#C-Suite Recruitment

[vantedgesearch23]

C-Suite Recruitment and Retention Strategies: Executive Talent Trends 2025 

Introduction: Shifting Dynamics of C-Suite Recruitment 

C-suite recruitment is no longer about filling an executive chair. It’s about long-term alignment, reputation management, and strategic foresight. CEOs, CFOs, CTOs, and CMOs aren't just company leaders—they're brand stewards, risk managers, and innovation accelerators. The executive hiring process in 2025 reflects this shift, placing more pressure on boards and executive search firms to select wisely. 

Understanding the Modern CEO Hiring Process 

What Boards Look for in 2025 

The CEO hiring process is now driven by purpose, digital maturity, and operational readiness. Boards want leaders who can balance shareholder expectations with stakeholder accountability. Attributes like data fluency, systems thinking, and sustainability advocacy rank higher than legacy performance indicators. 

The Growing Role of Emotional Intelligence 

EQ has entered the boardroom. Leaders must not only navigate complexity but also do so with humility, empathy, and clarity. This trend has made executive recruiters rethink their filters—soft skills are being given almost equal weight as hard skills. 

C-Level Recruitment: Strategic Shifts on the Horizon 

From Functional Expertise to Enterprise Leadership 

C-suite talent is expected to see across business units. CMOs must understand tech; CTOs must grasp market strategy. Silos are no longer tolerated at the top. Executive recruitment is adapting by sourcing generalist leaders with specialist fluency. 

Inclusion and Diversity at the Core of C-Suite Talent 

Executive diversity isn’t a checkbox—it's a boardroom necessity. Companies that diversify their leadership pipelines attract investors and outperform their competitors. C-level recruitment now actively targets women, ethnic minorities, and LGBTQ+ leaders to bring broader perspectives to corporate governance. 

Why C-Suite Executives Are Harder to Retain Than Ever 

Compensation Isn’t Everything 

Big bonuses alone don’t guarantee retention. Executives seek purpose, cultural fit, and family alignment. Without these, tenure drops. This is forcing companies to build retention strategies beyond just pay—think wellbeing programs and long-term equity plans. 

Hybrid Work, Global Mobility, and Flexibility Demands 

C-suite executives now expect the same flexibility they offer their teams. Companies that fail to accommodate flexibility often lose out on top-tier talent. Remote-first mindsets are influencing both hiring and retention across the board. 

Vantedge Search: Specialists in Executive Search Excellence 

Vantedge Search is a trusted executive search partner helping firms hire and retain transformative C-suite leaders. Their expertise spans industries, with a proven ability to assess leadership fit for long-term impact. They understand not just roles—but readiness. 

How Executive Search Firms Are Evolving Their Game 

Precision Mapping of Talent Pools 

Executive search firms now maintain dynamic databases enriched by AI and behavioral analytics. These aren't static resumes—they’re living profiles that reflect leadership adaptability and situational success. 

Succession Planning as a Service 

Firms don’t just fill roles; they plan for leadership continuity. Boards are requesting longlists for future successors and leadership bench strategies as part of their search mandates. 

Retention-Centric Approaches to C-Suite Success 

Personalized Development and Mentorship Plans 

High-level coaching and mentorship matter. Retention strategies for C-suite talent include structured support, external advisory boards, and tailored development pathways focused on the evolving needs of executives. 

Transparent Board-Level Communication 

Open and regular communication with boards helps prevent C-level exits. Leaders feel more connected when expectations and decisions are transparent—and when their voice is heard during key business shifts. 

The Role of Tech in C-Level Recruitment and Retention 

AI-Powered Talent Matching 

AI is now integral in evaluating candidate compatibility beyond resumes. Matching algorithms consider leadership styles, company culture, and strategic fit to ensure long-term success. 

Predictive Analytics in Executive Movement 

Companies are now using data to predict executive departures. Proactive action plans help reduce surprises and ensure readiness for transitions. 

Global Trends Reshaping Executive Talent Acquisition 

Asia-Pacific and North America: The Hot Zones 

These regions are leading global demand for C-suite leaders due to digital transformation, M&A activity, and private equity expansion. Compensation expectations in these regions also set global benchmarks. 

ESG, DEI, and Tech Transformation Impact 

The push for Environmental, Social, and Governance leadership combined with diversity, equity, and inclusion pressures is shifting the focus of c-level recruitment across sectors. 

FAQs 

1. What is the biggest challenge in C-suite recruitment today? 

The biggest challenge is aligning leadership vision with rapidly shifting stakeholder expectations, while ensuring cultural fit and adaptability. 

2. How long does a CEO hiring process usually take? 

On average, CEO recruitment takes 4–9 months depending on role complexity, industry, and search firm strategy. 

3. Why is executive retention becoming harder in 2025? 

Executives demand flexibility, purpose, and transparent engagement. Without these, even top packages fail to retain leaders. 

4. How do search firms find C-suite candidates? 

Search firms use proprietary databases, networking, referrals, AI tools, and deep industry mapping to find the right executive candidates. 

5. What makes a great C-level recruitment strategy? 

It includes succession planning, DEI benchmarks, leadership profiling, and predictive hiring analytics to forecast performance and retention. 

6. What role does Vantedge Search play in executive hiring? 

Vantedge Search partners with companies to align C-suite hiring with future growth, helping identify and retain leaders who drive lasting impact. 

[alliance00]

What Startups Should Know About CAO Recruitment in 2025

Startups are growing rapidly this year, 2025. They now process almost all tasks through artificial intelligence and hire teams around the world, creating a strong need for structure and strategic leadership. It seems plausible at this point that startups hire C-suite personnel primarily for roles such as CEO, CTO, or CMO, but perhaps the most significant yet usually overlooked role is that of the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO). 

As startups continue to grow, the procedure for managing people, processes, compliance, and strategy becomes more and more complicated. Here comes The CAO Recruitment. Appointing the right CAO can balance the moving parts of an organization, align departments, and help a startup move from chaos to controlled growth. 

Here is why CAO hiring matters for startups and what the founders need to comprehend in 2025.

What Does a CAO Do in a Startup?

A CEO also manages the internal matters of a start-up human resources, compliance, office management, legal-related duties, and strategic planning. This means CAOs keep departments operating smoothly, ensuring that everything is in line with the startup's smooth operation.

In a startup environment, CAOs wear multiple hats. They might handle investor reporting, manage scaling plans, implement performance systems, and even help shape company culture. Essentially, they’re the glue between vision and execution.

Why Startups Need CAOs in 2025

With remote and hybrid work models becoming the norm and regulatory landscapes shifting, startups need strong administrative leadership more than ever. Here's why 2025 makes CAO recruitment a strategic move:

Operational Efficacy: A CAO sets up systems and procedures that allow the startup to scale, without creating chaos, while also improving productivity and lowering unnecessary costs.

Compliance & Governance: Startups entering new markets or industries must navigate complex regulations. A CAO ensures all activities are compliant and risk-managed.

Strategic Alignment: As organizations grow, their departments tend to work more in silos. A Chief Administrative Officer keeps departmental units aligned such that all work toward the same common goal.

Ready for Investors: Investors will want to see a solid operational backbone. A CAO helps build that foundation and improve reporting, making your startup more investment-ready.

Culture & Talent Management: A CAO supports HR teams, improves employee experience, and helps shape a performance-driven, inclusive culture.

Traits to Look for When Hiring a CAO for Your Startup

When you decide to hire a CAO, don’t just look for a seasoned administrator. The ideal candidate should be:

Strategic in his or her thought processes: aligning day-to-day with long-term expectations 

Agile and adaptive: willing to be changed along the grow in the fast-moving startup environment. 

Strong communicator: a person who can work in a cross-functional manner and with the executives.

Experienced with growth: ideally someone who has helped scale businesses before.

Tech-savvy: comfortable with digital tools and modern work environments.

Why Work with a CAO Recruitment Agency?

Recruiting C-level talent takes time and expertise. Alliance Recruitment Agency specializes in executive search services, including CAO recruitment tailored to startups. We help identify, evaluate, and attract high-performing candidates who understand startup dynamics.

Working with a recruitment agency allows you to:

Access a pool of pre-vetted, startup-ready executives.

Save time by outsourcing the search and screening process.

Gain market insight into salary benchmarks and hiring trends.

Ensure cultural fit and leadership alignment.

Conclusion

Startups are about to face challenges and opportunities never seen before in 2025. An excellent operational leader like a CAO might be the difference between fast and smart growth. Whether scaling, managing a remote team, or getting ready for Series A funding, a CAO can bring clarity, systems, and leadership to your growing startup.

Let Alliance Recruitment Agency help you find the right CAO to guide your growth journey.

Do contact us so that you can start considering the right CAO for your organization to help make your vision a reality.

FAQs: 

1. When should a startup go for hiring a CAO? 

Ans: Start-up companies should look to hire a CAO once they have grown enough to enter into a rapid growth stage; kept augmenting markets into which they are expanding their reach; and have bottlenecks within operations.

2. How does a startup be able to pay a CAO? 

Ans: Many startups are hiring fractional or part-time CAOs in the initial period, whereby they can obtain the benefit of experienced leadership without incurring the full cost of a CAO.

3. In what way does a CAO help support fundraising?

Ans: A CAO is responsible for making the company investor-ready, systemizing the operations, enhancing the reporting, and showcasing operational strength during due diligence.

4. What should be the background of a startup CAO? 

Ans: In an ideal situation, they would have experience in scaling operations, managing HR and legal issues, and working in pacey environments—preferably tech or SaaS. 

5. How much time will it take for the CAO to hire?  

Ans: This will vary, depending on whether you want to hire through an agency such as Alliance Recruitment Agency; the timeline will be drastically reduced to a few weeks, depending on your specifications.

View Source: 

[farsanaashiq]

Unlocking C-Suite Potential: Tackling Today's Top Recruitment Obstacles

The C-Suite, often known as the executive suite, is the highest level of corporate leadership and is where the company's vision is developed and strategic choices are made. For a business to succeed, it is essential to hire the proper people for these key positions. In this post, we'll examine the challenges of hiring for the C-Suite, concentrating on the competitive senior management jobs in Dubai's CEO and CFO positions.

The Changing Business Environment in Dubai

The business environment in Dubai is recognized for its energy and expansion. It functions as a hub for international trade, luring both well-established businesses and cutting-edge start-ups. The recruitment of CEOs and CFOs should be a key priority for companies looking to succeed in the area.

Recruiting Difficulties for the C-Suite

A distinct set of difficulties is presented when hiring for C-Suite positions. The people who fill these positions aren't just workers; they're guardians of the future of the business. Let's look at some of the major challenges that firms encounter while looking for top C-Suite talent:

Restricted Pool of Qualified Candidates:

 The CEO and CFO positions demand a specialised mix of executive presence, sector knowledge, and financial know-how. It can be difficult to find people with these traits, particularly in specialised sectors.

Strong Competition:

 Due to Dubai's competitive environment, numerous businesses are seeking the same talent. There is sometimes a severe shortage of qualified CEOs and CFOs, which creates intense competition among firms.

Cultural Fit: 

Many cultures and habits have an impact on Dubai's diversified business climate. Long-term success depends on a candidate not just possessing the necessary talents but also fitting in naturally with the organization's culture.

Compensation

Offering attractive compensation packages is frequently necessary to entice top C-Suite talent. It takes skill to strike a balance between budgetary restrictions and lucrative compensation.

Discretion 

High levels of discretion are frequently needed while conducting senior executive searches. This may be difficult in a connected society where knowledge spreads quickly.

How to Attract the C-Suite: Effective Techniques

It takes a smart approach to navigate the difficulties of C-Suite recruitment in Dubai. In order to maximize the potential of their senior leadership, businesses might use the following tactics:

Set Clearly Defined Leadership Requirements As your first step, specify the leadership qualities you are looking for in a CEO or CFO. Technical proficiency, work history, and cultural fit are all included. In order to target the correct applicants from the beginning, you must have a well-defined profile.

Use Executive Search Firms: Executive search firms, often known as headhunters, are experts in locating and hiring the best C-Suite talent. They can approach potential candidates covertly and have huge networks.

Use Professional Networks: To connect with possible prospects in Dubai, use professional networks and industry groups. To establish connections with senior executives, go to industry gatherings like seminars and conferences.

Competitive Salary Structures: Keep in mind that top talent is expensive. Provide competitive salary packages that are in line with industry norms and the candidate's background.

Promote Business Culture: During the hiring process, promote the culture and values of your company. When there is a great cultural fit, CEOs and CFOs are more willing to commit to a company.

Streamlined Interview Process: When hiring for the C-Suite, time is of the essence. Top applicants may not participate in a drawn-out or complicated interview process. Make sure your hiring procedure is effective and orderly.

The hiring of top personnel for CEO and CFO jobs in Dubai is both a challenge and an opportunity in Dubai's cutthroat corporate environment. Organizations in Dubai may unlock the challenges by using smart recruitment techniques, fostering growth and success in a dynamic and constantly changing business environment

[kaushalkumar1711]

How Can New Horizon Help with Executive-Level Recruitment in Mumbai?

New Horizon is a premier executive search firm in Mumbai, specializing in connecting businesses with top-tier leadership talent. With a deep understanding of industry needs and a tailored approach, we help organizations find the perfect candidates for executive roles. Trust New Horizon to drive your leadership hiring success.

[hrinternationaluae]

Top Executive Head Hunters in UAE | HR International

How Executive Head Hunters in UAE Elevate Your Business

The search for executive talent can be time-consuming, complex, and critical to business success. However, relying on executive head hunters simplifies this process, ensuring that only the most qualified and experienced candidates reach your leadership team. In the UAE, businesses are increasingly turning to specialized recruitment firms like HR International UAE to source high-level talent. With a deep understanding of the market, HR International UAE connects organizations with exceptional leaders who drive business growth.

In this blog, we’ll explore what Executive recruitment agencies do, the benefits they provide, and how HR International UAE stands out in this competitive industry.

Who Are Executive recruitment agencies?

Executive recruitment agencies are specialized recruiters who focus on filling high-level positions, such as CEOs, CFOs, COOs, and other C-suite roles. Unlike general recruiters, executive head hunters employ a targeted approach to find candidates with the specific skills, experience, and leadership qualities that companies need. Their expertise lies in identifying talent that can make strategic decisions and guide businesses toward their long-term goals.

The executive recruitment process differs significantly from traditional hiring methods. Companies looking for leadership often need a discreet and thorough approach, as these roles involve significant responsibility and influence. Therefore, Executive recruitment agencies leverage vast networks and market knowledge to find suitable candidates who may not even be actively seeking new opportunities.

How Senior executive recruiters Work

The process of hiring for executive roles is highly specialized. Senior executive recruiters start by understanding the unique needs of their clients. They take into account the company's culture, strategic objectives, and the specific challenges they face. This helps ensure that the candidate will not only excel in the role but will also align with the organization’s vision.

1. Candidate Sourcing

Unlike traditional recruiters who may rely on job postings, Senior executive recruiters tap into an established network of senior professionals. They identify both active and passive candidates—individuals who might not be looking for a job but are open to the right opportunity. This is one of the key advantages of using Senior executive recruiters: they provide access to a broader and often untapped pool of talent.

2. Thorough Screening Process

The candidates sourced by Leadership recruiters go through an exhaustive screening process. Beyond reviewing resumes and credentials, executive recruiters assess candidates' leadership styles, problem-solving capabilities, and cultural fit within the company. HR International UAE, for example, uses a blend of industry insights and psychological assessments to ensure that candidates possess not just the technical skills but also the interpersonal qualities needed for executive roles.

3. Interview Management

Once the ideal candidates have been shortlisted, the executive head hunter manages the interview process, coordinating between the company and the candidates to ensure smooth communication. They often assist in preparing both parties for the interview by aligning expectations and goals.

4. Offer Negotiation and Onboarding

After a candidate is selected, Leadership recruiters also play a pivotal role in negotiating compensation packages. They help bridge any gaps between what the company is willing to offer and what the candidate expects. Additionally, they often assist in the onboarding process, ensuring that the new executive smoothly transitions into their role.

Benefits of Using Leadership recruiters

Hiring for senior leadership positions is a high-stakes endeavor. The wrong hire can be costly, both financially and in terms of company morale. Therefore, using Leadership recruiters brings several key advantages that significantly increase the chances of success.

1. Access to a Wider Talent Pool

One of the biggest benefits of partnering with executive head hunters is their access to a wide range of potential candidates. These recruiters don’t rely on job boards or resumes that are already in circulation. Instead, they leverage industry contacts, professional networks, and deep market knowledge to identify candidates who may not even be actively seeking new positions.

This is especially beneficial for companies in niche industries or those looking for candidates with highly specialized skills.

2. Time and Cost Efficiency

Hiring for executive roles takes time. However, without the right recruitment strategies in place, companies can spend months trying to fill crucial positions. This delay can lead to inefficiencies and lost opportunities. Executive search consultants streamline the process by handling everything from candidate sourcing to final negotiations. Their expertise helps avoid costly mistakes and ensures that the recruitment process stays on track.

3. Confidentiality

When it comes to hiring for executive roles, confidentiality is often a priority. Companies may not want their competitors to know that they are searching for new leadership, or they may need to replace an underperforming executive without creating disruption. Executive search consultants understand this and operate with the highest level of discretion. They conduct confidential searches, ensuring that sensitive information remains secure throughout the process.

4. Expert Negotiation Skills

Executive head hunters are experienced negotiators. They understand the intricacies of compensation packages for C-suite roles, including bonuses, stock options, and other incentives. Therefore, they can manage expectations on both sides and help secure deals that satisfy both the candidate and the employer.

5. Long-Term Strategic Fit

It’s not just about finding someone with the right skills for the job; it’s about finding someone who aligns with the long-term vision of the company. Executive search consultants take the time to understand both the immediate needs and future goals of a business. As a result, they ensure that the candidates they place will contribute to long-term growth and success.

How HR International UAE Stands Out as Executive search consultants

HR International UAE has established itself as a leading executive head hunting firm in the UAE, catering to a diverse range of industries. Here’s what sets us apart:

1. Industry Expertise

We specialize in various sectors, including healthcare, engineering, IT, finance, and more. This industry-specific knowledge allows us to understand the unique challenges faced by businesses in different fields. Therefore, we can tailor our executive search strategies to meet the precise requirements of each client.

2. Global Network

Our extensive global network enables us to source top-tier talent from all over the world. Whether your company is based in the UAE or operates internationally, HR International UAE has the connections to find the perfect executive for your leadership team.

3. Tailored Approach

We don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. Each executive search is customized based on the specific needs of the client. We take the time to understand your organizational culture, strategic objectives, and the qualifications needed for the role. Our tailored approach ensures that the candidates we present will fit both the role and the company culture.

4. Commitment to Excellence

At HR International UAE, we pride ourselves on our high success rate. We have a proven track record of placing top executives in high-impact positions. Our commitment to excellence means that we don’t just fill roles—we place leaders who make a difference.

5. Comprehensive Candidate Support

We support both our clients and the candidates throughout the recruitment process. From initial interviews to onboarding, we provide comprehensive guidance to ensure a smooth transition. This level of support helps candidates hit the ground running and allows businesses to maintain productivity during leadership transitions.

The Future of Executive Recruitment in the UAE

The demand for top executive talent in the UAE continues to grow, particularly in sectors like technology, finance, and healthcare. As businesses expand globally and new industries emerge, the role of Executive search consultants becomes even more critical. Companies that invest in high-quality executive recruitment services like HR International UAE are better positioned to thrive in an increasingly competitive market.

Executive head hunters will continue to play a pivotal role in connecting companies with visionary leaders who can navigate complex challenges and drive innovation. As recruitment strategies evolve, firms like HR International UAE will remain at the forefront, providing unparalleled expertise in executive search.

Conclusion

For companies seeking leadership that can drive growth and innovation, executive head hunters offer the best chance of success. HR International UAE is committed to providing top-tier executive recruitment services that meet the unique needs of each client. Whether you’re looking for a new CEO, CFO, or any other executive position, our team has the experience, network, and dedication to help you find the perfect candidate.

If you're ready to take your business to the next level, trust HR International UAE to connect you with the leadership talent you need. Contact us today to learn more about our executive head hunting services.

Read More.....

Author Bio: Simi Gajala has been working in digital marketing since 2018, amassing 6 years of experience. Currently Working as a Digital Marketing Executive at H.R. International UAE. Simi specializes in SEO, SMO, Google Ads, Meta Ads, and blogs & content writing, Boosting Brands, Increasing Visibility, And Enhancing Online Performance.

[hislittlesparklejumpropequeen]

Watching you

Hwang In-ho x female!reader.

Summary: In-ho sees you and his brain chemistry changes. A/N: in reader’s pov he’s referred as Young il. Sorry if it’s confusing. Warnings: Obsessive and possessive behaviour, masturbation, stalking, perverted opinions, murder, blood, kissing, mentions of arousal, mentally and physically vulnerable characters, dubious consent, non-con touching, manipulation, sadism, dacryphilia

W/c: 3,5k

It was strange that he kept his eyes on you more than anyone in the games. The moment he saw your shaking figure among the crowd of people in the green suits, he felt his breath get stuck in his throat. You were looking around with eyes that were full of fear, hands wrapped around yourself and holding back tears as others started an argument in the middle. You listened as someone complained about his shoes being so expensive, and someone asking for his phone, an old lady argue with her son and guards answering the players’s questions with patience.

He kept his eyes on you as the first game started. He saw your eyes widen when someone was shot right in front of you, and he watched you as you realise the seriousness of the game you accepted to take part in. Gi-hun was interesting to him, yes. He was searching for them, for him have been for years now. And he was brave enough to come back to the games just to find who was behind them. He respected his determination. Yet there was something about you that he could not name. Something captivating. Something that shifted things in him, made his skin sting in ecstasy as you nearly moved when the doll turned around. You looked around with those innocent eyes and blood of someone flowing down your cheek, he felt his trouser tighten. A small, tingly sensation took over his loins and made him frown in confusion. He had never taken a liking to a someone, let alone a little, fragile thing like you.

When he found the video of you playing ddajki with the recruiter, he felt himself get harder and harder as he watched you spill tears in pain every single time you received a hard slap on your cheek. The camera captured the noises you made as your body was falling backwards with every single slap. The recruiter hit you hard and In-ho wandered if you would sound the same when he pounded you hard on his bed. He took his mask off and palmed himself trough his trouser as he kept replaying the video over and over again. When he was finished spilling his seed into his palm, he wished that was your mouth wrapped around his tip instead.

When the first game finished and your number and picture still shone bright on the floor, you voted for ‘X’ and expected everyone to vote same as you. Yet you were so wrong when the last player 001 and all others voted ‘O’, causing all of you to stay in this hellhole. You felt tears fill your eyes as some people were cheering with victory in front of you. You sat down on one of the beds at the front and hugged your legs with disappointment. As you were thinking what was going to happen next, you felt someone sit next to you.

“I’m sorry, I thought staying was the best option.” Said the man who was looking at you, watching your tears flow down your flushed cheeks. You looked at his number and saw 001 in bright white font. He was the person who voted last and made the decision. You sighed and shook your head.

“It is not only you, sir. Half of us wanted to stay.” You said as you pointed at the people who had the ‘O’ banners on their right side. He did not look at the direction you were pointing at, he kept his eyes on. You were so pretty when you cried. He wandered how beautiful you would look when you were overstimulated with his fingers in you. He felt his cock twicth when you looked at him again. Your lips were plump, and the tip of your nose was red. He wandered how your tears would taste like.

“We have a winner here. I thought we could use this for our advantage.” He explained as he pointed at Gi-hun who looked very troubled not so far away from you. Your eyes were on the last winner when you felt the man beside you stand up and take few steps towards the player 456. Yet he stopped mid way and looked back at you, as if he was waiting for you to follow him. And for some reason you wiped your tears away and followed him like a lost puppy as he walked towards the previous winner of the games who was already accompanied by few guys who kept asking him questions.

And the small group was formed with two of you joining them. You did not know much about others, did not trust them meanwhile player 001 was confident and comfortable talking to them. When he sat down next to Gi-hun, his eyes pointed at the small space next to his feet, so you sat down there. Being close to him brought you a sense of safety. He was the first person who approached you in this mess of a place with kindness. You did not know him, didn’t know his name or why he was here. Yet there was a look in his eyes that made you want to stick beside him.

When everyone went to sleep, In-ho looked at your resting form. You were wrapped in the thin blanket and was curled up into a ball. He looked at your curves that were visible from the tracksuit, his mouth watered. You were so frightened and powerless. You needed someone to protect you in the games. Someone who would look after you, make sure you make it alive. He knew what humans were capable of doing in a place like this. People were going to go mad and hurt one another viciously. Would he be able to just stand and watch if you got hurt?

Your soft whimpers and cries brought him back to reality. When you woke up from your few hours of sleep drenched in sweat and tears flowing down your cheeks, he crawled to you, in the darkness of the hall. He reached out to you, from the metal bars of the beds, and held your shoulder. You squirmed in fear and was about to scream until a large hand covered your mouth.

“It’s me.” He whispered to your ear as his whole body was pressed against your back, other arm wrapped around your shoulders. He was towering over you, as you felt sweat drops make their way to your neck from your temple.

He let go of your mouth, but his touch did not leave your body when he moved to sit next to you. He was close, his breath hitting your face and neck when he looked at you with observing eyes that did not give any feelings away. His touch made your heart beat fast and quicken your breaths, yet you did not want him to stop holding you.

“Bad dream?” He whispered, his voice is low yet deep enough to make your insides shake. You nodded when tears filled your eyes again. The images of dead bodies all over the playground haunted you since the moment you came back from the game as winners. You didn’t want to cry in front of anyone, but you felt like he would not mind seeing you cry.

He nodded along with you, almost like a grown up talking to a little kid and mirror her moves to befriend her. When he saw your bottom lip tremble and eyes full of fear scan the hall of people sleeping, he felt his loins burn in need. The face you made when you were scared and felt alone was enough to make him cum in his underwear without any touch.

Without hesitation he brought your body closer to his own and his arms embraced your shaking form with mercy. You buried your face into the crook of his neck and wrapped your smaller arms around his waist. He was warm. Very warm that you felt your fingertips burn over his body. When you breathed in and out in the crook of his neck, all In-ho wanted to do was throw your body back into the bed, rip those clothes off of you and ravage you in front of dozens of people without any care. The though of fucking you, turning you into mass in front of them, giving them a show as he claimed you, sent shivers down his spine.

“I’m so scared,” you whispered, your crying voice reaching his ear as he tried to hold back a smile at your situation. You were so helpless that you were crying in the arms of the man who was the reason why you were still here. He was a stranger, who had the potential to do anything. Yet here you were, quivering against his chest and making his member throb in need.

“I’m here.” He said. And you had no chance but trusting him.

———————

The next game you were automatically given the Gong-gi game as the only female in the group. Yet your hands were shaking when it was your turns to play after player 390 completed his part successfully. When you missed two times, you were so sure you were going to die and worse, be the reason for everyone’s death in your group.

He watched you panick, drop the pebbles and fail to catch them midair. Everyone around you was getting inpatient and scared naturally. Even tho he loved the way you were struggling and feeding into his twisted desire, he could not let you die. He held your waist and stopped the trembling of your body. You looked at him under your lashes that were wet with your tears and went back to work once he gave you a reassuring smile. With that you managed to catch all the pebbles in your palm and passed the round.

It was then, you felt something was off, when it was his turn to play his own game. The top kept slipping from his hands or landed wrong on the floor that was covered in the blood of eliminated players. You wanted to step back yet could not because of the ties when he started to scream in anger and slap himself. There was a crazy, off-putting look in his eyes. It was less uncomfortable when he was looking at you, yet it was still there. His eyes made your skin crawl and stomach twist in sickness. You did feel safe around him. But not like you would feel safe with a family member, a friend, or a lover. It felt like he was a wolf who claimed a lamb, kept her on his chest and waited for right moment to eat her.

When your group managed to survive and go back to the hall, he kept to you close. His hand was on your back, leading you to your bed. When it was mealtime, he gave half of his food to you, telling you to not to worry about him when you tried to reject him. He watched you until you finished all your food. After all of you exchanged names, he watched you talk to player 388 about his time in marine and watch you laugh when he was talking excitedly, telling everyone how prideful he was about his military service. He watched your tears dry up as you listened to the conversation that was flowing in the group. Your smile made his stomach twist and his jaw clench.

Your hopes once again were shattered when people voted for “O” more than “X” and decided to continue playing the games. Young-il wiped your tears away and convinced you to get some sleep for the night. You could only relax and fall asleep when he sat next to you on your bed and caressed your head as he decided to stay awake. He looked extraordinarily strong to you. He did not need to sleep, gave his food to others, calm people down when everyone was scared, raged and pass the games like it was nothing. Most importantly, he held you close no matter what. Did not mind you cry and fail and fall. Maybe it was a sense of guilt he felt, for making you stay in the first round of voting, you thought.

——————

Next morning he held your hand when everyone was taken to the new game. It was mingle. Your group had decided to stay together. You were grateful that they had take you in and did not leave you alone. You all took your place on the platform and started to spin as the song was playing. You felt his hand get tighter around yours, reminding you that he was here with you.

10

You ran as fast as you can and took deep breaths when all 10 of you finally managed to get into a room. The sound of lock made you jump slightly. You saw Young il’s eyes on Gi-hun as he pulled you under his arm. The images of him looking at Gi-hun since the moment you met him lingered on your mind until the woman who claimed to be a shaman started to speak loudly in the middle of the room. As you waited for gunshots to stop and doors to open, you could not help but wonder the reason behind Young il’s weird behaviour about Gi-hun. He seemed to get along with him. Seemed to respect his ideas and experiences about this place. They seemed to understand one another, somehow. Yet that unexplainable look in 001 eyes was making you shift uncomfortably in your place.

Until last round, you had no chance but sticking beside Young il. As you entered rooms and people kept dying outside, you became more paranoid. And when it came to the last round, Jeong-bae asked how many people it was going to be this time. Without hesitation Young-il answered.

“2.” And it was it. When the song stopped and the platform stopped spinning, Young il held your hand tighter than before, and started to run to closest room. As you were trying to catch up with his pace, someone bumped into you, causing you to lose your balance and stumble midway. Young il turned around immediately and wrapped his arms around your waist. He lifted you like a piece of feather and made his way to the yellow door that was already opened by a guy. Young il pushed you into the room and threw the other guy away from the door. When you scanned the room, your eyes were met with pair of foreign eyes.

“Out.” Young il said sharply to the other man in the room.

“We were here first.” The man said, his voice cracking as he was shaking in fear. Person behind the door tried to open it. You pushed your back against the door and held it with all of your strength. There was not much time left, and you were afraid that all of you were going die in this room.

Young il grabbed the man and locked his arms around his head. As they scooped to the floor, his arms got tighter around the player 343’s neck. You were still holding the door and preventing the other player to get in. For a second Young il’s intense gaze met with yours and you couldn’t look away.

He looked into your eyes, showing no emotion or weakness as the man he was choking started to turn purple. Your breath got stuck in your throat, your knees were shaking, and your palms were getting sweaty with the scene taking place in front of you. As there were few seconds left for the countdown, Young il twisted the man’s neck. The sound of bone cracking filled the room along with the sound of door locking behind you. He kept his eyes on you, as he tossed the dead body of the side.

The lifeless body of player 343 laid on the ground and the gunshots filled your ear. The screams of people scratched your brain, and you finally managed to close your eyes. He had killed someone in front of you, broke his neck with one swift motion and he had no emotion on his face as he did it. Your heart was beating so fast that you thought it was going to fail at some point. Then the images of him came to your mind. When he knocked down player 124 and 230 as he looked down at them with those emotionless eyes, when he carelessly slapped himself in the second game, when he looked at Gi-hun as if he wanted to strangle him when he thought no one was looking, when he pushed everyone out of his way to get both of you to safety during the mingle game and now when he killed someone.

“Open your eyes.” He breathed out, his breath hitting your face. Suddenly you felt his warmth surrounding you and him towering over your head. You slowly opened your eyes and there he was. Looking down at you, his eyebrows lifted up and with a mocking look in his eyes. His face was close to yours. Yet it did not feel comforting and safe like it did a night ago, when he was comforting you after a nightmare.

“What did you do?” Your voice was shaky and sounded terrified as you tried to look at the dead body that was in the corner of the room. He did not let you look away with his fingers finding your chin and holding it tight. He held you with those hands that just took the life of someone. You felt chills going down your spine.

“I made sure that we survived.” He whispered without breaking eye contact with you. You could hear soldiers cleaning up the mess outside of the rooms.

“You killed him.” You tried to shake his touch away, yet he didn’t let you. Instead, he got closer, until you were trapped between him and the door. His hot breath made your skin tingle, and his touch made you wanna cry.

“Yes.” He said, and his lips touched your cheek that was wetted by your tears. His lips planted a soft kiss onto your skin. The kiss made you feel dizzy and your knees weak.

“For you.” He continued. His words made you freeze in your spot. His lips traced over your skin like a ghost and reached the corner of your lips. “Only for you” He kissed the side of your mouth, softly, gently, with mercy. You wanted to rip his hands off of you, and run away. The floor beneath your feet was slippery with the blood of eliminated players. If you slipped and fell, would he let you go?

“All for you.” His lips found your chin, then your nose, then your other cheek. He did not rush or hold you harsh enough to hurt. Yet knowing that he had just killed someone with those hands made you wanna throw up.

Your tears dropped to his lips, and he licked his lips as if he was dying over thirst. And when he made eye contact with you again, it was the first time you saw a clear human emotion in his eyes. An emotion he did not try to hide or was afraid to show; yearning. You did not know if it was for you or winning. In both cases, it terrified you to your very being.

“Stop!” You said as sobs filled your mouth and he pressed his forehead against yours hard. You felt him shake his head, his arms wrapping around your fragile, little body compared to his strong form.

“I will give you everything you want, you need.” He said and pressed his lips against yours. Without waiting, his tongue made his way into your mouth, forcing your lips to open up for him. You felt the dizzy feeling take over your head. Your ears were ringing, your mind was foggy as he kissed you harsh, deep. There was no power left in your body, so you just let yourself to his arms.

His teeth crushed against yours and he was biting every corner of your lips until he drew blood. The irony taste filled your senses, made you jump. You did not know if it was you bleeding or him. But there was blood everywhere. Covering your tongue, your lips and staining your chin as your shared spit escaped from the corner of your lips. You felt your body burn all over. Your back was arching like a cat to get any closer to him, and there was a soreness between your legs that made your clit throb. You felt shame fill you and guilt making you wanna cry out. Instead, you kept kissing him, devouring him, eating him as much as you could.

You whined and pushed your head towards him when he parted your kiss with the sound of lock. The door was opened. The third game was finished. There was still a dead man in the room. Your mouth was covered in blood, making you look like you just feasted on someone. And his eyes were on you, watching you.

[wabblebees]

I'd never heard of studio c before but I'll try to watch out for it in the future if it's like a Mormon propaganda machine. :V my b!

oh beloved i appreciate this v much!! but i think maybe my personal reaction to seeing them out in the wild may have given the wrong impression of what studio c is??😅😭 theyre just a funny little group that makes Wholesome Sketch Comedy -- but since theyre byu based/owned/operated (which generally means vv m//ormon & vv focused on creating Good Clean Content) my family and i used to watch them a LOT. just now im out of the church and unlearning the fear of fun that is NOT Good or Clean, seeing them by surprise on my dash gave me a... much stronger internal reaction than i was expecting ??

but like. the cast in that video obv wasnt actively trying to convert anyone or advertise/advance the university or cult or anything, they were just doing shakespeare and eating spicy chicken lmao. just being theatre adults

all that being said!!! its *definitely* worthwhile to be Very Very Very Wary of anything made on/by byutv (and bonneville/deseret/etc), though

[globaltalentacquisitioncompany]

Leading International Talent Placement Company: TalAcq Ltd.

TalAcq Ltd. is your premier International Talent Placement Company in the UK. We specialize in connecting top global talent with opportunities in UK. With our extensive network and expertise, we facilitate seamless talent acquisitions, elevating your organization's capabilities on an international scale. Trust TalAcq for your talent needs.

[aliceinborderlandsquidgame]

Kitten | The Salesman x Fem!Reader

Summary: Something about you catchs his eyes. Now he wants you all for himself.

Warnings: Obsess!Salesman - Canon violence - Suggestive - Manipulation - Reader loves cats - Maybe OOC - Kind of pet play - E/C = eye color - Reader gets called Kitten -

Another morning, another day ahead, names to meet and recruit, a speech that was deep in his mind.

His movements were calculated, robotic, his smile a fake one, to hide the disgust he felt towards the peopel he had to met.

The last hour, the last train and last name. Your name. The Salesman did his usual thing while waiting for you to appear, get himself a coffee from a cheap machine and let his mind wonder.

Even if he had read your file in order to have the upper hand in the exchange, he was curious to see how you truly were, how would you react to his approach, what would you say or do once he told you about the game.

Maybe the work of the day was getting him, his eyes did let (only for the observant ones) that he was tired to not degree.

One more, one more worm and I can go home.

The train came, lots of faces walked pass him, he only wanted to find yours and put an end to his day.

Finally He saw you, you were looking at your phone, smiling? Well he guessed even someone in your situation could smile.

Maybe you got a lover back home.

He saw how you took a seat, most likely to rest after a long day at your underpaid work, that did not cover any of the debts you had. Yet you did not look discouraged or sad, you were rather animated by what your body language gave out.

Feets moving side to side like a song was playing only for you. That smile and a spark in your eyes...

How dumb yet cute.

Still, he needed to end the day and your name was the last one. So there he went, moving with confidence till he took a seat besides you, his trusted briefcase close.

"Miss.." He tried to get your attention but nothing, you were too deep in your phone writing something. He dared to take a look.

What in-

Cats. Multiple pictures of cats. Different colors, shapes and ages.

It was not the most strange thing he had seen from someones phone but still...

A new photo came in, it was a cat, rather slim with one leg missing but it seemed full of life.

"Im glad you are fine" He hear your whisper thanks to the sitation now out of peopel and that even if you whispered it was rather loud. Most likely you had no sense of self preservation or did check your surroundings since he was able to basically see your phone screen and your messages for...four minutes?

Yes, defently too much for the little patience he had, he wanted to end his day now.

"Excusme Miss" He tried again this time louder and it did finally caught your attention.

You turned to him, too lost checking your cats and how they were doing so far. You never noticed the man besides you. He was tall, black hair and wearing a suit. You could tell it was a rather expensive one, at his feets was a briefcase.

Ah Salesman, he must sells life saves or something.

"Sorry Sir, im in no position to buy anything" You said looking at his dark eyes and bowing then you went back to check your phone.

Well someone ignoring him was not a first.

"Miss, im not here to sell you anything" He started getting your attention back with a rather funny and confused look on your face. "Im here to ask you to play a game with me"

"...A game?" You asked not really beliving your ears. What man would ask a stranger to play a game with them at 11 p.m. in a subway station?

Was this a scam ? A trap maybe ?

Ah, the confusion, he was used to get that too and could only give you a polite fake smile back.

"Yes a game, a game of ddakji" He clarifited pulling from his suit pocket two papper pieces, one blue and other red. "If you manage to win I will give you ₩100.000" He recite just as he always did.

Your eyes opened a bit after that information, while it would not help you that much it would be free money...you could get a warm dinner, something that your current situation did not let you do.

But, there was not a thing as simple as free money, right ? There must be a catch.

"And what would happen if I lose?" You asked him, the hesitation in your voice was clear for The Salesman who just smiled again.

"If you lose, you pay me back ₩100,00. But I doubt you will lose in a childs game" He added trying to incite you to engage in the game.

He studied your face, you were thinking about it, temped by it. Even if the money was not enough, the chance was all it needed to start a chain of thoughts in your mind and finally accept.

And while you were indeed thinking a ring from your phone took your attention away, a new message a new cat pic.

Right, I cant do this. You thought.

"Sorry Sir I must refuse" You started giving him a bow "Even if my chances of winning were high, Im not in position to give you ₩100,000 if I lose. It would not be fair to you" You smiled at him thinking all of this was ending.

He blinked a bit taken back, not because you refused, he had deal with that before, but what you said.

Fair.

The world was not fair. The information in your file let that clear, it was obvious that you knew it.

Then why not take advantage of this? Even If he was just giving you the illusion of money, why not try ? And more, why be worried over whats fair ?

"May I ask why you cant play with me?" He finally said, pulling the pappers back inside his suit pocket. "Its not a big amount of money and I would not make fun of you if you lose"

He was trying for you to feel safe, maybe you were nervous he would judge you ? He knew he could be quiet intimidating

"Oh! Well its rather...embarrassing" You responded, nervously biting your lower lip then looking at the ground.

The Salesman's eyes lingered over your lips, the way you just bite them. Maybe he was getting tired but something from that action  just called him, made his body react.

"It cant be that bad" He tried again, trying to sound gentle

"Well, im in debt because my ex-boyfriend ran away with the money for the Cat Shelter we had together, took away all my savings and I ended in debt cause of it" Your tone did let him know you were angry, sad, frustrated and ashamed.

Well, he did know. But hearing out loud did make it sound funnier he could not lie to himself.

But seeing your face now, that sad look and how you had looked so happy earlier at the cat pics (probably some cats you managed to save and find a home before all things went wrong). It made him feel bad for you, something he never felt towards anyone in his line of work.

"Mhm so your ex-boyfriend ran away and then you kept the shelter by yourself?"

He cant lie, it was a cute reason.

But stupid no less.

"I did, we had too many cats and all of them were sick. They needed someone, I could not ignore them" You tried to explain, a sad smile now on your face as you remember the old promises and memories.

And look where that took you.

"I dont hope that you get it, most peopel laughts when I tell them. Even the load sharks had got a good one" You said pulling out your phone and looking at something while the Salesman let his mind wonder.

You were right. He did not get it. It was something he would never do, an act so compassionate towards a creature...it was not in his nature.

"Look, this is Fat Luigi" He hear you said as you showed him your phone with the image of a big fluffy black cat. "When we first got him he was underwheight, most vets told us he would not make it. It was hard, I passed many nights awake taking care of him, and spent lots of money on him. But now seeing him healthy and happy, it just makes it worth it"

"But are you happy right now? Arent you afraid of your debts?" He asked, curious to know how your brain was working under the stress you most likely had.

"Happy...., well I cant say I love my life right now, I work long hours and the job its bad, I have load sharks on my back and the place where the shelter is will most likely be destroyed since I cant pay..."

He nodded listening to you.

"But im not sad. Yes the situation sucks but when i see the cats i managed to help...honestly even if it sounds crazy, I would do it again" You ended giving him a tired yet honest smile. One that made his heart beat a bit faster.

For a few moments he did not say a thing, his mind wondering, he was not sure what, something about you made him feel slighty different.

Maybe it was your wish to help ? Even when you had passed and suffered ? How you still wanted to play fair ?

You two were different in many ways.

"You would?" He asked seeing you nodd without thinking "And tell me, do I look like a cat person ? Would you get me one if you still had your shelter ?" He continued now trying to entertain himself.

You defenetly were not made for the games.

"Well, you do give the energy of a cat person" By the look on his face he was amused "I mean, you seem like you pass many hours outside your home, cats do need their humans but they can work fine alone for a few hours, you would need to pet them for a bit once you get back"

"Oh I see, and what more?" He leaned in closer, his elbow resting on his knee, one hand holding his face as he turned himself to you invading your personal space.

"You seem like someone who will prefer company thats not always over them demanding attention and cats often give you that, well depends on the cat" You explained blushing at his proximity.

"Then, dont you think it would be better for me to get a kitten?"

"They can be handfull-"

"Mhm, I would need a submissive one" He said leaning even closer, you could now see his dark eyes and smell his cologne. "One that will wait for me at home and will...please me when I want it and how I want it"

His hand went towards your face slowly touching your cheeck with his knuckles, it made you blush even more and be more aware of him. Something was telling you that this was dangerous, this man who had approach you, and yet you could not get yourself to move.

"Maybe a kitten with (E/C), a bit dumb, stupid, has no sense of self preservation, needs help to do anything. But" He paused his eyes studying your face "But its also cute, on its way"

You did not respond. Mouth dry, your mind worked around his cryptid words. Was him...insinuating something?

"How big its your debt?" He asked keeping the small distance.

"Too big" you responded your voice letting out how nervous you were. It was a miracle you managed to get these words out.

He smirked, he knew the exact number and also, he loved knowing he was the one causing you to feel nervous, maybe you were scared?

The idea that he could be scaring you excited him.

"Tell you what, I will pay your debt" He saw the suprise in your face and disbelief  was impossible to hide "But, you must pay me back" He added moving his hand, his thumb now over your lower lip. "You can pay me with your body, I said I should get a kitten right? I believe you are perfect for that position. All you will have to do.." He trailed off forcing his thumb inside your mouth "Its obey me, when I tell you to do something I expect you to obey. If you dont behave, well lets say I can be very creative with my punishments"

He could see the terror in your eyes but also the combination of hope and arousment.

Sick cute thing, just what he needed

"Mhm, lets give it a try shall we? Suck my thumb like a good kitten, I want to see how well you can obey"

Timidly under his dark stare and big pupils your tongue touched his thumb, a shiver went down his spine as he felt it. Your wet tongue licking his finger trying to give it as much attention as you could.

The Salesman moved it around your tongue, almost groaning when he saw you close your eyes and use one hand to take his arm, like you were grounding yourself. He felt a bulge starting to form and couldn't wait to see how wet you were getting.

Abruptly he took off his finger from your mouth taking your neck and kissing you, it was demanding and not loving. He sucked on your lower lip till you moaned and he used this chance to push his tongue into you, caressing yours and sucking it. Needing to hear you moan one more time for him.

What came first were the sounds of steps, The Salesman separated, breathing hard, just like you. Your face was red and eyes wide open and also full with lust. He moved his hair giving you a twisted smile getting up and taking your hand.

"W-wait were are we going?" You asked at him confused by all of the exchange, "Will you really pay my debt?"

"Oh I will my kitten, you will have your loved shelter back and will be able to rescue all the dam cats in Seoul" He said opening the bathroom of the sitation checking that it was empy.

"But first, I need you to take care of something" He said pointing at the bulge between his legs.

He did not miss how you licked your lips.

"Dont worry, I will get you a collar later, now. Get on your knees and show me just how well you can suck, kitten"

[fangswbenefits]

Obsession

Summary: Miguel tries to convince himself that his obsession with you was justified, but fails miserably as you spend the night over.

Pairing: Miguel O’Hara x spider-woman!reader

18+. Miguel POV. Obsessed and jealous Miguel. Inexperienced reader. Breeding kink. Sexual tension and frustration. Reader has nipple piercings.

Previous parts: 1 & 2 (you may enjoy this one separately, but might miss out on some context)

Miguel tried to convince himself that adding a mic to your digital suit was purely for safety purposes.

He really did try.

But he couldn’t keep from listening in when you first wore it on your way to the spider cafeteria.

He had just briefed a squad and was monitoring Nueva York through a multitude of hovering screens, as he stood on his platform.

Tapping quickly on the flickering surface, he was able to zoom in on you through the ceiling cameras.

You looked absolutely breathtaking.

The suit fit you like a glove and left little to the imagination. He was proud of his work. You deserved wearing something of his for everyone to see.

He saw you approaching a nearby table, taking a seat. In front of you were Jessica Drew and Peter B. Parker with Mayday who greeted you with warm smiles.

The sound of your voice echoed through the walls around him, as you extended your arms.

“Mayday! Baby! It’s so good to see you!”

The little girl broke into a giggle and began wriggling forward on Peter’s lap to reach you.

You promptly took her in your arms. “Did you miss me? Did you?” your voice was slight high-pitched and you wiggled your fingers, tickling her. “Oh, I have a present for her.”

“Really? That’s so nice of you,” Peter beamed.

“I don’t have it here, but I think she’ll love it,” you said, patting Mayday’s back lightly, earning a genuine hug from her.

Miguel felt his heart clench violently.

You were a natural with kids.

You were just too good to be true and he felt his hands clench tightly.

Would he ever be able to have you? To make you yearn for him? To breed you? To have children with you?

“Wait, is that a… digital suit?” Jessica’s voice cracked through the mic.

You had your back turned to him, so he couldn’t see your face, but he felt the warmth in your voice as you spoke, “It sure is!”

He groaned lowly.

There you were… his sweet girl.

“Who gave it to you?”

“Miguel,” you said with that tenderness he had grown to adore.

He could easily get addicted to you saying his name, and he could only hope that, one day, he might hear it a much more compelling setting.

“Miguel… O’Hara?”

You nodded.

From the screen he could see her exchanging looks with Peter.

“It looks really cool!” Peter smiled enthusiastically, inspecting your sleeves. “Wish he’d offer me one, too.”

Jessica chuckled. “Well, I’ve been here with him for months and he’s never given me one.”

Jessica…

It was to be expected. She was no fool. He had scouted her precisely because she was anything but that.

You had been recruited only three weeks ago, but the hold you had on him was tight. He had never felt this way before with someone else.

You straightened in your seat, as Mayday nibbled on your thumb. “Wait… do you think I should give it back?”

Miguel felt his heart jumpstart and panic build inside him.

“No — no! Jessica,” Perer shot her a glare who merely shrugged, before offering you a kind smile. “It looks great on you. Did you pick the colours?”

“Yes! I’m really happy with the final result,” you said, helping Mayday sit at the edge of the table, as you secured her with both hands. “It was his way of showing gratitute.”

Jessica snapped her fingers after taking a sip of her drink. “You’re helping him out with the portals, right?”

“We’re working on portal stabilisation and reduced motion sickness,” you said and he could almost taste the pride and passion in your voice. “We’re making some progress.”

Miguel had gotten used to the random erections you’d awake from him throughout the day. But this one felt particularly painful.

You were so smart and so devoted. He couldn’t even take credit for the progress, because it was mostly just you.

His sweet and clever girl.

He glanced down at the outline of his strained cock, clicking his tongue.

By the time his eyes settled on the monitor, Jessica had walked away momentarily and he saw Peter lean in.

“Hey… are you and Miguel… a thing?”

Miguel froze.

Mayday proceeded to wrap tiny fingers around some of his locks, tugging lightly.

He wish he could have seen your reaction.

“Oh! No! No… we’re just friends,” you quickly said, waving your hands rapidly. “He’s like a mentor to me, really.”

Anger flared inside him. A friend? A mentor? He knew deep down this made absolute sense, but it still made him seething with rage.

Peter didn’t seem all that convinced, but nodded. “Just wondering. He’s not usually this… kind?”

Miguel felt his fangs threaten to emerge as he gritted his teeth.

There had been nothing kind about him building you a suit. He hadn’t done it out of the goodness of his heart.

He wanted to claim you and this had been the easiest and safest way for now.

“Well, I know he’s a grumpy,” you chuckled with a shrug, as you patted Mayday on the back. “Maybe he’s changing?”

You wouldn’t want him to change. Not really. The level of devotion he had for you was unmatched and nothing you could ever have from someone else.

“Maybe you’re a good influence on him?” Peter concluded, tapping his chin. “As a friend, of course.”

“Peter….” he growled lowly.

“As a friend,” you nodded. “Besides, there’s…” but your voice trailed off.

His erection nearly immediately deflated as dread took over.

There’s what?

He turned up the mic’s volume, but winced instead, as you banged on the table.

You cleared your throat. “Well, gotta go! I have work to do.”

Peter took Mayday back into his lap and chuckled. “Don’t forget her present!”

“I won’t! Wish me luck, though,” you said, crossing your fingers as you started to walk away. “I really need these chips to stop blowing and melting on me!”

“Good luck! Say bye bye, Mayday,” Peter waved his hand, which the little girl promptly mimicked with a giggle.

“Bye, baby!” you beamed.

Miguel had had enough.

He switched off your mic with a tap on his watch.

He really had tried to convince himself that his obsession for you was justified. That is was rooted in more than lust and desire, but he wasn’t so sure anymore.

After you moved to Nueva York, he had you working closely to him on portal stabilisation.

But what had started out as something innocent, soon shifted into something else entirely.

Your company brought him peace and quiet, and ticket his brain just the right way to keep him motivated.

Until it didn’t.

Until you became his torment.

He had let you in his life in the hopes that you let him in yours.

The first time you gave him a boner was when he walked in on you in the lab, wearing nothing but a tank top and a pencil pressed firmly in between your lips, as you moved from screen to screen to check on the update progress.

The worst part? You didn’t even notice how utterly delicious you looked and how he could easily bend you over and take you right there.

No.

You just offered him a sweet smile.

One he hadn’t recovered from ever since.

“Miguel?”

He jolted as the voice snapped him from his torturous thoughts. “What?”

Lyla hovered nearby, eyeing him closely. “Fangs out,” she wiggled her index finger disapprovingly. “Pavitr and Hobie are waiting for you.”

His fangs retracted slowly as he tried to gain his composure back. “Why?”

“Mission?” she quirked an eyebrow.

Right.

“Now?”

“You’re already late.”

He growled, tapping on a few screens hurriedly.

“Oh, and Miguel?”

“What?”

The hologram popped near the screen to his left. “You might want to be more subtle when using her in-suit mic.”

He gave her narrow side-glace. “What do you mean?”

“Just saying,” she said, adjusting her heart-shapped glasses. “You’re not the only tech savvy spider here.”

The door to his apartment swung open at once, and he stepped inside ready to decompress from the tiresome mission.

He had made plans with some of your audio recordings and his hand, hoping that would be enough to easy the pent-up tension that had been looming over year throughout the way.

It was a less than ideal situation, but would have to do for now.

That was until he noticed his living room was lit.

Pacing rapidly he was met with you.

In the middle of a pile of papers and electronic components scattered around the floor, he saw you sitting cross-legged with a pencil danging from your lips, his digital suit clinging tightly to your body.

“What are you doing here?”

Your bead snapped in his direction and the pencil tumbled to the floor. “Miguel! Lyla let me in.”

He was rooted in place.

Had it been someone else, he would have flung them through the window with no warning.

But you weren’t just someone.

And Lyla wouldn’t have let someone else enter his apartment, either.

“It’s quite late,” he said, pacing carefully toward you as not to step on anything. “You could have called me.”

You waved a hand dismissively and held a circular metallic object in the other. “Catch!”

Before he could say anything back, you had tossed it in his direction, which he quickly grabbed in between his fingers.

“Found what was wrong with it,” you smiled proudly. “It was stupid of me, really. There wasn’t any thermal paste in it. That’s why it kept blowing up.”

Miguel stared at the chip in his hand and blinked a few times.

“I assumed you were using it from the start,” he said, inspecting the cross section.

You rose to your feet in an instant and joined his site, excitement spilling from you. “These ion batteries should not require thermal paste — not for this amount of energy, at least. But yeah… my bad,” you said, rubbing the back of your neck.

Miguel locked eyes with yours and felt a familiar tingle in his body.

Fuck.

You were just so ridiculously attractive, and he wish he could hear you ramble about tech and science for hours.

“This is really, really good news,” he said genuinely, handing the chip back to you.

He squeezed your arm lightly as encouragement, knowing fully well he should be rewarding you in other ways.

His sweet girl…

You darted back to the floor, gathering some papers. “Sorry for the mess. I just had to figure this out and couldn’t sleep.”

A scientist at heart, you were.

Blood began to rush to his groin in no time. It couldn’t be helped. His body had been so on edge to finally fuck you, that it was in this permanent state of arousal around you.

“It’s fine. I still have those moments,” he said softly, crouching to help you out. “Sometimes I can’t sleep, and I have to do something else.”

“Like what?”

“I either go to the lab, or…” I jerk off to the thought of being buried deep inside you, he wanted to say.

You eyed him expectantly, biting your lip lightly, further hardening his cock.

“Well, it’s a bit late,” Miguel eventually said, standing tall. “Maybe you should get back to your apartment?”

He hated himself for even suggesting such option, but he didn’t want to push his luck. You being here would be fuel enough for the rest of the night as he fucked his hand.

“Oh, you just got back from a mission,” you fought back a yawn, tossing your backpack over your shoulder. “I’ll just leave.”

Miguel nodded, but was crumbling inside.

Your face lit up again. “But this was great, right?”

Please stay.

“You did great,” he said with a short smile. “Go get some rest.”

Please…

You made your way down the hall and waved at him. “See you in the morning, Miguel.”

He should have let you go.

But something took over him, before he could fight it back.

“Actually, you could stay. It’s nearly four in the morning,” he tried to sound as casual as possible, but the excitement was hard to contain. “And we have to head back to the lab early.”

You turned around and he stopped breathing.

Too much?

Then he the backpack slide down your arm, hittingbthe floor with a thud. “Oh, thank you! I really didn’t feel like swinging back to my apartment,” you voice held pure gratitude and he felt his ego soar. “Only… I don’t have any clothes.”

He shook his head as realisation hit him. “Right. Wait here.”

“Okay~”

Bolting into his room, he went through his closet, fetching a shirt and a robe.

But before heading out, he decided to change into some sweatpants and a shirt himself.

His erection welcomed the looser material, and he’d be able to better conceal it from you.

Taking a final look at his cock, Miguel decided to give it a few pumps as if trying to calm it down.

He couldn’t believe his luck.

He couldn’t believe his sweet girl would be so close to him in his clothes and apartment.

And bed.

As he exited the room and handed the clothes to you, he cleared his throat. “You can take my bed.”

You looked up at him. “Oh… no, Miguel. You just came back from a mission.”

“I’m not that tired. Just take it.”

Please.

“Are you sure?”

“One hundred percent.”

Anything that was his was yours. He would give it all to you.

“Be right back,” you said, before disappearing into the bathroom, closing the door behind you.

He immediately sighed in relief, adjusting his cock, feeling the first beads of precum spill from the tip.

How was he to survive this?

Not long after, you emerged again.

He glanced over at the length of you, taking in the sight of his shirt and robe on you. Your legs were still covered with the digital suit, but you looked absolutely ready to be devoured.

But he couldn’t do it.

Not yet.

His cock twitched in his pants, yearning to be inside you.

Then something else caught his attention when his moved up your body.

It couldn’t be…

Two symmetrical protuberances poked through the fabric of your shirt — his shirt.

“Are those…” his voice faltered momentarily, not trusting his own eyes.

You followd his line of sight and giggled. “Oh! Yeah. Got them pierced way back. Wanted to defy my dad and got them out of spite,” you went on, adjusting the fabric of the shirt under the robe. “But eventually kept them. They look cute.”

Cute?

Miguel was at a loss for words.

Your voice mixed with your carefree posture sent jolts directly into his cock.

“I…” he swallowed the lump in his throat. “I didn’t notice them before,” he said, feeling his mouth run dry.

“I was wearing a bra,” you replied with a shrug and a tender smile.

This was almost comically painful.

You were the closest thing he had ever known to innocence as of late. Yet here you stood, wearing just his shirt, no bra, and with your pierced nipples poking through his shirt.

But none of that seemed to matter to you.

You were completely oblivious of how painfully hard he was for you.

“Did it hurt?”

“Terribly,” you said, still glacing down at your breasts and hardened nipples. “But I think it’s worth it.”

The adorable way in which you said it was almost driving him insane.

Just how innocent could one person be…

Before he could even process his thoughts, he spoke, “Can I…”

Your eyes met his and Miguel feared he had now fucked it up for good.

Brilliant, Miguel…

“Oh, you mean… you want to see them?”

Should he back down and just deny his intentions?

“You’ve never seen nipple piercings before?”

He shook his head.

Just as he was about to tell you to forget it, you lifted his shirt, revealing your breasts to him.

He nearly exploded right there and then.

“Oh, please!” she giggled. “We’re people of science, and you haven’t seen this before. Science is all about curiosity and discovery.”

Miguel, however, wasn’t listening to any of that and felt as though he was hypnotised. He could tear his eyes away from your perky nipples and the metal rods that went through them, a tiny spider danging from each of them.

He wasn’t sure when or how he had got so close to you, but he lifted his hand to touch one.

His cock twitched violently and he felt his mind hazy with lust.

“They’re cool, right?” you beamed, allowing him to swipe the pad of his thumb across the tiny spider.

“Yeah.”

Really ‘cool’.

More precum dripped from his tip and had to fight back his fangs from slipping out.

He wanted to bend over and dart his tongue out to play with them. He wanted to tug on them and wanted you to arch your back with a soft moan.

You pulled down the shirt again and he flinched his hand back instantly, swallowing hard.

“So… if — when you have a baby and want to breastfeed… will there be an issue?”

Of course his need to breed you had to surface at the worst possible time.

But he had to know. He needed to know if that would be a nuisance. He couldn’t take any risks and he wanted you completely ready to carry his children.

You shrugged, adjusting the robe around you. “I wasn’t thinking that far ahead when I got them, but I suppose I just have to take them out.”

He nodded, taking a few steps back.

You stretched out with a yawn. “Mind if I go to sleep now?”

“Of course,” he nodded.

You were about to whirl on your feet, but decided against it. “How do you say ‘thank you’ in Spanish?”

That caught him off guard and his eyes widened. “Gracias.”

Then you gave him the sweetest smile. “Gracias, Miguel.

He could cum just from this alone.

How he would teach you the filthiest things in Spanish… how he would whisper them in your ear, knowing fully well you couldn’t understand a word…

You then slipped into his room and closed the door.

He ran both hands through his hair, wanting to let out a scream.

The things he wanted to do to you…

The things you deserved done to you…

He brought one hand down to tug at his waistband, revealing his soaked cock.

Then he bit the back of his other hand.

Hard.

He didn’t even care if he drew blood.

He couldn’t take this anymore.

Engulfed with overwhelming frustration, he pressed his forehead against the tall window that overlooked Nueva York.

He had to calm down, or else he’d have to synthesise a serum to lower his levels of testosterone…

He had to find a way to stop.

As minutes ticked by, he decided to check your bio readings on his watch. Your heart rate had lowered significantly, indicating him you were now asleep.

The predator in him took control again and he paced towards his bedroom, opening the door just enough to check on you.

Fast asleep.

He walked in with careful steps, finally taking in the sight of you on his bed.

The floor-to-ceiling windows allowed for the faintest moonlight to be cast on you.

He felt his heart was about to implode as he drew near, slowly sitting by the edge of the mattress.

You lay on your back, breathing evenly and covered up to your waist with a blanket.

Miguel took a deep and shaky breath.

You smelled of him and his bedsheets smelled of you.

Such a powerful and dangerous combination, that he almost considered gripping his cock.

Bur decided against it.

Instead, he say there, staring at you, absorbing every single detail of your body.

His hand twitched as an itch took over it.

An itch he had to scratch.

He reached out to graze the back of one finger along your forearm, feeling your warmth coating his skin.

His sweet girl…

His imagination ran wild and he had hoped he could have fucked you to sleep, not sliding out of you, making sure you’d take his seed.

Pain swallowed him whole as despair settled.

What if he never managed to make you his?

What if you decided you wanted nothing more than a friendship?

How could he cope?

Suddenly, you flinched and rolled to your side and heaved a deep sigh. “Oh, Tom…”

Miguel was left petrified and his blood ran cold.

Who the fuck was Tom?

Part 4

Masterlist

[vantedgesearch23]

Executive Search & Recruitment Services | Vantedge Search Vantedge offers executive search services, specializing in executive recruitment. Your trusted executive search firm for top-tier talent

[alliance00]

Mastering CXO Hiring: How to Attract and Retain Top C-Suite Talent in a Competitive Market

In the fast-paced, ever-innovative economy of today, the strength of leadership often plays a pivotal role in an organization becoming successful. Appointment of Chief Executives, Chief Financial Officers, Chief Technology Officers, Chief Operating Officers, etc., today, has taken on a highly strategic perspective. Thus it is not anymore about filling the seat; it has become about transformational leaders who can facilitate long-term sustainable changes and value.

With the demand for leaders who are visionary, agile, and experienced on the rise worldwide, organizations face a new set of challenges for attracting and retaining C-suite executives. This article looks into proven strategies for mastering CXO hiring and how organizations can partner with expert firms such as Alliance Recruitment Agency to attract and retain executive talent of increasing caliber.

Rugged Terrain in CXO Hiring Today

C-Suite Jobs Change Very Much at One Stroke. This includes their purposes of international expansion, taking them through the latest technology, and economic change. It covers a lot of decision-making plans with strategizing and culture-building. 

Reasons to Tell Why Hiring CXOs is Right Now in the Huffer Speed:

Decision-Making Strategy: CXOs keep the business aspirations consonant with the realities of the market coupled with productive operational efficiencies.

Culture Drivers: They are responsible for shaping internal culture and encouraging motivation and productivity among employees.

Innovation and Growth: Especially in tech-driven sectors, CXOs foster new minds to drive digital transformation and innovation within the organization.

Risk-taking Adventures: High-end executives deal with detecting, mitigating, and even sailing the entire organization about risks.

Since they are the most important roles in the organization, the correct leaders are very essential, not only beneficial for an organization.

CXO hiring presents its challenges

The process may be very important but implementation of CXO hiring is far too complicated. Quite a few challenges bob up in the way of organizations: 

1. Scarcity of Talent: There are a handful of proven, high-performing executives available, especially with industry-specific experience and global exposure.

2. Lack of Discretion: Recruiting executives generally call for utmost discretion; therefore, traditionally taken recruitment approaches often cannot be applied. 

3. Cultural Mismatches: Even a strong executive candidate may fail if they do not share the company’s values, mission, and team dynamics.

4. Lengthy Process: The search and evaluation for CXOs are complicated and take a long time; in fact, it can be months before a candidate emerges through the end-to-end process.

5. Retention and Succession Planning: CXO hiring is only part of the job. Equally important is the retention of the CXO and the planning for the transition phases in leadership. 

Strategies to Attract Top CXO Talent

Many companies are now beginning to realize that a more strategic and thoughtful approach to the CXO candidate attraction and hiring process will be required to overcome these challenges and pull in the right-fit leaders.

1. Define the Role Very Well: This is more than just writing a job description; key responsibilities and expected outcomes, leadership style, and cultural expectations. Giving clarity on what you are looking for helps to narrow down the search and filter out mismatches early.

2. Focus on Your Employer Branding: C-suite executives will want to associate with organizations that are employee-oriented, engaged, and purpose-driven. A solid employer brand that uses thought leadership, social media, and public relations is an important lure.

3. Provide a Competitive and Flexible Package: Executives these days look for much more than a pretty executive salary. Candidates look for equity, flexibility, work-life balance, and real impact.

4. Go After Passive Talent: A good majority of the very best possible candidates for the position of CXO are not in the active job market. The benefits of partnering with experienced executive recruiters such as Alliance Recruitment Agency become paramount in finding and discreetly approaching passive talent.

5. Cultural Fit Comes First: Cultural mismatch remains one of the highest reasons for CXO hire failure. Psychometric testing, team compatibility tests, and value-based interviews will ensure applicable alignment.

How Alliance Recruitment Agency Streamlines CXO Hiring

Alliance Recruitment Agency has developed a global reputation for excellence in CXO hiring by providing end-to-end solutions customized to the distinct needs of every client.

1. Industry-Specific Executive Search: From technology to healthcare, manufacturing, and finance, Alliance Recruitment Agency has deep domain knowledge coupled with extensive networking across key industries. Hence, we ensure fast, relevant, and high-quality shortlistings.

2. Customized Talent Mapping: The agency uses advanced tools and market intelligence to map leadership talent in your target industries and geographies, helping you find the perfect fit.

3. Confidential and Discreet Search: Their executive search processes maintain strict confidentiality—ideal for sensitive transitions, stealth hiring, or competitive leadership moves.

4. Cultural and Leadership Fit Evaluation: Beyond resumes and interviews, they assess candidates for alignment with your company’s values, long-term vision, and management philosophy.

5. Post-Hiring Support: Alliance Recruitment Agency doesn’t stop once a placement is made. They offer onboarding assistance, performance tracking, and succession planning support.

Retaining CXOs: What Comes Next After Hiring Matters Also

Hiring has become very critical nowadays, but with it, it is also important to ensure that all top executives are carefully and thoughtfully retained. Here are several tips on how the companies can promote it for long-lasting success in leadership: 

1. Involvement: Keep CXO involved in strategy decisions and innovation initiatives. Offer them a voice and platform to influence organizational growth.

2. Clear Governance: Such clarity shall tend to make capacity, authority, and accountability clear and won't result afterward in an ambiguous situation going into frustration and early exits.

3. Professional Development: If you ask most people, they would say that CXOs aren't really all that different from regular employees: they, too, would like to grow. Encourage involving them in the leadership summit, global forums, or executive development programs.

4. Consider Starting Planning on Day One: After all, the best of leaders will leave someday. A pipeline of internal or external successors for leadership roles will help to minimize upheaval for the organization.

Conclusion

In the ever-changing and ever-competitive world, hiring CXOs has now become a highly strategic decision a company can make. It goes beyond just filling leadership positions; it is about finding the few individuals who can lift your vision, enable the transformation, and motivate your teams. With a defined strategy for working with a partner like Alliance Recruitment Agency, who understands your organizational requirements clearly, you can handle the intricacies of CXO hiring with confidence.

Contact us for assistance in recruiting CXO leaders who will ensure eternal success for your organization.

FAQs: 

1.  What does the word CXO mean? 

Ans: CXO hiring means hiring the very top executives of the organization. It includes the CEO, CFO, CTO, COO, and other members of the C-suite, who are to make strategic business decisions for the organization: the ones who would trigger growth.

2. Why is it significant that it should be hired as CXO in a business? 

Ans: The right CXO shapes the vision of an organization, energizes innovation, gears the change process, and builds strong teams to make a difference in eventual success. 

3. What challenges do most companies face in CXO hiring? 

Ans: Normal issues include finding the correct culture fit, lack of availability of talent, confidentiality issues, and the huge cost involved in a bad hire.

4. How would a recruitment agency help in CXO hiring? 

Ans: Agencies like Alliance Recruitment Agency provide services such as discreet executive search services, talent mapping, cultural fit assessments, and post-hire support to ensure successful long-term retention. 

5. How to retain the most CXO talent? 

Ans: Strategic involvement, professional growth, competitive pay, and strong organizational culture consistent with the worth of the executive.

View Source: 

[jeyramarie]

The recruit- Yelena Belova x Reader (Season 2 Part 2)

summary: villains "helping" each other? i assure you, Valentina did not see this coming...

w.c: 4,961

warnings: angst, cursing (?), guns, shooting, mentions of blood

a/n: don't you guys just love Alexei? lol. are you guys liking this?... be honest🫵🏽 anyways, lmk if you wanna be tagged in future parts and happy reading 🤍

part 1~

Previously on The recruit...

Her eyes opened and she quickly noticed that she was stil lying on the ground with her fingers slightly grazing Bob’s hand. Their eyes met for a second before the y/h/c hurried to a sitting position, immediately thinking of Yelena. The blonde laid next to her, her green eyes fluttering open, instantly looking at Y/n in sadness. 

“Y/n..” The blonde began. 

“Not now, Lena.” She cut her off as she stood up, bringing the widow with her. “We can discuss that later.” 

The blonde nodded and moved towards Bob to make sure he was alright. Y/n stared at the wall for a few seconds, reminiscing on what she saw. Why would that image pop into her head? Why did it feel so real? Why were Bob and Yelena in there? 

What the hell just happened? Y/n thought to herself as she looked over her shoulder to the rest of her group.

“Ugh, why is my back wet?” Y/n groaned in disgust. 

“I run hot, I'm sorry.” Bob replied next to her with his arms linked around hers. 

The five of them climbed up the elevator shaft, back to back as they supported each other's weight. It was Bob’s genius idea, but how could they complain? No one else was coming up with anything. 

Grunts and groans echoed around as the floor got further and further away. Y/n’s memory traveled to her training days in the Red Room. The team training was the worst since all the girls wanted to impress Dreykov in some sort of way. They all wanted to be Natasha. They wanted to be included in every important mission. Most importantly, they wanted to be recognized the same way Natasha was. It was evident that she was Dreykov’s favorite widow. The most prestige, some would say. 

“Someone has a hard butt.” John complained. 

“Not my butt, it’s my suit.” Ava replied, clearly feeling annoyed in the situation they were in. 

“Well, you need to get a new suit.” Yelena groaned. 

“Pardon me for the inconvenience.” Ava began. “I only spent my entire life in labs, hooked up to machines so I could create this physical cage to keep my material body from disintegrating at all times so yes, sorry about that.” 

“You do not want to start the whole sob story, Y/n and I win.” The blonde chuckled dryly as the y/h/c rolled her eyes, feeling uncomfortable and beyond annoyed. “Enslaved child assassins over here.” 

“You were only children, so.” John commented. 

“So that makes it okay?” Y/n questioned, wanting nothing more than to punch him in the face. 

He began to reply but the ex-widow decided to ignore anything he said in the next 30 seconds. Her legs were too tired and sweaty as her mind only wandered to them getting out. Y/n’s thoughts wandered to their life after getting out. Was Yelena going back home with her? Should they speak about their relationship a bit more before officially getting back together? 

“Ah ha ha.” Yelena laughed in victory. 

“I think I see the door.” John sighed. 

“Now what?” 

“Umm… I guess one of us… should go first.” Ava spoke, looking down at her arms. 

“Then the other four immediately fall!” Yelena exclaimed in slight fear. 

“Oh shit.” John grunted. 

“I-I’m sorry guys, I didn't think this far ahead.” Bob said, lowering his head. 

“Genius plan Bobby!” Walker shouted.

“Will you leave him alone?!” Y/n shouted in return. “At least his plan brought us to this point, what did you do besides complain about Ava’s suit?” 

“I only make things worse.” Bob muttered under his breath, which didn’t go unnoticed by the y/h/c. 

“Hey, no.” She whispered and shook her head. “Don’t say that, it was a good plan.” 

“Okay, one of you hand your batton, I can reach-”

“What?!” The widows shouted in unison before Yelena continued. “No way, you’re just gonna leave us.” 

“Maybe if we spin around.” Y/n continued. “And I can latch us on.” 

They all started to talk over each other, arguing on what their next step should be. It was crystal clear that none of them were trusting John Walker. They all turned quiet when Bob suddenly shouted a vegetable?

“What the hell is happening?” Yelena asked. 

“Someone told me that you can stop a sneeze and confuse your brain so I just yell cucumber.” Bob explained. “But if I sneeze, I’m gonna lose control and..”

“This is insane, okay? I can get us all out of here first!” John shouted. 

“No, no, no, there has to be another way.” Ava said quickie, shaking her head as she looked upward at the door. 

“Oh no.” Bob muttered. 

“Cucumber! Cucumber!” All three women shouted in desperation. “Cucumber! Cucumber!”

“Oh gimme that!” John shouted, releasing his arm from Ava's hold to reach for Yelena’s baton. 

That caused all of them to fall as Walker helf himself with the baton. Ava immediately whipped out her dagger, stabbing it into the metal wall to slow down her fall. Bob held onto her leg as Yelena wrapped her arm around her waist, before looking downward. Y/n’s hand slipped from Bob’s and she was falling at a quick speed. 

“Yelena!” She shouted in fear. 

The blonde threw her hand outward, releasing her grappling hook for it to reach Y/n. The metal grip wrapped around her wrist, halting her as she took a deep breath. Tears ran down her cheeks as she looked up at the blonde in fear. The y/h/c was sure she was going to die at the bottom of that elevator shaft. Never in a million years would she imagine being saved in time. Considering how her luck has been running for the last year. 

The U.S agent pulled himself out of the shaft before looking for a rope to throw down. There was no rope but he thankfully discovered a hose that he immediately threw down to pull them out. Ava climbed out first, then Yelena and Bob, and lastly, Y/n. The blonde stood by, waiting for the y/h/c to place her foot on the ground before bolting towards her. 

“Are you okay?” She questioned, staring into her eyes in fear. “Are you hurt? Is your wrist okay?” 

“Lena, I’m fine.” Y/n smiled. 

“Are you sure?” 

“Yes, I’m sure.” 

“I just..” The blonde began, shaking her head. “I got scared, what if I didn’t catch you?” 

“I knew you’d catch me.” The y/h/c smiled. “It’s okay.” 

“Walker?” Ava called out, making the widows turn to see the agent slowly walking towards the elevator shaft they just climbed out of. 

His eyes were focused on one spot and his hands seemed to be shaking. It was as if he was under some trance. 

“Walker!” Yelena called out louder, making him blink before staring at the ground. 

“What are you doing?” Y/n asked softly, feeling on edge due to how close he was to falling. 

“I’m fine.” He smiled, making the widows stare at each other in confusion. 

Before anyone could speak another word, the vault door rolled open. They all leaned over the wall, staring outside to see headlights from multiple military trucks, soldiers holding machine guns walking around along with loud voices that mixed with each other. That was their only way out. Was, past tense. But, it was clear they weren’t going to remain in that vault much longer. Even if Valentina wanted to lure them out. Y/n leaned back, holding Bob’s arm as she pulled him towards the wall with her. 

“We need to come up with a plan.” Yelena stated, walking closer to the y/h/c. 

“Okay, this is what we’re gonna do.” John started. 

“Oh you’re the boss now.. Cute.” Ava spoke sarcastically. 

“Well, it’s your only chance of getting out of here, so..”

“I think i’ll just surrender..” Bob spoke shyly as he shrugged. 

“Fine, fine.” John shrugged. “Every man to himself.” 

“Why should you be in charge?” The blonde began but was quickly cut off by Y/n. 

“Do you ever shut up?” Y/n squinted her eyes in question. “You literally tried to kill us earlier.”  

“Okay, well, let’s see, I’ve been in the trenches of every war torn country on this planet, rescued God knows how many hostages and shook the hands of teo US Presidents.” John spoke. “What else?”

“No one cares.” Y/n muttered, shaking her head, causing the blonde to lower her head and chuckle under her breath. 

“Oh, high school state champions, back to back to back, go bears!” He exclaimed as the rest of them became quiet. 

“Wow.” Yelena chuckled dryly, turning to Y/n before turning back to the agent. “When I was five, I was on a peewie soccer team called West Chesapeake Valley Thunderbolts, sponsored by Shane’s tire shop. We won zero games and, one time, this girl Mindy took a poo in mid field. Anyone else have pointless childhood stories to tell?” 

Y/n shook her head, scratching the top of her brow as she slowly moved away from the group. Her eyes drifted to the lights, quickly analizing the situation they were in. If the lights were to turn off, the soldiers would come in with their night vision. She had every opportunity to shut everything off and connect to any camera littering this place. She just had to find the control room. 

“It will only work, if you wait.” Yelena raised her voice, causing the y/h/c around to see her staring at John. “Ava you go-”

The blonde was quickly cut off by Ava disappearing. The room stayed silent and Y/n sighed. She reached into her pocket, taking out her small hacking device she always carried. Her feet began to move towards one of the many hallways in search of the control room. Yelena trailed behind, going through with her own plan. 

“Y/n.” She called out, making the widow look over her shoulder. “Did you hear what I said?” 

“Um.. no, no, I didn’t.” 

“Y/n, wha-”

“Baby, I’m sorry, okay?” The y/h/c said, turning to face the blonde, grabbing her hands. “I was just thinking about possibly hacking the control room.”

“Well, why didn’t you tell me?” Yelena asked softly. 

“You were fighting with Walker.” She shrugged.

“I would’ve dropped everything to listen to you, you know that.” 

“Wait, are you guys..” Bob spoke, looking back and between the widows. “Are you guys, like, together?” 

“Yes.” “I don’t know.” They replied simultaneosly, before looking at each other in confusion. 

“I mean we haven’t really had that talk yet.” Y/n spoke, biting her lip in embarrassment. 

“Oh, I know I just thought it was slightly obvious.” Yelena shrugged before Bob cleared his throat. 

The widows looked around, noticing that they stood in the control room. The blonde moved to the panel with the y/h/c trailing behind as she took out her device. Bob stood close by, staring at the widows and back at the door as he thought over the plan. 

“Maybe I should have a gun?” Bob spoke, breaking the silence.

“No, you will not.” Y/n replied, never taking her eyes off her hacking device. 

“I’ll fight.” 

“No, you will stay behind me.” Yelena replied, looking at him over her shoulder. 

“The medical trial I was in was supposed to make me better.” He continued, feeling slightly hopeful. “I don’t know, I feel like I could help.” 

“I thought you said you didn’t know anything about it.” The blonde spoke, walking closer to Bob, who was clearly intimidated. 

“Not much, I just remember they said it was for people who wanted to make something better of themselves.” He shrugged as Y/n turned to face them. 

“You can trust me, Bob.” Yelena smiled. 

“Can I?”

“No, not really.” She chuckled along with the y/h/c before facing her over her shoulder. “You can trust her, though.” 

“You can trust me, Bob.” The widow nodded, returning to her device before lowering the levear in front of her. 

“I-I’ve always had these episodes since I was a kid.” He spoke shyly. “There’s a high, then there’s a big low and then my mind just goes blank and, I don’t know, I just feel like this time I did something bad.” 

“Everyone here has done bad things.” Y/n added while disconnecting her device from the control panel. 

“I think this is a whole new level of-”

Beep, beep, beep. Yelena’s timer cut him off, signaling her that it was time to turn on the light. 

“Lights up.” She spoke, pulling up a levear with the hopes of turning on every light of the building. 

Instead, the place got darker. 

“Wh-why did that not work?” The blonde questioned, walking towards the y/h/c. 

“I don’t know, everything in this building was supposed to turn on.” She replied in worry. “I checked everything, it was supposed to work.” 

“What happened to the light?” Bob asked. 

“We don’t know, Bob.” Y/n said in a hurry, walking towards the blonde and placing her hand on her lower back, letting her know that she was right behind her. “What the hell happened? I checked every power fuse.” 

“I don’t know, baby, but we need to move quick.”

“This was your plan.” 

“Not helping, Bob!” The widows exclaimed simultaneously before reaching for their guns.

“Maybe Walter was right.” 

“His name is Walker, Bob.” Y/n softly behind him as they walked out of the control into the dark hallways.  

Bob walked in between Y/n and Yelena as they slowly made their way around the corner. They held their guns up, safety off, ready to shoot whichever thread came their way. Gunshots echo far away, causing them to stop dead in their tracks. The widows shared a look, immediately knowing that Walker could be in danger. They slowly turned to another hallway to see multiple soldiers on the ground and no sight of the agent. 

“Where is he?” Bob whispered. 

“He’s gone.” Yelena spat in anger. 

“Every man to himself, right?” Y/n sighed in defeat before looking up to see flashlights getting closer to them. 

Yelena pulled Bob’s arm, hiding behind the wall while Y/n hid on the other side. The soldiers shot smoke bombs and stayed put, waiting for any movements or sounds. They put on gas masks and Y/n stared at the blonde and nodded, mentally letting her know that she was ready. The y/h/c engaged first, jumping and kicking two soldiers in the face. She fell on her knees and pulled out her gun, shooting the leg of the soldier in front of her. The man fell, groaning in pain, giving her the chance to move over to the other soldier next to him. 

Y/n punched him directly in the throat before swaying her foot to push his feet off the ground. The man fell and she shot them both with no heistation. Out of the corner of her eyes, she sees a glimpse of a blonde shooting some guards with a scared Bob behind her. She pushes him to the ground before blocking a punch and wrapping her legs around the man’s arm, making him tumble to the guard. Yelena threw her widow bites at him, watching him be electrocuted until he laid still. 

Yelena pulled a rope from God knows where, wrapping Bob to her waist as they both continued to fight. The y/h/c kneed a guard in the balls, throwing her leg over his shoulder before moving his head, craking it along the way. 

“I can help!” Bob shouted. 

“Give him a gun!” Y/n shouted before shooting a soldier in the chest. 

The blonde reached behind her, handing him a PP2000 firearm. He stared in confusion, definitely feeling his asshole pulse up in fear. 

“How do I do this?” 

“Just point and shoot.” 

And that’s exactly what he did. He fired the gun immediately, killing every soldier that came in his way. Every soldier was on the ground and Yelena let go of Bob who swung the gun at her. She took a hold of it and shot the soldier creeping up behind. 

“Stop! Stop! Stop!” The soldier shouted and removed his mask. “It’s me, John!” 

“Where were you?!” Yelena shouted angrily, taking off her mask. 

“Where were you?!” 

“The explosion fried the wires!” 

“I told you, too many variables!” 

“Guys, can you just-” Y/n raised her voice.

“And then you didn’t wait!” 

“I did wait and then-” John stopped talking, his face  changing in a second as a man spoke into his earpiece. “We probably have 60 seconds before they mobilize. If Ghost lady did what she was supposed to, maybe we’ll get out of here alive.” 

“Um… guys.” Bob spoke, causing John and Yelena to turn to him. Their eyes followed to where he was staring, to see Y/n leaning against the wall with her hand pressed against her ribs, her hands painted grimpson. 

“It’s okay, I’m okay.” She quickly spoke, watching the blonde walking towards her with wide eyes. “It’s just a graze, it’s okay.” 

“It’s not okay.” Yelena muttered, moving the y/h/c’s hand. “Let me see.” 

“I’m fine, Yelena.” 

“You’re bleeding.” 

“She said she’s fine, we need to go.” John spat. “Put a suit on, let’s go before they barge in here.” 

Bob shakingly walked to a fallen soldier, taking off his suit before putting it on himself. The blonde muttered Russian insults as she helped Y/n walk towards the other side of the hall, helping her into a suit and helmet. Yelena clearly wanted to get violent with Walker but the circumstance did not allow her to. They needed to leave. 

John wrapped his arm around Bob while Yelena held Y/n, both of them pretending to come out with injured soldiers. They walked past the rest of the group, catching a glimpse at Valentina who looked weirdly worried. She put them into this mess, why would she worry now? They walked in between two trucks, allowing Yelena to help Y/n lean against the gigantic wheel. 

“We need a truck.” John sighed

“Where’s Ava?” Yelena questioned, looking at the guys. 

“She’s gone.” Bob replied in sadness. 

“Of course, she’s gone.” The agent scoffed as a truck pulled up behind them to reveal Ava in the driver's seat. 

“Hey!” She called out, making them turn to her. “Get in.” 

Bob got in the back of the truck as John immediately climbed in the driver’s seat. Yelena helped Y/n get in with Bob, making sure she was okay before climbing at the front with Walker. The widow took off her helmet, throwing it next to her as she grunted in pain. The injury stung more than earlier, probably due to all the movement and sweating in the suit. 

“Are you sure you’re okay?” Bob whispered, noticing how Y/n’s face scrunched up as the truck began to move. 

“Yeah, it just stings.” the y/h/c replied. “Not my first rodeo.” 

“How long have you been with Yelena?” 

“You wanna make small talk?” Y/n chuckled. 

“You’ve been nice to me this whole time.” Bob shrugged. “Just wanted to know more about you.” 

“Okay, well.” the y/h/c grunted, shifting on the seat. “We were together for a few years before Valentina recruited her again. After that it was a year of zero contact and now we’re here.” 

“So you saw her again in the vault?” 

“Exactly.” 

The truck stopped, causing them to look forward, through the small window that showed the front part of the truck. Flashlights shone into the driver seats causing Bob and Y/n to lean back. 

“Oh no.” Y/n muttered. 

“Do you think they’ll catch us?” Bob asked with a shaky voice. 

“I hope Walker brings out his Oscar performance right now.” 

The voices began to get to the back of the truck, making them nervous about the possibility of getting caught. Bob acted on impulse and quickly smacked Y/n on the head with the helmet, making the widow fall down to the side. He stared in fear, thinking he hurt her too much as he saw a speck of blood appearing on her temple. He wanted to stay and apologize profoundly to her but Bob wanted to help. He wanted to help his… friends. 

Bob ran out of the truck, making his way back to the vault. He didn't know exactly what he was gonna do. All he knew is that he wanted to help. So he quickly took off his suit and grabbed a machine gun before making his way to the entrance. 

Back at the truck, Ava appeared at the back to see the door wide open and an unconscious Y/n. She returned to the front, taking off her mask. 

“Bob is gone and Y/n is unconscious.” 

“What?!” Yelena shouted, running to the back when she heard the gunshots, looking to the side to see Bob. “Oh no, Bob helped.” 

“Yelena get in, we need to go.” 

The blonde climbed in the back, going to Y/n immediately. She slowly touched her shoulder, running her other hand to her hair to see the small cut. 

“Y/n.” She called out. “Wake up, baby, come on.” 

After a few attempts to wake her up, her eyes finally fluttered open as she groaned in pain. Y/n slowly sat up, feeling the sting on the side of her ribcage. 

“Slowly.” Yelena whispered, helping her sit up. “How do you feel?” 

“Two different pains at the same time.” She smiled as she pressed her hand to her temple, noticing the crimson on her skin. “Where’s Bob?” 

“He helped.” 

“What?” 

“I’m not sure but he helped to get us out of here.” The blonde shrugged, tucking a piece of hair behind Y/n’s ear before rubbing her thumb over her cheek. 

“Girls, Bob is flying.” Ava spoke through the small window. 

“What?” They asked in unison. 

“Walker, stop the truck.” The brunette ordered so the widows could open the back door. 

They climbed out and looked up at the sky to see a glimpse of light blue in the middle of the dark sky. It was clearly Bob’s clothing. The speck of color kept getting smaller and smaller before it began to be more and more noticeable. Bob was falling. 

“Let’s go, let’s go.” Yelena said hurriedly, helping Y/n to get in the truck again before knocking on the walls. “Drive Walker!”  

“Bob was flying.” Y/n muttered in disbelief. “How was he flying?” 

“I don’t know.” The blonde shook her head. 

“I think Valentina experimented on him.” Y/n spoke, staring at the floor before looking up at the blonde. “I think Bob is Project Sentry.” 

“It would make complete sense-“

Suddenly, the truck turned over, falling down the hill. Yelena shot her grappling hook towards the wall before wrapping her arm around the y/h/c’s waist. The blonde attempted to shield Y/n from hitting the hard surfaces but the movements of the truck did not allow her as much as she would’ve liked. They groaned in pain with every turn until, finally, the truck stopped on its side. 

The widows breathed heavily, trying to calm their heartbeats as it accelerated every second. Y/n rested her forehead against Yelena’s, tightening her arm around the blonde’s shoulder. 

“Are you okay?” 

“Yes.” Y/n nodded. “What the heck happened?” 

“I don’t know.” Yelena replied, looking around. “I’m gonna kill Walker.” 

She released from the grappling hook, landing firmly before fully checking Y/n’s skin for any new injury. After noticing that there wasn’t any, Yelena quickly stomped out of the truck, walking around to see John crawling out of the passenger window. 

“What the hell happened?!” Yelena shouted. “We could’ve died back there, Y/n is already injured!” 

“It wasn’t me!” He yelled back. “It was the explosion when Bob fell!” 

“You’re not driving us anywhere, ever again.” She spat, walking back to Y/n in anger. 

The y/h/c leaned against the truck with her hand on her ribcage, feeling that familiar sting again. Ava walked closer, staring in worry. 

“What happened?” 

“A bullet grazed me but I’m okay.” She shrugged, giving her a smile. 

“Alright.” Ava nodded before turning to the group. “What was that back there?” 

“That was her.” Yelena replied, grabbing Y/n’s hand to help her walk. “She did that to him.” 

“Yeah, she turned him into a Tomahawk cruise missile.” John said, staring around the place before looking at the blonde. “You were right, she definitely wants us dead.” 

“To test on someone like that..” Y/n spoke, shaking her head. “It’s inhuman.” 

“Yeah, she lost it.” Walker chuckled dryly. 

“No.” Yelena spat and turned around, handing Ava a piece of paper. “She found it and she’ll use it.” 

“What is this?” The brunette questioned, unfolding the papers. “Power of a thousand suns in explosion. Golden guardian of the good, that’s a mouthful.” 

“Wow, shiny.” The agent commented. “Very bright.” 

“What do you know about this?” Ava asked, crossing her arms over her chest. 

“There was this rumor that OX was on the verge of some kind of major breakthrough, but whatever it was, it was too extreme.” Walker replied as the widows faced him. “Test subjects were dying, the goverment looked into it, Val shut it down, she put me on clean up duty.” 

“Let’s just make it home without getting killed.” 

Y/n stood off to the side, drifting her eyes somewhere else as her mind did the same. She couldn’t help but think about Bob, wondering if he was alright. Valentina was definitely capable of anything. She did send her and Yelena on a rigorous mission to be then part of the opposing side. Thanks to Valentina, Y/n has multiple scars littering her body that reminds her of the torments she endured on that mission. She slowly walked to the nearest rock, leaning against it, feeling tired from standing for too long. 

“Here you go, babe.” Yelena spoke, breaking the y/h/c from her trance. “Cactusberry, you should eat something.” 

“Thank you.” She smiled, bringing it to her mouth, then noticing how empty her stomach was. 

Y/n pushed herself off the rock, following after the blonde who led the team down the remaining road. She felt a bit confused and out of place as Yelena called John, Dr. Phil, clearly making fun of something he said. They continued to work for hours. The road in front was merely dirt with no sign of any human beings whatsoever. None of them were sure of where they were going but they only focused on getting far away from Valentina. 

John and Ava walked a bit far behind Y/n and Yelena. Mentally questioning and wondering what was happening between them. The tension was… almost palpable. The blonde looked over her shoulder, considering the distance they had before looking forward again. She took a deep breath, deciding that fear shouldn’t keep her from speaking to Y/n. Even when feeling guilt. 

“We should talk.” She spoke, breaking the silence. “About us.”

“What about us?” Y/n shrugged, wanting to hear what Yelena had to say. 

“Well, considering what I did last year and seeing you again yesterday..” The blonde began. “It is very clear that we still love each other and we want to protect each other and-”

“Yelena, I love you even after you left.” The y/h/c interrupted. “I want nothing more than to go back to you completely but what’s gonna guarantee that you won’t leave again?”

“Trust me.” Yelena whispered, stopping to face her. “Trust my word when I say that I’ll never leave you ever again and I will always speak to you about what I’m feeling, I’ll always be honest.” 

“You’ll be honest?” 

“100%, scouts honor.” She siad, holding up three fingers. “I never wish to be away from you again.” 

Y/n sighed and stared at the ground before lifting her eyes to meet the blonde’s deep sea of green. She moved closer to her, slowly as Yelena waited in anticipation, not having any possible idea on what could happen. The y/h/c stood there in silence, staring into the widow’s eyes, searching for a glimpse of doubt. There wasn’t any. 

“I’m sorry-” Yelena started and immediately was cut off a soft pair of lips against hers. 

Y/n grabbed the collar of the suit, pulling her closer to deepen the kiss. Their lips moved in sink, turning slightly passionate as they felt the familiarity. Or maybe it’s muscle memory? 

“I love you.” She muttered against her lips before pulling away a little. “You better not do that again, Belova, or I swear-”

“That will never happen again, I assure you.” Yelena replied hurriedly and placed a soft peck on the y/h/c’s lips. 

“Okay, okay.” Y/n smiled and interwimed her fingers with the widow’s who looked over her shoulder. 

“Stop staring, Walker!”

“I wasn’t staring!” 

They continued walking in silence when John decided to break it. As always, sharing information no one seems to care about. 

“Those birds are flying too high.” He squinted his eyes, staring at the sky. “They’re doing reconnaissance circuits at 4,000 feet.”

“Okay, we get it.” Ava rolled her eyes. “You were in the military.” 

“Ta ta ta.” Yelena interrupted, staring into the dessert with squinted eyes. 

She suddenly threw herself to the ground, making the rest of them do the same as an automatic response. They all stared to where she was staring to see something moving with dust behind it. It was going at a fast speed, considering how close it was getting to them. Right then, loud honking was heard. It was a car or some sort of limo? 

“Oh no.” Yelena muttered, covering her face as she lowered her head in embarrasasment. 

“What? It’s coming right at us.” John said, staring at the blonde. 

“It’s no one.” She replied. “It’s nothing.” 

The honking continued, getting louder and louder until the limo stopped right in front of them. A tall man got out of the car, waving his hands in the air. 

“Yelena!” He shouted. “It’s dad! Don’t go into the vault! Valentina is going to burn you alive!” 

John and Ava slowly turned their head towards her while Y/n kept her eyes on the man. 

“Alexei?” 

yelena taglist: @imfuckinggenius @yelenabelovv @xxxtwilightaxelxxx @ilovewinter101 @s1ut4nat @nebulablakemurphy @theshippergal @kacka84 @an-evergreen-rose @wandaswifeyforlifey @loomontoia @zombies1ayea

[royalinkblot]

Goose on the Loose: Mission Makeout (An unauthorized romantic military operation—and possibly a war crime) 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈

(This is part of my pride month series)

Nick "Goose" Bradshaw had faced down MiGs, diaper duty, survived Mach 2 flat spins, and once ate gas station sushi on a dare. But nothing, nothing, had prepared him for this. For them.

He slammed his locker shut with the force of a thousand repressed sighs. "That’s it. I’m done. I can’t anymore."

Pete “Maverick” Mitchell, his best friend, his brother in all but blood, his tragically dense pilot, had once again spent ten minutes in the locker room having what could only be described as a foreplay argument with Tom "Iceman" Kazansky.

It had begun with “You’re dangerous,” had dipped briefly into “you’ve got no discipline,” and ended in a slow-motion towel snap that could get someone pregnant.

Goose was losing it.

🪿🪿🪿🪿🪿🪿🪿

At home, Goose paced the living room, baby Bradley gurgling happily in Carole’s arms. She hummed as she rocked the baby, her gaze warm and patient.

“I’m telling you, babe—it’s not just me! They stare! They compliment insult each other! They even checked out each other's asses in formation!”

Carole—his radiant, patient goddess of a wife—handed him a mug of coffee and waited for the rant she knew was incoming.

“It’s like Top Gun: Pride and Prejudice out there, Carole,” he said, throwing himself into a chair. “They eye each other like it’s a duel. A slow burn duel. I saw Ice check out Mav’s ass today. Twice. Once during warm-ups, and again when Mav dropped his pen. It’s like they’re flirting through gritted teeth.”

Carole blinked. “You sure they’re not just rivals?”

Goose leaned in, whispering urgently: “They almost kissed in the locker room. Like, noses-brushed kind of kiss. That’s not a rivalry. That’s a crisis of repressed sexual longing!”

Carole, ever the battlefield nurse to Goose’s emotional triage, just nodded. “Honey, are you saying you want Maverick and Iceman to… kiss it out?”

“I want them to stop staring! Or start doing something! For the love of Kenny Loggins!”

Carole chuckled. “Sounds like you need a team.”

That was the night Goose snapped. Maverick and Iceman were clearly locked in a Cold War of Lust, and by God, he was going to end it.

🪿🪿🪿🪿🪿🪿🪿

And Carole was right, Goose couldn't do it alone. He needed a team.

He knew just the guys for the job. Oh yeah. It was on.

Operation: Mission Makeout

Initiated at 0800 hours.

The first recruits were easy.

Slider, Iceman’s long-suffering RIO, sighed and said, “Finally.”

Hollywood and Wolfman high-fived.

Sundown muttered, “I knew those locker room vibes weren’t just sweat.”

And Chipper? He just whispered, “Bless you, Goose,” like a man finally freed.

They commandeered a conference room no one ever used and built a war board.

Photos. Incidents. A string connecting Maverick’s locker to Iceman’s bunk with a red thumbtack labeled “THE TENSION ZONE.”

A corkboard was wheeled in. Lines of red yarn were pinned between shirtless volleyball photos and the word “TENSION” written in all caps.

“I’ve seen it too,” said Hollywood grimly. “That time in the hangar, they locked eyes over a wrench. I think I heard music.”

“Slider and I saw them lean in too close. It was like watching a telenovela,” added Wolfman, clutching a margarita and distant trauma.

Chipper held up a diagram labeled IceMav Situation Escalation. “They keep almost kissing during flight checks. The danger is increasing.”

Goose slapped the board. “Then it’s time. Operation: Makeout is a go.”

Plan A: Get them alone together.

Result: They talked. About maneuvers. While slowly unzipping flight suits.

Plan B: Accidental karaoke duet of “Take My Breath Away.”

Result: They made eye contact. Then fled in opposite directions.

Plan C: Lock them in a supply closet.

Result: They played hangman on a clipboard and emerged looking even more sexually frustrated.

The squad was losing hope. Nothing worked.

The tension only grew.

At one point, Slider swore the air between them was physically vibrating.

“We’re gonna die of secondhand horniness,” Hollywood groaned, downing a shot of something neon green.

Goose look at his friends, all tired and mentally drained. “Let's go get drunk”

Everyone cheer.

🪿🪿🪿🪿🪿🪿🪿

That’s when Carole intervened.

She found them at the O-Club, mid-spiral, nursing cocktails and heartbreak. Carole sipped her cocktail like a war general watching fools fumble the mission.

“You need to stop pushing them together,” she said. “You need to make them jealous.”

Goose blinked. “Jealous?”

“Yeah. Get under their skin. Make them act. Don’t be Cupid. Be the other guy.”

It was wildly unstrategic.

It wasn’t even on their corkboard.

But desperation is the mother of absurd.

Goose’s eyes narrowed. “You brilliant, beautiful genius.”

🪿🪿🪿🪿🪿🪿🪿

The next week, Sundown pretended to flirt with Maverick. Maverick’s eyes darted to Iceman, who was suddenly training alone shirtless for no reason.

Slider “accidentally” kissed Iceman’s cheek in front of Maverick. Maverick didn’t blink for thirty-two full seconds.

Goose faked an injury so Carole could get close to Iceman and thank him for “being such a good friend to Nicky.” Maverick short-circuited.

Goose had seen the signs all week: Maverick flexed his fists whenever Slider got any closer than necessary to Iceman, clenched his jaw whenever Wolfman laughed flirtatiously at something Tom said (Goose was worried about Maverick's molars).

Oh yeah. Carole was right. It was only a matter of time before something happened. Anything. Goose would be happy with something as basic as not having to watch Tom check Maverick's ass at least five times a day.

Then… it happened.

🪿🪿🪿🪿🪿🪿🪿

On an ordinary day, as Goose, Slider, Hollywood and Wolfman were returning to the locker room after a hop, they heard it:

There was a scream—possibly Chipper—and then silence.

Everyone ran, worried that something serious had happened, what they found was Sundown crouching down, holding his head in his hands, muttering something about pale assess and emotionally stupid pilots.

Chipper was leaning against the wall, pale and barely holding on, saying, over and over again, "I just wanted to grab my towel. Just the towel. How was I supposed to know Maverick was going to explode and get all territorial over Iceman? Oh man, I'm never going to be able to use that towel again.”

Then the sound of a locker slamming open, bodies colliding, and finally, finally—

Kissing.

Passionate, triumphant, emotionally overdue kissing.

They emerged looking starstruck, glistening, and joined at the hip like a slightly homoerotic centaur.

Maverick was grinning like a cat who got the milk, his hair completely disheveled, his lips swollen, his neck looking like it had been attacked by a vampire, covered in love bites.

(Iceman was a biter. Good to know)

Iceman, for his part, looked absolutely smug, his lips red, his eyes bright, his clothes disheveled, a very subtle semi, and an aura of complete peace.

He was the embodiment of a man in love.

Everyone stood frozen, staring at Maverick and Iceman like ghosts, and then...

Screams, hugs, backslapping, and high fives. They did it, the mission was a success.

Slider lifted Goose onto his shoulders, Hollywood kissed Wolfman passionately, Sundown cried with joy, and Chipper told Maverick and Iceman they had to buy him new towels. Expensive ones. He deserved it.

Peace, they thought, had returned.

They were wrong.

Now Maverick sat on Iceman’s lap during briefings. Iceman casually bit Maverick’s neck during fuel checks. They made out in storage closets and hung signs reading Occupied – Danger Zone.

“HE CALLED HIM HIS ‘BELOVED MENACE’,” Wolfman whispered, eyes haunted.

Goose downed his whiskey. “We won the war, but at what cost?”

🪿🪿🪿🪿🪿🪿🪿

Years later, life was good, and the Flyboys were immune to IceMav's displays of love (and the occasional moment where someone would walk into a room to find Iceman bending Maverick in half and doing things to his ass). A lot of therapy was involved, but they were happy.

The Class of ’86, all admirals now, gathered at IceMav’s beachside house. They’d survived war, love, therapy, and at least three closet incidents involving caution tape.

That's when they saw it, almost in slow motion…

Bradley “Rooster” Bradshaw chatted casually with Jake “Hangman” Seresin across the grill. The air crackled. Meat sizzled with tension.

Hollywood dropped his beer. “Oh God. It’s happening again.”

Goose nodded solemnly. “It’s hereditary.”

Carole leaned back in her chair, sunglasses on, and smiled like a prophetess watching fate unfold.

Slider handed out tequila shots and a pamphlet titled "So Your Friend Is Being Emotionally Held Hostage By Sexual Tension: A Survival Guide".

They tried to warn Dagger Squad.

They tried.

But love… love always flies at Mach 10.5.

(Somewhere, in the distance, Great balls of fire plays on loop).

[mattsundaes]

Soshiro Hoshina with color black please!

soshiro hoshina x f!reader

c: 18+, smut, edging, fingering, oral sex (f!receiving), squirting

“Hope ya weren’t this wet during training.”

Soshiro’s hair hangs messily in his face as he stares down at you, canines glinting against his lip as he grins and curls the slender digit currently stuffed in your cunt, dragging the tip of his finger against your plush, sensitive walls. 

There’s a slick, lewd squelch as he pulls his finger out, only to shove it back in knuckle first, letting it unfurl as your dripping hole greedily flutters with need, your hips rocking into his touch to urge him deeper. 

You don’t bother telling him that you unfortunately were, gritting your teeth for hours in a battle between the incredibly snug fit of your suit and your swollen, aching clit. Which was his fault in the first place, considering he spent the morning between your legs lazily edging you into oblivion (something which was unfortunately interrupted by frantic knocking at the door to his quarters, because when isn’t the Vice-Captain busy). 

Watching him take down a kaiju in an exercise to teach the latest batch of recruits certainly didn’t help either—part of you was convinced he purposely made an entire show of it, if only because you drunkenly waxed poetic to him once how much his fighting style turns you on.

As much as you’d wanted to complain earlier, to tug him back into bed and kiss him senseless and keep the Vice-Captain to yourself for just five more minutes—you know he’s just as pent up, just as eager to pick up where you left off, to see how completely he can make you come undone for him.

You can feel it in the heat of his hand splayed against your hip, of the throbbing erection that brushes against your leg. 

You can taste it in his kiss as he licks his way into your mouth, as he drags his teeth over your bottom lip. 

You can hear it in his gravelly tone as his composure slips when you whimper his name, begging him for more. 

But most of all you can see it in his eyes—the soft, violet shade that gazed at you from the tangle of sheets this morning now blown black with lust, dark and hungry in a way that leaves you shivering with anticipation, nerves coated thick with warm, dripping arousal. 

“Wanna feel you,” you gasp as he inserts another finger, the precum leaking from the tip of his cock smearing against your thigh.

He groans softly as he ruts a little into the friction, and you have half a mind to climb on top of him and sink down onto his cock yourself, dizzy with the need to feel the stretch of him deep inside of you.

“You will,” Soshiro exhales, thumb swiping across your slick clit as he leans in, mouth brushing against yours, “After ya come for me.”

He doesn’t give you time to pout or beg him to fuck you, because any further words die on your lips as he buries his face between your legs and begins to mouth at your soaked cunt, lapping firm, broad strokes down your slit. 

“Soshiro,” you whimper as he pushes your legs further apart, hands kneading the supple globes of your ass as he makes eye contact with you while he laps at your quivering heat. 

“Be a good girl ‘n come for me,” he rasps, plunging two fingers in and out of your pussy as his lips find your clit, his chin stained with your slick arousal. 

You know you’re not imagining the satisfaction that glints in Soshiro’s eyes as you come with a shout, the white-hot pleasure of your climax surging rapidly through your body as clear liquid squirts messily from your cunt.

[gnohomotho]

Hello! Gonna be veeeery honest because this request is extremely personal and you ABSOLUTELY don't have to do it if it's too weird or something you don't wanna write 🙈🙈🙊

But like...the recruiter meets the femreader because she wants to end it (yeah that way) and plays with her for it instead..but he actually cares about her and doesn't want her to die 💔 Ik it's ooc I know it's stupid but I'd really really really appreciate it

Thank you and I love your writing so much! ❤️❤️❤️

Hello, Anon, of course it's alright. I hope I'm not the one being personal and intruding here - just a bit worried about you - if you want to drop into my messages and talk, that's more than alright, too. ♥

And no, it's not stupid. It's a very understandable thing to want to read when you're not doing well. :c Having a caring presence save you from the literal edge is - again - more than understandable.

Here you go. ♥

And a big computer hug from me.

.

.

.

Two Lives on the Table ➴ಇ

Pairing: The Salesman // The Recruiter x fem!reader Summary: She wants to leave, he doesn't seem too eager to let her go. No, this lady in her strong but crumbling suit of armour is something for him to play for - yet - he may be playing for more than himself as she finds...that perhaps someone truly, in their own, very sweet and very odd way, cares for her. Warnings: Angst, mentions of suicide, mentions of death, guns, loaded guns, firing guns, threat and consequences of death, 18+ MDNI, heavy personal contact, kissing, touch, teasing, harsh language. Word count: 1.8k A/N: You'd think I'd let you go without fluff? On this blog? Link to epilogue ฅ^._.^ฅ Gorgeous gif by @phantom-evil

"Do you trust me?"

The voice circles your ears and kisses their opening.

"Not really, no."

Your answer is as dry as a bone.

"Good," the voice coos before continuing:

"You don't need trust to play."

You straighten your back to avoid a shiver running down it.

"I find this game unfair."

The voice moves, circling to your other side, gently warming your temple.

"Good."

The shiver sauntered down your spine without issue.

"Has anyone ever told you you're an unhinged lunatic?"

"Many times," you can hear him smile into the words as they coil around his lips like honey, "though you know what they say. Dead men tell no tales."

"Is that why you never shut the f---"

"Ah ah ah. Little lady. That's a bit unbecoming." He hushes you, a single finger resting on your lips. His thumb traces their outline before laying in their center.

Why you agreed to play a game with this near stranger in a secluded place is starting to weigh at you. Almost as much as the blindfold.

He nudges your lips to open and his thumb gently rests on the border. Never quite intruding. But intruding nonetheless.

"Alright. Look. Stranger. Mr. Stranger. I know molesting girls you find on bridges under the guise of a game must be as fun as it is predictable, but I expected something different. Something more fun."

Oh, now you've offended him.

Attacks of character? No issue.

Attack of his games? Now you've done it.

The voice doesn't change, but the air loses every molecule of warmth it had huddled against its bare chest.

"Then allow me to make it more fun than your little wager with Death."

❥❥❥

You swallow on an empty dry throat. Did you really want to die? Or were you just playing? Or were you just...tired?

"You remind me of my favourite film," you voice in a low whisper.

You don't feel his breath anymore. But you do hear a distinct *click*.

"Hmm?" He voices, half amused, half bored.

"A young man who's been through enough meets Death, who is to take him. Fetching fellow, that one. Death. Nice calves. Anyway. The young knight says that before Death can take him, he has to play chess. And win."

"Does he?"

"It's never that easy, is it, Mr. Stranger?"

"Oh, little armoured darling. Do you think yourself a knight?"

"No, I just like Death."

"Then open wide, maybe he'll pay us a visit."

You do as you're told, and your lips feel the outline of a cold circle that tastes like…harsh metal.

“Good girl.”

He pushes the barrel of the gun just a little further as his sentence concludes, lightly turning it in your mouth. Left to right. Left...to right.

You don’t give him the satisfaction of mumbling into it, but your breaths are hurried, and a small whimper escapes your occupied lips.

Did you hear him sigh?

Just as elegantly, he slowly pulls the gun out of your mouth, and you cough.

“Innovative.”

“You know, I think we both know I can see straight through you, Y/N. Your cards are huddled up to your chest, but they’re…” he brushes the cold steel against your chin and runs it up your cheek, softly pushing into it, lenient pity in his voice that you know is false.

“…All turned the wrong way around. The whole table can see.”

His hot breath circles your cheeks, he must be gazing right at you with only millimetres separating his lips from yours.

“The whole table except for you, little lady. Blind to the game and blind to the threat. Blind even to yourself.” He playfully pushes three taps into your cheek with the gun and you feel warmth on your other, from your jaw to your eyebrows, even through the blindfold. It’s almost…kind.

His hand. His hand is on your cheek, as the gun pushes into the other.

“Now, let’s play a game.”

❥❥❥

Two bullets. One gun.

Two bullets. One blank.

Two players. One blind.

Two choices. Both wrong.

“Choose a bullet for me, little lady.” His slick voice rings in your ears.

“Who shoots who?” You try to remain steady, hands firmly clasped into each other, wondering how far he is from you, where you are, and what the table in front of you must look like.

How fast you could flip it on him and run.

“Well, curious little thing you are…I’ll leave it up to you. If you choose to shoot me and the bullet is blank, I get something in return.”

“Jesus, you’re predictable.”

But your voice is shaking. Anticipation? Cold fear? Armour crumpling?

“And you’re unravelling. If you don’t shoot, I get the gun. And I get to pull the trigger.”

“And I get a favour,” you add, your trembles not matching your thoughts.

Though by now the favour would likely be ‘fucking shoot me already’.

“Now who’s being predictable?” He teases, but you hear he must be having some sort of fun from his voice alone. It’s almost jovial, light, if he were anybody else, you would seek warmth in it. But you don’t. A painting of a fire underwater, that’s all he is.

You place your hand on the table, gently laying your fingers across each new inch to feel for the bullets and not disturb them.

He’s entirely silent, perhaps watching your fingers so softly touch even in their shivers, meticulous, elegant, gentle – perhaps he’s thinking you’re taking too long. You don’t care.

Your fingers find the two shapes, as you nudge them and envelop them in touch, you feel there is no discernible difference. Well, there goes the plan.

 Left right left right.

I had a good home but I left, right…left.”

You pick that one and softly flick it towards the sound of his voice. The bullet rolls on the flat surface with a little dull *clink* and lands against what must be his hand.

He loads the bullet wordlessly, the magazine spins and you lift your palms as if expecting something delicate and fragile, you’re weary of holding the gun, even through your tough words.

“So polite, it’s quite lovely to see.” He coos his little lullaby of words that barely reach you, and as he lays the gun just as carefully in your hands, you feel a single finger brush the knuckle of your dominant hand’s trigger finger. Not much.

Just enough to make you falter.

Your breath is stuck in your throat, your lungs aren’t getting enough, and you want to be done. You want to be tired of it all. You want to hesitate and refuse and throw the gun at him. Not shoot. Reset the whole scene. At the same time…

It took you less than a second to connect the two moves.

Aim. Fire.

The sound fills your ears and your heart beats as if it were a sleeping bellringer just now aware it’s the full hour.

The sound woke you up and you tear off your blindfold, nothing but regret and shame on your mind, you couldn’t have shot him, it wasn’t supposed to be like this, no no no, no matter who he is, you don’t murder people he didn’t even hurt you no---

But you tear off your blindfold to a swift blur of both light and dark, so fast you fall back in your chair with a heavy weight pinning you down, sudden crude touch circling your nape and without warning, cool supple flesh connecting to your lips – his own.

Their smooth warmth traverses the entirety of your mouth from outer corners to the very centre, their brisk but no longer concealed hunger enveloping them fully as he pulls you in.

A large hand shoots around your neck, not quite pushing, merely resting on your rapid pulse and holding you in place. One final thrust of his body against you as you feel his tongue enter your mouth and the blur hushes, your eyes closing on their own, reciprocating its motion, holding onto him for dear life.

The anticipation, the fear, the relief – all expressed and all barely breathed between your intertwined lips, your own gasping body, his form over you and his hand tightening around your throat – momentarily leaving to brush through your hair and pull your head back – allowing his tongue ever deeper into you.

Exploring, taking, feasting, you feel both subdued and his – and you feel alive.

❥❥❥

“You…you could have…said the favour was a kiss.”

You barely manage words against your explicitly not steadying chest. The blindfold is back on and you’re glad at least half of your truly flushed cheeks aren’t on display. He seems far calmer from his voice alone, but you know what you felt. Oh, he’s at least half as fucked as you are.

“I am not one to kiss and tell. Choose another bullet.”

It almost sounded like an order.

Alright, perhaps twenty-five percent as fucked as you are.

You once more choose the one on the left.

“Never was one for variety," you try to chuckle, but it comes out dissembled and half cut off. You’re shivering.

He merely hums and loads the gun again. You’d give quite a bit to know what he’s thinking. Your heart is fluttering out of your chest and your breath keeps getting stuck in the same place he grabbed your throat. As if he were grabbing it for dear life.

The magazine spins once more and once more; you take it in your hands with care. You could take it with less consideration, but somehow, the weight of the gun seems…heavier.

You endeavour to do exactly the same as before but…you cannot.

Your finger brushes the trigger, but does not move to push. Your lips open a tad, his taste still upon them – sweet, poisonous, invigorating, life-giving. And here you are. Holding something to take life away.

Just two movements, like before.

Easier than opening an unlocked door.

But you cannot. And your hesitation is more the duly noted.

Wordlessly, he takes the gun back from your hands and you hear the safety click.

Your thoughts stop.

Your heart almost follows suit.

You stop breathing.

The silence envelops you, but you do not move nor fight. Merely open your lips just noticeably, drawing a small shallow breath.

“Thank you for a…pleasant game, Mr. Stranger,” you whisper slowly, softly, holding your hands to yourself with each finger intertwined, “never could play chess to save my life.”

You almost laugh bitterly to yourself. But end with a wistful smile in wait as the thickness of each passing second rings your ears hollow.

One second.

Two seconds.

Three seconds.

❥

One second.

Two seconds.

Three seconds.

❥

One.

Two.

Three.

❥

*click*

❥

Dull.

Reverberating.

Empty.

❥❥❥

He had taken the live bullet out.