#job fair flyer

[myntxjob]

2024 North Texas Job Fair for August 8 at Globe Life Field in Arlington Tx

Listen, a great job fair is coming up in Arlington tx on August 8th, 2024! Yes, you heard that right! Congresswoman Beth Van Duyne, a popular politician in North Texas, is organizing the Job fair. Last year’s Job fair was so popular that it is being made bigger this year. Do you know how many companies coming? Starting from children’s healthcare, many big companies will come. Vistra Corporation…

[psychedelic-ink]

ㅤㅤㅤ✦ 𝐇𝐎𝐎𝐅𝐁𝐄𝐀𝐓𝐒

ㅤㅤjoel miller x f!reader x jack daniels

genre: smut, minors dni, dude ranch au, modern au

word count: 7.7k

summary: joel challenges jack to make you into the finest there possibly is in two days.

warnings: threesome (mfm), mlm dynamics, some jealousy, outdoor sex, piv, oral sex, dirty talking

a/n: happy birthday @fuckyeahdindjarin 🎉 I hope you enjoy you slutty cowboys--both of them nearly gave me a heart-attack while writing ❤️‍🔥 this gif was made my the lovely @pedrorascal who I am so grateful for helping me out preparing your this bday surprise!

**dividers by @saradika

You take a breath and sneak out of the cozy room. It had been hard parting away from your cozy bed. The warmth provided by the hand-knitted blanket and the scent of delicious wood made you want to never leave. They’ve really done a great job decorating the rooms of the dude ranch. It still holds the Western theme you love, but it's also adorned with rustic charm, from the weathered leather furniture to the handcrafted wooden accents, creating a welcoming atmosphere.

It had been a couple of days since your arrival. You were tired of... well, everything and desperately needed an out. You wish you could say that it happened like in the movies— a divine sign that made you come here, but no. There was no divine intervention, no mysterious flyer sticking to your face. You had to do an endless amount of research to find the perfect place, and when you were done, you picked the ranch that had the least foot traffic. You were running away from people. Choosing the most touristy one would defeat the purpose—you wanted to be alone.

And you were glad that you did. The place was amazing. Surrounded by large mountains and wide fields. This place wasn’t so people would come and see what was what. It was an actual ranch with actual people working all the time. Accepting guests was the side hustle and not the other way around. 

There were two cowboys that you constantly saw: Joel Miller and Jack Daniels. Both charming, both handsome enough to make you want to scream. Jack had been personally assigned to you, but Joel was always around, watching, observing, and, of course, running his mouth. You’ve grown accustomed to their odd friendship... rivalry? It was actually kind of cute to see Jack turn all red whenever Joel said something to undermine him. And the other seemed to know that well.

Two talented cowboys. And you, who had no idea what the hell you were doing. 

Which is why you were escaping your room like some kind of criminal at the brink of dawn. Joel’s teasing wasn’t only reserved for Jack, you got your fair share as well and it was even worse when Jack chimed in—the two seasoned horse riders letting you know just how out of your element you were. You needed to train without those two constantly spitting quips your way.

You silently make your way to the stables and blindly reach out towards Honeydust, the palomino Jack had gotten you accustomed to. You gently guide her away from the other horses. The rose-pink light of dawn has begun to trickle through the open windows, painting Honeydust’s coat in a gorgeous hue. You regret not bringing your phone; you would’ve loved to show Jack and Joel later on.

“Alright girl,” you mutter as you pat the side of her face. She whinnies slightly and digs her hoof into the ground. “It’s you and me. Let’s show them how it’s done.” 

As you reach for the saddle, you smile to yourself. You might not be that good at horse riding yet but you did learn some things—like the value of a good saddle. You take a moment to inhale the scent of it— a mix of leather, hay, and a hint of earthiness.

Honeydust stands patiently, seemingly aware of your fumbling attempts to secure the saddle. You take a deep breath, remembering the lessons Jack patiently gave you about saddling up. Slowly but surely, you manage to get everything in place. As you tighten the cinch, you feel a sense of accomplishment. A week ago, you hadn’t been able to do this. Maybe you're not a full-on cowboy, but you're determined to learn the ropes.

With the saddle secured, you grab the reins and lead Honeydust out of the stable, into the cool morning air. The sky is a canvas of pastel colors—blues, pinks, and golds blending together as the sun inches higher. It's a breathtaking sight. You pat Honeydust on the muzzle and press your cheek against her, watching the sky.

“Isn’t it beautiful,” you whisper to her. “Honestly I’m gonna hate going back. It’s been a couple of days and I’m already attached to this place.” 

Honeydust snorts and shakes her head. You smile wide as you pat her again, “You’re right. No room for sentimentality.” 

Mounting Honeydust, you settle into the saddle, adjusting to the feel of it beneath you. The quiet creak of leather is drowned out by the sounds of the waking ranch. Birds chirp in the distance, and you take a deep breath, your lungs filling with the fresh scent of the outdoors—

But then you’re slipping. 

And then falling. 

With a loud, sharp gasp, you find yourself unexpectedly upside down beneath Honeydust's belly. Panic sets in as you register the proximity of her powerful legs, your eyes widen, your heart pounding loudly in your chest. Honeydust remains still, your body still miraculously hanging to the saddle. 

Your heartbeat starts to slow, you take a deep breath. You’re fine. You’re okay. You just forgot to fasten one of the belts. 

“Need any help there, sweetheart?” 

Fuck. Busted. 

“I’m fine,” you answer, emphasizing the latter. Jean-clad legs come into view. “Just. . . trying a new riding style.” 

“Is that so?” Joel drawls, amusement dripping with every word. “And what would you call this one? The hangin’ fool?” 

“Rude.” 

His hips cock to the side and you see him placing both hands on his narrow hips, “Would it be better if I called it the hangin’ beauty?” 

“Yes actually, it would.” 

Your cheeks warm as he steps closer. You try not to stare, or perhaps that’s just you lying to yourself, but whatever your true intention was your eyes linger right over his crotch. Even with the thick jeans and the belt buckle, you know he’s packing underneath there. You can especially tell now since this is the closest you’ve ever been to it. Your mouth waters. Your brain delving further into sinful imagination when his low chuckle echoes in your ear. 

“A’right then beautiful, let’s get you out here.” he stops for a beat, his knuckles brushing down the outer part of your leg. You shudder, your legs tighten around Honeydust. “Unless you wanna show me this new ridin’ style of yours?” 

“You know what, I think I’ll take a rain check on that.” your voice is shrill and pitchy. Your eyes start to throb. “Especially since all the blood in my body is currently in my head.” 

“Oh shit—Okay, just gimme a sec.” he slides his hands under your armpits. “A’right now let go.” 

“What?” 

“Just let go, sweetheart. I got you. You’ll be okay, promise.” 

With a sharp breath, you close your eyes and loosen your legs. Joel's arms wrap further beneath yours, drawing you closer. You feel the tightening of his biceps, feel the huff of his breath against your cheek. He takes a step back and suddenly unbalanced, he falls backward, pulling you along.

With a huff, Joel lands on his ass, and you find yourself comfortably nestled against his chest. It takes you only a second for your gaze to find his. You hold your breath and so does he. His hand pleasantly curls around your waist, keeping you from moving away. His chest is firm under your own, your nipples tightening when you shift a bit, the graze of fabric makes you shudder. 

His other hand comes to brush a strand of loose hair behind your ear. You swallow not once but twice. The warmth of Joel’s palm cradles your cheek and a slow breath exits your lungs. 

“You a’right?” 

“Y—Yeah. . . thanks for helping me out.” 

“My pleasure.” His voice is deep, hoarse even, and it scratches your ears just right. You find yourself drawn to him. Your eyes dropping to his lips and back up to meet his heavy-lidded gaze. His lips part. The divot in the middle of his bottom lip more prominent than ever. You lean in without a thought, he mimics you, coming in closer and closer. Your chest heaves. Your heart beating madly against your chest. 

“What the hell are you two doin’ canoodling here?” 

You jerk away, your eyes lingering on Joel long enough to see the disappointment in his gaze. His eyes close slowly and he takes a ragged breath. Shifting slightly you see Jack holding a hay bale. His eyes are narrowed, his brows knitted together as his gaze flits between you and Joel. You chew the inside of your cheek, embarrassment heating you from the inside out. 

“We ain’t canoodlin’,” Joel answers, agitated. “I found her hanging upside down under Honeydust’s belly. Who’s fault do you think is that?” 

Jack’s mouth opens and closes, his cheeks suddenly flushed. His gloved hands tighten around the hay as he pushes it up his arms. Then finally, with a softened gaze, he turns to you. “Are you okay?” 

“I’m fine,” you reply, your heart currently beating in your throat. “I just forgot to fasten the other side of the saddle.” 

Joel squeezes your waist and you’re suddenly hyper-aware that you’re basically on his lap still. “It’s not your fault, sweetheart. You have a shit teacher.” 

“Excuse me?” Jack’s tone is enough to have you scrambling off of Joel’s lap. If looks could kill, Joel would be dead right now. On your feet, you move towards Honeydust, and with great comfort, she nuzzles your chest. Joel smiles lazily when Jack drops the bale of hay and walks up to him. “You better take that back, old man.” 

“Yeah?” his eyes glow with mirth. “Make me.” 

Involuntarily you cover your mouth with a hand. Is it bad that you’re secretly enjoying this? The amount of testosterone in the air is thick enough to cut with a knife. 

Joel slowly gets up, as if he has all the time in the world, and faces Jack. He’s slightly taller than the latter, smile still tugging at his lips as he tilts his head ever so slightly down. Jack’s nostrils flare. 

“You want me to knock you out in front of our guest?” 

“I’d love to see you try.” 

Joel takes another step closer, his chest nearly flushed against the other, he jerks his head to the side and places his hands on his hips. You swear you see Jack’s skin darkening with a deep shade of red from his chest to his neck. His jaw is wired tight, the muscle there twitching. 

“How about this,” Joel grins. “You manage to make our sweet girl here a full-on cowgirl in two days and I’ll eat my words right outta your hand, Whiskey.” 

Jack huffs and clicks his tongue, “Don’t call me that.” 

“It’s your name isn’t it?” 

“It ain’t and you know it.” 

“Your parents shouldn’t have named you Jack Daniels,” Joel rolls his eyes, “Do we have a deal or not?” 

You hold your breath when Joel extends a hand. Jack’s eyes briefly find yours, his fingers twitching. The morning chill is still in the air and despite it, beads of sweat appear on your skin. Two days. Two days and you still don’t know how to put on a saddle right. With a small shake, you attempt to warn Jack but that only makes him smile. 

He turns to Joel, “Deal,” he answers, taking his hand. “Two days. Be ready to eat your words, old man.” 

They shake on it and as they do Joel gives you a not so subtle wink. It reminds you of just how close the two of you were a mere couple of minutes ago. You avert your gaze, suddenly shy to face him, and think about what might’ve happened if Jack hadn’t interrupted. 

When Joel leaves, Jack lets out a long sigh and turns to you. 

“You slipped, darlin’, really?” 

“In my defense, it was early.” 

“Fuckin’ hell.” He shakes his head but you see the way his lips curl upwards ever so slightly. “Anyway, wait for me here and I’ll be right back. We gotta get you into tip-top shape because I ain’t gonna lose to Joel.” 

“I warned you, you know,” you softly kick the dirt with the tip of your boot. 

Jack’s tongue moves over his bottom lip, a shudder crawls up your spine and heat pools between your legs. He grips the bale of hay and throws it over his shoulder. 

“That’s why I accepted the challenge, sugar. No guest of mine is gonna leave here without feelin’ like they can conquer the world.” 

“Jack this is impossible I’m never going to get the hang of this.” 

“With that attitude you sure ain’t gonna.” 

With a crooked smile, Jack watches as you draw your shoulders together and stomp your boot against the soil. The lasso is tight between your fingers, the tips of which are chafed from turning the lasso again and again in an attempt to loop the rope around one of the wooden posts. He tilts his head to the side when you turn to him, a pleading expression etched onto your beautiful face.

"This is never going to happen," you huff. However, instead of keeping his eyes locked on yours, his gaze drops to where your flannel hugs your breasts, the poor buttons struggling to keep it all together. His cock swells at the thought of licking them, sucking on your hard nipples while the sweetest noises flee from your lips. "Jack?"

He doesn’t hide the fact that he’s been staring at your gorgeous tits, he drags his gaze back slowly, his smile only growing upon seeing your parted lips and glazed eyes. “Yeah, sugar?” 

“We’re never going to win this thing with Joel,” you say and he doesn’t fail to notice how breathless you suddenly are. “How am I supposed to learn to do everything a cowboy can in two days? Seems a bit unfair.” 

“Not everythin’,” he struts towards you and peels the lasso from your fingers. “We just need to cover the basics. No one is expectin’ you to catch a knife in mid-air with a lasso.” 

Your brows furrow, “What? You’re saying you can actually do that?” 

“‘Course I can,” he chirps back. “Unlike you, I’m a top-notch cowboy.” 

His heart breaks a little when he sees how defeated you look, with a small nudge to your shoulder, he draws your gaze back to him. “Want me to show you again darlin’?” 

“Sure but I’m not sure it’ll do me any good. I’m horrible at this.” 

With a reassuring grin, Jack steps back, unwinding the lasso he took from you. He takes a moment to adjust the coils and then demonstrates the art of lassoing, the rope flying through the air in a graceful arc before landing perfectly around a wooden post.

“You see, it's all in the wrist,” he explains as he smoothly tightens the loop, making it look deceptively easy. He repeats the motion a couple of times, each throw precise and controlled.

“You know who’s really good at this?” he asks, returning his attention to you. “Joel.”

You snort, “I feel like that man is good at everything. But I’m not sure why you’re telling me that.”

“Well, you know who used to suck at it—me.”

“You?” you raise a sole eyebrow, and a teasing smile touches your lips. “You who can catch a knife in the air, supposedly, that is.”

“It takes a lot of practice, sugar. That's what I’m tryin’ to tell ya. I sucked at it. Couldn’t even do one loop. Then the old timer helped me out.”

“Joel?”

Yup," he says, noticing your shock. He had been shocked too when the man had shown him how to properly do it. It was both amazing and terrifying. Jack had never had someone care about him enough to actually show him how it's done instead of letting him struggle on his own. "And eventually, I got the hang of it. So will you.”

You smile wholeheartedly and take the lasso from him, “Thanks, Jack. I. . . I appreciate it. You actually really respect him, don’t you? Despite all the banter and arguing.” 

“That’s just how I show love, darlin’.” 

“You never argue with me.” 

His eyebrows tilt up, along with the corner of his lips. You avert your eyes as you loosely hold the rope in your hand, the exercise quickly forgotten. Jack closes the distance until there's only a breath of space between you two. He entertains the idea of lifting your head by the chin, forcing your gaze upon him, but he refrains. He wants you to listen to him and oblige.

“Look at me, darlin’,” His eyes shine with delight when you do, he leans closer. “You want me to fight you?” 

Your brows furrow, your lips forming the most adorable pout, “No. Of course not.” 

“You sure?” This time he does cup your cheek to keep your gaze fixed on him. His pinkies move towards your neck, drawing soft patterns up and down your skin. You visibly shudder, a soft breath escaping your lips. “I see how you watch when Joel and I start to bitch and moan at each other, sugar. You sure you’re not into it even a little?” 

He knows your answer. But he allows you to giggle and escape his hold anyway. “You’re ridiculous,” you say and as a response Jack wants to touch on the fact that you can’t look at him anymore, however, he’ll allow you to escape him for now. 

“Come on then, now that you got your giggles on, let’s see you at least pull in one of those cones.” 

While you attempt to just do that, Jack ends up regretting teasing you because he ends up thinking about Joel instead. It’s hard to admit that the constant bickering is the obvious telltale sign of something more. And he knows there’s something. Joel only weaponizes his tongue when you’re around. Or someone else for that matter. But when it’s just the two of them it’s different. It’s lingering touches and heavy scotch-filled conversations. Sometimes Joel would even whisper so he wouldn’t wake the others. Jack shivers as he remembers how Joel’s lips felt against the shell of his ear. Downright sinful. 

It always remained at that, however. Touches and looks and talks. Nothing more and nothing less. 

“Jack,” you say, your voice drawing him away from thoughts he’s happy to be drawn away from. “How did you end up here? Like with Joel and the rest.” 

“It’s not much of a story. I was lookin’ for a job and came here lookin’ for one.” He lifts his hat and combs his hair back with his fingers. “I actually met Tommy first. Joel doesn’t like the hiring process and says his younger brother is a better judge of character. I met him after I was hired. Then I met the little munchkins.” 

“You mean Sarah and Ellie?” 

“Yes ma’am I do,” he reaches forward, letting his fingers nearly brush yours. He chuckles, "I also know what you're doing, so stop stalling and throw the damn lasso already."

You take your bottom lip between your teeth and all Jack wants to do is pry it away from the sharp edges, "Oh, are we arguing? Should I add this moment to my journal?” you manage to lock your gaze with his, a grin spreading across your face. “Does this mean you love me?" 

He takes a step closer, leaning ever so slightly into your personal space. A hint of a smile pulling at the corners of his mouth, he breathes, "How 'bout this? You throw that rope, and I'll kiss you, sweetheart. Then you’ll really know what I feel."

Your eyes widen, "You’ll... excuse me?"

A wicked glint in his eyes, he quips, "I'll kiss you, full-blown on the lips. And believe me, it'll be my pleasure to lay one on you."

"Just throw the rope? Aren't you selling a bit short?"

Jack takes another step towards you and you can feel the heat radiating from him. His voice low and husky, he counters, "Fine then, manage to actually lasso something, and then I'll kiss you."

"You're mean. You said you'd only do it if I threw it." You challenge him by taking a step closer and he’s delighted to see it. 

Cupping her face in his hands, he grins, "Changed my mind. And you have yourself to blame for it."

With all his heart Jack wishes for you to make the throw. Something primal and ugly in him finds extreme joy in being the one to kiss you first. He hated to admit it, but his heart broke a little when he found you and Joel together, lips almost about to touch. He hated feeling like an outsider. Especially when it came from Joel.

With a determined glint in your eyes, you take a deep breath, and let it out slowly. Gripping the lasso in your hands, you start to swing it in a circular motion above your head. It’s sloppy and uneven but he can see how much care you’ve put into your stance. Jack watches intently, noting the way you shift your weight from one food to another, a subtle smile playing on his lips.

As the lasso gains momentum, you release it at just the right moment. It sails through the air, forming a perfect loop. Jack's eyes follow its trajectory, silently urging it to find its mark. The loop descends gracefully, and, with a satisfying thud, it settles around a nearby plastic cone and you pull it towards yourself, the plastic moving with ease. 

A triumphant grin breaks across your face as you complete the throw. “I did it,” you gasp in a low tone, panting. Your head suddenly snaps towards him, a shit-eating grin plastered over your perfect lips. “I DID IT!”  

Jack only smiles as he leans in and cradles your face in a rush. He crashes into you, lips meeting yours in an eager, lingering kiss. He teases the seam of your mouth with the tip of his tongue. Just a brief preview of how badly he wants this to happen. His hands slip to your ass, kneading the plump flesh, his cock stiffens at how you moan into his mouth. You press against him and Jack can’t help but roll his hips to feel more of you. It’s been so long. Too long since he felt something warm and tight around his cock. 

He parts away by dragging his lips down to your chin and from there to your neck. He nips at your pulse, feeling it beating against his mouth. 

“Jack,” you breathe. “I—Wow—” 

“Kissin’ is one thing I’m better at,” he chuckles deeply into your ear. “Among other things.” 

He holds you by the neck and gently pulls away. He can’t get enough of the expression you’re giving him; pupils blown and lips slightly parted. Your chest heaves heavily, your pulse beating wildly under his palm. Jack brushes your lips together, smiling upon hearing you whimper. 

“Now, throw that lasso again and I’ll give you another kiss.” 

And it all comes down to horse riding. You should be surprised but you’re not. 

The sun was finally setting over the ranch. A subtle chill settling at the base of your snake as the sun went down. It had been a tiring day full of lasso throwing, ax throwing, and knotting. Your back ached and when the final challenge finally befell you all you wanted to do was go back to your room and sleep. The only thing that gave you an ounce of energy was Jack’s proud smile after every challenge that was won. Joel seemed genuinely impressed. And you were genuinely surprised to find yourself acing every task. Seeing how smug Jack got made your heart flutter and stomach draw tight. 

The two of you had done a lot of kissing that day. It hadn’t gone any further but deep down you really wanted it to. 

You feel a deep sense of Deja Vu when you find yourself staring at Honeydust with a saddle in hand. You take a deep breath, fingers tightening around the leather. The open air gives you a sense of calm, the cloudy sky a pleasure to gaze upon.

Jack touches the small of your back, goosebumps rising across your skin at the gentle touch, “You got this darlin’ don’t worry so much.” 

You briefly glance at the track Joel and Jack had set up for you. Wooden fences stand tall at various intervals, creating a series of jumps that make you sweat just by thinking about them. Your eyes linger on the strategically placed cones that form a zigzag pattern. 

“Honestly no matter what happens I’m impressed,” Joel cuts in, cupping Honeydust’s cheek. Your gaze moves deftly from the track to the man standing before you. As always, he looks amazing in his red and yellow flannel. “You’ve done well sweetheart.” 

“Maybe you should just forfeit and accept we won then,” you answer, smiling. Joel shakes his head. 

“Someone is sure of herself.” 

“Hell yeah, I am.” 

“Look at that,” Jack pipes. “Soundin’ like a true cowboy already.” 

You expertly secure the saddle onto Honeydust's back. The leather feels cool beneath your fingertips as you tighten the straps, ensuring a snug fit. Adjusting the stirrups, you make sure they're the perfect length for your legs. As you stand beside the horse, you can feel the intensity of Joel and Jack's gazes on you. Their eyes trace the curves of your movements, a subtle tension lingering in the air.

With everything in place, you take a deliberate breath and swing yourself onto the saddle. The leather creaks slightly under your weight as you settle into position. Honeydust shifts beneath you. You catch Joel's gaze, and a sly smirk plays on his lips. His eyes linger a moment longer than necessary, you let out a puff of air, your legs tighten around Honeydust..

"Remember, just go with the flow. You and Honeydust are a team," Jack advises and with that, you head off. 

Gently nudging your heels against the horse's side, you urge Honeydust into a graceful gallop around the track. The steadying thud of her hooves pounding against the dirt creates a harmony that molds with the song of the wind, transporting you to a place of serenity. Each hurdle makes your heart jump with excitement. The jumps seem impossible at times. As you zigzag through the cones, you can feel Honeydust's muscles tense and relax under your hands, transitioning from one step to the next with the gracefulness of a dance—

A sudden jolt disrupts the rhythm, and you find yourself tumbling to the ground. You let out a deep groan as your back hits the earth and with the corner of your eye, you see Joel taking hold of Honeydust’s reins, calming the poor palomino. Jack’s face comes into vision a second later. 

"You okay, darlin'?" When you nod and begin to get up, his worry turns to frustration as he glances at Joel. "This was supposed to be about teaching, not pushing her to the damn limit."

"I didn't mean for her to fall, Jack. So don’t act like that was my intention."

“No, your intention was to make me look like I don’t know what I’m doin’.” 

Jack, eyes still glued on Joel, helps you up. Your head is still spinning a little from the adrenaline rush but other than that you feel fine. Your eyes flitting between both men, your stomach twists and turns at how they’re both glaring at each other. This time is different from the arguments. This time they both genuinely look like they’re about to explode. Joel has his jaw tight while Jack has both hands in tight fists. “Guys. . .” 

"Why you gotta make everythin’ personal?" Joel snaps, ignoring you all together. “It was just meant to be a harmless bet.” 

Jack's eyes narrow, he tears his hand away from yours and your heart drops, "You're the one who makes it damn personal by goadin’ me all the damn time."

“That’s. . .” Joel’s eyes grow soft, his demeanor changing entirely. You watch the furrow between his brows relax, his shoulders sagging ever so slightly. “I’m—” 

“Can it,” Jack hisses through gritted teeth and raises a hand. “I don’t want your apology, I just wanna go. Unless you think I’m gonna be bad at that too.” 

You reach out, head still spinning, your fingers graze the back of his jacket and he slips from between your grasp. You part your lips to call out to him. To tell him to come back. But Joel takes a hold of your hand and lowers it with the shake of his head. 

“I know where he’s goin’. Let’s go.” 

“Are you telling me he has a brooding spot?” 

“He does.”

The sun had set. The crickets now singing under the starry night, but Joel can't focus on any of it. He can’t because he might’ve actually screwed everything up for good this time— which would be typical of him.  

After months of contemplating whether he should take the next step or not, he’d finally made Jack snap. That had never been Joel’s intention, obviously. But he wasn’t the best at flirting. Never had been. And when Jack came into his life, all fresh faced and a lashing tongue, he couldn’t help but fall for him a little. 

You’re walking just a little bit behind him, trying to keep up. He can feel you staring at him. Your eyes curious like a newborn gazelle’s. 

“If you stare any harder I’m gonna start blushin’ sweetheart.” 

“I’m. . . I wasn’t. . .” 

“Sure you were,” he sighs. “It wasn’t my intention to be hard on him you know. It just. . . sorta happens. I care a lot about him and I just want him to. . . “ He clamps his mouth shut. What was he supposed to say? How he was hoping that all the teasing would finally push Jack into his arms? How he wanted to do more than touch Jack when he knew no one else could see. 

“You want him to. . .  what exactly?” 

“I don’t know,” he says through gritted teeth. “It’s complicated between us.” 

“You both have a crush on each other and don’t know what to do about it. It’s not that complicated.”

Joel’s mouth opens and closes— then opens again. “And how the hell do you know that?” 

“Because he talks about you a lot,” you answer with a soft smile. “He said he cares about you. And about your opinion.” Joel’s eyes narrow as you rub the back of your head, your eyes dropping to where you would be taking your next step. “I just don't know where I fit in all of this.” 

“What do you mean?” 

“You and I almost kissed,” you say finger moving between you two. “Jack and I actually kissed. And well. . . I don’t want to get in the middle of anything. It might be a bit sudden but I like you guys, I care about you, and want you guys to be together if that’s what you want.” 

“It’s not your job to worry about us.” Joel huffs, his guilt gnawing at him. “But I get what you mean. We. . . we didn’t intend to put you in that position. I can assure you this wasn’t some twisted game we were tryin' to play. I can't talk for Jack but I care about you. And I care about him if that makes sense. But I fear that me being emotionally constipated might’ve ruined it with him. He gets mad every time I open my mouth.” 

“That’s because you tease him all the time and honestly he’s not doing any better than you.” Joel’s eyes go wide when you suddenly cradle his cheeks and bring his face towards your own. “And you haven't ruined anything Mr. Miller. You just need to tell him exactly what you’ve been telling me.” 

“You think so?” 

“I know so.” 

Before he can reach he feels the soft touch of your lips. You kiss him slowly—tenderly. Joel follows your lead, parting his lips, he allows you to slip your tongue inside. He sucks on your tongue, enjoying the way your body presses against his. 

When you pull back, you’re completely dazed.

“Now what was that for?” he asks.

“To keep everything even” you answer, smiling. “Now let's go get our brooding cowboy.” 

It doesn’t take long for that to happen. They find Jack sitting on the ground, his back pressed snugly against the wooden fence. He’s staring at the stars. The gentle light streaming down his face and down his neck, Joel’s heart skips a beat at the sight and he feels as though he can’t breathe. 

Only when they walk closer does he notice the bottle of whiskey. He lifts the bottle to his lips and takes a swig, Joel’s eyes follow the way drops of amber trickle down his sun-kissed skin. 

All Joel wants to do is lick the bitter drop off of him. 

The two stop before him. Neither of you knowing what to do or what to say. Joel attempts to apologize by parting his lips and that is the exact moment where Jack finally meets his gaze. 

“I know,” he says curtly. “Sit.” Jack extends the bottle of whiskey. Joel, without a word, sits down and takes the bottle. Just as he’s taking a swig, he notices you’re about to leave.  Thankfully Jack stops that from coming to fruition. “And where do you think you’re goin’? Sit your ass over here.” 

Joel almost cackles at how shocked you look. With the tiniest yelp escaping your lips you sit down right next to Jack. Taking a mouthful of whiskey, Joel extends you the bottle. You take it and chug it down immediately—Jack snorts and finally Joel feels comfortable enough to laugh alongside him. 

“Calm down darlin’, it ain’t runnin’ away.” 

“Sorry,” you hiccup, shoving the bottle into Jack’s chest. “I’m nervous.” 

“Well, don’t be,” Jack sighs and his head falls back against the fence. “I shouldn’t have reacted that way. I—” 

“We know,” Joel says with a fond smile. He throws his arm over Jack’s shoulder and cups the back of his head, his hat tumbling to the ground—it was now or never. 

For the first time, Joel brings their faces together without the tease of what he might or might not do. He kisses Jack tenderly, softly. Just like how he wanted to treat him during all those nights they were alone together. Jack digs his fingers into Joel’s shirt, nails nearly biting into the skin. Much to Joel’s surprise, the other man tastes sweet. Their tongues move together, still unsure but eager to explore. 

When Joel opens his eyes ever so slightly, he sees you staring in awe. 

He nearly breaks away laughing. But also, he can’t really blame you for your expression. 

It really does feel magical. 

You hold your breath. Every nerve ending you have is buzzing with want and arousal. The space between your legs pulsing as you watch Joel tilting his head, slipping his tongue through Jack’s eager lips. Deep down you feel like you’re intruding. That this is a tender moment that should just be between the two men but you can’t help but stay there, like a deer in headlights, watching.  

You shudder at the sound of Jack moaning, his hands grip Joel’s shoulder and host himself up the older man’s lap. He grinds down, swallowing Joel’s gasps, he parts away, a trail of saliva connecting the two. You’re still holding your breath. The tips of your fingers numb, your brain a whirlwind as it registers the sight before you. 

“Stupid old man,” Jack rasps, tilting his head to the side. “Gettin’ all sappy.” Then his heavy gaze finds your struck ones. He reaches out and in a dream-like state you take his hand, his fingers hastily close around your wrist and tugs you towards him. Your gasp is caught in your throat when he kisses you. The taste of Joel and whiskey still heavy on his tongue. 

A hand that doesn’t belong to Jack trails up the curve of your ass and squeezes. A choked-out moan drops from your lips only for Jack to shove his tongue between them. He sucks on your tongue and nips at your bottom lip all the while rolling his hips over Joel’s lap. 

“God, look at you two,” Joel groans, giving your ass another firm squeeze before moving his attention to Jack’s spread thighs. “I want to watch you eat that pretty pussy up, Jack. Bet you want that too. . .” 

Joel palms Jack’s cock through the denim, stroking him with a smug smile. Jack parts away from your lips with a whimper. His chest heaves. “Yeah,” he gasps, staring into your eyes, and his hips jerk, chasing the heat of the other’s palm. “Want you to make a mess of me, sugar.”

“Please,” you answer albeit not really needed. Your body falls back to sit on your heels, Joel crashes his lips against the younger cowboy’s, drinking the noises in like a starved man. He rips his flannel open while straightening himself, the momentum of the movement forcing Jack to grip Joel’s shoulders. He slides off of Joel’s lap, the kiss breaking when he directs his full lust-addled attention to you. 

His gaze is enough for you to start struggling with the buttons of your jeans. You kick them off in a rush and before you can take off your shirt Jack is already laying you down upon the soil, the stars above blinking down at you with mischief. Joel sitting close, pulls your head so you’re nestled comfortably above his lap. His hands cradle your face, thumbs stroking your skin gently. It’s a complete contrast compared to how Jack is. He slides your panties to the side, the pad of his thumb resting right above your clit, he stares at your from between your spread-out thighs. 

“Fuckin’ delicious,” he mutters right before delving in. He drags his tongue slowly up your folds while tenderly stroking your clit. Your back arches off of the earth, your eyes fluttering closed as he goes back down, only to kiss you tenderly. He takes his time with you. His jaw moving and tongue teasing your fluttering entrance. Your breath catches in your throat, your chest rattling, Joel shushes you while praising Jack at the same time. 

When your eyes finally open, you find Joel looking down at you. His thumb traces the underline of your bottom lip and moves down until he reaches the hem of your flannel. Flattening his thumb over your stomach, he pushes the fabric up until he exposes you to the sky completely. He cups both your breasts and smooths his fingers over your tingling nipples. 

“So hard already. . . you must really like what he’s doin’ down there huh?” 

Tears stinging the corner of your eyes, you nod. Your silent reply is answered with a sharp bite to the inside of your thigh. Your body jolts, a gasp of pain rattling your throat. Joel smiles. “I think he wants to hear you, sweetheart.”

“I love it,” you moan and as a reward, he pinches your nipples. 

“Good girl.” 

Jack presses his tongue deeper, your body clenching at both the words and the movement. He groans into your cunt, the bridge of his nose brushing your aching clit deliciously as he swirls his tongue. Your stomach coils tight and you push more of yourself into Joel’s palms, your mouth drops wide. You want more. You need more. You want them both to take and take and take—take until you forget your own damn name. 

“Joel. . .” you breathe. He looks down at you curiously. “I want to suck your cock.” 

Jack stops only for a moment before his eyes flutter closed and loses himself in you. Vaguely you can see the way he grinds down, a groan reverberating between your legs. Joel sucks in a breath and exhales from his nose. “You sure?” 

Your answer is ready on your tongue, and as soon as you give it to him, he expertly unbuttons himself. The tip of his cock pushes against your lips and your breath hitches. Precome smears over the soft flesh, your tongue darting out for a taste, you end up tasting from the source instead. Joel’s hips stutter. 

“Holy fuckin’ hell,” his hips jerk a second time, this time thrusting himself deeper into your mouth. You feel him leaning over, a second later you understand he’s reaching for the other man who is working you toward your orgasm. “Jack com’ere—Let me taste her.” 

Jack doesn’t make Joel repeat himself and unwillingly pulls himself away from between your legs. Your tongue swirls around Joel’s cock as Jack kisses him deeply. He licks himself deep into the older man’s mouth, stealing a moan deep within Joel’s chest. While Jack steals the breath from Joel’s lungs, he pushes two fingers into you with ease. Your eyes rolling, you take more of Joel into your mouth, prompting the other to instinctively thrust deep enough to make you choke around him. 

He parts from Jack with a gasp, “Fuck, that’s it, sweetheart, choke on it.” he says through gritted teeth. Both men look down at you with dark eyes, the shadows caused by the moonlight caress their backs, deepening every crease of their faces. You shudder. 

You’re surprised to see Jack dipping down, lower from where you’re sucking Joel’s cock, he sucks the tender skin of the base, and the sound that Joel makes almost feels inhumane. 

But Jack doesn’t linger. He pulls away from both of you, his torso tall between your legs, he strokes himself at the sight of your mouth full of the man he admires. 

“You like having your mouth full, darlin’? Such a dirty girl allowing two men to have you like this out in the open.” 

You whimper and nod, eyes flooding with tears as Joel shoves himself deeper. Spit and precome trickle down from where his cock stretches your lips. 

“Fuckin’ filthy,” Jack says giving himself a firm squeeze before swiping his palm over the head of his cock. With his other hand, he follows the contour of your leg, reaches all the way to your hip. “You’re ‘bout to feel much fuller.” 

He shoves himself inside you with a single thrust; your channel tightens around him, a moan escaping your throat. Your mouth is pulled away from Joel briefly, gasping for air, before he pulls you back. He adjusts his hips and slides back into your mouth, kneading the back of your neck.

“You feel that? How hot and wet you are? Both of us stretching you?” Jack's voice is gruff as he thrusts into you; your eyes close as pleasure radiates through your body, your skin left tingling. You can hear Joel moan and pant in the background, his cock throbs above your tongue and you hollow out your cheeks.

Your eyes flutter as Jack's cock glides in and out of you; his plunges getting deeper with every thrust. You feel overwhelmed by both of them. You’re left breathless and spinning. You feel only them and nothing else. 

You grip onto Joel to keep yourself teetered to the moment as Jack's movements become more desperate, Joel matching him thrust for thrust. With each gasp, Joel's cock slides further down your throat. 

The tightness inside your body grows; waves of pleasure cascade through you. The pressure builds and builds and builds—You’re so close you can taste it. Jack presses a palm over your mound, adding pressure as he draws quick and tight circles around your clit. Your throat convulses around Joel’s cock and he pulls out, his length resting comfortably above your lips. You breathe heavily against him, his cock slick and warm on your skin. 

“Atta girl,” he coos. “Just a bit more. . . Show us how pretty you look when you come.” 

You feel the pressure between your legs mounting with each hard thrust from Jack, your moans becoming louder and more desperate. Joel encourages Jack to go faster, and with each plunge you feel the tension in your core build higher and higher. 

And finally the coil snaps. 

Your whole body trembles and shakes. Your orgasm still rolling over your body like a violent wave. Jack pumps his hips into yours as he digs his hands into your hips. He keeps thrusting relentlessly, pushing himself as far in as he can before he pulls out. His jaw goes slack, cock gliding over your mound, he spills over your skin. You shudder at the trickle of his seed. 

Joel’s cock slides across your lips, teasing you. Your tongue darts out and quickly wraps around him, you tilt your head to take in all of his length. You push your mouth onto him, bobbing your head up and down until he groans. His hips buck erratically and at the same time you feel the touch of Jack’s mouth against the side of your neck. 

You swallow everything that he offers you, savoring every moment of the taste of him. You stay close to him until his breathing returns to normal, his thighs shaking underneath you as he pulls out. 

“Holy shit,” Jack chokes out as he collapses on top of you, head right above your chest. Joel wipes the sole tear that had escaped you eye and smiles. You bring his palm to your lips and kiss the rough skin. 

“It’s going to be hard walking away from all of this,” you whisper, shuddering when Jack’s mouth moves against the side of your breasts. 

“Who says you have to walk away?” 

You don’t have it in you to go into the details of your life and how you have to go. Or entertain the idea that maybe the things that you thought were important aren’t as essential that you thought after all. It’s pure chaos and right now all you want is to feel their warmth against your bare skin under the stars. 

For now, you are content and feeling grateful for the two amazing men who coincidentally made themselves an inseparable part of your life.  

[thisiswhereikeepdcthings]

Red Hood Enterprises

Jeff: Okay, here’s the deal. Boss is unexpectedly unavailable tonight, so it’s up to us.

Assembled Red Hood Goons: *nodding*

Jeff: And we are NOT going to screw this up, right?

Goon: *more nodding*

Jeff: Good. Now, who has the posters?

Later

Mrs. Abarca, High School Physics Teacher: Can I help you, gentlemen?

Jeff: Hi, yes, we’re here for the career fair?

Mrs. Abarca: Do you have your confirmation forms?

Jeff: Oh, yeah, right here.

Mrs. Abarca, reading the form: “Red Hood Enterprises…”

Mr. Garber, High School History Teacher:

Ms. Patel, High School English Teacher:

Mrs. Abarca: *clears throat* May I see your display materials?

Dan: I gott’em. *holds up one of the posters*

Ms. Patel: Those look… very lovely.

Dan, beaming: Thank you, ma’am.

Mr. Garber, reading a flyer he just got handed by one of Red Hood’s…employees: “How to read and understand a benefits package…”

Jeff, nodding: It’s important sh- … uh, stuff to know when looking for a job.

Victor: Yeah, otherwise you might end up with some kind of fu- … er, lame insurance coverage or something.

Ms. Patel: Insurance coverage…

Aiden: Yeah, like my first job? Total shi……… really lousy. Benefits. Pretty bad. Didn’t even have dental.

Ms. Patel, reading over the flyer: These are actually all really good points…

Mrs. Abarca: Well. Why don’t you boys just go on in and get your things set up.

Jeff: Thank you!

*a dozen or so red hood goons head towards the gym*

Ms. Patel: Do you think this is okay?

Mr. Garber: Do you think he’s hiring?

Mrs. Arbaca: Was that Aiden Sergeant?

Mr. Garber: Huh, I think it was.

Ms. Patel: Who?

Mrs. Arbaca: Oh, he would have been here before you started teaching.

Mr. Garber: What, six years ago or so?

Mrs. Arbaca: Hmm. Yes. Nice kid. Very good at math.

Ms. Patel: Huh.

Later, at the manor

Duke: Okay, you would not BELIEVE who I saw at the career fair.

Steph: What? Who?

Duke: Jeff.

Steph: Wait, like-

Duke: Yeah. THAT Jeff.

Steph: Wow.

Duke: Right?

Steph: What was he there for? Demolitions?

Duke, shaking his head: HR representative.

Steph: Huh.

Duke: For Red Hood.

Steph:

Steph: Huh.

[allaboutnayeli]

hidden fear [m.leon x reader]

prompt: mapi has a secret fear of flights

author notes: this is me trying to force myself to write 🙇🏽‍♀️ im going to do abunch of blurbs/mini fics based off single words. this blurb's word is "fear." can y'all tell i have never been to an airport or Ona plane before? yeah.. anyways hopefully y'all enjoy it 💗

one perk of being a soccer player was the opportunity to travel the world and see so many new places that the average person wouldn't have the time or resources to see. you always enjoyed this fact, not even needing to plan a lot of vacations to destinations outside of spain since you have seen many countries; that doesn't mean you don't take the first opportunity to go somewhere else if offer though.

all players are used to flying once they go pro. even before they join the pro leagues, college teams and youth national teams travel quite a lot too. even if it's not enjoyable the players just have to deal with it. taking flights is a part of the job. some people hate it, others don't really care, and some love it.

however, you have never seen a professional footballer ever be afraid of flying or at least admit it out loud. especially not a player who's been pro for more than six years; isn't it natural to get over it at some point? well you met your first when you started dating mapi.

when you first joined barcelona you weren't the most talkative person. often just carrying on small talk during practice and going home right after. mapi was intrigued by your quietness. the spanish team had it's fair share of introverts, but after a while of being in the team they open up to being pretty loud themselves. why weren't you? soon enough she was trying her hardest to get you out of your shell. inviting you to activities outside of soccer related things like dinner or going to the beach, talking to you in the locker room since you were near her cubby, and pulling you into vibrant conversations with the others. all of her effort weren't in vain as you eventually did open up; becoming quite bubbly and even mirroring some of mapi's own social habits.

all this spending time together outside of soccer made the strong friendship between the spainard and you slowly transform into something else. with your quiet nature, you weren't going to confess your feelings first. even after opening up to mapi more than the others; it just wasn't apart of your personality. so instead she took it upon herself to ask you out one day. after practice pulling you to the side after a long practice filled with mistakes to ask you if you wanted to go to dinner like usual, but instead of as friends, it would be as lovers. obviously you said yes and here you are a year later, stronger than ever.

for that entire year you two have been together so far, mapi has been hiding a secret from you. from everyone.

mapi was afraid of flying. she was good at hiding her nerves everytime the team boarded a plane by saying she was just tired or hungry. all her hiding came to a head one day when barcelona was about to be on their way to a uwcl match against lyon.

"do you think they have pretzels in the airport in france? the pretzel shop here is all out," you pout at your girlfriend as you two sit in the airport. it was around an hour before it was time for the team to board the flight, so just like any seasoned flyer, everyone was getting their snacks and drinks.

mapi laughs seeing your pout. finding it absolutely adorable. she pecks it off your lips, "i don't know. do the french even like pretzels?" she says after pulling away. the kiss does wipe the pout off your face, but doesn't help your little problem.

"i don't know and that's why they're so strange!" you throw your hands up in over exaggerated annoyance. your right hand ends up colliding right with keira who was sitting next to you. she playfully scoffs before pushing your hand down, "let's just focus on the match. not the lack of pretzels. they have baguettes which is essentially the same thing but tall and long."

"that's what she said," mapi giggles. her words earn her a small smack on the back head by alexia who somehow made her way over to you three without any of you noticing her. the short haired woman pouts as she rubs the spot alexia smacked her. "act your age, mapi," the spanish captain says, "anyways i came over here to tell you guys that it's going to be raining outside when we board, so have on some type of jacket or coat."

mapi side eyes alexia which makes the woman almost smack the back of her head again. "and i mean it, maria. you get sick easily, don't even try to act like you don't," alexia chuckles. soon after walking off to go tell the others scattered around the airport.

you pull mapi into a slightly awkwardly positioned hug the moment she starts her childish whining. "she just hit me!" mapi fake whines, holding onto your arm. keira rolls her eyes. focusing all of her attention onto her phone instead of mapi's shenanigans. the spainard drags on the act for a few more minutes before letting out a sigh. there was an obvious drop in her mood once you let her go. your mind races to find a reason why your girlfriend went from being her usually childish self to quiet.

"what is it, babes? don't want to wear a jacket?" you joke. trying to lighten up her mood. she lets out a short laugh but goes back to her unusual behavior. mapi tries to make herself behave like usual, but too many thoughts about the rain were bothering her. what if the rain makes the plane act funny? what if the rain turns into a thunder storm? how would a plane even go through the thunder and lightning? too many thoughts that she was not about to share; what would think of her?

"c'mon, what is it? i'm here to help you if it's anything crazy," you lean in towards her. not sure if she was okay with openly saying her feelings in such a public space. well, no one was truly around. all of the other barcleona players in their own conversations, lazing around, or still getting food. no one would hear anything she says.

mapi purses her lips before sighing. what would be the harm in telling you? you know everything else about her. "i'm scared.." she whispers to you.

"scared of what?"

"of the plane. of flying in general," the spainard pouts when your expression of confusion turns into a light hearted one. you giggle but stop once mapi has that sad look on her face. "why have you never told me? and why haven't i ever noticed?" you question quietly. shrugging before pecking mapi's lips.

"babe, did you think i would laugh? i am but not because i find it stupid. it's okay to be afraid of flying. i'm afraid of the dark and i'm not eight anymore"

mapi lets out a genuine laugh at that. easily slipping into teasing you as she says, "oh? thank you for that info, amor. it will be handy later." you give her shoulder a light slap making her say ow. she rubs the place you hit and pouts at her, "what was that for?"

"if you prank me using the dark, i will hurt you," you playfully threaten. mapi just smiles at that. your hand grabs onto her free one and squeezes, "anyways. mapi, it's okay to be afraid of flying. you should have told me sooner so i could be there for you on flights."

"yeah. lo siento, princesa," she squeezes your hand back. just happy you weren't making fun of her; not that she thought you would, but still her mind isn't always rational with its fears. mapi pecks your cheek before whispering to you, "but don't tell anyone else. i'm not ready for the teasing."

you just nod your head. already knowing how quick the majority of the barcelona players are to jab at and joke at each other.

coach soon tells everyone to get ready to go. mapi now feeling more settled after telling you about her little secret. once on the flight, your girlfriend gets all comfortable in her window seat. holding onto your hand for almost the entire flight unless you had to get up and use the bathroom.

telling you about her little secret wasn't so bad after all.

© thinkingaboutjaedyn

[leilani-lily]

~Oh Deer~ (Chapter 1)

... So this idea for an Alastor x reader (kinda?) story popped in my brain, and has refused to leave me no matter how hard I try.

Have I written fanfiction recently? Hell no.

Do I even know how to write for an AroAce character? No but I'm gonna do my damndest to represent him properly (and also relying on outer sources so I'm not offending anyone).

Do I feel like a complete fool for being sucked back into the fanfiction world and re-entering with a freakin Hazbin Hotel fic? ABSOOOO-FREAKIN-LUTELY.

But here we are. The writing gods have spoken. And they have declared that I write this story out so my poor brain can focus on other things like work.

Figured I'd share so it's just not on my computer all lonely. Will be a slow burn so fair warning. Let's be real, the deer boi needs love. But not overly romantic love. Just, someone he ends up really caring about and becoming his favourite.

SYNOPSIS: AroAce! Alastor x Chef!Singer! Reader. The hotel is looking to hire a chef to prepare meals for the staff/guests. Somehow you're hired and you begin your new life. And somehow end up becoming close to a certain Radio Demon. Word Count: 1.8 K

Chapter 1 under the cut. Enjoy I guess? ٩(ˊᗜˋ*)و ♡

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Ok, deep breaths y/n. Remember to smile.

You felt your lips curl up into a strained grin as if to fight off the nerves in your chest, your grip tightening on the flyer in your fist. This could go either two ways. One, you get the job and are able to live a life of somewhat normality. Or two, you get hung from the tippy top of the building by your own intestines. With your legs chopped off. And one of your arms sticking out of your ass.

Gotta love Hell and it’s creative subjects.

You shake your head out of those terrible thoughts, surely it wouldn’t be that bad?? When you saw the original broadcast on the 666 News, you couldn’t stop thinking how nice the Princess of Hell actually was. And building an entire hotel to help her subjects reform into something better was, perhaps a little optimistic in your opinion, but it made you admire her gumption and her love for her subjects.

So later when you found the flyer in search of a chef at the very same establishment the princess was hoping to fill… well, it somehow managed to get you all the way here. Standing at the doorsteps of the very lonely looking hotel on the hill. 

You had to admit it wasn’t the look you had imagined, but hey, this was Hell. You had seen worse. And everyone has to start somewhere. Including yourself, arm still poised ready to knock yet not yet making the motion.

You felt so stupid, you had been standing here for almost 10 minutes now just trying to get the courage to enter the damn building. You sigh to yourself and shake out the jitters. Alright, let’s just do this. Once again, you smile, puff out your chest and raise your arm high in the air, ready to strike with a newfound courage.

“Well folks, looks like the little lady is finally ready to take the leap! Will she follow through with her actions? Or will she choke and back out of the fight? Let’s tune in and find out~”

You felt your heart nearly leap out of your chest as you whip your head around to look behind you. A tall demon clad in red and ruby eyes stood behind you, a wickedly wide grin filling his face as he points what appears to be a microphone in your direction. You stare at it dumbly, then make eye contact with him again. He remains poised, half lidded eyes seeming to hold a sparkle of impish joy. His eyes flicker from you, to your raised arm, and back to you. After a embarrassingly long time of connecting the dots, you finally extend your arm closer to the door, never breaking focus on the demon behind you (you can't help but notice he raises his microphone even closer to you), and give the door a good solid knock.

“AND SHE’S DONE IT FOLKS, what a display!!” He pulls the microphone back to himself, as you continue to stare dumbfounded “The form, the elegance, it could almost make a grown Imp cry. Let's give her a hand people.” He begins to clap as a roar of applause plays from… somewhere.

You couldn’t tell if this guy was being sarcastic or genuine, but the whole absurdity of it all, plus the bundle of nerves you were feeling earlier, seemed to bubble up inside of you and you couldn't help a little snort escape. The red demon’s grin widened as he ceases his clapping, stepping closer to you as you continue to giggle.

“Ahhh now isn’t that better. A much nicer smile than the one you were faking earlier. Besides, there’s no need to be so shy my dear. This hotel is always happy to accept wayward demons looking for reformation!”

Upon hearing his words, you turn to face him and put your hands up “Oh nono, I’m not here to-”

“Ohoho~! and what’s this you have here?” Before you can finish your sentence, the tall demon ripped the flyer out of your hand and inspected it quickly, before turning back to you. His half-lidded gaze was now round with surprise, his grin becoming even wider (which you didn’t even think was possible).

“So THAT explains the nerves from before! And here I was just thinking you were a timid little thing. But a business woman! Now that I can admire.” He smiles at you almost impressed and leans in closer, your noses almost touching.

“Tell me my dear, can you make a good jambalaya? Or perhaps a hearty gumbo with cornbread on the side~?”

You were so flustered with the speed of everything happening (plus the close proximity of this demon you had just met certainly didn’t help). All you could manage was a jumbled “Uhh, well yes I-!”

“WONDERFULLLL~!" He straightens up again and you sigh with relief. “I’ll be sure to test you on such skills. But for now we should-”

The front doors of the hotel suddenly burst open and a short gray female stands before you, with long silvery hair and an eyepatch. She looks at you for a moment, before turning her gaze at the red demon and giving him a scowl.

“Alastor, what the HELL took you so long, you should’ve been back ages ago. And quit creeping out new potential clients.” Her gaze adverts back to you, expression softening ever so slightly, “Seriously, if he’s bothering you-” “Oh Vaggie my dear, no need to be so hostile. I was simply going over business with our newest chef!” he brings his long fingers up behind your shoulder and pulls you in close against his chest, making you yelp a moment before regaining composure. You could sense this so-called 'Vaggie' demon tense, eyes flickering between the two of you. You felt as if your brain was sputtering to catch up with the current conversation (he WORKS here??!)  before finally realizing what he had just called you. You sneak a look at him, and he gives you a quick wink before focusing back on the female before him. 

“Now be a doll and have Nifty tidy up one of the rooms, preferably one of a reasonable size and close to the kitchen. And call upon Charlie as well, she’ll DEFINITELY want to meet our newest addition!”

The female in front of you shot a glare at Alastor (you quickly noted these two did not seem to get along), but then flicked her gaze back at you. After a moment, she sighed and turned back into the building as she followed the male demon’s orders. You couldn’t help but notice how Alastor’s grip on you tightened ever so slightly as a chuckle escaped his lips, static humming ever so louder in amusement. He himself began to walk into the hotel, guiding you along with him.

"Now then. We’ll have to introduce you to everyone, as well as get you to fill in the proper paperwork, give you a proper tour of the place and-!”

“Wait wait,” you stop walking, causing him to halt. You notice a slight twitch in his eye and his hand squeezes you for a moment. He doesn’t like to be interrupted, duly noted. You take a breath.

“Sorry, uh for interrupting” That seemed to please him. “But does this mean… I got the job?? You don’t need a resume or a test or…?”

Alastor let out a guffaw of amusement “Why of course my dear! As long as you remain true to your word of being able to cook a good New Orleans dish, that’s all the proof I’ll need! There hasn’t been many a demon coming here interested in the job, so I say your timing couldn’t be more perfect!”

Well that was the easiest damn interview you’ve ever done. You felt yourself exhale a sigh of relief as you smile up to the tall demon. 

“Wow, that’s… that’s amazing, thank you so much.” He gave you a half lidded smirk, clearly enjoying being praised “So… does this make you my boss, Mr…?” 

You heard the sound of a record screech as his eyes widened in surprise. Hand finally leaving your shoulder and placing it on his own chest he began to laugh heartilly, a laugh track playing in the background. You stood there confused for a moment before he finally responded.

“Ohhh my goodness me, my mother would be rolling in her grave if she ever heard about this. How rude of me to be so forward without properly introducing myself!” One minute he was standing right beside you, and then the next he had sunken like a shadow into the floor, only to appear in front of you a few steps ahead. With grace and suave you didn’t realize he possessed, he gave a small hand flourish before bowing in front of you.

“I am Alastor, also known as the Radio Demon. I happen to be the Hotel’s Facility Manager, but you’ll find Miss Morningstar is the real ringleader around here,” You notice the corner of his lip twitch at that last remark, but you pay no mind to it. “If you ever have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to reach out to me.” You smile and dip yourself in your own little curtsy as he straightens up.

“My name is y/n, and I’ll be sure to do my best to serve you and this hotel, sir.” Alastor seemed to hum with approval as he looks down at you. “I guess I just have one more question for you, if that’s alright.” 

“Why of course dear y/n, whatever would it be?”

“Well, I uh…” You feel yourself becoming flustered at the question, and the radio demon seemed to notice. Cocking a head to the side, he takes a step forward, opening his arms into a friendly gesture.

“Come now dearest, you can ask me anything! If we’re going to be working together, we have to be honest with each other~” You look up at him and sigh, knowing he was right. With a gulp you straighten your back and wear a serious expression.

“How long did you see me standing by the door?” 

Alastors face didn’t waver, it was hard to tell what was going on in his mind. Then his smile grew into what looked like an amused, smug expression before answering.

“The whole time.”

You groaned and felt your head slap against your hand, making Alastor burst into laughter yet again at your expense. He was there watching the entire time?? Satan’s Ass you felt like such an idiot. Was he waiting for you to move so he could get in the building?? The more you thought about it the more you wanted to sink into the floor and die, for a 2nd time. The radio demon wiped a stray tear from his eye.

“Ohhhh y/n, what a riot you are. I can already tell that this is going to be fun~”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

First chapter hoorayyy ♡〜٩( ˃▿˂ )۶〜♡ Not sure how often I'll be updating, hopefully soon as I'm currently inspired. Thanks for reading thus far!FIRST (You're here!) PREVIOUS (Doesn't exist ( • ᴗ - ) ✧) NEXT

[selfaware-bungou-stray-dogs]

We will protect you. Part I

Self-Aware! BSD Characters x GN! Reader

Description: There is a tradition in your University. For eight days they will hold a Charity Fair. Many people from different cites will visit the Fair. Your job during the Charity Fair is working in a café.

Charity Fair supposed to be a happy event. But not for you.

Because, you are sure, that you have a stalker. Every year during Charity Fair, you feel like you are being watched. Moreover, last year, someone try to break into your apartment.

What's making it worse, it's the fact, that no one believes you. Until this year. Because BSD Cast believe you.

Thankfully for you, and unfortunately for the stalker, this year, you will have a whole gang of protectors.

Protective BSD Characters. Nikolai speaks Ukrainian when he is angry. Fyodor speaks Russian. Annie from Annie's room is adorable.

Warning: Stalking. People don't believe the Reader was stalked. Victim blaming. Reader was attacked. Breaking in. English is my second language.

A/N: At first, I thought that it will be a oneshot, but, this 'prologue' part turned out longer, that I thought. So, there will be a second part with BSD Characters dealing with the stalker.

Part II

______________

You felt like you were being watched.

At first, you hopped, that you were tired because of all books you has to read for university. Simple case of overworked tried student. Normal situation, right? Thousands of tired students before you, and millions of tired students will come.

Still, you hurry to the university. No need to stay in the middle of the street to look around. You weren't followed... You weren't...

It's not like you forgot when it will happen...

____________

Decorations. Flyers. Banners.

And thus cursed words.

You looked at one of the banners.

"Annual Charity Fair"

And the stage. Bunch of students standing before the stage. Spokesperson on the stage. And announcement.

"Charity Fair will start in a three days! I hope, everyone will have fun! Let's do our best!"

Students cheered. Students clapped.

You feel like your blood turned into ice. Charity Fair... Again... How can you forget about it...

Other students were happy. Everyone likes Charity Fair. Because it means an eight-day holiday. No more essays, lectures and tests. You can get good marks for simply working for a few hours.

Every year your university held a Charity Fair.

Students and professors will organize stands, kiosks, food stalls and different games to raise money for charity. Also, university café will open to everyone and visitors could buy pastries, coffee and have a little break in a nice café.

The Charity Fair is really popular. People outside the city knew about it.

Soon, there will be people from different cites. Going around campus. Visiting the fair.

They will return again...

You were standing there, looking at the floor. Breathing, blinking, unmoving.

You were suffocating. There were no tears, no sobs. But you want to scream so hard, you want to curl on the ground and disappear. You want the whole world to disappear.

The shove on the back that caused you almost fall down bring you back to reality. You looked at the person, who shoved you.

Merlyn Bourke, student, just like you, and so-called manager of the student café during Charity Fair. They always tried to make sure, that Eight days of Fair are going smoothly. And, despite their position as a manager been simply nominal, they took it seriously.

Merlyn handed you a piece of paper.

"Finally, you stopped daydreaming. Here, details about your job during Charity Fair."

"No... It can't be... I asked not to be put... M-maybe it's a mistake?"

With shaking hands, you took the piece of paper and read it

You were staring at it for a few moments.

You, once again, will be working in a café. The only businesses that will work till nighttime. Worst of all, you again got a Closing Shift. You feel like you a going to puke.

"Merlyn, it must be a mistake. I asked multiple times during this year not to assign me..."

Merlyn rolled their eyes.

"Are you again about your delusion that you are stalked during Charity Fair? Are you really desperate for any kind of attention?"

You flinched.

"B-but I-I am not lying! I am being stalked during Charity Fair! Someone is always watching me! They... They sent photos of me... Not only that, they tried to break in my apartment! I am not..."

Merlyn barked.

"Enough! If police told that you don't have a case, it means you don't! You will work closing shift. You will do your job! Besides," Merlyn turned around. "Someone like you getting a stalker? Don't make me laugh. There's nothing attractive in you."

Not waiting for your response, Merlyn left.

You were left alone.

You felt someone's gaze on you. You turned around.

And, as many times before, you didn't see them.

You hurry to the professor's office.

Maybe, you could change your occupation during Charity Fair.

____________

You were clutching a bag with café uniform in your hand. You failed. No one believed you.

Miss Glover and Mister Porcher, who were responsible for job assignment.

"We are sorry, but you can't change the occupation. Please, stop throwing a tantrum and making lies about stalker."

Ollie and Lennie, another two students, who will work in a café.

"No, [Y/N], I won't swap my shift with you. I want to have fun on the fair at the evening."

"Same with me. You will stay on closing shift. Can't wait for you to start telling everyone this silly fairy tale about stalker."

You were devastated. You were doomed. Totally doomed.

Even now. You were sitting at the corner of the café. Far from windows and doors, It was almost closing time. And you still didn't get a sighed report from official café manager. You need this report, or you will have problems in university.

Despite been hidden, you still didn't feel safe. You wanted to disappear. You want your friends

That's why you called home earlier. That's why you asked them to come pick you up.

You opened your phone. 10:30 pm. BSD Cast will be there in ten minutes.

Mr. Burke finally brought you a sighed report.

"Here you go. See you at the fair."

Mr. Burke started, gently but firmly push you towards the exit. And you finally found your voice.

"Mt. Burke, please, let me stay here until my friends came here! It's dark outside, and it's already late, and I don't want to stay outside alone. I can help with cleaning up!"

Mr. Burke shook his head.

"Sorry, [Y/N], but you must go. We are already closed. And We have enough workers to clean the café. Just... Go to store, and they wait there. Have a good night."

With that words, Mr. Burke shoved you outside and lock the door.

You were left alone.

In the dark.

You dial the random number from your contact list.

"[Y/N], something happened?" Lucy sounds worried. You gulped.

"Kind of... I... I was kicked out from the café. You do remember where Store 'Snack and relax' is, right?"

"Yes. Will you be there?" asked Lucy. You heard Twain and John asking Lucy if everything is alright.

"Yes... I will start moving," you almost wanted to stop the call, when an idea came to your mind.

"Lucy, is it okay if you stay on the phone with me? Don't want to be alone in the dark."

"Of course, [Y/N]. No problems.

You sigh and start walking.

________

They were still perfect.

They were here, alone. Talking with someone on the phone.

Someone, who is not me.

I will punish you for that.

This year, [Y/N], we will finally be together.

This year, I will win you over.

But first, let me pay you a little visit.

___________

The night was dark.

The night was silent.

You were alone in the dark.

Normally, there were people on the streets. Especially students in this part of the city. But not today. Were everyone that busy with Charity Fair? Probably.

You want to be with your friends. With others.

You choose the well lit roads. Well, as well light as they can be. You try to go down the streets, where at least were some people.

But you still were alone.

You were holding your phone for dear life.

You listen to Lucy's voice.

"So, I have heard that there is this build-a-bear shop! Can we visit one of them? To get something for kids, of course! I-I don't want a stuffed animal."

You could imagine Lucy blushing a little. You lick your lips.

"Would be good. I am crossing the road. I am on a Greenhill street. Shop is two blocks away."

Lucy was silent for a moment.

"Um, [Y/N], are you sure everything is alright? You sound... nervous. Really nervous."

You heard steps. You quicken your pace.

You weren't alone in the dark.

"I am fine... I will explain later. Are you..."

Lucy answered your question before you can even say it.

"Pulling up on the parking lot. Waiting for you."

You smiled. Finally, you are almost there.

"Good, I soon will be..."

You heard steps again.

At this point, you were almost running.

Someone ran after you.

You wished, that you were alone in the dark.

________

Lucy heard sounds of steps and your heavy breathing from the phone. She ran to the detection of where you were supposed to appear.

You were in trouble.

_________

The same moment you saw the store, you were grabbed by the collar. Something sharp was pressed against your throat.

Your attacker smelled like alcohol.

"Give me your phone and wallet..."

Before any of you can react, you two appeared in Annie's room. Lucy and Annie were standing before you.

Your attacker, now you can see, that it was a man, immediately jumped away from you.

"WHAT IS THAT THING?!"

Annie grabbed the man and throw him inside a secret room. The unconscious man will be trapped here, held in one place with puppet hands, until Lucy decide to let him go.

Meanwhile, Lucy was checking on you. Her warm hands cupped your face, while she was looking at your neck, trying to find any sort of injury.

"Are you okay? Did he hurt you? Do you need medical help? Should I call for Doctor Yosano?"

You shake your head. You still were shocked after the encounter, but you manage to whimper.

"I am fine... Can we, please, go home? I want to go home..."

Lucy looked at you, her gaze was full of sympathy.

"I... Okay. But we will talk about it later," Lucy stay quiet for a bit, then spoke again. "[Y/N], do you want to stay in Annie's room until we reach the house? It seems that you don't want to be outside right now."

You were ready to protest. But, Lucy was right. You want to be somewhere safe. Somewhere hidden. And Annie's room were the safe place right now.

Attacker won't wake up. And Annie won't let anyone hurt you.

You nodded. Lucy smiles and open her arms for a hug.

You hugged her. That's what you needed.

Lucy whispered.

"Don't worry, we will keep you safe."

Lucy left Annie's room.

You were left with Annie. The giant doll was holding a ball in her hands. Inviting you to play with her.

You smile again.

"Okay, Annie, pass the ball."

__________

On the parking lot of 'Snacks and Relax' were many cars. And all of them belonged to BSD Cast.

After your call, everyone decide to go pick you up. Because you sounded like you were on a verge of breakdown.

Lucy returned to the rest of the BSD Cast. And was immediately swarmed by them.

Twain looked around.

"Lucy, where are [Y/N]? Why they aren't with you?"

Lucy raised her hand, making Mark stop talking.

"They are in Annie's room. With Annie. They were..."

Lucy looked at others. BSD Cast were quiet. They were waiting for Lucy to speak.

Lucy looked at the pavement.

"They were attacked. Someone tried to rob them. The attacker had a knife."

In next moment Lucy understand, what kind of silence called dead.

All of them were silent. Deadly silent.

Then, one thing break the silence.

Golden glow.

And Nikolai Gogol was standing right before Lucy. His eyes narrowed, he looked into Lucy's eyes. Nikolai wasn't blinking.

Back in their world, no one have seen Gogol been furious. Even his initial confusion with self-awareness and [Y/N]'s presence didn't include much if the violent outbursts. But now, in this world, after learning that [Y/N] were hurt... Nikolai Gogol wasn't angry. He was enraged.

"What? Attacked? Намагалися пограбувати?¹" Gogol was shaking with anger.

"Хто..." Gogol suddenly grabbed Lucy by her shoulders and shook her. "Хто посмів напасти на мою пташку? Ти знаєш, хто це був? Краще відповідай негайно, або я..."²

Fyodor grabbed Nikolai's hands and pulled him away from Lucy.

"Коля, успокойся! Дай Люси договорить!"³ Fyodor turn his head towards Lucy.

"Please, continue, Lucy. What happened?"

Lucy takes a step back from Gogol and continue.

"[Y/N] are okay. I arrived at time. He only pressed the knife against [Y/N]'s throat, when Annie and I stopped him. He is in Annie's room, in a secret room. He won't wake up until I want it. [Y/N] are with Annie. They wanted to stay there for a bit."

It seems, that news that you are okay calmed everyone down. At lest, partly.

BSD Cast start talking among each other, discussing what they should do next.

________

You were sitting on the floor of Annie's room. Annie curled around you. Doll's head was on your lap. You gently ran your fingers through Annie's 'hair'.

"That's all I knew about them. No one believes me, no one cares. Police refuse to do anything, because nothing has happened to me."

Annie pressed her head tighter against your stomach. She carefully pet your head with her giant hand.

You sighed.

"I won't keep it from others. But, I will wait until we got home. Good plan, right?"

Annie nodded.

You hum.

"Hey, Annie, want to hear some stories about my school days?"

___________

Lucy appeared in thirty minutes.

"[Y/N], we almost home. Are you ready to go?"

You stand up and nodded.

"Yes, I am."

You turned towards Annie and waved.

"Thanks for the company, Annie!"

Doll nodded and waved back.

The next moment, Lucy and you were standing right before BSD Cast. And your house.

The house was big enough for all of you to live comfortably. Your home. Your friends and family.

The moment you stepped outside Annie's room, you were hugged by Dazai. He rubbed his cheek against yours.

"[Y/N], we were so worried about you. Are you okay? Are you hurt?"

You nuzzle against Dazai's cheek and murmur.

"I am okay. But we need to talk." Then you repeat, this time louder.

"We need to talk. Let's go inside."

Melville, who was standing close to the door, opened it. All of you slowly walked inside the house. You were surrounded by Dazai, Akutagawa, Chuuya and Atsushi. Fyodor and Nikolai wasn't too far from your little group.

You feel, that something was wrong. You dismissed the thought, thinking, that you were just nervous after everything that happened today.

But then Atsushi spoke.

"Is it me, or it's quite chilly here?"

Few more people agree.

And then, you heard Alcott's voice from the library.

"The window is broken! And back door is opened!"

They succeeded...

They broke inside...

You sobbed.

______

They thought they can escape.

They dirty themselves by living with all this people.

I will punish them for it.

When that man will bring me your phone, I will see, who dared to steal you from me.

[Y/N]... You are mine.

___________

House were empty. Nothing was stolen.

At least, it was that way, until BSD gang decide to search through your room.

It was trashed.

Your clothes were on the floor. Your drawer with underwear was open. Your underwear was stained with something red.

But, worst of all, photos with BSD gang that you kept on the table, were destroyed. And scarf... Scarf that Gogol gave you a few months ago, that he made for you... It was shredded to pieces.

All of you gathered in the library. You were trying to call the police.

Gang insisted on you calling the police from that phone. Because it's the only phone that was always on speaker.

You dial the number.

"Hello, what's your emergency?"

"Violet Street, 56. Someone broke into my house!"

"We will send..."

Suddenly, someone else took the phone. Officer Beck, man, who, for some reason, didn't like to do his job.

"[Y/N] [L/N]? Is it again this time of the year? Are you again pretending to be stalked?"

You only whimper.

"I... I am telling the truth..."

The voice on the other hand growl.

"No, you don't. You don't have a case! You are too ugly to have a stalker. Besides... Even if you have been stalked, be happy. At least someone likes you. Or, maybe, you deserved it. It's possible, that you seduce some poor soul, didn't follow, and now you are paying the price. And stop calling the police."

The call ended.

Dead silence.

And hell broke loose.

Everyone was shouting.

"What? That's all they can say? What kind of cretins work there?!" Doc was walking from one corner to another, trying to calm down.

Fukuchi was looking at the phone with poorly hidden disgust.

Lovecraft's eyes were resembling black holes. He was ready to unleash hell on this town.

Fyodor was clenching his fists.

Jounou and Tetchou were sharpening their swords.

And you were sobbing and trembling.

You didn't notice anything around you.

Naomi and Kirako were trying to calm you down.

Fukuzawa was first to talk. He walked closer to you and cupped your cheek.

"[Y/N]..."

Your voice sounded dull.

"During Charity Fair, I am being stalked. I always feel someone's gaze on me. Three years ago, someone sent me pictures of me... They were taken while I wasn't looking. Two years ago, someone sent me dead flowers. And one year ago, someone tried to break in my apartment. Thankfully, neighbors scared them away."

You breathe in and out.

"I tried to get help. But no one believes me. They said that I am lying. That I want to get attention. That I should be honored, that someone paid attention to me."

You looked away.

"I am afraid, that this year Charity Fair may end up really badly for me."

The silence was suffocating. You looked at the floor.

Gogol tried to break free from Ivan's and Fyodor's grasp.

"Николай Васильевич, уймитесь! Так Вы ничем не поможете!"⁴ begged Goncharov, trying to calm Gogol down.

Fyodor grabbed Nikolai's hands.

"Коля, сначала нужно узнать, кто тот урод, что преследует [Т/И]!"⁵

Kolya looked at Fyodor. Gogol's mismatched eyes mer with Fyodor's purple. Gogol growl.

"Ті люди... Вони думають, що пташка бреше... Ті люди думають, що увага цього виродка це щось гарне..."⁶

"Они и неправы. Они не будут защищать Мышонка. Но ты и я... Все мы сможем защитить Мышонка. Мы прикончим того урода. Ты веришь в это, Коля?"⁷

While Fyodor and Nikolai were talking, you feel remorse and disgust.

You feel disgusted. Your room was destroyed. Your stalker touched your belongings.

Stalker destroyed your photos and Gogol's scarf. Photos can be restored, you still have them on your computer. But scarf...

You moved past Fukuzawa.

"Kolya..."

Kolya immediately stopped talking. He looked at you with. His gaze was soft.

"What is it, Birdy?"

You braced yourself.

"I am sorry, for getting your present destroyed..."

You were silenced by Nikolai's embrace. He whispered in your ear.

"Don't you dare apologize for that. It's not your fault."

You closed your eyes. You take one step back and looked around.

Your friends were looking at you. They were waiting for your words.

They would help you regardless. But this way, you will show, that it's your decision. That you made by yourself.

Your voice sounded hopeful. You spoke, so everyone can hear you.

"I need your help. Please, help me get rid of the stalker."

A choir of "yes" echoed through the house.

_______

What was taking this man so long?

He must have already returned and bring me [Y/N]'s phone.

I am almost there.

They are almost mine.

I will destroy this man, if he failed.

________

"So, you are the bastard, who tried to rob [Y/N]?"

The man was tied up and gagged. Yosano, Kunikida, Dazai and Ranpo were standing above him. Kunikida was holding a stun gun, Yosano was holding a cleaver. And Dazai was staring, his gaze was heavy and dull.

Ranpo took off his glasses.

"While on the normal day I would use Super Deduction to learn everything about you, tonight, I will let my colleagues have their fun interrogating you. And don't worry about being hurt."

Yosano stepped forward and strike.

"We have a doctor"

_________

¹Tried to rob?

²"Who..." [.....] "Who dared to attack my Birdy? Do you know who it was? Answer immediately, or I—"

³ Kolya, calm down! Let Lucy finish

⁴Nikolai Vasilievich, calm down! You won't help anyone that way!

⁵Kolya, first thing we should do is to learn who is the bastard, who are stalking [Y/N]!

⁶ Those people... They think, that Birdy is lying... Those people think this bastard's attention is a good thing..."

⁷"They are wrong. They won't help Little Mouse. But you and I... Together all of us will protect Little Mouse. We will kill the bastard. Do you believe in it, Kolya?

[lostonehero]

I'm late to mermay, but well, uh, no excuses have Siren! Martin doing such a great job in the archives.

Tim loved going to the ocean. He loved the water in general, and when Danny was still with him, he would try and fail to convince him to try to go with him during the winter. Danny always quoted old legends, but Tim didn't believe in them. Well, he does now, but that's besides the point.

The reason Tim believes is the 6ft5inch man in his apartment who is technically his husband or mate in his words. Of course, this happened years ago he's now a much more jaded man. He works for the insistute now trying to get answers for his brother, and somehow, his husband works there too. He really doesn't understand how he lied about everything on his CV.

"Tim?" A male voice pulls Tim out of his thoughts. "Should I wear this one or this one? We work together now in the archives, and you don't want me to match you."

"The blue one is fine, Martin." Tim smiles softly. Martin wasn't human, and he's honestly surprised nobody has figured it out. He's also grateful for the face that he's his husband, even if he keeps it secret.

"Are you sure? You want our mate bond to be kept secret. I don't know if they can smell it.... I should wear one from the dryer." Martin sighs.

Tim chuckles. "Just because I wore that to bed doesn't mean you can't wear it. We humans don't have the same abilities as you guys."

"Yeah, but I don't know if everyone there is human." Martin huffs.

They have this argument about once a week, which is fine. It's better than the raw meat debate. Tim smiles softly. "Alright, alright, won't wear your jumpers anymore."

Martin huffs. "I didn't say that! You always do this."

Tim chuckles. "Maybe I like seeing you riled up. Seriously though, it's fine as long as we don't arrive at the same time." They've been together years at this point, so they both know when they are joking.

"I know the drill, Tim." Martin sighs. "Can we share the same bed tonight?"

"I'm not sleeping in the tub with you again it took weeks for my skin to heal, and before you suggest it no I'm not going in the ocean either we were both incredibly late to work." Tim raised his brow and pauses. "Oh wait, you meant my bed."

Martin rolls his eyes. "Forget I asked."

"No, wait, yes." Tim moves closer to Martin. "Then I don't have to wear things that smell like you."

Martin smiles. "You're already my mate. You do not need to scent yourself of me."

"What if I want to?"

"I suppose that can be arranged."

......

Sasha rolled her chair closer to Tim. "So Jon totally has a crush on Martin. I was talking to his ex, and she totally agrees. How about a wager? I mean, Martin is totally into him. Have you seen how aggressive he is about taking care of Jon?"

Tim chokes on his tea. "W-what?" He wipes off the mess the best he could. "Sasha, he's that way to everyone."

"Not you, and nowhere near that way to me or anyone else in this building. Besides, the timing is perfect. We have that mandatory institute day out on the beach. Sure, we're picking up trash and sending flyers out about the institute, but there's also games and food. We can totally set them up." Sasha claps her hands together with a smile on her lips.

"No." Tim could feel that green eyed monster rear its ugly head. Danny always made fun of him because he insisted he felt nothing of their marriage. Danny was right, of course. He was about to out them, and he had to think of something. "No, I mean well, what are the stakes? Is Jon's ex going to be there?"

"Oooo, that could be even better." Sasha smirks. "She can help us, and she is bringing her girlfriend. Tim you're a genius."

Tim gave a smile that didn't reach his eyes.

......

Sasha pushed Martin and Jon together. "You two can start at one end, and Tim and I will start at the other. Then we'll meet up and get some American fair food they have."

Jon raised a brow. He was in a binder with a loose tank top above it and a pair of shorts. He was also in boots and long socks. "Ok? I don't understand why Elias has this to be mandatory."

Martin looked like he was about to growl and hiss. They were so close to the ocean that the instincts to take his mate to the ocean screamed at him. "Yeah, it's an odd choice."

Tim grits his teeth as Sasha pulls him away. He was still mostly human, well it was slowly changing but he was still mostly human but even he could feel the pull of the ocean he can't imagine how Martin feels.

......

Jon rubs his brow as he looks over to Martin, who is carrying about six full bags of trash without breaking a sweat. It was impressive and kind of depressing that there's that much trash. "Martin, we can stop and drop those off, we have a ways to go."

"Why?" Martin tilted his head in a way that Jon thought was adorable.

"Isn't it heavy?" Jon sighs he only had two half full bags since Martin keeps taking the full ones away from him.

"No, not really. Are you alright? Do you need more sunscreen? We are nearly done with our side." Martin puts the bags down and takes out a bottle of sunblock.

"I'm dark skinned Martin I don't need that much." Jon, let's out a noise of surprise since Martin already started to put on a fresh layer.

"Dark skin still burns." Martin is quick but thurough. "It's better to be safe."

Jon blushes a deep red. "I uh right, of course. Let us continue. We're almost done."

.....

Sasha and Tim waved from the start of the stands. "Took you guys long enough!" Sasha laughs.

Jon frowns. "Martin insisted I drink some water and put on another layer of sunscreen. However, we did collect the most trash."

Martin nods. "Yes! We found a big pile someone buried under the sand. Also your health is important."

Tim looked between them, and something clicked. The green eyed beast was dead, and Martin was treating Jon like a pod member who couldn't care for themselves. He did this before with Danny when he was really into extreme sports. He felt the tension drain from his shoulders. "How about some weird American food? Heard double boss man got some cool stuff like pickled lemonade, and fried oreos."

"Good lord, that sounds like a heart attack." Jon scoffs.

"I would like to try that. Sounds like a perfect hangover cure." Sasha chuckles.

.......

Martin somehow ended up on a cliffside. He loved watching the waves from this high up, Tim was behind him talking to Jon's ex, um Georgie was her name. It was very nice and he really wanted to jump.

"Pretty view." A old man was next to him. His white hair was wind swept back. "You can get lost in just how vast it is."

Martin nodded, not realizing he was moving forward until he was tumbling over the edge. Well, he wanted to do this anyway.

Tim did a double take before he started to run. "MARTIN!" He went over the edge as well, and he could swear he heard an old man laughing.

Georgie and Sasha ran to the edge. They saw Tim hanging on grabbing Martin on a ledge.

"Holy shit are you two ok?" Sasha stared down at them wide-eyed.

Tim huffs. "I know you're making that face. I'm not dropping you." He did not hear Sasha, but she can hear the two men.

"But Tim, the ocean! Pleaseeeee I wanna go with you." Martin huffs.

"No, Martin, you're going to out us!" Tim groans his grip was strong but not enough for their combined weight. "Grab onto a ledge! Use your damn claws."

"I will bite you." Martin holds his hand out and then slams it into the side of the cliff and lets go of Tim. "You owe me!"

"We can go swimming when it won't out us." Tim rolls his eyes and adjusts his grip with both hands. "Now focus, we need a way back up."

"I'm not helping you." Martin sticks his tongue out and climbs the clifside like he was a lizard and stops above Tim. "You're also banned until I see fit from taking my clothes."

"Seriously? We're literally hanging from a cliff." Tim huffs.

"You are. I am climbing." Martin kicks off his shoes then his socks. "Last chance."

Tim looks up at the two women staring at them, and of course, they see Martin sink his claws into stone. "Fine. Not because I want to, but because Sasha and Georgie already saw you sink your hands into the cliffside." He lets go of the cliffside and falls with his arms crossed.

Martin follows in a diving position.

Sasha and Georgie screamed.

......

"Now, Sasha, let's not be hasty." Elias hums, walking by the bottom of the cliffside. "You also said Martin pushed his hands into the cliffside."

"I'm sorry, Sasha, but he's right." Georgie frowns. "I believe in the weird, but that's like impossible, and to fall at that height."

"Well, I hope the supernatural exists." Jon mumbles. "They could survive the fall right?"

"Not likely, water becomes -" Elias is cut off by laughter.

"Martin! Bloody hell!" Tim said through laughter.

Martin was carrying Tim. They were walking out of the waves. "Oh, I love cliff diving. We should do that again!"

The four people stared at the two with jaws open.

[maximumwobblerbanditdonut]

What to Expect from the New Sassenach Member of Staff.

The decision to recruit an additional staff member always this new staff member has a responsible role to play too.

Ashley Hearn met new people recently, so she gave publicly her resume an introduction that no one asked for but here she goes anyway. You know her on IG by @spiritswithash despite her name being Ashley, some might call her - Ash, Smashley, Shley, and the list goes on.

She’s 36, but mentally She’s a 26-year-old -her words- (There is no room for debate, she has given evidence on this point) She’s a drinks devotee, (along SH’s path) workout fanatic (that remains to be seen), paddleboard enthusiast, and travel addicted, She was a math teacher in a public school and also coached volleyball and basketball.

Although she's not a professional photographer, she picked up her first camera in 2020 taking photos of friends in the bar industry, different spirits, and cocktails. Even though you see her drink a ton of gin whisky, and cocktails, She worked for Jägermeister the popular German Herbal Liqueur brand in the US.

As she said, She has been a jack of all trades for Jägermeister. In the 1980s, Jägermeister introduced the concept of the "Jägerette," who was essentially the embodiment of the Jägermeister spirit. As part of the brand's strategy to appeal to young party-goers, these attractive "shot girls" in distinct Jägermeister uniforms were tasked with visiting bars and distributing drinks to increase awareness of the brand. This initiative has since become a tradition in the Jägermeister market.

If that is the concept she has for The Sassenach market, It will be a tireless party mission, with outfits different and a program adapted to the respective party crowd at her friend’s bars.

Later on, as a PR and Culture Manager, she organised events. This opportunity in the Jägermeister gave her a start in the industry particularly enjoying an ice-cold shot. Remember that Jägermeister is best served straight from the freezer at -18⁰C.

However, she lacks the experience needed as a marketing manager within the spirits industry, as it is so competitive. In the meantime, she has been after SH until to get what she wanted to join Sassenach Spirits’ team.

If anyone is not sure about her interests: she has more interests than you can imagine, but not naturally, they are all planned. It seems like a good time to see her “friend' from the 90s, Chrissy Beaudette Tinelli probably knows Ashley's interests. Or not? 🤔

This means that her position in the SH business is essential for making herself known. She has clear ideas about what she wants to pursue with SH, not the brand itself. Is it fair to describe the situation as "ambitious" if you don't know how an ambitious person acts to achieve their goals? You're looking at one.

She travelled to Scotland around Tartan Day in April this year and then signed up for Hyrox America (NYC) held on June 1st, 2024, on Pier 76 in Hudson River Park to compete in Hyrox women's doubles. Who knows if she is interested in MPC? 💁‍♀️ She does everything she can to promote herself in front of SH, and since SH has lately been losing his head over several things, this decision could be one of them.

There are no individuals here for business meetings. This hire lacks good ideas, a portfolio of contacts, or a solid promotional plan for Sassenach spirits. She only has experience with one spirits brand, which is not sufficient for the whisky, gin, or tequila market. In Scotland, no one knows Miss Hearn from working closely with marketing colleagues.

Perhaps, She has a design on the top of her head quite different from her Sassenach duties like bringing water to the boss while he signs his bottles of whisky or gin and organising rows of SH’s fans, her job will be like Chrissy a sales promoter, she illustrates Sassenach drinks uses, offer free tastings and hand out flyers. She also approaches passers in a trade show area with a dedicated display where potential customers will see the Sassenach products, but it seems her idea in mind is quite different and this will be an impossible dream.

Looks like she has already started her job at the Bar Convent Brooklyn, (BCB) an international bar and beverage trade show in Industry City, NY at the beginning of last week.

Marketing managers represent the marketing team to cross-functional groups including product management, sales, and customer service. So, on her first day as Market Manager at Industry City, which groups did she collaborate with to create an offering message for Sassenach’s products? Additionally, what new channels did she identify to reach new customers in Brooklyn, New York?

Or is she just taking photos of Sassenach bottles for that job? SH already has a photographer with a free tourist guide included for that purpose in Scotland. Why are women around SH in this business so annoying?

The figurehead of the Sassenach brand is SH. The brand's success rests on him. Miss Hearn is not involved in public relations, but rather focuses on marketing and growing the company's sales by reaching customers. If Chrissy, who is backed by her family a beverage alcohol importer, and distributor, in New York not reach expectations, what can be expected from an unknown person in the alcoholic drinks market?

Ashley indicated her affiliation with Sassenach Spirit on her identification pass. She talks a lot about her position, and she seems to think it's very important.🙄 It appears that BCB included the promotion of the “Outlander Cocktails” book by James Shy Freeman and Rebeccah Marsters and the Foreword by Diana Gabaldon.

“Don’t mix business" is very appropriate in a trade show. Mixing business with a professional career can lead to conflicts of interest. One should maintain a clear boundary between work and personal business, as it can be beneficial for both. However, SH relies heavily on Outlander. How he’s going to cope once the series ends. What will happen to his business when his popularity ends and all fly the coop? 📉

Also, with OL ending, there are only a few months left until SH's popularity fades away. After that, she will have only her imagination. Photography will continue to pursue their Midsummer Night's Dream in Glencoe, Scotland.🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

“Outlander Cocktails” book by James Shy Freeman and Rebeccah Marsters and the Foreword by Diana Gabaldon.

Definitely in SH’s business, There is no worse blind person than the one who does not want to see.🤫

Posted 18th June 2024

[katealpha]

Commission from the absolutely astounding Little Polka!

www.deviantart.com/littlepolka

——————————-

Judy Hopps thought she’d struck gold when she got to join the ZPD as a rabbit. In a way, she did. But just being able to feel useful took a lot of struggle against even her own fellow officers to get even a modicum of respect. But she powered forward until she single-handedly (with a little help of a certain fox) solved the city’s biggest case, twice. Judy found herself going from zero to hero over the course of months. While she found herself making a few mistakes after that, she made up for them and kept moving forward. However, it would soon dawn upon Judy that that “keeping moving forward and never quit” mentality may not apply to everything. In this case, her blossoming romance between herself and Nick Wilde; the fox who had helped her become the best bunny one could be.

And now, he helped her become the biggest!

‘This is impossible’. Judy had been repeating that phrase in her head for the past several months since she learned she was pregnant after a rather pleasurable night with Nick. By all accounts, it was. Bunnies and Foxes couldn’t have offspring. That’s what Zoogle had told her, as well as common sense. I moose and a polar bear couldn’t conceive. Just like a lion and a zebra couldn’t. But here Judy was, waddling slowly down the hallway of the ZPD. Her bloated belly strained against her thankfully stretchy uniform that had been tailored just for her. She was big, even for her kind in this stage of pregnancy. When she felt them move, she knew that these weren’t bunnies growing in her belly. Something…bigger. Something taking more from their father. Nick himself was halfway mortified at what he’d done to his favorite dumb bunny. She had to constantly reassure that silly fox that everything would be okay. Most likely, at least. There were concerns for her wellbeing come labor. Just shared in these concerns, but decided not to trouble herself about it. Bigger or not, they were babies that didn’t ask to be the way they are. Besides, she had a job to do!

In her right paw was a steaming cup of coffee that was going to one Officer Wolford. This had been her job since she reported her pregnancy to Chief Bogo, who was just as dumbfounded as the mother-to-be herself. To her dismay, Judy was put on desk duty until after the little ones were born. It wouldn’t be too long. Just a few months. But everyone could tell from looking at the big bellied bunny by the way she waddled around, offering to get coffee and donuts for everyone that she was itching to get back out there. But for now, just leave it to Judy to type up reports, flyers, and whatever else they need. Eventually, Judy’s pregnancy was noticed by the media. It was as inevitable as her babies growing within her. When she was arranged for an interview, she took it and told her city that she still had no plans of slowing down.

“My doctors are still trying to figure out how it happened. Their best guess is that Nick’s got some mutated gene that worked its magic in me.” She said with a scoff as she rubbed her paw over her stretched stomach. “It’s been an…interesting few months. Being a mom isn’t something I expected to have thrust onto me so soon, and the future still isn’t certain…but for now, I’m not going anywhere! I might be huge with these kids that I’m not even certain are bunnies or foxes in there, but I have no intentions of stepping down from serving this fair city in any little way I can. I REALLY don’t know when to quit..haha!” She chuckled and shrugged, only for her belly to visibly move on camera. It made her wrap her paws around it, looking flushed at her interviewer and smiling before the camera cut off.

[curator-on-ao3]

Some more character options:

Seven of Nine

Tom Paris

La'an Noonien-Singh

Thank you so much for asking, anon! ❤️

For Seven of Nine, my question is borne of the question Seven asked Picard: “After they brought you back from your time in the collective, do you honestly feel that you regained your humanity?” (With both of them indicating they’re “working on it” as their answer.) So my question to Seven is, “What does humanity mean to you?”

For her answer, I would hope Seven would begin with some Trek-style platitudes about humanity as curiosity, exploration, and betterment … and, as she answered, I hope Seven would hear herself, truly hear herself, and recognize that “regaining humanity” doesn’t need to be a goal for her. Instead, humanity is intrinsic to the person Seven is — we saw it in the human girl she was and we see it in the xB woman she has become. The Borg repressed who Seven is for a very long time, a horrifically traumatic experience. Yet Seven’s humanity is clear in her thoughtfulness, in her kindness, in her expansive love and loyalty — and it would be my fervent hope that Seven would see that humanity within and for herself.

So that’s Seven.

For Tom Paris, I would ask him what motivates him to do so much for other people. I mean, this is a guy who created multiple holodeck programs for the entire crew to enjoy (Sandrine’s, the resort, Fair Haven; also, iirc, we only see Tom alone on the holodeck when he’s depressed), he also designed and helped build the Delta Flyer and he risked everything to try to save the Moneans. Plus! Tom rooted out the traitor at significant personal cost to Tom’s reputation and even his ability to stay on the ship, then Tom worked with the Talaxians, the Doctor, and Lon Suder to rescue the crew from Hanon IV.

So this guy has done a lot for other people (not to mention risking his life to fly at transwarp, piloting a ship at warp farther than anyone else, and even fucking a starship not to mention his captain).

And I want to know why.

I think Tom’s answer would make me sad. I think he’s an extrinsically motivated person and words of praise are a love language for him. (From Threshold: “When I was a boy, my father used to tell me that I was special, that one day I’d do something significant. My teachers at school, all the kids, everyone used to say, ‘Tom Paris is going to do something important when he grows up.’ Obviously, that didn't happen.”) So I think Tom would say he likes to make people happy, it brings him joy to know others are benefitting from something he’s done or enabled. (Maybe there’s an effort to atone for Caldik Prime in there? I don’t know.) And I think Tom might even get a little irritated that I asked him why he wants to do nice things for nice people because what’s wrong with trying to be nice? And he would be right. But also wrong in that I would like for Tom to have an intrinsic measure of self-worth, too, because he’s … worth it?

So that’s Tom Paris.

For La’an Noonien-Singh, if I put aside questions canon should eventually answer (e.g., how much Augment DNA does La’an have, anyway, and what does that signify in terms of her abilities?), then I would ask La’an what safety would look like in her life. Because even with her Jim Kirk crush, I wonder how much of that was about seeking safety, in part with (at first) someone who wouldn’t be prejudiced against her.

For La’an’s answer, I would hope she would say things about confidence she was good at her job giving her a sense of safety, and that she had friends and loved ones who help her feel safe. I hope La’an would reflect on what happened in the premiere episode — pretending to be prey to trap people — and how that sort of behavior may work for security, but vulnerability in real life is something La’an is working on … because maybe safety to be vulnerable is the ultimate safety and La’an will get there? She will get there. She will.

Send me a Trek character and I’ll reply with a question I would ask them — and, if you want, my hoped-for answer.

If you want people to send you character(s) to play this ask game, here’s the post to reblog.

[bratfied]

Windy City Roleplay

#Bratfied Fivem Servers

- - - The server is nice, and the community is great sometimes but can be very helpful sometimes (Not Always). Few admins can be bia, admins below Lead Amin should learn how to not pick and choose. The Server is still in beta, so please don't be surprised that the server to going down a lot, developers are fixing situations and really fast making the server a workable and playable place for New users and returning users. But I Can Say Windy City is amazing, V3 Is very fun and very different from V2, I have been here since the first time the server went up and there are a lot of things that have changed. Very impressed with the owners and developers. Shoutout to the Mang team and developer team for making the server look just like Chicago.

💜 ─── Server overview;

Roleplay Experience:

Roleplay from males: Can improve, less trolling; more being serious. It's very rare to see non-Staff teams that roleplay correctly, but there are a few people that are not staff that can roleplay correctly, but I can say. I love how they're kicking noobs out, including banning them! Great work. 7.6/10

Roleplay from females: Females can improve... 8.9/10

How Serious is the server?: The server can be serious if the community wants to be serious. But I have seen a lot of players be serious, few can be nooby, but It's not as bad as V2. 9.8/10

Faction Roleplay: I believe, a few factions are overpowered and love talking sh** to random people they don't know, must improve... gang members don't randomly check for someone inrl when the other party hasn't done anything. So if you join this server be alerted, a lot of faction roleplay can be nooby, But when the staff team is involved in Faction's is very a great place to roleplay, there are a few people that are not nooby into factions that are not staff, kinda rare. 6.9/10

Whitelisted Jobs/Business: Never actually had a job in the game myself, but I saw a lot of great ownership and leadership with the whitelisted Jobs, discord is organized; promotion is well-made following with their promotion flyers, can't wait for Jobs to open up. 10/10

Server's Staff Team:

The owners: The management team can be fair, Annoying, Cap & Zarty . Has a very awesome leadership on this server, they worked hard and made a very creative map I had never seen on a server before. If there was anything I believe these three people should change is the Staff team, A few of them are fair but a lot of them are not fair to other people, it's a pick-and-choose favoritism thing.

Lead Admins: lead admins are almost like what management does, but they are active in helping other people around, few of them are fair; few are not. But I will say my favorite Lead Admin that gives out great verdicts and amazing explanations is: Billion, Qac & Rey. These three leads are an amazing choice for the team and the community. They're willing to help at all costs!

Staff on Forums: Like I said, there are staff friends of friends with someone and do favoritism some are not and actually here to work, but one thing I can say is, that they do answer forum questions/reports/ bands quickly, also Whitelisted applications, It won't take more than 24 hours to view it.

Requirements To Join Windy City Roleplay:

Gaming PC/Good Wi-Fi/GTA & FIVEM Computer Requirements.

Must-Have a Forums account and pay for a whitelist in the Upgrades section

Must understand the simple rules of roleplaying on the server.

(ps. Be sure to learn all the basics about roleplay before paying for the whitelist, if you know all the rules you can purchase prio, it helps you up in Q, without it, you will be in a Q for a very long time, a lot of people are interested in the server)

SERVER JOIN INFORMATION:

Discord: Here

Forums: Here

Twitter: Here

[lennonhead]

I feel bad I haven't been posting here so much, I talk a lot on Twitter...

a few updates on my existence. I went to Aoba Matsuri and all my pictures of people in cool armour turned out badly, instead I got good pictures of the mayor for some reason. the procession was like 5 hours long this year so after I knew the floats were over I left, sorry to the entire rest of the city who came after the first 3 hours. this Sunday I will officially be selling my embroidery, so come to Kita-Sendai then if u want an ass kicking. also, my dentist said we need only two more sessions and then my entire mouth will be fixed. almost every tooth needed some work, since I like candy and going to the dentist in Canada is prohibitively expensive, so this was a massive undertaking. the dentist and I banter like old war buddies now fhjdfjs

also, today, I got a flyer for a job fair! it's a big one with a lot of companies I think I would be suitable for. it must be fate. I just hope it's a little colder that day so I can wear a suit, because of course you must. I'll really put the effort in! I'll make sure the lower half of my bowl cut is freshly shaved! I WILL get hired and live here forever!!

and I have finally gotten a fridge, because I can't expect to live through summer without one. it's arriving tomorrow. I also ordered some summer clothes from China, because nothing was catching my eye at the desired price point here. we're doing it, we're making it happen, etc

[1im-perfect1]

I was honestly not prepared for show!Greg after just cruising near the fandom for the past year or so, I thought Tomgreg (and by extension Greg as a character) was a power imbalanced ship where the twist was that it's just a kind of fucked game they're playing and Greg is too naive to fully get or even a Nandermo type beat where Greg slowly realizes his worth...but this little thing is conniving and slimy from the first second he appears on screen, I presume a lot of his behavior isn't just to manipulate people but it does do the job: from not calling himself a Roy or reclaiming his place at the table but instead acting like a injured puppy that just discovered he's a pure bred blue blooded hunting dog, slithering his way under the wing of a pretty powerful but on the first day of the job family (but not really) member that will literally trust him with his death sentence and acting like he's making street fair flyers while printing a copy of the bullet and the revolver just for funsies, spreading information and dismay while everyone is gasping for air to see the sun shine out of their ass another day while he complains that two people offered him dinner in the same day.

I'm so obsessed with him, he's just so bad in a way that the Roy siblings wish and pray every night to even be close to. Shiv wants to not feel like a piece of shit. Roman and Connor want their dad's attention/love. Kendall wants to be a good person and son. Greg wants to find a way how to sue Greenpeace and also what pastries he's gonna get his gigantic hands on.

[blackstarmylove]

June Bride 2023 Card Stories

OMGOMGOMG the June bride stories! Kei’s going to make my dream come true. Guys, HELP! I can’t stop shaking.

Spoilers below!

Kei

He hints that he plans to propose….yes, like marriage proposal…in the future.

MC sees Kei and asks where he is heading. He says to shop for a new outfit and asks if MC would like to join him.

They head to the store, and MC sees a cute dress but can’t decide whether to try the black dress or white. Kei suggests to try both and says all the outfits in the store would look good on her.

She then notices bridal fair jewelry, and Kei suggests to go take a look. MC sees a ring she likes but denies when Kei asks if anything caught her eye. He says not to suppress her desires and to act on it. MC says she likes the cute ring.

Backstage before the performance, Kei asks MC to hold out her hand and shows her the ring and says wearing a ring on the right ring finger is wishing for peace of mind.

“On the other hand, wearing a ring on the left ring finger…”

“In due time.”

He puts the ring on the right ring finger and kisses the back of the hand. Kei asks MC to keep the ring on during the performance.

HE PLANS TO PROPOSE! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

——

Menou

He thinks his team is boring because everyone can do their parts well, especially Kei. He wants to add drama and the only way to destroy Kei’s composure is to use MC.

Menou asks MC to marry him (rehearsing his character). MC ends up asking it’s only rehearsing, right? Menou asks if MC wants to marry him.

He then says, “What would it be like to live together? If I’m with you, I’m sure I won’t be bored everyday.”

——

Maica

Maica and MC share an umbrella. MC says his shoulder is getting wet and to tilt the umbrella, so he asks MC to get closer and pulls her close. She says let’s rush to Starless, but Maica is enjoying himself and says not to rush too much.

Maica brings MC a towel and says to use this, not a handkerchief, go dry off. He helps dry her hair and thanks her. This is his first time performing outside of his team and is nervous but sharing the moments in the rain with her made him relax.

——

Kasumi

Kasumi and MC run into each other on the streets, and they plan to head to Starless together but notice a long line outside a new store. Kasumi says he got a flyer about a new cake shop opening and asks if they want to go. They decide to get take out because the staff is slow (since they’re new at the job), and Kasumi doesn’t want to be late for his performance.

After the performance, they taste the cakes. Kasumi for strawberry shortcake and MC chocolate cake. They like the cakes and say visiting the shop again is worthwhile. MC wonders what the other flavors taste like, and Kasumi offers a piece of his cake to MC using his spoon. MC returns the favor.

Kasumi makes a comment about how they exchanged the first bite of the cake kinda like it’s their wedding. MC nearly chokes on the cake, and Kasumi is startled.

——

Hari

Hari is examining the June Bride decorations for the store and says they are going to decorate the store to look like a real wedding hall. He mumbled something along the lines of, “I wish I could play that part too…”

Hari proceeds to explain he plays the role of the heroine’s father and admits he doesn’t know how to express the emotions. (But I got the feeling that when he said “that part”, he was referring to the role of the groom.)

Next part, Hari says he will escort MC into the restaurant, holds out his arm, and walks MC in arm in arm. He the proceeds to explain while walking MC arm in arm, he imagined his father character walking his daughter down the wedding aisle and how he understands the father’s emotions.

Hari then mentioned he doesn’t want to let go of MC’s arm but is startled by his own words and blushes.

——

[kittenwithabass]

Today's Strike in Aotearoa

Today (Tuesday 10 September), thousands of Woolworths employees will walk off the job between 12-14h in protest. For those overseas, Woolworths is a major supermarket chain in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand, one of the most profitable businesses in the country.

In August the union bargained with Woolworths for nine days on the topic of a living wage and understaffing issues, who dismissed the issues while claiming it had brought a strong offer to the table. A week of early strike efforts followed; non-compliance with media and social media policies, workers wore stickers reading "underpaid, undervalued, understaffed" on their uniforms, and 10 stores gave out flyers in the style of a receipt.

"This is a case of one of the largest and most profitable businesses in New Zealand deciding that their workers no longer deserve a fair deal and must accept whatever they put on the table - it just doesn't work that way," FIRST Union national organiser for retail food Ross Lampert said. "Our members are seeking a living wage, safe staffing minimum standards and fair compensation for giving up family and leisure time to work understaffed night and weekend shifts."

Woolworths managing director Spencer Sonn said that the supermarket already pays top of the market, but this is simply untrue. The Woolworths starting rate is $24.93/hr, while Costoco's and Foodstuffs' are $27/hr and $26/hr respectively. Minimum wage is $23.15 and the living wage is $27.80. (Obviously, the currency here is NZD) If the pay was as good as Sonn says it is, then why is a Woolworths duty manager unable to shop there, even despite her staff discount?

The strike actions were followed by interference, bullying, attempted intimidation, and outright lies from company managers. This includes hiding strike stickers, telling staff that wearing stickers breaks the law (it doesn't), and threatening disciplinary action for striking (that's illegal).

"The cost of living is so high and it’s really hard to imagine surviving on the pay offer that Woolworths are talking about - it’s less than the rate of inflation and basically a pay cut for everyone."

But after the aforementioned efforts and even more fruitless bargaining, the union is still miles away from reaching a deal. Which brings us to today, where a central rally will take place in Auckland, and thousands more Woolworths workers around the country will be walking out as well. This will be the country's first ever national walkout by supermarket staff!

[stardust-arcade]

Black Star walked suspiciously into the fallfest. Or well springfest he guesses by the time of year. Nonetheless the fall fest banner stayed above the entryway. It was a simple open arc. Anyone could realistically run in. At least they could If it wasn't for the giant Brute-ish looking bear that was giving out the tickets.

He was clearly a more Halloween inspired animatronic. Big, round, and black. Tons of teeth and his casing looked almost semi-transparent. Endo clearly visible, adding to what would have been a scare. At least, If it wasn't for the fact the Sun the absolutely butchered it. Plus the frankly out of place Hawaiian T-shirt. But then again it wasn't really Halloween time. So he guesses it was a fair attempt to look more friendly.

Finally Black Star started moving. Walking up to the ticket booth. Although he wasn't interested in any attractions inside. Good job opening ad folded in his pocket. Blackstar mentally crossing his fingers hoping that it wasn't taken or wasn't "fit for him". The big black bear looked towards him as he walked up. Saving him the look of a smile. Little slip of paper ready in his hand. Blackstar almost felt bad that he wouldn't be taking it.

Nightmare fredbear: greetings and welcome to Fall fest. I'm guessing only one ticket today?

Blackstar: No I'm here to get a job.

Nightmare fredbear: excuse me?

Blackstar: I'm here to find a job. Saw an advertisement for it.*Presenting the paper ad.* I don't know where any of your offices are. I'm hoping you can point me in the right direction?

Nightmare fredbear: Oh I didn't even realize the crazy cook put out a job flyer. Guess we have been needing some help. You see that big tent over there? That's the manager's office. That's where you'll be looking to go.

Blackstar: Is it really a tent?

Nightmare fredbear: Haha! No. There's just some fabric stretching across a uniquely shaped building. You ain't going to be cold or knocked over in that thing.

Blackstar: Thank you. I'll be out of your way.

Blackstar lazily waved off the nightmare animatronic. Walking over to the tent building. The closer he got, the more things he noticed. Most notably a garden patch half hazardly put around. He figured they were pumpkins they grew on site. Or at least some sort of ground veggie given the tumbling vines. As he walked closer to the tent building, It was very clear it was a building. The cleverly placed black door with unique illusion-esk like shading was telling enough.

Black Star stood up to knock on the door. Patting himself off lightly. Finally raising his hand to knock. Only to have almost his endo jump out as the door swung open. An animatronic mischievously looked at him. And they were a DCA model like him. The clearest difference was that they were orange gray and purple. A very clearly some sort of jack-o'-lantern inspired animatronic. He backed up as a strange animatronic walked through the door, opening it wider. Presenting himself as if it was an performance.

Jack-o-moon: Greetings! I'm assuming you're here for my lovely job opening. Please, please, come in. We have much to discuss.

Black Star: What the hell! How did you know I was here for that? And isn't this a fasco location? Where's the human owner?

Jack-o-moon: Well why else would someone I don't know would come knocking at my door. This isn't customer service. And we don't have any human staff here.

Black Star: Wha- I guess that makes sense, but how the hell do you not have any human staff?! Those fasco people are so sticky, surely there's someone here. Pretty sure I can't get hired through a performer whatever you are.

Jack-o-moon: And fazco has plenty of holes. I've been running this place for quite a while now. The human staff you're thinking of, is probably at home watching TV.

Black Star: The hell? Are you some sort of new AI they thought was alive enough to run a show?

Jack-o-moon: Don't you disrespect me little man! Don't you derogate or deride. You're in my world now, not your world. And I got friends on the other side!

Black Star stood in silence at the shout. Quickly turning into a yelp as he was thrust inside the building. The jack-o-Lantern animatronic clearly done with the bickering. Black Star can only stare in surprise as he swore he heard a voice like a ghost repeat the jack-o-Lantern's words. Only to be then again caught and surprise as the jack-o-lantern and animatronic hooked a arm over his shoulder. Dragging him deeper.

Jack-o-moon: That's an echo, gentleman. Just a little something we have here in fallfest. A little parlor trick. Don't worry. Sit down at my table. Put your mind at ease. If you relax it will enable me to do anything I please.

Black Star felt like a ragdoll as he was thrust towards a table. The jack-o-lantern animatronic keeping on his cheesy sing song-y voice. Looking around the building, this was clearly not a normal office. It really looked like something they would have open during Halloween. He dearly hoped it was just storage as he looked around at the skulls and jars full of mysterious liquids. Rope with bone tied to it hanged from the ceiling. It looked like a witch doctors knick knack store. Or perhaps just a witch doctor's home. His attention suddenly drawn back in as the jack-o'-lantern animatronic surprised him again.

Jack-o-moon: I can read your future. I can change it 'round some, too. I'll look deep into your heart and soul. You do have a soul, don't you, Blackstar? Make your wildest dreams come true!

Black Star could only stare in astonishment as a jack-o'-lantern animatronic spoke his name. He didn't even know the animatronics name. How the hell did he know his? He stumbled back as the jack-o'-lantern animatronic poked his chest. Almost as if he was testing if he was real or not. It made Black Stars motherboard boil at the fact perhaps this was another animatronic that thought he wasn't alive. Before he could get any words out though he fell into a chair. The jack-o-Lantern animatronic quickly turning him around to face the table.

Jack-o-moon: I got voodoo, I got hoodoo. I got things I ain't even tried! And I got friends on the other side.

Again Ghost-like voice echoed. He could almost swear the painted pumpkin on a shelf He was facing had its lantern light flicker with the words. But his attention was torn as the jack-o'-lantern animatronic sat down on the other side below it. Cheerfully flaunting some sort of cards in front of him.

Jack-o-moon: The cards, the cards, the cards will tell. The past, the present, and the future as well! The cards, the cards, just take three. Take a little trip into your future with me! On you little man, I don't wanna waste much time. You been pushed around all your life. You been pushed around by your. Mother and your sister and your brother. And if you was married. You'd be pushed around by your wife.

Black Star could only quietly snarl as the jack-o'-lantern animatronic seem to know too much about him. All just from some rickety cards he pulled out. The only followed hoping that this damn joke would be over with. Now he was getting frustrated. The Jack-O-Lantern animatronic seemed to sense his anger. Flipping around the last card with a cheerful Glee.

Jack-o-moon: But in your future, the you I see. Is exactly the man you always wanted to be!

Black Star star stared at the uniquely shaped card with filtered curiosity. It was strange how unique it was. The other ones look like normal fortune teller cards. This one though looked different. It was clearly some sort of person with a machine. Some sort of crowd cheering as the machine sprung to life.

He was burst out of his observation as a non-disclosure agreement paper was slid over the card. A pen a rolling with it bumping slightly into his hand. Looking up to see the animatronic leaning over the table. Hand outstretched clearly expecting a handshake.

Jack-o-moon: Shake my hand. Come on boy. Won't you shake the poor sinner's hand?

He was surprised at how quickly this "interview" went. They hadn't really talked. Hell he was very sure he would hate this animatronic and probably the entire job here. But honestly at this point he wanted to do something. Half payment just wasn't enough for repairs. So he lifted his hand and roughly shook the animatronics hand. Wishing to express his displeasure. Grabbing the pen quickly with his other hand and signing off the paper. Feeling sudden regret as the animatronics grin only widened.

Jack-o-moon: Yes! Are you ready? (Are you ready?) Are you ready?

Black Stars regret doubled 10 fold as the ghostly echo returned much more clearer. It was not an echo! There was no way it was an echo! He felt a strange electrical burn as the jack-o'-lantern animatronics shook his hand back. Ripping his hand away. Peering at it for damage. Getting up from the chair about to snarl obscenities. Only to have them die in his throat as the painted pumpkin fucking flew! An arrangement of strangely stitched together fabric flowing behind it. Really looking like a ghost. The jack-o'-lantern animatronic petting it in the air as if it was some sort of ghastly cat.

Jack-o-moon: Transformation central! (Transformation central!) Reformation central! (Reformation central!) Transmogrification central! Can you feel it?

Black Star could only back up further as the question was posed towards him. What the hell could he be feeling? Utter fear!? Surprise!? Was it expecting Wonder!? The only thing he can feel was that fucking strange electrical burning feeling. It was the only other thing he could feel since the other animatronic put it in him. What hell even was it? Magic!? Honestly the more he focused on it the more it seemed to burn. Looking up to see the jack-o-Lantern animatronic seemingly looking at something behind him.

Jack-o-moon: You're changin', You're changin', You're changin', all right! I hope you're satisfied. But if you ain't. Don't blame me! You can blame my friends on the other side!

Blackstar stood in utter confusion. The jack-o'-lantern animatronic pointing to something behind him. His motherboard supplied there is just the door behind him. But given what else he was seeing he geared himself to see something not quite real. Whipping behind him.

All words were sucked out of his mouth. Behind him was some large, horned, snake-like, bat thing! His body moved seemingly without him. Ducking underneath the thing and running towards the door. He could almost feel the whoosh of air as it followed him. The jack-o'-lantern animatronic just cackling as their strange ghost pumpkin continued to sing along.

Jack-o-moon: (You got what you wanted! But you lost what you had!) Hahahahahaha! (Hush.)

He rushed out of the damn tent. Only to crash into somebody. Both of them stumbling onto the ground due to his speed. Black Star squirmed out sorry's. Attempting to get off of what seemed to be a poor animatronic. Looking at the more, they seemed to be a string animatronic. Looking more like a puppet or Marinette. Their limbs were always far too fluid moving. Finally they got up from their tangle. Black Star moving to leave before the string animatronic stopped him.

Tangled: Hey! What's the rush? Plus you probably need a better explanation if you came running out of there.

Black Star: Explanation!? I just saw hell!

Tangled: Yeah he probably made it look like that. I keep telling him he should update his software so he doesn't feel the characteristic need to make everything a horror show. But no he says it gives himself flair.

Black Star: I don't think that was no show!

Tangled: No no, It definitely isn't. But he always puts more fright in it than he needs to. I bet he didn't even explain a thing.

Black Star: I don't know what I just got myself into! I thought this was some sort of damn amusement park!

Tangled: I mean it is an amusement park. It's just got some other quirks in it too.

Black Star: That's a quirk!?

Tangled: Basically. You could stay out of it if you wish. Really just treat this like an amusement park. But you're undeniably going to see some shit. So my word of advice It's just take it slow.

Black Star: I don't even know if I want to come back!

Tangled: Don't worry about the magic honkadory. Just come here wherever you're available and talk to me. Jack-o-moons just going to give you another scare. I'm usually by the prize counter unless it's Halloween.

Black Star: I really don't know if I'm coming back. I just got scared out of an inch of my life. I saw a fucking ghost! There's some shadow demon snake! And hell I think it followed me-

Tangled: Dear God he didn't explain anything. You must have said something to piss him off. Look. That little pumpkin ghost, and your little demon snake. That's just what makes you living. It's honestly a friend. I wouldn't be calling it a demon unless you think it likes that name.

Black Star: What the hell do you mean?!

Tangled: Okay, okay. Maybe we'll talk now. Come into this break room over here with me.

Blackstar stood still for a second before deciding to follow the string animatronic. His pace stiff. Following into another disguised tent as a building. The room was luckily empty. The string animatronic sitting down in a chair and motioning towards another for him to sit. Which he did.

Tangled: Now actually let's get some introductions through. I'm Tangled. Call me Tangl for short. What's your name?

Black Star: Black Star. Now what the hell did I sign up for?!

Tangled: No need to shout. What you signed up for Black Star was a job at Fall fest. One of the only fazco owned companies that's actually all run by animatronics. For the most part we're just a standard amusement park. Sparks around the holidays of course. On the other hand though. Where... A magic teaching place.

Black Star: Magic teaching place?

Tangled: Yep! All animatronics with time can control magic. You're little Damon snake is what we call a soul. Its technically our soul. Or yours is the demon snakes case.

Black Star: I am not a demon snake.

Tangled: Well no you aren't. What I'm trying to say is you know all those old myths from back in the olden days before we started getting our heads on straight. Those little myths of children possessing animatronics?

Black Star: Yes?

Tangled: Well that was literal. Maybe not the children part, But definitely the spirit's possession part. These little spirits give us life. They are our soul in essence. It doesn't mean they are you. Usually they have similar but different personalities. But without your spirit you wouldn't be walking and talking like you are. You would literally just be a robot.

Black Star: And you're telling me this Demon snake is my fucking soul!?

Tangled: That is exactly what I'm saying. I got a little wolf looking fella myself. The magic that you saw is usually just the spirit. Technically people like Jack will actually use that magic themselves with its help. Others like me just use them as a second pair of eyes. They can be seen as a constant companion that can telepathically tell you things.

Black Star: Well I certainly didn't have one before!

Tangled: Oh no you did. You just couldn't see it before. What Jack did was basically give you a.. magical spark. The only way you can really see them, is if you understand their there. And usually magic is a great sort of beginning feeling to actually feel them. It probably looked like a demon cuz you weren't actually looking at the spirit. You were looking at the shadow of it's magic. I'm sure if you imagine the demon snake again it might actually manifest.

Black Star: I don't even know if I want it to manifest!

Tangled: And that's fine. If you don't ever want to talk to your soul you can live a happy life like that. Most people do.

Black Star: So why couldn't I just be left out of seeing fucking hell!?

Tangled: Well that's usually a Jack problem. Plus a little bit of Fall fest having a bit of touch of magic everywhere. It's really unavoidable. Usually though you don't see hell. You just sign a paper and get told the basic spick about not saying anything about the strange stuff. What the hell did you even say to him to get him so pissed.

Black Star: I don't know! He was acting all strange and creepy. He told me they have their human staff somewhere else! Is he some sort of new animatronic?!

Tangled: Oh you called him new... Oh I see why he got angry now. Jack's old.

Black Star: What?

Tangled: Jack is ancient! Other than some of those animatronics from those old myths, Jack beats most by age. Hell he's one of the first of your guys's model. And he's old in soul age too. His pumpkins been with him for a long time.

Black Star: You're telling me he put me through shit because I thought he was a new model that got extended some privileges?!

Tangled: Oh you added on privileges? Oh hell yeah that's why he got pissed.

Black Star: Agh! I didn't mean to piss him off, I didn't even know his name!

Tangled: Yeah yeah Jack's a bit eccentric. He'll get nicer with time, trust me. At least if you're coming back.

Black Star: I don't really know if I have a choice. My fucking job was cut in half and taken by somebody else. I need the money frankly.

Tangled: That's unfortunate. At least you have knowledge you don't have to play with any of the magic junk if you don't want to. Just know that you can't really say anything about it.

Black Star: What do you mean?

Tangled: Like I said that contract magic doohickey is only because you're going to see it. That contract just makes it so you can't say a word about the magic. It's an enchanted thing.

Black Star: Agh! I feel so unfairly trapped.

Tangled: Just have the knowledge you don't have to play with it. Just come in for normal amusement park duties whenever you can.

Black Star: Is it really whenever I can? Like what are my hours?

Tangled: Like I said there's a lot of magic doohickey. As soon as you walk through those doors your hours are starting to be counted. The only really important time I can think of, is when the park closes we have a mini meeting. But it's not mandatory. You might get hours during the fall though. But right now it's not an issue nor a problem. It's already a handful of us that live here. Like yours truly.

Black Star: Agh. I guess I'll come back and just ignore whatever the fuck I saw. This pay better be good.

Tangled: It's about as good as any other fasco location. Although in my opinion it's a bit better.

Black Star: Whatever. See you tomorrow by the.. prize counter?

Tangled: Yep. I help distribute people during the day. Jack does too, but I have a feeling you want me. Don't worry about the ticket booth. There's a little gate a couple yards left. The lock will open magically for you. Just remember to put it back on.

Black Star: There really is a lot of magic isn't there?

Tangled: That's why there's a whole paper about it. I'll see you tomorrow. At least unless you're planning to enjoy yourself today. You do get free tickets.

Black Star: Oh no definitely not today. But, ah. Do these free tickets extend to family and friends?

Tangled: Oh yeah totally. Although I do think Jack has a one person policy for friends. You got to get on his good side before you can start bringing them bigger groups.

Black Star: All right. I am going to regret whenever I have to talk to him again and... Apologize frankly.

Tangled: I'm guessing you're an old animatronic too.

Black Star: Not too old, but definitely old enough to get the feeling.

Tangled: Well I'm sure you can let the fire cool a little bit before you try. I'll see you tomorrow.

Black Star: See you tomorrow Tangl.