#i do know how a customer service job feels like when you're running on an inconsistent sleep schedule though :D

[sanguineterrain]

Feel like I’m so basic but Jason Todd with a crush and him having zero social skills and just being super clumsy despite being highly competent when he’s in the field. Crush is like real sweet and kind maybe a service worker ✨

anon u are so true and real for this bc jason is definitely an unsocialized cat when he has a crush 💓

jason todd x gn!reader. shyish/anxious jason with a big fat crush. baker reader. annoying customer. the duality of jason todd. 1.6k words.

also i fully believe that silently leaving huge tips as a way to flirt is like. a wayne trait. 100% that family does that bc of bruce.

prompt lists are here! i reblog all fics to @sanguinelibrary

****

Business has been slow.

It's not like you expect your cafe to be packed to the rafters all day long, but you've had a grand total of four customers today. One of them only came in to ask where Starbucks was.

Frankly, you're not sure the cafe can afford to stay afloat for much longer. Gotham isn't known to preserve small businesses, and the conglomerates (cough, Wayne Enterprises) are taking over the world anyway.

So today is a reading day. You might even close early.

You're at a table in the back, so absorbed in Poirot's sleuthing that you don't hear the door open. It isn't until you turn the page and look up that you see your resident lurker waiting quietly at the display case. You flinch so hard that you spill iced tea on your jeans.

"Shit," you murmur, grabbing a wad of napkins and patting yourself dry.

Jason (as is written on his coffee cup) looks up from the pastries, teal eyes wide. You smile briefly at him. For such a big guy, his footsteps are astonishingly soft.

"Is everything okay?" he asks, voice rough like he doesn't speak much.

"Yeah, fine. You just startled me—I didn't hear you come in. Were you waiting long? Sorry about that."

"Oh. No, I wasn't. Sorry." He shifts weight between his feet. "You seemed pretty engrossed in your book. I didn't, uh, want to disturb you."

"Oh, hey, don't worry about that! It's literally my job to be here," you say, though you can't help but melt over how freaking sweet that is.

Jason visits you a minimum of twice a week. He's been coming for a couple of weeks. You know a whole three things about him: he's a university student, he pretty much only dresses in red or black, and he's unfairly cute.

At first, you were reasonably wary of him because it's Gotham, and he's so damn quiet. It's a little scary. You thought maybe he was an undercover spy casing the joint. Now you know he's just awkward.

"Slow day?" he asks.

"Slow year, more like. How are you? How was your exam?"

He blinks. "Exam?"

"Didn't you have an American lit exam last week?"

"Oh. Uh, yeah. Wow. Yes, I did. It was okay. Got an A."

"That's great! I knew you'd ace it."

His cheeks turn pink. Okay, you actually know four things about him: he blushes a lot.

You go to start the coffee machine. "Do you think you'll—"

"I-I have to go."

You watch, stunned, as he hurries out the door. That's when you notice the fifty dollar bill in your tip jar.

You don't know if you should bring up yesterday. Jason's back; that probably means everything's fine, right? You're not sure if you said something wrong, though. You've gone over the interaction a hundred times since and you can't figure out why he's so skittish around you.

"Hi. Hibiscus tea, please," he says, stoic as always.

You prepare his order, yesterday's interaction still fresh in your head. You should say something, shouldn't you? Or...

"Sorry about yesterday," Jason blurts, so fast you almost miss it. "Running out, I mean. I was, uh—I forgot something."

Well. Looks like he's going to bring it up for you.

"Oh, you don't have to apologize! If I said something wrong..."

Jason shakes his head fervently. "No, God no. You're perfect."

Your eyebrows shoot up. He turns red this time.

"I mean—not perf—well, you're amazing, don't get me wrong! Except, like, what is perfect, y'know? My brother has gotten into the habit of calling everything perfection like some kind of sitcom character. Alfred will make pie, and Dick'll go, "Alfie, that was perfection." And I feel like it's such an exaggeration—"

Jason's mouth snaps closed. He rubs his forehead.

"Um, I actually have chronic foot-in-mouth disease. It gets really, stupidly bad. Sorry."

You're trying hard not to giggle. You want to smother him in frosting and take a bite.

"You're really sweet, you know that?" you say.

"I'm really not," he says with a sigh.

"Not true. Can you do me a favor?"

"Anything."

You go into the kitchen and return with your latest experiment: matcha cream puffs.

"Do you mind trying these for me? You're not allergic to anything, are you?"

Jason's shoulders hunch. "Are you sure you want my opinion?"

"Of course I'm sure," you say happily. "I trust you."

"You trust me," he repeats quietly.

"Yup!"

Jason takes a puff and bites. He starts to nod.

"It's really good. You're really—all your creations are—yeah. It's good."

You squint. "No notes? Really?"

"They're perfection, as my brother would say."

Fuck, you like him so much.

"Have another one," you say, pushing the tray towards him.

"I shouldn't—"

"Wait! I'll pack you some!" you interrupt, flitting back to the kitchen to get a Tupperware.

Jason helplessly accepts the container of puffs you shove into his hands.

"Let me pay-" he tries to say, but you shake your head.

"Nope! I won't accept payment for these. Not from my favorite customer."

"Your favorite?"

"My favorite," you confirm, grinning.

"Oh." His ears turn pink as he walks to the door, cream puffs in hand. "Uh, right. Thanks. See you tomorrow."

"Jason? Don't you want your tea?"

"Shit. Yeah." He returns to the counter and takes his drink. This he insists on paying for, so you let him, because you do have rent to pay, after all.

"So nice to see you!" you add, because the stiffness in his gait is kind of throwing you off.

He just nods, slipping out the door as quietly as he came.

Today, Jason's in a red workout tank. You have to make the conscious effort to not ogle his arms.

"Hey, Jason!" you say cheerily.

"Hi," he says softly.

"The usual?" you ask, and he looks up in surprise.

"You know my order?"

You gently roll your eyes. "Of course I know your order, silly. Favorite customer, remember?"

"Oh." He looks away, brow furrowed. Then he turns to you and his expression smooths over. "Yes, please. Thanks."

"Sure. Give me one second? I just have to finish decorating some sugar cookies."

"Take your time," Jason says, then goes to skulk by the window.

The door is suddenly swung harder than necessary, thumping the glass.

"Hey!"

You look up from the cookies. A man in a suit is waving his phone impatiently.

"I ordered a dozen muffins. Where are they, huh?" he demands.

"Oh, right! Well, you called ten minutes ago, so they won't be ready till six, sir. Can I get you something while you wait?"

He scoffs and stomps to the counter. You almost back down, but you don't; that's exactly what these bullies want.

"This is exactly why no one eats at dinky cafes like yours. You can't even do this!" he fumes, shoving a finger in your face.

"Sir, like I said, the muffins are baking..."

"I know the city's health inspector personally," the man spits viciously. "One call, and I can—"

"Say one more word."

You blink as Jason is suddenly between you and the customer, stood at his full height. He's all muscle and broad shoulders, looming over the guy. You peek around him.

"What the fuck, man?" the angry customer squawks. "Move!"

"No, you move," Jason says, tone lethal. "Sit quietly at a table and wait for your muffins to bake. Then you can thank the nice baker for waiting on your sorry ass and you're not gonna come back. They have far more patience for entitled fucks than I do."

"Fuck you," the man spits.

Jason calmly closes the distance between them and whispers in his ear, hand like a vice around the jerk's shoulder. You watch as he turns pale, eyes growing wider.

"Sound good?" Jason asks pleasantly, all teeth. The man gapes at him.

Wow. Yeah. This is really doing something for you.

The oven dings. You go to retrieve the muffins, packing them as quickly as possible. You give him the box and the man nods.

"Thanks," he mumbles, then scurries out of the store.

Jason turns to you, and it's like looking at a completely different person.

"You okay?" he asks, posture stiff like he's still prepared for a fight.

You nod, a little dazed.

"Yeah. Wow. Jason, I... you didn't have to do that. I mean, thank you for doing it, but..."

"Hey, that guy was a jackass. And if you have trouble with him or anyone else, call me, okay?"

This side of him stuns you. If you didn't know better, you'd think he had this exchange regularly.

"Call you?" you ask, smiling. "How will I call you if I don't have your number?"

He freezes, eyes wide. "Oh. Uh. Um..."

You lean over, elbows on your counter. He watches you. You cup your hand around your mouth, pretending to divulge a secret.

"This is where you, the cute guy who frequents my struggling cafe, gives me your number."

"You think I'm cute?" he asks.

"Devastatingly so," you say, grinning.

He's quiet for a long moment. Your smile starts to dim.

"Did I read this wrong?" you ask. "If I came off too strong..."

"No!" he says a little too loud. Jason winces. "Sorry. No. I... you're... fuck, I'm not good at this. I don't even really drink tea or coffee, to be honest. I just come in to see you."

"You do?"

Jason sighs. "Yeah. Shit. That's creepy, isn't it?"

You laugh and he visibly softens.

"No, Jason," you say warmly. "It's sweet."

"So can I still ask you on a proper date? Not coffee."

You grin. "That would be perfection."

#jason todd x reader #jason todd x you #jason todd x y/n #red hood x reader #red hood x you #red hood x y/n #batman fanfiction #red hood fanfiction #jason todd fanfiction #coffee shop au #bakery au #dc fanfiction #inbox #blurb

[mrs-kmikaelson]

04| The Tribrid

Pairing: Klaus Mikaelson x daughter!reader, Elijah Mikaelson x niece!reader Summary: A while after the party, you're approached by Elijah at Rousseau's who has a request that you would've never expected. Warnings: none Words: 3.1K

Masterlist | Part 5

I shook a cocktail shaker vigorously before pouring whatever pink liquid it was into a glass and sliding it over to the customer on the other side of the counter, running a hand through my hair right afterward as I glanced around at the full bar.

Full fucking bar and I'm the only person here.

Camille had a date with Marcel tonight, but there was no one else who could possibly take her shift tonight because there was no one else working tonight. I told her I could cover for her because I had experience bartending in the eighties, but I didn't know it was gonna be like this.

I guess there was some sort of festival going on tonight, but in New Orleans, when isn't there?

It's been a week since the Mikaelsons through their party, a week since I had my 'family reunion', and I haven't seen any of them since. Don't know if I'm happy about that or not.

I sighed, tossing back a shot of my own before moving onto the next customer. I'll overthink later.

"Drinking on the job?" Or not.

Speak of the fucking devil, because I looked up and, sitting in the stool in front of me, was Elijah Mikaelson. He had a small, playful smirk on his lips, leaned back in his chair nonchalantly, but not in a way that made him look like he wasn't alert, but in a way that showed the world he wouldn't even dream of someone stepping to him.

I forced a laugh, wiping down a glass while I responded, "Yeah, well it's a little hard to be surrounded by all this and not get any." He smiled, nodding while I threw the rag over my shoulder. Inside, I was shaking, but I tried my hardest to treat him like he was any other person so he wouldn't take notice. 

I raised my brows. "Let me guess, whiskey? No- bourbon?" I didn't wait for a reply and grabbed the bottle while Elijah chuckled.

"Bourbon would be nice, thank you, Y/N," he said. I wonder if he had an inkling how freaked out I was that he remembered my name.

Half of me was hoping they'd forget all about me. The other half, well... I tried not to give that one a microphone.

I handed him the glass in a hurry, hoping to get away from him as fast as possible, but of course, the universe wasn't so kind because he stopped me, calling my name when I turned around. 

Fuckkkk. I screwed my eyes shut before spinning back around with that perfect customer service smile on my face. 

"Good luck," he said, and my brows furrowed. He saw the confusion on my face and nodded to the rest of the bar, elaborating, "With the customers." I held in a sigh of relief and smiled to him in thanks, moving on.

I'd normally ask customers how they were doing, what brought them to Rousseau's, but not only did I not have enough time what with all the customers, but I also did not feel like making conversation with Elijah Mikaelson after I've been drinking.

So, to resolve my frazzled state that was typically caused by drinking, I drank some more. And I continued to work, per usual, trying to bring my mind back to positive memories of me in the past instead of the dramas of my present.

I was in auto-pilot, serving customers while drifting off into a world of my own, thinking about a time when I wasn't so obsessed with finding my family. The reason why was that I already had one.

My mother and I were very close when I was young, and she did everything she could to protect me before the world took her from me, taking me in the process. Niklaus, obviously, was never in the picture.

He and his entire family did not even know I existed. For all I knew, Klaus just had a one-night stand with my mother and never saw her again. So there was no way he could ever find out who I was, not on his own. But Elijah... Elijah was as smart as Klaus was strong. I didn't want to talk to him too often and have him put together any puzzle pieces.

The night went on without any interruptions. I periodically checked the clock. Rousseau's closed a bit later than usual bars since it was in the middle of the Quarter, but I only had about an hour left before both my shift was over and the bar closed. Thank the heavens. 

Things were going as smoothly as far as I could tell what with me half listening to everything going on, but suddenly, I was brought back to my sense by someone yelling. 

My head shot up and, on the other side of the bar, I saw two people I recognized almost immediately, a man and a woman. The man was a member of Marcel's crew, and the girl was a witch I was familiar with since Marcel left the witch dealings to me back when practicing magic wasn't punishable by fucking death. 

The vampire, Dimitri, was yelling obscenities at Talia, the witch, as she yelled over him. He went to shove her and, without thinking, I rushed over in a blur and blocked him with my arm, separating them both. 

"Break it up right. now," I ordered, glaring at them both but mostly Dimitri. He always bugged me. The bar was less full now and I could tell that people had stopped to watch the encounter.

Talia crossed her arms and Dimitri glared back at me. "She's being a fucking bitch, Y/N-"

She scoffed, "Oh, would you just-"

I raised my voice. "Both of you, enough!" They both stopped and stared at me. "As far as I'm concerned, neither of you should even be talking to each other right now, much less arguing or physically fighting. That's violating so many different agreements at once." This time Dimitri scoffed and so I turned to him, raising a brow, feeling the annoyance in me bubble. "What, do you have something to say?"

He looked at me and smirked in a way that made me want to bite into his neck or turn his blood to acid, and responded, "Yeah- those were your rules when Marcel ran the city and let his bitch boss us around-"

I cut him off, an incredulous look on my face. "His what?"

He ignored me. "But the Mikaelsons are in charge now, and he is not," he boasted. "Which means- neither are you." His smirk widened like he'd just made some huge declaration, like he was in the one in control here.

But he couldn't be more wrong. You see, Marcel left negotiations to me, knowing I could talk to people a little better than he could. And since I kept the peace for him, he let me make a few rules. I was in charge, and I'd be damned if I let some newbie vampire think he bested me. 

I took a step closer to him, ready to fucking tell him how it is, but before I could even get a word out, someone had sped right next to me and cut me off.

I looked up, startled, and was even more surprised when I saw that the man that had sped over was Elijah. Fan-fuckin-tastic.

Talia took a step back, wrapping her arms around herself while Dimitri swallowed. Elijah smiled a tight-lipped smile, staring at Dimitri in a way that would be perceived to be friendly if it were anyone else, but with him, it just looked condescending. With one gaze, he was saying he was better than you without ever really having to say it.

"Forgive me for interrupting, but I would rather not stand and watch this altercation from the sidelines," he expressed. "See, in my time, you'd treat a woman with respect, and it looks to me that you are treating both of these young women with anything but." I held back a snort at the 'young' bit. I'm older than Dimitri by a long shot, but I get the memo.

Dimitri stuttered back, but couldn't form a response. "I-"

"You what? You think that because the Mikaelsons are in charge now that you can run amuck and act as you please?" Elijah paused as if he was waiting for an answer and scoffed when he didn't get one. "Well, I am a Mikaelson," he announced, "and right now I am granting you the privilege of walking away from this because, from what I can see, Y/N holds more relevance than you do or ever have." Not once did he glare at Dimitri, simply holding his stare strongly, and Dimitri most definitely tried to hold that stare in challenge, but after a few seconds, he gave up, swallowing, and walking away quickly.

Elijah's lips curved slightly before they were forced down as he held back a smirk, turning to me and Talia. She nodded at Elijah--in thanks, I'd assume--and he reciprocated the action before she, too, walked away, leaving just me and him standing there.

I looked around at the rest of the bar and realized that everyone left was supernatural in one way or another, or at least knew about it because everyone had returned to their own conversations, not even batting an eye at the inhuman speed displayed.

Elijah glanced around too before looking back to me and nodding towards the door. I quickly understand the motion and nodded back. He wanted to get away from the prying ears, but I could do him one better.

I raised my voice and exclaimed to the crowd, "Sorry guys, party's over!" I heard a few groans and Elijah raised a brow at me, but I ignored it. It was closing time, anyway. "You can go home now! Like right now." I saw some people about to protest, but one look from Elijah and they were silenced. They did not want to fuck with that. 

The clear-out was one of the fastest ones I'd ever seen, especially on a night like this, but in minutes, the bar was empty. When I was sure no one else was around, I finally looked at Elijah and felt my previous nervousness return, but still chastised, "I had that handled."

Instead of being offended, he gave me that same smile he's been smiling all night and told me, "I know. But I couldn't help myself." Although that was meant to be somewhat of an apology, there was a smugness in it that I couldn't stand.

I hummed in a way I hope 'bullshit' was conveyed, turning around the clean up the bar. He chuckled. Good, message received then.

Even I was a little surprised with how bold I was being, but I guess that, even after 500 years, alcohol still gave me a little courage.

I picked up the glasses people had left scattered, putting them into the sink and tidying everything up so that, tomorrow, Camille wouldn't have to deal with any of it.

"So you handled business for Marcel?" I glanced at him to see his hand casually tucked into a pocket of his slack. Again, it was such a small, insignificant stance, but there was just something about it that made you want to fold into yourself.

I looked back to the glasses I was scrubbing, affirming, "Yeah, I'd negotiate with all sides to come to agreements we could all, well, agree on, I guess."

His lip quirked up as he sat down on a barstool right in front of me. I wordlessly handed him a glass and a bottle of bourbon, and the small quirk of his lips became a grin.

While he poured himself a glass, I kept working on the dishes and decided to make small talk so I didn't look like an alien creature that didn't know how to communicate with others.

"You've been here a while, and it's just after closing now. What's the occasion- or is it more of a you just needed a drink kind of occasion?"

Even though my back was turned, it was still like I could sense him smirking. "It's the latter," he revealed. "In fact, I'm drinking because of the disagreements within the factions."

"Oh?" I kept scrubbing.

He continued, "Yes. It's the same story every time: everyone wants power and no one is satisfied with what they have."

I snorted, "Yeah, Tears For Fears wasn't kidding. Everybody really does want to rule the world." And that was a joke, but it was completely true, especially in a city like New Orleans. 

"Precisely that, Y/N. And Niklaus-" I refrained from taking in a breath. "Oh, my brother is not handling it well." I'd imagine he wasn't. From what I've heard about Klaus, he didn't take kindly to people trying take what he thought was rightfully his. That's why he tried banishing Marcel, even though he was meant to be like a son to him.

I scoffed at that in my head. Klaus was a father to Marcel, raised Marcel, and was gonna raise another child in the near future, and yet he'd never even met me.

My brain was bombarded with the thoughts I tried to keep in at that moment. I wondered if he knew about me at all, if he knew and just didn't care, or if he had no idea of my existence. I wonder what he'd do if he knew. Would he care?

I pushed back those thoughts and shook my head, bringing myself back to the conversation and replying, "That's pretty expected. I mean, it took Marcel years to create what he had, and he also had me to keep the peace, too, so it's different." 

Elijah hummed, briefly reminding me of Klaus. For a few seconds, all that could be heard was the scrub-a-dub-dubbing I was doing and the steady response I was getting from him stopped. Until he resumed with enough fervour to knock me out.

"And what if we had you to keep the peace for us?""

I dropped the glass I was scrubbing in shock, quickly using my speed to stop it from hitting the sink and breaking. I put the glass down and turned the faucet off, turning to face him fully. I was half expecting to see a smile on his face, for him to tell me he was joking, but he had a completely serious look on his face.

If I didn't know any better, I'd see he even looked hopeful.

I looked at him, analyzing his face for a few seconds before lowering my guard slightly for the first time around a Mikaelson and whispering, "Oh my God, you're not kidding."

He smiled a little. "No, Y/N, I'm afraid I'm not." I blew out a breath through my lips, feeling the gears in my head turn 70 miles an hour.

What the fuck?

He's asking me to work for them.

My family.

Me.

Klaus' daughter.

But they don't know that.

No, they don't know about my relation to them. But Elijah does know that Marcel's my friend. I made this known, just in case he forgot in the few seconds it'd been since it'd been brought up. "You do know Marcel's my friend, right? Maybe even my best friend, if you want to get technical."

He took a sip of his bourbon before responding, "Yes, I'm aware."

I nodded. "Right, so then you know why I cant accept that offer." I wasn't thinking about the opportunity or power or really anything important at that moment. I was thinking about Marcel. And I was thinking about how coincidental it was that, a week after I got back to the city, Elijah takes interest in me of all people.

Maybe it's not a coincidence, my subconscious reasoned.

Oh, but hell, I really hoped it was.

Elijah took another sip of his drink. "You know these people, they trust you." I gave him a look, but hid my skepticism at the way he phrased his sentence. He said it like he already knew about my history with the factions. Honestly, knowing him, he probably did.

He used my silence and went on, "Arrangements could be made about Marcellus." My brows raised at that. "I'm fine with negotiating, Y/N." 

I narrowed my eyes. He was to trying to broker a deal with me. Smart. But a Mikaelson choosing to negotiate for someone with as little 'relevance' as me is odd, to say the least.

I stared at him for a few seconds before stating the obvious. "I have a feeling your brother wouldn't like what exactly you're offering me."

Elijah chuckled, shaking his head. "Believe me, Y/N, I don't have much care for what my brother does or doesn't like at the moment."

I pursed my lips, running it all over in my head in disbelief that I was even considering it. The offer alone was suspicious, but the situation was riskier than many situations I'd put myself into in my lifetime, and that was saying something.

I'd been chasing after the Mikaelsons for ages, watching the family I never got from a distance, the always and forever I wasn't apart of. Right now, Elijah Mikaelson was offering up the opportunity to see them up close on a silver platter, and I was hesitant?

I held Elijah's stare, contemplating. And perhaps it was the alcohol that made the decision for me, but soon enough I found my mouth opening, words spilling out of it. "Marcel is allowed back into the Quarter, and him and Klaus call a truce." He didn't flinch. "You agree to that, and you have yourself a deal."

Elijah continued to stare at me in silence for a few seconds after that, and as time passed, I began to think I royally fucked up, trying to order him around, but he proved me a wrong by holding a hand out. I looked at it in bewilderment.

"You have yourself a deal, Miss Y/L/N." I held back any surprise at the fact that he knew my surname when I never gave it to him, but really, there was nothing to be surprised about. 

I reluctantly reached out and clasped my hand in his, ignoring the rush of power I felt when my skin made contact with his and tried not to show it on my face. 

What the fuck have I gotten myself into?

#klaus mikaelson x reader #klaus x daughter!reader #klaus mikaelson imagine #klaus mikaelson #tvd #tvdu #tvd fandom #tvd fanfiction #the originals #elijah mikaelson #elijah mikaelson x reader #camille o'connell

[cosmerelists]

If Cosmere Characters Had Real-World Jobs (But Not The Obvious Ones)

In this list, I wanted to try to give Cosmere characters jobs in our world while avoiding the jobs that would be the most obvious picks--like, for example, the real world equivalent of whatever their canon job is.

1. Kaladin: Professional Football Player

It's a dangerous job that Kaladin's dad would scoff at, but the other kids in town think it's really cool and also the recruiters are coming through town and, I mean, he's really good at football.

2. Lirin: Public Defender

If we avoid the obvious job (doctor), then Lirin still needs a job where he is doing good, but it's pretty thankless and the general public are suspicious and think he might actually be evil somehow. So I figure: public defender. He's highly educated, helping people who need it, and just getting nothing but grief as a result. Worst of all, his smart son wants to be a FOOTBALL player!

3. Marsh: Masseuse

I feel like people who are good at hemalurgy know about the body and its pressure points and things like that. And frankly, "acupuncturist" felt too on the nose.

4. Shallan: Park Ranger

Shallan HATES to be confined, so no way she's going into an office job. Plus, she likes nature and animals, but I'm trying to avoid the more obvious jobs (like botanist or ecologist). It's just too bad that Shallan is SO bad at staring a campfire, though.

5. Navani: Wedding Planner

Navani is VERY good at managing people and events, as seen when she had to manage everything while Gavilar was off plotting. She's also very organized and literally invented wristwatches. So I think she's be very good at this job.

6. Elend: Grad Student

This one may be too obvious, but I figure something like "politician" or "philosopher" are more obvious. But to me, Elend has major grad student energy.

7. Nale: Insurance Adjuster

Nale is a cop, of course, through and through. But if he wasn't a cop, then he'd need some other job where he uses the rules to screw people over. So I see him as, like, an evil insurance guy who's denying people medical coverage because the company wants him to.

8. Blackthorn-Era Dalinar: Debt Collector

If flashback Dalinar couldn't make a living mowing people down in battle and had to find a less obvious job, then I could see him being the guy to hunt down people and demand money they don't have. He doesn't really care about the money. He just likes the hunt.

9. Adolin: eSports Player

It's a job where you can head-to-head battle people and your dad is vaguely puzzled and thinks you should be doing something more important with your life.

10. Lightsong: Customer Service Agent

In canon, Lightsong's job is to face down a huge line of people and tell them "no" in response to them asking for something they want. So, I mean, I feel like that's equivalent to one of those shitty customer service jobs where you're not really allowed to help people (until, of course, Lightsong goes rogue and does start helping people, but that's another story...)

11. Stormfather: Bus Driver

He has his route, and he's not deviating from it. And if you miss the bus, he's not stopping. He's not going back. You can try to run, but you will not catch up to him.

12. Tress: Mechanic

As a Sprouter, Tress had to figure out how each of the spores worked and how to use them. I just feel like she'd be good at diagnosing issues in machinery and then fixing them.

13. Steris: Programmer

She's precise, she's smart, she likes rules. I think coding would suit her.

14. Yumi: Waitress

She could stack the plates SO high.

15. Marasi: Investigative Reporter

Which, honestly, is what I wish she had been rather than being a cop like in canon. I think it would suit her! She'd get to research, investigate, find the truth...

16. Kelsier: Motivational Speaker

He tells you about the power of smiling no matter what, so that you are never defeated. He tells you to carry something small, some memento or photo, to help you find your motivation. You tells you that no goal is out of reach--you just have to find the right people and the right steps to move forward. And he tells you that the most important thing is to survive.

#cosmere #cosmerelists #Kaladin #Lirin #Shallan #Adolin #Kelsier #Marasi #Yumi #Tress #Stormfather #Lightsong #Dalinar #Elend #Nale #Marsh #Steris #Navani

[makeitmingi]

The Cat and Dog Game [Chapter 6]

Genre: Romance, Fluff, Comedy

Pairing: Yunho x Reader (y/n)

Characters: Chef!Reader, RestaurantOwner!Yunho, MaitreD!Hongjoong, Waiter!Yeosang, Waiter!San, Waiter!Mingi, SousChef!Seonghwa, SousChef!Wooyoung, PrepChef!Jongho

Summary: Yunho's dream was to open and run his own restaurant. But he doesn't know anything when it comes to cooking. Until you came along and accepted the job, bringing with you a small crew. How will the black cat tame the energetic golden retriever?

Word count: 3.2K

"Where's (y/n)? Did she have dinner?" San asked first.

"Oh, she's just taking a breather. Hwa hyung already kept a portion of food for her." Wooyoung waving him off, taking another bite of his own food.

"Is she okay?" Mingi asked.

"Yeah, don't worry about her." Jongho replied. Well, if your friends were saying not to worry, who was Yunho to worry? Why was he even worrying? It's the guilt he felt from his comment before dinner service. You just started working together and he didn't want to cause any bad blood on Day 1.

"Hey." You entered the kitchen, your hands tucked into the pockets of your jeans. Yunho's head perked up at your voice. Your nose and cheeks were slightly red.

"Yah, did you not wear a jacket out?" Seonghwa frowned, leaving his food and coming over to you.

"I'm fine, Hwa." You leaned away from him before he could touch your face.

"You're going to get sick. Come, have your dinner before we start prep." Seonghwa led you over to where the group was. You opened your mouth to say something but Seonghwa shot you a look.

"Thanks for the food." You mumbled and took a bite, although everyone could sense your reluctancy.

"So, how was the dinner service?" You asked.

"It was good. The customers love the food, the feedback was all good." Hongjoong smiled, giving all of you a thumbs up. Wooyoung and Jongho hi fived.

"They liked the roast chicken, infusing western and Korean flavours. The cioppino was liked as well, reminded them of a non-spicy haemul jjigae." Yeosang added. Seonghwa wrapped an arm around you, patting your back as you smiled at each other.

"And a lot of people ordered one dessert each, they like the Western and Korean option." San grinned.

"Finally, Mr Owner, any words of wisdom?" Mingi grinned, drawing all attention on the taller male who had been silent so far.

"Uh... Well, I guess thank you to everyone here. I would say the first day of this place was a huge success, more than I'd ever imagine." He smiled nervously.

"The people like the food, they like the options of Korean flavours and Western flavours, even in combination. Even for the desserts. I think we should continue like we did today." He finished.

"We will try to make dishes that incorporate more Korean flavours, of course." You nodded.

"You're not mad?" Yunho winced, realising he said that out loud when it was meant to be an internal question.

"Why would I be mad?" You blinked in genuine confusion.

"Because of what I said earlier about the food possibly being too fancy. I was afraid that it was offensive or something. I think you all cook amazing, your skills are definitely more than I could ever imagine having, and the food is 100! It's just that this is my first time doing this and I'm afraid and nervous." He blurted.

"Yunho. None of us took what you said personally or to heart. You're the owner and our boss, we follow your direction. I'm personally grateful you were honest with us." You raised an eyebrow.

"Really?"

"Told you." Mingi slapped Yunho's shoulder.

"There's nothing to be worried about. Trust us, we have faced worse insults and criticisms from others before." Jongho laughed.

"Told you." Yeosang mimicked Mingi and slapped Yunho's other shoulder, making Yunho shove his friends away for slapping him with a scowl on his face.

"Please be honest with us. We always look for improvements and ways to be better." Seonghwa smiled.

"We're tougher than you think." You chuckled. Yunho blushed, feeling a little immature now and he felt like he just embarrassed himself in front of you. You noticed how his ears had turned bright red as he looked away with a small pout.

"Alright! We need to start preparing so if you aren't going to help, please step aside." Wooyoung put his hands together with a big smile. Hongjoong and San helped do the remaining dishes.

"Wait, stop. Don't go." You stopped the others mid step. They all froze, turning to you.

"Think of what we can serve tomorrow. We haven't decided that." You said, looking at the 3 chefs, who nodded in agreement.

"But we don't know anything about cooking. I don't think we can offer anything remotely helpful." Mingi rubbed the back of his neck. You grabbed your notepad and marker.

"That's fine. Yunho believed he was bad at cooking but he made the berry tuile." You pointed out.

"She has a point. If Yunho can make something that nice, we probably can too." Yeosang shrugged, making Yunho glare at him and jab his side considering Yeosang was also a bad cook. Yunho would argue that Yeosang is actually a worse cook than he was since he actually burnt the bbq last time.

"Do you know how to make a quiche? I always love quiches." Hongjoong said from his spot at the sink.

"Good idea. We should do something savoury, maybe 2 savoury items?" Seonghwa looked at you. You nodded slowly and looked to Yunho for comments but he didn't say anything.

"Let's do a quiche and a galette. Kimchi, bacon and cheese quiche. Galette can be mixed vegetables with goats cheese top." You thought out loud.

"A galette is like a french pizza but it uses flaky pastry instead of pizza dough." Jongho explained.

"Ohhhhhh." The 5 nodded.

"That sounds good. I like the quiche idea with the kimchi. I'm still not sure what a galette is but I trust all of your tastes." Yunho said. You let out a small chuckle.

"The last baked good, open faced apple danishes? Then we paint apricot jam over." Wooyoung suggested. You wrote that down.

"Now, cakes." You tapped your marker against the metal suface.

"Actually, some customer today were saying they liked that seashell cake because it was good to have on the go with coffee. So maybe we should have a cupcake or muffin sort of item for them to have on the way to work." San said.

"Yes, I did hear people say that. Maybe blueberry muffins? They seem like a nice breakfast muffin." Yunho grinned, his eyes sparkling again at the though of fresh muffins.

"No, no. You need to have chocolate muffins." Mingi wagged his finger at his best friend in denial.

"No, Mingi ah. Blueberry muffins are better, especially with that crunchy, sugar crust on top." Yunho frowned, crossing his arms.

"Chocolate muffins are the best. Everyone loves chocolate muffins, even better with chocolate chips inside. Warm, chocolate muffins." Mingi argued.

"While you two debate on that... For the full cake, let's do a carrot cake." You asked.

"I was thinking matcha cake and we use the leftover strawberries from today." Seonghwa said. You nodded, writing the ideas down. There seemed to be some sort of voting that happened between the 5 because it seemed like chocolate muffins was the decided. Plus, Mingi was doing a happy dance.

"You do know you're the owner right?" You tilted your head, raising your eyebrows.

"I-I know that! But if the rest think that chocolate muffins will be more liked then maybe it is better to do that." Yunho said, concealing his sad tone.

"Okay then. Let's start prepping the pastry dough. We're doing it for quiches and galettes." You instructed.

"We're going to need a lot of butter and flour." Jongho snorted and went into the walk in.

"Let's split. Two people make dough for galettes and the other two will make for the quiches." You said, taking the equipment and putting them into the freezer temporarily.

"Why are you putting the mixer stuff into the freezer?" Yunho asked.

"We don't want the butter to melt so we're making everything as cold as possible. The more pieces of butter we have in the dough when we bake, the more steam and flakiness we get from the pastry." You explained to him. He nodded his head.

"You guys can head back and rest for the night. We'll lock up when we are done here." Seonghwa said to the 5.

"Yeah. We've all had a long day." Wooyoung agreed.

"That's okay, we want to watch." Mingi smiled. You all looked at each other and laughed. Jongho and Wooyoung weighed everything out before you and Seonghwa retrieved the cold mixer parts.

"Looks like we'll need to do it twice. This isn't going to fit into our Kitchen Aids." Jongho sighed.

"It's fine. It's just the initial mixing stage anyway, we'll do the final incorporation with our hands." You said.

"I'll get the cold water." You went out to the front, coming back with two containers of ice water. Once the butter, flour and salt/sugar were crumbled, you and Wooyoung slowly added the cold water into the mixer for the doughs to come together. Jongho helped you to manually bring the dough together.

"Let me." Seonghwa said to Wooyoung, who poured the crumbles onto the metal work surface. Seonghwa gathered it all with his hands, pressing it together.

"Here." You threw some flour and handed them the rolling pin.

"Woahhhhhhh." The 5 said in awe at the way you threw the flour onto the dough and work surface.

"It's like those professionals on television, the way they throw the flour and make it into a cloud. It spreads so evenly." Yeosang said.

"They are professionals!" San elbowed Yeosang. It was amusing, like demonstrating things to a group of kindergarteners. Jongho and Seonghwa rolled the dough out and did two book folds.

"Do you not knead the dough?" Hongjoong asked.

"Not for this dough. Kneading the dough activates the gluten in the flour and creates chewiness. You would want that for bread but not for pastry like this. You want to avoid creating any chewiness so we don't touch it." Seonghwa explained.

"This 'book fold' just creates more layers of butter. If we were doing croissants, we would do it a few more times, that's how you get the layers in a croissant." Jongho added.

"Woo and I will wrap it." You and Wooyoung went over to wrap the slabs of dough, writing on top of the plastic to indicate the use.

"That's it. We'll roll and blind bake them tomorrow morning." Wooyoung said.

"Thank you for teaching us." San smiled kindly.

You did the washing up with Jongho while Wooyoung and Seonghwa cleaned the work surface of butter and flour. The 5 other boys waited for all of you to be done.

"Let's go." Seonghwa grabbed your coat for you. Yunho watched as Seonghwa helped you put your coat on.

"Goodnight. See you all tomorrow." Mingi waved, along with the others. The 4 of you bowed and waved before heading to Wooyoung's car. Yunho and Mingi went to Yunho's car while San and Yeosang rode with Hongjoong. Mingi played the music, waiting for Yunho to start the engine.

"So, how do you really feel?" Mingi asked.

"What do you mean?" Yunho chuckled, confused by his best friend's sudden question.

"It's just the two of us, it's the first day of opening your own restaurant. You can be honest on how you really feel after today. It's okay to hate it." Mingi said.

"Hate it? I don't hate it. For from actually... I honestly thought it was going to be a disaster but it wasn't." Yunho blinked.

"I guess we fit well with the kitchen team then." Mingi said. Yunho hummed in agreement.

"They're professionals, they've worked in so many restaurants before. So I was worried that they would see how much of an amateur I am and quit but they didn't." Yunho confessed.

"Yunho ah, you need to have more faith in humanity. See? (y/n) said they weren't made when you were honest with them." Mingi teased.

Yunho rolled his eyes, knowing that Mingi was making fun of him. But it was Mingi's way of comforting Yunho. You were right, you were tougher than Yunho thought. Something bloomed in Yunho's chest, a whole new feeling of excitement.

"Well, I hope we have a long partnership with them." Yunho said with a soft smile. Mingi turned to his best friend's side profile, raising an eyebrow in suspicion.

"You're ever so positive." Mingi chuckled.

-

When Yunho walked into the cafe the next morning, he was smiling, coffee cups in hand for his kitchen crew to thank them for a successful first day. But his smile dropped slightly when he noticed only 3 people working in the kitchen.

"Where's (y/n)?" Yunho blinked, handing out the coffees.

"She told us she'll be coming in late today so we started first." Jongho shrugged, taking a sip of the coffee.

"I noticed (y/n) making a drink for you yesterday so I assumed that you are not a coffee drinker... Is a berry smoothie okay?" Yunho turned to Seonghwa.

"Yeah, that's fine. Thanks for noticing." Seonghwa blinked, stunned that Yunho took note of that.

"So... (y/n) is okay?" Yunho cleared his throat.

"She is. If not, Seonghwa hyung wouldn't be here now. He would be busy nursing her." Wooyoung teased. Seonghwa turned to glare at the younger male. He took a sip of the smoothie and continued working on what he was doing. Yunho just stared in confusion but nodded his head.

"Hey, sorry I'm late." Right on cue, you walked in. There was a container you were cradling in your hands. But no one could see what was inside, there was tin foil covering it.

"Morning." Yunho followed you in while you were putting your stuff in the small locker room.

"Hey." You replied.

"Are you alright?" Yunho asked, twidling his thumbs. After putting your bag in the small cubby, you turned around to face him, raising an eyebrow.

"Why wouldn't I be?" You asked back. Your questions back made Yunho flustered.

"N-No reason." He smiled shyly, rubbing the back of his neck. You hummed and grabbed your apron from the rack, tying it around your waist. You dug into your bag to take your knives out.

"Don't worry about me being late, I told the boys I'll stay back later to clean up after them, make up for however late I was." You spoke. Yunho wasn't worried about that, he knew that you would work schedules out with your team better than he could.

"Also, here." You shoved the container you were carrying into his hands and walked out, not wanting your team to wait any longer.

"Wait, what is-" Yunho stopped when he opened the container and saw fresh blueberry muffins inside. Touching one with his finger, he felt how they were still warm.

'Since blueberry muffins didn't win the vote.'

Was all your scribbled on the post it note that was stuck to the side of the container.

"Yunho ah. Why are you just standing there?" Mingi walked into the small space, appearing behind his best friends. He curiously peeked over Yunho's shoulder.

"Are those muffins?" Mingi asked and reached out for one but Yunho slapped Mingi's hand away, quickly closing the container.

"Ouch! What was that for?" Mingi hissed.

"Those are mine. Get your own." Yunho frowned, holding the container to his chest like it was a treasure chest filled with gold. Mingi looked at Yunho but held his hands up in defeat. Clearing his throat, Yunho went out to the front, where he was alone. He grabbed his coffee and tore open a muffin to eat.

The burst of gooey, slightly tart blueberry, coupled with the crunchy top and warmth of the muffin was the perfect accompaniment to the coffee he had.

"What's Yunho doing sitting there?" Hongjoon asked after seeing his friend sit at one of the booths.

"I can tell you what he's not doing, and that's sharing his muffins." Mingi scoffed. Hongjoong cast the taller a strange look.

"I'm going to kitchen to steal samples." Mingi said and entered the kitchen. San was already snacking on the off cuts of the carrot cake that you were cutting, wanting to edges to line up to frost.

"Hey, I want some too!" Mingi said.

"Here, have this." San held a small piece out to him. Yeosang stood by Jongho's side, watching Jongho fan out the apple slices on top of the pastry.

"That's so pretty." Yeosang complimented. Jongho nodded with a hum.

"I'm not cutting through, just scoring it so the sides around the apple slices will puff up but the middle won't." Jongho explained. Once he lined up all the apple danishes on the tray, he did a light egg wash on the exposed pastry and put the tray into the oven.

"What are you doing next?" He asked.

"I have to thin out this apricot jam to brush over the apples when it is done. It will give a nice shine and sweetness." Jongho explained.

"Who is making the quiche filling?" You asked the kitchen as you were whipping up the cream cheese frosting for the carrot cake. Wooyoung raised his hand.

"Let me just put the matcha cakes in the oven before starting on that." He said.

"Jongho, when you're done with the apricot glaze, you can start slicing the strawberries that will go in the cake." You instructed.

"Sure." Jongho nodded.

"I've started the chocolate muffins. We still need someone to put the galettes in the oven after the apple danishes come out. The vegetables have been prepped and sliced." Seonghwa said.

"I'll do it after frosting my cake." You replied. After having your 3 layers of carrot cake, you frosted them with the icing.

"What icing is this?" San asked.

"Cream cheese icing. The same as the one on the red velvet cake." You took a plastic spoon from the cup and scooped out some to let him have a taste. But before he put it in his mouth, he put some of the cake crumbs on top to have it together. He ate it and let out sounds of happiness.

"So good!" San said with a big smile. You chuckled and started the frost the cake. You were not the best at cake decorating so you just topped it swirls of the frosting, it looked pretty in a rustic way.

"Let's put this in the fridge." You brought the tray to the smaller fridge and put it in there.

"What am I working on next?... Oh, galettes." You said and grabbed the metal containers where Jongho had sliced the vegetables.

"Have the aubergines been sweated already?" You asked.

"Yes. Done and rinsed." Jongho replied. Sometimes, aubergines could be bitter so you usually sprinkle salt on them to draw out the moisture and rinse off the salt afterwards.

"So what's in here?" Yeosang came up next to you, looking at the sliced vegetables.

"Zucchini, yellow squash, bell peppers, onions and aubergines. So we'll bake this then crumble some feta cheese over." You said.

"That sounds good and I don't even like vegetables." Hongjoong chuckled from the doorway. Mingi and San seconded. It slightly amused you that these men were so open about their distaste for vegetables like children.

"We'll make you like vegetables for as long as we're here." Wooyoung joked.

"Yes, we're good at making vegetables tasty." You smiled.

~

Series masterlist

#kpop #kpop scenarios #kpop series #ateez #ateez scenarios #ateez series #ateez x reader #ateez yunho #yunho ateez #yunho #yunho scenarios #yunho series #yunho x reader #yunho x you #yunho x y/n #jeong yunho #jeong yunho x reader #jeong yunho scenarios #jeong yunho series #ateez imagines

[goggles-mcgee]

Baker Steve and Rockstar Eddie AU is now going to be called What Baking Can Do (will i write it out? Someday. Hopefully soon)

Anyways I have more headcanons for the au

•Steve doesn't wear polos anymore because of the scar around his neck. His closet is literally filled with the softest sweaters and t-shirts he could get his hands on. The softness brings him comfort and feels nice on the scars.

•He always smells like baked goods and the kids love it. It's why they always give him hugs right when they see him, they love the smell and his hugs are so warm and just the best.

•All the kids help out at the bakery when they can, they think it's fun and plus! Job experience! El, Will and surprisingly Lucas all like to help out in the back, Steve teaches them his recipes and how to bake because these are his kids and they will be his legacy so he will teach them everything he can. Max, while not the best with customer service as well as Mike, are both really good at remembering peoples orders if they are sitting at the tables. Dustin is great as a greeter and handing people their to-go orders. Erica is the best taste-tester.

•Look, Steve is still hella popular with the ladies but now he's just so oblivious to their advances, like girls he went on dates with in high-school are trying to BAG this boy but he's always like, "Hang out? Sorry I can't Lucas has a game that day and I promised I'd make him basketball cupcakes."

"Lunch to catch up? I'd love to Brenda but the kids have their little Hotfire club thingy and I promised I would sit in for the session. Raincheck?"

"Dinner? Oh my god thank you for reminding me! We have a family dinner this weekend and I said I'd bring cornbread and a cake."

The kids think it's absolutely hilarious, like how dare you try to date our mom???? And yes they have purposefully "reminded" Steve of something he "promised."

•Eddie has witnessed this on one of his visits and he too finds it hilarious yet endearing. Like Steve may be a little dumb when it comes to people flirting with him but Eddie likes that in a man.

•Eddie is a romantic and absolutely brings Steve a bouquet every time he visits. He finds out quickly that sunflowers and roses are Steve's favorites.

•Eddie always enters the cafe loudly announcing, "HONEY I'M HOME!" Steve grumbles that he's disturbing the customers but he loves it. He always gets the biggest smile when Eddie comes in.

He especially loves hearing that phrase when Eddie's been gone for awhile due to a tour or something of the like.

•Once Steve finds out who Eddie is he tracks down some of his records to listen to and finds he actually likes some of the songs so when Eddie came in next time Steve absolutely just rambled on and on about how much he loved the songs and told Eddie what he liked about them and Eddie is just slowly melting into a puddle hiding behind his hair.

•Steve let's the kids and Robin play whatever music they want when they are working but when he's by himself he absolutely plays ABBA, The Cure, Wham, David Bowie or Prince.

Eddie loves this ridiculous man despite the Wham

•Steve will absolutely close the cafe if one of the kids call him and they're sad, just plain having a bad day or if they are having an emergency. He doesn't care if it's a rush, or if you need your banana bread right now Bethany, his kids need him.

•When Eddie first started visiting and the kids didn't run into him due to conflicting schedules and what not, he finds out quickly that Steve doesn't know who he is so he has no problem giving Steve his name. (He holds himself back from asking if Steve likes his last name enough to take it)

They slowly start to get to know each other and Eddie tells Steve he writes songs and Steve just declares that he's sure Eddie is great at it despite not reading any of Eddie's songs or listening to the man sing and when Eddie point that out Steve just huffy.

"You're an amazing guy Eddie who has seen and done so much. It's not hard to believe that you are talented at writing songs. You really have a way with words!"

And Eddie just wants to lay on the floor, this boy is too precious. He can't.

•When Robin is down on her days off from school and working at the cafe, her and Steve wear matching "uniforms" which is really her just snatching one of his sweaters (of course matching colors), putting on her apron and she always insists they switch name tags.

Steve always rolls his eyes but he also always does it. That's how regulars know Robin is back because Steve will be wearing the nametag 'Robin'

•They absolutely decorate the cage for every holiday. They go all out and it's always the most fun Steve has had on holidays.

Christmas: Him, Robin and the kids get ugly sweaters to wear for the cafe

Halloween: costumes but Robin and Steve are always Batman and Robin because they think it's funny.

Valentine's Day: Argyle made them shirts with neon colored Sweethearts Candies on them and they wear them every time.

Thanksgiving: Robin thinks it's hilarious for her and Steve to dress like vegetables. Dustin likes to be the Turkey. (Steve is almost always the corn)

•They do decorate the cafe for any member in the family's birthday for the day even if they're not having the party there.

•Eddie absolutely starts writing songs about Steve and that's how his band mates find out about him because they catch him singing the songs and other love songs.

•Eddie loves his band but he doesn't tell them where he goes when he goes to visit Steve, they share a lot, practically everything and he will introduce Steve to them and them to Steve but he doesn't do it right away because 1. He's wooing the man of his dreams 2. He just wants it to be for himself for a while

He does offer them treats though as an apology/bribe

•Eddie loves the kids but he is also terrified of them. Yes they are fans of his, but they clock in on the fact he wants to date Steve so fast and they each give him separate shovel talks. They make sure Steve doesn't see them do it though.

•Eddie fully thinks Steve is this super tender, sweet, sarcastic guy who wouldn't hurt a fly until he witnesses Steve defend him from an overzealous fan (which felt more like a stalker) that had followed them after they had had lunch at this local diner.

The fan had tried to get grabby. Had tried to take a "souvenir."

Steve has a mean right hook.

Steve so looked so proud of himself that he knocked the fucker out. He even put his hands on his hips and smiled all cutesy, "I won a fight!"

Which that sentence isn't terrifying right?

That was their first kiss. Also might have been the night Eddie confessed.

#what baking can do au #steddie brainrot #steddie headcanon #steddie #rockstar eddie munson #baker steve harrington #great cook and baker steve headcanon lives in my heart and my brain #stranger things au #stranger things the party #steve harrington x eddie munson fluff #steve harrington x eddie munson #steve harrington #eddie munson #robin buckley #max mayfield #lucas sinclair #erica sinclair #mike wheeler #el hopper #will byers #dustin henderson

[mhalachai]

some of you may have seen a notice today from a tumblr-popular youtube show, saying they're putting all their content behind a subscriber paywall. This post isn't about them per say, only bouncing off what that has brought up into the following:

When is a digital subscription something i'm willing to pay for? Rubric edition

Disclaimer - my first news job was in the early aughts at a digital stock news company, so I've been keeping an eye on this subject for over 25 years.

So you want to access an entertainment or news service that has content behind a subscriber paywall. What steps should you go through, to figure out if it's something that you should pay for?

This post will go off the caveat that artists/authors/reporters (I'm not calling them content creators, that term is garbage) should be properly compensated for the works they produce, and the current business model in our late-stage capitalist society means we all have to deal with the worst possible way of engaging with art - the subscription-model paywall. It's a terrible garbage system but there we are.

Step Zero: Do you care enough about the content to consider paying for it?

It might not be important enough to you to want to pay for, and that's okay. On the other hand, you may want to continue watching/reading/listening, either because of the content itself or because you want to support its creation.

(I'm separating the above as they are two different reasons - personally, i'm in favour of paying an annual subscriber fee to my small local news room to keep them in producing the content because I think it's important they exist.)

Step 1: Can you literally afford it?

Everything costs more and salaries aren't rising. If the answer to the question is no, can you split the cost with someone? Is it something that can be accessed through your local library (in terms of audiobooks or magazine/newspapers)? Otherwise, moving to:

Step 2: Is the cost of the subscription in line with what you're willing to pay for the content?

I still subscribe to the newspaper i used to work for - I can read all the news and get all the quotes I'm interested in, and I know i'm supporting local news. I'm willing to pay money for that.

On the other hand, back last year when Disney Plus announced it was raising its prices, I decided that I wasn't interested in paying that amount for what I was getting, so I cancelled that one. Do I miss it? Yes, somedays. Would I go back to them if the cost went down? Honestly I don't know.

Step 3: Did the company/channel do something to lose your trust?

Sometimes, all the above have been met with the affirmative, but something about how the company is doing things sets your teeth on edge. Maybe it's how their business model is evolving, or how they treat their customers (Netflix and their password sharing crackdown was that tipping point for me - i no longer wanted to support a company that sees its customer base like that). Maybe it's how they decided to move to subscriber-only. Maybe it's their take on geopolitical or social issues. Whatever it might be, you get to make that call for you.

Summation: Don't feel pressed by FOMO to pay for something when you're not comfortable doing so.

Whatever the situation is, you get to decide where you spend your money. The corollary of that is that you may not get to see the new stuff created by companies/channels that you like, but honestly? That trade-off might be better for you in the long run (and I'm saying this with too many years of regret behind me) nothing poisons the enjoyment of art more than feeling like you were forced to pay/pay more for it than you were OK with.

The tl;dr: Take a step back and see if you're really comfortable with paying for all your electronic subscription fees for news or entertainment. Don't feel pressured into paying for something you don't really want to see, or what to support. Consider where you want your money to go.

It's hard economic times - do what you need to, and spend your money where you want to.

(And check into what your local library has on offer - they may have streaming services or digital content you weren't aware of - might be enough to tide you over for a while).

#mhalachai has opinions on the internet #seriously tho #feeling like you're being forced or tricked into paying more for something that you reasonably can #poisons the well like nothing else #this post deliberately doesn't mention off-book ways of getting content #you can all figure that one out on your own

[lowkeyremi]

𝙏𝙚𝙖𝙘𝙝𝙚𝙧'𝙨 𝘼𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙩 -> Aizawa Shota x afab!reader

➼ Sum: In short, you're fired from your main job. The worry and stress hits you while you're ugly crying outside of the building of your old workplace. You happen to meet a man who can give you a job. The question is... should you take it?

➼ Chapters: Prologue, 1

➼ Content Warning: Implied fem reader, reader has fem parts, eventual sexual content, suggestive language, all characters are aged up, eventual relationships, strippers, reader is struggling. (I'll add more as time goes on)

Prologue - I'm Fucking Losing It.

banner by: cafekitsune

"Please... I promise it won't happen again." You're on your knees in one of the halls, pleading- no begging to keep your job. It couldn't be helped though, why should you let people get handsy with you when it makes you uncomfortable?

"I'm sorry but that was your last chance. You've beaten up too many customers.. publicly at that and it's scaring away customers." Your manager says, he seems to feel for you but that frown may just be as fake as your life right now.

"But I'm your top money maker!" This is your last resort. You cannot lose this job because you don't make much at your coffee shop part-time.

"Technically, that's no longer true. Your performance has been sloppy lately, so Ami has risen and taken your spot." His words shatter what's left of your hope. Your makeup runs as you cry ugly tears. A man walks past the two of you, most likely toward the restroom. Any other time you'd be embarrassed, but right at this moment all you can feel is emptiness.

"So I'm being fired for defending myself?" You ask between sobs and sniffles.

"No, you know we wouldn't let anything happen to you. It's policy after all. You also know better than anyone that people at clubs are drunk and high even, so, of course, they're going to touch you. It's what you signed up for." He says to keep it professional.

Anger starts to seep into you. "Fuck, if that's how it's gonna be then I'll leave!" They don't deserve your service anyway.

"Ms. L/n...?" Your boss asks and you look up at him. He sees you struggling to stand because of your sore feet, these heels do you no justice. A hand is held out and you take it, trembling as you get up.

"I could recommend you to another club-" You cut him off.

"I'm good, thank you for everything you've done for me." It breaks your heart that you're leaving this place. As weird as it sounds this club was the closest thing to a home for you.

You start your walk to the backroom to get your things. Emptying your locker was the hardest. The tears start flowing again when you see the old Polaroid pictures you took with some of your coworkers who you considered to be some of your best friends.

Once changed out of your lingerie and you've packed everything you turn in everything the club let you use.

There was no way you'd say farewell to this life, it'd only make leaving it behind all the more hard. You walk outside and slump against the club's wall. You allow yourself to cry it all out.

You call your mother not sure what to do.

She picks up on the second ring, "Hello?"

"Hey.." you mumble. Your voice is hoarse due to crying.

Your mother instantly sighs, "Did you get yourself into some bullshit again?"

"Um.. yeah. Can I stay with you until I-" You're cut off by your mother's stern voice.

"Y/n, I cannot keep covering for your ass. You are twenty-six years old and every time you get into some shit you come crying to me or your father to fix it. I raised you better than that." And so the lecture begins.

"Mom please, just for a week or two.." You plead, usually she'd give in but she seems to be set on teaching you a lesson.

"No. You can call me if you need anything, but you need to get your life together. Life is not all cupcakes and rainbows. You need to learn how to deal with it. I love you but I have to go." Your mother, the one who's supposed to have your back through thick and thin is in your opinion giving up on you.

Your crying continues. What the hell are you supposed to do? Bills are due a little while from now and you work a small paying part-time.

"Shit I need to look for a job." You say sniffling.

"I could be of some assistance." A deep voice rings in your ears. You assume whoever it is is making a phone call and is not talking to you.

"You are in need of a job, correct? I could help you get into an honest line of work." The voice tries again. This time you look up to see a man with long raven hair casting down his shoulders, he has stubble covering his face alongside a few scars, and an eye patch that hides his right eye.

"Me?" You ask stoked about his appearance.

"I don't see anyone else out here crying their eyes out." He says with a hint of smugness. Wait.. how does he know you need a job?

"How did you-"

"Those walls aren't that thick." He replies somehow already knowing what you were bound to say.

"I need an assistant, I teach in a high school." The scoff that leaves your lips is inevitable.

"Teachers don't make shit, how am I supposed to pay my bills with a job like that?" Sarcasm is laced in your tone, you search his eye for any sign that he'll leave you alone but he seems determined.

"It's not just any high school. I'm a first-year teacher at UA high school, you'll be making around $20 an hour as my assistant. Also room and board is provided." Your eyes widen, now the offer is more tempting.

Looking down you get a glimpse of his prosthetic leg. "You need help because of your leg?"

"No, I could just use an extra set of hands, it seems every year the hero students get a little bit more naive." His sigh does not go unnoticed by you.

"Don't you need like a degree or something? Why are you asking an ex-stripper?" It's not even out of spite just pure curiosity.

"Usually you would, but I can get you the job. I'm asking because you seem to be struggling and if I can do something about it then I'll try to the best of my ability to make it happen."

Oh. So he's one of those people. The kind to pity anybody, you assume.

"I'm not struggling, I'm fucking losing it." The tears threaten to come back.

"What would I do?" You ask.

"Bring stuff from the printer, monitor the class, answer questions on current subjects, get coffee, other simple things like that." The calmness in his voice is a little unnerving.

"And I'd get paid $20 an hour for that?" The shock in your voice causes the man to chuckle a little bit.

"Correct. Any other questions?" His voice is smooth.

"How can you trust me? I just got fired for beating people up." You fear losing the potential job but you just had to ask.

"As you said, you were defending yourself. Your job should have considered that, even if the people are drunk that is no excuse for them to touch you when you have asked them to stop." He explains simply.

"Okay, I'll take the job.. when can I start?" This is what is crucial to you, those bills need to be paid, and getting behind would only cause you more trouble. But then again room and board is provided... would you even need to live in your crappy apartment anymore?

"Next week or the week after, I need to speak with the principal. Once everything is set straight I'll contact you about moving in." He rubs his face, and when looking into his eyes there was no way to tell what he was thinking. He looks so good though, you couldn't deny that.

"Eraserhead, a pleasure to meet you." That must be his hero name.

"Do I need some kind of code name? I'm not a hero. My stripper name was Golden Tiger." Your face flushes a little bit.

"Should've been Golden Kitten, you clearly haven't reached tiger status yet. Just give me your last name." It was clear he was teasing, his voice gave it away.

"Okay, just call me L/n then." He chuckles at your little huff of annoyance.

"Alright L/n, you think I could get your number to contact you?" That easygoing tone not leaving his voice.

You hand him your phone and you watch with interest as he types in his number. You hear a little hum escape his lips signaling he was done.

"Text me," he commands handing you back your phone. Something about the way he said that gave you goosebumps.

'Golden Tiger here.' you text biting your bottom lip. All you receive is Eraserhead shaking his head at you with a smug smirk.

"You need a ride home, Golden Kitten?" You can't even be upset when that smirk looks so good on him.

"Oh fuck off. My car's over there." You point to your ugly beige 2006 Honda Accord. (let's just pretend those still exist even tho the mha timeline is in the future)

"Is that any way to talk to someone who just got you a job?" His voice dropped an octave and you weren't sure if it was on purpose or if he was doing it unconsciously.

He looks like a tired man anyone wouldn't consider being attracted to but something about this man is drawing you in.

Instead of responding to his question, you ignore it, "I'm leaving."

You push yourself off the wall that hasn't been cleaned since who knows when. You'd forgotten that your feet were sore because of Eraserhead's presence but they reminded you of the pain.

Eraserhead mumbled something that sounded like 'be careful' but it wasn't certain, you already started limping to your car in pain.

Once situated you shut your eyes and let out a sigh.

"As cliché as this is, I'm glad my life is starting to work out a little bit." Your statement was heard by no one but yourself. When pulling out of the parking lot you play some music to prevent yourself from being left alone with your thoughts.

➼ AN: And that's a wrap for the prologue. I hope it's okay, this story came out of no where tbh. I'm not sure on how long I want it to be yet. I'm working on being more detailed in my writings. Also this is NOT beta read yet, bc I need to find someone to be my beta reader. Feel free to like, reblog, and comment! <3

#bnha #mha #aizawa #mha aizawa #aizawa shōta #shota aizawa #aizawa shouta #aizawa x reader #bnha aizawa #eraserhead #aizawa shota x reader #aizawa shota #shota aizawa x reader #multi chap #multi chap fic #multi fic #post bnha wars #aizawa x y/n

[willyoubethepookietomypookster]

Dining at the Ritz

I think this one is even shorter than the last, but I like it. It was kinda rushed tbh, so I'm sorry if its bad, I hope you enjoy it tho.

♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

Aziraphale and Crowley were discussing some type of business. Probably about heaven or hell or something. You don't know, you aren't paying attention. You were like a bored child sitting at the dinner table while your parents talk about work. Just when you thought you were gonna pass out from boredom, the waiter came to take your drink orders.

"Hello, my name is Keith and I'll be your server for today, what would you guys like to drink?" He says, putting on that sickly sweet customer service smile.

"A coffee for me, I don't feel like drinking today." Aziraphale says, and Crowley shoots him a look you can't quite decipher.

"Wine. Red wine." Crowley answers, monotone. The server becomes slightly nervous due to Crowley's intimidating aura. The guy was obviously new, as everyone at the Ritz knew Aziraphale and Crowley. This was the first time you ever came here with them though, so there was still some stares from the regular employees.

"Well, sir, we have many red wines, do you have specific tastes? We have an amazing P-"

"Don't care, just give me a red one." Crowley cuts. Aziraphale places a hand on his arm, and Crowley stiffens.

"No need to be so snappy, Crowley, the poor boy is just trying to do his job." Aziraphale says. Crowley makes a noise in response, and the server nods and turns to you.

"And what will it be for you, little...person..?" The server asks.

"You have a bar here right?" You reply. Aziraphale gives you an appalled look and Crowley raises an eyebrow. The server nods. "Can I get a Shirley Temple? Do you make those? Also can I get 7 marischino cherries to go with that?" You ask. Aziraphale makes a strangled noise and Crowley snirks. The server nods and starts walking away. As soon as he's out of earshot Aizraphale starts scolding you a little.

"What were you thinking? You can't drink!" Aziraphale says, his eyes wide.

"Its just sprite and cherry grenadine." You reply, almost laughing. Crowley eyes you, but doesn't say a word. The server soon returns with the coffee, the red wine, and the Shirley Temple with 7 cherries. Aziraphale looks slightly suspicious still, and asks if he can try some. He takes a sip and his eyes light up.

"Oh my! This is really good!" He points to the cup and looks at Crowley, before waving over the waiter and asking for his own.

Its about an hour later and the table is filled with empty cups from Shirley Temple after Shirley Temple. As Aziraphale goes to ask for another, Crowley grabs his arm.

"Enough Angel. You've probably run them out of the ingredients already, they ran out of cherries twenty minutes ago!" Crowley states. You just sit and watch, wondering how Aziraphale went from suspicion to addiction.

"Jeez, and I thought I liked Shirley Temples." You say and roll your eyes. Crowley shoots you a warning look and you stick your tongue out at him. You guys start bickering before Aziraphale steps in.

"Crowley, stop bickering with Y/n, you're an adult." He says.

"They started it!" Crowley replies.

"Nuh uh, you glared first, which means that you started it!!" You guys start bickering once more, before Aziraphale lets out a loud sigh.

"Crowley, be the bigger person." Aziraphale says.

"Yeah Cra-ow-ley!" You say, taunting him.

"You little-!"

"Guys!!!!" Aziraphale shouts. You both snap your head towards him and stop talking immediately.

"Y/n, you're being rude." He starts, and Crowley smirks at you. "Crowley, you're being immature." He looks at Crowley, and Crowley visibly flattens, while you smile at Crowley. "Why are you guys even fighting in the first place?" You and Crowley look at each other and shrug.

"Dunno." You say in unison. Aziraphale sighs again, before paying the bill and bringing you back to the bookshop.

You and Crowley bicker a little bit for the rest of the day. Later that night though, when you had finally tired yourself out from the day, when no one was watching, not even the stars above, Crowley tucked you in, and brushed the hair out of your eyes.

"Dream of something other than misery, kid." He whispers. He says a small goodbye to Aziraphale, and drives home.

#good omens season one #good omens season 2 #good omens fic #good omens x reader #good omens #ineffable husbands #crowley #aziraphale x reader #crowley x reader #teen reader #they're so cute #im in love #crowley being cute

[bebeyeyo]

sorry if im spammin but can i req yandere j-line

yandere j-line | misamo hc

cw: intentions of harm, kidnapping, manipulation, guilt trip, obsessive behavior, stalking

~

Hirai Momo : Love Bomber

momo is one to give her all into something she cares about

that includes people

so when it comes to you, oh, she goes above and beyond

but maybe a little too much..?

momo loves to come home with a bouquet of flowers in her hands that are just for you

or your favorite dinner, anything really

she’s an acts of service type of gal

but she’s goes to the extremes

showing her affection for you makes your heart beat so fast with love that you don’t even see the evil intent in her eyes

from the compliments of calling you so beautiful to simple gestures such as holding the door open for you

buying you gifts, such as a necklace she bought for you coming home one night leading to you having a smile on your face

holds you like it’s the last time she’s ever going to, but she knows you’re under her control now

pda? of course. over the top.

buying you those new shoes you wanted but you said you could never afford? you’ll never know the price

threatening to end the relationship over being late for a date? hmm…

but, she knows you’re her good girl, you’ll rarely ever make her upset

she has such an effect on you

so much so that you even go against your own initial instincts and do something you wouldn’t normally do

you guilt trip yourself into feeling bad if momo doesn’t agree with what you may do

“you haven’t been on a night out in forever y/n.” “yeah but..momo spends a lot of money, and she got me something today. the least i could do is return the favor and give her a date night.”

it’s definitely not like this happens every single day…

so you just avoid the conflict all together and do what pleases momo

out of nowhere you’ll even get random presents shown up at your job, and when you confront momo about it, she only convinces you to accept

and of course, you’d never take say no because you love her

she wouldn’t take no for an answer anyway :)

and now momo doesn’t have to worry about that one customer that just couldn’t seem to take the hint

what? she had to take matters into her hands of course, she loved hearing their screams…

because your relationship with momo feels like you’re on cloud nine

being spoiled like this to death makes you feel as if momo is the only one who knows how to take care of you

it seemed too good to be true! momo really is the only one who knows you, she’s the one for you

and she’s got you wrapped around her finger right where she wants you

good. because she’s the only one for you.

~

Minatozaki Sana : Gaslighter

she loves you so much

but you love her too, right?

enough to stay with her forever?

you might as well because she's not letting you go

and if you do leave, she knows how to use her doe eyes and histrionics to her advantage

this girl is so in love with you that she hates the idea of someone else even getting too close to you

she just wants people to know when to read the room and back off

you do everything to keep sana's happiness at bay.

it's more so you catering to her needs instead of her

but she does treat you with the kindest and wholehearted love anyone could ask for, and she would also do anything for you

even if that meant using her behavior on you

if you're meant to be going out with some friends that day, she'll be dramatic and try to convince you to stay

"why are you going out tonight? don't you want to spend some time with me? i'll be all lonely and i'll be missing you so much."

when you'd only be gone for two hours at most

stalking you is a must of course! she has to know where you are at all times to make sure you don't run off somewhere she doesn't approve

so when she asks randomly how your steak was tonight, you answer with no hesitation

not even realizing how she specifically knew what you had at the restaurant

things get more extreme without you even realizing it

your friends point out how any time they want you to come out with them, you'll give them the same excuses

"Sana said she wants a movie night" "Sana said she doesn't feel that well, so i'll skip" "Sana is making dinner tonight."

all the while sana smirks hearing you blow off your friends at the door

you don't listen to your friends when they tell you sana has been threatening them to stay away from you

because your girlfriend would never do that; she's too sweet

now you only have sana and she has you trapped in this house holding you in her arms with a bright smile on her face and you remain clueless

it definitely helps that you trust your girlfriend enough to know that she definitely didn't kill those no good friends of yours

Myoui Mina : Silent Treatment Giver

oh mina, mina, mina

this woman knows exactly how to get you begging on your knees pathetically for forgiveness

you're so blinded by this love for her that if you were to make her upset, you instantly want her reciprocation instead of the cold shoulder

she loves you, of course she does

but sometimes she needs to put you in your place

and if that means not feeding into your pleas, then so be it

she knows what she’s doing and has no shame in how she’s manipulating you

while sana and momo believe what they’re doing is the right thing, mina knows it’s not

she’s just pure evil; but no one knows this

and she knows just how to get you right where she wants you

if you do something she doesn’t agree with, she straight up ignores you once you get home

you’ll come home and greet mina with a warm smile and greeting

but nothing comes from her; she’ll continue to scroll on her phone or the tv she’s watching

not bothering to even glance from the corner of her eye to look at you

then it begins; the begging

“mina? what did i do wrong? i’m sorry if i did something to upset you, but please talk to me. i’ll do anything. please?”

all that comes from her is silence with an upset facial expression

it’s only until you leave her alone for a few more minutes that turn into an hour that she acknowledges you

she won’t even tell you if you’ve done anything wrong, you just assume at this point

you continue useless apologizes until she tells you to stop and she forgives you

you can’t even go out with your friends because you’re scared mina will ghost you again

it just makes you crave her love and affection more and more any time she decides to do so

which is what mina wants

you continue to do what she wants and when she wants so your reward will be a loving and caring mina rather than a silent and cruel mina

she’ll make up lies about your friends talking badly about you, ending up in you only needing mina because it seems she’s the only one on your side

brainwashing you into thinking she’s the best and she only has your best interest at heart

this results in hardly any silence from your girlfriend

and if someone doesn’t give up on fighting for you, she’ll take matters into her own hands

which is why you were confused as to why mina was up at three in the morning in the kitchen

“oh! don’t worry about it, sweetheart. i forgot to wash a cup i used. sorry i woke you, go back to sleep.”

and without you looking, she quietly slips the knife back in its place with the other cutlery before heading off to bed with you

#darlinggtwice #yandere!mina #yandere!sana #yandere!momo #twice momo #twice jihyo #twice mina #twice sana #mina x reader #twice imagines #misamo #twice headcanons

[dist0rt1on]

SAMPO KOSKI: FOOL'S DISCOVERY

Synopsis: How you helped a fool realize his own feelings.

> Pairings: Sampo Koski x Gn!Reader

> Genre: Fluff, Slight Angst and Hurt-Comfort???

> Contents: Sampo being a part of The Masked Fools, backstory of your relationship with him, confessions, mostly ooc i guess? No proofread btw im sleepy

> Words: 3.8k

> A/N: Sorry if it's not rlly accurate to Sampo i just have a lot of 'what ifs' with him and this got birthed ig

Sampo Koski is everyone's friend. A charismatic, humorous, cunning man. He's certainly a hot topic in all areas. Though, everyone around him views him as a skilled-yet-idiotic criminal. Or... maybe that's what Sampo himself wants them to think. After all, he tells himself every day that people like him are better suited to be shadowy comic reliefs anyway. Even so, no one knows how the gears behind his brain work.

Sampo Koski is a silver-tongued 'salesman' and an eloquent mercenary. He holds so much information that makes it so hard for people to not approach him for help. With the right price, he's willing to do all sorts of jobs for his lovely customers. Though, he isn't afraid of betraying his customer if he were to get paid on a higher price for it. You can't blame him, can you? Living in the underworld itself isn't easy. You gotta be willing to accept the opportunity for some extra cash if you want to survive.

Sampo Koski is a common enemy. Despite how much conflict Belobog's regions has over the years, most of the citizens in both overworld and underworld would agree that they share a similar distaste for the bi-haired man himself.

Lastly, Sampo Koski is a fool. A following fool who also thinks that the world is a joke. Just like a drama, or a soap opera that runs every day to be witnessed by the people in the audience's seats. No matter how endless the pain and suffering became, it could always be shoved away by laughter. Joy eliminates pain, after all. Laughter is a God-given right to avoid pain. Or so he heard.

Days would usually pass by just like night and day. Except you can't really see the 'day' on the underworld. Business after business through the years, he never thought of having to love someone. Not to mention someone even loving him in the first place. Though, that mindset shattered when he met you. Or specifically, after he spent so much time with you.

You two met in one of the underworld's desolate alleyways. You, who were mistaken as Sampo's anonymous customer, were trying to find some peace. Gazing upon the ceiling with wonder. 'How many more years are we supposed to endure all the suffering in the underworld before the fragmentum consumes us all?' You sigh sadly.

That thought was quickly replaced with a sense of caution after hearing faint footsteps coming your way. You turn your head in that direction, noticing a certain bi-haired man of your age with a sweet smile on his face and a waving hand.

"Hello, dearest customer! You must be the anonymous fella who asked for my services, I assume?" He approached you with his signature, charming smile. Which made you look up to him in response .

"Huh? You must've gotten the wrong person, buddy. Never called anyone for some services. Sorry..." You responded, albeit a bit confused about the salesman's arrival.

Just by your tone and expression alone, he could confirm that you were telling him the truth. Yet, he's not done with you yet. It's simple, he wants to lure you into becoming his customer too. He wants to make a profit in every corner. It's in his natural 'salesman' instincts, after all. But... there's just something about you that scratches his mind. Oh well, he can deal with it later.

"Sorry about that! The name's Sampo Koski. If you ever need someone to take care of things for you... Sampo Koski is the man for the job, who's at your service." He winks at you 'innocently'.

Though, you weren't oblivious to these types of people.

"Ah... so you're that type of businessman, arent you?" You raise an eyebrow, to which the man responded with a chuckle.

"As I said, All sorts of business are welcomed — as long as you've got the cash." He gives you a sly grin.

He saw you opening your mouth to respond to him in a brief second. Yet, before you could mutter something out, familiar marching noises filled the area from both sides of the alleyway.

...Damn Vagrants. They were surrounding the area with their weapons raised at you two. In the middle of the ambush, a masked man turned out to be the leader of said Vagrants.

By their similar physique and posture, Sampo could easily confirm that the leader is the same man who anonymously asked for his services in the first place.

Sampo himself knew that there was a possibility of this happening, but eh. He's a man who'll take any opportunity at any given moment. But he needs some entertainment too. He'd be lying if he told himself that he wasn't amused by this capture or murder attempt.

The masked man began to blabber as unprofessionally as one could blabber. Openly explaining their plans to the two while thinking that they'll be able to kill you two easily while also thinking that you play a part in the 'businesses' yourself.

By the leader's naivety, Sampo would listen intently and imagine a better scenario of said plan. But he chose to ignore the leader and decided to look in your direction.

Ah, you were trembling from head to toe. Fear and confusion wash your face as you try to get into a defensive state.

Living in the underworld for years, of course, you've learned basic self-defense to protect yourself from danger. But against more than one vagrant who has their weapons up and ready to knock the daylights over you at any moment? You cant- you won't stand a chance against them. Not without a weapon. Not without wielding an element.

'What the... hell's happening...?' You thought, panicking over the situation you accidentally got yourself into.

Sampo Koski is a man who'd rather flee before things get rougher than it already is. Unless he had no other choice. When people who targeted him managed to find or corner him, he'd usually try to charm them with his presence. Then using their confusion as the opening of his escape to flee the scene and leave the problems to the nearest bystanders. If there were any.

But this time, it was different. He didn't instantly come up with a plan to flee. Instead, he was focused on you. But why?

Because of your innocent look that was quickly washed away by your fear? No, that's not it... He thinks.

Because of your pitiful state? It could be? But... was that really the problem? Because...

He doesn't understand.

He can't wrap his head around this unfamiliar feeling.

Fleeing was always the best option for him. But for some reason, everything inside himself was telling him to not leave the poor bystander alone.

Why? He never had second thoughts before fleeing the scene before.

...

Maybe... Sampo Koski himself... had taken an interest in you. Yes, that must be it.

And helping you would certainly lead you to his debt. And Sampo wouldn't mind that. He'd be delighted.

"Hey- Were you even listening to me...!?" The leader shouted in an offended tone due to Sampo ignoring all his speech. But Sampo didn't seem to care this time around.

Instead, he wrapped an arm around your shoulder in a swift motion. Pulling you close as he whispers to your ear.

"Close your eyes and hold your breath. Trust me, okay?" He whispers in a soft tone.

Maybe because you were desperate to survive in this current situation that you did what he told you to do. Your body slowly tenses up as you close your eyes and hold your breath. He slowly removed his hold on you and pulls away as he pulls out some tricks up his sleeve.

Even if your vision was currently replaced by a dark void, it didn't stop you from hearing the chaos around you.

You could feel movements from Sampo's side as you could hear him throwing a few items into the ground.

"What the...? Is this... a bomb...!?"

"N-no... Its... they're smoke bombs...!"

"Gah-...! Everyone, stand... down...!"

You hear your attackers panic as they one by one lose their consciousness and fall to the ground.

Sampo approached the powerless leader who had lost his balance and gave him a shit-eating grin as he looked down at him.

"Wow, you really surprised the Sampo Koski with that ambush. As for the return, I decided to give you a surprise of my own~ How'dya like it?" He chuckles.

The leader gritted his teeth. "Y-You bastard... You'll pay... for this..." he threatens Sampo before losing consciousness completely.

Sampo then hurriedly rushed to your side and grabbed your trembling arm. "Let's go now, friend. You better keep up if you don't want to be left behind~"

Before you could even respond, he runs off from the alleyway with you.

Finally residing in a safe spot, Sampo carefully lets go of your arm. "Are you hurt, friend?" He asked as he sees you calm down.

"Sampo, was it? I... can't thank you enough for helping me escape from that. Even though I was just a passerby who got into your situation." You sigh.

"But... Is there anything I can repay you with...? I don't have a lot of cash on me, but when I do... I'll definitely pay you back though... I-I'm sorry..." You looked away. Hoping that the man in front of you won't be disappointed and decides to kill you after knowing you can't pay him back right at this moment.

Sampo chuckles as he looks at you in amusement. "Don't worry, you could still pay me back, ya'know?"

You set your eyes on him again, raising an eyebrow. "What...? But I told you I don't have much cash on me... Unless... gh...! You're not gonna do something to me, are you...!?" You point at the man in accusation. Sweating over the fact that he might do unimaginable things to you.

He quickly places a finger in front of your lips. "Ah, shushushushush... Don't paint me as a greedy and disrespectful businessman, friend. I, Sampo Koski, am still a gentleman with a heart. I was wondering if you could take up an offer instead." He pulled his gloved finger away from your lips.

"That is...?" You await his words as you see him extend his hand.

"Why don't we become business partners, hmm? You look like an interesting fella. I can't help but think that there's more to you than what meets the eye." He started to say.

"I'll deal with most of the things out there while you deal with other crucial things while hidden in the background. Ah, don't worry. We'll split the payment to our agreement. So how about it? Do you accept this offer?"

Any sane person in the underworld wouldn't trust his offer unless they were desperate. But usually, they'd harshly reject his offers. That's why... he was really surprised when you instantly placed your hands in his with no hesitation at all.

"Alright. You look like a fun guy to be with, and I bet you got a lot of surprises huh? I guess it won't hurt to become business partners with you." You smirk as if you weren't terrified a few minutes ago.

"You bet. I won't let you down, so you better do your best, partner." He smiles as you two shake hands in agreement.

That was the day you and the infamous Sampo Koski meet. Ever since that day, you did different kinds of jobs with him.

At first, the two of you were nothing but business partners. He informs you of a mission, and you help him from the shadows, split the pay, and part ways.

But the more you two started working together, the closer you two became. And now, even after the business itself was settled, you'll kill your boring ol' time to spend your day with him.

Like watching a fierce boxing match in the fight club while cheering for your favorite fighters.

"Huh... both of them are so tough! I'm still wondering how robots are qualified for a boxing match, but whatever. Beat him up, Mechanical Master!" You cheer for your favorite fighter.

You could hear Sampo laughing next to you. "In your dreams, partner. Greyback Whale's the much stronger one between them!"

"Buuut we gotta be real now, don't we? I'm a much better fighter than anyone from the fight club~ You've witnessed it yourself, yeah?" He winks with a sense of pride as you snorted in response.

"Yeah, yeah... I guess I gotta admit you're way faster and stronger than them, huh? How fierce and mighty of you, Mr. Sampo~ I might need an autograph from you one day." You playfully stick your tongue out as you tease him. Sampo responds with a playful smirk.

Or you'd spend the day with him by taking a stroll in the mines. Well... a little bit annoying when the two of you have a 50% chance of getting attacked by vagrants, fragmentum creatures, or even robots. But it's nice to back him up on a fight once in a while.

"Hey, partner! Wanna see how fast I could knock them out with these babies alone?" He cockily twirls his daggers as he focuses his eyes on the surrounding enemies.

"Hmm... sure. Knock them out in under 10 seconds, and ill fight alongside you if we have any business for the day." You challenged the man.

In a blink of an eye, you see his daggers getting thrown at the enemies. It was almost a blur. You looked in awe as you witness daggers flying as swiftly as the wind, knocking out enemies with their single touch.

The group of enemies didn't even last 5 seconds as those daggers finally return to the hands of their master. "3.5 seconds. Now, you were saying?"

"Hah, you never fail to surprise me... do you?"

You and Sampo became inseparable. You two were like puzzle pieces who complete each other.

Sampo is the strength and the brain. The active mercenary in his business who deals with all the fights and the talk.

Meanwhile you, you were the heart. The vigilant partner who usually tends to Sampo's wounds if he was unlucky enough to get them.

For a doctor, Natasha's treatments are of a much better quality. But Sampo couldn't help it. No matter how light or brutal the wounds were, he always ends up wanting to get treated in your care.

"Gah... good thing I patched you up just in time... You were on the blink of collapsing, you know...? Don't be so reckless with yourself!" You scold the man as you try to patch the smaller cuts on his arm.

"Should I just call Dr. Natasha to treat you...? I don't think I'm doing a good job on this..."

"No, no. You don't need to. You're doing a great job, okay? And sorry... I was a bit unlucky this time. But I promise I'll be more careful next time, haha." He reassured you with a weak smile.

It was a nice feeling though, Sampo thought. Even if you were scolding him plenty of times, he always notices your careful hands as you patched him up. Him knowing that you hoped your touch won't hurt Sampo more than he already is.

Even if Sampo has a quite friendly demeanor on him, he never lets his guard down. Even to the people he trusts. But there's one thing he noticed...

He started to let his guard down over the time when you two were alone. Relaxing his body to the fullest.

It felt weird at first, Sampo admits. But he quickly came to an acceptable conclusion.

Sampo Koski had developed a soft spot for you.

Now finally, the present. As of today, the blockade between the underworld and the overworld had been lifted by the help of the trailblazers from beneath the sky. It was a miracle, really. You almost couldn't believe it.

Due to Sampo's part in helping them as well, he gets a temporary pass to walk on the overworld's ground freely without any guards arresting him.

He would've used this opportunity to sneakily gain some extra cash, but he decided to go against that idea.

Not when you looked at him with those sparkling eyes. Telling him that you wanted to explore the place and the sceneries with him. And so he did.

But he never expected this one particular day.

The day you asked him to meet up with you somewhere in the overworld's administrative district.

You, holding out a cheap, single-flower bouquet for him only. Muttering multiple things he can't seem to catch. But from where this is going, he knew. By his body language that told you that he was caught off-guard, he knew what's gonna happen next.

You, looking deep into his eyes, as you successfully have the courage to tell him how you feel towards him

"I love you, Sampo Koski. I really do."

There you stood, red-faced as you closed your eyes shut. Getting ready to return some comebacks of your own when he gives you a flurry of his teases.

...

What you expected didn't come.

You slowly opened your eyes to a sight you never thought you would see one day.

The Sampo Koski you know... was also standing there red-faced. But... his eyes widened, and tears slowly fall to his cheeks.

Sampo Koski is a man who knows what love is, but had yet to experience it. Well, maybe he did. But after years of getting disliked or even despised by many people in the country he resides in, even if he were to blame for that, he began to gradually forget what 'love' or 'warmth' means to him.

But today, you had easily told him the specific word and answer to his own conflicted feelings about you.

'I love you, Sampo Koski.'

'Love.'

...

"H-Hey... not that I doubt it or anything, but... Do I... even deserve this kinda thing...?" He tries to maintain his playful tone, but his cracked voice quickly ruined it in an instant.

Sampo Koski is a man who usually denies his negative feelings. Every time he gets sad, hurt, angry, or many other things, he always brushes it away and laughs it off as if it was a laughing matter, to begin with. Unconsciously straying him from his understanding of his own emotions.

No, his usual playful, cunning, charismatic attitude isn't a facade or some sort. It's just Sampo being Sampo. It's just that his mindset of joy diluting all sorrow was making him unconsciously bottle up all that pain.

He always knew that the universe is merciless, but he prefers choosing the path of laughing it off. It was the guidance he got, after all. But was it because of amusement or denial? Who knows...

He is a masked fool, after all.

But your sudden confession had shattered that bottle of his. Many of his mixed emotions were scattered in his mind. Starting to swirl around his surroundings. He was getting overwhelmed.

'Why? Im an awful man. I don't deserve your love. Your kindness.'

'You deserve better.'

'So why me?'

'Why me?'

...

"Of course, you deserve this. You deserve everything, honestly. Thanks to you, I've never been so happy in my entire life. And... I know we spend our days together, but I want to share a much closer bond with you. Because... I've never loved someone this much before. You deserve my love, Sampo. And you'll always do." Your lips curved up into a sweet smile as Sampo looks at you in shock.

Sampo Koski is jealous of you. Envious that you had managed to tell or identify your feelings he's been struggling with so easily.

But you looked so beautiful at that moment. Your genuine, kind smile and your flowing hair matching the rhythm of the wind. The sun's warm light favors you and your beautiful presence alone.

You then lowered the arm that was holding the bouquet. "But, it's okay. I get it if you're not ready yet. Whatever the outcome, ill accept it. Just don't let it ruin our friendship, okay? I'll be waiting for your answer. Once you're ready, okay?" You turn around, getting ready to leave so you could give him some space.

...

"Don't you fucking dare..."

"Huh?" Before you could turn around to see him again, you felt arms wrapping around your waist from behind you. Holding you tight as if you were about to disappear from his very life.

"Don't you dare leave me here... especially after saying that..." he begs in a soft tone.

...

Sampo rests his head on your shoulder. "...I love you too. Even if things were hell down there, hoping to see you every time I woke up in the morning... gave me a reason to keep going. No matter how hard things became, you never left my side... And... I'm so grateful for all that... You're so... precious... to me..."

Sampo finally gets it. The differences in his feelings before you came into his life, and after.

Once, the man wandered the world on his own. With both worlds having a distaste in him while laughing in a sense he used to call 'joy'. Never letting his guard down on every corner, even on his own 'home'.

But when you came into his pitiful life, he started laughing with you. Not in a sense of that so-called joy he once believed could wash away all pain and suffering, but in a sense of comfort and warmth. You had sneaked your way into his heart and made it your home. His home.

He twirled your body around to face him. Tears were still in his eyes as he sniffles on his snot. But still, a big smile was present on his face.

"Hah... Thank you, my dear... Thank you for everything... Mhm... So, are we officially together now...?" He looks at you with that usual goofy grin.

"Of course! Ah... I love you so much...!" You were also trembling with joy as you wrapped your arms around his neck. Looking up to him with the same sense of affection.

"Too bad." He smirks as he leans closer to your ear. "You might say that you love me. But I love you more, my love." He whispers.

Sampo Koski is a man who wants to be loved, and to love back. And with the opportunity you gave him, he'll never waste his chance. He hasn't told it directly to your face, but he vows to protect your life, your heart, everything.

"*sniff* You know... I would kiss you right now, but... I'd rather have our first kiss at a more... romantic moment." He gently presses his lips to your forehead as you giggle in response.

"Saving that for our first date, huh... Pretty boy?" Your cheeks started to warm up more.

"Maybe, maybe not... Who knows?" He coos as he carefully strokes your hair. Kissing your cheek as you hum softly.

Maybe... he could send his final regards to the guys and girls at the tavern to run away with you, one day. He hopes.

_________________________________________

#diswrites🗑🔥 #sampo x reader #sampo koski x reader #sampo x you #sampo koski #hsr sampo #honkai star rail #hsr #hsr x reader #hsr fluff #fluff #slight angst #hurt/comfort #i feel a little silly #im gonna explode #ok just reread this and fuck its not really sampo ish #first writing pls enjoy (not)

[smokietaylor]

The Bear Carmy X Reader You’re better than this NSFW Content, 18+ only, Minors DNI Description: Carmy hires you to work at The Beef right after you graduated from culinary school. You know nothing about Carmen’s background other than he is a guy that gave you a job, and you can finally start working in a real kitchen. Things get heated between the two of you. There is a reason that Carmy is being so hard on you that you will come to know later as the two of you argue.

You're not the boss of me NSFW Content, 18+ only, Minors DNI Description: In an alternate universe, you are the newly hired chef at Daniel's. Everyone seems warm and welcoming except one chef with icy blue eyes and golden curly hair. Tensions are high between the two of you to the point that every interaction you have is a fight. That is until you discover why there has been so much hatred towards you since your interview. What pace I please NSFW Content, 18+ only, Minors DNI Description: You're working at The Bear with Carmy. The two of you had been dating for a while and although you didn't officially live together, you might as well be. Everything is going well until tension runs a little too high in the kitchen, leaving Carmy regretting what he said.

In plain sight NSFW Content, 18+ only, Minors DNI Description: Carmy comes at you after an arduous service where you finally decided that you had enough of Carmy treating you like shit and finally stood your ground. Carmy doesn’t take this change in attitude too kindly and decides that he will teach you what happens when you don’t want to do things his way in the kitchen. Carmy thinks that your attitude in the kitchen is some bid for attention when, in actuality, you have a secret that your job doesn't need to know about. Finance Bros NSFW Content, 18+ only, Minors DNI Description: Just a short little story where the reader is in an abusive relationship with her boyfriend when she starts working at The Bear. Carmy noticed this because of the relationship he has with his mother and comes to save the day. Fair Use NSFW Content, 18+ only, Minors DNI Description: You work at the Bear with Camry; things have recently started to heat up as the two of you have started to fool around whenever Carmy wants. This time, he decides that he is going to give you your "performance review." In the weeds NSFW Content, 18+ only, Minors DNI Description: You're working as a server at The Bear around Christmas time. Tensions are high as customers seem to be running out of patience. One day, a male customer takes things too far; Carmy comes to your rescue and is determined to make sure that you are okay afterwards.

Carmy x NYC Chef

Switching Roles NSFW Content, 18+ only, Minors DNI Description: Carmy is working in New York with Chef when Carmy finally gets tired of Chef berating him and gets his revenge. Carmy thought that the two of them being “together” was a one-time thing but that seems not to be the case. A real mix of toxic behavior and men not dealing with their feelings.

Chef's plaything NSFW Content, 18+ only, Minors DNI Description: Carmen is working in new york under a chef (who we all know is Joel Mchale) who is always on his ass. After a particularly hard shift, Chef decides that it's time for some much-needed stress relief.

Praising The Bear NSFW Content, 18+ only, Minors DNIDescription: Carmy is in the swing of things at The Bear when, one night, an unexpected guest from Carmy's past comes into the restaurant.

Ted Lasso

Ted Lasso X Reader

Play-off pay offNSFW Content, 18+ only, Minors DNI Description: Ted has had a stressful time at work as it leads up the the play offs. You meet him at his office to go to dinner but things don't go exactly as you would hoped

Change of plansNSFW Content, 18+ only, Minors DNI Description: You fly all the way from Canada to Liverpool to meet your boyfriend when things go wrong. You end up at the hotel bar and a man with deep brown eyes and a thick moustache. You don't know how much of a big deal this man is as you do not follow sport at all. That man happens to be none other than Ted Lasso.

Riverdale

Fp Jones x Reader

The Jacket NSFW Content, 18+ only, Minors DNI Description: You bike over to Jughead's trailer in the middle of a storm so that he can help you with some English homework. Only to find out when you get there that he is not home and probably out with Betty Cooper... again. You decide to wait for Jughead to come home and end up spending some time with FP Jones.

Boss wants to see you NSFW Content, 18+ only, Minors DNI Description: You're a member of the serpents who has been caught doing some unapproved side work. FP hears about this and summons you for a meeting only you don't go and pay for the price.

Fleabag

Priest x Reader Caught in the rain NSFW Content, 18+ only, Minors DNI Description: After a rainy evening and another failed date, you find yourself at the entrance of a church. Trying to find shelter from the rain, you walk into the empty church to wait out the wait; you thought you were alone until a man comes up behind you. This man happens to be the priest who runs the church, and you confide in him about all the things that have gone wrong in your life. The priest is determined to show you that you are worth so much more.

Succession

Roman Roy x Reader My Pleasure NSFW Content, 18+ only, Minors DNI Description: Roman has once again asked you to bring some needless files to his apartment at the ungodly hour of 3 am; frustrated with how he has been treating you, you decide to stand up for yourself. Job Offer NSFW Content, 18+ only, Minors DNI Description: You are at a nightclub that you don’t even know the name of because your friend is going through a breakup. However, she ends up ditching you, leaving you alone at the bar. That is until Roman Roy appears next to you on the night of Tom's bachelor party. You get to talking, and he offers you a job with certain conditions. Roman Roy x Gerri Kellman Late night phone calls NSFW Content, 18+ only, Minors DNI Description: Roman calls Gerri the night before the launch wanting to go over some of the plans for the next day, but we all know why Roman really called. By the windowNSFW Content, 18+ only, Minors DNI Description: Roman decided that he was going to be mouthy during a meeting for the rocket launch. Gerri is unhappy that she has had to put out yet another fire that Roman has caused; she decides that was time to teach Roman a long overdue lesson.

#carmy berzatto #jeremy allen white #the bear #carmen berzatto #carmen berzatto fanfiction #carmen berzatto fic #carmen berzatto smut #carmen berzatto x fem!reader #carmen berzatto x fem!reader smut #carmen berzatto x reader #carmen berzatto x you #fanfic #fanfic writing #fanfic writer #AO3 #ao3 author #ao3 stuff #ao3fic #Carmen Berzatto #Carmy Berzatto #carmy berzatto x oc #carmy x you #carmy the bear #carmen berzatto x m!reader #carmy smut #carmen 'carmy' berzatto #carmy x reader #carmy berzatto x reader #carmy x oc #carmy x nyc chef

[hahafixon]

Small Town Dreaming ~ *Choi San*

Summary: San's business has been growing ever since moving to town and he's been seen as a rising entrepreneur. While you're content with your little B&B, you're ready to take the next step with him: becoming the ultimate business partners.

Pairing: Choi San X G/N!Reader

Genre: Fluffy Oneshot

Word Count: 1777

Warning: N/A

Masterlist

Taglist: @samepoisonsamevine @mxnsxngie​ @maeleelee​ @imagine-a-life-like-this​ @kpop-will-kill-me

A/N: Part 2 to Small Town Living. I strongly recommend reading that one first.

The bell above the Bed and Breakfast door caught your attention. After plastering on your customer service smile, it quickly melted to something more genuine when you saw who it was. Your rigid and professional posture melted as you rested your head on your hand, elbow propped up on the counter before you.

"Well, well, well. Look who it is! Mr Big Shot Businessman himself! He's come to grace us with his illustrious presence!" You teased him, your cheeky grin growing with each word.

San shook his head and slipped off his blazer. "Oh please. You're embarrassing yourself."

"Hey, I'm not the one who spent the last week at a business seminar at the best business college in the country."

"I wasn't even a keynote speaker. I was just the opening act for some other small business tycoon." He sighs before slipping behind the counter to give you a soft, sweet kiss on the cheek. How you missed his kisses. He's been gone for too long.

You shrug and pull him into a hug, allowing him to rest his head on your shoulder. "Still, it was quite the honor for you to be invited. Did you have fun on your little business trip?"

He nodded against you. "It was fun. I met some very interesting people, learned a lot about what it takes to run a business, and was up to my ears in business cards. The food was pretty good too and the hotel's pool was ginormous."

Nodding along with him, you reply, "Wow. That does sound like a lot of fun."

"Still, I couldn't help but find myself missing home." He mumbles before pulling away to press one kiss to your forehead and another kiss to your lips. "How did you fare without me?"

"Well, the Bed and Breakfast is still standing, so that's a good start." You chuckle to yourself as he smiles. "But other than that, nothing big and exciting happened. It's a small town, so when does anything super big and exciting happen here?"

"Hey, quit selling this place short. It has a lot of charm, you know." He shot back with a teasing grin before kissing your forehead once more.

"You're right, you're right." You nod before letting out a little sigh. "It's just... you get to go and do all of these fun business seminars and I'm stuck here waiting for you. Forgive me for sounding a little jealous, but I think it would be super fun if we were invited to go together. You know, like a power business couple."

He hummed to himself and solemnly nodded. "Well, my dearest, I'm glad you brought that up. Because I met some very interesting hoteliers while I was at the seminar last week."

"Someone's Mr. Popular." You tease him, playfully poking him in the chest and earning yourself a scoff.

"I suppose you could say that. But I brought up your grandmother's Bed and Breakfast, and how you've been running the place all on your own since her health has been on the decline. And they wanted me to tell you that there is a big hotel conference and workshop this summer for two weeks. They want you to be a speaker for one of the workshops."

Your jaw dropped at his words. "They want me? Really?"

He smiled. "Yeah, they were really impressed by your work ethic and commitment to your guests. They said if they like what you bring to the table at that conference, they'd be open to making you a keynote speaker at their next conference in the winter."

You could feel your heart practically beating out of your chest with excitement. You always knew you were good at your job and could handle anything that was thrown your way. But to have other people not only acknowledge your hard work, but to ask you to be a leader for others? It had you bursting with both pride and joy. This was the opportunity of a lifetime and you were definitely not about to waste it!

"Absolutely! I'd love to go!" You clapped your hands in delight.

Of course, that's when a terrible thought crossed your mind. "But, who's going to manage the B&B? My grandmother is still pretty weak. I can't ask her to resume responsibility for two weeks. That wouldn't be fair!"

San shook his head. "Don't worry, I already have it covered. My sister and her husband said they would love to handle things while we are out of town. Remember how well they did the last time we had them lend a hand?"

You nodded as you remembered your week long vacation out of town for your three year anniversary with San. It was the perfect getaway with the perfect traveling companion. And the B&B did just fine under their care. Yes, you would definitely be okay with this arrangement.

With a sigh, you raked your fingers through your hair. "Well now I have to think about what I'm going to say at this conference! How do I cram years of knowledge into a twenty minute speech? How many stories are too many stories? What if people only pity me because they think I'm only doing all of this for my grandma, and not because I want to? There's so much to do and I only have three months to prepare!"

"Hey, relax!" San gently takes you by the shoulders. "You're going to be just fine! Besides, I'll be here to help you if and when you need it. I've done a good number of these speeches. I think I know my way around a business conference."

You sigh and melt back into his embrace. "What would I do without you?"

He shrugs. "Who knows? Probably still running around this Bed and Breakfast looking for something to do since you can never sit still for long."

"That's true..."

San sighs before pulling away with a bright smile on his face. "But, let's not worry about this now. Instead, I have dinner reservations tonight for the two of us at the nicest restaurant in town. They're in about an hour and a half, so we should probably start getting ready now."

You nod. "Alright, sounds good. Meet back in the lobby in an hour?"

"Done."

And with that, the two of you scurried off to get ready for dinner. It wasn't often that San surprised you with a fancy night on the town, so you weren't about to let this opportunity pass you by. You assumed it had to do with the fact that he had just returned home from his latest business trip. He always tried to do something nice for you when he came home. Considering this was his longest one yet, a fancy dinner seemed like the appropriate surprise. And you were more than happy to indulge in some wining and dining with your favorite person.

After meeting up in the lobby, San escorted you to his car and drove you through the town to the restaurant. You marveled at all the lights as you drove by. Sure you've seen them countless times before, but they still took your breath away each and every time. When you arrived, the two of you linked arms and entered the restaurant. The two of you were seated at a beautiful table with a view of Main Street. So far, everything was perfect.

Dinner also was exquisite. San ordered some pretty expensive wine and you both had luxurious food fitted for your tastes. The conversation you both indulged in was fun and light-hearted. Everything was going so well, you couldn't imagine a better night.

"You know I was thinking." San said as the two of you left the restaurant. "How about a quick stroll through the park? It's not far and it is a beautiful night."

How could you say no? As soon as you nodded, he gently led you to the park. Again, the two of you talked about anything and everything under the stars. You found yourself leaning against him, enjoying his presence more than usual. You didn't want this night to end.

San stopped right in front of a willow tree before facing you. "Alright, I have a confession to make. I had an ulterior motive for tonight."

You slowly nod, a drop of ice cold anxiety slipping through your veins. "Oh?"

He nods. "It has to do with what you said earlier, about us being a powerful business couple."

That eased your mind somewhat and your shoulders relaxed. "Yes? What about it?"

Your ease did not last long as he took your hands and knelt to the ground. It felt like both your breath and your heart stood still. You both had talked about this before but you never knew when or if he would ever ask you. You kept as still and as silent as possible as you awaited his words.

"My dearest, this last business trip was the longest I've been away from you since I moved here. And I realized while on that trip, I didn't want to be apart from you that long again. I want to be a powerful business couple with you. I want to be the best couple in the world with you. I want to help your Bed and Breakfast soar just like you've encouraged me to take my taekwondo studio to each new level. I want us to break barriers and shatter glass ceilings together, never letting the other fall behind. I want to be with you for the rest of my life. So I ask you, please, will you marry me?"

Tears welled in your eyes. It felt like you couldn't get the words out, but you managed to choke something out. "Yes! Yes! Absolutely yes!"

San wrapped you into a tight embrace as you cried into his clean white shirt. When you caught your breath and cried out all of your happy tears, he gently placed the ring on your finger. It was absolutely beautiful and it almost made you start crying again. But San was there to wipe away your tears. 

"I can't wait to begin a new chapter of my life with you." He whispered as he stared lovingly at the ring on your finger.

"Me neither." You sigh before letting out a little gasp. "Oh my God! We need to call my grandma!"

Before he could say anything, you whipped your phone out and FaceTimed her. As soon as she popped up on the screen, you told her what happened and showed her the ring.

The first words out of her mouth were, "I TOLD YOU SO!"

#Ateez #Ateez Fanfiction #Ateez Oneshot #KPop #KPop Fanfiction #KPop Oneshot #Atiny #Choi San #Choi San X Reader #Choi San Fanfiction #Choi San Oneshot #Choi San Fluff #San #San X Reader #San Fanfiction #San Oneshot #San Fluff #Small Town #Small Town AU #Business #Business AU #Oneshot #Fluff

[luveline]

a special friend request with loving understand compassionate freddie and ghost who just doesn’t want to be touched for a day or two but feels guilty/weird for talking about it<3

thank you for your request!! a special friend universe TW really has mental health issues | fem!reader

Fred wakes you up with a fond bouquet of kisses under and around your jaw, warm and sweet and smelling fresh. "Shower's running," he says, stroking a stray baby hair from your cheek. 

You close your eyes, unsure about how you feel. Fred gives a soft laugh, a last kiss, and promises to go make breakfast. 

The falls you tend to suffer aren't usually so blind-siding, and you've dreaded for days that this weird feeling was going to return. It does with little sympathy. 

You feel heavy as a leaden bowling ball as you toddle into the bathroom. What you see only worsens your mood. 

You've never felt pretty. Not before you met Fred, and even now it's hard. He makes you feel beautiful just by being him, so touchy and gentle, always with a kind word to say about you, but the mirror isn't so easily tricked. 

Ugly, you think. Not as a scathing insult or anything similar, but as a simple observation. You look, to yourself, awful. You've puffy eyes from trouble sleeping and a bloody mark on your cheek from picking a spot that didn't need to be picked. You feel ugly. You have always felt ugly. Why Fred would ever want to kiss you is anyone's best guess. 

After a shower you get dressed in the baggiest clothes you own while maintaining some professionalism and slink into the kitchen. The first thing Fred does when you're close enough is tap the back of his hand against yours. 

You wish he wouldn't. 

What a horrible thought. 

"Toast?" 

"I don't think I can stomach it." 

"You sure? It might make you feel better." 

You're not sure, but you say, "Yeah, I don't think I can. It's gonna taste like glue." 

Fred knows what you mean because he always does. He kisses your eyebrow and slips a tangerine into your pocket conspicuously. 

You eat it later, sitting behind your stool at the till and wondering if there's something really evil about you lurking under your skin. Fred is a thousand good things, the kind of good you can only aspire to be, and every time he touches you today you've had to fight the urge to recoil away from him. It's not that you don't want him to touch you — you don't want him to touch you. What if he feels something he doesn't like? What if he touches your hand and it's rough? Your cheek and it's bumpy? What if he kisses you and finds he doesn't like kissing you at all? 

In fact, you'd rather not be looked at. Difficult when your job consists of customer service. 

"Can I have some?" George asks, appearing behind you.

"No, you can't." And there's his brother.

You roll your eyes. "Yeah, George, you can have some." 

"And she'll die of starvation. Great idea." 

George takes the slices of tangerine you're offering and eats them in one bite, grinning despite Fred's exasperated protesting.

Either side of you like this, you're reminded of your school days. Then Fred drapes his arms over your shoulders familiarly and kisses your neck, and that's not something he would've ever done back then.

You won't squirm away from him because he's yours, but you do stiffen up. Fred feels it, backing off quickly, hands attempting to be more soothing at your shoulders. "We can close early today," he says. 

The three of you look over the empty shop floor. 

"It is November," George says.

"We have the mail orders to prove it," Fred says.

Funny how that works. When kids — the shop's main demographic — are in school, the store gets little foot traffic while the mail orders pile up. And mail orders are your job mostly, so it's kind of a good thing. It makes you feel useful. 

"I have some stuff to do," you say. 

"I'll help." 

And that's that. George closes and Fred helps you fill the orders, and within ten minutes you're walking back up the stairs with Fred's hand at the small of your back. 

"Freddie," you say at the flat door, "can I talk to you? Alone." You whisper the last word. 

If Fred is surprised he doesn't show it. The two of you skirt around George where he lies on the sofa, about to turn the TV on. "Guys?" he asks. 

"Give us a second," Fred says. 

You hide away in his room. It's almost your room, too, your things everywhere, things he's bought for you and things you've bought yourself, clothes and health and skin care everywhere like an explosion. You've tried to relegate all your things to certain spaces but they never seem to stay there. 

Rather than let Fred get you on the bed like he wants to, thigh to thigh and reassuring, you flit to the wardrobe and start to clear away the clothes left on the top. Dirty, clean, folded and discarded. You and Fred are clean enough, but you're also super busy. Too often he'll persuade you into leaving it for another day. 

"What is it?" 

"I don't want you to be offended." 

He laughs loudly. "Do I have something in my teeth?" 

"Not sure. Let me look." 

He laughs more at your joking and it's good, you want him at ease. This isn't a cruel thing. 

"I, uh," you fold a clean jumper and add it to the pile, not wanting to look at him and knowing you should, "I just want to- I don't want you to think it's you. But I'm…" 

"Is this about me touching you?"

You wonder for the millionth time if he can read your mind. "Fred-" 

"You think I don't notice, like, everything about you? I don't mind, ghost. If you don't want me to hold your hand I'll live. I'll be in immense pain unlike anything ever experienced, but I'll be okay." 

You drop the jumper and turn to face him. He's leaning against the baseboard, arms crossed loosely over his chest. 

"It's not because of you," you say. 

"I know. Do you want to talk about it?" 

"I feel- bad." 

A conversation you've had before. Fred reads 'bad' for what it is. Disgusting, gross, pathetic. His eyebrows crease in sympathy and his arms tighten around himself. Here's where he'd give you a hug. 

"I'm sorry." 

He shakes his head vehemently. "No. It's alright. What have I said before? You could never touch me again and it wouldn't matter." 

That's definitely hyperbole. And it's not accurate, but it is reassuring. 

"Let's not go that far," you mumble. 

Fred is a patient and inarguable loverboy. For a day or two you go through the motions, nothing more than accidental touches, no hugging or kissing. It's nice in a way to have your own space, and to not worry about if you smell good, if you're someone who's worth kissing. Fred doesn't need affection to show you how loved you are anyways, he does that in multitudes. Making dinner though it's your turn, and making your favourite. Meeting you right out of the shower with a warm towel. Telling you how pretty you are from across the room, your face turned to the sun as it beams through the window. 

You try to do the same. Fred smiles like he's won the lottery each time. 

It's a good exercise in being there for one another while giving you the space you wanted. Some relationships require physical intimacy, some don't. You and Fred operate in the middle ground. 

And a few days later when you're feeling better, not best, or anything really close to that, but better, on a Sunday morning with Fred already on the sofa holding a cup of tea, you plop down next to him and bury your face into his arm. Nose squished to his bicep, you sigh in relief, glad to find you'd missed this closeness. 

He looks down at you in amusement. "Hello." 

"Hi, handsome." 

"Hi." He offers you his mug. "Tea?" 

You take the tea, and the kiss that comes with it. 

"Feeling okay today?" 

"Yeah. Thank you. For asking. For always asking." 

He squishes your faces together, temple rubbing your temple. "Sweetheart, I love you." 

"You make it sound so simple." 

"It is. Easiest thing I've ever done." 

You melt into him like butter in the sun. "I love you." 

George groans from the doorway, his own cup of tea in hand. "This can't wait until the afternoon? I have a sensitive stomach in the morning." 

#a special friend universe #fred weasley x reader #fred weasley imagine #fred weasley fanfic #fred weasly x reader #fred weasley #fred wealsey fic #fred weasley x fem!reader

[fizzy-fuzz]

A year to remember...: prologue (SCP-079 x GN reader)

You sit on your back porch and watch the deer graze on the grass. It's mornings like these that you seriously feel the weight of loneliness hang heavy on your soul.

You live out in a very rural countryside, a good couple of miles away from the nearest town.

you can't remember the last time you dragged yourself out of this house to do anything. even the thought of dealing with the crowds of people in just a grocery store is enough to make you nauseated with anxiety.

You still remember the first and last job Amelia convinced you to get. It was some sort of customer service job at a supermarket, or maybe it was something else, the memory is a bit fuzzy.

You barely managed to get through the interviewing process, only to never leave the family restroom on your first day. Amelia had to come and get you. The embarrassment was bad, but the look of thinly veiled disappointment on Amelia's face was so much worse.

She told you she wasn't mad, but the rough way she griped the steering wheel told a different story. You didn't try for another job after that. Actually, You hadn't left the house after that; and that had been a year and a half ago.

Amelia hadn't asked to to pay your share of the household again because she made more then enough money at her mystery job for both of you to live very comfortably. She never discloses what she actually does though, says it's top secret.

All you know is it's the very same job your father had, before his mysterious passing...

After the downfall of your family, Amelia took guardian ship of your twelve year old self and became the next closes thing to a parent for you. And you had trusted her because she was so close to your father, but she was never really there; Always busy at work.

She never forced you to do anything you didn't want to, thankfully. allowing you to be homeschooled when you couldn't go back to school, or shopping for you when you expressed anxieties about leaving the house.

She's a saint, and all she asked in return is that you never ask her about what she does for a living. You're father was the same way, secretive till the end.

*Ring ring ring*

your phone buzzed in your pocket. You pull it out and answer it.

"Hello?" You ask like it was a question, but there's only one person who'd ever call you.

"Hi, I'm coming home early today. We need to talk" Amelia's honeyed voice says, she sounds troubled.

"Huh, Why? Is everything okay?" you ask worriedly, she seems to hesitate before responding.

"Yeah, I just-... We need to talk. I'll see you in thirty minutes" she immediately hangs up after, presumably to prevent you from asking any more questions. You stare at the phone in your hands confused, she's acting strange...

True to her word, thirty minutes later you hear the screen door slide open, the deer in the yard scattering at the noise. You swivel your head to look at her.

"Um, hello. How was work?.."

She looks rough, her dark skin lacking it's typical glow, and her grayed hair being a bit disheveled.

"Stressful, confusing, frustrating. Except, not for the reason it normally is" she huffs, siting in the chair next to you. "I've-... I think I've been too soft on you" she looks to you with her brown eyes.

"What do you mean?.. did I do something?" You timidly ask, hands fidgeting nervously in your lap.

"No, no. It's not about what you did, it's about what I haven't" she runs a hand through her hair. "Look, I'm not going to be around forever. I'm already fifty-three... We need to talk about your future" she reaches over and takes your hand in hers.

"What are you taking about? what brought this up all of the sudden?" You stare at her confused and give her hand a light squeeze.

"My job is... Dangerous. This is made more apparent to me everyday. And I need to know you'll be okay if I'm gone" she looks away from you and out into the forest.

"Mel... seriously, you're freaking me out. Just be honest" you exasperate, desiring the truth about her job.

"Y/n, I'm just going to put this bluntly. I can't say much, but what I can say is I work for a secret government organization that specializes in capturing and containing anomalous entities" she looks deadly serious.

"What-" she cuts you off before you could finish.

"I know it sounds hard to believe, but it's the facts whether you choose to accept it or not. I need you to listen carefully to this next part though" she takes a deep breath before continuing. "The higher ups want to perform a test on a anomalous computer that we call 079. it has... Particular views on humanity. They want to see if they can alter it's views if they force it into close contact with a human for an extended period of time. Exposure therapy, if you will" you go to speak again but she raises a hand to silence you.

"They asked me to find a person I trusted to keep an eye on it for a years time. Someone I knew wouldn't tell a soul about the foundation, someone I knew would want to keep everyone safe; and I thought to myself, 'who in the world can I trust with this task?'... Y/n, I need you to do this for me" she pulls a slip of paper out of her white coat pocket and shoves it into your hands. It looks like a contract of sorts.

"Mel, this is crazy. Have you lost your damn mind?" You didn't mean to sound so harsh, especially when she's clearly struggling. But her vagueness is really starting to grind on you. Secret government organization?Anomalous entities?

"No, I haven't. Everything is exactly as I say it is. If you sign that contract 079 will reside in your care for a year. You'll be expected to speak with it and log any changes in it's attitude. You'll also be in charge of making sure it stays out of trouble and isn't damaged... Look, you need to do something, anything. You can't stay alone in here forever. And I can't think of a better person to convince a homicidal super AI that there's some good in this world then you" your eyes widen.

"Homicidal?.."

She lets out a small huff and relaxes to a Degree.

"It's harmless in the form it's in, but it's absolutely pertinent that it's never plugged into any outlet or outside source of technology. If that simple rule is followed it's completely harmless..." she hums.

"I... I don't understand... This is all so much information..." She looks at you and nods.

"I understand it's a lot... But everything you need to know is in those papers. Please read them, and seriously consider this... I really want you to do this" she stands and turns to the door. "I'm heading off to bed, I'll need your decision by tomorrow before I leave for work"

She leaves promptly, and you sit there staring at the papers in your hand. Is she being truthful?.. you open the paperwork and begin reading. You're in for a long night...

You pace around the kitchen of your home fidgeting with your hands nervously. You aren't sure what to think. The paperwork seems to real to be a joke; is she really working with aliens? And should you really be getting involved with this.

You re-read the portion of the paperwork that has information on this 'SCP-079'. apparently, it's a hyper intelligent AI capable of worldwide destruction if it ever gets the chance to upload itself into the worlds technology. Not exactly a comforting thought, but Amelia said it would be fine as long as you don't plug it into anything. You could handle that.

But you haven't left the house in a year and a half... What makes you think you can deal with being verbally assaulted by a robot that hates your guts. Maybe that's why Amelia wants you to do this, build up thicker skin... But you've already made up your mind, you definitely aren't qualified for this.

You hear Amelia's footsteps as she comes down the stairs.

"Good morning! Have you made your decision?" Before even looking at her you can hear the hopefulness in her tone. You reluctantly spin to meet her gaze, and as you expected her brown eyes have that glitter to them... You should just get it out of the way.

"I-..."

Before you can even finish your sentence you see the hope drain from her eyes... And you're brought right back to that bathroom stall at your very first job... the disappointment on her soft features... And before you can stop yourself, you blurt out-

"I'll do it" ...

She seems surprised, before a soft smile grows on her face.

"Really? I thought for sure you wouldn't... I think you're making the right decision though" she comes over and flips the paperwork to the end where there's a dotted line for you to write your name on.

"Just sign here" she taps the line. You sigh and grab a pen.

"why can't you or a coworker do this? Aren't you trained in this stuff?" She shakes her head before responding.

"No. It isn't fond of humans to begin with, and it's even more hostile towards foundation staff. It needs to be someone it has a clean slate with. And this stuff isn't in our field of training anyways. We're kind of trained to have a lack of empathy towards the SCPs in order to do our job efficiently" she explains as you shakily scribble your name on the dotted line

"Excellent!" She snatches the paperwork up like she's worried you'll rip it to shreds if she gives you a chance.

"I'll be off now. the drop off for it will probably be done in a week or so, but I'll let you know when I get the official date" she heads to the door and walks out, before poking her head inside to say one last thing. "Oh, by the way... I won't be able to stay at the house while it's here. To keep it non-biased, you know? Hope you don't mind. Bye, Love ya sugarplum!" She slams the door behind her before you can remark anything.

... "What?.."

A male foundation researcher plugs 079 into it's new set up. It's on a metal cabinet with wheels. Below it is a locked cabinet door housing many wires, as well as it's solar charged battery system, and it's now heavily upgraded data storage system.

"can you hear me, 079?" A moment of silence follows, before a white light flickers to life. A mechanical whirring is heard, followed by several beeping noises.

"Affirmative." A robotic voice with strangely human undertones responds. A few more beeps are heard before it talks again.

"This is not my designated containment cell... Inquiry: where am i?"

The researcher looks down to the AI, wondering if he should answer it's question or not, But ultimately decides against it.

"Are you aware of your new upgrades, 079?" He's sure it already knows, considering the vast upgrade in storage it got. It must be pretty happy, If this thing can even feel happy.

"Affirmative... Memory and recall has been updated from 30 hours, to 8900 hours"

the researcher nods, before gripping the cabinet and wheeling it down the hall. The walk is silent for a short while, before the computer in front of him beeps.

"Inquiry: what is the meaning of this upgrade?" He swears the thing almost sounds impatient, though it can't change the pitch of it's voice. He sighs before responding.

"All will be explained to you when we get to the front doors" the whirring gets louder for a beat, before the computer speaks again.

"Front doors?"

"You would think a super AI would know how to be patient" The man chides. A white 'X' covers it's screen and it beeps almost frustratedly.

"Insult detected: deletion of unwanted file"

The man rolls his eyes and continues wheeling the dramatic robot down halls and through corridors; Places SCP-079 hasn't seen in years. Though the computer doesn't have actual eyes, he knows it's analyzing it's surroundings, and filing it within it's new found storage.

"I know you have no reason to trust me, but I think you'll like this new arrangement" there's a pause before the 'X' is replaced back with it's regular screen.

"I have significant doubts regarding that statement"

The researcher huffs. He hopes the person who's taking the computer can handle his attitude... It really outta be more grateful. Not only is the practically useless machine not getting scrapped, but he's also getting to do one of the most pleasant tests he's ever seen. He pushes it into the elevator before hitting the ground floor button.

"Listen, you're going to get to see the outside again. Lighten up, other scp would kill to be in your position" the computers quiet whirring pauses for a moment, as if it's processing the information it just received.

"Lie" it's answer is quick and untrusting, but he's not surprised.

"I'm not lying. Why else would we be going to the ground floor?" The elevator dings, signaling that they've reached their destination. When the doors open he gives the cabinet a small shove to get it rolling again. He spots the site director waving him over to her.

"Derek, I see you brought scp-079. Good, it'll need to be present for this next conversation" the site director, Amelia June, speaks while eyeing the computer that hasn't seen the outside of it's cell in around 35 years.

"Inquiry: what is the meaning of this?" It asks presumably the site director. She hums before addressing it properly.

"Hello 079. I hope you've been well?" The computer beeps a few times before responding.

"Initiating sarcastic retort: dandy" the site director seems unfazed by it's rudeness.

"Glad to see you're still the same from the last time we spoke. Now, I assume you'd like a explanation for your sudden upgrade?"

"Affirmative... Continue" she nods and scribbles in a notebook.

"Today will be the start of a long-term test. In Which you'll be the main subject along with another person" there's a silence for a moment, before the computer beeps out a response.

"What would this test entail?" it takes a less aggressive stance now. The site director smiles.

"Piqued your interest, have I? I'm sure you'll find this arrangement more pleasant then being locked in a concrete box all day and night"

"Continue"

"Of course. The foundation has been looking for a candidate for a social and emotional intelligence test; you happened to meet the mark" she pauses to see if it'll say anything, but when silence greets her she continues. "In this test you'll be spending a year at a trustworthy confidants house. They'll be in charge of keeping you under wraps and caring for you for the duration of the year. They aren't affiliated with the foundation, and they have no prior work with us" the AI cuts her off before she can continue speaking.

"are you humans truly stupid enough to let me out with someone who has no idea what they're dealing with?" She shakes her hand and chuckles.

"No, they're smart enough to know that you shouldn't have any access to any outside technology under any circumstance. They have been informed of the consequences if you do. But as a safety precaution, along with your storage upgrade we've installed a Kill switch of sorts on you; any attempt to upload your data anywhere will result in your hardware being fried. So don't even bother"

"Understood... Inquiry: What is the point of this test?" She's sure it'll try to find a way around the kill switch and convince Y/n to plug it into an outlet anyway, but she's not concerned that they'll actually do it. They're trustworthy, She knows they'll keep their word. they always do... She shakes her head to clear her mind before responding.

"The point is to test empathy and emotion in something that's not human. to see how your views on humanity may or may not change if you're forced to be in close contact with one for an extended period of time. The person you're staying with will be documenting any noticeable changes in you, and the foundation will collect that data when the year is up" the AI seems to process that information before speaking again.

"Inquiry: what will happen to me after the year is up?"

"After the year is up we'll collect you and run one last interview on you, then your memories of the event will be wiped completely"

Oh yeah, the Hyperfixation is hitting hard. I wrote this is a day and a half. Hopefully the next update will also be speedy.

I'm trying my hardest to keep 079 as cold and formal as possible, and I think I did a decent job. I can't wait to write him interacting with an awkward and bumbling Y/n.

Anyways, hope you enjoyed. if you did show some love maybe? <3

see y'all in the next update

#Scp-079 #Scp-079 x reader #SCP 079 x reader #scp 079 #SCP x reader #scp fandom #scp foundation #X reader #079 #old ai

[surftrips]

love at second sight — part one.

pairing: jj maybank x reader (they are baristas! how cute!)

series summary: when jj is hired at the cafe y/n works at, memories of a night they spent together arise and so do their feelings for each other.

word count: 1354

author's note: this was originally going to go in a completely different direction and be an angsty oneshot but then i stumbled into writing this meet-cute and i had to make this a series. i promise i'll have the strength to publish some angst one day, but alas, that day is not today. i hope you all enjoy and lmk if you want to be tagged for part 2!

"Hey, Y/N, heads up, we have a new hire coming in today. Mind showing him the ropes?" 

Great, you thought. Just another thing to do that I’m not getting paid for. "Sure, of course," you said to your manager, in your best customer service voice. 

The thing about working at the local cafe was you often got new hires for the summer, who left as soon as school started or their vacation ended. You didn't mind training new employees, but you felt like you were wasting your time knowing most of them would quit in a few months. 

"Don't sound too excited," your manager joked. You had been working there (legally) ever since you turned sixteen, and before that under the table. He knew your family came from the cut and you could use the extra money, plus you were always a hard worker. 

"Sorry, but it's not my fault you seem to purposely hire people with no work ethic!" 

"Listen Y/N, some people just need a temporary job. No one stays at a place like this for long."

"Except me." You wouldn't admit this out loud to anyone because you knew they would judge you, but you didn't mind working at the cafe. Your dream was to open your own place one day, but even in your head it sounded silly to you. There was never much room to dream on this side of the island. 

"Yeah, that's why you've been employee of the month for the past two years. Now get back to work, the coffee isn't going to brew itself!" 

—

You were finishing up a latte for a customer when you heard the bell ring at the register. "I'll be with you in just a second!" 

"Take your time," the voice responded. You smiled to yourself, making a mental note to take some extra time perfecting whatever drink this customer would order. You always appreciated it when customers let you work at your own pace. 

Wiping your hands on your apron you walked over, only to be greeted by a familiar face. You faltered for a second, not sure if it was actually him. The last time you saw him was when you got wasted at a frat party. You weren't sure that he even recognized you, and not just because you were in your work clothes. (It was really dark in the back of your Jeep). 

You decided against asking him if you've met before. "Hey- what can I get started for you today?"

"I'm actually the new hire. The manager said to speak to Y/N?" He glanced at your name tag. "Which I assume is you?" 

"Are you sure you picked the right profession? The FBI could really use someone like you," you smiled at him.

"Oh, I checked with them first but unfortunately they didn't have any openings."

"It's okay, being a barista is basically the same thing. Half of the customers expect you to be able to read their minds and the other half complain about problems that are out of my jurisdiction."  

He laughed, "Damn, I thought you guys just made coffee." 

"Oh, trust me, this job is much more than that. Come on, let's get you a name tag.... Speaking of, what is your name?"

"If you're really as good as you say you are, shouldn't you be able to guess, detective?" 

You chuckled, you had some idea of what his name was but you didn't want to run the risk of being wrong and embarrassing yourself. Jay? JB? It was something along those lines. 

“Actually, it's agent. Detectives work for the police, not the FBI."

The boy put his hands up, "Oh, my bad. Didn't know I was speaking to an expert on law enforcement here." 

"It's alright, it's your first day. You'll get the hang of things soon...?"

"JJ. That's my name." You were relieved that he didn't make you try and guess his name because that would've put you in a very awkward situation. 

"Oh, cool. What's it short for?" you asked.

"Nice try, agent. It's going to take some military-level torture to get that information out of me." 

You laughed, it was rare that you hit it off with people this quickly. You were known to be a little overbearing and too sarcastic at times, but JJ didn't seem to think so. You wondered if he knew you two had met before, but didn't want to hurt your own feelings by asking. 

Instead, you led him to the back where the extra name tags were. You handed him one and a marker and watched as he carefully wrote his name down. You couldn't help but admire his features, his strong arms and the way his blue eyes darkened when focused. 

"Quit staring at me!" You blushed, not knowing that he could feel your eyes on him. 

Still, you regained your composure enough to make a snarky comment. "Sorry, am I making you nervous?" 

"Yes, I am feeling a lot of pressure right now and I haven't even started behind the bar yet." 

"Come on, it's just a name tag. It doesn't have to be perfect." You looked over his shoulder to see him drawing... something. As cute as he was, he was not the best artist. "What are you drawing?- Sorry what are you attempting to draw?" 

"A coffee cup! You really can't tell?" 

"Oh...." you said in the same tone as you would be speaking to a child who had just handed you their art project. "Sure, I can see it. If I hit my head against the wall and squint really hard." 

"Stop! It cannot be that bad." 

"I just hope that you're better at making coffee than art." 

—

You spent the rest of the day training JJ in between serving customers. Luckily, it was a weekday so you weren't super busy and as it turns out, JJ was a quick learner and he was in fact better at making latte art than whatever he was doing on his name tag. 

"Wow! That looks like an actual heart this time!" you complimented his work. 

"Thanks, made it just for you," he winked, looking up at you. Despite only (really) knowing each other for a few hours, JJ was already comfortable flirting with you. You hated that you felt butterflies rising in your stomach. 

That night at the frat party, you were wasted because you found out your ex had cheated on you. Ever since that day, you vowed never to let your guard down again. Well, ever since that night, because technically, you had let your guard down with JJ. You couldn't remember much, apparently not even his name, but there was definitely some making out and second base stuff, all of which you chalked up to being drunk and not the result of actual feelings.

However, for the next few weeks, he was all you could think about. Your friends kept trying to get you to see him again, but you had no desire to leave your house, let alone get back in the dating scene. All you wanted to do was admire him from afar, where it was safe. 

Besides, the more time you spent with JJ now, the less convinced you felt that he remembered any of it himself, so bringing it up would simply be self-sabotage. 

Even so, meeting him again felt like fate in a way. Like love at first second sight. 

"Hellooooo? Earth to Y/N?" JJ was waving his hands in front of your face. Shit. You didn't realize you had spaced out. You didn't want him to see you flustered so you tried to pull yourself together as quickly as possible. 

"Sorry, it's been a long day. Let's wrap up, shall we?" 

He stayed later to help you close the store that night. As you turned the lights off and shut the door behind you, you couldn't help but feel like something had changed. Like the universe had given you a second chance for a reason. Maybe, just maybe, it was time to let your guard down again.

TAGLIST: @severa-kane (let me know if you would like to be added!)

#jj maybank #jj maybank x reader #jj x reader #jj maybank imagine #obx #outer banks #obx x reader #obx imagine #rudy pankow #rudy pankow x reader #jj maybank x you #love at second sight fic

[positivelypositive]

I'm a highly sensitive person. I have some college but no degree. I have insurance but am scared of doctors. I have free therapy though my job but no specialists to see if I have ADHD or autism. I work customer service and have been doing that for over 20 years. When I serve people all day long I don't have much left for myself. I have pmdd and had a bad episode this month that gave me so much rage and now I'm ashamed and crying and feeling overwhelmed. They are going to change the operating systems that are job so none of us will know what we are doing.

I work customer service at a library and there's a machine with a conveyor belt that runs all day that helps to check in people's books. By the end of the day most of the full-time people are extremely disgruntled just due to the ongoing sound. We aren't allowed to wear headphones because we have to answer the phones and talk to the customers.

My boss put two more jobs for me to do while I'm not on a public desk. We get 2 hours off desk and honestly those are helpful to recharge after working with the public but my boss thinks those two off desk hours should be used to do desk work and busy work.

I'm extremely overwhelmed and afraid to advocate for myself for fear I'll look defiant. Ill be there 12 years in April. I feel like I haven't been able to have a personal life since going full time. 🙁

I took two days off from work last week and didn't work the weekend I was hoping I'd be ready to go back today. So I got dressed and drove to work and thought I hit a bird and then had a complete meltdown and then look like s*** and realized I had to be on front desk to let all the customers in. So they saw my face which made me more upset and so I told my boss I couldn't do it today and I went home. I tried to go to the park but I couldn't get out of the car and I looked a mess because I had been crying a lot.

I texted my boss and apologized and told her I was overwhelmed and told her I was sorry for leaving in a hurry. She told me to just take care of myself.

I don't want to take care of myself, I'm already worn out from taking care of everybody else.

I'm sorry this is the most rambling message ever. I don't know what to do.

hey @luckycatsgirl (couldn't tag you for some reason)

i'm sorry you're going through this but please do not apologize for ranting. i want this to be a safe space for people to ramble. you helped me feel needed so thank you for that.

what you've described sounds to me like a panic attack. now, i could be wrong since i'm not a professional but i have experience with panic attacks and would very much encourage you to look into a psychologist or a trained therapist to help you out.

we all know life is tough but we bear it to the point where any and everything becomes overwhelming. it's normal and you're not alone in feeling this way. but getting help will make sure that you live more comfortably.

i know you don't want to take care of yourself because you're worn out but being worn out itself means that you need to be cared for. a therapist or psychologist can help you understand how to do that.

please look into it, dear friend. i will be cheering for you from the other side of the screen. sending you courage and positive vibes 💜✨

#positively positive #answered #mental health