#dude I’ve had multiple coworkers get sick and keep coming to work and it’s fucking pneumonia!!! like why

[atlafan]

Take it Slow - Part Forty-Five

a/n: okay this is my first shot at a harry:y/n fic, and it will be multiple parts. y/n had a bad experience with an ex over a year ago, and finally accepts her coworker and good friend Niall’s invitation to go on a blind date with his friend Harry.

Warnings: Fluff and Smut.

Masterpost (all previous parts can be found in the masterpost)

“Wait, so let me get this straight…one second he’s telling you that I’m going to smack you around, and the next you’re hugging and it’s all good?” Harry was pinching the bridge of his nose with his thumb and forefinger.

“That’s my dad.”

“Jesus, I’m so sorry.”

“It’s okay. I told him off a little…I’m sure that’ll come back to bite me in the ass at some point.” He wraps his arms around you. “I’m happy it’s all out in the open now. Everyone that needs to know, knows.”

“I’m really happy too.” He leans down and kisses you.

“Do we have any chocolate?”

“Chocolate?”

“Yeah, I need to eat some chocolate…like now.” You break from the embrace and rummage through your cabinets. “Ah ha!” In the very back of your cabinet you find a can of chocolate frosting. You grab a spoon and crack it open, taking a decent size bite. “Mmmm, oh my god.” You moan with your mouth full. Harry’s jaw drops. “What?” You ask, swallowing.

“If you had given me a second to answer, I would’ve told you I bought more ice cream at the market today.” He rubs the back of his neck. “But, I guess that works too.”

“I used to bake a lot. It helps relieve stress. I always keep a can of frosting and a box of cake mix at the ready when I need to blow off some steam. This was an emergency.” You put the spoon in again and lick the frosting off like a popsicle. Harry desperately wanted to be that spoon. “Want some?”

“Sure.” He walks over to you. You stick your finger into the frosting and hold it out innocently to him.

“Open.” You say with a grin. He smirks and opens his mouth. He sucks all the frosting off your finger and it sends a shiver up your spine. “Good, right?”

“Delicious.” He bites his bottom lip. “I have sort of, um, a fun idea.”

“Lay it on me.” You lick the corners of your mouth.

“Well, it seems you like lickin’ that up so much. Why not put some on me, and lick it off?” You nearly choke on the frosting.

“And where exactly would you like to me lick this off of?”

“I think you know where.” Your cheeks flush, but you’re horny, so you’re into it.

“Okay.”

“Really?” You were saying yes to so many things lately. He felt like a kid in a candy store.

“Mhm. I really like the way you taste as is, this is just a bonus.” You point at the chair next to the sofa. “Go sit.”

Harry drops his pants before he sits down. You walk over and bring the frosting with you. You palm him through his boxers.

“Nice and hard already for me, huh?”

“You have no idea what you do to me.” You smirk and tug his boxers down. You lift his shirt slightly.

You dip your finger into the frosting and schmere it onto Harry’s hard cock. Once you get enough on there you raise your finger back up to his mouth. He sucks on it and licks it clean without hesitation. You get on your knees in front of him, and look up at him through your lashes while you suck the tip into your mouth. Your confidence today was so sexy. He wasn’t sure how long he’d be able to last.

You smack your lips as you lick up the chocolate off his soft skin. You take him back into your mouth and sink down on him. His hands go into your hair, but you swat them away. You come back up and look at him.

“No hands.”

“Wh…what do you mean no hands?”

“I mean, you have to try not to touch me while I suck you off.”

“Why?”

“Because.” You shrug. “Wanna see if you can do it. Be a good boy for me, won’t you?” His lips part, but he doesn’t say anything. Instead he clutches at the armrests and nods.

You wrap your lips back around him and take as much of him as you can. You loved the way the frosting tastes mixed with his precome. Sort of a salty/sweet mixture. You start to bob up and down on him slowly. He slightly raises his hips so you’ll take even more of him.

“Fuck, Y/N.” He grits his teeth as he white knuckles the armrests.

You moan against him, and the vibration from your throat surges through him. He just wanted to run his hands through your hair, better steady you on him so he could thrust up into your throat more. You cup his balls with one of your hands, and slide the other up his torso. He grinds against you, and his tip hits the back of your throat. You gag slightly on him, and that’s when his hands flew to your hair. You come off him immediately. You look up at him, his eyes were wild.

“Harry, what did I say?”

“I know what you said, I just-“

“You must not want to come.” You start to get up and he panics.

“No! No, I do. Please, please Y/N. I’ll keep my hands to myself, I’m sorry.” You smirk at him and get back into position.

“That’s what I thought. If you do it again though, I won’t be so nice.”

You bob on his dick quickly, getting him as far down your throat as you can. His nails dig into the armrests and he grits his teeth. Sweat beads at his brow line. He was desperate to fill your mouth up.

“Fuck.” He groans. “I’m going to-“ You snap your eyes up at him. “Can I?!” You nod yes. “Shit!” His warm come shoots into your mouth and down your throat. You cough slightly, but you take it all and swallow it.

Harry sits there, sweaty and out of breath. He loosens his grip on the chair and his muscles relax. You stand up and go rinse your mouth out in the kitchen. Harry tucks himself back into his boxers and continues to sit there, stunned. You come back over to him and sit in his lap. You kiss his cheek. He just looks at you, mouth parted.

“What is it baby?”

“I…where the hell did that come from?” He runs a hand through his hair.

“What?”

“The way you just acted.” Your eyes grow wide and suddenly you feel like shrinking down to the size of an ant. You weren’t sure why you always felt so shy after doing something like this. Your cheeks flush and you bury your face in his neck.

“I have no idea.” He chuckles.

“Well, it was really fuckin’ hot.” You move to look at him.

“It was?”

“Yeah! You’re really cute when you wanna be in control.” He kisses your temple.

“Cute?” You pout. “I thought I was being sexy.”

“Oh you were, you were being so sexy.” You kiss him lightly on the lips. “I have to say, you give one hell of a blow job. Best I’ve ever had.” You scrunch your face at him. “What? I mean it.”

“I don’t like when we compare to people we used to hook up with.”

“I’m praising you, not comparin’.”

“Harry.” You run a hand through his hair and tilt his head back slightly. “I-“ Your phone starts to go off, it’s Rachel. “That’s weird.”

“Please, finish what you were goin’ t’say.” He was getting turned on again.

“Harry, I need to answer her.” You swipe your phone and stand up. “Rach? What? Slow down I can’t understand you…” You gasp and put your hand over your mouth. “That bitch!” You start pacing around while talking to her. “What can I do for you, what do you need?” You nod your head. “I’m there, twenty minutes. Okay, bye.” You whip your head to look at Harry.

“What happened?” He asks, pulling his pants back up.

“She was sobbing, Rachel and Lora broke up. Lora cheated on her.”

“Oh no.”

“Can you drive me over there? I’m so tired from being in the car all day, but she needs me.”

“Of course! Is Sarah there too?”

“She’s on her way too, she was with Niall.”

“That sucks, poor thing.”

//

Harry speeds to Rachel and Sarah’s apartment. You were pissed. You all liked Lora, she didn’t seem like the cheaty type. You key into the girls’ apartment and find Rachel sitting on the couch crying. You run over to her and wrap your arms around her, pulling her to your chest.

“Oh honey, I’m so sorry.”

“I thought she was different, we were together for like four months!”

“I know.” You stroke her back. Harry sits on the other side of her and gently places his hand on her shoulder. She looks over at him and tries to give him a smile. “What happened, how did you find out?”

“She…it was like she wanted to get caught! She went to shower and her phone went off a few times. She got a text from her ex-boyfriend, or who I thought was her ex-boyfriend.” She rolls her eyes with disgust. “It said something like can’t wait to have those lips back wrapped around me tonight.” She cries even harder. “We had just had sex. She was showering off so she could be nice and cleaned up for him!”

“That’s so fucked.” Harry says as you continue to hold your friend. “Someone like that isn’t worth your tears, love.” He says gently.

“I know…I know that.” She sniffles. You reach towards the coffee table for the box of tissues and hand it to her. She blows her nose. “I am just so sick of these girls. I either get used for an experiment, or they’re just looking for a break from some dude. I mean, when am I going to meet a girl who just wants to be with another girl, out in the open?”

Harry immediately thinks of someone, but he knows it’s far too soon to say anything. Sarah comes crashing through the door with Niall not too far behind. She dog piles on you and Rachel. You all can’t help but giggle.

“I’ll cut that bitch, I’ll do it.” Sarah says.

“She’s not worth it…right Harry?” She says looking at him.

“Right.” He smiles at her. He really did like your friends. You all had formed this little group together.

“You know what the worst part is, we were screaming at each other. I was full of rage, way more than I normally would and I went to the bathroom. Fucking got my period!”

“I got mine this morning!” Sarah says.

“I got mine yesterday!” The three of you start giggling. Harry and Niall make eye contact. Three feral women in the same room was terrifying.

“Thank you all for coming over.” Rachel says, snuggling into you. “I really appreciate it.”

“We’re always here for you Rach.” You kiss the top of her head.

“Yeah, three amigas forever.” Sarah says resting her head on Rachel’s shoulder.

//

After getting Rachel to calm down, which included some wine and a movie, Harry drove the two of you home. You go right to the bathroom and get yourself ready for bad. Harry uses the other bathroom to do his routine. You both crawl into bed. You snuggle up on Harry’s chest.

“I feel so bad for her.” You say.

“I know, so do I. You’re a really good friend.”

“Being cheated on sucks. Like…just break up with the person if you’re not feeling it anymore.”

“Has…has that ever happened to you?”

“In high school.” Harry couldn’t imagine someone doing something like that to you.

“I’m sorry. Clearly it seemed like Lora was dating two people at the same time. She should’ve been up front with Rachel.”

“Have you ever dated multiple people at the same time?”

“Not dated in the traditional sense. I hooked up with multiple people, but I was always up front about it. Every girl I was with knew she wasn’t the only one. And I was upfront about not wanting to be with only one.”

“Not everyone is as nice as you, Harry.” He strokes the top of your head and plays with your hair how you like.

“Hey, look at me.” You lean up to look at him. “I love you, you know that right? I’ll never hurt you, ever.” You smile at him.

“I love you too, I’ll never hurt you either.” You kiss him tenderly.

//

Harry couldn’t stop thinking about Rachel at work. He felt awful. She was so hurt. He smiled when he thought of how you comforted her. You could be so gentle.

“Mr. Styles, I mean, Harry.” One of the interns says, knocking on the outside of your door. What in the fuck was her name again? Julie? He thinks to himself.

“Can you remind me what your name is again, I’m sorry.”

“Um…it’s Julia.”

“Julia! Shit, I thought it was Julie.”

“Close enough.” She blushes. “Um, I’m taking coffee orders.”

“You know my usual.” He grabs a camera and brushes by her. She watches him walk away. “Hey Mariah.” He smiles at her.

“Sup, H? Have a good weekend?”

“Yeah, did you?”

“It was alright. Went by super quick. So that girl last week…” She says, setting up some lighting equipment.

“Yeah?”

“That was your girlfriend?”

“Yup.” He smiles big. “Love of m’life.” She snaps her head towards him.

“I’m sorry, are we getting personal?” They both laugh.

“I know I’m not exactly an open book, but I can’t help but gush about her. She’s the best.”

“I knew you had to be in love or something, you’ve been unusually chipper.” He scoffs.

“I’m always chipper.” He sets the camera up how he likes and puts his hands on his hips. “Can I ask you a personal question?”

“Ask away, don’t know if I’ll answer.”

“Um…” He rubs the back of his neck. “I have this friend…just got out of a relationship, really great girl.”

“Oh boy.”

“And I know that you see women…”

“That I do. What’s her name?”

“Rachel.”

“How do you know her?”

“She’s one of Y/N’s best friends.”

“Got a picture?” Harry takes out his phone and goes to Rachel’s Facebook. He shows Mariah. “That’s her on the left.”

“Damn, she’s cute.”

“And she’s really nice.”

“What she do for work?”

“High school art teacher.” Mariah scoffs.

“Wow, a lesbian art teacher, real original.” She shakes her head. “So why do you want to set her up with me?”

“She’s been played a few times. She just wants to be with a woman who isn’t using her, and I immediately thought of you. You’re a good person, Mariah. Known ya a long time, I trust ya.”

“These set ups are always so awkward…she is really cute though.”

“What if I set up a double date or somethin’, take a little pressure off.” She puts a hand on his shoulder.

“You realize that would involve us hanging out outside of work?”

“It’s a risk I’m willin’ t’take.” They both giggle. “These next couple of weekends are goin’ t’be busy, but I’ll plant the seed. Maybe in February?”

“Sure.” She smiles.

“Excuse me, Harry?” Julia comes walking over with the coffee. “Mariah? Here are your coffees.”

“Thanks Julia, you’re a life saver.” Mariah takes an iced coffee from her. Harry grabs his hot, black coffee.

“How do you drink that black?” Julia asks.

“Don’t much like added sugar.”

“But…not even any cream? Isn’t it bitter?”

“Maybe someday when you’re a grown up like me you’ll understand.” He winks at her. “Alright, Mariah, let’s get this shit goin’.”

Julia scurries over to her friend Dana and squeals when she tells her that Harry winked at her. Later on that day Julia goes around to take lunch orders.

“Harry?” She knocks on his door. His earbuds were in and his eyebrows were furrowed. “Harry?” She pipes up again. He looks over at her and takes his earbuds out.

“Yeah?”

“I’m taking lunch orders.”

“No thanks, I brought my lunch.” He points to his lunch box.

“You’ve been bringing a lot lately.”

“My girlfriend and I meal prep together on the weekends.”

“Oh wow. So it’s pretty serious with you two?” He gets up to take the container out of his lunch box so he can go heat it up.

“It better be, otherwise livin’ together would be kinda awkward, don’t ya think?” He smirks at her and brushes by her to go to the kitchen.

“Dana.” She whines.

“What?”

“He lives with her.”

“Who?”

“Harry! He lives with his girlfriend.”

“Holy shit, that’s serious.”

They watch him come back to his office. His phone was pressed against his ear and he had a huge smile on his face. He packs his container back into his lunch box and throws his coat on. He stops to check in with the young man at reception, Isaac, and leaves. Julia and Dana go up to Isaac after Harry is out of sight.

“Did he say where he was going?” He raises an eyebrow at them.

“Why?”

“Oh just tell us.” Julia pouts.

“He said he was stepping out for lunch and that he’d be back later. Probably went to meet his girlfriend. He does that sometimes.” The girls pout at each other. “Ladies, it’s fun to pine, but believe me when I tell you.” He looks them both up and down. “I would have a better chance of getting into those tight black jeans than either of you, okay?”

//

Harry goes right to your office with his food. You give him a big hug and kiss, and close your door. Neither of you eat. You end up making out. You didn’t mean to, but he just thought you looked so beautiful, and he pushed you up against the wall and grinded against you. You kissed between giggles. It was your most favorite lunch break ever. You left him with a pretty decent sized love bite on his neck, but he didn’t care. Something for the interns to gossip about. He scarfed down his food in his car before going back up to his office.

//

Harry checks in with Isaac when he comes back.

“Have a nice lunch Harry?”

“Yeah, thanks. Did the mail come in yet?”

“Yup, nothing for you today.”

“Music to my ears.” He leans on the top of the desk. “Do ya have any more of those mints I like so much?” Isaac beams up at him.

“Sure, here.” Harry pops one in his mouth and sucks on it.

“Thanks, I ran outta gum today, so annoyin’.”

“I could send one of the girls to grab you some more. I’m sure they’d love to run the errand for you.” Harry looks over his shoulder at them and sighs.

“Nah that’s okay.”

“C’mon, throw them a bone.” They both laugh.

“They do like me, don’t they?”

“Can’t get enough of you, H.”

“Christ.” He rolls his eyes. “S’not easy ya know?” He chuckles.

“So, how’s your girlfriend?”

“How’d you know that’s where I was? Maybe I was gettin’ m’nails done.”

“Those are not fresh nails, H. Besides, your neck is fucked up.” Harry runs his thumb over the spot and smiles.

“She’s good, thanks for askin’.”

“Aren’t you a little old for that?”

“For letting my girl express her love for me? Not at all.” He crunches down on the mint. “Besides, you think this looks fucked up? You should see her.” He winks at Isaac and walks away.

Harry was feeling particularly cheeky after his lunchtime make out session. He got back into his office and started editing the photos he had taken only a few hours earlier. He looked over at the picture of you and smiled. With all the excitement at lunch, he forgot to tell you about Mariah. He actually couldn’t wait to tell Rachel too.

He gets a text from you just as he’s finishing up a photo.

“Need to go to Macy’s after work today since I didn’t go over the weekend. Be home late.”

“Let’s meet at home after work, I’ll go with you ;)”

“It’ll be easier if I just go straight there, you goober ;)” He smirks at the word.

“We’ve been over this, you’re goober.”

You send a kissy face emoji and that ends the conversation. You were right, it would be silly to go all the way home and back out to the mall. Plus, he knew you’d model whatever dress you’d buy for him when you got home. The thought alone made him happy. Just as he’s getting back to work, there’s a knock on the outside of the door. He sees Julia standing there and crosses his arms.

“Let’s see, we’ve covered coffee and lunch. What else is there?”

“Um…Isaac said you needed me to run to the store for you.” Harry rolls his eyes and looks over in Isaac’s direction. Sometimes he wished the studio wasn’t so modern so he could have actual walls in his office and not just glass.

“He was just messin’ with ya Julia. I mentioned that I ran out of gum, but I can get it myself later. You’re an intern, not an errand girl.”

“Oh…”

“Are they givin’ ya much to work on?”

“A little. Not as much as Dana and I thought. We sort of just stand around and wait until someone needs something.”

“What made you apply for this studio?”

“I really like nature and journalism. This is one of the few magazines left that people actually buy the hard copy of and not just subscribe to the online version. And to be honest, I’m a really big fan of your photos.”

“Have you told Ryan what it is you’re interested in? I’m sure he’d let you write a piece or two.” He completely disregarded the compliment on purpose.

“We didn’t know if we were allowed to speak up or not. I don’t think he’s ever even looked at my samples.” Harry shakes his head and stands up. Without saying anything he starts to walk towards Ryan’s office. “You don’t have to do that.” He turns to look at her.

“You’ll never get anywhere if you don’t learn to speak up. I’ll help ya out this time because I happen to be in a pretty good mood today.” Her eyes dart to the spot on his neck. “But you need to put yourself out there. That’s the whole point of interning somewhere. Making connections, networking, all that.”

He doesn’t even knock, he just goes right into the office.

“Harry, to what do I owe the pleasure.”

“Your interns keep buggin’ me.”

“They’re not just mine, they’re the studios.”

“Yeah well, they need more work to do. That one, Julia, she’s more interested in the writing side of things. Don’t you think it would be a good idea for her to work with Mykenzie? You know, the head of our writing department? You have them out there runnin’ errands, how’s that supposed t’teach ‘em anythin’?”

“Didn’t realize you cared so much, H.”

“I really don’t, just want them to quit buggin’ me every two seconds.”

“Aw c’mon, don’t tell me you don’t like the attention.” He jokes.

“Not the attention I need, especially not from two girls in college.”

“Alright, I’ll talk with Mykenzie about Julia. Do you know what Dana might like some extra work on?”

“Isn’t that your job? Go talk t’her yourself, mate.”

Harry walks out of the office and back towards his own. Julia looks at him like a lost puppy from her desk. He sighs and goes over to her.

“Have ya met Mykenzie yet? She’s the head of our writing department. I told Ryan to talk to her so she could work with ya more. You can show her your samples okay?”

“Thanks Harry.”

“You’re welcome. Dana?”

“Yes?”

“Ryan’s gonna ask ya what yeh like doin’ so figure it out before he comes over here.”

“Will do, thanks.”

He nods and goes back into his office, closing the door behind him, hoping for some peace and quiet. He hated getting interrupted throughout the day. About an hour later Mykenzie came storming over to Harry’s office. She barges right in.

“Oi! Do ya think I could get a fuckin’ thing done to today?” He says looking at her.

“What in the fuck is your problem? Can’t hand a couple of little girls so you stick ‘em on me?”

“Technically should be only one. Thought ya could use the help since you’re always sayin’ how busy you are.”

“You suck, you know that? Now I have to babysit Julia, and-“

“Teach her somethin’? She could be a big help. So you have to take a few minutes out of your day, so what? They’re here for a reason, let them get the most out of it.”

“Just so you know, Paige is pissed at you too. Ryan stuck her with Dana. Guess you don’t have to worry about them ogling you anymore.”

“That’s not why I helped them. I see them all day long sittin’ around doin’ nothin’. It pisses me off to be quite honest. They’re payin’ their schools how much money for the credits to be here and they’re not gettin’ anythin’ out of it. They’ll be here all semester. Take a couple weeks to train them and then give them some independence.”

“Easy for you to say since you’re not the one training them, H.”

“You know what Mykenzie, go suck a fuck, honestly.”

“Jesus, your life must be so stressful. Must be so hard to take pictures all day and edit them.”

“Must be so hard for you! Havin’ to sit there and make up fuckin’ stories about plants and landscapes.” She squints her eyes at his neck and smirks.

“So glad to see you’re gettin’ laid again. Good to see you’re in a jolly mood.”

“Don’t hate the player, hate the game, babe.” She scoffs.

“Jesus, had I known you’d last here I never would’ve…”

“Never would’ve what? Sure you wanna say what you’re thinkin’ out loud?” She gulps. “S’what I thought.” He sighs. “Look, try to find a silver lining. They’re pretty eager to get coffee and lunch and all that dumb shit. Use it to your advantage. And tell Paige if she has a fuckin’ problem explaining to Dana how Adobe Illustrator fuckin’ works, she can certainly feel free to come talk to me.”

“Fine.”

She huffs out of his office and slams the door shut. Lucky she didn’t shatter the glass. Harry waits a minute just to make sure there weren’t any further interruptions before getting back to work. He wondered if people bothered you all day long too.

//

After work you met up with Rachel and Sarah at Macy’s. Sarah would be coming to the party too, so she also wanted to get a dress. You text Harry quick to let him know you’d be eating dinner with the girls after shopping. He was slightly disappointed, but understood.

“Y/N, how fancy do we need to be? Like is this ball gown?”

“No, it’s semi-formal. I usually shop in the bride’s maid section and look for the short dresses.”

“Oh, good idea.”

“How was school today Rach?”

“Not bad. I had the students draw with charcoal. Much needed mood today.”

The three of you walk up and down searching through the racks of dresses. Sarah’s favorite color was pink and yours was blue, so the two of you at least knew you wouldn’t be wearing the same thing. You stop and see this cute dark blue dress and pull it out to get a better look at it.

“Don’t you have like six dresses just like that?” Rachel jokes. “Step out of your comfort zone a little. Why not wear something green to go with your eyes? You always look so cute in like an emerald color.”

“If you can find something I’ll try it.”

Rachel helps you look while Sarah pulls a ton of dresses for herself.

“I’ll meet you guys in the dressing room.” She smiles.

“Oh! Y/N, look at this one!!” Rachel pulls out a short, strapless green dress. It was simple, yet elegant.

“Do you think I could go strapless? I feel like my boob’ll pop out and I’ll be adjusting myself all night.”

“Just try it on and see how you feel. I think this would look so good on you.”

“Okay, it’s worth a shot.”

You go into the dress room. Rachel helps you and Sarah zip up your dresses. Sarah comes out first in a blush pink dress that had one strap going across the chest.

“That is so pretty!”

“It’s my favorite out of all of them. How’s my butt?”

“Good! You’ll probably wanna get a thong to match the color though, it’s a little sheer.”

“Y/N, you’re turn.” Sarah says as you open the door. “Ooo, hot mama!!!”

“Ow ow! Dammmn girl.” The three of you giggle.

“Okay, okay, so it looks good?”

“It looks amazing!”

“It actually is a great fit. I feel pretty secure.” You look at yourself in the mirror. “Good eye Rach, it’s perfect. Can one of you take my picture? I wanna show Harry.”

You hand your phone to Sarah and she snaps the shot. You text it to him. He sees his phone go off while snacking on some carrot sticks and smiles when he sees your name.

“Holy shit.” He says to himself when he sees the picture. He really wished he was there in that dressing room with you.

You and Sarah buy your dresses, and the three of you head out to eat dinner. You catch up on things, and it feels nice to have the quality time with your friends. You’re happy to get home to Harry though.

“Baby, I’m home!” He’s just coming out of the shower when he hears you. He comes out in just his towel. “Good thing the girls weren’t with me.” You giggle.

You give him a quick kiss and go into the bedroom to hang up the dress.

“I like that dress. Would ya put it back on?” You shake your head no. “Why not?” He pouts.

“I don’t want it getting all wrinkled. I’m glad you liked it though.” You smile at him and start to take your work clothes off. “Did you go to the gym tonight?”

“Yeah, for a little while. I had an annoyin’ day at work.”

“Tell me all about it.” You throw on a t-shirt and pj pants and sit on the bed next to him.

“I got interrupted like every two seconds. Highlight of my day was comin’ to see you. Oh! You remember my coworker Mariah?

“Yeah.”

“Well, she’s single, and I told her about Rachel…she said she was really cute. I told her maybe next month we could go on a double date or something.”

“Who are you? Niall?” You giggle. “That was very nice of you.”

“How was she today?”

“Alright. It’s a good thing she’s an art teacher. She’s able to get out a lot of frustration at work. Do you have a picture of Mariah I could show her?”

“Ummmm…” He takes his phone out and looks her up on Facebook. “This is the only one. M’not friends with her on here so I can’t look at all of them. Does she seem like Rachel’s type?”

“Possibly. I’ve seen Rach date all types of girls. I don’t think she really has a type. She’s very into just loving the person, she doesn’t really care about looks.” You shrug.

“She’s so cool.” He chuckles.

“It’s really nice of you to want to set her up with your friend.”

“I’ve known Mariah a long time, she’s nice and caring. I think she could be just what Rachel’s been wantin’.”

“You’re like this protective papa bear, it’s so cute.” You kiss him on the cheek and get up to go to the bathroom to wash your face. “So how come you kept getting interrupted?” He puts some boxers on and stands in the doorway.

“First it was the interns, Julia and Dana. Julia bugs me the most. They literally give them no work to do. So I went and spoke to our executive assistant Ryan who’s supposed to be managing ‘em. And then this fuckin’….” He stops himself. He really doesn’t want to bring up Mykenzie and the fact that he’s shat where he’s eaten.

“This fuckin’ what babe?” You dry your face off and put your moisturizer on.

“Nothin’, not even worth retellin’.” You give him a look but you decide not to press him further.

“Think you’ll read to me tonight?”

“Would you like that?”

“I would.” You smile. Your period was far from over, so there was no hanky panky in the works. You kiss him lightly and get into bed.

Harry puts on his glasses, and continues you on with his friends to lovers story. Jane had moved in with her mother like she said. A whole month had gone by since they spoke. He couldn’t get her out of his mind. He decides to quit being a baby and go to her. He drives all the way to her mother’s house and tells her it’s time to come home with him.

“Baby, I’m starting to get tired.” You yawn.

“Alright, we’ll take a break for the night.” He takes his glasses off and rubs his eyes. “You really dinged up my neck today.” He chuckles.

“Shoe’s on the other foot now isn’t it?” You kiss his cheek and turn over. He wraps his arms around you and spoons you.

“My favorite little spoon.” He nuzzles into your hair and you giggle.

“My favorite big spoon.” He kisses your cheek softly and sighs happily.

[jjflow]

I cannot even explain to you what an incredible shitshow this week has been and continues to be

I don’t even know where to start...(This will be long if you are bored and need to read nonsense)

Since Sunday I’ve been stressed about one of my fosters who is sick. I’m emailing back and forth with the shelter. I was convinced Sunday night/Monday morning I was going to walk in at some point and find her dead. They’re  not sure what is going on. She’s not really getting better, but she’s not really getting worse either. They tried to schedule an appt with me on Tuesday afternoon but I basically harassed them until they let me come in on Monday because I was so worried.

Between the time Monday morning when i made the appt and the 2:30 appt, we had a weather phenomenon in Iowa called a Derecho. Ever heard of it? Me neither! We have tornadoes here. They’re bad but they are contained. This was like a literal 1 hr category 2 hurricane. It wiped out power across the state on a level that’s insane. Tornadoes are usually more contained and localized. This was statewide pretty much. I luckily have kept power this whole time but I know many people and businesses that are still without.

Thankfully I was able to keep my appt on Monday afternoon as the weather was normal again and they had power.

Yesterday at work was hectic because half my team, who are working from home, are without power. They were charging phones in their cars to answer emails, but everything else was on us that had power and internet. One coworker was going to go to her cousin’s to work, but her cousin got in a car accident with  A FUCKING SEMI and was in the hospital so she went there instead.

TODAY! I HAVE TODAY OFF OF WORK FOR OUR SUMMER HOURS PROGRAM! I was going to go to the pottery studio in the morning to do some stuff and then all my friends from work had also taken the day off and we were going to get together for the first time in forever for drinks on one of their patios. Well, half the people still don’t have power and another friend’s elderly mom is having to stay with her because of the power thing as well. So, that got cancelled. And it wasn’t until I made the 25 minute drive to the pottery studio this morning that I got there and saw a “Closed! No Power!“ sign on the door. The worst part of this is that I had ordered my groceries online last night from the store right by the studio (you might remember, 25 minutes away from my house) so I could pick them up at 12-1 when I left the studio. Now I’ll have to drive back there in an hour just to get groceries when I have a store 4 blocks from my house.

Also, my house is a shambles right now because I simultaneously have too many kitchen tables but also not enough kitchen tables. It’s a long story. I had ordered a new one that wasn’t supposed to get here until Tuesday. On a random stroke of luck, as I’m pulling into the garage getting back from the closed pottery studio, when I wasn’t supposed to be here, a truck pulled up with my new table and the dude left in in my garage plastic wrapped to many pallets that I will now to get figure out what to do with! I AM excited it’s here today since I have the day off to get it set up! It was just dumb luck that I was even here to receive it!

TOMORROW! TOMORROW IS THE GLORIOUS DAY THAT BRUCE WAS TO GET NEUTERED! When I started to think it was time a month ago, I called and 8/13 was the first day they could get him in and I’ve been FEELING every second of him needing to get fixed the last week or two. Just found out today, my vet STILL doesn’t have power and likely won’t be able to get him in tomorrow. I’m going to lose it if I have to wait another month!

Friday is when the furniture store is supposed to come and pick up one of my excess kitchen tables. I can’t wait for that.

Oh, and I just got a notification that my 3 times pushed out dentist appt is on Tuesday. I feel like they’ll hate me if I delay again but do I want multiple people’s hands in my mouth right now??? NOT PARTICULARLY!

Sorry, I just had to write this all out because I feel CRAZY?!?! Here are pictures of the huge tree in the park across from my townhouse that the Derecho took down!

[trashrightsactivist]

recent private chat highlights, megasilverfist and ‘Ruby’ (trashrightsactivist)

(Note: This is for peoples' OOC reading pleasure, and cannot actually be seen by your character unless you are hacking tumblr to view peoples' private messages.)

Convo 1

megasilverfist

Hey, you might be making a post on this anyway, but any ideas on how I can keep people from lynching the local reds?

Preferably without making them even more angry with Voa, or totally trashing my career.  Though given the life or death nature I'm willing to stick my neck out a little, and we're probably going to war anyway.

trashrightsactivist

I don't even know. I'm still like idek about this whole thing. I hope you have enough food you are psychologically able to eat.

gotta wonder if this wasn't somehow a scheme to get us all killed

megasilverfist

I'm good, Nadles is probably regretting the unlimited noodles clause in my contract.

I don't see how that adds but then again

its not paranoia when the world really is out to get you.

trashrightsactivist

yeah i know it wasn't really it just feels that way

gotta go out of the district and to work soon, dreading it

honstly the best thing i can think of might be to remind people it's a voa blue not their reds at fault, he's a country away and has bodyguards so they're less likely to be able to hurt him

and the war is probably inevitable already

megasilverfist

sigh yeah

trashrightsactivist

anyway I'm going to work.

megasilverfist

cool, try not to die

trashrightsactivist

that's the plan ;)

megasilverfist

and remember if multiple people are coming at you don't let them surround you.

I'd meant to hook you up with some videos on basic street defense but its a bit late now.

trashrightsactivist

thanks. I guess if anything goes down at work... idk, I will try to get behind a corpse and hope they're too squeamish to touch it, idk

we've swapped shifts around so as much as we can people who are pregnant or have kids are staying home

anyway can't risk being late. hopefully ttyl

Convo 2

megasilverfist

You probably already figured this out, but maybe don't trust the food people are throwing out.

https://purpleparenting.tumblr.com/post/163275109612/people-are-reluctant-to-leave-out-their-food-for

trashrightsactivist

[no response]

megasilverfist

[after signficant waiting]

I'm just going to assume you're busy.  Right?

Yeah, thats it.  I should probably go train anyway.

3

megasilverfist

Glad you aren't dead. Let me know if I can help.

Also, like this probably is to much to ask, and might seem a bit creepy, but can you walk me through what happened?  I have a really strong interest in how street fights with untrained combatants play out.

trashrightsactivist

gonna go through what happened on blog but that won't have like. physical details of fight bit. i will go through those with you after post if you want but like. my memory of what occurred might not be 100%. concussion.

 megasilverfist

Yeah, that happens, I'd give you some tips but you've (hopefully?) got some actual medical attention.

 trashrightsactivist

yes. that I really don't remember, getting from fight to hospital.

nurse knows who brought me here but not how so I'mma try to track him down and ask

 megasilverfist

right

Red hospital or normal one?

 trashrightsactivist

red. we can't be patients in the other kind

but honestly being surrounded by only other reds rn is reassuring

 megasilverfist

Thought so, but was hoping otherwise because there are some very new drugs for brain injury that I don't think yours have access to.

Try to get some Alkysine if you can.

 trashrightsactivist

I'll ask. I know like, blunt force trauma is something this particular doc deals with a lot, so probly knows what he's doing

 megasilverfist

Not doubting his skill just access to supplies that are a bit limited among cleans.

 trashrightsactivist

fair. he said my brains not beat up too bad. no bleeding, minimal swelling.

 megasilverfist

That is very good.

 trashrightsactivist

few cracked ribs. coulda been a lot worse

 megasilverfist

Yeah, will you be able to get someone to cover you work for you?

 trashrightsactivist

yeah if they have to they'll share with the pathology techs at the hospital

(clean hospital. the guys who normally do 'why did you die of sick' exams will do 'why did you die of murder' exams)

but idek if they'll want me back at work, thats where the argument started

 megasilverfist

Oh shit.  Can you get another job?

 trashrightsactivist

yeah there is always just pick up to fall back on and can probably learn how to do the medical rather than crime version of the thing i do

 megasilverfist

Well thats good.

 trashrightsactivist

but yeah like.. i will report what i see not what my boss wants to be there

 megasilverfist

Is that (physically) safe?

 trashrightsactivist

well no, as we found out.

 megasilverfist

Oh sorry I thought you meant in your exit interview or whatever it is that you do when you leave an employer.

I'm not clear how that works.

I do stuff for money so I've got a job, but the way competitions work means I'm not technically an employee of anyone.

 trashrightsactivist

so I'm employed by a company, not the police, they just have a contract with the company. so shouldn't have to do exit interview? but. if they have a grudge they can find me.

maybe when it's less crisis-y there won't be a grudge

they would never usually ask that sort of thing, they're good cops usually

 megasilverfist

I think I see.

 trashrightsactivist

but you want me to put on the report those injuries are not from a police-issue beating stick when they are... I reckon whichever cop it was must have just panicked, the guy did look a bit red in the right light

 megasilverfist

Oh yeah, cleansticks are nasty.  I really respect you for doing that.

 trashrightsactivist

but it was stupid of me. I don't file the actual report, I just tell the guy who does what I see, he can cheerfully shred anything I say that he doesn't like

it was a futile gesture

 megasilverfist

Oh maybe a little less respect, but you tried.

 trashrightsactivist

i mean normally he wouldn't, you know

idk

everybody is not themselves now

 megasilverfist

Right.  Its relatively sane in my little bubble, because my gym is getting free nadles and I had enough money to help out my cousins (helps the grama buys instant stuff in bulk anyway).  So we've just been heads down focusing on the fights.  But everytime I get on this site its fucked.

 trashrightsactivist

yeah I don't feel like I have the energy for any of it any more

its all just words

 megasilverfist

I keep trying to help, but there just isn't much I can do.  I'm not a big celebrity yet, and I'm now broke again even though I was planning on streching out my prize money so I can't donate.  I'm tempted to go and try to punch anyone causing problems, but still have some common sense.

 trashrightsactivist

yeah I don't have any suggestions any more

shitty as it was all i want is for things to go back to normal

 megasilverfist

Wow, things really are bad if you think normal would be ok.

 trashrightsactivist

yeah well

talk to me when it doesn't hurt to breathe, maybe I'll get my sass back

 megasilverfist

Right.  I'll let you heal then.  Here's some of my fanfic if you need something to read http://archiveofourown.org/works/2809283/chapters/6304610 ((not by me ooc))

 trashrightsactivist

thanks dude

 megasilverfist

np

4

trashrightsactivist

[ruby will send you as good an account of how the fight went down as she can. It was her and a dude who works for the same company, but mostly at the hospital (who also helped her with this account of the fight), and they were jumped returning to their body transport vehicle. Two cops with extendable sticks. The other red was mostly able to keep out of it since they weren't really going for him, he was trying to get into his work bag for the closest thing he had to a weapon (a scalpel) but by the time he got it out it was over. The cops clearly didn't intend to kill her, just send a message - but at the same time, they can't have been overly concerned with *not* killing her, because they easily could have just by a blow landing a bit differently in a way they couldn't precisely control.

Ruby's only notable action was to try to crawl under the hearse in the hopes that they wouldn't be able to get to her, but since they were willing to lay hands on her they just dragged her out.]

 megasilverfist

Thanks, that was helpful for me, hopefully you won't be attacked again especially by the police but he are some possibly helpful thoughts. The hearse move was a good idea, even if it didn't work.  Playing dead might have been a good idea.  Also using your hands to protect your head while exposing tempting but less fatal targets as sacrifices.  Getting caned in the butt or similar hurts but you know enough anatomy to know you'd prefer it to your current state.  Lastly, its probably best for your coworker that he was forced to stay out of it, but if he had gotten involved using the bag as a shield and /or to entangle the cleansticks (thats the actual name I didn't come up with it) would probably have been a good strategy.  I'm not a cleanstick specialist, but knives are a bad match against them even when pre drawn, but they are *relatively* easy to screw up with tangle weapons and makeshift shields since they don't have a cutting edge or the weight of traditional staffs.

Almost forgot, I was assuming that the bag was heavy enough to hurt when swung but light enough that you can swing it pretty fast like 5-15 pounds.

 trashrightsactivist

Thanks for the advice

I'd be concerned that any sort of fighting back might only make them angrier? Like they were risking a kill but probably not going for one, if we'd fought back..

 megasilverfist

Yeah, thats what I meant by it being best that your coworker stayed out of it.          I included my advice based on the best way to deal with actually fighting but really, like ok if I had been swapped with your coworker by magic AND been able to draw the scapble to dual wield AND you're not in Biyan then I probably could have won the fight.  But thats some rather big ifs and doesn't get into what would happen afterwards.

 trashrightsactivist

yeah I mean ultimately him staying out of it probably saved my life cause it meant he could drive me to the hospital

but I don't doubt it woulda gone differently with a martial arts expert instead of a nerdy autopsy tech

why would being in Biyan make a difference, do cops have different weapons there or something?

 megasilverfist

Yeah, still effectively 2 v 1 with inferior weapons is not a great place.

 trashrightsactivist

yeah I'm in no hurry to leave the district again in the current climate

 megasilverfist

Biyan is just behind us here in Tapa when it comes to overall cleanstick fighting, and thats going by the performance of athletes and police department champions (as in representatives) in tournaments.  I didn't realize this until recently, but my research suggests that they spend a lot more time training their normal non-specialist cops in it than almost anyone else.

 trashrightsactivist

huh. Wonder if they anticipate more fights, or if they're trying to reduce the amount they resort to guns?

 megasilverfist

Well I don't know much about them, but going off what I do know and the  scenarios in this manual I found http://wiktenauer.com/wiki/Paradoxes_of_Defence_(George_Silver) I think they just really hate reds.

 trashrightsactivist

oh, the depressing reason

your fanfic was good btw

 megasilverfist

Yup:( Like obviously part of why cleansticks are used instead of other staffs is that they can be used on you guys, but their supposed to be general purpose weapons. And thats not what I'm seeing here as a highly trained martial artist with color vision.

Thanks.

So I mean obviously you can tell how many of those figures have red hair, but as a highly trained martial artist TM I can tell you the convention is normally to depict every combatant as a grey.

 trashrightsactivist

well that would make sense given cultural norms and all

wonder what you lot would make of the bareknuckle one-on-ones that go down here sometimes

 megasilverfist

I would be super super curious, and would love it if there was a way to get video without the obvious problems with that.

But like what rules (if any) are there.

And (how) do people train?

And what techniques do they use?

 trashrightsactivist

they serve a vaguely similar purpose to duels in being part of the internal dispute resolution system? Similar to what I read about Erithani duels there's a lot of like, chances to back down and apologise worked into the system and their function seems to be more preventative

 megasilverfist

That seems sensible, greys kinda do that, but less that we probably should.

 trashrightsactivist

rules are simple, fists and a bit of grappling though grandads love to debate whether that was allowed int heir day, no kicking or gouging or whatever, and it's over when someone falls down or gives up

kids *practice* in the sense of, they scrap for fun, idk to what extent it constitutes training

it's not very formal and really the point is to be willing to fight to prove your point rather than neccessarily being good?

so it probably looks exceedingly sloppy to someone like you

 megasilverfist

Probably, but there really is something to be said for raw courage.

No gouging and no kicks is a really good idea from a safety perspective, but having more grappling and less punching would probably be a smart move from that perspective.

Not that I expect ya'll to change your culture based on my advice.

 trashrightsactivist

yeah I mean it's mostly a way to contain disputes among like 3.5-6 year olds so there's a socially accepted endpoint and no risk of harming the community fabric or attracting attention from outside the district

 megasilverfist

And they are you from a showing your serious veiwpoint.

 trashrightsactivist

yeah I don't think they'd accept alterations based on safety, cause it's about having the balls, as you said

but given that I have that Red Island separatist fantasy it does make me wonder how the justice system would turn out

'you may either fight the defendant, or have the judge explain this entire mess to your grandmother, how do you plead?'

 megasilverfist

Lololol

My grama would say the mess is fine but why wouldn't you fight em?

 trashrightsactivist

maybe you like your face :P

 megasilverfist

Well I am dashingly handsome.

 trashrightsactivist

I saw your promo pics online, can't disagree there

 megasilverfist

Thanks, though the photographer did a lot.

Legally we can't photoshop them too much, but lighting, picking the best one ect can do a ton, and we can shop a little.

 trashrightsactivist

if I were the type to do selfies, I would not be doing selfies for a good few weeks

 megasilverfist

Yeah, I get that, though we're encouraged to to the occasional beat up shot as long as its framed properly.

 trashrightsactivist

oh of course. but gotta be like, sexy injured not 'mishandled reject tomato' injured

 megasilverfist

Yup, a mix of that and sometimes having to look bad to make the other guy look good for the good of the sport.

 trashrightsactivist

you aren't suggesting any of it is staged are you?

 megasilverfist

Just the photo shoots yes. The matches very no.  In my main promotion that is.  I keep meaning to right a post about this, but there are promotions that are explicitly registered as stunt based entertainment which are fixed to varying degrees.

One of them even has a "red" as one of the "heels".

 trashrightsactivist

what.

liiink

actual *actors* tryna play reds is always tragihilarious, I can't imagine what that would be like

is his special move whacking you over the head with a garbage can

IS HIS CATCHPHRASE 'TIME TO TAKE OUT THE TRASH'

 megasilverfist

Actually he's an undertaker, and makes horrible horrible death puns.

And fights with a piece of "sewage pipe" granted to him by his district elder.

But the overall thing is as corny as you're picturing it.

And frankly I like your idea better.

Not that I really approve, of making him the heel, but I guess you have to take what you can get.

 trashrightsactivist

oh sure, well he was never gonna be anything else

 megasilverfist

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6CD7TUIS7c

 trashrightsactivist

that shit is hilarious

 megasilverfist

Ok, I should go soon, but three things first.

 trashrightsactivist

ok

 megasilverfist

first if you need to get a hold of me outside tumblr in a fairly secure way use ((contact info)) unless you have a better suggestion you seem to know security.

The next two are two good thing to come from this mess.  Well good from your prospective I guess.

 trashrightsactivist

thanks. I don't think I have anything better rn but I'll check and let you know, otherwise that looks good.

 megasilverfist

First, I am sick of this shit.  I still believe in pollution, and I can't do much now, but stars like actual national champs get one controversial position.  I was going to go after the fitness scams that basically everyone but blues fall for but...

yeah.

And lastly oh wait you already rebloged it so much for my climax, but still

[link to 3cool5u’s Allocator Savo fanfic]

 trashrightsactivist

:)

the second one though. What are you planning?

 megasilverfist

I'll need to think of some details after I win, but ways to improve red lives without denying pollution exists.

 trashrightsactivist

I'm grateful that you want to do something. I'll look round see if I got some suggestions for specific points. Most importantly, though - if it made sense to keep a lid on things for now before it probably still does

for now