#but now she’s on a business trip and alicent’s genuinely upset about having to sleep alone

[paperglader]

has anyone made the modern au where alicent reacts to short n’ sweet by sabrina carpenter or should i make it myself?

[eventidedaydreamer]

What is everybody's strengths and weaknesses in your Bendy Au?

:) oh >:) okay

Joey Drew: 

Strengths 

he knows a lot of things, 

Intelligence

he can be very charming and can win people over easily, 

he’s the kind of person that you immediately like when you meet him, 

he knows how to leave a good impression.

If you actually get to know him he can be very bubbly and excitable.

Weaknesses 

he can’t read people, 

he’s brain smart but he isn’t emotionally smart, 

he doesn’t get it when someone shows emotions in a way he isn’t familiar with. 

He lashes out when he’s reminded of unpleasant things.

He knows how to turn everyone into ink creatures through sacrifice but he doesn’t stop to think if he should.

His coping mechanisms are not very healthy

Jealousy, clingy, its hard for him to consider that people can have more than one friend

Henry Stein:

Strengths 

He’s very tough (have you seen how much he falls?? and he’s OLD) 

Probably broke some bones when he was a kid so now he has stronger bones. 

He can handle a LOT of pain, 

he’s cool under stress and pressure, 

he’s a hard worker and a very talented artist.

He has a good memory

Weaknesses 

He has trouble expressing himself 

He’s a people pleaser and has a hard time saying no (something he’s worked on and is better about after he met his wife), 

He underreacts to things and overthinks a lot (overthinking is another thing he got better with after he met Linda)

Wally Franks:

Strengths 

One of the FRIENDLIEST people you will ever meet, 

and hes really really funny

He somehow knows everyone’s name even if he only met them once three years ago, 

It’s like he’s living life at a different speed because it seems like he spent the whole day with you but he also had time to see ten other people the same day?? 

He seems innocent and as if his perfect bubble of the world would pop if you mentioned something upsetting but the reality is he’ll listen to anything you need to get out and then give really good advice followed up with his usual humor.

He trusts that there is good in everyone and gives people second chances

Weaknesses 

He does really stupid things a lot

He’ll connect pipes wrong, resulting in later damage and messes

He’s always getting himself hurt, jumping too many stairs at once, making someone really angry and running for his life (Sammy’s the main one that’ll actually chase him down)

It’s like he has no sense of self-preservation 

(HOW IS HE NOT DEAD?!)

He is really trusting and some people take advantage of that

He opens himself up to everyone and forgives a little too easily

Sammy Lawrence:

Strengths

He knows how to stick up for himself and others

Hardworking

He is damn good at his job and won’t let you forget it

Sarcastic

Honest

Mature

He can hear the music as he’s writing it, feel it in his head when he sees sheet music

Very independent 

If he considers you a friend, he will go to extremes to get back at anyone that hurts you (Just ask Jack, he’s been friends with him the longest!)

It is unknown how many instruments Sammy can play, the band make guesses all the time and Jack is asked on a weekly basis but refuses to comment

its an ongoing discussion 

Determination, he’s the only one that will actually chase Wally til he catches him

Weaknesses

He’s angry almost constantly

The glass is half empty

Doesn’t hold back snide remarks (but if the remark is about music in some way you better listen there’s advice hidden somewhere)

Yelling, but it’s mostly just a very loud “WALLY FRANKS!” followed by running footsteps and Wally’s giddy laughter

I N S O M N I A C

constantly has bags under his eyes

A Perfectionist, Only the best can come from the office of Sammy Lawrence even if he forgets to eat while doing so

yeah thats another thing, he forgets about things like eating, sleeping, ya know, human things

He’s intimidating, the string of constant negativity doesn’t make many friends

Workaholic 

He’s become dependent on the few friends he has to break him out of his  work until its done mode and remind him to eat and sleep (Jack, Wally, Norman and Susie a little.)

because :) it would be a shame :) if one of them :)  went missing :) huh?

Susie Campbell:

Strengths

Hopeful and optimistic

Friendly

She has a really pretty face, shes really pretty in general

she gets a lot of attention because of it

shes tougher than she looks and uses it to her advantage

she is really clever

Flirty and a romantic 

an exciting storyteller, she can make a trip to the refrigerator sound interesting

Weaknesses

Possessive

she wants to hear all the gossip until its about her

is really jealous of the smallest things

she may seem like a little innocent flower but she’s the thorniest rose in the garden and you are growing a little too close to her

Alice Angel means everything to her, its the best way to distract her from anything else :)

the second best way is to mention her star-shaped birthmark/freckle

Norman Polk:

Strengths

Observant 

He’s very good at guessing things correctly

He seems to know something about everything and everyone

A really great listener

He also just has good hearing in general, easily eavesdrops 

Physically strong, he can lift anyone with ease

Wise and careful

he has some pretty sound advice in him if you ask for any

has a very good control on his temper and is calm and cool even in heated arguments or dangerous situations

a good people reader

is very understanding

Weaknesses

He’s scary, just how he likes it

People get the wrong ideas about him (He’s just sitting there! Is he watching me?)

to be fair, he might be

He doesn’t attempt to get to know people unless he sees a reason to

gets into other peoples business 

He’s always lookin’ for trouble

too curious for his own good

doesn’t talk about his feelings

Jack Fain:

Strengths

He’s so good at rhyming that he does it subconsciously on a regular basis

Creative

Empathetic

He’s not afraid to show emotion

Forgiving

Generosity

Gentle and soft

Humble

Patient

Selfless

Weaknesses

He can be really emotional a lot of the time

He spaces out a lot

he can seem like a crybaby

Doesn’t take credit for things he should

Lies about how he really feels to make other people comfortable, he doesn’t want to be a bother

puts himself down to make other people look better

Really shy

doesn’t stick up for himself

too passive

worries a lot

Johnny:

Strengths

He really loves his job

He’s a romantic at heart

very sweet and considerate

Loyal and devoted

Sees the best in people

Weaknesses

He falls in love way too easily

ignores flaws even when they’re concerning

can easily become an emotional mess

fears being rejected more than anything else (bro just love him he’s too sweet)

Shawn Flynn:

Strengths

He’ll tell someone off when they’ve done something wrong

believes in karma and justice

likes sewing while he’s talking/doing something else

really good at multitasking

Luck of the Irish

like he misses getting injured by mere inches

this makes him the perfect Go and Do Something Stupid companion with Wally

He’s really proud of his heritage and his work

Weaknesses

Shouts a lot

He can be too prideful and overconfident

isn’t into mercy or forgiveness 

can and will turn anything into a rivalry if its the last thing he does!!

the downside to being his friend is that its dangerous to hug him because he puts needles through his clothes so he can find them later

he says its built in protection

and Wally says ow

Thomas Connor:

Strengths

He’s been good with anything technical since he was little and only got better at it with age 

Honorable

Hardworking

Mature

Weaknesses

He believes in a one strike and you’re out ideal, leaving him to not trust some genuinely nice people (but he also doesn’t trust some questionable people so he sees it as justifiable)

Reserved, doesn’t attempt to get to know anyone

he can work too hard

Pessimistic

Allison Pendle:

Strengths

Boy can she give an inspirational speech

She’s very generous

Brave 

Levelheaded

She’s a lot stronger than she looks

you should hear her belt out a song

Weaknesses

prefers to fix other peoples problems rather than deal with her own

she’s really competitive 

she gets herself hurt a lot

can be a little too fierce

Grant Cohen:

Strengths

Math, he’s good at math

he was like yeah i can do numbers I’ll be an accountant! (bro im sorry u got Joey as a boss)

He’s a good singer (which seems random unless you know)

Weaknesses

A N X I E T Y

really cannot talk to anyone

his words get all jumbled up

if he had the internet he’d constantly be searching things like, how to explain to your boss that his decisions are putting the company in dept? how do you stand up to your boss?

has bad panic attacks

Bertrum Piedmont:

Strengths

He’s super confidant

Not afraid to get his hands dirty

Even though he almost always is dressed up nice

He makes sure he looks presentable

He acts like a dad to people he likes

Cultured

Very determined 

He can and will do anything out of spite and you can’t stop him because that will only give him more reason to

Weaknesses

Really prideful, gets offended over little things

is pretty arrogant as well

it’s really hard for him to change his mind after he’s made a decision 

refuses to lose, even if it’s really obvious that he has

he can be condescending 

doesn’t like or participate in humor, he’s always deadly serious

He can be over dramatic a lot

Lacie Benton:

Strengths

nothing seems to surprise her

calm and chill

a really good listener, the kind that you know can keep a secret

doesn’t take herself too seriously or anyone, (Bertrum finds her company to be one of his favorites after he figures that out)

shE WEARS WHATEVER SHE WANTS BECAUSE SHE DOESN’T CARE ABOUT YOUR OPINION SHE JUST LIKES WEARING PANTS

Weaknesses

stays quiet about important things, she ain’t no snitch, who cares if she witnessed someone stealing something

Super apathetic about life

kinda isolated (Norman says hi)

Lazy but only because she can do it really fast and well so you can wait for her

Linda Stein:

Strengths

It’s a good thing she’s so confidant else Henry would have just looked at this pretty lady and never introduced himself

shes like really good at gardening, talk about a green thumb!

Affectionate 

knows when to be gentle and when someone needs tough love

and shes good at distributing both

shes so brave

Eager and excited easily

super patient 

Understanding

Weaknesses

she can come off as too forward and a little too fast

can get a little frazzled

Forgetful (Henry helps with that)

she doesn’t want to invade anyone’s boundaries but doesn’t ask what they are so its a tug of war within her

Sorry this took so long, I wanted to really think about it and do it justice! :D

[eldiatricc]

Summary SCnKnA Peter Event 13

Event List

The next session of the Assembly is about to start and everyone is already exhausted. Vivaldi notes that Alice doesn’t seem as bad as everyone else and Alice admits that she’s starting to become familiar with everything.

Well, Vivaldi is very tired. She doesn’t want to have meetings, and she doesn’t want to talk. It all has her feeling upset.

Alice sympathizes with her and Vivaldi tells her that as long as she has Alice, Vivaldi doesn’t have to behead people to stay awake. Alice has no response to this.

Ace complains that the assembly causes troubles for him as well. For one, since he’s not used to the city he gets lost. Peter points out that Ace gets lost anywhere, even the castle. Ace tells him it’s different here, it’s more mazelike. Who can remember all these complex streets?

Peter can.

Ace praises Peter’s cleverness; he can barely remember the streets just outside the Clock Tower, and this place is even worse. He asks after Alice.

Alice admits that she’s gotten used to the streets here and Ace is disappointed; he was looking forward to having a friend to get lost with. It seems like everyone has a better sense of direction than he does.

Peter begs Ace to leave Alice alone. He turns to Alice and tells her that soon the assembly will be over for good and they don’t have to travel here.

Vivaldi complains about all the strange people who come to this place during the assembly, she hopes it will be over soon. Then they can all return to the Castle for good.

Later

After the assembly, Ace notes that Peter has stopped being so noisy about Alice quitting her maid work. Alice is put off, since she never talked with Ace about her situation since that time that she told him to leave it to her.

Smiling, Ace cheerfully reminds Alice that he already told her that he’d be watching over her. Alice wonders how long he was watching her, and to what extent. In any case, the problem’s somehow being managed, and she doesn’t need him to worry about her. Ace reminds Alice that they’re friends, and he’s worried about her. Just because she’s doing well in the present doesn’t mean that she won’t need him in the future.

Alice thinks that Ace is the kind of man who likes to thrust himself into other people’s business. Of course, not to the point that he would stop Peter from stalking her when she first arrived in the Country of Hearts. However, her and Ace’s relationship is a lot warmer than it was back then.

Ace tells her that he supports her love. Therefore, if they are any problems . ..

Peter tells Ace that if there are any problems, Ace isn’t even on the list of those to ask for help. Never, ever, forever, will Peter seek help from Ace.

Alice is surprised as she didn’t realize that Peter was right behind her. Ace points out that they are colleagues and friends, and should be able to help each other out. Peter concedes on the colleague part, but they have never been friends. And on that note, could Ace please not fall asleep in the middle of the assembly meeting? It shames both them and their faction.

Ace complains that it’s boring and he has no choice but to sleep. Peter offers to help wake him up by shooting him. Ace reminds him about the no fighting rule and asks if he still finds it so easy to shoot. He wonders if instead of being a rabbit Peter might be some mysterious alien life form. Alice should be careful, there’s no telling what child Peter would father.

Peter tells Ace that he is a genuine white rabbit. Besides, his and Alice’s children will be cute and adorable white rabbits, just like an angel. Alice doesn’t think that white rabbits are the same as angels. Besides, she wonders if Peter has ever seen an angel and knows what one would look like.

Anyways, there’s no need for someone to interfere with Peter and Alice’s relationship, especially if it is Ace. However, as a good college, Peter will allow Ace to see their children. Or not, he doesn’t want to frighten them by introducing them to Ace. He shudders to imagine what kind of diseases they could contract from Ace.  It would be better if he could just clean it all up and . . .

Alice tells Peter to stop it. She grabs his arm and drags him out of the salon. Peter asks where they are going and Alice tells him that they are going away to her room. Peter is confused, the next assembly will start in the next time period, and Alice tells him he can leave then. She doesn’t really care, she just doesn’t want Ace and Peter to continue their conversation so loudly in front of so many people.

Alice is relieved when she finally enters her room at the Tower, but Peter is just confused. Was what Ace was saying so humiliating? Alice tells Peter that she was embarrassed for both of them. They were both speaking so loudly that everyone in the room could hear them. Peter apologies but warns her to stay away from Ace. He is not a good man to have as a romantic partner.

Alice already knows this. Ace is a good friend, but she doubts they are compatible as partners. Besides, she’s still disturbed by what Ace said about him watching her. She has to be careful about what she says from now on.

Peter isn’t’ convicted and begs Alice to not leave him for Ace. No, not just Ace, but anyone else either. Peter hugs her like a small child or an animal. But if he is a pure white rabbit, he is also as cold as snow.

Alice knows that if she leaves him for someone else, Peter will kill that person without hesitation, even if there is a current peacetime rule.

Peter begs Alice to only look at him, and no one else. He kisses her lips, her eyelids, repeating her name all the while. Alice’s eyes are closed, but instead of seeing darkness, she only sees light, as if Peter is staining her white. Peter asks if she promises, and Alice does. After all, she can only see Peter, to the point that it is impossible not to see him.

Later

Alice and Peter are walking together to the mushroom restaurant they ate together last time. Peter becomes aware of a stain on Alice’s dress and wonders what happened. Alice notes that the hem of her dress is looking a little gray, and wonders why it hasn’t changed back.

The reason the dress is dirty is because.

1.       … Ace

Peter is upset to hear that Ace has taken Alice on yet another surprise adventure. He’s really annoying, and Peter is going to have to do something about this so Alice never has to go on a trip with Ace again.

Alice tells Peter that she was lying, that this isn’t Ace’s fault at all.

2.       She fell earlier

Peter worries after Alice’s health. This is beyond her clothes getting dirty, he’s concerned about her getting injured. He offers to hold hands with her and prevent her from falling in the future.

Alice tells Peter that she was lying, that is not the reason her dress got dirty.

If that was a lie, how did Alice’s dress get dirty? Alice asks Peter if he seriously doesn’t remember what he did to her earlier. Peter suddenly remembers, and apologizes for dirtying her dress. However, it was worth dirtying her clothes, so he’s not entirely sorry. Will she forgive him?

Alice tells Peter to stop saying that, she already forgave him. Okay, maybe she was a little angry, but she’s moving past that now.

By now they’ve come upon the restaurant. Peter hopes that it’s not too crowded, though if it is he can just drive off the other customers. Alice tells him no, if it is crowded then they can wait like regular customers for a seat to open up. Peter complains that the waiting is a waste of time, though if it’s with her he won’t mind. Alice tells him that is how its going to be.

Peter is annoyed that the faceless are going to make him wait. Alice tells him that it’s fine, that they’re the same as all the other customers. She still doesn’t understand his values, but she feels like they’re making progress on compromises at least.

Luckily there was a seat available, and they could begin eating without any wait. Alice decides this is a good time to talk about Peter’s childhood.

Peter tells her that he had no face and therefore no role at the time. Alice asks about his parents or siblings and Peter tells her that he doesn’t remember much beyond not being interested in them. Alice asks Peter if he’s deliberately not talking about himself.

Peter tells her that his past isn’t very interesting, it’s meaningless and there’s nothing to be liked about it. He’s worried that she’ll be so bored that she decides that she hates him. If she likes him only a little bit, he wants to keep that as well. Alice complains that he’s too humble.

Alice has already made up her mind that she’ll accept anything he tells her about himself, even if she hates it. She tells Peter that he already knows so much about her, she wishes she could know more about him. Peter is chewing his food, and Alice recalls that it is rude to talk and eat at the same time. So she has to wait for him to finish before continuing.

She asks if Peter likes her, which Peter assures her that he does. She asks if he wants her to like him, which Peter wants as well. Alice laughs and calls him a liar. Peter tenses up and Alice tells Peter that she does like him, and that’s why she wants to know more about him. She asks if he can understand that.

Peter flings his fork away and complains that Alice is being too cruel to him. A waiter comes with new silverware but Alice waves him off. From the expression Peter has on his face, he might murder him.

Peter looks sad and Alice blames him for making her this way.  Alice tells Peter that she’ll let him finish his food and Peter asks if she’s still bullying him. Alice uses her own fork and offers to feed Peter herself. Peter tells her to stop joking, but Alice insists she’s not. She asks him if he’s refusing to eat because her germs are still on the fork. Peter quickly agrees to eat it.

From the sound he makes, Alice is worried that Peter is trying to eat the fork as well as the food on it. That or he really likes the food. Alice asks if he eats often. Peter tells her that he eats regularly and Alice asks why he seems so . . . hungry.

Peter notes that this food has a strange taste. Alice suddenly remembers that this world is dangerous and grows pale. She wonders if this is some delayed poison that she’s feeding Peter. Peter assures her that it’s not, he’s trained to be able to taste poison and has some immunity. Besides, the last time someone tried to poison him, he did such horrible things to that person that no one has dared try again.

Alice doesn’t want to listen to this story during meal times and tries to move the conversation along. She asks what is strange about this dish and tries some herself. There’s garlic and pepper, and some other spices. Nothing unusual. Peter asks her if she’s sure and Alice complains about him being weird. He’s just like a child tasting something for the first time.

Later

Home Event – Ace 4

End Event

Go to Peter Event 14

[cassandra-acton]

ONE-TIME THING:

I’ve been thinking about Cassie’s staff recently, so this happened! Meet some of them. Eric is going to be a gem of an NPC character, so keep an eye out for him in future self paras. Also mentions some other shenanigans, so enjoy that. 

Date: March 7th, 2018. Warnings: Shouty, sweary Welshman. tw: nerd mention.

“The man’s like a fucking balloon animal with moving parts and a face hole that makes occasional, meaningless noise.”

Well, he wasn’t wrong.

Enter Eric Vickery: the slightly sociopathic communications director that had stood loyally at her side since Election Day. There was no one in Parliament who had an even remotely comparable way with words (probably a good thing) and the fact that he sounded like he’d just drunkenly stumbled out of the Welsh Valleys made everything he said ten times more hilarious. The team had gotten lucky with him; especially when he made the bizarre decision to work with Cassie exclusively, instead of dividing his time between handfuls of London-based MPs like his counterparts typically did.

The man, edging into his late forties, liked to regularly remind her that she had potential, and she was sure he stuck around because he thought they’d be shooting for a ministerial position one day. Eric wanted a promotion, he would use her to get there, and she loved him for it.

“Leader of the Opposition,” Laura Monroe, her PA, mocked through a mouthful of pizza.

“Yeah, well, there’s a reason they’re only the opposition, and that reason is he’s a fucking cretin.”

It was a tradition that they had upheld every in-session Wednesday for almost two years. Cassie, Eric, Laura, and occasionally her Chief of Staff, Gary Hill, would gather in her office and make a night out of BBC Parliament’s repeat of Prime Minister’s Questions. They rock-paper-scissored who would be responsible for bringing the food, before showing up around midnight to settle in for two solid hours of soul-cleansing bitching. Of course, watching it back was constructive in other ways, but she wasn’t ashamed to admit that in a world where one had to hold back constantly, the bitching kept her sane.

“Why does he always look as if he’s about to choke on his own tongue?” Laura added.

Cassie scoffed, crossing her legs to get comfortable as she positioned herself in the middle of her desk. “Turn it up. I want to hear him trip over whichever bullshit line Karl Marx fed him this time.”

They’d massacred enough pizzas to feed a large family, and watched as her sister expertly dismembered every single critic from the opposing bench with an ease that Cassie could only admire. Elizabeth Acton was fucking good at her job; so much so that even Eric hadn’t a bad word to say about the way in which she conducted herself.

Suddenly, a knock at the door stole attention away from another one of Elizabeth’s ruthless comebacks. They’d barely heard it over the sound of the Conservative benches heckling the poor sod that had just been absolutely decimated on national television, but when the door swung open, Laura moved to mute the television momentarily.

“I—You said you wanted a transcript of the highlights from the last committee meeting as soon as I printed—“

It was James Gillespie, the poor, stuttering intern still afraid of breathing Eric’s oxygen.

“Beautiful. Leave the folder on the side, go the fuck home, and get some sleep. You look like you’re about to pass out, kid,” the Welshman ordered, words about as close to sympathetic as they ever came. Clearly, this registered in the young man, because he offered an uncharacteristic smile along with his usual silent and obedient nod.

Without another the word, the intern had disappeared as quickly as he’d entered.

Chewing on the end of her last slice of pizza, she shot a glare at her communications director. “Will you please be nice to the intern? I like James. It’d be rather nice if James stuck around. James is a good egg.”

“Oh, you do?” Eric enthused sarcastically. “Well then you’ll be disappointed to hear that he’s not Labour, so please avoid trying to fuck him.”

In a split second, her glare switched from playful to murderous. Eric took issue with how much time she spent working with Adam Hassan, and he made absolutely no secret of it.

“Nice.”

“Nice? Do you know how difficult you make my job?”

“I didn’t fuck Adam,” she informed, annoyed.

In that moment, she swore she could see his eye twitch. It wasn’t a lie. The initial ‘date’ he was having a mental breakdown over was so tame, it ended with a kiss on the cheek and slight confusion on her part as to whether she’d misread his signs entirely. Cassie felt stupid even thinking about it. She wished to God he hadn’t brought it up so she could avoid the internal cringing.

“You didn’t fuck Adam yet.” Eric corrected. “Not that he needs you to. The press is already on its hands and knees sucking Beautiful Perfect Angel Boy’s dick. You realize this is going to be a bigger pile of shit for me to clear up than you, Silas and your Roman fucking rendezvous?”

Okay, that she could understand him being upset about.

The press had picked up on it quickly and threatened with a God damn field day, but he had deftly stopped them in their tracks, like the genius he was, before the story gained momentum. If only he knew. Cassie felt a pang of guilt, and not the type that one might’ve expected. None of it was for Alice, and all of it was for the communications director she really did push to his limit.

“Thanks for smoothing that over, by the way. You are also a good egg.”

“No, I’m a miraculous egg, Cassie. I’m a miraculous fucking egg. Alice’s little fan club wanted your head on a spike and for a minute there, I debated how giving it to them would look on my resume.”

“You wouldn’t do that to me…”

There was an awkward pause. Cassie’s usually disarming smile had little effect.

Eric sighed out through his nose, and suddenly, all of the dismissive humour he was so famous for was gone. “Did you sleep with Silas?”

The seriousness of his tone was so unfamiliar, it stunned her into silence. Laura cleared her throat—in all honesty, Cassie had forgotten she was there for a second—before politely excusing herself as though she thought it wasn’t her business to be a part of this conversation. Eric probably agreed, because he waited until after she’d shut the door behind her to repeat himself.

“Look, you don’t need me to tell you that it’s a bad fucking idea, but if you screwed him, I need to know about it. God forbid this ever fucking surfaces, Cass, but if it does, I need to know the facts. I have to be equipped to deal with it.”

Even though she was sure her expression said everything he needed to hear, he waited.

The night in question had been repeating on her mind solidly since it had happened; mostly, because she didn’t even know how she felt about it. The only thing she knew for sure was that she certainly harboured no guilt. Yes, Silas was married, but he was married to fucking Satan. It was something to do. It was company. It was stupid.

Things between them hadn’t changed. They’d had sex, but they were adults and it was fine.

“It was just once,” she conceded, barely managing the words as she held up her hands in genuine surrender for fear of him biting her head off. “It’s not going to happen again. I made a mistake, okay? It was just a one-time thing.”

The man looked as though his brain had partially melted. Believing it already was one thing, but hearing it firsthand?

“Well, I guess that explains the eye fucking then!” Eric bellowed, gesturing both hands toward the still muted TV wildly. “What happened to doing us all the courtesy of pretending you fucking hate each other, huh? If you’re going to sleep with him, at least spare us the pining looks across the backbenches, Cassie, because I’m just a man. I like my food. I’d rather not lose it.” Sighing, he pressed his fingertips to his forehead, letting out an inhuman groan. “There’ll be gifs of that shit.”

Cassie froze, once again lost for words. What was she supposed to say? How was she supposed to defend herself?

“Eric, come on…”

“One-time thing,” he warned, sitting bolt upright and pointing at her. By this point, she’d noted his expression had made an uncomfortable diversion from its earlier anger. He looked…disappointed. Concerned. “You don’t fuck your career up for a married man, so you fucking promise me now that this is a one-time thing, otherwise I’ll rip his God damn dick off myself.”

Promise? What were they, ten? “Don’t you think you’re being a little overdramatic?”

Even she didn’t think that. In fact, she was cursing herself for saying it almost as soon as the words left her dumb mouth.

“He’s fucking married, Cassie!”                                      

“Okay, okay! Can you maybe stop shouting ‘he’s married’?!” The blonde whispered, eyebrows pulling together in an angry frown. “I feel like that might get some fucking attention, don’t you?”

There was a lengthy pause in which both parties attempted to calm themselves. Neither of them seemed to manage it particularly well.

“One-time thing.”

“All right, Eric,” Cassie relented with a sigh. It was hard to tell whether she meant the words, or whether she was just desperate to appease him, but she coughed them up all the same. “I promise.”