ‘training’ in staying still and not feeling this kind of thing- you absolutely would have wigged out. “You’re doing fine… Just wanted to see you.”

Boy- if anyone else could see your face right at this moment, full of disgust and mild horror, you’re sure you would be YouTubes next hit. Or a meme. “Oh… “You nervously chuckle. “Um, well, I’m gonna… go… “You pull the trolley around so that you can back up out the back of the aisle and escape through stuffed toys, into the open but his hand comes down on the other end of the trolley- stopping it. Before you can stop yourself, verbal diarrhoea spews from your lips. “Glenn has my resume- there’s a photo on there you can have.”

“That’s okay I prefer them to be breathing.” Both his hands are on the end of your trolley now, tight so his knuckles turn white, and he’s breathing unnecessarily heavy. He’s even leaning over the trolley some like his body really can’t handle whatever terrible heat is plaguing it right now. Oh god, oh god oh god oh god… this is so gross.

“Well, that’s… u-understandable...”

He looks up into your eyes, now, and doesn’t blink. Who the hell is this guy?! “Say… “ Oh no, oh no- he’s coming around the trolley-he’s coming around-he’s close-too close-too close-mayday-MAYDAY- Slowly, in your face, he licks up his thumb, makes an ‘Mm,’ sound, and you deeply wince; So much so in fact that one of your eyes completely closes. “Could I take your phone number?”

You absolutely couldn’t have helped what happened next if you had wanted to.

“Eeeeuuuwwwwwwww no not in a million years, your nasty, please leave me alone!!” You exclaim in a high voice before abandoning the trolley and rushing off to customer service.

“No you cant have my number,”

“Why?”

“Cuz I lost my phone.”

By the time you got to the front desk, you had basically calmed down and were mostly just stressed that you left the Go Back’s behind- but still must look troubled as the guy manning the front desk makes a confused, half-concerned but mostly intrigued kind of face at you as you stop there. You’re about to explain your appearance - that or just shrug, not too bothered about reporting whatever mess that was. Not on your first day, at least. No way. - when his face relaxes, and he nods. “Ohhh. Damn, Sal got to you?”

Sal? Was that the guy’s name? You didn’t check. “Oh, was that his name? I was a bit too preoccupied by his eyeballs sucking out my soul, to notice his name tag.” Now that you’re thinking about it, though, you glance at this man’s name tag. Garret.

“Yep, that’s Sal. That’s just one of the wonderful things involved in working here that you’ll just have to get used to.” Garret grins, offering you a chill perspective with a side of cynicism. You sigh, truly feeling relieved that you’ve found a normal person and relax your back against the taller part of the desk.

“Brilliant.” The sarcasm drips off the tip of your tongue.

“You’ll have to deal with a lotta that here, though, looking like you do.” You turn your head to the side to look already exhausted just by the idea, at him. He shrugs. “Hey, I don’t make the rules. I just speak the truth.”

“God- I feel sorry for the other women working here.”

“Oh, no. They’re in a completely different wheelhouse to you. Sorry.” Garret leans on his forearms on the desk, and you roll over to lean on your shoulder and pay attention. “See, you’re a model- “

“I was a model,”

“You were a model- which through primitive male thought process makes you prime real estate. Whoever manages to ‘bag’ you, for lack of a better word I apologise, gets some serious bragging rights.” He shrugs, and looks vaguely apologetic but still some how shameless as this utter bullshit slips out of his mouth. “We can’t help it- some of us don’t even know we’re doing that, but we are. Actually, I’m probably the only one who’ll admit it… which… kinda makes me your best option. Self-awareness, and all that.”

Oh. A dry laugh comes out of you as you feel a text come through in your back pocket and pull out your phone. As you see that its not an urgent message, you immediately put the phone back and glance around for any supervisors before returning to your conversation with Garret. “Oh- of course it does.”

“Exactly!” He grins, and you can’t tell through his expression at all whether he’s genuinely this clueless or if he’s just shooting his shot. “So- “

“No, you can’t have my number.”

“Why?”

Deadass, in a very monotone voice, you say: “I lost my phone.”

Then the two of you just have a stare off for a minute. Garret because he just saw you use your phone, and you because you wont back down.

“Oh yeah, actually yeah I’m, I’m pregnant. I’m having a baby in like 6 months, so no. Yeah, yeah… “

“You know,” The chemist pipes up from behind the Pharmacy desk as you put back some pill boxes he said were fine to return to the shelves, and you glance over at him to show you’re listening, and check his name tag. “I myself considered a career in modelling, before this. People even say, now, that I could model.”

Oh boy. You think, fighting not roll your eyes. And how old are you? Early 30’s? I don’t think so buddy.

“Oh, well, I wouldn’t recommend it.” You flash him a nervous grin before returning to your shelving. “You’re good for, like, 3 years. But then you hit 22 and unless you look like Victoria Justice shared with you whatever youth fountain she got chucked into, then you have to find something else to do with your life- despite having nothing to fall back on.” Okay… so… I might be a bit bitter.

Tate chuckles - and oh boy, he sounds just like your old manager. Totally fake, -, hiding his hands in his lab coat pockets. “Yeah, you’re probably right… Besides, I got the better end of the deal, anyway. Doctor for the doctors, they call us.” They call Pharmacists that? Who? That’s news to you. “Ahhh, yeah… I’m doing pretty well for myself.”

“Yep.” Forcing a fake smile his way, you leave the shelf you were stocking and get closer to the desk to stock another, as Tate’s eyes follow you waiting for encouragement of some kind. Doesn’t he have a job to do?? “You chose well!”

“Yeah, thanks. I know.” Ffffff-f a r out. This guy! “You know, you and me, we’d make a good couple.”

Oh? Dear god? You pause your shelving in surprise at the bomb this man has just dropped so casually, fish oil tablets paused on their journey to the shelf mid-air. Could Garret’s crazy-pants theory have been right?

“Ohh,” You giggle nervously, returning to work a bit faster now. “I don’t know. I think for a pharmacist like you, I would envision, like… “An actual doctor? No, I can’t say that. “A personal trainer, or something. Keep you both healthy all-round, you know? Now that’s a power team.” As long as that personal trainer has humility enough for the both of them, at least.

“Mergh,” He makes a face, like ‘What the heck are you talking about??’, before shaking his head of the things you just said and leaning over the desk towards you. You keep packing, even faster now. Like the Flash. Go! Go! Go! Death Con 5!! “So, whadaya say? I could pick you up Friday after work, and we could head up to one of my timeshares?” He says that like it’s such a selling point! You think, fighting off the powerful urge to laugh but still feeling the panic deep in the pits of your soul. “Stake it out together for the weekend? Get to know each other?”

“Uhh… “Excuses! What are they? You slowly stop stocking, turning around to face him and crossing your arms. The man deserves to at least be faced as he’s rejected; You’re kind enough to give him that, at least. “I’d love to! But, the thing is… “Chewing your bottom lip, you think hard.

Ding Ding Ding!!

“The thing is, Tate… “You fake some nerves, now. “I’m actually, uh… “You look up, face relaxing. “Pregnant.”

Oh boy, the way that man recoils at that word, like a terrified, disgruntled, blonde hedgehog. You’re going to laugh so hard about it, later!! “Oh.”

“Yeah! Oh, I mean, yeah… I’m gonna be having a baby, in like, 6 months so… yeah… Yep.“ You shrug to him, as if its just so unfortunate. “Shame.”

She looks in her bag, takes out a fag, tries to get away from the guy on a blag,

Can’t find a light.

‘’Here, use mine.’’

‘’See the thing is I just don’t have the time.’’

Ahh, lunch. Now you can check your texts! Hmm, you look through your notifications and gradually lose excitement. Mum… mum… mum… phone bill company… friend… mum again…

Ah, the glamorous life of the famous.

You roll your eyes, and get to responding to your mothers texts about dinner and when you’ll be home and how your first day is going, not noticing the not-so-jolly, not-so-green-(unless-you-meant-pot) giant approaching you. When you finally finish responding to both your mum and your friend, you put your phone away and start unwrapping your lunch- a typical ham sandwich that you’re actually pretty excited about. That’s one good thing about your sudden drop in financial status; You can put in your damn sandwich as many pieces of ham and cheese as you like. Grinning excitedly, you pick it up and have it halfway to your mouth before another person - a very heavy, large person, - drops down beside you on the bench you’ve commandeered behind the store. You close your mouth without any delicious lunch inside it and look up, politely to the person who’s joined you.

And all you can think, is wow.

He could put you in a suitcase and walk off with you right now and have no problems.

That’s wow.

“Hi! I’m Y/N,” You introduce yourself, offering a hand for him to shake.

“I know.” Oh, well yeah okay that’s understandable. Glenn did introduce you to everyone this morning. Despite the man’s less-then-excited response, he takes your hand in his and shakes. It makes you all giddy inside, honestly. So b i g. “Names Isaac.”

Do you remember Isaac in the breakroom this morning? You wrack your brain for him, because surely if he was there you noticed him-

Oh. Yep, you remember him. He was one of that Marcus-Dude’s pals chuckling and whispering behind him. He was one of the men that had the magazine with you on the front, and if there’s one thing you know about men who carry Vogue in their locker’s it’s that they fit into only 2 groups- interested in fashion, obviously… and interested in the women. And this man clearly is not interested in fashion. Immediately, on this realisation, you feel disappointed- you really could have liked this man right off the bat…

But it looks like he’s just going to be another of the men at this store you have to get to know, before becoming friendly with.

“So,” He starts, and you fight off a wince. Hopefully, you don’t know what’s coming. But… the likeliness of that is not high. “You wanna go out, some time? I’m a big fan of your work.” He smirks.

“Oh, ha ha.” You laugh sarcastically, shaking your head and returning to your sandwich. You take a bite and- Ahhhhhh, so worth the wait. Oh my god. Food orgasm. “At least you’re honest!”

“Yeah, so is that a yes?” His face brightens a smidgeon, which is a lot seeing as he doesn’t seem to be totally all there, in the first place.

You look up at Isaac, and look apologetic. He was honest with you so its only fair that you’re genuine with him. “Sorry… “

“Ah- actually, I don’t know if this’ll change your mind, but I have 2 weeks to live, so… “

Never mind on that honesty thing, then.

Dull-eyed, you stare up at him. “… Uh-huh.”

“Its true! I have, uh, cancer.” He insists, nodding his head and forcing his eyebrows up his forehead all serious-like.

“Cancer.” Right.

“Yep.”

Right, time to look in the bag... You start to wrap up your lunch again - sadly, as now you’ll have to wait until the end of the day and the bus ride home to eat it, - and plop it back away in your bag, getting up and pulling out a cigarette instead- that should hold you over until the end of the day. “My lunch break is actually over, so I should go- Damn, where’s my light?“

Isaac rifles through his pockets until he pulls out an old looking neon orange lighter, and offers it to you. “Here, use mine.”

Oh, no. You stare at it like a deer in headlights. If you accept that, like you really want to right now because it’s been a month since your last smoke, then you have obligations to sit with him for another couple minutes, at least.

Aghh… You groan and whine on the inside, before making up your mind and flinging the cigarette into a puddle. “See the thing is, I don’t actually have the time-”

“Go away now, let me go.”

“Are you stupid? Or just a little slow?”

“Ughhh… “This one has been giving you looks all day, but had no courage until now to speak to you- but the thing is? He didn’t have the smarts, either, to take off his wedding ring at least before he decided to be a bastard and bother you. So you feel absolutely no regret about being exactly as dismissive or plain rude, as you feel. “Elias? Go away now.”

The nervous man, who’s been ringing his hands this whole time and stuttering through failed date requests that you pretended you didn’t understand because of his struggle, gets panicked. “Just let me ask!- Will, will you go out with me?”

“No.” You yawn, dropping a piglet toy into a basket.

“But!- “

Turning away, you start pushing your trolley along to get to the next aisle. “Let me go.”

“We can go wherever you like!”

Sighhhhhhhhh. You turn around and grant him an audience, putting your hands on your hips and raising you brows at the wedding band on his left hand.

“Are you stupid? Or just a little slow?”

“Please fuck off.”

Oh good god in heaven, they’re going bigger with their proposals.

“Y/N! Will you go out with me?”

This man, Corey, has grabbed the announcement phone now that you’re walking away, making you freeze like the dad possum in Over The hedge and seriously consider playing dead, too, as you slowly turn around to look at him again.

Oh, if only looks could kill- he would be so dead that even Vlad the Impaler’s victims would laugh.

This is your first day, and the fact that you’re being harassed by multiple stupid men is bad enough but now he’s calling attention to you like this? Glenn’s going to think you’re a troublemaker!! Jesus fucking Christ- you need this job! Corey continues to talk into the speaker phone, even as he looks into your eyes and sees his death. “And… now… you’re looking at me like that, so uh… I’m just gonna… say please?”

… “’Please’ fuck off.”

“Yes ma’am-“

“Go away now, I’ve made myself clear.

I don’t think so.

Nah its not gonna happen.

Not in a million years.”

Since the run-in with Corey and the following spike in your blood pressure, you’ve calmed down again. But now you’re looking into the two faces of a ‘Mateo’, who you apparently work with, and a ‘Castor’ who does not work here and is not shopping but is still in your face and is t h i s close to feeding that ugly tie to his cousin.

But, still, you’re going to stay graceful, because Castor constantly looks like he’s 3 seconds from pooing himself. “Now please go away, now… I think I’ve made myself clear.” By explaining, politely, that you aren’t looking for a man but thank you for the offer, Castor.

“Oh, but you haven’t heard what Castor does for a living! He’s in insurance,” Mateo explains to you, like this is some huge game changer. When you don’t react, he adds that there’s good money, insurance.

You almost laugh. Does this boy really think you’re such a gold digger? Boy- if I wanted riches then I could’ve easily become a C-Class actor who has no skills in the area, but is pretty so gets praised like she does- like a lotta my model friends.

Instead I’m here, at Cloud 9.

Come to your own conclusions.

But instead of saying that, though, you just shake your head nervously. “I don’t think so… “

“But!- “

“Nah… sorry, its… not gonna happen… “

“But Castor is- “

“Not in a million years… “

“Aw, no. I gotta go. My house is on fire.”

Now, at least this one is respectful, you think, listening to him talk about the products you’re shelving together. He had come over and offered to give you a hand when you looked confused, as a ‘Cheyanne’ had handed you a scanner earlier and then promptly ran off, despite your utter incompetence. You were so relieved that this guy turned up!!

“… so, you just punch in reduce .50, and scan! Its pretty easy, if you have it properly explained to you. I- I was actually in the same situation, as you! When I first started here, except I ended up, uh, reducing all the items in electronics to 15 cense rather than discounting it all 15 percent.” A grin spreads across your lips at the story, and thank god that Jonah had turned up before that happened to you and, with your luck, you got fired for it.

“Oh no!”

“Yeah- Amy, our uh, floor supervisor, was pretty cranky with me about that… “He laughs himself, resting his hands on his hips; Still looking nervous at the memory.

You look back down at the scanner you’re holding and shake your head. “Well at least you know, now! And thank you so much for coming to my aid, haha. I was so lost- you’ve been a huge help! A life saver, truly.”

“Yeah… “ He gives a cute little, reserved smile. “So, uh, its basically the end of the day! Hope you’re first day hasn’t been too strenuous. At the end of my first day, I know I was tired. But I got to go out with a couple of the other employees and have a drink, to destress. If-If you were free, we could… do something. Together.” Your eyebrows slowly raise up your forehead at that, and you turn to look up Jonah, sceptical. What was that? You sure have had a long day, and its about to get a lot longer if this boy is asking what you think he is. “Sorry! Sorry, that sounded weird. Um, I guess what I’m really asking, is… would you like to, I dunno, go out with me sometime? I know some great places.”

Oh, noooooo! You cry, on the inside. You thought you found a normal one!

Still, he is being so nice… The least you could do is let him down easily.

“Oh, Jonah, I actually… oh- sorry.” Your phone beeps in your pocket and you take it out quickly to have a glance - its just your mother… again, - … and suddenly get an idea. Feigning shock, you quickly put the phone away and put down the scanner. It’s time to clock out and go home, anyway, thank god. “I have to go! That was my mum, uh- I really have to go!”

“Wow, wow, wow, what’s wrong?? Can I help with anything?”

Oh… he looks so concerned. He’s sweet.

But before you can rethink your words, this living horror slips out. “My-my house is on fire.”

Oh god, you’re a horrible person.

“I’ve, I’ve got herpes. No- Syphilis!”

Oh thank god the day is over. Rolling your shoulders back, you kneel down at your bottom locker, open it up and take out your bag. Now you can go home and put on Gotham on Netflix, wear no pants and eat thin mints until you fall asleep.

When you get up, you aren’t watching out for a man to be standing barely half a foot away from you - Your mistake, obviously, - so you jolt right out of your skin when you see him and curse. What is wrong with these men? Does Cloud 9 offer complimentary staff ninja classes along with their lack of health insurance? Man, classy company. “Sorry!” You look up past the coveralls after stepping a safe distance back from him, and immediately feel dread deep in your chest. “Oh, hi. Marcus, was it?”

“That’s me! How was your first day?” He asks, seeming polite enough despite the fact that you’re cornered between tall boy and the lockers. And you’re too tired to try and slip away- this boy will get out of your way.

“It was good! Thanks for asking. I’m ready to go home and collapse, though.” You admit, shoulders dropping and a tired smile on your lips. Mmm… thin mints… bed… blankets… Cory Michael Smith… I can taste it… Marcus just needs to get out of my way.

“I hear that.” Evidently not quite as deeply, though, as he moves on pretty fast. “Listen- I was thinking if you’re into it we could… go out, some time.” He tilts his head forward to clarify, “On a date,”, in case that part hadn’t translated, and chuckles. “We could see a movie or get drinks, or something, I don’t know. How about tonight?”

T-tonight? The word nearly slips from your lips; All disbelief and tears and exhaustion, included. You’re so tired. “Um… you know, tempting offer, but um… “He looks so hopeful. It nearly changes your mind. “Not tonight.”

“OH! So like, tomorrow?” Oh christ- “Cuz I’m supposed to watch Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here with my mum, but… no, I can blow that off! So, tomorrow?”

You take a deep breath, not really knowing what you can say. “Marcus… “He raises his eyebrows, waiting for an answer. “… I have herpes.”

“Wait, what??” He steps back, nearly tripping over a table in his fear that just being near you will cause him to contract the disease, and you let your guard down in relief. Yep, for sure, definitely. If it makes him back off, then yes- you have herpes. You have a raging, festering case of herpes.

“Yeah! Or-“ Squinting, you pretend to sift through your brain. “Was it Syphilis?” This boys eyes basically bulge out of his head and you’re totally going to laugh about it later, but right now you have to get out of there. You waive your hand dismissively and walk on by him towards the door like you don’t have a care in the world. Before you leave though, you turn around a flash Marcus a big smile. “Either way, ew, right? Well, see you tomorrow buddy! Gotta go! Enjoy I’m A Celebrity with your mum.” Then you’re gone.

Tomorrow is going to be a much better day, once that rumour is properly spread.

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kinkylittlebastardsuniverse · 4 years

Text

tell daddy a secret.

warnings! ok, let’s go again: cursing; spanking; obviously a daddy kink so if you don’t like that kind of stuff just click away; NSFW w/ plot ‘cause you guys may have realised im a slut for both; i guess that’s all for today.

and yess, you have to be over 18 to be reading this. tumblr’s rules, not mine.

words! not that much. don’t be dramatic. (jokes on me, the number you are looking for is 2940)

this is a fem!reader x bucky barnes imagine and unfortunately it’s just fictional.

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You had a kink.

You had it for some time now. It was a bit obcsenioux. And dirty. Some may even consider it disturbed. But you liked it anyway. It was your kink afterall, nobody's business.

You had a daddy kink.

And a boyfriend as well. Although he didn’t exactly know what was going on inside your naughty little head.

It wasn’t like you didn’t trust him. Nope. Neither as if you didn’t want for him to be the first man you’ve ever been with to know about your little secret. Nah. You were just scared, to be honest.

'Cause he was easily the best thing in your life. Your whole world; the light in the darkest night. You never thought you actually could be this enamoured by someone until you met him. James Buchanan "Bucky" Barnes. The Winter Soldier on the flesh and Captain America's best friend. And the love of your fucking life.

Ok, maybe you were more than just scared. Maybe you were terrified.

Sex with Bucky was amazing. No, more than amazing: it made you transcend. But Bucky was a 40's man even though he tried his best to adapt to 21 century. He still was a man born and raised in 1940. And he naturally still had some assumptions and behaviors from that decade. And you had no fucking idea how a man from that age would react to you telling him you would like to call him "daddy" while he fucked you.

And you didn't blame him for that. Far from it: you accepted Bucky as a full package, with every scar and flaw. With his past and ghosts. And if you had to control your deepest desires just a little not to make him uncomfortable, you would do it with a smile on your face.

As if it was that easy.

You craved Bucky since day one. Since his built up, muscular figure walked through the Tower's door you just knew he was meant to be yours. He was just a sexual crush back then. Even though a little voice in the back of your head always told you that he wasn't just that. No. He was more. There was just something about the little glint hid in his cloudy eyes that fascinated you. That had you trapped. Since day one.

It didn't take more than a few words for you to know that he was the one. It was cheesy and almost ridiculous, I know. Even you kept telling yourself that you were just enchanted by him. It was just arousal, just a phase. You would get over it.

But you didn't. And what was just a tiny little crush became an huge liking you took for the sarge. Natasha was in shock when you told her about your - as she called - obsession for Bucky. She told you had gone insane; she thought it was some kind of fever, that you should probably get a break from missions or get laid. You knew him for what? Three months? You had spoke with him what? Twice? And about what? Missions?

How could your stupid ass possibly claim you were in love with the guy?

Oh, but your stupid ass knew. It (you) just knew it was meant to be. He was meant to be.

So there was a day that you were suffering from a terrible insomnia and the idea of making yourself some tea just popped into your head. You got up, making your way straight to the kitching and when you found Bucky struggling to make the microwave work you knew it was the Universe sending you a sign.

You helped him, letting out some stupid joke about how for a man who had a metal arm on display he had no idea how to deal with metal stuff. It was a dumb, tired joke that you almost regret, automatically thinking that he could feel uneasy by your forwardness. Until he directed you a richful laugh that made your poor little heart skip a beat.

He was beautiful.

You both spend the rest of the night together, just talking bullshit and getting to know each other. It felt so natural. You learned that he was fascinated by bikes and coincidently you had a Harley FXB Sturgis you proudly took care of. You told him you really enjoyed Glenn Miller and Jimmy Dorsey even though you never knew how to dance and he promised you he could teach you, if you allowed him.

After that each day was a different conquer. A different new fact about Bucky and you were just addict to it. What could you say? You guys just clicked. Before Bucky you never imagined you could feel so electrified to know something new about someone. It was like you were drowning your whole life, submerged, craving for something your lungs couldn't reach. Then came Bucky. And he was pure oxygen for your pained lungs.

So one thing led to another and when you blinked you guys were already a thing. More than a thing, you were a couple. And you couldn't fucking believe it.

Fuck, you told Natasha you were right.

It didn't take long for you guys to fuck, the connection that pulled you together being away too strong for any of you to resist. And the sex was another thing with which you both clicked. Bucky liked to be dominant and possessive over you, and you just loved to please him.

But then your daddy kink kicked harder then ever and you didn't know what to do about it. Natasha - who was basically your sister - warned you it would be best for you to just tell him. That he would still love you. You knew it was kind of silly to think his feelings for you were fragile enough to break because of such a thing. But you were still scared.

What could you do? Swallow your feelings and be the tough Avenger you were on the field? At least that was what Natasha told you to do. So you decided you should tell him, yes. Someday... Maybe... If it was really necessary.

No, you had to tell him. Before he found out by another way.

...

It was an ordinarily enough Saturday night. Tony was throwing an "we survived this time, may not survive the next so you better enjoy" party; Clint and Pietro were on a drink-or-die contest; Steve was doing it all day; Thor was laughing loudly enough to sound like sparkly thunders through the night; Loki was probably scheming; Bruce was... well, Bruceing; Nat and Wanda were betting who would pass out from drinking and how they would manage to drag Pietro to his room at this time of the night. The good ol' Avengers.

Oh, and Bucky was about to fuck you.

You two lovebirds couldn't just resist. Your dress was just too tight, fitting your gorgeous body away too nicely. And you knew Queen Catherine from France had so much lovers because she never saw Bucky on a suit. 'Cause dear God that was a sight.

So that leads us here: you already naked, legs spread widely when Bucky had just teared your thong apart, your poor Calvin Klein's thong being shattered into pieces. That wasn't such a loss though; you were sure your dripping core had ruined it already.

"Shit, doll. You are soaked." Bucky's husky voice told you while his pinky lips hovered over your whimpering pussy. "All that for me, hum?" He continued, his grip tightening on your inner thigh.

"Yes! Yes..."

Daddy.

You bit your tongue. "...Bucky." You meowed softly, your desire for call him daddy hitting you like a thunder.

"Yeah? So put that ass up in the air. Wanna see it while I make you cum." He demanded and you obeyed eagerly. Oh, if he just knew the things you would do for him...

"Look at that." He grabbed one of your ass cheeks roughly and you moaned at the suddenly contact of cool metal on your flaming skin. "My babe got such a pretty ass." He groaned, his fake thingers now teasing your wet hole.

"Tell me, (Y/N). Tell me who this pretty cunt belongs to." His fingers easily entered your pussy, pleasuring your insides.

You, daddy.

"You, Bucky." You speaked in a muffled tone not just by the mattress your face was currently buried in but also by your firm attempt to not let yourself go so much and end up saying something you shouldn't.

Bucky put one more finger into you, making it three, and pumped harder into your pussy.

"I'm sorry, doll, I guess i couldn't hear you since you are moaning so loudly." And you were. You could almost feel his cocky smirk ranging proudly on his handsome face. Although you couldn't care less with his fingers buried deeply inside you, beautifully flirting with your orgasm.

You daddy. I belong to you.

"You, Bucky. I belong to you." You said loudly this time, your voice dying on your throat at the end of the sentence. You couldn't say it, not now.

But Bucky didn't seem to get enough of you and the slap that hit your ass made you lose control from all your senses for a second.

"YOU, DADDY!"

A tiny little second.

Bucky stopped dead in his tracks. Did he hear you right? Daddy?

Oh dear God. Did you just say it?

Did he hear you? Of course he did, asshat! You just screamed it out loud!

You started to debate which were the chances of the music outside being too loud for him to hear you (you were panicking as you can see). But when you felt his fingers getting away from your pussy you just knew he had.

God, you were screwed now. And not in a good way.

Your blurred brain quickly started to think about possibly excuses and explanations for the current situation. You were right between "I'm sorry, you shouldn't find out like this" and "hey there, as you noticed I have a daddy kink, please don't push me away because of this" when you felt Bucky's metal arm clench around the back of your neck, pinning you into the bed. Your arms were beside your head in a submitted state when he leaned in, whispering into your ear with the most lustful voice:

"Did I hear you right, babygirl?" His grip hardened and you feel his knee spreading your legs apart, leading you to wonder which would be the size of the poodle in the middle of them since this man was driving you completely insane.

"Tell me. How long have you been keeping this little secret from daddy?" Oh, dear.

He caressed your pussy again with his free hand and you lost it.

"I'm so sorry, daddy!" You moaned loudly, your voice sounding more acute then normal.

“And here I was thinking so good of you… Guess I was wrong, hum?” He seemed almost hurt if it wasn’t for the strong scent of lust and superb on his tone, showing off his intentions.

“I’m so, so sorry, daddy…” You meowed one more time, hoping for him to forgive you.

Bucky made a disapproving sound with a snap of his lips. You squirmed under him, anxious for more.

"No, babygirl. I am sorry." His grip left your neck and you felt empty all sudden. And guilty. As if you had really disappointed him.

But then his touch travelled through your back, his hand caressed the whole extension of it before landing into your ass cheek. He stopped for a moment, right before

"Because now that you have been a bad girl I will have to punish you."

a slap. A hard one. Harder than any other he had ever disfered into your body during sex. And you fucking loved it.

"Count for daddy, pretty girl. I wanna you to take ten." You moaned a yes before the second slap came.

"Two, daddy!"

Who would ever say James Buchanan "Bucky" Barnes,

"Three, daddy!"

the Winter Soldier on the flesh and Captain America's best friend, and the love of your fucking life

"Four, daddy!"

would love your daddy kink so fucking bad?

"FIVE, DADDY!" This one was harder, making your skin burn; the scream leaved your mouth without permission - a mix from all the pleasure, pain and suppressed desire that you had boiling into you.

"S-six, daddy!" Your eyes were wettering right now and you bit your lower lip not to sob a pained whimper, not from slaps but mostly from your aching core which Bucky had abandoned a while ago and now was crying for some of his attention.

"Can't take them all, babygirl? First you lie to me. Now you are being disobedient. I'm starting to think you don't want to be a good girl for daddy anymore."

You could almost touch the fake disappointment in his voice.

"No! No, daddy! Please! I want to be good for you!"

But you were in for it anyway.

"So keep counting while daddy spank that tight little ass."

Another slap.

“Seven! Daddy!”

And other.

“Eight!” A moan. “Daddy!”

“N-nine,” Your voice softened as a tear dropped from the corner of your eye. “Daddy!”

“TEEN, DADDY!”

And there you were: ass all burning pink, your pussy aching wet and tears streaming through the corner of your eyes. You swallowed the gulp on your throat when Bucky’s chest came near your back. You were in ecstasy.

“There she is. My good girl.” His voice sounded warm on your ears as his flesh fingers came to clean some tears from your beautiful face.

“Was I good, daddy?” You purred when his touch leaved your sensitive skin, placing a gentle peck where his fingers once were.

“You were, babygirl. Now open those legs, daddy is gonna fuck that pussy nicely.”

You spread your legs as open as you could, trying to make Bucky proud. He fitted right into the middle of them, opening you up a bit more. Bucky took his hard cock into his hand and slipped into you smoothly, your wet cunt greeting him warmly.

“God, you are always so tight for me, babygirl. Taking daddy’s cock so good…” He groaned after a few thrusts, making your pussy clench around him. You both moaned at that.

“You are just too big, daddy!” You moaned and you swear you heard an animalistic growl coming out from Bucky´s chest. Jesus Christ.

“Oh, yeah? But you love it, don’t you? Such a cockslut my babe is, squirming all around daddy’s cock.” Bucky pounded harder on you this time, your pussy struggling to fit his whole cock all at once. His words made you shiver and your orgasm started to show up.

Bucky seemed to feel it too and managed to go even deeper into your sore pussy, making a bunch of loud moans to leave your dirty little mouth. He was fucking you senseless and your couldn’t help but love it.

“Daddy!”

You moaned loudly into one deep thrust of his and the dirty laugh that left his mouth was nothing but unexpected. And hot as well.

“Wanna cum on daddy’s cock, babygirl?” You nodded eagerly, the knot on your belly being away too strong for you to stop it. “So you better ask for it.”

“Please, daddy! Please I wanna cum so bad!”

He slapped your already bruised ass to that and you almost screamed if the pleasure he was giving you hadn’t cut your voice. His pace became sloppier although his thrusts were still hard enough to hurt, making you inevitably squirm under him while your high was getting closer and closer.

“So you better come, babygirl.”

And you did. Hard and almost painfully. Waves of pleasure washed your body as Bucky managed to reach his own reach, spreading his white cum all over your ass. You moaned as you felt his orgasm reaching your skin so warmly, the thought alone increasing your own climax.

Bucky pecked your shoulder sweetly, getting out of the room for what felt like an eternity. You were about to stand up and look for him when you felt something fluff cleaning your skin. The sarge had came back with a towel and was taking care of you while you melted to his touch. Such a gentleman he was.

You the leaned down; Bucky with his back to the mattress and a hand under his head while you curled your self, leaning into his broad chest. You started to make little silly drawings into his skin when you felt him clearing his throat. Your shining gaze met his beautiful face right before he spoke.

“So…” He began softly, shifting his curious blue gaze to yours after he cleared his throat once again. “ A daddy kink?” And something on his away too eager tone told you he was up to learn more about it.

“Yeah…” You said almost shyly. “Did you like it?”

Bucky laughed at it and your heart died for an instant.

“If I like it?” His voice sounded darker this time, dragging you in. Bucky moved on the mattress, bringing his enormous body upon yours, caging your naked, vulnerable body to the bed.

“Doll, I wanna hear every single thing you have to say about that.” His predatory gaze met yours and he bit his pink lips, making that eager sensation on your low belly starting to rise all over again.

It was going to be a Hell of a night.

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tried to make this one more into (Y/N)’s perspective. what did you guys think about it?

39 notes · View notes

ironmanfridgemagnet · 2 years

Text

Sitting On The Shelf - Marcus White x Reader

Part 4 - Mannequin

SOTS Masterlist

"This is nice, huh? Taking a well-earned break with my co-workers. I feel like I'm finally fitting in here." Jonah said smugly, shuffling back into his chair trying to get comfortable.

"You don't get to decide when you're fitting in." Amy said, looking pointedly at Jonah from where she sat across from him.

"We'll let you know." You added, glaring at him over the brim of the steaming cup of coffee held tightly in your grasp. Jonah wiggled his eyebrows at you, dissolving your glare into a fit of laughter.

"I'm just saying I'm getting used to it. Ugh. Not getting used to standing all day." Jonah pulled his leg up to his chest, stretching as he held onto his knee and began to roll his ankle in a circular motion.

"That's not a problem I have to deal with." Garret replied bluntly, causing you to choke on your coffee slightly.

"Yeah, well, lucky you, my friend. Not luck, lucky not lucky you. That's I don't think you're lucky." Jonah stumbled over his words, his attempt at trying to not sound offensive failing miserably.

"So you think I'm unlucky?" Garret asked, easing his eyebrow in question at Jonah, who had a deep red, hot blush flushing his cheeks up from his neck.

"Not well, you know what I mean. That's an... it's an expression." Jonah concluded, desperately trying to move the conversation forward without digging himself a deeper hole.

"Why don't you just eject right now?" You said to Jonah, not excepting a response, more suggesting he stop before he says something stupid. Jonah had an affinity for saying the wrong thing at the wrong time: he didn't seem to pick up on the queues you and Garret seemed to, and it always dug him into a deep hole.

"You know, it's so weird that your feet hurt, because every time I see you, I feel like you're sitting." Mateo snarked, trying - as ever - to show his ability was better than Jonah's.

"Try doing this job six months pregnant." Cheyenne groaned, rubbing her hand across her swelling stomach as she spoke. You couldn't wait for baby Chey to be born, Cheyenne was super cool, so you knew her kid would be too.

"Yeah, seriously. That's brutal." Amy winced at the thought of working while pregnant again. Emma had been a toddler when you'd started, but even then she could be a handful; any time Amy had to bring her into the store, it'd make for an eventful day.

"I didn't know you were pregnant too." Jonah said eyes wide, looking across Amy's body as of to try and find the sign of a bump.

"I was when I was 19." Amy reply was blunt, causing you to choke on your warm coffee yet again - you'd have spat out more of this cup than you'd have drank at this rate.

"Then I gave birth to my daughter. So I'm not pregnant now, but thank you for thinking so." Amy said with a cheeky smile, hidden behind her cup, clearly trying to make Jonah flustered by his words.

"I didn't mean you look pregnant. I just meant..." Jonah never finished his sentence, the hot flush filling his face and making him choke on his words.

"Eject. Eject!" You and Garret stage whispered at Jonah, desperately trying to prevent him from causing anymore anguish with his words.

"I didn't know that you had a child. I, listen that's I think that's beautiful. Really, I'm in awe of single mothers. So..." oh God. Why couldn't Jonah ever just shut his mouth?

"I'm married." Amy's words made Jonah completely freeze, you leaning across the table and raising two fingers to his neck to check he still had a pulse or if Amy's words had killed him completely.

"Ooh! You should've just ejected, man." Garret jeered, a smug smirk filling his face. He knew Amy had a husband, and he told Jonah to stop talking - but boy does that man never listen.

As Cheyenne began to ask why Jonah was in awe of single mothers, you leant closer to Garret who sat next to you.

"He's digging his own grave here." You whispered, taking a long sip of your coffee, finishing the mug.

"Oh definitely, but it's fun to watch the boy suffer." Garret let out a laugh after he spoke, clearly revelling in watching Jonah's torment.

"I mean, I can't help but feel bad for the guy," Garret raised his eyebrow at you, unsure if he was hearing you correctly. "I'm only joking, it's fun to watch this."

Turning back to the larger of the conversations, you heard Glenn asking Jonah to not provide lifts to the abortion clinic. What?

"No, I meant rides in general." Jonah affirmed, waving his hands in front of him as he spoke to Glenn.

"What if it was just for a pap smear? Could I get a ride for that? They recommend one a year, but I like to go extra. Make sure everything's up to code." Dina words sounded like she was trying to brag - almost show off- her health to Jonah. Though it's hard to believe that a Pap smear is the best way to go about that.

"Okay. I'm just gonna say it. I'm fine with you driving your co-workers anywhere except the abortion clinic." Glenn said, dropping his fist to his side and tightening his grasp on his clipboard.

"Damn it, Glenn, you cannot talk about your personal feelings on abortion in the workplace." Dina shouted, pushing herself off of the counter she had been leaning against in the break room.

As Dina and Glenn argued across the span of the break room about abortion, you couldn't help but laugh to yourself. Despite it only being 8am, it had already been a very eventful morning. On top of that, you couldn't stop thinking about Marcus. Unfortunately, you still hadn't seen him yet, not since that day you bumped into him on your way out of the store; and yet you couldn't get him off your mind. Why?

————————————————————————

"I mean, it's kind of unbelievable, right?" You asked in awe of what stood before you. How you'd not noticed this before was beyond you.

"They're definitely pretty similar." Amy added looking up at the Mannequin in confusion.

"Uh, I don't see it." Jonah said bluntly, clearly unamused by everyone's antics.

"Now I get why you looked familiar when you started working here. At first, I thought you were this white dude from my middle school who wore his pants backwards, but nah, you him." Garret affirmed, pointing up at the Jonah-looking mannequin.

"I, I mean, it's a mannequin of a Caucasian male. If that's what you see when you look at me, then maybe this is on you." Jonah said trying to deflect the conversation from developing into a greater discussion of the comparison.

"Nah, nah, nah, it's more than that." Garret said, waiving his finger between Jonah and his lookalike.

"It's the eyes." You added with a firm nod, impossible to tear your own eyes away from the piercing gaze of the Jonah-lookalike.

"The nose." Garret continued, slightly disturbed by the similarities between Jonah and the piece of plastic.

"And there's something about that expression. It just kind of makes you want to..." you carried on, still completely encapsulated by the fact you felt like you were looking at Jonah even though you knew it wasn't him.

"Punch him in the face." Amy confirmed, smiling at the words that came out of her mouth.

"Yeah, I don't okay. I'm not seeing any of that. I'm seeing I mean, what? If anything, he looks like Tom Cruise, I guess?" Wow. Jonah's bloated ego, and ability to make anything about himself was almost impressive. His attempt to change the topic of conversation was a big failure, the three of you far too enthralled with the mannequin to look away - let alone discuss something else.

"You think you look like Tom Cruise?" You scoffed at Jonah, surprisingly unsurprised by how he tried to twist this to suit him.

"The mannequin." Jonah defended as if that made it any better - it had seemed clear enough that he was trying to make the comparison despite saying he didn't see how he and the mannequin looked similar.

"Somebody has a healthy ego!" Amy let out a half laugh as she spoke, a wide smile forming on her face.

"I guess I look like Denzel Washington." Garret remarked, trying to emphasise how stupid Jonah sounded.

"Oh you definitely do handsome." You said to Garret, sending him your brightest smile and most flirtatious wink.

"And y/n must be Megan Fox." Garret added, you and him dissolving into a fit of giggles at his words. While you looked nothing like Megan Fox, you'd happily take such a compliment - especially to tease Jonah.

"Yeah, and I look like Salma Hayek. Come on, Megan and Denzel. Let's get back to work." Amy sighed, done with Jonah's antics and ready to carry on with her day.

"Okay, Salma." You and Garret responded, walking off deeper into the store on Amy's heels, leaving Jonah frustrated in your wake.

"I just meant that's how the mannequin looks, like Tom Cruise." Jonah shouted after your retreating forms, still trying to defend himself; it was sweet in a sense, but still made you burst into another fit of laughter as you walked further away from him.

————————————————————————

After leaving Amy and Garret to their own duties, you made your way over to the jewellery counter, where Cheyenne stood waiting for you, a look of urgency on her face.

"y/n! Thank God you're finally here, baby Chey has been using my bladder as their own personal punching bag." Cheyenne's words came out quick and breathy: if you'd had taken any longer making fun of Jonah, God knows what would've happened.

"Sorry Chey, I got caught up in something - you want to run to the bathroom now? I think I can handle the Jewellery counter all by myself for a while." You laughed at your words, the jewellery counter was extremely empty today - though that wasn't much different from usual. Who really wanted cheap, probably fake, store jewellery?

"It's okay y/n. It's probably good for the baby anyway - that way they'll come out with a cute little baby six pack." Cheyenne giggled to herself before her hand quickly flew to her stomach, resting gently there as her eyes widened in shock.

"I think I just peed a little." Your eyes widened at her words, though coming from Cheyenne they didn't surprise you. "I should probably run to the bathroom now, I won't be long y/n - I promise!"

Cheyenne waddle-ran away to the employee bathroom, gripping her stomach as she did, leaving you to man the jewellery counter all by yourself. Though that was never an issue. Anytime you got assigned to the jewellery counter was a good day in your books; plenty of time, usually to yourself, to just chill and get paid for it. It gave you time to think about everything and anything - especially with everything going on at the moment. You still hadn't told Garret yet, and you hadn't told Amy that your mom had left you a voice message last night: though you knew you'd have to tell her sometime, no time ever seemed good to do it.

However, a peaceful shift at the jewellery counter seemed to come all to a close all too quickly as you heard the sound of heavy footsteps coming closer from behind you.

"Hi! How can I help you today?" You asked, your voice suddenly much more cheerful then normal, as you turned to face the customer.

"Oh, Hey you." Today was your luckiest jewellery counter day by far. As you looked up you were met with deep pools of brown - as dark as the coffee you drank each morning in the breakroom, yet far more inviting and warm. A smile spready widely across your face, biting your bottom lip harshly in hope of hiding how happy to see him you really were.

"Good morning Marcus." The words flowed out of your mouth as though you'd been saying them everyday of your life.

"Woah, you remembered my name?" Marcus's face lit up even more, if that was possible, his hands coming up to rest against the countertop.

"Of course I did! Why wouldn't I?" The genuine look of confusion on your face melted Marcus's heart just a bit. Many people had forgotten his name; his teachers, co-worker's, his mom's boyfriends, hell, even his own mother a few times. But Marcus had learned to be okay with that. But, God, did he feel special right now.

"Oh, uh, no reason, I'm just surprised." His reply confused you - did he really have that little faith that you'd remember. To be fair, you'd only met once.

"Well then, what can I help you with today?" You asked, secretly hoping that he wasn't buying a gift for someone special or anything: not that it mattered to you if he did. Even though it totally did.

"Oh, I need to buy a ring - it's for my mom she's trying to make her ex-boyfriend jealous again." You rose your eyebrows at his response; it sounded like he was leading quite the eventful life there.

"Ah, can I interest you in one of our finest - a cubic zirconia knockoff. It's called PlastiClear." You announced in your most formal voice, trying to really sell him the cheap ring.

"Well, how could I say no to such a pitch?" You both let out a laugh at the exchange, smiling at each other in an oddly comfortable silence.

"I, uh, I didn't realise you worked here." Marcus said, breaking the silence that had enveloped the atmosphere between you. Bringing your hands down to reach underneath the counter and pull out a tray of the $10 rings, you looked up at the tall man who stood before you.

"Oh, yeah, I've worked here for like four and a half years now, but I've only ever worked the morning shift. I was actually just leaving my shift when I bumped into you the other day."

"Ah well, I usually work afternoons only, but I've been picking up some morning ones recently - a little bit of extra cash never hurt anybody." He smiled to himself as he spoke, looking across the expansive selection of rings you had placed before him, hoping to find a nice enough one to impress his mom's boyfriend.

He pointed to a ring at the front of the selection before him, letting you gently pick it up and place it in a cute purple lace drawstring jewellery bag. "That'll be $10 then, but you have to pay at the normal till."

"Thank you y/n. I'll see you around then?" You sent him a bright smile at his words, nodding happily. You'd love to see Marcus again, no matter when or where.

"Yeah, well, you know where you can find me." You replied, gesturing to the depths of the store around you.

"In that case, I might have to pick up a few more morning shifts." Before turning away to head towards the checkout he flashed you a smirk, waving a goodbye as he walked away.

In a slight daze, a blush covering your cheeks, you didn't notice Cheyenne's presence until she tapped you on the shoulder, asking if you were okay.

"Oh, Chey, yeah I'm good, just a bit, uh, tired." The look on Cheyenne's face told you she didn't believe what you were saying, her quickly busying herself with organising one of the stands of necklaces on her side of the island.

"Hmm, sure you are. You know, my doctor told me that stress isn't good for the baby." Cheyenne's 'words of wisdom' befell you.

"Chey, I'm not pregnant, or stressed." Despite her advice not applying, she still nodded her head as though she'd given you the only words you needed to hear.

"I'm just saying y/n, you shouldn't let it all build up inside, no matter what it is, it's not good for you. Or the baby." Instead of refuting Cheyenne's claims, you just nodded your head. While you had just been caught up in the daze of speaking to Marcus, she wasn't wrong. Even though she had no way of knowing, she'd helped you make up your mind. You were going to finally tell Garret.

————————————————————————

After leaving the Jewellery counter, and Cheyenne, in hopes of finding Garret or going on break, you decided to make your way towards the breakroom. However, what you didn't expect to see was the mannequin from earlier dressed to look even more like Jonah.

"Woah, what have I walked in on? Is this some weird cult thing?" Garret laughed at your words, while Amy and Mateo rolled there eyes at you, as though what they were doing was the most obvious thing in the world.

"We're waiting for Jonah to walk in so we can make fun of him again." Amy clarified, slightly adjusting the wig on his head as she spoke, trying to make it look as much like Jonah as possible.

"Oh I am so in!" You replied, moving to stand next to Garret as you heard commotion from outside of the breakroom.

"Oh! Oh, hey, man. Meet our new employee. Jonah, meet Jonah." Garret said, revealing the full length of the mannequin as he moved back so it could be in full view of Jonah.

"He's got my, you put my clothes on him. That's funny. The name tag, and, so everybody thinks he looks like me?" Jonah questioned, his eyes flickering around the whole of the breakroom to receive nods of agreement.

"Eh, not exactly like you. You're a little bit more like, "Hey, it's me, Jonah. I like to eat croissants."" Garret mimicked Jonah's voice as he spoke, making you let out a laugh. Though his impression wasn't the best, it sure was funny.

"Is that something I say?" Jonah asked, seeming concerned that this was how Garret viewed him, though it was only a joke, Jonah seemed slightly annoyed by his words.

"It sounds like something you would say." Garret replied, pointing a finger at him while he let go of the mannequins arm.

"Yeah, or like, "Have you seen this documentary? It will change your life."" Amy added, waving the arms of the mannequin as she did her best to replicate Jonah's tone.

""I pretend to like jazz, because it makes me seem cultured."" Mateo added from the other side of you, making you laugh yet again.

"Oh, or, "Beyoncé? Oh I actually listened to her one time while I was building houses for habitat for humanity." You tried your best to recreate Jonah's voice as you spoke, knowing already that your words were accurate enough as Garret let out a loud laugh at them.

"I'm Jonah, I peel bananas weird." Amy mimicked, once again waving the arms of the mannequin around as she spoke.

"Well, that's actually a life hack. So, "The stems create a natural holding stick. That's why the monkeys do it." It's, um I saw that in a, in a documentary." Jonah tried to defend himself with his words, though they just made him seem more nerdy, and Amy's impression seem more accurate.

————————————————————————

As you turned the corner, headed back towards the Jewellery counter to let Cheyenne head out for another break, you bumped into Amy and Jonah who were mid conversation.

"Yeah, like, you know, Garrett's the cool one. Glenn's the nice one. Cheyenne's the perky, sweet one. Y/n is the pretty and nice one. Carol's the one that says "Hashtag" everything." Jonah explained, trying to emphasise some point of discussion that you must have missed.

"Wow, you think I'm pretty? That's real sweet handsome." You teased, placing your hand gently on Jonah's shoulder as you crept up behind him, causing him to jump as he was startled.

"No! Well, I mean, obviously you are pretty, but I was just talking about, wait; did you call me handsome?" Jonah stumbled over his words greatly as he tried to come up with an excuse for why he had been talking about you, and the rest of your co-workers.

"Which one am I?" Amy asked, hands placed firmly on her hips, her eyebrow raised at Jonah as she asked her very important question.

"You're the, uh, responsible one." Jonah rushed out, folding his arms across his chest as though to emphasise his opinion. Though you didn't think he was too far from the truth, you couldn't help but feel bad for Amy; you wouldn't want to be known as the 'responsible one,' especially with so many other options on the table.

"The responsible one?" Amy scoffed, clearly offended by Jonah's words.

"In a good way! You're like the house mom of a frat. Everybody loves her. They just don't expect her to be the life of the party." Jonah explained, trying to dig himself out of the already pretty deep hole; you doubted there was much he could say to fix the temper that was rising in Amy.

"Dude, eject now while you still can." You whispered into his ear, as you still stood next to him, though you knew your advice wouldn't stick as last time you'd told him to just shut up, he hadn't.

"Oh, come on. Lighten up. I'm just saying you're not, like, one to joke around all the time." Shit. Jonah had gone far beyond getting out of this hole now.

"I mean, at least I can take a little bit of teasing." Amy spat back, even more frustrated as Jonah continued to insult her character and personality.

"You should've shut your mouth when I told you to dude." You whispered shaking your head as you spoke. Your worried tone caused Jonah to look back at you, his own worry growing at the sight of yours - had he really gone too far?

"I can take teasing." He bravely stated, though the fault in his voice told you he didn't quite believe his own words.

The repetitive back and forth between Amy and Jonah let you zone out of the conversation, though you were readily brought back into it as Amy grabbed you by the hand and dragged you away from Jonah's side. As you walked alongside Amy towards the back of the store, you couldn't help but worry about leaving Cheyenne alone in Jewellery; oh well, this couldn't take that long, could it?

"It's humans that hold them wrong!" You heard Jonah shout from further down the isle, turning around to see him a deep red flush, fill all the way up to his ears in frustration. This was going to be an eventful day.

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"Hey, Garrett, y/n. Check it out. Shark attack." You smiled at Amy before quickly taking a bite out of what remained of Garrets Mac and Cheese.

"Ooh, that's great. Hey. I thought that you should know that there's nobody to let anyone in the dressing rooms, and it's starting to get a little weird." Garret took the fork off of you, placing it in his pocket to try and prevent you from eating anymore of the leftover mac and cheese.

"Well, where is Betty?" Amy asked, still focused on the shark attack idea she was trying to produce.

"Yeah, Betty had said something critical about Lady Gaga, so Mateo assigned her to freezer duty. In fact, I think he's assigned almost everyone to freezer duty." You commented, trying to sneak the fork out of Garrets pocket to be able to eat even more Mac and cheese.

"Well, you know what? Let somebody else fix it for once." Amy replied, leaning over to slightly adjust her 'Jonah being attacked by a shark' display.

"This is your fault. You're the one that outsourced your job 'cause you're busy with a work flirt." Garret said, causing you to freeze mid-bite of mac and cheese. While you could clearly feel the tension that was between Amy and Jonah, you never thought anyone else had noticed it.

"Excuse me? What? Work flirt? What does that even mean?" Amy scoffed, almost seeming offended by Garrets accusation, though it felt more as though she was angry at being called out on it then anything.

"Everybody does it. You flirt a little bit at work. Pass the time." Though you hadn't ever thought about having a work flirt before, now that you were, you felt almost as though that's what you and Marcus had going. Though you'd only spoken a few times, he'd called you pretty at least twice and he'd winked at you. Was that the kind of thing Garret meant?

"I got, like, five or six work flirts going on at any given time. Hey, Jennifer. What it do, boo?" Garret winked at the girl who walked past the three of you, her clad in a 'cloud 9' vest and winking back at him as she went.

"Well, that's great for you, Garrett, but that is not what is happening. I am not flirting with Jonah." Amy was insistent in her words, determined to prove Garret wrong.

"This is because Jonah said that I was the responsible one." She insisted, yet again, demanding it wasn't because of a work flirt, but something different entirely.

"He called you responsible?" Garret asked, sarcasm dripping from his words; he too saw Amy as responsible, but didn't dream of adding any fuel to the fire.

"He called me pretty." You added smugly, taking a big bite of mac and cheese, quickly scarfing it down as Garret grabbed the fork off you yet again, muttering about leaving the now cold mac and cheese alone.

"Well, then I completely understand why you are attaching a shark to the severed leg of a mannequin." Garret said, rolling his eyes at the antics of the two of them. This was going to end messily.

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"I said I'm sorry. What else do you want?" Garret whined out, frustrated that Amy still hadn't dropped the topic of her and Jonah's work flirt. He hadn't thought it had been a big deal to mention but oh boy was he wrong.

"It's just careless to go around saying things like that. This is how rumours get started." Amy complained, speeding ahead of you and Garret towards the doors of the break room.

"I was just saying you were being a little flirty." Garret insisted, still confused as to why Amy was hung up over such a small comment. He'd meant it jokingly; he didn't think it would get to her so much.

"Yeah, to be fair, he didn't say you were banging in the Break Room." You added, wanting for this conversation to be over and done with now. However, the words fell on deaf ears as the three of you entered the break room to be met with the sight of what looked like Jonah banging a sex doll.

"What the fuck." You said just above a whisper, the breath feeling as though it had been stolen from your lungs. Was Jonah losing his mind? What had gotten in to everyone today?

"Come on! Help me out here." Jonah complained, trying his hardest to put clothes on the doll that was bent over the break room table.

"Whoa!" Amy shouted, not only concerned by what she was seeing but the vague similarity the doll had to her. Oh my God, this is what he was trying to do.

You knew Jonah wasn't handling the teasing all that well, but good lord, he'd taken this far too far.

"Oh, hey, guys." Jonah said nonchalantly, pushing the doll behind his mmm as best he could as he turned to face the group of you who were frozen in the doorway of the break room.

"Now, that is how rumours get started." Garret said, allowing you to finally let out the breath that had been caught in your chest as a short laugh.

"This is not how it looks." Jonah said, a blush filling his cheeks as he tried even harder to push the doll behind him and hide it from the view of his co-workers.

"Really? 'Cause it looks like you got a sex doll and you dressing it up to look like Amy." Garret raised his eyebrows at Jonah's words, clearly trying to figure out what in the world was going on in front of him.

"Yeah." You and Amy agreed, both still very disturbed by the scene before you.

"No. See, that sounds stalker-y, whereas I specifically bought this doll because it already looked like Amy." Jonah's rushed defence didn't help to change how you viewed the scene before you. Even the idea that he'd bought it because it looked like Amy - no matter the reason - was very, very weird.

"I'm walking away. Oh, good. More people." Amy said, quickly turning back to face Jonah as a crowd had gathered behind you and Garret, wanting to enter the break room.

"Oh, my god!" Mateo shouted from close behind you, making you jump slightly at the volume of his words.

"Is that supposed to be Amy?" Cheyenne asked from between you and Amy, her tone filled with a morbid curiosity.

"No!" Amy shouted, slowing becoming more and more flustered as the conversation went on.

"Yes, yes. I wanted to get back at Amy, and there are no mannequins in the store that look remotely like her. Which, can we talk about that for a second? Why are there no Spanish/Latina themed mannequins?" Jonah's defence soon turned into a commentary on society - but then again when didn't it. However, now wasn't the time to discuss such issues; why he'd bought an Amy-looking sex doll was far more important.

"Oh, no, no, no, we not talking about that. Let's talk about this." You pushed, far too enthralled by Jonah's twisted idea of getting back at Amy to talk about anything else.

"Jonah, what is happening?" Amy asked, frustration evident in her voice as she placed her head into her palms.

"Do you own one of each of us?" Mateo asked in horror, a gasp releasing from him as he asked his question.

"No! I went to a bunch of different stores over lunch, and then I just happened to pass this in the window of a sex shop, and look, it looks just like Amy." Jonah held up the doll as he spoke, revealing the whole of the doll to the break room, nothing of it left to the imagination.

A chorus of woahs, wows, cry's of disgust and intrigue filled the break room as Jonah scrambled hide the doll from sight yet again.

"Ew! Jonah, can you cover that up, please? It's completely inappropriate." Amy scolded, cheeks flushed in anger at the display in front of her.

"Problem solved." Jonah stated proudly as he flipped the doll over, now revealing all of the other parts of the doll to the room.

"Are you kidding?" You asked, skin crawling from the situation as a whole; on top of that you felt so bad for Amy. What had started out as playful teasing had quickly devolved into a very insulting display.

"This is not a sexual thing." Jonah insisted, waving his hand around the behind of the doll, now seeming to give up on trying to hide it.

"Amy, you've got a good butt." Cheyenne blankly stated, causing you to let out a sharp laugh.

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As everyone else filtered out of the break room, either back onto the store floor or off on there way home, you waved a final goodbye to Garret. He waved back, though quickly, as to turn back to the conversation he was having with Mateo. What a strange pairing.

Turning to face your locker, you opened it to grab your bag, your jacket and leave. However as you reached inside your locker, your hand was met not by the fluffy collar of your jacket, but by a rough piece of paper.

Carefully you pulled the piece of paper our, gently unfolding it as to not rip it apart. Once unfolded you were faced with scratchy lettering, as though it had been quickly written and then thrown into your locker. The slanted and curled letters slightly reminded you of a doctors handwriting when they give you a prescription- hard to read and rushed. Luckily for you though, the words could be made out.

|So I can find you on my next morning shift :) |- Marcus

Underneath the writing there was a phone number, some numbers crossed out and rewritten more clearly above where they'd originally been. The small smiley face at the end of the words made your heart melt; not only had Marcus been thinking about seeing you again, he’d been thinking enough to find your locker and leave you his number..

During your time at the store, you'd become friends with almost everyone, though you only really felt close to Amy, Garret and, more recently, Jonah. However, in the little time you'd got to know Marcus, you could already feel that things would blossom into a beautiful friendship, at the least.

Quickly, you put on your coat and closed your locker, your bag placed gently on your shoulder as you made your way towards the parking lot where you knew Amy stood waiting for you.

As you left the break room, wandering through the halls of the back of the store to the exit, you pulled out your phone and typed in the number on the piece of paper in your other hand.

As you exited the store and began to walk towards Amy's car you typed out a message.

? | Hey Marcus! I found your number in my locker. I hope we have a shift together soon <3

Though you debated whether or not to add the heart, you finally pressed send as you climbed into Amy's car, slouching back into your seat as you plugged your seatbelt into its socket.

"Long day?" You asked Amy as she reversed out of her parking spot and headed out of the parking lot, towards home.

"I don't even want to get into it." Her exasperated tone told you it was better to not ask anything more. Unfortunately, you'd seen most of the shitshow that was Amy's day, so you knew you shouldn’t press the matter too much.

But you couldn't help yourself.

"What'd Jonah do with his Amy sexdoll?" You asked bluntly, causing Amy to accidentally press a bit too hard down on the breaks, both of you throwing forward in your seat.

"Oh, um, he returned it. It cost him a $400 return fee though." Amy composed herself as she spoke, driving normally, and safely again.

"Yeah I can imagine there isn't a big market for second hand sex dolls." A comfortable silence fell over the car as Amy continued to drive, though it was broken by the vibration of a text.

Marcus :p | I look forward to it ;)

"Who's that?" Amy asked, making you quickly hide the phone in your jacket pocket. You weren't embarrassed of the message or anything; you just knew if Amy saw she would definitely make fun of you.

"Ugh no one, just my phone bill company." With a raised eyebrow she let you drop the topic, instead choosing to focus on the road ahead of her. After a few beats of silence Amy decided to speak up.

"I think I have a work flirt with Jonah."

“Well, no shit.” You let out a laugh, making Amy’s face scrunch up in confusion. “I thought it was pretty obvious - I mean, you’re pretty much each other work wives.”

“I think you mean work wife, and work husband?” Amy asked, playing along with the bit as she eased into the Idea of Jonah being her ‘work flirt.’ Today had been a lot of fun for her; now that she thought about it, everyday had been fun since Jonah started. Maybe she was okay with Jonah being her ‘work flirt.’

“Oh, I meant what I said Ames.” Amy let out another laugh, giggling to herself at your antics. Focusing on the road, Amy let the guilty feeling float off of her chest - she was allow to enjoy herself with her co-workers; as long as they remained only that. But that would be a problem to face another day.

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☆*: .｡. Tag List .｡.:*☆ @write-from-the-heart @despicablylara @whatafreakingloser @flowercrowns-goodvibes @millieb-3199

Want to be added to the taglist? send an ask to let me know <3

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Hey guys!!!! I already have the next part written and ready to go, however I’m going to try and stick to an actual upload schedule from now on. So that part should be out next Wednesday :)

Sorry that is takes a week between uploads, these take me a good few hours to write each, and its easier on my schedule to do it spread out over several days. However I have so many exciting ideas for the future of Marcus and y/n - and i can’t wait to share them with you!

Have a lovely week <3

#sitting on the shelf marcus white x reader #marcus white #marcus superstore #marcus white imagine #marcus white x reader #superstore imagine #superstore marcus imagine #superstore marcus x reader #superstore x reader #superstore #cloud 9 #jonah simms #garrett mcneill #Amy sosa #glenn sturgis

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ironmanfridgemagnet · 2 years

Text

Sitting On The Shelf - Marcus White x Reader

Part 5 - Shoplifter

SOTS Masterlist

As you and Amy pulled up to Cloud 9, you checked off a point on your mental to-do list. In the car ride over you, Amy and Emma had discussed the strongly worded voicemail that had been left by your mother the other day. It had been a difficult conversation - anything to do with your mom was difficult, but the voicemail she'd left had your feelings all up in the air again.

You knew her words were meaningless, that she was just saying things she knew would get to you; but that didn't make them hurt any less. She was your mom after all, and as hard as you tried not to, you couldn't help but hope she'd change, that she'd grow to love you as she was supposed to - like Amy loved Emma.

As you got out of the car, you wiped the stray tear that had fallen from your cheek, taking a deep breath in as to prepare yourself for the day you would have to face once you were inside the store.

Barley through the doors you already heard Garrets cries. "Oh, Jonah touched a dead guy! Jonah touched a dead guy!"

You could do this.

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"Well, we can likely rule out foul play according to his license, he was 87. Probably died of old age." Dina announced to the breakroom, flicking through the contents of the mans wallets to find a slot to place the ID card back into.

"My great-grandma died the same way. Her mom too. Bad genes, I guess." Cheyenne said making you chuckle. Cheyenne had a way with words that made everything she said feel... so perfectly Cheyenne - funny and slightly naïve.

"So, she just kept the dead man's wallet, and we're all okay with that?" Amy asked, sitting across the table from you, her hand caressing a warm mug of coffee; much like the one you had yourself.

"Finders keepers." Dina replied, shrugging her shoulders as she tucked the wallet into her back pocket.

Bringing the cup of coffee Garret had made for you to your lips, you took a long sip, allowing your eyes to close as the warmth seeped through your body. As you opened your eyes they were met with the whiskey hues of Marcus's. Hiding your smile behind the brim of your mug, he flashed you a bright and wide grin, holding his hand up in a small wave. The shared moment between the two of you was far too quickly broken for your liking, by a sharp nudge from Garret. You rolled your eyes at the man beside you, ignoring his look of confusion, choosing to instead take another sip of coffee.

"Anyway, uh, I thought we should all gather as a group in sort of a safe space so that we can share any feelings that we have. About what happened. Um, is anyone feeling any sadness? Or shock? Or guilt? There are no wrong answers. Yes, Garrett." Glenn asked around, worried that someone may be feeling upset due to the man that had been found in the store - though it seemed pretty clear that Glenn was the most upset about it.

"I guess apathy. I don't got any feelings about this dude." Garret stated blankly, causing Glenn to take in a sharp intake of breath.

"I agree with Garret, Glenn, I don't think any of us knew who this guy was before today." You and Garret shared a look as Glenn let out a frustrated whine.

"Okay, uh, Garrett and y/n, thank you for sharing. Um, is anyone else feeling feelings of apathy? Okay, well, that's valid. That's va no, it's not valid! You know what? No one is leaving this room until I see someone express some real g-d emotion!" Glenn's sudden outburst shocked you, while you could tell the incident this morning had effected him, you didn't think it had this much.

"Uh, well, perhaps seeing a dead person today made us all realize how fragile the journey of life really is." Jonah offered, his wide eyed expression revealing that Glenn's outburst had surprised him too.

"Thank you. A little cliché, but points for effort. All right, um, why don't we just all. Bow our heads." Glenn announced, driving the break room in to an attempted prayer.

Though his attempt was quickly stopped by Dina enforcing the stores rules over Glenn's satisfaction. If he didn't have the chance to express how he was feeling now, you knew it'd probably eat at him all day - and then evolve into something much worse then a moment of silence.

"Okay, Amy, could you come and say a few secular words?" Glenn asked, sending a pointed look at Dina who simply gave him a tight lipped smile back.

"Um Charles, uh, wasn't just a man who needed corrective lenses, he was also not an organ donor. And, um, in conclusion, he lived on Oak Street. Thank you." Amy was hesitant in her words, trying to please both Dina and Glenn while working with what little information she had.

"Beautifully said Ames." You cheered, clapping quietly at her as she took her seat across from you again.

"So tragic." Mateo said, a frown forming on his face. Though it quickly returned to a smile as he asked, "What's gonna happen to the couch?

"What? The couch?" Glenn asked, confused and partially offended that people cared more about the couch then the man.

"It was the fanciest one in the store." Mateo affirmed, looking around the break room as people made sounds of upset.

"He died on the fancy couch?" Cheyenne whined, upset there'd be no more fancy (and comfy) couch to sit on when we should be working.

"Does that mean it's gonna be on sale?" You asked, meeting Cheyenne eyes as you spoke. If it was you'd totally chip in to buy it for her; she had the space for it and you'd had loads of good times on that couch talking together.

"We don't have to tell anyone somebody died on it." Dina scoffed, rolling her eyes at the idea of stock being lost of something 'so little' as the death of a customer.

"Not disclosing someone died on it is lying. I'm a man of truth, Dina. Maybe lying's your thing." Glenn snarked, still riled up by being denied his moment of prayer earlier.

"Oh, you like truth, huh?" Dina asked, placing her hand firmly on her hip as she looked threatening over Glenn.

While Dina and Glenn argued, yet again this morning, over whatever you stood to leave the break room as did everyone else. There was work to be done and Dina and Glenn's antics shouldn't stop you. However, as you went to leave, you turned to face where Marcus had once stood - hoping you'd have the chance to talk to him before the long day ahead of you. Unfortunately for you, Marcus was long gone, so you left the break room; a slight slump in your shoulders as you did.

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"You're loading that wrong." Turning to face the familiar voice, you laughed at Emma's observation. Despite being so much younger, and having no formal training, she was right.

"Oh, um, thank you, little girl, but I think I know what I'm doing. There we go. Just got to use a little muscle." Jonah responded, trying to force the pallet into the freezer with all his might.

"Can I have one?" You and Emma asked at the same time, laughing at how I'm sync you were. However as Jonah tried to grab one, with how he stocked them, he couldn't.

"Sure. And I don't know if you..." Jonah's sentence went unfinished as Amy came speeding around the corner.

"Emma, there you are. I told... you loaded it wrong?" Amy clasp her hands around Emma's shoulders, more than ready to drag her away, until she saw Jonah's attempt at stocking the fridge.

"Wait a minute. That's your daughter!" Jonah shouted in shock, waving his hands around in front of him.

"And you knew!" He shouted again this time turning to face you, who was holding a hand to your face in an attempt to smuggle your laughter.

"Shh! We're not allowed to bring our kids to work." Amy whisper shouted at Jonah, pushing Emma behind her as she spoke. "My sitter cancelled, and she's hanging out for a couple hours, but can you please not tell Glenn or, shh Dina."

"No, no, no, no, your secret is safe with me. I'm not telling anybody. Hi, I'm Jonah." Jonah bent down to Emma's height as he spoke to her, making you laugh as he tried to act cool.

"Yeah, I figured. You guys are right, he is incompetent." Emma said looking between both you and Amy as she insulted Jonah.

"You told her I was incompetent? Ba-na-na-na. Talk about me at home? I don't know if I should be flattered or insulted." Jonah flashed Amy a toothy smile as his ego grew at the idea she talked about him at home. Oh they were definitely work flirts.

"Don't be flattered." Amy said, turning away and taking Emma with her. As they left, Emma sent you a small wave over her shoulder, before she turned and follow in time with her mom.

"Yeah you should be insulted." You said to Jonah as you turned back to the fridge to try and fix his miserable attempt at stocking it.

"You talk about me at home too y/n?" Jonah asked, a smug smirk still on his face.

"No, but I do talk about you to Amy and Emma." Ignoring the look of shock on Jonah's face, you continued to take the pallets out and put them back in correctly.

"I used to look after Emma a lot, I still do sometimes, but we'd talk about stuff. Sometimes you'd come up." You shrugged your shoulders as you spoke, acting nonchalant about what you'd said, knowing otherwise it'd just feed into Jonah's ego even more.

As Jonah stumbled over his words, you finished placing in the pallets of stock correctly. You stood up, brushing you hands off onto you jeans before announcing, "I'm going to find Garret."

Turning to leave Jonah, you felt a buzz come from your back pocket. Pulling out your phone, the screen was illuminated by the notification of a text.

Marcus :p | Morning y/n :) Come find me when you've got a minute.

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As you walked towards the customer service counter where you saw Garret sat, you saw Dina approach him.

"Hey, Garrett. I've got a shoplifter in my cross-hairs." Dina bragged, looking around the store floor as she spoke, as if she was waiting to figure out who exactly was shoplifting.

"Hmm, I've taken four breaks today, so I guess we both got stuff to brag about." Garret smirked at his own words, appeasing Dina's antics to get away with his own.

As you heard a cry come from somewhere within the store, you saw Dina ready to run off. "Gotcha, you gorgeous piece of garbage."

"What was all that about Gare." You asked, raising an eyebrow at him as you spoke.

"Dina's got a shoplifter or something, I'm not really sure." His confused look made you both let out a laugh. Dina had always been an interesting character.

"So what's up baby girl?" Garrets look of concern and care made you feel more confident about what you were about to do.

You laughed and shook your head at Dina's words, turning to face Garret as your laughter died down. "I just need to speak to you for a sec, Gare, if that's okay?"

It was now, or never, you had decided. Cheyenne's words filing you with enough confidence to do something that had been working you up for weeks now; you had to tell him.

"Of course you can doll, I'm all ears." He sent you a charming smile, reminding you that nothing should change once you told him. No matter how much bad stuff had happened, he'd still be the same; and for even that, you were grateful.

While you didn't want to talk in front of the audience within the breakroom, you weren't sure if the store full of customers was any better. Listening ears, and the all too nosy people of St Louis, made you worry that someone passing by would relay what you were going to say to one of your co-workers. However, you weren't going to let fear hold you back after coming this far.

"It's a lot. I have a lot I want to say, so please can you just listen until I'm finished speaking?" Garret nodded his head slowly, a curious look crossing his face as he spoke. This was going to be a difficult, yet important, conversation.

"I know you've been suspicious of me getting lots of rides home from Amy, but it's for a good reason. I've been living with her." Garret chocked on his own saliva as the words registered in his mind. You'd been what? Despite his shock, he sat quietly, still giving you the opportunity to speak.

"My mom kicked me out. Amy knows. But only because I'd thought I was the last person left at the store, but she had to lock up the store and she..." You took a deep and slow breath in as you spoke, trying not to let the tears well up in your eyes. "And she found me crying at the bus stop. I'd waited to get the last bus home because I knew I had nowhere to go, and I didn't want to worry anyone. Shit, I didn't think anyone would care if I did tell them."

"Most importantly, I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner. Out of everyone in this store you should've known, and you should've known sooner. I was just scared? And I was ashamed. And I was so worried it would change how you looked at me that I thought that maybe it was best to just not say anything at all." Now, you didn't care to stop the tears from spilling over, as you let them fall freely down your cheeks - Garrets hand coming to gently wipe the fallen tears away.

"I thought, maybe, It would make you want to leave me too." A sob wracked your body as you let out those final words, only just understanding yourself why you'd been so reluctant to tell Garret. Though deep down you knew Garret wouldn't change because of something so out of your control, that couldn't stop you from worrying and overthinking.

Garret swiftly pulled you down into a tight hug, holding your shaking body tightly against him. Despite him now having the opportunity to speak, he sat silently against you, not knowing how to respond to such a vulnerable moment shared between the two of you.

As your tears slowly stopped flowing, you leant back away from Garret, letting his hands fall from where it had been stroking your hair. Before you had the chance to say anything to him, Garret finally spoke up.

"Don't you ever - and I mean ever - think that no one cares enough about you to be there for you when you need them. Especially me. I'm not going anywhere doll. You're my one and only baby girl and no matter what happens, I'll be there. Don't worry that you took so long to tell me, I'm just glad you were finally able to talk about it at all." Tears welled up in your eyes once more as Garret spoke, thankful that he had been so incredible as to be so caring after all you've been through.

"Your secret is safe with me." Garret flashed you a gentle and loving smile, rubbing his hand up and down your back as you mouthed a silent thank you to him.

You couldn't have imagined this conversation going any better than it had.

"Well, doll, you best get back to work. God knows you never do any real work around here." Garrets humorous tone made you break the sad atmosphere and let out a quite giggle.

"There's my baby girl." Garret was like the brother you never had, in so many ways that you could not even begin to count. You couldn't be more thankful, especially now, to have him in your life.

Wiping away any stray tears that remained on your face, you stood from Garret and turned to leave towards the depths of the store.

"Hey Garret, thank you." You sent him a genuine and wide smile. letting out yet another laugh as he blew you a kiss as you walked away. It felt so much better having that weight off your chest, and knowing that Garret still loved you the same.

————————————————————————

After speaking with Garret, one more thing checked off of your to-do list, you decided to actually try and get some work done, just like Garret had jokingly suggested. Making your way over towards housewares, as Amy had asked you to this morning, you heard Jonah shout.

"Hey, uh, Dina?"

"I'm in a hurry. If you want to talk, you have to walk with me." Dina commanded, continuing her fast paced walk as she spoke to Jonah.

"Uh, okay, this is gonna sound crazy, but, do you remember your first period? Because..." what? Why on earth would Jonah care about Dina's first period.

"February 4th, 2003. It was a Tuesday. Unseasonably warm." Dina announced, a smug smile making its way onto her face at Jonah undivided attention to what she was saying.

"Okay..." Jonah's voice wobbled as he spoke, clearly getting much more out of Dina then he was hoping to.

"So I was 19. Late bloomer, though I've more than made up for that since. My gyno says I ovulate like a champ. I drop eggs hard." You rose you eyebrow at what Dina said, recoiling slightly deeper into the isle as they came to a stand still next to you.

"All right, uh..." Jonah's words came out above a whisper, his face flushing a deep red as he made eye contact with you; clearly understanding you'd been blessed with hearing this conversation.

"You know my aunt was born with two vaginas? Yeah, she always thought it would help her date, but it didn't. She died alone. Well, she will die alone. She's still alive. She's only like 50 or something." Even though you found Dina story interesting it's not exactly what you wanted to be hearing, especially after the events of this morning (which had been strange enough themselves).

"Okay, thanks. Think I got all the information I need." Jonah said, clapping his hands together as he moved away from Dina's side, down towards where you resided further down the isle.

"God, I'm good at flirting." You heard Dina mutter to herself. what? However, her words were clearly lost on Jonah as he continued to storm towards you. Gently grabbing you by the hand, he began to pull you out of the isle and somewhere else within the store. Without having the chance to ask why, Jonah said:

"Y/n, I really need your help." ————————————————————————

Upon arriving at the toiletries isle, Jonah still held onto your hand pulling you up and down it's lengths in search of what he was looking for.

"ah I'm an 11-year-old girl. Do I like pads or tampons? Hyp... hypothetically." He asked, though to no one in particular, pulling several different brands of products off of the shelves and placing them into a stray shopping cart that stood behind the pair of you.

"Oh, hey, dudes. You want to split a pizza for lunch break?" Garret asked as he came from around the corner, looking between you and Jonah in wait of a response.

"What do you know about periods?" Jonah asked in all seriousness, completely disregarding the pizza.

"Oh, it's bleeding from the uterus that's released through the vagina. Happens every 28 days, give or take a few, depending on the lady. They all snowflakes." Garret explained, raising his eyebrows at Jonah's genuine intrigue of the topic. What was going on here?

"So was that a no for pizza?" Garret asked, ready to leave for the pizza that you oh so wanted.

"I don't think I'm hungry anymore." Jonah answered, pulling you with him towards another row of products, and away from Garret and the promise of pizza.

"Dude, you could've just asked me?" You said, pulling Jonah's attention away from the plethora of boxes and packets in front of him by the hands that still connected you both.

"Sorry y/n, my heads a bit scattered at the moment." With a deep sigh he shovelled more of the products into the cart.

"What's all this about anyway?" You asked, watching as Jonah continued to desperately shove things into the cart.

"Well, Emma-" Before Jonah could say anything more, you'd grabbed the brand of pads Amy kept at home, rushing off to the customer bathrooms. Jonah rushed after you, pushing the cart filled with tampons and pads with him.

————————————————————————

While Jonah hadn't exactly told you what had happened, you could easily put two and two together once he'd told you Emma was involved. Why he hadn't come and found you sooner was beyond you.

"Okay, Uncle Jonah's back. Gross. Please pretend I did not just call myself "Uncle Jonah."" Jonah proclaimed as he entered the customer bathrooms, his cart of pads in hand. You grimaced at his attempt of sounding cool to Emma, 'uncle Jonah' being the best he could come up with.

"Did you get something?" Emma asked, a sense of urgency in her voice. God, how long has the poor girl been stranded here.

"Yep, these are colourful. Oh! And this one has a girl playing soccer on the cover." Jonah dug through his variety of items, picking out the most eye catching and girly ones he could find.

"I just want whatever's easy to use." Emma let out a deep sigh, done with Jonah's antics and wishing anyone but him was helping her right now. God, she'd even take Glenn's help over this.

"I got to be honest, none of these really look easy to use." Jonah said, opening a box of tampons and staring in awe at the applicator.

"It's gonna be okay Emma. Can I come in?" You asked, pressing yourself up against the door of the stall so Emma could hear your hushed tone. With a sigh of relief coming from inside of the stall, you heard the door click open and Emma's face peek out from around the corner. Turing around, you gave Jonah a pointed glare, getting him to turn around as you slid through the gap in the door, and into the stall.

Once inside the stall, you locked the door behind you, turning to face Emma as she fiddled with her hands awkwardly. Breathing in a deep sigh, you began to speak:

"Listen Emma, I know I'm not your mom, but unfortunately I'm the closest you'll get to her right now. So, let's get into this." You gave Emma a weak smile, trying to show her it would be okay.

As you opened the pack of pads you'd brought into the bathroom stall with you, you heard Jonah ripping open packet after packet. What was he doing out there?

After showing Emma how to use the pad, you stepped back out of the stall, only to be met with a pad covered Jonah.

"Uh Emma, look through the crack. I'm a mummy! Ahh!" He groaned like a zombie, sticking his arms out in front of him. Though he quickly stopped his little performance when his eyes met yours; a blush covering his face as he realised you'd come out of the stall.

Before he could begin to say anything, a customer opened the door, smacking it into Jonah who was then pushed into you. You caught him, spinning him around to face the women, who was slowly backing out of the bathroom.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I'll be right out. I'm helping a little girl." Jonah rushed out, tripping over his own words as he tried to explain what she had walked in on. Despite this, the woman turned and quickly left the room, the door slamming behind her as she did.

Hands still holding Jonah up, the pair of you dissolved into a fit of laughter, him leaning deeper into you as he tried not to fall over.

As the laughter died down, Emma finally left the stall, standing nervously before the two of you.

"So are we leaving the bathroom or are we all just going to stare at each other?" Emma asked, pushing past you and Jonah as she left the bathroom. While Jonah stayed to peel off his 'costume' before he left, you rushed out in Emma's wake, catching up with her as she walked towards electronics.

After a few moments of silence shared between the two of you as you walked, Emma finally began to speak.

"For the record, it was cool of you to come and help. I'm kind of thankful it was you and not mom, she'd have probably made it into a big thing." Emma let out a nervous chuckle at her words, fiddling with her fingers as she walked. While you had always felt like a big sister figure to Emma, today it felt different, more like you'd been her big sister than just a good family friend.

"Thanks Em, I love you too." Emma let out a groan, speeding off to electronics with her arms folded across her chest. While it wasn't what she'd said, you knew her enough to know it was what she'd meant. And you meant it too. You were glad you were able to be there for Emma today, and only hoped you could continue to be there as long as she'd let you.

————————————————————————

A while after you'd caught up with Emma in electronics, Jonah had come over, finally having found you once he'd peeled himself free of pads.

For a while now you'd been sat on one of the couches on electronics, Jonah leaning over you, as you both shouted to Emma what to do.

"See that? In the back corner? You see the little family over there? Kill 'em." Jonah commanded, waving his hand in the general direction of the tv.

"Blow 'em up!" You added, pointing to the button on the control Emma would need to press in order to do so.

"Here you are. I'm sorry I was gone so long. What'd you do all day?" Amy asked, coming from the back of the store, unfortunately breaking both you and Jonah out of 'the zone.'

"Uh, we mostly played video games. It was fun." Emma replied, looking up briefly at Amy, though quickly turning back to the game before her and blowing up another family.

"Good job. Thanks for, uh, keeping an eye on her." Amy thanked, looking between you and Jonah as she spoke. Though she knew you and Jonah got on well, she couldn't have previously imagined you teaming up to look after Emma- and in any situation of the sort, she imagined you doing all the work.

"It was easy." You replied, waving your hand at Amy as to brush off her compliment. It had been easy for you: you'd only spent the last two hours or so with Emma, unsure how'd she'd ended up in Jonah's care and ready to fix the mess you'd found him in.

"She's a great kid." Jonah added, smiling across at Amy. Emma was a great kid; the best you knew by far. And it would be fair to say she was a sentiment to her mother.

"Yeah, she is." Amy awed proudly, rubbing Emma's head as she leant deeper into the couch.

"Y/n and Jonah taught me how to use a maxi pad." Emma stated bluntly, causing you to choke on the air you were breathing in. While you knew you were going to tell Amy once you got home, you didn't think Emma would be so open about it.

Taking advantage of the awkward silence you stood up, announcing your departure and that you'd be back in a while. Walking away from the group you pulled your phone out of your back pocket, thankful to finally have a free moment today.

Y/n ;) | Hey Marcus! Where can I find you <3

With an almost instant reply, you headed straight towards the break room.

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Upon walking into the break room, you were shocked to find it desolate - apart from the tall figure who sat, back to the door, right in front of you. Marcus.

"Hey you," you teased, acting just like he had the last time you'd spoke, in person at least. Turning away from the table and towards the counter, headed to put on the kettle.

"Oh, hey y/n, I already made some coffee." Marcus pushed a mug across the table, in front of the seat opposite him, before carefully lifting his own mug up to his lips.

A light blush covered your cheeks at the thought he'd made you coffee in advance of you being here. Only Garret had ever done that for you before, and every time he did it - even to this day - it made you feel special, and cared for. For someone to remember the little things, it made you feel important.

"Oh, wow, thank you, that's very sweet." The blush only deepened as you sat across from him, his gaze solely on you as you shuffled deep into your seat.

"So what's up? You just want to have a chat?" You asked, taking a long sip from the steaming up of coffee; it was perfect, maybe even better than perfect. It had just the right amount of milk and sugar, and filled you with comfort and warmth.

"'No, I was going to speak to you this morning, but the dead guy seemed to kill the mood." He shrugged his shoulders, taking another sip from his mug.

You let out a short laugh at his words, the old man who'd died in the store was the reason you were having to stay after your shift had ended - looking after Emma and now talking to Marcus - so you could attend the funeral you'd heard Glenn was planning. I guess you'd have to thank him for that.

"I just wanted to let you know I'm going to be out of town for a few weeks. I've got court out of state." Oh. At least he'd been kind enough to tell you in person.

"Oh Marcus, I'm so sorry. I hope everything's okay." You said, reaching across the table to hold his hand tightly in yours.

"Oh it's not big deal, my grandmas just a psycho." He said, rolling his eyes as he took another sip of his coffee, drinking the last of it as he pushed his cup away from him.

"Well, I hope everything's okay still. When will you be back?" It was strange that Marcus had thought to tell you - to you at least. To Marcus there was no one else he'd thought about telling; since he'd found out he had to leave, all he could think about was if you'd forget him by the time he was finished.

"Um, I'm not sure, maybe four weeks from now if I had to guess. My grandmas not going to make this easy on me." You let out another small laugh, despite him having to go to court, it sounded like a trivial matter, and that he'd be back home sooner than he thought.

"Well, I can't wait for you to come back." Marcus's eyes lit up at your words, though it went unnoticed to you as you stared into the cup of coffee, taking a long sip to fill you with much needed energy and warmth.

"Me either." Marcus flashed you a charming smile, his eyes meeting yours from over the brim of your mug. A comfortable silence fell over the two of you, and the rest of the break room, your hands still connected in the middle of the table.

With few words of small talk shared, the silence was eventually broken by Mateo sticking his head through the door of the break room.

"Guys, it's funeral time." Mateo announced, rushing off as soon as he'd finished in order to round as many people up as possible to attend Glenn's impromptu funeral.

Reluctantly letting go of Marcus's hand, you stood from your chair, pouring what remained of your coffee down the sink as you made your way towards the break room door.

"I'll see you around Marcus." With that you left the break room, catching up to Mateo who was headed out of the back of the store and towards the parking lot.

————————————————————————

"Thank you all for gathering to help me honour and remember Charles Maynard Rand." You linked arms with Mateo, leaning into him and the warmth he provided as you stood around the fancy couch.

"Why do we have to destroy the couch?" Cheyenne whined from the other side of Mateo, upset she'd spent her day fighting for the couch for nothing.

"Well, for one thing, it's a wonderful way to memorialize a man." Glenn suggested, looking longing at the couch that was behind him. Todays events had really effected him huh.

"Plus, I looked up the store policy. If a death occurs on any display furniture, it has to be destroyed. Who knew?" Dina shrugged, standing with her arms crossed beside Amy.

"I knew. Same thing happened at the Kirkwood store a few months ago." An offended gasp came from Mateo; he'd told you how Garret had been monitoring his and Cheyenne's competition for the couch, so to find this out felt like a big betrayal.

"Jonah?" Glenn asked, breaking Jonah out of a daze.

"Right." Jonah's words sounded far away, even though he'd only stood a few feet away from you. Walking quickly towards the couch, he lit it on fire, it soon taking.

"We didn't know Charles, but he chose to spend the last few moments of his life with us. Charles, may your soul or non-denominational life force, I guess, be lifted by the non-gender-specific arms of a loving entity or non-entity..." As Glenn tried to avoid turning this into a religious event, the couch behind him started to become engulfed in flames.

"Hey. Just once. Knock yourself out." Dina said, Glenn's face lighting up at the opportunity he'd been given.

"Jesus Christ! The hands of Jesus Christ, who saves us from our sins. With his precious blood, and welcomes us as little lambs..." As Glenn spouted out his religious words you couldn't help but worry as the ablaze couch continued to burn wildly.

"Is is meant to be burning like that?" You asked Jonah, walking closer to him and Garret, leaning into his side as you had dispersed into little groups to talk.

"How much gas you put on that thing?" Garret asked in shock, the couch completely engulfed in fire now.

"None, and that fabric is supposed to be fire-retardant." Jonah took in a sharp breath as he spoke, worried about the other furniture in the store if the fire-retardant one reacted like this.

"We give you the love, and we take away the evil! Amen! What a day! Okay, uh. God bless us all, and let's get out of here." Glenn finished his mini sermon, taking in a gasp of breath to refill his lungs after his long spiel.

Jonah moved his arm around your shoulders as the three of you walked away from the burning couch, towards the front of the store, wherein you'd wait for Amy. Today had been a long and hard day; but people like Jonah and Garret made everything feel so much easier.

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☆*: .｡. Tag List .｡.:*☆ @write-from-the-heart @despicablylara @whatafreakingloser @flowercrowns-goodvibes @millieb-3199

@lolawassad

Want to be added to the taglist? send an ask to let me know <3

————————————————————————

Hey guys! Bit of a longer part this week, but next weeks will probably be a bit shorter to counteract that. I hope you enjoyed! Please let me know what you think and how I can make this series better.

A few of you picked up on the little crush Jonah has on y/n and though I didn't intend it, it sure has began to make its way into the story - and is a storyline I'm definitely going to divulge into a little bit :)

Have a lovely week <3

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ironmanfridgemagnet · 2 years

Text

Sitting on the Shelf - Marcus White x Reader

Part 2 - Magazine Profile

SOTS Masterlist

"Oh, I would definitely kill a wolf." Garret said turning away from you to look at Glenn, who's voice was a whisper amongst the chatter of the break room.

"Really?" You asked, eyebrows raised in disbelief. "I call bullshit. You could not. At all." Placing your half-drank coffee on the table in front of you, you sighed - Garrets confidence in his own ability was something else.

Dina hit the table in front of you hard, causing you to jump as the table shook and a loud chap sounded around the break room.

"Oh, oh, oh. Okay. Okay. Today is a, uh, very exciting day, because "Stratus" is doing a profile on our store. Yeah, ooh! Oh, yeah!" Glenn said proudly, finally being able to get his morning speech out as the break room had silenced.

"What's "Stratus"?" Jonah asked, causing you and Garret to let out deep groans. You'd already heard about Stratus too many times.

"Um, only our internal corporate magazine!" Mateo jovially answered, still on the high of his new job; and clearly trying to suck up to Glenn.

""Magazine" isn't exactly accurate." Amy started, folding her arms across her chest as she sank into her seat.

"It's more like misleading propaganda." You finished, picking up your mug and taking a long sip of your still warm drink.

"No, it's not!" Glenn demanded, his words coming out as a whine. Clearly this meant a lot to him that Stratus were going to be in store.

""Minimum wage is maximum fun!"" Amy read the cover of the magazine she'd just picked up off the table, sarcasm lacing her words.

"It is!" Glenn moaned, pushing his hands to his side, almost like a toddler having a tantrum.

""Work it Off: A Guide to Injuries on the Job."" Jonah added, grimacing as he read the unfortunately true title.

"Oh, that is a super fun read." Glenn said pointing to the magazine Jonah was holding.

"Oh yeah, I loved 'working it off' when I broke my leg." You said to Glenn, the sarcasm completely going over his head. It'd been three years since you'd broken your leg trying to use the forklift - as unfortunate as that day was, what wasn't was how it just so happened to flare up in pain whenever you were asked to help out in the warehouse. Funny that.

"See! Even y/n agrees, and she had to do exactly that." Glenn waved his finger in-front of his face as he spoke, still trying to make Stratus seem cool and interesting.

"They had you working on a broken leg?" Jonah asked as he leaned over towards you, concern filling his features.

"Yeah, it wasn't too bad though, it meant I didn't have to do anything but checkouts for 6 weeks. I had a great time." You whispered in response, trying to seem like you were listening to Glenn as he spoke.

"Wow. And you didn't even get a pay out? Bummer." Jonah said, focus intently on the article in front of him, suddenly filled with overwhelming concerned for how he'd be treated if that - or worse - happened to him.

"What? No. I got a 5k pay out and they covered my hospital bills. I told them my dad was a lawyer and he'd sue them if they didn't give me some kind of compensation." You scoffed at Jonah underestimating you, no way would you have let corporate get away without giving you nothing.

"You dads a lawyer? That's so cool! What kind of-"

You cut Jonah off quickly, Turing to face him as you said, "I was lying dude."

Without waiting to see his reaction you turned to face Cheyenne as she began to speak.

"Ooh, there's a jingle-writing contest. Bo could enter that. If he won, he could stop dancing for his Mom's friends." You cringed at the thought of Bo doing anything, especially dancing for his moms friends.

"It's my responsibility to show the reporter around, so, please, let's put our best foot forward, okay? Cheyenne, that means no falling asleep in the bedding department." Glenn gave out an uneasy smile, fiddling with his hands as he spoke.

"I get tired, Glenn. I'm pregnant." Cheyenne moaned, throwing her arms up in disagreement.

"Not today, you're not!" Glenn cheered a large smile on his face.

"Uh, oh, and Sal, I'm gonna need you to take the creepiness down to about a two, okay?" Turning to look at Sal you saw him taking small bites of his grapes, leaving a deep pit of unease in your stomach.

"Garrett, um, I love those nicknames you come up with for me, but, uh, some people might see them as insulting, so why don't you just get 'em out of your system now?" Glenn smiled at the man sat next to you, hoping today of all days would go well.

"Glennda, G-Nothing, Glenngarry Glenn Loss, Glennema, Glenntil Soup, TransGlennder." Garret let the stream of nicknames flow out of his mouth, his list of teases groaning ever longer. You were starting to think that they wasn't anything Garret couldn't turn into a nickname for Glenn.

"Oh, that's a new one." Glenn replied with a firm smile on his face, trying his hardest not to let Garret get into his head. He really wanted today to be perfect huh.

"You got to keep this reporter away from me. I hate reporters." Dina's voice came from behind you, startling you slightly as you hadn't expected her input.

"My school paper once misidentified me as a scoliosis victim. I mean, the joke is, my spine is perfect, okay? I can bench 160. 165 in the right situation." You looked at Dina as she looked at Jonah, seeing as she suggestively raised her eyebrow at the unassuming man. A shared look with Garret told you he was just as confused - and possibly scared - as you were.

"Okay! Let's get out there and have a newsworthy day." Glenn announced, cutting through the awkward silence that had settled upon the break room.

"Do it for the old uh, G-Spot! See? You're not the only one who's good at nicknames." With a heavy sigh you rose from your seat in the break room, sipping the last of your coffee as you stood. You'd already had enough of today.

——————————————————————————————————

As you and Garret sat talking at the customer service desk, Jonah slowly made his way over to you, letting your current conversation die out as he leant against the counter beside you.

"Anyway, If you see the reporter show up today, please let me know so I can hide. I do not want them to put me on the cover." Garret said, mostly to you though his words weren't lost on Jonah.

"That's pretty cocky." Jonah scoffed at Garrets words, believing them to be self absorbed. He didn't know how Stratus seemed to act yet, and you couldn't blame him; you yourself had only seemed to notice today while staring at the pile of magazines in the break room this morning.

"Oh, it's not ego. These corporate magazines love putting employees with disabilities on the cover. Look." Garret pulled out a stack of Stratus Magazines he had been keeping beneath the counter and handed them to Jonah as you spoke.

"Wow. You were not kidding." Jonah flicked through the pages of the magazines before him, though largely focusing on the covers.

"And they really gonna come after me, especially with Face Birthmark Tony on vacation." Garret said, his eyebrows creasing in frustration at the fact his one scapegoat was gone.

"Yeah, I'll bet. Anyway, are we even sure he's on vacation? I mean I swear he's been gone for over a month now?" Confusion laced your words; Tony had been gone for a while now that you'd thought about it. Hopefully he was onto greener pastures then cloud 9.

"Yeah, and getting a black guy in a wheelchair on the cover would be like their Holy Grail or something." Jonah said nonchalantly, his gaze still lingering on covers of the magazines in his hands.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. You trying to say being black's a disability?" Garret asked, his voice raising in anger as he spoke.

"Oh, no. No, no, no." Jonah spat out, trying to deny whatever Garret was trying to suggest he was trying to suggest. And you couldn't help but let out a laugh.

"Now, that's no. No, of course, no. I, I have lots of..." Jonah continued, stumbling over his words as he tried to formulate an explanation and trying to avoid digging himself into a hole.

"What?" Garrett asked, eyebrows raised in question.

"I listen to Drake." Jonah said, folding his arms across his chest and sinking into himself slightly - he had dug himself a crater.

"Drake?" Garret asked in shock, trying to hide the laugh that was bubbling up in his chest.

"No, no, no. I watch BET sometimes." Jonah said, his confidence faltering greatly as he looked anxiously between the two of you.

"I'm messing with you, dude." Garret said, both you and him bursting out in laughter, your head throwing backwards as a wide smile filled your features.

"Okay. Good. Thank God. I've never watched BET." Jonah said, letting out a heavy sigh as he spoke, anxiety leaving his body.

"Yeah, me either, man." He responded, the remains of his laughter coming out as a sigh.

Jonah stood from where he was leaning on the counter, announcing he was going to find Amy before swiftly walking away - leaving you and Garret at the customer service counter.

As the final drags of laughter left your body a comfortable silence lay over the two of you.

Ever since you'd worked at cloud 9, you'd been practically glued to Garrets side. On your first day, you'd followed him around like a lost puppy and surprisingly, he'd let you. Eventually you'd built up the courage to talk to him and you'd been good friends since. He was the kind of friend that was fun to do even nothing with: showing each other funny videos, or trying to hide from Amy, or Dina, sitting in silence. Garret was a great friend once he let you in, which is why he could read you like a book.

"Why didn't you let Glenn take you home the other day?" Garret asked, breaking the silence between you and filling it with an eerie tension. You should've know better than to think he'd let you get away with the little escapade you'd performed the other night.

"Like I said, Amy said she needed to talk to me, plus I think she was getting take out or something - she mentioned in the car that Adam was meant to be cooking that night and you know how-"

"Cut the bullshit y/n." Garret interrupted, cutting off your lame attempt at an excuse. He knew better than that.

"Listen Gare, you know I love you, but I'm not ready to talk about it yet. I'll tell you as soon as I'm ready. I promise." You sank into yourself as you spoke; things had been hard the past few weeks, and you didn't know how ready you were to tell people - anyone - about it.

Amy had found out by accident.

You'd been sat outside the store at the bus stop, Sandra had just got on the 58X to head home and you were finally alone for the first time that day. The tears had welled up in your eyes as you'd waved Sandra goodbye, and had streamed down your face as the bus doors closed behind her. Once the bus drove away you couldn't hold back the heaving sobs that came from deep within the caverns of your chest. Despite the fact you'd waited for your usual bus, you weren't getting on it today.

Glenn had put you on a closing shift that day, and you'd made sure to drag out leaving as long as you could, to not raise any suspicion as to why you'd missed your usual bus. So you'd been extremely surprised when Amy's arms had wrapped around you and a stream of comforting words had been whispered in your ear. In the unleashing of your sadness you'd forgotten Amy had been asked to lock up, and had parked just over from the bus stop, a clear line of sight to where you'd stood.

You'd spent a long time crying that night. Once Amy had finally coerced you into her car, she'd driven you back to her house, where you'd sat down together in her living room, a warm cup of coffee in your hands. Emma was tucked away in bed by the time you'd got there and Adam was off working on some new aspiration of his.

After letting everything out to Amy she'd given you a spare duvet and some pillows, leant you a pair of her pyjamas, and told you to get some rest. You don't remember ever feeling as small as when you, Amy, Adam and Emma sat around their dining table the next morning and discussed letting you move in.

Since that day you'd been sneaking into Amy's car at the end of your shifts - most of them lining up with hers as you'd both gone to Glenn and begged him to change your shifts - and you managed to get away with it until a few days ago.

"It's nothing bad I promise." That was a lie.

"I'm just going through some stuff, and she's helping me with it." You shrugged as you spoke, hoping it seemed like nothing was going on.

"Sure, it's nothing bad doll." He replied rolling his eyes as he spoke; even though he didn't believe a word you said, he believed it enough to not question you any further.

"Well it is, so." You said, scrunching your face at him as you hopped off the counter.

"Well, I'm going to... go work or something for once." You said, the last part under your breath as you walked away from Garret and the customer service counter.

"I'm on to you baby girl." Garret shouted after you as you walked away, a small smile forming on your face at his words.

——————————————————————————————————

Despite telling Garret you were going to work, you headed straight to the break room where you bumped into Amy.

"Everything okay?" She asked, grabbing you by the shoulders as she rubbed your arm gently.

"Yeah, just, Garret asked me about the other night and then it got me thinking about my mom and now-" you stopped speaking abruptly, feeling suddenly very choked up, your hand coming to cover your mouth.

"I'll take Heather off of checkouts y/n. Go chill in the break room, or Glenn's office, or... somewhere. We'll talk later okay?" She sent you a sympathetic smile, letting go of you as she walked back into the chaos of the store.

The break room couch was calling your name as you headed straight to it, laying on your side, curling up and closing your eyes. Though you couldn't escape the store physically, letting your mind drift away from the troubles of reality provided you with a much welcomed option.

——————————————————————————————————

"I'm sorry to interrupt all of your days, but I think this would be a good time for me to go over Cloud 9's policy on inappropriate sexual behaviour in the workplace." Dina words caused you to lull out of your sleep. Sitting up slowly you took in the break room, seeing everyone gathered round listening intently to Dina's words.

"Geez Dina, could you talk any louder?" You asked, stretching your arms above your head as you tried to de-cramp your back from sleeping on the hard couch of the break room.

"Glad to have you back in the room y/n." Dina replied, sarcasm filling her words. Clearly you'd missed something big.

"It was my break Dina, who are you to judge how I spend it?" You snapped back, a bit cranky from being woken up, straightening out your uniform.

"Oh. You said this was an emergency!" Glenn whined as he stood in the doorway of the room, his face scrunching in frustration at the fact Dina had pulled him away from his work.

"I know what I said." Dina responded, shrugging her shoulders with confidence.

You stood up quietly, walking around to outside of the room towards your usual seat next to Garret which had been left empty. As you sat he pushed a steaming cup of coffee towards you, sending you a wink as he did.

"Now, before I start this seminar, does anyone have something they'd like to say?" An awkward silence filled the room as everyone looked at each other. God knows who's done something this time.

"Okay, fine. Sal and I are having sex in the dressing rooms." Sandra admitted, your eyebrows scrunching as she spoke - it wasn't the weirdest gossip you'd heard about the store.

"I don't even like him. I have self-esteem issues, and I think being with him is a way of me punishing myself. It's messed up." Sandra's rant was cut off with a loud;

"Shut up, Sandra. God, you are such a whiner. Sit down. Anyone else? Okay. Well, then without further ado, please watch this video on inappropriate sexual behaviour in the workplace." As she turned on the screen the security footage of the warehouse filled it, a video of Jonah and some Blonde woman getting all hot and heavy being broadcast to all of you.

"Okay! Jonah! Well, well, well." Garret cheered, clapping Jonah on the back as you raised your eyebrow at him in question. Of all people, you hadn't expected Jonah to be getting it on at work. You were almost impressed.

A blushed filled his cheeks, both under the burn of your gaze and the different jeers from around the break room.

"I think we've seen enough." Jonah shouted, rushing up to cover the screen with the span of his arms, his blush deepening as he spoke.

"Why would anybody be attracted to Jonah? He looks like a villain on the CW." Mateo scoffed, causing you to let out a short laugh - he wasn't wrong.

"Uh, maybe it's because she thought all of his brilliant ideas were inside his mouth, so she had to, like, get in there with her tongue and suck 'em out." Amy's words made you laugh harder, though the realisation of what she said made you stop. Holy shit, that was the Stratus lady.

"Oh, my God. You will spread your legs for anyone who will write a story about you, won't you?" Mateo scoffed yet again, rolling his eyes at Jonah's actions.

"That has nothing to do..." Jonah's attempt to defend himself failed as his words were drowned out.

"Jonah. There's about 50 store rules broken on that tape." Dina's stern tone surprised you, you'd seen her serious, but this felt different, almost angry.

"I know." Jonah let out a deep sigh, clearly having given up on trying to defend himself over the very visible evidence.

"It is disgusting." Dina insisted, her gaze firmly on Jonah as she spoke. Surely she didn't have the power to take any serious action for what happened?

"I'm sorry." Jonah let out a defeated sigh, worried he was going to loose his job after such a short time at Cloud 9. You hoped he wasn't about to get fired over this.

"And there's just one thing left to say. You're safe now. Bring it in. Wow. You fit right in there perfectly, don't you? You've been sexually assaulted." You nearly spat out your coffee at Dina's words - you really must have missed a lot while you were napping.

"And I was hoping you could start to heal by admitting that here in a safe place, but..." Dina continued, still holding Jonah tightly in her grasp. What was going on today?

"You are obviously very ashamed." Dina affirmed, rubbing her hand up and down Jonah's back as she supported him.

Of course the one day you sneak away to take a nap, everything possible under the sun happens. Jonah's insistent 'no's' continued as Dina carried out her mantra of comfort.

The repetitive conversation faded into the background of your mind as you stared into the cup of now warm coffee. Garret had made it for you despite knowing where you were or if you'd show. He truly was a good friend.

You zoned back in as Jonah walked over to you, a deep red blush still covering his face as he sank down into his chair.

"Interesting day?" You asked, taking a long sip from your mug, meeting his eyes as he looked up at you from his seat.

"No actually, the exact same thing happened yesterday, you can't make this sort of thing up." You let out a short laugh at his words, a wide smile forming on your face.

"How about you? I've not seen you around today. I was looking for you earlier to come chat with me while I stocked grocery but I couldn't find you anywhere. And then, well, I got a tiny bit distracted." His concern warmed your heart, it was sweet that he'd been looking for you.

"Oh I've just been chilling in here. I wasn't feeling it today." You took another long sip of your coffee, finishing the mug and standing to place it in the sink. Ignoring Jonah's worried gaze, you walked over to the door of the break room.

"You coming?" You asked causing Jonah to scramble out of his seat, rushing to catch up with you as you walked out towards the store together.

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"I guess my philosophy of life is "dare to dream", but also "dream to dare." But also daring to not..." Mateo bragged as you and Jonah walked up to the Status lady together.

"Okay, so the article that I'm writing is about the store in general and not any one individual." She replied a snarky attitude fuelling her words. Sure you didn't love Mateo's self righteous bragging, but it wasn't bad enough to shut it down.

"Oh. Okay. Well, if you do decide to write an article about me, I'll be in the Stock Room, waiting. I'm willing to do whatever it takes." Mateo's change in tone surprised you, his attempt at acting straight even more.

Jonah dug his elbow into your side causing you to stifle your laugh under a sharp intake of breath. As you met his eyes he sent you a stern look, though the smug smile forming on his face told you he too found Mateo's words funny.

"Uh, God." With a deep groan he walked away, tried of trying to impress the tall, blonde woman; which clearly wasn't going anywhere anyway.

"Oh, God." Cynthia said as Dina started to walk up to her; this would be good.

"You are a journalist and a rapist, and those are the two worst things any person can be. Now, listen up, Connie Chung. If you set foot in this store ever again I will bring hell down on you." Dina shouted, pointing her finger in the woman's face. Despite the seriousness of Dina's words, you were trying desperately not to laugh. From what Jonah had told you of the days events, Dina's story was far from the truth, her adoration for the dark haired man blinding her from reality.

As Amy came to join you and Jonah, you stared at Garret as he convinced the photographer to take a photo of both him and Glenn. All Glenn had wanted to be on the cover of Stratus, and Garret - being the sweetie you come to know him to secretly be - put aside his own feelings to make Glenn's day better. Wow.

Turning back to Jonah and Amy you asked, "so you leaving? Or..."

"Just waiting for my ride." He replied, a smug look on his face. What was he hiding?

"Hey. Let's go. My hotel's right around the corner." Cynthia said, the photograph stood beside her flicking through the photos on his camera.

"Wow. So you guys have, like, more ideas to talk about." Amy scoffed, rolling her eyes in disbelief.

"Uh, no, no. It's like you said. I'm just really, really, cute." Jonah smirked, his ego clearly being bloated with each word that came out of his mouth.

"That's not what I said!" Amy shouted after him as he walked away, moving in sync with Cynthia.

"Like a panda." He replied, turning his head to send both you and Amy a wide and glistening smile.

"You think Jonah's cute?" You asked Amy, turning to face her as you spoke.

"N-no, I don't, why would I? I- shut up!" She shouted, looking flustered as she stormed away to the car in anger. Oop - maybe you hit a nerve?

"I'm only joking Ames!" You shouted, running after her to make sure you'd still get a lift home despite your teasing.

"Of course you are y/n. I can't wait until you mention someone being cute - I'm going to tease you so much, you don't even know." Amy laughed to herself as she climbed into the car and fastened her seat belt. Lucky for you, you weren't set on finding anyone cute; at least not anytime soon.

"So, what happened today? You know, between you and Garret?" All joking tone had left Amy's voice as she asked you the question that had been dwelling on her all day. Since she'd bumped into you on your way to hide in the break room, she'd been overran with worry.

She knew you could handle yourself; against rude customers, or creepy older guys, anyone (or anything) didn't ever seem to get to you. But your Mom always did.

Amy could tell you hadn't told Garret - but she knew you would, in your own time - she's doubts you'd ever have told anyone if she hadn't seen you at the bus stop that day. Sooner, or later, you'd tell Garret - or he'd figure it out - and he'd be just as worried about you as she was. She was hoping that day came sooner rather than later.

"It's okay now, he said he was 'onto me.' But I'll tell him soon. Maybe." Amy sent you a knowing look as you spoke, setting the car in reverse and pulling out of her parking spot.

"Okayyy." You whined, letting out a deep sigh, "I'll tell him soon; I promise. I didn't think talking about it would upset me that much. But when he started asking questions I just got overwhelmed! And then I started thinking about that night and my chest felt like it was closing up and-"

"Y/n!" Amy shouted bringing your words to a halt. "Try not to think about it okay? Let's just get home. I'm making pasta for dinner."

"With the cloud9 halo red sauce?" you were thankful Amy had changed the subject, your chest allowing you to breath again after the thoughts of that night had left your mind once more.

"Yeah of course, Emma likes that one too." She responded, letting a comfortable silence blanket the car.

After a long pause, revelling in the comfort of silence and the warmth of the heater blasting in your face, you asked, "so you think Jonah's cute?"

Your words were met with a loud scoff and a mantra of denial, Amy's face heating up once again. A wide grin filled your face as she continued to dispute Jonah's words, laughter now filling the car.

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Want to be added to the taglist? send an ask to let me know <3

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Hey guys! Thank you so much for your patience with this chapter. I wanted to spend some time developing the character of y/n and building their backstory in these first few chapters.

I'm thinking I want to try and start posting a new part every Wednesday, however part 3 is nearly complete so that may be out sooner than that. In the next part we get to have the first introduction of Marcus as I didn't want to wait till 'demotion' to introduce him.

Please let me know what you think and how I can improve for you guys!

#marcus superstore #marcus white imagine #marcus white x reader #superstore imagine #superstore marcus imagine #superstore marcus x reader #superstore x reader #superstore #marcus white #cloud 9 #jonah simms #amy sosa #garrett mcneill #glenn sturgis #sitting on the shelf marcus white x reader

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ironmanfridgemagnet · 2 years

Text

Sitting On The Shelf - Marcus White x Reader

Part 3 - Shots And Salsa

SOTS Masterlist

"All right, I like this. When I say cloud, you say nine. Cloud!" Glenn cheered, a round of 'nine' coming from the group you stood within. How he was so energetic so early beat you.

Glenn's words faded into the background as you thought of the warm cup of glorious coffee that awaited you once you could escape back to the break room.

"This chant seems a little on the long side." Jonah commented from behind you where he stood with his arms folded across his chest.

"Gets longer every year." Complained Garret despite his lack of even trying to amuse Glenn by participating.

"When I first started here, we would just put our hands in the middle and go, "Yay."" Amy added, a short laugh bubbling out as she spoke, though it was quickly covered with a gentle cough.

"Yeah I started here four years ago and even back then it was so much shorter. It ended after 'when I say Cloud, you say nine!'" You rolled your eyes at how much the chant had increased in such a short time - you dreaded to think how long it would be by the end of the year alone.

You drowned out the rest of the chant, instead choosing to look around at all your co-workers. In the amount of time you'd worked here you'd seen many come, and many go - yet the same few seemed drawn here. No number of new faces could drown out those that made the pillars of the Ozark Highlands Cloud 9.

Except for the tuft of hazel brown hair that appeared over the side of the crowd in front of Glenn. You couldn't tear your eyes away from what little you could see from within the crowd. However, Jonah tugging harshly on your arm caused you to tumble back into reality. Who was that?

"Before we open, I need a volunteer to hand out samples of the new Cloud 9 brand salsa, Señor Cloud." Glenn announced looking around the group before him, his gaze, strangely, lingering longer on Amy.

"Yes, right here. I'll do it." Mateo exclaimed, waving his hand on the air to grab Glenn's attention.

"Yes, perfect, and I don't mean just because you're Mexican." Oh.

"I'm actually Filipino." Mateo responded, clearly confused, and a bit hurt by Glenn's assumption.

"Okay, let's consider all our options. Um, Amy, I've got a feeling this is right up your alley." Of course. You knew Glenn was trying to pick on Amy, just so he could use her ancestry as acceptance.

As Glenn and Amy argued over if it was right for her to host the salsa stand, you tried to sneak glances at the tall man who stood on the opposite side of the group as you. When did he start working here? Surely you'd remember someone so tall?

"I could do it." Jonah offered, in complete seriousness, his stark response breaking YIU from your search.

"That'd be hilarious. You should dress like a matador." Dina chocked out, a laugh filling her words.

"Honestly, it's fine. It beats a day of dressing room duty." Carmen added, clearly deciding to take ahold of the salsa stand for the day. As the other Latina in the store, you'd assumed Glenn would've asked her to do it sooner or later.

"Thank you. Think fast! Mexico hat!" Glenn said throwing a sombrero at Carmen, it hitting her square in the chest, the look on her face showing she clearly regretted taking up this opportunity already.

As Garret began to move away to customer service, asking you to join him, you tried to take once last glance at the mysterious man only to find him no where to be seen. Hmm.

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"Attention, Cloud 9 shoppers, be sure to stop by grocery for a free sample of Señor Cloud salsa. And in Pharmacy, get yourself a flu shot, available in medium, mild, ay-yi-yi picante, and I'm almost positive that was written down wrong." Garrets progressive realisation made you laugh hard from where you sat next to him on the customer service counter.

"You change my announcements here doll?" He asked, hiding the smile that was beginning to form on his face.

"I don't know? Did I Gare?" You questioned, sending Garret your most innocent of smiles.

"Anywayyy," you continued, leaning back to look a Garret. "Did you notice that new guy at morning announcements today?"

"New guy? I don't think we've had any new hires recently baby girl. Though it sure seems you noticed him." Garrets laughed as his finished his sentence sending you a flirtatious wink as he did.

"Ew, gross, no! He was just super tall; kind of hard to miss really." Garrets raised eyebrow told you he didn't believe what you were saying, even though it was the truth! It's not your fault you couldn't not look at the tuft of brown hair that towered above the rest of the crowd.

"Well, i haven't seen anyone new today; but I'll let you know if I do." Garret sent you a small smile as he moved to grab a stack of envelopes from the counter behind you.

"Well thanks anyway." You replied, quickly jumping down from your space on the counter top and heading out into the depths of the store in search of the tall, brown haired man.

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"She is from Kansas City. Why is she talking like Speedy Gonzales? I should say something to her." Amy said after hearing Carmen put on a heavy Spanish accent to sell the salsa.

"Absolutely not. Do not get involved in things that don't concern you." Garret said from beside you, shaking his head at Amy.

"People here are quicksand. They will suck you in." You continued, folding your arms across your chest and looking at Amy also.

"So you're saying never help anyone?" Jonah asked, judging you and Garret as his eyes flickered between the two of you.

"I'm saying don't help anyone in this store. Within these walls, helping is quicksand." Garret reaffirmed, trying to show Jonah how different the two things were.

"You know, it's funny that you mention walls. Because that summer that I spent doing Habitat for Humanity, I was literally building, what?" Jonah stopped speaking as he registered the glares he was receiving from the three of you.

"You know, you find ways to work that into conversation a lot." Amy confessed, sighing at Jonah's shocked expression. Surely he realised how often he mentioned it.

"Dude, I try not to say words like "hammer" or "roof" when I'm around you." You added, letting out a short laugh as you looked at Jonah's still shocked expression.

"One time you got there from Hugh Laurie." Garret added causing you to let out another laugh, Jonah sending you a stern look at you did.

"Look, my point is, there are people who do nothing and there are people who do something, and I am one of those people." Jonah always seemed to pride himself on his 'selflessness,' but you knew damn well one day it would get him stuck in a really bad position - it probably already had.

"Excuse me. Sir, is there something I can help you with?" Jonah asked walking closer to Tate from pharmacy - oh that man was a whole can of worms waiting to be opened.

"Really? Uh, wow, yes, uh, thank you so much. Oh, that's great. So, uh, just stack 'em in the Pharmacy, and then there's gonna be a few more loads in the trucks." Jonah's selflessness had got the better of him, you knew this would only be the beginning of his long day helping Tate.

As Jonah walked away to help Tate carry the boxes over to Pharmacy, you turned to Amy, grabbing her by her wrist.

"Hey Ames, do we have a new guy?" You asked, hoping that she would be able to answer who the tall, hazel haired man in the meeting this morning was.

"Um, I don't think so y/n, I'll keep my eye out- I'm going to go say something." Amy's words were cut short as she walked away to speak to Carmen about her salsa selling.

You'd just have to figure this one out by yourself.

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"Hey Jonah... uh Tate. Can I ask you guys something?" You asked as you walked up to the pharmacy counter, leaning against it gently.

"Hello gorgeous, what brings you over to my neck of the woods this beautiful day?" Tate's words grossed you out, a visible shiver rolling through your body - Jonah placing a comforting hand on your lower back in response, which sort of surprised you.

Since Jonah had started working here, he'd always been sweet to you, but this was a bit sweeter than other times. He was caring, unapologetically himself and funny in the strangest of ways.

"Oh, uh, I just wanted to ask if you guys have heard we have a new hire? Cause I keep seeing this really tall guy around and-"

"Really tall and handsome? Are you sure you weren't thinking of little ole me?" Tate asked, his words sending another shiver down your spine. Why was he so flirty all of the time?

"I didn't say handsome? And no, I've never seen this dude before - he has to be new." You were adamant he was a new hire, this would be your hill to die on if necessary.

"No y/n, there's no new hires today - Glenn would've mentioned it this morning." Jonah was right. Maybe he wasn't a new hire - but surely you would've noticed someone of such stature before.

"Okay, well, thanks anyway guys." With a quiet sigh you pushed yourself away from the counter, and Jonah's comforting warmth, in hopes of finding your mystery man.

"Come again any time beautiful." Tate shouted after your retreating form, him turning to talk to Jonah about how he was definitely winning you over.

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After wandering the store for most of the day looking for your mysterious man, it had been to no avail. Despite searching in every crack and crevice of the store you could think of, you'd still not managed to catch another glimpse of the man from this mornings meeting. luckily, an "emergency" meeting had been called - for all cloud nine employees - so hopefully he would be easy to spot now.

As you walked into the breakroom, you scanned the room for the man you'd seen this morning. But as you walked closer, and closer, to your seat next to Garret, no one new stood out to you. Damn it.

"Nice work on those spreadsheets, Laquisha. Racism, you hear a lot about it, but what is it, really? Over the next 60 minutes We are gonna take a journey through time and race." Oh God, not another racism lecture.

"Thanks a lot, guys. When I woke up this morning, I was hoping to learn about racism from a white lady." Garret said, sarcasm lacing his words - you'd seen one too many of these lectures in your time at cloud 9.

"Who's fault is it I'm watching it this time?" You let out a long and deep groan, letting your head fall back, away from the screen. Despite the fact your question was rhetorical, Garret muttered an answer to you.

"I heard that Amy ruined Carmen's whole Salsa thing - she said something about how it was all fake; I think Karmen even broke her arm." What.

"Wait, what? She broke her arm? Amy made Carmen brake her arm?" While wandering around the store it'd be quite hard to just miss something like that - were you really so caught up in your own doing to not notice such commotion?

"Well, Honestly, I'm not sure if it was her arm, but an ambulance was called, so, I think that says enough." Garrets response left you frustrated, Amy didn't have it in her to hurt someone; surely this whole thing was a big miscommunication?

As the video finally came to an end, Glenn stood to speak to the crown gathered in the breakroom. "I think if there is any takeaway from today, it's this - anyone can be a racist. Anyone."

"Okay, yes, I should not have done that impression, but I want to be clear that I was not being racist. I was making a comment about racism." Amy spoke in response to Glenn's words, her face scrunched in frustration.

"Well, yes, personally I'm not a fan of racist comments, so..." Mateo said, turning his head away from Amy as he smirked.

"No, it's not what... I was exaggerating on purpose to make a point." Amy replied, groaning in frustration at Mateo's words - while what had happened was not a reflection of how she felt on the subject inside, it had still happened.

"Parody. She was making a joke about racism, I think." You continued in Amy's defence; while you didn't think Amy needed to try and stop Carmen, you could understand where she was coming from and why she did what she did.

"Well, are racist jokes okay again? Did you hear the one about the Jewish bird?" Dina asked, a wide smile forming on her face as she folded her arms across her chest. As Amy gave up on discussing the subject any longer, Garret spoke up: "Ooh, fun fact. The dude that voiced MC Cool Cloud committed suicide in 1994."

"No." Glenn said, a deep frown forming on his face at the news that had just been broken to him.

"That makes sense." Dina added, nodding her head at the news; her reaction very different to Glenn's.

"We also need to remember that helping people just because they're white is almost as bad as discriminating against them if they're not white." Glenn said, nodding his head as he spoke, fully believing what he was saying.

"It's exactly as bad." Garret replied in confusion, his eyebrows raising at Glenn's words.

As the room argued about whether racism was as bad as ageism, you took the opportunity to look around the breakroom, however, the tall man from this morning was still no where to be found - wasn't this mean to be a meeting for all employees of cloud nine? "Okay, let's get back out there, and, uh, let's remember, "Colour blind is colour kind." Thank you!" Glenn concluded, walking towards Amy to presumably reprimand her actions further.

"Hey, y/n, you coming? Cheyenne and I are going to round up carts in the parking lots by trying to get the racoons to ride them into the bays. I like seeing them fight each other." Mateo asked, Cheyenne stood closely behind him, ready to leave for the parking lot.

"As fun as that sounds, I really need to speak to Dina. But I will come out and join you in a little while - save one for me?" With a curt not from Mateo, he and Cheyenne sped out of the breakroom in an exciting dash for the parking lot racoons.

"Hey, Dina, can I speak to you for a second?" You asked apprehensively. Though you knew you could go to Dina if you needed to, it didn't make you any less scared about doing it.

"Of course y/n, what's up? Has Sal been bothering you again? He's like a praying Vulture readying to swoop down from the warehouse and steal my precious dove to kill and feat on." As she spoke, Dina's fist tightened at her side and her jaw hardened.

"No, uh, no, Sal's not - its not that. I just have a question for you, um, about the staff here." Dina's shoulders became less tense as you spoke, reassured that Sal wasn't creeping on you.

"Oh, of course y/n, out of everyone here I'm probably the most qualified for that - so you've definitely come to the right person." Dina let out a small, unforced, smile at you as her ego grew at the fact you'd come to her over anyone else for information.

"Have we had any new hires recently/ Because I saw-" Before you could finish speaking, Dina interrupted you.

"No we've not had a new hire for a while now, Y/n, so rest assured whatever you saw wasn't a new employee, it was probably Hannah W. She got a new haircut and looks very different; if you know what I mean." Despite not knowing what she meant, you gave a fearful nod in response, choosing to try and end the conversation before you really regretted asking - more than you currently did.

"Well, thanks anyway Dina." With an unusual smirk filling her face, Dina turned and left the breakroom, glad she could help you in her own unique way.

Amy huffed as she pulled her hand away from her forehead, Glenn having dashed out of the room in search of something. "You okay Ames?"

"No. Glenn wants me to replace Carmen as the salsa salesman, because its my fault she's gone." Her response caused you to let out a stark laugh, both of you headed out of the breakroom and towards the store floor.

"I imagine your day is going much better than mine." Amy said, linking arms with you as you walked and talked.

"I mean, I'm stilling looking for the stranger from this mornings meetings; however everyone I've spoken to says there's no new people. Maybe I'm going crazy." Amy sent you a concerned look as you spoke, after everything that had happened, the last thing she wanted was to see you start doubting any part of yourself.

"I'll have a look for you y/n, but I can't guarantee anyone will come up." She squeezed your arm as she spoke, her words helping to reassure you. At the end of the day there would be a reasonable explanation for all of this confusion.

"As for right now, I'm going to join Mateo and Chey in the parking lot." You chose to ignore Amy's look of concern,

"Well, I better go find that sombrero. I'll see you later Chiquita!" She said, pointing a clumsy set of finger guns in your direction as she walked off into the store. You couldn't help but let out a loud laugh at her actions; once the laughter left your lungs you let out a deep breath, tension dissolving from your body, you carried on into the carpark.

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"Attention, shoppers, it is 2:00. All associates working the morning shift, it is time for you to leave. If you are leaving, I hope you learned that no good deed goes unpunished, but, also, no matter how bad a day you had, at the end of your shift you get to clock out and leave the job at the door. Anyway, this does not pertain to most of you, so green beans are on sale for 89¢."

You handed Garret his phone back after he finished speaking, "I sent you the video i took of Mateo getting chased by one of the parking lot racoons, by the way. I thought it'd be something you'd enjoy."

"You would be absolutely correct in thinking that doll, you know me so well." A wide grin took over his features as he spoke, touched by the fact you did know him so well.

"Well, I best be going, time to clock out - and I shouldn't leave Amy waiting." As you pushed yourself off of the customer service counter, Garret questioned your words.

"Amy's giving you a lift again?" Shit. In a rush to head to your locker, get your things, and leave, you'd not thought about your words. As time went on it got harder and harder to keep such a secret from the people you spent almost everyday of your life with. Especially Garret.

"Oh, uh, yeah. I lost my bus pass and she said she didn't mind, 'cause, uh, I can't afford another one yet." You hated lying to Garret, but you weren't ready to talk about what had happened yet - he already knew how your mom had treated you when you lived at her house, and if he knew she'd kicked you out, God only knows how he would react.

"Okay doll, if you say so. Well, I'll see you tomorrow." With a small smile sent in Garrets direction, you left the customer service counter, headed straight for the breakroom.

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After grabbing your jacket and bag from your locker, you waved goodbye to Mateo and Cheyenne who were sat eating around one of the tables, turning to walk out of the breakroom. The vibration in your back pocket caused you to pull out your phone, the screen lighting up with a message from Amy.

Ames <33 | Hey Chiquita, you on your way? I'm out by the car :)

As you struggled to type while walking and holding your bag, you navigated your way from the back to the front of the store, pressing send as you reached the exit door.

Y/n :) | I'm on my way Ames, just leaving now <3

Walking out the doors into the parking lot, you began to put your phone away, suddenly you crashed into a firm chest. As you lost your footing, you prepared yourself to hit the stony floor, however, the collision with the ground never came; two large hands held you up firmly by the waist, a blush filling your cheeks.

"Oh my God, I am so, so sorry. I should really watch where I'm going." Letting out a nervous giggle, you slowly began to look up at your saviour, only to be met with the stunning realisation that this was him.

"It's no worry, I'm happy for a pretty lady to bump into me at any time." As you spoke one of his hands came up to brush against the back of his head, leaving you to scramble out of his careful grasp, standing up straight.

"Oh, um, thank you, but I'm still sorry for bumping into you - I really should watch where I'm going, God knows one day - with my luck - I'll walk into traffic, or something." You let out a short laugh, rubbing your arm anxiously.

"Well, hopefully I'm there that time to stop you also." He flashed you a toothy smile, it lighting up his face and filling you with a strange sense of warmth.

"I'm y/n." You said, sticking your hand out for him to shake.

"Lovely to meet you, y/n. I'm Marcus." Oh. Marcus. For a mysterious man, he surely had a normal name - not that you didn't like it because you certainly did.

"Well, I best be going, I've got to grab some stuff, but hopefully I will see you around y/n." And with that he left, your eyes following his retreating figure as he did, glad to know who your mysterious man was, and that his face was much nicer than his hair.

After coming to your senses, you ran over to Amy's car, scrambling into the passenger seat, and yanking your seatbelt in attempt to plug it in. Despite your numerous attempts, the belt wouldn't come further than a couple of inches from its socket, causing you to let out a deep sigh of frustration.

"Woah, y/n, honey, take a deep breath. The seat belt wont come out if you pull it too quickly. What's wrong?" Amy's words soothed you enough to let you stop tugging on it and gently pull it out, clicking it into the buckle.

"I found him, the guy I saw this morning. He's called Marcus." You took in a deep breath after you spoke, closing your eyes, trying to get the tension out of your body after such an awkward first encounter.

"Marcus? Marcus White?" Amy asked, turning to look at you as she put the car into reverse and pulled out of her parking spot.

"I don't know! I bumped into him and he caught me - I was far to embarrassed to look at him at first, let alone ask him for his full name." You replied to her question, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

"Well, if it is, that would explain why you've never met him before. He works the afternoon shift most of the time and he started about a month ago." As Amy spoke it felt like everything in the puzzle of who he was fell into place.

"Now that makes sense! It would explain why I've never seen him before, and why nobody thought he was a new hire, cause he's not." You sank back in your seat as Amy pulled out of the cloud nine parking lot.

"Well enough about me, how did the salsa selling go Ames." Turning to Amy you watched her grimace at your question, her eyes still firmly on the road ahead of her.

"Oh shush, it went horribly, Carmen walked in as me and Mateo finished our 'traditional Spanish dance'." Letting out a laugh you held your arm across your stomach - of course it had gone badly, you just wanted to hear Amy say it.

"I heard Dina singing on my way to the car, she has a pretty beautiful voice, very elegant." Sinking further down into the cushioned seat of the car, you let out a yawn. Turning to Amy as she pulled up at a set of traffic lights, you began to speak, "So, do you still need me to attend Emma's parents evening?"

"Please, if you don't mind, I've just been so busy lately, and I could really use it y/n."

"Of course Ames, of course I can." With a kind smile shared between the two of you, the lights turned green, causing Amy to turn back to the road and put her foot down on the gas, you beginning to quietly hum along to the song playing on the radio.

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Want to be added to the taglist? send an ask to let me know <3

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Hey guys! I'm working on trying to get a more consistent update schedule and as I'm on half term (kind of like spring break) I'm hoping I can prewrite the next few chapter :)

So this was the first introduction of Marcus! I didn't really want to wait any longer to introduce him so I'm hoping we can help build his character over the next few chapters.

Please give me any feedback you have! I love to make these as good as I can as a testament to my own skill, and to make my writing more enjoyable for you to read. I hope you enjoyed <3

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ironmanfridgemagnet · 2 years

Text

Sitting on the Shelf - Marcus White x Reader

Part 1 - Pilot

SOTS Masterlist

"The American superstore. One-stop shopping for everything you could ever want or need. Do you want to be thinner? Fatter? Happier? Sadder? Are you looking for friendship? Or solitude? Or even love?"

"Garret?" You asked, leaning back to look at him, still sat comfortably on the edge of the customer service counter.

"Yes doll?" You rolled your eyes at the sarcasm that laced his words.

"Don't you think that was a tad dramatic for a morning announcement? It's only 7am."

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"That's actually a cubic zirconia knockoff. It's called PlastiClear." You heard Amy say as you made your way towards the jewellery counter, your break has just ended and Amy had agreed to cover for you while you went on it.

"What happened to the $8 ones?" You heard a... familiar voice complain.

"We're all sold out of those, sorry. But this one's only $2 more!" Amy was trying her hardest to just sell the $10 ring.

"I get it. You advertise the cheap jewellery to get the suckers in the door, then you push the expensive stuff." The man who you'd now confirmed to be Bo sighed, accepting that he'd have to pay $10 for the ring.

" Well Bo, I wouldn't use the word "suckers" or "expensive"... or "jewellery"." You said, leaning your forearms onto the counter next to him.

"Fine. I got to stand in line for cigarettes anyhow." He sighed, snatching the ring out of Amy's hand before turning towards the checkout to find cigarettes.

"Great. I hope you and your fiancé are very happy together. And that you don't procreate." Amy muttered the last part under her breath, rolling her eyes at how long today had already felt.

"How do you even know that guy?" She asked, turning to face you as you now stood up from the counter.

"Oh Bo? He's Chey-" Amy cut you off, turning to face Glenn.

"Glenn?" She sighed, moving out from behind the jewellery counter, ushering you to take her place.

"Huh?" Glenn asked, completely clueless to what was going on, his clipboard help flimsily in his hand.

"I'm taking a mental-health break." She took off her vest, walking away hastily, presumably towards the break room.

"Okay. Have fun now. Reflect." Glenn absentmindedly turned around and continued whatever he was doing.

Ah, Monday's.

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"It's fine, I work here. It's, like, my it's my job to help customers, so." Turning around the corner at the end of the isle, you were met with a tall stranger. You watched as he helped Amy pick up the toilet paper, you slipped off your vest and placed it on the shelf in front of you.

"You work here? Since when?" You asked, your face inches away from the dark haired man's as he had now stood up.

"Since right now. I'm, it's actually my first day." He had a bright smile and this glint in his eyes that told you he'd yet to be crushed by the ins and outs of customer service.

"Oh," your eyes met his and your smile was just as wide. With a quick glance to Amy you rose your eyebrows, her expression mirroring your own.

"I know. I don't seem like the kind of person who would work in a place like this." The mysterious stranger continued to pick up the packets of toilet paper off of the floor, you and Amy trying to assist him still despite his insistence not to.

"Yeah, that's why I was so surprised. I was like, "What?" "What?" "Him?" "What's he doing cleaning up toilet paper?" I think it's because you just you have this very intelligent, educated, more cultured quality, I mean, compared to yeah." Amy said, sarcasm dripping from her words. How he was so oblivious to it was incredible.

"Oh, hey. Look, I get that you're complimenting me, but it might sound a little condescending, so, you know." He smiled brightly at Amy, holding a packet of toilet paper in between his hands.

"Oh, yeah, thanks. I'm sure she wouldn't want to sound condescending in front of somebody who works here." You replied for Amy, rolling your eyes as you gently took the paper from his hand adding it back to the pile.

"Hey, can I run out for two minutes? This thing is kicking my bladder like it owes him money." Cheyenne groaned as she waddled over to the three of you hands on her hips in support of her stomach.

"Oh, you know what, I'm actually not in charge." The man said, waving his hand to Cheyenne as he placed down another packet of toilet paper.

"Yes, of course. I'll take Carly off express. And Vivian can bag, so take as long as you need." Amy said, placing a gentle hand on Cheyenne's shoulder.

"Can y/n come with?" Cheyenne asked, the man's eyes flickering to you as you left his side to link arms with Cheyenne, giving your best puppy dog eyes to Amy.

"Just this once Chey." She sighed, resulting to berate the man in front of her for his attitude and ego as you and Cheyenne walked off towards the employee restrooms.

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"All right, campers, listen up. I've got an important announcement. This is your garden variety generic decongestant. And this is crystal meth, okay? The tweakers use this to make this. So stop selling them this, so they can't make this." Dina announced to the group of you crowded in the break room, you sat in your usually stop next to Garret.

"That guy told me he had a really bad cold." Cheyenne said to defend herself, to be honest you probably would've done the same thing.

"He was buying 35 boxes, Cheyenne. That should have been a red flag, okay? Use your noggin." Dina responded, tapping her head lightly with her finger as she sent a glare in Cheyenne's direction.

"Let's thank Dina for that helpful tip of the day. Thank you, Dina." Glenn said cheerfully, rocking back and forth on the balls of his feet.

"Am I the only one that thinks it's weird that she walking around with a bag of crystal meth?" Garret said, concerned laced in his voice as he looked around the break room.

"No I'm quite concerned how she got her hands on a bag of coke actually." You turned to Garret as you spoke, scrunching your eyebrows in a mixture of fear and concern.

"Anyway, I am so proud to welcome two new angels to our Cloud 9 family. Why don't you introduce yourselves? Okay." Glenn said, gesturing for the two to introduce themselves.

The man you had spoken to briefly earlier stood up, his hand tucked anxiously into his Jean pockets. "Hello, everyone. I am Jonah. And I am, I am excited to be here. This is gonna be fun, so."

As he sat back down after his brief intro the other new 'angel' stood up, he looked much more confident than Jonah, and way more happy to be here.

"My name is Mateo Fernando Aquino Liwanag, and I'm here to make something of myself. Spread my wings Whoop! See how far I can fly. Thank you, thank you, thank you." Mateo's introduction was much more rememberable than Jonah's, plus his singing wasn't awful too.

"Yeah, I, too, would like to see how far I can fly. So" Jonah said, standing up again just to say such few words. He was off on a pretty bad foot.

"Saved it." Garret whispered under his breath, rolling his eyes lightly at Jonah's struggle to do something so simple; despite just having to say 'hi' he'd already managed to paint such a clear picture of the kind of guy he was.

"Now, I used to end these meetings with some wisdom from the Good Book. But then someone reported me to corporate." Glenn said, glaring at Dina who stood to the side of him.

"Heck yeah, I did!" She replied to his accusation, "Look, I'm a Christian too, but in these four walls, my bible is the employee code of conduct." She hit the employee code of conduct as she spoke, making it clear to Glenn where she stood on this.

As Glenn and Dina argued about who was praying harder, you couldn't help but look at Jonah who was looking at... Amy? Oh wow.

It was only his first day and he'd already managed to make a substantial first impression: not a good one at that. He was funny though, even if you didn't think he was trying to be. And it didn't hurt that he was kinda cute too.

Garret sent you a funny look after noticing your gaze on the new kid. "So what? You got a crush on the new guy doll?"

Garrets words made you roll your eyes hard. He always knew exactly how to press your buttons, as you did him. That's probably why you worked so well together.

Chats in the break room, or at the customer service desk were always fun and playful with Garret, his witty remarks helped make your days better; and despite the secluded aura he gave off, he was a good friend.

"No, I'm just admiring his gorgeous hair. It's absolutely luscious, don't you think? Any way, you know I only have eyes for you." Trying to conceal the smirk that was forming on your face made Garret let out a short laugh.

Barely catching onto the end of Glenn's words you heard, "So welcome our new employees. Welcome. Welcome to Cloud 9."

Today was going to be a long day.

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"Hey, do we have any kind of training? I've just been wandering from one department to another, trying to look like I have purpose." Jonah asked as he walked up to you and Garret, fiddling anxiously with his fingers.

"It works better if you carry a box. There you go. See? You'll learn as you go." Garret said as he handed Jonah the box once sat on his lap.

"Well, I got to go get another box." Garret said looking between the two of you, before wheeling away to find a box to hold.

"I'm sorry about earlier." Jonah finally spoke up after an awkward silence had settled between the two of you.

"It's alright." You gave him a weak smile, still walking alongside him hold a clipboard loosely in your hand.

"Besides, I choose to take off my jacket and name tag and stuff, it was funny watching you get all smug about this." You said gesturing to the shelves around you the turning to look at Jonah.

"Plus, you're not too wrong, I mean, you don't look like you should work here, you look like you should be modelling, or like working a job for pretty boys."

A blush covered his cheeks as you spoke, your words once again getting to his ego.

"Oh really? You think? I mean I did try a career in 'the industry' once but the-"

You cut off his words, stifling a laugh as you said, "Dude, I was teasing you."

"Oh. Oh! Yeah. Of course you were." His blush was more evident now, Jonah looking to the ground to hide his face.

"Anyway, you got off on an icky start today. But that's okay. Look, dude, there's only a couple things to remember: always show up on time, don't steal, and stay on the floor supervisor's good side. Besides, don't get me wrong I'm like 200% sure everyone is judging you for what you said earlier-"

"Woah, how would they know? It was just you, me and those other two girls." Jonah looked away from you muttering something about needing to learn peoples names sooner rather than later.

"Me and Chey were telling people about it. To be fair I think the thing you have to worry about the most is word of it getting to the floor supervisor." You giggle understanding the inner turmoil you must've been causing the poor boy.

"The floor, who's the floor supervisor?" Jonah's face paled slightly at the idea he'd already made bad impressions with everyone despite it only being his first day.

"Well, no time like the present, here she comes!" You said to him turning and giving him a short hug.

"Good luck big guy." You whispered in his ear, patting him on his back before walking past him in an attempt to avoid witnessing Jonah's death.

Though when you turned around as you were going, Jonah seemed frozen in place, looking at your retreating figure as Amy stomped up to him. Hmm maybe he's not as much of a hugger as you.

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"Hey, Garret?" You asked walking up to the customer service counter, seeing him sat scrolling on his phone, a discarded and empty box next to him. "Do I make you feel weirded out?"

Garret, clearly confused and worried by your words put his phone down, choosing to look at you as you sat your self on the counter before him.

"Never baby girl. Well, maybe the first time - but only cause I wasn't expecting it! It was your first day after all, and I thought I was doing a good job giving off that 'don't talk to me, leave me alone,' kind of vibe."

"Oh okay then." Your head hung low as you spoke. You'd never realised how it could've possibly made him feel uncomfortable, you'd always liked hugs, handholding, and such - regardless of who you were doing it with. It'd never crossed your mind others didn't.

"Why? Who said something? If I call up Randy we can probably dispose of them before they can cause such hurt to anyone else." Though Garrets words held no real threat, you were thankful for the effort he was putting in to making you feel better.

"No it's just, I hugged the new guy - Jonah - only briefly, but he looked really spooked." You chose to not look at Garret yet, instead looking as your shoes as you swung them back and forth while sat on the counter.

"Ahh. It'll just be first time jitters. It's a bit of a shock the first time, but only cause you don't expect it. He'll come to love it as much as the rest of us." He put a gentle and caring hand on knee, rubbing his thumb up and down as he spoke.

"Thanks Garret, you don't know how much that's helped." You finally met his gaze, sending his a bright smile.

"Of course. But we'll never speak of this again, I don't need anyone thinking I've gone soft or something." This time you let out a loud laugh as his words, throwing your head back as you did. Garret really was the best.

"Of course Gare-Bear, it'll be our little secret." You continued to laugh as you walked away from him, going off into the depths of the store to find something else to do.

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"What's happening here?" You asked as you walked up to the group surrounding Jonah in electronics.

"Could it be a race riot? It's so hard to tell in the early stages." Glenn's genuine suggestion caused you to stifle a laugh under a cough, for some reason you doubted the mass of people storming electronics were starting a race riot.

"Could be the rapture, but then why am I still here?" Glenn's thoughts continued to be spoken aloud as Jonah walked up to you.

"Hey. I am killing it over here." He said sending you a smile as he waved the scanner about in front of him.

"You're only discounting everything 25%, right?" Amy asked with deep concern, realising the potential catastrophe caused in electronics.

"Yeah, "scan, "reassign," "yes," "override," "yes," "reprice""

"Reduce." You interrupted Jonah, worry filling your features as a pit filled your stomach. Jonah had fucked up big time.

"Reduce 0.25." Amy confirmed, the depth of this issues falling upon her.

"Reprice 0.25? That would change everything to 25¢."

You face paled as Jonah looked around at the chaos in the electronics department. Before you could think further you started running for checkouts. "Shut it down! Shut it all down!"

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"Stop selling everything! Shut it down! Shut it all down! Sir, you need to stay right there. Frank, nobody leaves!" Amy shouted as she ran out of the store in an attempt to flag down any customers who had already left with their purchases.

Suddenly Garrets voice came over the speaker system.

"Attention, shoppers. Due to an employee error, very expensive electronics are pricing out at 25¢. This mistake is being corrected, so stock up quick! Go, go, go, go!"

"I don't want to be "that guy," but if you had to compare my performance versus Jonah." Mateo said as he stood beside you, both of you watching the chaos ensue.

As people made attempts to leave the store with their mass of goods, Frank was struggling to deal with the over flow. You ran to join him in his efforts to stop customers leaving when suddenly a gun shot went off.

"Sale's over!" Dina shouted, shotgun held firmly in her hands, a scowl settled on her face.

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"There's no need to identify whoever it is whose fault this was. We can all learn a lesson here." Despite Glenn's obvious attempt to prevent the blame falling to Jonah, everyone already knew. And those who didn't quickly found out from Mateo asking:

"Would that lesson be not letting Jonah reprice inventory in the future?"

"It might be, yes. All right. Punctuality. I do not tolerate it, because I do not tolerate it in myself. I am an angry man, so I get places early..." Glenn's words were drowned out as Jonah leant over to you and Garret.

"Hey do they allow employees to date supervisors?" He asked still facing Glenn as he continued to speak.

"I don't know. Why?" Garret asked, confusion clear in his voice. To him neither Amy or Dina would we worth his time romantically, the idea Jonah saw something in one of them was very strange for him.

"Just curious." He shrugged sending a quick glance your way before turning back to look at Glenn.

"Let's always remember, the customer is always right!" Glenn cheered, adjourning the meeting with his false statement. Whatever makes corporate happy, I guess.

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You'd spent most of the rest of the day wandering around the store with Mateo, getting to know him, and getting him to do your work as he was still keen to make a good first impression. He was in-fact pretty cool, a bit self absorbed, but good to chat too and funny in his own way.

"You know what Mateo? I think you've made an excellent first impression. I mean on my first day, I just sat with Garret all day and hid whenever Amy or Glenn came by."

"Thank you. But I don't think I had much to beat. I mean, Jonah was a total train wreck today." He scoffed at the mention of Jonah, who's done nothing but create chaos today.

As you opened your mouth to speak again, Garrets voice came over the loud speaker.

"Attention, shoppers. Even a big box store has to close, and it's about that time. You know, when Pandora closed her famous box, there was only one thing left inside - hope. I wonder what will be left inside of this box. Could it be Grace? I hope not. If you're Grace's parents, please pick her up at customer service."

You let out a short laugh at his words, even seeing a smile come from Mateo. Garret always found a way to make the announcements interesting.

Mateo spotted Jonah from a while away, seeing him speaking to Amy, and dragged you with him to go speak to the two.

"I took the initiative upon myself to reorganize the toy section for the convenience of adult shoppers, y/n can vouch for me. It was just feeling overly whimsical." Mateo said proudly, pushing you forward to confirm his words.

"Yeah he did exactly that." You said, looking between Jonah and Amy as you spoke, even yourself confused by Mateo's actions.

"I want to show you something I've been working on." Jonah said facing Amy, though his eyes flickered over to you as he spoke. What on earth had he done now?

"Oh. You were working? Where? Because we've been in every single department, and we haven't seen you in a couple hours, unless you were in, like, the break room maybe." Mateo spat at Jonah, clearly wanting to stand out above Jonah as the 'best' new employee.

"Everybody get down on the ground, now! Get down, get down, get down! Touch the ground! Or get out! All right, calm down. Do what I say, and nobody gets hurt." The shrouded figure stood on top of the checkout above Cheyenne, waving about a gun as he spoke. The four of you dropped to the ground, you and Amy holding tightly to each other. You really didn't want to die in a Cloud 9 of all places - let alone the one you worked at. Though you couldn't help but feel like you knew that voice...

"Now, I'm gonna start killing somebody every minute, unless unless you agree to marry me, Cheyenne. Hit it!" Of course it was Bo. No one else was stupid enough to actually pull a robbery - let alone a fake one - in a Cloud 9. Bo however, was something else.

As Bo started to dance, Jonah leant over to you and Amy, "I had nothing to do with this."

"Yeah, I know. This is the fault of YouTube." Amy added, shaking her head as she spoke; this was more her fault. If she hadn't got Cheyenne to question the proposal in the first place, Bo wouldn't have pretended to rob the store. Despite that, Amy had some point to what she was saying; you loved Cheyenne, and you wanted her to have a good and happy life.

"Heard you want to walk down the aisle. Your baby needs a daddy, we've been banging for a while. All right, I pay the consequences of my actions. Don't try to change me 'cause I'm a man of action." Good God. Bo's rap really was a sentiment to Cheyenne. She supported him in all that he did, and you we're glad they were happy about everything else; even if Bo's rapping career was destined to fail.

"When all these people gonna learn? We're gonna get burned, just waiting for our turn. Yo, #BlackLivesMatter, y'all. Okay, if you like what you heard and saw, I'm currently seeking representation in all areas. Also, I do modelling, so I'm just throwing that out there. All right, peace out, St. Louis." Bo cheered, turning to leave after his incredible performance.

"Bo!" You shouted, pretending to have coughed, looking towards Cheyenne where she sat on a chair in the middle of the isle.

"What? Oh, my bad, yo. Cheyenne Tyler Lee, will you marry me? Or are you gonna be, like, a dick about it?" He asked, kneeling down on one knee in front of her.

Suddenly all the lights turned off but instead of a deep darkness filling the store, it was illuminated by the glow of hundred of glow in the dark stars. You couldn't help the childlike sense of joy that filled you, leaving a gaping grin on your face. This is what Jonah had been working on? Wow

"What is this?" You heard Amy ask, her voice just above a whisper, awe filling her words.

"Moment of beauty?" Jonah replied, his arms folded snugly across his chest. A wide smile lit up his face as he looked at the group in awe in-front of him. Maybe his first impression wasn't that bad.

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"To Cheyenne." Garret cheered raising his can into the air as he spoke. A round of cheers ensued as you all tapped your cans together, celebrating Cheyenne's engagement, crowded in the cloud 9 parking lot.

"May your marriage be as sweet and colourful as this Cloud 9 brand caffeinated malt beverage, without the recall for killing college students." Garret continued, taking a gulp of the beverage in his hand.

"Thank you, on behalf of myself and Bo." Cheyenne responded, smiling brightly as she turned to look at him over her shoulder; Bo waving from the back of the cop car.

"Well, he did make it memorable. I'll give him that." You said, wrapping one arm around Cheyenne as you pulled her in for a quick side hug.

"I mean, most guys don't even bother threatening to kill you when they propose." Jonah said, sarcasm lacing his words.

"You were never in any real danger. You know that, right?" Dina said, placing her hand firmly on Jonah's shoulder.

"Yeah, I know. It was a fake robbery." Jonah replied, weirded out by Dina actions.

"This is a high-velocity 440-grain lead flat-nose projectile with gas checks and a boxer-primed brass jacket. If he'd come within 10 feet of you, you would have seen his head explode like a watermelon. Clean-up on aisle I don't even know what aisle it is, 'cause his brains would be splattered all over the sign. Oh, shoot." Dina laughed at her own words, clearly finding humour in them that the rest of us did not.

"You know, I wish that we could wear jewellery at work." Cheyenne said while admiring her ring.

"Oh, it's so sparkly." Amy replied giving Cheyenne a bright, yet fake, smile.

"Yeah, Chey, it's really beautiful." You added looking down at the ring with a smile.

"You know, I thought about what you said about not doing something that I might regret, but then, in the moment, you know, under the stars, it just felt right. Without you, I would have never said yes, so thank you." Cheyenne turned her attention from Amy to Jonah as she spoke, Amy turning to Jonah with a glare as she did.

"Well, I should go bail out my boyfriend now. Or I mean bail out my fiancé!" Cheyenne squealed as she spoke, clearly excited about her engagement to Bo. She waved everyone goodbye as she left, walking towards the cop car quickly.

"All right. I got to get going. Good night, everyone." Amy said, putting down her drink as she sent you a look.

"Hey, wait up. Wait up." Jonah said running after her. You'd have to buy some time until you could join Amy. After a few moments of awkward silence, you chose to speak up.

"Yeah I should probably head out too. Someone gave me a earlier shift tomorrow." You glared jokingly in Glenn's direction, furrowing your brows at him.

"You want a ride home?" Glenn asked, worried about you walking home in the dark so late all by yourself.

"Oh uhm, actually, Amy already offered to give me a ride home, but thank you Glenn." You didn't want to have to talk about it, but Glenn's concerned look nearly made you crack.

"Oh, that's strange, I thought you and Amy lived on opposite sides of town?" He asked, very confused by your words. You'd never turned down a ride from Glenn, but things were... different now.

"Oh yeah I did - I do - but, uh, Amy said she needed to speak to me about something and it couldn't wait till tomorrow." Despite stuttering and stumbling over your words, Glenn didn't seem to notice you were lying through your teeth. However, Garrets eyes boring into the back of your head told you he didn't buy any of it.

"Oh, we'll okay then. I'll see you tomorrow." Glenn said, a small frown forming on his face. You knew he enjoyed any time he could spend with any of his employees.

You gave him a curt nod before turning around to go meet Amy. You only managed to get a few feet from Amy's car before you walked right into Jonah's chest.

"Oh shit, I'm so sorry!" You rushed out, your hands placed lightly on his shoulders as his hands held you up by your waist, stopping you from falling.

"Don't worry about it." He replied, flashing you a big smile.

"Are you gonna?" You started speaking, looking between the two of you, his hand still firmly on your waist.

"Oh, my bad, I'm sorry, let me, I'll just-" Jonah's words came in a jumble, barely being able to form a proper sentence.

"It's okay." You replied, fiddling with your fingers as you avoided his gaze.

"I'm sorry about earlier. Y'know. Hugging you. It's just sometimes I forget not everyone is comfortable with that and-"

"It's okay y/n." He interrupted in a soothing tone. You could tell you and Jonah would be good friends soon enough, he seemed chill, and very caring.

"Well then, I best get going. But I'll see you tomorrow?" You asked him, now holding eye contact as you spoke. You hoped Jonah would still work here tomorrow.

"Yeah, of course. I'll see you tomorrow." He smiled at you yet again, looking towards the ground as he placed his hands into his pockets.

Before he start walking you walked up to him, planting a gentle kiss on his cheek.

Without another word you walked away, heading straight for Amy's cars and climbing into the passenger seat.

"So?" She asked as you grabbed your seatbelt to plug it in. "Did you get out okay?"

"Yeah, I mean, Glenn did ask why I was getting a ride with you, but I just told him you needed to speak to me." You replied, turning to face Amy.

"I mean, that's not too far from the truth." She laughed to herself as you rolled your eyes at her words. Struggling to hide the smile that was forming on your face.

"Thanks again Ames, i don't know where I'd be without you and your family." You let out a heavy sigh, these past few weeks had been especially hard, but Amy had done everything she could to make them easier.

"Your family. You're one of us now." She smiled, rubbing your arm before starting the car, getting ready to go back home. Home.

"So, what are we having for dinner?" You asked, taking your phone out of your back pocket and opening your messages.

"I'm not sure, I asked Adam to sort something out. So probably take out." She sighed, pulling out of the Cloud 9 parking lot and beginning to drive home.

"Ahh okay, sounds good. Though if it's Taco Bell again I might have to order a pizza." Amy let out a laugh at your words before turning briefly to look at you.

"I'll have to join you on that one. I can't suffer through one more night of Taco Bell."

You looked back to your phone, typing a quick text to Emma to let her know that you were on your way back and would be home soon. After you'd sent the message you put done your phone, turning to look out the window watching the darkness of the night.

"Thank you Ames, I really mean it. More than you know." The sincerity of your words was not missed as Amy took in a deep breath.

"Don't sweat it y/n. Let's talk about this later okay?" She leaned over and turned on the radio, Adele's melodic voice filling the vehicle.

You closed your eyes and leant against the car door: from today things would be different. You knew it.

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Hey guys!

This is the first of many parts of my Marcus white x reader Slow burn series. I'm hoping to write it episode by episode so its a few parts until Marcus is properly introduced. That being said, these first few chapters will help build the character that is y/n and set their relationships with other characters - mainly Jonah, Amy and Garret - and of course, Marcus.

I hope you enjoyed the first part! Please leave any criticisms you may have so I can improve this, and future, parts. Thank you <33

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