#i even read the comments that's how confused i was

[rafesslxt]

DIRTY LOVE

pt. 1 | 2 | 3 | 4

SUMMARY: you wake up at Rafe‘s after your night together. But guess who isn‘t so happy about that? Right, your boyfriend.

WARNINGS: cheating, dirty talk, fingering and teasing, oral on female, fingering while being on the phone with your boyfriend, gaslighting, toxicness(?)

WORDS: 1.3k

NOTES: I did not proof read it, i do NOT encourage cheating - this is only for the plot, english is not my first language! every like, comment and reblog is highly appreciated <3

You woke up the next morning, head spinning and troath dry like the sahara.

You started to move around a little when suddenly two arms moved you back, your head on rafe‘s soft pillow, your back against his upper body. "stop movin‘" the voice behind you grumbled, tightening his arms even more.

"rafe.. we fell asleep. Come one, I have to get up. Topper is probably – shit, Topper." you whispered his name like a curse. Rafe groaned and slowly opened his eyes. "Stop worrying so much. Ten more minutes won‘t change the situation."

You rolled your eyes and scoffed, but chose to stay still and enjoy the last few minutes with him. "Hmm, come here." he nuzzled his face into the crook of your neck and slowly started to gently stroke your stomach. "How did ya sleep, sweetheart?"

"Good, my head is just spinning a little." "Gonna get you a painkiller when we get up.“ He kissed your cheek and started to leave a trail of little soft kisses along your jawline, smirking against your skin when he felt you shivering.

"Rafe.." you said in a warning tone. "hmm?“ he sounded so innocent. "i mean it, we can‘t. I have to get up and -" a little moan left your lips when he sucked on the skin right behind your ear – your soft spot.

You were just about to let yourself fall into his arms again when your phone started to ring. "ignore it." you tried but your phone just wouldn‘t stop ringing and ringing and .. "fuck." you hissed and grabbed it, hitting the green button.

you tried to sound tired and like you‘ve just woken up. "hello?" you knew what was coming. "Hello?! Are you fucking kidding me? Where the hell are you and don‘t even think about lying to me I know you‘re not home because I asked your parents -" "You did what?!"

Rafe looked at you confused, eyebrows drawn together. "What?" he whispered inaudible. You put Topper on speaker, waiting for him to answer.

"What was I supposed to do? You were just gone - whoring around!" he sounded angry and fed up, you could almost hear him pace around his home.

"I‘m at tanny hill you freak! I didn‘t feel well so I layed down in one of their guest rooms!" silence. he was completely silent for a moment. "I‘m gonna call rafe and ask him If you‘re there and i swear to god if he doesn‘t see -" you pressed the red button, knowing that it just made him angrier.

Just a few seconds later, Rafe‘s phone rang and Topper‘s name popped up on his display. "Shh.." he smiled at you and pulled you back against his chest like when you two woke up.

He hit the green button and instantly the speaker, putting the phone next to the pillow, he answered. "Yo Top, what‘s up man?" he sounded so normal, so chill.

"Have you seen y/n? She told me she‘s at your house. I swear If she‘s lying-" "yo yo top chill. She told you the truth, I saw her walking into one of the guest rooms yesterday night."

One of Rafe‘s habd started to slowly wander over your stomach, gently rubbing the skin he touched. His lips connected with your jaw, leaving wet kisses. "Is she still there? Can you take a look?" he sounded stressed, pulling on the hair on his head.

"You should really trust your girlfriend a little more man." he said, his hand moving from your stomach to your already soaked pussy.

You just now realized that the two of you were still naked since you fell asleep right after you had sex. Your eyes widened and you shook your head even tho your legs already made space for his hand.

"Trust her? How am I supposed to trust her when she pulls stunts like this every time?"

"You‘re so filthy.." he whispered into your ear, grinning against it before slowly sucking on your earlobe.

He let go of it to answer his best friend. "Tried talking to her?" he asked, his index and middle finger gliding between your soaked lips, teasingly flicking over your clit here and there.

"Talking? Why should I talk to her? I don‘t know man I have a feeling she‘s secretly seeing someone else you know." His fingers started teasing your hole, he had to hold back a groan.

"Why? Did you find something in her phone or stuff like that?" His fingers slowly glided into you, adding a third finger while his thumb started to rub against your swollen clit. Your walls were aching for him, greedily welcoming his fingers.

Your lips parted and before a sound could make its way out, rafe‘s other hand slapped over your mouth.

"make a sound and I‘ll stop." you eyes rolled back and your back arched, your ass pressing against his hardness. "no but she‘s so distant lately. I mean she never wants to stay over and If she does she doesn‘t let me touch her. Bet she let‘s some other dude -"

You tuned his voice out when rafe‘s thumb got faster and added more pressure on your clit. You bit into his hand that was still placed over your mouth, your eyes squeezed shut.

"Hmm, maybe you just need to fuck her a little better.“ rafe chuckled, nibbling on your neck right after. "ha ha ha. thank you man. Can you look for her now?" "Yeah yeah on my way. House is big ya know."

His eyes locked with yours when he snapped the blanket that was draped over your bodys and slid down your body until he was right in front of your pussy.

"What did she say where in the house she is?“ he asked, trying to win some time. He continues fucking you with his digits but took away his thumb from your clit, replacing it with his tongue.

He started to flicker it over your clit, making you gasp against his palm, feeling the heat collecting in your lower stomach. You looked down, your gaze finding his, not moving away from your eyes.

"Some guest room. I don‘t understand her man. She should be lucky to be with someone like me."

Rafe grinned against your pussy before he stopped, making you whine lowly. "Why?" he dryly asked, before almost crashing his lips against you again.

He started sucking on your clit, his fingers moving faster. It started so sound so dirty that Rafe had to mute Topper while he was talking.

You ran your hands through his hair, pulling on it. Your hips started to grind desperately against his face, chasing your high.

"Are you for real asking that? Bro, she‘s a kook and all but her reputation starts getting worse the more she‘s hanging with those pogues. Together with your sister.", Topper scoffed.

„Cum for me baby.." Rafe whispered, merciless sucking on your sensetive nub. "Oh fuck Rafe, shit –"

Finally, you felt your stomach snapping, your orgasm rushing over you, leaving you shaking and panting, almost not getting enough air through your nose since Rafe still had his hand in front of your mouth.

He let go of you and smiled cheekly before he unmuted Topper again and spoke into his phone. "Oh yeah, here she is. Wanna talk to her?"

Before you could say something, Rafe pushed his phone into your hands. "Topper." You tried to speak as normal as possible, your voice slightly shaking.

"Why do you sound like that?“ Your eyes fell onto Rafe again who smiled at you like the cocky bastard he is. "Because - because I cried you stupid asshole! I told you I‘m at Sarah‘s and you send your even more stupid friend to look for me? Fuck you." Before Topper had the chance to answer, you pressed the red button and ended the call.

"Wow sweetheart, think you gave him something to think over." Rafe chuckled. "Or not.." you answered and nodded towards your own phone with Toppers name on it again. "Damn, he really can‘t let go huh?"

taglist: @supernaturaldawning @cardibre91 @aegonsslxt @juliet-017 @lizzysmith110 @mattyskies @my-name-is-baby @synicaljah @tiaajosephin @gxdsfavgal @whyamireadingthis @rafeyscurtainbangs

xoxo sarah <3

masterlist | taglist | navigation

[sillylotrpolls]

I'm both unsurprised and surprised at the winner here. Unsuprised because of course "never read the Silm" was always going to win. However, I am surprised it only got as high as 32.5%. If you extrapolated that data without regard to the self-selection bias inherent to silly tumblr LotR polls, it would mean that in a group of 100 people, 68 would be able to correctly identify at least three times Fëanor looked hubris in the eye and said "bet."

Interestingly, in a previous poll about why people haven't read the Silmarillion, "I've read it" got 30.4%. This suggests that there is a certain number of people who will skip voting in any poll that doesn't apply to them even if given an explicit button to click. However, it also suggests that it's still a good idea to have that button, because in each poll that option got over 1,000 votes.

In second place (and therefore first place for people who did/will read the Silm) is "I liked the movies" (16.7%). This makes perfect sense; LotR fandom exploded in 2001 when we all first got a look at Elijah Wood's baby blue eyes. Right behind it, however, is "I enjoy reading mythology and histories" with 15.4%. And you know what? This is probably the best reason to read the Silm; you've got all the context for why it's written in the way it is and can appreciate both Tolkien's references and where he was truly original. I salute you, myth-lovers.

Then, in fourth ("third") is probably the highest placing yet for the "other" option (14.8%). And unlike every other poll where I include "other," this time y'all really did go into detail in the notes. <3 Related question: why were so many of you 11 when you first tried to read Tolkien?

A few other miscellaneous observations:

Some of you really, really want to be clear that you read the books BEFORE you saw the movies.

Although there were a lot of stories about how y'all first encountered the Sillmarillion and took it into your hearts, most of you preferred to use a dozen+ tags to tell the story instead of writing a comment. As a LiveJournal veteran, this preference continues to puzzle me.

Apparently "Found it at the library..." was confusing. This option was meant to imply "I read the Silm first, you mean there's a sequel called Lord of the Rings all about Mairon/Sauron?!" but I had trouble with the 80-character limit.

"Fanart appreciation" (4.4%) beat out "bullied by friends" (1.6%) almost 3:1, illustrating that it's easier to motivate people with treats than shame.

No one ever gets the lion joke. :(

[tea-writes19]

yes | poly!b.b. s.w. j.t.

pairing: bucky barnes x sam wilson x joaquin torres x f!reader

summary: your followers are confused on who you are dating

warnings: established relationship(s), polyamorous relationship, swearing, fluff, pure crack tbh, comedy, suggestive content

a/n: this is purely for my own enjoyment. please be aware of the warnings and pairing. don’t like don’t read. okay that’s all, enjoy :)

liked by joaquintorres, samwilson, buckybarnes, and others

yourusername: word of advice: don’t go camping with bucky

tagged: @/samwilson @/joaquintorres @/buckybarnes

view comments below

user1: oh to be y/n

user2: fr i wanna be friends with the avengers too

user3: wait i thought she was dating one of them?

user4: no lol they’re just friends

user5: nah she’s def sleeping w/ one of them

user6: sam’s face😭😭

user7: he looks so annoyed😭

joaquintorres: legend has it sam is still on that rock pouting bc we woke him up to watch the sunrise

samwilson: maybe i would’ve been less grumpy if bucky hadn’t made us hike 3 miles to see it…

yourusername: lol ok mr. i haven’t had my morning coffee yet

buckybarnes: i didn’t force you to come with

samwilson: your exact words were (and i quote) get your ass up or else

user8: 😭😭

samwilson: i distinctly remember you groaning the whole time up too

yourusername: maybe, but you don’t have any proof

joaquintorres: uhhhhh….

user9: seeing joaquin’s post first makes this comment section even funnier

user10: wait what did joaquin post??

user9: a pic of y/n looking grumpy watching the sunrise

user10: omg i’m dying😭😭

user11: same!

buckybarnes: i’m not that bad

yourusername: doubt but ok

joaquintorres: liar liar pants on fire

user12: i’m starting to think bucky is that bad

user13: frfr

samwilson: STARTING TO?!?

liked by samwilson, buckybarnes, yourusername, and others

joaquintorres: not pictured: me losing feeling in my legs

tagged: @/yourusername @/buckybarnes @/samwilson

view comments below

yourusername: damn i see how it is

samwilson: haha take that!!

joaquintorres: sorry love but sam bribed me w/ a new flight manoeuvre

yourusername: it’s ok guess i’ll just go kms😔

user14: love?👀

user15: y/n we love you please don’t kys

user16: #justicefory/n

user17: are you dating y/n?

user18: omg they’re just friends

user19: he called her love so…

user20: aw i was kinda hoping it was sam

user21: #teamjoaquin stays winning

samwilson: not pictured: how you lost said feeling in your legs

yourusername: ^^^

joaquintorres: i don’t think insta allows that kind of activity

buckybarnes: didn’t stop sam last time

user22: AYY YO WHAT??!!

user23: OH MY GOD

user24: SAMUEL ARE YOU IMPLYING WHAT I THINK YOU’RE IMPLYING

user25: i’m so confused rn…

user26: wait are sam and joaquin together???

user27: not bucky mentioning storygate tho🫢

peterparker: i love being left out😒

yourusername: pete you know damn well why you were left out

peterparker: doesn’t make my fomo hurt any less

samwilson: you can come with next time instead of buck

buckybarnes: YOU’RE GOING TO REPLACE ME WITH THE KID?!?!

samwilson: yes

liked by yourusername, joaquintorres, peterparker, and more

samwilson: this trip would have been better without bucky

tagged: @/buckybarnes @/joaquintorres @/yourusername

view comments below

yourusername: say it louder for those in the back🗣️

user28: not all of them hating on bucky😭😭

user29: like sir what did you do?!?

buckybarnes: none of you appreciate me and it shows

yourusername: i thought i showed my appreciation perfectly fine last night🤨

joaquintorres: maybe don’t take us hiking for 5 days straight next time…

user30: HELLO??? Y/N!?!

user31: y’all wanna share smth with the class👀

user32: wdym by that y/n huh?

user33: i was going to say their friend group is so wholesome but after y/n's comment idk anymore

user34: lmao fr

user35: same like didn’t joaquin call her love in a comment on his post???

user36: maybe it’s just a nickname and she’s really dating bucky?

user35: what FRIENDS call each other love?!?

peterparker: me watching everyone in the comments freaking out be like: 🫢☕️

user37: tell us what you know!!!

samwilson: gotta keep em on their toes

user38: spill the beans peter…

liked by joaquintorres, samwilson, yourusername, and others

buckybarnes: i for one had a lovely time

tagged: @/yourusername @/joaquintorres @/samwilson

view comments below

samwilson: ofc you did😒

yourusername: i liked it when you let us take a break that one time

joaquintorres: best 2 mins of my life

user39: are y’all ok?😭😭

yourusername: no :)

user40: wait a sec…are those y/n’s legs in the hammock??

user41: +1 point for #teambucky

user42: i’m starting to think it’s a throuple situation or smth bc what😭

user43: you’re so real for that

user44: are you or are you not dating y/n

buckybarnes: …

user45: that wasn’t a no!

liked by joaquintorres, peterparker, buckybarnes, and others

yourusername: morning workouts >>>

tagged: @/buckybarnes @/joaquintorres

view comments below

user50: i think a little more than working out is going on girlie

user51: ^^^

joaquintorres: wdym that’s working out too…

user52: SIR—

buckybarnes: workouts without sam >>>

samwilson: I WAS TIRED YOU FUCK

yourusername: god just kiss already🙄

joaquintorres: who says they aren’t rn

yourusername: wait you right…it’s been awfully quiet

user53: OH

user54: ayy yo what’s bucky and joaquin doing👀

joaquintorres: working out duh

buckybarnes: duh🙄

user55: 😭😭

user56: two guys working out zero feet apart bc they’re gay

buckybarnes: so close…we’re bisexual

user56: my bad

user56: two guys working out zero feet apart bc they’re bisexual

joaquintorres: there we go👍

peterparker: oh would you look at that, i was left out again…

yourusername: PETE YOU HAD SCHOOL

buckybarnes: get off your phone and pay attention in chem

peterparker: the fact you know my schedule is slightly disturbing

user57: only slightly?

peterparker: everything mr. barnes does is scary

user57: valid

yourusername: even me🥺

peterparker: especially you

yourusername added to their story —>

[caption: guess where we’re going, wrong answers only!]

story replies

joaquintorres: the moon to visit steve

yourusername: we’re flying to the moon in our favorite rocketship

joaquintorres: zooming through the sky, little einsteins!

user58: rfk jrs swear-in

user59: bahamas?

user60: so are you and sam dating?

peterparker: ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME

liked by joaquintorres, buckybarnes, samwilson, and others

yourusername: italy i love you and your cats

tagged: @/joaquintorres @/buckybarnes @/samwilson

view comments below

user61: GIRL WHO ARE YOU DATING???

yourusername: yes

user62: yes to who?????

yourusername: yes

user63: oh my god

user64: are they…all dating each other???

user65: quick where’s the girl who predicted this

user42: i’m here🙋‍♀️

user66: you know what, good for them

user67: get that d y/n

user68: damn girl leave some for the rest of us😭😭

yourusername: meet my friend peter @/peterparker

peterparker: wait what

joaquintorres: i don’t think i’ve ever seen bucky and sam so close to murdering each other and us before

peterparker: that’s bc you weren’t at the airport in 2016

yourusername: ^^^

yourusername: if looks could kill we’d be dead rn

buckybarnes: if you guys had taken 5 minutes longer i would’ve cannibalised sam

samwilson: man come on

user69: how yellowjackets of you

yourusername: i promise you he doesn’t understand that reference

joaquintorres: but we do and we agree

user70: damn i wanna go to italy now

user71: i can’t believe we got cap polycule before gta 6

user72: the tumblr girlies are going to go crazy

user73: it’s like destiel becoming canon again over there

user74: it’s already trending😭😭

peterparker: why do i even bother to talk to y’all anymore

yourusername: bc you love us

samwilson: atp you’re our adopted son

buckybarnes: i don’t want stark’s kid tf

buckybarnes added to their story —>

[caption: because y/n hard-launched us as the kids these days would say]

story replies

user75: please which one is teaching you slang😭

joaquintorres: yay i beat out the other two

samwilson: this is pure favoritism

buckybarnes: i didn’t see you complaining last night…

yourusername: joaquin is never going to let this go😔

user76: first ever story and its confirmation of the polycule

user76: god i love it here

liked by buckybarnes, joaquintorres, yourusername, and more

samwilson: venice (feat. y/n making us stop to pet every cat she saw)

tagged: @/yourusername @/joaquintorres @/buckybarnes

view comments below

user77: y/n is so valid for that

user78: my fav polycule

user79: i love how we’re all just like yeah, makes sense

user80: tbf it does make so much sense

user81: we were all wondering who y/n was fucking when really they were all fucking each other

yourusername: bucky said we could keep one!

samwilson: i swear to god if i find a cat in your carry on y/n…

yourusername: uhh i have to go

buckybarnes: my exclusion from the post is payback for my story isn’t it?

samwilson: good to see your brain works sometimes buck!

user82: oof someone get some water for that burn

user83: so does this mean alpine is getting a friend?

samwilson: no

buckybarnes: yes

yourusername: yes

liked by yourusername, buckybarnes, samwilson, and others

joaquintorres: we in the spaghetto!

tagged: @/samwilson @/yourusername @/buckybarnes

view comments below

yourusername: PASTA PASTA

user84: the caption😭😭

user85: i need to know the reason behind slide 2

joaquintorres: sam was yelling at us bc of the cat😔

yourusername: he’s trying to make us get rid of her

buckybarnes: he’s being very rude to gelato

samwilson: WE CAN’T JUST GRAB A CAT OFF THE STREET AND SHIP IT BACK TO THE USA

yourusername: not with that attitude you can’t

user86: live laugh love the spaghetto

user87: omg i love that tiktok😭

peterparker: i call dibs on being gelato’s godfather

joaquintorres: that’s your sister

samwilson: i can’t believe i’m a father of three

buckybarnes: i’m still not acknowledging the kid as mine

liked by samwilson, yourusername, joaquintorres, and more

buckybarnes: they complained about this trip a lot less

tagged: @/joaquintorres @/yourusername @/samwilson

view comments below

joaquintorres: i’m not saying it’s because we had running water but that’s exactly what i’m saying

buckybarnes: i still question why you joined the air force sometimes

samwilson: damn so that’s how you want to play huh

buckybarnes: i don’t know what you’re talking about🧑‍🦯

user88: please tell me that’s gelato🥹

yourusername: sadly no but i wanted to keep this one too

user89: love how y/n is petting a different cat in each post

user90: she’s one with the cats

user91: the cat-whisperer fr

yourusername: damn that’s a good pic of me

peterparker: narcissistic behavior

yourusername: you would be too if you were me

user92: you go queen!!

user93: i’m loving the self confidence!

yourusername added to their story —>

[caption: welcome home gelato🫶🏻]

story replies

user94: stop she’s so cute🥹🥹

user95: omg adorable🤍

peterparker: i love my baby sister

© tea-writes19 do not repost, translate, or copy

[absurdthirst]

The Mismatch {Alpha!Dieter Bravo x Omega!F!Reader}

Rating: Explicit

Word Count: 13.1k

Warnings: Alpha/Omega dynamics, mentions of social structures, classism, drug use (it's Dieter), mentions of bisexuality, deceit, jealousy, mentions of knotting, fighting, oral sex (female receiving), vaginal sex, knotting

Comments: Tired of living a life of debauchery, Dieter decides to use Omega Finder, to discover who is omega is. Witnessing this folly as his assistant, you know that he won't find her. Until he does, confusing you since you are his omega.

*** When reblogging or talking about Omegaverse, please remember that ‘a/b/o’ without the slash punctuation marks (/) is considered a slur for the Aboriginal people in Australia.

Co-written by @storiesofthefandomlovers

**Follow @absurdthirst-writes and turn on notifications to stay up to date on all new fics.

|| MasterList || Dieter Bravo MasterList ||

Click Keep Reading only if you have read the Rating and Warnings and understand the warnings may not be complete to avoid listing spoilers. As AO3 says 'creator chooses not to use warnings'. You also agree that you're the right age to be consuming anything here.

"Dieter. It's a pleasure to sit down with you today." The interviewer from The New York Times sits down with the actor. 

"It's a pleasure to be here." He smiles, his wedding ring flashing from the bright lights that have been set up in his living room.

"So, you've been married for ten years now. How are you enjoying married life?" The interviewer asks and Dieter grins, "it's amazing. I love her more and more every day. I never imagined it would be  like this." He declares and the interviewer nods, "you had an agency find your mate, correct?" Dieter nods, "yes...but it wasn't smooth sailing."

****

Everyday it surprises you that Dieter Bravo is an alpha. The neediness, the whining, the childish pouts when he doesn’t get his way or someone doesn’t recognize him on the street. You would have never guessed that he was an alpha before you started working for him. The alarm on your phone goes off, reminding you to take your suppressants and you pull the pill bottle out of your purse, popping one into your mouth as the trailer door flings open and Dieter rushes inside. The set makeup looks comical considering his eyes are widened and excited but the makeup is bold and dramatic. “I’m going to do it!” He cries out enthusiastically, making you frown. 

“Do what?” 

He huffs and rolls his eyes, expecting you to read his mind, you already anticipate every single one of his needs - right down to his drug resupply. “I’m going to find my mate!” 

Your eyes widen in shock, surprised that he would even consider that. “What? Why?”

Dieter looks up from his phone, "I want to find my omega. This agency...they will find them. They track the DNA data and find your mate...for a large fee of course." Dieter says and you sigh, knowing that the man is incapable of being monogamous. "Not available to the normies...you guys have MateMatch or whatever. This is for the elites who don't have time or the capacity to go out on dates sniffing for their omega." He snorts and looks in the mirror, "I want to settle down. Getting too fucking old now. I want my mate. My person." He declares, frowning at the wrinkles on his face.

Normies. Dieter thinks you are a beta. It doesn’t help that you have been on suppressants since before you worked for him, and you’ve never corrected him on his mistake. For good reason. Dieter does not need to know that you are an omega. “Dieter…” you sigh. “Your mate will expect you to be monogamous.” You remind him. “Biology will expect you to be monogamous. Once you are bonded….you can’t sleep around.”

Dieter rolls his eyes, “duh. I know that. I’m tired of waking up in a pile of bodies covered in cum and no one. No. One. Wants to cuddle me when the daylight is coming in the window. I don’t want to be alone for the rest of my life. I’m not stupid. I know that my looks and money will take me so far but when I’m shitting myself, who is gonna love me? My mate would.” He says dramatically, “I’ve made up my mind. The agency is already trying to find them.” He declares, “I’ll be a mated man in no time.”

You try not to huff, knowing he would pry and when Dieter wants to know something he will pester you until you give in. The truth is, he won’t find his mate easily, because she’s already standing in front of him. “Just…don’t get discouraged if it takes some time.” You offer, feeling slightly guilty about not telling him the truth and costing him a lot of money. You know he wouldn’t want you as his mate, you’re his assistant. The only reason you know that painful truth is because of a week he was away and your suppressants had run out. The shirt he had stuffed in your bag one night had called to you, making you go into heat until you could get a refill on your prescription. Blocking your scent again for when you were around him.

Dieter scoffs, "they are professionals. I bet I am married off before the end of the year. Dieter Bravo...serial monogamist. Now that would be a headline." He chuckles and reaches up to adjust his hair before he heads out onto set. 

It takes a couple of weeks but finally, Dieter gets the call. It's late after a long day of press junkets and Dieter is in the back of the town car beside you when his phone rings. "Hello?" He answers, putting it on speaking because he doesn't like the phone on his face. 

"Hi, Mr. Bravo. We have news." Shelley, the agency advisor says and Dieter bites his lip, nervous as fuck. "We found her!" Shelley declares and Dieter's eyes widen. 

"Oh wow. It's - it's a woman. Not that I'm complaining. I don't mind but - wow." He chokes, shocked that this is suddenly real.

You can hear everything, fingers twisted together and you hate how your gasp makes him turn towards you. They found you somehow? How did this company manage to get a sample of your DNA? You never allowed any of your blood to be put into a database. Shifting in your seat, you prepare for a difficult conversation with your boss about why you hid your omega status, and the fact that you are his mate.

“They found my mate.” He declares and Shelly continues to give Dieter the details. 

“Her name is Polly and she lives in San Fran. We are arranging for her to come here to L.A this weekend. She’s younger than you. 28. Blonde. Blue eyes. She’s fertile and ready to find her forever.” Shelley declares and Dieter shakes his head. 

“I can’t - I can’t believe it.” He grins and bids Shelley goodbye after confirming she will email the details. “Can you come with me to meet her? I’m- I’m fucking nervous.” He admits, his hands shaking slightly.

Stunned silent for a moment, you don’t know what to say. They couldn’t have found someone else, there’s never been a case of anyone having two mates. “I-um- Dieter….” 

He frowns, grabbing your hand. “Please, I need you. You know what to do to keep me calm. I can’t be high when I meet my mate.” He begs, making you bite your lip. 

“Yeah, I guess.” You murmur quietly, unsure if you need to tell him this company is lying to him.

He exhales shakily, squeezing your hand, “thank you. I don’t know what I’d do without you.” He says, leaning in to press a kiss to your cheek. He feels a spark from your skin but he thinks it’s the tab he took before he left his trailer. “I need you there because I can’t afford to mess this up.” He stresses and you nod, a frown still on your face but he doesn’t notice.

You need to find out what company Dieter hired to find his mate, because they have fucked up royally. He lets go of your hand and you immediately start going through his schedule. If you know anything about him, he will want to have a chemical peel, to rejuvenate his skin and meet with that spiritual hack that he is convinced works miracles on his aura.

Dieter panics every single hour of the day until the moment arrives. He exhales shakily, his hands shaking and he's stone cold sober, not even a swig of booze. He looks over at you as he waits for his mate, dressed in a blue suit and his hair styled. "How do I look?" He asks, needing some reassurance.

He looks incredible. You’ve managed to never feel jealous throughout all the lovers that have come through Dieter’s bed. Never let yourself be jealous. Now you are. He’s excited and hopeful, a light in his eyes that you’ve never seen before. “Dee….” He turns that expectant smile on you and you know it’s not the time to talk to him about this Omega Finder agency, “you look great.” You admit. “All Alpha-y.”

He pushes his shoulders back, puffing out his chest with pride that you think he looks like an alpha. He has never conformed to what an alpha should be. Some extreme groups dictate that alphas should become first class citizens like it was before the Omega/Beta Civil Rights Act in the 50s. He has fought hard for equality in the wake of his biological makeup and he hopes he has provided a good road map for younger alphas looking to break the mold. He has a tugging in his chest, his eyes meeting yours, and he disregards it as nerves. 

Shelley from the agency enters the room and Dieter swallows down the words that were bubbling in his throat, words that were foreign to his tongue. He wanted to thank you for helping him with everything. "It's time." Shelley declares and Dieter adjusts his jacket, rolling his neck as he follows Shelley to meet his mate.

You trail along behind him, curious to find out what kind of person they have gotten to play Dieter’s omega. You hate how excited he is, knowing that he would never be this happy if he knew you were his mate.

Dieter enters the room that was set up to meet his omega and she is facing away from him until he is a few steps away. She turns just as he approaches her, a wide smile on her face. "Dieter, baby! My alpha!" She cries, throwing herself in his arms. His arms wrap around her. She's gorgeous. Like supermodel gorgeous and Dieter buries his face in her neck, breathing her in. Her scent is warm and inviting, making him melt against her, and he feels like this is right. This is his omega. He's read about how this moment should feel. How it should make him want to drag her off to bed right away, make him want to cover her in his scent, but maybe that was the old method. Times have changed and you can't just fuck someone you meet seconds before. He squeezes her waist and pulls back, leaning in to kiss her softly. "Omega." He declares, knowing the agency must know who his match is and he won't doubt it. He wants this. He wants to be settled down and if it's Polly, then it''s Polly.

You can smell her. You frown when the scent is one that you know well. It’s your scent! Your nose curls slightly, aware that something has been manipulated and you aren’t sure what. There is no way that she should smell like you.

Polly kisses him back, her eyes wide and a smile on her face as she takes in the appearance of her alpha. "You're so handsome." She coos, cupping his cheeks, and he smiles at her. "You're beautiful." He declares and she smirks, "oh I know." He chuckles, a little awkward at her confidence but it's not a bad thing.

You instantly dislike her. It’s the conceited aura dripping out of her pores, along with the fact that you know this woman is lying to Dieter. You swallow back the jealousy, wishing you had told Dieter the truth before now.

“So…should we go get dinner? Get to know each other?” He suggests and she nods. Dieter feels a little more confident as he takes her hand in his and turns to look at you. “You booked the restaurant, right? I booked the whole place. I didn’t want us to be interrupted and it’s early days so the press would disturb us.” He explains to Polly who beams at the news that Dieter rented out an entire restaurant for her.

You snort, knowing you are the one who had called the restaurant to reserve the entire thing. It hadn’t been easy and you had to promise the entire staff exorbitant tips to make up for there only being one guest. Dieter’s LLC would pay it. You’ll have Dieter sign photos later on to give the staff too on the promise not photos or autographs tonight.

Polly squeals in excitement and Dieter’s smile falls slightly at the annoying sound. He doesn’t want to rip her clothes off. She’s beautiful but she’s like a lot of women his PR team set him up to date. Still, she’s his mate, his omega. You can’t deny science and biology. Her scent was mouthwatering and he can’t wait to get to know her more. “Shall we go?” Dieter asks, holding his hand out to Polly who nods and Dieter turns to look at you, “you’re dismissed. Thanks for helping.” He says, his eyes flat as he looks at you.

“Of course.” It hurts, it cuts deep when he looks at you like you are a piece of furniture but that's what you deserve for not being honest with him. “It’s my job.” You can’t watch the gorgeous woman drape herself over him for another second so you turn and walk to the door, wanting to get away from them and figure out what to do next.

****

“So…what’s it like being an Oscar winner?” Polly asks Dieter over dessert. 

Dieter sighs, setting his fork down, “it’s…a lot of pressure. The expectations are higher. When I was just getting started, I was constantly fighting, battling for screen time and now? I don’t even need to audition. It feels like I have let myself get lazy.” He admits and Polly shakes her head, “that just means you get the bigger jobs. More money. That’s success baby.” She winks and Dieter nods, “I guess so but I miss being a struggling artist sometimes.” He confesses and Polly giggles, thinking he’s joking. He chuckles alongside her, going along with “the joke.” When the date is over, Dieter pulls her close to kiss her, his head tilting to deepen the kiss and she cups his cheeks, sliding her tongue against his. Neither of them know that one of the kitchen staff that didn’t sign an NDA snaps a photo that will be splashed over the papers tomorrow. “Dieter and his omega” the headlines will read. 

****

“So did you know when you met her that she was your mate?” The interviewer asks, tilting his head, and Dieter chuckles. 

“No. Not really. Everyone talks about how you instantly connect. The romance movies that show the alpha and omega immediately kissing but that wasn’t what happened with me. It was slow. It took a while to recognize her and when I did, it was spectacular.” 

****

Dieter kisses Polly when she arrives at his house, ushering her inside. They have been dating for a few weeks, commuting between San Fran and L.A. “You got those spring rolls that Pol likes?” Dieter asks you when you set the take out bag down. It’s been chaotic since the press found out about his mate but he’s handled it, leaning into the story about wanting to find his omega. Polly handled it with grace and he’s ready to take the next step if she is tonight.

“Yes.” The answer is clipped, short. Annoyed that his ‘omega’ has started texting you demands like you work for her. When your priority is Dieter. 

“What’s wrong with you?” He huffs, pouting that you are being short with him. Dieter loves nothing more than to be adored and since Polly has shown up, your temper has been easily provoked. 

“Nothing.” You sigh, reminding yourself that you signed up for this. You didn’t tell him the truth. “Dee….are you sure the company is right?” You venture. “That she’s your omega?”

Dieter glances over at Polly who is on the phone to her friend and he shakes his head. “Who the fuck do you think you’re talking to? I paid five hundred grand for them to find my mate and you think they are wrong? No way. She’s - she’s perfect for me.” His voice wavers slightly as the doubts that he keeps in the back of his mind jump out in the form of his assistant.

Your eyes widen slightly when he tells you how much he paid, making your stomach churn and your gag reflex almost make you retch. “Sorry.” You mumble quietly, looking down at the bag and pulling out the food that he had requested for an at home date. He’s become more closed off since ‘finding his omega’ and you miss the boss that you could ask him anything and get an answer. “Do I need to go see Tommy?” You ask quietly, wanting to know if he needs a resupply on his drugs.

Dieter glances back over his shoulder at Polly. Dieter nods, knowing he needs to restock. “Yeah. Tell him to send an invoice. He knows I’m good for it.” Dieter whispers, not wanting Polly to know he’s still doing drugs. She told him when they were having dinner that he needed to change his drug habit…and his wardrobe.

You nod, although you don’t say anything. Dieter has changed and while you are proud that his drug usage has lessened, he’s not doing it for himself. There will be a moment where he over indulges and you hate that. It’s another reason why you had never let him know that you are his mate, you didn’t want to demand he stop doing what he wanted. “I will arrange it, sir.” You revert back to the more formal interaction, knowing that Polly prefers that. “Will that be all?”

Dieter stares at you for a moment, tilting his head as his stomach twists with something unknown. “Dee Dee, I’m starving.” Polly groans as she walks into the kitchen. 

“No. That’s all.” Dieter murmurs and you nod, glancing at Polly who hums at you, narrowing her eyes. You don’t say another word as you leave and Dieter stiffens as Polly’s hand slides down his back. 

“I want you, Alpha.” She coos and Dieter sighs, knowing this moment would come and he hopes it’s everything he has heard sex between mates is. He guesses his venture into drugs and multiple partners was in vain to recreate that feeling that so many have described as unlike anything they have ever experienced. Tonight, he’s going to have that with Polly.

Out in your car, you sigh, closing your eyes to hold back the tears that you don’t deserve to shed. You chose this, you let all this happen and Dieter couldn’t be happier with a woman who wasn’t you. His ‘mate’. You think you know what’s going on, but you can’t prove it, and hating that you can’t just go off your suppressants to prove that you are his mate. He would accuse you of manipulating your scent, which is exactly what Polly is doing. “Fuck.” You hiss, leaning back and starting the engine. You need to get away from here before you go back inside and beg Dieter to knot you.

The dinner is cleared away and the TV plays some show but Dieter isn’t paying attention. Polly notices and leans in to kiss him, straddling him, and it progresses from there. Dieter can be a selfish lover, he’s ashamed to admit that, but this is his mate so he goes down on her. Her arousal doesn’t make him ravenous like others have described but he guesses it’s him. He’s killed his taste buds with acid. He makes her cum and then finally, he’s sliding inside of her. His head feels heavy but he kisses her, rocking into her until she clamps down on his cock and he grunts when he cums. No knot. He pulls out of her when he goes soft moments later and she kisses along his chest as she curls around him. He didn’t knot her. He frowns as she coos his name and he doesn’t know what he did wrong.

“That was amazing.” Polly makes sure that her tits are against his chest, her leg thrown over his as she toys with one of his nipples. She's heard a lot of wild things about Dieter Bravo over the years and while he wasn’t as unhinged as she’s heard, maybe it’s because this is the first time. It’s supposed to be romantic. “You are amazing and I’m so glad I’m yours, alpha.”

Dieter hums, turning his head to softly kiss her, his hand sliding along her spine. She’s his omega. He can’t deny that since the agency found her based on her DNA. He is hers and she is his. “Me too.” He murmurs, trying to push aside the feeling that something is off. 

****

“So why did you decide to speak to us now? You’ve won seven Oscars. Produced multiple movies. Why did you decide to tell your story?” The interviewer asks and Dieter smiles, “because it’s about her. My omega. I wanted to tell the world and explain what happened. In my own words.” He looks down at his wedding ring with love in his eyes.

****

Dieter hisses your name from across the room. Polly is on the computer in the office across the house, shopping with his card. She’s moved into his home within the past three months and Dieter is happy. He’s happy to have someone to talk to. Even if that person was you before Polly was found. He loves her, he does. She’s beautiful. You walk over to where he’s standing in the kitchen and he opens the cabinet door, pulling a small velvet box from the cereal bowl that never gets used. “What do you think? Think she will like it?” He asks, opening the box.

Your mouth goes dry, eyes fixed in the ring in his hand and you can’t believe how much Dieter has changed. You had expected him to screw up, honestly. You had been there for the end with Anika and Kate, witnessed firsthand the self-destruction that he was capable of. It was one of the reasons you had not admitted your discovery to him. The ring is beautiful and you hate it. You hate that Polly is lying to him and telling him the truth is going to break his heart. “You can’t marry her.” You blurt out, looking up into his eyes. “She’s not your mate.”

Dieter narrows his eyes, “what did you just say?” He hisses, glancing over his shoulder to make sure Polly isn’t nearby, that she hasn’t come into the room. 

“She - she isn’t your mate.” You stammer at the look in his eyes as he glares at you. 

“Who the fuck do you think you are? Questioning my mate? How fucking dare you.” He hisses, “you’re just jealous. Is that it? Because you’re alone and you haven’t found anyone. Fuck, I can’t - you are fired.”

Your mouth drops open in shock, unable to believe that Dieter just fired you. You’ve been with him for years. “Dieter-“ he shakes his head and holds his hand out. 

“Give me your keys.” He demands, his voice rough with anger. “Please- just listen to me-“ he cuts you off. 

“I don’t want to hear it!” He shouts, chest heaving with fury. “You’re jealous that I’m happy, that I found my mate!” He yells. “That you don’t even have a mate, since you’re nothing but a Beta.” 

Your chin trembles, never imagining Dieter would insult you for his (wrong) idea that you are a beta. “Fine.” Tears are pooling in your eyes and you dig into your pocket to pull out your keys. “Don’t blame me when you are miserable.” You hiss. “Or when you are fucking unhappy when you can’t knot her. Because she’s not your mate.” You slap his key into his palm and start to gather your things.

Dieter falters because he didn’t knot Polly last night or any night before that. How the fuck did you know that? He stares at you and clenches his fist around the key. His eyes narrow and he shakes his head, “get the fuck out. I can’t - she’s my mate. She’s my omega. How dare you argue that.” He growls and hates that you leaving is more upsetting than him not being able to knot Polly.

You sadly shake your head and sigh. “I’ve never had anything but your best interests in mind, Dieter.” You remind him quietly. “I hope you are blissfully happy with your ‘omega’.” You turn around and walk towards the door without saying anything else. You will have to call his manager and let him know, Dieter will need another assistant. You open the door and pause, looking back at the handsome alpha. “Goodbye, alpha.”

Dieter watches you go, his heart aching from losing you. You're not only his assistant but also his friend. "Good riddance." He tells himself as he sets the key down just as Polly appears with a smile on her face. 

"Hey baby." She coos, leaning in to kiss him and Dieter sighs, barely able to kiss her back. Polly pouts as she pulls back and runs her fingers through his hair. She needs to make him cut it, he looks better with it shorter. And to take that ridiculous earring out. “What’s the matter, baby?” She asks, pressing up against him. “You look sad. Can I cheer you up, somehow?”

Dieter turns his head to press his lips to hers. Maybe he was in his head last night. He slides his tongue against hers, deciding that he will be taking her to bed again. “You can cheer me up by letting me make my little omega cum.” He murmurs against her lips and she giggles, grabbing his hand to drag him into his bedroom. The ring is still in the drawer and he will give it to her in the next few days. He wants this. He wants to be settled.

****

“I was afraid of that.” Dieter’s longtime manager, Martin, sighs on the other end of the line. “His…omega has made comments about being ‘uncomfortable’ having an unattached Beta being his assistant.” 

You grit your teeth, wanting to tell him that you aren’t a beta and that Polly was a fucking scheming liar. Except you will just look pathetically jealous. “I’ve updated his calendar, but I guess I need to mail the laptop and the phone to you.” You tell him. “Unless you want me to drop it by?”

Martin really hates losing you. You managed to keep Dieter on schedule and on time. “Yeah. I guess you can mail it. Use the card and put the card in there too.” He says, rubbing his cheek. “You know he wants to marry her?” Martin asks and you hum, trying to not let your feelings show through. “I think it’s a mistake.” Martin admits, “but you can’t deny biology.” 

****

“So how was the proposal? When you asked her to marry you?” The interviewer asks and Dieter smiles softly, “it was perfect. I couldn’t have planned it better and when she said yes…I swear my heart was gonna explode.” He sighs and the interviewer chuckles at the look on his face. “I was the same with my omega.” 

****

“Will you marry me?” Dieter asks as he kneels down in front of Polly. The display on a private beach is all for her. The display of roses, the sign, the fireworks, the candlelit dinner. All for his omega. 

“Yes! Yes! Yes!” Polly squeals and Dieter grins, standing up to kiss her. She wraps her arms around his neck and he breathes her in, that smell that has become familiar to him but doesn’t feel like home. Not like he’s been told. He ignores that and poses for the photos that will be published in the magazine. “Give them something and they will leave you alone.” His PR girl, Sally, told him when he protested having the engagement photos published. They will be printed tomorrow for the world to see.

You groan as you close the page on your phone, unable to stomach the sight of that smiling little fake, the gorgeous diamond ring gleaming in the photo as she caresses his chest. You’ve done a little research on Polly and she’s a failed actress. She’s been obsessed with Dieter and you think that she’s somehow gotten the agency to tell Dieter that she’s his mate. It’s frighteningly easy to clone the pheromones for a mate and they even do gland implants for those that wish to be an Omega and aren’t. You can’t help yourself and open the article again, looking at Dieter closely. Wondering if you are just imagining the uneasy edge to his eyes.

****

Dieter stares in the mirror, his hair cut shorter than he likes, and he sighs, wondering who it is staring back at him. Ever since he proposed to Polly three months ago, he’s gotten whiplash from how fast the wedding was planned. He barely got a say in the wedding plans after he paid for her to hire a planner and now here he is. His tux is pristine and he brushes down the non existent dust. So different from the man who would wear stained and hole ridden sweats. He still hasn’t knotted Polly. She said it could be because of the drugs so he’s given up everything but weed and the occasional molly. 

He invited you, wanting you to be here even if you are upset. He hasn’t spoken to you since that fateful day and he hopes he can reconcile with you. His chest has been aching since the day you walked out the door.

The invitation sits like a spector, mocking you as the elaborate gold leaf script announces the union between Dieter and Polly. An ‘amalgamation of love between an alpha and his omega’. The description makes you want to throw up. Still, you are touched that you received an invitation, feeling like it’s Dieter’s way of extending an olive branch. There’s no way Polly would have invited you willingly. You think about your closet, wanting to be well dressed while you witness your mate marry someone else.

****

“It sounds like a true romance between you and your leading lady. So, how was the wedding day? Everything you both dreamed of?” The interviewer asks Dieter who sighs with fondness of his memory of the day. 

“It was perfect. We declared our union in front of the world and it was intimate and everything I wanted.” He admits, “I can’t believe it’s been ten years since we ever married. What is the anniversary? Tin?” Dieter asks the interviewer who nods, “and the traditional gift is a diamond.” 

Dieter chuckles, “oh I know. I got her a beautiful new ring.” He says, proud of himself.

****

“I’m sorry ma’am, you aren’t on the guest list.” You frown at the security and reach into your clutch to pull out your invitation. 

“I have an invitation, right here.” You protest, showing them your name on the heavy card stock. “I can show you my license, I’m not crashing the wedding, I’m invited. I used to be Dieter’s assistant.” 

The larger man shakes his head and shrugs. “I guess you’ve been uninvited. No one gets in that isn’t on the list. By order of the bride.” 

You hiss in annoyance and take a deep breath. “Then I guess that I got dressed up for nothing.” You smile and turn from doors and walk back towards your car, wondering if there’s another way to talk to Dieter before the ceremony.

Dieter adjusts his cufflinks that Polly picked for him. She picked the most expensive thing for every detail of the wedding. It’s not like Dieter couldn’t afford it but he didn’t get to decide anything. It’s also being filmed for Vogue. Something that Dieter was against but Polly begged him and he couldn’t deny his mate. His mate. It sounds wrong but how can he deny biology?

Sneaking around the side of the building, you have slipped your shoes off because the heels are killing you and grabbed a bouquet of flowers to bring in, like you are a part of the florists crew. The staff is hurrying around and some of them throw you a grateful look as you set down the beautiful place setting where the others are clustered. Slipping down the halls to try to find Dieter.

Dieter exhales when the wedding planner comes over to tell him it’s nearly time. He sighs and adjusts his bow tie just as he looks over at the French doors in his groom’s suite. His eyes widen when he sees you standing there, heels in hand. He opens the doors and he gasps, “what are you doing here?”

“Dieter..” You drop your shoes and rush towards him. “You can’t marry Polly. She’s not your omega, she’s lying.” You stress, trembling with fear that he will just throw you out. “I know she’s not your mate, because I’m your real omega.” You had stopped taking your suppressants after Dieter fired you, letting your true scent come out as your glands started working again.

Dieter’s jaw drops and then he inhales. It hits him like a train. Your scent. More concentrated than Polly’s and more delicious. His cock hardens and his heart is pounding as he takes another breath. “What - how - but Polly- she?” He chokes, confused and torn. He wants to rip your clothes off right now. He closes his eyes, rubbing them to try and stop his head pounding.

“She lied to you.” You tell him quietly. “She had a gland transplant.” You had researched the procedures and you are sure that’s what she’s done. “I- I knew you would hate that your assistant was your mate, so I didn’t say anything when you used the agency. I thought they would never find me.”

He is so confused. You smell delicious but how does he know you’re not lying? The thought makes his stomach twist and he inherently knows it’s not true. “Why didn’t you - shit. She / the agency and Polly. How - I don’t understand.” His chest tightens and he starts to shorten his breath as his mind goes foggy.

“I don’t know how she did it, but she got them to lie to you.” You step forward, biting your lip. “I tried to tell you, I didn’t know how.” You admit quietly. “When I tried, you fired me. I thought you were happy, that you enjoyed still having that freedom that comes with not being with your mate.”

Dieter feels like he’s going to throw up. Your scent wafts over him, his cock hard in his pants and he shifts to sit down on the end of the bed in the groom’s room. He heaves, trying to process the mess he’s made by buying into Polly’s lies. 

He squeezes his eyes and that’s when you sing. “When I get older, losing my hair. Many years from now. Will you still be sending me a Valentine?” He opens his eyes, shocked that you’re singing his song. His comfort song. “Birthday greetings bottle of wine. If I'd been out till quarter to three Would you lock the door?” You sing and stand in front of him. “Will you still need me, will you still feed me?” You sing and he raises his head and sings along with you “when I'm sixty-four.” 

His eyes are wide, “how - how did you know - that song?” He chokes, his heart pounding in his chest.

“It’s your favorite song.” You whisper quietly. “You listen to it when you think no one is around. When you’re feeling lonely.” Swallowing harshly, you shake your head. “I fucked up, Dee.” You admit. “I was so convinced you didn’t actually want to find your mate that I didn’t trust you with the truth. It’s hurt so badly to deny what I need, on the basic, biological level.” You close your eyes. “If you love Polly, really love her and want her to be yours, I’ll leave.” You promise. “You’ll never see me again. You can have your happy future. I just-“ your eyes open again and you find his dark conflicted ones. “I want my alpha to be happy.”

Your words hit him like a brick wall and he stares at you. You stare back for a moment until you think you have your answer and you turn to leave. Dieter’s hand reaches for yours and he pulls you down into his lap, his nose buried in your scent gland so he can breathe you in properly. You’re his. His omega. He can’t get enough, inhaling your scent and he kisses your skin, making you whimper. That’s when he can’t hold back. His lips find yours and he cups the back of your neck, pressing you against him so he can slide his tongue into your mouth.

The shiver that runs through you is powerful, your body lighting up in pleasure as his tongue flicks inside your mouth. Nipples hardening and your cunt starting to get soaked from the scent of your alpha and the electricity that runs through your body as he touches you. Moaning quietly as you immediately submit to him, whining slightly when his fingers press against your glands at your wrist.

It’s indescribable how you feel, how he feels. Your scent clouding his senses and he can’t seem to get enough of you. His tongue slides against yours and his hands slide down to grab your waist, pulling you to straddle him and his cock is throbbing as you grind down against him. “Fuck. Omega.” He pants, “my omega.” He murmurs, his body recognizing you in a way it never recognized Polly.

You are caught up in it for a moment. Your heart racing with pure joy that he recognizes you, he sees that you are his mate. “Dee, Dieter-“ you pant as you pull away from him, aware that he is still technically engaged to another woman. “We - we can’t. You’re still- Polly.” Despite her deceit, you aren’t the kind of woman who betrays. 

He pants, resting his forehead against yours. “Shit.” He hisses, knowing he has to go out there and tell the world Polly isn’t his omega. “Baby, I have an idea. Revenge. A dish best served cold.” He smirks and cups your cheek, “I have a plan.” He declares, “I am going to wait for her to walk down the aisle and tell her what I know.”

“You are?” Your eyes widen dramatically and you know how embarrassing it will be for her to be exposed to the world like that. She deserves it though, she knows that she’s not his mate and she tricked him. “Dee- that means people will be asking how you didn’t know. Questioning that you didn’t knot her before now.”

Dieter nods, “I know. I’m going to tell them the truth. I thought I’d taken too many drugs that I couldn’t knot anyone. That could still be the case.” He warns you, “I just don’t know how she managed to fool me with your scent. How did she know? How did she get the agency to believe she was my mate?” He asks, pondering the situation while his hands caress you, comforted by your presence.

“I don’t know.” That’s the part that you haven’t figured out, no one at the agency would talk to you now that you aren’t Dieter’s assistant. “But I’m sure that you can find out, especially since you will be damaging their company image.” Your fingers sink into his hair and you scratch his scalp gently. “You cut your hair.” You hum. “I like it longer.”

He scoffs, “Polly likes it shorter.” He hates that he changed for her. “Come on, I have a wedding to ruin.” He smirks and helps you off his lap. “After it’s over, I want you, omega. For as long as you’ll have me.” He murmurs, caressing your cheek just as the doors open and the wedding planner walks in. Her eyes widen at the sight of you and Dieter so close and he lowers his hand. “We ready?” He asks, his back straightening and his voice taking on the alpha edge that he rarely uses.

You shiver slightly at the command that he has in his voice and you know that it’s inevitable that Dieter will have you tonight. You still wonder if he has ever wanted you or if it’s just because of your biology, but you can talk about this later. Right now, you have to stop Polly from scamming your alpha.

The wedding planner looks down at your bare feet and she looks back at Dieter who narrows his eyes at her, “we are ready.” He repeats and the wedding planner nods, jarred by his commanding tone, and they escort him through the halls. Dieter walks down the aisle without finesse, his hand holding yours and he sits you down on the front row, ignoring the murmurs and curiosity from the crowd. Half of whom he doesn’t even know who they are. He adjusts his jacket and stands straight, waiting for Polly to make her entrance.

You turn to look at her, having to admit that she looks beautiful. Her smile is beaming and bright as she walks serenely down the aisle. Obviously happy to be the center of attention. Until she spots you. She freezes for half a heartbeat and then her smile turns slightly wooden. Not that good of an actress as she picks up the pace slightly to meet dieter in front of the priest.

Dieter takes her hand when she approaches the floral arch that cost Dieter more money than he knows and he offers her an Oscar winning smile. He lets the officiant begin, speaking about the sanctity of marriage, of mating, and the unbreakable bond between Alpha and Omega. The words are ironic to Dieter but he doesn’t let that show. Cameras taking in his expression and when the officiant asks if anyone knows why they shouldn’t be wed, Polly turns her gaze to you. You remain silent and she narrows her eyes slightly, relieved that you didn’t make a scene. “Do you, Dieter Damian Bravo, take Polene Marie Smith to be your lawfully wedded wife?” The officiant asks and Dieter drops her hands, “no.” He declares and the crowd gasps. 

“Dieter. I don’t - what-?” Polly chokes and Dieter scoffs, turning to address the crowd. “This woman is not my omega. She somehow conned the agency I hired to find my mate into putting her forward. She had a gland implant and manufactured the scent of my real omega to fool me into believing she was mine. She’s not. She’s a fraud.” He growls, pointing at Polly.

“That’s not true!” Polly cries, shaking her head furiously and grabbing for Dieter’s hand, but he jerks away from her. “I am your Omega! I am! I have always been yours, from the moment I met you, saw you, I knew you were my mate!” She presses her fingers to her scent gland and holds it out to him. “This is real, my scent - it’s your mates!” She technically is right but you scoff and shake your head.

Dieter rips his hand from hers, shaking his head, “you’re right. It is my mate’s but that isn’t you. It’s her.” He points to you on the front row and the crowd gasps again. “You’re not my omega. Fuck, I couldn’t knot you. I thought there was something wrong with me but it’s you. It’s not me. You’re not my omega.” Dieter hisses and the crowd murmurs as shock ripples through the crowd.

Your eyes widen when he admits to the world that he hadn’t knotted her. The fact that this is being broadcasted live because of her obsession with Dieter’s fame means that there is no way that this scandal is going to be swept away. “How did you do it?” You demand. “Did you trick the company, or did Omega Finder knowingly scam a rich and famous client?”

Polly slumps, knowing the jig is up. Tears in her eyes as she looks at you then her eyes slide over to Dieter. "I have loved you since you were in Hunger Strike. I knew you were mine. I just needed to get close to you. My friend started working at Omega Finder and he - he messed up so I blackmailed him. Made him match me with Dieter in the system. I got a gland transplant when he found out who Dieter's actual omega is and I - I copied the scent listed. I am a beta. I just - I love you so much." She chokes, stumbling towards Dieter but he shakes his head, stepping away from her in shock.

You close your eyes in relief that she has admitted it. Now no one will think that you are somehow tricking Dieter. You sigh quietly and step forward, reaching for your alpha and placing a hand on his chest. “Since Omega Finder messed up, I’m sure they will give your money back,” you tell him, sure the company will face major backlash.

Dieter wraps his arm around your waist, “I don’t care about the money. They did end up helping me find my omega in the end.” He offers you a smile and leans in to kiss you softly. Polly sobs, throwing her veil down on the floor and she rushes down the aisle followed by her bridesmaids. Dieter caresses your cheek and inhales your scent, not tainted by chemicals. “Since the wedding is all set up…would you like to marry me?” He asks, “I know this isn’t what you picked out but I want to be joined to you in every way.”

“It is a little gaudy for my taste.” You admit with a small laugh. “More formal, but I don’t care about that.” You reach up and caress his cheek. “I’ll marry you now, alpha. I don’t want anything more than you.” You know that he can be immature and needy, but he is also kind and loving. The yearning in his eyes for you makes your heart melt.

Dieter grins, leaning in to kiss you once more until he pulls back and addresses the chattering crowd. “I know you all came here today expecting me to marry my omega and plans have changed but the reason for you all coming here today hasn’t changed. I am going to marry my omega. If anyone wishes to leave, please do it now because in five minutes, this gorgeous creature will be mine in the eyes of the state of California.”

You turn towards dieter as everyone starts to chatter amongst themselves. You know people will talk, and leave the wedding. Mostly Polly’s family and friends but a lot of people will stay merely to be curious. “I know it’s not a wedding dress, but this is okay?” You ask, gesturing to your outfit.

"You look fucking gorgeous. You always do. I know that I didn't treat you the best and I - I have learned a lot of lessons from this faux mating. You have always been gorgeous and I noticed but I was terrified to lose the best woman I've ever known. You are an incredible assistant and I didn't want to overstep and lose you so I never mentioned that I thought you were gorgeous and smart and funny and so, so sexy." He rambles slightly, unsure now that the drama is over.

You laugh at how ridiculous you both have been. “And I didn’t think you ever even looked at me that way.” You admit, smiling broadly. “I was afraid that you would be disappointed I am your omega, so when I found out, I didn’t say anything. I have always thought you are sweet, goofy, funny.” You promise. “But I also believe that you are a good alpha. You strive to not dominate, but you still have so much strength. It’s sexy, you’re sexy, but you know that.”

Dieter flushes slightly at your words and he reaches for your hand, bringing your wrist to his nose so he can breathe you in. “Fuck, you smell good. I bet you taste delicious.” He murmurs, kissing your pulse. The wedding planner, frazzled, comes over with a wedding license for you to sign. You should have your passport but Dieter can pull strings.

You sign your name eagerly, unable to believe that this is happening. You had thought you would have to watch your alpha marry someone else. Watching as Dieter signs it too and hands it back to the wedding planner. “Let’s get married!” He shouts, making the crowd of wedding attendees laugh. You wish you had put on your shoes, but it doesn’t matter now. Nothing matters but you and Dieter bonding and mating.

The officiant settles everyone down and you and Dieter hold hands as he begins his speech, modified for this new twist. "I gotta say I have never done a mating ceremony like this." He chuckles and the crowd laughs. Dieter only has eyes for you, his focus on you as he repeats the vows and when the officiant asks for the rings, Dieter shakes his head. "I don't want her to have that ring." He says, gesturing to the gaudy ring Polly picked out. He reaches up to take his necklace off, a small delicate ring looped through it. "This was my mother's. I want you to have it. I'll get you a proper ring later." He promises, sliding the ring onto your finger.

“It’s beautiful, Dee.” You promise, knowing that while it may not be flashy, its sentimental value makes it priceless. Instantly falling in love with it. You bring his hand up and kiss his knuckles, “I will keep it safe for our son or daughter to have one day.”

His grin is blinding and he kisses the back of your hand. You slide the ring he picked out onto his finger and moments later, the officiant declares you husband and wife. Dieter wastes no time surging forward to press his lips to yours.

Dieter’s lips pressed to yours makes every nerve in your body light up. Feeling like electricity is coursing through your body and you cling to him while the audience starts to clap and cheer for you. You don’t even care that the entire thing is being televised, just that you are where you belong.

Dieter pulls back and grabs your hand, guiding you down the aisle and you are still barefooted. When you are alone in the hall, he grabs your waist and presses you against the wall, his mouth descending upon yours once again.

Your hand curls around his neck as you drag him impossibly close. Moaning when his tongue slides into your mouth and tangles with yours. It’s completely overwhelming and beautiful. Feeling his cock harden against your hip, you whimper as you imagine actually taking him, your alpha, for the first time. “We have- the reception.” You pull away to remind him breathlessly.

He sighs, resting his forehead against yours. “Shit. Let’s - let’s have a dance. Have some cake. Then I want to take my beautiful wife to bed.” He murmurs, nudging his nose against yours. He’s excited, his cock throbbing, but he has to be patient. “And I want us to take photos for our kids.”

You can’t believe that Dieter is talking about kids. You’ve never known him to do that, but maybe it’s different with you, his omega. “We won’t stay too long.” You promise. “They can party without us, while we do our own kind of celebrating.”

Dieter smirks, “I like the way you think, baby.” He kisses you again just as the wedding planner comes over to usher you over for photos. You pose with Dieter, knowing these photos will be splashed over every magazine and social media page but you take them with your future in mind. After the photos are done, you and Dieter enter the reception hall to loud cheers and he guides you onto the floor for your first dance. “Don’t worry. I told the wedding planner to make sure the song was changed.” He and Polly didn’t have a song so he let her pick it but now he’s picked out the first dance. “When I get older, losing my hair.” The Beatles begins to play and you giggle, wrapping your arms around his neck and he starts to sing along.

You smile as Dieter coos off key to the lyrics of the song. Not caring about that at all, but the sentiment behind the song. “I love you.” You admit quietly. “I’ve always cared about you, always liked you, but when I found out you were my mate?” You shrug slightly. “I couldn’t help but fall in love with you.”

“Even with the chaos I embody?” He asks softly, swaying you to the song. “I was a mess. An asshole. Fucked whatever I fancied and took any drug I wanted. I don’t want that anymore. Well, maybe weed and the occasional pill but it’s not what I want to live like. I want you. When I sought out the agency, I wanted to settle down, to find my mate, and I found her. I’m all in.” He promises, “all in baby.”

All in. You know that he means that. His eyes are full of excitement and you reach up to brush your fingers through his hair. “I’m all in too. I still want to work, to be your assistant if you’ll let me.” You know he’s hired someone else, but you liked organizing his life.

Dieter nods, knowing he’s selfish but he doesn’t want to find another assistant when you know everything down to his bowel movement schedule. “I don’t want you to leave me alone at work.” He confesses, sliding his hands along your back. “I love you.” He murmurs, pecking your lips when the song ends and the crowd applauds. “You hungry, ‘mega?” He asks, holding your hand.

It feels good to know that he is an alpha that will take care of your needs when you have taken care of him for so long. “I think we should eat.” You admit softly. “It’s been a long time since I’ve been with someone and I’m sure that I will go into heat during our honeymoon.”

Dieter holds your chair out at the head table so you can sit down together. He takes his seat moments later and reaches for your hand. “I’ll look after you. No matter what. Tonight-” His hand finds your neck, “I want to make you as mine. My ring on your finger. My mark on your neck. My cum inside of you. My omega.” He growls softly, his dark eyes flashing with possession.

His fingers press against your scent gland and you whine submissively. “Yes alpha.” You agree, slightly breathless at the thought. “I’m- I’m not on anything.” You confess quietly. “No suppressants, no birth control. I stopped them when you fired me.”

Dieter inhales deeply, loving your scent, untainted, and he nods, “that’s okay. I- I’m ready for a child if it happens. Are you?” He asks, “if not, I have condoms.” He says, not wanting you to get pregnant if you’re not ready.

“I want to feel your knot inside me. Just you.” You admit. “No barriers between us.” You don’t mind the idea of Dieter knocking you up the first time you have sex with your mate. It would actually be a really sweet little story for your personal lives.

Dieter offers you that soft, love struck smile that has appeared with the knowledge that you are his omega. “Good.” He murmurs, caressing your cheek just as the food arrives. “Now, eat omega. You’re gonna need it.” He winks at you and digs into his own food.

You hum as people come up to congratulate DIeter while you eat, most of them not even knowing who you are. Your phone is in your car and you know your family will have heard the news. You will have to have a reception with them or something to make up for the spur of the moment wedding.

Dieter knows he needs to speak to your parents after today to explain himself and he hopes your father doesn’t hate him. After you finish eating, you are invited to cut the cake. “I know you didn’t choose any of this, baby. We can have another bonding ceremony.” He promises, “another wedding where you can pick everything.”

“I don’t care about these things.” You admit with a small shrug of your shoulders. “We can do something small, that is more our speed.” You know Dieter would have chosen none of this himself either. Leaning in, you press your lips to his. “All that matters is that we are together. And happy.”

Dieter hums, pecking his lips against yours, “I love you.” He murmurs, knowing it’s true. He didn’t realize it before today but you’ve always been special to him. “You want to bail? They can enjoy the party.” He smirks, kissing your jaw.

You know that you should probably stay, the cameras are still floating through the crowds, the reporters are interviewing any and everyone to get their reactions to the change of plans when it comes to Dieter and it's honestly very on point for him. You grin, pulling away and nodding. "Let's go."

Dieter takes your hand, guiding you towards the back of the room and you giggle as he drags you out of the emergency fire exit door. He chuckles as you both rush outside. You still are barefooted, and he escorts you to the car that was going to take him and Penny back to his house. Dieter opens the passenger door to help you inside before he gets in, the driver off somewhere but the keys are in the ignition. “Let’s go.” He winks, turning the engine and putting the car in drive.

You should be surprised by Dieter basically stealing his own car, but you’re not. Giggling as he speeds off, you know it’s been caught on camera, another crazy story for today. Right now, you just want to be with Dieter. “Is Polly going to be at the house?” You ask suddenly, not wanting a tearful apology or confrontation with the other woman. You don’t care to ever see her again.

Dieter shakes his head, “no. She won’t be at the house.” He promises, “and if she is, I’ll call the police.” He reaches for your hand, caressing his mother’s ring that he placed on your finger.

“Okay.” You nod. “If you had, I was going to suggest my apartment.” You tell him. “I know it’s not as fancy as your house in Sherman Oaks.”

Dieter snorts, "fancy? Like a goddamn status symbol. That's all it is. My apartment when I first moved here had mold. It was bad. We can buy another home if you want? Have you pick it out?" He suggests, "I know a lot of shit has happened in that house."

“Why don’t we figure that out after our honeymoon?” You are thrilled that he is so open to making you comfortable but his past doesn’t bother you. “I don’t mind you having a history, Dee. I know all of it, hell, I witnessed most of it.” You snort. “It’s in the past. That’s the important thing.”

Dieter nods, bringing your hand up to kiss the back of it and he loves your scent, breathing you in. It's unfiltered and he realizes that Polly didn't smell this good, it was impossible. He drives back to his house, pulling up on the drive in no time and he cuts the engine after putting the car in park. "Your abode, Mrs. Bravo." He declares after he opens your door.

“Mrs. Bravo.” You hum as he helps you out of the car. “I think I like the sound of that.” You admit, looking down at your bare feet again and laughing. “I can’t believe that I married one of the most famous men with no shoes on.”

Dieter chuckles, "I like it. Didn't I tell you about my foot fetish?" He jokes, taking your hand to guide you into the house. You've been in here a million times but it feels different right now. The reality of finding the person he is meant to be with settles on his chest and he inhales deeply. The door is locked behind him and he steps closer, tenderly cupping your cheeks. "My beautiful omega." He murmurs, leaning in to press his lips to yours.

“Alpha.” You murmur softly against his mouth, wrapping your arms around his shoulders and bringing him closer. Now you get to experience what so many others have giggled and gossiped about. But it’s more than that. It’s mating with your Alpha. “I want-“ you push away slightly so you can think. “I want to suck your cock.” You admit breathlessly. “I’ve always wanted to see what it’s like.”

He groans, having imagined it himself if he’s being honest. High and jerking off while thinking about your mouth wrapped around his cock. “Fuck baby. I want to taste you. Want to claim you as mine for the whole fucking world to see.” He admits, kissing along your jaw. “I’m yours. You want my cock? It’s yours.” He promises against your skin.

You tilt your head. Moaning softly when he nips your skin. “I want to be in your bed.” You tell him. “Our bed, where I’ll make a nest.” You have been feeling the need to make a nest, but without your alpha, there wasn’t a point. You’ve never liked being in one by yourself.

He groans, sliding his hands down to squeeze your ass through your pretty dress. “Our bed.” He murmurs, sliding his hands lower to grab your thighs. He lifts you up into his arms and groans when you wrap your legs around his waist and his hard cock presses against your core. “Want you in our bed.” He groans, carrying you through the house to his bedroom.

You love the show of strength. Despite whining about working out for roles and how it doesn’t fit into his life, Dieter is surprisingly strong. Which, it shouldn’t surprise you, honestly. He’s carried plenty of women around during scenes. You kiss along his smooth jaw, surprised he shaved. “Do you like your facial hair like this?” You ask as you kiss, inhaling his own intoxicating scent.

“Fuck no.” He admits, “Polly wanted me to shave it. I hate it. Makes my wrinkles show more.” He confesses as he lays you down on the bed, hovering over you and he shrugs off the suit jacket.

“I like your wrinkles.” You admit shamelessly. “You’ve gotten hotter as you’ve gotten older. Aging like a fine wine.” You tease, biting your lip. “My own Harrison Ford. You can’t deny he has been handsome right through until old age.”

Dieter snorts, “I’ll take your word for it, baby.” He reaches for the hem of your dress. “Do you want to get naked and get your nest ready?” He asks, wanting you to be comfortable this first time.

“Of course.” You don’t have any issue getting naked with him, he’s your alpha. Any insecurities you might have had with anyone else seemingly melts away in the face of this being your biological mate. You pull the dress off of you and reach for your strapless bra, ready to reveal yourself to him.

Dieter sits back, watching you strip off, and his cock is throbbing in his tight pants. He reaches for to unbutton them to release some pressure but his dark eyes are hungry as they take you in. “Fuck, omega, you’re so gorgeous.” He murmurs, “so fucking gorgeous.”

You’ve heard those words before, but they are more potent coming from the alpha who is yours. Making you whine in pleasure as you lift your hips to peel your panties down your thighs. “You’re gorgeous, alpha.” You tell him. “I want to see you. All of you.” It’s not like you’ve never seen Dieter naked. You couldn’t possibly be this man’s assistant for so many years without catching sight of him one or fifty times. This time is different, this time he’s stripping off for you. “Please.”

He nods, shifting off of the bed to take off the restrictive bow tie and he tosses it to the floor before he starts to unbutton his shirt. His eyes take in the sight of your body as he shrugs off his shirt, kicking off his shoes, and he shoves his pants down, hooking his fingers in his boxers to push them down too. “Fuck. Nothing compares to this.” He declares even though nothing has happened yet. It just feels right. He covers your body with his and presses his lips to yours.

You shudder in pleasure, your hands immediately starting to map his body as they roam over his hot skin. The arousal and need pouring off him and mixed with his scent. “Fuck.” You whine, closing your eyes as he kisses down your throat and presses his tongue to your scent gland. “Never felt like this.” You gasp out.

He groans, scraping his teeth over your pulse, “never.” Dieter murmurs, kissing down your clavicle until he is sliding his tongue along the swell of your breast. He cups your breast, lifting it so he can take your nipple into his mouth. His other hand squeezing your other breast.

“Dee!” You arch your back into his touch, thighs shifting apart to let him settle between them. Rubbing your foot up and down his leg as you grind against the hard cock pressing into your skin. “Yes baby, fuck, you- you’re a tit man, aren’t you?”

“I’m an everything man when it comes to my omega.” He murmurs against your skin, switching to your other breast. His hand slides down to squeeze your thigh, lifting it so he can press his cock against your folds. You’re not ready for him yet but the wetness that coats his skin makes him groan into your flesh.

You’ve seen Dieter beg for sex, to be completely debauched and utterly whiny for attention. This man right now is completely in charge. Overwhelming your senses on a mission to touch and learn every part of you. He’s steady and sure in a way that makes you even wetter as he suckles at your breasts and squeezes your flesh. Making you squirm for more underneath him. “Deeee.”

He sucks and bites until your nipples are puffy and stiff and he continues his exploration of your body, kissing down your stomach. His heart hammers in his chest when he gets to your belly, knowing that one day, you’ll be carrying his child. He pushes your legs further apart and gets his first look at your pussy. “Fuck.” He hisses, leaning in to press his nose to your folds, breathing in your heady scent. “How the fuck have I lived without this?” He grumbles and slides his tongue through your folds, groaning at your tangy taste.

You whine his name loudly, your entire body trembling at the first touch of his tongue. You know that Dieter is talented, you’ve heard the rumors. He’s a dick and sometimes selfish, but he makes up for it with his skills. Closing your eyes, you let him do whatever he wants to your body.

He squeezes your thighs, lifting one onto his shoulder so he can push his tongue into your pussy, groaning when you reach down to tangle your fingers in his hair. He loves the way you tug on it and he presses his nose to your clit, wanting to hear you moan his name again.

“Grow it out again.” You beg, tugging on his hair again when he gives you such beautiful sounds. You love his hair a little longer and it’s going to be your favorite thing to tangle your fingers in when you are knotted together with him. “Oh fuck, Dee.” You moan. “I can’t believe you are eating my pussy. I’ve thought about this so much.” You confess breathlessly. “I want to suck your cock too. Feel you at the back of my throat.”

His cock presses against the mattress, leaking pre-cum from the thought of you sucking his cock. He pulls back for a second, his chin shiny with your slick, and his fingers slide inside of your tight pussy. “I’ll grow it out again.” He promises, “and you can have whatever you want, omega. Whatever you fucking want.” He promises then leans down to wrap his lips around your clit.

Your wail of pleasure is loud, unrestrained. Free to be however you want with Dieter, you know he loves the praise and you give it to him so willingly. His thick fingers feel so good, stretching out your walls and you know his knot will feel even better when he’s finally inside you. “Oh fuck, oh fuck Dieter, baby, my alpha.”

He loves hearing you call him Alpha. A designation that not many believed he had. Apparently he gives off “omega” energy because he’s whiny but that’s not accurate. He might be demanding but his mother always raised him to be spoiled, giving him whatever he wanted. He never had to command anyone to give him anything. He groans and curls his fingers, loving the praise, and he sucks harder on your clit, wanting more.

On and on, the moans and praises pour out of your mouth as he works you up. Feeling high off the endorphins, you wonder if this is what Dieter is chasing with his pills. Your body pulls taunt, a clear warning that you are about to cum. Making him growl into your folds and press his fingers against that spot inside you that makes you instantly break. “Dieter!” You cry out, thighs shaking around his head as you unravel.

He works you through it, reveling in the first orgasm he’s given his omega. He pumps his fingers until you’re pushing on his head so he presses kisses to your thighs, waiting until you relax around his digits. “So fucking beautiful, omega.” He murmurs, withdrawing his fingers and he wraps them around his cock as he shifts to his knees between your legs, needing to release some pressure.

His chin is slick with your juices and you love the way his short curls stick up in all directions. The smell of need and desire is thick between you and he has never smelled more delicious. “Knot me.” You beg, spreading your thighs wider. “Alpha…I need your knot inside me. I want you to mark me. Mate me so the rest of the world knows I’m yours.”

Dieter nods, his heart pounding in his chest and his aching at the thought of finally getting to have you like this. He shifts to hover over you, bracing himself on one arm as he guides his cock to your dripping entrance, positioning himself there, he starts to slowly push inside of you. His eyes fixed on yours, he inhales sharply at how you feel squeezing his cock.

Eyes blowing wide, you feel everything. Every ridge of his cock scraps against your sensitive walls, your entire body leaping in delight that your Alpha has slipped inside you. Making you moan loudly as he pushes in inch by inch. “Alpha….Dieter….oh fuck, it’s so good. I’ve never felt like this before.” You’ve had sex, alphas and betas alike but it’s never been this good before.

Dieter can’t even speak. His heart feels like it’s about to pound out of his chest and he can’t believe he has you like this. His omega, his mate, beneath him and taking his cock. It’s more than he could’ve ever asked for. He chokes and leans down to press his lips to yours, his cock twitching inside of you.

When he kisses you, it’s like you’ve become ravenous. Kissing him back passionately and feeling like you can’t get enough of him. Wrapping your legs around his waist and grinding up to make him push even deeper inside you. His cock hits your cervix and it’s the most pleasurable sharp stab you’ve ever experienced. Almost painful, but so incredible at the same time, making you gasp into his mouth around his tongue.

He pants into your mouth, the kiss is sloppy but unbelievably sexy to him. He slides his tongue against yours, his hand squeezing your thigh as you cling to him. His other hand finds yours, the ring that proclaims you as his on your finger and soon, you’ll bear his mark on your neck. He rocks into you as slow as he can manage but it’s hard when he’s so overwhelmed.

“Fuck.” You pant, every thrust filling you so completely that tears prick your eyes and you are blown away by the emotions that rocket through you. “I love you.” You whimper, tilting your head and exposing your scent gland to his teeth. Submitting to him completely.

He feels the alpha part of himself take over, a growl escaping his lips as he leans closer to scrap his teeth along your scent gland. This is something he never felt the need to do with Polly, figured it was something he’d feel when they were married but right now, he doesn’t care about the ring on your finger, he only cares about primally making you his. “I love you.” He declares and sinks his teeth in, claiming you as his omega forever.

You cry out, fingers digging into his shoulders as the pain rushes through you, along with the heat of being claimed. You had heard it is a moment that completely possess you, but you hadn’t believed it. Now that it’s happening, all you can think about is Dieter, your alpha, and his claim on you. His teeth buried in your gland, you start to cum around his cock.

He groans against your flesh, “you’re fucking incredible.” He says as he laps at your new bite and he loves the way you grip his cock inside of you. He can feel his knot swelling now and it’s harder to thrust into you but he presses his lips to yours.

Your nails dig into his back, whining when you feel the pressure of his knot start to fill you. “Oh god, fuck, please.” You beg. “Knot me. Fuck I want it, I want it so badly, baby. Please alpha, I want to take it.” Your hips rock up, eager to take the thick knot inside you, locking you together while he floods your womb with his seed. “Fuck, Dee!”

His grunts fill the bedroom, sweat beading on his brow and he roars when he cums, his knot locking in place inside of you while he paints your walls with hot seed. “Fuckkk.” He roars, eyes squeezed shut as the most intense orgasm he’s ever experienced hits him hard.

He shudders and shakes above you, looking amazing as he fills you with a flood of warm cum. Making you moan again, biting your lip at the sensation and you clench down around the thick knot that is firmly embedded inside you. The final proof that you are an omega, his omega. You knew it all along, that he hadn’t knotted her, but there’s a sweet relief in proving to him that it was because Polly wasn’t an omega and not because there was something wrong with him. “Dee, fuck, that’s-“ you pant softly, smiling at the sensation.

He’s relieved he knotted you. He was worried that he’d taken too many drugs and he couldn’t knot anyone. He pants, leaning in to kiss along your jaw, “I love you, baby. Mine. My omega.” He coos, wanting to comfort you in this moment.

“Fuck.” You whimper and smile as he kisses your skin. “My alpha. You’re so good. Did you like it?” You ask, stroking his back lovingly while he settles into your embrace.

He sighs, shifting onto his back, mindful of your connection, so you can lay on his chest. His hand slides along your spine, a smile on his face. “I loved it. I loved you. Never ever felt like that before.” He confesses, “I’m so fucking happy to came to me before I married that psycho. My brave omega.” He murmurs, kissing your forehead.

“I couldn’t let you do it without knowing the truth.” You murmur softly. “If you didn’t believe me, rejected me, I could live with that. As long as you knew what you were doing. She was taking that chance away.” Your fingers trace a tattoo and you sigh softly. “But I’m happy you believed me.”

He hums, “me too. I know I haven’t been the best boss in the past but I promise you that I will be the best Alpha. I wanted to settle down and I wanted to find my mate. I found her and I want to be the best husband I can be.” He reveals, “I love you. So much.” He murmurs, “I just didn’t realize how much until today.”

“You’re a good man.” You remind him softly, just like you have many times before when he’s been wallowing in self pity. “You will be an amazing alpha, I know it.”

****

“So you have been married to your beautiful wife for ten years. The whole world watched as you exposed Polly who we hear is now married to another beta. Yet, you still got your happy ending with your omega.” The interviewer says and Dieter nods, offering the interviewer a smile, “she’s incredible. My rock. I couldn’t have won my Oscars without her.” Dieter confesses with affection. 

“Knock knock.” You knock on the door to the family room where Dieter is being interviewed. “I’m sorry to interrupt. The kids wanted to see their daddy.” You confess and your three children rush over to Dieter. Aged three, six, and nine. 

“Daddy! Guess what?” His eldest son clambers over Dieter and he gestures for you to come and sit down. 

“What, my love?” He asks his son while his six year old daughter wraps her arms around his neck. Your three year old son struggles to get onto the sofa so you pick him up while your eldest tells Dieter about his dinosaur project at school. 

“The perfect family.” The interviewer coos and Dieter nods, leaning over to kiss your lips. 

“We aren’t perfect but it’s my family and to me, they are perfect.” Dieter declares on camera. The interview is aired a week later during prime time and Polly watches while she sits beside her husband who tricked her into believing he was a rich man but it’s his mom who had money. She scoffs, turning the TV off while her husband snores, head tilted back against the sofa. She got her karma and you got your alpha, much to Dieter’s delight. He wanted to find his omega and he did, he just didn’t realize she had been in front of him the entire time.

[saxophonesir]

Part four of my white passing Tim Drake agenda

It started with a joke.

Dick had been helping Tim clean up his apartment—by which he meant Dick was lounging on Tim’s couch, making comments, while Tim actually cleaned.

Tim was reorganizing his bookshelf when Dick, scrolling through his phone, snorted. “Man, I swear, Bruce has us all collecting languages like trading cards. What are you at now? Five? Six?”

Tim rolled his eyes, shifting a stack of books. “Seven.”

Dick let out a low whistle. “Show-off. What are they?”

Tim didn’t even look up. “French, German, Spanish, Russian, Latin, Greek, and Mandarin.”

Dick froze. “Mandarin?”

Tim, still distracted, hummed in confirmation. “Yeah.”

A beat of silence. Then—

“Huh.”

Tim turned, eyebrow raised. “What?”

Dick sat up, studying him like he’d just grown a second head. “You speak Mandarin.”

Tim frowned. “Yeah? So?”

Dick gestured vaguely at him. “Since when do you speak Mandarin?”

Tim rolled his eyes. “Since I learned it, obviously.”

Dick scoffed. “No, I mean—why?”

Tim blinked, thrown off by the question. “…Why does anyone learn a language?”

Dick narrowed his eyes. “Okay, but, like… was it just for missions? Or did you—” He cut himself off, his brain finally catching up.

Tim saw the exact moment it clicked.

Dick’s eyes widened slightly, his expression shifting from confusion to realization to something softer. “Wait. Is this a family thing?”

Tim sighed. He should’ve known this was going to happen eventually. “…Yeah. My mom was Chinese.”

Dick stared at him. “Holy shit.”

Tim rolled his eyes again. “Really? That’s your reaction?”

“I mean—! I just—!” Dick gestured wildly, clearly thrown. “Dude, how did I not know that?”

Tim shrugged, turning back to his bookshelf. “I don’t really talk about it.”

Dick was still staring, his brain visibly short-circuiting. “I just assumed—you know, rich Gotham kid, white parents—” He groaned, dragging a hand down his face. “God, I’m an idiot.”

Tim smirked. “Finally, something we can agree on.”

Dick huffed, then, after a pause, asked, “So… do you actually use it? Like, can you hold a conversation?”

Tim hesitated, then admitted, “…My Mandarin is kind of crap.”

Dick’s brows shot up. “But you speak seven languages?”

Tim groaned, flopping onto the couch beside him. “I know! It makes no sense! I can read it fine, my grammar’s solid, but my accent—” He shook his head. “Apparently, I sound awful.”

Dick snickered. “Like, ‘off’ how?”

Tim glared at him. “Like, I sound like a white guy reading from a phrasebook.”

Dick lost it, doubling over with laughter. “Oh my god—”

Tim shoved him. “Shut up.”

Dick was still grinning. “No, no, it’s just—it’s so you! Of course you’d be perfect at every other language but sound like a tourist in the one tied to your own family.”

Tim scowled. “Glad you find it funny.”

Dick nudged him playfully. “Hey, it’s kinda endearing. And, you know, we do have a bunch of native speakers in the family. If you ever wanna work on it, I’m sure Damian would love to mock—I mean, help you.”

Tim groaned. “Great. Exactly what I need.”

Dick grinned. “Hey, I think it’s cool. And, you know, if you ever do wanna talk about it, I’m all ears.”

Tim glanced at en gave a small nod. “Yeah. Thanks, Dick.”

Dick beamed. “Anytime. Now, say something in Mandarin. I gotta hear this accent.”

Tim threw a pillow at his face.

Now, Bruce. Bruce prided himself on knowing everything about the people in his life. It wasn’t just a habit—it was a necessity. Information was protection. If he knew, he could prepare. If he could prepare, he could keep them safe.

It wasn’t arrogance—it was necessity. Their lives depended on preparation, on understanding the people they fought alongside. He had contingency plans for all of them, profiles meticulously detailed, habits cataloged. He knew how Jason held his jaw when he was about to throw a punch, the exact lilt in Dick’s voice when he was covering up exhaustion, the barely perceptible shift in Damian’s stance when he was about to lie.

And yet, somehow, he had missed something so fundamental about Tim that it made him question everything.

He had overheard it by accident.

A rare quiet evening in the manor, Damian and Tim sitting at the long dining table, a chess game between them. Bruce had only been half-listening as he went over case notes, his mind caught between the present and the ever-growing weight of unfinished business. Then, in a tone that was more observational than judgmental, Damian had said, “Your pronunciation is dreadful. It is almost shameful, considering your background.”

Tim had groaned. “Yes, thank you, Damian. I’m aware.”

Bruce hadn’t thought much of it at first—until Damian continued.

“It is strange. You should be more naturally inclined toward it.”

Tim had sighed. “Yeah, well, language skills aren’t genetic, Damian. And just because my mom was Chinese doesn’t mean I grew up speaking it fluently.”

Bruce had stilled.

It was such a small thing. Just a few words exchanged between brothers.

But they hit Bruce like a blow to the chest.

Tim’s mother was Chinese.

Janet Drake—distant, sharp, refined—had been Chinese. And Bruce had never once thought about it. Never questioned it.

And suddenly, all the little things he had overlooked over the years began to piece themselves together.

The way Tim brewed tea with an almost unconscious precision. The books on his shelves, some with spines marked in Chinese characters. The way he sometimes hesitated before saying certain words, as if recalling something half-forgotten. The fact that he had never quite seemed at home in spaces meant for him, never quite fit into the image of “Timothy Jackson Drake” that the world had constructed around him.

Bruce had missed it.

And that realization settled deep inside him, alongside all the other failures he carried when it came to Tim.

Because, of course, he had missed it. Of course, Tim was the one son he had never quite been able to read.

With Dick, there was warmth, openness. With Jason, there had been fire, defiance. Even Damian, for all his sharp edges, had a clear, undeniable presence.

But Tim?

Tim had always been quiet. Always watching. Always adapting. A chameleon in any situation, taking up only as much space as the moment required. He was easy to perceive, but never to see.

And now Bruce was wondering—how much else had he missed?

The thought lingered with him long after Damian had won the chess game and Tim had grumbled about it. Long after they had cleared the board and gone their separate ways.

That night, Bruce found himself in the cave, staring at Tim’s file on the Batcomputer.

It contained everything—height, weight, medical records, case history. But nowhere in those cold, analytical lines of text was the truth of who Tim was.

Who he had always been.

Bruce sat in the dim glow of the monitor, fingers steepled, jaw tight.

For the first time in a long while, he felt like the world’s greatest detective had failed to solve the most important case of all.

His own son.

It makes sense now, in everything Bruce had dismissed before. When he overheard Tim practicing Mandarin with Damian, his accent just slightly off. When he’d caught sight of an old photo of Janet Drake, tucked away in a folder on Tim’s desk. Or when it was the tea—chrysanthemum, Tim had said absentmindedly one night, a quiet tradition carried from his mother, a detail Bruce had never thought to ask about.

It was staggering.

Not because it changed anything—Tim was still Tim. But because he had missed it. Because it made him realize just how much he had always been missing when it came to Tim.

It was a quiet night in the Cave when he finally said it.

“I didn’t know.”

Tim, hunched over the Batcomputer, barely looked up. “Know what?”

Bruce hesitated. “That your mother was Chinese.”

Tim’s fingers froze over the keyboard.

For a second, there was nothing. Then, slowly, Tim turned, raising an eyebrow. “You didn’t?”

Bruce exhaled, feeling something heavy settle in his chest. “No.”

Tim studied him, and Bruce could see it happening—Tim processing, assessing, deciding how to react.

Then, with a faint, almost amused scoff, Tim said, “Huh. And here I thought you knew everything.”

Bruce closed his eyes briefly. “I should have.”

Tim was quiet for a long moment, and when he spoke again, his voice was unreadable. “Does it bother you?”

Bruce’s eyes snapped open. “Of course not.”

Tim tilted his head slightly, like he was testing Bruce’s reaction, looking for cracks in his composure. “Then why bring it up?”

Because I failed you.

Because you’re my son, and I should have known.

Bruce exhaled. “Because I realize now how much I’ve overlooked.”

Tim blinked at that, clearly not expecting the admission.

Bruce pressed on. “I… I’ve always felt like there was something missing. Like I was never able to connect with you the way I do with the others.” His jaw tightened. “I thought it was just me. That I was failing in some way.”

Tim’s expression flickered—something unreadable, something quiet.

“…Bruce.” His voice was softer now, less guarded. “It’s not like I was hiding it.”

“I know.”

Tim glanced away, drumming his fingers against the desk. “…Guess I just never thought it mattered.”

“It does,” Bruce said simply.

Tim let out a slow breath, then, after a pause, smirked. “Well. If it makes you feel better, I barely speak Mandarin anyway. My accent’s terrible.”

Bruce gave him a look. “Yes, I’ve heard.”

Tim groaned. “Oh my god, not you too—”

Bruce let the corner of his mouth quirk up, just slightly.

Tim rolled his eyes, but there was something lighter in his expression now, something easier.

And Bruce… Bruce felt it, too.

Maybe they weren’t as disconnected as he had always feared.

Part three

[nothoughtsjustficrecs]

Damn this was so well written! Usually, I need to be really immersed in reading with headphones on so I can focus and get properly into it to feel the intentions properly, if that makes sense. But even though I’m not 100% focused rn, the horror aspects still hit so well, and I think that’s hugely impressive! I’m such a baby with horror but I really do like reading horror stories and this is definitely a great lil one!

Thank you for writing this story and sharing it with us!

When I was reading, I decided to write down my thoughts as I go because I knew I'd forget otherwise so below this is literally just the thoughts I wrote down because I do not have the brain power to convert them into actual fully coherent comments [I'll put them below a read more cut for the sake of spoilers and such]

-

“ Halloween night was looming close which also meant teenagers found it funny to call the operators up at night to scare them. ” damn assholes

“ Mingyu was the biggest scaredy cat in his group and could not even watch Scooby Doo without whimpering at least once. ” omg 😂 poor baby

“ “It's…” Mingyu’s voice trailed off on seeing the address. 

No way- How was that possible? There had to be some mistake right?

Because the address was of his house.” yoo this section hits really well, like that split section skip a beat “oh shit” moment

“ He said, wincing having to lie. ” naughty naughty boy mingyu

“ Because you had died six months ago. ” 😮

“ He could hear his own voice on the other side of the telephone line asking him to stay away and Mingyu felt his head spin at the thought. ” omg

I’m so confused by the ending but I shan’t ask questions, I’m just going to leave it exactly as you left it and pretend I know what happened 😂

telephone || k.mg

“NOW IT'S TIME FOR ME TO RETURN THE FAVOUR”

PAIRING || Mingyu x Female Reader

GENRES || Horror, 911 Operator!Mingyu, Romance

SUMMARY ||  Working the night shift as a 911 operator was hard as it is and the last thing Mingyu needed was those calls from his ex-girlfriend. Whom he had not seen in years. For obvious reasons of her being dead.

Or, in which, Mingyu kept getting calls from his ex girlfriend claiming that she had murdered him.

SERIES MASTERLIST || till death do us part

WARNINGS || inaccurate 911 stuff, description of murdered body, horror, mention of murder and ghost

WORD COUNT || 3k

A/N || If you recognise this story, no you don't. but anyways this was one of my most favourite works even though i'm not that great at writing horror so i'm really glad i'm starting off with this story for the series. i've tried my best to make it as scary as i could (sorry but im a pussy) so yeah any feedback would be really helpful!

TAGLIST || @monamipencil @nonuify @black-swan-blog27 @hipsdofangirl @wonuilu @kibs-and-bits @unlikelysublimekryptonite @gyuguys @hanicore @alyssng @hyneyedfiz @weebotakuboy @aaniag @thepoopdokyeomtouched @caramyisabitchforsvtandbts @sea-moon-star @hrts4hanniehae @athanasiasakura @doubleshoticedshakenespresso @asasilentreader @isabellah29 @mrswonwooo @nonononranghaee @hoichi02 @cheolsboo @dinossaurz @variety-is-the-joy-of-life @tinkerbell460 @bluewbwerry @hoeforcheol @kawennote09 @iamawkwardandshy @winterbeartaehyungbestboy ​ @jjeongddol @k-drama-adict @mnstxmnbb @stervahaha @escoupseu @wonvsmile @mansaaay [if you want to be added to my taglist please fill in this form!]

“911, please state your emergency.”

Static. He waited for a minute more but there still wasn’t any sound coming from the other side.

Mingyu sighed exasperatedly, sure that this was another prank call. Halloween night was looming close which also meant teenagers found it funny to call the operators up at night to scare them.

But he was used to this. Which was funny because Mingyu was the biggest scaredy cat in his group and could not even watch Scooby Doo without whimpering at least once. But he took his responsibilities very seriously and there was no way he was going to let his fear come in the middle of his work.

He was about to hang up the call when he heard a sound. Immediately he jerked back the phone to his ear and strained them to hear anything, but all he could hear was a buzzing sound.

“Hello? How can I help-”

“Help.”

He inhaled sharply, the woman’s raspy voice very clear in the empty office. Mingyu was the only one serving night shift in his floor currently, and the only thing accompanying him was the soft beeping on the seven screens in front of him and the buzzing of the fluorescent tube lights above him.

“Ma'am, are you in a position to tell me what is happening?”

His fingers flew across the keyboard, noting down the number first and then quickly texting the other department to find out the location of the call.

“Pl-please help. Make him stop.” The woman whispered,  her ragged breath harsh against his ears.

“Make whom stop? Can you tell me who is near to you, ma’am?”

Mingyu felt an unnatural calmness settle into his bones, one that always came whenever he forced himself to calm down in such situations.

A message dinged on one of his screens indicating that they had traced the nearest cell tower of the cell phone.

“Officer Lee.” He said, already on the other line, talking to the nearest official he could see. “We have a 911 emergency of abuse.”

“Roger that. Address?”

“It's…” Mingyu’s voice trailed off on seeing the address. 

No way- How was that possible? There had to be some mistake right?

Because the address was of his house.

He cleared his throat, sure that the address was wrong since they tracked the nearest cell tower, and that could be kilometres away from the destination.

“Uh, the address shows my house. I… I think you need to be on the lookout for areas near my house.”

There was a pause, as though Seokmin seemed to be trying to process this information. Seokmin had been good friends with him, so Mingyu knew that even he found it odd, especially when his neighbourhood was a safe and nice one.

“On my way.”

“Ma’am,” Mingyu said, back to line one, “if you could tell me your name or your address, or even what is happening to you, I could help you out better.”

His eyes were trained to look at all the monitors at once, one monitoring the small dot that represented Seokmin heading towards the destination, another with a blank form about the caller and another one where he was rapidly typing what he was hearing, ready to call in other emergencies in case he heard something important.

“Help! Why don’t you help me? Please help!”

“Ma’am help is on the way, please calm down-”

He was interrupted by a loud pop as all the lights went out, the only source of light now being the soft glow of his computer screens. The room was now lit up eerily and he felt the hair on the nape of his neck rise up. Mingyu wasn’t very scared of the dark ever, but the growing sounds of gurgling and growling in the telephone line was causing shivers to travel down his spine.

“Mingyu…” The woman rasped, this time sounding like she had gargled razors, her screeching voice turning his blood to ice.

How did she know his name?

Goosebumps rose all over his skin as his breathing came out in sudden pants, feeling an icy invisible hand wrap around his neck. He sucked in a breath harshly and with a jolt, he realised how lonely he was, not a single soul on his floor whilst he was plunged in darkness.

Then the call cut off abruptly, and at the same time, the power surged back to life. 

Yet, the cold feeling hadn’t left Mingyu as though he could still hear the woman gargling in his ear.

“Mingyu?”

He jerked as the second line suddenly came to life, Seokmin’s voice clear through the landline.

“H-Hey. Did you find anything?” He tried his level best not to sound shaken, but it was hard because the more he tried to ignore wherever had just happened, the more the gnawing feeling in the pit of his stomach grew.

“Nothing. We will be needing to get a more specific address. Your entire apartment seems safe to me. Is she still on the line?”

Mingyu exhaled harshly, rubbing his chest with his hand to calm down his heart that was beating too fast. He then realised how dry his throat had become, and quickly took a sip of water before continuing.

“No. She cut the call. I- uh, I don’t think she needs help anymore. She sounded alright at the end.” He said, wincing having to lie. He still couldn’t shake off the feeling of horror he had felt when he saw his own address flash on to the screen.

“Are you sure? Shouldn’t we follow the protocol still-”

“She told me so herself.” Mingyu snapped, and Seokmin shut up, not saying anything more.

He sighed, rubbing his template, trying to forget what he had just heard. But it was like the noise had been ingrained into his brain. He could hear it even now, even though there were many other small sounds beside him.

But being a 911 operator, there was bound to be such horrors, right? He had heard some similar stories of ghost calls from his superiors. Maybe this was one of them?

“Well then…I suppose that’s it huh?” Seokmin cut the silence, causing Mingyu to flinch as he jumped out of his thoughts. “Are you calling it a night?”

Mingyu felt his heart leap to his throat.

Calling it a night? On any other day, he would have loved to crash on to his bed but all of a sudden going back to his house, the place where this lady claimed to be at, seemed like a distant nightmare, something which was waiting for him to tear him apart.

“Uh, n-no. I’ll continue my shift I think. Besides, Seungcheol won’t wake up if I call him now.”

“Hey, are you okay?” Seokmin asked, concern lacing his voice. “You sound…scared.”

“I’m fine.” Mingyu swallowed thickly, feeling a patch of sweat that had formed on his forehead as he tried rubbing his temples.

“We’ve dealt with these before, right?” Seokmin asked again, trying to sound bolder for his sake.

“Y-yeah. Yeah. We have. I’ll… hang up now.”

As soon as the phone went down, Mingyu buried his face in his hands, trying to forget the horrible sounds he had heard on the phone.

But the more he tried to forget them, the more he was convinced that they were no more voices in his head, but were coming from the room. It was almost like he could hear the noise coming from behind the door.

I’m probably just hearing things.

He got up and decided to get some fresh air. He walked to the door and paused, the sound still ringing in his ears. Clutching the door knob, he took in a deep breath and with his eyes screwed shut he turned it open, bracing himself for whatever lay ahead of his.

Silence greeted him as he slowly peeled his eyes open, looking around tentatively for anything that might jump on him out of the dark. 

Ding!

The sound of the elevator’s beep caused his heart to nearly stop, the sudden sound cutting through silent night that was almost engulfing him. He felt his entire body freeze as all he could do was watch the numbers on the screen of the lift increase until it reached his floor, limbs paralysed with fear. 

With another soft ding! the lift door began sliding open, and Mingyu found himself almost begging that he shouldn’t be greeted by someone, or something, once the lift door opened.

The dim blue light of the lift spilt out as Mingyu watched in terror, but to his relief only emptiness greeted him back. He looked at his own reflection in the mirror of the elevator. 

Mingyu looked deathly pale, his eyes tired and haggard like he had just seen a ghost. His cheeks were hollow and he felt his stomach lurch when his reflection wobbled, indicating that that the lift was about to close.

And then the lift shut close, leaving him alone with a pin drop silence that almost felt suffocating.

Weren’t there others who had night duty? Because there was no way he was all alone in the building, right?

The thought was enough to cause his stomach to lurch, and he swallowed thickly wondering if he should call someone to take his place.

But his house! Mingyu could feel goosebumps rising on his skin the second he thought of his house.

What if she- that thing was still lurking around his house? Or worse, was actually in his house.

The ringing of the telephone cut through the silence like a blade, causing him to jump a mile. His reflexes kicked in though, and clutching his painfully beating heart, Mingyu ran towards his computers to pick the emergency phone call.

“911. Please state your emergency-”

“Help.”

Mingyu froze, the familiar voice draining out all the blood from his cheeks again.

No way.

He wanted to cut the call, wanted to block out whatever this woman was about to beg for because her voice was like icy daggers to his skin, rekindling his fear like never before. Mingyu had never felt so terrified in his life before. 

“Please help… Mingyu.”

It was like her whispering his name had opened Pandora's box, and lots of emotions hit him at once. He couldn’t even question how she knew his name because that wasn’t what terrified him the most.

But it was the familiarity of the voice of the woman. A voice he used to hear almost every day before it was snuffed out of his life suddenly.

“Y/N.” He whispered, fear clutching his stomach as he felt his heart hammer in his chest.

In the empty office he could only hear his own ragged breathing and the slight buzzing sound coming from the phone.

But how was this possible?

Because you had died six months ago.

Or rather, you had been killed in his apartment. Murdered in cold blood even though it didn’t make sense because you were the sweetest and most caring person he had met in the world. 

At first, he had been charged with murder. Those two months of investigation had nearly driven him mad. It was hard as it is dealing with your death but constant poking of the police made it even worse.

Finally he was set free due to the lack of evidence. 

Even thinking about you made his head throb. 

“Help please.” You rasped again. “Help me-”

“Where are you?” He whispered urgently, not sure why he was even asking questions. Because this had to be some sort of sick joke, right? Or maybe- maybe he was hallucinating after all. Hallucinating that you had come back to life to get some sort of closure.

“In our apartment! Why aren’t you helping?” You sobbed on the other end of the line.

He felt his head spin. Whom was he even talking to? With each word your voice turned more and more raspy and he could feel the familiar fear returning.

“If you don’t help me he’ll-”

Mingyu heard you gasp, followed by a whimpering as he heard someone slap you.

“Y-Y/N?” He asked, though he truly didn’t want to know what had happened to you. Was the person you kept mentioning your real killer? Then… was this your ghost he was talking to?

“Stay away.” A male voice spoke into the telephone suddenly, causing him to nearly fall off his seat. The hair on his arms and necks stood up at the familiarity of the voice.

“Stay away." He repeated.

He could hear his own voice on the other side of the telephone line asking him to stay away and Mingyu felt his head spin at the thought.

The telephone nearly slipped from his sweaty hand as he tried taking in a deep breath to calm himself down.

"And- and who’s this-”

“Just stay away from us.” He heard his own voice command him, before the line disconnected finally.

“Who was that?”

Mingyu jumped from his seat, hands flying to his mouth to prevent himself from screaming, until his eyes landed on Seokmin.

“You- you scared me!” He hissed, rubbing his sweaty forehead while trying to calm his shaking body down. What had just happened?

No way he had been talking to himself, right? How was that even possible?

Seokmin raised an eyebrow, walking towards him and sitting down on a chair opposite to him?

“Did I scare you? Or that call did?”

Mingyu looked away.

“What are you doing here?”

“I came to check on you.”

“I’m fine.” He snapped, wiping his sweaty face with a tissue. The last thing he needed was Seokmin asking too many questions before he started questioning his own sanity.

“You’re not. You asked the caller whether she was Y/N.”

Mingyu shivered involuntarily at the memory, giving away his fear.

“It sounded like her.” He lied, not wanting to remember what had just happened. Maybe if he was nonchalant about it Seokmin would leave him alone.

“Are you sure? That call before was unusual, coming from your house.” Seokmin said, still concerned. “It's okay to be shaken up by this, you know.”

He exhaled out, trying to calm down his nerves as much as he could.

“Yeah, I’m fine. Don’t worry. Pretty sure it was a prank. I mean,” He forced out a laugh, which sounded odd against the silence surrounding the two of them, “How can it even be Y/N? That makes no sense. I probably miss her a lot. That’s why I can hear her everywhere.”

“You should go home.” Seokmin cut him, patting him on the shoulder. “I think you need to rest a bit if you’re that stressed out. Sometimes, stress causes us to see and hear things that are not real. ”

Mingyu opened his mouth to protest, feeling dread fill the pit of his stomach at the thought of going home, but with the way Seokmin was staring he knew he didn’t have an option. Or else he would need to explain how he heard his own voice speak to him and ask him to stay away.

Stay away.

Was that a warning, then? Was it a big mistake going back to his house?

But with the way Seokmin was staring at him, Mingyu had no other option but to get up slowly and pack up his things. His hands wobbled, causing him to nearly break his favourite mug, but he managed to force a smile and walk to the elevator, knees threatening to give out any second. 

Once inside the elevator, Mingyu chose to stare at his reflection’s nose, unable to meet its eyes. Something told him that seeing his reflection eye to eye would not be a good idea.

Please hurry up. Please open the door fast-

His heart jumped again as his phone rang suddenly, cutting the heavy cold silence which was accompanied by the occasional soft dings.

"Hello?” He whispered, wondering who was calling so late at night. It couldn’t have been Seokmin since he had his number saved, right?

“Why did you kill me?”

Mingyu froze, unable to breathe anymore. How did you-

“Y/N? How did you- Kill you- What are you talking about?” He panted, stumbling back to support his wobbly legs with the help of the wall of the lift.

All of a sudden the air felt cooler, and his clammy hands seemed to be unable to grip the hand bar of the lift. His eyes darted to the equally petrified reflection and a yelp escaped him, phone dropping to the ground.

Because standing right beside his reflection was you. You, looking just like how you had the day you were murdered. Except there was blood all over your dress and multiple stab marks on your chest and stomach.

You smiled at him sweetly. 

“Don’t you know? You killed me. Well, not exactly you. It was Mingyu. But he is you, you are him, right?”

His legs finally gave away as he pushed his back into the walls of the elevator, terror filling every single of his senses.

Helphelpelphelp-

He heard the lift ding as it reached the ground floor. Crawling to the buttons of the lift, he frantically pressed the open button, eyes not leaving your face as you grinned at him, baring your bloody and broken teeth.

Finally the door opened and Mingyu darted to crawl out but froze almost immediately, feeling his heart stop for real this time.

“No.” He sobbed, as he watched the real you walk towards him. Edging back, he felt his heart hammer painfully hard in his chest, every bit of rational thoughts leaving him as you stepped into the elevator.

You leaned towards him much to his terror, and Mingyu screwed his eyes shut as he finally accepted his fate. His breathing eased a bit but he could still feel how tense his entire body was, adrenaline rushing coursing throughout his body.

I don’t want to go.

“Now it’s time for me to return the favour.”

A/N: Please do tell me what you think about this story!! I worked really hard on it and I would love to know everyone’s thoughts on it~ Comments and reblogs are appreciated!

© 𝐕𝐈𝐓𝐀𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐊𝐄𝐘𝐎𝐌 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒

[luckychild]

I’ve been following the story since almost the beginning! Please know there are plenty of people who don’t have accounts but love the storytelling and imagination you’ve put into this story. I know we’re not as exciting as the commenters and the others that leave physical traces of appreciation, but we’re still here giving our support. PS- as a follow Texan, I know Kurama probably wouldn’t be able to get his hands on a blue bonnet, but I bet he could make a yellow rose.

This ask was submitted in 2021, and I remember it vividly. I remember reading it and feeling frustrated. I remember thinking that if I couldn't reply without sounding frustrated, I couldn't reply at all.

Unfortunately, to this day I am frustrated by this ask.

Specifically, I'm frustrated by the line "I know we’re not as exciting as [...] others that leave physical traces of appreciation, but we’re still here giving our support."

The problem is that you're not giving support.

It feels like this asker misses something really obvious, and I do not want to come across as patronizing when I point it out, but the language above makes me feel like the obvious needs to be said:

If you are not commenting or leaving a kudo, I do not know you exist.

Let me be clearer: If you read a fic, and you do not interact by even doing the bare minimum of hitting a kudo/like button (which is an INCREDIBLY low cost, low effort form of support!), the writer of that fic doesn't know you exist. And if they don't know you exist, how can they possibly assume you are somehow supporting them? Writers aren't omniscient!

I don't want to sound condescending by sharing the dictionary definition of "support," but there seems to be some confusion about what that means, so here it is:

"To give encouragement to someone beause you want them to succeed."

And what does encouragement mean?

"Words or behavior that give someone confidence."

Silence and absence are not tangible. They are not visible. They are not perceivable. How can silence possibly inspire confidence?

I'm very sorry to say this, but writers have no reason to assume that silent readers are enjoying their work. When the hits creep up and no one says anything, we have absolutely no reason to assume those silent readers like what they saw. In fact, if someone reads my work and comes away with nothing to say, it's pretty reasonable to assume they either didn't like the work or didn't resonate with it emotionally.

Reading silently does not inspire confidence in writers. It is not support.

Because support is tangible. Support is visible. Support is something you can perceive. It is a cause that has an effect.

If I do not know you exist, I have no reason to assume you are somehow supporting me. Quite literally, if no words or behaviors that provide encouragement are being provided, no support is being given.

Fanfiction is a gift economy. Fanwriters create works with no pay or compensation other than what the fandom can provide by means of support, encouragement, and community. Our fanfic (our labor!) is a gift to the community. The only gift we can get back is engagement. Call it transactional if you want, but fandom can only thrive when people interact with each other and foster a community together. That back-and-forth trade of interaction is what builds fandom. When fanwriters give the gift of their work to the community, they are hoping the community will give a small gift back in the form of kudos and comments. That's how we find each other and maintain relationships. That's how we build community.

If interaction dries up, so will the fanfic, and so will the fandom itself.

Silence is how fandoms die.

If you read silently, you are not fostering community. You are happily taking a gift, one freely given, and not giving anything back.

And that's fine, to be honest. You can do that. No one will get mad at you. After all, no one knows you exist. Can't get mad at a ghost.

But please. For my sake, please do not confuse silently reading for actual support of a writer, artist, or community. It is not supportive. I won't condemn anyone for reading silently, but at the same time, you cannot confuse silence for actual support.

((Someone is going to get mad and say they're too anxious to comment. OK, cool. Leave some emojis. Leave a kudo. Use a copy/paste comment you can lean on to do the heavy lifting. But if you think you're too anxious to comment, imagine how anxious a writer must feel posting their work in public. And imagine how anxious they get if they get zero interaction at all. We're all anxious. That's fine. But if you're consuming fanwork and not giving any form of support back, you are not fostering fandom, and that's something you should be aware of and own.))

[dainahlai]

Wait I've been thinking–someone once posted about Xavier wanting MC to like just Xavier right??

But anyways, it got me thinking more in detail about his identities. Throughout his times on Earth, Xavier has had to make so many personalities for himself and create so many versions of himself just to make himself seem like a normal person. Btw this is so hard for me to put into words so bear with me here 😭.

But it's a well known fact among most Xavier girlies that he himself has probably had a few identity crises, and I just want to build up on this idea. Xavier himself doesn't view his other versions as him. He sees them as completely different.

Xavier: Whilst Lumiere is kind and gentle, I'm apparently harsh and cruel?

He doesn't see his other version as him, they're other people who he associates with, but nothing further. They're different personalities of him.

Xavier: And when you see Lumiere, you appear to be a lot happier than when you see me.

This just proves that even if the fandom sees Lumiere and Xavier as the same person (thus the jealous Xavier joke) he doesn't think Lumiere is him. Lumiere is a completely different person than Xavier, and that is why Xavier finds it so easy to get jealous over Lumiere.

But my main point isn't that–It's the fact that the Xavier we see might not even be the real Xavier (or in other words, is a personality made to protect his real self/a mesh of his dozens of other selves). Going back to Xavier's comment about Lumiere, it proves that Xavier can have different personalities, supported by the fact MC mentioned him to be a good actor. (Can't remember the exact line). He's familiar with this, my earlier words about us not seeing his real self was a joke btw. We see his real personality because you can compare him with Lightseeker (Pre time travel) and see that they are the same. But it just got me thinking about what-ifs. Xavier can create himself many personalities, the reason he's good at acting is because he becomes his other selves. So in other words, he becomes them, but they aren't him. Xavier can become one of his other personalities, but he will never see himself as them. And if we weren't MC, then we probably would have had to face one of his various other selves rather than the actual self he hides behind dozens of other personalities. And it shows, after a whole year, Xavier is finally showing us his true personality, and we're getting to see more actual sides of him than any mysterious fakes. And Xavier likes that this is happening. Whilst MC also has her reincarnations and versions, Xavier has his own personalities and identities. Supported by Xavier's line in the 21 days memory.

Xavier: Every version of me belongs to you, and every version of you, belongs to me.

So yeah in a sense MC and Xavier are kindred spirits. And whilst Xavier may not reincarnate or resurrect, he does live through lives and personalities. It makes him both difficult and easy to characterise.

God I think this went off the rails, and if you've read through, thanks. This is my rant for Xavier whom I love with all my life and soul. And sorry if this ended up offending anyone, or confusing anyone, or if I actually was wrong all the way. I'm human, and can make mistakes, please rather than arguing, just tell me my mistake so I can correct myself!

[litsenn]

Astarion and irony, my two cents.

Alright so I was reading this post on reddit about how Astarion's charisma is not that good, and how cringe and awkward he's when he flirts. Very interesting reading, the comments too were inspiring.

Although I agree with a lot of things written by the OP, I wanted to give my two cents... and it turned into a little 'essay'. So I thought I could post it here too.

(As always, it's only my pov, and I don't expect anyone to agree)

Indeed, you can easily tell that his beauty was enough for him to pick up victims for Cazador. With a smile like this, it doesn’t take too much effort to seduce people, especially vulnerable, desperate/drunk targets.

But there’s also something that is rarely addressed: Astarion's dark sense of humour, self-derision and tragical irony. It’s particularly visible in the mirror scene (“tell me I’m beautiful and we can call it a day” with that smirk, or his approval if you tell him you find another companion prettier). Also the dialogue about how you (I'll be using the general you) would prefer to die, or who you would bite; they're all dripping with sarcasm and irony. Likewise, when he tells you, after the first night, that the others could probably hear you from camp: he's jesting, because he's feeling comfortable for the first time in 200 years.

And even the dialog about his favorite pick up lines. Of course he's still trying to seduce you, but I think he's perfectly aware that those “lines” are over the top and won’t work on you. You just challenged him to find something better that "my little treat", so he gives you the worst .

To me, it seems like he knows how ridicule it is, and that’s precisely why he quotes them with so much emphasis. It's dramatic in a sense, because he's doing what he was forced to do for years, although he knows he doesn't have to do it anymore. "His favourite lines" he calls them, although he must hate them (hence the dark look upon his face when he quotes them.); irony again. And no matter how much he must loathe those lines, he seems to be having fun practicing them with you and seeing your reaction. (And if you ask him if he's having fun, i think he's really honest when he says yes, "it's hard no to with you")

It’s just my interpretation, but it's obvious to me that he’s playing – not playing you, but playing with you. Playing in the sense that he knows you won't trust a single word he's saying. And somehow this irony connects the two of you, the laughable (but tragic) idea of Astarion picking up lovers with those lines. His tone is overdramatic when he quotes them precisely because he knows how bad they are (and since Petras uses more or less the same lines, I tend to believe that they come from Cazador).

After all, at this point, you already slept together once, so Astarion knows you’re attracted to him and he doesn’t take that “flirt” too seriously (and that’s precisely why it works on my Durge ahah); he expects you to say yes because of course you liked it the first time.

Obviously, he’s still trying to play it cool because he's scared and confused (you probable are one of the rare persons he can have a second night with), but I don't think he believes those lines can actually turn you on. 

As for the “I love you”, I think he's being ironic again, because he knows you won’t believe him, he's deeply conscious that in this context, it doesn't mean anything and that you won't fall for it... (or will you? Maybe a part of him is already falling for you at this point, so who knows?). Anyway, he first says “what about everyone's favourite ?” which, to me, implies that he’s just making a silly demonstration of the type of “bad flirting” he’s used to. He shows off a little, as if telling you “look how easy it can be...”. The way he changes the tone of his voice and the look upon his face to make those three little words more believable seems to point at something along those lines : it's fun and tragic how much those empty words can make someone fall for you, there's some kind of irony here too.

But you... Well, he never promised to love you, he was clear from the start : only depraved carnal lust, so, obviously, none of you expect to hear "I love you". Dramatic irony again, from a narrative perspective this time, if you take the whole romance storyline.

And that silly yet lowkey tragic conversation is soon deflated by his frontal and casual proposition to have sex again. Another proof, to me, that he knew he didn't need to throw his lines at you, he did it because it was fun, in a pretty dark, ironical way.

He’s wearing a mask, the mask that "can open a lot of doors”, and since he begins to trust you, he laughs at that truth, ironically of course, because his beautiful face, the seduction, that’s also the tragedy of his existence.

Anyway, once again, that's just my personal interpretation, and that's much too long 😅

[walkingnearfoxes]

The Space Between the Lines (Homelander x Reader) - Chapter 4

2.2k words. 18+. Warnings for the Homelander being the Homelander. She/Her Teacher Reader. 

There are a dozen teachers who would kill for this job. You’re just not sure that you’re one of them.

The table is silent for over a minute after Ryan has left, but the Homelander doesn’t seem to mind. His pose is identical to the posturing of his television appearances or the social media posts you tend to breeze through. His arms are folded behind him, and his chest seems unnecessarily puffed out. Wasn't he standing like this in the video Addie sent you last month where he was talking about gun safety?

"fake as hell," She said to you via DM. "how are you gonna worry about gun control when a bullet is like a sneeze to you?"

"Well then," Homelander speaks suddenly and loudly; you must have looked spaced out. "I think that was a great introduction.”

You look at the door for a moment before looking back at him. “Ryan can probably hear us, right?”

He snorts dismissively. “He better not with how expensive those new headphones were.”

You move to stand, but he arches a brow. You slowly sit back down. "Oh. Well…yeah. It went well. Ryan's brilliant."

He smiles as if sharing an inside joke with you. "You don't have to flatter."

"I'm not," You answer quickly. The Homelander looks you up and down for a moment, but his gaze is analytical; you have a sneaking suspicion he's checking your heart rate for a lie. You recall reading an article about him using that trick at a convention last year to delight his fans. Even back then, you had thought the Homelander’s smile seemed stretched. 

"Ryan absorbs information really quickly and thinks critically,” You affirm. “If I had to name a next step, I think he needs some work on his geography."

His face makes an interesting twitch. You can't tell if he's annoyed or impressed. "My son can read a map."

Only years of educational practice keep you from rolling your eyes. You nod instead. "Of course he can. But it's not innate to him yet...I had to point out where England was?"

The Homelander was sitting right there, just an hour ago, when that happened. He couldn't deny it. So, you watch as he hums a laugh - it nearly sounds bitter - and then looks down at the floor. "Yeah, well...his mother didn't give him the best upbringing."

What an odd thing to say. What an odd thing you were not going to investigate further.

"Do you think he understood the colonial relationship?" You ask instead. "I think I was starting to lose him towards the end there."

He looks back up with a slow rise of his brows, seeming surprised to be asked a question. He's silent for a moment - and then, in a change so sudden it startles you, his television grin is back. "Oh, I think he did just fine until your little slip at the end there."

It's your turn to look confused. "I'm...sorry, what slip?"

He walks closer, his gloved hands moving to sit on his hips. He's close enough that you need to tilt your chin up a little to maintain eye contact. "That...comment you made about George Washington. The slaves bit?"

You blink, your back unconsciously straightening in your seat. "The bit?”

"Is your hearing going, teach?" he asks with a show of teeth. "I just don't want you to confuse him."

You let out a quiet sound that is dangerously close to a scoff. "He...he asked."

His answer cuts sharper now. "Look, I don't want his head filled with that DEI bullshit. He's a child. He doesn't need to worry about any of that."

A more intelligent person, or a person with less passion, or a person with more concern for their blood remaining in their body would have agreed immediately. But you are not that person.

"I'm not going to lie to him," You say, your voice soft but firm. "If he wants to understand history and how often it repeats itself, he needs to know all sides of the conflicts. George Washington did own enslaved people. He may have regretted it but clearly didn't regret it enough."

The Homelander says nothing for a long moment. It's as though every part of his body comprehends your words in its own time. His lips quiver, thin, then return to normal. His long fingers drum slowly at his hips. His brows go down, rise, then fall again. Then, like the rest of him has finally caught up, he slowly lowers the front half of his body. He's at eye level with you now, close enough that you see the lines of the face that make up the perfect hero.

"Listen, sweetheart...you're much better than the line of assholes Vought brought me so far," His voice is so soft that you're torn between leaning in and sprinting out of the room. "Ryan likes you. I love that. But that doesn't mean you can do whatever you want. You work for me. You follow my lessons. You teach my son what he needs to do. You got it?"

He seems to expect you to back away. You don't. "And if he asks questions? Should I pretend I didn't hear anything?"

That earns you a frown. "You're pushing it."

"Pushing what? The truth?"

"I don't-" His voice becomes a hiss, and you instinctively flinch. He stops himself. He closes his eyes and lets out a low growl that runs right along your spine. When he looks back at you, he is suddenly the image of calm again. "If he has a question that isn't a direct fact, I answer it.”

You hesitate, but with your faces mere inches apart, you feel you have little choice but to nod. Once you do, Homelander offers a smirk more devious than any he's shown you far. "Good girl."

You can't stop your huff of annoyance. Luckily, your quiet defiance just makes him chuckle this time. "Relax. I'm sure we won’t have any more hiccups, right?"

"So…you'll be here for every lesson?" You murmur.

"Of course I will. History is my favorite subject, after all," His left hand curls under your chin. His fingers flex straight up, forcing you to arch your neck. You watch as his eyes follow the line up your throat. His smirk widens. He brushes his thumb delicately over your chin. "Besides...you're fun to watch."

~-~ 

You settle into a tense but expected routine. You show up to the penthouse every day at the same time, you teach Ryan for an hour, and the Homelander watches you from across the table. In your lowest moments of doubt, you try to focus on Ryan. He warms up to you steadily with each lesson. He still shows you a near-formal level of politeness, but get him to relax or laugh at a joke more daily. You purposefully avoid looking at the Homelander during these more casual moments - but in the glimpses you get, he seems almost too intrigued. You nearly expect him to pull out a notepad and jot down how to use humor with his child. The glimpses of his relationship with Ryan are complicated, at best. Ryan clearly respects his father and wants to spend time with him, but you also notice the confused glances and drumming hands. Same blood, different dialects. 

For this and many other reasons, you loathe how you have to direct any question with even the slightest gray area to Homelander. It's not that he gets the information incorrect; if anything, you're surprised at how much he knows about history. It’s that he seems adamant on delivering the least nuanced approach to history as possible.

"Loyalists? After the Boston Massacre? Nah. Didn't exist."

"Of course the founding fathers all agreed."

"Ryan, why are you so worried about the women? Look at these battles!"

You might just tear a hole in your cheek from how often you had to bite in and quell your rebuttals.

Somehow, that wasn't your biggest concern with the new job. Sure, you couldn't do much without worrying if the Homelander would approve. Yes, you had little to zero power over the lessons you taught. But the biggest problem was that with each passing day, you grew increasingly suspicious that the Homelander didn't see you as just his son's teacher.

He was always watching you. Even if his back was turned, his head followed the sound of your movements. You felt like you were under a microscope, and the feeling didn’t stop when you left the penthouse. It probably didn’t help that advertisements containing his likeness were everywhere in the city, but you couldn’t escape his piercing blue eyes any corner you turned.

 Then, there was the touching. 

If there was ever an opportunity to rest a hand on your shoulder, to squeeze your arm, to push your hair back at the end of a lesson, he took it. He was always gentle, but an intentionality behind his movements unsettled you. It was as if he spent time planning how he would touch you in advance. 

You couldn't call him cruel, necessarily; his rules were absurd but after his initial warning, he never so much as raised his voice. In his mind, the two of you had come to an understanding. Every day now, he would greet you at the door, a hand whispering on your lower back in a guide to the dining room. A cup of tea - always your favorite and always at just the right temperature - sat before your seat, Ryan waiting along with it. Three weeks into the job, you were growing to accept the routine.

Your roommate was a different story.

"This is insane," Addie declares, gesturing wildly with her coffee. It is only kept from spilling from the knowing catch of her partner, Penny. She guides the coffee mug back to the cafe table as Addie continues. "This is the most toxic of toxic work environments."

You sigh, curling a hand anxiously through your hair. "It's not ideal-"

"Not ideal?" Addie scoffs and turns to Penny. "Babe, has she explained all the 'rules' to you? She can't drink, she can't smoke, she can't even wear fucking perfume if he doesn't approve. I'm surprised he hasn't put you on a dieting schedule."

"Addie, take a breath," Penny lightly reprimands. The two of them have been dating since college, and she has always been the calm to Addie's rage. She turns to look at you with a more sympathetic gaze. "It does sound kind of...intense."

This "sporadic coffee date" Addie had brought the two of you to was starting to feel a lot more like an intervention. You glance around the crowded cafe as if it could provide you with some answers. "It's...a lot. But Ryan's a good kid."

Addie glares. "You can't throw your life away because a kid has manners."

"So what exactly do you want me to do, Addie?" You snap suddenly, surprising yourself with the frustration in your voice. "You want me to tell a man that can level a building by kicking it that I quit?"

Addie frowns. "I get that, but-"

"Not to mention that two weeks of this job paid for three months of our rent," You add. "Is it better that we get kicked out of our apartment?"

"Hey, hey," Penny says in a gentle voice. Her hand gently squeezes your forearm. "We're not judging you. We're here for you."

"We're just concerned, dude," Addie adds, her voice abnormally quiet. "Vought's messy, and you're working with the biggest mess of them."

You let out a slow breath and rub your forehead. The days have passed in flips of exhaustion, determination, and disbelief. You slowly reach out to put a hand over Penny's. "I know, I know...I'm sorry."

"No…I'm sorry," Addie says. "I just don't want him to...what the hell?"

Excited voices are suddenly flooding in from the street. The three of you turn to see a commotion forming directly outside the cafe. It's hard to tell what has caused it with the mass of onlookers. You spot people taking out their phones; some are using their cameras, some are going directly to social media, and some are excitedly making calls.

"Celebrity sighting?" Penny offers.

Your stomach drops. You know who it is before the crowds thin to confirm your nerves.

"Hey, good to see you all! Gorgeous Saturday morning, isn't it?" The Homelander's perky voice carries before the crowd thins enough for you to see him. The bright colors of his suit and his stature carve him like an icon amongst the commoners. He meanders around the crowd like he has all the time in the world, posing for selfies and shaking hands with fans on the brink of tears at the sight of their hero. He's wearing the same beaming grin you see every weekday - and with every passing day, every corner of your thoughts.

"Holy fucking shit," Addie whispers.

"It's...a coincidence," Penny says shakily. "There's no way..."

But then he looks up, meets your eyes, and winks.

[hidefan]

Imagine you are a person who enjoys watching TV after a long day to decompress and be entertained for an hour or two without having to think too much. One day you discover this new show with Angela Basset and Connie Britton and decide to give it a chance. And wow, Athena's a badass! The emergencies are fun, the characters are very likeable, you keep watching. You are a little ambivalent about Buck at first, but he grows on you. You are sad when Abby leaves and breaks Buck's heart, so you hope Buck finds a nice girl to settle with eventually.

Years later, you learn this show you like is now on ABC. As usual, you are hooked with the opening emergency and excited for a new season. Then you see Buck kissing a man and get very confused. Why is he doing that? You've never even considered that Buck could be anything but straight, not even once. Isn't he always chasing girls? So he's suddenly gay? Well, no, he says he still likes women, so now he apparently likes men too. You're not sure about this new development, but whatever, this Tommy guy is charming and cool and seems very nice, and Buck looks really happy, and all of his friends and family are happy for him, even Bobby says he approves, so yeah, you guess you don't mind he has a boyfriend now, maybe he's just trying new things and soon he'll be with a new girl, or maybe this time it will work out, who knows, Tommy calling Buck Evan feels special.

You don't think about the show until September, when it's back on your TV. Okay, so Buck is still with that guy, they are cutesy and seem to really like each other, you realize you actually like them together. Tommy seems to care about Buck a lot, he looks at him like he hung the moon, he doesn't care Buck's face is full of boils or that he's convinced he's cursed, they are fun and adorable together. You see Buck saying that it's the people you love that makes life worth living while looking adoringly at Tommy, not with those words, but with that sentiment. You are glad Buck's finally found his person. And to be honest, you were a little tired of seeing him in a failed relationship after another, so this is great.

Then you see the next episode. Oh, they both dated Abby? Okay, it's a little weird, but just last season Eddie hooked up with his late wife's doppelgänger, so not the most soap opera-y thing this show has done, and it's normal a couple goes through a little bit of drama.

You see Buck say all of these things:

"Yes, I care about him a lot and his needs and wants are as important as mine."

"I don't like what he did to Abby, but I understand why he did it and I see myself having a future with him."

"Until now, Abby was my most important relationship. Now it's Tommy."

"I'm ready to take the next step with him, so I'd really like us to live together."

"It's still soon, but a future engagement and marriage are absolutely on the table."

"My first same-sex relationship can be my endgame."

"Why be apart when we can be together."

And Tommy says he wants more than anything to be Buck's last. So wow, okay! This is serious!

Then you get extremely confused when they break up. Weren't they just happy together a minute ago? Weren't they literally saying to each other how much they want a future together? They haven't said I love you yet, but the sentiment is absolutely there, no?

You usually don't think a lot about the show between one episode and the next, but this time you log on your Facebook and leave a message on the official page. "Hey, why did Buck and Tommy break up if they were so happy together? This feels so sudden and strange. I'd like to see more of this relationship!" You see more comments like yours, so it looks like more people think the same, it's not just you.

You don't read interviews. You are not on social media theorising about couch metaphors or the significance of certain wardrobe colors and you've never heard the words 'media literacy'. You just watch the show and saw a happy couple that you had already warmed up to break up for no reason at all and that left you confused and disappointed. You just don't have the energy to see Buck trying again with a different person, if it was bound to be another failed relationship why bother having Buck in a relationship with a man in the first place? Why so much effort in make you care about Tommy if it was for nothing?

But okay, Buck is baking constantly because he wants to reach out to Tommy, and Tommy also wants to reach out, and then you remember Maddie and Chimney also broke up and then got back together, and didn't Hen cheat on Karen all those years ago and they got past it? Surely if an infidelity wasn't a dealbreaker, Buck and Tommy can fix their issues. So they'll probably get back together when the show comes back, you think, especially now that Buck's best friend is leaving and oh, something is happening to Maddie too? Well, he's definitely gonna need the support of the man he loves, you conclude. Knowing this is how this show does drama, you don't think any more about it until it gets back months later.

And when the show comes back in March, it's possible you don't remember Tommy is a firefighter too, it's been too long since the last time it was mentioned. So maybe that's why the 217 shows up in an emergency and his name is mentioned.

And maybe you also forgot he was a pilot firefighter, so maybe that's why there's an helipad involved.

Because maybe those things are gonna be important for the emergency at the end of the season. Or maybe they won't. But you don't know nor care because you are not constantly obsessing about the show like we do, lol.

[animchsn]

Why are people so mean? Just 2,000 people managed to taint my entire experience with the One Piece fandom. It’s almost impressive how fast they ruined it. At this point, I can’t help but think—are typical Zoro and Nami fans always this mean, or did I just get the worst of them?. This morning, I was bored and joined a One Piece Discord server with 2,000 members—coincidentally, all online. The server was literally called "Good One Piece Fandom." I found it through a Wattpad writer, a huge One Piece fan who only thinks about One Piece, just like us. While reading one of their stories, I saw them recommend this server, saying people should join to "clean up the fandom" or whatever. And, like an idiot, I joined.When I joined, something felt off—they were obsessed with comparing characters, way more than usual. I ignored it, thinking it was normal, until they started comparing Zoro to Garp. I figured it was just typical Zoro fans and joked, "Left or right, good night." Some laughed, so I thought it was fine. To avoid confusion, I added that I don’t hate Zoro but don’t think he can beat Garp right now—maybe in the future. Then people started calling me stereotypical, blah blah. I ignored it until some claimed Zoro could make Garp his pet.I was shocked but tried to ignore it. Then they started posting edits of Garp as a dog or some kind of pet, with Zoro as his master. I can’t even explain how weird it felt.I put my phone down, but then they started comparing Nami to strong characters like Big Mom, Kaido, Roger, Boa, and Robin. I commented that Nami couldn’t beat Boa or Robin but could put up a decent fight—though she stood no chance against Kaido or Big Mom. Seemed logical, right? But people insisted Nami was a badass who could beat them. Some even claimed she deserved to be Luffy’s left hand instead of Sanji. Then they started bashing Sanji—going way too far.Seemed logical, right? But people insisted Nami was a badass who could beat them. Some even claimed she deserved to be Luffy’s left hand instead of Sanji. Then they started bashing Sanji—going way too far.Nami and Zoro’s typical fans took it too far, outright abusing other characters and talking trash about them.Nami and Zoro’s typical fans took it too far, outright abusing other characters and talking trash about them.As a true One Piece fan, I didn’t care and just moved on, reading some ZoSan fanfics. But then, people started talking shit about me.I was like, "Why?" I only posted a few harmless comments. But they started cyberbullying me. I was angry and about to reply—until my favorite fanfic got updated. So, I ditched the drama and started reading instead.But they went too far, so I replied. I thought it’d be just a few responses, but they kept pushing, demanding I prove my points—so I did. Some went silent, but the stubborn ones couldn’t handle the truth and kept arguing. I ignored them until they insulted my mother. That’s when I had enough. I proved how Nami could be mean and selfish—something I never wanted to do. Now, I can’t help but like her less.That’s when I had enough. I proved how Nami could be mean and selfish—something I never wanted to do. Now, I can’t help but like her less

[jesterkoops]

I am late to this party because I have been insanely busy this past week but...

SO. MANY. THOUGHTS. I don't know where to start so I will go in chronological order (warning - this is long).

Obviously, spoilers for Severance 2x05.

How much power does Helena *actually* have? Her not wanting to go back "down there" but having very little say in the matter... she is the CEO's daughter and yet she seems to be at the mercy of the board's decisions just like her innies. I also found it interesting that she used "they tried to kill me" as an excuse not to go back when she did after all go back to work after Helly tried to hang herself. Was someone not so keen to face Mark? Or am I reading too much into it?

Helly being catapulted into a world that is no longer the one she knew. Irving's gone (and was trying to drown her outie), Dylan is grieving Irving, Mark has drastically changed and is pushing her away. Ironic that she's the only one with nothing to hide, since both Dylan and Mark are "compromised" in their own way. I have no doubt Dylan's "privileges" will continue to play a role and I'm curious to see when and how that shoe will drop with Mark and Helly.

I loved the complete chaos and confusion that has overwhelmed Mark. I haven't checked the timelines of how long Helly and Helena have been on the severed floor, respectively, but I think they are pretty equal stretches of time? This isn't Helena slotting herself into his life only for that OTBRO, they continuously spent a ton of time together for weeks. So, actually, Mark had started falling for Helly and then finished falling for Helena. Helena who SURELY must be a monster, right? If she is heir to a company that does this to their employees and holds his outie's dead wife somewhere in a basement. And yet he nonetheless felt she was not that different from Helly, and he managed to connect with her on a human level. This throws not only their entire relationship and his feelings into question but literally his entire system to make sense of his universe: what's an innie, what's an outie, who is truly whom, if anyone? I mean, if this is a mindfuck for us watching it, imagine LIVING it.

Similarly, Helly also has to process the exact same stuff about herself. "You couldn't tell it wasn't me?". And this is why I don't think it's as simple as "Helena was 100% just acting". Because how would that be interesting from a storytelling and character development perspective? If Helena is exactly what it says on the tin, how does that enrich the narrative for Mark and Helly, when they can just both dismiss her as "the other"? And how does that enrich the narrative for the viewer? It does not. The most you get out of that is Mark being paranoid that he can't tell if it's Helly or Helena, and that's it. But it doesn't take any of characters anywhere interesting.

And I think this is also probably reflected in that tent scene. I don't think that knowing what we know now is necessarily meant to retrospectively cheapen that scene. I think the way that scene was scripted and shot I think it was done with genuine intent to depict a LOVE scene, because they went above and beyond what would be necessary from a "show-and-tell" perspective to fool the audience into thinking it was Helly having sex with Mark. Even ignoring Britt's comments on the matter and looking simply at the material, not only were they heavy-handed on ticking the love scene visuals, but there was no reason whatsoever to have her bring up the topic of who she might be on the outside with Mark. I think just as he kept falling for her through that time she was on the severed floor, her own "intrigue" for him might have continued to grow (and hence the scene where she watches him leave in this episode).

What I think is so interesting about the shift in innie!Mark (because it's mostly still innie!Mark) in this episode is that he has just been hit with a series of events that have completely trashed the relative tranquility of his life inside Lumon and IMMEDIATELY we start seeing flashes of who Mark is on the outside: the cynicism, the depression, the dismissiveness, the not caring about anything because nothing matters. Which goes along with the idea that these people are nothing but "tabula rasas" of their outside counterparts, and that, given the right (or wrong) circumstances and experiences, they can be channeled to be more or less like their outies.

Finally... did Milchick know that Mark and Helena banged because he knows or because Helena told him? I've seen many theories but I am not sold on any at the moment tbh. I tend to lean towards him knowing from means other than Helena because while I can see them considering Mark and Helly's bond something Helena needed to play into (they did after all seem to emphasize the whole "love story" aspect in the lore about the MDR uprising), given how uptight Lumon/the Eagans seem to be about sex, it somehow feels weird to me that it would be considered appropriate or even encouraged for the "heir in waiting of Lumon industries" to bang an innie just to keep her cover. I might be wrong though!

WELL DONE YOU if you made it this far.

TL;DR: I don't think this is all down to Helena "faking it" because the whole point of the show is blurring the lines between innies and outies and how the innies are nothing more than "tabula rasas" of their outies before shit happened in their lives. Getting more intrigued by Helena with every episode.

[interstellarbookofflowers]

happy points

it was eid yesterday! although i had some work to do, i did have some free time

i managed to fast the day of arafah (day before eid)! it was hard actually, i yet again misjudged my capabilities, but i somehow managed to finish the fasting day! wont fast again during the summer tho 💀

i watched some precure yayay and listened to the soundtrack! (nature is healing i am being unhinged again)

im hanging out with my friend today! we're going on a silly books hunt again heheh

(dont read the tags if u dont want to see me scream into the void)

[somewhereincairparavel]

i have ALWAYS promptly looked forward to jason grace's povs in the hoo books to the point where'd I'd flip the pages till I find the words "JASON" and would count the amount of povs he has in the whole book before I even finished reading, so I feel excited knowing that I'll get to his povs soon. there, I said it.

[tea-cat-arts]

"Madam Yu would be a Karen/ treat minimum wage employees like shit-" literally the only servant she's shown abusing is Wei Wuxian (and that's because he's the victim of a proxy war between her and Jiang Fengmian around the idea of him being adopted into the family, not because of his class). Madam Yu's two handmaid's love and respect her, and Madam Yu actually defends them when Wang Lingjiao tries being a Karen to them. She also tells Wang Lingjiao to fuck off when she demands the Jiang servants bring her tea.

Also, Karens are unpleasant women, but not all unpleasant women are Karens. That term is about entitlement and being unreasonable (and often times, racist). Madam Yu is mean and unpleasant to talk to, but she keeps most of her interactions brief and probably doesn't have the time or mental energy to be a Karen or hold a grudge that long. If you want an actual example of a Karen in mdzs, Wang Lingjiao is right there