#and the worst thing is that she could barge into my workplace any time

[small-angry-turtle]

An annoucment regarding my work place:

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

[vee-double-u]

"want some whipped cream with that?”

pairing: kei tsukishima x baker!reader smut

summary: tsukki makes a trip to his local bakery with a craving for his favourite strawberry shortcakes in town. he finds something else that’s sweet to satisfy his craving

or i saw strawberry shortcakes was one of tsukki’s favourite food in canon so i ran with it

word count: 2700

The light, sweet twinkling sound of a metal wind chime disrupted the silence of the cosy bakery as the front door swung open. A tall blonde figure entered and immediately seemed to take up a huge amount of space in the tiny cafe as the smell of freshly baked goods wafted through the air. It lingered in his nose and seemed to permeate through the welcoming environment around him, settling around the floral centrepieces and squashy armchairs that the blonde figure was very tempted to sink into and nap after the day he just had. 

The owner of the bakery’s head poked around the corner of the staff-only doorway behind the counter.

��Ohhh I always knew you were illiterate Tsukki-san,” Y/N teased, motioning towards the ‘CLOSED’ sign on the door he had just barged through.

“That’s funny coming from a little pipsqueak who’s only good for baking,” Tsukishima replied quickly and his eyes glittered with mirth as he walked over to get a better look at the counter.

“No point in looking. It was pretty busy today so I’m fresh out of pretty much everything, including your beloved shortcake.” 

Y/N leaned onto the counter, head coming to rest on her hands so she could peer at Tsukishima clearly. She was surprised to see how tired he looked when he was normally immaculately presented.

“Busy day at the museum?” she pried, feeling a pang of sympathy for him.

“The worst,” Tsukishima sighed. His glasses moved up as he pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration. “There were three separate school groups today and our usual tour guide called in sick so guess who was showing those snivelling brats around?”

Y/N assessed him before deciding to take pity on him.

“You know I’m actually baking to replace some of the product for tomorrow right now. If you’re willing to wait I could get started on the strawberry shortcake and have some ready for you in no time.”

“Oh... that’s fine-,” Tsukishima said, surprised by her offer. “I mean- if you want to-”

She waved her hands, interrupting him.

“Tell you what. How about I bake extra and you can take some home free of charge.”

“Only for my most loyal customer,” she added when he still looked unsure.

There was a shadow of a genuine smile on Tsukishima’s face before he responded.

“That would be great actually.”

Y/N motioned for him to follow her into the kitchen and tried to shake the uneasy feeling that was settling in her stomach. It was definitely odd to see him be genuine with her. Since he had first wandered into her store a few months ago it wasn’t often that they weren’t exchanging quick banter. 

Maybe she had been a bit too forward in her offer to cook shortcakes, especially just for him and off the clock. Truthfully, since he had started showing up regularly she’d developed a little bit of a crush on him. It was a minor thing really. It was harmless fun to flirt with him over the coffee machine or fantasise about him on nights she couldn’t sleep.

Being alone with him in her cafe after hours was a whole new ballgame. She was already attracted to him and her nerves were being manifested into an electricity that pulsed through her body, putting her on edge.

This is purely professional Y/N reminded herself. I’m just keeping one of my regular customers happy. 

She gestured around the kitchen as they entered.

“And here is where the magic happens.”

Tsukishima made himself comfortable, leaning on a bench as he watched her. She was pulling out ingredients and utensils to get started on the vanilla sponge. Noticing him staring at her, Y/N pulled a large tupperware from the fridge and handed it to the blonde with a knife.

“Make yourself useful and prepare the strawberries please.”

“Here I was thinking you were treating me, not putting me to work as your slave,” Tsukishima said as he lifted the lid and peered in.

“Just cut the greens off and chop ‘em up into quarters so I can get you something sweet quicker,” she added, as if he hadn’t said anything.

Tsukishima hummed in response and turned to the strawberries. There was something about the tone of his voice that made Y/N wonder if they both picked up on the unintentional double entendre. She swallowed and continued to ignore the growing unease in her stomach.

They fell into silence as they worked, which wasn’t actually as awkward as she had feared. Her body did feel warm- too warm at the close proximity to the object of many fantasies she’d dreamt up. It was lucky that she had done this recipe enough that she could do it with her eyes closed because the way his cologne lingered around her made it hard to concentrate. It didn’t help that she could feel Tsukishima’s eyes constantly looking over at her.

“I could give you the recipe you know,” Y/N finally laughed as he looked over at her for what felt like the hundredth time. “It’s not a secret or anything.”

Tsukishima shook his head and looked very serious as he contemplated her offer.

“No, I’ve tried lots of shortcakes before. It’s never the same as having someone else cook. And none of them have ever tasted like yours.”

Y/N looked down into the bowl she was mixing to try and hide the blush at the genuine compliment. 

Tsukki being genuine multiple times in only a few minutes? Y/N thought to herself. That can’t be a good sign.

Y/N peeked a glance over at him, her eyes immediately being drawn to his lips and the way they closed around a strawberry, savouring the taste before it disappeared into his mouth.

Well actually Y/N changed her mind as she got lost in what else those lips could do. It could be a very good sign.

Y/N worked quickly and it wasn’t long before she got started on whipping the cream. Adding powdered sugar and vanilla extract in small doses, she would periodically stick her finger into the mixture bringing it up to her mouth for a taste test.

She paused when she felt his eyes on her again. 

“I’m glad you’re enjoying yourself while I slave away for you,” Tsukki complained.

“Sorry, did you want some?” she grinned as she reached a finger into the cream she was whipping and swiped up a small amount. She reached out to him and wiped her finger against his cheek, smearing the cream there.

“What-?!” Tsukishima let out a strangled cry of disapproval. He looked at her disbelievingly for a moment before smirking as he closed the distance between them. At his tall height, he towered over her and his eyes flashed dangerously before he spoke again.

“You’re going to pay for that, pipsqueak.” 

His voice was low and husky and it made her shiver. He was so close now she could feel the heat from his body, she could count his individual eyelashes, could even count the freckles around his mouth. Subconsciously she leaned in to meet him, her lips parting..

Like a quick flash, Tsukishima’s hands moved quickly and suddenly there was a coolness sliding down the side of her face. Y/N raised her hand to her cheek and withdrew it when she found a dollop of cream there, one that was significantly larger than the one she’d just wiped on him.

“Tsuuuki,” she whined, pouting.

“You’re right, that wasn’t fair,” Tsukishima cooed sarcastically. “Let me fix that for you.”

One of his hands reached around into Y/N’s hair to hold her in place before he leaned in and ran his tongue along her cheek in a single swipe, licking up most of the cream there. 

Y/N breath hitched and looked up to find him staring at her intently, waiting for her reaction. She ignored the thoughts that crept up that told her sleeping with one of her customers in her workplace was not a smart idea and grinned up at him. 

“I think you missed a spot,” she pointed out hopefully.

Tsukki’s lips descended onto her jawline again, dragging his tongue down lower to her neck, seeking any leftover cream.

Always eager to get the upper hand on him and while he was occupied, her hand blindly felt behind her searching for the whipped cream bowl. Picking up some cream with her hand she turned back to Tsukishima, ready to strike.

Quicker on the uptake though, he quickly grabbed her wrist in a tight hold.

“This is for me?” he asked, bringing her pointed finger up into his mouth so he could suck on the digit. His eyes stayed trained on her as he did so, something brimming in the depths of them that was entirely sinful.

“Here, want a taste?” He offered her his whipped cream covered finger. 

Y/N nodded quickly and bridged the gap between them, her mouth closing around his finger. She eagerly ensured she sucked up all the cream, working her lips and tongue slowly while she relished in imagining his finger was a different part of his body. When she looked up at him with wide eyes, her mouth still around his finger, Tsukishima let out a groan.

“C’mere, you tease,” he murmured. He loomed over her as she backed up until she hit the counter behind her. 

Y/N used her hands on the bench behind to help with leaning upwards to meet Tsukishima’s lips. Kissing him felt different than anything she’d ever imagined. It was so much better. He was calculated and deliberate in his movements. Moving slowly against her lips while Y/N’s movements were desperate as she frantically clung to the front of his shirt and responded to the kiss. 

Barely pulling away, Tsukki’s strong hands moved down her body before picking her up and  sitting her on the bench behind her. Y/N’s legs wrapped around his waist, pulling him even closer. 

Eventually he pulled away from the kiss, earning a needy whine from Y/N which made him click his tongue at her.

“Impatient are we?” he admonished.

Y/N ignored him and continued to kiss every inch of his skin she could reach. She was pressing her mouth on the tiny freckles she could see on his neck now they were this close.

“Ahhh..” he hummed in pleasure and moved his head to allow her easier access. He leaned over and pulled the bowl closer towards them. 

“I just can’t seem to get enough of your shortcakes, you know.” He stuck his finger in the bowl to get some whipped cream again. 

“You really want to talk about shortcakes right now?” Y/N complained as he pulled away and his soft skin was no longer near her mouth.

He rubbed it along her neck and moved in to drag his tongue against her again. Any more complaints died in her mouth as she stifled a moan over his wet tongue drawing circles across her skin.

“It’s just too sweet to resist,” he breathed, mouth still against her throat.”I can’t help myself.”

Her hands came up and tangled through his hair as she pressed herself against him, finding him hard and just as ready as herself. 

Tsukki continued rubbing cream onto Y/N’s body and licking it up with his mouth while moving lower down. If Y/N had thought she was aching with lust before, this was nothing compared to the desperation she felt as he continued to tease her, his tongue moving from her collarbone to her cleavage. Her chest was heaving as fingers came to untie the apron and unbutton the shirt she had underneath, leaving her in just her bra. 

He smeared whipped cream across her cleavage and slowly cleaned it away, savouring the sweetness. He carefully moved the bra aside so his mouth could work it’s magic on her hard nipples. Y/N moaned out his name and rutted her hips against him longing for any kind of friction - anything to just ease the tension that was going on inside her body. It seemed that no matter how much she whined though, Tsukishima continued his slow and methodical descent down her body. When she would attempt to reach for his own clothes, he would just smack her hands away.

When Tsukki finally passed over her belly button and reached her pants, she was leaning back for easier access. She helped him wiggle her pants off her legs, along with her underwear. The steel of the bench felt startlingly cool against her body, which was probably giving off enough heat to power an oven. His eyes were taking her in and she could see his pupils were so dilated they looked almost black. She understood that maddening lust though, with him standing over her, fully clothed, and her lying open - so wet and so ready for him. It made her feel incredibly vulnerable in a most delicious way.

He forced her legs to open wider so he could stand between her and she saw his eyes flicker towards the cream.

“Don’t even think about it,” she warned. “ You’ve wasted enough.”

Tsukki just smirked at her but acquiesced her request as he knelt down, leaving open mouthed kisses along her inner thighs. Her body felt like it was on fire from his constant teasing and when his tongue finally found her wet pussy she wanted to sob out of desperation from lack of release.

“Please, Tsukki,” she gasped out.

“Please what?” 

“Please- please just let me cum.”

His pace was still agonisingly slow but he did move his mouth until he found her clit, teasing it with deliberate and controlled strokes of his tongue. He reached up with one hand and gripped her hand while his other hand joined his mouth, easing a finger inside of her before pumping it in and out. It didn’t take long for her to orgasm and she finally came undone crying out his name. He let her ride out her orgasm against his fingers, decreasing the tempo, before getting up so he could take her in.

“Look at you,” he murmured almost affectionately and she melted under his praise. “You make a much prettier picture like this than I ever could have imagined.”

Tsukishima unbuttoned his shirt before continuing.

“And oh, how long I have been imagining this.”

He slid his shirt off, revealing his sculpted body.

“How long I’ve imagined making you cum on my fingers.”

His fingers worked on his zipper now, pulling his pants off.

“Making you cum on my tongue.”

He pulled his dick out and gave himself a few strokes.

“On my cock.”

He rubbed himself against her slit, still maddeningly slow and calculated in his movements. Her nerves were still on fire and she cried out whenever she felt his dick brush against her clit or whenever he teased her entrance.

“Tsukki..” she panted.

“You ready, little one?” 

“Tsukishima,” Y/N groaned. “Just fuck me already.”

He swore under his breath as he guided himself into her. Y/N winced internally at the sting of herself stretching to accommodate him. But it was only a slight pain that felt so good. The stretch felt delicious and Y/N wanted to make sure she would be reminded of this ache for days. 

“Harder,” she moaned.

Tsukishima hips moved faster in order to set a tone that was absolutely punishing. He was brutally efficient as they both chased a high. Y/N was mewling wantonly and completely unrestrained from the aching lust he had built up but whenever he made a noise of pleasure it would reverberate through her entire core. It was truly a sight to behold whenever the often silent and always calculated Tsukki would allow the mask to slip in his lust. His hands grasped at her hips, gripping so tightly she felt she might bruise. She hoped she would. 

He looked down at her and she knew he must see an absolute hot mess, mouth agape in a constant moan, frantically clutching at whatever part of his body she could reach, probably even still covered in dried whipped cream. 

“I want to see you cum, okay?” Tsukishima ordered in a voice that was heavy with lust as he brought a finger down to rub her still too-sensitive clit.

It was all just too much and all she could do was whimper something she hoped sounded like agreement. She reached her second orgasm when his mouth found her neck, biting down gently on a sensitive spot near her shoulder. Crying out his name, her walls tightened and spasmed against him and it was only a few moments after that Tsukishima came undone too, cursing.

He came to rest against her, both their bodies sticky with sweat and pressed against each other. They stayed like that for a few moments, trying to catch their breath. Eventually Tsukishima spoke, breaking the silence.

“Does this mean I’m not getting that shortcake anymore?” he asked.

Y/N slapped his chest.

[pinnithin-writes]

I Realized. Then I Couldn’t Stop Realizing.

Chapter 5: C-53

Depending on where he looked, it had begun with the Federated Alliance.

Immediately following the events of the Battle of Sistoo, C-53 had been captured, his frame junked for parts, and his consciousness locked inside a cage with a heavy iron bolt. He’d been through plenty of painful experiences before his initiation into the Alliance, but nothing had so powerfully suppressed his emotions like this.

It was agony of a different sort, standing on the surface of a frozen lake, his feelings swirling like a sea beneath him. He could see them, he could reach for them, but if he broke through the ice that supported him he would surely be swallowed up and drown in them. It was a horrible state of being.

Everything was muted in the worst way. Experiencing joy, anger, sadness, always working through his coding, only to be met with the oppressive iron wall of his restraining bolt, left him feeling as if he were only a shell. C-53 was a droid who normally felt things quite strongly - perhaps too strongly, at times, but at least it was him. This Federated Alliance protocol and diplomatic relations designation was not who he was. But the bolt was cinched tight on his words and his thoughts until he wasn’t sure who he was even supposed to be anymore.

Getting that thing off was more freeing than anything he had ever experienced. He hadn’t even cared that his stupid Alliance frame had been destroyed in the process. Being subjected to another bolt as an On-And-Off Burger employee had nearly broken him.

Pleck, of all people, had been there to pull him out of it that time.

It was strange to have a relationship with someone who, for their first season of working together, had only known C-53’s canned and pre-processed personality. It was embarrassing, to say the least. He still remembered when he had told the tellurian, icily, “I am not your friend,” and watched him wilt like a forgotten daisy.

Granted, they hadn’t known each other very long when he’d said that, but he could have handled it more tactfully. And it wasn’t like he hadn’t wanted to get to know Pleck better at the time. At least well enough so that every word coming out of his mouth didn’t rile C-53 up so much. The restraining bolt’s effects were typically less painful when he wasn’t actively trying to suppress his emotions. A high enough spike tended to fire off a pretty jarring error code.

“No, I - he got, like, erased or something.” ERROR.

“What if you were a car and I like, drove you around?” ERROR.

“C-53, have you been programmed to cater to my ignorance?” ERROR.

“You’re more than just a cube!” ERROR.

C-53 had a pretty long list of the times being around Pleck had been painful for him when they were working for the Federated Alliance. He was also the first face he saw when the crew had slotted his cube into the ship’s un-bolted humidifier, and the sudden flood of unrestrained feelings had almost caused C-53 to shut back down again.

“Hey, C-53?” Bargie’s voice reverberated around the droid, shocking him out of his thoughts. “Why are you in my cargo hold?”

Squatting among the boxes and crates seemed like the best place for the droid to go and process what he had just learned undisturbed, but of course he could never escape the ship herself. “I just needed a little solitude, Bargie,” he responded, not unkindly.

The ship let out one of her long, audible sighs that the crew was so familiar with. “Not you, too. I thought the party was going to make everyone start hanging out again.”

“Things like this don’t always repair themselves overnight,” the droid reasoned.

“Things like what?” Bargie prodded. “Are you okay? You’ve been sitting there on the floor for like, eight hours.”

C-53 considered. He had been playing through videos stored in his memory bank for quite a while, but he hadn’t realized it had been that long. Bargie was a trusted friend - she probably wouldn’t have any constructive advice, but she would at least let him voice aloud what had absorbed his thoughts all day. “Are you projecting over the PA right now?” he asked.

“Uhhh.” There was a long pause, and then a heavy beep sounded overhead. “No.”

“You definitely were.”

“It doesn’t matter,” Bargie deflected. “Spill. Tell me everything.”

Wearily, C-53 recounted the conversation he’d had with Pleck the previous night, leaving out some of the tellurian’s more personal details in consideration of his privacy, and finished with the conclusion he’d drawn about his feelings. It still made his coding fray inexplicably to think about it, but once he fell silent, Bargie’s reply was nonplussed.

“I already knew,” she said. “The feelings part, not the Allwheat part.”

“You-” C-53’s processors whirred in surprise. “You did?”

“Yeah, I mean, it’s kind of obvious. I thought you knew too and were just hoping it would go away because it was too awkward.”

“I most certainly did not know,” C-53 answered, somewhat stirred.

“How?” Bargie demanded. “How did you not know? I’ve been telling you guys there’s tension for years.”

“Yeah, I thought you meant sexual tension,” the droid was beginning to feel defensive now. Was he really stupid enough to have missed something so glaringly obvious?

“Well, I thought it was that at first, for sure,” Bargie clarified. “But C, seriously? Seriously. Do you not listen to him when he talks to you?”

“What - I -” He dug around in his coding for the words he needed and came up short. “I listen,” he declared. “What do you mean by that?”

Another heavy sigh. It rumbled the walls of the cargo hold. “This is embarrassing. You should just go ask him about it.”

Alarm raced through C-53’s wires. “I will do no such thing. I’m still… figuring out how I feel about it.”

“Oh, that’s no good,” C-53 could feel the ship humming with intrigue. “You should just reject him and get it over with.”

“It seems like that would be indelicate of me,” C-53 replied, deflecting from the notion that his first instinct was not, in fact, to reject him at all.

“Hey, look, I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again,” Bargie’s tone took on a scolding edge. “Workplace relationships never work. They just make things complicated and messy and nobody should ever do them. You saw what happened with Dar and Berger.”

“Well, yeah, but that was mostly just - y'know-”

“Jucking.”

“Jucking, yeah.”

“Isn’t that what you’re after?” Bargie groused. “You’ve offered before.”

C-53 felt his cube grow warm inside his torso. “That was a long time ago.”

It was one time. Back when he’d still been restrained. C-53 still wasn’t sure if the proposition had been an effect of his altered programming or if he had actually wanted it. Either way, it didn’t matter. Pleck had decisively declined. It was the first time he had witnessed the tellurian be decisive about anything.

“I am not after that at the moment,” he clarified.

Bargie offered a heavy, “huh,” but said nothing else.

The silence that stretched was long and tense as they both pondered the situation. Finally, C-53 clambered to his feet, jostling cargo crates as he went.

“Bargie, I cannot stress enough how important it is that this conversation stays in this room,” he warned.

“It’s gonna leave this room eventually,” she argued. “Secrets don’t last long aboard the Bargarian Jade. Better figure it out before someone else does.”

“Thanks, Barge.” The droid’s reply was laced with sarcasm. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

He exited the cargo hold and made his way up the hall. The passage was dark, illuminated only by Bargie’s security lighting. He briefly missed the Midnight Shadow and its wide spectrum of sensors. The loader frame’s capabilities were rudimentary at best - he couldn’t even process the entire light spectrum. It did, at least, have a limited night vision option, which he flicked on as he made his way down the hall, flooding his scanners with muted green.

C-53 had a rather long list of qualities he wanted from the next frame he occupied, feeling terribly limited in his current one. It definitely beat that pathetic Tiny TM model he was in for a brief stint, but he still knew he could do better. He wanted to see infrared again. Longed for an organized filing system. And, yes, he missed the sensation of touch. Loader droids weren’t exactly built for physical contact with other beings.

A bright green figure appeared around the corner up ahead, and C-53’s frame stalled to a halt when he recognized its heat signature. Pleck had actually emerged from his room and was wandering down the hall in his direction.

“Oh, there you are,” the tellurian said brightly as he approached him.

The night vision made his face appear to C-53 as a blurred white dot, so he quit the command and dispelled it. The dim lighting didn’t make seeing him much easier, but at least C-53 could somewhat discern Pleck’s facial expressions this way. The man’s animated countenance was a good 50% of how he communicated.

“Were you looking for me?” C-53 asked, gazing down at him in surprise.

“Well, yeah,” Pleck responded, peering back at him in the darkness. “I heard Bargie on the PA saying you were all by yourself down here so I uh, I just wanted to check in on you.”

The droid’s machinery whirred idly as he processed this. That something as trivial as C-53 being alone would pull Pleck out of his isolation made sense considering how the tellurian felt about him, but C-53 still found himself touched by the sentiment. “Well, that’s very nice of you, Pleck, but I assure you I’m doing fine.”

Confused and still working through things, but fine. Probably.

“Oh, okay,” Pleck rocked back on his heels, nodding. “G- Good. Good to hear.”

After a short pause, C-53 prompted, “How are you feeling?”

The tellurian chuckled and jammed his hands in his pockets. “Oh, man, I’m pretty hungover,” he replied, offering a weak smile.

When he didn’t elaborate, C-53 prodded again. “Has the Allwheat been talkative today?”

Pleck’s brows drew in, looking as though the question puzzled him. He responded hesitantly. “I�� slept most of the day,” he said, his voice growing small. “So I didn’t hear it, then. It said a few things about an hour ago, but, ah,” he shrugged in an attempt to downplay the issue. “It wasn’t any more horrible than it usually is.”

The security lights hummed indifferently around them as they stood facing each other in the empty hallway.

“Hm,” C-53’s neural networking was already looking for patterns, casting around for a way to ease his friend’s torment. “What seems to set it off?” he asked.

Pleck still had a strange look on his face, as if searching for an ulterior motive beneath his words. “It… usually comes through when I’m not, uh,” he gnawed on his lip as he found the words, “mentally engaged? Like, as soon as I zone out, it’s -” he snapped for emphasis, “- right there.”

“You do tend to zone out quite a lot,” C-53 commented.

Pleck’s laugh was bitter. It sounded like soured sunshine. “You’re telling me.”

“What sort of activities would you consider mentally engaging?” C-53 prompted gently, trying to shake the unpleasant feeling that just raced through his wiring.

He watched the tellurian fidget as he thought about it. “Well, I meditate,” he began. “And, uh, talking to the crew helps, and going on missions where we meet new people. But we haven’t had a lot of those lately, so….” he trailed off, his stare vacant. C-53 could barely make out the soft lines of his face in the dim light.

“Do you think a holo would help?” he prompted.

Pleck shrugged again. “I haven’t tried it. I can’t watch holos in my room.”

“Why not watch one in the lounge?”

His shoulders were beginning to curl in defensively when he responded, “I just- I didn’t wanna bother people.”

C-53’s head tilted, considering him fondly. “When has that ever stopped you before?”

A laugh startled out of Pleck, shocking a genuine smile onto his face this time. He raised an arm and scratched at the back of his neck, looking away. “Well, you got me there,” he admitted. “I don’t know why it feels different now.”

An inexplicable impulse to scoop the tellurian up in his arms and carry him to the lounge himself surged up in C-53’s coding. He clamped down hard on the urge, bypassing the loader’s programming with a great amount of effort and a small amount of juddering from his processor. Good Rodd, that was unexpected. His fan was spinning again.

“Let’s watch a holo and see if that does anything,” C-53 declared before Pleck could ask the question he was showing on his face. “Come on.” He surged past him toward the lounge.

“Wait, both of us?” Pleck spun, hurrying to match the droid’s stride.

“And anyone else who wishes to join,” C-53 answered. “Sound good?”

Pleck nodded, a smile sneaking onto his mouth as if it didn’t have permission to be there. “Sounds good.”

The common area had been reverted back to its usual state, with its cushy couches gathered around the video monitor. Pleck popped a bag of popcorn for himself while C-53 ruminated over movie options. The smell of hot butter and salt lured AJ in from the adjacent room, and when he told the two of them he had never seen Bargie’s greatest hits, they decided to have a marathon to get the clone caught up.

“You can sit next to me, C-53,” Pleck said, patting the space beside him on the couch and grinning. He sat cross-legged on the cushion, balancing the bowl of popcorn in his lap.

“Very funny,” C-53 replied dryly. “At this size I would definitely crush that couch.”

“Okay, your arm can sit next to me, then,” Pleck conceded.

AJ was on Pleck’s other side with his feet up on the coffee table, helping himself to the popcorn. Both Pleck and C-53 watched, half disgusted and half fascinated, as the CLINT stuffed it into his helmet kernel by kernel.

“Hey, maybe take your helmet off, AJ,” Pleck suggested. “That can’t be comfortable.”

“Yes, we don’t need a repeat of that time you got hijacked .” C-53 agreed.

With no small amount of grumbling, AJ disengaged the pressure lock on his helmet and pulled it off, covering the couch in crumbled bits of corn. Pleck scooped the bowl out of the way to avoid catching any stray pieces, an amused light dancing in his eye.

“Robot Man, you gonna watch with us or what?” AJ prompted as he brushed crumbs off of himself.

C-53 belatedly realized he had just been standing there, staring. He settled his frame next to the couch and, after some consideration, rested his arm as gently as he could on the cushion next to Pleck. The couch groaned, but it held. Pleck patted his frame assuredly.

The films were, well, they were definitely Bargie flicks. AJ interrupted every few minutes to ask what was going on, and Bargie herself chimed in with commentary once she noticed that the hits were being played. C-53 kept a watchful scan on Pleck as the playlist dragged into the night. A few times, he caught that silent, prayer-like motion as he repeated mantras to himself, and did his best to redirect his attention to the holo.

AJ eventually fell asleep and Pleck wasn’t far behind, eyelid drooping wearily. The tellurian shifted sideways and stifled a yawn, leaning against the arm of C-53’s frame.

The droid felt the weight of his body and dimly registered a sense of warmth as Pleck rested his drowsy head against him, but that was all his rudimentary sensors could manage. His coding twanged with a sharp sense of loss, but he redirected the feeling.

“That doesn’t seem very comfortable for you,” he said after some processing.

Pleck made a muffled, placid noise. “S’fine. I sleep in a cold metal box every night. This is definitely a step up.”

“You still don’t have a mattress?” C-53 asked incredulously. “I thought that was a running joke.”

Pleck laughed softly against C-53’s frame, shaking it a little. “The joke is that I’ll have chronic back pain by the time I’m thirty.”

C-53 did not laugh. “You could sleep out here on the couch,” he suggested.

“Mmm, maybe just this once,” Pleck murmured, his voice thick with fatigue. He shifted slightly, pressing himself closer to C-53’s frame. It seemed he was craving physical touch as much as the droid was, which apparently was a laughable amount if he had resorted to cuddling an unyielding metal bar. C-53 found it endearing.

The holo flickered in the dark, casting the three sentients in a shifting blue glow. Pleck and C-53 watched the droning video feed while AJ dozed. Near the end of The Ship Stars Are Made Of , C-53 noticed Pleck’s breathing evening out and going soft beside him. His eye had fallen shut. He was asleep.

Well. Looks like he’s never moving from this spot again.

Chapter 4 <-----> Chapter 6

[pretty-little-howtown]

Finally Back

Word Count: 1,182

Part 2

—————————————————

You wake up to alarms and Tom barging into your room.

"They're here." He simply said. Your eyes lit up. You knew exactly what he meant. You quickly got up and threw on a random jacket and rushed out of your room followed by Tom.

"We have to split up." You looked at him and stated, "you'll have to blow your cover. Don't worry I'll make a scene just to make sure it's fully blown." You winked and sprinted down the hall. You ran until you were captured by a police officer who took you to a hall.

As you entered the hall you saw more members of the mob held in front of Tom who was speaking to an officer. You looked shocked and yelled. 'I trusted you!' while trying to free yourself from the officer that held you. Your cover was safe and secure. You just hoped that everyone was caught and that this was really over. You tried freeing yourself a couple more times to make it realistic. You got tugged inside a van and the officer let you go. You saw Harrison and ran up to him and hugged him.

"Hey man! How are you?" You exclaimed. "Man I haven't seen you in so long."

"You're alive!" He laughed, "how's Tom I haven't seen him yet."

"I made him blow his cover. Don't worry," you said to calm Haz down. "He's fine. It was last minute. Made him blow it when you guys came in, he's perfectly safe." Haz breathed a sigh of relief with your words. After a few more moments of catching up, Tom walked in. Your eyes lit up at the sight of him. You smiled as Harrison and Tom embraced. You loved how close the two of them were. They've been best friends for longer than you can imagine. The two of them let go of each other and Haz walked back to you.

"So Y/N, how are things with Tom. Still madly in love with him?" He winked at you.

"What? I'm not madly in love with him and I never have been."

"Sure. You need to go for it. Stop being afraid. Let yourself be happy for once. Okay?" You looked at him contemplating his words. For a small moment, you pictured a perfect world, where you told Tom and you became a couple and everything was perfect. But that was whipped from your mind as soon as it came because you knew the world wasn't perfect. You needed to get over him. Workplace relationships never go well and they go worst for you. You knew this. You weren't gonna risk your career or your heart. Your last relationship fizzled out because they eventually 'got bored' of you. You thought it would be best to stay away from that for a while. Diaper your stubborn nature and every conclusion you came to your heart kept pushing you towards Tom saying you deserve to be happy. Tom understood you, the two of you were in sync. He knew you. But he knew you as his best friend and that will never change.

Harrison soon noticed you weren't going to give him an answer so he left you to your thoughts.

You woke up in your own bed the next day. It was soft, comfortable but most importantly it felt like home. You would have stayed in bed longer but you still had work to do. You freshened up got dressed and made your way to work.

You got to work and was greeted by a crowd of cheers. The usually dull office was alight with laughter. You battled your way through the crowd of people patting you on that back beaming at them. Finally, you made it to your desk, only to see it packed with your favourite flowers. Your mind wandered to Tom. He's the only one who'd remember. As if on cue Tom jumped out in front of you.

"Well done!" He shouted hugging you. Your eyes were bright and your smile was wide as you pulled away. You shared a short look filled to the brim with unsaid words. Tom Leander forward and gave you a kiss on your forehead. "I'm so proud of you." You smoked even wider and the two of you started giggling.

"Thanks so much. I should probably go see the captain." You slipped out from Tom's soft gaze and walked towards your captain's office. You sneak a glance back at Tom. He's turned around and started talking to Harrison. You could still feel the warmth of his lips on your forehead. You smiled gently before opening the door to your captain's office. You stepped into the room and greeted your Captain as normal. He gave you a curt nod and proceeded straight to the point.

"I have taken the liberty of scheduling you for a psych evaluation. It's today, I want you back in the field as soon as possible. You are one of my best detectives after all. Besides, someone needs to keep Holland and Osterfield in check." The Captain joked.

"Thank you, sir, I'm glad you want me back so quickly. But, I have to ask. What if I don't pass?" You asked a slight fear overcoming you. Your Captain explained that you'd have to do paperwork for a year before you tried again. The fear increased. No pressure you told your self.

You sat down on the grey sofa and surveyed the room. Your heart pounding. You ended up focusing on an inkblot that looked a lot like a guy bleeding after being stabbed. You took a deep breath and finally looked away from the inkblot on the table, only to notice the therapist is already sat down across from you.

"Hello there, my me is doctor Schwartz I will be performing your examination today. Couldn't help but notice you staring at the inkblot. Any particular reason?" she asked starting gently into your eyes.

You blink twice, swallow thickly, "no, " you manage to choke out.

"Okay then let's get to it. You've just come back from being undercover in the mafia for a year. Must have seen some heavy-duty stuff. Are you comfortable talking bout them." you glance to the side trying to figure out your next move. If you say yes too easily shell fail you. If you say no shell fail you. There really isn't a way to win here is there? You thought.

"Sure what do you want me to start with?" you replied still trembling.

"Start from the beginning." you started with the initiations you had to go through all the way to the very last days were you basically had to beat up your best friend, until she let you out saying the results will be sent to your captain soon.

You rushed back to the precinct, burst through the door and looked for Tom. As soon as you saw his figure you were instantly relieved. You made eye contact with him.

" I need to tell you something really important" you both shouted in chorus.

[byuncock]

Untitled

requested: no

word count: 2,599

edited: naw

—

our relationship is fine. as fine as an arranged couple's marriage should be.

i am currently sitting on the couch mindlessly staring at the television screen. looking at the clock from time to time it was already 10pm and baekhyun was still at work.

sighing at the thought of the food i cooked on the table going cold. i sat there for awhile now. even stopped checking the time since i know he'll be coming home past 12am as usual.

it was 2:14am when i heard the front door's knob jiggled and in came baekhyun. he looked tired. he been looking tired for the past few weeks, i noticed but every time i try to ask all of his answers are "nothing important".

staying silent as i watched him take off his shoes and come in through the living room to go towards the bedroom. not noticing me until he saw the television screen and trailed his eyes to me.

"hey baby, what are you doing up?" he questions tiredly though doing his best to give you a smile.

"couldn't sleep" i replied to him as i watch his face give i a pout as he retreats to the bedroom.

"i'd stay up with you, but work is tiring me out. good night" he yawns.

i hear him taking a shower before getting ready for bed. i stay on the couch though. still not being able to find the sleep ineed despite how tired and drained i've been feeling.

feeling how distant we both have gone. barely any time for each other. whenever we sleep together there is a gap. no longer feeling the warmth i crave.

and worst of it all. he hasnt told me i love you since our last anniversary dinner. which was a month or so ago. this has been going on for a month and i am fed up.

doesnt seem long but when you experience it, it feels like a year.

i dont know how long it had been until i heard noises in the room and out came baekhyun. in his usual work attire.

baekhyun sees me still on the couch and questions, "why didnt you come to bed last night?" why didnt you ask me earlier?

"can't sleep" i vaguely reply. looking over at the clock it was 5am.

he nods in reply and put on his shoes. leaving for work. no good bye kiss. no i love you. not even a single affection of some sorts. thats when i had enough.

planning to visit his work later after i freshen up and ready myself for whatever storm i have to face when talking to him about this.

getting up from the couch i went over to the bedroom and took my time to freshen up.

after putting some food in my system for the day ahead i headed out. the drive to his office was nerve wrecking for some reason.

arriving at the building i walked in. passing by the receptionist you gave her a smile. she instantly stood up and bowed giving you a grin.

walking through the offices there were a bunch of workers around about, not forgetting to greet you though. when you made it to baekhyun's office floor things seems to be eerily quiet.

too quiet and it was almost scary. his door was down the hall. his door was slightly ajar. not knowing if he was in his office or not you take a peek.

he was indeed in his office, but he wasn't alone. he is sitting on top at the front of his desk. arms crossed with his eyebrows furrowed while talking to someone.

i was going to leave and just wait for him to finish conversing with whoever he is with until the person made it's appearance.

she was dangerously close to him to be talking to him about some offer of a deal. she got even closer by caging him in his arms by putting her arms on both sides of him on his desk. their faces inches apart from where their lips can touch.

i was shocked, hurt, angry, every emotion you can get. not knowing what to do or if i should barge in, but my grabbed my phone out of my purse and quickly dialed a number.

before things could get worse between the pair in the room a ringtone broke the tension. though the phone kept ringing the both of them made no signs to move.

baekhyun turned his head to look at the caller id that was calling him. he was staring intently at his phone but not reaching out to pick it up.

i watched him stare at his phone, praying for him to pick up. even when the ring stopped he didnt move a muscle.

the woman grabbed his chin and turned his face over to meet her face again. a sly smirk made its way across her lips. everything turned silent after i hung up the call. not believing he stood your call, but is it shocking since he's been ignoring my calls for a while now?

"so" the lady sultry says, "everything could be over if you accept my offer" she purrs.

confusion flashed across my face. what could be over? what offer? i was confused, so mad, and so hurt i really wanted to burst in and stop them.

i was going to burst in until he leaned in. not wanting to witness what happens after she leans in i left.

walked through the building with tears streaming down my face. not caring if the workers saw.

finally, even though it felt like years, i made it out the building. going over to my car and got in. quickly driving home, away from the building, away from him.

when i made it home i just threw my body on the bed. everything hurts. my heart was literally broken. i am sobbing into my pillow.

thinking about how the past few nights i slept without his embrace. went on with day for the month without his love or affection. and now i knew why.

turning over on the bed to stare up at the ceiling i rose my left hand. staring at the promise ring he gave me a few months ago during our anniversary. now everything just seem like a joke.

i would of spent even more hours wailing then getting ready to leave him until i heard the front door slam. quick steps were approaching and there he was.

"baby" he says breathlessly. as if he ran all the way over here from his workplace. i stared at him for a moment before turning my attention back to the ceiling. the tears threatening to fall again.

i sniffed and thats when i felt the right side of the bed dip. his face coming to view.

"why didnt you tell me you were coming to visit me at work?" he questions softly, staring at you.

"even if i called, you didnt answer" i whisper then stared at him. letting him see how broken you are. how broken he made you.

he was lost for words. so what his coworkers were telling him were right. you were there. then you left. with tears.

"baby, i can explain. what you saw at my work was not wh-" he tries to explain to me, but i cut him off.

"please leave, baekhyun. i don't want to see you right now" i try to stay as calmly as possible. though i was anything but calm.

"baby please let me explain-" he desperately tries again, but i sat up. almost bumping our heads, making him move back slightly. i reached for my left ring finger and as quickly as i can, take it off then threw it outside our bedroom door

i was heaving. now tears have fell and baekhyun looked over at the door where the sound of a ring dropping is made. he looked at my face. with a painful, regretful, and saddened expression.

i didnt dare look at him though as i stare straight ahead waiting for him to leave. when i heard him get up to grab the ring i ran over to our bedroom door and closed it. locking it too.

knocks and yells were made on the other side of the door. i can hear him calling for me, crying in the process of trying to let him in, but i dont.

i cover my ears trying to block his cries as i cried. falling asleep in that position with him as the last thing on my mind.

the sound of the alarm woke me up. i went over to it and slammed the snooze button. checking the time it was 10am. Baekhyun should be out at work now. I thought as i got up.

i opened the door heading out of the bedroom until i stumbled across a body by the door. i was on the floor from tripping over baekhyun. he seem to be stirring awake from my clumsiness and we made eye contact.

i quickly got up on my feet to go back in the room and close the door, but baekhyun quickly grabbed me and wrapped his arms around my body.

i was thrashing in his arms. trying to get him to let go of me since i dont want to be anywhere near him. nonetheless touch by an unfaithful partner.

"let me explain, please" he sounded so broken. his voice was hoarse, probably from crying. but it just made you even angrier.

he held me tighter as long as it takes for me to calm down. when a minutes have passed and i have finally gave up in trying to escape, i let him hug me.

baekhyun takes this chance to explain what happened. clearing his throat, "i dont know when you came in yesterday and what you saw, but i assure you nothing happened" he says carefully.

i was lifeless. basically, he was holding my entire form together before i completely break apart.

sensing my silence he held me a bit tighter burying his head in my hair as he gently pressed kisses around. continuing, "that lady... she is one of my new partners in work. we hired her a few weeks before this whole thing started".

"she tried seducing me, tried countless of ways to get closer to me, but being the smart and loyal man i am i never gave in and i even called her out on it" he pulls away from you to cup your face.

"but that pissed her off.. she- she started messing with my paper works, my deals and partnership, i couldn't do anything, baby." his voice broke as he tried explaining for you to understand.

"i didnt know what to do. i told her i would fire her if she kept this up, but because she is the daughter of one of my most loyal partner...... she told me she would ruin me by telling lies with proof of fake documents i dont even know where she is getting it from" he is sobbing now. though a ton of bricks have finally lifted off his chest he was still scared.

i was still silent. taking in everything he had said, but one question is lingering in my mind that i hope is false.

"you said you never gave in to her foul play, right?" your voice so small baekhyun had to stop breathing just to hear. "then how come i saw the both of you kiss" you looked up at him, tears forming in your eyes at the memory.

"no no baby, she leaned in, but i assure you our lips did not touch. i pushed her away right when she leaned in. i knew she was going to do that, but i was waiting for her to do it so that if she does yell for help i can say that she was trying something on me without my consent." he explains, a bit too quickly for my brain, but i understand. i nod to him, my eyes casting downwards.

"even after all these explanations, i dont understand why you havent been giving me the love and affection i've been yearning for" i sniffed. heart hurting from all the pain. i look down tears wetting his suit.

"i'm so sorry, baby. for that reason... i just... i just couldnt bring myself to touch you, make love to you, or even say the three words because of how dirty things feel. i know i told you i did nothing with her, but i still felt dirty. im so sorry, baby" he is crying. trying his best to speak as he wraps his arms around you again. holding you tight.

understanding now you oat his back to calm him down. though the pain in your heart ceased a bit, it was still there.

"im- im so so- sorry, baby. for a- all the th- things i've put you through" he was hiccuping. the thought of how lonely and sad you mustve felt because of his cold actions towards you.

"let me make it up to you , baby. please i promise to be better . i promise to treat you better not do that ever again. " he says brokenly. cupping your face again as he pecks all over your face, but your lips.

"please, let me make it up for you, please" he desperately says while searching for your eyes.

you think for a moment. about everything he says. all the drama that happened and see how much shit he's been going through. although he should of told you about it he made it worse for himself.

baekhyun took your silence as a bad sign when he leaned his forehead onto yours. closing his eyes as he whispered, "baby, please forgive your shit of a boyfriend and let him treat you right. please" he opens his eyes at the last word to stare at your brown orbs.

"this is your only chance" you say before he swoops in and kisses you on the lips. the both of us meet each other head on. my arms finally wrapping around him to pull him closer as his arms trailed everywhere around you.

he picked me up and carry me over to the bed and laid me down. that night we spent reuniting with one another.

-

next morning came and the alarm rang for 10am. you woke up startled, but just laid there trying to back to sleep. you hear rustling on the other side of the bed as baekhyun turned off the alarm and wrapped his arm around your waist again.

confused by his action you turned over, "not going to work?" you questioned. while staring at his cute face. he shakes his head.

"i'll take care of whatever i need to take care of at home......... and that means firing that woman" he says before he made himself comfortable by snuggling closer to you.

i was a bit worried because of what baekhyun said she can do to him if he fires her, "but what about the lies she will do?"

"i'll face whatever bump it takes me and because i know and you know that i am innocent, that is enough" he smiles though his eyes are still closed.

not wanting to disturb him any further i fully turn to him and get closer to him. wrapping my arm around his torso. giving him a quick peck on his lips before closing my eyes to drift off again.

—

authornote: hello xD! i just wrote this for the past few hours after remembering a oneshot i read on tumblr similar to this that is no longer posted. so i figured to just write something similar to keep myself from going crazy by not being able to read it again aha. sry for the mistakes you see, but i hope you enjoy reading!

- admin b

[singaporeluststoriescollection]

How I managed to bang my GF's family and friends (Part 10)

The 3 seconds of silence was an ordeal. Rita stared at me with a look of disbelief on her face. Alright, brain. Now will be a very, very good time to tell her that it was all a joke.

 "I-" as soon as I opened my mouth, Rita gave my right shoulder a slap.

 A really, really hard slap.

 "Oh my god I can't believe you just said that! Aren't you a 'charming' one!" Rita mocked, bursting into uncontrollable laughter right after.

 Ouch, now I am a little insulted. But at least she didn't slap me across the cheek and kick me outta the house.

 "Haha... now you know why all the ladies fall for me..." the lackluster reply I gave was drowned out by Rita's laughter.

 "Okay, now you have to tell me how your cheesy ass even managed to get a girlfriend in the first place!"

 At that very moment, I knew she'll be making fun of me every chance she gets in the future. Looking on the bright side, at least I've made myself a pretty cool friend. Even though I didn't get the chance to 'go further' with her today, I can't say that today's developments were a bad thing.

 Rita and I eventually became pretty close over the course of two months, getting to the point where we can joke about almost anything. To be honest, I was glad my future mother in law forced me to meet her. As for why- I'll go into details when the time comes. But know that my misadventures with Rita are so epic I think I could start a new thread about them.

 (Sorry about the lack of sexy time this time round, but please remember that these are based on the events of my life and I would like to stay true to the sequence of events. If it's any comfort, there will be more about Rita in the future)

  Anyway, another uneventful week went by and I was back to my usual routine. It was as if nothing had happened between my future mother in law and me. To be honest, it was because of Rita's advice. She told me to play it cool so as to ease the tension in the air, and it's been working really well so far.

 Then came a relatively interesting weekday night.

 If my memory serves me well, it was a Thursday and I was on my way home. The MRT was packed like a can of sardine, and I was standing below the sweat-stained armpit of a really tall man. While I was contemplating my existence, my hand phone started vibrating non-stop.

 Given the intensity of the vibration, there could only be two possibilities.

 1) Someone's trying to call me (duh)

 2) A certain worst best friend is texting me incessantly

 As soon as I was given some breathing room, I escaped from beneath the armpits of doom and leaned against one of the train doors. Sure enough, Ah Tan was sending me messages faster than I could reply. The gist of it was that Ah Tan had just received his bonus from his workplace and he was damn excited. You see, Ah Tan was working a 9 to 7 shitty job with an even shittier pay. Recently, due to a change in management, there was a vast improvement in Ah Tan's working conditions.

 And the best part of it all- he was given two months' worth of bonus. Naturally, I was happy for him. However, like all people with poor financial management skills, Ah Tan has decided to treat the other three (Me, Royce and Jeremy) to a holiday trip.

 While we are really good friends, having him pay for the trip would be ridiculous no matter what.

 Just as I was about to turn down his offer, Jeremy replied to Ah Tan's messages in the group chat...

 "Eh bro, cannot lah, if you really want, just treat us to a good meal there. Plane and hotel we pay ourselves can already" Jeremy replied, suggesting an alternative which made more sense.

 Royce and I both agreed unanimously- agreeing that Ah Tan shouldn't splurge his hard-earned money like this.

 To cut a long story short, we've decided to go on a short getaway trip to Thailand in 2 weeks' time.

 And I was really excited. It's been close to a year since our last group trip, and I really missed travelling with this bunch of assholes. I told Evelynn about our plans during dinner and she gave me a thumbs up. Within the next couple of days, the four of us bought our tickets to Thailand, and we could hardly contain our excitement like a group of adolescent boys.

 The weekend before my trip, Eyvon came knocking on our door one Sunday afternoon. Evelynn was out with her friends, and Eyvon pretty much barged into the room before I could finish saying "come in".

 "Guys, I need help!" Eyvon came in, her face twisted by her emotions. Sensing something amiss, I jumped off the bed and followed her into her room.

 What greeted us was a disaster scene from a movie. The floor of her room was flooded by dark coloured liquid, and it was slowly journeying across the room. One corner of her bed had also been dirtied by the disgusting liquid

 "What the fuck...?" I raised my head, looking at the black liquid oozing from the air conditioner.

 I've seen an air conditioner leak before, but not one that's leaking black liquid. This is like a scene from a certain horror film.

 "I just woke up from my nap to this... and I could really use a hand with the situation..." Eyvon whined, obviously still groggy from her nap.

 ...Well, don't think I have a choice in the matter.

 For the next hour, I helped Eyvon mop the floor and clean out her air conditioner while she washed the filters. Apparently, the last time they had someone clean the unit was close to 4 years ago. Really makes me worry about the air I've been breathing in all this time...

 As I slotted the filters back into the unit, Eyvon whistled at me playfully. Turning around, I see Eyvon sitting on her bed, her legs partially apart. As I was busy with the air conditioner, I hadn't notice that Eyvon's grey singlet had gotten wet from her washing the filters.

 Her shapely breasts and perky nipples were sticking to the wet singlet, which is now slightly translucent due to the water.

 "...would you like to help me change the sheets?" Eyvon teased, tugging on her singlet lightly.

 Would I?

 Find me a straight man who would say no to this spectacle and I'll gladly award him a million bucks.

 I walked off the chair I was standing on, stepping onto her bed. Eyvon sat up straight and got on her knees, tying the bottom of her singlet into a knot, showing her soft and white belly.

 By the time she was done with her singlet, my shorts were already around my ankle, and my manhood was right before her nose. Honestly, it didn't take much for me to achieve full erection. With a couple of licks from her drippin' wet tongue, I was at full power...

(Original thread: http://tiny.cc/td3x6y) (To be continued…)

[paperclipninja]

Younger post-ep ramble 5x12

Ok, we made it, we’re here. Now proudly donning my ‘I survived Younger Season 5’ commemorative t-shirt, there were moments in the lead up when I thought the anticipation for ‘Lizability’ might actually be the end of me. But nope, managed to survive that and then, miraculously, survive the finale itself (though there were a couple of parts that had me teetering, can you say FOUNTAIN SCENE). As always, I have many thoughts and feelings, all of which I will lay out in this final episode ramble for the season. So switch out your night driving glasses for your reading ones, there is a lot to unpack.

Straight off the bat we get my favourite terrible person, Cheryl Sussman. Taking Liza on the tour of Plaza, she does her best to try and remind us why we should hate her by talking up her company while dissing our beloved Empirical (her calling it a floundering family publishing house felt akin to when you’re snarky about your own family but if someone else says a bad word, HELL NO). But then, as she’s complimenting Liza on her work at Millennial and Liza once again points out she didn’t do it on her own, Cheryl comes out with ‘now’s not the time to hide your light under a bushel’. So now my feelings are confused. I know Cheryl is a bad egg (oh yes, I am HERE for the Chick(y) puns) but her unabashed directness means that she also sees Liza’s talent and won’t let her credit all the success to Kelsey and you get the sense that she might actually be legitimately valued in her own right in this workplace (not to mention Cheryl outright saying that theirs is not an ageist company).

Cue the offer to run her own imprint with the most cringe worthy name a marketing team ever spent ages coming up with. It’s so bad it’s great (I could just hear someone from marketing saying, “I know, let’s put the ‘y’ in brackets for…wait for it…the y chromosome so that it’s clear we’re not just an imprint for women” and the team all high fiving each other before cracking open a bottle of sparkling rose that was left over from the Christmas party). Of course no matter how peachy it’s all sounding, we know that the fact Cheryl knows about Liza’s relationship with Charles is going to be used against her at some point, so any confused feelings are quickly quashed when Cheryl throws her own pun into the mix, that this Chick(y) is ready to hatch, and struts off. Ugh, she’s the worst. I love her.

Back at Empirical, Kelsey is blindsided by the news that there is a Captiol Letters party being hosted in Washington that she knows nothing about. Zane enjoys every moment of questioning Kelsey in front of her colleagues and Kelsey’s attempt to save face by telling Charles she’s heading there leads to a conversation I was hoping would happen this season. I suspected that Charles knew there was something going on between Jake and Kelsey and Kelsey and Zane. Peter Hermann is really such a remarkable actor because in the eps leading up this one, during each interaction with Jake or Zane about the book, and even last episode when Kelsey squeezed Zane’s cheeks at the cabaret show, a contemplative expression flashed across Charles’ face as he was piecing together these separate interactions and conversations. Him confronting Kelsey about her relationship with Jake, and also indicating that he knew she and Zane had something going on, was what I needed. It was ensuring she was held accountable as well as an opportunity to make her aware of Zane’s actions in refusing to poach the book.

While we’re in Charles’ office, I’d like to touch on a scene that I really loved and that was the Charles, Kelsey and Liza moment talking about what’s going to happen, following Charles’ meeting with Quinn. Admittedly, Kelsey not understanding what Charles initially says raises some questions about her business acumen, but the conversation between the three of them once the news of Millennial becoming the flagship brand is revealed was the first time I’ve seen them talk together like this (and I really enjoyed seeing Kelsey and Liza’s disbelief and elation). Liza pointing out she’s been perpetuating fraud and that both of them are complicit and the glance Charles shot at Kelsey, Kelsey saying in front of Charles that Liza can’t leave, that she can’t do this without her, it’s like these three are bound by the shared secret and their care of Liza and I felt like I caught a glimpse of the potential for the three of them to hang out. I’m not suggesting that Charles and Kelsey are suddenly going to have a blossoming friendship, rather that Charles being out for drinks or the like with the gang, a notion that I’m dying to see but can’t quite wrap my head around, suddenly became plausible and possible in this moment for me.

The most striking part of this scene was the way both Liza and Charles changed the moment Kelsey left the room. You could see them both relax into the comfort of just the two of them, the way Liza says, ‘you know I’m right’ immediately readjusted the power dynamic to that of two equals and transitioned the conversation to one between partners rather than colleagues. Liza reminds Charles of her desire for a career and his smile when she says that by leaving they’ll have ‘us’ was a sweet bonus. Charles trusting Liza’s judgement about Kelsey and talking through his next steps with her further reinforced that he values and respects her opinion and guidance. The one thing this scene absolutely solidified for me was how much I would give (read: A LOT) to see these two team up and become a publishing power couple, seriously, I know that won’t ever happen on Younger but I would be all over that and am already picturing a good cop/bad cop nerdish negotiation scenario and yes, take my money, I’m here for it.

Speaking of negotiations, our billionaire friend Quinn reappeared this week and I thoroughly enjoyed hearing her actually conducting business and talking about putting together a group of investors etc. Don’t get me wrong, in her lunch meeting with Charles the flirt was on as she told him she wants to put her money where her passion is, but I liked her assertiveness around having a specific strategy for saving Empirical. I love this character, she is like the good witch version of Cheryl Sussman (I think. I want her to be good so I’m sticking with this until I see otherwise). And I especially loved her after the conversation with Liza. Quinn and Liza together = yes please. I want them to become friends or at least have some kind of relationship where they go out for drinks together or SOMETHING, because Quinn in business mode not accepting any of Liza’s reasons for leaving Millennial and not relenting until Liza came straight out with the truth….YES! This moment was so so good. From Quinn’s reaction (a shout out to the expression on Laura Benanti’s face in that moment) and Liza saying that the optics aren’t good now that Quinn knows, to Quinn’s response that the optics aren’t good either for firing someone who’s fighting against ageism then offering to celebrate it, it was such a glorious unfolding of events. Of course Quinn goes straight to how it can be beneficial for business and I LOVE that Liza shoots back with the fact it’s good for Claw. And possibly my favourite part of this scene, when Quinn feigns that she never even thought of that, Liza throws chapter 4 straight back at her and Quinn says see, you already know I’m not going to let you go and this kind of intelligent, witty back and forth between two women who clearly respect one another is what I want to see Liza have in her friendships. Make this happen Darren.

The other person I need Liza to be going out for drinks with is Diana and this was reinforced by their interaction the morning in the office when Diana believes the relationship with Enzo may be over. I love that Liza can tell something is wrong and when she asks, Diana tells her rather than shuts her out. Oh how far these two have come! Diana’s hurt is so deep and real and Liza’s attempt to console her with ‘even when you know it won’t work, it’s still hard when it doesn’t’ (which of course is very applicable to Liza’s current conundrum) does not fall on deaf ears, despite Diana’s stone faced request for espresso. The cause of this angst is of course the fallout of the Fatburg Five conversation in Enzo’s new apartment the night before. A few weeks ago I was convinced that there would be a Diana/Enzo (what are we calling them? Enzana? Dizo?) proposal, but that idea took a back seat considering the big move to the big smoke and I’m cool with that considering the events that unfolded between Dizo (maybe?) this ep. 

Diana’s first reaction to Enzo’s big news, that she’s proud of him, was lovely but that quickly spiralled downward as the Fatberg Five scenario was outlined and Diana lost it (‘alliteration is just my Achilles’ -  same Diana, same). Diana laughing at duty, omg, seeing her be so juvenile and giggly was bizarre and hilarious, but juxtaposed with Enzo wanting to be taken seriously and feeling like Diana thinks he’s ridiculous was heartbreaking. So this scene was just an emotional washing machine really. What it did pave the way for though, was a panicked Diana fleeing the office upon seeing the Fatberg Fracas breaking news shouting, ‘nobody flush anything!’ in a way only Younger could pull off, before arriving at the scene to declare that she’s his girlfriend and barging through the barricade. Diana Trout in that gorgeous coat and that necklace hugging a sewage soaked Enzo as her relief radiated from my screen will forever be etched in my mind. I mean, if clubbing eels to death wasn’t enough of an indication of her feelings for this man, cupping his face as she stood there with actual shit on hers certainly is. This is a woman in love and I’m moving my Enzana (feeling it or nay?) proposal prediction to season 6.

Speaking of predictions, in lieu of a proposal, I had thought we might get an ‘I love you’ moment between Diana and Enzo but instead that (well, sort of that) came from the last place I was expecting, Zane. When Kelsey confronted him about not poaching Jake’s book feeling all affronted, because she seems to think that people only ever do anything to get one over her or undermine her (I have had issues with Kelsey this season and I won’t unload those here, but seriously, she needs some introspection and maybe some help with that insecurity), and Zane dropped the ‘because I was in love you’ line I was very much in the WTF??? camp. I’ve only just started getting to know you Zane, I’m not ready for that kind of declaration! Kelsey’s response, that ‘you don’t say that to someone in the past tense for the first time unless you’re trying to make them feel like an asshole’ was pretty astute, because I’m pretty sure that’s exactly what he was trying to do. I realise I sound way harsh here, but other than enjoying their professional competitiveness, I have little to no investment in their relationship outside the workplace, so for others this may have been a bigger moment than to me. I did like that it brought home the fact that Kelsey’s actions do have ramifications and that it’s not always about winning, as Zane pointed out (I also liked that he knew about the new structure and says that he talks to Charles too, it was a nice reminder that he is her equal. Well, was). My favourite moment between Zane and Kelsey this episode was when he quit and Kelsey realised he already has another job (I SO want it to be heading up Chick(y)), the way he flashed that smile as the elevator doors closed was a pretty boss move and one heck of a way to exit. Game on between these two next season.

I appreciated that Josh and Maggie’s conversation opened with Maggie apologising for Malkie asking for his seed over dessert, as only Maggie could. It provided a nice bridge and showed that the events of ‘Lizability’ followed straight on from the last episode. I do enjoy Josh and Maggie’s friendship and Josh saying that for Maggie, he would have gone through with the donation, was such a sweet moment. It’s moments like this that remind me how much I like Josh as a character, when this sensitive, loving and kind side of him is on display. Josh and Lauren’s is another friendship I so thoroughly enjoy (as you may recall, I just love Lauren in general) and her response to Josh’s deliberation about impending fatherhood when Josh suggested talking it out over some tacos, ‘adorable, but no’, lead to the calling of the cacao mother, a concept so absurd that it should have provided a giant lol but instead provided a poignant and rather beautiful sequence. Now I feel like I need to provide a huge disclaimer here, so please bear with me.  I am on Team Charles until the cows come home and I will be the first to jump on the float leading the Charliza parade when these two get their HEA, however I try to watch and ramble about these episodes as objectively as possible, which believe it or not, sometimes takes numerous re-watches (it’s a tough job but someone’s gotta do it…actually, they probably don’t but whatever) just so I can distance myself from my own shipper bias. While I don’t condone or like the way Josh has behaved towards Liza on countless occasions and I have made it known that the love triangle trope is one that I am tired of and needs to die, I am still invested in Josh’s character being revived and given his own life and happiness. Which brings us to THE dream sequence.

The crafting of this scene and the follow up comments to Lauren and later Maggie, are so brilliantly ambiguous and while on one hand the intention (to provide a crutch to the limping corner of the triangle, ugh) drives me nuts, the brilliance comes from the fact that I can also see this scene as closing the triangle off. This is undeniably a gift to the Team Josh fans, a chance to see their ultimate hope for the show realised and you know what, after this season, if I was a fan of that pairing I’d be beside myself with happiness to be given such an image, except for the baby part. Because no matter whether I was a shipper, a casual viewer or was just here for Diana’s necklaces (I mean let’s be real, who isn’t?) as someone who is invested in all the characters and actually saw and heard the very clear articulation by Liza on numerous occasions that she does NOT want another baby, I cannot accept that the writers would ever push that point again. I have to have faith that the writers would never support the persistence of changing a woman’s mind over something so significant and reduce her choice to something that can be altered through some misguided notion of romance. And that includes raising a baby with Josh that isn’t hers and I swear to god, if I see the argument again that if Liza is with Charles she’d be a step-parent so it’s the same, I would ask you to kindly spend time with a new baby vs. a 7 and 5 year old who also have a mother they live with half the time, because one of these things is not like the other. Ok, now that’s out of my system, back to my point…

While in one way the dream sequence ignites hope for those who feared Josh’s tattoo cover up signalled the end of his feelings for Liza, to me it is simultaneously sad and moving. The reality is, the two things that Josh wants are mutually exclusive and he knows that. Lauren and Josh’s, ‘did you get your answer?’, ‘Yeah I think I did’ exchange was laced with enough ambiguity to leave Josh shippers beside themselves and Charles shippers, well, beside themselves. There is enough room here to inject your own interpretation and bend it to suit your desire for this show, which, regardless of how you feel about the outcome as far as a pairing goes, is brilliant writing and execution. So what is my interpretation? The follow up conversation with Maggie (Josh’s ‘I cacao-ed about it’ was so fab), in which Josh says that he’s decided that when he does have a kid, he wants it to be his kid and wants it to be with somebody he really loves, cements for me that Josh and Liza’s future will be one of platonic love and support. I’m not suggesting that they’ll be parked in that space any time soon, I’m optimistic not deluded, and as much as it pains me, they clearly want to draw out this illusion of a triangle for as long as possible.

There’s a very good chance I’m over-analysing (who, me?!) and I’m clearly projecting my own hope onto this, but Josh doesn’t say he wants to raise a child with someone he loves, he wants to have that child with them. And as we know, that door has closed for Liza. So back to my point about Josh knowing that he cannot have a child with Liza, that those two pieces, child and Liza, cannot go together. To me, he is confirming in his conversation to Maggie that his answer to Lauren’s question is in fact, that the piece he is sure of is the child. So I see this dream signifying that Josh’s desire for a child is unwavering and his desire to find someone he loves the way he loves/loved Liza to share that with is ignited; that Liza appearing in that dream represented the kind of love he wants to have with and for the person he has children with.

Then of course Lauren’s hysterical scream and declaration that ‘the cacao mother, we called her and she is here’ led to the most predicted ‘surprise’ of the finale, pregnant Clare at the door. I know some people are saying that maybe it’s not Josh’s baby but why would she be there if it wasn’t? The only reason would be if their divorce wasn’t finalised, but I feel like that would be a cop out (not to mention, what person would fly when they’re about 5 minutes away from popping out a baby to just catch up with the ex or sign some papers? Puh-lease). When Clare and Josh were together in season 4 I actually thought they were a great match. I mean, I was a bit ‘meh’ on her character, but they seemed to work well, had common interests and I was up for seeing where that would go. So I am very curious to see how this plays out next season.

Now I find myself at one of my most favourite scenes of the entire series of Younger. Last ep I was on fire and this ep I was reduced to a puddle of emotions, so grab a mop and bucket, this swoon-fest is about to get real. Charles and Liza strolling through the park at night near the fountain, SWEET LAWD this scene is more than I ever imagined in my wildest dreams. First of all, we have been transported to a time and place where Charles has fallen out of the classics section of a bookstore and stepped straight from his horse and carriage with rolled up sleeves to become the narrator of his own love story. As he paints Liza and us the picture of how their romance will unfold, the way these two bounce off one another is effortless and playful, there is such ease in their banter. Liza screwing up her face, in response to Charles’ assurance that the two protagonists of his tale do not share a secret past, led to her jovially taking aim with a whole lot of the criticism that has been levelled at Charles on social media from time to time, ‘hmm, well, he’s a little stuffy, recently divorced, will they have any chemistry? Is he fun?’ (and can we please talk about the Charles Brooks facial expressions during this?? ARGHHHH) and no jokes I AM DYING at how meta this is. Seriously. DYING. The fact that Charles gets a right of reply and simply but firmly states, ‘well, she’ll just have to find out for herself’. This is EVERYTHING.

Then this scene takes it up a notch, with Liza prompting a page turn by adding her own offering, ‘let’s say she says ‘yes’. They go to dinner, and…’ Charles becomes so animated and alive in this moment, with the look on his face as he responds, ‘maybe they click’ leading to commencement of melting into a puddle stage 1. He brings the story to life in all its third person narrative glory, through the vivid imagery and tender delivery of, ‘maybe he can hold her hand at the office, and in the street, everywhere. The way he has wanted to do, for as long as he can remember’ and it’s nothing short of sublime (time of death: now) and LIZA I’M GONNA THROW YOUR DAMN PHONE IN THAT FREAKING FOUNTAIN SO HELP ME WOMAN. Though I do love that Charles asks, ‘is she going to get that?’ to which Liza replies, ‘she’d rather not’.

But what I love even more is that when asked if everything’s alright, Liza says ‘of course not’, shows Charles the messages from Cheryl and he then pulls out his own pun in response to all those chick(y) emoji’s with, ‘you can’t make an omelette without breaking a few eggs’. It takes a special kind of person to be able to bring wordplay and an idiom together with such precision to provide actual encouragement relevant to a given situation, but Charles Brooks is that person. And Liza’s initial laugh in appreciation is only amplified by Charles adding, ‘it’s Hamlet’ and I just can’t with these two, honestly. I initially thought that the Hamlet reference was purely to be absurd, but as some astute people pointed out, the musical ‘Something Rotten!’ contains both Shakespeare and the song ‘Make an Omelette’, so I have no doubt this was a nod to that and the fact that Christian Borle (who you may remember as Don Ridley in eps 4 and 5 this season, as well as being Sutton Foster’s ex-husband) was the star of this musical, I am going to be sweeping up the fragments of fourth wall that shattered in this scene for days.

Liza must of course then go and break those eggs and provide us all with a good dose of second-hand awkwardness as she arrives at the Chick(y) party, discovers she’s the guest of honour (we were all with her as she muttered ‘Oh God’ at spotting the peep of chicks awaiting her arrival) and gets to tell Cheryl, who is gulping wine while yelling ‘did you bring the contract?’ that actually no, she won’t be taking the job after all. Angry Cheryl is angry and it’s not long before we discover the ramifications of Liza turning down the role.

When Quinn greets Charles with ‘we have a problem’, you just know that it’s not to do with acceptable font sizes in the workplace. As Quinn shows Charles the blind item claiming that he is having a torrid affair with a 27 year old assistant, we all know exactly what Cheryl decided to do following Liza’s rejection and I tell you what, the vindictiveness exceeded even my expectations. Firstly, Cheryl knows that Liza is not 27 so putting that in the blind item can only be to bring Charles into disrepute and oust Liza to anyone who knows her as a 27 year old and secondly, Cheryl emails this to the investors whose money Empirical is relying on for survival. That’s right, Cheryl Sussman is willing to topple an entire company because she’s butt hurt that someone rejected a job she offered them. In this moment, she has achieved legit super-villain status and I love-hate her even more.

As Quinn confirms with Charles that this is in fact true, the reality of him having an affair with an assistant in his office, despite it being consensual, cannot be spun in any way that makes it not controversial (and I need to comment that I loved Charles saying ‘Liza is not 27, as you know’ - it was a little snippet that let us know that Liza told him she revealed the truth to Quinn, that she and Charles continue to talk openly and honestly with one another). Knowing that as the public face of the company the investors will pull out after this revelation, Charles’ decision to step down is him doing what he has to in order for the company to survive and I cannot tell you how happy I am that this decision was driven by the business, not his relationship with Liza. Yes, the decision is a consequence of the relationship, but that is something he is willingly a part of, it is not Liza’s lie about her age that has caused the issue. And I’m not meaning to diminish the idea that some people have that this was some kind of purely romantic gesture, but he really did not have a choice in that moment but to remove himself from scrutiny if Empirical/Millennial was to continue to operate. And I’m glad. The pressure on the relationship and on Liza had this been a sacrifice made purely for her or them would be so enormous and no doubt lead to serious problems down the track.

When Charles and Quinn announce the news about Millennial becoming the flagship brand and Kelsey’s promotion to Publisher, Diana’s look summed it up really. It’s ok Diana, it’s not just you, Kelsey in that role is flat out bonkers, but on the flipside, if Millennial is now the main brand it does sort of make sense that she take the lead. I have no doubt that Charles’ questions to Liza over the past couple of episodes about Kelsey’s ability to run Millennial will play out next season, just as the fact Liza is there would have factored into Charles feeling comfortable suggesting Kelsey take on the role in the first place. When Charles’ new role is announced, the way he looks at Liza in that moment, as though he is reminding himself why this will be all worth it, omg. puddle. me.

Diana isn’t buying it and I wonder if she thinks Kelsey and Quinn set this up, her disbelief that Charles would accept being put out to pasture serves to enlighten Liza about what actually just went down (oh Liza, you sweet innocent unicorn you). Diana definitely notices Liza’s reaction and her running out of the office, I feel like surely Charles and Liza’s relationship, at the very least, will need to come out pretty quickly next season and at this stage, Diana being left in dark about Liza’s age feels a bit off too. I know that Diana’s role won’t really change at work, but I just really dislike that she doesn’t fully understand the whole context around her and the reasons for these changes taking place.  

As Charles is walking away from the office he’s shaking his head, as though he hasn’t had any time to process any of it and is in disbelief at what just happened and the fact it’s real. This is probably not unreasonable considering that this enormous change has occurred within the space of about a day it would seem, so you know, the uprooting of all you’ve known for the majority of your adult life is bound to require some processing.

Which brings us, of course, to the final scene of the season. Liza discovering that Quinn was going to pull the investment because she found out about the relationship leads to Liza’s despair that ‘this isn’t a good thing, this is your life’, to which Charles reassures her that ‘it was, but maybe it’s time for a new one’. With her (puddle). Oh and his kids. As Charles asserts that he has everything he wants, you can see Liza scrutinising his face to see whether he is telling the truth or trying to put her at ease, so when he adds, ‘I’m happy’, she exhales, realising that this really is what he wants. Their shared moment of realisation that this is it, accompanied by her small laugh of disbelief and relief before she adds, ‘then so am I’, transposes their relationship from the place of longing and one day, where it has resided until now, to the world Charles described in the story he told beside the fountain; a place where they can hold hands in the street, everywhere. In that moment they look at one another as if to say, we’re finally here.

As Charles reaches out to caress her face it’s as though he’s bridging that gap between where they were and where they now find themselves. Seeing them kiss in broad daylight in the middle of the park, I realised that despite all their wonderful, beautiful moments since being together, the secrecy has been emphasised by the evening rendezvous or stolen stairway kisses and the impact of the daylight to highlight their relationship being brought out into the open is significant. When Charles outstretched his hand and took Liza’s I’m not gonna lie, I shed a tear. I was suddenly so struck with emotion in that moment, yes, because the dream outlined in the story earlier in the episode was realised, but it also felt like the culmination of every time that Charles and Liza almost were but weren’t, their seasons of un-synchronized passion and desire all building to this moment when they could take one another’s hand. And as they walked, hand in hand, the only sure thing being that they are finally together, the uncertainty of everything else suddenly dawns on them.

Their expressions in those final seconds are not of regret or remorse to me. They are of two people who have had zero time to process any of the events and upheaval that have occurred in the past 24 hours. Only moments earlier Charles was donning a similar look of contemplation before he was intercepted by Liza. Liza has only just heard the news that Charles is stepping down and she and Kelsey will be running Millennial. Walking hand in hand, in the comfort of each other’s company, they are able to begin working through the events and ramifications and what that means for each of them. Their desire for this to work is unwavering, I believe that they both had expected it to transpire quite differently and so, of course, they will now readjust and navigate this new normal. Together.

[aeschylusresigned-blog]

🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌

Send a 🙌 and I’ll introduce you to an NPC related to my Muse.

Alright so these are going to be NPCs from Hal’s specific timeline/story whatever. The AU I set up for him, completely unrelated to any tumblr interactions I’ve had. Anyways.

He is his brother. From the adopted family, of course. The ethereal child, the talented one. The kid that everyone actually wanted around, the one the teachers loved to praise. The one who always, always outdid him. The one who couldn’t care less for Hal and the one Hal loathed but couldn’t help but care for. He was so talented, he is so talented. So capable of so many things and yet he doubts himself every moment of the way. He is closed off reclusive. Yet kind and decisive. Hal loves him and hates him all the same.

Bro was the one who adopted him into the family. He’s the nice one, always trying to make peace betwen Him and Hal. His nature is far too caring and kind for Hal to deal with honestly. He’s understanding- almost too much actually. Hal wants to make him proud but he doesn’t think he’s capable of doing so. If Hal was to sum up how he made him feel it would have been a mixture of inadequacy and gratefulness. Hal feel like he can never be enough for him.

Dimitri was his bunk mate. His bro during the trying times of filtering through the system and moving from orphanage to orphanage. Surprisingly, Hal managed to stick with him during his entire time in the foster care system. Their relationship wasn’t always the best and they got into constant fights but they were all each other had. When they did finally get around to working together, they were an indestructible team. But most of the time they fought and got into petty quarrels. Hal is jealous of him because he seems to strong. Carries himself with such an elusive confidence that Hal doesn’t have. He thinks he misses him sometimes but he isn’t sure is it’s just the loneliness talking or just the sentiment.

Sebastian is the little kid right off the corner of the street who likes to barge in to Hal’s workplace at inconspicuous intervals. He’s bright, full of energy, and behaves like he’s perpetually amped up on fifteen gallons of coffee and a pound of candy. Hal thinks he’s about 12, he can’t really tell. Sebastian is never with a parent or guardian and sometimes Hal wonders if he even has one. He’s grown a bit fond of him and is prone to leaving out snacks for the small child to eat when he visits.

Chistopher is Hal’s boss. He’s tall and is always found wearing a dark hoodie. He’s probably as old as Hal’s bro but Hal will never really know. Despite what the bags under his eyes and his stubble say about him, he is surprisingly on top of modern day lingo. He can rap better than just about any pop artist that shows up on the radio and is surprisingly easy going. If Hal had to describe him, he would have alikened him to a father-like figure. 

Rowell is Christopher’s little brother. He looks nothing like Christopher, all short with blonde hair and pale skin. He’s probably around Sebastian’s age as Hal constantly sees them talking with each other. He figures they’re friends. Rowell visits the shop from time to time to snag free food or bother the employees who know him well. Generally, he goes where ever Christopher goes. The two of them are inseparable and it kind of reminds him of how he and Dimitri used to be.

Josie is a shy girl who works across the street in a small book shop. She’s about Hal’s age and she is extremely sensitive. Her life was a relatively sheltered one, from what Hal can tell, and she doesn’t take to negative things all too well. It gets annoying at times because she is always so prone to bursting into tears. Though, she can be surprisingly nice when she isn’t bawling her eyes out.

Irenta is a college student who occasionally frequents the cafe. She’s closed off and untrusting. She’s had bad experiences with men, Hal learned at some point, and generally finds herself wary to trust them. Hal and her aren’t on the best terms but they aren’t on the worst either. Their relationship can be summed up to customer and worker. Irenta is a 4′9″ ball of seething hatred and anger. She takes no shit and does not hesitate to blow up on people. It’s a little disconcerting at times,  if Hal’s being honest. 

Davis is Hal’s coworker. He’s a strange person who loves to play music while he works even though it’s against the rules. His singing voice can be alikened to the caw of a crow, which is to say it is not pleasant to hear at all. But, he is fairly good at mixing music and, while not as good as Christopher, he’s fairly decent at rapping. Crows seem to follow him where ever he goes and Hal is half convinced he’s some sort of crow whisperer.

Felyn is a mute girl who has come into the cafe once or twice. She dresses in shades of pink and is usually drawing in some type of book when Hal arrives with her order. Although she can’t speak, she’s surprisingly bright and optimistic. Hal supposes she has an interest in fashion because she’s always dressed in the most outlandish outfits that somehow work. He thinks he’s caught her sketching outfit ideas once or twice when she had thought no one was watching.

Archird is a strange man with a strange affinity to working out. He is ripped as fuck and could probably bench press Hal if he wanted to. He’s also extremely obnoxious and loud. Every Thursday at 2pm on the dot, he will come barging in. He doesn’t wait to be seating and literally seats himself. Upon being asked his order he will without fail attempt to order some sort of bizarre drink that probably belongs to the Starbucks menu. Hal’s seen him exiting the gym a few times and Archird has a rather strange habit of requesting people to feel his muscles. Something about him just creeps Hal out but he’s a regular and Hal can’t really do anything about it.

[oumaimaougrige]

unrequited love

Part 1:

How can I represent myself to you dear diary, you can say an ordinary guy who just wants to live his life quietly without being disturbed.

Yeah, you can say that, I’m just a crude boy, in his twenties, living with his parents, no dreams to pursue, just living each day with same rhythm no colours just black and white…

That’s me a callow person with a simpering composure who like to spend most of his free time in a cafe near his home,  I don’t even like to go far away from where I live…

My life is an unrestrained routine to follow …

First, when I get back from work worn out, I head directly to the shower to get rid of the day roughness, then I eat what my mom had made me for lunch … I can’t say that’s her food is the most delicious because  I’m not actually a taster, everything is the same for me, the sweetness is like bitterness no difference …

Anyway, I hate staying much at home, it just makes me feel frustrated and bemused but I just can’t run away though…because at the end its home. That’s why I prefer going hiding in that small café called the love’s café but it’s not really related to its name. You will say how can a person who enjoys loneliness to like being at a crowded place, well my answer would be: that place is almost deserted no one dares to come here because of its dull location…

I presume I’m the only one bound to go there… I enjoy that breeze of loneliness and comfort there, my mind is scrambled with those kinds of emotions.

Even my mom finds me a weird person with a severe plight. She is always telling me to change my attitudes, and not deprive myself of enjoying life.

But when she talks, the only thing I’m yearning to find is silence… not hearing a simple voice …

Part 2:

A new day but the same old me, trying to get up from bed without any desire to do so. Anyway, I’m bound to, it’s time to pass through the same lame routine … then head out to work…

That lousy place… oh God how much I hate it, it’s an egoism, hatred, hypocrisy platform.

The most unwanted thing it’s being around those kinds of people who laugh at your face but talks behind your back. I know that they have been doing that with me all the time.

Unfortunately, I can’t just stop working, it’s a life need though. But meeting those people everyday suffocates me, barging in your life without any warning, asking about your personal life needs. Do you like working here? Have you got a girlfriend or a wife? Do you live by yourself? How much is your salary? What did the boss tell you yesterday? Have you got any plans for weekends? All dull…and I’m like… can you people shut up? …

What a joke how can I live amid this…

I hate it but I can’t yell and tell them it’s none of your business … I just can’t, don’t know why? You’ve seen dear diary I’m just a weird boy … no one can understand why am I like that?

After getting out of my workplace I’ve decided to go read a book in that coffee shop… where no one can disturb you…

I got there and sat in the corner where I couldn’t let myself have sight of anyone outside. Of course, they were 3 people sitting inside but everyone is busy with something … mission accomplished no personal intruders.

I’ve ordered a dark bitter coffee and dive into the book. I’ve been like that for almost 2 hours. Then took off my glasses and glanced toward the other side when suddenly……

Part 3:

Then suddenly with my eyes lifted toward the other side. There we are, our eyes had met; I was totally taken by that spellbinding colour.

I couldn’t move my eyes, captured by the most unforgettable landscape made by a human eye. She has dragged me to the ambiguous place and made me wonder what’s on earth is happening?

She was there sitting a few meters away from me, regarded purely as an angel, I couldn’t forsake that eye contact of ours. Drowned I was, trying to figure out what have I gotten myself into? My heart was tingled, strange feelings overwhelmed my existence. Then at a moment that linking aura had broke by her because she has chosen to glance at her laptop, of course, she was unaware of me staring at her.

Anyway, I was consumed by her eyes, couldn’t conceal that fact.

Without realizing that I was staring at her for a long time, I leaned my head to the table feeling blushed by those emotions. Then looked again but found her still fixed at her laptop screen. What a mess? I never felt like that?

By a rush, I took my things and promptly got out. Like running away from something, all muddled I kept walking until my feet got me home.

What I had felt was like nothing more or less than a breathtaking sensation that possessed me for seconds.

Part 4:

Finally, I’m home…

I lied in my bed with my arms sprawled, thinking about my mind’s condition.

What was that? What had happened to me back then? I mean the girl was nice but why did she capture my attention …

Isn’t that so confusing, but to be more frank with me, she was a beauty queen especially her eyes, they were astounding.

Maybe in her twenties like me with dark long hair covering all of her face, a student or a writer I’m not sure because she was so related to her laptop as if nobody could break that connection between the two of them. She didn’t even pay attention to me. I presume she was a writer, that demeanour of her only say that. The moment I was staring at her she was gazing at something so deeply like if she was waiting for inspiration.

Anyway, I should stop thinking about her, because maybe it would be the last time for me seeing her. She’s not a daily costumer, I’ve never seen her there before.

I turned off all of my sensations and let myself get some sleep.

The next day, I was so consumed by being in a day-off. but it was a family gathering day, those lousy meetings and hypocritical talks.

My mom wants me to meet my cousin, to see if we match each other or not, what a joke mom… did you really expect me to agree with this lame idea?

I would never approve to do such thing, marrying from a person I only met in some several family meetings.

But my mom keeps insisting and I can’t say no to her. So I’ve seen the girl for like 5 minutes then got out saying that I have work to do.

I head out to the coffee shop and sat at the same corner of mine, ordered the same thing, we could say that’s my favourite routine.

After a while, I kept searching in people faces looking for her, but without hope, she wasn’t there. Suddenly a feminine voice came from a distant corner, I felt like I know its owner. I’ve turned around and surprisingly it was her sitting alone over there. I couldn’t believe my eyes at first, but it was the same mysterious girl, I kept staring at her, watching every move she makes. While doing that I could hear my heart’s pounding, it’s weird, isn’t it?

Days had passed, and seeing my mysterious lady became a habit of mine. It’s like if we had arranged our acquaintances even though she really doesn’t know my existence.i’ve memorized every move of her, what she could order? What she intended to do? Everything about her. That’s when I knew that I’m falling for her step by step.

When she doesn’t show up at the coffee shop, the world seems to be fall away from me. From then on I’ve realized that I was no longer required to remain silent about my love for her. No longer did I have to hide my feelings anymore nor maintain distant from the one my heart has chosen. But despite all of this, my fantasy lady doesn’t know me at all.

And that’s what keeps me afraid of taking the first step………..

Part5:

Yeah, I fell for her, that mysterious girl.

I’m yearning to see her every day, she is the one. But what do I have to do to tell her about me, she is in a totally different world of hers.

Also, I do not exist in that world, I want eagerly to free all those caged words from my heart but at the same time I’m thinking…. what would be her reaction?

Appalled, feeling dreadful and astonished at the same time….but finally decided that tomorrow would be the day; I’m going to let it all out. I can’t take it anymore.

I’ve waited so much for this day to come, and finally, there it is, despite my tensed condition but I’m going to go for it.

I got ready, called off all my work and went to the coffee shop, at first I felt so disappointed because she wasn’t there… my dreams got ruined … what a luck?

Eventually, she showed up, the same timid lady, wearing a nice white dress. This time she looked more astonishing.

But wait she wasn’t carrying her dear friend, that’s odd. I start watching her again, I could feel her tensed too, could we say it’s a good coincidence, I guess it’s not.

Even if my being is in a strange situation, but I could get through it, I kept breathing and thinking about my next move.while doing that my angel was sitting all alone glancing at the doorway, she didn’t even bother to order something. Our eyes met again but she turned my gaze coldly, that just made it worst for me.

I’ve waited for the right moment, there she was smiling for the love of God, I got to perk up and go to her. But what if I lost words, murmuring it’s all I’m good at.

I’m almost there, come on then, suddenly my feet just stopped, like if I was petrified or something. Who’s that coming near my only love, and he is carrying roses, are those for her? What am I supposed to do? Am I dreaming? I’m only one step away from my goal, but surprisingly it got ruined by this anonymous guy.

I’ve gotten back to my seat, trying to figure out what kind of relation exists between the two of them? Could someone please bail me out from this messy situation? A sudden fear urged me, I’ve started watching them from my seat place, wait does he just hold her hands, are they in love or something, couldn’t believe my eyes for a moment, darkness loomed over me….. Suddenly I lost conscious; all I could hear are people’s voices trying to wake me up…. Hey you, what’s happening? Are you alright? Open your eyes? Call the ambulance? I was laying there unable to think about anything.

I was so hazy but still awake, then she was there standing in a few steps away from me, she got closer touched my wrist; I could smell her perfume like an ocean smell. Hold on she just touched my face, what’s going on? The boy, it’s next to her. I’ve tried to talk but hopelessly I couldn’t. Oh, my god, she is beside me, and I can’t introduce myself or do anything toward her.

Suddenly I felt an unbearable pain under my back, it’s like someone had propelled me. Couldn’t open my eyes because of it, I guess I’m highly injured.  I ’ve started touching the ground, it‘s dirt and dust, where am I? I hardly opened my eyes and all I could see is my bed next to me and a messy room, then I heard my mom’s voice calling me for dinner. It was all a dream, and that pain was because I fell from up, I was dreaming, there is no mysterious girl No confessing day. It was all from my mind’s imagination, my dream had all made it up.

Actually, I felt relieved, one because I didn’t really waste my chance about talking with her. Two I was happy because I didn’t really feign out in front of her. Three I’ve learnt my lesson if I ever passed through the same experience I would definitely take the first shot and introduce myself without wasting time because we actually don’t get second chances a lot in this hard life.

The next day, I really was feeling awful about my backache I even had spent a sleepless night because of it. So I’ve told my parents that I’m going to see a doctor.

After getting back from the hospital I passed by the coffee shop, I entered and sat down there having a flashback about the dream I had seen yesterday. I’ve finished my cup of coffee and took my things ready to leave, when I was captured by that magnificence eye colour it’s her ………….. And this time I know I’m not dreaming.

                                                                                               The end.