#strategic human resource management
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Welcome to Dione Bennet: Best human resource Company in Gurgaon
Welcome to Dione Bennet: the pinnacle of human resource excellence in Gurgaon. As a premier HR company, Dione Bennet is committed to delivering top-tier human resources services tailored to meet the diverse needs of businesses across various industries. Whether you're a burgeoning startup or a well-established corporation, our expert team is here to ensure your HR functions are not just managed but optimized for strategic success.
#best human resource management#human resources services#best hr consultancy services#strategic human resource management#talent acquisition#HR Services#HR Company
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Elevate Your Strategy with Premier Human Resource Management
Maximize your organization's potential with HRV Consultancy, your strategic partner in human resource management. Specializing in aligning HR practices with business objectives, we offer innovative solutions for talent acquisition, workforce development, performance management, and organizational growth. Our approach integrates cutting-edge strategies with your unique corporate culture, ensuring sustainable success and competitive advantage. With a focus on strategic planning, compliance, and employee engagement, our team is committed to transforming your HR operations into a pivotal driver of business excellence.Discover how we can help you achieve your goals. Contact +31 (0)6 27129158 today.
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What is Strategic Human Resource Management? How it can Help in Effective Gowth of Your Business
In the symphony of business, where aspirations meet action, lies a fundamental truth: success is not solely built on products and strategies but on the people who breathe life into them. In this era of transformative growth, the role of human resource strategy has transcended from a backstage function to a strategic orchestrator of business success. For more information visit our blog
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The Post-War Evolution of HRM: From Welfare to Strategic Human Resource Management (1945-1965)
The years following World War II ushered in a new chapter in the development of Human Resource Management (HRM). In the aftermath of the war, HRM expanded and became more formalized as companies adapted to new economic realities and changes in workforce dynamics. Unlike the pre-war period, when HRM was primarily focused on welfare capitalism and managing employee relations, the post-war era saw the evolution of HRM into a more strategic function, with a growing emphasis on organizational efficiency, labor productivity, and the alignment of human resources with broader corporate goals.
This essay explores the post-war transformation of HRM, examining the factors that contributed to its evolution and the shift from welfare-oriented personnel management to strategic human resource management (SHRM). It will also highlight key developments in the field during this period, including the professionalization of HRM, the influence of behavioral sciences, and the changing relationship between HR departments and unions.
The Shift from Welfare to Productivity-Oriented HRM
Following the end of World War II in 1945, many companies in the United States and Europe faced a rapidly changing economic environment. Wartime production had significantly expanded industrial capacity, and companies were now grappling with the need to transition to peacetime production. In addition, the post-war period was characterized by labor shortages in many industries due to the demobilization of soldiers and the return of women to traditional domestic roles. Companies were thus compelled to reassess their HRM strategies to maintain high levels of productivity and meet growing consumer demand.
One of the major shifts in HRM during this time was the move away from welfare-based programs toward a focus on maximizing productivity and organizational efficiency. In the 1920s and early 1930s, welfare capitalism had been characterized by initiatives that sought to improve employee morale and loyalty through benefits such as health insurance, company housing, and recreational programs. However, with the rise of mass production and increased competition, companies began to prioritize the efficient allocation of labor, cost management, and output, rather than employee welfare alone.
The introduction of performance-based incentives, job evaluation programs, and more rigorous recruitment processes became common HRM practices in the post-war period. As companies sought to streamline operations, HR departments increasingly focused on hiring the right employees for specific roles and developing training programs to enhance workers’ skills and productivity. These efforts were driven by a growing recognition that human resources were a critical factor in maintaining a competitive edge in a rapidly expanding global market.
The Professionalization of HRM
As HRM evolved in the post-war period, the field became more professionalized, with an increasing number of companies establishing formal HR departments staffed by specialists in personnel management. This shift was driven in part by the rise of new managerial ideologies that emphasized scientific management and the efficient organization of labor. HR professionals were tasked with applying principles of organizational psychology, sociology, and economics to optimize workforce management and improve labor relations.
One key development during this period was the growing influence of the behavioral sciences on HRM practices. Researchers such as Abraham Maslow and Douglas McGregor introduced theories of motivation and human behavior that had a profound impact on how companies approached employee management. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, for example, emphasized the importance of addressing both the basic and higher-level psychological needs of employees to motivate them and enhance job satisfaction. McGregor’s Theory X and Theory Y presented two contrasting views of workforce motivation—one based on authoritarian control (Theory X) and the other on employee self-direction and creativity (Theory Y). These theories encouraged HR managers to adopt more flexible and human-centered approaches to managing their workforce, promoting a culture of empowerment rather than strict control.
The professionalization of HRM also led to the development of new training programs and certification processes for HR professionals. By the 1950s, universities and business schools in the United States and Europe began offering courses in personnel management and industrial relations, helping to formalize HRM as a recognized profession. The establishment of professional HR organizations, such as the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) in the U.S., provided HR practitioners with networking opportunities, industry standards, and a platform for sharing best practices.
The Influence of Labor Unions on HRM
Another major factor shaping HRM in the post-war period was the role of labor unions. Union membership had surged during the New Deal era, and by the 1950s, unions represented a significant portion of the industrial workforce in both the United States and Europe. This period saw the negotiation of comprehensive collective bargaining agreements that covered wages, working conditions, benefits, and job security. As a result, HR departments were increasingly responsible for managing labor relations and ensuring compliance with union contracts.
In unionized companies, the role of HRM became more complex. HR managers had to navigate the demands of unionized workers while also maintaining productivity and profitability for the organization. Labor relations specialists within HR departments were tasked with negotiating labor agreements, handling grievances, and managing strikes and work stoppages. The rise of industrial disputes in the post-war period further underscored the importance of HRM in maintaining harmonious relations between workers and management.
While unions posed challenges for HR departments, they also created opportunities for collaboration. In many cases, HR managers worked closely with union representatives to develop joint labor-management programs aimed at improving worker morale and productivity. For example, in industries such as manufacturing and mining, labor-management committees were established to address issues such as safety, job training, and worker welfare. These collaborative initiatives reflected the evolving role of HRM in fostering cooperation between labor and management, rather than simply serving as an agent of management.
The Emergence of Strategic Human Resource Management (SHRM)
By the 1960s, the focus of HRM had shifted from merely managing personnel to aligning human resources with broader corporate objectives—a development that laid the foundation for what would later be known as strategic human resource management (SHRM). SHRM emphasized the role of HRM in contributing to the overall success of the organization by ensuring that HR practices were integrated with the company’s strategic goals.
One of the driving forces behind the emergence of SHRM was the increasing recognition that human capital was a key source of competitive advantage. As companies expanded globally and faced greater competition, the need to attract, develop, and retain skilled workers became paramount. HR departments were tasked with not only managing day-to-day personnel issues but also developing long-term strategies for workforce planning, leadership development, and talent management.
HR professionals began to play a more active role in corporate decision-making, advising executives on issues such as organizational restructuring, mergers and acquisitions, and international expansion. The rise of HR metrics and analytics during this period also enabled HR departments to quantify their impact on the organization and demonstrate the value of their contributions to business performance.
Conclusion
The post-war period from 1945 to 1965 marked a critical phase in the evolution of HRM, as companies transitioned from welfare-based personnel management to more strategic, productivity-focused approaches. The professionalization of HRM, the influence of behavioral sciences, and the growing importance of labor relations all contributed to the development of a more sophisticated and formalized HRM function. As companies faced new economic and competitive pressures, HR departments increasingly aligned their practices with broader corporate goals, laying the groundwork for the emergence of strategic human resource management. This period set the stage for the continued evolution of HRM into a key strategic function in organizations worldwide.
#Human Resource#Management (HRM)#Post-War Era#Evolution of HRM#Welfare Focus#Strategic HRM#Personnel Management#Industrial Relations#Social and Political Context
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Bridging the Gap – Urban Learning Experiences in Rural Areas through Online PGDM Courses
What is a PGDM?
Before we delve into the specifics of online PGDM courses, it’s important to understand what a PGDM is. A Post Graduate Diploma in Management is a professional course that equips students with the knowledge and skills necessary to excel in various aspects of business management. It covers various subjects, including finance, marketing, human resources, operations, and strategic management.
#PGDM#finance#marketing#human resources#operations#and strategic management#Post Graduate Diploma in Management#online PGDM courses#PGDM courses
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#mba assignment help#Strategic Management Assignment Help#Human Resource Management Assignment Help#Case Study for MBA Students
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Unraveling the Depths: Understanding the Essence of Database Management Systems in IGNOU Study
IGNOU Study, the foundation of seamless data organization lies in the intricate world of Database Management Systems (DBMS). As technology continues to evolve, so does the need for efficient data handling and storage.
The SEO-Friendly Journey: Deciphering Database Management Systems
Database Management System, abbreviated as DBMS, is the architectural backbone of organized data storage, retrieval, and manipulation. In the context of IGNOU Study, where information flow is incessant, DBMS serves as the silent guardian ensuring the seamless management of academic records, student details, and course materials.
Quality Content: Search engines prioritize content that adds value. By providing comprehensive information about DBMS in the context of IGNOU Study, this article aims to be a valuable resource, boosting its SEO ranking.
Bridging the Gap Between IGNOU Study and Database Management Systems In the intricate web of IGNOU Study, Database Management Systems emerge as the unsung heroes, orchestrating the symphony of data flow and organization. Understanding the essence of DBMS not only enhances administrative efficiency but also elevates the overall academic experience for IGNOU Study.
#comprehensive financial management#what is database management system#what is relational database management systems#strategic management process#human resource management
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Enhancing Project Success Rates: The Role of Project Management Consulting in Nursing Colleges
In today's fast-paced world, where every institution aims for excellence, the field of education, especially in nursing colleges, is no exception. Efficient project management plays a pivotal role in ensuring the success of educational institutions. To meet the demands of this dynamic environment, project management consulting offers a strategic advantage. This article delves into how project management consulting enhances project success rates, especially in nursing colleges.
Understanding the Role of Project Management Consulting
Project management consulting involves the application of best practices, strategic analysis, and the utilization of training modules to achieve project goals efficiently. In the context of nursing colleges, where a multitude of tasks and projects are ongoing, project management consulting becomes crucial.
Strategic Analysis for Nursing Colleges
Strategic analysis is the first step in project management consulting. It involves a thorough assessment of the educational institution's goals and objectives. In the case of nursing colleges, understanding the specific educational requirements, the target audience, and the desired outcomes is crucial. With a clear strategic analysis, a roadmap is established, ensuring that every project aligns with the institution's goals.
Training Modules for Efficient Project Execution
One of the key elements of project management consulting is the implementation of training modules. In nursing colleges, these modules are designed to equip the staff with the necessary skills to manage projects effectively. This includes human resource planning, which is vital in ensuring the right team members are assigned to each project. Properly trained staff are better equipped to handle various aspects of project management, leading to smoother project execution.
Human Resource Planning for Nursing Colleges
Human resource planning is an essential aspect of project management consulting, especially in educational institutions. In nursing colleges, it's crucial to ensure that the right individuals are assigned to projects that match their skills and expertise. A well-planned human resource strategy can lead to a more streamlined project execution and better results.
Educational Background and Compliance Audits
In the context of nursing colleges, having a team with a solid educational background is essential. Project management consulting ensures that the staff members have the necessary educational qualifications and experience to oversee various educational projects effectively. Additionally, compliance audits are conducted to ensure that the projects meet all regulatory and accreditation requirements, which is vital for nursing colleges to maintain their reputation and academic quality.
Financial Assistance for Nursing Colleges
Financial assistance is often required to execute projects successfully in nursing colleges. Project management consulting helps in financial planning and budgeting, ensuring that resources are allocated optimally. This can include securing grants, optimizing existing resources, and exploring partnerships to enhance the financial support for projects.
Record Keeping and Construction Supervision
Efficient record-keeping is paramount in educational institutions, including nursing colleges. Project management consulting emphasizes the importance of maintaining accurate records for every project. This helps in evaluating the success of each project and learning from past experiences to enhance future endeavors. In the case of infrastructure-related projects, construction supervision is another critical aspect. Nursing colleges often require facilities and equipment upgrades. Proper supervision ensures that these projects are completed on time and within the specified budget.
Conclusion
In conclusion, project management consulting plays a vital role in enhancing project success rates in nursing colleges. Through strategic analysis, training modules, human resource planning, and compliance audits, project management consultants ensure that projects align with the institution's goals and meet regulatory requirements. Financial assistance and effective record-keeping further contribute to the success of projects in nursing colleges. By implementing the principles of project management consulting, nursing colleges can continue to provide quality education and adapt to the evolving demands of the educational landscape.
#nursing colleges#Project Management Consulting#Strategic Analysis#Training Modules#Human resource planning#Educational Background#Compliance Audits#Financial Assistance#Record Keeping#Construction Supervision
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With the new Multiple Actions functionality, when creating templates for the HR processes, you can assign action items for filling in forms (lists) with as many records as required. For example, in the HR process for event planning, you can create an action item for filling in the list of participants.
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Software is coming to Strategic HR (Talent) Space
Do you know human resource management strategic change? Yes, it's correct in a few years human resource planning and hr strategic change. there are many software in the market that do work easily for HR that take less time and give the best output. For more detail visit our blog!
#human resource strategy#strategic hr strategic#human resource management strategic#hr planning strategic#hrm strategic#human resource planning
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Playing Pretend
Pairing: Wrecker x Twi'Lek fem!Reader
Words: 16,373
Tags/Warnings: 18+ only! fake married, (not) unrequited feelings, Wrecker yearning x1000, some negative self talk, big "get your hands off my wife!" energy, some minor jealousy, smut, oral (f receiving), fingering, unprotected sex, dirty talk, praise kink, size kink obviously, light dom!Reader
Summary: The mission is simple: infiltrate a lavish party, plant a bug, and get out. The only problem: Wrecker has to pretend to be married to you, and he's not so sure he can hide how much he likes it.
A/N: Happy Wrecker Wednesday! This is definitely the most self-indulgent thing I've ever written, down to the nonhuman reader bc I'm getting a little bored with humans. With this, we've officially reached the end of the fics I wrote before creating this account, and we're going out with a bang (literally).
Previous Work | Next Work | Masterlist
This mission is going to be a disaster.
It's not that Wrecker doesn’t trust you, quite the opposite. You’re quiet, quick, and resourceful, and you’re one of the smartest people he’s ever met. You're built for infiltration, for gathering intel, and as far as the Batch is concerned, you have yet to fail a mission. So no, there’s no doubt in his mind you're the perfect spy.
It’s his own ability that gives him pause.
Hunter, Echo, hell, even Tech would’ve been a better pick for any sort of espionage mission over him. When Hunter informed them Wrecker was the one that was going with you, Wrecker laughed. A full belly laugh that brought tears to his eyes and left his face aching, because the very idea of him sneaking around, being stealthy, well, it was ridiculous.
It was so ridiculous he was sure Hunter had meant it as a joke, but when he saw the serious look on his face, the one that told him his brother meant business, Wrecker began to sweat. He hasn’t really stopped since.
Lying and pretending are two things he’s truly terrible at, coupled with the fact that he’ll be alone with you, playing pretend with you, and he‘s been on edge ever since.
It doesn't help that Cid insisted the only way you could get close to the target is by posing as a married couple. One that are newlyweds, at that.
Wrecker knows this is a job, just a job, but it's still you.
He's still going to be touching you, and not because you need him to, or you want him to, but because the job requires it. And the whole thing just has him feeling weird. He knows you can fake being a couple, but he's not sure if he can.
As much as Wrecker hates lying and pretending, he really doesn't hate you. If he's being honest, he probably likes you too much. So that's why, when Hunter told him about the mission, and then later asked if he was alright with the details, Wrecker had said yes.
The look Hunter gave him told him that he didn't quite believe him, and Wrecker wasn't even sure he believed himself. After all, it's no secret he doesn't have the greatest poker face. He doesn't like lying, especially to his brothers. But he also doesn't like disappointing them, or disappointing you, and he's willing to do just about anything to make sure you're safe.
The rest of the night before the mission was spent planning and strategizing, which meant he didn't see much of you. He wanted to check in and make sure you were feeling good about the plan, but he never got the chance.
Now, here he is, in a small, nondescript hotel room with you, the rest of the squad holed up in the Marauder and waiting on your signal. The room itself is nice, but small, and there's only one bed. He’d felt his nerves spike when he first saw it, but he forced himself to relax. If everything goes according to plan, you won't be sleeping in it.
There are other things he's more worried about, anyway. Like how he's going to pull this off, and how he's going to manage not to fuck up, and most importantly, how he's going to manage spending the entire mission trying not to get too wrapped up in you.
That last part is the hardest.
He's sitting on the bed, the holomap spread out on the small table beside it. Your target is a small-time gangster, and he’s having a party at his penthouse tonight, so it's the perfect opportunity to sneak in. All you have to do is go through the party, find the main office, plant a few bugs, and then get out.
Easy peasy.
At least, that's what Tech said.
Well, he said a lot more than that, but Wrecker had kind of zoned out around the time Tech started talking about security cameras and frequencies.
What he does know is the bugs need to be placed somewhere in the office, and the two of you will have to blend in and seem as natural as possible until you can make your way there. Easy for you, but Wrecker knows he'll stick out like a sore thumb, even if he isn't in his armor.
“You alright, big guy?”
Wrecker nearly jumps at the sound of your voice, heart in his throat as he feels your hand gently grab his arm. He tenses underneath your touch.
He can’t remember the last time you touched him, or even the last time the two of you were alone together. Probably because it hasn’t happened. He thinks he would remember if it had, because it feels electrifying. Your manicured hand, complete with a wedding ring, slides against the fabric of his suit. It takes everything in him not to shiver.
Then he turns to face you fully, and his eyes nearly fall out of his head.
No, he’s not alright.
You look absolutely stunning.
It's not like you don't look stunning every day, you do, and even when you're in armor, or covered in dirt and grime, Wrecker thinks you're beautiful. But this...this is something else. It's not fair.
You’ve shared a bit about Ryloth during your time together, and you’d mentioned that ever since you left the hot planet, you felt cold. He’s never seen you without a jacket except that one time you’d been shot in your shoulder, and even then, he was more focused on keeping pressure on the wound and getting you to safety than on what you were wearing.
But right now, he can't focus on anything else.
He, embarrassingly, tends to ogle whenever any inch of your vibrant skin is on display. He walked straight into a wall the time you stretched in front of him, and your shirt rode up to reveal a hint of the curve of your stomach. When he saw your legs in a dress at 79s, he shattered his glass. He couldn’t help it. That was one of the first times he realized he had a problem, but it certainly wasn't the last.
You're just...so much, all the time, and you don't even realize it. He's gotten better at being discrete, or at least, he's better at hiding his reactions.
But this is so, so much.
Made of some fancy shimmering black fabric, the top of the dress left nearly your entire chest exposed along with your arms. With two thin straps to hold it up, he doesn't know how it's staying in place, but he's sure if he looks hard enough, he'll find out.
A deep cut runs down the middle of the dress, starting right under your clavicle and ending in a point just below your stomach. It's long, coming all the way down to your feet and flaring out, and there are two slits up either side of the dress, exposing your thighs as you move.
There's no denying it, the dress is tight, and Wrecker is trying so hard not to look, honestly, but it's like his eyes are glued to your body.
You mentioned you would have a weapon on you just in case, but looking over you now — admiring the way the expensive fabric clung to every curve of you — he struggles to imagine where it could be.
He swallows. Hard.
The hand on his arm lets go to reach up and hold one of your lek, shifting it so both were draped over one shoulder. You’d gone all out with decorating them as well. Sparkling straps of black crisscrossed up to a velvet headpiece that takes the place of your usual bandana, all coming to a point high on your forehead, where a deep blue jewel sits at your crown. It shifts slightly with the raise of your eyebrows, and he realizes he's been staring, and he’s still not saying anything.
Wrecker forces out the first words on his mind.
“Wow! You look—wow..."
You give him a small smile, a hint of color darkening your cheeks, and his heart thuds in his chest. He wants to make you blush all the time.
He reaches out and grabs your hand, lifting it above your head with ease. Wrecker turns you into a spin, and he’s rewarded with your cute laugh and the sound of the dress swishing as you spin. And then he sees your back, entirely exposed all the way down to the dimples at the base of your spine, just above the curve of your ass.
Holy shit.
He has to look away, letting go of your hand to rub the back of his neck, feeling a little light-headed. This is already not going well.
“You clean up well yourself, handsome,” you say between a laugh, and he blushes more than he already is.
Wrecker doesn't consider himself all that good-looking, especially compared to his brothers, but you've told him once or twice he's not hard on the eyes. You've also told him he has a nice smile, which had him grinning like an idiot for a solid day. He's still smiling now, because hearing you call him handsome makes his heart pound in his chest.
Still, he's not used to all the compliments. It's a lot, especially when they come from you.
"Tech and Echo did the best they could, I guess," Wrecker shrugs. The motion stretches the threads of his dark suit, and he grimaces. It's itchy, and too tight, and he hates it. He doesn't get how people wear these things all the time. "Not really used to the fancy stuff."
You tilt your head, looking him over. He resists the urge to squirm.
“C’mere," you tell him, beckoning him with your hand.
Wrecker does as he's told, and your hands grab his tie. The feeling of you tugging him closer by the silk sends a rush of heat through his veins, and he can’t help but grin down at you as he watches you adjust it for him.
Your mouth is pursed, nose wrinkling slightly as you concentrate on getting it just right, even though you both know he'll likely mess it up in a matter of minutes anyway. You’re so cute, and you're so close, and it would be so easy for him to lean in and kiss you.
He's thought about it a lot, and he's almost done it once or twice, but then you'd pull back, or one of his brothers or Omega would come into the room, and the moment would be gone. It was probably for the best, considering he doesn't even know how you feel about him.
“Thanks," he mumbles.
You're still standing close, your chest practically touching his.
"Of course." The words are soft, and they leave him feeling hotter than ever.
He looks away from you, and catches sight of the two of you in the mirror. Wrecker has always been a bit of a sucker for a good romance, and this? This is right out of one of his favorite holovids. You're both dressed in the finest clothes, him in a suit, you in a gorgeous dress, and it's just the two of you against the world.
Except, this isn't real.
There isn't any grand romance, and the feelings that threaten to burst from his chest are his and his alone.
“You really do look beautiful," he says, his voice a little rough, but honest.
You meet his eyes in the mirror. He watches as the corner of your lips quirk up, and you look almost shy. It's adorable, and a little confusing, because usually, you're not so modest. He wonders what changed.
"I—thank you, Wrecker."
"And I'll keep sayin' it till you believe me," he adds, because it's true.
"Oh, I believe you," you laugh, and the sound warms him to the core.
"Yeah?"
You nod. "Yeah."
"Good. 'Cause you really do. You look—" Wrecker swallows, and then shakes his head. He's getting distracted, and it's not good, not when the two of you have a job to do.
"So do you."
You give his tie one last tug, and then take a step back. Your hands smooth down the front of your dress as you look down at your shoes. He can't tell, but he swears you look almost bashful. It's so unlike you that he wonders if you're actually okay.
"You sure you're good?" he asks, concerned.
You hum an affirmative, and then you mutter, “Just already looking forward to taking this off."
The words are mumbled, barely audible, and he doesn't think you intended for him to hear. Wrecker blinks, and his gaze travels down the length of your body, and his mouth goes dry. His mind can't help but wander. It would be so easy for him to reach out, hook his fingers in the thin straps holding your dress up, and just...
"Yeah, me too," Wrecker admits quietly, the words falling from his mouth without thought.
A second passes. Two.
Wrecker's brain catches up to his mouth. He sees the shift of your jaw and the bob of your throat, and he wishes the ground would swallow him up.
"Uh, yeah, I mean," Wrecker starts, trying to backtrack and failing, "because I hate this thing, and it's not very comfortable."
It's not the worst lie he's told, but it's pretty far up there. Still, the look of relief that crosses your face tells him you believe it. Your arms are crossed over your chest, holding yourself in a way that suggests you feel vulnerable, and the realization makes his gut twist.
Wrecker doesn't want to make you feel uncomfortable, and he feels terrible that he has. He didn't even realize that the dress, and the mission, could bother you. You always seemed so put together, and confident, and not bothered by much, that he just assumed you would be okay. But, you're not, and now he feels bad, and stupid.
"We don't have to do this," Wrecker offers, rubbing the back of his neck.
You shake your head, and he can see you forcing yourself to relax. "I can handle a few hours."
Wrecker isn't sure what to say. He knows you're capable, and he doesn't think you would offer if you didn't think you could do it, but the way you're standing makes him wonder.
"But you know if you don't wanna, that's fine too," he adds, because it is.
Hunter would probably give him an earful later, but you were the priority, and Wrecker would deal with whatever punishment was necessary to make sure you were safe and comfortable. He doubted Hunter would be mad, anyway. They're family, and family looked out for each other, and you were part of the team, too.
You look at him, and then down at the floor, and then back up at him.
"It's fine."
Wrecker bites his tongue, but only barely.
You're not fine, and he can tell, and it doesn't take a genius to figure out why. There's a reason you've always been the one chosen for missions like this, even back when you were still an intelligence officer and he was barely more than a shiny. It's not just because of your training and experience, but also because of the way you look.
The thought makes him angry. It isn't right, and he hates that you've been forced into this position. Until tonight, he'd held out some misguided hope that you wouldn't ever have to be put in a situation like this again.
He knows you can handle a lot more than most, but you shouldn't have to.
"Really, Wrecker, I'm fine," you say again, and it's only then that he realizes he's been staring at you.
"Are you sure? ‘Cause if—"
You step forward, putting a hand on his chest and looking up at him. His eyes catch on the shine of your lips, and the warmth of your hand against his chest makes his heart race.
"If you keep asking me, I'm gonna start to think you don't want to be my husband," you tease.
"I'd love to be your husband," Wrecker replies without missing a beat, and he means it.
The words are true, even if the context isn't. It's the closest thing he'll get to a wedding with you, and that thought makes him want to scream. Instead, he settles on smiling, even as his heart races and his palms sweat.
"I'm sorry, I just don't wanna make you feel—"
"I'm kidding, ma sareen," you say, shaking your head, "I know. But really, it's okay."
He gives a slow nod, not sure how to respond. You've called him that before, and while he doesn't speak Ryl, he does know it's a term of endearment. One that he's overhead Suu say to Cut a few times, and one that you've used with him, and only him.
Every time, it makes him smile. But it's one thing for you to say it casually, and another entirely to say it in front of strangers, pretending to be married to him. He doesn't know why the thought makes his heart pound in his chest, or his ears grow warm.
"And hey, at least I have someone who can protect me, right?"
He grins proudly, and nods. That, he can do.
"You got that right."
"Then what's there to worry about?" you ask, a smile on your face.
That I might embarrass you, is what Wrecker wants to say, but doesn't. Instead, he follows you towards the door. You pause just before stepping through, looking up at him expectantly. He doesn't quite understand until you reach out and hold your hand palm up.
"Well?"
"What?"
"Give me your hand, Wrecker," you laugh.
"Oh, right," Wrecker stutters, slipping his hand into yours.
His hands are rough and calloused from years of fighting, but your hand is soft and gentle, and he tries his best not to squeeze too hard. You lead him out of the room and to the lift. You lean against him, your head resting on his shoulder, and his breath catches in his throat.
"Relax, big guy, you've got this," you whisper, giving his hand a reassuring squeeze.
Wrecker hopes you're right.
He's not sure how long the two of you have been here. An hour? Maybe two?
Whatever it is, it's long enough that his face hurts from fake smiling. His shoulders are tense, and he keeps a steady hand on your lower back, not willing to let go.
As soon as the two of you had walked through the door, the guards had taken your weapons, and it had been the first time Wrecker had felt truly unsettled since leaving the ship. Not only was he unarmed, but now, you were as well, and he was responsible for keeping you safe. They'd even taken the knife you'd tucked into the holster on your thigh.
They'd also frisked you, and while it wasn't the first time, or even the first time for him, it was the first time he'd seen it done like that. The guard had run his hands up the inside of your thigh, his thumb dangerously close to places he never should've been touching, and Wrecker had seen red.
The man was lucky all Wrecker did was grab his wrist and pull it away, his grip tight enough to bruise. The guard had stumbled, his face red as he tried and failed to apologize. It didn't matter to him. The bastard wouldn't be able to use that hand for a while, and Wrecker hadn't felt bad at all.
After, he'd wrapped his arm around your waist and held you close. He knows he probably shouldn't have, but he needed the reminder that you were safe. He could pretend it was just for show, but really, it was to comfort himself.
It doesn't help that every eye in the room has been on the two of you since you arrived, and while the stares are likely directed at you, Wrecker still doesn't like it. It makes his blood boil, and his skin crawl, and all he wants to do is get out of here. He hates how uncomfortable and vulnerable it makes him feel, and the fact that it's affecting him at all is embarrassing.
You seem to be doing just fine, chatting with various people, laughing and smiling and, unfortunately, flirting.
Not with him, no. With all the men and women around you.
It's the nature of the job, he knows that, but it still sucks.
You're doing your best to blend in, and it's working. He just tries his best to keep up with you. He doesn't trust any of these people, not even for a second, and the tension in his shoulders doesn't ease, no matter how hard he tries.
This is the first time he's been in a party like this, and he doesn't think he likes it.
When Tech had said the target was having a party, he'd expected loud music, maybe some dancing. What he got was an old-fashioned cocktail party, the type he's only ever seen in holovids, and the kind where the rich and powerful mingle and talk about politics and money.
It's boring, and the people are rude, and the lights of the chandelier make his eye twitch. But worst of all, no one can take their eyes off you, and he can't blame them. Even after the initial shock of seeing you dressed like that has passed, his eyes can't help but trail down the length of your body. And while you're definitely the most beautiful person in the room, he thinks there's a part of him that doesn't want anyone else to see you.
At least there's good food. And drink. And while he would never dare touch you without permission, it's nice to know he can do so now.
So he's taken every opportunity to do just that, to let everyone around know that you're his. He's kept his hand on the small of your back, the curve of your hip, the bend of your waist, and he's made sure to be close to you at all times. You don't seem to mind, which is the best part, and it makes his chest swell with pride.
Your arm is tucked around his, your fingers laced with his own, and he loves the way you lean into him, like you need him, like he's a safe place for you. He doesn't know if you do, but it doesn't stop him from wishing.
Wrecker looks at the ring on his finger. It's a simple gold band, nothing fancy, and it reminds him that this isn't real. It's just for the job, and he has to keep reminding himself of that. Because if he doesn't, it'll be easy for him to lose sight of that. And if he loses sight, he might do something stupid, like kiss you, and he's not sure if he'd be able to stop.
"So, where did you two meet?"
Wrecker tears his gaze away from you and to the Twi'lek across from him, her blue lekku adorned with jewels. He has no idea who she is, but the two of you are getting along so well he doesn't want to interrupt. You're the only Twi'leks in the room, and he thinks that might be the only reason the two of you are talking at all.
"Oh, it's a little embarrassing, actually," you answer, a shy smile on your face.
You squeeze his hand and glance up at him, and his stomach flutters.
"Not really," he mumbles, cheeks warm.
"You don't think so, but I might," you giggle, and Wrecker can't help the way his mouth quirks up in a smile. He wants to kiss your forehead, or your cheek, or your lips, but he doesn't.
The Twi'lek woman laughs and sips her drink, leaning in close to listen.
"C'mon, tell me, I'm dying to know."
Wrecker's not sure what story you've told everyone else, so he's not sure if this is part of it, but the way you look up at him makes his heart skip a beat. You squeeze his hand again, and he wonders if it's supposed to be a sign. It's a little distracting.
"Well, um, we met when he saved my life."
Wrecker nearly chokes on his drink.
The Twi'lek raises a brow, glancing between the two of you. "Really?"
"Mhm."
"That's not embarrassing."
"Yes, it is. Because he saved my life, and instead of being grateful, I called him an idiot," you tell her, a blush rising to your cheeks.
It's the truth. When you were still an officer, your unit was under fire. You'd been separated from your squad, pinned down, and Wrecker had found you. He'd pulled you from your hiding spot and out of the way, and the two of you had barely escaped unscathed. But the first words you'd said to him were, 'You idiot, you almost shot me.'
In his defense, he was a little distracted at the time.
"What did you say to that?"
Wrecker shrugs, taking a sip of his drink. "Not much."
You look up at him, your eyes shining. "I mean, he did save my life, so I apologized, obviously."
"Obviously," the woman nods.
"And, um, well," you stumble, and Wrecker wonders what's making you so nervous. It's not like you to be caught off guard, but you seem almost embarrassed. "He's the kindest man I've ever met, and I was immediately charmed by him."
Wrecker can't hide the surprise that crosses his face, but he does his best.
"It was hard not to fall for him," you admit, a softness in your voice that wasn't there before, "and, well, here we are."
Your gaze meets his, and the tenderness in your eyes takes his breath away.
"So romantic," the woman sighs, and you nod in agreement.
"Yeah, it's...it's somethin'," Wrecker says quietly, his chest tight.
He doesn't think anyone's ever talked about him like that, let alone in front of a bunch of strangers.
You lean into him, a soft smile on your face. Wrecker's hand slides from your waist to rest on the small of your back, and his eyes linger on the curve of your lip, the slight shimmer on your cheek. His tongue darts out to wet his lips, and your eyes drop down to watch the motion, and his heart thuds against his ribcage.
He can't help but wonder if maybe there's some truth to what you're saying. It's not like you've been lying the entire time, and Wrecker isn't naïve. He knows this is all part of the act, but the way you're looking at him makes him feel like you might mean it.
Wrecker can't help the way his mind wanders, or the way his stomach flutters when your lips brush his ear as you whisper, "You alright, darling?"
His breath hitches in his throat, and it's hard not to shudder as you trail a finger up his arm.
"Yeah, m'fine," he manages, the words shaky.
Your lips brush the shell of his ear, and he has to fight the urge to groan.
"We've got company," you whisper.
Wrecker tenses, scanning the room. It takes a moment for him to realize you mean the target. He's making his way through the crowd, and it's only a matter of moments before he's approaching.
"Mr. and Mrs. Kasta," he greets, an air of confidence in his voice, "welcome."
Wrecker nods at him, keeping his mouth shut. He doesn't trust himself not to say something stupid. He's already fucked up a few times tonight, and he doesn't want to embarrass himself. Besides, you're already taking the lead, smiling brightly at the man.
"Thank you for having us, Mr. Dralig," you tell him, giving a slight bow.
"Please, call me Bohme," he insists, returning the gesture. "Always a pleasure to meet such an esteemed couple as yourselves. You look ravishing, Mrs. Kasta."
You blush, and Wrecker fights the urge to roll his eyes. You are the most stunning woman in the room, and he can't imagine how this asshole could think otherwise, but the compliment still makes him bristle. He can't understand why you don't seem more annoyed.
"Well, thank you," you say, a hint of laughter in your voice.
"I do hope you're enjoying yourselves," Bohme continues, "the food, the music, the view."
The man's eyes linger on you for a moment too long, and Wrecker doesn't have to be a genius to figure out what he means.
"Oh, yes, very much so," you reply easily, ignoring the implication, "thank you."
Bohme nods, and then turns his attention to Wrecker, giving him a quick once-over. Wrecker tenses. The man is short and thin, his features pinched and pale, but his eyes are sharp, and his mouth is curved up in a smile that's almost predatory.
"I must say, I was a little surprised when I learned the Kastas would be joining us tonight. I was told they were unable to make it."
Wrecker narrows his eyes, watching the man carefully.
"Yes, well, our schedules opened up, and my husband was able to move some things around. It's rare we get a night off, so I jumped at the chance," you tell him, reaching out to grab Wrecker's arm and squeeze it.
He's glad you're playing the part so well. It's definitely not something he's capable of, and he can't help but feel a little useless. But he can at least make sure you're not alone, and that this guy keeps his hands off you.
"Well, I'm glad you could make it."
"We're glad we could too. The party's been wonderful."
"Glad to hear it."
Wrecker shifts slightly, feeling the weight of the man's gaze. There's something unsettling about him, and Wrecker's never been able to hide his disdain for the people they're forced to work for. But Bohme's the mark, and so he tries his best not to stare, but he's never been good at playing nice.
"If I'm being honest, I thought the rumors were exaggerated."
Wrecker frowns, and you look a little surprised.
"Oh?"
"I see the scars aren't," Bohme adds, gesturing to Wrecker's face.
Wrecker doesn't reply, only glares. The scars have never bothered him, not really. Sure, sometimes people stare, or ask him about them, and sometimes that's more than a little awkward. But he doesn't hate them. He mostly just forgets they're there until he gets one of the phantom pains, or someone points them out.
This man, though, he's staring, and not with curiosity, but with judgement, and it makes Wrecker’s skin crawl. He clenches his jaw, looking for the words to tell him off that won’t make the entire operation fail, but thankfully, you're quicker than him.
"No, but I quite like them," you say, reaching up and brushing a hand over his scarred cheek.
Wrecker swallows, his head tilting down to meet your gaze. Your touch is gentle, your thumb brushing under his eye, and he watches as your eyes shift from cold fury to something warmer, kinder.
"They remind me of just how brave and selfless my husband is," you tell him, the words soft, almost as if they're just for him.
Wrecker blinks, his lips parting. He wants to respond, but his throat is dry, and he's not sure what he would say even if he could.
"And I would be lost without him," you add, your fingers sliding across his jaw.
He knows this isn't real, that it's just for show, and he's just a means to an end, but he can't help the way his heart races in his chest. Because the way you're looking at him isn't fake, and neither are your words. He doesn't know how he's so sure, but he is.
He can't find his voice, and he doesn't trust himself to speak, so instead, he takes your hand and presses his lips to the inside of your wrist. You gasp, and your mouth parts, and he's so focused on the warmth of your skin and the way you blush that he barely registers the sound of Bohme's laughter.
"Oh, to be young and in love."
Wrecker doesn't pay attention to the rest of the conversation. He doesn't care. All he can focus on is you. The way you look up at him, and the softness in your eyes. The way you're pressed against him, and the way his arm is wrapped around you, and the way it feels like you belong there.
You've always felt right in his arms, like you fit perfectly, and every time you touch him, he wonders if it's the last. That's how it is now. Like it could end at any moment. So, he's memorizing everything, every detail, the feel of your skin, the sound of your voice, the scent of your perfume.
Because when this is all over, he'll never be close to you like this again, and he'll never forget it.
"Ma sareen."
He snaps out of his trance at the sound of your voice. "Hmm?"
"Could you be a dear and get me a drink?"
"Sure thing, sweetheart."
Wrecker leans in, pressing his lips to your temple, and he relishes the way your cheeks turn red and the sound of your breath hitching in your throat. He doesn't know what he's doing. All he knows is that it's worth it to see the look on your face, and the way Bohme looks like he's swallowed a lemon.
He gives your waist a gentle squeeze and turns, making his way through the crowd to the bar. It's the furthest place from the door, and the longest walk of his life, because his head is swimming, and his heart is pounding, and it’s giving him too much time to think.
And when he does, all he can think about is you. He's not blind. He can see the way you've been looking at him tonight, and the way you're touching him. It's driving him crazy, and the more time he spends here with you, the harder it is to convince himself that you don't feel the same.
Maybe you do feel the same, and he's just been missing the signs, too afraid to see them. Maybe he should do something about it.
The thought is scary. What if he does, and he's wrong?
But then he remembers the way your fingers slid across his cheek, the way you leaned into his side, and the way you blush whenever he calls you sweetheart. It's enough to give him hope.
"What can I get for you?" the bartender asks.
Wrecker blinks, glancing down at him. He'd forgotten why he was here, and his cheeks warm as he fumbles for an answer. Champagne seems like the right call for you. You'd both had a few glasses earlier, and it was fine, but he needed something much stronger if he was going to have a chance at getting through the rest of the night.
"Whiskey, neat.”
He doesn't pay attention as the bartender pours his drink. He turns around toward where couples are dancing, scanning the room for you. When he finally finds you, his stomach twists, and he has to force himself to breathe.
Bohme has his hands on your hips, and your hand is on his chest, and the way his head dips toward yours sends a flash of anger through him. The two of you are dancing, swaying back and forth, and while Wrecker knows it's a mission, and that you're just playing a part, it still makes his stomach churn.
Because even from here, he can see the look in the man's eyes, and it's not one of someone who's just playing a part.
"Is that all?" the bartender asks.
"What—no, no. Give me another," Wrecker mutters, grabbing the first glass and downing it in a single gulp.
It burns his throat, but it's the distraction he needs, because the two of you are getting closer. He's not sure if Bohme is going in for a kiss, but he knows he's not going to be able to watch it happen.
The second glass goes down just as quickly, and Wrecker winces, slamming the glass back on the bar and turning around. He doesn't know what's come over him. He's not a jealous person. Never has been, not even a little. He's been on plenty of missions with you, and seen you get close with other men, and while he didn't like it, he's never felt this.
Wrecker pushes past the dancing couples and walks toward the two of you. As soon as Bohme's hand slides lower on your back, Wrecker knows it's too much. You've gone along with the plan, but Wrecker's not going to stand here and watch you be taken advantage of, not by him, or anyone.
He storms up to the two of you, ignoring the startled looks on your faces and those around you. Before he can even think about what he's doing, Wrecker wraps his arm around your waist and pulls you close. His hand settles on your lower back, your skin warm and soft against his palm.
"Can I cut in?" he growls, his voice low and gruff.
"Uh—"
"I was talking to my wife," Wrecker snaps, his eyes narrowed.
The man's face pales, and his mouth drops open. He glances down at you, and then back up at Wrecker, and then steps back, holding his hands up in surrender.
You press your hand to his chest, and the motion is so familiar and comforting that his shoulders relax. He looks down at you, and his breath catches in his throat. There's a hint of a smile on your face, and you look happy, and his stomach flutters.
"Of course, darling," you murmur, your fingers curling into his shirt, "we were just having a nice chat, weren't we, Bohme?"
Wrecker glares at the man.
"Yeah, sure, we were," the man replies, taking a step back.
Wrecker knows he should leave it alone, and let you take care of it, but the whiskey has loosened his tongue, and the man's wandering hands have left him feeling more than a little possessive.
"Don't get any ideas, pal. She's married," Wrecker tells him, his voice a deep growl.
He's being harsh, but he doesn't care. You've had to deal with this asshole enough for one night, and Wrecker's tired of watching him touch you, and talk to you, and look at you.
"Of course, I would never," Bohme says, shaking his head.
Wrecker's not convinced, but he's not going to start a fight over it. As much as he'd like to knock the guy's teeth in, he doesn't. For your sake. And for the mission's, though he's caring less and less about that as the night goes on.
"You alright, sweetheart?" Wrecker asks, his tone gentler, more concerned, as he leads you away.
"I'm fine, darling," you answer, giving his arm a squeeze.
He's not sure if he's imagining it, but he swears you sound a little breathy. Wrecker's not surprised. If his heart is racing from the adrenaline of pulling you away from Bohme, then yours probably is, too.
"Sorry I forgot your drink," he mutters as he picks up his pace, "that guy just rubs me the wrong way."
"It's okay," you say, looking up at him with a small smile. As the two of you get further and further away, you add, "I was kind of hoping you would."
He stops walking, his brow furrowing. "What?"
"Nothing, ma sareen."
"Wait, were you—" Wrecker glances over his shoulder, and the realization hits him. You'd known the whole time, and were counting on him to notice, and he had. He's not sure if he should be mad, or embarrassed, or something else entirely. "Oh."
You tilt your head, looking up at him with an amused expression. "Yeah, oh."
"That's why you wanted a drink, wasn't it?"
You bite your lip, a blush rising to your cheeks. "Well, I was thirsty."
"I—"
"I knew you wouldn't leave me alone with him."
"I wouldn't," he says, shaking his head, "not in a million years."
You look down, and his grip on you tightens. He doesn't mean to, but he's still shaken up, and your nearness is a comfort, even if it shouldn't be.
You lean into him, and he takes a step forward, pulling you close. His other hand comes up, his fingers brushing your cheek, and his eyes drop to your lips. He doesn't mean to touch you like this, but now that he has, he doesn't want to stop.
"I know," you say softly, your breath warm against his palm.
"Good," he murmurs.
Your hand slips down his chest, and Wrecker shudders. You're standing so close, and your face is only inches from his, and your eyes are shining. The words leave him before he stop them, his voice a low rumble.
"And I don't want anyone else touching you, either.”
The sound that leaves your mouth sends a rush of heat through his veins, and he has to fight the urge to kiss you.
"Good," you whisper, the word nearly lost to the music.
"Really?"
You nod, looking up at him through your lashes, and his heart skips a beat. "Mhm."
Wrecker lets out a shaky breath, his hand sliding down to cup your cheek. His lips are only inches from yours, and he's not sure if it's the alcohol or the dress, but he feels bold. Too bold.
"Then, is it okay if I—"
You press a finger to his lips, silencing him.
"Yes," you tell him, leaning closer, "but not here."
Wrecker freezes. Did he hear that right? Or is he imagining things?
"Why not?"
"Because," you start slowly, pressing a kiss to his cheek, "if you kiss me, I'm not going to want you to stop. And we're in the middle of a party, and the mission's not over."
Wrecker doesn't even realize his mouth has fallen open until you reach up and close it for him. Your touch is gentle, and his cheeks are warm, and the softness in your eyes makes him melt.
Your hand drags down to adjust his lapel before you slip something into his pocket.
"Got his keycard," you whisper, patting his chest.
Wrecker doesn't care. You could've told him you'd stolen the man's starship, and it still wouldn't have mattered. Not with the way you're looking at him.
"You're really somethin', y'know that?" he asks, and if he sounds a little breathless, he doesn't care about that either.
"So are you, ma sareen," you answer, smiling softly, "so are you."
"Almost done," you say, your voice soft, but urgent.
Wrecker is leaning against the wall, his arms crossed over his chest, his gaze locked on you. He's careful not to touch anything in Bohme's office as you make your way around. His eyes are on the sway of your hips, and the soft curves of your body, and it's all he can do not to reach out and pull you against him.
You'd managed to slip away, and while Wrecker is a little disappointed the two of you had to leave, he knows the sooner you're finished, the sooner you can be alone.
"Anythin' you need help with, sweetheart?"
"No," you answer, "I got it."
You're bent over, looking for something, and the view gives him a perfect view of the curve of your ass. It's a bit distracting, and his mind is wandering. He's thinking about how nice it would be to hold you in his arms, and kiss you, and the things he would like to do if he had the opportunity.
The list is getting longer by the minute.
"Just need a few more seconds."
"I'm not in a rush," he answers with a shrug. His eyes are locked on your ass, and the way it moves as you work. You'd asked him to keep watch, and that's what he's doing, just keeping watch.
"Yes, you are," you say, a teasing lilt in your voice.
"Maybe," he admits, not bothering to deny it.
He doesn't care if it's a little pathetic, or desperate. He doesn't want to hide his feelings anymore. Not from you, and not from himself. He wants you to know, and to understand.
You glance over your shoulder, your eyes meeting his. You're wearing a smile that makes his stomach flutter.
"What are you thinking about?" you ask, a sultry note to your voice that makes his head spin. You walk over to the lamp on the wall and unscrew the glass. One of the bugs Tech had given you slips into the empty socket before you replace the bulb.
Wrecker blinks, his mind foggy.
"You."
You look surprised, and for a moment, he wonders if he's gone too far. But then, you smile, and he knows he's made the right choice. "Yeah? What about me?"
"Just how lucky I am," he tells you, the words sincere.
"Lucky?" you ask, raising a brow.
"Mhm."
You shake your head, letting out a soft laugh. "I think I'm the lucky one."
"I dunno. Pretty sure I'm the one who gets to take you home," Wrecker points out, a grin on his face.
Your eyes widen, and your lips part, and for a moment, you just stare at him, stunned. You let out a shaky breath, your face falling, and it's then that Wrecker realizes his mistake. You’re worth more to him than a quick roll in the sheets, and while he wants you, and the thought of it makes him hot and bothered, he's not interested in a one-night stand.
"I, uh, I didn't mean it like that," he stutters, his cheeks growing warm. “I—“
"Don't worry, darling, I know what you meant," you say, a hint of disappointment in your voice.
"It's not like—"
"We should go, Wrecker. The others are waiting."
"Right," Wrecker says quietly.
He doesn't like the tension in your shoulders, or the way you won't look at him. He's not sure what to say to fix this. All he knows is that the moment is over, and his heart is pounding.
When the two of you step out of the office, the door slides shut behind you, and he grabs your wrist. You don't stop, and you don't turn around. But you don't pull away, either.
"Hey, c'mon, just wait a sec, please."
You stop, letting out a quiet sigh. "It's okay, Wrecker, you don't have to—"
"But I want to."
You look up at him, your jaw set, and there's something in your eyes that tells him you don't believe him. It breaks his heart a little. Because it's true. He's been wanting you for a long time, and even if you don't feel the same, he's not going to let you leave without knowing it.
Wrecker takes a step toward you, and another, and another, until he's pressed against you. He lets go of your wrist, and his hand settles on your waist.
"Wrecker, what are you doing?"
"Trying not to be an idiot."
"You're not an—"
"Yeah, I am," he interrupts, a soft smile on his face. "I'm not good with words, and I don't always know the right thing to say. But I'm gonna try."
"Wrecker," you whisper, your eyes wide, "you don't have to."
"But I want to. I wanna tell you the truth."
"The truth?"
He nods.
"And what's that?"
"That I think you're the most beautiful person I've ever met," he tells you, his voice soft. "I think you're the bravest, and the kindest, and the smartest. I think you're the best, and I wish I was half the person you are."
"Wrecker, you're—"
He squeezes your waist gently. "Not done yet."
You smile up at him, a fondness in your eyes that makes his heart race, and you nod.
"And I know I don't deserve you, and I know you're probably just being nice, and that maybe, I'm reading into this too much, but I don't think so."
You look like you want to interrupt him again, but you don't. He's grateful.
"I think there's something here. Between us,” he says. “And I've never been good at keeping my feelings to myself. I think about you all the time, and I can't help it.”
"Wrecker, are you saying what I think you're saying?"
"I dunno.” He shrugs. “Maybe. Probably."
You shake your head, laughing. "Wrecker, if I didn't know any better, I'd say you're trying to tell me you have feelings for me."
"Well, that's because I do."
"What?" you ask, sounding almost as surprised as he felt earlier.
"Have feelings for you. I have a lot of 'em," he tells you, a smile on his face. It feels good to finally admit it. "I've had them for a while."
"How long?"
"Pretty much since I met you."
"Really?"
He nods. "Really."
"That's...a long time," you murmur.
"Mhm. So, that's the truth," Wrecker says. "And if you don't feel the same, or if I'm wrong, or if I'm misreading things, then just tell me, and I'll never bring it up again."
"I don't think I could," you answer, "not now, after all that."
"So, then, maybe—"
"Wrecker," you whisper, his tie and pulling him closer. Your lips brush his, and he has to fight the urge to groan. "I have a lot of feelings, too. I just didn't know you did."
"Yeah?" he asks, his voice hoarse.
"Yeah," you breathe, pressing a kiss to the corner of his mouth.
He doesn't bother fighting the groan this time. He can't. Not when you're this close. Not when he can feel your breath against his skin. Not when your lips are ghosting over his, and the scent of your perfume is filling his nose, and the warmth of your body is pressed against him.
"Then, does this mean—"
"You can kiss me," you murmur.
Wrecker doesn't hesitate.
His mouth crashes against yours, his hands slipping down to your hips and pulling you against him. You let out a whimper, and it's all he can do not to moan.
He doesn't want to push too far, or scare you away, so he holds back. He kisses you with restraint, with tenderness, with love. Your lips are soft, and pliant, and your fingers tighten in his shirt as he deepens the kiss. It's even better than he imagined, and he's spent hours imagining it.
He doesn't care that anyone could see you. He doesn't care about the mission, or the bugs, or the fact that the others are waiting for you. He only cares about you, and the way you feel in his arms.
"Wrecker," you mumble, breaking the kiss.
"Hm?"
"We should go," you remind him, your voice soft.
"Right," he says, "just one more."
"One more," you agree.
Your lips are on his again, and it's just as good as the first time. Wrecker doesn't want to stop, and he doesn't, not until his comm buzzes, and his brother's voice rings out in his ear.
"Wrecker, status report. We need an update."
Wrecker groans, pulling away from you. "Tech, not a good time."
"Now is precisely the time," his brother replies, sounding exasperated. "What is the status of the mission?"
Wrecker glances at you, and you look back up at him with a soft smile on your swollen lips. You reach up, cupping his cheek, and the feeling is so comforting and sweet that his chest aches.
"It's good," Wrecker answers, smiling. "The mission is going really good."
"Good?" he hears Hunter repeat. He's not sure if it's confusion or disbelief in his voice. Maybe a little bit of both.
"Great," he corrects, leaning down to kiss you again. "Really, really great."
"Oh," Tech mutters, and Wrecker can hear the gears turning in his head. "I…did not expect that."
Wrecker smiles down at you. "Yeah, well, neither did I."
“I see.” There's a pause, and the sound of shuffling, some muffled voices, and then Tech adds, "In that case, we will let you get back to your, ah, mission."
"Thanks, Tech."
"Mhm," his brother hums, sounding a little awkward. "You’re welcome. We'll see you both when you return.”
The comm clicks off, and Wrecker sighs. "Guess we should get back to the ship."
"Yeah, we probably should," you agree, though neither of you move. "Or..."
He perks up. "Or?"
"Or, we could go back to the hotel," you suggest, a playful note in your voice. "We did pay for the night, after all. It would be a shame to waste it."
"A real shame," he nods, his voice grave.
"Besides," you add, your hand sliding down his chest, "we could use the extra time to...discuss the details of the mission. Make sure we're on the same page, and everything."
Wrecker bites back a moan. The feeling of your hand on his chest, and the sound of your voice, and the suggestion in your words, and the glint in your eyes. It's enough to make his knees weak.
"What do you think, ma sareen?"
"I think," he murmurs, kissing your neck, "that's the best idea I've ever heard."
The two of you barely make it through the door.
As soon as it slides shut behind you, Wrecker’s lips are on yours. His hands haven’t left your hips since you entered the elevator. He guides you backwards, his hands roaming across your back and sides. His teeth scrape against your bottom lip, and the sound you make sends a rush of heat straight to his cock.
Your back hits the wall next to the door, and Wrecker lifts you up, wedging a thigh between your legs. The dress is riding up, and his hand slips under it, and he's never been more grateful for Tech's insistence on getting a hotel room.
His tongue slides across the roof of your mouth, and he swallows the gasp that leaves your lips. Your nails dig into his shoulders, and you roll your hips, grinding against his thigh. The sound that leaves his mouth is embarrassingly needy as his hand moves higher, squeezing the soft flesh. Your knife has been safely returned to its holster, and his fingers run along the strap.
He wants to take his time with you, to make sure you know how he feels, but he can't stop touching you. You’re so soft, and he's been wanting to do this for so long, and the dress makes it so easy to find new places to explore.
"Wrecker," you whimper, arching against him.
He nips at your neck, and the soft whine that escapes your throat makes his knees weak. His hand squeezes the back of your leg, and his mouth travels lower, his teeth dragging across your collarbone.
"You look so fuckin' good in this," he tells you, his lips brushing the swell of your breasts. "Drivin' me crazy."
"Yeah?" you ask, reaching up to loosen his tie.
"Yeah," he grunts. He leans down, pressing his mouth to the tops of your breasts. You make a soft noise, and he smiles, his hand slipping up your thigh and pushing the hem of the dress higher. "Been thinkin' about taking it off all night.”
"Well, why don't you, then?"
Wrecker pulls away, and you look up at him, your eyes half-lidded and dark. Your cheeks are flushed, and your chest is rising and falling, and you look so fucking gorgeous, he can't stand it.
He doesn't respond. His lips find yours again, and he pushes your skirt up higher, his hands bunching the smooth fabric. He tries his best to be gentle, but it's hard. The thought of ripping the dress from your body, tearing it off and tossing it to the side is appealing, but he won't. It's not his to ruin, and he doesn't want to make you mad.
"This okay?" he asks, breaking the kiss.
"Yeah," you answer, nodding. Your hands join his, and together you pull the dress over your head, and toss it aside.
He nearly drops you.
He doesn't, but it's a close thing.
"You—oh, fuck," he groans, his head falling to the crook of your neck, "you weren't wearin' anythin' underneath?"
You let out a breathless laugh, and the feeling of it makes his head spin.
"Surprised?"
"Uh, yeah."
He's not sure what to say, or what to do.
The only thing he can think about is the way your bare pussy is pressed against his thigh. Your nails drag across his scalp, and he shudders. He’s pretty sure his brain is short-circuiting, because all he can do is stare at you.
Your makeup is messy, your headpiece a little crooked, and your chest is rising and falling in short, shallow breaths, and you're looking up at him with a smirk that makes him want to drop to his knees and worship you.
"What's wrong?" you ask, tilting his chin up. "You can't talk now?"
Wrecker grunts. You're teasing him, and he can't even pretend he doesn't like it. He likes it too much.
"You're not playin' fair," he complains, his voice gruff.
"No?"
"Nope."
"Well, neither are you," you say, rolling your hips. The motion drags your pussy across his thigh, and the dampness on his skin has him groaning. You lean forward, your mouth next to his ear. "So, what are you gonna do about it?"
He growls, and you gasp as his hands slide down, grabbing your ass. He hoists you up, putting your chest level with his face.
"Gonna show you," he rasps, "just how much you drive me crazy."
He's never seen anything hotter than the way you're looking at him right now, and he's not sure he ever will. He doesn’t want to close his eyes, doesn’t want to blink, but he can’t help it when his tongue darts out and his lips close around one of your nipples.
The soft sound that escapes your mouth makes his cock throb, and he presses your back against the wall, holding you up with ease with one hand as the other comes up to fondle your other breast. His tongue is hot and insistent against your skin, and your breath catches in your throat when he drags his teeth across the sensitive flesh.
"Fuck," you hiss, arching into him.
"Told ya you look good," he mumbles. He nips at the swell of your breast, and a moan escapes your lips. "Good enough to eat."
"Yeah?"
"Mhm," he hums. "Can I?"
"Please."
You let out a squeak as he hikes you up further, his lips ghosting over your ribs, and then your sternum, and then the soft swell of your stomach. Your thighs are draped over his shoulders, and his hands are on the backs of your legs, holding them up and apart, and the sight of you above him is almost too much.
"You smell so fuckin' good," he growls, burying his face between your thighs.
You're already wet, and his nose bumps against your clit as he presses his mouth to your pussy. You're so warm, and soft, and when his tongue slides against you, you moan, the sound desperate and needy.
"Shit, Wrecker," you gasp, your hands coming down to grab his head.
"Just relax," he tells you, his tone a little patronizing. "I gotcha, sweetheart."
He dives in, his mouth eager and unrelenting. He licks and sucks and nips at the sensitive skin, and when his tongue pushes inside, you arch your back, rolling your hips. Your thighs squeeze around his head, and the noises that are leaving your lips are sending sparks down his spine.
He does it again, and again, and again, trying to coax more of those sounds from your mouth. He wants to see what he can get you to do, wants to know what makes you cry out, and moan, and scream.
You're trembling above him, and your pussy is so wet, he can feel it running down his chin.
"Oh, fuck," you curse, and he can't help but grin.
Your hips buck against his face, and he grabs your ass, squeezing the soft flesh. His fingers sink into the plush skin, and he spreads you apart, his tongue circling your clit. You shudder, and your thighs tighten around his head. He can tell you're getting close, and he can't wait to feel you fall apart, to see your face twist in pleasure, and hear his name on your lips.
He's never been good at this. He's always felt a little out of his depth, a little awkward, a little clumsy. But he's learning. He's watching your reactions, listening to the sounds you make, feeling the way your body responds. And he's paying attention, because he wants to be the only person who can make you feel like this.
He knows it's possessive. He knows it's a lot, especially since the two of you haven't talked about what this means. But he doesn't care. Not right now. He just wants you, and he's willing to do whatever it takes to make sure that's what happens.
You're writhing above him, and he can feel the muscles in your thighs tensing as his lips close around your clit. He makes sure he's got a good grip on you with one hand before sliding the other in between your thighs, and he pushes one finger inside you, and then another.
"Wrecker!"
He's pretty sure that's the hottest thing he's ever heard.
He doubles his efforts, his fingers pushing deeper and deeper. He's not even sure if he's hitting the right spot, but from the way you're writhing, and moaning, and cursing, it seems like he's doing something right. Your walls are squeezing his fingers, and he curls them, trying to find the spot that will make you scream.
You do.
Your whole body tenses, your thighs clamping hard around his head, and you throw your head back, crying out. He watches in awe, his eyes wide, and his mouth slack as you come apart above him. He can feel it, can feel your walls tightening, and the rush of heat as you climax, and he can’t resist the urge to press a kiss to the soft, swollen flesh.
"Wrecker," you choke out, your voice cracking, and he knows he's never going to get enough of this.
He keeps his fingers buried inside of you as he pulls away from the wall. You cling to him, and he carries you over to the bed, lowering you onto the mattress. His fingers slip out of you, and he watches in fascination as you clench around nothing, your body still trembling.
"Fuck," he groans, dropping to his knees and burying his head between your legs again.
You let out a noise of surprise, and his hands push your thighs open, keeping them spread wide.
"You did so good, sweetheart," he murmurs, pressing a soft kiss to your swollen lips. He licks you clean, his tongue swiping through your folds. You squirm, and his grip on you tightens. "Gonna make you come again."
"Oh," you whimper, letting out a shaky breath.
"Just breathe, cyar'ika," he tells you, his lips trailing up your inner thigh. He can't get enough of the taste of you, or the way your body is reacting. You're still shaking, and the knowledge that it's because of him is making him delirious. He's pretty sure this is the best night of his life.
"I'm gonna make you feel good," he says, his voice soft and low. "I promise."
"You always make me feel good, Wrecker," you whisper.
"Yeah?"
"Mhm," you hum, nodding. "Always."
Wrecker grins and leans back, shoving his suit jacket off his shoulders. He's not sure where you want him, or how far you want to take things, but he's happy to follow your lead. He’s happy to do this all night, every night, for the rest of his life, if you asked.
He unbuttons the cuffs of his shirt and rolls up the sleeves, his eyes never leaving you. You're looking up at him, your cheeks flushed, your chest rising and falling. He can't believe he gets to see you like this, so vulnerable and trusting.
"What is it?" you ask with a tilt of your head. The motion moves your lekku, and Wrecker's gaze follows. He's fascinated by the way they shift, and sway, and twitch. He wonders what they feel like, if you’ll let him touch them, if they're as sensitive as he's heard.
"Nothin'," he answers, shrugging.
"Liar."
"No, really," he says. Then, a grin spreads across his face, and he can't help himself, "I just like lookin' at ya."
"Yeah?"
"Mhm."
"What about me do you like looking at, ma sareen?"
"Everything," he tells you, and the sincerity in his voice seems to catch you off guard. "Everythin' about you. You're gorgeous, and I'm lucky as hell."
"Wrecker, you're not just saying that, are you?"
"Never," he promises, "not when it comes to you."
You bite your lip, and the way your teeth sink into the plump flesh sends a rush of heat through him.
"You're too good to me," you mumble, a fondness in your eyes that makes his heart swell.
"Could never be too good to you," he replies quickly, shaking his head. He pushes his sleeves up to his elbows and leans back down, kissing the curve of your stomach.
"Wrecker," you sigh, your hands settling on his shoulders, "you're such a gentleman."
"A gentleman?" He laughs, his forehead resting against your hip.
"Mhm," you hum.
He glances up at you, his brows raised. "Sweetheart, I've had my face between your legs for the past fifteen minutes, and you're tellin' me I'm a gentleman?"
"Maybe I like a man who knows how to treat me," you suggest.
"Yeah?"
"Mhm."
Wrecker chuckles, and then he kisses the top of your mound, and then the crease of your thigh, and then your knee. You make a soft noise, and his eyes flick back to your face.
"So, do you still want me to keep treatin' you?" he asks, and if the words come out a little nervous, he can't help it.
"Of course," you say, a hint of surprise in your voice, as if you can't believe he would think otherwise. You smile sweetly, and the weight in his chest lifts. "I want everything with you, Wrecker. Always."
"Good," he sighs, the tension leaving his body. "Because I want everythin', too."
Your head falls back against the pillows, your hands slipping from his shoulders to his head. You pull him closer, and he's more than happy to follow your lead.
"Then, come on, darling," you murmur, lifting your hips and spreading your legs wider, "give me everything."
Wrecker swallows thickly.
"Yes, ma'am."
His mouth is on you again, and you don't hesitate to let him know how good he's doing. You're not shy, and you're not quiet, and you're not afraid to take what you want.
And, gods, does Wrecker like that.
He's still a little in awe, a little dumbstruck by the fact that this is happening, and that it's not just some fantasy he's making up in his head. This is real, and you're here, and you're enjoying yourself, and the sound of your voice, the way you move, the softness of your body is so fucking overwhelming, it's making him delirious.
He wants to do this every night, for the rest of his life.
Your scent fills his nose, and your taste coats his tongue, and the slick, wet noises his mouth makes as he eats you out are driving him crazy. You're shaking beneath him, and your legs are draped over his shoulders, and your nails are scraping against his scalp. Your heels dig into his back, and his hands move down, holding you steady. He's not stopping until you tell him to, and from the way you're moaning, he doesn't think that's going to be anytime soon.
"You're so fucking hot," he groans, his teeth scraping against your folds. "Gonna make you come again. Gonna get you nice and ready for me."
You whimper, and he knows he's made the right choice.
"Sound good?" he asks, voice muffled by your cunt.
"Mhm," you nod.
"Yeah?"
"Yes," you moan, "yes, please, please, I want you to fuck me."
"Oh, I'm gonna," he growls, his lips brushing against your clit, "but first, I'm gonna make you scream."
He's not sure where he found the confidence, but he doesn't care. He doesn't even notice. He's too busy trying to get you to come for him again. He's licking, and sucking, and kissing, and nibbling, and it's only when you're begging him to fuck you that he finally pulls away for air.
"Not yet," he says, pressing a kiss to the crease of your thigh.
"Please," you whimper, "please, Wrecker, I need it. Need you."
He chuckles, his stubble scratching against the inside of your thigh. "I know, sweetheart, I know. Not yet, though. Just a little more."
He slips two fingers inside you, curling them, and your whole body jolts.
"Wrecker, please, I'm so fucking wet, just—"
"I know," he grins, pumping his fingers in and out of you. Your pussy is soaked, and the sound of him fingering you is obscene. It makes him want to shove his cock into you, to feel how tight and warm you are. "Gettin' you nice and wet for me."
"Don't—don't tease me," you huff, and Wrecker laughs, kissing your clit.
"I'm not," he insists. "Just tryin' to make sure you're ready."
"Ready?"
"Mhm." He pushes his fingers deeper, and he can feel the way your walls are already fluttering, the way your muscles are twitching. You're close, and he can't wait to see what you look like when you fall apart. "Wanna make sure you can take me."
"I can," you assure him, "please, I can."
"I'm gonna make you come again," he says, his voice soft. "And then, when you're all nice and relaxed, and you're beggin' for my cock, that's when I'm gonna fuck you."
"I'm begging now," you whine.
"I know, baby," he murmurs, his tongue pressing flat against your clit. "Be patient. It'll be worth it, I promise."
"Okay," you say, and the sound comes out strangled, like it's hard for you to talk. The way your voice breaks, and your chest rises and falls has him grinning, and he leans down again, his mouth eager and insistent.
"Fuck," you gasp, "oh, fuck, Wrecker, I'm—I'm gonna—"
"Go ahead," he encourages, his voice husky, "lemme see.”
Your head falls back, your whole body trembling as you come for the second time that night. It's even more beautiful than the first, and the way you pull his fingers deeper has him moaning against you. He doesn't stop until you're pushing him away, and even then, he doesn't go far.
Wrecker pulls back, slowly, his eyes on yours. You're breathing heavily, and your cheeks are flushed. Somewhere along the way the headpiece you were wearing had come loose, and it's resting on the pillow next to you. Your eyes are hooded, a dazed look on your face, and you look absolutely gorgeous.
"That was so fucking hot," he tells you, leaning down to press a kiss to your inner thigh.
"Wrecker, that was..." you trail off, letting out a quiet sigh. "I've never come twice that fast before."
"Really?"
You shake your head, laughing breathlessly. "Nope."
"So, I guess I did a good job?"
"Good?" you repeat, looking almost offended. "Darling, it was incredible."
He grins wide and presses a kiss to your stomach. You cup his cheek, and your thumb brushes his lip. It's damp with your arousal, and the realization sends a wave of heat through him.
"I'm just glad I made you feel good," he says.
"Trust me, you did," you assure him, and the earnestness in your voice has his cheeks flushing.
"Glad to hear it," he murmurs. He nips at the underside of your breast, and you whimper.
"Wrecker," you mumble.
"Mhm?"
"Come here."
"Why?"
"Because," you answer, sitting up and grabbing his tie, "I want to kiss you."
He lets out a laugh. "Is that all?"
"No," you say, and the honesty in your tone makes him shiver. You tug on the tie, pulling him towards you until your lips meet in a messy kiss. He's careful not to put his weight on you, keeping most of it on his forearms as he presses closer. Your tongue is hot and insistent against his, and when your teeth scrape his bottom lip, a groan escapes his throat.
"Please," you mumble against his lips. "Please, Wrecker, fuck me."
“Was hoping you’d say that,” he grunts, a smirk on his face.
He kisses you again, and it's rough and needy and a little clumsy. Your hands are roaming across his back, and when they tug on his shirt, he reaches around, pulling the hem out of his pants and working the buttons open.
He doesn't have the patience to undo them all, so he tears the shirt and tie off and tosses them aside. He breathes a sigh of relief at finally being free from the restrictive fabric, only to suck in a sharp breath as your nails scrape his sides. The sensation sends a shiver through him, and he buries his head in the crook of your neck, panting.
You don't let up, your hands exploring the planes and divots of his bare chest. His skin is on fire, and his muscles are flexing beneath your touch. Your mouth finds his neck as your fingers move to undo his belt, and his whole body jolts.
You hum, pleased, and Wrecker knows he's in trouble.
Your teeth sink into his shoulder, and your tongue swipes over the marks, and when you press a kiss to his pulse point, he has to remind himself not to get carried away. He's not even inside you yet, and he's already on the verge of losing control.
"Wrecker, I'm tired of waiting," you whine, your hand sliding under his pants and squeezing his ass. "I need you."
"Shit," he curses, his cock twitching in his boxers. "I need you, too."
"Then, what are you waiting for?"
"Nothin'," he says, sitting up. "Absolutely nothin'."
He gets to his feet, pulling off his shoes and socks faster than he's ever undressed in his life. He shoves his pants and boxers down, and his cock springs free. You let out a quiet noise, and he feels a surge of pride as your eyes move down his body, and widen.
"Oh, Wrecker," you breathe, and the awe in your voice is so fucking satisfying. "You're..."
"Yeah?"
"It's so big," you murmur.
He feels the tips of his ears burn. He knows he's big. He's bigger than most, and he's always been worried about scaring people off.
"Do you think you can handle it?"
"Yeah," you say quickly, nodding.
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah, I'm sure."
He's not convinced. "It's okay if you can't, y'know."
"I know, Wrecker," you answer, sounding amused. "I can handle it."
"I just don't want to hurt you."
"I know. And it's sweet. But if you don't come here and fuck me right now, I'm going to go crazy."
"Well, we can't have that," he mutters, a smile playing on his lips.
He climbs back onto the bed, and you move to meet him halfway, your arms wrapping around his shoulders as you kneel together. Your chest presses against his, and you're so warm and soft, and he feels like he's going to melt.
He kisses the tip of your lek, and you let out a squeak, and the sound is so cute, he has to kiss the other one, too. He wants to kiss every part of you, and he plans to, someday. Right now, though, he's got something more important to take care of.
His mouth finds yours, and he cups the back of your neck, holding you still. You're pressed together, skin to skin, and he can feel the heat radiating from your body. Your hands are moving over his shoulders, down his chest, across his stomach, and when your fingers wrap around his cock, his hips buck.
"Fuck," he groans.
You give him a slow, languid stroke, and his eyes nearly roll back.
"You're beautiful," you whisper, your hand moving up and down, spreading precum along his length. You press a kiss to his shoulder, and then his collarbone, and his jaw, and his chin, and his mouth.
"I—ah," he grunts, his forehead falling to rest on yours, "You're kiddin', right?"
"Why would I be kidding?"
"You've got a lot more goin' for ya than me," he replies, his cheeks flushing. "A hell of a lot more."
"Nonsense," you say, shaking your head. Your grip tightens, and his breath catches in his throat. "You're the most beautiful man I've ever seen, and the things I want to do to you are..."
"Are what?"
"I'd rather show you," you admit, and there's something in your voice that makes his heart skip a beat.
"Well, go ahead, then," he encourages, giving you a toothy grin. "Show me."
Wrecker lets out a surprised yelp when you grab his shoulders and push him back, his back hitting the mattress. He laughs, and then you're on top of him, and his laughter dies, his breath coming out in short, shallow gasps.
You're straddling his waist, and the sight of your naked body above him is the most incredible thing he's ever seen. His hands move on their own, running across your thighs, your hips, and your ribs.
"This is a good look for you," you say, smirking.
"Oh, yeah?"
"Mhm."
You lean down and kiss him, and he can't help the way his hands wander, one moving up to squeeze your ass, and the other finding your breast. He can't get enough of you, and he doesn't know if he ever will. He squeezes, and rolls, and fondles, and when his thumb brushes your nipple, you break the kiss with a soft moan. You pull away, and he chases after you, his lips pressing against yours.
"Wrecker, stop," you giggle, swatting his hand away.
"I can't help it," he tells you, leaning up and pressing a kiss to your neck. "You're too kriffin' sexy."
"I need you inside me," you say, pushing his shoulders back. "And I'm not going to be able to get there if you keep distracting me."
"Alright," he sighs, falling back against the mattress. "Go ahead, I'll be patient."
"Good boy."
His eyes go wide, and his cock throbs at the words. He knows he likes being praised, and he's not ashamed to admit that, but the way it makes him react is almost embarrassing.
"Oh," you grin, and the mischief in your eyes has his heart racing. "You like that?"
"Yeah," he nods, his cheeks flushing.
"What else do you like?" you ask, leaning forward and grinding against him.
He swallows thickly. "Um."
"Wrecker," you say softly, and his eyes dart up to yours.
"I—" he stammers, his gaze flicking back down to your cunt. "I, uh—you know, I've never really had anyone ask me that before."
"Well, consider this the first time," you tell him, leaning down and pressing a kiss to the corner of his mouth. "Tell me."
"Uh."
"Come on," you urge, kissing the other side, "tell me what you like."
"I like makin' you feel good," he blurts out. "I like it rough, I like bein' told what to do. I like knowin' I'm doin' a good job. And I like you, so—so just...tell me how you feel, or somethin', and I'll be happy."
"I can work with that."
You sit up, and the motion brings your pussy closer to his cock. He watches with wide eyes as you raise yourself up and guide his cock between your folds, the tip brushing against your entrance. His hips twitch, and his hands come up to grip your waist, his thumbs rubbing soothing circles into your skin.
"Kriff, you're gorgeous," he breathes, his eyes on the place where his cock is just barely penetrating you. "You're amazing."
"So are you," you reply.
He's not sure he agrees, but he doesn't have time to argue, because you're sinking down onto him, and his brain stops working.
You let out a quiet sigh, and Wrecker tries his best to keep his composure, but the wet, hot, tightness is too much. His hands tighten, his fingers digging into your sides before he realizes what he's doing. He relaxes his grip, his palms sliding across your skin, his eyes still on where your bodies are joined.
"Shit, sweetheart, I'm sorry, I just—"
"Don't apologize," you interrupt, your hips shifting, and his cock pushes a little deeper.
"I can't help it," he huffs, "I don't wanna hurt you."
"You're not hurting me," you promise, one hand settling on his chest. The other takes his hand, and you lift it up to your mouth, pressing a kiss to his knuckles. "I'll tell you if you are, alright? So, don't worry. Just relax."
"Okay," he nods, taking a deep breath. "I can do that."
"Good boy," you praise, and Wrecker feels a wave of heat crash through him.
Your hips shift, and you sink down another inch. He lets out a shaky breath, his fingers curling into a fist. Your mouth is hot and insistent against his knuckles, your tongue swiping over the sensitive skin. You kiss his fingertips, and then his palm, and then the back of his hand. You nip at the fleshy part beneath his thumb, and he hisses, the sensation sending sparks up his arm.
"Fuck," he groans, and his hips buck, and his cock slides a little further inside.
"You're so big," you murmur, your hand sliding up his arm and over his chest. Your nails scrape his skin, and he trembles. "So fucking big, Wrecker."
"Yeah?"
You nod, your mouth open, and your cheeks flushed. Your eyes are a little glassy, and your breathing is shallow, and he can't believe how lucky he is to be here, with you, in this moment.
"I'm gonna—gonna make you feel good," he promises, and you laugh, your walls fluttering around him.
"Oh, darling," you sigh, lifting your hips and sinking back down, taking him a little deeper, "you already are."
His eyes squeeze shut, and his grip on you tightens. He tries to remember to breathe, and not to buck his hips, and not to pull you down and bury himself to the hilt. You're still kissing his hand, and the softness of your lips has him melting, his shoulders falling back against the bed.
"Look at me, ma sareen," you murmur.
Wrecker does.
The sight that greets him nearly sends him over the edge. You're hovering above him, his cock buried inside you, your lekku dangling in the space between your bodies. The lights in the room are dim, but the glow is bright enough to highlight the curve of your breasts, the swell of your hips, and the way your skin seems to shimmer.
You're breathtaking.
"You're amazin'," he says again, because he doesn't have anything better to say.
"You're so sweet," you chuckle, leaning down and pressing a kiss to his forehead. "I love that about you."
"Yeah?"
"Yes."
You kiss him again, and his mouth opens under yours. He groans when you bite his bottom lip, his hands moving to your hips, guiding your movements. You roll your hips, and his cock slips out of you, before sliding back in. You do it again, and again, and again, until the tip of his cock nudges against the end of your channel.
"Oh, shit," you gasp, sitting up, and bracing your hands against his stomach. "Oh, gods, Wrecker, you're—you're so fucking deep."
"Does it feel good?"
"So fucking good," you whimper.
He sits up and wraps his arms around you, holding you close. He can feel the tips of your lekku resting on his chest, and they're even softer than he imagined. He presses a kiss to the base of one, and then the other, and then he's kissing your neck, his stubble scratching against your skin.
"Ah," you sigh, your hips rocking. "Wrecker, fuck, it feels so good."
"Yeah?"
"Mhm."
"Good," he growls, and then he grabs your ass and pulls you down onto his cock.
You let out a surprised cry, and then you're moving faster, grinding down on his length. He thrusts up, his hips meeting yours. Your hands are everywhere, roaming across his back, his shoulders, and his chest. You're not shy about it, and you don't hold back. You squeeze, and stroke, and touch every part of him, and it's making him dizzy.
"Fuck, you feel so good," you moan, and Wrecker grunts, his teeth scraping the base of your lekku. "So fucking good, Wrecker."
"Yeah?"
"Mhm," you hum, and then you're pulling away, and his chest aches at the loss. You push him back against the pillows, and he stares up at you, his lips parted as you ride him, bouncing up and down. Your hands are planted on his chest, and your nails are digging into his skin.
He watches in awe as you take him, his cock disappearing between your legs. No one's ever taken him like this, no one's ever been able to handle him the way you are. You're not afraid, and you're not shy, and you're not afraid to get what you want.
"You're kriffin' perfect," he says, and then he's reaching for you, his hands cupping your face.
Wrecker kisses you, and the sound that leaves your throat is so needy, and desperate, that he can't help but thrust up into you, harder and faster. His tongue slides into your mouth, and you suck on it, drawing a groan from his chest. He's trying to hold on, to last as long as he can, but it's not easy. Not when you're riding him like this, and making him feel like this.
You pull away with a gasp and bury your face in his neck, and the warmth of your breath makes him shiver. He can't see your face, but he can feel the way you're shaking, can hear the quiet noises you're making.
"You like that?" he asks, his voice rough.
"So much," you whine.
"Gonna come for me?"
"Yes, please, yes," you whimper.
"Gonna scream for me?"
"Oh, Wrecker," you moan, your teeth sinking into his shoulder, and the pain goes straight to his cock. "Wrecker, you're making me—I'm so close, please, harder."
He doesn't hesitate to follow your orders.
He lifts his legs, spreading them wider, and you slide a little further down his length. His hips snap up, and your whole body jolts. The first slap of skin against skin has him groaning, and the second has him cursing, and by the time his balls are slapping against your ass, you're begging him not to stop.
He's not sure he could, even if he wanted to. He thrusts again, and again, his pace building. Your cunt is dripping, the wetness seeping from your entrance, and the lewd squelching sound fills the room.
His hand cups the back of your head, holding you close. You nuzzle against his shoulder, your lips pressed to his collarbone, and the sensation is so fucking intimate, so sweet, he's not sure how much longer he's going to be able to hold out.
"Sweetheart," he grunts, and he doesn't have the words to continue, doesn't know how to tell you he's going to come, doesn't want this to end.
"You're so good," you whisper, and he can feel his balls tightening, "so fucking good, Wrecker."
"Can I—I'm gonna come," he warns.
"Oh, fuck, me, too."
"Where—where do you want me?"
"Inside," you whine, and Wrecker has to grit his teeth to keep from coming on the spot. "Wrecker, inside, please, fill me up, I want it, want you."
"Shit," he groans, "fuck, fuck, sweetheart, you're—oh, shit, I'm—"
Your body goes stiff, your walls fluttering around his cock, and his mouth falls open. He's not prepared for the feeling of your pussy gripping his length, or the sound of your breathy moans. He's not prepared for the way your thighs tremble, or the way your back arches, or the way his name spills from your lips.
He's not prepared for the orgasm that crashes over him, the heat and the pleasure that rushes through his veins, and the way his whole body shudders as he comes inside you.
He can't remember the last time he came this hard, the last time he lost control like this. The feeling of your cunt around him is too much, and his head falls back, his eyes squeezing shut. The only thing that keeps him tethered to reality is the sound of your voice in his ear, a string of words in a language he doesn’t understand falling from your lips.
Wrecker holds you, his arms wrapping around you, and his hips buck, his cock twitching. He can't get enough, can't stop coming, can't stop fucking up into you. Your moans are soft, and gentle, and it's not until his own climax has subsided that he realizes you’re slumped against him, your breathing heavy, your face pressed to his neck.
"Shit, sorry, cyar'ika," he mutters as he realizes his grip has tightened. He moves to pull his hands away, but you reach out, taking his wrists and placing his hands back on your waist.
"No," you whimper, "please."
"Sweetheart, I'm hurtin' you."
"Just a little longer," you tell him, leaning down and pressing a kiss to the base of his throat.
He's not sure why, but the request brings tears to his eyes. You want him. You want him to hold you, and touch you, and the realization makes his heart swell.
"Alright," he agrees, and you sigh and nestle closer.
He lays there, his softening cock still buried inside you, his arms around you, and his fingers find their way to your lekku. He strokes them gently, and you shiver, your body trembling.
"Is this okay?" he asks.
"Yes," you answer, your voice barely above a whisper. "It feels nice."
"Good," he says, smiling. "I like touchin' you."
"I can tell," you laugh and press a kiss to his chest.
He continues, his fingertips tracing a path down the side of one, and then the other. He doesn't know how much time passes. He's lost in the feeling of you, in the warmth of your body, in the softness of your skin. He doesn't even realize his eyes are closed until he hears you laughing.
"What?" Wrecker asks, opening his eyes and looking down at you.
"Are you asleep?"
"No," he answers, shaking his head, though the blush on his face gives him away. "I was just restin' my eyes."
"You sure?" you ask, and there's a teasing tone in your voice.
"I'm sure," he says, and then you're pulling away. His arms drop, and his cock slips out of your cunt, and his mouth falls open. Your combined release is leaking out of you, dripping down his cock and onto his stomach.
"Wow," he breathes.
"Is it a bad 'wow' or a good 'wow'?" you ask, your teeth sinking into your lower lip.
"The good kind," he answers, his eyes roaming over your body before returning to your face. His brows furrow. "Can I kiss you?"
"Wrecker, you don't have to ask," you tell him.
"Well, um," he starts, his cheeks turning pink. "It's just, I'm not really good at this part."
"What part?"
"The after part," he tells you. "I mean, it's always been, you know, in the dark, or quick, and I don't know how you feel about kissing and cuddlin' after, and I just...I dunno, I just like you, and I want to do it right."
"Oh, Wrecker," you laugh, leaning forward and pressing a kiss to the corner of his mouth. "I like kissing and cuddling."
"You do?"
"I do," you nod, a smile on your face. "There's nothing more I'd rather do than kiss you, and cuddle with you, and hold you, and fall asleep with you. That is, if you'll have me."
"Oh.” He blinks. "Yeah, um, I'd like that a lot."
"Then, by all means, darling," you tell him, "kiss me."
"Yeah?"
"Mhm," you nod, grinning. "Please."
Wrecker leans forward, his hand cupping your cheek, and he presses his lips to yours. He licks into your mouth, his tongue sliding against yours, and the soft moan that leaves your lips makes his heart soar.
"You're incredible," he breathes, and the smile on your face is the most beautiful thing he's ever seen.
"You are too," you murmur, pressing a kiss to his jaw. "I hope that was everything you were hoping for."
"It was even better," he says, his hand moving down and resting on your hip. "Can we do it again?"
"Right now?" you ask, and he can't help but laugh.
"I was thinkin' tomorrow, maybe," he tells you, his thumb stroking your skin. "I'm gonna be honest, sweetheart, I don't think I'm gonna be able to go again for a while."
"Me either," you reply, laughing.
"But," he starts, his grip on your waist tightening, "when I am, you want to?”
"Of course," you tell him, leaning in and pressing a kiss to his neck. "I have some other ideas I'd like to run by you, if you're interested."
"I'm very interested." He grins. "Lets get cleaned up, and then you can tell me all about ‘em.”
"Mm," you whine, burying your face in the crook of his neck. “But I don’t want to move.”
“Not a problem,” he replies, and before you can say anything, he wraps an arm around your waist and pulls you against him. You squeal, your legs wrapping around his waist, and he slides off the bed, holding you against him.
"Wrecker, put me down," you giggle.
"You're the one who didn't want to move," he reminds you.
"Put me down," you say, but your voice is full of laughter, and you’re smiling.
"No," he teases, shaking his head.
"Wrecker," you sigh, rolling your eyes.
"Sweetheart," he replies, mimicking your tone. “I’m a gentleman, remember? And a gentleman always carries his girl to the shower."
"In that case," you murmur, wrapping your arms around his neck and burying your face against his throat, "thank you, sir."
He walks toward the refresher, his arm wrapped tightly around your waist, and his chest is bursting with pride. You're smiling, and laughing, and holding onto him, and it feels like a dream.
Wrecker sits you on the edge of the counter, and you wince, a soft hiss leaving your lips.
"You okay?"
"Just a little sore," you admit.
"Shit," he curses. "I didn't hurt you, did I?"
"No, no," you shake your head, your hand finding his wrist and squeezing. "It's a good sore, I promise. You were wonderful."
"Oh, yeah?"
"Mhm," you nod, biting your lip. "Best I've ever had."
He laughs. "That can't be true."
"Well, it is," you tell him, and he can see the sincerity in your eyes. "I mean, I've never felt anything like it."
He smiles, leaning down and pressing his forehead against yours. You reach up, your fingertips brushing against his cheek, and he turns, kissing the palm of your hand.
"You're not just sayin' that, are ya?" he asks.
"Why would I?"
"I dunno," he admits.
"Wrecker," you sigh, your thumb brushing across his lower lip, "it's been a long time since I've felt anything for anyone. The truth is, I've had a crush on you for months. You're sweet, and kind, and funny, and the things you did tonight...the way you made me feel, the way you treated me...I've never felt so safe. Or special.”
"It was nothin'," he says, his cheeks flushing.
"It wasn't nothing," you insist, and he knows the look in your eyes means you're not going to let it go. "You made me feel beautiful, and wanted, and cared for, and I'll never be able to thank you enough for that. And it's going to take a lot more than a rough fuck to get rid of me."
"Yeah?" he breathes.
"Yes," you say, pressing a kiss to his chin.
"Okay," he nods. "So, we're gonna try this, huh?"
"Do you want to?"
"Are you kidding me? Of course I do," he laughs, his hands coming to rest on your thighs. "I just didn't want to push."
"Well, consider this your official invitation," you tell him, your hands sliding down and squeezing his biceps. "I'm all yours."
"All mine, huh?"
"Yep."
"Good," he nods, and then he's scooping you back up and carrying you toward the shower. "Because I'm all yours, too."
"Even better," you laugh, and the sound is like music to his ears.
Wrecker kisses you again, his hands gripping your thighs, and your legs wrap around his waist, pulling him closer. You smile against his lips, and he can't help the grin that spreads across his face. He's not sure how this happened. He's not sure why you picked him. But he doesn't care.
All he cares about is the feeling of your lips against his, and the sound of your laughter filling the room. All he cares about is the taste of your mouth, and the warmth of your skin, and the way his chest swells every time you look at him.
He doesn't know where this is going, or how far it will go, but he knows one thing.
He wants it. All of it. With you.
Translation: ma sareen = Ryl for "my sweet"
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#wrecker x reader#tbb wrecker#wrecker#tbb wrecker x reader#wrecker wednesday#the bad batch wrecker#the bad batch#clone x reader#clone smut#wrecker tbb#wrecker bad batch#the bad batch x reader#the clone wars#roy writes#listen work was a real shitshow today#so even an ounce of criticism could kill me outright#please be nice to me
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ASHWINI CHARACTERS
Yall I asked ChatGPT to give me a list of gifted characters such as Beth Harmon (played by Anya Taylor Joy) and the first 2 examples are characters played by Ashwinis IM CRYINN should I make a post? Obviously I need more data but stillll I'm foaming in the mouthhh.
I'm watching the Chinese drama "Falling Into Your Smile" and the most gifted character in the team of players is played by Xu Kai Ashwini Moon!! He is admired for his quickness and strategic mind.
As I'm watching I'm thinking bro reminds me of Ashwini Sun Song Kang who was in "Forecasting Love & Weather" and his character was set apart from everyone else in the workplace with his activeness and knowledgeable insights so I'm thinking ???? That's when I pulled ChatGPT cause Google ain't shit nowadays.
Ashwini is generally related to the head (Aries, and also the mind due to the connected minds of the Ashwini Kumaras), its related to ultimate speed and an active intelligence (Ashwini Moon Benedict Cumberbatch's characters Sherlock Holmes & also Doctor Strange who was the most skilled, masterful surgeon -- for example).
All these characters, though, have a one-track mind when it comes to ONE thing, and because of Ketu they tend to be unmotivated by worldly things and bad at everything else in their life. Benedict's Sherlock Holmes, for example, has no care for anything else but solving convoluted mysteries; we see his lack of interest of forming human connections or developing relationships and especially acquiring any wealth or fame for that matter. Although, because of him being exceptionally gifted, he unintentionally becomes popular but even that doesn't play into his arrogance. Very similarly to Beth Harmon.
She wasn't particularly excited about gaining recognition which came with being insanely gifted as she was. What drove her was her skill for chess, and everything else in her life was dull or painful. Much like Sherlock, as what drives him is the thrill of suspense.
Them pulling attention makes a lot of sense as Ketu is extremely absorbing of things around them whether intentional or not. Which is why they tend to play golddigging characters or characters that are generally exploitative who are intentional about draining people and things around them. It's not that Ketuvians care for wealth and recognition, it's that this planet type can be so magnetic that they pull such energies although in a rather destructive sense when it's intentional. Claire Nakti described this better in her Ketu Dominant Men video. A character who is talented and relentlessly fixed on one thing is Daniel Plainview, played by Ashwini Moon Daniel Day Lewis, who exploits people that submit to him; extracting resources, draining oils from lands he steals from others etc. using his title and power to further wrong others, perfectly fitting into the negative archetype we've seen in Ketuvians (well, this being the gold digging (or should I say oil-digging, although yes he extracts wealth too)male version of that). But with these other Ketu characters I mentioned in my post, their magnetism due to their personal talents and skills goes either unnoticed by the Ketuvian themselves or generally gets unused (which can go the other way around for exploitative means as Claire explained in-depth).
Ashwinis need something in their life to pour into so that their mind and soul is stimulated, otherwise they may fall into bad vices as their inner beast (primal nature) is hard to manage (much less tame) when they drift through life meaninglessly. They are prone to being unmotivated already. Soon as there's something to get fixed on, it's over for everyone.
I'm not sure who, I believe it was KRS Astrology, who said that Ashwini can have a concentration like no other through the midst of chaos. Ashwini energy is the most intense of the Ketu nakshatras, and it is full of too much potential, but it can only be harnessed through the individual taming it (their inner beast) to find an identity in something, which is interesting as it contrasts the theme of Mula who is able to tame outer beasts as Mula has surpassed that stage (already being one with its inner beast and primal instincts).
#vedic astrology#astrology#sidereal astrology#ashwini#astro observations#aries#ketu#vedic observations#nakshatra observations#mula#sagitarrius
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"Industry" as a frame of meaning is [...] relevant from the beginning of [modern-era labor advocacy and the general practice of intentionally "taking it easy" or "slowing down" while at work in order to advocate for and take care of oneself] [...], a form of "working badly" [...]. This close link is understandable given the absolute focus on efficiency that marks management thinking - Taylorism [Frederick Taylor's time studies and his support for using stopwatches to micro-manage in the workplace], the Gilbreths' time and motion studies [...]. [W]e can feel that trace of disgust, a certain sneering affect [...]. The sneer gathers around the word "motionless," [...]. The promise of the “upstanding citizen” is posed against the figure of the cripple, etymologically bound to the one who creeps, who stays low, to the one who is not proud and erect and in public view. In this way, that figure - along with the hobbled, the mute, the blind, the mad, the deaf, the chronic, and, of course, the paralyzed - becomes the exemplary negative definition. [...] [T]he only culturally sanctioned options are to be hidden from public life or recuperated [...]. That [...] fantasy of [a] return to previous levels of mobility that aligns easily with ableist conceptions of normal function and health [...] is also grounded in the specific idea of a return to ["productivity"] [...].
We can find this dynamic in especially dramatic form in the influential work of early twentieth-century “scientific management” theorists Frank and Lillian Gilbreth, known both for their time and motion studies of labor processes [...]. [T]he Gilbreths are relentlessly devoted to the reduction of inefficiency in labor to save energy, reduce unnecessary fatigue, and, above all, neutralize the fundamental “waste” of effort and time hidden within every human movement, particularly when at work. According to Frank and Lillian, “there is no waste of any kind in the world that equals the waste from needless, ill-directed, and ineffective motions, and their resulting unnecessary fatigue.” The battle against this “waste” gets posed as a civilizational battle stretching back across human history, only now conquerable with modern means, yet theirs is also a project with explicitly nationalist overtones that can be strategically couched to suit a war economy and a desire for American imperial hegemony.
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The solution they propose is a total analytical dissection of labor processes, breaking single tasks into discrete parts to detect the little gaps in time that could be closed. Such minute lags and “micromotions” will necessarily get missed without the tools the Gilbreths turn to, like moving picture cameras - turned to face workers with chronometers in front of the lens and reticular grids on the wall behind for scale - and a “chronocyclegraph,” which allowed them to zoom in on a single gesture to see its tiny deviations and wasted movements frame by frame. In their methodology, delays and breakdowns take a form almost directly counter to simple malingering or the kind of willful self-stasis that Spargo denounced. Rather, what causes the inefficiency that the Gilbreths target is too much movement, an excess of animacy and motions that need not be done to complete a task, resulting in unnecessary fatigue and wasted opportunities for profit.
Yet at the heart of this, there is one figure seen to most embody this “wasted” energy and time in full - not in a specific action, badly choreographed task, or laziness, but in their entire being. This is what they designated as the “cripple,” [...].
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“What,” the Gilbreths ask, “is to be done with these millions of cripples, when their injuries have been remedied as far as possible, and when they are obliged to become again a part of the working community?” [...] The “cripple” therefore emblematizes the waste of America’s “human resources” for the Gilbreths. It manifests a physical limit - the body that is conventionally seen to be unable to do productive work - but also a political one that they cannot even fathom, or at least allow publicly: the idea that anyone might challenge either the supposed utility of this frenzy of streamlined work or the very category of what constitutes “waste” itself. For the Gilbreths, the “elimination of waste” is not merely a project of capital. It is a civilization-scale undertaking that benefits all involved in the process: “All workers are sharing in the savings made possible by the elimination of waste.” [...]
It is not mere surveillance, increased policing, or something that openly oppresses and invites a revolt. Instead, it is a mode of management and control that seeks to saturate every step of the process, all the while insisting that what’s good for profit is good for those whose stolen time generates that profit.
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All text above by: Evan Calder Williams. "On Paralysis, Part 3". e-flux Journal Issue #147. September 2024. Published online at: e-flux dot com slash journal/147/624989/on-paralysis-part-3/. [Bold emphasis and some paragraph breaks/contractions added by me. Text within brackets added by me for clarity/context. Presented here for commentary, teaching, criticism.]
#ecologies#tidalectics#amazn cameras detecting two seconds of wasted time or monitoring your face#debt and debt colonies#geographic imaginaries#multispecies
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How to answer tough interview questions.
Subscribing to the Harvard Business Review was one of the best decisions I made. I have learned so much about career development, personal branding, and job crafting. This article summarizes some of the questions you will get asked in a behavioral interview (courtesy of HBR) and I have included my responses to all of them. Assume I am seeking a HR role in a Fortune 500 company
Tell me about yourself and describe your background in brief?
How did you hear about this position?
What type of work environment do you prefer?
How do you deal with pressure or a stressful situation?
Do you prefer working independently or on a team?
How do you keep yourself organized when balancing multiple projects?
What did you do in the last year to improve your knowledge?
Tell me about yourself and describe your background in brief?
I grew up in small country in West Africa. I went to a great school through scholarship with the condition that I would pay it forward to the younger generation. So, after high-school I spent two years teaching math to elementary school kids. It was there I discovered my interest of people development. I enjoyed taking a kid from "I don't like math to can I get more homework? When I moved to the U.S for college I chose to study Psychology with a minor in Organizational Development. And my internship as a Human Capital Manager has allowed me to further develop my communication and leadership skills.
How did you hear about this position?
I learned about this position through Stacy Williams. She was one of the panelists on the fireside chat I convened in my school on the importance of women in leadership positions. I followed up with her through a coffee chat. She really enjoyed her job and the company culture. Her enthusiasm about her work encouraged me to apply and I am really excited to be going through the interview process.
What type of work environment do you prefer?
I thrive in environments where I am constantly learning. A place where each days brings a fresh set of challenges that I can solve. I also like working with teams where we can collaborate on tasks and brainstorm solution-oriented ideas. In my former internship I worked with an incredible team as a project manager in the human resources division and I worked on certain projects where I had full creative control on the outcome. I enjoyed the balance of both.
How do you deal with pressure or a stressful situation?
Stressful situations are inevitable and I learned to navigate them successful throughout my college career and my various internships. The first time I came across a stressful situation was in my Sophomore year. I worked as a customer service representative at a big department store and it was holiday season. You can imagine the amount of pressure - long lines of customers all waiting to get attended too. Instead of succumbing to the pressure I made sure to really understand the pain point of each customer which were long wait times and stock outs. If we were out of one brand of sparkling water, I would quickly recommend a different brand. If lines were long, I would go to the floor to help the bagging process. Customers left feeling satisfied with their shopping experience. Overtime, I have realized that the key to dealing with pressure is willingly choosing to complete the tasks with a positive mindset instead of worrying.
Do you prefer working independently or on a team?
I like a mix of both. I enjoy working on a team. The process of strategizing with my teammates on the best way to approach a problem allows for critical analysis and diverse points of view. Wh I also build camaraderie and trust with them while we tackle big problems. I enjoy working alone as well because I get to see how I approach different problems and compare my current performance to my previous ones. Working alone also gives me an opportunity to get feedback from my managers on my progress or areas of improvement. I like a balance of both.
How do you keep yourself organized when balancing multiple projects?
I am used to working on multiple projects. A typical semester for me is juggling between my classes, weekend job, extracurricular activities, and passion projects. So to stay on top of my deadlines and due dates I like to prioritize my tasks based on their level of urgency and importance. I use the time blocking method to schedule time for my projects. I take advantage of tools like Google calendar to keep track of due dates and appointments and Notion to manage big projects.
What did you do in the last year to improve your knowledge?
Last summer, I took some time off to really learn about veganism. It seemed intimidating at first because I did not know enough. So I turned to research to understand the facts. I began making home-cooked meals by following recipes from people I trusted and liked on YouTube. As I began noticing changes in my gut health and productivity levels, I started a blog to share my experiences. Now my blog has over 500 enthusiastic vegans who are on the same journey as I am. it was one of the best investment I made in myself.
The Big Pivot
#Thebigpivot#self improvement#self love#beauty#growth#mindfulness#self development#classy#education#self care#preppy#educateyourself#career#job interview#jobposting#resume#employment#self control#students#smart#school#self discipline#mindset#study motivation#get motivated
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Anuradha
The seventeenth nakshatra (17 out of 27)
Degrees: 3° 20' to 16 °40' Scorpio zodiac
The ruler of the Nakshatra: Saturn (sanks. Shani), governing discipline, structure, and perseverance
Deity: Mitra, the god of friendship and partnership, who represents cooperation, harmony, and compassion.
Nakshatra's guna: tamas (Tamas is associated with inertia, darkness, and materialism. In this case Anuradha has tamas guna primarily due to its ruler Saturn which has a malefic nature)
Anuradha keywords: resilience, growth, purity, cooperation, friendship, loyalty, discipline, determination, organizational skills, leadership, harmony, charisma, ambition, emotional security, empathy, assertiveness, strategy, wisdom, romance, responsibility, transformation, spirituality.
Symbol: The lotus flower signifies purity, resilience, and growth amidst challenges. The archway or triumphal gateway symbolizes success and achievement.
Career options: roles in management, politics, social work, business consultancy, human resources, education, healthcare, law, finance, technology, and logistics are particularly suitable.
Lagna (Asc) in Anuradha: is characterized by a resilient, determined, and disciplined nature. These individuals excel in strategic planning and coordination, often thriving in leadership roles due to their charisma and influential capabilities. With empathy and compassion as natural traits, they are supportive friends and partners. Their strategic and tactical thinking enables them to devise effective plans and adapt to changes. With an interest in mystical and spiritual pursuits, they seek profound self-understanding. Ambitious and goal-oriented, they tend to set high standards and are driven to succeed. Loyalty and trustworthiness define their character, making them reliable and dependable in all relationships. NOTE: In order to understand how strong and harmonious ASC is, we need to evaluate the strength and position of Saturn as the ruler of this nakshatra, as well as any planetary aspects to it and the first house in general (if there are any planets).
Sun in Anuradha: makes the individuals bestowing strong leadership skills. They have a natural ability to lead and inspire others, often earning respect from peers, and taking charge in difficult situations. Like the lotus flower symbol of Anuradha, these individuals can thrive in challenging conditions, displaying resilience and strength. The influence of Saturn, the ruling planet of Anuradha, instils a sense of discipline and responsibility. These individuals are methodical and diligent in their approach to work and life. Anuradha Sun natives seek balance and harmony in their relationships and surroundings. They value cooperation and strive to maintain peaceful interactions. This placement often brings a deep interest in spiritual and philosophical matters. These individuals seek deeper meaning and understanding in life. They are introspective and reflective, often engaging in self-analysis and personal growth.
Moon in Anuradha: suggests individuals who possess a deep emotional intensity and a strong desire for meaningful connections. They are empathetic and compassionate, often nurturing and supporting those around them. These individuals may have a magnetic presence and an intuitive understanding of human emotions, making them skilled at fostering harmony and cooperation in their relationships. Moon in Anuradha natives are also resilient and determined, able to navigate through life's challenges with grace and strength. However, they may experience periods of emotional upheaval or inner turmoil, as the Moon's influence can intensify feelings and sensitivities. It's essential for them to cultivate emotional balance and self-awareness, allowing them to harness their emotional depth for personal growth and spiritual development.
Mercury in Anuradha: signifies individuals with a strategic and diplomatic communication style. They possess analytical prowess and persuasive charm, enabling them to navigate complex situations with finesse and tact. These individuals excel in negotiation and problem-solving, often finding creative solutions to challenges. Mercury's influence here also enhances their intellectual curiosity and interest in uncovering hidden truths and mysteries. They may have a keen eye for detail and a sharp analytical mind, making them adept at research and analysis. However, they may need to guard against tendencies towards manipulation or deceit, as Mercury in Anuradha can amplify communication challenges related to trust and honesty. Altogether, these individuals are resourceful, adaptable, and intellectually curious, leveraging their communication skills to achieve their goals and foster harmonious relationships.
Mars in Anuradha: indicates individuals with a determined and resilient approach to achieving their goals. They possess intense drive and ambition, coupled with a strategic mindset, enabling them to overcome obstacles and succeed in their endeavors. Mars here imparts strong leadership qualities, as well as a competitive spirit, making them formidable in competitive environments. However, they may need to temper their assertiveness with diplomacy, as Anuradha's influence encourages cooperation and harmony. These individuals may also exhibit a passionate and intense nature in their relationships, seeking deep connections and loyalty from their partners. Overall, Mars in Anuradha natives are dynamic and resourceful people who thrive when channelling their energy into focused and purposeful action.
Venus in Anuradha: indicates romantic at heart individuals. They express affectionate gestures towards their loved ones. They possess social fineness and charm, making them well-liked and admired in social circles. They have a knack for creating a pleasant atmosphere wherever they go. With a desire for harmony, they often act as peacemakers in conflicts, using their diplomatic skills to reconcile differences and promote understanding. They value loyalty and commitment in relationships, striving to maintain long-term bonds built on trust and mutual respect. Beneath their charming exterior, they possess emotional depth and sensitivity, allowing them to connect deeply with others on an emotional level.
Jupiter in Anuradha: imbues individuals with a deep sense of wisdom, morality, altruism and spiritual insight. They possess a philosophical outlook on life and a profound understanding of ethical principles. Jupiter's influence here enhances their capacity for generosity, compassion, and benevolence, prompting them to seek opportunities to uplift and support others. These individuals may have a natural inclination towards higher learning, philosophy, or spirituality, and they often excel in teaching, counselling, or guiding others. Jupiter in Anuradha encourages them to expand their horizons through cultural experiences, travel, or intellectual pursuits, fostering a broader perspective on life. Their positive and optimistic nature inspires confidence and trust in others, making them effective leaders and mentors.
Saturn in Anuradha: bestows individuals with a disciplined and determined approach to achieving their goals. They possess a strong sense of responsibility and a commitment to hard work, often enduring challenges with patience and perseverance. Saturn's influence here fosters a deep sense of introspection and self-discipline, prompting them to seek self-improvement and personal growth. These individuals may face trials and obstacles in their path, but they emerge stronger and more resilient as a result. Saturn in Anuradha encourages them to build stable and enduring foundations in their lives, emphasizing the importance of integrity, honesty, and reliability. While they may face delays and setbacks, their steadfast determination ultimately leads to success and fulfilment, especially in endeavours that require long-term planning and strategic thinking.
Rahu in Anuradha: brings an intense and transformative energy to individuals' lives. These individuals may experience a strong desire for power, recognition, and material success, often pursuing their ambitions with relentless determination. Rahu's influence here can lead to a fascination with the occult, mysteries, and hidden knowledge, driving them to explore unconventional paths and delve into esoteric subjects. However, they may also face challenges related to secrecy, manipulation, and deception, as Rahu tends to amplify desires and obsessions. It's essential for them to channel this energy constructively, avoiding shortcuts or unethical means to achieve their goals. With self-awareness and discipline, they can harness Rahu's energy in productive ways, leading to profound personal growth and transformation. Ultimately, Rahu in Anuradha encourages individuals to confront their deepest desires and fears, facilitating spiritual evolution and self-realization.
Ketu in Anuradha: signifies individuals with a deep sense of introspection and spiritual insight. They possess a natural inclination towards inner exploration and self-discovery, seeking to uncover hidden truths and transcend worldly attachments. Ketu's influence here encourages them to detach from material desires and embrace simplicity and inner peace. These individuals may have a profound understanding and acceptance of metaphysical concepts and esoteric knowledge, often drawn to spiritual practices or mystical pursuits. However, they may also experience periods of isolation or existential questioning, as Ketu prompts them to detach from conventional societal norms and expectations. They need to cultivate patience and acceptance, trusting in the process of spiritual evolution and surrendering to the guidance of their inner wisdom.
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An open letter from Dr. Tamer Al-Najjar, a professor and consultant in Environmental Engineering in Gaza. Before October 7th, he was a respected and in-demand expert on hydrologic engineering. He describes what his life is like now.
Nothing will Ever be the same Again
It will never be easy at all to return and continue living normally after this war has shattered everything in our hearts, our trust in the world the countries around us, the books, history, strategic plans, and more!!
How should I go back to work as an environmental engineering expert, dealing with climate change and sustainability goals? While all my international memberships couldn’t protect me from the shelling and killing!
How can I participate in conferences and research journals about resource and water supply management in conflict zones? None of it granted me at least the minimal requirements of water as recommended by the WHO.
And how can I continue designing sustainable buildings for clients in Eastern and Western countries and interact with people as if nothing has happened when the entire world has let us down?
A million ‘hows’ I pose, and I find no logical answers for them in this context!!
A million research papers, books, and volumes have been crafted by the West in major international conferences, summits, and meetings about the concepts of international law, human rights, food and water security, green economics, gender equality, environmental project empowerment, and entrepreneurship. In Gaza, we are a part of it, seeking alignment and keeping up with global progress.
Now, all of it has lost its value; all of it is reduced to zero, devoid of meaning altogether. How can it hold any value when I used to train in international projects on strategic planning, sustainable project management, and gender equality in many subjects and do research on water and food security, among other topics? I now only seek survival. Just survival!
It has become futile, with no purpose left. This is our new reality.
Dr. TAMER M. ALNAJJAR / GAZA / NOV. 4,2023
@najjart_1
Source: Tamer Al-Najjar on Instagram
You can find Dr. Al-Najjar on Instagram and Twitter/X at “najjart_1”
#gaza genocide#north gaza#gaza#gaza strip#gaza under attack#free gaza#from the river to the sea palestine will be free#palestinian genocide#environment#environmetalists#enviromental#engineering#sustainability#sustainable#go green#tamer al najjar
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